RESEARCH PRODUCTIVITY IN THE JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FROM 1996 TO 2005

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine research productivity in the Journal of Agricultural Education from 1996 to 2005 and explain factors that contributed to that productivity. In Volumes 37 to 46, 333 articles were published. The most productive institutions were determined by frequency of the institutional affiliation of article authors. The most productive authors were determined in a similar manner and were also ranked according to appearances as “any author” or “lead author.” A qualitative approach was then taken to develop a better understanding of the factors that contributed to that productivity. The most productive institutions were doctoral-granting institutions. Iowa State University was the leading institution and Texas A&M University closely followed. All of the productive institutions were located in the North-Central and Southern Regions of the American Association for Agricultural Education. The most productive author published 31 articles, and the most productive lead author published 15 articles as lead author. Quality research experience while a doctoral student was identified as an important factor to productivity. Participants identified intrinsic motivation as more important than external recognition and reported that departmental culture had little influence on productivity.