Main Article Content
Use of Scientific Information Sources by Policy Makers in the Science and Technology Sector of Nigeria
Abstract
This study investigated how policy makers in Nigerian public agencies that have mandates for policy making and implementation in the science
and technology sector access and use information sources in their activities. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 121 of the policy makers to find out the sources and types of information they use and their
perceptions of the availability and accessibility of the sources. The policy makers reported that the most available sources were newspapers
(88.6% of the respondents) and colleagues/superiors (82.9%), while the most accessible sources were colleagues/superiors (70.0%). The
most inaccessible information sources were student theses and dissertations (40%), reports from research institutes (37.1%) and books of
abstract (35.7%). The results imply that soft information sources and personal contact are the most available and accessible information
sources. The policy makers suggested that improved availability and accessibility of information produced in the research institutes
and universities could help strengthen their policy making activities. This could be achieved through the building of local institutional
repositories and databases of scientific research and publications, as well as joint conferences and workshops involving policy makers and
scientists/researchers in the research institutes and universities.
and technology sector access and use information sources in their activities. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 121 of the policy makers to find out the sources and types of information they use and their
perceptions of the availability and accessibility of the sources. The policy makers reported that the most available sources were newspapers
(88.6% of the respondents) and colleagues/superiors (82.9%), while the most accessible sources were colleagues/superiors (70.0%). The
most inaccessible information sources were student theses and dissertations (40%), reports from research institutes (37.1%) and books of
abstract (35.7%). The results imply that soft information sources and personal contact are the most available and accessible information
sources. The policy makers suggested that improved availability and accessibility of information produced in the research institutes
and universities could help strengthen their policy making activities. This could be achieved through the building of local institutional
repositories and databases of scientific research and publications, as well as joint conferences and workshops involving policy makers and
scientists/researchers in the research institutes and universities.
