Drivers and Barriers in Conducting Research in Polytechnics: A Content Analysis of Open-Ended Responses

The transformation of obligations in Indonesian polytechnics, particularly in the field of research, remains a challenge in the struggle to pursue research performance, yet there is limited study about lecturers’ perceptions of the driving factors and barriers to conducting research in the institution. This study aims to contribute to this gap in the literature in an attempt to understand the existing research culture within polytechnics as well as the driving factors and barriers to conducting research in Indonesian context. The 3-item open-ended question was administered to the fifteen lecturers of a polytechnic institution in Indonesia. We analyzed the open-ended responses using content analysis, i.e., a technique of studying responses to open-ended questions by coding written words into categories and themes, to generate appropriate discussion and recommendation. The categories were loosely grouped into six themes: human resource management policy, research progress, research policy, research funding, research benefits and incentives, and specialized research leadership. The findings were discussed in-dept in this study to underline the appropriate suggestions.