Citation patterns in the health sciences: implications for serials/monographic fund allocation.
This study sought to determine optimal serial-to-monograph ratios for collection development by comparing citation frequency with current library practice. Internal medicine literature cited an average of 88% serial references and 12% monographs. In an observational study, teaching physicians on internal medicine rounds cited 89.5% serials and 10.5% monographs to student teams. By contrast, health sciences libraries included in the Houston statistics spend an average of 79% of acquisitions budgets for serials and 21% for monographs. An 88:12 acquisitions budget ratio would be more appropriate, reflecting actual use of serials and monographs in the health sciences.
Burdick
A J
AJ
University of Missouri-Kansas City Health Sciences Library 64116.
Butler
A
A
Sullivan
M G
MG
D002017:Budgets; D003361:Cost Allocation; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000191:economics*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000191:economics*