A Web-based assessment of bioinformatics end-user support services at US universities.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
This study was conducted to gauge the availability of bioinformatics end-user support services at US universities and to identify the providers of those services. The study primarily focused on the availability of short-term workshops that introduce users to molecular biology databases and analysis software.

METHODS:
Websites of selected US universities were reviewed to determine if bioinformatics educational workshops were offered, and, if so, what organizational units in the universities provided them.

RESULTS:
Of 239 reviewed universities, 72 (30%) offered bioinformatics educational workshops. These workshops were located at libraries (N = 15), bioinformatics centers (N = 38), or other facilities (N = 35). No such training was noted on the sites of 167 universities (70%). Of the 115 bioinformatics centers identified, two-thirds did not offer workshops.

CONCLUSIONS:
This analysis of university Websites indicates that a gap may exist in the availability of workshops and related training to assist researchers in the use of bioinformatics resources, representing a potential opportunity for libraries and other facilities to provide training and assistance for this growing user group.

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Author information

Author/s: Messersmith, Donna J (DJ); Benson, Dennis A (DA); Geer, Renata C (RC);

Affiliation: Labs-Now, P.O. Box 386, Garrett Park, Maryland 20896-0386, USA. dmessersmith(-atsign-)labs-now.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

Journal: Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA (J Med Libr Assoc), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jul; vol 94 (issue 3) : pp 299-305, E156-87

Dates: Created 2006/08/04; Completed 2006/09/14; Revised 2008/11/20;

PMID: 16888663, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Computational Biology - education
Education, Continuing - statistics & numerical data
Inservice Training - statistics & numerical data
Internet

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