Ethics Training and Research Writing Quality in Postgraduate Education at Public Universities in Rivers State: A Thematic Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63561/fnas-jmse.v7i2.1085Keywords:
Research Ethics, Research Writing Quality, Thematic Analysis, Postgraduate, EducationAbstract
The quality of postgraduate research writing is shaped not only by academic knowledge but also by the ethical choices the students make during their research. While ethics training is intended to guide students in responsible conduct, many academic environments still face challenges in consistently applying these principles. Some postgraduate students lack the support and understanding needed to navigate ethical concerns such as plagiarism, confidentiality, and honest data reporting. This study aims to investigate the impact of ethical considerations training on the quality of postgraduate research writing in public universities in Rivers State. Using a qualitative design, the study employed purposive sampling to select three public universities in Rivers State, 20 postgraduate students, and 10 lecturers who had supervised research writing and participated in ethics training at their institutions. A researcher-developed interview guide was used, with 15 questions for students and nine (9) for lecturers. The interviews explored areas including plagiarism awareness, data confidentiality, and the integrity of data reporting. The study maintained ethical standards through informed consent, voluntary participation, and confidentiality. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, then transcribed and analysed thematically. The findings revealed that students who had a clear understanding of plagiarism tended to reference correctly and submit original work. Upholding data confidentiality not only protects research participants but also enhances the trustworthiness of the findings. Students who were honest in reporting results, even when outcomes differed from expectations, were seen as more academically responsible. Lecturers noted that students with ethics training showed more care in their research design and reporting. However, the study also found that some departments lacked clear guidelines, and there were gaps in how ethics training was delivered and supported. Based on the findings, it was recommended that universities provide structured and regular ethical training focused on practical areas like plagiarism prevention, safeguarding participant data, and promoting transparency in research reporting.
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