Bradford's Law Challenged

[Eugene Garfield]

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TITLE: Practical potentials of Bradford's law: a critical

examination of the received view (Review, English)

AUTHOR: Nicolaisen, J; Hjorland, B

SOURCE: JOURNAL OF DOCUMENTATION 63 (3). 2007. p.359-377 EMERALD

GROUP PUBLISHING LIMITED, BRADFORD

   ;

  

ABSTRACT: Purpose - The purpose of this research is to examine the

practical potentials of Bradford's law in relation to core-journal identification.

Design/methodollogy/approach - Literature studies and empirical tests (Bradford analyses).

Findings - Literature studies reveal that the concept of "subject" has never been explicitly addressed in relation to Bradford's law. The results of two empirical tests (Bradford analyses) demonstrate that different operationalizations of the concept of "subject" produce quite different lists of core-journals. Further, an empirical test reveals that Bradford analyses function discriminatorily against minority views.

Practical implications - Bradford analysis can no longer be regarded as an objective and neutral method. The received view on Bradford's law needs to be revised.

Originality/value - The paper questions one of the old dogmas of the field.

AUTHOR ADDRESS: J Nicolaisen, Royal Sch Lib & Informat Sci, Copenhagen,

Denmark

 
 

 


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