Showing papers in "Annals of Library and Information Studies in 2020"

OPAC development as the genre transition process, Part II: OPAC genre analysis

Abstract: The purpose is to present library OPAC as a communication genre in its mutability. The paper is based on the idea of OPAC development as a transition to subsequent OPAC generations. Every generation, in the light of genre theory, can be treated as a subgenre with its own communication purpose. As such, it is subject to transformations caused by information technology development. OPAC development is described as an electronic genre transition process, which allows for distinguishing eight OPAC subgenre generations. They were distinguished based on socio-historical development of the genre system and were described according to Shepherd and Watters1 genre development model. These subgenres are then subjected to genres analysis revealing their basic characteristics (purpose, form and functionality).

Understanding research productivity in the realm of evaluative scientometrics

Abstract: The combination of a variety of inputs (both tangible and intangible) enables the numerous outputs in varying degrees to realize the research productivity. To select appropriate metrics and translate into the practical situation through empirical design is a cumbersome task. A single indicator cannot work well in different situations, but selecting the 'most suitable' one from dozens of indicators is very confusing. Nevertheless, establishing benchmarks in research evaluation and implementing all-factor productivity is almost impossible. Understanding research productivity is, therefore, a quintessential need for performance evaluations in the realm of evaluative scientometrics. Many enterprises evaluate the research performance with little understanding of the dynamics of research and its counterparts. Evaluative scientometrics endorses the measures that emerge during the decision-making process through relevant metrics and indicators expressing the organizational dynamics. Evaluation processes governed by counting, weighting, normalizing, and then comparing seem trustworthy.

Accuracy of references in the doctoral theses in library and information science submitted to Banasthali Vidyapith

Abstract: The study was carried out to investigate the accuracy of references in the fourteen Ph.D. theses in Library and Information Science (LIS) submitted to Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan, India. One thousand seven hundred and twenty-one (1721) journal references were checked thoroughly dividing them into seven bibliographic elements, i.e. name of the author(s), article title, journal title, year, volume number, issue number, and pages (both first and last page). These components were checked from the original journal articles. Results show that 22.08% (380) references in LIS theses had no errors, while 77.92% (1341) references contained errors. In 1341 faulty references, a sum of 2869 errors was observed, out of which 1231 were major and 1638 were minor errors. The reference accuracy rate for LIS theses ranged from 0% to 42.77%. The average number of errors in references was 1.67. The research findings indicate that citation instruction in Pre-PhD. Programme is strongly required to promote better citation behaviour.