Postgraduate Students’ Utilisation of Research Paradigms and Approaches in Theses and Dissertations Development at a Selected University in Tanzania

Abstract

Research paradigms and approaches constitute the philosophical and methodological foundations of scholarly inquiry, shaping how researchers conceptualise problems, generate knowledge, and select appropriate methods; however, their utilisation in postgraduate theses and dissertations remains insufficiently examined in many African universities, including Tanzania. This study examined the level of utilisation of educational research paradigms and approaches in the development of theses and dissertations among postgraduate students at a selected university in Tanzania. Data spanning over four decades between 1985 and 2023 were generated through review of theses and dissertations found in university library. To determine the prevalence and distribution of research paradigms and approaches, a content analysis of theses and dissertations was conducted using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed varying degrees of utilisation of research paradigms and approaches among postgraduates in theses and dissertations development. Notably, positivism has limited application, while interpretivism and pragmatism are widely used. However, newer paradigms saw limited use.

Key Words: research paradigm, research methods, postgraduate students, educational research, theses, dissertations, Tanzania.