Understanding the Information needs of Social Scientists in Germany

TL;DR

This study investigates the diverse information needs of social science researchers in Germany through three surveys, highlighting literature and research data as primary needs and providing a comprehensive list of 154 specific information requirements.

Contribution

It offers an updated, detailed overview of social scientists' information needs, including a new comprehensive list of 154 specific requirements based on three empirical studies.

Findings

Literature and research data are the most sought-after information types.

Over 75% of researchers need support in literature and data retrieval.

A total of 154 specific information needs were identified.

Abstract

The information needs of social science researchers are manifold and almost studied in every decade since the 1950s. With this paper, we contribute to this series and present the results of three studies. We asked 367 social science researchers in Germany for their information needs and identified needs in different categories: literature, research data, measurement instruments, support for data analysis, support for data collection, variables in research data, software support, networking/cooperation, and illustrative material. Thereby, the search for literature and research data is still the main information need with more than three-quarter of our participants expressing needs in these categories. With comprehensive lists of altogether 154 concrete information needs, even those that are only expressed by one participant, we contribute to the holistic understanding of the information needs of social science researchers of today.