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Dissertation Information for Rahman Khan

NAME:
- Rahman Khan

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- Rutgers University (USA) (1988)

ADVISORS:
- Henry Voos
- Tefko Saracevic

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Daniel O'Connor
- Brent D. Ruben
- Joseph Caponio

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Technical report literature in chemistry and engineering: Bibliometric and content analysis

Abstract: Scientific communication is recognized by scientists as the essence of science. A major form of scientific communication is the Technical Report (TR), which, since WW II, is the preferred form of communicating results of federally funded programs.

This study examined the external impact of TRs in chemistry and engineering, their secondary coverage, referencing patterns and selected physical characteristics. The findings were compared against journal articles (JA) in similar disciplines.

Samples for TRs were drawn from NTIS database and samples for JAs were drawn from CASEARCH and COMPENDEX databases. Citation measures were used for establishing the amount of external impact. Degree of secondary coverage TRs was based on amount of references to TRs in CASEARCH and COMPENDEX databases. The referencing pattern was established by reviewing the total number and types of references in the selected sample. Select physical characteristics of these vehicles of communication were also examined.

A total of seventeen research hypotheses were proposed. All but three were supported. Findings indicate that: (1) in both these disciplines, compared to JAs, the external impact of TRs is extremely low; (2) When TRs or JAs were cited, the references were made usually within one to two years of the issue of the document; and (3) The secondary coverage of chemistry TRs by Chemical Abstracts is low and the coverage of the engineering TRs by Engineering Index is minimal. These are key findings. Other important findings also indicate use patterns of available sources by scientists and the ability of select physical characteristics, as independent variables, to differentiate between document types.

If the goal of the U.S. is to enhance the external impact of federally funded programs in the scientific disciplines, it needs to channel appropriate resources, on a continuing basis, for handling the information resulting from such government support. Any such program must include closer working relationships with key U.S. industrial sectors, the producers of secondary information and with those who search the databases. Furthermore, changes in format of TRs, some form of secondary peer review mechanism and increased awareness of these and other activities are deemed essential in increasing U.S. competitiveness.

MPACT Scores for Rahman Khan

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:09:48

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