Perceived Challenges Undergraduate Distance Education Students of University of Winneba in the Northern Region Face in Conducting Research

Abstract

The study explored the challenges undergraduate distance education students of University of Education, Winneba, face in conducting research. For the purpose of the study, the descriptive research design with quantitative approach was used. Census sampling was used to select 433 first- and second-year undergraduate distance education students and 20 supervisors of University of Education, Winneba (Northern Region) who served as the sample for the study. Self-developed questionnaires were used to collect data for the study. The statistical tools that were used in the analysis included frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. The study revealed student-related challenges such as inadequate time to conduct research work and inadequate theory and knowledge in the area being researched as affecting the conduct of students’ research work. The results of the study also revealed supervisor-related challenges such as inability to meet students regularly, difficulty to return students’ work promptly, and difficulty to communicate with students on their progress on time. Results of the study also revealed institutional-related challenges to include the lack of online research resources on university’s website and little or no online interactions in research work. In addition, the study explored some suggested ways of solving the aforementioned challenges. Recommendations included the need to extend the time used by distance education students in studying research methods and adequacy of time needed to conduct the research work.