Determinants of Research Productivity of Academic Staff in Nigerian Research Institutes

Abstract

Rationale of Study – Research productivity is paramount to career advancement and prestige of academic staff of research institutes in Nigeria. In spite  of its importance, it has been observed that the level of research productivity of academic staff in Nigeria is low. This study, therefore, investigated the  information literacy skills, emotional intelligence and demographic factors as determinants of research productivity of academic staff in research  institutes in Nigeria.

Methodology – This study adopted survey research design. The total enumeration method was used. Validated questionnaire was used to gather data  from a population size of 782 academic staff in the twelve research institutes. A 78- percent response rate was achieved. SPSS version 20 was used to  analyse the collected data.

Findings – The findings revealed that information literacy skills, emotional intelligence and demographic factors had significant relationships with  research productivity of the respondents. In addition, information literacy skills, emotional intelligence significantly determined research productivity of  the respondents. More importantly, information literacy skills, emotional intelligence and demographic factors significantly determined research  productivity of the respondents.

Implications – The study recommends, among other things, that training on information literacy skills and emotional intelligence be conducted for  academic staff. Additionally, the management of the research institutes should consider demographic factors of the academic staff when formulating  and implementing policies on research productivity.

Originality – Few studies have been done on the influence of information literacy skills, emotional intelligence and demographic factors on research  productivity of academic staff in Nigerian research institutes.