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
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Definition
What is research?
A systematic process of collecting,
analyzing and interpreting data in order
to express our understanding of a
phenomenon under investigation
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Types of Research at
University of Nairobi
 Done by thesis
 Done by Research Project
 Dissertation
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Research Disciplines at
University of Nairobi
 Humanities and Social Sciences
 Biological and Physical Sciences
 Engineering Sciences
 Health Sciences
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Thesis
 Takes an equivalent of 8 course units one unit is normally 45 hrs
 Mostly by CAVS, CBPS, CAE
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Research project
 Takes an equivalent of 4 course units
 Mostly by CHSS and CEES
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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
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Management of Research
 Starts with Proposal writing
 Proposals must be presented and
critiqued at Department level
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Proposal writing
Normally, it has the following;
 Introduction
 Problem statement
 Research objectives; general and specific
 Hypothesis
 Justification for the research
 Literature review
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Cont’d
 Methodology – includes research design,
data collection and data analysis
 References
 Work plan
 Budget
 Appendices
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Proposal Implementation
 Students allocated supervisors
 Actual research carried out
 Use of ‘Research Notebooks’ required
during research phase
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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%
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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
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Personal reasons
 Heavy workload
 Job transfer from Nairobi
 Financial
 Family issues including sickness,
bereavement and domestic
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University problems
 Missing marks
 Late results
 Holding of results
 Delay in allocation of supervisor
 Change of supervisor
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Cont’d
 Unavailability of supervisors
 Supervisors outside UON
 Confusion whether student is in regular or
other modules
 Interfaculty transfers
 Enrolment challenges
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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
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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
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Thank you for
listening
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