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| Paper: |
Citation Patterns to Electronic Preprints in the Astronomy and Astrophysics Literature |
| Volume: |
153, Library and Information Services in Astronomy III (LISA III) |
| Page: |
136 |
| Authors: |
Youngen, Gregory K. |
| Abstract: |
The explosive growth in the number of citations to electronic preprints (eprints) in the literature of astronomy and astrophysics is documented in this paper. Eprints are the electronic versions of papers that have been submitted for comment and review among peers, for publication in journals, or prior to presentation at conferences. Internet-accessible eprint servers located worldwide provide unlimited free access to these publications long before they appear in print in journals or as conference proceedings. Because of the timeliness of these papers, as well as the increasing demand for current research, astronomers and physicists alike have found it necessary to cite these eprints in their research articles rather than wait until they appear in print. This paper documents the increasing reliance on eprints in the journal literature and in conference proceedings by tracking the citations to eprints in articles and papers over the past five years. Along with identifying and documenting the trend, issues for concern over the growing number of citations to eprints, as well as areas for further study are discussed. |
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