Glaser J. "Why are the most influential books in Australian sociology necessarily the most cited ones?" JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY 40 (3): 261-282 SEP 2004

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Addresses: Jochen.Glaser at anu.edu.au

Title: Why are the most influential books in Australian sociology
necessarily the most cited ones?

Author(s): Glaser J

Source: JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY 40 (3): 261-282 SEP 2004


Cited References: 32      Times Cited: 0


Abstract:
The vote by TASA members on the 'Most Influential Book in Australian
Sociology' (MIBAS) provides an opportunity to compare quantitative
indicators based on citations with the peer review represented by the MIBAS
votes. While it is generally agreed that citations are only a partial
indicator of such a complex phenomenon as quality, citations are regarded as
a reflection of a publication's, author's or research group's 'impact' or
influence. This assumption is explored by applying several interpretations
and operationalizations of the concept of 'influence', by discussing their
validity, and by comparing the respective citation rankings to the MIBAS
poll. The major lessons of the comparison are that citation-based indicators
should not be applied in diachronic comparisons, for evaluating publications
on nationally specific topics, or in fields in which books are an important
part of the research output.


Addresses: Glaser J (reprint author), Australian Natl Univ, Res Sch Social
Sci, Res Evaluat & Policy Project, Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia
Australian Natl Univ, Res Sch Social Sci, Res Evaluat & Policy Project,
Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia

Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, 1 OLIVERS YARD, 55 CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y
1SP, ENGLAND


IDS Number: 862OM
ISSN: 0004-8690

CITED REFERENCES :
   *ISI, 1998, SOC SCI CIT IND 1997
   ALBERT M, 2003, HIGH EDUC, V45, P147
   ANDERSON RC, 1978, J AM SOC INFORM SCI, V29, P91
   BEYER JM, 1978, SOCIOLOGICAL Q, V19, P68
   BOTT DM, 1991, AM SOCIOL, V22, P147
   BUTLER L, 2001, MONITORING AUSTR SCI
   COLE S, 1967, AM SOCIOL REV, V32, P377
   COLE S, 1983, AM J SOCIOL, V89, P111
   COZZENS SE, 1985, SOC STUD SCI, V15, P127
   DIEKS D, 1976, SOC STUD SCI, V6, P247
   HARGENS LL, 2000, AM SOCIOL REV, V65, P846
   HARLEY S, 1997, HUM RELAT, V50, P1427
   LEWISON G, 2001, RES EVALUAT, V10, P89
   LODAHL JB, 1972, AM SOCIOL REV, V37, P57
   MACROBERTS MH, 1989, J AM SOC INFORM SCI, V40, P342
   MACROBERTS MH, 1996, SCIENTOMETRICS, V36, P435
   MOED HF, 1985, SCIENTOMETRICS, V8, P149
   MOED HF, 1985, SCIENTOMETRICS, V8, P177
   MOED HF, 2002, LIBR TRENDS, V50, P498
   NAJMAN JM, 2003, J SOCIOL, V39, P62
   NEDERHOF AJ, 1989, SCIENTOMETRICS, V15, P423
   NEDERHOF AJ, 1991, J AM SOC INFORM SCI, V42, P332
   NOCK DA, 2001, CAN J SOCIOL, V26, P469
   PFEFFER J, 1977, SOC FORCES, V55, P938
   PHELAN TJ, 2000, J SOCIOL, V36, P345
   PRICE DD, 1986, LITTLE SCI BIG SCI B
   SEGLEN PO, 1992, J AM SOC INFORM SCI, V43, P628
   TIJSSEN RJW, 2003, RES EVALUAT, V12, P91
   VANRAAN AFJ, 1996, SCIENTOMETRICS, V36, P397
   VANRAAN FJ, 2000, WEB KNOWLEDGE, P301
   WHITLEY R, 1984, INTELLECTUAL SOCIAL
   WIBERLEY SE, 2003, LIBR QUART, V73, P121