What Can We Learn from Prolific Researchers? Publication Patterns of the NRF-Rated Library and Information Science Researchers in South Africa

摘要

South Africa is facing a shortage of human resource in the knowledge production and research sector which resulted in a shrinking and aging workforce. The youth of the country is not entering the academic workforce hence the key research positions are held by people who are about to retire. This study employed informetric research techniques triangulated by a questionnaire, to investigate publication patterns of prolific LIS researchers with an aim to learn from their craft. The results suggest that while prolific researchers publish mostly in international journals, patterns indicate that most researchers struggled to get published early in their careers. It is concluded that mentorship during the early stages of the researcher's career is of great importance.