Utilization of Monitoring and Evaluation Tools, Performance Contracting, Human Capacity for Monitoring and Evaluation and Research Projects Enhancement in Public Universities in Coast Region, Kenya

Abstract

The rapid growth of higher education has largely occurred at the expense of poor Research Projects as more emphasis is put on teaching. The economic environment combined with Government policies to lower public-sector funding but ostensibly increase regulation, present both a squeeze on student enrolment and a more competitive market. This coupled with failure by universities to comply with the Universities Act of 2012 and the Universities Standards and Guidelines of 2014 has hindered research projects in public universities. The main objective of this research was to assess how utilization of various monitoring and evaluation tools, performance contracting and human capacity for monitoring and evaluation influences research projects of public universities in Coast region, Kenya. The study used a pragmatism paradigm. A descriptive survey and causal comparative research design were adopted. A targeted population of 1110 academic and non-academic employees for the two universities were used for this study. A sample of 285; consisting of 173 from Technical University of Mombasa and 112 from Pwani University was employed through proportionate and simple random sampling to obtain a representative sample. Data analysis was by inferential and descriptive statistics; mean, frequencies, percentages and standard deviation. Shapiro-Wilk Test was employed to establish whether data was normally distributed or not and adjustments were made to make the data normal. Durbin Watson method was also used to test autocorrelation of the variables. The study established that utilization of logical framework (m = 3.564; SD = 0.7855; p-value = 0.076 and a weak correlation of 0.211) had no significant influence on performance of research project in public universities. Utilization of budget (m = 3.93; SD = 0.74737 and a positive strong correlation at 0.89) significantly influenced Research Projects in public universities. Application of Stakeholder Involvement (m = 3.88; SD = 0.74421 and positive strong correlation of 0.658) significantly influenced research projects. Utilization of BSC, (m = 3.96; SD = 0.77759; and strong positive correlation of 0.578) significantly influenced research projects. Performance Contracting (m = 3.96; SD =0.7178 and correlation of 0.05) significantly influences research projects. Human capacity for M&E (m = 3.74; SD = 0.6764 and correlation of 0.05) significantly influences on research projects. Combined M&E (LFA = 0.076, budgets = 0.000, stakeholder involvement = 0.000, BSC = 0.000). The data also established a positive relationship amongst utilization of budget, BSC and stakeholder involvement on Research Projects in public universities. Data analyzed revealed a weak relationship between utilization of LFA and Research Projects. The study also found that PC only had a moderating effect on utilization of budgets (LFA p-value = 0.292, budgets p-value = 0.005, stakeholder involvement p-value = 0.775 and BSC p-value = 0.432). Human capacity for M&E did not have any moderating effect on the independent variables (LFA p-value = 0.655, budgets p-value = 0.227, stakeholder involvement p-value = 0.546 and BSC p-value =0.191) which were above 0.05. The study concludes that treasury should increase funding in public universities, members of staff should be trained and sensitized regularly on the significance of conducting M&E as and enhancing their human capacity for conducting M&E. The study recommends MoE and CUE should adopt common M&E tools for all public universities in Kenya, promotion of continual use of PC and enhancing human capacity for M&E. Further studies can be done on other monitoring and evaluation tools to ascertain the most appropriate tool for monitoring and evaluation. Studies should be conducted in other universities.