| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to investigate how path analysis planning model can be used
to alleviate examination irregularities in KCSE examination in Kisii Central District public
secondary schools. This was necessitated by the recurrence of examination irregularities in
KCSE exams whenever results were released but the irregularities were more widespread when
the 2004 KCSE results were released. Planning is the process through which an organization
can consciously influence, direct and control the direct variables put into the organization in
order to achieve the predetermined set objectives. Path analysis model of planning is one that
strives to give a picture of how correlated the variables are in a causal system and thus infers
the causal network underlying this set of relationships.
This research study consists of five chapters and they are: introduction, literature review,
research methodology, data analysis and interpretation, summary, conclusion and
recommendations. Chapter one is the introduction that consists of the following sections,
background of the problem, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, objectives of the
study and research questions. The other sections are: significance of the study, limitations and
delimitation of the study, basic assumptions of the study, definition of significant terms and
organization of the study. The background of the problem provides information about the role
of examinations and how its administration causes irregularities that should be eliminated using
the path analysis model of planning.
In chapter two is the literature review, which explains the following issues: path analysis
model of evaluation, role of examinations in an education system, KNEC WAEC, performance
in national examinations, head teachers' contribution to performance in exams, and
irregularities in KCSE examinations. The literature review shows that examination
irregularities are a cancer in any education system that is examination oriented. In Nigeria for
example, all the organs involved in the management of examinations abet exam irregularities
and this has necessitated the review of the role of examination in that country.
In Kenya, the
situation is not different, as the cases of examination irregularities are reported every time the
main research
instrument used was questionnaires that were corroborated with direct observation by the
researcher. There were five sets of questionnaires and these sets include questionnaire to the
school principals, Parents, students, HODs/Subject heads and questionnaire to deans of studies
or examination coordinators.
The data analysis forms chapter four, which has been organized under the various research
questions that address different parameters that have been considered. In this chapter, the data
collected has been organized through use of tables and analyzed by using pie charts, bar graphs
and frequency tables. Both descriptive and inferential statistics are used to analyze the data to
describe the sample in relation to the population. The use of both the descriptive and inferential
statistics have enabled the researcher to determine the direction and magnitude of the
relationships between the various variables that have been considered. These techniques of
analyzing data are important because the path analysis model of evaluation requires the
determination of magnitude of existing relationships between the variables under consideration.
Among the variables that have been considered are promptness in fees payment, provision of
adequate learning resources, preparedhess of the teachers, completion of the syllabus, loss of
time for learning, psychological preparation of the candidates, the responsiveness ofKNEe and
so on. The stakeholders that have been identified in chapter one, singly or simultaneously
influence these variables.
This chapter is organized under the various research questions that address the different
parameters that have been considered. The total effect of the various parameters influences the
outcomes of examination results depending on the roles played by the different stakeholders.
The variables that have been stated have been considered under the different researc
questions. Each research question has been investigated in relation to the input that the various
stakeholders contribute towards realizing examination results with or without irregularities. The
variables under consideration contribute either positively or negatively towards proper
administration of exams depending on the way they are conducted.
Finally, chapter five deals with the following issues: summary of the study, the conclusion,
the recommendations and suggestions for further study. The summary has integrated the
various aspects of the study in relation to the research objectives thus leading to the conclusion
of the study. In the conclusion, the sum effect of the variables ~at were investigated has been
generated to determine how irregularities in exams can be eliminated through the contribution
of the stakeholders and hence showing the application of path analysis planning model. A total
of seventeen recommendations have been put forward detailing the suggestions the different
stakeholders should address to eliminate examination irregularities. Finally, three suggestions
for further study have been provided for future works in relation to the purpose of the study. | en |
