Information environment and information behavior of scholars in Slovakia: challenges for digital scholarship
Jela Steinerová
Purpose
The paper reports on selected results of a qualitative study of scholars in Slovakia, namely their perceptions of publishing, open science, values, barriers of research work and research creativity. We focus on how scholars engage with information and how they perceive information work.
Methodology
We applied the methodology of semi-structured interviews with 19 scholars in Slovakia. The design of the study is represented by a concept map and includes research process, information process, information infrastructure, and factors of influence. The methodology of concept mapping represents categories and contexts of the discourse.
Findings
Two types of discourses about digital publishing and open science were identified, namely the supportive discourse (citations, speed), and the critical discourse (commercialization, gaps in coordination). The perceived barriers were categorized into the system, social, individual, technological, administrative, and financial factors. Open science factors included transparent methods, open access, relations with public. Values are determined on individual and social levels. Research creativity is perceived with the use of such categories as research process, creative personality and creative research products.
Originality/value
Results of the study are represented by concept maps which visualize strategies of publishing, gaps in information infrastructure, values of research work and research creativity. Research information interactions are determined as adaptations and information use in the research process.
Conclusions
An ecological model of research information interactions for digital scholarship is presented, composed of factors of open science, methodology and expertise. We propose recommendations for academic libraries, publishers, and research institutions, including quality education, international contacts, attractive ecosystem for young scholars, and integrated digital services in centres of excellence.
Keywords: information behaviour, Slovak scholars, information infrastructure, values, research creativity, digital scholarship
Comenius University in Bratislava, SK
[email protected]
Purpose
The paper reports on selected results of a qualitative study of scholars in Slovakia, namely their perceptions of publishing, open science, values, barriers of research work and research creativity. We focus on how scholars engage with information and how they perceive information work.
Methodology
We applied the methodology of semi-structured interviews with 19 scholars in Slovakia. The design of the study is represented by a concept map and includes research process, information process, information infrastructure, and factors of influence. The methodology of concept mapping represents categories and contexts of the discourse.
Findings
Two types of discourses about digital publishing and open science were identified, namely the supportive discourse (citations, speed), and the critical discourse (commercialization, gaps in coordination). The perceived barriers were categorized into the system, social, individual, technological, administrative, and financial factors. Open science factors included transparent methods, open access, relations with public. Values are determined on individual and social levels. Research creativity is perceived with the use of such categories as research process, creative personality and creative research products.
Originality/value
Results of the study are represented by concept maps which visualize strategies of publishing, gaps in information infrastructure, values of research work and research creativity. Research information interactions are determined as adaptations and information use in the research process.
Conclusions
An ecological model of research information interactions for digital scholarship is presented, composed of factors of open science, methodology and expertise. We propose recommendations for academic libraries, publishers, and research institutions, including quality education, international contacts, attractive ecosystem for young scholars, and integrated digital services in centres of excellence.
Keywords: information behaviour, Slovak scholars, information infrastructure, values, research creativity, digital scholarship
Comenius University in Bratislava, SK
[email protected]