Research and Publication Patterns in Library and Information Science

Abstract

The research and publication patterns of thirty-four topranking researchers in library and information science (LIS) in Africa were surveyed. The researchers produced 294 papers during the 1990–1995 period which were considered for this study. The findings reveal that majority of the researchers were from universities and were based mainly in Nigeria and South Africa. The principal research centres, however, were the Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Botswana and the Faculty of Information Sciences, Moi University, Kenya. The research investigations concentrated mainly on professional education, information science, library management and information technology. Of the fifteen top ranked journals used by the researchers, only two were published in Africa.