Research skills development and assessment in science and mathematics curriculum: where we are?

Abstract

Based on many observations, experiences and reactions of colleges supervising postgraduate levels. entering students lack the basic research skills and knowledge despite the fact they all have undergone the curriculum successfully, in which the development of research skills is an important objective. In undergraduate education, teaching and research are not perceived as being in opposition, but rather inextricably linked with each other. This perspective underpins the proposal by the National Science Foundation to the US Congress, that integrating research and education "be adopted as a core strategy for education nationally". Within this paradigm, students are perceived as researchers who observe and participate in the process of discovery and communication of knowledge. The stress on the importance of research is well echoed by the stakeholders and various Ministries of Education , Higher Education and Ministry of Science, technology and Innovation. However, not many have addressed on the needs for the development of research skills among students, who would then become researchers. This paper would discuss some of the Science and Mathematics curriculum issues and research on it with particular reference to some of the works my colleagues and I have thus far embarked .