Author : Komen, John; Traynor, Patricia

Summary : The quality and success of most research depends on researchers' ability to access and use good-quality information. The increased use of biotechnology in agriculture makes research and development even more information intensive and makes research management more dependent on information. In recent years, electronic information in particular has become a major resource in research. Electronic information can often be retrieved more easily, at lower cost, and faster than traditional, printed information. This appendix discusses electronic resources for research such as genome databases and resources for research management (for example, patent and biosafety information). Rather than giving a comprehensive picture of this rapidly evolving area, the appendix provides an overview of resources; the technical (hardware and software) requirements for accessing electronic resources are therefore not addressed.