Bibliometric analysis of the journal literature on women’s studies

Abstract

This study uses bibliometric techniques to investigate the characteristics and implications of women’s studies literature over the period from 1900 to 2013. Using computer analysis for bibliometric techniques, the results of the present study demonstrate that the journal literature on women’s studies has grown exponentially, with an annual growth rate of 10.6% for over one century. Most of the document types in the area of women’s studies are in the form of research articles, review articles and book reviews. The United States of America and the United Kingdom contribute the largest number of articles. One hundred and seventeen core journals containing 33% of the women’s studies journal articles have been identified through the application of Bradford’s law on journal distribution. More than half of the 117 core journals began publishing from 1970 to 1990, and most of these core journals deal with the humanities (including literature, history and philosophy), women’s studies, medical science, psychology, political science and sociology. The highly productive journals associated with highly cited times are Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, Women’s Studies International Forum, Sex Roles, Feminism and Psychology, Gender and Society, European Journal of Women’s Studies, American Historical Review, Psychology of Women Quarterly and Feminist Studies.