The objectives of this theses are: to study problems in the use of books and library materials for research in Thailand; to study types of books and materials used in writing theses; to suggest some ideas to libraries so as to help them solve problems encountered by researchers, to compile a bibliography of theses in the fields of the social sciences and the humanities. This thesis is divided into two parts. The first part is the analysis of the utilization of materials available in Thai libraries. Another part is the analysis of problems of using these materials. The first part was carried out by examining and compiling a bibliography of theses in the social sciences, the humanities, and education. Samples of these works were selected at random In order to find out about their sources of references and about problems of researchers using them in writing theses. Samples include 150 post graduates who had already submitted their works, and 150 graduates. Who were conducting their research in 1969. Questionnaires were sent out to these two groups. Two hundreds and forty questionnaires‚ or approximately 80 percent were returned. then, a comparison of the answers of the two groups was made. The first part of research reveals that the researchers used general texts, periodicals and newspapers, government publications, and reference books respectively. Materials in English have been used more than those in Thai, except government publications. In other words, 60.39 percent of the texts were in English, 39.61 percent, in Thai. As for government publications, 70.59 percent were in Thai and 29.41 in English. The results of the analysis of the second part show that both graduates and post graduates and problems of the inadequacy of printed and audiovisual materials in each subject. Furthermore, the researchers were handicapped by the language, as most of the publications used are in English. They did not know where to obtain materials relevant to their research. Materials wanted for their studies were checked out. Government publications of special needs were not available. According to the researchers, problems concerning library services, library buildings, and the preparation of theses were not acute. However, this problem existed in some fields of study as reported by the post graduates. In summary, different problems of the researchers resulted from their subject fields of research whether the materials consulted were adequate, and from the researchers themselves as to how well they had know lodge and experiences in the use of library materials and their proficiency in English.
