The changing library and information research landscape: an analysis of Library and Information Science Research in South Africa by LIS academics in the last decade (2007–2016)
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Date
2017
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Publisher
Russian National Public Library
Abstract
Library and Information Science, along with research in the domain, is changing in South Africa. Building on a previous 2007 study, this paper explores Library and Information Science (LIS) research in South Africa by LIS academics from 2007–2016 through the analysis of research publications indexed in the LISTA and SCOPUS databases. This particular analysis focuses on author and university or institutional productivity, collaboration, subject, publication trends, and sources. It is noted that a large number of LIS academics do not appear in journals indexed by LISTA or SCOPUS, two databases that are known for in-dexing the largest number of scholarly research in LIS and all its respective categories. Most publications occur in local South African (SA) scholarly journals that are accredited by the government for research sub-sidies. LIS research publication trends over the course of the decade reveal an insignificant increase during this period. While traditional LIS research subjects are still dominant, emerging technology driven domains are growing increasingly popular. Research collaboration in LIS in South Africa has grown beyond 50% and is steadily expanding, although most collaborations occur within institutions. Challenges relate to LIS research capacity building, poor visibility of LIS academics/ faculties on university or institutional web-sites, and some indexing omissions in the databases which make searching cumbersome. Although this re-search is still in progress, the paper provides some insight for LIS research development in South Africa. The findings may also interest research in LIS outside the region.
Description
Paper presented at the 23rd International Conference - “Libraries and information resources in the modern world of science, culture, education and business. Libraries and education: Role of digital resources ” Crimea 2016. ” The Second Museum Assembly "To preserve traditions, to implement innovations"
The 10th International Symposium “Universities of Culture and Arts in the Global Education Space” ("Crimea-2016").
Keywords
Research analysis, Metrics, Research quality