TRENDS IN DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS AT LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE UNIVERSITIES IN MADHYA PRADESH
Keywords:
Doctoral Theses, Library and Information Science (LIS), Productivity, Research Themes, Citation Patterns.Abstract
This study examines the year-wise productivity and growth of Doctoral Theses in Library and
Information Science (LIS) at the University of Madhya Pradesh since the program's inception in 1989. A total of
57 theses were produced, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 13.14%. The analysis reveals significant
fluctuations in productivity, influenced by factors such as institutional support and societal challenges,
including the COVID-19 pandemic. Dominant research themes focus on user needs and the increasing
significance of technology in LIS. The reliance on journal citations, comprising 60.53% of all references,
highlights the importance of contemporary research in shaping doctoral studies. Additionally, the average
thesis length indicates a commitment to thorough and in-depth investigation. While recent years show a
resurgence in productivity with a 33.3% growth rate, the findings emphasize the necessity for targeted
strategies to bolster research output and maintain relevance in the evolving landscape of LIS scholarship.
