This study will determine how the next
generation of scientists, frequently referred to as the Millennial
Generation, will seek scientific information in their research.
This generation was born between 1982 and 2000. Having grown up
with information technology, general studies show this population
has technological preferences for receiving and integrating
content, and this study is to learn if this extends to the
scientific content among young scientists. It will identify most
useful (and most desired) devices and formats, so that the
Information Services Division can plan to serve the next generation
of scientists. Findings will impact how digital scientific content
is harvested, identified using metadata, stored, accessed, and
disseminated. The project will identify young scientists
preferences for content format and ease of assimilation into
current processes. Specifically the project aims to learn: 1) which
library resources and information services are most valuable and
why, and 2) what scientific library resources do not exist that
could, or are not yet robust enough to be valuable. Further the
study aims to learn 3)in what specific ways are commercial internet
tools both successful and unsuccessful in helping find answers 4)
which platforms and devices are most helpful and why, and 5)which
technologies help support collaboration with peers. The project
plans to use Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
students who work at the National Institute of Standards and
Technology every summer as the test population. The survey is
voluntary, and all information gathered will be carefully
safeguarded.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.