Comparison of Scientific Publications of Iranian LIS PhDs: Local Graduates vs Those Graduated Overseas

This research attempted to study scientific production of Iranian PHDs in Library and Information Science. Respondents were compared in terms of their scientific production before and after being awarded PHD degree, as well as the place where graduated, Iran or abroad. This research is of a descriptive type and the method is survey. To collect the data, a checklist and the book "Iranian Academic Librarians" were used. The data were analyzed through descriptive as well as inferential statistics. The population of the study consisted of 76 PHDs and their scolarly productivity. It was revealed that there was no significant difference between scientific production of local graduates and those studied overseas. It was also found that scholarly productivity of the LIS faculty has an increasing trend, so that they have produced more documents after being awarded the PhD. degree It is implied that LIS education in Iran is successful in training qualified graduates. Although research productivity is only one measure of faculty effectiveness, it is a necessary one. The production and publication of research helps the profession establish its theoretical and epistemological foundation. Without this foundation, the profession and its educators will founder.