A Comparative Study of the Publication Output of Librarians and Academics in Universities in the South-South Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

This study is aimed at examining the publication output differences between librarians and academics at Niger Delta University and Delta State University in Nigeria. The study employed a comparative method. The study comprises focus groups made up of thirty librarians and forty academics (teaching staff) from Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, Bayelsa State; and Delta State University (Delsu), Abraka, Delta State. Questionnaires and interviews were used for data collection. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analysed using simple percentage to answer the research questions and a chi-squared statistical tool of significance to test the formulated hypotheses. The study revealed the following: that librarians and academics in the two universities published equally; that high qualifications influence the publication output of librarians and academics; and that long daily working hours, heavy workload, a limited number of local journals, and high publication charges are some of the major problems militating against the publication output of librarians and academics in Nigeria. The study will stimulate librarians, despite the obstacles militating against their publication efforts, to see the need to publish like their lecturing counterparts in order to meet promotion requirements. The findings of this study should move university authorities in Nigeria to set aside time (hours or days) for research activities for all academic staff as directed by the National University Commission (NUC) in Nigeria.