Post on 18-Jan-2023
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EFFECTIVE TIME
MANAGEMENT AND EXTRAMURAL
RESEARCH LEARNING AND PRACTISE: A
CASE STUDY OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES
ABSTRACT
As an action towards raising the standards of research practice in Nigeria,
this research explores how extramural learning through effective time
management can help Nigerian students learn research better than what is
offered in Nigerian universities. The paper explores two hypothetical view-
points: one saying that there is no correlation between effective time
management and extramural research learning/practice and the other
saying that there is a relationship between effective time management and
extramural research learning/practice. The research compares and contrasts
relevant related literature in order to draw findings and conclusion mainly
about the concept of time management. To link the two variables together,
a straightforward albeit weak analysis is made by using two (2) short time
management theories asserted by world famous personalities Leonardo Da
Vinci and Michael Altshuler. Ultimately the research concludes that there is a
relationship between the effectiveness of time management and extramural
research learning/practice. This conclusion means one thing. If Nigerian
students can effectively manage their time and commit time and efforts to
extramural and in-depth learning of research, the level of research quality in
Nigerian universities would greatly skyrocket.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious
control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to
increase productivity and efficiency. (Project Management Institute, 2004). It
is usually identified with themes such as
setting of priorities,
creating environments conducive to effectiveness,
carrying out activities around priorities, and
the process of reduction of time spent on non-priorities. (Project
Management Institute, 2004).
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Although research is a very important aspect of academia, students do not
seem to be taught sufficiently enough in Nigerian universities. This is
responsible for low research quality obtainable. (Nigerian Universities
Commission, 2011). A good way of eliminating this problem will be for
students to conduct personal efforts to reach out for academic material and
seek extramural learning of research. (Olagbenro, 2010).
However, students often complain of insufficient time to combine their
academic work with such “extra-curricular” efforts. This ensures that little or
no effort is made towards eradication of the problem of low research quality in
Nigeria.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
There is a low level of research quality in Nigeria as cited above, and students
are not carrying out any significant efforts toward attaining higher research
quality in Nigerian universities.
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study tries to figure out how Nigerian students can help raise the
standards of educational research in Nigeria through effective time
management.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION
Can extramural learning and practice of research through effective time
management help Nigerian students increase the quality of educational
research in Nigeria?
1.5 HYPOTHESIS
(a) Null Hypothesis: There is no significant relationship between effective time
management and extramural research learning and practice.
(b) Alternative Hypothesis: There is a correlation between effective time
management and extramural research learning and practice.
1.6 LIMITATIONS
Due to lack of quantitative data in a practical case like this; and over-reliance
on literature, the results may be easily unproven or debunked.
1.7 DELIMITATIONS
The research deliberately focuses on only extramural learning (and practice)
because there is a greater possibility of accessing the level of correlation
between extramural learning and effective time management.
1.8 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The ideas in this research are based upon the assertion of late world-renown
Italian sculptor Leonardo Da Vinci that:
“Time always stays long enough for those who know how to use
it”. (Time Management Qoutes and Sayings).
Also, according to famous inspirational speaker Michael Altshuler,
“The bad news is that time flies; the good news is that you
are the pilot”. (Time Management Qoutes and Sayings).
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 The Nature and benefits of Time Management
Most literatures analysed agree on the nature of the concept of time
management. Kayode (2007) and Bello (2008) both agree that the term “time
management” is a misnomer. According to them, you cannot manage time.
You can only manage the events in your life in relation to the time available.
How you use time depends on the skills learned through self analysis,
planning, evaluation, and self-control.
People who practise time management
- are more productive,
- have more energy for things they need to accomplish,
- are able to do the things they want , and
- get more things done. (Dodd & Sundheim, 2005).
2.2 Setting Priorities in Time Management
Managing your time effectively requires a distinction between what is urgent
and what is important. Kayode (2007) and Chibuozor (2004) agree that the
most important tasks usually are not the most urgent. However, we tend to let
the urgent dominate our lives.
Covey, Merrill, & Merrill, (1994) categorize our activities into four quadrants
namely urgent, not urgent, important, and not important. Focusing on
important activities allows you to gain greater control over limited time.
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design
For the purpose of this research, the researcher relies largely on literature
collected from the Internet. This implies that because of the short time frame
available, the data collected and involved in the research are strictly limited to
academic materials like journals, books, reports etc.
After collecting these literature, analysis was made to discover any where the
materials corroborate each other and where the disagreed.
This analysis was then used to draw findings and conclusions about the
research question.
3.2 Sources of Data
The sole source of the materials used in this research is the Internet. E-books
used in the analysis were solely obtained through downloading form the
Internet.
3.3 Method of Data Analysis
Due to the qualitative nature of data used in the research, the methods used
in analysing data are also strictly qualitative.
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 ANALYSIS
The literatures used in this research work are mainly academic literature on
the topic of time management. The method of analysing them is to take an in-
depth consideration of where authors agree and where they disagree, in order
to draw findings with reasonable weight. The ideas and opinions are analysed
with the theories in section 1.8 in a bid to answer the research question.
4.2 FINDINGS
This section presents mostly areas where the authors corroborate each other.
Areas where they disagree are overlooked because they do not possess
enough weight to be given good consideration.
In a nutshell, ten (10) simple guidelines can be drawn out from the literatures
studied.
- Setting priorities. (Chibouozor, 2004) & (Bello, 2008).
- Use a planning tool e.g. a check book, or diary.
- Know how to spend your time. (Dodd & Sundheim, 2005)
- Get organised (keep, give away, and discard the right things).
- Schedule your time appropriately
- Delegate: get help from others (MacKenzie, 1990) & (Covey, Merrill, &
Merrill, 1994)
- Stop procrastinating.
- Manage external time wasters e.g. unexpected visitors.
- Avoid Multi-tasking.
- Stay healthy. (Time Management Qoutes and Sayings)
However, the problem in this research does not lie in the discovery of these
principles but in their applicability to extramural research learning and
practice. This will be explored in the next section.
4.3 RESEARCH QUESTION
Can extramural learning and practice of research through effective time
management help Nigerian students increase the quality of educational
research in Nigeria?
As stated in chapter 1 the ideas in this research are based upon the assertion
of late world-renown Italian sculptor Leonardo Da Vinci that:
“Time always stays long enough for those who know how to use
it”. (Time Management Qoutes and Sayings).
Also, according to famous inspirational speaker Michael Altshuler,
“The bad news is that time flies; the good news is that you
are the pilot”. (Time Management Qoutes and Sayings).
In line with these assertions, it is clear that the only missing part of the puzzle
is for Nigerian students to employ the principles of time management bearing
in mind that time is sufficient for those who know how to use it.
Based on this discussion, extramural learning and practice of research through
effective time management can help Nigerian students increase the quality of
educational research in Nigeria.
4.4 HYPOTHESIS
(a) Null Hypothesis: There is no significant relationship between effective time
management and extramural research learning and practice.
(b) Alternative Hypothesis: There is a correlation between effective time
management and extramural research learning and practice.
The answer to the research question above rejects the null hypothesis and
upholds the alternative hypothesis that there is a correlation between
effective time management and extramural research learning and practice.
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 SUMMARY
This research was conducted to ascertain if effective time management can
help Nigerian students conduct personal efforts to study & learn research
through extramural efforts.
In chapter 4, various literature on time management were analysed and
findings presented. Ten principles were presented on how to achieve effective
time management. Further conclusions were made in Chapter four that
debunked the null hypothesis and upheld the alternative hypothesis. The
research question was answered with the result that effective time
management can help Nigerian students in extramural learning/practice of
research.
5.2 CONCLUSION
This research concludes as follows:
1. There is a strong correlation between the way you manage time and your
ability to do things which go beyond even the standards people expect.
2. Effective time management can help you succeed against great odds in any
endeavours in life.
3. Through effective time management, Nigerian students can conduct
personal efforts to raise the quality of research in Nigeria through extramural
efforts.
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
1. People should learn time management in order to help them achieve all
their short-term and long term-goals in life.
2. Nigerian students should try to embark on extramural research learning
and practice to help raise the quality of research in Nigerian universities.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bello, A. (2008). How To Control Time. Kano: Saitama Press.
Chibouozor, D. (2004). The Time: How to Manage. Enugu: Daylight Press.
Covey, S. R., Merrill, A. R., & Merrill, R. R. (1994). First Things First: to live, to love,
to learn, and to leave a legacy. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Dodd, P., & Sundheim, D. (2005). The 25 Best Time Management Tools and
Techniques. Ann Arbor, MI: Peak Press.
Kayode, A. (2007). The Time Pilots. Lagos: Adventure Press.
MacKenzie, A. (1990). The Time Trap. New York: American Management
Association.
Nigerian Universities Commission. (2011). Annual Report on Nigerian Universities.
Abuja.
Olagbenro, B. (2010). How to Plan with Time. Lagos: People's Press.
Project Management Institute. (2004). A Guide to the Project Management Body
of Knowledge. PMBOK Guide.
Time Management Qoutes and Sayings. (n.d.). Retrieved from timeman.com:
timeman.com/time-management-quotes-and-sayings