The information seeking and use behavior of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology researchers has been analyzed based on David Ellis´ model, in order to verify how scientific information published in digital media affects this behavior. A qualitative research approach was used and data was collected by means of an interview guide with a set of open questions, applied to Faculty at the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department of the Rio Grande do Sul Federal University (UFRGS). The data was managed as a project on the Nvivo 2.0 software for qualitative analysis, employing codification techniques, as well as the constant comparative method. The final results have shown a pattern in the information seeking and use behavior among the group of researchers characterized, in many aspects, by the use of technology, such as the use of non-linear information seeking strategies. It has been noted that electronic scientific journals are the most important source of information amongst these researchers, and that they are widely used and accepted. However, the same does not apply to those of free access, which are still used in a restricted way. It has also been concluded that, the Ellis is a valid model, nevertheless, under some improvements and changes. This paper suggests new study topics related to the subject studied.
Information seeking and use; Information seeking behavior models; Scientific communication; Molecular biology and biotechnology