The number of citations in a PhD thesis can vary greatly depending on the field of study, depth of research, and specific university guidelines. However, a general recommendation for citations in a PhD thesis would be:

1. Literature Review Chapter: This typically has the highest number of citations. It is not uncommon to see 150-300 citations in this section alone, depending on the scope of the review.

2. Methodology Chapter: The number of citations here is generally lower, around 20-50, as this section focuses on specific methods and previous research that established them.

3. Results and Discussion Chapters: These sections will vary but can have around 50-150 citations. They often include references to previous research for comparison and interpretation of findings.

4. Introduction and Conclusion Chapters: These tend to have fewer citations, perhaps around 20-40 in total, as they are more focused on framing the research and discussing its broader implications.

In total, a PhD thesis might have anywhere from 200 to 600 citations, depending on the field (e.g., humanities vs. sciences) and the depth of the literature review. The key is to ensure you are citing all relevant works to support your research and avoid over-citation of unnecessary references. Make sure to follow your university’s specific guidelines for citation practices.