| A survey questionnaire on various aspects of information use was designed and administered to researchers in the Instituto de Investigaciones Electricas (IIE) and to practitioners in the Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) in Mexico. Responses for 328 researchers, an 82% response rate, and 690 practitioners, a 42% response rate, were analyzed.;Important findings show that engineers in the IIE and in the CFE read more than they communicate; most frequently obtain written information sources in personal files and collections; most frequently consult with colleagues in their own organization; and frequently encounter problems in document delivery. In addition, researchers and practitioners differ significantly in the frequency of use of specific information sources, the frequency of use of four information channels, and in the frequency of encountering two problems in information use. Researchers use formal written information sources significantly more than do practitioners; practitioners use current information significantly more than do researchers; and practitioners demonstrate a significantly greater need for translations than do researchers.;Descriptive data were gathered on the following aspects of information use for both groups: frequently used information sources, number of hours spent reading and communicating, origin and language of information sources consulted, categories of people consulted, problems encountered in information use, and coping mechanisms used. In addition, fourteen hypotheses were tested for each group on the effect of language ability, technical division or area, work specialty, project phase, work location, distance from major information centers, and perceived accessibility on several aspects of information use. Six hypotheses were tested that compare researchers with practitioners in their information use behavior. |
