Analyzing the journal coverage of abstracting/indexing databases at variable aggregate and analytic levels

Several studies have attempted to reveal the real scope, completeness, and consistency of journal coverage across time in abstracting/indexing publications. Online and CD-ROM databases make easier the collection of posting information for journals to determine the traits of their coverage but do not eliminate entirely the tedium of manual methods. Difficulties are compounded when multiple databases are used to compare the journal coverage and overlap of several databases for an extended time period. This article discusses the use of advanced search commands and the Journal Name Finder database of DIALOG, to simplify the collection and processing of posting information for 42 prestigious library and information science (LIS) serials between 1966 and 1996 in six databases. It presents the major types of deficiencies in journal coverage that may yield very incomplete search results and may distort the results of bibliometric and scientometric studies. The methodology allows the creation of various subsets by the versatile combination of journal titles, time periods and databases, and encourages longitudinal data collection and comparison of variously aggregated datasets. It can be used for profiling the journal coverage in the evaluation of databases in support of bibliometric research, database acquisition, and licensing decisions.

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