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Designing the Greek Citation Index in the humanities and the social sciences (GCI – H&SS)

Daphne Kyriaki-Manessi (Department of Library Science and Information Systems, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Athens, Athens, Greece)

Library Review

ISSN: 0024-2535

Article publication date: 26 August 2014

270

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the major policy issues regarding the formation of a Greek Citation Index.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature search for determining international practices on the formation of citation indexes and applied inquiries on the major citation indexes available today online for which goals, policies on inclusion of published research, issues on impact factor, major concerns on distribution and use were examined within the Greek parameters imposed by language barriers, readability and usability. A blueprint of scholarly Greek production in humanities and social sciences (H&SS) was made along with the development of a mechanism for assessing and incorporating journals to the index.

Findings

The study reports on the following issues: selection of H&SS as a start of point for the citation index; setting of the index’s goals and objectives in view of the use of impact factor for the assessment of academics; comparison of international to national production of citation indexes; development of a mechanism needed to establish policies regarding the use of standards, selection of material, compliance with repository policies and open-access practices; and assessment of difficulties arising from language (and alphabet) differences, demographics, audience and scientific production.

Originality/value

The paper presents the designing of an information tool in a unique language environment and in isolation from the international indexing community. In addition, it contributes to the adoption of international indicators, such as impact factor, and their implementation within the Greek environment and the specification of parameters arising from language, demographics and publishing practices of the country.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The National Documentation Centre, got a grant from the EU-Funded Program “Digital Plan” with the title “National Information System for Research and Technology – Social Networks – Digital Content produced by users: Documentation”. One of the main activities of the project is the creation of the “Greek Reference Index”. The project started in March 2011, and this study presents the preliminary findings regarding the undertaking.

Citation

Kyriaki-Manessi, D. (2014), "Designing the Greek Citation Index in the humanities and the social sciences (GCI – H&SS)", Library Review, Vol. 63 No. 6/7, pp. 452-464. https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-11-2013-0143

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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