Obstacles To Scientific Research In Light Of A Number Of Variables

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the scientific research obstacles facing faculty members in the College of Education at Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University (PNU) and to determine the differences in the obstacles according to age, academic rank, scientific specialty, marital status, number of completed studies, and time since the last academic rank was received.

An initial data form and questionnaire were prepared to identify the obstacles to scientific research. The questionnaire assessed personal and family obstacles, social factors, technical skills, organizational and professional obstacles, and societal obstacles. The researcher assessed the validity and reliability of the survey instrument by testing it on a sample of 23 faculty members at the university. The results demonstrated a high degree of validity (i.e., high internal consistency) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient: .97).

The study instrument was administered to a final sample of 69 faculty members (out of 111) at the university.

The results demonstrated a decrease in the averages of the obstacles. The arithmetic averages for the obstacles were organizational and professional obstacles (2.76), societal obstacles (2.64), personal and family obstacles (1.87), and skills-related obstacles (1.70).

The results demonstrated no significant differences for any obstacles with respect to age, academic rank or scientific specialization. There were significant differences in skills-related obstacles according to the number of completed studies; researchers with no completed projects faced greater obstacles. The results also demonstrated significant differences in societal obstacles associated with the length of time since the last academic rank was received.