Annals of Library Science and Documentation 41, 4; 1994; 135-141.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS: THEIR INFLUENCE ON PUBLICATION OUTPUTAMONG LIBRARIANS IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

U.S.EDEMLibrary DepartmentUniversity of CalabarP.M.!? 1115, CalabarCross River StateNigeria

The influence of academic qualifications on pub-lication output among librarians in 24 Nigerian uni-versities from 1985-1993 was determined with asample of 202 (out of 278 selected). Regardingtheir publication output, a one way analysis of vari-ance statistics (ANOVA) was used to compare li-brarians having different academic qualifications.The results of empirical analysis indicate thatlibrarian's academic qualifications have positiveinfluence on the quantity of publications produced.Other outside factors such as, underfunding of edu-cation, high inflation rate and poor living and work-ing conditions influence their publication output.Obtaining higher degree by librarians to enhancehigh publiqation productivity is recommended.

INTRODUCTION

Between 1948-1989, some Nigerian universitieshad already classified their librarians as academicstaff while a few did not. According to Decree No.16 of 1990, the National Universities Commission(NUC) legislated that librarians in all Nigerian uni-versities would have academic status. By thisDecree the National Universities Commission wasempowered to playa supervisory role in both fed-eral and state universities. One of the clear impli-cations of the new ambiguous academic statusconferred on librarians was that librarians in Ni-gerian universities have to publish or perish liketheir teaching counterparts - university lecturersbefore they are elevated or promoted.

Publication output enhances their status or rankand salary position in the university environment.It also brings national and international visibilityof authors to a wider reading public. Several re-search studies [2, 3, 4, 5, 6] have indicated thejustification for librarians to publish.

It is an old saying that the library building repre-sents 5%, the book collection 20%, while the staff

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represents 75% of budget to make a good library[7]. A new trend in library research is about theworld of work for librarians concerning professionalservices and development and accurate deploy-ment of professional staff. Apart from performingprofessional duties, the librarians are expected topublish a certain number of papers before promo-tion.

It seems that the influence of academic qualifi-cations in librarianship could elicit assessment ofpublication output among librarians in Nigerianuniversities. With the recent focus on specializa-tion in academic or university environment, therehas been increasing interest in examining aspecific form of deviation, particularly qualifica-tion in publication output [8].

Olsgaard and Olsgaard [9] observe that the stockin trade in librarianship is communication and trans-fer of knowledge, yet, little is known about the com-munication of ideas within the profession. Theauthors conclude that librarianship is sadly be-hind the disciplines of economics, psychology, andthe sciences in determining the bibliometric na-ture of the professional literature.

Writing in support of librarians to write and pub-lish, Redmond et al [10] had earlier argued thatlibrarians working in university libraries, irrespec-tive of their academic qualifications should seethemselves as being involved in two informationcycles - a publication cycle which involves theproduction of new knowledge, its formalization andits storage and use; and a demand cycle - provid-ing information to library users clients. By so do-ing, these scholars observed that by taking activepart in the publication cycle, librarians could com-pete with their teaching counterparts in the uni-versity environment [10 p.13]. The present studyseeks to find out the influence of academic quali-fications on publication output among Nigerian

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university librarians.

University libraries in Nigeria and other parts ofthe world are the nerve centres of higher institu-tions of learning, teaching and research. As such,there is urgent need to find out the influence ofthe various academic qualifications on the quan-tity of publications produced by their librarians.The result could aid in recruitment and transferexercises within the university library. In any case,the primary duties of university librarians are notonly to acquire and disseminate information to cli-ents or users but also, to contribute in extendingthe frontiers of knowledge by publishing signifi-cant research like their teaching counterparts.

Bloomfield [3] studied the writing habits of librar-ians in United States of America by counting thecitation works indexed in Library Literature. Hisresearch findings show that librarians with doc-torate degree, whether in library science or insome other field, write on an average of one pub-lication per year. Persons holding a master'sdegree in library science write on an average of0.05 publications per year. Authors selected atrandom from Library Literature published 0.20items per year. His overall research findingswhich focused on the influence of academic quali-fication on publication output could be summa-rized as follows:

(a) "the estimated average librarians' rate of pub-lication per year is 0.05 items;

(b) the writing activity of all librarians who hold doc-torate degree is exceptionally high - averag-ing 18.6% for library science doctorate and27% for non-library science doctorate; and

(c) the average annual publlcatlon rate of the MLSdegree holders surveyed was one publicationper fifteen years."

Similarly, Watson [11] who studied publicationactivity of librarians from ten large university li-braries in the United States of America came outwith the following findings:

(a) "almost 60% of all articles published are bythe authors who have a subject master's de-gree, a Ph.D. or another higher degree;

(b) a relatively small percentage of the staff of eachuniversity library publishes in a given year.The range is from an average of 3.6% to 11.4%with the average for all staff at 7.2%; and

(c) the annual publication rate of the Ph.D. de-

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gree holders surveyed is more in relation totheir numbers".

Miller [12] from a survey of seventy two univer-sity libraries and forty four library schools mea-sured and evaluated the entry of subject Ph.D.into librarianship during the past three years andobserved that the number of subject Ph.Os. en-rolling in library schools was increasing rapidly;job opportunities for subject Ph.Os. in librarianshipwere very good; and that subject Ph.Ds weregenerally employed in choice positions.

Rayman and Goudy [13] argued that ''for alilibrar-ians working in university libraries, irrespectiveof their academic qualifications, the task to pub-lish will be a difficult exercise". Similarly, Mitchelland Swieszkowski [14] also held the same viewabout librarians in university libraries. In the ab-sence of a local empirical study to counter Raymanand Goudy's [13] assertion, this paper examinesthe influence of the various academic qualifica-tions on publication output among librarians in Ni-gerian universities. For the purpose of the study,the following hypotheses were made and tested:

1. There is no significant difference in academicqualifications of librarians' academic publica-tion output in Nigerian university libraries.

2. There is no significant difference in academicqualifications of librarians' work related pub-lication output in Nigerian university libraries.

METHODOLOGYFor the purpose of clarity, publication output sur-vey statistics were categorised into two dimen-sions, namely, academic publication output - jour-nal articles, books, accepted or published con-ference/workshop papers, and work related publi-cation output - abstracts, indexes, bibliographiesand in-house publications accepted or publishedby the librarian. Such academic and work relatedpublication outputs were assumed to have had lo-cal, national and international book/serial numbersof ISBN or ISSN. A stratified random samplingmethod was used to select 278 librarians work-ing in 24 (out of the 35) universities in Nigeria.All the universities were categorised into fivegroups consisting of (a) federal universities (con-ventional), (b) universities of agriculture, (c) stateuniversities, (d) state universities of technology,and (e) federal universities of technology. Theirnames of status were used as a major criterion for

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ACADEMIC QUALIFICA TIONS: THEIR INFLUENCE ON PUBLICA TlON OUTPUT

categorising them to a group and the asteriskedones as shown in the Appendix were randomlyselected for the study.

Furthermore, a simple random sampling methodwas used to select universities from each of thefive groups for the study. However, the geographi-cal location of universities was taken into con-sideration during selection. The essence of these

two sampling methods was to ensure equal prob-ability of being selected. Finally, all the librariansfound in the sampled universities were surveyedthrough questionnaire irrespective of sex, age,status and academic qualifications.

202 librarians filled and returned their question-naires correctly representing 72.66% responserate which was adequate for empirical analysis.

Table 1

Classification by academic qualifications

Sl.no. Academic qualifications Frequency Valid percent

1. BLS; BA; B.Sc., HND 37 18.322. MLS; MA; M.Sc., M.Phil 147 72.773. Ph.D. 13 6.444. No Response 5 2.47

Total 202 100.00

Three major academic qualifications were identi-fied and used for the study. The results obtainedfrom the respondents show that the highest num-ber of librarians - 147 (72.77%) had Masters; fol-lowed by 37 (18.34%) with Bachleors; and 13(6.43%) with Ph.D. degree in library science while5 librarians refused to disclose their academicqualifications (Table 1).

The respondents were requested to check on fol-lowing six point scale to express their level ofpublication output within the past eight years -1985-1993.

(1) None; (2) 1-3; (3) 4-7; (4) 8-11; (5) 12-15; (6)16 and above number of publications.

Quantitative values were given to the responsesin the questionnaire as indicated above and themeans of responses were computed for eachpublication output dimension. For the three cat-egories of academic qualifications identified among

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librarians in Nigerian universities, the one wayanalysis of variance statistics (ANOVA) was usedto compare the difference of the mean scores ofthe academic qualifications with regard to theirpublication output. Furthermore, the mean andstandard deviation scores of the publicationoutput dimensions were computed and usedin determining the study results. The calculatedF-value ratio was used to really determine theacademic qualification which had the greatest in-fluence on publication productivity. The two nullhypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of signifi-cance.

ANALYSIS OF DATA

In testing hypothesis 1, a one way analysis ofvariance statistics (ANOVA) was used to com-pare librarians with three different academicqualifications regarding their academic publica-tion output dimension in Nigerian universities(Table 2).

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Table 2

Analysis of Variance:Influence of academic qualifications on academic publication output

Sl.no. Academic qualifications N X SD

1. BLS; B.A.; B.Sc.; HND 36 4.4444 1.99202. MLS; M.A.; M.Sc.; M.Phil. 133 4.9699 2.05953. Ph.D. 12 7.4167 3.7769

Total 181

Source of variation df

Analysis of Variance

FSS MS

Between GroupsWith in Groups

2178

81.1766855.6853

40.58834.8072

8.4432*

Total 180 963.8619

·P>O.05; dt = 2,178; Critical F = 3.04

The result of analysis of variance (Table 2) showsthat the calculated F value of 8.4432 is greaterthan the critical F value of 3.04 at 2,178 degree offreedom. This means that the librarians aca-demic qualifications have positive or significantinfluence on their academic publication output(*P>0.05; df = 2,178; F = 8.4432). Therefore, thenull hypothesis stating that there is no significantdifference in academic qualifications onlibrarian's academic publication output in Nige-rian university libraries is rejected. Furthermore,the results on Table 2 show that librarians withdoctorate degrees produced the highest aca-demic publications (mean = 7.4167) followed bymaster's degree holders (mean = 4.9699 and thelowest is first degree holders (mean = 4.4444). Inshort, first and second degree holders are sig-nificantly different with the doctorate degree hold-ers at 0.05 level.

In testing hypothesis 2, a one way analysis ofvariance statistics (ANOVA) was used to com-

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pare librarians with three different academic quali-ficatk,:'1s regarding their work related publicationoutput dimension in Nigerian university libraries.The result of analysis of variance (Table 3) showsthat the calculated F value of 0.1926 is less thanthe critical F value of 3.14 at 2,68 degree of free-dom. This means that the academic qualifica-tion which a librarian has, does not Significantlyinfluence his work related publication output.Therefore, the null hypothesis stating that thereis no significant difference in academic qualifi-cation on librarians' work related publication out-put in Nigerian universities is accepted. The re-sult on Table 3 also shows that librarians withthe highest work related publications are master'sdegree holders (mean = 5.2157) followed by firstdegree holders (mean = 5.2000) and doctoratedegree holders had the lowest work related publi-cations (mean = 4.8000). Finally, the result indi-cates that no two groups are significantly differ-ent at the 0.05 level.

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ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS: THEIR INFLUENCE ON PUBLICATION OUTPUT

Table 3

Analysis of Variance:Influence of academic qualifications on work related publication output

SLno. Academic qualifications N X SO

1. BLS: BA: B.Sc.: HND 15 5.2000 1.69872. MLS: MA: MSc: M.Phil 51 5.2157 1.36113. Ph.D. 5 4.8000 1.3038

Total 71

Analysis of Variance

Source of Variation df SS MS F

Between GroupsWithin Groups

2 0.792368

0.3961139.8275

0.19262.0563

Total 70 140.6197

df = 2,68; Critical F = 3.14

DISCUSSION

The study results have shown that librarians'academic qualifications have positive influenceon the quantity of publications produced. Thisstudy results are similar with results of earlierstudies as indicated in the literature by Bloomfield[3], Miller [12] and Watson [11].

Bloomfield [3] from a study of the writing habitsof librarians concluded that ''the writing activity ofall librarians who hold the doctorate degree is ex-ceptionally high". This conclusion was noted tobe valid with this study result. It could be explainedthat such a doctorate degree holder must havebeen properly groomed in the art of writing andconducting research. Secondly, it may be thatthey may have been well experienced both in hisprofessional duties and theoretical orientationswhich the doctorate programme may have ex-posed them to. Thirdly, doctorate degree candi-date may have been a matured student and by thetime he completes the programme, he may haveacquired and developed good writing styles forresearch publications. One can now appreciate

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why those with doctorate degrees produced moreacademic publications than those with first andsecond degrees holders in the study.

Furthermore, this results could be explained bythe fact that before some one obtains a doctoratedegree, he must have worked diligently, usuallybeyond the demands made by an average stu-dent. It appears that the selection criteria for doc-torate degree candidates is tough and only meantfor hard working and diligent students who intendto perfect their research skills.

The significant trend of this research study showsthat first and second degree holders produced morework related publications than doctorate degreeholders. Probably, those with doctorate do not seesuch publications as really academic or intellec-tually challenging in nature, hence, that showedlittle or no interest in them.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

With the study results, it could be concluded thatlibrarians' academic qualifications have positive

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influence on the quantity of publications produced.The results obtained show that higher degree at-talnrnent especially the doctorate induces or pro-pels librarians to publish more academic publi-cations than work related publication output. Staffdevelopment programmes to the doctoral levelshould be given top priority in Nigerian univer-sity libraries to enhance publication productivity.

It appears that Nigerian workers respond positivelyto monietary rewards as incentives to improvetheir productivity. Consequently, those librarianswho publish the required number of papers shouldnot be mandated to stay beyond two years beforepromotion.

Librarians, irrespective of academic qualificationsshould be encouraged to go on research andsabatical leave periods whenever they are due.The study results show that 116 (57.4%) librarianshave never gone on research leave. Also, 164(81.2%) librarians have never gone on sabaticalleave too. Both the research and sabaticalleaveperiods could be made compulsory because dur-ing these periods, they could carry out studieswhich could be properly researched into and pub-lished.

It appears that there are other factors outside theuniversity environment which may influence pub-lication output of librarians such as personal lackof interest for research/publishing, psychological,non-institutional factors, e.g. high rejection rate ofmanuscripts sent out for publication and lack ofworking facilities and poor working and living con-ditions caused by under funding of education. Li-brarians, irrespective of academic qualifications ac-quired,need high wages and comfortable living con-ditions as well as good incentives/social systemwhich could enhance research and publishing.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author wishes to acknowledge the Universityof Calabar Senate Research Grant Committee forsponsoring this study.

REFERENCES

1. IFIDON (Sam E). Publishing of library jour-nals in Nigeria. Third World Libraries. 3, 2;1993, Spring; 47.

2. HARVEY (J F). Advancement in the libraryprofession. Wilson Library Bulletin. 36; 1993,

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October; 146.

3. BLOOMFIELD (M). The writing habits of librar-ians. College and Research Libraries. 27;1966, March; 106.

4. HARRISON (K C). Librarians as authors. Li-brary Association Record. 84; 1982, May; 200.

5. COUGHLIN (C) and SNELSON (P). Search-ing for research in ACRL conference papers.Journal of Academic Librarianship. 9,1; 1983,March; 21.

6. ISAAC (F). Librarians, scholars or authors:the librarians new dilemma. Journal of Aca-demic Librarianship. 9, 4; 1983; 216.

7. WHEELER (J L) and HERBERT (G). Practi-cal administration of public libraries. 1978.Harper and Row; Newyork. p.375.

8. EDEM (U S). Job satisfaction and publicationoutput among librarians in Nigerian universi-ties: a doctoral dissertation submitted to theUniversity of Ibadan, Ibadan. 1993. 213p.

9. OLSGAARD (J N) and OLSGAARD (Jean K).Authorship in five library periodicals. Collegeand Research Libraries. 41, 1; 1980; 52.

10. REDMOND (D A), SINCLAIR (B) and BROWN(E). University libraries and university re-search. College and Research Libraries. 11;4; 1973; 447.

11. WATSON (P de S). Publishing activity amongacademic librarians. College and research Li-braries. 38, 5; 1977; 375.

12. MILLER (R G). The influx of Ph.D. intolibrarianship: intrusion or transfusion? Collegeand Research Libraries. 37, 1; 1976; 158.

13. RAYMAN (R) and GOUDY (F W). Researchand publication requirements in university li-braries. College and Research Libraries. 41,1; 1980; 42.

14. MITCHELL (W Bede) and SWIESZKOWSKI(L S). Publication requirements and tenureapproval rates: an issue for academic librar-ies. College and Research Libraries. 46, 3;1985, May; 253.

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APPENDIX

ALL THE NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES AND THE ONES SAMPLED (t) FOR THE STUDY

GROUP A: FEDERAL UNIVERsmES (CONVENTIONAL)

1. 'Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria2. 'University of Abuja, Abuja.3. 'Bayero University, Kano4. "University of Benin, Benin City5. 'University of Calabar, Calabar6. 'University of Ibadan, Ibadan7. ·University of ucnn. llorin8. ·University of Jos, Jos9. 'University of Lagos, Lagos10. University of Maiduguri,Maiduguri11. 'Obafemi Awolowo University, lIe-lfe, Ife12. 'University of Port Harcourt,Port Harcourt13. Usman Dan Fodio University,Sokoto14. "University of Nigeria, Nsukka15. University of Uyo, Uyo.

GROUP B: FEDERAL UNIVERSmES OF AGRICULTURE

16. "University of Agriculture, Abeokuta17. University of Agriculture, Makurdi18. "University of Agriculture, Umudike

GROUP C: FEDERAL UNIVERsmES OF TECHNOLOGY

19. ··AbubakarTafawa Balewa University,Bauchi20. Federal University of Technology,Akure21. •Federal Universityof Technology,Owerri22. •Federal University of Technology,Minna23. Federal Universityof Technology,Yola

GROUP D: STATE UNIVERSmES

24. 'Edo State University, Ekpoma25. 'Abia State University,Okigwe26. 'Lagos State University,Ojo-Logo27. NnamdiAzikiwe University,Awka28. 'Ogun State University,Ago Iwoye29. "Ondo State University,Ado Ekiti30. Delta State University,Abraka31. Kano State University, Kano32. Benue State University, Makurdi

GROUP E: STATE UNIVERSmES OF TECHNOLOGY

33. Enugu State University of Technology,Enugu34. 'Ladoke Akintola University of Technology,Ogbomosho35. ·Rivers State Universityof Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.

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