The role of Kenyan universities in promoting research and scholarly publishing

Florence N. Weng’ua; Daniel Chebutuk Rotich; Emily J. Kogos

doi:10.7553/83-2-1705

Florence N. Weng’ua Technical University of Kenya and a Graduate student of Department of Publishing and Media Studeis
Daniel Chebutuk Rotich Moi University and University of South Africa, Department of Information Science
Emily J. Kogos Moi University

Keywords: Research, scholarly publishing, Kenya, universities

Abstract

This study examined the role of Kenyan universities in promoting research and scholarly publishing. Two universities, one public and one private, were sampled from the total number of seventy-one universities in Kenya. From a population of 433 in total, 111 participants were sampled from the two universities and from the Commission for University Education (CUE). Qualitative and quantitative data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. The study revealed that the role of CUE in promoting research and scholarly publishing has not yet been fully realised in universities and that incentives offered to university faculty members to research and publish are ineffective. Faculty members of universities experienced research challenges including: inadequate research funding and infrastructure, poorly funded libraries, insufficient time for research and training, and a poor research culture. The study concluded that there is a need for universities to motivate and facilitate their faculty members to undertake research and publish research findings. CUE should play an active role in promoting research and scholarly publishing in Kenyan universities.

Author Biographies

Florence N. Weng’ua, Technical University of Kenya and a Graduate student of Department of Publishing and Media Studeis

A graduate student of Department of Publishing and Media Studies, school of Information Sciences, Moi University and a Lecturer at Technical University of Kenya

Daniel Chebutuk Rotich, Moi University and University of South Africa, Department of Information Science

Professor of Publishing Studies at the Department of Publishing and Media Studies, School of Information Sciences and Research Fellow at Department of Information Science, University of South Africa

Emily J. Kogos, Moi University

A senior lecturer at the Department of Publishing and Media Studies, School of Information Sciences

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