Assessing the effectiveness of performance appraisal system of the University of Cape Coast

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the appraisal system of the University of Cape Coast. In order to achieve this purpose, a mixed method research design was employed to enable the researcher to combine the strengths of qualitative and quantitative techniques to arrive at its findings as well as improve the validity of the results by using each method to validate the data obtained from both sources. Within the context of a cross-sectional survey, 300 staff from the University were sampled from a target of 1304, but 93.3 percent of the respondents were successfully engaged. Questionnaire was used to solicit data from the senior staff and interview guides were used to collect data from the College Registrars. Statistical tools used to analyse the data collected included descriptive tools and inferential statistic like Independent-sample t-test, Mann Whitney U test, and Pearson's Chi-Square tests. The results were presented in tables. The study found that the performance appraisal system involved a participatory component in determining performance standards and also used multiple methods of performance assessment and feedback loops. It was also found that the system was useful for identification and building of capacity needs for most of the staff, in addition to improving the performance of staff and streamlining promotion opportunities. Moreover, the staff generally held positive perceptions about the conduct and manner of the appraisal system. The study recommended creating multiple committees at the departmental levels to handle the feedback and discussions of appraisal results, and paying more attention to building the capacity of non-teaching staff through the appraisal system.