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Barriers to research productivity of academics in Tanzania higher education institutions: the need for policy interventions
By Kadikilo, Abel Charles
Higher education institutions dominate research productivity in many parts of the world. Nonetheless, many academics in developing countries—including Tanzania—perform poorly in research. This study aims to qualitatively explore the barriers to research productivity in Tanzanian public higher education institutions. Using semi-structured interviews with thirty university leaders, regulatory agency officials, and academics from Tanzania’s four largest public institutions and reviewing official documents on higher education, the study found that institutional and individual factors hinder academic research productivity. Institutional barriers include inadequate research funding, heavy workloads, weak collaboration, fragmented research policies, a lack of researchers with impeccable credentials, weak databases, weak mentorship, and informal rewards and incentives. Individual barriers included limited research expertise and interest. Overcoming these challenges requires strategic inter- and intra-institutional collaboration. It also requires capacity-building, instituted mentorship for young researchers, redesigned incentive and rewards programs, improved funding, policy harmonization, and strengthened institutional and national research repositories. © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Research promotion strategies to enhance research productivity in Tanzanian higher educational institutions
By Kadikilo, Abel Charles
There are low levels of research productivity among higher education institutions (HEIs) in Africa, which will likely compromise the continent's development agenda if not addressed. This study intends to develop a research framework to create a strategic roadmap that leverages leadership perspectives to foster a thriving research culture and contribute meaningfully to Tanzania's growth and development. We conducted a qualitative study involving higher education policy makers, senior university officials and academic staff from four sampled universities and two non-university institutions that regulate Tanzania's higher education sector. The secondary data sources supported us in assessing the current state of research in Tanzanian HEI and the way forward. A thematic analysis revealed seven themes: research governance; capacity development strategy; reinforcement strategy; collaboration, networking and teamwork; establishment of research centres; dissemination strategy; and institutionalisation of research activities that can increase research productivity in the Tanzanian HEI context. This research adds to the literature on HEIs by identifying contextual strategy that can enhance research promotion in Tanzania and guide other African countries. In today's global information economy, research production is critical to the viability of HEIs and national development. This research aims to equip HEI leaders with a customised framework to help them direct their institutions towards research excellence and innovation.Context and implicationsRationale for this studyTanzania recognises the pivotal role of research in achieving socioeconomic objectives. The research productivity of higher education institutions (HEIs) is crucial in addressing local issues and fulfilling national agenda.Why the new findings matterThe findings reveal novel strategies for promoting research and how institutionalising them will enhance research engagement and productivity.ImplicationsThe research framework acts as a strategic guide for HEI policy makers that informs on how to encourage faculty and scholars and generate a better research output. The study shows how HEIs can institutionalise research, making it a part of its culture and mindset. The study has implications for the authorities and government bodies also, as the research productivity has a socio-economic impact on national development. © 2023 British Educational Research Association.
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