Mentoring Relationships, Lifelong Learning Strategies and Research Competence of Office Technology and Management Teaching Staff in Public Polytechnics in Southwest, Nigeria

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dc.contributor.authorOluwakemi Esther IBIRONKE
dc.date.accessioned2026-01-28T15:23:09Z
dc.date.available2026-01-28T15:23:09Z
dc.date.issued2025-12
dc.description.abstractResearch at higher education institutions is crucial for genesis, discovery, invention, and creation of new knowledge. However, research competence among Office Technology & Management (OTM) teaching staff in public polytechnics in southwest Nigeria is declining, affecting educational quality and institutional reputation. This decline may hinder academic mobility, credential recognition, and resource allocation, thus affecting Nigeria's socioeconomic development. This study therefore examined the influence of mentoring relationships (MR) and lifelong learning strategies (LLS) on research competence (RC) of OTM teaching staff in public polytechnics in Southwest Nigeria. Convergent parallel mixed-method design was employed using adapted questionnaire and focus group interviews for data collection. A cross-sectional survey approach was adapted for the quantitative phase of the study, involving 106 OTM teaching staff selected using total enumeration sampling from all 12 polytechnics in the southwestern region where OTM programme is being offered. In addition, the qualitative phase utilised semi-structured focus group interviews with 11 Heads of OTM departments, who were purposively selected to obtain a deeper understanding of the variables in the study. To achieve this, two sections of group interviews were conducted where participants were interviewed online through Microsoft Teams and each section lasted for 50 to 60 minutes. A validated survey instrument used to gather data. The reliability coefficients for the three variables are 0.807, 0.826 and 0.891 respectively. Survey data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, employing multiple regression analysis at a 0.05 significance level to test three null hypotheses, while the interview data was conducted through thematic analysis with emerging themes to better explain each variable. The descriptive results show that there was a moderate level of research competence among the OTM teaching staff in the selected polytechnics. The initiation stage emerged the most dominant mentoring relationship phases practised while active experimentation appeared as the most prevalent strategy for lifelong learning among the OTM teaching staff. The linear regression result indicated that mentoring relationships (Adj. R² = 0.196; F (1,103) = 26.401; p = 0.000) and lifelong learning strategies (Adj. R² = 0.369; F (1,103) = 61,617; p = 0.000) significantly influence research competence. However, the multiple regression analysis found that LLS plays the dominant role while MR may not sufficiently influence RC of the OTM teaching staff (Adjusted R² = 0.363; F (2, 102) = 30.636; p < 0.001). Qualitative results revealed emerging themes such as professional development and networking, self-directed learning and personal growth, digital and technological engagement, and time management and work-life balance appeared as strategies to enhance research competence. The thematic analysis also highlighted several challenges such as lack of structured mentoring system, low, lack of funds for research and lack institutional supports. The study therefore recommended that polytechnics management should prioritize the coordination of lifelong learning initiatives and enhance effective mentoring programmes to augment OTM teaching staff research competence. Keywords: Research Competence, Mentoring Relationships, Lifelong Learning Strategies, Office and Technology Management, Southwest Polytechnics. Word Count: 466
dc.identifier.citationkate Turabian
dc.identifier.otherP.hD
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.lcu.edu.ng/handle/123456789/1262
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherLead City University, Ibadan
dc.relation.ispartofseriesP.hD
dc.subjectResearch Competence
dc.subjectMentoring Relationships
dc.subjectLifelong Learning Strategies
dc.subjectOffice and Technology Management
dc.subjectSouthwest Polytechnics
dc.titleMentoring Relationships, Lifelong Learning Strategies and Research Competence of Office Technology and Management Teaching Staff in Public Polytechnics in Southwest, Nigeria
dc.typeThesis

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