Email this article Digital Resources Usage and Publication Output of Academic Staff: Sustainable Development
Abstract
The 21st century has seen a growing reliance on digital information resources to enhance academic productivity and publication output globally. However, in Nigerian tertiary institutions, low levels of academic productivity and publication output persist, often linked to underutilization of library digital resources. This study examines the relationship between digital resource usage and the publication output of academic staff in selected tertiary institutions in Anambra State, Nigeria, focusing on sustainable development. Adopting a descriptive survey design, the study sampled 327 academic staff from a population of 1,805 across three institutions: Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Federal Polytechnic Oko; and Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze. Data were collected from 283 respondents (87% response rate) using a validated questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 17.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation, were employed to interpret the findings. Key results revealed that academic staff publication output was relatively low, with most respondents falling into the "low" or "very low" categories across various publication types (e.g., journal articles, conference papers). Similarly, the usage of library digital resources was suboptimal, attributed to challenges such as inadequate ICT infrastructure, poor internet connectivity, and insufficient research writing skills. A significant positive correlation was found between digital resource usage and publication output (r = 0.302, p < 0.05), indicating that increased utilization of these resources could enhance scholarly productivity. The study concludes that improving access to and promoting the use of digital resources is crucial for boosting academic publication output, thereby contributing to sustainable national development. Recommendations include institutional support for ICT infrastructure, targeted training programs, and policy interventions to foster a culture of digital resource utilization among academic staff.
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