This study aimed to study the state of operation, problems, obstacles and needs of graduate study informational services of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University. The sample was 122 graduate students in the academic year 2016. Data were collected with a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed by using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The findings reveal that the aspects with the highest operating level were: 1) communications and fast and direct delivery of information and clarity of documents; 2) easy and convenient search; 3) useful and effective information; those with the highest problem level were categorization with difficulty to access to the target information, an online introduction to information services to students and the needs in publication of students‟ thesis studies.
METHODS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF GRADUATE STUDY INFORMATION OF THE FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY Sasithorn Sitthiprom sassit@kku.ac.th Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, KhonKaen University, Thailand Abstract This study aimed to study the state of operation, problems, obstacles and needs of graduate study informational services of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University The sample was 122 graduate students in the academic year 2016 Data were collected with a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed by using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation The findings reveal that the aspects with the highest operating level were: 1) communications and fast and direct delivery of information and clarity of documents; 2) easy and convenient search; 3) useful and effective information; those with the highest problem level were categorization with difficulty to access to the target information, an online introduction to information services to students and the needs in publication of students‟ thesis studies Keywords: Methods, Improvement, Graduate Study, Information Background and statement of problem According to Internal Quality Assurance in Higher Education, Academic Year B.E 2557, Element Students specifies 3.1 Student Admissions and 3.2 Student Support and Development to have mechanism in improvement of fundamental knowledge or study preparation for the first year of study in order to enhance students‘ ability to learn happily in higher education and reduce drop-out during years of study During studying in university, plenty of knowledge and ability enhancement activities both inside and outside classrooms are provided There is also an activity promoting well-being citizens, with public consciousness Moreover, system planning on academic counseling, protecting system or risk management for students, thesis advice controlling and monitoring for graduate students to complete the degree on time, including promoting students‘ academic works publication and learning opportunity promoting students‘ potential in research skills leading to knowledge and learning skills in the 21st century to meet universal standard are provided Most people place importance on information, media and technology skills which included information literacy, media literacy and ICT literacy If the faculty has inclusive information of graduate study and makes it easy for students to access, this will result in Internal Quality Assurance in Higher Education, Element 3.3 Influences on Students which will cause the students readiness for study, with higher rates of persistence and graduation, satisfaction with curriculum and management of students‘ complaints 512 Therefore, the researcher appreciates importance of the study of the state of operation, problems, obstacles and needs for graduate study information services of the faculty which will have an influence on operating achievements of Internal Quality Assurance in Higher Education, Element Students Purposes of the study 1) To propose methods for the improvement of access to graduate study information of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University 2) To improve information system of graduate section, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University Significance of the study 1) The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences could develop guidelines on the improvement of access to information of graduate section 2) Graduate section could obtain data for improving the information system of graduate section, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University 3) Graduate section could improve the information management system of graduate section to promote ease of access to information among graduate students Conceptual framework State of operation, problems, obstacles Improvement of access to information of graduate and needs for graduate study section of the Faculty of Humanities and Social information services Sciences, Khon Kaen University Figure shows the conceptual framework of this study Research methodology 1) This study was survey research 2) The sample of the present study was graduate students who enrolled in courses and independent study or thesis in academic year 2016; specifically, the sample was 122 students out of 407 students, accounting for 30 percent 3) The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire about the improvement of graduate study information of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University It was designed and verified by a qualified expert who is Associate Dean for Research and Academic Services The questionnaire was piloted with three graduate students so as to check whether any change of language was needed The pilot showed that no changes were needed Moreover, the graduate section staff helped check the language use in the questionnaire and provided further information of graduate section Finally, the questionnaires were created with Google form and QR code with the advice from information technology section The questionnaires consisted of the following parts 513 Part I: General background of the respondents as in genders, ages, education levels, fields of study, jobs, sources of graduate-section information and topics of inquiries Part II: The state of service delivery and access of graduate study information consisted of five-point likert-scale questions and the suggestion parts concerning the following aspects (1) Regarding the support for service delivery of graduate section, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, there were six questions and suggestions (2) There were seven questions and suggestions concerning information access (3) There were five questions, together with recommendations, in relation to benefits of sources of information (4) Moreover, the questionnaire had eight questions and the suggestion part about problems and obstacles to access to graduate study information (5) There were four questions and suggestions about any improvement on information access (6) Finally, this part consisted of five questions and the suggestion section related to needs for graduate study information services Part III: Access to graduate study information; this part used open-ended questions 4) In relation to the scope of the study, the present study focused on the state of operation, problems, obstacles and needs for graduate study information services of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University 5) The duration of this study was one year (June 1st, 2017 – June 30th, 2018) The setting was the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University 6) In collecting the data, an advertising board was designed to seek the participants‘ collaboration in completing the questionnaires In addition, graduate section, graduate students and lecturers were encouraged to share news about this survey through different channels, including research ethics workshop, Facebook, Line, phone calls and individual approach 7) The collected data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, namely frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation to describe the state of operation, problems, obstacles and needs for the graduate study information services of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences For rating-scale questions, there were five levels as follows: Highest level of operation/problems equals scores High level of operation/problems equals scores Moderate level of operation/problems equals scores Low level of operation/problems equals scores Lowest level of operation/problems equals score 514 Mean scores can be interpreted as follows: 4.50 – 5.00 represents the highest level of problems/urgency/satisfaction 3.50 – 4.49 represents the high level of problems/urgency/satisfaction 2.50 – 3.49 represents the moderate level of problems/urgency/satisfaction 1.50 – 2.49 represents the low level of problems/urgency/satisfaction 1.00 – 1.49 represents the lowest level of problems/urgency/satisfaction Results 1) In respect of respondents‘ genders, it was found that most of the respondents, 73 of them accounting for 59.80 percent, were female while 49 of them, 40.20 percent, were male 2) Based on their ages, the results demonstrated that 40 of the respondents, 32.80 percent, were 22-25 aged while 38 of them, 31.10 percent, were 26-30 aged 3) When considering their levels of education, it was discovered that 81 of the respondents, constituting 66.40 percent, held a Master‘s degree while 41 of them, 33.60 percent, obtained a doctoral degree 4) Based on their fields of study, 26 of the respondents, representing 21.30 percent, were affiliated to Thai Program and 13 of them, 10.70 percent, were to English Program 5) In looking into their professions, the study found that 76 of the respondents, 62.30 percent, were students while 40 of them, accounting for 32.78 percent, had other jobs, namely one priest, 0.82 percent 6) In considering sources of information related to graduate section, the study found that 78 of the respondents, constituting 63.93 percent, retrieved information from graduate section‘s website while 67 of them, 54.92 percent, obtain information directly from graduate-section staff 7) When looking into topics about which the respondents retrieved information, the study found that 86 of them, accounting for 70.49 percent, inquired about the enrollment periods while 55 of them, 45.08 percent, requested information about further studies Moreover, only of them, 1.64 percent, asked questions about other aspects 8) In relation to the state of service delivery and graduate study information access, the study found that considering the graduate section‘s service delivery, instant communication and information sharing to the target group was on the highest level of operation (Mean = 3.89, S.D = 0.784, indicating a high level) Clarity of brochures and manuals was also on the high level of operation (Mean = 3.89, S.D = 0.801), followed by instant service delivery and problem-solving (Mean = 3.85, S.D = 0.840) Apart from that, other opinions were concerned with their instant online response, needs for faster documentation, needs for constant update of information, limited information, inadequate information, information inaccessibility and needs for more channels of communication such as mobile phones or Line 9) In terms of data concerning the conditions of service provision and access to graduate study information classified by means of access to information, it was found that 515 most of the questionnaire respondents were of opinions that the operations with highest levels were easy access to information and convenient (Mean = 3.88, S.D = 0.829 at a high level), followed by control of access to graduate study information (Mean = 3.88, S.D = 0.829 at a high level Further suggestions include regular update, which is already good Access to information was limited; therefore, more channels of access to information should be made available in case of failure to connect to the internet 10) In terms of data concerning the conditions of service provision and access to graduate study information classified by benefits of data source, it was found that most of the respondents were of opinions that the operations with highest levels were presentation of useful information which could be applied effectively (Mean = 4.05, S.D = 0.780 at a high level), followed by correctness, accuracy, clarify and reliability of presentation of information (Mean = 4.02, S.D = 0.727 at a high level) and the fact that the data source could reduce the amount of paper used (Mean = 4.02, S.D = 0.828 at a high level) 11) In terms of data concerning the conditions of service provision and access to graduate study information classified by problems and obstacles related to access to graduate study information (website, Facebook, leaflet), it was found that most of the respondents were of opinions that the most serious problems were complicated classification of access to needed information (Mean = 3.30, S.D = 0.953 at a medium level), followed by unclear explanation which made it hard to understand information (Mean = 3.16, S.D = 1.004 at a medium level) Further suggestions include the fact that contact channels were limited; therefore, channels of access to information should be made available in case of failure to connect to the internet 12) In terms of data concerning the conditions of service provision and access to graduate study information classified by what should be improved and developed related to graduate study information, it was found that most of the respondents were of opinions that the most serious issues were the fact that the information service should be suggested on the internet for students (Mean =4.02, S.D = 0.833 at a high level), followed by the fact that information should be made more interesting with information needed by students (Mean = 3.96, S.D = 0.847 at a high level) Further suggestions include the fact that students are required to take the KKU-AELT which students has already passed; therefore, students wish to know their score but have to inquire it at graduate section which is considered as old-fashioned and not modern 13) In terms of data concerning the conditions of service provision and access to graduate study information classified by demand of use of graduate study information, it was found that most of the respondents were of opinions that the most serious issues were the students‘ research presentation stage (Mean = 4.27, S.D = 0.739 at a high level), followed by expansion of academic and research work publication space (Mean = 4.25, S.D = 0.764 at a high level) Further suggestions include the fat that the form of KKU-AELT test (result) should be in the form that can be used in an international level in the same manner as CUTEP, TU-GET Contact with lecturers and staffs was already convenient 14) Further suggestions/guidelines for improvement/expectations from graduate section of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University include 516 several issues in Level 1, the lowest, which were the fact that new staff did good job, addition of online channels to make it convenient for inquiry, acquisition of knowledge, failure to receive news about academic or research scholarships, lack of variety of academic presentations and academic participation outdoors, demand of one-stop service in a form of library, demand of the KKU-AELT (result) to be the form which can be used in an international level in the same manner as CU-TEP and TU-GET, convenient and timeliness of service provision, notification by phone in case of important information as some students are unable to access the internet, clear; comprehensible and updated information notification because most students keep updated with information through Facebook, improvement of information notification through website to be more effective and optimization of paper Discussion 1) According to the data concerning the conditions of service provision and access to graduate study information classified by means of service provision of Graduate section of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, it was found that most of the respondents were of opinions that the operations with the highest level were timely publication of information and news to the right target group (Mean = 3.89, S.D = 0.784 at a high level) and clarify of documents/leaflets/manuals (Mean = 3.89, S.D = 0.801 at a high level), followed by timely service provision and solution (Mean = 3.85, S.D = 0.840 at a high level) It is probably due to the fact that there are clear service recipients who are lecturers and graduate students at Graduate section which made the communication specific and made the publication of information and news timely targeting the right group In addition, Graduate section provides documents and leaflets, especially the graduate section manuals provided to lecturers and graduate students of every academic year The content in the aforesaid documents contains relevant regulations and notifications which can be used for reference and adhered to properly and in the same manner Moreover, Graduate section has an operation plan for certain matters and specifies the duration required for each step Graduate section staff are also well familiarized with relevant regulations and notifications, making the service and solution provision timely 2) According to the data concerning the conditions of service provision and access to graduate study information classified by means of service provision, it was found that most of the respondents were of opinions that the operations with the highest level were easy and convenient retrieval of information (Mean = 3.88, S.D = 0.829 at a high level), followed by control of access of graduate section information (Mean = 3.88, S.D = 0.829 at a high level) It is probably due to the fact that there are several information sources available such as website, Facebook, etc Therefore, it is easy for service users to search for information There is also control of access to graduate study information in order to secure users‘ information 3) According to the data concerning the conditions of service provision and access to graduate study information classified by information source, it was found that most of 517 the respondents were of opinions that the operations with the highest level were presentation of useful information which could be applied effectively (Mean = 4.05, S.D = 0.780 at a high level), followed by correctness, accuracy, clarify and reliability of presentation of information (Mean = 4.02, S.D = 0.727 at a high level) and the fact that the data source could reduce the amount of paper used (Mean = 4.02, S.D = 0.828 at a high level) It is probably due to the fact that Graduate section publicizes useful, accurate, precise, clear and reliably information to lecturers and graduate students, so they can apply the information effectively In addition, Graduate section develops its information source to be online in order to reduce the amount of paper 4) According to the data concerning the conditions of service provision and access to graduate study information classified by problems and obstacles of access to graduate study information (website, Facebook, leaflet), it was found that most of the respondents were of opinions that the most serious problems were complicated classification of access to needed information (Mean = 3.30, S.D = 0.953 at a medium level), followed by unclear explanation which made it hard to understand information (Mean = 3.16, S.D = 1.004 at a medium level) It is due to complicated classification of information on Graduate section‘s website, making it difficult to access demanded information by service users, and unclear explanation, making it hard to understand information 5) According to the data concerning the conditions of service provision and access to graduate study information classified by what should be improved and developed related to graduate study information, it was found that most of the respondents were of opinions that the most serious issues were the fact that the information service should be suggested on the internet for students (Mean =4.02, S.D = 0.833 at a high level), followed by the fact that information should be made more interesting with information needed by students (Mean = 3.96, S.D = 0.847 at a high level) It is due to lack of information publication to suggest information services on the internet available to students, and information is not interesting enough The content is also not in accordance with students‘ needs 6) According to the data concerning the conditions of service provision and access to graduate study information classified by demand of use of graduate study information, it was found that most of the respondents were of opinions that the most serious issues were the students‘ research presentation stage (Mean = 4.27, S.D = 0.739 at a high level), followed by expansion of academic and research work publication space (Mean = 4.25, S.D = 0.764 at a high level) It is due to the fact that Graduate section collaborates with the international research and academic service conference organizer only once a year, so there is no other stage for students to take to present their research work In addition, space for publication of academic and research works is limited Suggestions 1) Suggestions for Improvement and Development - The website should be categorized in order to make it easy to access demanded information, and clear and comprehensible explanations should be provided 518 - The information service should be advertised on the internet for students, and information and contents should be interesting according students‘ needs - There should be sufficient stages for research presentation for students, and space for publication of academic and research works should be increased - Timeliness of document process should be improved - Channels of access to information should be added in case of failure to connect to the internet - Information should be regularly updated and extensive - Announcement of KKU-AELT should be publicized through more online platforms - KKU-AELT should be promoted to be used in an international level in the same manner as CU-TEP, TU-GET, etc - News and information about academic or research scholarships should be publicized more - Academic works presentation and participation in outdoor academic events should be encouraged to be more various - Timeliness of service provisions, e.g notification by phone to students when important information becomes available, should be improved because some students are unable to access the internet - Clear, comprehensible and updated information should be publicized - Information notification through website should be improved to be more effective - Paper should be optimized 2) Suggestions for Future Research - Access to information of Graduate section of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University should be improved - Effectiveness and ability to access information on the website of Graduate section of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University should be enhanced - Inequality of access to information of Graduate section of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University should be tackled - Expectations and satisfaction of use of information service provided by Graduate section of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University Reference Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University (2013) Report on Evaluation of Academic Consultation Service Provision Graduate section, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University 519 Duanden 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Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University 2) To improve information system of graduate section, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University Significance of the study. .. on the state of operation, problems, obstacles and needs for graduate study information services of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University 5) The duration of this study. .. the website of Graduate section of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University should be enhanced - Inequality of access to information of Graduate section of Faculty of Humanities