Traditionally, the main forms of informal communication in
science, technology, medicine etc. have been through oral
communication channels - personal contacts with colleagues and
teachers - seminars, lectures, and discussions at conferences,
fairs etc. These oral channels are often rapid and effective for
conveying information. They allow a high degree of flexibility
and are easy and pleasant to use. There is the possibility of a
two-way communication between the producer and the receiver of
the information. However, oral communication is seldom
comprehensive; for example, it can be difficult to give detailed
information about methods, constructions or results in a verbal
presentation. Oral communication sometimes stimulates the hearer
to look for some form of printed communication, but some
information does not exist in a printed form, and can, therefore,
only be reached by means of oral communication.
A widespread network of personal contacts is of great importance
for gathering information. Research workers are particularly
interested in obtaining the most recent information about
developments within their own subject fields. Informal verbal
communication is valued for the speed of information transfer.
Established research workers gradually build up "the
invisible college," an informal communication network.