An Environmental Scan of Bibliometrics and Research Impact Open Instructional Trends at Canadian Academic Research Libraries

While bibliometrics have been used for years in academia, recent conversations into their responsible use have driven a need for greater understanding of bibliometrics and research impact within the academic community. Academic librarians are ideal individuals to contribute to instruction on bibliometrics, as they are already embedded within their academic community’s scholarly processes and are often familiar with relevant tools and their functions. The purpose of this environmental scan was to evaluate the current state of open instructional materials for bibliometrics and research impact at the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) academic member institutions. An environmental scan of research guides was chosen as a methodology for this study. Results of this scan identify that 97% (28/29) of CARL academic member institutions held at least one research guide related to bibliometrics and research impact, in a total of 56 guides reviewed. A keyword analysis revealed that of the guides reviewed, keywords related to tools and methodologies of bibliometrics and research impact were discussed at the highest frequency (present within 96% of guides), while keywords related to responsible and alternative metrics were discussed at lowest frequency (present within 38% of guides). Results of this article will benefit 1) practicing librarians who are creating or updating their own bibliometrics and research impact guides or developing library instruction on related topics and 2) strategic planning and governance within academic institutions and more broadly at the national level by revealing trends in bibliometrics and research impact services and resources in the Canadian context.