Developing a new collection‐evaluation method: Mapping and the user‐side h‐index

This study proposes a new visualization method and index for collection evaluation. Specifically, it develops a network‐based mapping technique and a user‐focused Hirsch index (user‐side h‐index) given the lack of previous studies on collection evaluation methods that have used the h‐index. A user‐side h‐index is developed and compared with previous indices (use factor, difference of percentages, collection‐side h‐index) that represent the strengths of the subject classes of a library collection. The mapping procedure includes the subject‐usage profiling of 63 subject classes and collection‐usage map generations through the pathfinder network algorithm. Cluster analyses are then conducted upon the pathfinder network to generate 5 large and 14 small clusters. The nodes represent the strengths of the subject‐class usages reflected by the user‐side h‐index. The user‐side h‐index was found to have advantages (e.g., better demonstrating the real utility of each subject class) over the other indices. It also can more clearly distinguish the strengths between the subject classes than can collection‐side h‐index. These results may help to identify actual usage and strengths of subject classes in library collections through visualized maps. This may be a useful rationale for the establishment of the collection‐development plan.