The value of the reports of scientific conferences, congresses, and symposia, published as separate volumes, has been questioned on several grounds. It has been alleged that the…
Abstract
The value of the reports of scientific conferences, congresses, and symposia, published as separate volumes, has been questioned on several grounds. It has been alleged that the papers are not adequately refereed, that some have been published before, that some do not report original work, and that many are not noted in abstracting journals and are, therefore, not easily traced in retrospective searches.
This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/eb026299. When citing the article, please…
Abstract
This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/eb026299. When citing the article, please cite: C.W. HANSON, MARIAN JANES, (1961), “COVERAGE BY ABSTRACTING JOURNALS OF CONFERENCE PAPERS”, Journal of Documentation, Vol. 17 Iss: 2, pp. 143 - 14.
Are the reports of scientific and technical conferences and symposia commonly published without indexes? An irritated chief chemist asked this question of Aslib, provided some…
Abstract
Are the reports of scientific and technical conferences and symposia commonly published without indexes? An irritated chief chemist asked this question of Aslib, provided some examples of unindexed publications of this type, expressed his dissatisfaction with the position, and asked what was being done about it. The Research Department judged it to be of sufficient importance to justify a limited investigation to establish the facts. The investigation was carried out by the second author.
A sample of conference proceedings received at the National Lending Library in 1970 has been analysed for publication delay, physical form, subject, publisher, size, language and…
Abstract
A sample of conference proceedings received at the National Lending Library in 1970 has been analysed for publication delay, physical form, subject, publisher, size, language and presence of indexes, synopses, and discussions. The interdependence of these attributes with one another is discussed. Of the conferences that ought to have indexes only 22% have subject indexes and 26% author indexes. One in every four conferences deals with medicine. The median of publication delay is twelve months. Two‐thirds of all conference proceedings have from nine to fifty papers. The social sciences separate out as a distinct group having long publication delays, few large conferences, and being published mainly by university publishers.
In this talk I am going to discuss subject inquiries—that is, inquiries for information about a subject, necessitating a literature search, however trivial, as compared with…
Abstract
In this talk I am going to discuss subject inquiries—that is, inquiries for information about a subject, necessitating a literature search, however trivial, as compared with requests for specified documents. Subject inquiries are numerous. Preliminary results of a current Aslib investigation show that in thirteen industrial libraries forming the sample, nearly half the ‘acts of library use’ on the test day comprised searches for information on a subject.
When the Research Department came into existence early in 1959, one major project was already in progress: the investigation of indexing systems, which will be described to you by…
Abstract
When the Research Department came into existence early in 1959, one major project was already in progress: the investigation of indexing systems, which will be described to you by Mr Cleverdon; and raw material had been collected by Dr Campbell for a survey of information/library units. We shall discuss the Survey also later in the conference.
The purpose of this paper is to present findings of a study investigating the reading of, and engagement with minority ethnic fiction in UK public libraries, with a particular…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present findings of a study investigating the reading of, and engagement with minority ethnic fiction in UK public libraries, with a particular focus on Black British fiction and Asian fiction in English.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative study of the reading behaviour of a large population of public library users (n=1,047) from the East Midlands region. A survey was distributed at issue points in 16 libraries in nine participating local authorities, to investigate respondents' reading choices, and factors that may affect these choices.
Findings
Findings have emerged regarding the readers and non‐readers of Black British and Asian fiction in English. Social identity theory and reader response theory, whilst initially appearing contradictory, are helpful in understanding patterns of reading behaviour.
Research limitations/implications
The paper provides a valuable starting point for future research in materials portraying, and originating from, minority ethnic communities.
Practical implications
The paper identifies areas in which public libraries, publishing houses and minority ethnic community groups can improve the provision and promotion of minority ethnic fiction.
Social implications
It is hoped that longer‐term effects will be to increase the involvement of members of all communities in the selection and promotion of culturally appropriate materials.
Originality/value
The paper addresses a gap in previous research and practice, whereby the provision of multicultural resources was always considered only in linguistic, rather than in broader cultural terms, the latter felt to be more appropriate to contemporary society.
Details
Keywords
Life studies are a rich source for further research on the role of the Afro‐American woman in society. They are especially useful to gain a better understanding of the…
Abstract
Life studies are a rich source for further research on the role of the Afro‐American woman in society. They are especially useful to gain a better understanding of the Afro‐American experience and to show the joys, sorrows, needs, and ideals of the Afro‐American woman as she struggles from day to day.