This document summarizes a study analyzing citations and research approaches in PhD theses accepted by the University of Kerala in library and information science. The study found that research output increased after 2000, with the most popular research topics being bibliographic/citation studies and information system design. Journals were the most frequently cited resource. Male researchers accounted for more theses but citations were more evenly split between genders. The age of most cited resources varied depending on the research topic.

1. Research Approach and Citation Behaviour in Library Science Literature: A Study
Based on the Analysis of PhD Thesis Accepted by University of Kerala
Humayoon Kabir.Sa and Praveen.Sb
a
Reader,Department of Library and Information Science,University of Kerala,Trivandrum
Mphil Student,Department of Library and Information Science,University of Kerla, Trivandrum
b
Library and information Science (LIS) education in India will be completing 100
years in 2011. Unlike other fields of knowledge, there is no fear of research duplication
in this field. Because of the subjective nature of the field, the importance lies not in what
is said but it lies in the fact how it is said. The present study analysis the theses and
citations and changing trends in the library research and information use of the
researchers.
Introduction
Research is the careful investigation into or a study about certain facts in
order to get some new facts or information. Scientific and social science research is
carried
out
by
research
institutions,
semi-government
and
non-government
organisations, universities etc. In academic field research is undertaken to attack the
problems of significance or to increase theoretical knowledge. In universities research
has been given due to importance (Smith,L.C 1976). Actually research is regarded as
an important function of universities together with teaching and community
development. Following the model of the great western universities in the 19 th and 20th
century, the universities in India, also began to give active support in research activities
undertaken by the higher education community which prompted it to contribute the lion's
share in the country's research output.
One popular method of research in library and information science is
citation analysis. Citation analysis is an aspect bibliometrics, and studies reference to
and from documents. Citation analysis is a research method in which references cited
are statistically analysed to find what journals are cited by researchers in a particular
discipline. Bibliometric studies have provided insight into emerging and obsolescent

2. areas of research by investigating those resources or materials that are used regularly.
This technique has also been employed to unobtrusively determine which resources
students at any level are using to conduct research for their projects and dissertations
(Diadoto, 1994).
Researchers need information to make their research more fruitful. They
need exhaustive pin-pointed, nascent information in various stages of their investigation
to guide them to the proper track to correct their mistakes and to avoid duplication. This
information is got by reference, discussion etc. The reference services are provided by
libraries to provide right information to the researcher right time. Among the specialized
information services provided in the academic libraries, a large portion is targeted
towards researchers (Smith, D.B 1976).
In order to provide useful information to the researchers, it is necessary for
the information professionals to know their requirements. For this many methods of user
survey are employed. Analysis of citations or references made in the research reports or
theses form an important indirect method for assessing information use, which
undoubtedly throws light to the information requirements of the researcher. The doctoral
dissertations which are products of research activity form an important source of
information, because apart from giving the experimental evidences, it also records a
thorough review of works that have already been done in a particular field show that
proposed work is not done elsewhere (Mini Devi,B 2000) A systematic study of citations
in a discipline provide a criterion for measuring the degree of interaction among the
researchers. Hence the impact of scientific work may often be assessed by citation
characteristics.
The specific objectives of the study are;
1. To find out the research output in LIS in University of Kerala
2. To identify the thrust areas of research in LIS
3. To suggest the grey areas that requires attention of LIS researchers
4. To view the increasing tendency to acknowledge the sources consulted.

3. 5. To identify the materials i.e., the information sources used by the
researchers.
6. Find the average citations made per project report
7. To find out the age of materials used.
8. To identify the recency of book and journal citations.
Methodology
An extensive survey of past studies was conducted, in the beginning, to
give concrete shape to the research problem. All the Ph.D theses submitted in the
University of Kerala from the beginning, ie. From 1985 to 2009 were analyzed. All the
citations, attached to the theses examined, were subjected to analysing using
bibliometric techniques. The total citations counted to 5221. All the citations were
analysed in relation to the theses, to find out the relation between the cited documents
and the citing documents.
Analysis
Number of Theses Produced
During 1985-1989 there were four (17.39%) studies undertaken. There is only
two (8.68%) theses submitted in 1990-1999.A steady increase can be seen after
1999,the next five year 6(26.08%) theses submitted. In 2005-2009 47.85% (11) theses
were submitted in LIS. 2000-2009 together form 17 (73.9%) theses it is the period of
more productivity in LIS. The UGC indicated the requirement of doctoral degree for
career advancements/academic recognitions and provided grants to improve facilities.
This might have been contributed for the increased output in LIS research since 2000.
Subject-wise Distribution of Research Output
The most favoured researched topics are bibliographic/citation/bibliometric
studies, out of the 23 studies eight (34.78%) are focused in this areas. Information
system design 21.74% is the second most preferred area of study.4(17.39%) studies
are fall in library management, 3 studies have undertaken in user behaviour. Two
(8.70%) studies are done in library evaluation. Only one study made in
Library/Information services.

4. Gender – wise and Subject-wise Distribution of Research Output
Table 1
Gender-wise Distribution Of
Area of Research
Sl.
No
Subject Area
Number of Theses
Male
Female
Total
1
Bibliographic
/Bibliometric
4
(17.39%)
4
(17.39%)
8
(34.78%)
2
Information
System/ Design
4
(17.39%)
1
(4.35%)
5
(21.74%)
3
Library
management
3
1
(13.04%) (4.35%)
4
(17.39%)
4
User Behaviour
5
Library
Evaluation
6
Library Services
Total
2
(8.70%)
1
(4.35%)
3
(13.04%)
2
(8.70%)
2
(8.70%)
1
(4.35%)
14
(60.7%)
1
(4.35%)
9
(39.3%)
23
(100%)

5. It is found that out of the eight bibliographic/bibliometrics studies four were done by
male and four were female researchers, and it is together form 34.78%.In the
information system / designs area four (17.39%) studies conducted by male and one
study made by female researchers.3 (13.04%) male researchers is there in library
management and one study by female researcher. Two male researchers conducted
study in user behaviour and one study by female researcher. 2(8.70%) studies were
done in library evaluation and these two studies carried out by female researchers.
There is only one study in library services and it is done by male researcher.
Subject-wise vs. Year-wise Distribution
The subject of study and the period in which the study is to be conducted
thrown light of trends and the growth of the research in a particular discipline. In science
changes may occur quickly but in social sciences it happens slowly. The area of study
and the year -wise distribution shown in Table 2.
Table 2
Subject
Subject-wise vs Year-wise Distribution
Year
1985-1989 1990-1994 1995-1999 2000-2004 2005-2009
Total
Bibliographic /
Bibliometrics
1
(4.35%)
-
-
1
(4.35%)
6
(26.08%)
8
(34.78%)
Information
System/
Design
Library
management
2
(8.70%)
-
1
(4.35%)
2
(8.70%)
-
5
(21.74%)
-
1
(4.35%)
-
-
3
(13.04%)
4
(17.39%)
Library
Evaluation
1
(4.35%)
-
-
-
1
(4.35%)
2
(8.70%)
Library
Services
-
-
-
-
1
(4.35%)
1
(4.35%)
User
Behaviour
-
-
-
2
(8.70%)
1
(4.35%)
3
(13.04%)
4
(17.39%)
1
(4.35%)
1
(4.35%)
5
(21.74%)
12
(52.17%)
23
(100%)
Total

6. The table shows research in bibliographic/bibliometrics study started very
beginning. In the period of 2005-2009 there were six (26.08%) studies carried out in the
same field. Since 2000 the user behavior studies begins three such studies carried out
in this field. Information System Design on various fields of knowledge has gained
attention of research scholars since 1985-2004.Llibrary services get the attention in the
period of 2005-2009 and only one study done in this area.
Number of Citations
All the 23 theses noted contained citations which were used for the analysis
.Total 5221 citations were identified, the largest number of citations in single theses is
508 and the smallest is 35. The former was theses produced in 2005 and the latter one
produced in 1986.The average number of citations is 227.Out of the 23 theses six
contained 101-200 citations. 9 contained between 201-300 citations.
Average Citations per Theses
Citations are the references appended with the research communication. It are
given to acknowledge the intellectual indebtedness of the researcher. Citation study is
one of the interesting areas of library professionals. Here it is intended to determine the
average use of citations made by them in their research report.
Subjects of Study vs. Distribution of Citations
The LIS researcher’s selects different topics in their study. They refer a good
number of references for their study. One of the uses of citation is to identify the source
of a given statement. This analysis is to be determining the relation between subjects of
study and the citations used in it.

7. Table 3
Subject of Study vs Distribution of Citations
Sl.
No
1
2
Subjects
Bibliographic /
Bibliometrics
Information
System/ Design
Number of
Theses
8
(34.78%)
5
(21.74%)
Number of
Citations
1570
(30.0%)
741
(14.2%)
3
Library
management
4
(17.39%)
1084
(20.8%)
4
Library
Evaluation
3
(13.04%)
955
(18.3%)
5
Library Services
6
User Behaviour
2
(8.70%)
1
(4.35%)
567
(10.9%)
304
(5.8%)
23
(100%)
5221
(100%)
Total
It is evident from the table that eight studies conducted in
bibliographic/bibliometrics and it contains 1570(30.0%) citations. Five studies carried
out in information system/design and it contains 741 (14.2%) citations. 1084 (20.8%)
citations contain in library management.Three library evaluation studies contain 955
(1803%) citations.Two library services study contain 567 citations. One study is carried
out in user behaviour and it contains 304 (5.8%) citations.It is also an interesting fact
that citations contain in five information system/design study is less than the citations
contain in Library management and Library Evaluation studies.These two (7) studies
together form 2039 (39.1%) citations and it is more than the citations contain in eight
bibliographic/ bibliometric studies.

8. Form-wise Distribution of Cited Documents
Generally researchers depends wide variety of materials for their research
purpose.If compare with humanities the use of different form of literature is higher in
science and social science disciplines. It is here examine the extend of the use of such
materials by the library science researchers.
Table 4
Form-wise Distribution of Cited Documents
Sl.
No.
Form of Documents
Number of
Citation
Percentage
1
Journals
3219
61.65%
2
Books
1173
22.48%
3
Seminar
paper/conference
Proceedings
181
3.46%
4
Hand book/ Manuals
174
3.34%
5
Theses/ Dissertations
156
2.98%
6
Dictionaries/Encyclopedia
118
2.26%
7
Others
200
3.83%
5221
100%
Total
It indicates that journal articles are preferred by library science researchers, it
ranked top with 3219 (61.65%) citations. Books are the second largest item in the list
with 1173 (22.48%) citations. Seminar paper/ Conference proceedings got 181 citations.
Handbook/ Manuals got 174 citations and theses/ dissertation having 156 citations.
Dictionaries/Encyclopaedia having 118 (2.26%) citations. Others form together 200
(3.83%), it includes newspaper/magazine articles, letters, souvenir etc.
Form of Documents vs Gender-wise Distribution
The analysis of citations proves that library science researchers use wide variety
of documents. Here it is examine the extend of the use of documents by male and
female researchers.

9. Table 5
Form of Documents vs Gender-wise Distribution
Form of
Documents
Male
Gender-wise Distribution
%
Female
%
%
Total
Journals
1993
38.1
1226
23.5
3219
61.6
Books
694
13.3
479
9.2
1173
22.5
Theses/Diss
ertations
90
1.7
66
1.3
156
3.0
Hand book/
Manuals
73
1.5
101
1.9
174
3.4
Seminar
paper/Confer
ence
Proceedings
Dictionaries/
Encyclopedia
118
2.3
63
1.2
181
3.5
65
1.2
53
1.0
118
2.2
Others
113
2.1
87
1.7
200
3.8
Total
3146
60.2
2075
39.2
5221
100
The analysis reveals that journals are the top most cited document by male and
female researchers. Male researchers cited 1993 (38.1%) journals while their female
counterparts cited 1226 (23.5), both these together form 61.6% citations.Books are the
second top cited document in the list male and female researchers cited 694 (13.3 %)
and 479 (9.2 %) citations. 118 (2.3%) Seminar paper/Conference Proceedings cited by
male researchers and 63 (1.2%) by female researchers. Hand book/ Manuals are cited
by female researchers than their male counterparts, former cited 101(1.9%) and latter
cited 73 (1.5%). Others form 200 (3.8%) citations out of it 113 (2.1%) citations by male
and 87 (1.7%) by female researchers.
Age vs Subject –wise Distribution of Cited Documents
Library science is a inter-disciplinary subject field, the researchers conducting
study in different areas within the subject field. Researchers are consulting different
documents that are published in different time period. Here it is examine the relation
between age of documents and the subject of study selected by the LIS researchers.

10. Table 6
Age vs Subject –wise Distribution of Cited Documents
Age
Bibliographic/
Bibliometrics
0-5
43
Information
System/
Design
25
6-10
105
11-15
Sujects
Library
Library
management Evaluation
Total
Library
Services
User
Behaviour
19
17
14
8
126
115
64
46
32
57
419
244
142
126
107
110
65
794
16-20
538
149
317
216
55
88
1363
21-25
331
110
246
312
261
23
1283
26-30
195
168
258
207
62
46
936
31 &
Above
114
32
54
50
33
17
300
Total
1570
741
1084
955
567
304
5221
The analysis reveals that in bibliographic/bibliometrics studies most of the cited
document’s age falls in the region of 16-20, 538 documents come under it. In
Information System/ Design studies 168 documents concentrate in the 26-30 region.
317 documents cited in 16-30 age group in Library management studies.In library
evaluation studies 312 documents listed in 21-25 regions. Out of the 567 documents
cited in library services study 261 are concentrate in 21-25 age group. In user behaviour
study 88 documents listed in the 16-20 age groups. While considering others it is
identified that researchers in bibliometric/bibliographic studies used recent
documents.Researchers in library management and library evaluation use almost same
age documents.
Conclusion
Researchers need information to make their research more fruitful. They need
exhaustive pin-pointed, nascent information in various stages of their investigation to
guide them to the proper track to correct their mistakes and to avoid duplication. This
information is got by reference; discussion etc.This study gives the details of the
approach and citation behaviour of LIS researchers.

11. Analysis of doctoral theses indicates the direction in which, a specific subject
field is moving. It also indicates the thrust or grey areas of research that call for attention
from researchers. Research and development are the index of prosperity of the nation.
The LIS research is gaining the attention of LIS researchers. The number of
researchers registering for doctoral research is increasing over the years. In the era of
internet, the ICT supported and professional related subject areas call for the attention
of LIS researchers and research in those areas will definitely contribute to the growth of
knowledge.
From the point of view of the Library and Information Centres, it is essential to
evaluate and study the research trends from time to time, so that it would be quite easy
for designing, organising and managing the various information services and products
to cater to the information needs of researchers effectively and efficiently.
References
1 Diadoto, V. (1999).Dictionary of bibliometrics. New York: Haworth Press.Smith,L.C
(1976). Citation Analysis. Library Trends, 30(1), 83-106
2 Mini Devi, B. (2000). Citation analysis of Ph.D theses on Raman spectroscopy awarded
by the University of Kerala during 1933-1997. KELPRO Bulletin, 4(142), 63-75.
3 Smith, D.B (1976). Information problems in the humanities: Report of the British library
seminar. London: British Library, BLR & DD Report No.5259
4 Smith,L.C (1976). Citation analysis. Library Trends, 30(1), 83-106