28 september 2006
Citation analysis in practice
In my previous post I wrote an accompanying comment on the cover article I wrote for the leading professional Dutch library magazine. My article sets out to explain how libraries can be active in the area of citation analysis. Ball en Tunger (2006) implied bibliometrics, or citation analysis, as one of the niche markets in which (academic) libraries can play a new role. At Library Wageningen UR we have been active in this field for a number of years already. My article (in Dutch) set out to explain how you can transfer a method developed on scientific grounds, into a viable library practice. It is not only about counting citations in the Web of Science. It is about the interpretation of the results with the help of the Essential Science Indicators.
The article stresses the fact taht Brownie points can be earned for libraries quite easily with this type of work. Where scientists come less and less often to the library, we approach the Staff instead. We ask them whether or not their publication list is correct. We explain them about citations and journal impact factors. We explain them about the effect of their erratic naming behaviour. Or the consequences of changing names after marriages, or divorce…. We are invited at staff meetings to explain our findings. We help scientists to make decisions on the decision in which journal to publish their latest results. We see where they publish and what they publish, we see what is hot and what is not.
Just to name a few examples.
The article is about an area of library innovation. How you can translate a rigorous scientific method into the daily practice. But above all, it is about the opportunities to interact with your scientific staff, your ever so important library patrons.
Literature
Ball, R. & D. Tunger (2006). Bibliometric analysis : A new business area for information professionals in libraries. Support for scientific research by perception and trend analysis. Scientometrics 66(3): 561-577. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11192-006-0041-0.
Technorati tags: Bibliometrics; Library innovation; library interaction
The article stresses the fact taht Brownie points can be earned for libraries quite easily with this type of work. Where scientists come less and less often to the library, we approach the Staff instead. We ask them whether or not their publication list is correct. We explain them about citations and journal impact factors. We explain them about the effect of their erratic naming behaviour. Or the consequences of changing names after marriages, or divorce…. We are invited at staff meetings to explain our findings. We help scientists to make decisions on the decision in which journal to publish their latest results. We see where they publish and what they publish, we see what is hot and what is not.
Just to name a few examples.
The article is about an area of library innovation. How you can translate a rigorous scientific method into the daily practice. But above all, it is about the opportunities to interact with your scientific staff, your ever so important library patrons.
Literature
Ball, R. & D. Tunger (2006). Bibliometric analysis : A new business area for information professionals in libraries. Support for scientific research by perception and trend analysis. Scientometrics 66(3): 561-577. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11192-006-0041-0.
Gerritsma, W. (2006). Wetenschappers gewogen : een systeem voor citatieanalyses in de praktijk. Informatie Professional 10(10): 12 - 17. http://library.wur.nl/wasp/bestanden/LUWPUBRD_00348170_A502_001.pdf.
Technorati tags: Bibliometrics; Library innovation; library interaction
Labels: English
