Research dissemination practices in Tanzania: Limitations and potentialities

Disseminating research findings to both academic and non-academic fraternities is imperative for effectively fulfilling both academic and developmental roles. However, efforts to disseminate research outputs beyond academic circles are still limited, neglected and rarely questioned. This paper explores research dissemination practices engaged by researchers in four Tanzanian universities to establish their limitations and potentialities. The findings indicate that practices towards research dissemination continue favouring academic fraternities and there is growing belief among researchers that research is conducted principally for publication and academic qualification attainment rather than as something that researchers can directly use to change society and bring about development. The paper provides some recommendations for the potential reform and improvement of the dissemination of research findings to both academic and non-academic audiences.