Analytical study of library and information science dissertations (1996 – 2015) at the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analysed eighty-one (81) masters of library and information science dissertations accepted by the school of postgraduate studies, University of Maiduguri, between 1996 and 2015 academic sessions. The analysis focused on productivity of dissertation by a academic year, subject areas, type of libraries, geographical areas covered and the gender of the students that presented the dissertations. The analysis revealed that the 2014 academic year recorded the highest productivity of dissertations with thirteen (13) representing 19.8 percent, Library Personnel Management was the most researched subject area, Academic Librarianship was the type of library most researched and Borno State was the most focused geographical area in the dissertations presented during the years covered by the study. Finally, the study suggests among other things, the need for the department to encourage prospective candidates to carryout research in other areas of specialization such as Bibliographical Studies and Bibliometrics, Organization of Knowledge, Foundations of Library and Information Science, Manuscripts and Archival Management, which are yet to receive attention.

Keywords: Analytical study, Library and Information Science, Dissertations, Nigeria