Tuesday, 3 January 2012

Bibliometrics and the brain dead

an article by Ian M. Johnson (Robert Gordon University) published in Information Development  Volume 27 Number 2 (May 2011)

Abstract

Many bibliometric and webometric studies are superficial, failing to explore the reasons underlying the phenomenon that they measure.
  • Why do so many LIS researchers show so little curiosity about the context within which information is produced and used? 
  • Why do they neglect this opportunity to demonstrate the importance of information to development?
  • What more do teachers need to communicate about the purpose of bibliometrics and how to apply them in an influential way?
Hazel’s comment:
This is a stunning indictment of LIS researchers – not all of which I understood since I am a careers information manager cum shambrarian and have never been trained in library or information theory.
Mostly, though, I understood that researchers are quoting from other researchers without putting the information into context. Even I know that this is wrong!
I wanted to read the article myself before bringing you the abstract – hence the long delay between publication and this post.
If your institute has a subscription to this journal then you will be able to read it otherwise it will cost you $25 for short-term access from the publisher (Sage) which does not, yet, have an agreement with DeepDyve nor does it operate a rental system.



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