Use of information technology among academic scientists in Mexico; Preliminary results of a survey

THIS ARTICLE REPORTS THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY CARRIED OUT IN 1998 AMONG MEXICAN BIOLOGISTS AND PHYSICITS. THE QUESTIONNAIRE, FOCUSING ON THEIR USE AND PRODUCTION OF PRINT AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SOURCES, THE AVAILIBITY AND USE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY; AND THE OBSTACLES THEY PERCEIVED IN THE USE OF THESE RESOURCES, WAS SENT TO 400 RESEARCHES (OF WHICH 26.5% RESPONDED), IT WAS FOUND THAT MEXICAN RESEARCHES GENERALLY HAVE UNENCUMBERED AND AMPLE AACCESS TO COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY. SOME DIFFERENCES IN THIS ACCES AND USE WERE IDENTIFIED FROM INDIVIDUAL TO INDIVIDUAL AND INSTITUTION INSTITUTION. PHYSICISTS, RESEARCHERS HOLDING DOCTORATE DEGREES, AND THOSE WORKING IN RESEARCH INSTITUTES WERE FOUND TO ENJOY OPTIMAL LEVELS OF ACCESS TO AND USE OF NETWORKED COMPUTER RESOURCES. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE FINDINGS ARE DISCUSSED AND AREAS FOR FURTHER STUDY ARE IDENTIFIED.