Researchers’ content habits post-COVID-19

Our recent survey shows that researchers are challenged by limited access to articles and limited time to read them, even as they move more to digital platforms to get their information.

Researchers’ content habits post-COVID-19

Researchers depend on keeping up with the latest developments in their field. But today they are faced with multiple sources and limited time. To better understand how researchers gather their information, we surveyed over 600 scientists across the United States and Europe working in universities, research institutes, corporations, and elsewhere.

The results show a community with emerging content habits and continuing challenges.

Journal readership remains strong

Journal articles remain the most popular source of scholarly content, with 94% of respondents reading them in the past 12 months. Interestingly, 84% said their preferred content format is review articles, followed closely by regular articles/article collections at 83%. They are also seen as a key resource to stay up to date with news in the field for 78% of respondents, though 52% said that getting access to the information in journals and similar publications is challenging.

Articles are also seen as a key resource to stay up to date with news in the field for 78% of respondents, though 52% said that getting access to the information in journals and similar publications is challenging.

Even if access is not an issue, the sheer amount of content now published means that 50% of respondents struggle to keep up to date and 34% struggle with assessing the credibility of the available content.". “With so many new journals now, determining which ones are credible takes time,” said one researcher. Publishers who clearly show their standards could cut through the overwhelming options and help researchers find the quality content they’re seeking. 

Researchers are becoming more digital, though paywalls remain a challenge

The COVID-19 pandemic drove a shift, with 59% of researchers saying that lockdowns meant there was limited or no in-person attendance at events and conferences, and 45% saying they began to use more digital platforms to access information online.

Perhaps because of this, online webinars are proving to be popular, with 46% of respondents saying this is a preferred content format.

This online trend is likely here to stay. Almost a quarter of respondents (24%) say they now keep themselves informed via social media, with the most popular channels being ResearchGate (74% of social media users), LinkedIn (55%), and Facebook (42%). 

COVID-19 has also created new cost challenges for researchers. Budget cuts have meant that many struggle to access paywalled content. “The library in my institution has discontinued subscription to full publishers’ collections due to COVID budget cuts,” said one US researcher. Another respondent from Sweden said that on top of existing cuts to budget there are “huge limitations for getting it in the future.”

Open access is gaining popularity

Researchers want publishers to start thinking about how best to reach them, given their new digital and virtual content habits. Many respondents said that the best way for publishers to serve the community is to provide more open access content. Others said that there should be more direct communications from journals and publishers, such as personalized “periodic updates of new published research,” to quote one respondent.

The survey offers a glimpse into changes in what matters most to researchers right now. Although journal articles remain the most consumed form of content, scientists are widening where and how they keep themselves informed.