High Impact at Low Cost: Initiating a Citation Analysis Program

University faculty under consideration for tenure and promotion are expected to demonstrate to their committees the value of their scholarly output. This case study involves the creation of a citation analysis service at a midsized university and reviews many of the existing sources for metrics and journal rankings – both subscription-based and freely available. The aim is to offer a roadmap for budget-minded academic libraries that want to assist their faculty in compiling individualized portfolios that include bibliometrics. Many existing tools favor the hard science fields. This case study focuses on a pathway through the confusing subject of citation analysis with a focus on the social sciences and humanities while highlighting the benefits for academic institutions and libraries.