Showing papers in "Annals of Library and Information Studies in 2006"

Library and information science research in India: A bibliometric study

Abstract: The paper presents a bibliometric study of library and information science research literature emanating from India based on the data abstracted in Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA). Standard bibliometric techniques are employed to analyse the collected data and accordingly get indicators. Bradford's law of scattering is used to identify core journals of library : and information science wherein Indian authors publish their research output. To understand the productivity pattern of authors, Lotka's Law has been applied. The identified core journals are mostly published from India. Indian authors' contribution in' international journals is very low. A list of authors who have published 10 and more papers during 1967-2004 is drawn and presented. Such authors are 37 (1.35%) in number and authors with single publication have major share (74.63%). The author's productivity pattern is in conformity to Lotka's law.

A bibliometric analysis of the journal ‘Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Research, 1996-2004’

Abstract: A bibliometric analysis of the journal "Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Research" for the period 1996 - 2004 has been carried out. The trend of publications such as the year wise distribution of articles, bibliographical distribution of citations, authorship pattern, citation pattern, average length of articles, number of tables and figures used, time lag, geographical distribution of authors and subject analysis have been studied.

Scientometric profile of Indian science as seen through Science Citation Index

Abstract: An analysis of 11067 papers published by Indian scientists and indexed by Scie/lce Citatio/l!Ili!ex (SCI) CD-ROM for the year 1997 indicates that academic institutions (universities and colleges) are the major contributors to the scientific publications output. Major contribution came from 29 institutions, which contributed about 45% of the total Indian scientific output. Based on the values of different impact indicators (normalized impact per paper, publication effective index and relative quality index) TIFR outperforms all other institutions on different impact indicators. Fifty seven percent of the output is concentrated in physical sciences, chemical and medical sciences. Indian scientists widely publish their findings in journals published from the scientifically advanced countries of the West. Based on these values of the Normalized Impact Factor (NIF), it is observed that about two-third of the total papers have appeared in low and medium NIF journals.

A preliminary scientometric investigation of malaria research

Abstract: An analysis of 2275 papers on malaria research published in journals and indexed by Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux International (CABI) CD-ROM incorporating Tropical Diseases Bulletin (TDB), and Pub Med Medline (web edition) in 1990 and 2000 indicates that the Science Citation Index (SCI) covered only about 68% of the output indexed by CABI and Pub Med. Malaria research output is highly scattered both in terms of the sub-fields of the journals as well as the publishing country of the journals. The publication activity in Brazil increased significantly during 2000 as compared to 1990. Most of the prolific institutions are located in the developed countries, particularly in the UK and the USA. 'Parasite biology' constitutes the highest output (37%) followed by 'epidemiology'(19%) and 'drug resistance and antimalarials' (16%). USA and Australia emphasized different aspects of 'parasite biology'. China and Brazil emphasized different facets of 'epidemiology'. Nigeria and Thailand paid more attention to 'complicated malaria and its adverse effects' and 'drug resistance and antimalarials'.

Information searching habits of Internet users: A users’ study of Banaras Hindu University

Abstract: Reports the results of a survey conducted at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to determine the extent to which Internet users are aware and make use of the Internet. Efforts are on to find the information searching habits of Internet users. Data were collected using a questionnaire and follow-up interviews with the Internet users of three institutes and six faculties. Results show that all respondents are using Internet because of quality information they got through the Internet. Majority of respondents use Internet for research work because the university library has provided access to a large number of databases and online journals. Fifty percent of respondents search information through the search engines, whereas thirty-five percent prefer to go through the specific website/URL. Google and Altavista are more widely used search engines compared to others due to their wide coverage and user-friendly interface. About seventy percent of respondents prefer to take print out before making use of Internet material as compared to those who prefer online or CD. Thirty-five percent of respondents believe that Internet is most useful because they find good information all the time. It has also been observed that slow speed, high Internet charges, lack of training and lack of organized information are some of the factors that affect the use of Internet. Present recommendations to improve the use of Internet, including a well planned Internet literacy program and preparation of subject gateways.

Periodical literature on library and information science education : A bibliometric study

Abstract: The study presents an analysis of 536 papers published on library and information science education during the period 1995 to 2004. The productivity of authors and core periodicals have been determined using Lotka's and Bradford's law. Literature growth, country-wise distribution of papers and language pattern have also been studied. Literature growth in this area of LIS has been found to be negative. Most of the papers have been contributed by single authors (72.8%) and two authors (20.69%) and 72 % of literature is published in 72 journals.

Indian Journal of Environmental Protection: A study of citation pattern

Abstract: Present study is based on the references appended to the articles published in Indian Joumal. of Environmental Protection volumes. 14, 19 and 24 published in the years 1994, 1999 and 2004 respectively. Study highlights the authorship trend and collaborative research in environmental science during 1994, 1999 and 2004. The study found that team research is preferred in the field of environmental science rather than solo research. The degree of collaboration varies from year to year and is found to be 0.78 to 0.95. The overall degree of collaboration is calculated and found to be 0.85. The study also found that on an average 11.595 references are referred to by each article. Major contribution is made by universities (31.622%) followed by colleges (24.054%) and research institutions (23.784%). It is also observed that the proportion of single authored papers have decreased from 20.290% in the year 1994 to 4.762% in 2004.

Availability of library and information science electronic journals through UGC- INFONET project

Abstract: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has contributed substantially towards facilitating access to scholarly resources to research scholars and faculty members by introducing the UGC-INFONET Project. The project envisages bringing about a qualitative change in the academic infrastructure in Indian universities. The research and academic community in the universities can now have timely and easy access to journals and other electronic resources. The paper provides an insight in to the UGC-INFONET Project and aims to create awareness to the library and information professionals, research scholars, and faculty and post graduate students of library and information science regarding the availability of the scholarly journals in the field of library and information science.

Information technology based services in a university library : A user satisfaction survey

Abstract: Indira Gandhi Memorial Library, University of Hyderabad has computerized all its in-house operations and provides information technology based services over the network to the students and faculty. This paper attempts to evaluate the services provided by the library in the IT environment and also finds out the user satisfaction based on a questionnaire survey. Two hundred fifty questionnaires were distributed to students and research scholars in the university out of which 181 responses were received. The data analyzed indicates that students and research scholars are satisfied with the library services.

Scientific research productivity on Orissa: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract: Describes the growth of scientific research literature on Orissa published during 1985-2004. Includes 875 research papers from forty different journals. Analyses the data by their authorship pattern, year wise growth, subject wise break up of papers, category of journals, place of origin, length of papers, and productivity of journals.

Nobel laureate Anthony J leggett : A scientometric portrait

Abstract: This paper attempts to analyse the publication productivity of Anthony J. Leggett, the 2003 Nobel Prize winner in physics. His contributions peaked in 1987, 1994, and 1998 with 10 papers each. He had 194 publications during 1964 - 2004 in domains like Superfluid 3He (65), Foundations of Quantum Mechanics (36), Dissipative Quantum Systems (24), Atomic Alkali Gases (18), and Miscellaneous (51) which were analysed for authorship pattern with his 70 collaborators. Most active collaborators with Anthony J Leggett were: A. Garg with six papers and A. O. MCaldeira, D. M. Ginsberg, D. J. Vanharlingen , F. Sols, S. Takagi and D. A. Wollman with five papers each. His productivity coefficient was 0.60 which clearly indicates that his productivity increased after 50 percentile age. The highest degree of collaboration (1) for Anthony J. Leggett was found during 1964, 1971 and 1983. Journals have been the most preferred channel of communication, where as many as 139 papers out of 194 have been published. The core journals publishing his papers were: Phys. Rev. Lett. (42), Phys. Rev. B (9), J. Low Temp. Phys. (8), Phys. Rev. A (7), Ann. Phys. (6), Foundations of physics (6), J. Phys.(5), Prog. Theor. Phys. (5), and Rev. Mod. Phys. (5). Publication density was 3.02 and publication concentration was 3.59.

Mapping chemical science research in India: A bibliometric study

Abstract: Chemical sciences research in India has been mapped with data collected from the CD-ROM version of Chemistry Citation Index [publication year: 20023. Roughly, 4.5% of the global R&D output in chemical sciences was contributed by Indian in 2002. Indian researchers published 6186 papers from 569 journals and 12 non-journal sources. More than 45% of these papers appeared in journals with an impact factor less than 1.000. Around 2% of the papers were either published in journals with no impact factor or not indexed in JCR 2003. The average impact factor for journal articles during this period is 1.359. While 26% of papers published by Indians were in US journals, the percentages for Indian and UK journals were 21 and 20%. respectively. Among Indian journals, the Asian Journal of Chemistry (IF 0.211) took the major chunk of 269 papers, while the Journal of Indian Chemical Society (IF 0.275) and the Indian Journal of Chemistry B (IF 0.492) carried 224 and 209 papers, respectively. In all, 563 institutions contributed 6199 papers in 2002. Of these papers, 68% were contributed by 10% of Indian institutions. The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ranks first with 345 papers. This is followed by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad with 263 papers. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai with 259 papers and the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune with 246 papers come in the third and fourth places, respectively. The largest contributions came from Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata. In terms of states, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal are major contributors. About 16% of the papers had international collaboration (with as many as 53 count:ies). Major collaborating countries in chemical sciences were the US, Germany, Japan and Great Britain.

Information and communication technology infrastructure in special libraries in Kerala

Abstract: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure is an important resource of a modern library or information centre. ICT is the electronic means of capturing, processing, storing and communicating information. It encompasses an array of hardware, software, services and networks that enable access to digital information. This study investigates the current state-of-the-art information and communication technology infrastructure and the extent of use of electronic information resources in special libraries in Kerala. The following methods were used to collect data for the investigation: (a) questionnaire surveys of librarians, (b) semi-structured interviews with librarians and (c) observational visits in the libraries. All the special libraries of Kerala that were using information and communication technologies were selected for the study. The data collected were analysed and inferences made based on standard statistical methods. The investigation provides useful information about the current state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure and use of electronic information resources in special libraries in Kerala. Though the special libraries in Kerala have hardware, software and communication facilities to some extent, ICT based resources and services are not reaching the users to the expected extent. This has severely affected the provision of ICT based resources and services. The findings of this study would assist special libraries in India to develop strategies and policies that could make better use of ICT based resources and services.

Influence of Internet on library and information centres of National Institutes of Technology in India

Abstract: The Internet has been described as the gateway to information tool to the library and information centres that supplements existing library resources. The of Technology to understand and evaluate the use of the Internet as an information source by libraries of National Institutes of Technology in India and aims to detrmine the utilization of Intemet in library activities and services, search methods employed, problems encountered and associated-factors.

A biobibliometric study on Prof. B. N. Koley, an eminent physiologist

Abstract: This biobibliometric study is based on 251 papers of Prof. B. N. Koley published during 1958-2001. On the basis of collected data, this study examines year-wise distribution of papers, research group of the scientist and scattering of papers in different communication channels. In addition, it finds out author productivity, spectrum of research activity through analysis of the title keywords , and productivity of Koley's research group. Finally, it shows that the data set does not follow Bradford distribution.

Restructuring LIS user education courses in universities of agricultural sciences: A study

Abstract: Discusses LIS course content followed by 17 universities of agricultural sciences in the country. Analyses the suitability of these courses in achieving the objectives laid down and evaluates the course content in changing context and the need for restructuring the course curricula in present context. Suggests a separate one credit course on LIS user education and a separate course on technical writing.

Research trends in a premier institute based on annual reports

Abstract: Research trends at the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) have been studied based on the research projects reported in the annual reports of the institute for a period of 25 years (1975-1999). Out of a total of 380 projects carried out during this period by the institute, 184 projects were on (48.4 %) epidemiological studies, 75 projects (19.7%) on environmental studies and 121 (31.9%) were on experimental studies.

Job psychograph of library and information science professionals in higher education institutions in Tamil Nadu

Abstract: It is very important for the library and information science professionals to live up to the expectations ofthe users. To meet the user expectations, certain basic qualities have to be developed. Job psychograph is used to measure an individual's qualities and fitness for the job. The present paper is an opinion study to find out the importance of certain traits as identified by library professionals employed in higher educational institutions of Tamil Nadu. The study shows that sincerity, clarity of thought, good interpersonal relationship and honesty are considered more important and teaching ability and emotional stability are considered less important by LIS professionals.

Information needs of scientists and engineers in electronic environment : A case study of indian exploration and production industry

Abstract: Information is the key element for any kind of research and development. With the introduction of computers and other telecommunication facilities, information is now available to the scientists in a variety off formats. The study explores the habit of use of documents and the library by the scientists, engineers and technologists of Indian petroleum industry in the electronic era. It attempts to correlate the need of information with the habits of using of library. Concludes that information needs and habit of library use of scientists and technologists are related to their rank in the organization. The online access services, offline digital sources and Internet services are the most popular library services in upcoming electronic cultures With the emerging needs and increased fascination of scientific and engineering work groups for handling and use of electronic information resources, the information centres and libraries are expected to acclimatize with the inherent pressing needs of changed mindset of users.

Role of UGC in manpower development in the field of library and information science in India

Abstract: Defines the term 'manpower', and 'development' from the management and general point of view. Also discusses the training - development continuum and their fitness at the various levels of the organisation. Explains the importance of manpower in the context of libraries especially the university libraries. Further, highlights the various aspects for development of library manpower in today's fast changing environment. Finally analyses reports of various committees set up by the UGC in respect to libraries; and their implication upon the manpower development of libraries.

Dedication pages : A study

Abstract: Bibliometric studies with dedication pages are hard to come by. Hence, this study was taken up to find out types of dedicatees dedication pattern, trend of dedication, chronological distribution of dedications, subject-wise distribution of dedications and reasons of dedications. Some of the findings are quite interesting. Parents top the list among dedicatees, followed by spouses, teachers, children, friends, students, and so on. It is also to be noted that some authors of religious books have dedicated their books to gods, goddesses and saints. The country, countrymen, martyrs and leaders have also figured in the dedication pages of some books penned by patriots. Some practitioners and teachers of medicine have dedicated their books to patients whom possibly they could not forget because of their untimely death or some other reason.

Electronic information resources on fisheries: A study

Abstract: Electronic information resources play a vital role in the field of fisheries and aquaculture. The librarians are facing many challenges posed by numerous electronic information sources such as CD-ROM databases, online databases and web resources in this areas. This article makes ah attempt to identify and discuss some of the important databases in fisheries and aquaculture research and management.

Constraints for evaluation of acquisition operations and supplier performance using LibSys

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to discuss the constraints faced while evaluating the book acquisition system at the Central Library of Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur using reporting options offered by the library automation package, LibSys. The study examines how the Acquisition Section of the Central Library, IIT Kharagpur meets the expectation of its users and suppliers using parameters such as time involved for ordering, accessioning for making payment. The Section is also interested in assessing the performance of its different suppliers considering the percentage of books supplied and the time required to supply them. Since the evaluation is to be conducted in a time bound manner, it has been decided not to use the manual registers to collect the required data considering the time involved in scanning and analyzing manual data. Only option left out is to use the LibSys that facilitates data outputting through its different reports. This paper discusses the constraints faced while collecting data and proposes the need for 'customer specific' report options in commercial software packages. The paper also highlights the importance of suitable provisions in automation packages for evaluating the performance of different sections of library and its various stake holders.

Communication technologies in biomedical information centres and libraries in India : A study

Abstract: Advances in communication technologies during the last decade are well known. Information centres and libraries of biomedical institutions play an important role in providing information services to their users. The paper reports the emergence of communication technology facilities in biomedical information centres and libraries (ICLs) by comparing the communication technology facilities available at 126 biomedical ICLs during 1994-95,1997-98 and 2004-05. Concludes that communication technologies grew from 55.65% in 1994-95 to 100% in 2004-05 in the 126 institutions.

Pattern of content selection : An explorative study of local dailies in Manipur

Abstract: Local dailies play an important role in disseminating information pertaining to the various communities of the society at the regional or state level. The present paper aims at examining the contents and coverage of news items in major local dailies published in the state of Manipur. With the help of statistical tools, an attempt has been made to explore and identify the pattern of the contents such as the headlines, articles and letters to the editor published in the newpapers.

Information requirements of career seekers: an analysis of the levels of requirements on the basis of qualifications

Abstract: \ .' :: - : Career seekers need information at various stages of their career search. The present study aims at understanding whether career seekers hav.ing different levels of qualifications differ significantly iMhe. levels of requirement for information resources and services. The study was conducted on a sample of 1039 career seekers in Kerala who make use of different types of libraries. The data were collected using questionnaire method. To find out the level of significance p-vallie is calculated .. The result of the study shows that the career seekers with different levels of qualifications differ in the levels of requirement in half of the cases takert for the st~dy. The requireI'nent level is higher among those who have postgraduate degree.