Abstract

A descriptive survey type of research was conducted to determine level of competence and training needs in statistical procedures of university academic staff in Botswana and Swaziland. Findings showed that staff were competent in the use of basic statistical procedures, and that, they were in need of training in intermediate and advanced statistical procedures. The cumulative variance in competence level in statistical procedures was explained by six characteristics, namely: number of journal articles published, attitude toward statistics, sex, level of education, teaching experience and number of research projects supervised. Forty-one percent of the variance was explained by the number of journal articles published. The researcher recommends that an in-service training program be designed to upgrade university academic staff in statistical procedures, and that, a manual on the use of intermediate and advanced statistical procedures in research activities be developed to serve as quick reference for university academic staff in Botswana and Swaziland.

Keywords: Statistical Procedures, Training Needs, Competencies, Statistics, University Academic Staff, In-Service Needs

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