Development of staff research skills: A case study of the Nursing College of the Free State (Welkom, South Africa)

Growth and development in any teaching-learning environment depends on the degree to which new knowledge is generated and disseminated. Research is a means through which such knowledge is generated. There is a great need to inculcate a research culture in all institutions of higher education in South Africa, particularly in historically disadvantaged ones. The Nursing College of the Free State is one of those institutions lacking in a culture of research. As part of capacity-building for quality teaching and learning it was decided that developing research skills of lecturers was an area of priority. A "hands on" approach was agreed upon in which a number of lecturers would conduct research on a specific topic.

The paper reports on a research project undertaken to investigate the factors which students believed to be contributory to their poor academic performance in the institution. The sample was drawn from all students in their fourth, third and second year of study as well as those repeating their first year of study. The most important findings of this research project are discussed. The paper furthermore evaluates the impact of the project on building research capacity of the staff.

Introduction

A needs analysis carried out at the Nursing College of the Free State (Welkom) revealed that an area of priority was the development of the research skills of staff members. The rationale was that the teaching-learning environment requires that new knowledge must continuously be produced and critically analysed so that growth, development and change may come about.

The lack of a culture of research at the institution has meant that outmoded ways of teaching may be the only ones used, and this has had a negative impact on the quality of teaching and learning at the institution.

The research problem

The research problem was presented in the form of the following hypothesis: the failure rate among students is related to the personality traits of the students and lecturers; the teaching strategies used; and the teaching-learning environment.

As part of capacity-building for quality teaching and learning, it was decided that developing the research skills of lecturers was an area of priority. A "hands on" approach was agreed upon in which a number of lecturers would conduct research on a specific topic. Such collaborative functioning would enable those participants concerned to gain practical knowledge to be shared with other colleagues. It was envisaged that the colleagues would then undertake research in other areas of concern.

The initial phase further involved engaging the services of a facilitator to conduct a workshop on the process of research. Project team members were elected on a voluntary basis. After reviewing the available literature, a discussion was held with other lecturers before developing a questionnaire.

Literature review

Patricia Grey (1995:77) argues that a successful teacher is motivated by the desire to be a good teacher and that this involves moving away from transmitting a large volume of fact. Grey argues that the successful teacher thus directs her energy towards creating an environment in which students can learn to value themselves and their abilities. Students will then engage fully in the processes of applying, creating, critiquing and sharing knowledge.

According to Quinn (1991:395-398) an effective teaching-learning environment implies one in which learners feel free to approach teachers who are helpful, supportive, able to create a team spirit and encourage initiative, and are good role models.

Mellish and Brink (1990:195-216) emphasise that in order to facilitate learning, various teaching strategies should be used.

Method

A questionnaire was distributed to the respondents. It included both closed and open-ended questions. Items in the questionnaire dealt with:

• student-centered issues such as age, educational background, family background, orientation, study environment and study habits;
• personality characteristics of the lecturers;
• teaching strategies; and
• the teaching-learning environment.

Validity and reliability

The design followed is both explanatory and descriptive. It is explanatory because the study was conducted so as to identify possible reasons for the students' poor academic performance. It is descriptive because it provides a detailed picture of the group which was investigated.

Results

Student profiles

Biographical data

Study environment

Study habits

Personality characteristics of the lecturer

Teaching strategies

Lecture method
The students indicated that this was the best method.

Study guides
They indicated that they also needed to consult textbooks as these complement study guides.

Video
The students indicated that a video had been used as a method of instruction, but most indicated that they did not find it useful.

Supplemental instruction
Not all of the students commented on this strategy as not all subjects offered supplemental instruction. However, those students who had attended courses offering it found it useful.

Demonstration
Most students indicated that this strategy was useful; however a few students indicated that they had not benefited from demonstration, as there was no uniformity of presentation amongst lecturers.

Case study method
The majority of students indicated that the case study method was a good strategy; the rest indicated that it was a waste of time and/or a difficult approach.

Peer group teaching
Most students favoured this strategy, but some students indicated that, since they themselves did not have enough information, it was not possible to teach other students.

The teaching-learning environment

• avoiding destructive criticism;
• identifying students' learning problems and helping them solve these;
• being fair when marking tests and examinations; and
• adhering to objectives when teaching and when compiling examinations.

Discussion

• As regards the respondents' age, a greater percentage fall between ages 21 and 25 years. This is regarded as an appropriate age for tertiary learning; thus the students should not have a problem with taking responsibility for own studies. However, the diversity of educational and family backgrounds from which respondents were drawn, could impact on their ability to engage in self-directed learning.

• The fact that many live in the nursing; residence and that noise is a major problem could explain the proposal that library hours should be extended.

• The time devoted by respondents to preparing for tests and examinations, appears reasonable. However, performance on tests and examinations does not correlate with the effort put in. The effectiveness of students' methods of studying may require further investigation, especially in the light of the fact that respondents indicated that they either did not compile own study time-tables or did not adhere to them.

• Orientation on specific academic aspects seems to be deficient. The orientation programme needs to be comprehensive, especially for first year students, in order to help them make the necessary transition from secondary school level to tertiary level education.

• Although respondents are comfortable with the use of English as a medium of instruction, some respondents indicated that prescribed books were inaccessible and difficult to understand.
• Problems encountered with specific subjects were rated in the study, but the rating did not tally with what is generally expressed, namely that science subjects are the most difficult.

Limitations

Recommendations

• the establishment of a library committee to plan towards dealing with problems identified in the study;

• the implementation of staff development programmes for lecturers on various aspects relating to teaching and learning;

• the identification and development of relevant academic support services such as supplemental instruction and time management courses;

• the timeous issuing of lists of prescribed books to students and encouragement in buying these;

• the annual review of the orientation programme to ensure relevance;

• the identification of programmes which emphasise and support self-directed learning; and

• the immediate review of current curriculum content with a view to lessening the study load placed on students.

Conclusion

Besides looking into the recommendations, further research into the identified problems needs to be undertaken.

Further to identifying teaching-learning problems, project team members had an opportunity to acquire the necessary skills needed in action research. Despite the heavy workload of lecturers, those who volunteered to participate in the project worked hard to comply with timelines. The support from the project director who facilitated the initial workshop gave the participants the needed energy to carry the project through.

The project has had a positive impact on the participants in many ways: Participants feel confident that the experience gained will assist them in undertaking further research projects. Drawing on their experience, they will also be able to act as mentors for colleagues who wish to undertake their own research. Furthermore, the sharing of information with colleagues and the networking institutions has been an opportunity to learn and develop. Participants are already in the process of formulating plans to ensure that this collaborative functioning for staff development is an ongoing activity. A working library committee has been established. Library hours have been extended up to 22:00 and a motivation for the appointment of a library assistant has been sent to Head Office.

References

Grey, P. (1995). Teacher talk: A journey into feminist pedagogy. Journal of Nursing Education, 34(2), 11-14.

Mellish, M. & Brink, H. (1990). Teaching the practice of nursing, 3rd Edition. Durban: Butterworth Publishers

Quinn, F.M. (1991). The principles and practice of nurse education. 2nd Edition. London: Chapman and Hall.

Simelane, B.S. et.al. (1997). Attitudes of nursing students towards the seminar method of teaching. Curations, 20(1), 77-81.

Walter, T.L & Siebert, A. (1993). Student success: How to succeed in college and still have time for your friends. USA: Harcourt Brace Johavonicho College.