Demographic factors as correlates of doctoral degree completion in Nigeria library schools

Abstract

A review of literature revealed that doctoral students in Nigeria library schools do not complete their studies at the university recommended time frame. This study therefore examined demographic factors as determinants of doctoral degree completion in Nigeria library schools. The objectives were to find out the average time-to-completion of doctoral degree in Nigeria library schools; ascertain the importance of demographic factors such as gender, age, job designation, work status and marital status to time to completion of doctoral studies in Nigeria library schools; find out if mode of study affects time to- completion of doctoral studies in Nigeria library schools.

The study adopted descriptive research of the survey type. From 26 library schools in Nigeria, 11 were purposively selected. The population comprised 235 doctoral degree holders. Total enumeration of the 235 doctoral degree holders was used. A self-constructed questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and out of the 235 copies administered, only 183, representing 77.9% were returned and found usable for this study. The only hypothesis in the study was tested using Spearman Rank Order Correlation. This was tested at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed a relationship between demographic factors and time-to-completion, while it takes an average of 5.7 years to complete doctoral degree in Nigeria library schools irrespective of mode of study.