THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONAL FACTORS ON MASTERS’ STUDENTS’ USE OF STATISTICS IN RESEARCH

Abstract

Knowledge is valued as a vital asset for progress and prosperity in every sphere of human understanding. Knowledge is attributed with successful innovation in firms. Research has been identified as the main source of knowledge. In Kenya, University students have been accused of doing low quality research. Statistics is important in research, it starts at the planning stage to establish the design and sample size. Studies have pointed to wrong use of statistics as a contributing factor towards low quality research. The purpose of this study was; to determine the influence of personal factors on masters’ students’ use of statistics in research, a case of universities of western Kenya. The study was based on normative paradigm and interpretive philosophy. The study used descriptive survey design complimented with case study design. A total of 83 respondents’ from 3 different universities participated in the study. Frequencies and regression analysis were used to analyze data. The study found out that 68.4% of the masters’ students struggled to use statistics in research. The findings indicated that less than half of the students had time to attend all classes and majority had time to carry out data analysis. The study also determined that majority of the students took personal initiative to learn how to use computer software and other concepts related to use of statistics. The study established that post graduate students who had enough time to carry out data analysis were significantly more likely to find use of statistics easier than their counterparts. The study recommends that universities should consider time availability and personal initiative of the student before admitting them for a masters’ program.