Premium
Medical scientists' information practices in the research work context
Author(s) -
Roos Annikki
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
health information and libraries journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.779
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1471-1842
pISSN - 1471-1834
DOI - 10.1111/hir.12095
Subject(s) - workflow , usability , context (archaeology) , knowledge management , qualitative research , work (physics) , computer science , information seeking , information behavior , information system , activity theory , world wide web , data science , psychology , sociology , information retrieval , human–computer interaction , engineering , mechanical engineering , paleontology , social science , electrical engineering , biology , cognitive science , database
Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the information practices of medical scientists in the research work context. Methods This is a qualitative study based on semi‐structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analysed in a web tool for qualitative analysis. Activity theory was used as the theoretical framework. Results The generating motives for the information related activity come from the core activity, research work. The motives result in actions such as searching and using information. Usability, accessibility and ease of use are the most important conditions that determine information related operations. Medical scientists search and use information most of all in the beginning and at the end of the research work. Conclusions Information practices appear as an instrument producing activity to the central activity. Information services should be embedded in this core activity and in practice libraries should follow researchers' workflow and embed their tools and services in it.