Citation Analysis of M.A. Theses and Ph.D. Dissertations in Sociology and Anthropology: An Assessment of Library Resource Usage

Abstract

The use of library resources by Hebrew University of Jerusalem Sociology and Anthropology graduate students was assessed through an examination of bibliographic references cited in a sample of theses and dissertations accepted during the academic years 2010–2013. Five variables were identified and quantified: type of material (monographs, journals, or other), format (print, electronic or both), language of material (English, Hebrew, or other), year and “age” of publication, and availability of item in Hebrew University's library holdings. Results showed a larger percentage of citations to books than to journals, with predominant usage of books in print format and predominant usage of journals in print & electronic format, with English being the predominant language for all resources cited. The median age of cited material was 15years, older for books than for journals. 95% of the journals and 82% of the books were available in the University library's holdings. These findings present a substantiated appraisal of the University Library's ability to answer the needs of its graduate students in the Sociology and Anthropology Department.