The paper titled "Research Production at King Khalid University: Perceptions, Challenges, and Suggestions for Improvement" by Al-Khasawneh et al. focuses on exploring faculty members' views on research publication at King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia. The study aims to investigate perceptions and challenges related to research production, as well as gather suggestions for improvement.
The researchers conducted a quantitative study using a questionnaire adapted from previous research. The sample included 55 faculty members from the Faculty of Languages and Translation at King Khalid University. Data was collected on participants' perceptions of research publication, challenges faced, and recommendations for enhancing research output.
Key findings revealed that faculty members viewed research as important for career progression and improving academia. The most significant challenges reported were long waiting periods for manuscript publication, insufficient time allocated for research, and inadequate research training programs. Other obstacles included lack of mentorship, facilities, and funding. To address these issues, participants suggested implementing research training programs, providing incentives, improving research facilities, and offering assistance with publication fees.
The study concludes that while faculty members recognize the importance of research, there are several barriers hindering productivity. The authors recommend that university policymakers take steps to address these challenges and provide more opportunities for faculty to engage in research. They suggest this study could serve as a foundation for further comparative research on the topic with larger sample sizes across different institutions.
This research contributes to the limited empirical studies on research production challenges in Saudi Arabian universities. The findings align with previous studies highlighting similar obstacles in other contexts. The authors note that some perceptions, such as lack of research funding, may not fully reflect the programs available at the university. Overall, the study provides insights that can inform efforts to enhance research output at King Khalid University and similar institutions.