Utilisation of Grey Literature by Researchers of Chemistry in a Nigerian University: A Citation Study

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating the use of grey literature by postgraduate students of chemistry in Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka. A total of 85 theses submitted to the Department of Chemistry library from 2013 to 2022 were analysed. Six objectives relevant in exploring the utilisation of grey literature by researchers of chemistry were formulated. The research design adopted in this study was bibliometric research design. The findings of the study revealed that out of 4740 citations obtained from the 85 theses, 1380 (29.11%) citations were made to grey literature. It was observed that citations to grey literature increased rapidly in recent time with 89.35% increase. Conference and seminar papers were the most cited sources out of the eleven kinds of grey literature cited. The most cited grey document was World Health Organization report paper with 67 (29.52%) citations. The finding of the study also showed that postgraduate students of chemistry use current material with medium age of 8.35 years. Citations to foreign contributions amount to 644 (27.54%). In conclusion, emphasis was laid on the need for the University Library to gear efforts towards providing adequate current grey literature for teaching and research of Department of Chemistry.

Keywords: Grey Literature, Citation Analysis, Postgraduate Theses, Chemistry Research, Information Sources and University Libraries

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