Development and Validation of Research Culture Index in the Academe

Abstract

This study has developed and validated an instrument that has assessed the research culture of different academic institutions. The validation is done through Delphi method and underwent reliability test using Cronbach Alpha, yielding high-reliability result of 0.8 for two trials. The validated Research Culture Index (RCI) analyzes the synergistic interaction of the different dimensions of research competency, research process andresearch productivity. There were 535 respondents which include the administrators, researchers, and faculty members from six State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region X, who participated and validated the research instrument. The study revealed that amongthe three dimensions of the research culture index, research competency significantly influences the outcome of RCI in the academe as reflected by its high optimal weight. The three prime universities in Region X, namely, Mindanao State of Science and Technology, Bukidnon State University, and Central Mindanao University, have high research culture index. Demographic data further show that age has a significant bearing on dimension 1: research competency of the faculty, while the academic rank of the faculty has a significant effect on the two dimensions of research competency, and research process.