THE EFFECT OF ONLINE JOURNAL PUBLISHING IN PROMOTING RESEARCH VISIBILITY AMONG LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE EDUCATORS IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN RIVERS STATE.

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of online publishing in promoting research activities among Library and Information Science Educators in higher institutions in Port Harcourt. The theoretical framework for the study was the diffusion of innovation theory. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The population of the study is 49 LIS Educators which is made up of Rivers State University (11), University of Port Harcourt (19), Ignatuis Ajuru University of Education (10), and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic (9). The census sampling technique was used for the study. A structured questionnaire titled the effect of online publishing in promoting research activities among Library and Information Science Educators in higher institutions in Port Harcourt (EOPPRALISEHIPH) was used to gather data for the study. The data gathered was analyzed using mean scores. Findings from the study revealed some of the effect of online publishing as promoting digital preservation, increased research visibility, access to larger reader base amongst others. The study also revealed lack of awareness and training, lack of research support units, poor internet connectivity as some of the challenges LIS Educators face in using online publishing for research. Online publishing has therefore has emerged as an effective driver for research activity among Library and Information Science (LIS) Educators. Some of the recommendation from the study are improved internet connectivity, allocate research funds to LIS educators, and subscribing to reputable research databases.