A bibliometric analysis of research at the University of Namibia
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Date
2023
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Stellenbosch University
Abstract
Bibliometric analyses of journals and research institutions have been carried out in several studies and countries.
These studies mainly use mainstream bibliographic databases (Scopus and Web of Science [WoS]) as the primary
sources for their bibliometric analysis. However, such studies are yet to be conducted for Namibian journals,
research institutions, and Namibia as a country. Much more, bibliometric analyses and mapping to examine the
research output of a research institution in Namibia are yet to take place. In addition, no existing bibliometric
studies in Africa have combined data from Scopus, WoS, and Institutional Library Repositories. This thesis
addresses these limitations within a study on research output, specifically, the evaluation of the University of
Namibia.
In order to achieve this aim, this thesis conducted a bibliometric analysis of the University of Namibia (UNAM)’s
research output for the duration of (2010 to 2019). The investigation included various research aspects such as the
volume of research output, authorship patterns, and whether the publication outlets are national or international.
In doing so, the study developed the first comprehensive database of UNAM’s research output from 2010-2019
and the first such knowledge database in Namibia. Data for the bibliometric analysis were obtained from three
bibliographic databases: UNAM-IR, Scopus, and WoS. UNAM-IR was added to reflect the value of using
institutional research databases as additional bibliometric data sources. Patterns of research production and
research collaboration of UNAM staff members were profiled. This enabled the identification of the collaboration
patterns of UNAM staff members as depicted in the publications. The author-level analysis compared the
percentages of articles with research collaboration and the authors involved in research and publication.
The study’s results can potentially enrich further bibliometric studies on research evaluation for other research
institutions in general and in Namibia particularly. They equally have the potential to further the national
bibliometric studies for Namibia as a whole. The developed comprehensive database of UNAM’s research output
can also be used as a background for developing a national knowledge database. However, the study’s most
significant contribution is integrating two mainstream bibliographic databases (Scopus and WoS) with the UNAM IR to create a new database of Namibian-authored articles. Fittingly, recommendations with a view of further study
and research policy generally and specifically for UNAM have been made
Description
Thesis presented in (partial) fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University
Keywords
Bibliometric analyses, Bibliographic databases, Primary sources, University of Namibia, Research output, Research institution