Bibliometric Analysis of Literature on Learning Disabilities (1974 – 2013)

G Jeyanthi; P Vinayagamoorthy; J Ramakrishnan; J Shanthi

G Jeyanthi Research Scholar, R&D Centre, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
P Vinayagamoorthy University Librarian, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore
J Ramakrishnan Deputy Librarian, Regional Medical Library, The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Guindy, Chennai
J Shanthi Librarian, DKM College for Women (Autonomous), Vellore

Keywords: Bibliometrics, Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Doubling Time (Dt) and Activity Index (AI)

Abstract

This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of the literature in the field of Learning Disabilities covered in MEDLINE data which are covered in the Pubmed during the study period i.e. 1974 to 2013. Maximum number of records (3606) was published during the year 2013, followed by 2755 in 2012 and 2586 in 2011. It was found that 87.4% are journal articles, 1.25% are Comment, 0.59% are Letter, 0.45% are Editorial and 0.24% are News. 93.28% of the records were in English language followed by German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Czech, Finnish, Norwegian, Danish, Rumanian and Other languages. United States has contributed the highest number of records in the study. Next major contribution belongs to England, Netherland, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, France and Italy. India has the 18th position among the countries. Relative Growth Rate (RGR) has been decreasing from 1974 (0.67) to 2013 (0.09) but in fluctuation trend. Doubling Time (Dt) has also shown an fluctuation trend. Indian efforts in Learning Disabilities research are greater in 14 years out of 40 years of study, since the Activity Index is higher than 100, in those 14 years, which reflects higher activity of Learning Disabilities research than the World’s average.