Citation analysis of doctoral theses in botany submitted to Kuvempu University, India: a case study

TLDR: In this article, the authors determined the materials cited in doctoral theses of botany, submitted to the Kuvempu University during the years 2000-2006, with the aim of improving the existing collection development of the library.

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the materials cited in doctoral theses of botany, submitted to the Kuvempu University during the years 2000‐2006, with the aim of improving the existing collection development of the library.Design/methodology/approach – The study employed descriptive research design. Theses submitted for the award of Doctoral degree from 2000 to 2006 to the Department of Botany, Kuvempu University were examined. The population of the study was all the theses submitted during the periods under study. Data were extracted from title page and references given at the end of each chapter. Extracted data were analysed using statistics.Findings – The study reveals that journals are the most preferred sources of information used by the researchers in the field of botany, accounting for 74.77 per cent of total citations, although citations from books, proceedings, theses, reports and patents are also found. It is also observed those researchers are not taking much advantage of in...