Showing papers in "Annals of Library and Information Studies in 2007"

Analysis of contributions in 'Annals of Library and Information Studies'

Abstract: This paper deals with the analysis of the 131 contributions of the journal entitled 'Annals of Library & Information Studies' published during 1999-2005. It examines yearwise, institutionswise, statewise distribution of contributions, authorship pattern, citation analysis, length of the contributions etc. The study shows that most of the contributions of this journal are contributed by single author and statewise distribution shows that most of the contributions are contributed from New Delhi. Citation analysis of 1456 citations includes to find out average number of citations per contribution, types of publications cited and preparing of ranked list of cited journals in contributions of this journal. The study reveals that journals are the most cited publication amongst the library and information scientists and the source journal i.e. Annals of Library and Information Studies is the most cited journal in the contributions of this journal.

Use of e-journals and databases by the academic community of University of Mysore : A survey

Abstract: This paper describes the use of e-journals and databases (subscribed by UGC-InfoNet consortium) by the users of University of Mysore. Nearly 200 responses to a survey based on questionnaire have been analyzed and presented. Besides studying the use of e-journals and databases, the paper also examines the utilization and satisfaction levels of users with respect to the e-resources. The role of Information Communication Division (ICD) of the University of Mysore in informing the users about the availability of these resources is also discussed. Use of internet as an alternative to UGC InfoNet consortium resources is presented.

Use of ICT based resources and services in special libraries in Kerala

Abstract: Presents results of an investigation to study the contemporary use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based resources and services in special libraries in Kerala. The study was performed via a questionnaire survey of the library users and confined only to special libraries with ICT based resources and services. The study also investigated further areas, including: library professionals' help in the use of ICT based resources and services; any change in speed in academic/research work by using ICT; users' satisfaction with the application of ICT; reasons for their dissatisfaction; users' suggestions for training; and their opinion about the user education on ICT. The data collected were analysed and inferences made based on standard statistical methods. The results of the study revealed that the ICT based resource used by the largest percentage of users was the e-mail. The next most widely used resource was WWW, which was being used by nearly 60 per cent of the library users. A good number of the users were not satisfied with the application of ICT in their libraries and indicated 'inadequate ICT infrastructure' as their reason for dissatisfaction. Users proposed a variety of measures of formal orientation and training in ICT based resources and services to become more effective users.

Literature on hepatitis (1984-2003): A bibliometric analysis

Abstract: This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of the literature output in the field of Hepatitis covered in three bibliographic databases namely MEDLINE, CINAHL and IP A. The literature covered in three databases for the period 1984-2003 was considered. MEDLINE covered the maximum of 75750 records during the study period, i.e., 1984 to 2003. This is followed by CINAHL and IP A databases. There are total numbers of 82617 records in three databases in the field of hepatitis during the study period. The total number of duplicate records among the three databases is 3305 (4%). T otal number of records after removing duplicate records is 79312 (96%). One-third of the citations indexed with the term ‘hepatitis’ for the period of this study have more than five (32.91%) authors. 85.17% of the total contributions are tending to be collaborative research with different degrees of collaboration s ranging from 0.82 to 0.86. The collaborative research tends to be more in the field of Hepatitis.

Authorship patterns in physics literature : An informetric study on citations in doctoral theses of the indian institute of science

Abstract: Presents a case study of the trends in authorship pattern and collaborative research in physics with a sample of 11,412 journals and 1,328 book citations appended in the physics doctoral dissertations awarded by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore during 1999-2003. The study found that team research is preferred in the field of physics rather than solo research. The average number of authors per journal articles was 3 and for books it was 1.69. The degree of collaboration in different years was calculated and the average value of it for journals was 0.08 and 0.44 for books. The authorship collaboration is more in journal articles than in books. The study concluded that authorship pattern, the degree of collaboration and the average number of authors were different in journals and in books.

Journal of Food Science and Technology: A bibliometric study

Abstract: Bibliometric analysis of 779 articles published, along with citations in five volumes 37(2000) to 41(2004) has been carried out. A similar study was also carried out for the maiden volume of the same journal for the year 1964. The number of contributions and their distribution in different volumes, authorship pattern, foreign and Indian authored contributions, institution wise contribution, citations, types of publications cited, geographical distribution of contributions national and International as well as physical growth of the journal have been studied. Results indicated an increase in the number of contributions in successive volumes with India being the major contributor both in the maiden volume as well as in the five volumes studied. The highest number of contributions is by the joint authors (two). The growth and popularity of the journal is showing a steady upward trend, though contributions from the developed nations form only 15% of the total.

A bibliometric analysis of the 'Journal of the Indian Society for Cotton Improvement' (1995-2004)

Abstract: Highlights the research trend of cotton scientists by studying the patterns of articles published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Cotton Improvement for the period 1995-2004. Patterns related to authorship, bibliographic forms, citations. contributing institutions, and subjects were analyzed. Based on these details, ranking of core journals (Indian & foreign ) in the field of cotton science has also been done.

Literature on LIS marketing: Growth and pattern

Abstract: In the beginning of 1970s 'marketing' entered into library literature. Thereafter growth hus been noted enhancing its applicability in libraries resulting into wider knowledge base on the subject. This paper traces the history and growth of LIS marketing literature. It classities LIS marketing literature into review publications and bibliographies books including conference publications), journals and newsletters, and web-based literature. These four sources represent the principal outlets for disseminating knowledge of LIS marketing.

Information seeking behaviour of agricultural scientists with particular reference to their information seeking strategies

Abstract: The paper is an outcome of the research study conducted by the authors on information seeking behaviour of agricultural scientists working in the ICAR institutions of Delhi and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Data has been collected through the structured questionnaire and analyzed with the help of latest version of MS-Excel for appropriate statistical procedures for the description (i.e., frequencies, percentage, means, and standard deviations, etc). Study discusses the findings of various strategies and procedures adopted by the agriculture scientists in meeting their information requirements. The agriculture scientists were asked to ranks the information sources in on the basis of I, II, and III in the order of priority. The survey result shows that agriculture scientists have expressed great dependence in meeting their information requirements on their institutional library/information centre. The Library/information Centre is the most preferred source (72.05%) of the respondents for all categories of agriculture scientists. On the other hand for accessing information, agriculture scientists highly depend on the library collection, followed by the personal collection, collection of their supervisor and of their colleagues.

Internet as a source of information : A survey of Ph.D Scholars

Abstract: The article attempts to report the findings of a survey conducted to study the pattern of Internet use; satisfaction with the search results and the Internet services; and reasons of non-use of Internet by the Ph.D. scholars of Dr. H.S. Gour University, Sagar, M.P. The findings show that the rate of Internet use is more in research scholars of Science, Life Sciences, Engineering, Technology and Management faculties as compared to the faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Law, Education and Commerce. Among the non-users of Internet, the number of female research scholars is more as compared to male. The research scholars use Internet for research purpose, entertainment as well as for job search.

Journal citations in Physics doctoral dissertations of Indian Institute of Science

Abstract: Results of a citation study comprising 690 journals containing 11, 412 references collected from 71 doctoral theses awarded by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore during 1999-2003. It was observed that journals are the most frequently cited bibliographic form of citations and it amounts 84.67% of the total citations. The journals most preferred by the Physicists in their theses were Physical Review-B with 9.53% citations, followed by Physical Review-A and Astrophysical Journal. The IF of journals ranges from 32.771 to 1.072. Physicists cite only 16 Indian journals and Pramana is the top ranked Indian journal. USA is the leading country of journal publication and English is the prime language of journals. Monthlies were cited more and Elsevier Science was the leading journal publisher. Half-life of journal citations was found to be 10 years and the mean year of journals was 14.19.

Use of Internet in the scholarly communication of social scientists: a case study of IGNOU

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to ascertain the use of Internet in the scholarly communication of the social scientists in IGNOU and analyse its impact on their research and working in the Open Distance Learning (ODL) environment. In the category of scholarly communication, we include both research as well as course development work. Findings of this study highlight purposes and frequency of use of the Internet by the social scientists, their methods of locating, accessing and using information on the Internet.

Information use by economists: A study

Abstract: Discusses the information use pattern of Indian economists in the present Internet era. Highlights the use of various types of resources, including institutional resources and role of NASSDOC in providing various services to social scientists.

Status of libraries in higher technical education institutions : with special reference to deemed universities of North India

Abstract: Sr. Librarian, Central Library, Punjab Engineering College (DU), Chandigarh-160012, E-mail: seema_pec@yahoo.co.inExamines the present conditions in libraries in technical deemed universities of north India. The study is based on theanalysis of physical facilities (building, open access and working hours), budget, professional staff, organisational structure,library holdings (print as well as non-print), users, technical processing, etc. Questionnaire method was used to collect thedata. Comparative data in tabular form of six technical deemed universities are drawn for showing the strengths and weaknessesof these libraries. Based on the results of the survey, few suggestions have been given. These suggestions will be useful forplanning and policy making of libraries in technical deemed universities.

Career guidance through libraries in higher educational institutions

Abstract: In the contemporary society a young person is in need of skills like the ability to communicate and get along with people and the ability to think ahead besides acquiring academic qualifications. The career life planning process empowers students to choose right career, as well as acquire skills and sharpen capabilities to acquire and manage the chosen career. Modern libraries should look out for new methods of serving the users in a better way. This paper highlights the role of libraries in providing career information services to college students. It discusses different methods to be used by the libraries to disseminate career information. The importance of providing Internet services to career seekers is also highlighted. An attempt has made to identify some of the problems faced by the libraries in providing qualitative career information services to its users and few suggestions are made to improve career information services in libraries.

A bibliometric study of laser literature in India, 1995-2005

Abstract: Identifies various bibliometric indicators of articles published by the Indian researchers in the field of laser science and technology during the period 1995-2005. The Scopus - the indexing/abstracting online database is the main source for this study. The bibliometric techniques, such as Bradfordi s law , Lotkai s law and the Subramanyam formula were employed respectively to measure quantitative distribution of literature in sources/journ als, author productivity, and the degree of collaboration among authors. The study found that the literature growth has steadily increased and the growth rate over the period of time was 22.436 articles per year. Of the total literature, 97.32 % appeared as research articles. Literature was found to be published in eight different disciplines, and the percentage of multi-disciplinary articles was 18.93. The log-log plot drawn for distribution of literature in various sources/journals fits the typical Bradford S-shaped curve. The study identified 20 core sources and 23 core journals. It was found that majority of authors contributed only one article (65.04%), which is larger than the 60% of original Lotkais data. The degree of collaboration among authors is 0.94. The average length of an article is 7.09.

Bibliometric properties of 'Demography India'

Abstract: Analyses articles and citations in Demography India from 1972 to 2001. Identifies core areas of demographic studies, institution-wise contribution of articles and geographical area pertaining to the articles. Determines the trend-line and fiveyearly moving average of the year-wise distribution of collaboration coefficients for ascertaining the trends in the distribution of single and multi-authored articles. Obtains slight inclination of authors towards collaboration. Using regression analysis formulates Lotkais relationships and hence determines the values of constant K and index ‐ in the relationship. Finds that Lotkais relationship is valid for authors with more than three publications only. Determines some closer relationship than Lotkais by using regression ranking. Identifies most-cited journals, examines bibliographic forms of cited documents, average age of citations and rate of citation per article. The findings of this study are compared with the results of similar studies.

Facet sequence in analytico synthetic scheme: A study for developing an AI based automatic classification system

Abstract: Aims to demonstrate the techniques of fixing the facet sequence in developing an automatic classification system to construct classification numbers for document titles, which appear in natural language. Describes the procedure of knowledge representation for basic subjects and their facets with regard to five fundamental categories, their respective notations, symbols etc. States the techniques of selecting their respective category name to follow the facet formula in general. Discusses the method of identification of facets from the title of the document. Also includes the scope of defining the specific facet formula for any specific subject. Facet formula for ACI of Colon Classification is also included to handle it successfully following postulates and principles.

Zipf 's Law and number of hits on the World Wide Web

Abstract: Words of variable length are gathered together in a meaningful manner to make up a text. Web is probably the largest mass of words of various kinds. The distribution of words contained in a text itself is of great interest to scientists. Many scientists have attempted to examine the informetric properties of the web in the past. However, fewer attempts have been made to investigate relationships like the number of hits words of a text generated on a search engine, their word length and the frequency with which they appear in a text. Present paper is an attempt to do so.

Bibliographic coupling in toxicology journals

Abstract: Explores the phenomena of bibliographic coupling in nine core journals in toxicology indexed in the Toxicology Information Online (TOXLINE), the international database. A total of 1218 articles were taken for analysis using Software Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The journal Toxicology had highest percentage of bibliographically coupled articles i.e. 15.3%. There was no fixed trend in the development of number of bibliographically coupled articles. The number of coupled articles decreased as the coupling strength increased.

Availability of biomedical serials in India: A case of malaria research

Abstract: Attempts to analyse the availability of biomedical serials in India and there accessibility. A search on malaria using the Pubmed database retrieved 386 journal articles in the last 180 days prior to April 2005. The availability of these journals in the country has been ascertained using the Union Catalogue of Biomedical Serials in India (UNcat). The participating medical libraries of UNcat have been divided into four zones (North, South, East and West) and the distribution of these serials has been tabulated. The findings shows that various valuable journals, in each zone, is available in duplicates, such as, the British Medical Journal, The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine etc. Reveals that though a large number of journals are available online; their download costs are very high. This study will help the policy makers and administrators to formulate policies to reduce duplication of valuable resources in the country. It is proposed that traditional services like the union catalogues may be upgraded with value added services such as document delivery, interlibrary lending, etc. for effective and efficient retrieval at a much lower cost.

UDC as it could be made

Abstract: It has been observed that during the last half a century, UDC has become more comprehensive on the one hand and more complex on the other; more class numbers have been vacated than filled up; verbal expressions (verbexes) of class numbers in large number of cases are riddled with superfluous words, sentence-like expressions, out-of-date headings, unnecessary clusters. inappropriate, confusing and misplaced headings. As a result many of them are not index-friendly, not even index-worthy. Suggestions have been put forth to ensure more simple class numbers, relocate some classes to more logical positions, reduction in the length of many class numbers, and index-friendly subject headings.