Evaluating the Paradox of Academic Research in Pakistan: Limited Knowledge Contribution vs. Its Predominance in Faculty Recruitment Criteria
Keywords:
Academic research, Pakistan, faculty recruitment, research quality, higher education, knowledge, contribution, qualitative studyAbstract
Background: Despite the proliferation of academic research in Pakistan, its tangible contribution to global and national knowledge repositories remains limited. Ironically, the same academic output plays a critical role in determining faculty recruitment, promotion, and tenure in higher education institutions.
Objectives: This qualitative study explores this paradox by investigating the underlying motivations, systemic challenges, and institutional practices that prioritize quantity over quality in research outputs.
Methods: This qualitative study explored the paradox through in-depth interviews with Pakistani academics and administrators, analyzing their experiences for emergent themes..
Results: The study found Pakistani faculty often publishes research primarily for career promotion, not knowledge. This creates a paradox where publications are vital for hiring but offer minimal societal impact.
Implications: To resolve this paradox, faculty evaluation must shift from counting publications to assessing their real-world impact and quality, fostering research that genuinely contributes to knowledge.
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