New Article: “Citations as Data: Harvesting the Scholarly Record of Your University to Enrich Institutional Knowledge and Support Research”
The following article (preprint) was recently approved for publication in the November 2017 issue of C&RL (College and Research Libraries).
Title
Citations as Data: Harvesting the Scholarly Record of Your University to Enrich Institutional Knowledge and Support Research
Authors
Leila Belle Sterman
Montana State University
Jason A. Clark
Montana State University
Source
via C&RL Web Site
Abstract
Many research libraries are looking for new ways to demonstrate value for their parent institutions. Metrics, assessment, and promotion of research continue to grow in importance, but have not always fallen into the scope of services for the research library. Montana State University (MSU) Library recognized a need and interest to quantify the citation record and scholarly output of our university. Within this vision in mind, we began positioning citation collection as the data engine that drives scholarly communication, deposits into our IR, and assessment of research activities. We envisioned a project that might: provide transparency around the acts of scholarship at our university; celebrate the research we produce; and build new relationships between our researchers. The result was our MSU Research Citation application — https://arc.lib.montana.edu/msu-research-citations/ — and our research publication promotion services— http://www.montana.edu/research/publications/ —The application and accompanying services are predicated on the principle that each citation is a discrete data object that can be searched, browsed, exported, and reused. In this formulation, the record of our research publications are the data that can open up possibilities for new library projects and services.
Direct to Full Text Article (Preprint)
16 pages; PDF.
Filed under: Academic Libraries, Data Files, Libraries, News, Reports

About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.