Basic list of veterinary medical serials, third edition: using a decision matrix to update the core list of veterinary journals

Ana G Ugaz,C Trenton Boyd,Katherine M Anderson,Esther E Carrigan,Vicki F Croft

doi:10.3163/1536-5050.98.4.004

Abstract

This paper presents the methods and results of a study designed to produce the third edition of the "Basic List of Veterinary Medical Serials," which was established by the Veterinary Medical Libraries Section in 1976 and last updated in 1986. A set of 238 titles were evaluated using a decision matrix in order to systematically assign points for both objective and subjective criteria and determine an overall score for each journal. Criteria included: coverage in four major indexes, scholarly impact rank as tracked in two sources, identification as a recommended journal in preparing for specialty board examinations, and a veterinary librarian survey rating. Of the 238 titles considered, a minimum scoring threshold determined the 123 (52%) journals that constituted the final list. The 36 subject categories represented on the list include general and specialty disciplines in veterinary medicine. A ranked list of journals and a list by subject category were produced. Serials appearing on the third edition of the "Basic List of Veterinary Medical Serials" met expanded objective measures of quality and impact as well as subjective perceptions of value by both librarians and veterinary practitioners.

Highlights

Core lists are often a key resource in library collection development and evaluation
As the number of print and electronic serials continues to grow and as collection space diminishes in favor of user space, a core list can be a useful tool in prioritizing collection management decisions
In preparing the third edition of the ‘‘Basic List,’’ the committee first compiled an initial list of 238 veterinary serials, drawn primarily from the List of Journals Indexed for MEDLINE and Focus On: Veterinary Science and Medicine [10, 11]

Summary

Introduction

Core lists are often a key resource in library collection development and evaluation. In the case of an existing collection, a core list can serve as a benchmark for evaluating a collection or as a guide during a weeding project. As the number of print and electronic serials continues to grow and as collection space diminishes in favor of user space, a core list can be a useful tool in prioritizing collection management decisions. One of the most notable core lists in the health sciences is the ‘‘Brandon/Hill Selected List of Print Books and Journals for the Small Medical Library,’’ often considered a primary collection development tool despite the fact that updates were discontinued in 2003 [1]. Core journal lists in the health sciences cover many disciplines, such as dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy [2,3,4]. The comparable core journal list for veterinary medicine is the ‘‘Basic List of Veterinary Medical Serials.’’

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion