A quantitative analysis of doctoral dissertations in communication in mainland China. Issue 6 (2nd November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Lijuan; Wei, Yuruo; Zhang, Guoliang
• Is Part Of: Asian journal of communication. Volume 31:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 453
• Page End: 469
• Publication Date: 2021-11-02
• Subjects: Communication -- mainland China -- doctoral dissertation -- quantitative study -- retrospect -- history; Communication -- Asia -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Asia -- Periodicals; 302.209505
• DOI: 10.1080/01292986.2021.1983850
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0129-2986

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Doctoral candidates are the important fundament and potential of any given discipline. Their doctoral dissertations are not only a valuable academic resource, but also a barometer of the development of a discipline that should not be overlooked. This research adopts a quantitative method from the perspective of bibliometric analysis. We reviewed the research topics, methods and theoretical basis of the communication doctoral dissertations ( n = 487) in a sample of eight selected universities in mainland China from 2001 to 2018. The result shows that these dissertations have an extensive topic preference and gradually formed a more distinct research paradigm, while critical thinking and a deeper exploration of theory still need to be cultivated.