Can impact factors substitute for the results of local use studies? Findings from an Australian case study

Abstract

The usefulness of impact factors as a substitute for conducting a costly local use study was investigated in an Australian university library. The results presented in this paper are consistent with the view that logical deselection decisions can be made only by using the results of a local use study. A number of reasons are advanced for why impact factors are poor predictors of local use.

Citation

Altmann, K.G. and Gorman, G.E. (1999), "Can impact factors substitute for the results of local use studies? Findings from an Australian case study", Collection Building, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 90-94. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604959910265878