Professor Johann Mouton
Prof Johann Mouton came to speak about research outputs of South African universities as well as factors that enable knowledge production at universities on 30 October 2012 at the Theo van Wijk building, Muckleneuk Campus.
Prof Mouton is the Director of the Centre for Research on Science and Technology as well as a professor in the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, University of Stellenbosch. He has been involved in social research and training for more than 30 years. He is the author of seven books in research methodology including Understanding Social Research (1996), The Practice of Social Research (2002, with E Babbie) and How to Suceed in your Master’s and Doctoral Studies (2001). He is the Programme Director for the Master’s and Doctoral programmes in Social Science Methods as well as for the postgraduate diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation Methods at Stellenbosch University. He is on the editorial board of five international journals including the International Journal of Research Methodology. He has published more than 40 articles in peer-reviewed journals, written more than 40 research and evaluation reports and presented more than 100 papers at national and international conferences. He is in high demand at universities, businesses and government departments, and acts as technical expert to many organisations in the field of M&E and research methodology.
Prof Mouton ranked universities per capita research output and stated that between 1999–2010 the University of Pretoria produced the most research papers (14,4%) and the Mangosuthu Technickon produced the least (0,03%). Unisa produced 7,15% of research papers in that period.
Prof Mouton added that although there are many papers produced by various universities, not all papers are produced by permanent staff members. Some papers are produced by research or visiting professors and even laboratory assistants. Between 1999–2010 Unisa dropped from 11th–13th place in terms of knowledge production. The academic staff capacity has not changed in the last 10 years, although the amount of money paid for every paper published has increased substantially since 2006.
Prof Mouton mentioned that researchers can publish nationally in South African journals or international journals. Unisa produces 80% of South African journals while the University of Cape Town produces 67% ISI (non-SA) journals. The University of Pretoria produces 39% of ISI (non-SA) journals.
Prof Mouton discussed the challenges which researchers face and gave reasons for both high quality papers and the poor research performance of some of the country’s academics and higher education institutions. He stated that incentives, among other things, encourage quality knowledge output. He added that the benefits of staff members acquiring PhD degrees should be emphasised and that students should undergo a proper screening process and pre-proposal exercise to reduce drop-out rates.
In conclusion Prof Mouton recommended the following enabling mechanisms and drivers to increase productivity and
Prof Linda Cornwell,Prof Grethen Du Plessis,Prof Johann Mouton,Prof Rosemary Moeketsi and Dr Britta Zawada
knowledge production:
- Selectivity: nurture productive researchers and postgraduate students;
- Going to scale: invest in niche areas;
- Create a minimum doctorate academic capacity (at least 50% of staff);
- Incentives: to encourage different publication behaviour;
- Reward international research collaboration as this will translate into higher visibility and recognition; and
- Establish good practice in doctoral education management.
Prof Mouton spoke briefly about non-virtuous publishing practices namely ‘salami’ publishing, publishing shorter papers and self-plagiarism. He also talked about how knowledge production impacts the country and stated, “South African universities vary hugely in terms of the shape of their knowledge production. The big differences in scientific field profiles of the different universities are clearly related to different institutional histories. ”
By Mercy Bvuma
