Utilization of Modern Trends in Linguistic Research among linguistics Lecturers in Tertiary Institutions in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

This quantitative study investigates the correlates with the uptake of modern trends in linguistic research among linguistics lecturers in tertiary institutions in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This study is a descriptive survey of correlational type. A validated self-constructed questionnaire with high reliability (Cronbach's alpha of 0.93) was administered to 200 lecturers from 18 universities across nine states in the Niger Delta (Cross River, Edo, Delta, Abia, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Ondo States) using a multi-stage sampling technique. Majority of the respondents 57.9% were females while 42.1% were male. The study found that the overall uptake of modern linguistic research trends was poor, with only 38.2% of respondents demonstrating a significant level of uptake. Also, it was found that age (r=0.53), Work Experience (0.34), and Self-Efficacy (r=0.64) had significant influence on uptake of modern linguistic research trends (P<0.05). However, religion had significant influence on uptake of modern linguistic research trends (r=0.032, P<0.05). It was then concluded that the lecturers in Niger Delta regions of Nigeria had poor uptake of modern linguistic research trends with the level of uptake influenced by age, work experience and self-efficacy. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that the government in collaboration with ministry of education, labour, Academic staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Linguistic Association of Nigeria should design and implement targeted interventions and support mechanisms to enhance the integration of contemporary research methodologies in linguistic studies within the Niger Delta region.