ICT SKILLS: AN IMPERATIVE FOR INCREASED RESEARCH PRODUCTIVITY OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIANS IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper highlights the crucial role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills in enhancing research productivity. In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, ICT proficiency has become indispensable for researchers across various disciplines. This paper explores the significance of ICT skills in optimizing research processes, fostering collaboration, and accessing a wealth of information and tools. It underscores the relationship between ICT competency and research output, emphasizing the need for researchers to acquire and refine their ICT skills. The research revealed that ICT skills has a significant influence on research productivity of academic librarians in South-West, Nigeria (R2 = 0.126, β = -0.354, t(325) = -6.822; p < 0.05). Specifically, reference citation management skill (Beta= -0.184, t(320) = -2.362, p<0.05) and academic social networking skill (Beta = -.171, t(320) =-2.024, p<0.05) contribute significantly to the research productivity of academic librarians in South-West, Nigeria. The study concluded that ICT skills enhanced research productivity of academic librarians in South-West, Nigeria. The findings of this paper contribute to the growing discourse on the pivotal role of technology proficiency in shaping the future landscape of research productivity. The study recommended that University administrators should put in place policies, processes and procedures that boost the research productivity of academic librarians especially by providing the necessary ICT software and hardware required for research.