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An Analysis of Encyclopaedia Citations in University of Auckland Doctor of Philosophy Dissertations (2007 and 2008)

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thesis
posted on 2021-11-10, 05:22 authored by Tong, Wendy Yee

It is currently unknown to what extent encyclopaedias are cited in academic research in New Zealand. To provide preliminary findings on the use of encyclopaedias in university research and offer some evidence relating to the use of collaborative encyclopaedias in academic research, a quantitative empirical study of citations of encyclopaedias in 147 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Dissertations from the University of Auckland was made. Results included finding citations to encyclopaedias made up a very small (n = 23, or 0.1% in 2007; n = 62, or 0.3% in 2008) proportion of total citations. Of these, traditional style encyclopaedias were more frequently (61%) used than collaborative (39%) style encyclopaedias such as Wikipedia and the Encyclopaedia of Philosophy of Education. Wikipedia, a general, collaborative, and on-line format encyclopaedia, received the highest number of citations (n = 32). By subject, Computer Science and Statistics listed the highest number of 14 citations to Wikipedia; Engineering (Software, Mechanical and Electrical and Electronic) had 8 Wikipedia citations; English, French, Political Studies and Theology received 9 citations; and Nursing included one citation to Wikipedia. With the widely known concerns expressed about the suitability of citing Wikipedia at any level of academic research, it is surprising that this study found (albeit small) a measurable level of citations to Wikipedia in PhD dissertations in New Zealand. The results of this study may be useful to university librarians and faculties in training students before they begin research for higher degrees.

History

Copyright Date

2010-01-01

Date of Award

2010-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Library and Information Studies

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Library and Information Studies

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Masters Research Paper or Project

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Information Management

Advisors

Stone, Lynley