The research skill factor as a cause for high postgraduate attrition rate

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims in the first part to document experiences encountered in dealing with challenges facing students embarking on their postgraduate research journey. It gives a brief background on the consequences for not being able to handle properly the research processes. It also identifies factors that contribute to postgraduate attrition and long completion periods focusing on the perceived major contributor to problem – the lack of skills in research on the part of students especially in the early part of the research process. Second, the paper aims to describe and discuss the proposed framework for approaching the research project definition and design process in a systematic and logical manner after formulating a research framework.Design/methodology/approachExperience recording method is used by reflecting on the authors' supervision experience at honours, masters and doctoral level. A reflection on these experiences is compared with good practices in research approaches to identify gaps which need to be addressed. The second part of the paper is used as a building block in producing a fully fledged research proposal. Two tasks forming the backbone of writing a research proposal at post framework are at the centre of this paper – developing an outline of literature review and the actual writing of the proposal.FindingsIt is clearly established that major reasons for the problems facing student researchers are the lack of hands‐on skills in the research process on the part of students especially in the early part of the research process (research definition and design) and hence the need for a facilitative framework. The second part of the paper discusses in detail the three main components of the research proposal. Finally, the paper reveals the “final picture” of the research proposal made out of the three components, and an emphasis is put on the need to treat the proposal as a plan which is highly likely to change depending on the research environment forces faced by researchers as they embark on the research journey in the post proposal phase.Originality/valueThe original value is two‐fold. First, there is an opportunity for educators to identify common problems facing student researchers, hence this information could be used when supervising student researchers. Furthermore, the student has an opportunity to understand the dynamics of research approaches and this provides a good base to avoid bad practices. Second, the paper provides solutions towards overcoming typical problems, and this will help both educators and student researchers to manage the dynamics of research processes. The proposed research framework in order to facilitate the research thought process in a more systematic, logical and integrated manner is an encompassing recommendation which should be used by educators and research students.

An Examination of the Completion Rate of Masters Programs at Makerere University Business School

“…One underlying cause cited for poor completion rates is, along with the problems of a personal nature, the documented dissatisfaction by students with the research experience and industry with the research outcome. Ssegawa & Rwelamila (2009) explained that low completion rate and long completion periods for research-based degrees have received considerable attention from scholars. The lack of hands-on skills in the research process on the part of students especially in the early part stages (research definition and design) and hence the need for a facilitative framework has been cited as the major challenge to research students.…”

Institutional Support for Postgraduate Study In Malaysia

“…Besides impacting on an institution's reputation and income, there are also financial repercussions, loss of opportunities for students and loss of potential for the community and workforce at large. Sidhu (2013) and Ssegawa and Rwelamila (2009) highlighted that there are numerous reasons for the high attrition and low completion rates among postgraduate students. Besides student deficiencies, aspects such as poor supervision processes and inappropriate research facilities are often cited as contributory factors.…”

Predictors of Timely PhD Completion: Investigating the Perceptions of PhD Candidates at the Malaysian University

“…al. (2011) and Ssegawa and Rwelamila (2009) where it is noted that lack of hand-on skills consequently contributing to the timely completion of PhD. In fact, these skills are also believed by Grebennikov and Shah (2007) to present the development of an ability to think critically, the development of the latest knowledge and further, the independent skill required for conducting research work.…”

“…According to Ssegawa and Rwelamila (2009), it is clearly established that major reasons for research students' attrition are the lack of hand-on skills in the research process especially in the research definition and design stages. They further stated that another challenging task for research students is translating the defined and designed components in the framework into an acceptable and well-written proposal.…”