Abstract:
The number of students enrolled in post graduate programmes in
Universities worldwide has been improved substantially in the recent past
with the increasing social demand for higher education and the
incorporation of open and distance learning methods. Many graduate
students are adult learners with diverse characteristics and backgrounds .As
an essential component of the post graduate programmes, students are
required to complete a research dissertation under a supervisor that could
project discipline values such as conceptual innovation, methodological
rigor, and substantive content. But a considerable amount of students do not
complete their research dissertations due to various reasons. In this paper we
propose some valuable actions to be taken to improve the completion rate of
dissertations in Master of Education Degree Programme. It was revealed that
the majority of students’ main expectations from participating in the
intervention programme were to complete the research. In addition, their
motivation has increased to complete the research due to the action research.
Further, the presentations/discussions used during the workshops were very
useful and they were satisfied with the intervention programme. The most
needed support was related to frequent guidance, opportunity to contact by
phone/email, immediate feedback, effective communication and friendly
support. In addition to supervisors support there were personal, family and
work place problems. It was suggested that there should be continuous
workshop and guidance. Moreover, they needed immediate feedback for
chapters. Further, they needed study leave, direction to individual
supervisors and deadlines. It was suggested that this type of intervention
programme should be started at the beginning of the programme. Most of the
students proceeded to complete the research. And also almost all have
appreciated the intervention programme. The action research was a very
effective procedure to complete the research dissertations
