A Bibliometric Study of Postgraduate Theses Collection on Library and Information Science in the University of Colombo

Abstract

Bibliometrics is the statistical analytical process of bibliographic information of research outputs and publications. This type of research is used more effectively to overcome problems faced by librarians such as selection and weeding out of information resources in the field of Library and Information Science. Further, bibliometric analytical research demonstrates the impact of researches on researchers. These studies identify the emerging areas of research as well as strengths and weaknesses, top performing journals and researchers in a subject area and finally inform future research priorities too. The purpose of this study is to investigate the pattern of references in theses. Current study examined 50 theses submitted to the Faculty of Graduate studies in the University of Colombo during the period from 1999 to 2009 as a partial fulfillment of the Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLS). Total of 3349 citations were found from 50 postgraduate theses. Study revealed that journals were the most heavily used source of material with 41% of the citations. The second most heavily used source of material was books accounting for 34% of the citations. Most heavily used journal was “College and Research Libraries” while most heavily used book was the “Encyclopedia of Information and Library Science”. Among those citations, Authorship contribution for journal articles, single author contribution accounts for 973 citations (70%) and two authors contributions were 806 citations (22%) while three authors contribution of citations were 58(4%). More than three authors contribution accounts for only 40(3%) while corporate author contribution was 9(1%). Half-life of overall reference sources is approximately 09 years. Recommendations were made to strengthen the quality of postgraduate research encouraging using more current journal articles in the printed and electronic versions as well.