NASA Gateway Requirements Analysis.
Abstract
NASA devotes approximately 40% of its budget to R and D. Twelve NASA Research Centers and their contractors conduct this R and D, which ranges across many disciplines and is fueled by information about previous endeavors. Locating the right information is crucial. While NASA researchers use peer contacts as their primary source of STI, on-line bibliographic data bases -- both Government-owned and commercial -- are also frequently consulted. Once identified, the STI must be delivered in a usable format. We found that NASA researchers need more comprehensive STI coverage of disciplines not now represented in NASA's Remote Console (RECON) bibliographic data base. This augmented subject coverage should preferably be provided by both domestic and foreign STI sources. We also found that NASA researchers frequently request rapid delivery of STI, in its original format. Finally, we found that they need a better system for alerting them to recent developments in their areas of interest. A gateway that provides access to domestic and international information sources can solve several shortcomings in the present STI delivery system. NASA should further test the practicality of a gateway as a mechanism for improved STI access. At the conclusion of this test, NASA's STI Division can better judge how to continue -- with optimum use of gateway technologies and features -- expanding access to STI across more disciplines and sources to a wider user community.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA240269
Entities
People
- Cynthia W. Shockley
- Denise R. Duncan
- John S. Doby
Organizations
- LMI