Visualization of the Scholarly Output on Evidence Based Librarianship: A Social Network Analysis

Authors

  • Nafiseh Vahed Department of Medical Library and Information Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
  • Vahideh Zarea Gavgani Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Science http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3278-6859
  • Rashid Jafarzadeh Department of Knowledge & Information Science, University of Tehran
  • Ziba Tusi Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Yazd University
  • Mohammadamin Erfanmanesh Department of Library & Information Science, Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18438/eblip29396

Abstract

Abstract

Objective – This paper aimed to analyze worldwide research on evidence based librarianship (EBL) using Social Network Analysis (SNA).

Methods – This descriptive study has been conducted using scientometrics and a SNA approach. The researchers identified 523 publications on EBL, as indexed by Scopus and Web of Science with no date limitation. A range of software tools (Ravar PreMap, Netdraw, UCINet and VOSviewer) were utilized for data visualization and analysis.

Results – Results of the study revealed that the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) occupied the topmost positions regarding centrality measures, clearly indicating their important structural roles in EBL research. The network of EBL research in terms of the degree of connectedness showed low density in the co-authorship networks of both authors (0.013) and countries (0.214). Seven subject clusters were identified in the EBL research network, four of which related to health and medicine. The occurrence of the keywords related to these four subject clusters suggested that EBL research had a greater association with the setting of health and medicine than with traditional librarianship elements such as human resources or library collection management.

Conclusion – This study provided a systematic understanding of topics, research, and researchers in EBL by visualizing the networks and may thus inform the development of future aspects of EBL research and education.

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Author Biographies

Nafiseh Vahed, Department of Medical Library and Information Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

MSc Student

Vahideh Zarea Gavgani, Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Science

Associate Professor in Medical Library and Information Science, Head Department of Medical Library and Information Science (Tabriz-IRAN)

Rashid Jafarzadeh, Department of Knowledge & Information Science, University of Tehran

PhD Candidate, Knowledge & Information Science

Ziba Tusi, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Yazd University

Scientometrics Librarian

Mohammadamin Erfanmanesh, Department of Library & Information Science, Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

Senior Lecturer

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Published

2018-12-12

How to Cite

Vahed, N., Gavgani, V. Z., Jafarzadeh, R., Tusi, Z., & Erfanmanesh, M. (2018). Visualization of the Scholarly Output on Evidence Based Librarianship: A Social Network Analysis. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 13(4), 50–69. https://doi.org/10.18438/eblip29396

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 4 (2018)

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2018 Evidence Based Library and Information Practice

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