Search Tools
Researchers are ready to develop search applications
Judson Dunham of Elsevier reveals the results of a recent survey into how researchers want to search for information and data
The continually evolving information landscape has presented an embarrassment of riches over the last few decades – and the scientific community has clearly benefited. However, with the amount of digitised scientific information increasing substantially and a rising trend in openly available raw data, scientists are spending too much valuable time digging through content. This growing wealth of data has led
to many discussions about information overload. However, the main problem isn’t too much information – researchers welcome the value of added content – but discoverability of the right information. Researchers want to consume more information but don’t want to sift through irrelevant data. Since the needs of researchers are as varied as the disciplines they represent, this is not a problem with a one-size-fits all solution. Using the first-hand knowledge of those
who can best identify the greatest search and discovery challenges – the researchers themselves – and empowering them to collaborate on solutions, may be the best way to offer personalised search and discovery. To foster researcher involvement, Elsevier recently launched SciVerse, a search and discovery platform that will encourage the creation and sharing of customised applications that meet specific researcher needs (see new products section). During the development of this new
product, Elsevier conducted qualitative and quantitative analysis into how researchers want to search. This indicated that
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Elsevier’s development of its new SciVerse platform sparked research into what researchers want to discover from scholarly information and data and how they can be involved in developing search tools
researchers are interested in maximising the opportunities allowed by platform openness and interoperability. They are also seeking ways to leverage the broader web trends of personalisation and collaboration in the search and discovery process.
Quantitative studies Elsevier followed this with a quantitative study of attitudes towards search technology trends. The company did a survey of more than 1,000 researchers across a wide range of disciplines, from around the globe, covering topics such as the potential impact of open data and the release of APIs (application programming interfaces). The findings overwhelmingly revealed that researchers are ready for the next phase in search technology and are more than willing to participate in bringing it to bear. With respect to open data, the scientific community clearly recognises its potential to help accelerate the research process.
Research Information October/November 2010
Nearly all respondents to the Future of Search and Discovery survey agreed that open data is important to the future of search and discovery, with 71 per cent suggesting it is ‘very important’. Despite this substantial demand, very
little structure and organisation currently exists to facilitate easy and meaningful use of this data. In its current state, much of this content holds limited value to the scientific community. Reciprocal linking between published articles and corresponding data, as well as standard reporting formats, would enable greater interoperability and ease of use. However, to adequately access and truly gain added insight from this content, APIs will need to be made available so that custom applications can be developed for taking full advantage of this data. The survey suggested that researchers are
aware of this need. Nearly eight in 10 (78 per cent) of the researchers surveyed agreed that the availability of APIs will foster
www.researchinformation.info
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