Structural evaluation of webliographies: a webliometric study
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the structure of existing webliographies as human‐edited directories and review the literature on webliographies.
Design/methodology/approach
Using Google, 370 webliographies were identified and evaluated against seven essential elements of an ideal webliography including: annotated title, description, contents, annotated body, index, search mechanism, and contact us.
Findings
The research showed that a considerable number of webliographies lack five essential structural elements including annotated title, description, contents, search mechanism and index. Only two elements, i.e. annotated body and contact us, were present in the majority of webliographies.
Research limitations/implications
Problems hindering access to web pages, including technical problems and difficulties caused by government internet filtering policy, were among limitations of the research.
Originality/value
The results can help webliography designers avoid common mistakes in webliography development and help webliography users make better use of these sources.
Keywords
Citation
Alimohammadi, D. and Jamali, H.R. (2010), "Structural evaluation of webliographies: a webliometric study", The Electronic Library, Vol. 28 No. 5, pp. 734-740. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640471011082004
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
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