Th Status of Research Undertaking in Mekelle Universitykiflom Sahle
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Teaching, research and consultancy are the main mlSSlons of higher education
institutions. However there are research evidences that indicate the status of research
in these institutions is not as expected. The concern of this study is therefore to
examine the status of research undertaking in Mekelle University. To achieve this
objective, a descriptive survey method was employed. Accordingly the data were
collected from 285 instructors and 8 university offiCials through questionnaire and
interview respectively. Important documents (articles, seminar paper, proceedings of
a workshop, profile of research projects, etc) were also used as secondary data
sources. The data secured through the close-ended items of the questionnaire were
analyzed mainly using percentages and mean values because of the descriptive nature
of the study. The data secured through the open-ended items of the questionnaire,
interview guides and document analysis were analyzed qualitatively. The finding of
the study disclosed that, there are efforts so far made by the university in developing
and maintaining capacity of research undertaking. 61 sinstructors have got research
training opportunity. Efforts are made to find research fund from different sources.
The efforts made in publishing and disseminating research results on the part of the
university seems encouraging. However, the finding of the study revealed that with
few exceptions, instructors are not actively involved in doing research. Problems
related to lack of incentives, lack/inadequacy of budget, lack of conducive research
environment, lack of recent reference materials in the library, under-utilization of
research outcomes and insufficient internet access have been the major constraints
for instructors ' failure to conduct research. Based on the findings, it is recommended
that in order to improve the research activities in Mekelle University, the academic
staff and the university must exert further effort by "makinl! a link .witb in{lustries and
networking with other universities
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Education