Integrating Faculty Scholarly Productivity Indicators with Professional Network Development Strategies: New Inferences Generated from Mixing Methods

Betsy J Becker, Victoria Kennel, Susanna G Von Essen, Ronald J Shope, Harlan Sayles, Gilbert Michael Willett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Professional network connections among health professions faculty are essential for engagement, innovation, and productivity. The research question was, “How do strategies for developing a professional network of early career health professions faculty contribute to our understanding of effective guidance for scholarly productivity?” METHODS: The method was an explanatory sequential mixed method. Study participants were 50 full-time equivalent physical therapist faculty in their first 5 years at accredited institutions in the U.S. The quantitative strand included social network analysis and a Scholar Score (SS). The Scholar Score was calculated using variables from curriculum vitaes (grants, publications, presentations) on a 1–25 quality scale. In-depth interviews were conducted. A grounded theory approach was implemented to explore the process of professional network development. Integrated results were used to examine differences in network development strategies. RESULTS: Fifty participants completed the quantitative strand. Twenty were selected for an interview based on high/low SS and network effectiveness. Network interconnectedness for the high performers was 36% (SD 10.3) compared to 45% (18.2) for low performers. High Scholar Scores were linked to broader networks. In four categories, network development strategies differed between high- and low-performers: prior connections, new acquaintances at their current institution, unplanned encounters, and self-initiated approaches. CONCLUSION: Scholar productivity is influenced by network development strategies. Study findings help inform mentors and early career faculty regarding the enhancement of scholarly productivity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)218-226
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of allied health
Volume53
Issue number3
StatePublished - Sep 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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