The landmark citation method: analysis of a citation pattern as a collection assessment method

Area of Science:

• Bibliometrics
• Library and Information Science
• Biotechnology Literature Analysis

Background:

• Traditional collection assessment methods can be resource-intensive.
• Evaluating specialized scientific collections requires nuanced approaches.
• Understanding the evolution of scientific literature is crucial for collection development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate the novel landmark citation method for collection assessment.
• To assess the National Library of Medicine's biotechnology collection.
• To gain insights into the developmental trends of biotechnology literature.

Main Methods:

• The landmark citation method was developed, utilizing the citation record of a single, key publication.
• Sources citing the landmark article were identified to build a citation network.
• A bibliography was extracted from this network for comprehensive collection assessment.

Main Results:

• The landmark citation method was successfully implemented to evaluate the biotechnology collection.
• The study demonstrated the practical application and effectiveness of the new assessment technique.
• Analysis of the citation data provided insights into the historical growth and thematic shifts within biotechnology literature.

Conclusions:

• The landmark citation method offers an efficient and effective approach to collection assessment.
• This technique provides valuable data for understanding the dynamics and evolution of specialized scientific fields.
• The assessment of the biotechnology collection highlights the utility of bibliometric methods in library science.