Enhancing Scholarly Writing and Research among Graduate Students in Selected Public Universities in Uganda

Résumé fourni par la source

The study aimed at enhancing academic writing and research among graduate students in selected public universities in Uganda. Specifically, the study aimed at examining the influence of graduate students’ attitudes and institutional support on academic writing and research (AWR). It also aimed at establishing the academic staff's perceptions of graduate students’ attitudes and challenges faced in their journey of academic writing and research. The study used a logical sequential design with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Graduate students, academic staff, and academic administrative staff served as the study population. These participants/respondents were selected from four public universities in different regions of Uganda. Respondents were sampled using stratified random and purposive sampling. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, an interview guide, and a focus group discussion guide. Quantitative data were analysed using means and standard deviations. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient Index, Simple Linear Regression Analysis, and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis were used to analyse the study hypotheses. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. Findings revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between graduate students’ attitudes and academic writing and research, r = 0.699**, P-value = 0.000, less than 0.05. Results showed that academic staff’s perceptions of graduate students' academic writing and research skills were negative. Findings on the third objective revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between institutional support and academic writing and research, r = 0.441**, P-value = 0.000, less than 0.05. Results finally revealed that significant numbers of participants and respondents identified generating research topics, making thesis statements, formal academic language, ICTS, failure of the university to establish publishing houses, inadequate library and reading space, and limited funding for the research projects as prominent challenges faced by graduate students in the process of academic writing and research. Therefore, it was concluded that graduate students’ attitudes and institutional support significantly impacted their academic writing and research abilities in the selected public universities in Uganda. It was also concluded that perceptions of academic staff on graduate students’ attitude towards AWR were generally negative on the generation of research ideas, enthusiasm, use of formal academic research language, paraphrasing, plagiarism, and making citations. Finally, the study concluded that graduate students faced several challenges related to the generation of research ideas, use of formal scientific academic writing and research language, delayed feedback from supervisors, mentorship challenges, plagiarism, limited research funds, failure by universities to create publishing houses, among others. The study, therefore, recommended that academic writing should be integrated into the formal training of graduate students from the beginning of their study programmes and diligently attend research-led seminars. The study recommended that supervisors/mentors should be retooled in active research-based instructional supervision, where they can be encouraged to work in groups, initiate professional activities, such as mentoring and coaching, to assist them in supervising and evaluating research projects. Thirdly, the study recommended that there should be emphasis on academic development programmes as viable strategies to enhance scholarly writing and research. In addition, supervisors should be encouraged to provide proper guidance, feedback, and adequate consultation time to individual graduate students, especially those struggling at different stages of their research projects. Lastly, the study recommended that emphasis should be put on providing academic staff with research allowances/remuneration, stipends, and other welfare benefits. At the same time government should increase research funds in the national budget geared towards promoting research and innovation in higher institutions of learning.

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