Abstract

Discovery services constitute an element of innovation and modernization for university and research libraries. In recent years their presence has become strong in Spain, with the new generation of these systems, commonly referred to as web-scale discovery services, although it is more meaningful to categorize them as index-based discovery services. The multinational companies ProQuest and Ebsco are especially competing in the dissemination of this model, as they integrate information retrieval software with the bibliographic databases they distribute. The reasons for the success of these services are evaluated, with their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the research lines they are generating.

Abstract

After an overview of the changes that are taking place in the world of bibliographic databases used for scientific search and evaluation, this work describes the free version of Dimensions (bibliographic database produced by Digital Science and launched in January 2018). As a first step, a sketch is made of its main characteristics, operations, and features. We conclude that Dimensions is an interesting alternative for the search of scientific information, as well as for the analysis of citations, because it is able to compete with both Scopus (greater coverage and also free of charge) and Google scholar (greater functionalities for the treatment and export of data). Therefore, it is a hybrid product halfway between the classic bibliographic databases and the modern academic search engines.

Abstract

The structure and characteristics of the main products for accessing scientific information are described. The different types of content, the technology used (assignment and harvesting of metadata, full text indexing, or federated search) and their results are analysed. The products are: bibliographic databases, academic journals portals, repositories, academic search engines, academic metasearch engines, and library metasearch engines.

Abstract

After a short historical perspective of bibliographic databases with citations, which allow bibliometric studies, the features of Google Scholar as a possible database for the same purpose are discussed. While Scholar is free and more comprehensive than WoS and Scopus, its use is not recommended for bibliometric analysis, especially for the evaluation of individuals and institutions.

Abstract

Bibliometrics on a research subject needs a careful selection of bibliographic records to be retrieved and downloaded. Whenever national production is evaluated or international output is compared, it is essential to have full information on institutional and country affiliation of every author. As Medline offers only the affiliation of the first author, it is mandatory to combine its results with other databases. Scopus is the obvious choice because it offers common elements in its data schema (such as PMID and Indexterms) and complete information on authors’ affiliation.

Abstract

The evolution of the MIAR project (Matriu d’Informació per l’Avaluació de Revistes ) –Journal evaluation information matrix– is described. Originally MIAR  was designed to quantify the indexing of humanities and social sciences journals in bibliographic data bases. Given the present availability of various journal evaluation systems in Spain, MIAR could evolve into a collaborative portal where stakeholders can share the main features of the journals in which they participate directly or indirectly. The project would use social networks, voting and commenting systems, and technologies like open linked data, thus enabling a greater dissemination and socialization of the data collected for each publication. In this way data could be better used by the three most directly concerned groups: referees, publishers and authors/readers.

Abstract

The ISOC database is presented as an information system that is very useful for the dissemination and the study of scientific production in human and social sciences in Spain since 1975. First of all, an historical overview is proposed. Secondly, quality elements that distinguish ISOC from other documentary systems are described. Thirdly, its suitability for bibliometric studies on the scientific production of these subjects published in Spain is discussed. Finally, some data about its use by the scientific and scholarly community are presented.

Abstract

The development of the Geobibline database is described. Historically, traditional databases were created using bibliographic methods usually carried out by a single institution, but in recent decades multiple libraries have often cooperated to create joint catalogues. This is the case presented in this article which describes the collaboration of 20 Czech special libraries resulting in the creation of a database that contains 162,000 bibliographic records on geographical topics related to the Czech Republic. The project, completed in just four years, initially covered only 20th century materials, however, collaboration with the Temap project has expanded coverage back to early printed books (1450 A.D.). The typology of the documents referenced is broad and includes gray literature. Records are linked to objects (maps, articles, front pages of newspapers) and there are full text links to Google Books. The database has been compared with counterparts in Germany, Poland, and the United States using internationally comparable specific subject headings. The sustainability of Geobibline is ensured by the automatic import of data and their connection with Temap.

Abstract

The presence of journals considered predatory are analysed in various bibliographic databases and in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Of the list produced by Jeffrey Beall of possible or probable predatory open access academic journals, 944 of those are reviewed, cross-referencing their ISSN with the Information Matrix for the Analysis of Journals (MIAR) developed at the University of Barcelona. It is then determined whether these journals appear in citation indexes such as Web of Science or Scopus, in multidisciplinary databases, in specialised databases or in the DOAJ directory. The study concludes that there is no significant widespread presence of predatory journals in bibliographic databases, although some such as Emerging Sources Citation Index, Veterinary Science Database or DOAJ show somewhat higher values than expected, and so should be monitored and revised in the future by database producers or by Beall’s list.

Abstract

The presence of journals considered predatory are analysed in various bibliographic databases and in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Of the list produced by Jeffrey Beall of possible or probable predatory open access academic journals, 944 of those are reviewed, cross-referencing their ISSN with the Information Matrix for the Analysis of Journals (MIAR) developed at the University of Barcelona. It is then determined whether these journals appear in citation indexes such as Web of Science or Scopus, in multidisciplinary databases, in specialised databases or in the DOAJ directory. The study concludes that there is no significant widespread presence of predatory journals in bibliographic databases, although some such as Emerging Sources Citation Index, Veterinary Science Database or DOAJ show somewhat higher values than expected, and so should be monitored and revised in the future by database producers or by Beall’s list.