Assessment of Research Studies Carried Out by Graduate Students in St. Mary’s University

No Thumbnail Available

Date

2014-08

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Addis Ababa Univerisity

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the research studies carried out by postgraduate students. The research reports of the students and interviews with instructors, advisors, dean and coordinator were used as source of both quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 27 students’ theses were selected using systematic random sampling from St. Mary University’s library index. Interview was used to scrutinize the information obtained in documentary analysis. The informants of the interview were 6 purposively selected MA and PhD qualified teachers. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to analyze the data. The major findings of the study showed that all sample theses except three met the minimum quality standard. Regarding the status of students’ research studies, the assessment results implied that students produced a good number of research papers. On the other hand, the results of the quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data identified major challenges and major gaps or weaknesses of graduate students experienced in St. Mary’s University while they undertake research. These are: appropriateness of sample size, the research design, methods of subject selection, and subject characteristics. The paper, therefore, highly recommended that it is worthy to emphasis in report writing skills ,data analysis using the statistical package SPSS and giving a special attention of students’ attendance in research methodology courses are among others.

Description

Keywords

Behavioral Problems of government

Citation