Factors Affecting Scholarly Research Output in Nigeria: Perception of Academics in South-Western Universities
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This study which was carried out in 2009 examined factors affecting
scholarly research output in Nigeria with focus on the perception of
academics in South-western universities. Two universities were purposively
selected from each of federal, state and private universities within the
geopolitical zone. A questionnaire was administered to each of 944
respondents selected through stratified random sampling and complemented
by in-depth interviews. in-depth interviews (!Dis) were conducted among 24
purposively selected academic staff, based on their status and gender. The
result showed that there were positive and negative factors that affected
research output in the study population. The positive factors that affected
research output among respondents included desire for promotion (64. 3%),
contribution to knowledge (7 5. 6%) and access to local/international
research grants (51. 7%). Negative factors that dissuaded respondents were
fear of rejection of articles for publications (56. 7%), lack of funds (7 2. 6%)
and unfavourable university policies/guidelines on promotion (53. 7%). The
study recommended the need for mentoring of young academics, unified
university policies on promotion, creation and sustenance of an enabling
environment for research and teaching, and funding of research as panacea
for improving scholarly research output in Nigeria.
Keywords
HM Sociology