Collection and organization of written information by social scientists and humanists: a review and exploratory study

Abstract

The literature on the information needs and uses of social scientists and humanists tends to ignore the stage of research in which the scholar collects and organizes written informa tion, i.e., the period between locating information and using it. This article reviews literature on information storage in the humanities and social sciences and describes an exploratory study of the content and organization of personal files. In the study, thirty-six professors in a major private university were each interviewed twice during a five month period. During the interview sessions, the scholars were asked to describe the way in which they organize their files. In addition, certain measure ments were taken in their offices: the linear feet of books, journals and other printed material on shelves; the number of filing drawers maintained; and the number of stacks of printed material on surfaces within the office. The findings are de scribed and discussed in the light of previous research. Finally, the article identifies ways in which such research could be used to develop superior information products and services and a better understanding of the process of scholarship.