Internet Use in Academic Research: the case of UFRGS

o caso da UFRGS

Abstract

This study assess the use that researchers from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul make of the Internet, analyzing the structure offered to them, the network resources used and its impact on academics' production. It is an exploratory study in which a qualitative approach is used. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire answered through interviews by academics of Pure, Biological and Human Sciences. The results suggest that the University does not yet offer a totally adequate structure for Internet use. Amongst the resources used, electronic mail stands out while all the others are little used. The results also show that scientific productivity has not yet been influenced by the use of the Internet.