Information-Seeking Habits of Environmental Scientists: A Study of Interdisciplinary Scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Janet M. Crane, University of New Orleans

Abstract

This study describes a questionnaire survey of interdisciplinary scientists conducting research at The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The survey was conducted to gain a clearer picture of how the interdisciplinary scientist seeks information, and in particular how the interdisciplinary scientist manages his/her time in regard to information-gathering tasks. Results indicate that many participants have at least some difficulty in keeping up with research in their field(s) of study in regard to time. As a result, many participants do at least some of their information-gathering in their off-time or delegate certain research responsibilities to others.