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The evolution of LIS research topics and methods from 2006 to 2018: A content analysis
Author(s) -
Ma Jinxuan,
Lund Brady
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
proceedings of the association for information science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.193
H-Index - 14
ISSN - 2373-9231
DOI - 10.1002/pra2.241
Subject(s) - informetrics , library science , content analysis , computer science , bibliometrics , data science , sociology , social science
Replicating a series of studies of LIS research trends performed by Järvelin and colleagues, this content analysis systematically examines the evolution and distribution of LIS research topics and methods at six‐year increments from 2006 to 2018. Bibliographic data was collected for 3,422 articles published in LIS journals for the years of 2006, 2012, and 2018. Using a conceptual research strategy, the researchers identified the central research topics and research method for each article. The findings indicate a shift towards greater emphasis on Scholarly Communications/Informetrics and Information Seeking/Behavior topics, along with a reduction in Information Systems and Library and Information Service topics. Quantitative‐based approaches are predominant across the 3 years examined, with observed growth in the usage of questionnaires and informetric methods from 2006 to 2018. These findings indicate that LIS is a dynamic discipline, with quickly shifting interests/usage of research topics and methods.