Factors Affecting Completion of Research Projects by Students: A Study of Three Zimbabwe Open University Regions

The study sought to find out undergraduate students and research supervisors’ views on factors affecting the completion of research projects by Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) students. Student, supervisor and institutional related factors were the focus of the study. Descriptive survey method was used in the study due to the normative nature of the data collected. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. The sample of the study comprised 50 students who had failed to complete their research projects on schedule as well as 24 research project supervisors. Convenience sampling was used in selection of the students. Supervisors available at the time of the study formed part of the sample. Findings were that the time given to students to do their research project was inadequate. Lack of library, Internet and typing facilities as well as finance for travelling to and from the supervisor hampered students’ research progress. The study concluded that student and institutional factors contributed to failure by students to complete their research projects on schedule. The study recommends that the university should allow students more time to do research projects; over three semesters.