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Practical potentials of Bradford's law: a critical examination of the received view

Article Information:

Title:

Practical potentials of Bradford's law: a critical examination of the received view

Author(s):

Jeppe Nicolaisen, Birger Hjørland

Journal:

Journal of Documentation

Year:

2007

Volume:

63

Issue:

3

Page:

359 - 377


ISSN:

0022-0418


DOI:

10.1108/00220410710743298

Publisher:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to examine the practical potentials of Bradford's law in relation to core-journal identification.

Design/methodology/approach – Literature studies and empirical tests (Bradford analyses).

Findings – Literature studies reveal that the concept of “subject” has never been explicitly addressed in relation to Bradford's law. The results of two empirical tests (Bradford analyses) demonstrate that different operationalizations of the concept of “subject” produce quite different lists of core-journals. Further, an empirical test reveals that Bradford analyses function discriminatorily against minority views.

Practical implications – Bradford analysis can no longer be regarded as an objective and neutral method. The received view on Bradford's law needs to be revised.

Originality/value – The paper questions one of the old dogmas of the field.

Keywords:

Bibliographies, Identification, Information science, Serials


Article Type:

Research paper


Article URL:

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/00220410710743298

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