Pioneer Bachelor Degree: Citation Analysis of Covenant University Students' Research Projects

Abstract

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 (Diadoto, 1994, cited in Gooden, 2001). According to Aina (2002), 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. The benefit of bibliometrics and citation analysis is expressed by Van Raan (2003), which is reinforced by the studies (Glenn, 1995; Lal and Panda, 1996; Okiy, 2003 and Aksnes, 2006) that have used this method of research enquiry to evaluate a library collection. Bibliometric studies have provided insight into emerging and obsolescent 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 (Gooden, 2001 and Megnigbeto 2006). This study adds to that literature by analysing the citations in the research project reports of the pioneer Bachelor degree graduands that have been submitted to the Covenant University library. Covenant University is the foremost private University in Nigeria according to the National University Commission's (NUC) ratings of 2005. Its 16 academic programmes are all fully accredited by NUC in 2001, and the university has a mission of producing credible new leaders for Africa. The University Library, also called Centre for Learning Resources, is among the best university libraries in Africa, judging by its collections and its implementation of information technology for all services. The library serves the staff and students of the University's three colleges: Business and Social Sciences, Human Development, and Science and Technology. The Center for Learning Resources also provides access to numerous online databases and catalogues. In July 2006, 724 students formed the university's first graduating class. These pioneer bachelors degree students had all submitted a research project report to their departments, with a copy deposited with the university library. This study analyses the citations in these research reports, the goal of helping the library determine which materials and resources are heavily used and which materials are needed to improve the collection.