Challenges Faced by University Students in Conducting Scientific Research and Ways to Address Them in Banadir Province

Abstract

Scientific research skills are the lifeblood that sustains the life of a college student and serves as their compass toward intellectual independence and academic excellence; however, the reality of our educational system reveals a deep gap between these aspirations and the actual challenges students face while preparing their research. From this perspective, this study aims to pinpoint the root causes of these issues and unravel the difficulties—whether epistemological, methodological, or technical—in a serious effort to outline the features of a more equitable and effective research environment.

This study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, gathering students’ opinions through a questionnaire and subjecting the results to statistical analysis (ANOVA) to examine the underlying differences among the university’s colleges. The research yielded remarkable findings; it became evident that most of the obstacles facing students are “university-wide challenges” that transcend disciplinary boundaries; these are structural problems shared by all colleges, ranging from inadequate supervision to time constraints. This makes them quintessentially institutional issues requiring comprehensive solutions that go beyond stopgap measures. Conversely, “disparity” was evident in both the individual and institutional factors, suggesting that learning environments within the colleges are not on an equal footing, which underscores the need to standardize academic and technical support for all.

From this analytical perspective, the study offers educational institutions a set of recommendations to bring about tangible change. It is essential to formulate a national research policy within universities that addresses disciplinary gaps, along with a reevaluation of the role of the academic advisor by freeing up their time and training them in modern mentoring techniques. We also recommend embedding research skills at the core of the curriculum so that they become an integral part of a student’s development from the very beginning. We must not overlook the establishment of “research support centers” that serve as safe havens for students, where they receive methodological, technical, and linguistic support, free from time pressures or limited resources.

This research is a sincere call to decision-makers to elevate the quality of university outputs and transform the undergraduate research journey from a grueling experience into an inspiring journey of discovery, one that supplies the knowledge market with generations of researchers who are at the forefront of science and innovation.