Refining academic writing skills for the third year Bcom (accounting) students at a selected university in KwaZulu-Natal
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Date
2021
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University of Zululand
Abstract
This study investigated the academic writing contests experienced by the third year BCom (Accounting) students at a selected university in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Most of these students are second language users of English, and the language is used as a medium of instruction. This study was informed and guided by the following research questions that were drawn from the objectives of the study: (i.e. Why do the third year BCom (Accounting) students seem to have challenges with academic writing skills?; What are the perceptions of BCom (Accounting) lecturers in assisting the third-year BCom (Accounting) students to develop the academic writing skills?; and, Are the academic writing programmes effective and efficient to assist third year BCom (Accounting) students to develop academic writing skills?).
The study used the qualitative research approach and interpretivism paradigm. The theory that underpinned this study is social constructivism. The participants comprised two groups of students and third year lecturers. Interview Focus Groups with both the students and the lecturers were conducted, analyses of tests and projects/programmes were employed as data collection instruments. Eighteen (18) students and six (6) lecturers were interviewed. Thirty-three (33) tests and fifteen (15) group projects were analysed by the University Writing Centre. The content data analysis was adopted, and it revealed the following: it is not easy to understand the content in a second language, the accounting students are not passionate about academic writing, the students are displaying linguistic challenges, some of the accounting lecturers need academic writing skills training for them to be able to train the students, the lecturers and the students are not using the writing format and are failing to follow the writing process. This study recommends the following: The Writing Centre should develop an academic writing skill programme at first- year level, and this should be embedded within and across different academic modules. This will enhance students’ academic writing skills; academics and the Writing Centre support-team could collaborate in assisting students.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Commerce in the Department of Accounting at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2021.