Stanford University Libraries

Why Teach Chemical Information: Quotes

  1. Importance to Students

    A senior chemistry major posted this to the chemical information listserv (his school just began offering an information course):

    “My one regret is the fact that before this class I didn't have a clue about most of this information. … I would go so far to say I'm definitely not alone. This wealth of information should not be an ‘elective’ in this day and age, especially in such a broad and complicated field such as chemistry. Every incoming chemistry major should be briefed … early on …”
  2. Success On-the-Job

    Graduates, including those with BS degrees, need to:

    “… understand how to handle and retrieve scientific and other related information needed in chemical industries.” (Research Director)
    “As a consultant in organic chemistry to six industrial research laboratories, I find that a large portion of my task is to bring to research scientists the literature references relevant to their immediate aims. Many scientists do not carry out thorough literature searches for their projects and often several months of fruitless work occurred in the laboratories before questions are brought to my attention. This loss of time (and funds) could have been avoided by acquiring the necessary information at the appropriate time.” (Industrial Consultant)
  3. Lifetime Learners

    Industry wants:

    “… people who understand how research is done, who know where to get information, and who are lifetime learners.” Current Trends in Chemical Technology, Business, and Employment, ACS, Dec. 1994 section on Skills/Traits Desired by Employers notes (p. 31)
  4. Changing Environment
    “Timely and accurate information gathering is absolutely critical for industrial research, because of the highly competitive nature of chemically related business arenas. The rapidly evolving changes in research require problem solvers, which includes information skills.” (Industrial Research Manager)
    “Many industrial companies, such as mine, do not employ information specialists, so each scientist needs to be able to access the information needed, and in the timeframe required (which may be as short as 3 hours).” (Industrial Research Manager)
  5. Job-seeking Advantage
    “Scientists need to know the state-of-the-art technology in their fields, so they need to use information skills to accomplish this. There is not time available on-the-job to teach these skills — graduates need to come with these skills.” (Industrial Information Manager)
    “I’ll have to offer your graduate the job – so few graduates know how to locate information!” (President of a small chemical engineering company)
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