Researchers of Tomorrow: A three year (BL/JISC) study tracking the research behaviour of 'Generation Y' doctoral students

Education for Change, in collaboration with The Research Partnership, has been engaged by the British Library and the JISC to undertake a groundbreaking 3-year study on the research behaviour of the 'Generation Y' scholar.

The study is tracking young doctoral students' (those born between 1982 - 1994) information-seeking behaviour, analysing their habits in online and physical research environments and assessing their usage of library and information sources on and off line.

The study includes a survey of doctoral students of any age to provide background to the Generation Y research. The first iteration of the survey took place at the end of June 2009 with the assistance of over 70 HEIs and covered all subject disciplines. It will be repeated annually. A summary of the 2009 findings is available.

Other activities in the Researchers of Tomorrow study include a comprehensive and ongoing literature review, annual student cohort questionnaires and workshops, and a longitudinal student tracking study.

Further information about the study is available here but a Researchers of Tomorrow website has also been set up for research participants and those who would like to follow the progress of the study more closely.