Research Management and Research Productivity among Lecturers at Kyambogo University, Uganda

Abstract

Management is a critical factor for the performance of every organisation. Research management has thus become highly professionalised, with universities instituting systems, practices and structures to manage their research function. Universities also appoint high-level academic and administrative staff to coordinate, oversee and promote research activities to meet their research objectives. However, most universities in Uganda, Kyambogo, inclusive have not instituted functional research management. They still lack well-managed formal research teams, collaborations and partnerships, besides effective research training programmes, research monitoring, research ethical committees, journals and university press. This mixed-method study was, therefore, intended to investigate the effect of research management on research productivity at Kyambogo University. The study used self-administered questionnaires to collect quantitative data from 127 PhD-holding lecturers and interviews with seven key informers. The study applied structural equation modelling to analyse quantitative data and content thematic analysis for qualitative data. The results revealed weak research management in the university, and a positive and significant effect of research management on research productivity, with a Beta value of .402 and a P value of .000. The results imply that the near-absence of research management systems, practices and structures prevents lecturers from conducting research. The study thus recommended the institution of supportive research management systems, practices and structures in the university for increased research output among their academic staff.