Indian Science Citation Index: a strategy

Abstract

India has a prominent place in scientific activity among the third world countries. This is evident from its high production of publications in different branches of science and technology as well as from its accelerated growth of research and development work within the country. Almost all the papers, notes, reviews, corrections and correspondence published in scientific journals contain citations. These cite generally by title, author and where and when published, documents that support, provide precedent for illustration orelaborate on what the author has to say. Citations are the formal, explicit linkages between papers that have particular points in common. A citation index is built around these linkages. It lists publications that have been cited and identifies the sources of the citation. Anyone conducting a literature search can find from one to dozens of additional papers on a subject, just by knowing one that has been cited. This communication outlines the development of a citation index in India.