Information Retrieval through Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC): A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Information and technology are the driving force of progress and the fuel of the era, prompting libraries to keep pace with various technological advancements in order to provide access and retrieval of information sources and bibliographic data to their beneficiaries to meet their knowledge and information needs. This leads us to discuss information retrieval systems through online public access catalogues (OPACs).

Through a bibliometric analysis, this study analysed all documents from 2000 to 2022 within the Scopus database, using the Vosviewer software for a total of 95 publications. The study identified the journals, countries and authors with the most interest in the field, as well as the keywords and their relationships. The results of the study revealed the fluctuations and lack of interest in the field, as well as its narrow specialisations and precise terminology. The study also highlighted the high interest of the United States, its journals and even its researchers in the field, which surpasses and varies greatly compared to other countries represented, such as South Africa, Greece, Singapore and India.