SOCIO-MORPHIC EVALUATION OF THE CHOICE OF STUDENTS’ RESEARCH AREAS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL PRODUCTION, ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA UNIVERSITY BAUCHI (1995-2016)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.5336Abstract
The study was carried out to evaluate the choices of research areas in the department of Animal Production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria. A questionnaire was randomly administered to 75 students undergoing postgraduate programs in the department in different fields as primary data, 587 documents (Projects, thesis, and dissertations) submitted to the department of Animal Production from 1995 to 2016 were evaluated as secondary data. The questionnaire data was analyzed using the Likert statistical tool. The secondary data were analyzed by simple percentage, and the level of significance was tested using chi-square. The results showed that the least opted fields of specialization chosen by male candidates students was range and pasture management (6%) and the most frequently field of specialization opted for is animal production and health which constituted 63.3%. The least opted fields of specialization chosen by female candidates was ruminant nutrition (3.8%). The most preferred field of specialization by female candidates was animal production and health which constituted (88.4 %). The principal reason for the choice of animal production and health was market value of the field (Likert mean = 3.2). Out of the 587 records accessed and assessed, 27.4 % opted for monogastric nutrition and the least is in ruminant nutrition (6.3%). The test of association between animal science disciplines and class of degree was significantly different (Chi–square 84.797, df = 24 p = 0.001). It could therefore be concluded that research in animal agriculture in the department of animal production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi from 1995 to 2016 focused majorly on monogastric animal nutrition. It was recommended that candidates should be properly guided during the choice of project topics in order to ensure all fields of animal production are given fair treatment.
