Factors Affecting the Research Productivity of Academic Staff at A Higher Education Institution in the Lower Southern Region of Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the factors affecting the research productivity of academic staff at a higher education institution in the lower Southern region of Thailand, as well as their attitudes toward research regarding research activities. The population comprised 21 academic staff members. The research instruments included a personal factors questionnaire, a research motivation questionnaire, and a questionnaire on facilitating factors for research. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that academic staff had a high overall level of perception towards conducting research. The influencing factors included personal factors such as research skills, which were rated at a high level (x̄ = 3.49, S.D. = 0.74), research time availability (x̄ = 3.59, S.D. = 0.87), and attitude towards research (x̄ = 3.92, S.D. = 0.98). Motivational factors such as self-worth were also at a high level (x̄ = 3.82, S.D. = 0.99), as was recognition (x̄ = 3.98, S.D. = 0.90). Job characteristics influencing research activities were rated the highest (x̄ = 4.31, S.D. = 0.78), while career advancement was at a high level (x̄ = 3.79, S.D. = 0.92). Facilitating factors such as institutional support (= 3.77, S.D. = 0.95), research funding (x̄ = 3.77, S.D. = 0.95), research environment (x̄ = 3.70, S.D. = 0.95), and the availability of tools and equipment (x̄ = 3.76, S.D. = 0.86) were also rated at high levels.