Dimitrova, DV (Dimitrova, Daniela V.); Bugeja, M (Bugeja, Michael) The half-life of internet references cited in communication journals NEW MEDIA & SOCIETY, 9 (5): 811-826 OCT 2007

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: Danielad at iastate.edu; Bugeja at iastate.edu 

Author(s): Dimitrova, DV (Dimitrova, Daniela V.); Bugeja, M (Bugeja, 
Michael) 

Title: The half-life of internet references cited in communication 
journals 

Source: NEW MEDIA & SOCIETY, 9 (5): 811-826 OCT 2007 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Author Keywords: internet research; online citations; replicability; 
source attribution 

Keywords Plus: WEB PAGE; CITATIONS 

Abstract: This exploratory study examines the use of online citations, 
focusing on five leading journals in journalism and communication. It 
analyzes 1126 URL reference addresses in citations of articles published 
between 2000 and 2003. The results show that only 61 percent of the online 
citations remain accessible in 2004 and 39 percent do not. The content 
analysis also shows that. org and. gov are the most stable domains. Error 
messages for ' dead' URL addresses are explored. The instability of online 
citations raises concerns for researchers, editors and associations. 

Addresses: Iowa State Univ, Greeniee Sch Journalism & Commun, Ames, IA 
50011 USA 

Reprint Address: Dimitrova, DV, Iowa State Univ, Greeniee Sch Journalism & 
Commun, Ames, IA 50011 USA. 

E-mail Address: Danielad at iastate.edu; Bugeja at iastate.edu 
 
Times Cited: 0 

Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD 

Publisher Address: 1 OLIVERS YARD, 55 CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y 1SP, ENGLAND 

ISSN: 1461-4448

Cited Reference Count: 24

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