Technical Uncertainty and Project Complexity as Correlates of Information Use by U.S. Industry-Affiliated Aerospace Engineers and Scientists: Results of an Exploratory Investigation

Abstract

An exploratory study was conducted that investigated the influence of technical uncertainty and project complexity on information use by U.S. industry-affiliated aerospace engineers and scientists. The study utilized survey research in the form of a self-administered mail questionnaire. U.S. aerospace engineers and scientists on the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) mailing list served as the study population. The adjusted response rate was 67 percent. The survey instrument is appendix C to this report. Statistically significant relationships were found to exist between technical uncertainty, project complexity and information use. Statistically significant relationships were found to exist between technical uncertainty, project complexity, and the use of federally funded aerospace R&D. The results of this investigation are relevant to researchers investigating information-seeking behavior of aerospace engineers. They are also relevant to R&D managers and policy planners concerned with transferring the results of federally funded aerospace R&D to the U.S. aerospace industry.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA273766

Entities

People

  • John M. Kennedy
  • Laura M. Hecht
  • Linda O. Affelder
  • Nanci A. Glassman
  • Thomas E. Pinelli

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aeronautics
  • Aerospace Industry
  • Air Transportation
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Commercial Aircraft
  • Computer Programs
  • Databases
  • Department Of Defense
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Human Behavior
  • Information Processing
  • Information Science
  • Information Systems
  • Surveys

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Naval Personnel Management
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.

Technology Areas

  • Space