Citation Analysis of Undergraduate Dissertations: an Assessment of the Utilization of Information Sources as a Collection Development Tool

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examines bibliographic references of undergraduates’ dissertations accepted by the faculty of Allied Health Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka in the year 2017. The study focused on the citation variables such as type of information sources (Journals, books, reports etc.), year wise distribution of publications, use of grey literature and most frequently used material by the undergraduates. There were 32 dissertations which included 1456 citations inspected in the field of pharmacy, nursing, medical laboratory sciences and radiography. The purpose of this study is to identify use and awareness of information sources in respective subjects among undergraduates, their information needs, and to understand the use of grey literature in the dissertations. The study revealed that journals were the most cited source of information by undergraduates in the field of Allied Health Sciences accounting for 67% of entire citations and hundred and eighty- six (186) citations found for the books as a second source of information. Also official websites of the professional organizations and commercial sites were cited by the undergraduates. WHO publications were the most frequently used grey literature (39%) followed by reports, theses, dissertations, conference proceedings and news bulletins by the dissertations. Moreover, it was found that the majority of materials cited by undergraduates in Allied Health Sciences were published in the time period of year 2006 to 2015.