Doctoral Research in Library and Information Science in Bangladesh: An Analysis on Trends and Development

Abstract

The objective of the present paper is to examine the trends and developments in doctoral research of Library and Information Science (LIS) in Bangladesh. It also aims to examine the issues for consideration in advancing research in this country context. Several methods like historical method, literature search, personal observations, and involvement were used to achieve the objective of this study. This study is both qualitative and quantitative in nature. Qualitative data is collected through literature reviews and personal observations and involvement. Total enumeration sampling technique is used for collecting the quantitative data in which the whole of the population were considered as the sample. The result of this study showed that from 1985 the steady rise is reported in research activity and a total of 17 doctoral degrees in LIS were awarded. The subject area library and information systems and services is at leading position in research activity among the PhD researchers during the period of study. Besides traditional areas (like public library system, cataloguing, library education), library marketing, information seeking behavior, library networking, service quality etc. are at leading position in research activity. This study also found that no coursework is required for Ph.D. in LIS in Bangladesh. A separate coursework programme for Ph.D. should be formulated to cater for a higher research activity.

Keywords: Library Education in Bangladesh, LIS Education, LIS Research, Doctoral Research, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

View PDF