The English literature researcher in the age of the Internet

Abstract

This study explores the extent to which the information seeking behaviour of researchers active in the field of EnglishLiterature in the universities ofthe UKand the wider world has changed as a result of the developing electronic information revolution. It deals with the researchers' attitudestowards the Internet and examines their position with regard to utilizing the Internet as a publication outlet. The differenttypes of electronic information sources for English literature are identified and the experiences of researchers usingthem explored. Finally, the study examines researcher attitudes towards electronic publication and to plans for a 'virtual library'. The article concludes with recommendations for further study of the use of electronic resources in relation to information literacy and browsing and other facilities for subject access on the Internet.