Abstract:

Research is vital and necessary part of modern university education, universities are producers of new knowledge. Research publications are necessarily required for academic employment and promotion.. The purpose of study was to investigate the factors related to research productivity at International Islamic University Islamabad, which factors influence university teachers to conduct research, to find out the causes of high and low research productivity at university level. Population of the study was comprised of 476 faculty members working at International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan. Sample consisting of 232 male and female faculty members was selected through the stratified sampling technique. Quantitative research methodology was adopted; data were collected from IIUI academicians through questionnaire. Data collected through the questionnaire was analyzed by using the statistical methods and SPSS (version 12). To describe the data at the initial stage percentages were calculated. At the second stage Mean score, SD and Chi-Square were applied. On the basis of findings, the conclusions were drawn that extra teaching load, performance of administrative duties along with academic duties, lack of funds nonexistence of research leave, negative attitude of the faculty towards research, lack of research skills, non availability of latest books, absence of professional journals, less number of university own journals, are the major causes of low productivity and reduced the research productivity of the IIUI faculty members. Faculty members are satisfied with the computer and internet facility provided to them by the university, however, they wants more research grants/funds, availability of latest books & journals, arrangement of research conferences and seminars. According to the findings of the study faculty members want escape from administrative duties, they want more incentives and rewards, establishment of departmental libraries, and desire to have exposure to foreign universities. Faculty members should given less teaching load, smooth and progressive environment is necessary for higher research productivity. Positive attitude and excellent interpersonal relations of the faculty members causes high productivity. Faculty members are required to share ideas and research work among each other to enhance their research out put. Faculty members having good number of publications can motivate and guide their colleagues who have no publications. University management is necessarily required to collaborate with renowned universities and research organizations. Heads of the departments and Deans of the faculties must issue appreciation letters to the faculty members who published in recognized journals or present their papers at conference proceedings.

Keywords:

Research, Productivity, Higher Education, Quality Eduction.