Student citation practices in an Information Science Department

A study was carried out on student citation practices in the Department of Information Science, Loughborough University. The bibliographies in 60 recent final year undergraduate dissertations were examined and analyses of the types of materials cited and trends over time were carried out. In addition, a survey of second and third year undergraduates was undertaken to assess their attitudes towards sources of literature, citations and their motives for citing particular references. The results show a clear trend towards citing Internet resources and away from journal articles. Students' motives for citing are not dissimilar from those of academics, although there are some important differences in emphasis. The results show a worrying reliance on Internet sources rather than other electronic sources. The implications for libraries, and for the teaching of bibliographic instruction are considered.