An Investigative Study of Research Productivity of the Academic Staff in Public Universities in Uganda

Abstract

This study examined the level and the correlates of research productivity of the Academic Staff in Public Universities in Uganda. The findings of the study established that the total research productivity was moderate (Mean=3.12, SD=1.43.) Research productivity was however high in co-authored textbooks (Mean=4.49, SD=1.71), journal articles (Mean=4.39, SD=1.63), and book chapters (mean=4.35, SD=1.39). Research productivity was high among Professors (Mean=4.5, SD=1.22), Associate Professors (Mean=4.11, SD=1.24) and Senior Lecturers (Mean=3.66, SD=1.4). The major correlates of research productivity in this case were environmental (Mean=3.71, SD=1.21), and Personal career development (Mean=3.51; SD=1.23), while institutional (Mean =3.39, SD=1.21) and demographic factors (Mean=3.17, SD=1.24) were found to have a moderate effect on research productivity. It was recommended that focus to improve research productivity should be put on environmental, career and development factors first and later on institutional and demographic factors.