Researcher’s Clarity of Research Paradigmatic Philosophical Conceptions Influencing Dissertations Quality Performance in Tanzania Universities: Grounded Theory Perpectives

Kairembo, Romwald Joseph (2018) Researcher’s Clarity of Research Paradigmatic Philosophical Conceptions Influencing Dissertations Quality Performance in Tanzania Universities: Grounded Theory Perpectives. Doctoral thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

PDF - Submitted Version Download (6MB)

Abstract

This study addressed the grand question inquiring, how has researchers’ clarity of paradigmatic philosophical conceptions been influencing dissertations in Tanzania universities? The qualitative approach and constructivists’ Grounded Theory (GT) multivariate design were opted. The sample size involved 88 research participants. Data were collected through triangulated qualitative methods of: documentary review, interviews, live observation. Triangulated methods of: inductive content categorising, coding, constant comparison, and filtering. Exploratory Factors Analysis (EFA) methods, aided by SPSS version 21 analysed questionnaire emerged data. Findings, participants had varied views on definition, scope of philosophical conceptions constituting holistic paradigm; and uncertain whether one’s clarity of paradigm is a factor that may influence dissertations scores. There was a substantial positive correlation between higher candidates’ paradigm clarity subtheme and entire dissertations scores. Findings further unveiled that studied universities vary in including paradigm clarity subtheme in the Master’s Degree research courses, surprisingly some university’ rubrics guide the External Examiners to examine it. Studied researchers agreed strongly that held paradigm perspectives affect the quality of dissertations processes. Generated hypotheses and substantive theory revealed convergence in paradigm perspectives, raises dissertations scores. The study recommends establishing philosophy of research degree programme as intervention for clarifying wide scope of holistic emerged model. Further GT studies related to dissertations/ theses quality performance be done in other Tanzania universities.

Actions (login required)

View Item