NOPR Collection:

The problem of credit in research evaluation – the case of Economics

2021-09-02T07:34:11Z

Title: The problem of credit in research evaluation – the case of Economics Authors: Crespo, Nuno; Simões, Nádia Abstract: The measurement of scientific performance is usually done giving the full credit of each paper to all its authors. Aiming to analyze the impact of the number of authors on the performance, we propose an adjustment to the h-index that is flexible enough to allow the consideration of distinct co-authorship weighting schemes. We then evaluate the publication performance of the members of the departments of economics of the top 10 world universities. Our results show that the number of authors per paper is rapidly increasing and that this dimension measurably affects the final ranking of authors even in a subject area where the average number of authors is lower than in physical and life sciences. Page(s): 225-229

Services offered by Indian libraries during COVID-19

2021-09-02T07:28:56Z

Title: Services offered by Indian libraries during COVID-19 Authors: Sawant, Sarika Abstract: This is a study of the services provided by Indian libraries during the COVID-19 lockdown and the problems faced by the libraries in providing their services. Using a Google Forms questionnaire survey, responses were sought from librarians through library groups covering schools, colleges and universities, mailing list forums and WhatsApp/Telegram groups. The findings show that libraries strived to stay connected with the users and provided remote services. Many libraries developed library/digital guides and e-content and responded to online reference queries. Librarians frequently participated in webinars. Page(s): 230-237

Exploring 120 years of Indian physics and astronomy journals

2021-09-02T07:25:29Z

Title: Exploring 120 years of Indian physics and astronomy journals Authors: Das, Gopinath; Das, Amit Kumar; Dutta, Bidyarthi Abstract: This paper traces one hundred and twenty years journey of Indian physics and astronomy journals. Of the 122 journals that have been published since 1902, 36 journals have ceased publication. The oldest physics related article was published in 1788 in Asiatick Researches, the first Indian research periodical. The oldest Indian astronomy journal Publications of the Maharaja Takhtasingji Observatory came into being in 1902 from Pune and ceased in 1912. The oldest Indian physics journal Bhoutika Kalanidhi or The Treasury of the Physical Sciences started in the year 1911 from Madras (present-day Chennai) and ceased in 1919. In all, 53% of journals belong to broad science discipline but publish articles on physics and astronomy regularly along with other major science disciplines followed by 35% and 12% journals strictly belong to the subject areas, physics, and astronomy respectively. It is observed that nearly 50% of journals are indexed by the Indian Citation Index, while 20% of journals are indexed by the Indian Citation Index, Scopus, and Web of Science. Also, 30% of journals are not indexed by any citation database. In the 120 year period, the highest number of seven journals came into being in the year 2012. Page(s): 238-257

Adoption of electronic books in a higher education setting: an exploratory case study based on Diffusion of Innovation and Garner’s Hype Cycle paradigms

2021-09-02T07:19:26Z

Title: Adoption of electronic books in a higher education setting: an exploratory case study based on Diffusion of Innovation and Garner’s Hype Cycle paradigms Authors: Jayasundara, Chaminda Chiran Abstract: The purpose of this research was to examine the status of library users' adoption of e-books in line with Rogers's Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory and Gartner’s Hype Cycle (GHC) Model in the context of Fiji National University (FNU). The FNU Library introduced e-books to its user community in 2014. Purposively chosen 40 undergraduate students from the College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies were selected as the sample to conduct in-depth interviews. The study revealed that the participants' e-book adoption habits were primarily divided among early adopters, early majority, and late majority. The results disclosed many factors that influence the adoption of e-books, such as familiarity with the technology, personal taste, exposure to trial access, use of preferred access devices and enthusiasm for reading. Findings indicate that e-books adoption of university undergraduates in line with the DOI and GHC paradigms has substantiated how the underpinning theories could help interpret the adoption of e-books in teaching and learning environment. Thus, this research will help librarians and educators develop a robust mechanism for better understanding the inherent status-quo of e-book usage in higher education institutions. These research findings will also help develop strategies that can significantly enhance universities' traditional teaching and learning performance with emerging technologies. Page(s): 258-267