The internal efficiency of Kenyatta University's regular masters degree programme by course work, examination and theses

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the factors that affect the internal efficiency of the regular masters degree programme, by course work, examination and thesis of Kenyatta University and establish internal efficiency levels of the programme. The study was a descriptive survey designed to establish the internal efficiency of the regular masters degree programme by coursework, examination and thesis at Kenyatta University and to establish factors that determine it. Two questionnaires based on the internal efficiency in education theoretical framework were modeled to suit the regular masters degree students and supervisors who undergo regular masters degree programme by coursework, examination and thesis at Kenyatta University. Piloting was done in one randomly selected department. The study drew, through stratified sampling, a sample of 136 students in the selected cohorts of 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 who underwent the masters degree by coursework, examination and thesis in the University, and 60 supervisors. The data from the questionnaires were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively hence both descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS were used. The coefficients of internal efficiency were calculated as provided by the internal efficiency theoretical framework. The inferential statistic of Chi- Square was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of confidence. A SWOT analysis and a narrative presentation of opinions were made. The findings of the study indicate that the regular masters degree programme by coursework, examination and thesis at Kenyatta University has low internal efficiency levels in the area of submission rate (0.282), completion rates (0.213), the graduation rate (0.13) and the average student years per graduate stands at 4 years. The index of internal efficiency is 0.44. The unit cost per graduate based on the student years per graduate is Kshs 1,147,216.87 The study also found out that the private cost to the course increased for each marginal year. This increase was very high as to lower the benefits of the programme in the short run. The study found out that the coursework content did not ground the students effectively for the research work and this affected the completion rate. Specific areas, which the students were not adequately prepared, include analytical skills, data analysis, writing skills and the theoretical framework. The financial ability of the students was also a major cause of the low completion rate. The University rules and regulations governing the programme, research work, students' personal attributes, the facilities, and the supervision process as laid down by the University contributed to the low completion rate. The study found out that the external exerminer of the thesis was one of the major causes of the delay. The study recommends that supervisors be given incentives in order to take up supervision courses. Students' deadlines should be enforced to hasten their completion of the course and tools of monitoring the progress of both students and supervisors be developed in order to keep track of research work and provision of incentive to motivate supervisors in their work