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.
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.
Authors: David L Osterbur; Kristine Alpi; Catharine Canevari; Pamela M Corley; Medha Devare; Nicola Gaedeke; Donna K Jacobs; Peter Kirlew; Janet A Ohles; K T L Vaughan; Lili Wang; Yongchun Wu; Renata C Geer Journal: J Med Libr Assoc Date: 2006-07
Authors: David L Wheeler; Tanya Barrett; Dennis A Benson; Stephen H Bryant; Kathi Canese; Deanna M Church; Michael DiCuccio; Ron Edgar; Scott Federhen; Wolfgang Helmberg; David L Kenton; Oleg Khovayko; David J Lipman; Thomas L Madden; Donna R Maglott; James Ostell; Joan U Pontius; Kim D Pruitt; Gregory D Schuler; Lynn M Schriml; Edwin Sequeira; Steven T Sherry; Karl Sirotkin; Grigory Starchenko; Tugba O Suzek; Roman Tatusov; Tatiana A Tatusova; Lukas Wagner; Eugene Yaschenko Journal: Nucleic Acids Res Date: 2005-01-01 Impact factor: 16.971