| The purpose of this study was to describe the information-seeking behavior of science teachers in selected secondary public schools in Duval County, Florida. Information sources they used, the characteristics of these sources important to the teachers, and factors affecting their selection of resources were analyzed. The goal of the study was to provide empirical data which can be used by school library/media specialists and other information providers to plan, design, and maintain more effective and efficient information systems.; The questionnaire was used as the data collection instrument and was mailed to a total of eighty teachers who were identified as teaching at least one biology and/or chemistry course in the senior high schools in the Duval County Public School System. A total of sixty-eight questionnaires were returned for an acceptable response rate of eighty-five percent.; Cross tabulations for the variables in the hypotheses were calculated using chi square analysis. The chi square statistical test at the .05 level of significance was used to report differences among the teachers.; Three hypotheses were tested: (1) There are no significant differences in the information-seeking behavior of public school science teachers based on the subjects (biology and chemistry) taught. (2) Thre are no significant differences in the information-seeking behavior of public school science teachers based on the level (standard versus advanced) of the courses taught. (3) There are no significant differences in the information-seeking behavior of the teachers based on personal and professional characteristics such as: (a) Teaching experience. (b) Professional development activities. (c) Level of education. (d) Socio-economic status.; The major findings of the study indicate that: (1) There is extensive reliance on the textbooks by the science teachers regardless of the subject taught; level of course taught; or personal and professional characteristics. (2) The teachers tended to rate the academic library "excellent" but used their personal libraries more. (3) A lack of time was the major problem in obtaining information. (4) The characteristics of an ideal information system included convenience, accessibility, currency, relevancy, computer technologies, appropriate staff, and timeliness. |
