Research Productivity of LIS Schools in Pakistan: A …...452 Research Productivity of LIS Schools in Pakistan: A Study of MPhil and PhD Theses to 2015 teach modern library methods

portal: Libraries and the Academy, Vol. 17, No. 3 (2017), pp. 451–470. Copyright © 2017 by Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD 21218.

FEATURE: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Research Productivity of LIS Schools in Pakistan: A Study of MPhil and PhD Theses to 2015Arslan Sheikh and Saeed Ullah Jan

abstract: This article aims to present a comprehensive review of MPhil and PhD research theses produced by library and information science (LIS) schools in Pakistan from their beginning to 2015. It also explores the research trends in LIS, identifies gaps, and presents an agenda for future research by LIS scholars. The origin, development, and current status of postgraduate programs in LIS schools are also discussed. Data were collected by using a self-structured questionnaire, by consulting previous research studies, and through personal communication. Findings show that although the number of LIS schools in Pakistani universities has risen to 12, just 5 offer MPhil and PhD programs. A lack of PhD faculty members in LIS departments is the major hurdle to offering MPhil and PhD degrees. However, many Pakistani LIS professionals are pursuing advanced degrees, with 87.5 percent of the total theses produced in the last five years. Up to 2015, 19 library professionals have earned PhD degrees and 125 have achieved MPhil degrees from different Pakistani universities. Moreover, presently a huge number of scholars are enrolled in postgraduate programs at LIS schools.

Introduction

Modern library services in Pakistan began more than a century ago. In 1915, an American librarian, Asa Don Dickinson, joined the Univer-

sity of the Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan, and created one of the first library education programs outside the United States. Paki-stan was then ruled by the United King-dom as part of British India. Dickinson stated that the purpose of his coming was “to organize the university library and to

In 1915, an American librarian, Asa Don Dickinson, joined the University of the Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan, and created one of the first library education programs outside the United States.

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Research Productivity of LIS Schools in Pakistan: A Study of MPhil and PhD Theses to 2015452

teach modern library methods to the librarians of the Punjab.”1 This school tremendously influenced library development all over the British India. From 1915 onward, the city of Lahore served as a focal point of library activities. However, after Pakistan gained

independence in 1947, librarian-ship was mostly ignored.2 Even the program at the University of the Punjab was suspended from 1946 to 1948.3

Presently, the scenario has entirely changed as there are 12 LIS schools in Pakistani universities, of which 5 offer postgraduate programs in library and information science. The trend among Pakistani information professionals to seek higher education has also gained momentum. As a result, Pakistani scholars produce a substantial quantity of research in the form of theses at the postgraduate level, but there is no compilation or bibliographic database to report this research output. To fill this gap, this article attempts to provide a picture of this research work and to aid future research activities in library and information science.

Literature Review

Zulfiqar Ahmad and Nosheen Fatima Warraich argue that the research work by the students, researchers, and faculty members in a subject can be used to evaluate the professional development of that discipline.4 Similarly, Peter Macauley, Terry Evans, and Margot Pearson declare research an essential element of any profession or discipline, with library and information science no exception.5 Mirna Turcios, Naresh Agarwal, and Linda Watkins emphasize that both faculty and students in LIS must produce and consume research to satisfy requirements for tenure or graduation.6 They further explain that because LIS is a growing subject, analysis and experimentation in this field lead to new insights and research. Khalid Mahmood and Farzana Shafique affirm that research is an essential element of librarianship and that, similarly, librarians play a crucial role in the promotion of research.7 Librarians assist researchers in their work, and librarians themselves need to be skilled researchers. Mirza Muhammad Naseer and Khalid Mah-mood report that the history of library research in Pakistan dates back to 1916, when Asa Don Dickinson wrote The Punjab Library Primer,8 the foremost textbook on library science written outside the United States. Since then, LIS professionals in Pakistan have constantly added to the literature of library and information science.

In 1978, in the first-ever study that highlighted library science scholarly activities in Pakistan, Haider disclosed that a total of 275 master’s theses were submitted to the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Karachi from 1967 to 1975.9 Haider also depicted the research activities of that time:

At present, research is primarily conducted by library schools either in the form of Master’s theses or on a voluntary basis by individual faculty members. The amount of research and its quality is limited, but still the major areas of research have been crystallized and the foundation has been laid for more serious work on various topics of interest by future researchers.10

. . . after Pakistan gained independence in 1947, librarianship was mostly ignored.

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Arslan Sheikh and Saeed Ullah Jan 453

Later, Mumtaz Ali Anwar studied research activities at the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of the Punjab. He reviewed the academic research done in the department and revealed that, from 1975 to 1981, a total of 56 master’s theses (called “research reports” at that time) were submitted.11 Anwar also furnished a list of all 56 theses. In 2007, Kanwal Ameen carried out a study regarding quality assurance in LIS higher education in Pakistan. Her research revealed that the issues about quality assurance were much like those in other countries in the region.12 Nevertheless, knowl-edge about quality assurance is increasing, and competition among LIS departments is growing. Ameen suggested that the following areas should be given priority: curriculum revision; faculty strength and student teacher ratio; uniformity in devising core courses; methodology of teaching; evaluation methods; faculty hiring, development, and promo-tion; and physical facilities.

A review of the literature exposed two past studies regarding MPhil and PhD research in library and information science in Pakistan. Haider and Mahmood provided insights into doctoral-level research.13 They further discussed the start of doctoral programs in Pakistani universities and the difficulties encountered. They pointed out a number of barriers blocking doctoral programs in LIS, including lack of support among senior students; less value for local PhD holders in the eyes of fellow professionals; little or no impact of early degree holders on the profession; and lack of financial assistance to pro-spective doctoral candidates. Their study also found issues regarding improper admission criteria, flawed topics of research, and poor quality theses due to improper supervision.

Rais Ahmed Samdani and Rubina Bhatti conducted a study regarding the PhD re-search work of Pakistani library professionals in Pakistani and overseas universities.14 Their study revealed that, up to 2011, Pakistani universities produced only nine library PhDs, whereas 19 Pakistani LIS professionals got PhDs from foreign universities. They further highlighted why so few LIS professionals engaged in PhD-level research. These reasons were insufficient opportunities, meager facilities, shortage of incentives, lack of training for research activities, lack of interest from higher authorities, and poor status of LIS professionals in the eyes of other faculty members compared to other disciplines in the academic institutions of Pakistan.

Mahmood and Shafique assessed the changing environment of research in Pakistan and reviewed the supply and demand for LIS professionals having research experi-ence.15 Their study disclosed that research activities in Pakistan are growing so quickly that an extensive gap exists between supply and demand for LIS profes-sionals with research qualifications. Ahmad and Warraich examined the literature originated by teachers and students of three LIS departments in the Punjab province of Pakistan from 2007 to 2012. They pointed out that a lack of LIS literature at the lo-cal level was the main obstacle in the production of LIS research up to 1990s. Today, the situation has changed, and many LIS professionals are working on diverse features of librarianship, libraries, and information-

. . . research activities in Pakistan are growing so quickly that an extensive gap exists between supply and demand for LIS professionals with research qualifications.This

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related areas. In 2014, Naseer and Mahmood presented a widespread subject analysis of the LIS research literature produced in Pakistan from 1947 to 2014.16 They analyzed 5,195 publications, including articles, books, book chapters, conference papers, theses, and reports. Their study showed that Pakistani LIS researchers mostly emphasized a few subjects, paid slight attention to some subject areas, and entirely ignored the rest. More than a quarter (26.7 percent) of the total focused on “information treatment for information services,” whereas 22 percent were related to “libraries as physical collec-tions.” Areas receiving some attention included “industry, profession and education” (12.3 percent) and “theoretical and general aspects of libraries and information” (11.4 percent). Researchers paid little attention to “housing technologies,” “technical services in libraries, archives and museums,” and “management.”17

The trend toward higher education among Pakistani LIS professionals has greatly accelerated for the last few years. An up-to-date study was needed to better understand the current state of MPhil and PhD research produced by LIS schools in Pakistan.

Objectives of the Study

The focal point of conducting this research is to provide a detailed bibliographic review of MPhil and PhD theses produced by the Pakistani LIS schools from their beginning to 2015. The background, evolution, and current status of postgraduate LIS programs are also discussed. The study also explores LIS research trends at the MPhil and PhD level, identifies research gaps, and presents an agenda for future research to inspire potential LIS scholars and help to avoid duplication of research.

Methodology

In this study, the researchers used a self-structured questionnaire for data collection. The authors contacted the heads of departments of all LIS schools in Pakistan through e-mail to obtain accurate details about MPhil and PhD theses. Additional information came from the websites of LIS schools, previous research studies, and personal communica-tion with scholars. A tabulation method was applied for data analysis, and theses were

classified according to year, decade, research topic, and university.

LIS Schools in Pakistan: A Synopsis

At present, there are 12 LIS schools in Pakistani universities that offer programs at different levels ranging from a certificate in librarianship to a PhD in library and information science. In addition, the social sciences departments of two universities offer LIS programs. In the past, library as-sociations at the provincial level also offered short courses in library and information

At present, there are 12 LIS schools in Pakistani universities that offer programs at different levels ranging from a certificate in librarianship to a PhD in library and information science. In addition, the social sciences departments of two universities offer LIS programs.

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Tabl

e 1.

LI

S sc

hool

s in

Paki

stan

i uni

vers

ities

LIS

scho

ol

Yea

r est

ablis

hed

D

egre

es o

ffer

ed

Dep

artm

ent o

f Lib

rary

and

Info

rmat

ion

Scie

nce,

Uni

vers

ity o

f Kar

achi

19

56

BLIS

, MLI

SD

epar

tmen

t of L

ibra

ry a

nd In

form

atio

n Sc

ienc

e, U

nive

rsity

of P

esha

war

19

62

MLI

SD

epar

tmen

t of I

nfor

mat

ion

Man

agem

ent,

Uni

vers

ity o

f the

Pun

jab,

Lah

ore

1963

M

LIS,

MPh

il, P

hDD

epar

tmen

t of L

ibra

ry &

Info

rmat

ion

Scie

nce

& A

rchi

ve S

tudi

es, U

nive

rsity

of S

indh

, Jam

shor

o 19

70

DLI

S, B

S-LI

S, M

LIS

Dep

artm

ent o

f Lib

rary

& In

form

atio

n Sc

ienc

e, U

nive

rsity

of B

aloc

hist

an, Q

uetta

19

81

MLI

SD

epar

tmen

t of L

ibra

ry a

nd In

form

atio

n Sc

ienc

e, Is

lam

ia U

nive

rsity

of B

ahaw

alpu

r 19

82

MLI

S, M

Phil,

PhD

Ham

dard

Inst

itute

of E

duca

tion

and

Soci

al S

cien

ces,

Ham

dard

Uni

vers

ity, K

arac

hi

1992

M

Phil,

PhD

Dep

artm

ent o

f Lib

rary

and

Info

rmat

ion

Scie

nces

, Alla

ma

Iqba

l Ope

n U

nive

rsity

, Isl

amab

ad

2001

Ce

rtific

ate i

n Lib

raria

nshi

p, BL

IS, M

LIS

Dep

artm

ent o

f Lib

rary

and

Info

rmat

ion

Scie

nces

, Uni

vers

ity o

f Sar

godh

a 20

08

MLI

S, M

Phil,

PhD

Inst

itute

of S

ocia

l Sci

ence

s, Ba

haud

din

Zaka

riya

Uni

vers

ity, M

ulta

n 20

12

BS-L

IS, M

LIS

Dep

artm

ent o

f Lib

rary

and

Info

rmat

ion

Scie

nce,

Sar

had

Uni

vers

ity o

f Sci

ence

& In

form

atio

n

Tech

nolo

gy, P

esha

war

20

12

BLIS

, MLI

S, M

S-LI

SSc

hool

of L

ibra

ry &

Info

rmat

ion

Scie

nces

, Min

haj U

nive

rsity

, Lah

ore

2012

BS

-LIS

, MLI

S, M

Phil,

PhD

Dep

artm

ent o

f Lib

rary

and

Info

rmat

ion

Scie

nce,

Khu

shal

Kha

n K

hatta

k U

nive

rsity

, Kar

ak

2014

BS

-LIS

, MLI

SD

epar

tmen

t of L

ibra

ry a

nd In

form

atio

n St

udie

s, U

nive

rsity

of S

wat

20

15

BS-L

IS

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science. Library science is also available as an optional subject at the higher secondary level. The University of Karachi and the University of the Punjab offer library science as an optional subject at the BA level.18 Table 1 provides a list of all departments that offer LIS programs.

Postgraduate LIS Education in Pakistan

Currently, in Pakistan, there are three public-sector and three private-sector universities that offer postgraduate degree programs in library and information science. The public sector universities are the University of the Punjab, the University of Sargodha, and the Islamia University of Bahawalpur. Hamdard University in Karachi, Sarhad University of Science & Information Technology in Peshawar, and Minhaj University in Lahore are the three private-sector universities that offer postgraduate degree programs in library and information science. In the past, the MPhil and PhD programs in library and information science were purely research-based programs because Pakistani universities followed the British system. In that system, candidates were only required to submit a thesis on a topic approved by the Board of Advanced Studies & Research under the guidance of a supervisor. After 2000, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, which funds and oversees higher education in Pakistan, instructed Pakistani universities to follow the American pattern, under which coursework and submission of a thesis were mandatory for MPhil and PhD degrees. The Department of Library and Information Science at the University of the Punjab was the first to adopt this American pattern in 2005.19 The Higher Education Commission also made passing the Graduate Assess-ment Test (GAT) with a 50 percent cumulative score mandatory to gain admission to an MPhil or MS program. University departments reserve the right to administer their own internal tests and interviews in place of the GAT. Likewise, for admission into a PhD program, candidates are required to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0 in the semester system or to graduate in the First Division in the annual system in an MPhil or MS-equivalent program. Candidates are also required to pass the GAT subject examination with a minimum score of 60 percent.20

DLIS, University of Karachi

The Department of Library Science at the University of Karachi came into being on August 10, 1956. Initially, the department offered a postgraduate diploma in library science, then in 1962 added an MA in library science. In 1982, the department changed its name to the

Department of Library and Information Science (DLIS).21 The credit for initiating and stimulating scientific investigations in librarianship in Pakistan goes to this department. The University of Karachi became Pakistan’s first graduate school to offer a doctoral research program in LIS in 1967. It was purely a research program

based on the submission of a thesis on an approved topic, recommended by the chairman of the department and approved by the Board of Advanced Studies and Research of the

The University of Karachi became Pakistan’s first graduate school to offer a doctoral research program in LIS in 1967.

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university. In 1985, the department also started to offer an MPhil in LIS. The leadership of Abdul Moid, the founding chairman of this department, played a key role in the rise of this department.22 Abdul Haleem Chishti became the first Pakistani citizen to earn a PhD in LIS from this department.23

So far, five PhD and two MPhil scholars have graduated from this department. Six candidates, including five faculty members, are engaged in an MPhil leading to PhD program, and one is pursuing an MPhil. In 2007, the Higher Education Commission made it obligatory for a department to have at least three PhD faculty members in order to offer PhD programs in any subject. As a result, the Karachi LIS department closed its PhD program. At present, Munira Nasreen Ansari serves as chair of this department. The department is waiting for its faculty members to finish their PhDs so that it can resume the MPhil leading to PhD program.24 See Tables 2 through 10 in the online version of portal at http://muse.jhu.edu/journalsljournals/portal_libraries_and_the_academy/ for complete lists of all the PhD and MPhil degrees in LIS awarded by universities in Pakistan.

Table 2 in online only http://muse.jhu.edu/resolve/4.

DLIS, University of Peshawar

The Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Peshawar was established in 1962. Initially, the department offered a postgraduate diploma course on a part-time basis. The master of library science program was introduced in 1983.25 In 1997, Abdul Aziz Saleem, then head of the department, took the initiative to offer an MPhil in library science. The first MPhil degree was conferred on Syed Liaqat Ali, a member of the department, in 2010. The topic of his thesis, written in English, was “Effectiveness of Information Technology in the Development of Library Profession in Pakistan,” su-pervised by Muhammad Abid with the assistance of Abdul Aziz Saleem. Later in 2011, in accordance with the requirements of the Higher Education Commission, the MPhil program closed because of a lack of PhD faculty members in the department. The faculty members of this department are currently enrolled in PhD programs at universities in Pakistan and abroad and expect to complete their degrees soon. The current head of the department, Syed Liaqat Ali, hopes to start the MPhil and PhD programs shortly.26

DIM, University of the Punjab

Universities in Pakistan started to teach library science in the early twentieth century as a part of the official, budgeted activity of their libraries, but these courses were not aca-demic departments. Usually, the chief li-brarian would be in charge of the training classes. The Depart-ment of Information Management (DIM), formerly the Depart-ment of Library and

Universities in Pakistan started to teach library science in the early twentieth century as a part of the official, budgeted activity of their libraries, but these courses were not academic departments. Usually, the chief librarian would be in charge of the training classes.

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Information Science, at the University of the Punjab pioneered in library education and training throughout Asia. An American librarian, Asa Don Dickenson, founded the department in 1915 when teaching of library science began at the Punjab University Central Library. This program was known as the Punjab University Library Training Class and was listed in the library’s budget. In 1963, the Department of Library Sci-ence was officially recognized for the first time as an academic department like other departments, with its own budget separate from that of the Punjab University Library.27 Initially the department offered a Certificate in Librarianship. Later, the certificate course was upgraded to a diploma in 1956, with revised courses and duration, and a two-year master’s program started in 1974. The university began to offer a PhD according to the old system of thesis submission in 1999. Regular research education programs for MPhil and PhD degrees were introduced in 2005.28

So far, this department has awarded 9 PhD and 37 MPhil degrees to LIS profes-sionals. At present, 25 scholars are enrolled in the PhD program, of whom 17 are doing coursework and 8 are professionals, including 2 faculty members, working on their theses. Kanwal Ameen serves as chair of this department. The department has declared it mandatory to have a First Division MLIS and to take a written test and interview to enroll in the MPhil program. A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in an MPhil program and passing the written test and interview are mandatory for candidates to enroll in the PhD program.

Table 3 in online only at http://muse.jhu.edu/resolve/5.

DLIS, University of Sindh, Jamshoro

The Department of Library & Information Science and Archive Studies was established at the University of Sindh in Jamshoro in 1970. Muhammad Ali Kazi, then the librarian of the Central Library, was the founding head of this department. Mr. Moinuddin, the deputy librarian, became part of the teaching faculty. Later, Rafia Ahmad Sheikh was hired as a faculty member. In 1970, the department began to offer a one-year diploma course in library science, which was extended to a two-year MA in library science in 1974. The department started to offer a PhD in LIS in 2001 and an MPhil in 2007. So far, this department has awarded two PhD degrees. Eight other scholars are also enrolled in the PhD program, all working on their theses. The MPhil and PhD programs have been suspended since 2009 because of a shortage of PhD faculty members.29


DLIS, University of Balochistan

Balochistan had long felt a need for library education, but opportunities only became available in 1980. Nonprofessional librarians managed most of the libraries in Balo-chistan except in some rare cases. Consequently, the University of Balochistan in Quetta established the Department of Library Science, now the Department of Library and In-formation Science, in 1981. Initially, the department offered a diploma in library science (DLS). In 1984, the department also began to offer a master of library science degree. The department started to offer a two-year master of library and information science in 2006 by adopting the new curriculum devised by the HEC.30

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The department introduced a research-based MPhil program in 1994; so far, three candidates have obtained their MPhil degrees. A PhD program in LIS was introduced in 2003, and a student named Khurshid Ansari started work on his thesis but unfor-tunately was killed by criminals. Muhammad Ilyas, a faculty member, started work on “Development and Future Needs of Library and Information Science Education in Pakistan” but withdrew from the PhD program for personal reasons. Later, under the requirements of the HEC, the MPhil and PhD programs closed because the department had no PhD faculty member. The department hopes to resume its MPhil program soon. Rehmat Ullah Baloch chairs the department, and Munazza Jabeen, an assistant professor, coordinates the MPhil program.31


DLIS, Islamia University of Bahawalpur

The Department of Library Science at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur came into being in 1982. Its name changed to the Department of Library & Information Science in 1990. The department initiated a PhD program in 1986 and awarded the first PhD degree to Muhammad Fazil Khan in 1991. The topic of his thesis was “Coordinated Planning for University Libraries in Pakistan,” supervised by Rafia Ahmad Sheikh.32 So far, this department has produced 2 PhD and 25 MPhil scholars. Currently, 12 PhD and 17 MPhil candidates are enrolled, of whom 1 PhD and 9 MPhil scholars will soon submit their theses.33


DLIS, University of Sargodha

The Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Sargodha came into being in 2008. This department started to offer an MPhil in LIS in 2011 and began a PhD program in 2014. Muhammad Fazil Khan spearheaded these initiatives. So far, this department has awarded 23 MPhil degrees. At present, 34 MPhil scholars are working on their theses. Likewise, 11 PhD scholars have completed their coursework and are preparing their research proposals. Haroon Idress heads this department. The depart-ment administers a departmental test and interview for prospective students to select candidates for its MPhil and PhD programs.


Sarhad University of Science & Information Technology

The Department of Library and Information Science at Sarhad University of Science & Information Technology in Peshawar was established in April 2012.34 Saeed Ullah Jan is the founder and current head of this department. Initially, the department offered BLIS and MLIS programs, and in September 2013, it introduced an MS in LIS. Prospective students must take a written entry test and have an interview to enroll in the MS-LIS program. To encourage bright students, the department also grants scholarships on a semester basis. At present, 10 scholars from the first batch of MS-LIS candidates are working on their theses.


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SLIS, Minhaj University, Lahore

The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at Minhaj University was estab-lished in 2012.35 Rais Ahmad Samdani is the founding head of the department. The de-partment offers various degrees in library and information science, including a BS-LIS, MLIS, MPhil, and PhD. So far, 33 professionals have obtained MPhil degrees from this department, 30 of whom graduated in 2014 and 3 in 2015. An additional 24 scholars are working on their MPhil theses. Eleven scholars are currently enrolled in the PhD program.


Department of Urdu, Federal Urdu University, Karachi

The Department of Urdu of the Federal Urdu University in Karachi started to offer a PhD in library and information science in 2002. A former librarian of the university, Mukhtar Ashraf, enrolled in that program but could not complete his PhD due to personal reasons. Afterward, on the instructions of Zafar Iqbal, vice chancellor of the Federal Urdu Univer-sity, the Urdu Department closed this program. At present, the Federal Urdu University has no library information science department and offers no advanced degrees in LIS.36

HIESS, Hamdard University Karachi

Hamdard University is one of the biggest private universities in Pakistan. It has no LIS department, but it does provide MPhil and PhD research programs in LIS under the Hamdard Institute of Education & Social Sciences (HIESS). The institute requires can-didates to pass the GAT general for enrollment in the MPhil program. Passing the GAT subject test is also mandatory for enrollment in the PhD program. So far, this institute has awarded one PhD and one MPhil degree, and one PhD and two MPhil scholars are in the process of thesis writing.


Findings and Analysis

This section presents the findings regarding MPhil and PhD theses produced by the LIS schools in Pakistani universities. Analysis and interpretation of the data are also presented.

Annual Distribution of MPhil and PhD Theses in LIS

This research study encompasses the period 1947 to 2015, in which LIS schools produced 144 theses at the postgraduate level. For 30 years, from 1947 to 1977, Pakistan had no

research output in LIS at the postgraduate level. Table 11 lists the distribution of MPhil and PhD theses in LIS produced by the Pakistani universities by years from 1978 to 2015. For MPhil theses, 2014 was the most productive year, with 53 LIS scholars

For 30 years, from 1947 to 1977, Pakistan had no research output in LIS at the postgraduate level.

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Table 11. Annual distribution of MPhil and PhD theses in LIS

Year Number of Number of Total number Percentage of MPhil theses PhD theses of theses total

1978 – 1 1 0.7%1991 – 1 1 0.7%1992 – 1 1 0.7%1996 2 – 2 1.4%2000 1 – 1 0.7%2004 – 1 1 0.7%2005 – 2 2 1.4%2007 – 1 1 0.7%2008 3 – 3 2.1%2009 3 2 5 3.5%2010 4 – 4 2.8%2011 21 3 24 16.7%2012 2 4 6 4.2%2013 18 1 19 13.2%2014 53 – 53 36.8%2015 18 2 20 13.9%Total 125 19 144 100%

completing their MPhil in that year, 42 percent of the total. For PhD theses, 2012 was the most productive year, with four LIS scholars completing their PhDs that year, 21 percent of the total. In total thesis production, 2014 was the most productive year, with 53 theses produced in that year, 36.8 percent of the total MPhil and PhD theses. In the beginning, higher education was rare for LIS professionals in Pakistan. However, since 2010, the trend toward higher education has grown sharply.

Growth of MPhil and PhD Theses in LIS by Decades

Table 12 and Figure 1 illustrate the growth of MPhil and PhD theses produced by Pakistani LIS schools by decades from 1947 to 2015. Statistics reveal almost no growth in higher education among Pakistani library professionals for three decades, from 1947 to 1969. In the fourth decade, from 1970 to 1979, a library professional named Abdul Haleem Chishti achieved a PhD in LIS from the University of Karachi. The fifth decade from 1980 to

In the first five years of the current decade, Pakistani universities have produced 116 MPhil and 10 PhD theses in LIS, 87.5 percent of the total theses.

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Table 12. Growth of MPhil and PhD theses in LIS by decades

Decade MPhil PhD Total Percentage Remarks theses theses

1947–1949(partial decade) 0 0 0 0% Nil growth 1950–1959 0 0 0 0% Nil growth 1960–1969 0 0 0 0% Nil growth1970–1979 0 1 1 0.69% Initial growth 1980–1989 0 0 0 0% Nil growth 1990–1999 2 2 4 2.77% Slow growth 2000–2009 7 6 13 9.02% Moderate growth 2010–2015(partial decade) 116 10 126 87.50% Exceptional growth

Figure 1. Progress by decades of MPhil and PhD degrees awarded by LIS schools in Pakistan, 1947 to 2015

1989 saw no MPhil or PhD degrees awarded in LIS. The sixth decade from 1990 to 1999 was slightly more productive, with two MPhil and two PhD theses, 2.8 percent of the total theses. The seventh decade from 2000 to 2009 recorded an increase in research with seven MPhil and six PhD theses in LIS, 9 percent of the total. The current decade, from 2010 to 2015, has recorded exceptional growth both in MPhil and PhD theses. In the first five years of the current decade, Pakistani universities have produced 116 MPhil and 10 PhD theses in LIS, 87.5 percent of the total theses. This shows that the trend of higher education among Pakistani LIS professionals has greatly accelerated.

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Location of Universities Offering Postgraduate Programs in LIS

Pakistan is administratively divided into four provinces: (1) Punjab, (2) Sindh, (3) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, abbreviated KPK, and (4) Balochistan. Figure 2 shows the location of the five universities that offer MPhil and PhD programs in LIS. Of these five, four are in Punjab and one in KPK. In Sindh and Balochistan, no university offers a postgraduate program in LIS. In the past, universities in these two provinces offered MPhil and PhD degrees in LIS, but due to a lack of PhD faculty members, they could not continue these programs.

Figure 2. Location of universities in Pakistan offering MPhil and PhD programs in LIS

Distribution of MPhil and PhD Theses in LIS by University

Table 13 shows the distribution of MPhil and PhD theses in library and information science by university. The University of the Punjab is the leading higher education institution in terms of research output in LIS at the postgraduate level, with 37 MPhil theses and 9 PhD theses, 31.9 percent of the total theses. Minhaj University stands in second place with 33 MPhil theses, 22.9 percent of the total. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur holds the third position with 25 MPhil and 2 PhD theses, 18.8 percent of the total. The University of Sargodha has produced 23 MPhil theses, 16 percent of the total, and ranks fourth. The University of Karachi is fifth with 2 MPhil and 5 PhD theses. The University of Balochistan, Quetta is sixth with 3 MPhil theses. The University of Sindh, Jamshoro and Hamdard University, Karachi tie for seventh place with 2 theses each. The University of Peshawar is last with only 1 MPhil thesis.

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Table 13.Distribution of MPhil and PhD theses in LIS by university

Rank University MPhil PhD Total Percentage theses theses of total

1 University of the Punjab, Lahore 37 9 46 31.9%2 Minhaj University, Lahore 33 – 33 22.9%3 Islamia University of Bahawalpur 25 2 27 18.8%4 University of Sargodha 23 – 23 16.0%5 University of Karachi 2 5 7 4.9%6 University of Balochistan, Quetta 3 – 3 2.1%7 University of Sindh, Jamshoro – 2 2 1.4%7 Hamdard University, Karachi 1 1 2 1.4%8 University of Peshawar 1 – 1 0.7%

Research Topics Most Explored by LIS Scholars

Although MPhil and PhD scholars choose diverse topics for their research work, some topics are explored more often. Figure 4 shows that “information needs and seeking behavior of users” ranks as the most researched topic with 34 theses. This is followed by “library services” with 20 theses and “information literacy” with 15 theses. “Digital libraries,” “digital resources,” “digital repositories,” and marketing of library resources and services tie for fourth position with 10 theses for each topic (see Figure 4).

Least Researched Topics

Table 14 lists the topics that received the least attention from LIS researchers, with fewer than five MPhil or PhD theses completed or in the process of completion. The topics include “knowledge management,” “library anxiety of users,” “acquisition,” “collec-tion development,” and “public, school, and special libraries.” For the complete list, see Table 14.

Future Trends for Research in LIS

Among the many future trends in LIS research would be such topics as virtual commons (information resources created and shared over the Internet); learning commons (places where students practice collaborative learning); information commons; open access publishing; big data (extremely large data sets that may be analyzed computationally to reveal patterns and trends); institutional repositories; cloud computing (which relies on Web-based services instead of local servers); the semantic Web (which provides common formats to facilitate the exchange of data); twenty-first century library build-

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Figure 3. Distribution of MPhil and PhD theses in LIS by university

Figure 4. Thesis topics most often explored by LIS scholars

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Table 14.Thesis topics least often explored by LIS scholars

Topic Number of theses

Knowledge management 4Library anxiety of users 4Acquisition 3Collection development 3Public libraries 3School libraries 3Special libraries 3Bibliography 2Continuing education 2Religious libraries 2E-journals usage 2Internet 2Islamic libraries 2Knowledge sharing 2Library associations 2Library automation 2Library funding 2Library software 2Manuscripts 2Plagiarism 2Security systems 2SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis 2Training needs assessment 2Web technologies usage 2International Organization for Standardization (ISO) library standards 1Classification schemes 1Academic libraries 1Cataloging 1Computer anxiety 1Copyright and book piracy 1Digital reference services 1Distance education 1Electronic books 1Female professionals 1Google Scholar 1Work stress and job output 1Internship 1

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ings; mobile technology in libraries; library 3.0 (in which libraries use cloud computing, mobile devices, and other new technologies to make their collections accessible); and research data management services. Potential LIS scholars could choose these or many other topics for thesis writing.

Conclusion and Recommendations

This study provided a detailed review regarding MPhil and PhD research in library and information science at universities in Pakistan. Postgraduate-level education in LIS has gradually gained momentum for the last five years. During the last 68 years, from 1947 to 2015, Pakistani univer-sities conferred only 125 MPhil and 19 PhD de-grees in LIS. Currently, 90 LIS scholars are working on MPhil theses, and 24 LIS scholars are working on PhD theses. Moreover, approximately 50 LIS scholars are enrolled in PhD programs and over 100 are enrolled in MPhil programs. Since 2009, four LIS schools—those

Table 14, continued.

Topic Number of theses

Leadership style 1Librarianship 1LIS education 1Library legislation 1Library movement 1LIS curricula 1Machine-readable cataloging (MARC) 1Medical libraries 1Model information system 1National library of Pakistan 1Resource description and access (RDA) 1Reference interviews 1Resources sharing 1Use of search engines 1Web OPAC (online public access catalog) 1

Since 2009, four LIS schools—those at the uni-versities of Karachi, Peshawar, Sindh, and Balo-chistan—have suspended their MPhil and PhD programs due to the “Quality Criteria” of the HEC. According to these standards, a university department must have at least two permanent PhD faculty members to offer an MPhil/MS program and at least three permanent PhD faculty members to offer a PhD program.

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at the universities of Karachi, Peshawar, Sindh, and Balochistan—have suspended their MPhil and PhD programs due to the “Quality Criteria” of the HEC. According to these standards, a university department must have at least two permanent PhD faculty mem-bers to offer an MPhil/MS program and at least three permanent PhD faculty members to offer a PhD program.37 These LIS schools face a shortage of PhD faculty members and are waiting for faculty members to complete their PhDs so that the MPhil and PhD programs may be resumed. Although the HEC has defined “Criteria for Admission in MS/MPhil and PhD Programs,” some LIS departments follow their own guidelines. Some departments require the GAT (general and subject), and some administer their own internal written test and interviews for admission into MPhil and PhD programs.

Previous Pakistani studies highlighted the hurdles of doctoral programs in LIS. These barriers included “low esteem for an indigenous PhD degree in the eyes of fellow professionals; little or no impact of earlier recipients of the degree on the profession; and unavailability of financial assistance to the prospective candidates.”38 At present, the situation has drastically changed. As an incentive to earn advanced degrees, the govern-ment of Pakistan has announced an allowance of 10,000 rupees per month for employees who hold a PhD and 5,000 rupees for employees who hold an MS or MPhil. Likewise, the HEC offers indigenous scholarships for PhD programs in all subjects. Incentives like these will persuade Pakistani library professionals to undertake higher studies.

Recommendations

The findings reported in this article suggest some recommendations:

• All LIS schools in Pakistani universities should emphasize the quality of research-oriented degrees.

• LIS schools should coordinate the standardization of curricula for all LIS pro-grams, especially for the MPhil and PhD.

• The government of Pakistan ought to announce a promotion in pay scale for MPhil and PhD degree holders.

• Admission procedures should be standardized among all LIS schools in Pakistan.• LIS schools must emphasize the publication of their produced theses in national

or international journals. • Pakistani library professionals have developed two websites, “LIS Research” and

“Pak LIS Research,” that offer partial information about MPhil and PhD degree holders and their thesis topics,39 but consolidation and regular updates of these websites are needed to fully meet their objectives.

• Just as the HEC requires publication of a research paper for the PhD degree, the HEC should make obligatory the publication of one research paper in an HEC-approved journal for an MPhil degree.

The Pakistan Research Repository

The Pakistan Research Repository is a project of the HEC. The purpose of this repository is to disseminate the research produced by the higher education institutions of Pakistan in the shape of PhD theses. This repository provides a free, single-search access to 9,760

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PhD theses of different Pakistani universities on various subjects.40 Although the HEC has taken the initiative for the preservation of PhD theses by launching the repository, unfortunately, not all PhD theses are available through this resource. Of 19 Pakistani LIS scholars who have completed their PhDs from different Pakistani universities, only 8 of their theses are accessible through the repository. The HEC should make it obligatory for the LIS schools and other departments of Pakistani universities to submit their PhD theses to the repository to fulfill its purpose. All MPhil theses should also be included and preserved through the HEC Research Repository. This would address the problem of online unavailability of MPhil and PhD theses in Pakistan.

Arslan Sheikh is an assistant librarian in Library Information Services at COMSATS (Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South) Institute of Information Technology in Islamabad, Pakistan; he may be reached by e-mail at: [email protected].

Saeed Ullah Jan is an assistant professor in the Department of Library & Information Science at Khushal Khan Khattak University in Karak, Pakistan; he may be reached by e-mail at: [email protected].

Notes

1. Asa Don Dickinson, “Memoirs” (1915), unpublished. 2. Syed Jalaluddin Haider and Khalid Mahmood, “MPhil and PhD Library and Information

Science Research in Pakistan: An Evaluation,” Library Review 56, 5 (2007): 407–17. 3. Syed Jalaluddin Haider, “Pioneers of Library Movement in Pakistan,” Pakistan Journal

of Library & Information Science 2007, 8 (2007): 1–14, http://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/11882548.pdf.

4. Zulfiqar Ahmad and Nosheen Fatima Warraich, “Patterns of LIS Literature Produced by Pakistani Authors, 2007–2012,” Chinese Librarianship 36 (2013).

5. Peter Macauley, Terry Evans, and Margot Pearson, “Australian PhDs by LIS Educators, Researchers and Practitioners: Depicting Diversity and Demise,” Library & Information Science Research 32, 4 (2010): 258–64.

6. Mirna E. Turcios, Naresh Agarwal, and Linda Watkins, “Library & Information Science Literature: How Much of It Is Research?” Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 49, 1 (2012): 1–4.

7. Khalid Mahmood and Farzana Shafique, “Changing Research Scenario in Pakistan and Demand for Research Qualified LIS Professionals,” Library Review 59, 4 (2010): 291–303.

8. Mirza Muhammad Naseer and Khalid Mahmood, “LIS Research in Pakistan: An Analysis of Pakistan Library and Information Science Journal 1998–2007,” Library Philosophy and Practice (June 2009); Asa Don Dickinson, The Punjab Library Primer (Lahore: University of the Panjab [sic], 1916).

9. Syed Jalaluddin Haider, “Status of Library Research in Pakistan,” Libri 28, 1 (1978): 326–37.10. Ibid., 336.11. Mumtaz Ali Anwar, “Research in Library Science at the University of the Punjab, Lahore

(Pakistan),” Libri 32, 1 (1982): 284–87.12. Kanwal Ameen, “Issues of Quality Assurance (QA) in LIS Higher Education in Pakistan,”

presentation at World Library and Information Congress: 73rd IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) General Conference and Council, August 19–23, 2007, Durban, South Africa.

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13. Haider and Mahmood, “MPhil and PhD Library and Information Science Research in Pakistan.”

14. Rais Ahmed Samdani and Rubina Bhatti, “Doctoral Research in Library and Information Science by Pakistani Professionals: An Analysis,” Library Philosophy and Practice, November 2011, http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1723&context=libphilprac.

15. Mahmood and Shafique, “Changing Research Scenario in Pakistan and Demand for Research Qualified LIS Professionals.”

16. Mirza Muhammad Naseer and Khalid Mahmood, “Subject Dispersion of LIS Research in Pakistan,” Library & Information Science Research 36, 2 (2014): 114–19.

17. Ibid., 114.18. Haider and Mahmood, “MPhil and PhD Library and Information Science Research in

Pakistan.”19. Khalid Mahmood, personal communication, October 6, 2015.20. Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, accessed October 3, 2015, http://www.hec.gov.

pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/QALI/QADivision/Pages/QAdivision.aspx.21. Department of Library and Information Science, University of Karachi, Pakistan, accessed

September 12, 2015, http://uok.edu.pk/faculties/libraryinformationsciences/index.php.22. Haider, “Status of Library Research in Pakistan.”23. Haider and Mahmood, “MPhil and PhD Library and Information Science Research in

Pakistan.”24. Munira Nasreen Ansari, personal communication, September 7, 2015.25. Department of Library and Information Science, University of Peshawar, Pakistan, accessed

September 7, 2015, http://www.uop.edu.pk/departments/?q=Department-of-Library-and-Information-Science.

26. Syed Liaqat Ali, personal communication, September 8, 2015.27. Mumtaz Ali Anwar, personal communication, October 5, 2015.28. Department of Information Management, University of the Punjab, Pakistan, accessed

September 11, 2015, http://pu.edu.pk/home/department/10.29. Department of Library & Information Science and Archive Studies, University of Sindh,

Jamshoro, Pakistan, accessed September 7, 2015, http://lisas.edu.pk/introduction.php.30. Department of Library and Information Science, University of Balochistan, Quetta,

Pakistan, accessed September 12, 2015, http://www.uob.edu.pk/libraryscience/index.htm.31. Munazza Jabeen, personal communication, October 7, 2015.32. Muhammad Fazil Khan, “Coordinated Planning for University Libraries in Pakistan,” PhD

diss., Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, 1991.33. Shamshad Ahmed, personal communication, September 11, 2015.34. Department of Library & Information Science, Sarhad University of Science & Information

Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan, accessed September 25, 2015, http://www.suit.edu.pk/librarydegreeprograms.php.

35. School of Library & Information Sciences, Minhaj University, Lahore, Pakistan, accessed September 1, 2015, http://www.mul.edu.pk/education/76/School-of-Library-&-Information-Sciences.

36. Fousia Bano, personal communication, September 12, 2015.37. Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.38. Haider and Mahmood, “MPhil and PhD Library and Information Science Research in

Pakistan.”39. LIS Research, accessed July 28, 2015, http://www.lisresearch.com/index.php; Pak LIS

Research, accessed August 12, 2015, http://www.paklisresearch.org/.40. Pakistan Research Repository, September 8, 2015, http://eprints.hec.gov.pk/.

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