A Longitudinal Analysis of Internet-Based Research Communication in Developing Areas

这个项目在五年的时间里研究新的信息技术对发展中地区科学的影响。项目小组将通过分析与人际网络和信息搜索行为有关的条件，研究因特网对发展中世界内部以及与国际科学界的研究交流的影响。研究人口由360名科学家组成，他们来自三个研究能力水平不同的发展中地区（加纳、肯尼亚和印度喀拉拉邦）和两个组织背景（大学、政府研究机构）。1994年，在互联网迅速发展之前，一项关于研究交流的综合研究曾对上述每一个领域进行过研究。这些科学家分布在12个组织地点：三个地区（加纳、喀拉拉邦、肯尼亚）各两所大学和两个研究所，每个国家总共有120名科学家。将为每位科学家收集几种数据（常规调查、网络调查、互联网使用数据和电子邮件数据）。该项目将：(1)通过为研究机构提供点连接的局域网络来增强基本的连通性；(2)评估五年的专业关系、信息搜索行为和研究实践的变化；(3)培养教师和研究生在科学技术社会分析方面的能力。这些成果将通过提高发展中国家科学家的连通性和减少他们的孤立性，对科学能力产生直接影响；通过培训学者进行科学和技术的社会分析，产生直接影响；通过加深对最有可能利用和维持的联系类型的了解，产生间接影响。

This project examines the effects of new information technology on science in developing areas over a five year period. The project team will study the impact of the Internet on research communication within the developing world and with the international scientific community through an analysis of the conditions associated with interpersonal networking and information search behavior. The study population consists of 360 scientists in three developing areas with different levels of research capacity (Ghana, Kenya, and the Indian state of Kerala) in two organizational contexts (universities, government research institutes). Each of these areas was the subject of a comprehensive 1994 study of research communication just prior to the rapid expansion of the Internet. These scientists are located in twelve organizational sites: two universities and two research institutes in each of the three areas (Ghana, Kerala, Kenya) for a total of 120 scientists in each country. Several kinds of data will be collected for each scientist (conventional survey, network survey, Internet usage data, and email data). The project will (1) enhance basic connectivity by providing local area networks to research organizations with point connections, (2) assess the professional relationships, information search behavior, and changes in research practice over a five year period, (3) train faculty and graduate students in the social analysis of science and technology. The results will have a direct impact on scientific capacity through increased connectivity and decreased isolation of scientists in developing countries, a direct impact through training of scholars in the social analysis of science and technology, and an indirect impact through increased understanding of the types of linkages that are most likely to be utilized and sustained.