Eidetic Dimensions on the Reasons for Scholarship Participation Captured from Allied Health Academic Scholars: A Q Method Research

Abstract

Scholarship participation in the academic community necessitates attendance in local and international conferences to produce, present and publish research. This study captured expressions marked by vivid recall of reasons for scholarship participation of allied health academic professionals in a qualitative research utilizing the Q methodology. Three Factor (Array) solution using varimax rotation was employed to elicit the Eigenvalues, variance and intercorrelations of the data collected. One hundred and ten respondents from seven professions representing 18 countries from four international universities, one institute of advanced studies and one international college participated in the study. Results revealed that respondents needed scholarship participation and the primary reason is to acquire best practices; to improve competencies as an educator and equip oneself of necessary skills to internationalize curriculum both rank next in precedence. Respondents strongly discard the reasons that they participate in scholarly works for prestige and honor, to receive honorarium, and reap rewards and recognition. They also showed neutrality on reasons that the scholarly participation is done in order to improve institution’s reputation, advance career, secure tenureship, and expose oneself to opportunities.  The sentiments of the respondents will serve as the impetus for program development to answer the need for scholarship involvement to be prioritized.