This study aims to examine how information anxiety (IA) affects creativity and research productivity (RP) among academicians at a public sector university.
The study used a survey method and a structured questionnaire as part of a quantitative research approach. Data were gathered from 258 academicians who were recruited through a convenience sampling procedure by visiting their offices personally. SPSS was used to apply descriptive and inferential statistics for analysis.
The findings showed IA prevalence among the survey participants. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean scores of IA and creativity based on age, gender, social background, experience and designation. However, the qualification and ICT proficiency appeared to be associated with IA negatively and creativity skills positively. These results also demonstrated the statistically significant but inverse relationship of IA with creativity and RP.
These findings had a great influence on the practices and procedures being applied to alleviate information related anxieties, emphasizing the information literacy (IL) interventions for academicians. These results are useful for policymakers, university administration and information professionals engaged in capacity-building of academicians for information education.
This research provides an invaluable addition to IA literature in particular and creativity research in general, as limited empirical inquiries have appeared so far, suggesting the need for more studies in varied contexts and geographical locations from a theoretical perspective.
