A SURVEY OF CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES USED TO TACKLE STUDENTS’ UNREST IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN DELTA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined conflict management strategies used to tackle students’ unrest in tertiary institutions in Delta state, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used to carry out the study while the study population comprised staff and students of tertiary institutions in the study location. Three research questions and one hypothesis were raised to guide the study. Stratified random sampling technique was also used to select 360 respondents from four (4) selected tertiary institutions. A 29 items questionnaire entitled: ‘Conflict management strategies for tackling students’ unrest’ was designed by the researchers and forwarded to two research experts for validation. The corrections made were incorporated in the final draft copy of the instrument. The reliability of the instrument was measured with test – retest method alongside Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and reliability score was 0.82. The researchers alongside three (3) research assistants were involved in
distribution and collection of copies of the questionnaire to and from respondents. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, percentage, and mean scores while the hypothesis was tested with chi-square statistic. It was found among others that: authorities of tertiary institutions in Delta state adopt several conflict management strategies to tackle students’ unrest. It was recommended among others, that authorities of tertiary institutions in Delta state should give preference to conflict management strategies that produce effective result in tackling students’ unrest.