Factors affecting the Timely Completion of Doctoral Degree in Library and Information Science in Nigerian Universities

Abstract

Forty-five doctoral graduates in library and information science (LIS) of Nigerian universities from 2009 to 2013 were surveyed in order to determine factors affecting the timely completion of doctoral degree programme in LIS in Nigerian universities. Using social survey design, a questionnaire purposely designed for the study was the instrument used for collecting data. The objectives of the study were to determine the average completion time of doctoral degrees in library and information science in Nigerian universities, identify individual, supervisory and institutional factors affecting the timely completion of doctoral degree in LIS in Nigerian universities and establish doctoral graduates’ perceptions of barriers to the timely completion of doctoral degree in LIS in Nigerian universities Three hypotheses were tested: (i) individual factors have no relationship with the duration of the programme, (ii) supervisory factors have no relationship with the duration of the programme and (iii) institutional factors have no relationship with the duration of the programme at 0.05 significant level. T-test, one-way ANOVA and spearman rho statistical techniques were used to test the hypotheses of the study. The findings revealed that the average period of completion was seven years. Difficulty in registration due to inability to pay on time, strike by lecturers/students and university bureaucracy were the major obstacles to the timely completion of doctoral programme in LIS. The mode of study, sponsorship, supervisors’ attitude, status of supervisors and the average period between submission of final draft and time degree was awarded, have relationship with the duration of programme among LIS doctoral graduates in Nigeria. The three hypotheses were therefore rejected. It is recommended that Nigerian government should fund doctoral research given the benefits that it accrues to a nation. Also, the need for library and information science schools to attract young doctoral graduates is recommended. The library and information science schools are also advised to equip their doctoral degree students with statistical skills. The institutional bureaucracy should be reduced considerably.