Information literacy skills, use of online collaborative tools and research productivity among management and social science lecturers in a private university in Nigeria.

Abstract

Research productivity is key in determining the progress of any lecturer and the University. Many factors contribute to research productivity including funding, mentorship, training and collaboration. Unfortunately, research productivity of lecturers in private universities in Nigeria may not be satisfactory. Hence the need to investigate the influence of information literacy skills, use of online collaborative tools on research productivity of lecturers in a private university in Nigeria. The study employed the survey design. The study enumerated 103 lecturers in two (2) schools in a private university. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The study had 87% response rate. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed that information literacy skills significantly influenced research productivity of lecturers (R = .32, F1,82 = 9.30, P < 0.05) while collaborative tools did not significantly influence research productivity (R = .13, F1,82 = 1.46, P > 0.05). Further, it was found that lecturers’ information literacy skill was at a proficient level (M= 3.95) and lecturers rarely use online collaborative tools (M = 1.25). In conclusion, information literacy skill contributes to research productivity of lecturers in a private university. Hence university managements should organize more information literacy programmes to improve lecturers’ research productivity.