Research Mentoring as a Predictor Of Research Productivity of Academic Librarians Universities in South-South, Nigeria.

Abstract

Research productivity is an essential criteria for the recognition, promotion and career 
advancement of librarians. However, previous studies have established low level of research 
productivity of librarians in South-South, Nigeria making it a subject of concern to the university 
and library management. While existing studies have analyzed bibliometric data of librarians' 
publications, some studies have shown that research mentoring can have an effect on research 
productivity. However, the variable has not been fully measured in the literature to determine its 
influence on research productivity. Therefore, this study investigated the influence research 
mentoring ( problem identification, literature search, collaboration, research design and time 
management) on research productivity of academic librarians in universities in South-South, 
Nigeria.
The study adopted survey research design. The population comprised 229 academic librarians in 
30 universities in South-South, Nigeria. Total enumeration sampling technique was used for the 
study. A structured and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Cronbach’s alpha 
reliability coefficients for the constructs ranged from 0.82 to 0.88. The response rate was 86.4%. 
Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential (simple and multiple regression) statistics at 
5% level of significance.
Findings revealed that research mentoring (Adj.R2= 0.68, F(1, 198) = 439.50, p < 0.05) had a 
significant influence on research productivity. The study concluded that research mentoring had a 
significant influence on research productivity of academic librarians in universities in South South, Nigeria. Therefore, it was recommended that the management of universities, should also 
institutionalize research mentoring programs to enhance research productivity.