Faculty research characteristics and research environment: underpinnings of the culture of research

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the research characteristics of the faculty members and their research environment. This inquiry utilized the Quantitative Descriptive Research survey design. A total of 45 respondents comprising the permanent faculty members of the university participated in the survey through a semi-structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics specifically frequency counts and percentages, mean, and Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA). The study highlighted that the faculty members are highly motivated in doing research; they have different attitudes towards engaging research endeavors. On the other hand, number of subject preparations inversely affected their motivation and attitudes towards research writing. It was also found out that the level of research knowledge and skills of the faculty with lower number of preparations is significantly higher than those with higher subject preparations. Further, it was noted a high extent of inclusion and execution of the policies and agenda anchored to the to the campus’ research developmental framework. There is a high extent of research culture and working conditions in their department, also agreed that there is a moderate extent of Collaborations and Access with Professional networks of the campus and the shared that there is a high extent of research management of the campus. It was also noted that there is a high extent of research infrastructure of the campus except for the provision of a separate R and D publication division and on-line research journals and books.