Information needs and information seeking behavior and related factors in Shahroud University of Medical Sciences

Considering the academic members as fundamental part of education and research in the country، meeting the guidelines of resolving their information needs is very important. So the present study was aimed to assess the information needs and information seeking behavior in academic members of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences in 2013. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Using census method، 210 of faculty members، clinicians، GPs and lecturers of Shahroud University were investigated. A researcher made questionnaire was applied in order to collect the data. SPSS V. 16 software was used to analyze the data using Chi square and T-test. Findings showed that participants'' main purpose to search for information was to update their educational and research information (36. 2%)، prepare scientific papers (33. 3%) and teaching (31. 9%). The main barrier impeding access to information resources was stated to be low speed of the Internet. Databases with 48% met the information needs of the participants followed by printed resources which was found to be 13. 8 percent. Databases provide individual information needs three times more than printed resources. Providing up to date databases as well as broadband Internet are of high importance.