Literature reviews and inaccurate referencing: An exploratory study of academic librarians

Abstract

Using focus group interviewing, this article explores the views of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) librarians about the literature of library and information science. The article touches on how these librarians do their literature searches and conveys their opinions about the professional literature. In conducting literature searches for work-related activities and the preparation of conference papers and manuscripts for journal submission, they tend to search the literature selectively for timely articles. They have observed instances of inaccurate referencing in the published literature, even in works of noted authors. A number of the librarians value the literature of subject disciplines more than they do that of library and information science. The article concludes with observations from selected former journal editors and current editorial board members, and identifies topics meriting further study.