Publication productivity and scholarly impact of academic librarians in Tanzania

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 527-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred Said Sife ◽  
Edda Tandi Lwoga
Keyword(s):  
Research Productivity ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Publish Or Perish ◽  
Scholarly Impact ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Scientometric Study

Purpose – The purpose of this scientometric study was to conduct an analysis of the research productivity and scholarly impact of academic librarians in Tanzania for a period of 30 years from 1984 to 2013. Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained using the Publish or Perish software which uses Google Scholar to retrieve scholars’ publications, citations and related metrics. For each librarian, the retrieved metrics were the number of papers, papers per author, citation counts, average citations per paper, average papers per author, average citations per year, average citations per author and four indices, namely, the h-index, g-index, Hc-index and the HI-norm. Findings – The study findings indicate that 434 publications were recorded for all librarians, giving an average of 14.5 publications per year. The year 2008 had the most (9.9 per cent) publications followed by 2010 (7.8 per cent), while the years 1985 and 1987 had the lowest (0.2 per cent) number of publications. About 43 per cent of the publications were single-authored and the degree of collaboration was 0.57. The top-ten ranked librarians contributed more than half (53.2 per cent) of all publications, although they showed considerable variation among different metrics. Only three journal articles had 25 or more citations. Originality/value – Previous studies on the topic are scarce, and, therefore, this paper provides useful recommendations to library and information science (LIS) schools, libraries and universities to improve research productivity of their academic librarians in Tanzania and other countries with a similar setting.

Publication trends in library and information science

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.P. Singh ◽  
Harish Chander
Keyword(s):  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Publication Trends ◽  
Citation Pattern ◽  
Authorship Pattern ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Management

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to explore the publication trends of the scholarly journal Library Management, and highlight its various important aspects. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents results of bibliometric analysis of 336 articles which were published during the period 2006-2012, in the Library Management journal of Emerald. Findings – The results indicate that the majority of the contributions by single authors and most cited documents are journal articles. The study highlights the chronological distribution of articles, authorship pattern, geographical distribution of authors, institutions wise distribution, citation pattern and length of articles. Originality/value – As yet there have been no such studies conducted that investigate the various aspects of Library Management journal. It evaluates the publication trends of the journal and has important implications for scholars and researchers.

scholarly journals Acting hot or not? Testing the citing to show-off hypothesis

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeppe Nicolaisen ◽  
Tove Faber Frandsen
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Reference Lists ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Engineering Economics ◽  
Reference Selection ◽  
Linear Regressions ◽  
Selection Of

PurposeCitation analysis as a method for studying scientific communication is frequently criticized for being based on biased citation practices. Questionable motives for the reference selection have been suggested including the claim that authors tend to cite hot papers in order to show-off. In this study, the authors investigate the claim that authors tend to cite the recent literature in order to show-off.Design/methodology/approachFollowing Moed and Garfield (2004), the authors investigate the claim by analyzing the proportion of recent references as a function of the length of the reference lists of citing papers. The authors analyze reference lists of citing papers in the fields of biomedical engineering, economics, medicine, psychology and library and information science between 2010 and 2019. From each of these fields, a number of journals are included in the analysis to represent the field. In total, 42 journals are included in the analyses comprising a selection of almost 65,000 journal articles. The proportion of recent references is calculated using two citation windows. The proportion of recent references as a function of the length of the reference lists is calculated through simple linear regressions to predict the share of recent references based on the number of references.FindingsThe results of the linear regressions indicate that in most cases, there are a statistically significant relationship between the share of recent references and the number of references. This study’s results show that when authors display selective referencing behavior, references to the recent literature tend to be only marginally increased, and some results even display the opposite tendency (marginally overciting the older literature).Originality/valueThis study of the claim that authors tend to cite the recent literature in order to show-off does not confirm the hypothesis.

Professionalism in library and information science

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinwe Nwogo Ezeani ◽  
Helen Nneka Eke ◽  
Felicia Ugwu
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Questions

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the current trends, needs and opportunities of professionalism in librarianship in Nigeria. The broad purpose of the paper was to investigate the level of professionalism in librarianship and to ascertain the current status, trends and opportunities within the profession among academic librarians in Nigeria. Five specific research questions were formulated which are: to examine how librarians value librarianship as a profession, to elicit the efforts made by librarians with regards to professional development, to ascertain methods of acquiring current competencies within the profession, to investigate the role of professional bodies in promoting professionalism and excellence within the library and information science (LIS) profession and to proffer strategies to enhance professionalism and excellence among librarians in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – Descriptive survey design was adopted in the study across both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The area of the study was the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Anambra State. Population of the study comprised a total of 63 librarians in the two universities. All librarians were sampled because of the small sample size. The instrument for data collection was oral interview and questionnaire which contained 53 items derived from the research questions and built on a four-point scale of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree, (A) Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree (SD). The criterion mean was 2.50. Therefore, any calculated mean below 2.50 was adjudged a negative score, while any mean from 2.50 and above was regarded as a positive score. Findings – The study revealed the challenges facing professionalism and excellence within the LIS field as lack of funding for professional development, lack of sponsorship to workshops and conferences, lack of uninterruptible internet facility and a dearth of professional mentors in the South East zone. Other problems gathered from a scheduled interview with some senior professionals in the institutions revealed that most librarians are still facing the challenge of imbibing and utilizing emerging skills in the LIS professions such as digital archiving and data mining skills for their day-to-day activities. Originality/value – Recommendations arising from the study were proffered such as the creation of staff development programmes by management; collaboration and partnership by libraries within the zone; acquisition of training through workshops and conferences irrespective of sponsorship by the institutions; and teaming of academic librarians to enhance their visibility and publication output. International staff exchanges and opportunities for sabbatical leave, which hitherto was not common in the South East Zone, were recommended. Among other recommendations also were building of consortia with libraries in the country; LIS professional bodies helping to create visibility and prestige of the LIS profession; and, finally, to scale up the image of the profession the marketing of library products through profiling of patrons and furnishing them with required information has not only become necessary but critical.

scholarly journals Interdisciplinary librarians: self-reported non-LIS scholarship and creative work

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 547-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E. Thomas ◽  
Anne E. Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Creative Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Promotion And Tenure ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The University ◽  
Perceptions Of Administrators

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to interpret and discuss survey results of a study of academic librarians’ scholarship and creative work outside of library and information science in order to reveal some librarians’ motivations to perform such work as well as their perceptions of administrators’ attitudes toward it. Design/methodology/approach – The authors published a link to a qualitative survey instrument on COLLIB-L and ULS-L, the e-mail lists for the college libraries section and the university libraries section of American Library Association, asking that only academic librarians engaged in scholarship and creative work outside of library and information science participate. This paper is an exploratory analysis of the survey results. Findings – Librarians reported that they produce such work for many reasons, including personal satisfaction, dynamic and successful liaison work, and ongoing commitment to scholarship and creative work. Academic librarians who produce non-LIS work do so with varying levels of support, and the recognition of such work is inconsistent among institutions. Originality/value – The authors are the first to query American academic librarians specifically about their scholarship or creative work outside of library and information science. Managers and administrators will glean much about academic librarians’ attitudes toward such work and how it adds value to the library operation and institution. Findings could affect criteria for reappointment, promotion, and tenure.

scholarly journals Research Productivity of Ultrasonics in USA: A Scientometric Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 12-18
Author(s):  
L. Jamuna Rani ◽  
C. Jayachithra
Keyword(s):  
Research Productivity ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Scientific Publication ◽  
Quantitative Aspect ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Research Collaborations ◽  
Scientometric Study ◽  
Scientific Fields

Scintometric is a branch of library and information science. Scintometric tools can be used to measure and compare the scientific activities at various levels of aggregation including institutions, sectors, provinces and countries. They can also be used to measure research collaborations, to map scientific networks and to monitor the evolution of scientific fields. In this paper mainly visualizing the scientific publication of ultrasonics during 2004-2014, indexed in the Web of Science (WoS), a renowned database published online by the Thomson International, (formerly Institute for Scientific Information), Philadelphia. Scientometrics is the study of quantitative aspect of science as a discipline. These refers to component fields related to the study of dynamics of disciplines as reflected in the production of their literature.

Skills in the market: an analysis of skills and qualifications for American librarians

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 21-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michalis Gerolimos ◽  
Afrodite Malliari ◽  
Pavlos Iakovidis
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Content Analysis Method ◽  
Academic Librarian ◽  
Job Advertisements ◽  
American Academic

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to create a profile of the modern American academic librarian through the content analysis method of job advertisements. Design/methodology/approach – One hundred thirty-four advertisements were analyzed in various ways, e.g. salary, skills, qualifications, duties, followed by a multivariate analysis. Findings – Most significant findings include the importance of communication skills for all academic librarians, the significance of the Library and Information Science (LIS) degree and that applicants should expect a salary of $40,000-60,000. Originality/value – This paper builds on the previous studies in the field to verify that communication skills are among the most, if not the most, desired skills for a modern librarian, and that an LIS degree is still an asset.

Demonstrating personal stature: some strategies for the LIS higher doctoral candidate

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 590-605
Author(s):  
Andrew K. Shenton
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Doctoral Candidate ◽  
Unique Experience ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Doctoral Candidates ◽  
Made In

Purpose – The paper aims to explore the approaches that may be used by library and information science (LIS) higher doctoral candidates when preparing their submissions, especially in terms of highlighting the quality of their publications and the impact they have made. Design/methodology/approach – The methods discussed are those that were considered – and often actually used – by the author when assembling his own submission. Frequent references are made in the paper to pertinent literature on research and to British universities’ regulations on higher doctorates. Findings – The author warns against the tendency of applicants to concentrate too heavily on citation data. Although such statistics are undoubtedly important, a more convincing case for being awarded a higher doctorate may be made by drawing on a variety of sources of evidence, by no means all of which will be quantitative. Research limitations/implications – The paper is based on the experiences of one individual, i.e. the author, and consequently the perspective is narrower than would have been the case had it been written by a team of academics, all of whom had prepared their own higher doctoral applications, with each bringing their own unique experience to bear. Practical implications – The article is wholly practical in its focus; it covers a range of issues and offers realistic guidelines that should be considered by applicants. Originality/value – Published advice for the higher doctoral candidate is currently extremely limited. It would appear that no significant books or journal articles offer any support to scholars seeking the qualification. This paper has been written to help plug that gap.

scholarly journals A content analysis of literature regarding knowledge management opportunities for librarians

2006 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazel van Rooi ◽  
Retha Snyman
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Unexpected Finding ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Scholarly Journals ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Literature Reviews

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on the progress of research regarding the opportunities for librarians within the context of knowledge management.Design/methodology/approachA content analysis of 28 full‐length journal articles indexed by Library Literature in the past ten years was conducted.FindingsFindings indicate that more researchers than practitioners are aware of knowledge management opportunities, utilised more literature reviews and based their findings on theory. In addition, an unexpected finding was that the majority of researchers communicated their findings in professional rather than scholarly journals. Practitioners should therefore give attention to studies conducted by researchers to become aware of opportunities they could not identify themselves.Research limitations/implicationsOnly full‐length journal articles indexed by Library Literature were included. Thus the findings may have limitations in their generalisability.Practical implicationsResults of the study may assist in the improvement of teaching and research in library and information science. Additionally, librarians may become aware of the opportunities and acquire guidelines on how to attain the necessary requirements towards enhancing their role and ultimately boosting their image.Originality/valueThe study shows the progress of research regarding the knowledge management opportunities for librarians to researchers and practitioners interested in this field.

scholarly journals Are electronic theses and dissertations (still) grey literature in the digital age? A FAIR debate

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Schopfel ◽  
Behrooz Rasuli
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Electronic Theses And Dissertations ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Theses And Dissertations

PurposeWhile distribution channels of theses and dissertations have changed significantly in the digital age, they are generally still considered grey literature. This paper aims to argue the applicability of the concept of grey to electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper is presented as a debate between two contradictory opinions on the application of the grey literature concept to ETDs.FindingsThe paper provides a definition of grey literature and then discusses its application to electronic dissertations and theses. In particular, it assesses the aspects of acquisition, quality, access and preservation. Some arguments highlight the “grey nature” of ETDs, such as the limited access via institutional and other repositories. Other arguments (e.g. the development of ETD infrastructures and the quality of ETDs) question this grey approach to ETDs. The paper concludes that “greyness” remains a challenge for ETDs, a problem waiting for solution on the way to open science through the application of the FAIR (findability, accessibility, interoperability reusability) principles.Research limitations implicationsLibrary and information science (LIS) professionals and scientists should be careful about using the concept of grey literature. The debate will help academic librarians and LIS researchers to better understand the nature of grey literature and its coverage, here in the field of ETDs.Originality/valueSome definitions from the print age may not be applicable to the digital age. The contradictory character of the debate helps clarify the similitudes and differences of grey literature and ETDs and highlights the challenge of ETDs, in particular, their accessibility and findability.

Access to translated fiction in Canadian public libraries

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 569-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keren Dali ◽  
Lana Alsabbagh
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bibliographic Records ◽  
Reference Librarians ◽  
Bibliographic Data

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the quality of access to translated fiction published between 2007 and 2011 in six large Canadian public libraries, answering the question about what public libraries can do to help acquaint their readers with international translated fiction. Design/methodology/approach – The article uses the method of bibliographic data analysis based on 2,100 catalog records. Findings – As the results demonstrate, enhanced bibliographic catalog records deliver a wealth of information about translated fiction titles and facilitate meaningful subject access to their contents. At the same time, promotional activities related to translated fiction have room for improvement. Practical implications – Despite the fact that the study focuses on public libraries, its findings will be of interest not only to public but also academic librarians, any librarian tasked with the selection and acquisition of translated fiction, reference and readers’ advisory librarians in any type of library, Library and Information Science students and anyone interested in access to translated fiction. Originality/value – While many recent studies have turned their attention to enhanced catalog records and their role in access, discovery and collection promotion, there are no studies dealing with translated fiction specifically. The article also contributes to seeing an in-depth understanding of bibliographic records and cataloging as part and parcel of reference librarians’ knowledge and skill set, which improves retrieval practices and access provision.

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