Bibliometric analysis of e-learning dissertation and thesis in Taiwan between 2001-2010
Date Issued
2011
Date
2011
Author(s)
Lin, Chun-Yu
Abstract
Abstract
Since the year 2000, Taiwan’s e-learning started a course of rapid development. By 2010, the growth of e-learning had increased exponentially and marked the end of the first decade of rapid development. In order to understand these ten years of e-learning’s related researches; this study uses method of bibliometrics and citation analysis to analyze thesis and dissertation completed during this decade. Using the database of “National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan”, theses and dissertations related to e-learning from 2001 to 2010 were collected and analyzed.
This study uses 11 glossaries related to e-learning and alternate search key words from the National Library’s “National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan.” In addition, we restricted the criteria of search to the period of graduate years from 2001 to 2010; omitted the repeat research and removed thesis and dissertation that are from physical science, engineering and computer science department, etc. A total of 2071 thesis and dissertations are included in the basic data analysis. Because of time and manpower constraints , only dissertations and theses which provide full text downloads were included in the content and citation analysis, this results a total of 747 research papers and 58829 citations which is the main object of analysis for this research.
Basis analysis includes the annual amount of e-learning related dissertations and theses, the amount from departments, schools and universities and faculties advising such e-learning related dissertations and theses. Content analysis concerns the theme of these thesis and dissertations, the research method of their research, the average page number and the range of pages of these dissertations and theses. Citation analysis concerns reference circumstances of e-learning related dissertations and theses, the most frequently cited data type, the most cited journals and papers, the most frequently cited domestic and foreign authors.
The major result of the research induct as below:
1. The total amount of our Taiwan’s e-learning related dissertations and theses was 2071 papers between 2001 to 2010. The average paper amount was 207 papers per year, among which there were 52 doctoral theses and 2019 master’s theses. The average number of pages for a doctoral dissertation was 166 pages; and a master’s thesis was 128 pages.
2. The e-learning related dissertations and theses included some very obvious multi-disciplinary phenomenon between 2001 to 2010. The research range included e-learning utilized in all types of subjects. Leading the way with the most dissertations and theses were the Department of Educational Technology Master''s Program Tamkang University. The professor who advised the most number of Master’s Theses was Professor Wen Jia-Rong of the Department of Industrial Technology Education, National Kaohsiung Normal University
3. E-learning dissertations and theses’ quoted amounts were at maximum between 51 to 100 papers. The citation type used the most was journal articles. Recently the amounts of citation from internet resources increased significantly. The most frequently cited domestic journal was “Educational Research Information Journal” while the most cited western journal was “Educational Technology”. The most frequently cited author was Professor Chen Nian-Shing.
4. E-learning related dissertations and theses apply quantitative study as the main research methods, and questionnaire surveys were the major method of gathering research data. The majority theses focus on learners, which study E-learning application and design for specific type of learners. Other major topics include e-learning system design, teaching material design, and the students’ study method and effect.
Subjects
e-learning
Bibliometrics
Citation analysis
Web-based learning
Type
thesis
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