Supervisor’s Behavior as Predictor of Enhanced Research Performance among University Students

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between supervisors’ behaviour and the research performance of university students. The study was conducted using a quantitative correlational research design. Data were collected through a self-constructed questionnaire based on a survey approach. A total of 266 research students enrolled in MPhil and PhD programs participated in the study from two public sector universities in the Malakand division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The data were analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The newly developed questionnaire used Factor analysis to get initial validation evidence. The mean score and standard deviation were calculated to analyze students' perceptions. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the degree and direction of relations between the independent and dependent variables. The study found that the gender and age of research supervisors are positively correlated with the research performance of university students. The study further confirmed that the experience and qualification of supervisors were also positively correlated with the research performance of university students. It is concluded that the behavior of supervisors is a strong predictor of their students’ research performance.