Effect of Resourcefulness on the Research Productivity of LIS Educators in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Research productivity is the crux of measuring and valuating the performance of Educators in any institution of higher learning. Research productivity in particular is crucial to the overall development of both the institutions of higher learning and of the individual faculty. To enhance the ranking and standard of higher institutions of learning in this digital age, the research output of Educators are normally displayed in institutions’ repositories. One of the indicators of progress and which is usually used as yardstick for career progression and elevation of faculties in higher institutions of learning is research productivity. Research productivity of faculty including Library and Information Science (LIS) Educators might not receive a boost if they are not resourceful. The study was located to Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Two (2) research questions were asked and answered. The research design was descriptive survey. The Total population for the study was (12) LIS Educators from six (6) higher institutions of learning in Nasarawa State. Only (2) of the institutions run LIS programme. Specifically, Federal University Lafia and Nasarawa State Polytechnic Lafia, hence they were purposively selected for the study. Total enumeration (census) technique was used to cover the entire target population. Twelve (12) copies of the questionnaire administered were all returned, having a response rate of 100%. The research questions were analysed using mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study revealed that resourcefulness greatly enhanced the research productivity of LIS Educators in the two higher institutions running LIS programme in Nasarawa State Nigeria, as revealed in their mean scores for all the items/constructs outlined to demonstrate qualities of resourcefulness respectively. The study recommended that LIS Educators in Nasarawa State, Nigeria should be trained and imparted with skills to be more resourceful, since it has positive influence on their research productivity. In addition, they should also be provided with opportunities to attend conferences, workshops and seminars and be provided with research grants in order to develop their resourceful ability for enhanced research productivity.