Abstract

The impact of the Spanish government decree RD 43/2015 on Library and Information Sciences studies is analyzed. The implementation of the European higher education area (EHEA) in Spain established the four-year bachelorís degree, a minority model in Europe, but very common in the rest of the world. Approval of RD 43/2015 opens the door to a three-year bachelorís degree and has been viewed with interest by some universities, especially in Catalonia. For LIS education, we can think in a 3 + 1 model, which includes the current bachelorís contents offering two titles (bachelor and master). On the other hand, it would be possible to create a two year masterís programs designed to meet the demands of graduates from other disciplines. The main drawback, in addition to fatigue from continuous changes in Spainís university education structure, is the need to ensure that the masterís first year has the same cost as one degree course.

Abstract

Some of the historical and political aspects that have shaped Library and Information Science professions in Spain, and other countries such as Brazil and the United States, are reviewed. This paper aims to identify some of the key trends and to propose some contents that should be covered by graduate and undergraduate programs. I propose a greater emphasis on technology, ethics, critical theories, and research in LIS studies, as well as a closer collaboration with Journalism, Communication, and Computer Science.

Abstract

A review of various reports and studies reveals the most important aspects and events in 2014 of the library and information science (LIS) profession and academic programs. The economic crisis in Spain has continued to hit hard, although to a lesser extent. In this environment, a general major concern is to demonstrate the social benefits delivered by libraries. The profession is becoming more hybridized with other professional sectors. As for university education, we note a slight improvement in the statistical data, but also an outrageous structural reform of university cycles by the Spanish Ministry of Education. There has also been an unfair tightening of accreditation agency requirements for the approval of six-year research periods for academic researchers in LIS.

Abstract

Publishers of scholarly books about library and information science and communications are analyzed, as well as their publishing processes. The research method was a questionnaire sent to 263 Spanish researchers and teachers in these areas. The survey response rate was 35.5%. Thanks to these responses, main quality indicators for publishers were identified. Researchers’ working habits, opinions and attitudes related to the selection, editing and publishing processes of their books are also examined. Finally, as a more pragmatic result, the most prestigious Spanish and foreign publishers are identified.

Abstract

The creation or title changes of scientific journals in the information and documentation (ID) area in the period 2013-2018 are analyzed. Based on the total of 62 such journals identified through ISSN Portal and Ulrichsweb, the following are described: characteristic aspects such as country, language, type of publisher, and access model; presence in bibliographic databases, citations, or journal directories; survival and volume of articles published; annual number of citations to articles according to Google Scholar; thematic scope declared by the editors; and finally, the justification given by the editors for the change of title or the creation of a new journal. Among the main conclusions regarding newly created titles, the leading role of academic publishers in expanding national university systems and open-access titles stands out. In general, new publications generate few articles per year, have little presence in databases, and receive few citations. Title changes were found only in journals published by commercial publishers. In both cases, journals with a general thematic scope predominate and a significant number of journals did not justify their creation or change of title.

Abstract

Spanish research in Documentation (or Library and Information Science, LIS) began to stand out in the 1980s, in parallel with the creation of university studies in Library and Information Science, and it increased its activity significantly until the year 2000. In this period, research in Documentation was oriented to disseminate rather than innovate, and also had a low international impact, shortage of economic and human resources, and poor methodological quality. In the first 20 years of the 21st century, we have witnessed an outstanding growth and diversification of this research activity, which has led to the overcoming of most of the problems mentioned before. The objective of the text is to present a general overview of the development of Documentation research in Spain in the last 20 years based on the analysis of five fundamental aspects: publications (articles and monographs), topics and methodologies, scientific journals, research projects and doctoral theses. General descriptive data from public statistical sources and comments from a bibliographic review are provided for each of them. As a conclusion, a very positive global balance of Spanish research in Documentation in the last 20 years stands out, not only a quantitative increase (in publications, theses, research projects, etc.) but also a qualitative improvement in the use of research methods and techniques, as well as a diversification of the research topics. In any case, internationalization (collaboration with foreign authors) and the presentation of international projects could be improved. Finally, there is a risk in near future related to aging and the absence of generational renewal of the research staff that can will slow down this growth.