Kelvin Mubiana Katukula

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 the 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. In addition, no existing bibliometric studies in Africa have combined data from Scopus, WoS, Institutional Research Office, and Institutional Library Repositories. This thesis addresses these limitations within a study on research production, 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 publication 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 production for 2010–2019, which is also the first such knowledge database in Namibia. Data for the bibliometric analysis were obtained from four bibliographic databases: UNAM Library Repository, UNAM Research Office, Scopus, and WoS. In addition, UNAM Research Office and UNAM Library Repository were 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. The author-level analysis made possible a comparison between the percentages of articles with research collaboration and the authors involved in research collaboration. The study’s results have the potential to enrich further bibliometric studies on research evaluation for the other research institutions in general and in Namibia particularly.