Strengthening Faculty Research Productivity and Culture Through Development Interventions: Basis for a Research Development Consultancy Framework for Higher Education Institutions

Aim: This study aimed to strengthen faculty research productivity and culture in higher education institutions through the development of a data-driven Research Development Consultancy Framework.Specifically, it sought to describe the profile of faculty members, assess their level of research productivity, determine the prevailing research culture, examine the extent of institutional support, identify challenges encountered in research engagement, evaluate perceived effective development interventions, and determine the relationship between research productivity and institutional variables.Methodology: A quantitative research design was employed using a validated survey instrument administered to faculty members across six higher education institutions in the Philippines.The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, weighted mean, and multiple regression analysis.Results: Findings revealed that faculty research productivity was moderate, with most respondents having 1-4 publications and occasional involvement in grant-funded projects or conferences.While a generally positive research culture and institutional support were present-particularly in terms of access to journals, research incentives, and leadership support-gaps remained in mentoring, workload balance, and access to technical tools.Challenges included heavy teaching loads, limited mentorship, and bureaucratic hurdles.Respondents identified IMRAD workshops, mentorship programs, digital skills training, and workload adjustments as highly effective development interventions.Regression analysis indicated that institutional support, challenges, and development interventions significantly predict research productivity. Conclusion:The study concluded that while foundational systems to support research exist, these are not yet systematically implemented or aligned with faculty realities.It is recommended that institutions adopt the proposed Research Development Consultancy Framework, which integrates mentoring, training, access to tools, incentive systems, and culture-building mechanisms.Strategic investment in faculty development must be sustained and tailored to the needs of the academic workforce.