Enhancing Information Access through Expanding Use of Women's Studies Materials.

TL;DR: Wagner et al. as discussed by the authors examined five quarterly issues of the publication "Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society" to determine trends in women's studies scholarship and revealed a great deal of diversity in current Women's Studies issues and in the cross disciplines of the article authors.

Abstract: Five quarterly issues of the publication, "Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society" were examined in a citation analysis format to determine trends in Women's Studies scholarship. A total of 1,927 citations were reviewed to ascertain: the nature of the sources cited; the author's alternate field of interest in addition to Women's Studies; the current topics being covered; the most cited journals; and the currency of the materials cited. The study revealed a great deal of diversity in current Women's Studies issues and in the cross disciplines of the article authors. Authors with cross disciplines in literature were represented most often with approximately 22% of the articles being from literary scholars. Sociology with 19% and history with 10% were the second and third most published scholars. While many diverse topics were covered, issues in literature, history, and sociology were the most often published which parallels the authors' fields of additional interests. Newly published materials received the greatest percentage of references. Approximately 37% of the citations were from the most recent five year period. Almost 12% of the references were from 1970 and earlier which was unexpected in a relatively young discipline. "Signs" was the most often cited journal, a fact that remained consistent with earlier studies. Books were the most frequently cited materials, used 44% of the time, with journals and university presses being the next most used materials with approximately 22% of the citations each. Women's Studies scholars require a great deal of different type of materials for their studies and write on topics of general interest to other scholars. A core collection of Women's Studies materials, therefore, appears to be beneficial to all types of libraries. (Contains 16 references.) (Author) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** SCOPE OF INTEREST NOTICE The ERIC Facility has assigned this document for processing to: In our judgment, this document is also of interest to the Clearinghouses noted to the right. Indexing should reflect their special points of view. ENHANCING INFORMATION ACCESS THROUGH EXPANDING USE OF WOMEN'S STUDIES MATERIALS A Master's Research Paper submitted to the Kent State University School of Library and Information Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Library and Information Science U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. by Joyce A. Wagner August, 1997