RESEARCH METHODOLOGY, AS OFFERED BY THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Professor F.K. Lenga (PhD), Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, P. O. Box 62000, Nairobi KENYA

JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY of AGRICULTURE & TECHNOLOGY

A modern, technologically-oriented university of Agriculture and Science, located approx. 40 km from Nairobi A modern, technologically-oriented university of Agriculture and Science, located approx. 40 km from Nairobi Consists of 3 Faculties and 1 School Consists of 3 Faculties and 1 School Student population of approximately 6000, residing both on and off campus Student population of approximately 6000, residing both on and off campus Agriculture faculty has approximately 1000 students Agriculture faculty has approximately 1000 students

Faculty of Agriculture consists of three departments; Faculty of Agriculture consists of three departments; Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering (BEED) Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering (BEED) Food Science and Technology (FST)Food Science and Technology (FST) HorticultureHorticulture Students of the faculty undergo training in research methodology at both under-graduate, and post- graduate levels Students of the faculty undergo training in research methodology at both under-graduate, and post- graduate levels

Research Methodology; Training Objectives To impart skills for problem identification To impart skills for problem identification To teach proposal writing, in preparation for problem solving To teach proposal writing, in preparation for problem solving To introduce tools for project implementation To introduce tools for project implementation To impart skills in data analysis and interpretation To impart skills in data analysis and interpretation

Training Objectives…contd. To impart skills for technical, financial and activities report writing To impart skills for technical, financial and activities report writing For project evaluation and impact assessment methodologies For project evaluation and impact assessment methodologies To teach oral presentation skills for seminars, conferences and colloquia To teach oral presentation skills for seminars, conferences and colloquia To cultivate professional research ethics To cultivate professional research ethics

The Undergraduate Program Research methodology (tools) is taught in the 2 nd year of study, and comprises two distinct courses; Research methodology (tools) is taught in the 2 nd year of study, and comprises two distinct courses; 1. Statistics 2. Experimental Design These units are taken as a prerequisite for Student Research Projects (2-3 units) which are courses covered during the 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th years of study, where applicable (This is where proposal writing, project implementation, data analysis and interpretation, oral presentation and report writing skills are imparted and evaluated) These units are taken as a prerequisite for Student Research Projects (2-3 units) which are courses covered during the 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th years of study, where applicable (This is where proposal writing, project implementation, data analysis and interpretation, oral presentation and report writing skills are imparted and evaluated)

Post graduate (M.Sc) Program Past Situation (from inception to 2004/2005 academic year) FSPT and Horticulture studied Research Methodology as a 1 st year course FSPT and Horticulture studied Research Methodology as a 1 st year course FSPT, Horticulture and BEED underwent a course in Advanced Experimental Design during the same year FSPT, Horticulture and BEED underwent a course in Advanced Experimental Design during the same year

M.Sc Program…contd. Faculty programs undergo continuous evaluation (after every cycle) Beginning ac 2005/2006, research methodology coursework will consist of: Statistics & Expt. Design in Semester 1Statistics & Expt. Design in Semester 1 Research Methodology in Semester 2Research Methodology in Semester 2 The two units will be compulsory for all postgraduate students in the faculty

Conclusion The faculty is continually upgrading its course content to incorporate modern research methods, including the use of computer based programs and data analysis software (e.g. Genstat, SPSS and SAS) The faculty is continually upgrading its course content to incorporate modern research methods, including the use of computer based programs and data analysis software (e.g. Genstat, SPSS and SAS) This is in line with our vision to produce leaders in research and innovation, in various scientific and technological fields such as agriculture. This is in line with our vision to produce leaders in research and innovation, in various scientific and technological fields such as agriculture.

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