Citation analysis of theses and dissertations submitted to the College of Natural Sciences, University of Dodoma (2011–2023)
Abstract
Bibliometric studies on postgraduate research in Tanzania remain limited, particularly in the natural sciences. This study examined citation patterns in master’s dissertations and doctoral theses submitted to the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Dodoma in order to assess the types, currency, and origin of cited sources. A descriptive research design employing bibliometric techniques was used to analyse 153 postgraduate documents, including 146 master’s dissertations and 7 doctoral theses submitted between 2011 and 2023. Findings revealed a strong reliance on citation of journal articles, while citation of monographs, theses, websites, and locally produced sources remained limited. Doctoral candidates demonstrated greater use of current, digital, and peer-reviewed resources compared to master’s students. The study concludes that citation practices reflect both evolving digital research trends and limitations in access to diverse scholarly resources. It recommends strengthening access to electronic resources, improving the visibility of local research outputs, and enhancing research and information literacy training to support the quality and sustainability of postgraduate scholarship,