Citation Analysis of Masters Theses: as a Tool for Collection Development in Academic Libraries

Abstract

This study analyses the citations of Masters Theses on Sociology at the University of Peradeniya submitted from 1995 to 2012 to determine the format and age of materials used and most frequently cited journals. The citation analysis method was used as the data collection method and the citations were extracted from the title pages and reference lists of each of the theses. Data obtained from 12 masters theses were examined in June, 2013. The study found that 56% of cited items were monographs followed by 22% were journals, 8.5% were reports, 4% were web resources and 3.7% were conference proceedings. This is contrary with other citation analysis, which found that journals are the most frequently used format. The study also revealed that nine journal titles are the most frequently cited journals by sociology graduates. The study indicated that the average age of materials used was 10-20 years. The findings and implications of the research for collection development have been discussed. This study could serve as a collection development tool that can be used as a model for the library to identify the primary sources for acquisitions and also as a guide for collection maintenance.

Citation Analysis of serials in Postgraduate Research Theses and Dissertations of Library and Information Science of Public universities in Southeast, Nigeria

“…The result of this study agrees with the assertion that Journals are essential for research, but due to the ever increasing demands for the journals librarians are struggling to select most relevant titles by studying the quality, usefulness and suitability to particular group of users. The ranking list of journals is a practical tool that helps librarians to select journals of maximum utility in relation to their coverage of new and important literature in a particular subject area (Chamani, 2013). Furthermore high level utilization and preference for journals may be attributed to Adeoya (2004) assertion that journals are meant to fill a specific gap in communication.…”

Citation Analysis of Business Research: An International Journal in the Field of Business

“…Gunaseka 4 conducted a citation analysis of postgraduates' theses in the field of Economics. He analysed 16 masters and 2 doctoral dissertations and found that the age of most of the cited materials were 20 years old or less in age and the maximum citations were noted during 1991 to 2000.…”

Citation Analysis of Library and Information Science Undergraduates’ Projects in Kwara State University, Malete (2013-2018)

“…These are "core journals" of a particular field and "always contain a higher concentration of relevant articles" in that field (Sudhier, 2010, p. 11). Analyzing citations in students' dissertations is a popular and effective way to examine whether the library is in alignment with users' demands (Gunasekera, 2013). Sulaiman and Kabir (2020) posited that online tools are modern technologies designed to transmit and store electronic information from one end to the other for better understanding which can also be applied in citation analysis.…”