Philosophy Dissertation Bibliographies and Citations in Serials Evaluation

Abstract

Serial and journal collections can be effectively evaluated through citation studies of dissertation bibliographies. The entire run of philosophy dissertations accepted at Purdue University from 1970-1988 was examined for serials and journals listed in their bibliographies. A composite profile of bibliographic support for serials and journals in dissertation research in philosophy at Purdue University was checked against the serial and journal Holdings. This simple procedure is both effective and easily performed for any research collection in the humanities. Both librarian and subject scholar can benefit in implementing this procedure in collection evaluation.