Evaluation of Postgraduate Business Education in Nigeria: Insights from a Pilot Study on Resources, Teaching Methods, and Assessment Techniques

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the availability of resources, teaching methodologies, and assessment techniques in the Postgraduate Business Education Program (PBEP) at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. (UNN) through a pilot study. The research designs adopted were descriptive survey and ex post facto designs. The population of this study consisted of 14 Business education lecturers in UNN as of the 2020/2021 academic session. The total population was used for the study. The instruments for data collection were a checklist, a structured questionnaire and students’ results, the questionnaire was titled “The Postgraduate Business Education Programme Evaluation Questionnaire (P-BEPEQ)”. All the questionnaire items used were on a 5-point rating scale. The instruments were validated by three experts. The Reliability was determined using Cronbach’s alpha reliability, and the coefficient was found to be .77 for teaching methods cluster, and .79 for evaluation techniques cluster. The method of data analysis involved descriptive statics of mean and standard deviation, the decision rule implies that any mean score above the average score of 3.0 is accepted and below the average score of 3.0 is rejected. The study found that all the categories of resources for PBEP were available in UNN, the frequently used teaching methods include lecture method, project method, discussion method, inquiry method, seminar presentation, and problem-solving. The pilot study recommended that more strategies for resource development and maintenance for sustainability should be employed. Use of more teaching methods such as flip classroom, Computer Aided Instruction (CAI), Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Competency-Based Learning (CBL) and digital interactive learning approaches should be encouraged among lecturers. Finally, the use of Computer-Based Tests (CBT) to simplify the process and fast track the collection of result and reduce malpractice and malpractice related issues to the minimum should be strictly applied to teaching and learning in our institutions.