Uso e comunicação de informação científica e técnica em uma instituição de pesquisa e desenvolvimento na área nuclear

Abstract

Various aspects of the information seeking and use habits of information were examined together with their formal and informal communication patterns. The study was carried out within a government institution of resarch and development in a nuclear field, with three categories of professionals: engineers, physicists and chemists, totaling 119 persons. A questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. General communication concepts are presented. The characteristics of organizations are described and the role of communication in organizations is examined in relation to the management theories. The flow of communication through groups and networks is mentioned. Results of the study indicate that: 1) the prime information sources used by respondents are books, foreign manuals and contacts with colleagues working in the same organization. 2) The main reasons given for visiting the library are to do research (physicists). For the engineers, physicists and chemists the mais obstacle in getting the information needed was that it is not available in the library. The principal service offered by the library is the supply of literature from all parts of the word. The respondents said that most of the information needed for work purposes is obtained from the library. However, they need new and updated scientific and tchnical literature. 3) For chemists the meetings on the program phases is the most important type of formal oral communication. For engineersand physicists the most important are the work group meetings. Regarding informal oral communication, the three categories considered that visits to office and laboratories ate the most imprtant type. 4) The information obtained from the library is used mainly in solving problems. The engineers, physicists and chemists are producingas output of their research works new or improved methods and processes. According to the respondents, the results of their research and development activities must be published as internal technical reports. On the other hand, the physicists prefer to discuss the results with specialists from other organizations. Concrete recommendations are given to stimulate the use of information in the organization and for future development of the library activities.