Preparation for interpersonal communication

• Published in: Journal of the American Society for Information Science Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 3 - 10
• Main Author: Wolek, Francis W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, D.C Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.01.1972; American Documentation Institute; Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Subjects: Behavioral sciences; Consultation; Engineers; Information communication; Information services; Interpersonal communication; Laboratories; Literature reviews; Personal communication; Professionals; R&D; Research & development; Science and technology; Scientists; New York; Washington DC; United States > US
• ISSN: 0002-8231; 1097-4571
• DOI: 10.1002/asi.4630230104

This paper describes three methods used by engineers and scientists to enrich their understanding of a technical subject prior to an interpersonal communication. Professionals may: (a) store the information need in hopes of an accidental or working encounter with the required information (piggybacking), and/or (b) verify and extend their background by contact with friendly associates (friendly consultation), and/or (c) review the literature of the field which is peripheral to their own (professional peripheration). Factors which determine the methods used are proposed: the opportunity cost of time, the extent to which similar needs have been encountered before, and the breadth of the user's (problem). Implications for the management of R & D organizations concern the provision of peripheral literature, the development of skills involved in consultation, and the clarification of the organization's technical goals.