English abstract
This study analyzes (21929) reference citations used by Omani researchers in writing (269) MA academic dissertations which have been approved by Sultan Qaboos University from 1994 to 2005. This was done in order to recognize the characteristics of these published works supported by citations. This examination of citations is in terms of the language used for quoting. A survey of the periods from which these citations used is of significance to the recognition of citation features. Citations differ according to the subject matter explored in dissertations whether they be in social sciences or applied sciences. Consequently, features of researchers' citations are scrutinized through observing the frequency of using citations. As a result, the study concludes with recognition of the most used references for research purposes. The dissertation combines descriptive and quantitative research methods in analyzing reference citations based on bibliometric measurements. A comparison is drawn among colleges of applied sciences and social sciences in terms of distribution-type of reference citations and the amount of citations used while Absolesence Stage, Immediate Effect Stage and Cited-Half Life Stage. In addition, it aims at recognizing the features of the writers' publications, either shared or individual, as well as the rate of writers' productivity by using Lotka's Law besides specifying the most prominent periodicals which the researchers used as main resources for their research purposes. The most important findings of the study can be summarized as following: 1- Social Sciences faculties' researchers heavily rely on Arabic supporting reference citations, whereas the faculties of applied sciences tend to use non-Arabic citations. 2- Books are considered the most used type-references for citations in the colleges of social sciences as there are 7269 books used, that is, 33.14% of the total number of citations followed by the articles taken from periodicals which come second with a number of 3582 citations, that is, 16.33% of the total number of the citations. 3- The articles taken from periodicals are considered the most used means for citations in the colleges of applied sciences since there 3917 citations, that is, 17.86% of the total number of citations followed by books whose citation number has reached 1065, that is, 4.85% of the total number of citations. - There is a shortage of English electronic references. 5- The present study does not totally conform to Loutka's law in terms of writers' productivity of bibliographical citations. Below are some of the most important recommendations of the dissertation: 1. Conduct a comparative study between 'Omani MA dissertations which were approved by foreign countries and the current study of Omani MA dissertations approved by Sultan Qaboos University'. 2. Establish a comprehensive database for the Omani MA academic dissertations, offer downloadable e-full-texts of dissertations in PDF format after the writer's permission for publication via electronic websites. This is to allow researchers the opportunity to be well-rounded with available references for research purposes 3. Attend training courses and activate academic participation at conferences to equip researchers with the necessary skills that would help them deal with the new technological changes. This activates their role in contributing to scientific research
