Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
92274 Forest Policy and Economics 2006 14 Pages PDF
Abstract

This study aims at assessing the current search for and use of scientific information by decision-makers in European forest policy and to identify their information needs. A theoretical framework describes the influence of various factors (e.g., values, interests and assumptions) on information search and use. A model, based on the notion that, besides scientific information, also other types of information are important, was developed and used as the basis for a survey. This survey was carried out among people involved in European forest policy-processes (i.e., attendants to the MCPFE 2003, Vienna). The outcomes indicate: information on ongoing policy processes and legal instruments as the most important information types; internal sources (colleagues) as the most important sources of information; Internet as the source with the highest use-frequency and fees for online access of journals and databases as one of the main access constraints. The paper is concluded with a number of recommendations for improving the information supply and access situation based on the experiences of the people interviewed.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Agricultural and Biological Sciences Forestry
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