Social media usage as determinant of research outputs among librarians in university libraries in selected states in South-South, Nigeria

This study examined social media usage as a determinant of research outputs among librarians in university libraries in selected states in South-South, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design of the correlational type was employed. The population comprised 133 librarians across university libraries in selected states in South-South, Nigeria. Due to the manageable size of the population, a total enumeration (census) sampling technique was adopted. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequencies, mean scores, standard deviation, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC), and linear regression. Findings revealed that the level of research output among librarians was slightly below average (x̅= 2.92, Std. = 1.26), with a generally low level of social media usage for research-related purposes (x̅= 2.84, Std. = 1.41). However, there was a very strong positive correlation between social media usage and research output (r = 0.000), and social media usage was found to significantly predict librarians’ research productivity. The study concluded that social media usage is a key determinant of research output among librarians in university libraries in selected states in South-South, Nigeria. It recommended targeted research development programmes, integration of social media training, and institutional policies that promote digital engagement.