| Abstract: | The citation analysis literature of the last twenty years is selectively reviewed for papers dealing with citation accuracy, citer motivation and the relationship between citation frequency and library use of materials. Although this relationship is rather complex, the two activity measures are moderately correlated. Citation of an item should promote its use and vice versa. There are some factors, however, which inhibit a very high correlation. Faculty who cite use nonlibrary as well as library materials, and they tend to use scholarly journals which often do not circulate (circulation being one measure of library use). Citations are not simply countable data points; some are more important than others, or differ in purpose. Further, there is a subliterature detailing the degree of inaccuracy among citations. Collectively, these variables tend to dilute the correlation between use of library materials and citation frequency. These limitations notwithstanding, citations represent an auditable trail of scholarship, and citation analysis remains a useful tool for evaluation of library collections and subject literatures. |
