Convergence or Divergence? A Study of the Information Seeking Behavior of Historians and Political Scientists.

This is a study of the research communities in history and political science at Kent State University (Ohio). The purpose is to provide a profile of historians and political scientists and to discover the kinds of information they use for research. A survey/questionnaire was circulated to the history and political science departments. Information was solicited from faculty and graduate students in both departments. The findings show many areas of similar resource use. Despite some similarities, differences in access and method remain. Historians remain more traditional, using mostly older print sources, while the political science scholars use more current up to date resources like CD-ROM and online databases. Overall, many of the findings strongly support what has been found in previous studies. Tables illustrate demographic data, library use, typical information sources, convenient and inconvenient information formats, and percentages borrowed research materials. Survey instruments are appended. (Contains 21 references.) (Author/TMK)