A Time-Strapped Reality: Christian Faculty Perceptions on Research Expectations and Job Satisfaction

There are many factors related to faculty perceptions of expectations and demands to conduct research that can significantly impact their job satisfaction. While much research has been done on the relationship between a faculty member’s ability to perform research and their job satisfaction, limited research on this relationship exists in the context of Christian higher education. To address this problem, this study asks the following questions: 1. What are the perceptions of Christian higher education faculty regarding research? 2. How do Christian higher education faculty’s perceptions of these research expectations affect their job satisfaction? Data were collected from six faculty from a southeastern Christian institution of higher education. Each participated in interviews, journal entries, and written group discussion threads. Researchers categorized the data into four major themes that contributed to faculty perceptions about research: 1) external resources, 2) motivational factors, 3) Biblical worldview, and 4) satisfaction. Results suggest that factors such as time, lack of institutional resources to conduct research, and competing job demands negatively impact faculty perceptions, while ease of access and opportunities for collaboration in research positively inform those perceptions. Additionally, the Biblical worldview of faculty was shown to significantly influence their engagement with research. Subsequently, those faculty who were engaged in research noted greater satisfaction with their job. Practical implications of this study suggest the need for increased supportive resources for faculty in Christian institutions of higher learning.