Information sources and utilization patterns of pharmaceutical scientists in Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the adequacy of pharmaceutical scientists' information environment in feeding their occupational activities. Data was collected through observation and through questionnaire administration to all the twenty-seven scientists in two large pharmaceutical companies in Lagos, Nigeria. Findings revealed that pharmaceutical scientists carried out their work activities under less than optimal information conditions and with out-dated information. Although scientists were found to rely a lot on oral sources (colleagues and so on) for information, documented sources were identified as being more reliable. A recommendation was made to the pharmaceutical companies to improve the information resources available for the use of their scientists through the provision of functional and effective information centres and through the provision of basic skills in information handling.