Based on these results, we are developing a theory that books with DOIs perform better in Google Scholar because they benefit from the structured, open metadata associated with those DOIs – which are used by hundreds of platforms and services, and therefore are “seeded” throughout the mainstream web, which Scholar may draw on for indexing, linking, etc.
Establishing a benchmark is useful --> Measuring Metadata Impacts: Books Discoverability in Google Scholar - Crossref https://t.co/ivb6h0ZNQM
— Jill ONeill (@jillmwo) January 25, 2023
The Impacts of Metadata on Discoverability of Books in Google Scholar
Research from Lettie Conrad and Michelle Urburg
While this study focused on Google Scholar, the results and lessons learned are applicable to other mainstream channels of information seeking/discovery. Our report, due out spring 2023, will contribute to the literature intended to support user-centric information systems design and content architecture by scholarly publishers and service providers.
As we write up our findings, we intend to develop a framework that can help publishers and others measure the impact of their work to enrich and distribute scholarly metadata. We hope this first systematic review of the impacts of metadata on the discoverability of books in Google Scholar will provide valuable insights for this community. In the meantime, please share your thoughts and questions in the comments below – or reach out to us directly (see Lettie’s profile here and Michelle’s profile here).