Acknowledgement behaviour of Information Science students of Nigeria’s premier university

Abstract

This study is an exploratory analysis of master’s dissertation acknowledgements (DAs) of Information Science students of Nigeria’s premier university – University of Ibadan. A total of 932 DAs from 1992 to 2019 were examined. Fifteen recent graduates of the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science were also interviewed. Descriptive and Inferential statistics as well as qualitative content analysis were carried out on the DAs while transcribed interview data were analysed thematically. Findings revealed that while addressees thanked in the DAs included supervisors, other academics, administrative staff, organisations, family and friends, most of the DAs however, acknowledged God first. More friends were acknowledged in the DAs than academics and family members, suggesting the extent to which the students value their social cycle. Interview data and excerpts from DAs revealed cases of students copying acknowledgements in past dissertations and acknowledgements of fellow colleagues. Results also showed that academic and moral supports were acknowledged more than technical, spiritual, financial and access. Overall, results from this study have shown the influence of socio-cultural and religious beliefs on the acknowledgement genre among Information Science students of Nigeria’s premier university.