A BIBLIOMETRIC STUDY OF MASTER OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

DISSERTATIONS IN MANIPUR UNIVERSITY

KEISHAM SANGEETA DEVI

Assistant Professor
Department of Library and Information Science
Manipur University, Canchipur, India
e-mail: sangeetakeisham@gmail.com
 +91 9862346620

SUNGNEM SHIMLA LAMKANG

Ex-student
Department of Library and Information Science
Manipur University, Canchipur, India

Abstract

Library and Information Science has enabled researchers to find and adopt a number of quantitative methods in
order to evaluate library resources and services more objectively and effectively. The use of Bibliometrics
methods has been the norm in LIS Research for analysis and evaluation purpose. Bibliometrics studies are very
useful for Library and Information Science professionals for evaluating Library and Information Services,
Collection development, Policy making and Refinement, Decision making, analysis of curriculum and quality
assessment of Research. These studies have Potential by Library and Information Science Profession.
Bibliometrics Methods have been effectively utilized to solve a variety of issues in by Library and Information
Science. The present paper deals with the Bibliometric study of dissertation work of Master of Library and
Information Science in the Department of Library and Information Science, Manipur University during the year
2005 to 2015.Out of 152 dissertation awarded in the Department, only 144 dissertation were selected for the
present study since eight were missing. The data are analysed, tabulated with pie charts and chart column and
presented herewith. It was observed that most of the students (68.5%) awarded dissertations in the Department
were female. Whereas, the main area of research area chosen by the students is Case Study and they consult
Journals (39.53%), Electronic-resources (29.23%), and Books (28.29%) most while doing their dissertation
work. Interestingly, about 39.59 % of the students used APA citation style to cite their references. Since
dissertation contains scholarly works and they are important source for conducting further researches, it is
necessary to take into account to analyse the dissertation work done by the students.

Keywords: Bibliometric study, MLIS Dissertations, Manipur University, Library and Information Science,
MLIS students LIS Research.
1. Introduction

Library is the product of our “cultural maturation”. It is essentially a response to the total
communication pattern of the modern society. It is the advent and the advance of democracy; the extension of
the horizons of education; the intensification of Research, the virtual explosion of knowledge and Information
have necessitated the services of a well-stocked, well-staffed, well-organized and up-to-date Library1.
In the recent years, Library and Information Managers have adopted a number of quantitative methods
in order to evaluate library resources and services more objectively and effectively. Several new terms have
appeared on the horizon representing quantitative studies in Library and Information Science. They were known
as ‘Librametrics’ in 1940’s, ‘Bibliometrics’ in 1960’s, ‘Scientometrics’ in 1970’s and ‘Informetrics’ in the
midst of 1980’s. Bibliometrics , as a tool to measure Scientific Research output, has seen major changes over
the last five decades and has emerged as an established field of research in library and information schools 2 .
Various Techniques of Bibliometric analysis help to determine special trends in literature of a given field of
study. It is now popular among Library Professionals and Researchers. Bibliometric studies are helpful in
evaluating Library Services, Collection development, Policy refinement, Decision making, Resource allocation
and even Weeding. Data produced by Bibliometrics methods provides a scientific basis to Library
administrators for decision making. Bibliometrics has been considered useful for curriculum analysis (Juznic &
Urbanija, 2003) and for appraisal of research output quality (Middleton, 2005)3. In the present work,
Bibliometric study is being used to analyse the Master in Library and Information Science (MLIS) Dissertation
in the Department of Library and Information Science of Manipur University since dissertation is one of the
major requirements for the award degree of Master of Library Science. In Duck and Beck’s work as quoted by
Fosu and Alemna (2006), the goals of a dissertation are to meet the requirements of a degree, proving that one
has mastered the skills necessary to one’s chosen scholarly field, while at the same time, making an original
contribution to that field4.

2. Objectives of the study

The main objectives of the present study are:
 to analyse the MLIS Dissertation submitted to the Department by Postgraduate Students during
2005 to 2015;
 to find out the total number of Dissertation submitted for every Academic year in the Department;
 to identify the main area of the Dissertation topic;
 to know the Citation Styles used by the MLIS Students;
 to study and analyse the sources used by the Students; and
 to find out the general trend of research in the subject field.

3. Scope of the study

The scope of the present study has been limited to the following aspects:
 The present study has been confined to the Department of Library and Information Science,
Manipur University.
  The main focus of the study is to analyse the MLIS dissertation in the Department of Library and
Information Science.
 Altogether 152 Dissertation has been awarded during 2005 to 2015 but only 144 dissertations were
selected since eight were missing.

4. Methodology
The Methods and Techniques adopted in the present study are:
 Scanning of Department Profile, Souvenir and other related Documents, discussion with faculty
members of the Department also done from time to time.
 Accession Register of the Departmental Library maintained by the Department also scanned to
collect details of the data.
 Simple mathematical techniques have been adopted to analyze and interpret the data.

5. Department of Library and Information Science, Manipur University: A profile

The Department of Library and Information Science (DLISC) established on 2nd April 1986 has entered
its Silver Jubilee year on 2nd April, 2011. Professor M.R. Khumbar, the then University Librarian of the
University was its head. The Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLISC) Programme was started in
the Department in the year 1986 in response to the demand for training human resources in the field particularly
for the state of Manipur. The proposal for opening one year Programme of Master of Library and Information
Science (MLISC) was made during the year 2003 which was formally approved in the Academic Council
meeting of the University held on 14 October 2003. As such the Department introduced the Programme since
the Academic Session 2004(22nd September, 2004) with an intake of 6 students. Further fresh proposal was
made for introduction of two year integrated MLISC course in 2005, which was approved in the academic
council meeting, 2005. Subsequently, the course was also introduced in the Department from 2006-2007
academic Sessions. In addition, the Department has been providing facilities for carrying out research
programme leading to Ph.D since 1987 under guidance of Professor M.R. Khumbar. Professionals trained by
this Department have been manning Libraries in Schools, Colleges, Universities and government Departments
of Manipur and other parts of the country and in some Foreign Countries as well5.

6. Manifestation
In the present study, out of 152 dissertations only 144 dissertations were selected since eight were
missing. Out of 152 dissertations submitted, 47 were submitted by Male Students while 105 by female students.
The dissertations cover various aspects and areas of Library and Information Science discipline. The collected
data were analysed and interpreted.
6.1 The Students by Sex:
The Students by sex who have been awarded MLIS Dissertations in Department are highlighted in
Table1:

Table:1 Distribution of Students by Sex

N=144
Sl. No. Sex No. of Students Percentage (%)

1 Female 98 68.05

2 Male 46 32.00

Total 144 100

Sources: Data Collected from Departmental Library

It is observed from the above table that 68.05 %of the Students are female while the rest 46 students (i.e
32.00 %) being the Male counter parts.

Distribution of Students by Sex

32%

Female
68%
Male

Figure 1: Pie Chart showing distribution of Students by Sex

6.2 Year Wise Distribution of Dissertations

Table 2 shows the year-wise distribution of MLIS Dissertation which has been awarded.
 Table:2 Year wise distribution of Dissertations
N=144
Sl. No. Year No. of Dissertations Percentage (%)

1 2005 7 4.86

2 2006 9 6.25

3 2007 4 2.8

4 2008 15 10.41

5 2009 13 9.02

6 2010 16 11.11

7 2011 16 11.11

8 2012 17 11.80

9 2013 16 11.11

10 2014 14 9.72

11 2015 17 12.50

Total 144 100

Source: Data Collected from Departmental Library

The above Table shows that the maximum number of students awarded MLIS dissertation in the
department was during the year 2015 with a percentage of 12.5( i.e 17 students). It is also observed that during
the year 2010, 2011 and 2013 the number of Dissertations awarded is found to be11 students each with a
percentage of 11.11 %.While the year 2007 awarded the minimum number of students with a percentage of
only 2.8.

Year wise distribution of Dissertation

18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
No. of Dissertations 7 9 4 15 13 16 16 17 16 14 17
Percentage (%) 4.86 6.25 2.8 10.41 9.2 11.11 11.11 11.8 11.11 9.72 12.5
 Figure2: Chart Column showing Year wise Distribution of Dissertations

6.3 Main area of research

The main area of research for which MLIS Dissertations have been awarded is highlighted below in
table 3.
Table:3 Areas of Research
N=152
Sl. Areas No. of Percentage

No. Students (%)

1 Library and Information Science 15 10.41

2 Literature Review 16 11.11

3 Documentation 14 9.72

4 Bibliometric Study 3 2.10

5 Information Seeking Behaviour 5 3.47

6 Library Automation and Networking 4 2.77

7 Case Study 22 15.27

8 Bibliography 7 4.86

9 Collection Development 9 6.25

10 Information system, Services, Personal 11 7.63

collection

11 ICT 15 10.41

12 Professionalism 3 2.10

13 Research Output 20 13.88

Total 144 100.00

Sources: Collected Data from Departmental Library

From the above Table it is observed that, the maximum area of study done by the students in their
Dissertations work is Case Study with 15.27% i.e 22 numbers of Dissertations. It is followed by Research
output with 13.88%, Literature Review with 11.11 %, Library and Information Science and ICT with 10.41 %
each, Documentation with 9.72 %, Information System, Services, Personal collection with 7.63%, Collection
Development with 6.25%,Bibliography with 4.86% , Information Seeking Behaviour with 3.47%, Library
Automation and Networking with 2.77%, Bibliometric study and Professionalism with 2.10% each.
22 20
25
20 15 16 14 15.27 15 13.88
15 10.41 11.11 9.72 11 10.41
7 9 7.63
10 3 2.1 53.47 42.77 4.86 6.25 3 2.1 No. of Student
5
0 Percentage (%)

Figure 3: Column Chart showingMain Area of Research

6.4 Sources Cited by the Students
Table 4 highlights the details about the different Sources Cited by the Students in their dissertations
work.

Table:4 Sources used by the Students

Sl. No. Types of sources No. of Items Percentage

used (%)

1 Books 1050 28.29

2 Journals 1467 39.53

3 Electronic Resources (including E- 1085 29.23

Journals)

4 Proceedings 64 1.72

5 Reports 25 0.68

6 Theses 20 0.54

Total 3711 100.00

Source: Data Collected from Departmental Library

The above table shows that out of the total number of 3711 cited sources used by the students in their
dissertation work, 39.53 % i.e 1467 are Journals which is the most cited sources. While next to journals,
Electronic Resources and Books are also cited most by the students with 29.23 % and 28.29% respectively.
However sources such as Proceedings, Reports and theses are less cited by the students.
 Sources used by the Students

1467

1050 1085

No. of Items used

28.29 39.53 29.23 64 1.72 25 0.68 20 0.54 Percentage (%)

Figure 4: Column Chart showing Cited sources used by the students

6.5 Adoption of Citation Style used by students

The different citation style used by Students is shown below in Table 5.

Table: 5Citation Style followed by the Students

N=144
Sl. Citation Style used No. of Percentage (%)

No. Students

1 Indian Standard 4 2.78

2 MLA 43 29.86

3 Chicago 9 6.25

4 Harvard 31 21.52

5 APA 57 39.59

Total 144 100

Sources: Collected Data from Departmental Library

From the above table it is observed that different students use different styles of Citation to cite their
references. It varies from one Student to another Student. Of the various style, APA is the maximum number of
citation style used by the Students in their Dissertation i.e 39.59 %.Whereas MLA is found to be 43(i.e
29.86%) and Harvard with 31(i.e 21.52%) .
 Citation Style followed by the Students

3%
30% Indian Standard
40%
MLA
Chicago
6% Harvard
21%
APA

Figure 5: Pie Chart showing different citation style followed by the students

7. General Findings of the Study

The major findings of the present study are:

 Out of 152 MLIS Dissertation awarded, only 144 Dissertation were selected for the study since
eight were missing.
 Of the total 144 students, 98 are female i.e 68.05% and 46 are male with 32.00% who have been
awarded MLIS dissertation in the Department.
 It shows from the study that the year 2015 is the maximum number of students awarded MLIS
dissertation with 17 students ( i.e 12.50%).
 The main area of research area focussed by the students in their dissertation work is mainly on Case
Study with 15.27 %.However, emerging area of research like Bibliometric study and
Professionalism are less done by the students i.e only 2.1%.
 The study also shows that Journals are the most cited sources used by the Students in their
Dissertation work with 39.53%.
 39.59% of the students used APA citation style in their dissertation work.

8. Suggestions
The following Suggestions are made from the outcome of the present study:
 Departmental Library should be well maintained with qualified staff for the welfare of both the
faculty and Students of the Department.
 The students should take proper care while selecting any citation style in their research work so that
they do not commit any errors.
 Adoption of a specific citation style is must for every Student if any sources are to be referred.
  Quality of the research should be maintained so as to have a proper and correct outcome of their
findings and results.
 The Students should update their knowledge from time to time so that while choosing their
dissertation topic they may focus on emerging topic like Bibliometric study and know the trends in
Library and Information Science research.

9. Conclusion
Library and Information Research (LIS) is a natural outcome of LIS education. Research is an
important human activity. It is the essential for the progress of any discipline. Research creates new knowledge
and finds solution to the problems. The Bibliometric studies could be applied on one of the subject fields
covered by the Library collections and publications. Bibliometrics studies can be based on index terms, words
in titles of documents, authors, sources or geographical or time distribution. To any MLIS research productivity
the contributions of the students and their guide is highly significant so that a more meaningful and
improvement of research quality is obtained. So it is concluded that, lack of research quality, lack of proper
library facilities, and non availability of essential data form Library should overcome so as to prevent any
difficulties in rapid research in Library and Information Science field.

LIS has enabled researchers to find and adopt a number of quantitative methods in order to evaluate
Library resources and services more objectively and effectively. The use of Bibliometrics methods has been the
norm in LIS Research for analysis and evaluation purpose.

References

1. Khana J K. Library and society. H.R. Printing press; Kurukshetra .1987.

2. Sangam S L. Areas of research in the field of Informetrics and Scientometrics, In: Proceedings of the
paper presented at National Seminar of IATLIS. University of Mysore, 1997.
3. Naseer M M and Mahmood K. Use of Bibliometrics in LIS Research. Electronic Journal,19(2),2009.
4. Aliyu Y and Abba T. Analytical study of Master of Library and Information Science Dissertations at
the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria ,Library philosophy and practice,2009.
http://digital.commons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1282& content=liphilprac [Accessed on 10
June 2016].
5. Department of Library and Information Science. In: Silver Jubilee Souvenir, 25 years of Existence.
2011, 15.
6. Lamkang S. MLIS Dissertation in the Department of Library and Information Science, Manipur
University: A Bibliometric study, MLIS Dissertation, Manipur University, 2016.