Analysis Of Students’ Agricultural Research Projects Presented For The Award Of Degrees In The Department Of Rural Sociology And Extension (2000-2015), Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike

ABSTRACTS

The study analysed students’ agricultural research projects presented for the award of degrees in the department of rural sociology and extension, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (2000-2015). The study identified all the students’ research projects carried out in the Department from 2000- 2015; examined the gender segregation of the project authors and analyzed research topics by areas of specialization in Extension and Rural Sociology. The population of the study was drawn from all the B. Agric, PGD, M.Sc. and Ph.D works in the Departmental library from 2000 – 2015. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages. The major results showed that 59.5%, 61.1%, 57.8% and 67.39% of the B.Agric, PGD, M.Sc. and Ph.D students respectively were carried out by male. The result revealed that 34.5% of the research carried out by B.Agric the students were on gender. A large proportion (66.7%) of the PGD students’ research on crop related research topics, 35.6% of the MSc. students researched on crop related, and a large proportion (68%) of the respondents researched on rural development topics. The study concluded that the Department has graduated more male students than female students and that the students majored more on rural development, crop, gender, extension service, ICT and agricultural communication related topics. The study recommended that more students should be admitted into the department especially female students as this will enhance wider coverage in research and equally enable gender balance among the future extension agents.