Library and Information Science

The aims of the present paper are: 1) to discuss the methodology of studies on the need for and use of scientific and technical information, 2) to introduce to the Japanese audience, especially to information specialists as well as scientific research workers in all fields, an over-all view of information use studies in foreign countries—mainly in the UK and the USA, and 3) to discuss some of the problems created by Japanese circumstances that must be solved to facilitate such studies in this country. The studies introduced by the author do not cover all which deal with the information-gathering, -using and -disseminating habits of scientists. The writer has tried to emphasize current trends in such studies and has avoided giving attention to studies of narrow significance.