Academic libraries are facing different challenges in present information society. Increasing price of books, cut back of the fund allocation, variations of the information media and sources, complexity of information needs among different user categories can be identified as some challenges faced by academic librarians at present (Okafor and Ukwoma, 2017). Citation analysis was the research design method that was used for this study, no questionnaires was used. The study revealed that journals are the major information sources cited by Doctoral students of geography department, secondary sources were the most cited type of information sources, percentage of recent sources cited by Doctoral students in geography department from 2008 to 2017 when compared to the total percentage of sources cited is not appreciable and printed sources are the major format of information sources cited by Doctoral students in geography department from 2008 to 2017.Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were provided; There should be an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory in the department of geography to enable the students and lecturers to have access to e-resources. Information literacy should be part of the curriculum to enable use of open access resources that are available and The library management should collaborate with the department in acquisition of the information sources that are relevant for their studies, especially the most cited journals and monographs.
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
1.2 Statement of Problems
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Scope of the Study
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Types of Information Sources
2.2 Information Sources Analysis by Previous Authors
2.3 Format of Information Sources
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Target Population of the Study
3.3 Sample and Sampling Technique.
3.4 Research Instrument
3.5 Procedure for Data Collection
3.6 Data Collection
3.7 Data Analysis
4.0 Introduction:
4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Summary of the Major Findings
4.3 Discussion of the Findings
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this study is to analyze the information sources utilized by doctoral students in the Geography Department at Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, from 2008 to 2017, in order to improve library collection development and inform better resource acquisition strategies.
- Identification of primary, secondary, and tertiary information sources cited in doctoral theses.
- Assessment of the recency and relevance of cited literature.
- Determination of the dominant formats of information sources (print vs. non-print).
- Evaluation of the impact of modern technology and ICT access on research habits.
- Recommendation of strategies for academic library management to align acquisitions with user needs.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 Information Sources Analysis by Previous Authors
Citation analysis is a tool for measuring library collection use. It has been applied in the evaluation of journal collections, for deciding whether to acquire, continue, or discontinue the subscription (Smith 1981). Citation analysis is an aspect of bibliometrics, which studies the references used in documents. Citation analysis involves counting how many times a paper or researcher is cited, assuming that influential scientists and important works are cited more often than others. Citation analysis was developed in information science as a tool to identify core sets of articles, authors, or journals in particular fields. Citation analysis can be used to determine information sources used by doctoral students in their research projects (Kuruppu & Moore, 2008). Citation analysis is an unobtrusive research method that identifies core lists of journals and monographs in a subject discipline (Kuruppu and Moore, 2008). The usefulness of a discipline is measured by the amount and quality of research completed in the discipline (Onyancha 2007). Lancaster (1991) stated that
Summary of Chapters
1.0 INTRODUCTION: This chapter establishes the study's background, problem statement, objectives, and significance, framing the context of doctoral research within the Geography Department at MAUTECH.
2.0 Introduction: This chapter reviews the existing literature regarding the classification of information sources and the application of citation analysis in academic settings.
3.0 Introduction: This chapter details the research methodology, specifically the use of citation analysis as a descriptive research design to evaluate 45 doctoral theses submitted between 2008 and 2017.
4.0 Introduction:: This chapter presents and interprets the empirical data gathered from the field, offering a statistical breakdown of citations by format, type, and age.
5.0 Introduction: This chapter provides a summary of the key findings, conclusions regarding the research habits of geography doctoral students, and practical recommendations for university library management.
Keywords
Citation Analysis, Geography Department, Doctoral Research, Information Sources, Academic Libraries, MAUTECH, Bibliometrics, Collection Development, Scholarly Journals, Research Methodology, Electronic Resources, Information Literacy, Printed Materials, Postgraduate Studies, Academic Research
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research examines the types, formats, and recency of information sources cited by doctoral students in the Geography Department at MAUTECH, Yola, between 2008 and 2017.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Central themes include the role of citation analysis in academic libraries, the classification of primary/secondary/tertiary sources, and the transition from printed to digital research materials.
What is the main objective of the study?
The goal is to provide facts based on citation patterns to help librarians make informed decisions regarding the acquisition of books and journals that truly reflect the needs of doctoral researchers.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The researcher uses citation analysis, a quantitative and descriptive bibliometric method, to systematically evaluate the footnotes and bibliographies within 45 doctoral theses.
What topics does the main body cover?
The main body covers the literature review on information source classification, the methodology for data collection, the interpretation of citation data via Microsoft Excel, and the formulation of recommendations for library management.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Citation Analysis, Doctoral Research, Collection Development, Academic Libraries, and Geography Department.
Why are journals the most cited source in this study?
The study indicates that journals contain firsthand information and are standard reference materials, though the reliance on them (and print formats) is also linked to a limited uptake of online resources.
What does the study suggest about e-resources?
E-resources were poorly cited compared to print, potentially due to inadequate infrastructure, lack of ICT laboratory facilities, or insufficient information literacy skills among students.
What recommendation does the author make for the library?
The author recommends that the library should collaborate with the Geography Department to acquire the most relevant journals and monographs while integrating information literacy training into the curriculum.
What is the significance of the findings regarding physical geography?
The data suggests that physical geography is the most researched area, indicating a need for targeted resource acquisition within this specific sub-discipline.
- Quote paper
- Abdulrashid Mbura (Author), 2019, Information Sources used in Doctoral Research Report by Students of Geography Department of Mautech (Yola) from 2008 to 2017, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/512871
