Mapping Publication pattern in African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science, 2009 – 2018: An Informetric Study

Abstract

Purpose: This informetrics study was conducted to find out the distribution of articles and authors that published in African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Studies [AJLAIS]) from 2009 to 2018; considering the year-wise growth of research articles; authorship pattern and collaboration ratio; subject and geographical distributions of authors; and authors’ productivity level.
Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive informetrics research design was adopted. Quota sampling technique was used to select all the articles published within the ten-year period. Data collected through a self-designed checklist was analysed using frequency count and percentage.
Findings: The findings revealed that 141 articles, contributed by 266 authors were published by AJLAIS during the period. An annual average growth of 1.20% was recorded. Overall year-wise authorship pattern revealed that majority of 62.41% articles published in AJLAIS were multiple authored. Also, articles on Informetrics and ICT dominated the journal.  Some subject areas not covered were identified such as: indexing and serial collections management. Average collaborative index across the 10-year period for the journal was 0.62. South Africa and Nigeria were the two major prolific contributors to AJLAIS, just as evidence-based research papers of survey type (65.25%) were the most common to the journal.
Recommendations: There should be increased numbers of articles in each edition over the coming years, and awareness should be created by the publishers to familiarize the researchers with the publishing requirements of the journal. Also, LIS researchers should concentrate more on areas usually left untouched by previous studies.
Originality/Value: The study is original as no other similar study was found on publication pattern of articles in AJLAIS covering a ten year period of 2009-2018. The findings of the study will also serve as a feedback mechanism for the Publisher of the Journal and LIS researchers on how to improve the journal and LIS research in general.