Mentoring, Collaborative Researches and ICT Versatility as Influencing Factors on Research Productivity of LIS Educators in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper described the extent to which mentoring, collaborative researches and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) versatility could serve as influencing factors on research productivity of Library and Information Science (LIS) educators in Nigeria. One of the major determinants of profitability of the faculty including LIS educators is research productivity. While it is true that faculty members are expected to teach and carry out other responsibilities in the academia, their research productivity remains a strong yardstick in determining their level of relevance. The research productivity of LIS educators would, under normal circumstances, receive a boost if there is cordial and fruitful mentoring among colleagues especially between the senior faculty and junior faculty. In this information driven age, LIS educators who are highly skilful in the use of ICT in information handling-accessing, collating, utilising and disseminating information would definitely be productive in terms of research productivity. With the limitless opportunities that the digital age has made possible, LIS educators who are properly mentored and who are active in knowledge collaboration coupled with ICT versatility would definitely be super productive in terms of research output. The paper concluded that mentoring is one of the major media of creating cordial and functional lasting relationship which, afterwards, influences the research productivity of LIS educators. It was recommended that mentoring programme in higher institutions of learning should be renewed and formalised to elicit the best from the mentors and mentees with a view of boosting the research productivity of both parties.