Students’ Views and Difficulties in Data Analysis at the Institute of Adult Education in Tanzania

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine undergraduate research projects completed in 2019/2020 academic year at the Institute of Adult Education in terms of the types of statistical techniques commonly used and difficulties encountered by students in data analysis process. The subjects in this study were the finalist undergraduate students of 2019/2020 comprised 125 respondents. The study adopted a mixed methods approach. Sampling techniques adopted in this study was purposive. Data collection techniques in this study were questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews. Both quantitative and qualitative data analyses were involved. Descriptive statistics and t-test analysis technique were used for data analysis. Students’ difficulties of data analysis indicated that, sixtynine (69%) had a problem with statistical hypothesis testing; sixty five percent (65%) had a problem with analysis of qualitative data. Eighty one percent (81%) of the participants had problem with choosing the right statistical test for data analysis. In addition, descriptive statistics were mostly used (89.6%) and it was indicated that there was a significant difference between the problems experienced by male and female students (p<0.05). The themes that emerged from the data analysis were analytical skills, numerical skills and technical skills. It would be beneficial for students at the Institute of Adult Education to receive trainings on data analysis skills. Findings from this study emphasize the imperative to understand the challenges these students face as they continue their educational journeys in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania.