Abstract

MUDZI, Patricia Y.; JIYANE, Priscilla M.  and  SEPENG, Nombulelo. Factors that Master of Nursing students associate with study progress in higher education institutions in Gauteng province. Health SA Gesondheid (Online) [online]. 2022, vol.27, pp.1-13. ISSN 2071-9736.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v27i0.1671.

BACKGROUND: Globally, the unsatisfactory progress of postgraduate students registered for a master's degree is a cause for concern. It affects graduation numbers and completion timeAIM: This study aimed to determine the perceived supervisory-researcher community support, research writing, work-life balance, and research conceptions factors that Master of Nursing students associate with study progressSETTING: The study was conducted in three selected higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Gauteng provinceMETHOD: A correlational cross-sectional research design was utilised. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Cross-Country Doctoral Experience Survey was e-mailed to a total sample of 136 Master of Nursing students who were at least in their second year of study, of which 122 (89.7%) responded. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyse the responsesRESULTS: Most of the students' perception was greater regarding supervisory-researcher community support and research conceptions. Despite a high mean composite score of 4.134 (SD-1.452) on work-life balance, some respondents found it difficult to balance work and life. Respondents with a source of income perceived greater supervisory-researcher community support (p = 0.022) while those studying full-time had better research writing perceptions (p = 0.002CONCLUSION: There is need for HEIs to develop or strengthen interventions targeting research writing and work-life balance factors that were perceived to result in less support. Funding remains a concern for Master of Nursing studentsCONTRIBUTION: This study contributes to knowledge on factors that Master of Nursing students associated with study progress

Keywords : postgraduate; progress; research conceptions; researcher; supervisory; support; work-life; writing.

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