Wertheimer AB. "Quantifying the "goodness" of library history research: A bibliometric study of the 'Journal of Library History/Libraries & Culture' " Libraries & Culture 40(3): 267-284 Summer 2005

[Eugene Garfield]

Andrew B. Wertheimer : wertheim at hawaii.edu


Title: Quantifying the "goodness" of library history research: A
bibliometric study of the 'Journal of Library History/Libraries & Culture'

Author(s): Wertheimer AB

Source: LIBRARIES & CULTURE 40 (3): 267-284 SUM 2005

Document Type: Article    Language: English
Cited References: 85      Times Cited: 0

Abstract: Library historians use primarily qualitative research methods,
unlike most in LIS, who adopt social science research methods. This
contrast becomes problematic when evaluating the goodness of historical
research. This article briefly explores this conflict and crosses the
methodological divide by adapting both bibliometrics and qualitative
approaches to examine four volumes from the Journal of Library History
(1967, 1977) and its successor, Libraries & Culture (1987, 1997), in order
to observe transitions. The sample, 497 citations from 53 articles, was
tabulated by age, self-citation, and other factors to examine the goodness
of historical research.

Addresses: Wertheimer AB (reprint author), Univ Hawaii Manoa, Honolulu, HI
96822 USA
Univ Hawaii Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA

Publisher: UNIV TEXAS PRESS, BOX 7819, AUSTIN, TX 78713-7819 USA

IDS Number: 981CM
ISSN: 0894-8631

EXCERPT FROM PAPER :

Conclusion
This article has shown several possible avenues for further investigation
in terms of analysis of library history research, but I also hope that this
can be seen as a call for a more holistic evaluation of research efforts by
LIS faculty. Since L&C mandated peer review and other scholarly standards,
one can at least note the progress since the journal's early days, when
Shores praised its first volume: "A review of its 270 pages, reveals a
higher ratio of 'why' to 'how to' than any equal number of pages in any
other library journal."(50)

While we always have room for progress (perhaps especially in terms of
theory, as Wiegand suggested for the field at large), the journal has
certainly advanced greatly since these early days. It is fitting to include
this essay here, as credit for much of the journal's development should be
given to Donald G. Davis, Jr., who edited L&C from 1977 to 2005. Davis
worked tirelessly with the University of Texas Press and others to increase
the number of subscriptions and article submissions. He also raised the
journal's status and growth by encouraging new authors to contribute
research. Davis did this by participating actively in the ALA, the Library
Association (UK), and IFLA. Although many possibilities lie ahead for
Libraries & Culture, one of the most relevant questions remaining pertains
to how the research it has published will be cited and evaluated.

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