The Use of Random Alarm Devices in Studying Scientists´ Reading Behavior

An intensive study of the scientific journal reading behavior of chemists and physicists was made using almost exclusively the direct observation of behavior (rather than questionnaires, interviews, or diaries) to determine what they read, why they read what they do, and what differences in reading behavior exist between the groups. A device which generated an audible alarm at random moments of time was carried by scientists and used to signal the times at which observations were to be made.