Online Visibility of the Research Output of Library and Information Science Educators in Federal Universities in South-East, Nigeria on Google Scholar Database

Abstract

This study investigated the online visibility of the research output of library and information science educators (LISE) of federal universities in South-East Nigeria, using the Google Scholar Database. Three research questions guided the study. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 129 library and information science educators from five Federal universities in South-East, Nigeria. A checklist titled “Researcher’s Google Scholar Observation Guide (RGSOG)” was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experienced lecturers. One in the department of Educational Foundations (Psychology unit) and two in the department of Library and Information Science, all in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Scorer or rater reliability estimate was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument with a value of 0.79. The data obtained was analyzed using frequencies and percentages that were presented in tables. The findings revealed that majority (70.5%) of Library and Information Science Educators of federal universities in South-East of Nigeria are visible on Google scholar. It was also found that most of the research outputs (2173) of Library and Information Science Educators (LISE) in Federal Universities in South-Eastern Nigeria are available on the Google Scholar database. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that university management should engage in public enlightenment programs through mass media and academic outlets like departmental board meetings to sensitize and encourage Library and Information Science Educators to publish their works in well-known and reputable journals to improve their availability on the Google Scholar database.