Citation Analysis of Physical Education and Sport Sciences Theses of Postgraduate Students: A Case Study in Mazandaran University from 2004 to 2009

The aim of this study was citation analysis of physical education and sport sciences theses of postgraduate students of Mazandaran University from 2004 to 2009. This study was conducted using citation analysis (descriptive-analytical). The statistical population consisted of 4417 citations that were extracted from the references of 42 theses of Mazandaran University. To collect data, a checklist was used. Results showed that physical education postgraduate students used Latin sources to a great extent (76.49%) to write their theses but they used Persian resources to a very lesser extent (23.50%). Another result showed that citation of scientific productions of supervisors and advisors was very low, that is to say out of 4417 citations, only 56 citations (1.26%) referred to the scientific productions of supervisors and advisors. Finally, given the diversity of physical education interdisciplinary studies, it is necessary to have at least one specialized professor as a consultant in order to assist students in writing their theses.