Determinants of faculty research productivity: inputs to the development of the faculty efficacy tool

Abstract

One of the measures of performance of institutions in higher education is research productivity. In the Philippines, the academic production is limited to a number of institutions that are well-equipped, the provincial universities are facing gaps in their funding, mentoring and infrastructure. National statistics demonstrate that the nation produces less of articles that are registered in Scopus compared to those of its counterparts in ASEAN, which increases the urgency of knowing what determines faculty activities. This paper has analyzed the determinants of faculty research output in Camarines Norte State College by survey research design focusing on a mixed research design. It set out to: (1) define and test the levels of personal engagement and institutional support; (2) test problem areas, coping strategies and how this can be better; (3) create a faculty research efficacy instrument. Validated surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions were used to collect data, and Braun and Clarke, six-phase thematic model, were used to analyze data using descriptive statistics. Rsults showed faculty involvement in research output and enhancement strategies was very high with a level of involvement in personal well-being and self-perceived research competence. The support received by the institution was moderate on average with mentorship, access of resources and incentives among the worst. Time limitations, lack of funding, time management, and administrative encumbrance, as well as lack of publication were challenges that faced faculty but time management, collaboration and peer support they resisted. These observations resulted in the Faculty Research Efficacy Measurement (FREM) - a ten domain diagnostic model meant to assist faculty in reflecting on their research skills and leading institutions towards specific reforms that would allow it to foster self-awareness, improvement, and a research culture that was of the quality in academia.