The spelling of "citation index" can be broken down using IPA phonetic transcription as /sɪˈteɪʃən ˈɪndeks/. The first syllable, "si", is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by a soft "t" and "ay" sound. The second syllable, "ta", is pronounced with a long "a" sound followed by the letter "sh". The final syllable, "on in-derks", rhymes with "dex" and is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by "n". The correct spelling of this term is important in academic writing and research articles.
A citation index refers to a comprehensive and specialized bibliographic database that contains a significant number of references, citations, and abstracts of academic literature. It serves as a tool for researchers, scholars, and scientists to track the influence and impact of research publications within a specific field or across multiple disciplines.
Typically created by indexing and cataloging the citations found within scholarly articles, a citation index provides detailed information on various aspects of a publication, including the authors, title, publication date, source journal, and relevant keywords. This database allows researchers to identify other articles that have cited a particular work, demonstrating its scholarly significance and influence within the academic community.
Citation indexes are instrumental in facilitating literature reviews, establishing the credibility and recognition of scholarly works, tracking the development of scientific ideas, and identifying emerging trends and areas of inquiry. Researchers often use citation indexes to evaluate the impact and popularity of a specific author, research group, or academic institution. By analyzing the number of citations a publication receives, researchers can also measure the influence and relevance of a specific field of study.
With the advent of digital technology, citation indexes have transitioned from print to online formats, offering advanced search capabilities, linkages to full-text articles, and various analytical tools for citation analysis. This allows researchers to navigate through interconnected networks of research articles, enhancing their ability to discover and access relevant literature for their work.
The word "citation" originates from the Latin word "citare", which means "to summon" or "to call forth". In the context of a citation index, a citation refers to a reference to a published work to support or acknowledge a particular statement or claim.
The term "index" comes from the Latin word "indicem", which means "a sign", "a pointer", or "a guide". An index is a list or systematic arrangement used to facilitate the retrieval of information or to indicate the location of specific data within a larger body of knowledge.
Therefore, the etymology of "citation index" combines the concept of summoning or referring to a specific work with the idea of an organized guide or signpost for finding and accessing cited references.