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This article investigates subject-related research metrics from the most popular scientometrics platforms with the capability of citation count. Quantitative analyses have been carried out to determine the most- to the least-cited subject areas to indicate the most active and dynamic fields in research. Subject areas are classified based on statistical analyses and the number of citations received in the period of search. Numerous articles were analyzed from top-ranked journals in all research fields covered by SCImago journal classification. A comprehensive data set was generated in 27 research subject areas, including 313 subject categories and 81 high-ranked journals. Results showed that the highest number of citations were related to the sciences and science-related subject areas. The subject areas of computer science and mathematics had the lowest research metrics and the smallest number of highly cited publications. Web of Science performed better than Scopus for subject-related evaluations. Analysis of frequency data showed that Google Scholar cited fewer papers for low-cited publications than did Scopus or Web of Science. For highly cited publications, however, Google Scholar was found to have better performance. Web of Science showed the best consistency in citation coverage in most of the investigated subject areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to determine the impact of perceived information literacy (IL) skills on the research productivity of mathematics faculty members in Pakistan. The study explores their opinion of their ability to identify information needs and information sources. It also examines their perceived capability of constructing effective and efficient strategies for locating, accessing, evaluating, and applying the needed information legally and ethically. A structured questionnaire was developed based on the SCONUL Seven Pillars of Information Literacy. Questionnaires were sent to 300 academicians from 36 public sector universities in the Punjab province of Pakistan through personal visits, e-mail, and postal service. After repeated follow-up calls, 185 filled questionnaires were received. The major findings of the study showed that the mathematics faculty members believed they had reasonable IL skills. The majority of them had published research articles in learned journals. The study revealed a positive impact of perceived IL skills on the research productivity of mathematics faculty members. IL instruction sessions designed for faculty may improve the research output of mathematics scholars in their respective universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liaison (or subject specialist) librarians are routinely identified as essential to the sustained success of academic libraries. Yet despite the purported centrality of liaisons to the mission of their institutions, many libraries have struggled to define the role of the subject specialist. These attempts at definition have resulted in a proliferation of service models and deployment strategies. This paper examines and critiques the design and deployment of subject specialist services in science and engineering libraries. The authors advocate for a team-based approach to STEM librarianship, highlighting its advantages over two commonly used models: the discipline specialist and the functional specialist. The authors have successfully employed a team-based model in two different institutional settings, most recently at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. This paper shares lessons learned from implementing a team-based model, discussing the opportunities and challenges of such an approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few women major in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields at the undergraduate level. Given the drive to attract and retain students in general, and women in STEM in particular, educational institutions need to know what resources and services might help support these students in their work. This study seeks to provide a better understanding of how undergraduate women in STEM use the academic library. The study involved focus groups and interviews with women at a research-intensive university in the United States. Grounded theory principles provided a basis for analysis of the collected conversations. The findings from this study indicate that undergraduate women in STEM depend on the academic library as a quiet place to study where there are few distractions and technology is easily available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the results of a survey that gathered data on perceptions and use of e-books from undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff at two Maryland research universities in 2019. It follows two previous surveys in 2012 and 2014 by the same team of investigators, with slight changes in personnel, and compares results across time, by user affiliation with the university, and by STEM versus non-STEM disciplines. The study concludes with a discussion of the major findings and their implications for academic libraries and publishers, as well as areas for further inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]