This project investigates patterns of communication in condensed matter physics in Brazil with the ultimate purpose of obtaining information to improve the scientific information system in this country. It comprises three interconnected parts, each of which has a partjcular objective: (1) the characterization of the development of the community during the period studied, in terms of institutions, human resources and literature produced; (2) patterns of communication in terms of the formal and informal channels used for scientific information transfer; (3) the interpretation of the results obtained in the light of the country's historical and scientific background, taking into account present and possible future changes in the communication system of science at national and international level. The community analysed is examined as a whole and by specific groups using the scientific literature as the" basic element of investigation. Interviews with members of the community, selected via carefully defined criteria have helped create a picture of the circumstances under which the community grew and developed. The analysis revealed an active expanding scientific community, now reaching maturity (as viewed in terms of the volume and regularity of publishing). Research interests cover core and fringe areas of condensed matter physics, and interaction between national groups is becoming significant. An analysis of communication activities revealed similar patterns to those encountered for communities in developed countries. The community values equally formal and informal channels of communication, indicating that both aspects should be considered when discussing an adequate structure fo~ an information system. A minimum core collection of journals of interest was identified; the great majority of them were tr~ditional scientific journals published in the more developed countries. Strong invisible colleges between Brazilian physicists and those in developed countries supply. researchers with information, by-passing the deficiencies of the present information support system in the country. Bibliometric research techniques have proved to be helpful in studying patterns of communication in science in developing countries.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:352851 |
| Date | January 1984 |
| Creators | Fernandez, R. P. |
| Publisher | London Metropolitan University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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