Handling of Non-Response Error by Agricultural Education Post-Graduate Students in Eswatini

Abstract

It is always difficult to collect data from all members of an identified target population, especially with larger and more diverse samples. Thus, a need exists to address non-response error in surveys; to obtain conclusions that are precise and less erroneous.  Thus, the study sought to describe the manner in which Agricultural Education post-graduate students deal with non-response error in Eswatini. The design of the study was content analysis; employing desk review in data collection. The content analysis protocol was peer reviewed by three colleagues from the Department of Agricultural Education and Extension, at the University of Eswatini. Data analysis was performed using frequencies and percentages. Findings of the study revealed that in a majority of the theses all the questionnaires were returned. However, in cases where the questionnaires were not all returned; the students neither reported nor indicated how they dealt with the non-response error. Therefore, the study concluded that students had challenges in dealing with none-response error. Consequently, the study recommended that a need exists to capacitate and require the students to report and deal with non-response error. A further study should be conducted to establish the challenges surrounding the reporting, and dealing with non-response error by the master’s degree students in agricultural education.