Reference Services Review: content analysis, 2012-2014

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a retrospective analysis of content published in Reference Services Review between 2012 and 2014. Design/methodology/approach – This analysis utilizes the methods and format outlined by Katy Mahraj, author of Reference Services Review: content analysis, 2006-2011 (2012). The author manually reviewed the content of all journal issues from 2012 through 2014 using both print and online copies of the journal, accessed through the Emerald Group Publishing web site. Information reviewed included total number of articles per issue, author affiliations, article format and article content focus. The type, size and location of author institutions were confirmed using institutions’ official web sites as necessary. The results of this analysis are compared to Mahraj’s results to identify changing trends. Findings – Reference Services Review has published an average of 38 articles per year between 2012 and 2014. Articles have focused most commonly on information literacy and instruction and emerging technologies. Reference services, outreach and library management have also received regular coverage. All authors during this time period have been affiliated with academic institutions, primarily large academic institutions with 5,000 or more students. Originality value – This analysis continues the work of Katy Mahraj to consolidate data on the volume, focus and authorship of Reference Services Review. These data continue to provide an overview of trends in the field’s professional and scholarly literature, with implications for broader trends in academic librarianship.