Influence of collaboration pattern on research productivity of academic librarians in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of Collaboration Pattern on Research Productivity of Academic Librarians in South-West Nigeria. This underscores the importance of collaboration in research productivity. The research adopted survey research design. The population comprised 326 academic librarians from university libraries in South-West, Nigeria. Total enumeration was used for the study. A self-structured questionnaire was also used to collect data. The study achieved a response rate of 84.7%. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential (multiple regression) statistics. The results revealed that collaboration had a significant and positive influence on research productivity of academic librarians in South-West, Nigeria (R² = 0.240, β = 0.490, t(325) = 10.108; p < 0.05). Career stage (Beta= -0.255, t(322) = -4.175, p<0.05) and spatial proximity (Beta = -.112, t(322 =-2.767, p<0.05) had significant influences on the research productivity of academic librarians in South-West, Nigeria. The research recommends fostering a collaborative culture among academic librarians in their early, mid and late career stages. It also recommended setting up shared workplaces or collaborative zones where librarians can work in close proximity to one another.