This paper analysed the research output of academics in the science and engineering faculties of Federal Government-owned universities in Nigeria. It explored their level of research output between 1997 and 2006 in terms of journal articles published, and linked research and publication trends with place of publication and journal title.
How the study was done
Stratified random sampling was used to select six of the 13 federal universities in southern Nigeria. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey: 435 questionnaires were distributed, 353 were returned, and 291 were usable for analysis.
What it found
- 30.6% of academics published between 0 and 4 journal articles over the period.
- Only 2.7% published 30 or more journal articles.
- As many as 42.1% had no articles in overseas journals.
Recommendations
The study recommends that Nigerian governments, university administrators and other stakeholders in scientific and technological research improve the research environment in universities by providing essential research resources.
It also recommends that the National Universities Commission establish a database of research publications by Nigerian academics, to make research productivity easier to access and analyse.
Keywords: research output, academics, science, engineering, universities, Lotka’s law.
