JOURNAL OF DOCUMENTATION

Scope & Guideline

Empowering Research in Library and Information Sciences.

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of JOURNAL OF DOCUMENTATION with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0022-0418
PublisherEMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1945 to 2024
AbbreviationJ DOC / J. Doc.
Frequency6 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressFloor 5, Northspring 21-23 Wellington Street, Leeds, W YORKSHIRE LS1 4DL, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The JOURNAL OF DOCUMENTATION serves as a critical platform for scholarly discourse in the fields of information science and documentation studies. It encompasses a diverse range of topics that reflect the evolving landscape of knowledge organization, information behavior, and the socio-cultural implications of information practices.
  1. Knowledge Organization Systems and Methodologies:
    The journal focuses on the development and evaluation of knowledge organization systems, including classification, metadata, and digital repositories, emphasizing their role in facilitating access to information.
  2. Information Behavior and User Experience:
    Research on how individuals seek, use, and interact with information is central to the journal's scope, exploring the cognitive and emotional dimensions of information experiences across various contexts.
  3. Cultural and Social Implications of Documentation:
    The journal addresses the socio-cultural challenges surrounding documentation practices, including the impact of libraries, archives, and digital heritage on community engagement and identity.
  4. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Information Science:
    A significant aim is to foster interdisciplinary research that connects information science with fields such as digital humanities, sociology, and cultural studies, promoting a holistic understanding of information practices.
  5. Ethics and Policy in Information Practices:
    Exploring the ethical considerations and policy implications of information access, privacy, and digital rights is a recurring theme, particularly in the context of marginalized communities.
The JOURNAL OF DOCUMENTATION has seen the emergence of several progressive and trending themes that reflect contemporary challenges and innovations in the field of information science. This section outlines these emerging areas of focus, illustrating the journal's responsiveness to current societal needs and technological advancements.
  1. Artificial Intelligence and Automation in Documentation:
    There is a growing interest in the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning within documentation practices, particularly concerning metadata enrichment and automated classification.
  2. Community Engagement and Participatory Research:
    Research emphasizing community involvement in documentation and library practices is on the rise, highlighting the importance of co-creating knowledge and fostering inclusive environments.
  3. Digital Humanities and Interdisciplinary Collaboration:
    The intersection of digital humanities and information science is increasingly prominent, with studies focusing on collaborative projects that enhance cultural heritage and scholarly communication.
  4. Health Information Behavior and Digital Health Literacy:
    Emerging themes around health information behavior, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflect a trend towards understanding how individuals seek and use health-related information.
  5. Ethics, Privacy, and Data Governance:
    As digital information sharing grows, there is heightened attention on ethical considerations, privacy issues, and the governance of data, particularly concerning marginalized communities and digital rights.

Declining or Waning

While the JOURNAL OF DOCUMENTATION continues to evolve, certain themes that were once prominent have seen a decline in focus over recent years. This section highlights those waning scopes, reflecting shifts in research priorities and interests within the academic community.
  1. Traditional Library Science Practices:
    There is a noticeable decline in papers focusing solely on traditional library science practices, as the field increasingly embraces broader interdisciplinary perspectives and innovative technologies.
  2. Print vs. Digital Documentation:
    The discussion around the dichotomy of print versus digital documentation has diminished, with fewer studies addressing this issue directly as the focus shifts towards integrated digital solutions.
  3. Historical Documentation Techniques:
    Research specifically centered on historical documentation methods has waned, as contemporary studies tend to emphasize current practices and technologies rather than historical context.
  4. Static Information Retrieval Models:
    Static models of information retrieval are receiving less attention, as the field moves towards dynamic and user-centered approaches that account for user behavior and context.
  5. Narrow Definitions of Information Literacy:
    The scope of information literacy has expanded beyond narrow definitions, leading to a decline in studies that focus solely on basic literacy skills without considering broader socio-cultural factors.

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