An Expectation Disconfirmation Analysis of Undergraduate Research Supervision: Opinions of Business Students at the University Of Botswana

Abstract

The preliminary findings of a broader study undertaken to address the recurring problem of high failure rates for the fourth-year research projects, observed at the Faculty of Business are presented. An expectation disconfirmation approach was used to analyse undergraduate business students’ satisfaction with the role of the supervisor and the institution/faculty in the research supervision process. The authors used a semi-structured questionnaire to assess the students’ level of satisfaction on several variables. Most of the students were specifically dissatisfied (hence negative disconfirmation) with the role of the supervisor regarding the provision of feedback, availability for scheduled meetings and the identification of research training the students need. The students were also displeased particularly with the training on research provided, the adequacy of resources for photocopying, printing, as well as the adequacy of financial resources for research. Several recommendations are suggested to the Faculty to address these observations.