Abstract:
This study sought to investigate challenges of writing theses and dissertations among
postgraduate students. A total of 103 research reports, including 39 theses and 64 dissertations
from three universities in Tanzania, were reviewed. The findings indicated that the majority
(more than 50%) of the candidates, whose theses and dissertations were reviewed, faced
numerous challenges in writing their theses and dissertations. The candidates seemed to have
challenges in writing all chapters which were included in their research reports. The
challenges included inappropriateness in presenting different chapters of the reports and lack
of academic writing skills. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended, among
others, that research methods courses offered in the universities should be reviewed in terms
of contents and teaching approaches in order to overcome the challenges as portrayed by the
candidates in the reviewed theses and dissertations.
