Digital Commons Network^™

A Ten-Year Bibliometric Analysis Of The Journal Review Of Palaeobotany And Palynology (2003 – 2012), Saravanan G Mr., Saravanan G Mr., Dominic J Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The present work is a bibliometric analysis of a leading journal in Palaeobotany and Palynology, ‘Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology’. The study, based on Web of Science ^TM as the tool reveals that 1821 authors have contributed 903 papers during the years 2003 to 2012. Our analysis includes the publications output, exponential growth rate, authorship patterns, collaborative co-efficient and prolific authors, country wise and organization-wise distribution of contributions.

The study reveals that multiple authorship with collaboration of three (25.47%) and two authors (25.36%) was dominant. The average degree of collaboration for study period was 0.87. The Collaborative Coefficient …

Measuring Shelf Availability In University Library: Universiti Teknologi Mara (Uitm) Machang, Kelantan State, Malaysia, Agus Rifai, Muslim Ismail Ahmad Mr., Nordelina Zulkarnain Mrs

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Library chain of operation is measured in this availability study. The function of acquisition, cataloging, circulation, library system and procedure is examined by a simulated search performed by librarian and library staff. A number of 100 titles is randomly searched in OPAC and effort to search initiated and findings are examined. The score shows the probability of availability of patrons leaving the library with desired book in hand. Suggestions are given at the end of article for correction and improvement purposes

The Use Of Electronic Journal Articles By Academics At Mzuzu University, Malawi., Lizzie Malemia

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The use of information technology for scholarly publication is now commonplace all over the world. Academic communities in Africa are part of this transformation. The purpose of this study was to investigate academics’ use of scholarly electronic journal articles at Mzuzu University and assess the factors influencing their behaviour. Data collection instruments used for the study were the use of a questionnaire to the academics, interview with Deans of Faculties and follow up e-survey to some academics at Mzuzu University. The findings revealed that most academics had general knowledge of the electronic journals and this did not vary with education. …

Chemical Literature Databases: Conflict Of Interest?, Belinda L. Hurley

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

A publisher of a research database controls the search algorithms of its database and, at a minimum, partially controls the indexing metadata attached to journal articles indexed in its database. A publisher of a journal partially controls the indexing metadata attached to articles in that journal. A publisher who publishes both a research database and journals that are indexed in that database has significant control over two major aspects of the discovery process. This allows the possibility for a publisher to introduce a bias into its algorithm that could favor discovery of its own articles. This work looks at search …

Information Needs, Utilization And Socio-Economic Empowerment Of Textile Market Women In Southern Nigeria, Adetoun Elizabeth Adekanye

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Information is essential and crucial to decision making. Reliable information is necessary for building the awareness resources and practical strategies to improve life time experiences capable of enhancing direct access to knowledge and power. The study therefore investigated the information behaviour and socio-economic empowerment of textile market women in Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design and purposive sampling technique to select two Geo-political Zones in Nigeria. Findings showed that there was a relative influence of information needs, seeking, sources, and use on the socio-economic empowerment of the textile market women. It was also discovered that information seeking has the …

A Discussion And Suggestions On Ethical Barriers In Librarianship: Information Privacy, Controversial Materials, And Personal Beliefs, Spyros Tsompanakis

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In this work, the author discusses three ethical issues that have become barriers in the library environment: information privacy, controversial materials, and personal beliefs. The specific issues are covered by the ALA Code of Ethics, which is a general but clear guideline. In the library’s everyday life, however, these guidelines are being challenged by the occasional or consistent behaviors of librarians, users, and administrators. The author has witnessed situations when the above mentioned ethical issues caused conflicts and threatened to challenge librarianship as a concept and the values that come with it. The author presents the LIS literature on the …

Experience Of Internet Utilization By Post Graduate Students At Nishter Medical College, Multan, Pakistan, Rubina Bhatti, Muhammad Waqas Javed

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study reports the Internet usage, purposes, difficulties while using internet by the Post Graduate Sstudnets at Nishtar Medical College (NMC), Multan and also identifies the usage of different health related websites and databases to supplement learning by PGS. This study is based on comprehensive literature review and pre-tested questionnaire that was distributed among 210 PGS. The response rate was very satisfactory 85%. The collected data was finally analyzed by using SPSS version 17. The results show that 33(18.5%) were female and 145(81.5%) male in total 178 respondents. All of the respondents used internet except only one respondent. Majority of …

Research Growth And Development At Sambalpur University During 2008-2012: A Bibliometric Analysis, Rabindra K. Maharana

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Sambalpur Univesity (SU) was started functioning from 1st January, 1967 in the Odisha State. The university imparting study and research through 27 post-graduate departments in disciplines of Science, Humanities, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Law and Commerce. The present study aims to study the research performance of SU’s publications that have been indexed in Scopus during 2008 to 2012. The study also identifies the annual growth of university publication, authorship pattern, author productivity, degree of collaboration, length of paper published, most prolific contributor, prolific institution/ organization, geographical distribution etc. Lotka’s law of scientific productivity was used to determine the author’s productivity …

Information Literacy Skills Of Faculty Members: A Study Of The University Of Lahore, Pakistan, Ghulam Murtaza Rafique

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Purpose – The objective of this study is to gauge the level of information literacy skills of faculty members of the University of Lahore.

Design/methodology/approach – To collect required data from population, survey method was used. The participants consisted of the faculty members currently working in the University of Lahore, which reflected the conditions and environment of all campuses of the University of Lahore. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample from population of 650 faculty members of the university. The sample size consisted of 84 faculty members in randomly selection. A questionnaire was formulated and …

Research Output Of Some Selected Indian Medical Research Institutions (2007-2011), Ramesh Pandita, Shivendra Singh Mr., Ramesh C. Gaur Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Research is the backbone of any subject field, not just required to be undertaken for its survival and sustenance but also for the furtherance of subject scope. Most of the research activities undertaken at any level are aimed towards the welfare and betterment of living being and humans being the first consideration. Medical research has always been the supreme fantasy of humans as it has got direct bearing upon human health and longevity of life. In the present study attempt has been made to have an analysis of medical literature produced in four most primer medical and research institutions of …

The Pros And Cons Of Library Automation In A Resource Challenged Environment: A Case Study Of Knust Library, Henry Boateng, Franklin Gyamfi Agyemang, Michael Dzigbordi Dzandu

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study sought to ascertain the challenges and benefits of library automation and to recommend how the challenges could be addressed. The study employed single case study techniques as the research design. Semi-structured interview was used for the data gathering. Data was qualitatively analysed using a thematic approach.It highlights retrospective conversion, lack of local experts, lack of trained staffs, unstable power supply, desert of job, attitudinal problems as the challenges confronting the library. The study also shows that as a result of automation, the library is faster and efficient than before in its operations.

Hec Digital Library And Higher Education: Trends And Opportunities For Faculty Members At The Islamia University Of Bahawalpur, South Punjab, Pakistan, Rubina Bhatti

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract:

Digital library resources have radical impact on the changing higher education environment. This study investigated the tendency of using DL including purposes, patterns, use of databases, e-journals and e-books that they use, DL usage places preferences, impact of DL on their teaching and research and the problems faced by faculty members at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, South Punjab, Pakistan.

A structured questionnaire was utilized to collect data from the 120 faculty members from Faculty of Arts, Sciences, Education, and Islamic Learning. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics: frequency counts and percentages The study showed that the majority of …

Literacy Learning Spaces, Strategies And Opportunities In The Information Age: The Role Of Libraries In Creating And Enhancing Literacy-Friendly Environment For National Development, Emeka C. Uzomba Mr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

ABSTRACT

This paper examined literacy learning spaces, strategies and opportunities in the information age, with the view of identifying the roles of libraries in creating and enhancing literacy-friendly environment for national development. The findings of this study should guide both the children and adult learners on how best to adopt new strategies to learning, and also welcome them to various opportunities that literacy provides in our contemporary society. It will also equip the librarians to become part of the learning community and, experts in information management. The study was guided by four objectives and four research questions. A descriptive survey …

An Analysis Of Subject Coverage And Worldwide Involvement Of E-Lis: The International Repository For Library And Information Science., Nestor L. Osorio

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

E-LIS, E-prints for Library and Information Science, is a subject-oriented repository initiated in January 2003 by a group of European information specialists. E-LIS is an open-access repository run by experts and editors from many different countries and with holdings originating in 110 countries. The first purpose of this study is to provide a description of E-LIS with special attention to the types of documents archived and the geographical distribution of its contributors. The second purpose is to determine the subject coverage, which is done by using several well-known bibliometric techniques. Using co-occurrences of subject terms, a cluster analysis is performed, …

Research Trends In Select Science Faculties Of University Of Jammu., Nadim Akhtar Khan Mr, Sumaira Jan Miss, Iram Amin Miss

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study attempts to analyze and report research trends in various subject fields of the faculty of Sciences, Life Sciences and Mathematical Science of University of Jammu. The analysis is based on the data gathered from SCOPUS as on March-May, 2011. The data gathered were meticulously analysed to depict research trends in different Departments and Subject areas viz: collaboration at various levels, authorship patterns, and citation profile. The findings reveal that although the faculties under study have witnessed potential growth in terms of research output. However, several departments are still lagging behind in terms of productivity and quality research, which …

Citation Analysis Of Ph.D Theses Submitted To The Department Of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Assam, Anjan Gohain, Dr. Mukesh Saikia

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The present study is based on 10983 citations, appended in the 30 PhD theses of chemical sciences submitted to Tezpur University, Assam for the award of doctoral degree during the period 2008-2012. The main purpose of this study was to investigate authorship pattern of the citations, type and form of literature cited, and compiled a rank list of core journals in chemical sciences. The study revealed that journals were the most preferred sources of information used by the researchers in the field of chemical sciences accounting for 78.83% of total citations, followed by books with 15.57 % citations. The Journal …

Analytical Survey On Digital Preservation And Techniques Among Engineering Education Institutional Libraries In Rayalaseema Region Of Andhra Pradesh, K Kumar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Digital libraries, either open source or commercial, are the center of the information community. But still, research into their extended durability and the easier accessibility of their operations remains unexplored. Preservation of digital materials is a dynamic and evolving process: the methods are changing, as are the technical requirements. It is hard, and the complex surrounding digital preservation has made it even harder. This article studies on Digital Preservation and Techniques among Engineering Education Institutional Libraries in Rayalaseema Region of Andhra Pradesh.

A Scientometric Study Of Digital Literacy In Online Library Information Science And Technology Abstracts (Lista), K Kumar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The present paper is a Scientometric Study of Digital Literacy in Online Library Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA) during the year 1997 to 2011. The study attempts to examine the distribution of articles (age-wise, year-wise, and article-wise), authorship pattern, subject, language, and geographical distribution. Bradford’s law used to determine the scattering of journal articles in the publication pattern on the LISTA database. Results indicate that majority of articles published during the year 2009-2011 and focus mainly on academic education. International Information & Library Review have published greater number of articles on digital literacy.

Information Literacy Search Skills Of Students In Five Selected Private Universities In Ogun State, Nigeria: A Survey, Julie E. Ilogho, Christopher Nkiko

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the knowledge of information literacy and search skills of students in five selected private universities in Ogun state, Nigeria. It also examined students’ ability to distinguish diverse information sources as well as assess the effectiveness of information literacy programmes of private universities. The sample consists of 359 respondents drawn proportionately from a population of 400 from the selected universities. Descriptive survey method was used to elicit data through the Monash University Library Questionnaire on Information Literacy in this study. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentages. It was found that preponderance of respondents have low …

Attitude Of Students Towards E-Learning In South-West Nigerian Universities: An Application Of Technology Acceptance Model, Egbe Adewole-Odeshi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

No abstract provided.

Promoting Information Literacy Among Undergraduate Students Of Ashesi University College., Peter Anafo, Christopher Filson

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In its simplest form, information literacy is defined as the ability to recognize a need for

information and from there on, one is able to locate, retrieve, evaluate and use the procured information effectively. The acquisition of information literacy skills is deemed by many as a necessity for the information age and it is termed by many as lifelong learning skills. The main objectives of the study is to promote information literacy skills among the undergraduate students of Ashesi University College; to find out whether students can use Boolean operators; to explore students ability to locate information independently; and to …

A Scientometric Analysis Of Global Forensic Science Research Publications, John Jeyasekar Jesubright, Saravanan P Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

A scientometric study of forensic science literature from the year 1975 to 2011 is carried out to find out the growth in forensic science literature, authors’ productivity, the top ranking source journal and the country-wise productivity. The data for the study is obtained from the SCOPUS database. The 13626 number of results retrieved are analysed using excel worksheets. Google Scholar database is used as a data source for citation analysis of the authors who are found highly productive in the SCOPUS data. Publish or Perish (PoP) software is used for the citation analysis. It is found forensic science literature has …

Internet-Based Information Usage Pattern Of Paediatricians: A Survey Of Southern Punjab, Pakistan, Rubina Bhatti

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

ABSTRACT

This study reports the results of a survey of 40 paediatricians working in teaching hospitals in Southern Punjab. The survey was undertaken to ascertain how paediatricians keep abreast with current development in their field; their purpose for using internet- based resources, databases and search engines being used more frequently and difficulties being faced. This study used a structured questionnaire which was distributed among the paediatricians in four public teaching hospitals by convenience sampling. The findings show that majority of the respondents use internet for obtaining medical information, literature search and online clinical guidelines through using a personal computer at …

A Survey Of Knowledge Sharing Among The Faculty Members Of Iranian Library And Information Science (Lis) Departments, Soraya Ziaei

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

No abstract provided.

Qualified Dublin Core And The Scholarly Works Application Profile: A Practical Comparison, Dustin M. Vogel

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper explores the notion that records created with the Scholarly Works Application Profile will be more accurate and better suited for academia than those created with Qualified Dublin Core. This is accomplished by comparing and contrasting records of scholarly articles created with Qualified Dublin Core and records for the same documents created with the Scholarly Works Application Profile. After this practical comparison, the ultimate conclusion reached is that creating records for scholarly works with SWAP is much easier than with QDC, and that the records themselves are indeed better designed for academia.

Use Of E-Journals By Research Scholars In University Libraries In Andhra Pradesh, Makkini Anil Kumar, V Pulla Reddy

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The e-journals available in University libraries of Andhra Pradesh are UGC-INFONET journals, open access journals and the journals subscribed by the libraries on their own. The present study is aimed to study the use of e-journals by the research scholars in the libraries of Sri Venkateswara University (SVU), Andhra University (AU) and University of Hyderabad (UH). It is intended to assess the type of e-journals used, purpose for which they are used, amount of time spent in using them, problems in accessing e-journals, search methods used in accessing them, satisfaction with print and e-journals, adequacy of e-journals and training obtained …

Educating For Information Literacy : Assessing Indian Agricultural Sciences Graduate’S Knowledge And Information Skills, Neena Singh, Neena Singh

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The article makes as survey of graduate students knowledge on use of various library and learning resources and their information skills. Students across disciplines of Horticulture, Seed science, Vegetable science of G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology were assessed, questions were posed to know how they perceived themselves capable of knowing information sources, arrangement, interpretation and location of physical items in library, knowledge of bibliographical database, academic search engines, use of library website, subject gateways, and library networks etc. The survey also makes an effort to know students attitude as to how they informed themselves about latest development …

Assessment Of Access And Use Of School Library Information Resources By Secondary Schools Students In Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania., Ronald Benard, Frankwell Dulle

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The paper reports results of a study on “Access and Use of School Library Information Resources by Secondary Schools Students in Morogoro Municipality Tanzania”. The main objective of this study was to assess access and use of library information resources by students of secondary schools in Morogoro Municipal. The study comprised of the following specific objectives; to investigate access and use of school library information resources by the secondary school students; to determine the level of satisfaction of students towards school library information resources and to find out challenges facing students in the use of school library and how to …

Facilitating The Serendipitous Discovery Of Information: Planning And Weeding The Fine Art Collection, Alessia Zanin-Yost, Katy Ginanni

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

As many academic libraries face shrinking space, weeding collections has become a necessity. At Western Carolina University plans for a library renovation provided the opportunity to do a library-wide weeding project of the print collection. This article explains the collaborative undertaking of the arts liaison and the collection development librarian in weeding the fine art print collection. Included are some best practices for weeding an academic library, the importance of creating a collection that is smaller but well utilized by undergraduate students, and a description of the weeding process.

Carbon Footprint In Knowledge Sector: An Assessment From Cradle To Grave., Sheikh Shueb, Mohd Arshid Mir

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Carbon footprint has become a widely used term and concept in the public debate on responsibility and abatement action against the threat of global climate change. It had a tremendous increase in public appearance over the last few years and is now a buzzword widely used across the media, government and in the business world. "The carbon footprint is a measure of the exclusive total amount of carbon dioxide emissions that is directly and indirectly caused by an activity or is accumulated over the life stages of a product". Until now only little research has been made trying to explore …