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1 – 10 of 559
Article
Publication date: 5 September 2008

Margam Madhusudhan

This paper focuses on the use of UGC‐Infonet e‐journals by research scholars and students. The main aim is to identify the needs and requirements of users in general and to know…

3223

Abstract

Purpose

This paper focuses on the use of UGC‐Infonet e‐journals by research scholars and students. The main aim is to identify the needs and requirements of users in general and to know the use of UGC‐Infonet Library and Information Science e‐journals in the University of Delhi by research scholars and students of DLIS in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted through a questionnaire circulated among 40 research scholars (PhD and MPhil) and 28 students (MLISc) studying in the DLIS, University of Delhi, Delhi, for the academic year 2006‐07. The response rate was 94 per cent.

Findings

The study shows that e‐journals perform an increasingly important role in research at DLIS. Not only current e‐journals are required, but research scholars and students need to be provided the use of significant electronic back runs as well. There is an ever increasing demand for subscriptions of more e‐journal titles in LIS. There appears to be some need for academics to be provided with training in using e‐journals. The area where the greatest need for training is around managing references.

Research limitations/implications

The study geographical area was restricted to research scholars and students of the DLIS, University of Delhi, Delhi.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the importance of e‐journals in research at DLIS, University of Delhi.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 26 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 November 2007

Mike McGrath

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on the reading of over 150 journals as well as monographs, reports and web sites.

Findings

It was found that the fundamental debate on the direction of scholarly publishing continues intensely. Electronic books remain a minority market but some commentators suggest that screen readability has improved significantly. The mass digitisation of books continues apace. Open Access continues to grow but with widely differing views on its impact – the publishers fight back.

Originality/value

The paper represents a useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 September 2014

Neena Singh and Anil Chikate

The purpose of this paper is to report results of a study which investigated the growth of open access (OA) journals across the world with reference to the Asian region. Details…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report results of a study which investigated the growth of open access (OA) journals across the world with reference to the Asian region. Details of 117 OA journals were collected from the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) to determine the geographic distribution, language of publication and growth of periodical year-wise. The study makes detail analysis of four OA periodical published from India, Iran, Pakistan and Taiwan. Pattern of authorship and contribution according to nature of professional work were analyzed. The study reveals that most contributions were made by teaching professionals in comparison to working library and information officers. Single-authored contributions dominated (44 per cent) in all periodicals of the Asian region, indicating low amount of teamwork/collaborative contributions to library and information science (LIS) research by the authors of this region. To know the subject distribution of articles, the study was limited to 27 subfields within the broad spectrum of LIS. Annals of Library and Information Sciences (ALIS) published in India carried the highest number of articles (165) followed by Journal of Library and Information Sciences (JLIS) from Taiwan. The findings of the study also indicate that there is varied distribution of topics within the Asian LIS literature published in OA journals. Most popular areas of writing among authors in OA journals have been found to be bibliometics, webometrics, research productivity or research methods besides information seeking pattern, information need of users and digital libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

To gather data for the present investigation, survey of OA e-journals was made across the Web. The collection of data from OA journals and content was accompanied by searching the DOAJ. After selecting the OA journals, these were analyzed using the descriptions on their content page and key words chosen from each contribution. Selection of additional key words, i.e. words not in the title, was also made. Analysis of this data is discussed in this paper.

Findings

OA removes restrictions that exist on access to scholarly information and knowledge, it empowers the readers to read, download, distribute and make use of relevant literature, besides giving authors and their work fairly good visibility, readership and impact. The OA movement is gaining importance and the scholarly community is now realizing that tolled or subscribed access is creating a barrier and preventing their work from wider accessibility and readership. A number of journals across the world are now being published in OA mode. The present study attempts to map the growth of LIS literature in OA journals with special reference to periodicals published from Asian countries. The finding of this sample study suggests that many counties are promoting OA journals. While USA ranks first in publication of OA journals in the world. Taiwan publishes the highest number of articles in Asia. Majority of OA journals are published in English, and English appears to be most popular language for communicating research information. Of the four OA LIS journals analyzed in detail, it is observed that single-authored contributions are most popular. Collaborative contributions to LIS research were not so evident among authors of the Asian community. The teaching professionals or LIS teachers contributed the greatest number of articles, except for the Indian journal ALIS, demonstrating that working professional are more actively involved in writing and they outnumber the teaching community. Contributions from research students in all OA journals have been fairly significant. Research students may be encouraged to publish their master’s and doctoral research work in OA periodicals for better visibility, readership and impact. The study further reveals that ALIS from India and JLIS from Taiwan carried the highest number of articles. While areas like bibliometrics, webometrics and e-resources and OA are most popular areas of writing among Indian authors, information-seeking pattern, information need, digital and virtual libraries have been popular among authors from Taiwan. Webology from Iran has predominant articles on Web study or evaluation and social networking. Universities and LIS need to come forward to take a need-based approach to LIS research, suggesting ways for improving existing LIS services in their respective countries. To get the correct picture of growth of OA journals in the Asian region, more exhaustive and extensive study may be required. Researchers interested to carry further investigation will have to adopt appropriate measures to overcome the limitations mentioned in the study, for example, the source of data DOAJ may not be very extensive to give correct picture of OA journals. It is likely that some journals may not have been included in this directory. Researchers interested to carry further investigations will have to adopt appropriate measures to overcome these constraints.

Research limitations/implications

Scope and limitation access to data and timely completion are the two vital factors for the success and accomplishment of the objectives of any investigation. Hence, considering the vast range of literature from every geographical region and limited time to complete research, the present study adhered to the following limitations. The study covers in its scope literature published in the period of five years (accessed from March 28 to May 25, 2011, only). The study includes only those publications/journals contributed by authors in English. The study includes four OA journals having full-text articles in English, abstracts not included. It considers those publications primarily inclined and relevant to library and information services. The study includes only those OA LIS journals listed or included in DOAJ.

Originality/value

The present study has been taken with view to analyze the growth of OA journals in LIS with special reference to Asian countries. While several studies have been conducted on growth and publishing of traditional LIS journals, the present study is perhaps an interesting attempt to make a comprehensive review of the phenomena. The finding of the recent study will be of interest to many LIS professionals, researchers and academicians as it demonstrate the growth of OA journals.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 32 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2002

Maria Monopoli, David Nicholas, Panagiotis Georgiou and Marina Korfiati

Provides an evaluation of the use of the electronic journals service of the library and information service of the University of Patras, Greece. Asks who these electronic journals…

3295

Abstract

Provides an evaluation of the use of the electronic journals service of the library and information service of the University of Patras, Greece. Asks who these electronic journals service users are, how often they use the service, what their reasons for use are, where their access points for use are, and which search methods and services they use. In addition, invites users to choose between an electronic and print journal title subscription and indicate some factors that would discourage them from accessing an electronic journals service.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 54 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2006

Lucy A. Tedd

The purpose of this research is to report on research undertaken into the use made of library and information science (LIS) journals in dissertations written by students…

1454

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to report on research undertaken into the use made of library and information science (LIS) journals in dissertations written by students undertaking the Master's course in Information and Library Studies at the University of Wales Aberystwyth.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of the citations of 100 (post 2000) dissertations submitted gives an indication of the range of material used in dissertations. In addition, responses to questionnaires from students provide information about how relevant papers are found from LIS journals.

Findings

Journals with a practical bias were cited more than research‐oriented journals. Lists of the most “popular” journal titles are included.

Originality/value

The research provides a “snapshot” of the use made of LIS journals by Master's students in their dissertations.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 58 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2008

Nana Turk

This literature review aims to provide a synthesis of available key information about the citation impact of Open Access journals in LIS and science in general. Citation impact is…

2651

Abstract

Purpose

This literature review aims to provide a synthesis of available key information about the citation impact of Open Access journals in LIS and science in general. Citation impact is defined as a surrogate measure of citation counts.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review, this paper discusses the methodology of the data collections for citation counts. The literature review is structured to address the literature about citation impact of Open Access journals.

Findings

The literature review indicates that there is quite a uniform way about methodology of citation counts and substantial research about motivation for URL citations to LIS articles.

Originality/value

This literature review is a comprehensive study of the main research about citation impact of Open Access journals, focused on LIS journals.

Details

New Library World, vol. 109 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2013

Faizul Nisha and Naushad Ali

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of e‐journals by the users of IIT Delhi and Delhi University.

2054

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of e‐journals by the users of IIT Delhi and Delhi University.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey research was conducted to access e‐journal use among IIT Delhi and Delhi University users. A stratified random sample method was used for selection of respondents. The survey was conducted through a structured questionnaire taking a random sample of 300 users (PG and PhD) from different disciplines of IIT Delhi and Delhi University libraries and the response rate was 66.66 per cent. The questionnaires were administered personally among the users of IIT Delhi and Delhi University during the survey period (March‐May 2011).

Findings

From this survey it was found that most of the users are aware of e‐journals and they are not only using them for building and updating their knowledge but also for collecting relevant material for their study and research purposes as information can be acquired expeditiously through e‐journals. The main aim of consulting these journals is for retrieving information regarding research, publishing research papers and manuscripts, assignments, presentations, seminars, and largely to update their own knowledge. However, this study also reveals several inherent problems especially with the use of e‐journals e.g. slow downloading as revealed by maximum IIT Delhi and Delhi University users. Other mechanical deficits like non‐availability of a particular issue, lack of training and limited access to terminals are also present while using e‐journals.

Research limitations/implications

The present study consists only of e‐journal users of IIT Delhi and Delhi University. The geographical coverage is restricted to Delhi. The responses have been taken from users and the data have been collected during the months of March‐May 2011 only.

Practical implications

The problem is selected by the investigator to understand the use of e‐journals by IIT Delhi and Delhi University users so that libraries can make further improvement in their e‐journal services depending upon the results and suggestions.

Originality/value

The paper provides suggestions derived from the analysis of data which in turn will help to enhance the use of e‐journal services and fulfill the needs and requirements of users in the libraries of IIT Delhi and Delhi University.

Details

Collection Building, vol. 32 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0160-4953

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 March 2003

53

Abstract

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2006

Nicholas Joint

To argue that in the knowledge economy, those who are expert in understanding intellectual property issues, such as librarians and information professionals, have a special…

2001

Abstract

Purpose

To argue that in the knowledge economy, those who are expert in understanding intellectual property issues, such as librarians and information professionals, have a special responsibility for creating policy, encouraging understanding and resolving legal disputes and conflicts unique to this aspect of the information society. One way of achieving this is through the educational impact of systematic information literacy programmes which include intellectual property issues as part of the syllabus.

Design/methodology/approach

An overview of current practice and current opinion.

Findings

That the current culture, especially in higher education towards intellectual property rights, remains both confused and confusing, above all for the “information illiterate” starting out on degree‐level programmes. Attitudes and policies need to be clarified so that a coherent approach to a range of different but related intellectual property (IP) matters such as plagiarism, self‐archiving on research repositories and respect for commercially owned copyright material is uniformly developed. Debate must be differentiated from policy which in turn must be implemented via the information literacy (IL) syllabus.

Research limitations/Implications

This is a statement of opinion that could be tested by practical case study investigation.

Practical implications

Suggests that information literacy programmes be promoted as a way of enhancing students' understanding of intellectual property issues.

Originality/value

This paper brings together different IP issues which are not normally considered together, such as institutional research repositories, student plagiarism and commercial IP entitlements. It points out ways of unifying these in a single coherent philosophy of information society rights and ownership. This philosophy should form one of the mainstays of the information literacy syllabus.

Details

Library Review, vol. 55 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2003

Victoria Robertson

This article is based on a study undertaken for an MSc dissertation looking at the impact of electronic journals on the relationship between acquisitions, inter‐library loans and…

2485

Abstract

This article is based on a study undertaken for an MSc dissertation looking at the impact of electronic journals on the relationship between acquisitions, inter‐library loans and journals departments in academic libraries. The study shows that, although electronic journals may be affecting departments in libraries, other factors may be present, e.g. budget cuts, staffing levels, etc. At present, it is still too early to judge the full impact of electronic journals on library services.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Keywords

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