The Information Work of Interdisciplinary Humanities Scholars: Exploration and Translation

Interdisciplinary inquiry has become more pervasive in recent decades, yet we still know little about the conduct of this type of research or the information problems associated with it. Through a qualitative study of the work practices of interdisciplinary humanities scholars, we examined the activ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Library quarterly (Chicago) 2002-01, Vol.72 (1), p.85-117
Main Authors: Palmer, Carole L, Neumann, Laura J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic Achievement
Citation Analysis
Comparative Analysis
Digital libraries
Environment
Exact sciences and technology
Humanism
Humanities
Information and communication sciences
Information literacy
Information resources
Information science
Information science. Documentation
Information Seeking
Information seeking behaviour
Information technology
Interdisciplinary Approach
Interdisciplinary aspects
Interdisciplinary research
Knowledge Level
Libraries
Library and information science. General aspects
Library collections
Literature
Networks
Online searching
Researchers
Resource Materials
Scholarly Communication
Scholarly Writing
Scholars
Scholarship
Sciences and techniques of general use
Scientists
Social Sciences
Social Scientists
Social Studies
Study
Teaching Methods
Translation
Use and user studies. Information needs
Users
Citations: Items that cite this one
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Summary:Interdisciplinary inquiry has become more pervasive in recent decades, yet we still know little about the conduct of this type of research or the information problems associated with it. Through a qualitative study of the work practices of interdisciplinary humanities scholars, we examined the activities and resources involved in scholarship that crosses disciplinary boundaries. The results highlight fundamental features of work in the humanities in relation to the interdisciplinary processes scholars use to extend their knowledge base and craft texts for new audiences. Relying heavily on informal collaborative relationships, scholars manage their interdisciplinary information work by developing strategies for exploring and translating information from unfamiliar domains. The networks of activities and resources built by interdisciplinary humanities scholars offer a working framework for developing digital research libraries to support complex and integrative scholarly work.
ISSN:0024-2519
1549-652X
DOI:10.1086/603337