Publication analysis
About the publication
Title: Evidence Based Library and Information Practice
ISSN: 1715-720X1
Website: http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/EBLIP/index
Purpose, objective, or mission: Evidence Based Library and Information Practice (EBLIP), “is an open access, peer reviewed journal published quarterly by the University of Alberta Learning Services, and supported by an international team of editorial advisors. The purpose of the journal is to provide a forum for librarians and other information professionals to discover research that may contribute to decision making in professional practice. EBLIP publishes original research and commentary on the topic of evidence based library and information practice, as well as reviews of previously published research (evidence summaries) on a wide number of topics.”2
Target audience: The target audience is librarians and other information professionals.3
Publisher: University of Alberta Learning Services4
Peer reviewed? Yes5
Type: LIS scholarly6
Medium: Online7
Content: Evidence-based practice applications, qualitative and quantitative research, management and administration issues related to evidence-based practice, research tools (statistics, data collection methods, etc.), collaborative and inter-professional evidence-based practice, research education in library schools, evidence-based practices from other disciplines applicable to evidence-based librarianship and future prospects for the evidenced-based information profession; as well as workplace applications such as how to capture evidence to support new innovations, develop and apply evidence-based tools, and maximize the value and impact of our information services. A significant part of the journal consists of evidence summaries, a section of particular interest to practitioners.8
Frequency of publication: Quarterly9
About the publication’s submission guidelines
Location of submission guidelines: http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/EBLIP/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions
Types of contributions accepted: Original submissions that are not under consideration with another publication. Besides research articles, EBLIP accepts review articles of up to 10,000 words on “topics of relevance to practitioners in library and information studies. We are particularly interested in reviews which contain information on the state of research on a particular topic.”10 Also accepted are evidence summaries, older but still-relevant research “classics,” and commentaries. Commentaries and evidence summaries are not peer reviewed.11
Submission and review process: Registration at EBLIP‘s online system allows authors to submit work and monitor the progress of submissions. Articles of up to 5000 words are considered. The editors make final decisions with regard to whether a manuscript will be accepted. The editors also reserve the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, and style consistency. A final decision to publish or not is made by the editor after the double-blind peer-review is completed. The goal is to have submissions reviewed within 60 days of receipt.12
Editorial tone: The editorial tone is academic and scholarly.13
Style guide used: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, latest edition; authors should additionally consult the requirements in the publication Author Guidelines.14
Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors
Evidence Based Library and Information Practice is a content-heavy publication intended for a real-life application. Librarians and other info pros should expect to find practical content that includes original research and reviews of previously published material that will help them make better decisions. Authors interested in publishing in this journal need to expect an audience with advanced knowledge in the field. The website allows for searching and retrieving archived articles. Also, readers can register for notification emails that will let them know when a new issue has been released, along with a table of contents.
Audience analysis
About the publication’s readers
Publication circulation: EBLIP is an open-access journal that encourages libraries to include it in its electronic journal collection of holdings. The publishing system used is designed to be hosted and operated by research libraries in support of the journal publishing work of its associated faculty. This journal provides open access to all of its content with the goal and intention of making research freely available to the public, in hopes of supporting a greater global exchange of knowledge, practice techniques, and ideas.15
Audience location and language or cultural considerations: EBLIP is published in English16 by the University of Alberta Learning Services in Canada and is supported by an international team of editorial advisors.17 The readership is international, and given its free online access, users are not restricted by geography or ability to pay.18 Authors should avoid using geographical, cultural, or other references that might not be recognized or understood by all.19
Reader characteristics: Readers of Evidence Based Library and Information Practice are librarians or information professionals seeking to improve their method of operations and the efficiency by which they do their jobs on a day-to-day basis. They are also people that want to advance their present level of understanding of best practices. Readers’ workplace environments are varied, encompassing all types of libraries and information systems. There is no evidence of bias. Values include the furthering of the profession of LIS and achieving better working methods in professional settings.20
Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers of this publication may be assumed to have an advanced understanding of library and information science and to have experience working in their field. They are interested in advancing their careers and are curious to learn more on the subject of library and information science.21
Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors
Readers of Evidence Based Library and Information Practice are professionals working in libraries or other information environments who endeavor to keep up with the latest innovations in research and practice. Authors must be mindful of the high level of expertise and experience of the anticipated reader, and of the worldwide distribution of this journal.
Last updated: April 23, 2017
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