Abstract

Introduction. This study was undertaken to develop an information requirement framework for scientists who use biological samples and related data in their research.

Method. A self-reporting questionnaire completed by 137 respondents was used to collect data regarding demographics, bio-sample management, bio-sample use and requirements, data requirements, and work and research-related roles and activities.

Analysis. Descriptive and TwoStep Cluster analyses were used to analyse the survey data necessary for developing a framework of information requirements.

Results. Two groups of biomedical scientists (clinical group and basic scientist group) were formed by their distinct characteristics. A conceptual framework of information requirements for bio-sample researchers was formed. The study determined the following as core components: work roles, tasks, characteristics of data and bio-sample needs, factors affecting information seeking, and outcomes.

Conclusions. This study will enable the system designer to understand bio-sample users by means of their information requirements resulted in the proposed framework. Future empirical studies should assess potential users, types of information required depending on their work-related roles, factors affecting information seeking, and the evaluation of information seeking effectiveness.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2010

Notes/Citation Information

Published in Information Research, v. 15, no. 1.

© the author, 2010.

This article is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Funding Information

This project was supported in part by a faculty research grant by college of communication and information studies, University of Kentucky. In addition, this publication was made possibly by Grant Number P20RR-16481 from the National Centre for Research Resources, a component of the National Institutes of Health.

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