A bibliometrics analysis of the visibility of library and information science research in Nigeria in the Web of Science, 2000-2014

Abstract

This paper used bibliometrics to examine patterns of publication output in library and information science (LIS) research in Nigerian universities from 2000 to 2014 in terms of the trend in publication output in LIS research, the most visible (productive) universities and authors, the most cited universities and authors, and publication sources. The Web of Science was used as the source of the data. The findings of the study revealed a fluctuating and unpredictable trend in the annual publication output in LIS research in Nigeria. The University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, and Delta State University were found to be the three most visible (productive) universities in LIS research. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that there should be increased investment in LIS research by Nigerian universities towards a steady increase in sustained quality publication output to support national development.

Keywords: Bibliometric Analysis, Citation Analysis, Evaluation of Research, Library and Information Science Research, Publication Output, Nigerian Universities