INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The successful implementation of academic research project is different from the traditional learning activity. Research projects aims to discover new scientific knowledge through the collection, presentation of data, finding and analysis of scientific information. The essence being to test the stated formulated research questions, objectives, hypotheses (Poddyakov, 2000). Therefore, every stage of research project requires that students receive adequate guidance from the supervisors assigned to them. It is expected that supervisors give support and motivation to students from the initial stage through to the completion of the research project and also give the students critical feedback, algorithms and explanation of research operations, and assistance in analysis and interpretation of the data, etc. Thus, research project is specific in its content and requirements and is significant for the personal and professional development of the students. The supervisor needs successful communication, to understand the need of the students and to evaluate accurately students` research potential. The study seeks to appraise attitude of supervisors towards their projects students in Niger Delta University.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The success achieved by students in their academic projects greatly lies on the support and motivation they receive from their supervisors which is also a factor of the attitude exhibited by the supervisor. The evaluation of students` research capacities motivational, cognitive, behavioral and self-organizational characteristics becomes very essential. Essentially the supervisor should act as a guide, mentor, source of information and facilitator to the student as they progress through their research project. The research supervisor is essentially to create an intellectually challenging and fulfilling learning experience for the students such as helping students to formulate their research project and question, decide what methods of research to use, become familiar with the wider research community in their chosen field, ‹evaluate the results of the research, ensure the student work meets the necessary standards expected and the deadlines. The problem confronting the study is to appraise the attitude of supervisors towards their projects students in Niger Delta University.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The Main Objective of the study is to appraise the attitude of supervisors towards their projects students in Niger Delta University. The specific objectives include:
- To investigate the relationship between supervisors and their students in Niger-Delta University.
- To examine the attitude of supervisors towards their students in Niger- Delta University.
- To understand the challenges of project supervision in Niger-Delta University.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
i. What is the relationship between supervisors and their students in Niger-Delta University?
ii. What is the attitude of supervisors towards their students in Niger- Delta University?
iii. What are the challenges of project supervision in Niger-Delta University?
1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS
Ho1: There is no significant relationship between supervisors and their students in Niger-Delta University.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study is an appraisal of the attitude of supervisors towards their projects students in Niger Delta University. It provides relevant data for the effective formulation and implementation of policies to enhance the realization of envisaged objective.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
SUPERVISION OF DEFINED
Supervision should act as a guide, mentor, source of information and facilitator to the student as they progress through their research project.
RESEARCH SUPERVISOR DEFINED
The research supervisor is essentially to create an intellectually challenging and fulfilling learning experience for the students such as helping students to formulate their research project and question, decide what methods of research to use, become familiar with the wider research community in their chosen field, ‹evaluate the results of the research, ensure the student work meets the necessary standards expected and the deadlines.
RESEARCH PROJECT DEFINED
Research "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of humans, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications. It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories. A research project may also be an expansion on past work in the field.
EDUCATION DEFINED
Education is viewed as the process of inviting truth and possibility. It is the wise, hopeful and respectful cultivation of learning undertaken in the belief that all should have the chance to share in life.
