ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. It attempts to set the stage for the things to come by defining the state of the art in scientific and technical information (STI) marketing and addressing some issues and opportunities that exist in this new field. The part also attempts to summarize the existing situation with respect to the “STI system.” It includes a description of the STI system and a “value added” analysis of the STI communication process along with other themes. The part describes some of the problems in the transfer of STI and speculates on the directions that research may take in resolving these problems and issues: an especially important concern raised by Goldhar is the need for information services to become much more user oriented.
