Abstract
A review of the research trends in library and information science (LIS) is important as it provides insight into the research practices of scholars in the field. This study investigated the research trends in master’s and doctoral research outputs relating to LIS produced in Nigeria and South Africa between 2009 and 2015 to identify the most researched subject areas and the most neglected subject areas in LIS research in the two countries. A total of 400 master’s and doctoral research outputs produced in Nigeria and South Africa were analysed by means of a qualitative content analysis, and 15 research areas were created by means of modified subject categorisation adopted from the extant literature. The findings were that the most researched subject area in both countries was human information behavior in respect of both master’s and doctoral research outputs. The least researched areas in LIS research outputs in Nigeria were archives and records management, LIS history and developments, bibliometrics, scientometrics and informatics, knowledge and information resource management. In South Africa, bibliometrics, scientometrics and informatics were the least researched areas in respect of doctoral research outputs, and LIS education and pedagogy were the least researched areas in master’s research outputs. The positivist research paradigm was more prevalent. The implication of the findings is that LIS schools in Nigeria and South Africa need to focus more on research areas that deal with current trends and challenges confronting the profession. In today’s world of work, most services are driven by information technology and research should be directed towards addressing the implementation of recent trends in the profession. Since the sample framework used for Nigeria was low, it may not be appropriate to generalise this finding to other institutions.
References
Abdoulaye, K. 2002. “Research Trends in Library and Information Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia.” Library Review 51 (1): 32–7. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530210413922.Search in Google Scholar
Alemna, A. A. 1996. “The Periodical Literature of Library and Information in Africa: 1990–1995.” The International Information & Library Review 28 (2): 93–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/10572317.1996.10762390.Search in Google Scholar
Alemna, A. A. 2001. “The Periodical Literature of Library and Information in Africa: 1996–2000.” Information Development 17 (4): 257–61. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666014240944.Search in Google Scholar
Apuke, O. D. 2017. “Quantitative Research Methods a Synopsis Approach.” Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review 6 (10): 40–5. https://doi.org/10.12816/0040336.Search in Google Scholar
Asubiaro, T. V., and O. M. Badmus. 2020. “Collaboration Clusters, Interdisciplinarity, Scope and Subject Classification of Library and Information Science Research from Africa: An Analysis of Web of Science Publications from 1996 to 2015.” Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 52 (4): 1169–85. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000620907958.Search in Google Scholar
Atkins, S. E. 1988. “Subject Trends in Library and Information Science Research, 1975–1984.” Library Trends 36 (4): 633–58.Search in Google Scholar
Aydin, I. E., M. Bozkaya, and E. G. Kumtepe. 2019. “Research Trends and Issues in Educational Technology: Content Analysis of TOJET (2012–2018).” TOJET - Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology 18 (4): 46–61.Search in Google Scholar
Barik, N., and P. Jena. 2015. “Trends in Library and Information Science Doctoral Research at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar: A Bibliometric Overview.” VSRD International Journal of Library & Information Science 1 (1): 31–6.Search in Google Scholar
Bashir, A., A. A. Mir, and Z. A. Sofi. 2019. “Global Landscape of Open Access Repositories.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2445 (accessed May 15, 2020).Search in Google Scholar
Basson, I., and H. E. Prozesky. 2015. “A Review of Methodological Trends in South African Sociology 1990–2009.” South African Review of Sociology 46 (3): 4–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/21528586.2015.1022595.Search in Google Scholar
Chu, H. 2015. “Research Methods in Library and Information Science: A Content Analysis.” Library & Information Science Research 37: 36–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2014.09.003.Search in Google Scholar
Chu, H., and Q. Ke. 2017. “Research Methods: What’s in the Name?” Library & Information Science Research 39 (4): 284–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2017.11.001.Search in Google Scholar
Creswell, J. W., and J. D. Creswell. 2018. Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 5th ed. Los Angeles: Sage.Search in Google Scholar
Daniel, E. 2016. “The Usefulness of Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches and Methods in Researching Problem-Solving Ability in Science Education Curriculum.” Journal of Education and Practice 7 (15): 91–100.Search in Google Scholar
Dora, M., and H. Anil Kumar. 2017. “An Empirical Analysis of the Research Trends in the Field of Library and Information Science in India – 2004–2015.” COLLNET Journal of Scientometrics and Information Management 11 (2): 361–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/09737766.2017.1317959.Search in Google Scholar
Dora, M., and H. Anil Kumar. 2019. “National and International Trends in Library and Information Science Research: A Comparative Review of the Literature.” IFLA Journal XX (X): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/0340035219886610.Search in Google Scholar
Edewor, N. 2013. “An Analysis of a Nigerian Library and Information Science Journal: A Bibliometric Analysis.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal): 1004. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1004 (accessed May 15, 2020).Search in Google Scholar
Ezema, I. J., and O. B. Onyancha. 2017. “Open Access Publishing in Africa: Advancing Research Outputs to Global Visibility.” African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science 27 (2): 97–115.Search in Google Scholar
Goundar, S. 2012. “Research Methodology and Research Method.” In Cloud Computing, edited by S. Goundar. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333015026 (accessed May 15, 2020).Search in Google Scholar
Granikov, V., Q. N. Hong, E. Crist, and P. Pluye. 2020. “Mixed Methods Research in Library and Information Science: A Methodological Review.” Library & Information Science Research 42 (1): 101003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2020.101003.Search in Google Scholar
Hauser, L. 2013. “Qualitative Research in Distance Education: An Analysis of Journal Literature 2005–2012.” American Journal of Distance Education 27 (3): 155–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923647.2013.805641.Search in Google Scholar
Hayman, R., and E. E. Smith. 2020. “Mixed Methods in Library and Information Science Bibliographic Records (2008–2018).” Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 15 (1): 106–25. https://doi.org/10.7939/DVN/CXUW6A.Search in Google Scholar
Islam, S., N. Islam, and M. Mondal. 2018. “Research Trends in Library and Information Science in Bangladesh: An Analytical Study.” Journal of Information Science Theory Practice 6 (2): 36–45. https://doi.org/10.1633/JISTaP.2018.6.2.3.Search in Google Scholar
Järvelin, K., and P. Vakkari. 2022. “LIS Research across 50 Years: Content Analysis of Journal Articles.” Journal of Documentation 78 (7): 65–88. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-03-2021-0062.Search in Google Scholar
Kawalec, A. 2013. “Research Trends in Library and Information Science Based on Spanish Scientific Publication 2000 to 2010.” Malaysian Journal of Library & Information Science 18 (2): 1–13.Search in Google Scholar
De Keyser, P. 2012. “Taxonomies and Ontology.” In Indexing From Thesauri to the Semantic Web. A volume in Chandos Information Professional Series, 121–42. Witney Oxford: Woodhead Publishing Limited.Search in Google Scholar
Kim, S., and D. Y. Jeong. 2006. “An Analysis of the Development and Use of Theory in Library and Information Science Research Articles.” Library & Information Science Research 28 (4): 548–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2006.03.018.Search in Google Scholar
Lambe, P. 2007. Organising Knowledge: Taxonomies, Knowledge and Organisational Effectiveness. Oxford: Chandos Publishing.10.1533/9781780632001Search in Google Scholar
Leech, N. L., and A. J. Onwuegbuzie. 2007. “An Array of Qualitative Data Analysis Tools: A Call for Data Analysis Triangulation.” School Psychology Quarterly 22 (4): 557–84. https://doi.org/10.1037/1045-3830.22.4.557.Search in Google Scholar
Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria. 2018. List of Approved/Accredited Universities Offering Library and Information Science Programmes. http://www.lrcn.gov.ng/LIST%20OF%20ACCREDITED%20INSTITUTIONS.pdf (accessed September 12, 2020).Search in Google Scholar
Lukas, L., and M. Ponty. 2009. “Taxonomy System for Intelligent Library Search System.” In International Conference on Instrumentation, Communication, Information Technology, and Biomedical Engineering, 1–5.10.1109/ICICI-BME.2009.5417288Search in Google Scholar
Maluleka, J. R., and O. B. Onyancha. 2016. “Research Collaboration Among Library and Information Science Schools in South Africa (1991–2012): An Informetrics Study.” Mousaion 34 (3): 36–59. https://doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/1082.Search in Google Scholar
Maurya, S. K., and A. Shukla. 2017. “Research Trends in Library and Information Science in African Countries: A Scientometric Assessment.” Journal of Advancements in Library Sciences 4 (2): 20–8. https://doi.org/10.37591/joals.v4i2.313.Search in Google Scholar
Mittal, R. 2011. “Library and Information Science Research Trends in India.” Annals of Library and Information Studies 58: 319–25.Search in Google Scholar
Ngulube, P. 2015. “Trends in Research Methodological Procedures Used in Knowledge Management Studies.” African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science 25 (2): 125–43. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.2778.4162.Search in Google Scholar
Ngulube, P. 2019. “Mapping Methodological Issues in Knowledge Management Research, 2009–2014.” International Journal of Knowledge Management 15 (1): 85–100. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJKM.2019010106.Search in Google Scholar
Ngulube, P. 2020. “The Movement of Mixed Methods Research and the Role of Information Science Professionals.” In Handbook of Research on Connecting Research Methods for Information Science Research, edited by P. Ngulube, 425–55. Hershey: IGI Global.10.4018/978-1-7998-1471-9.ch022Search in Google Scholar
Ngulube, P., and S. C. Ukwoma. 2019a. “Mapping Supervision Trends in Doctoral Research in Library and Information Science in Nigeria and South Africa and Their Implications for Collective Learning.” African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science 29 (1): 1–16.Search in Google Scholar
Ngulube, P., and S. C. Ukwoma. 2019b. “Cartographies of Research Designs in Library Information Science Research in Nigeria and South Africa, 2009–2015.” Library & Information Science Research 14 (3): 100966. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2019.100966.Search in Google Scholar
Ocholla, D. N., and L. Ocholla. 2007. “Research in Library and Information Science in South Africa: An Analysis of Journal Research Output from 1993–2006.” South African Journal of Libraries & Information Science 73 (2): 109–18. https://doi.org/10.7553/73-2-1344.Search in Google Scholar
Onwuegbuzie, A. J., and N. L. Leech. 2005. “Taking the ‘Q’ Out of Research: Teaching Research Methodology Courses without the Divide between Quantitative and Qualitative Paradigms.” Quality and Quantity 39: 267–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-004-1670-0.Search in Google Scholar
Onyancha, O. B., and M. K. Minishi-Majanja. 2017. “Trends and Development of LIS Education and Training in Sub Saharan Africa.” In Global Library and Information Science. 2nd ed., edited by I. Abdullahi, 108–32. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.Search in Google Scholar
Otubelu, N. J. 2010. “Bibliometric Analysis of Postgraduate Research Reports in Library and Information Science in Nigerian Universities.” PhD thesis. Nsukka: University of Nigeria.Search in Google Scholar
Oyewusi, F. O. 2012. “School Library Research in Nigeria: Content Analysis of Nigerian School Library Journal 1979–2010.” Library Review 61 (3): 215–30. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242531211259337.Search in Google Scholar
Pendlebury, D. A. 2010. White Paper: Using Bibliometrics in Evaluating Research. Philadelphia: Thomson Reuters.Search in Google Scholar
Pettigrew, K. E., and L. McKechnie. 2001. “The Use of Theory in Information Science Research.” Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 52 (1): 62–73. https://doi.org/10.1002/1532-2890(2000)52:1.10.1002/1532-2890(2000)52:1<62::AID-ASI1061>3.0.CO;2-JSearch in Google Scholar
Pinfield, S. J. S., P. A. Bath, B. Hubbard, P. Millington, J. H. Anders, and A. Hussain. 2014. “Open‐Access Repositories Worldwide, 2005–2012: Past Growth, Current Characteristics, and Future Possibilities.” Journal Association of Information Science and Technology 65: 2404–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.23131.Search in Google Scholar
Prebor, G. 2007. “Information Science – Facing Social and Ethical Challenges: Analysis of Masters’ Theses and Doctoral Dissertations over the Past Five Years (2002–2006) in Information Science Departments Worldwide.” Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society 5 (2/3): 253–69. https://doi.org/10.1108/14779960710837687.Search in Google Scholar
Prebor, G. 2010. “Analysis of the Interdisciplinary Nature of Library and Information Science.” Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 42 (4): 256–67. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000610380820.Search in Google Scholar
Rana, R. 2011. “Research Trends in Library and Information Science in India with a Focus on Panjab University, Chandigarh.” The International Information & Library Review 43: 23–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/10572317.2011.10762877.Search in Google Scholar
Rana, S., and S. K. Sharma. 2016. “A Review on the State of Methodological Trends in International Marketing Literature.” Journal for Global Business Advancement 9 (1): 90–107. https://doi.org/10.1504/JGBA.2016.074899.Search in Google Scholar
Sa, M. K., and M. Dora. 2019. “Research Productivity and Research Trends in the Library and Information Science Subject: A Study with Reference to SCOPUS.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal): 2661. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2661 (accessed May 15, 2020).Search in Google Scholar
Siddiqui, R. P., and F. Hussain. 2019. “Research Trends in Library and Information Science at Master Level at the University of Karachi, Pakistan.” PLSJ 50 (1): 47–54.Search in Google Scholar
Srivastava, M., B. Mishra, D. K. Rao, N. Abrol, V. Varma, and B. Bhushan. 2020. “Recent Trends of Research in Open and Distance Education in India.” Asian Association of Open Universities Journal 15 (2): 263–83. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAOUJ-06-2020-0044.Search in Google Scholar
Togia, A., and A. Malliari. 2017. “Research Methods in Library and Information Science.” In Qualitative Versus Quantitative Research, edited by S. Oflazoglu, 43–64. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/55098 (accessed May 15, 2020).10.5772/intechopen.68749Search in Google Scholar
Tuomaala, O., K. Järvelin, and P. Vakkari. 2014. “Evolution of Library and Information Science, 1965–2005: Content Analysis of Journal Articles.” Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology 65 (7): 1446–62. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi23034.Search in Google Scholar
Ukwoma, S. C., and P. Ngulube. 2021. “Review of the State of Methodological Trends in Open and Distance Learning Literature 2009–2018.” Problems of Education in the 21st Century 79 (2): 296–311. https://doi.org/10.33225/pec/21.79.296.Search in Google Scholar
Ullah, A., and K. Ameen. 2018. “Account of Methodologies and Methods Applied in LIS Research: A Systematic Review.” Library & Information Science Research 40: 53–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2018.03.002.Search in Google Scholar
Umer, M., and S. Razi. 2018. “Analyzing Research Methodologies and Publication Trends in Service Marketing Literature.” Cogent Business & Management 5 (1): 1446265. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2018.1446265.Search in Google Scholar
Vinay, R. S., M. T. Basavaraja, and S. K. Yamanappa. 2019. “Trends in Library and Information Science Research: A Scientometric Analysis.” In 9th KSCLA National Conference on Library in the Life of the User, 1–2 March 2019, 147–52. Department of Studies and Research in Library and Information Science, Tumkur University.Search in Google Scholar
Zainab, A. N. 2010. “Open Access Repositories and Journals for Visibility: Implications for Malaysian Libraries.” Malaysian Journal of Library & Information Science 15 (3): 97–119.Search in Google Scholar
© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston