Accessing and Sharing Research Information in the ASEAN Region: Malaysia's Perspective.

Abstract

One of the fundamental requirements for conducting research is access to and sharing of information. Traditionally, books and journals were the main sources of reference materials, but over the last decade, the Internet and other sources of electronic information have played an increasingly important role, e.g. the recent advent of APAFRI's E-loan and GFIS-ASIA. Electronic access varies tremendously within the ASEAN region. Researchers in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Thailand have excellent to reasonably good access, but many in other ASEAN countries are not so fortunate. Many researchers may not even have access to a computer. However, even with good electronic access, the availability of appropriate information can vary. For example, university libraries in Malaysia with more generous budgets generally have much wider access than small research institutions, such as FRIM. Similarly, because of budget constraints and economies of scale, developing country research institutions find it difficult to subscribe to many international journals either in print or electronically. Close interaction and personal contact between researchers is one of the most important means of information access and exchange for researchers in developing countries. Senior researchers have the advantage over junior researchers who have yet to develop such extensive contacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]