Reading Culture and Academic Performance of Postgraduate Students in Selected Private Universities in Kampala, Uganda

ABSTRACT This study established the relationship between reading culture and performance of postgraduate students of selected private universities in Kampala Uganda. Specifically, it identified (i) the demographic characteristics of the postgraduate students, (ii) degree of reading culture (iii) level of academic performance (iv) whether there is a significant difference in gender and performance and (v) whether there is a relationship between reading culture and academic performance of postgraduate students. The study used a descriptive correlation survey and data was collected from 151 respondents using standardized questionnaire for the reading culture. For academic performance, secondary data was obtained from respective administrators in the universities selected. Data was analyzed using frequencies for the respondent’s profiles, means for degree of reading culture and academic performance, a t-test was applied for significance difference between gender and performance and Pearson Linear correlation coefficient for the relationship between reading culture and academic performance. The study found that majority of students in postgraduate are between 26-26-35 years and also most of them work in government and are in school to get promotion. The null hypothesis of no significant difference between gender and performance was accepted while the null hypothesis of no significant relationship between reading culture and academic performance was rejected. The following recommendations were made; (i) lecturers should guide students on reading instead of giving them “handouts’ (ii) research as a mode of learning should be emphasized and students given opportunities to present and publish their findings (iii) exchange forums with other institutions should be arranged to motivate students to read more and (iv) libraries should be located in conducive environment and be well stocked to help students concentrate. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page

One THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 3

Purpose of the Study 4

Research Objectives 4

Research Questions 5

Hypothesis 5

Scope 5

Significance of the Study 6

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 7

Two REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Concepts, Ideas, Opinions from Authors/Experts 8

Theoretical Perspectives 14

Related Studies 15

Three METHODOLOGY 18

Research Design 18

Research Population 18

v~

Sample Size 18

Sampling Procedure 19

Research Instrument 20

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 20

Data Gathering Procedures 20

Data Analysis 21

Ethical Considerations 22

Limitations of the Study 23

Four Data Presentation and Ana~ysis 24

Introduction 24

Demographic Characteristics Of Respondents 24

Level of Reading Culture 26

Student Performance 30

Significant difference between Gender and Performance 31

Relationship between Reading Culture and performance 32

Five Discussion and Recommendation 33

Conclusion 34

Recommendations 35

Suggested Areas for further Research 36

References 37