Research In Nigerian Universities Research Articles

Challenges, solutions, and prospects of collecting data offline and online in social science research in Nigerian universities

This study examined literature related to the offline and online collection of data by scholars in Nigerian universities. Content analysis was used to identify and extract relevant literature that answers the research questions on offline and online data collection from 23 articles in the field of social sciences. Findings revealed that the scholars collected data offline in physical formats and through electronic databases. They also collected data through online databases, email, web resources, and internet services. The study concluded that scholars in Nigerian universities collected data offline and online. It recommends that university libraries should keep analytical accounts of the collection of data online and offline. It also recommends the use of electronic databases available offline in university libraries.

Illustrated English Language Dictionary and Students’ Achievement in Mathematics in Sharjah School in UAE

Strikes over the last decade have been the bane of educational planning and development in Nigeria’s public university system. This has affected teaching, learning, and research in Nigerian universities. One area incessant industrial action affects the most is the academic performance of students. This study investigates how industrial action impacts academic performance at Taraba State University, Jalingo, in Nigeria. The study applied a cross-sectional survey design to collect primary data from the staff and students using 320 questionnaires (120 staff and 200 students). The Input-Environment-Outcome (I-E-O) was used as the theoretical framework for the study. The finding of the study revealed that industrial actions by the university disrupted the academic calendar and undermined the quality of teaching, learning, and general level of academic performance with implications for the social, economic, and psychological stability of the students. The study recommended among other things that the state government should address concerns that affect the stability of the academic system to enable uninterrupted teaching and learning of the students at Taraba State University, Jalingo.

ACHIEVING THE NEW SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: THE ROLE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

This paper examines achieving the new sustainable development goals, the role of scientific research in Nigerian universities. Development in any sector can only be achieved when challenges facing such sector are located and tackled. Sustainable development goals are birthed to address every problematic area of human life. Researches, especially scientific researches, fits into all these areas are medium through which solution can be preferred. This study examines the nature, classification, types and approaches of scientific research. It also laid bare the sustainable development goals, the importance and the roles scientific researches play in the achievement of the goals. Academics and professionals must know that education and research are explicitly recognized in all of the SDGs and that universities/tertiary institutions have a direct role in addressing the challenges therein. Higher education institutions (with academics and professionals on the driving seat) have a critical role to play in implementing and driving sustainable development initiatives through their institutional policies and practices. The government and non-governmental organisations needs to make good policy that will aimed at training and retraining of researchers to developed good and quality research skills in implementing the new sustainable development goals. Article visualizations:

Nigerian Higher Education Research and the Challenges of Sustainable Development

This is a review paper focusing on research in Nigerian higher education and the impacts on the sustainability of Nigeria as a nation. This article considered research as critical to the development of any country. However, research in Nigerian universities is not encouraging because of some challenges: inadequate facilities, funds, and corruption. Research facilities in universities are not adequate for research and postgraduate studies. The little available funds in universities for research are mismanaged due to corruption. Postgraduate supervision in Nigerian universities is marred with corruption, laziness, and the attrition rate is high. It was argued that the difficulties impact the sustainable development of the country. The paper concludes with suggestions of ways forward; among these is the overhauling of Nigerian universities' postgraduate programs. The university doctoral studies must be reformed to ensure that the supervision of students follows international standards. The university management should not leave doctoral students at the mercy of the supervisor. There should be a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the supervisor and supervisee monitored by university management. Violators, students, or lecturers of the MoU agreement should be adequately sanctioned.

Infometrics Growth Analysis of Medical Science Researchers in Nigeria during 2007 to 2016


 
 
 This article accounts for the trend and pattern of medical research in Nigerian Universities within the span of ten years. The study aims to evaluate the research productivity of Nigerian Medical Science Researchers, appraise the preferred research communication outlets, analysing the growth rate of Nigerian medical science research publications, productivity, and visibility of both author and institution. Also, the trends of collaboration with colleagues within the continent and intercontinental were reviewed. The documents included in this research were retrieved from Scopus database; the results revealed incremental research output in medical science between 2007 and 2016 with 2016 having the highest number. It also showed that the Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice is the most widely patronised by Nigeria Medical researchers and that the growth rate of research productivity is 9.5 per cent as indicated by the T value of 0.094768. Moreover, the researcher with the highest output was credited with 103 publication, while the trend of inter-continental research collaboration of Nigerian medical sciences researchers with scholars from another part of the world was more with the United States researchers.
 
 

Embedded Librarianship in Research in Nigerian Universities: Practices and Sources of Practice Knowledge

Academic librarians have begun to take the reference desk services outside their library premises to raise a new level of importance within and beyond their communities. Through embedded librarianship (EL), librarians move from a supporting role into partnership with their clientele, enabling librarians to develop stronger connections and relationship with those they serve. Academic librarians in Nigerian universities are given full faculty status and they have the responsibilities for teaching, research, and academic services, enabling a more natural climate for collaboration. EL in the research context is still an emerging model, the pathways to engagement and the criteria for success in Nigerian universities have not yet fully defined. Realizing this, the objective of this paper is to explore how academic librarians in Nigeria universities practice EL in research. This is a qualitative exploratory study, purposively sampled 12 academic librarians who are (a) embedded with schools or academic departments; and (b) directly involved in collaboration with faculties or partners in relation to research. Semi-structured interview was used for the data collection. Six themes that emerged from the embedding practices are (a) doing research and publishing papers; (b) being editor of a national journal/reviewing manuscripts of publication; (c) managing the life cycle of data; (d) disseminating research output; (e) providing scholarly publication service and bibliometrics analysis; and (f) conducting research method course. These embedded roles offer librarians means to increase their value in their organizations, their communities, and society as a whole. However, with regards to the sources of knowledge needed to foster learning and information sharing in EL, the librarians play an integral role as research partners because they have traditionally excelled in literature search, and very familiar with database content and its search language and features. This paper covers only the role of embedded librarians in research in three selected Nigerian Universities. Obviously, there is demand for further research to be conducted in other context. Further study need to be carried out on the relevance of EL to the library and stakeholders.

Policy Issues in the Administration of Higher Education in Nigeria

This paper evaluates policy initiatives in the Nigerian higher educational system with a view to bringing it in linewith good practices. Issues of gender, management/governance, teaching, research and funding were discussed. Thestudy revealed that government’s funding is insufficient to maintain institutional performance because of the policystance of non-payment of tuition fees at undergraduate level. It advocates policy reforms that support cost sharingwith students but with appropriate mix of scholarships to enable students pay prescribed fees. The paper indicatedthat participatory governance is appropriate in administering universities because of its capacity to involve relevantstakeholders in decision-making. The paper highlighted that, teaching and research in Nigerian Universities are notresponsive to employers’ requirements; and new policy initiatives geared towards ameliorating the situation arehampered by shortage of staff, inadequate funding and poor physical facilities. The paper found that genderinequality in higher education is a social problem which has necessitated the creation of centres for mainstreaminggender in the system. The study concluded that for Universities and other higher educational institutions in Nigeria toremain self-reliant, self-steering and able to survive in a competitive world; various higher education policies shouldbe effectively institutionalized and operationalised.

Influence of Academic Staff Variables on ICT use for agricultural research in Nigerian Universities

This study was designed, to determine the influence of the academic variables on ICT utilisation for agricultural research in Nigerian universities. Stratified sampling technique was used to select respondents from two federal universities in each of the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, thus a total of twelve federal universities were used for the study with 471 of the total of academic staff in faculties/schools of agriculture in the twelve universities sampled. A set of questionnaire tagged Academic Staff Variables and ICT Utilization for Agricultural Research Questionnaire (ASVICTUARQ) was developed and used for the study. The research questions were answered using mean. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test Ho1 while Ho2-Ho5 were tested using t-test. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Major findings of the study showed that: Agricultural disciplines, age, gender, and rank do not reflect any significant difference in lecturers’ use of ICT for agricultural research in Nigerian federal universities, but academic qualification was found to show significant difference. Based on the above findings, it was strongly recommended that universities should increase access to ICT facilities for all academic staff.Keywords: Academic staff variables, ICT, Agricultural Research, Nigerian Universities

Job Stress, Workload, Academic Freedom and Quality Research in Nigerian Universities

One of the major obligations of higher education academic staff is to conduct research. It is used toassess the lecturer’s scholarship and leads to promotion. It is therefore expected that academic staffwho must progress as expected should conduct quality research. Unfortunately, research in highereducation in Nigeria seemly lacks the potentials to produce results that are sufficiently generalized forhumanity’s stock of knowledge. This study therefore examined some of the impediments to qualityresearch in Nigerian universities. The variables studied were the institutional factors of job stress,workload, and academic autonomy. These indices were considered institutional because they flowfrom the government, private proprietors, and universities who garner them for the onerous challengesin teaching and research for the benefit of mankind and society.

The impact of internet use on teaching, learning and research activities in Nigerian universities

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of internet resources and the evaluation of their usefulness on teaching, learning and research in Nigerian universities with particular emphasis on Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile‐Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a descriptive survey using questionnaires for data collection. The respondents constitute students (750) and academic staff (115) from OAU. Descriptive statistics (frequency counts and percentages) were used to analyze the data.FindingsThe results from the paper reveal that a majority of the surveyed academic staff and the students found the internet to be very useful. Internet resources mostly used by both groups were e‐mail and the world wide web (WWW). Search interfaces were used for looking for research information. It was discovered that the users were not given adequate user education to enable them make use of the internet resources available.Originality/valueThat the internet is widely used is not a surprise, but the paper points to the fact that more conscious efforts must be made in the introduction of user education and information literacy programmes, as well as in staff training on information and communication technology resources in the library.

Alternative Model of Funding for Academic Research in Nigerian Universities

AbstractFunding of academic research in Nigerian universities by Government (5 per cent recurrent grants) is a policy dictated by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as the central body for allocating research funds. This research fund, little as it is, is irregular and inadequate and to make it worse is difficult to access. These aforementioned factors have contributed to the decline in research activity as a means of attaining sustainable development in Nigeria. Thus, this article proposes a dual support system of funding academic research as follows: a devolution of the power of the NUC as the central body for administering research funds and the encouragement of another separate body such as the Education Tax Fund (ETF) to promote a healthy competitive research process and collaborative research among university research groups and individuals. These separate bodies (NUC and ETF) should be similar to the dual support system of operation, policies and procedures in the UK, where there is the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Research Councils. These bodies collaborate to build and maintain a sustainable research base in the UK. The dual support system as it is operated in the UK is very efficient in backing research in universities, because the research is supported at a marginal cost and provides a research council component of provision irrespective of geographical location.

Revitalizing research in Nigerian universities for national development

No nation in the world has been known to progress when educational development is neglected. In fact, no nation develops beyond progress achieved in education. Countries that treat education with levity do so at their own peril. For a knowledge-driven world as we have today, investment in research and development (R and D) is a sine qua non. Nigeria is not investing much on research and therefore not developing even though other factors such as large-scale corruption, visionless leadership, planlessness and lack of will power also account for the slow pace of development. This paper canvasses a revitalization of research as a means of fast-tracking development. It suggests a four-pronged strategy which includes robust funding; generating funds through investment; force and forge linkages with the productive sector rather than encourage a delink; providing more Internet facilities and ensuring connectivity; and sensitizing all Nigerians about the importance of research. Key words: Research, universities, development, Nigeria

Utilisation and impact of The Essential Electronic Agricultural Database (TEEAL) on library services in a Nigerian university of agriculture

PurposeThis study examined the utilisation of the Essential Electronic Agricultural Library database (TEEAL) at the University of Agriculture Library, Abeokuta, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachData collection was by questionnaire following a purposive sampling technique. A total of 104 out 150 (69.3 per cent) responses were received and analysed.FindingsPostgraduate and final year undergraduates are the major users of the TEEAL database. The study also revealed that though most of the users are computer literate, they still seek the assistance of library staff for database searching. The major constraints to the use of the TEEAL database include the high cost of printing of selected papers and the limited number of workstations.Practical implicationsThe study recommends that the number of workstations be increased, the cost of printouts should be subsidised by the university and more library staff should be trained in ICT.Originality/valueOffers recommendations to improve the accessibility of quality information for research in Nigerian universities.

Binding for Bookstock Integrity in a Nigerian University Library

Abstract This article reports on the effort to preserve worn-out books in a Nigerian University of Technology against the backdrop of almost whole dependence on the importation of foreign imprints to promote scholarship and research in Nigerian universities. Shortages of books are currently so severe in Nigeria that some university programs stand to lose accreditation but direct replacement is problematic. Worn-out books create inaccessibility problems for library patrons and run counter to the spirit of Rangnathan's laws of library science. Through the quantitative analysis of a total of 503 worn-out books withdrawn from the shelves, the subject areas of the books were determined. The analysis revealed that one-fourth (24.9%) of the books were in the engineering sciences, 76 (15.1%) were in social sciences (economics, banking and finance, management sciences) texts, while 57 titles constituting one-tenth of the total were in the mathematical sciences (computer science, mathematics, statistics, operations...

Internet resources and productivity in scientific research in Nigerian universities

Internet resources and productivity in scientific research in Nigerian universities

Internet resources and productivity in scientific research in Nigerian universities

This study explores the impact of the Internet on the scientific communication process and the productivity of the scientists in Nigerian universities. It was expected that, besides the direct contribution of the Internet to research through access to vast stores of scientific information, the Internet would increase the number of colleagues a scientist communicates with on a regular basis, and consequently stimulate higher productivity. The results show that, while there is a correlation between the number of contacts maintained by the scientists and their productivity, the Internet contributes little to increasing those contacts or improving productivity.

The funding of library research in Nigerian universities

Reports a survey which investigated the funding of library research in six federal government owned universities in Nigeria, and the impact of research funding on the publication output of librarians. Findings indicate that research is either self‐funded, or funded by the respondents’ employers, and an insignificant number have been funded by international agencies. Grants are given for postgraduate degree and personal research. About half the respondents see the research grants they receive to be either fairly adequate or adequate: but the majority expressed dissatisfaction with their research allowances. All agreed that enhanced research grants and allowances would lead to a greater research output. Most publications produced by the respondents resulted from self‐funded research, followed by research sponsored by grants from employers, and lastly from researches funded by foundations, agencies and associations.

The use of formal information sources in physical science research in Nigerian Universities

Etude des sources d'information et des services bibliothecaires utilises par les chercheurs en physique. Une enquete a ete realisee a l'aide de questionnaires dans les departements de physique, chimie et geologie de quatre universites (Benin, Ibadan, Ife et Ilorin). Sont etudies: le nombre de periodes lus de facon reguliere; la frequence d'utilisation des bibliotheques et les raisons de non-frequentation; le classement des sources d'information selon leur utilite; les strategies utilisees pour suivre l'actualite dans un domaine

The Information Needs of Current Scientific Research

Previous articleNext article No AccessThe Information Needs of Current Scientific ResearchHerbert MenzelHerbert Menzel Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Library Quarterly Volume 34, Number 1Jan., 1964 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/619185 Views: 11Total views on this site Citations: 42Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1964 University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Atiyeh Baghestani Tajali, Azam Sanatjoo, Hassan Behzadi, Hamid R Jamali Use of mind mapping in search process to clarify information needs and improve search satisfaction, Journal of Information Science 1 (Dec 2021): 016555152110580.https://doi.org/10.1177/01655515211058041Brady D. 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