Research Visibility as an Indicator of Productivity of LIS Professionals and Credibility of the Concerned Institution

Abstract

The paper discussed research visibility as an indicator of the productivity of library and Information Science (LIS) professionals and which would under normal circumstances consequently bring credibility to their respective institutions. One of the major yardsticks that are used for career advancement and progression of academic staff including LIS professionals in higher institutions of learning research productivity. Promotion and career progression of academic staff including LIS professionals on most occasions depend on their research output amongst other factors. The visibility of the research output of LIS professionals under normal circumstance would add to the credibility of their respective institutions. Ranking of higher institutions of learning in Nigeria is done nowadays by the quality of the research output of the academic staff that are displayed in the repositories of the respective institutions. A conceptual framework which is an original construct is displayed. This conceptual model showed the inter-relatedness among: research visibility, productivity of LIS professionals could be properly displayed in the institution’s repository. Such things that are put in the repositories could be seen globally if access codes are provided. The paper concluded that the research visibility could serve as a morale booster to LIS professionals which could directly or indirectly increase the quantity and quality of their publications and which would consequently bring credibility and honour to their respective institutions. It was recommended amongst other things that academic staff including LIS professionals should be given all necessary enablement to pursue their research with vigour.