Dr. (Mrs.) Anne OGUNSOLA, NIEPA (Nigeria), Ondo.

The process of obtaining a PG degree is different from the one required to obtain an undergraduate degree because the programme is structured.

Problems seem to exist among PG students trying to complete their degrees (Master & Doctorate)

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Problems seem to be 2-fold:- Lack of support from within & outside the University- Lack of knowledge of the completion process

≈ 90% of 2million students registered in Thesis/Dissertation Programmes languish in frustration (Carter & Mosby, 2009).

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

The focus of the study was to:

- analyze constraints faced by PG students during fieldwork

- proffer useful suggestions.

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

One research question was asked & answered.

Two hypotheses were formulated and tested.

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Research Design – Descriptive Survey

Population – All PG students in 24 Federal Universities as at 2008

Sample – 6 Universities (25%) randomly sampled with 4 of the 12 Faculties (33.3%) selected and 10 respondents per Faculty; Total Sample = 240 respondents

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Research Instrument – Questionnaire titled “CFDFWQ”

Reliability – Test-retest method with r value of 0.87

Data Collection – Lasted for 4months with 100% retrieval by the Author & 5 research assistants

Data Analysis – Frequency, Average, Percentage & one-way ANOVA

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Research Question 1:

- What are the major constraints faced by postgraduate students during field work? (See Table 1)

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Table 1: Constraints Faced by Postgraduate Students During Field Work

Constraints

RespondentsYes

% No %

1. Dearth of adequate statistical data 180 75.0 60 25.0

2. Poor data storage and retrieval 163 68.0 77 32.0

3. Financial constraints 187 78.0 53 22.0

4. Lack of cooperation of respondents 166 69.2 74 30.8

5. Bureaucracy 149 62.0 91 38.0

6. Inadequate facilities/equipment 144 60.0 96 40.0

7. Difficulty in getting the samples 137 57.1 103 42.9

8. Time constraints 159 66.2 81 33.8

9. High level of illiteracy 166 69.2 74 30.8

10. Deliberate falsification of data 115 48.0 125 52.0

Ho. 1:

- University location has no significant difference on the constraints faced by postgraduate students during fieldwork.

(See Table 2)

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Table 2: One-way ANOVA Result of Ho.1

P > .05

Course of Course of StudyStudy

NN Mean of Mean of ConstraintsConstraints

F - ValueF - Value SignificancSignificance Valuee Value

RemarkRemark

South (BENIN, South (BENIN, IBADAN, UNN)IBADAN, UNN)

North (JOS, North (JOS, BUK, ABU)BUK, ABU)

120120

120120

4.2504.250

4.1104.1101.3701.370 4.1104.110 Not Not

SignificantSignificant

Ho. 2:

- Course of study has no significant difference on the constraints faced by postgraduate students during fieldwork. (See Table 3)

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Course of Course of StudyStudy

NN Mean of Mean of ConstraintsConstraints

F - ValueF - Value Significance Significance ValueValue

RemarkRemark

Social Social Science Science (Education (Education & Social & Social Science)Science)

Science Science (Science & (Science & TechnologyTechnology))

120120

120120

3.3803.380

4.5404.540

3.6513.651 1.2151.215 SignificaSignificantnt

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

P < .05

Table 3: One-way ANOVA Result of Ho.2

The major constraints faced by PG students during fieldwork include:

Financial Constraints

Dearth of Adequate data

Poor data storage & retrieval

Lack of cooperation of respondents

Bureaucracy,

High level of illiteracy etc.

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Location of the university has no significant difference on the constraints faced during fieldwork

Course of study has a significant difference on the constraints faced during fieldwork

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Scholarships, bursaries and repayable loans be made available to PG students.

Training and re-training of those saddled with the responsibility of record keeping.

Provision of appropriate and modern strategies for safe keeping of records.

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

-Constraints faced during fieldwork in Nigerian universities.

-A comparative study of constraints faced during fieldwork in selected African universities.

-Cost-benefit analysis of fieldwork in African universities.

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

The researcher is grateful to ERNWACA for providing the travel support.

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)

Thank youfor

listening.

Anne OGUNSOLA (Ph.D.)