Work in progress - lifelong learning and information retrieval practices in materials science and engineering

This paper describes an exploratory case-study of information retrieval practices in one specific discipline, materials science and engineering. In particular, we examine how do the information retrieval practices of practicing professionals compare to those of undergraduate seniors? The preliminary findings provide provisional insights into the concrete retrieval skills students have and need, and suggest teaching practices (particularly in design courses) faculty can employ to help students build such skills.