Management of projects, thesis and dissertations in six postgraduate schools in universities in Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the management practices of the postgraduate research works (projects, theses and dissertations) in sic postgraduate schools in universities in Nigeria. Four research questions guided the study, e.g. what are the methods and format of acquisition and submission of PG research works?, what is the nature of processing, organizing and arrangement of PG research works?, what are the methods of preservation? And what are the challenges to the management of research works in Postgraduate schools? Descriptive survey method was employed and six postgraduate schools of the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Ibadan,; Cross River State University of Science and Technology and African University of Science and Technology, Abuja respectively. Custodians of projects, thesis and dissertation from the subject of the study. Structured/closed-ended questionnaire were used in data collection, while simple frequency counts were used in the analysis of data. Results showed that the projects, theses and dissertations were acquired through respective departmental postgraduate coordinators and submissions were made in both hard and softcopies. Stamping, compilation of the list, shelving and shelve arrangement and arrangement research works by departments were the methods used in processing organizing and arranging the research works in postgraduate schools. The completed research works in the form of projects, thesis and dissertations submitted to Postgraduate schools were mostly preserved through shelving, air conditioning and back-up in softcopies. Space and misplacement of copies were the two major challenges to the management of projects, thesis and dissertation in postgraduate schools. The study recommends among others-there should be legal deposit law specifying the number of hardcopies to be submitted to/and retain by postgraduate schools, library officers and Liberians should be employed to carryout stamping, accessioning, cataloguing and classification of the completed and submitted research works respectively.