IASLIC Bulletin as a Channel of Research Communication: A Bibliometric Analysis (1956-2016)

Abstract

The present study investigates the research productivity and scholarly trajectory of the IASLIC Bulletin, a leading journal in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS), over a sixty-one-year period from 1956 to 2016. The primary objective is to evaluate the journal’s academic impact, discern publication trends, and understand the evolving patterns of research communication within the LIS domain. This bibliometric analysis draws upon data from the cumulative index “Sixty-One Years of ‘IASLIC Bulletin’: A Cumulative Index, 1956–2016”, serving as the primary data source. Employing both statistical methods and visualization tools, the study examines core bibliometric indicators such as annual publication output, authorship trends, and patterns of research collaboration. The findings reveal a steady increase in the volume of published articles over the decades, reflecting the journal’s sustained relevance and the dynamic nature of LIS research in India. Notably, single-author contributions constitute the majority of publications, highlighting the tradition of individual scholarship in the field. However, a discernible rise in co-authored papers in recent years signals a shift toward collaborative research practices, aligning with global trends in academic publishing. This study offers a comprehensive and focused analysis of a single journal's bibliometric profile, thereby filling a critical gap in LIS literature. The rigorous methodology—featuring systematic data extraction and quantitative evaluation—lends credibility and replicability to the research. Beyond its retrospective assessment, the study highlights the IASLIC Bulletin's pivotal role in disseminating LIS knowledge and fostering academic discourse over the past six decades. The insights derived are pertinent for LIS researchers, policy-makers, and information professionals aiming to map scholarly communication patterns or inform strategic publishing practices. By charting the journal’s evolution and scholarly contributions, this research advances our understanding of the publication's influence within the Indian LIS community and contributes a valuable resource for further bibliometric inquiry and academic planning in the discipline.