Bibliometric Navigation Tools for Users of Subject Portals

Abstract

This study aimed to test the usefulness of bibliometric methods for the evaluation of subject portals at the Nordic research libraries, and to generate ideas for the creative use of portal resources in the new learning environment of the universities. The subject portals for social sciences were chosen as objects for the study. Sam Webb at Gothenburg University Library in Sweden was selected as the main portal for this study. Bisigate at the Aarhus Business School Library, Denmark, was the other partner included in the analysis. In order to capture the local users' views and requirements of the portals, the analyses targeted two selected institutions in both countries with visibility in the international research arena: Gothenburg University, Department of Political Sciences and Aarhus School of Business, Department of Organization and Management. Through bibliometric analysis a list of `candidate journals' was compiled for the institution(s) and matched with the available portal resources. The methodology was used to see how well the portals are supporting the current, local research activities at the institution(s), and if the new, emerging research areas are covered by the resources pooled at the subject portals. The article provides a set of examples which illustrate the type of information and visualization material which could be used to explore the resources of the portals (and the library), and to facilitate the individual searching and navigation among students and researchers in the electronic information landscape.