THE EFFECT OF DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESEARCHERS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

A country's scientific research performance influences all aspects of a country’s future, its development, economic growth, and greater social well-being of the country. However, very few previous scientific studies have focused on the factors affecting a science research institutes' research performance in Sri Lanka. The study focusses to identify whether the research performance of research institutions coming under the State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, and Research & Innovation is affected by demographic characteristics.

Purpose The purpose of this research was to identify whether the research performance of research institutions is affected by demographic characteristics.

Design/Methodology/Approach To achieve the study aims, primary and secondary data were predominantly used. The study is carried out by perusing recent, major journals and papers on the topic that are published in reputable, high-quality journals. Data on academics' research performance has been taken from NASTEC reports, the NIFS Research Repository, annual reports, and the questionnaire. This quantitative study, which employed a deductive methodology, was carried out using a slightly modified version of a previously validated and reliability-tested questionnaire.

Findings The results have shown that researchers with age more than 60 years and more than 20 years of research experience, highest educational qualification of the researchers, university graduation (highest qualification), and the job category have significantly (P< 0.05) associated with the research performance where gender and the research field do not influence the research performance.