Management of Reseach Presentation 16-8-13
Download
Report
Transcript Management of Reseach Presentation 16-8-13
MANAGEMENT OF RESEARCH
BY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
Prof. Eunice Mutitu
Director, BPS
Presented at the Research Development and
Advisory Board (RDAB)
Retreat: 16th – 18th August 2013 – Maanzoni Lodge
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
1
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Definition
What is research?
A systematic process of collecting,
analyzing and interpreting data in order
to express our understanding of a
phenomenon under investigation
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
2
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Types of Research at
University of Nairobi
Done by thesis
Done by Research Project
Dissertation
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
3
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Research Disciplines at
University of Nairobi
Humanities and Social Sciences
Biological and Physical Sciences
Engineering Sciences
Health Sciences
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
4
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Thesis
Takes an equivalent of 8 course units one unit is normally 45 hrs
Mostly by CAVS, CBPS, CAE
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
5
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Research project
Takes an equivalent of 4 course units
Mostly by CHSS and CEES
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
6
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Dissertation
Usually synonymous with thesis
Mainly used by CHS research
Duration varies depending with the area
of specialization
Some like in School of Public Health and
UNITID are similar to Research Projects
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
7
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Management of Research
Starts with Proposal writing
Proposals must be presented and
critiqued at Department level
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
8
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Proposal writing
Normally, it has the following;
Introduction
Problem statement
Research objectives; general and specific
Hypothesis
Justification for the research
Literature review
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
9
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Cont’d
Methodology – includes research design,
data collection and data analysis
References
Work plan
Budget
Appendices
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
10
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Proposal Implementation
Students allocated supervisors
Actual research carried out
Use of ‘Research Notebooks’ required
during research phase
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
11
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Supervision
Students allocated supervisors – normally
between 1 and 3
Students are expected to consult with their
supervisors once a month
Students are expected to write a report to the
Dean and copy to BPS once a semester
(quarterly)
Students are expected to participate in
Departmental Seminars
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
12
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Unsatisfactory Performance
When a student fails to consult
Where a student fails to write quarterly
reports
Given a written warning by the Dean, Copy
to the Director, BPS
Given 3 months to show improvement
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
13
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Submission & Examination of
thesis & project reports
For thesis, notice for submission is given 3 months
before accompanied by an abstract;
A Board of Examiners’ is constituted to BPS by the
Dean/Director for approval;
Once submitted, BPS dispatches the copies to
External Examiners’ and two Internal Examiners’ and
they are given two months to submit their reports.
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
14
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Cont...
Once all reports are in, BPS informs respective
Deans/Directors and requests that the oral
examination be scheduled in two weeks.
BPS prepares the examination reports and sends
them to the members of the Examination Board
within two weeks. BPS informs also the candidate
about the date given for examination.
Once the student defends, a consolidated report is
sent to BPS for approval.
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
15
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Cont.
BPS writes to the member appointed to oversee
corrections, who then writes a Certificate of
Correction.
After the student is cleared, BPS sends the student’s
file with all the information to the Vice-Chancellor for
approval in order for the student to graduate.
Once approved, BPS prepares and sends the Letter of
Award to the candidate with copies to all the relevant
units.
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
16
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Deregistration
Where a student makes no tangible
improvement after the warnings
Recommendation for deregistration given
after 2 negative reports
Recommendation to deregister made to
Senate through Director, BPS
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
17
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Challenges
Students not finishing at stipulated time
Students not writing the quarterly progress
reports
Students not consulting with their
supervisors monthly
Not enough information in students files
due to above challenges
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
18
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Analysis of causes of noncompletion of students
A random analysis of 322 student responses
on why they had not completed analyzed
(see table)
The majority – 86% was due to personal
reasons
University specific reasons were only 3%
University and other reasons were 11%
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
19
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Analysis table for 322 students for non - completion
Reasons
Number
Percentage (%)
Personal problems
276
86
University specific
10
3
University and Other reasons
36
11
Total
322
100
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
20
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Personal reasons
Heavy workload
Job transfer from Nairobi
Financial
Family issues including sickness,
bereavement and domestic
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
21
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
University problems
Missing marks
Late results
Holding of results
Delay in allocation of supervisor
Change of supervisor
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
22
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Cont’d
Unavailability of supervisors
Supervisors outside UON
Confusion whether student is in regular or
other modules
Interfaculty transfers
Enrolment challenges
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
23
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Address of Challenges
BPS developed an expanded template for
information capture and tracking students
Deans/Directors requested to follow their
students on progress reports and monthly
consultations
Students requested to show cause why they
should not be deregistered after expiry of their
study period
Development of the BPS Strategic Plan 2013-2018
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
24
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
BPS Strategic Plan
Participation in the development of the Strategic
Plan was all inclusive – UMB and Deans and Directors
It captures all areas that need addressing
The matrix expands on the details and those
responsible
Clear that a new structure is needed for BPS to
capture the various operations
Focus is now on how best this can be done – Please
give us your ideas
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
25
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Thank you for
listening
University of Nairobi
ISO 9001:2008
26
Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke