Library and Information Science Research Output: A study based on Web of Science

The paper assessed growth trend of “Library and Information and Science” (LIS) literature based on the output of research publications indexed in the Science Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) and Arts & Humanities Citation Index (A&HCI) during the period from 1975 to 2012. An overall total of 311,886 records were retrieved on LIS including all forms of literature. The records were categorized under 23 types of documents. A scientometric assessment of the status of research papers is presented in the study by way of analyzing some of the features of publications of the study period; Year-wise distribution of publications on LIS, Form-wise distribution, Language-wise distribution, Annual output of publications, Geographical distribution, Subject dispersion, Institutional distribution, Sources preferred for publishing, Indian contribution to LIS, etc. The paper has given special emphasis for Indian LIS research output. The study certainly be useful to subject experts, analysts, scholars and policy makers for drafting effective policies on the basis of inferences drawn in this paper.