Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 2011

The rapid growth of Science and Technology has made the use of scientific information a problem of international concern. To keep abreast of current research the scientist and engineer can use a multitude of information sources. In this study the problem of information use is analysed and a theoretical framework is developed and applied in several case-studies of formal and informal communication. The case-studies include surveys among scientists, engineers and social scientists in different R&D-settings. Information about research is looked upon as a fundamental resource for R&D activities. It is demonstrated that information use and communication behavior are related to research productivity. However the use of both written and oral information sources is limited by barriers related to the individual user, his position in the social structure of the research community and organisation as well as the availability of information resources. In order to improve the use of knowledge it is necessary to integrate the information and documentation functions with the planning and conduct of research. In this context user education and marketing of information resources are important prerequisites. Information search and library use in higher education are analysed and discussed in relation to pedagogical methods and the maintainance of professional competence. Special attention is also given to computerized reference retrieval services and their evaluation. / digitalisering@umu