RESEARCH ARTI CLE A GLI MPSE I NTO POST GRADUATE STUDENTS’ RESEARCH UNDERTAKI NGS * 1 Mekwanent Tilahun Desta 2 Yoseph Gebrehiwot Tedla 3 Seid Ebrie Hussen Mekelle University, College of Social Sciences and Languages, Ethiopia ARTI CLE INFO ABSTRACT The paper has sought to cover a panorama of issues related to postgraduate students’ challenges in writing research proposals and reports. It used experience survey and insight-stimulating design and therefore, it falls under the category of exploratory research (formulative research study). The data of the research was obtained from 32 postgraduate students and 18 thesis supervisors who were selected using convenience sampling technique. Semi-structured interview and focus group discussion were used to gather data. The findings of the study indicated that among others, lack of relationship between the theoretically acquired knowledge and its application, course delivery technique, English language proficiency level, rapport between supervisors and advisees, and students’ intellectual and psychological readiness were the most prevalent threats posed to postgraduate research undertakings. This paper concluded that post graduate students’ selection criteria should consider test results of applicants’ language proficiency and knowledge in the field to which the students apply as key criteria. In addition, the course delivery techniques should be molded towards applicability of the acquired knowledge. Copyright © 2014 Mekwanent Tilahun Desta. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. INTRODUCTION Research in its simplest term is understood as a logical inquiry into the lives and activities of human beings. Besides, research is defined as a methodical investigation into a subject in order to discover facts, to establish or revise a theory, or to develop a plan of action based on the facts discovered. It is believed that researches pose fundamental questions to unravel the mysteries in the lives and activities of human beings and suggest solutions to the multifaceted problems the world is grappling with. Marczyk et al. (2005) claimed that progress in almost every field of science depends on the contributions made by systematic research. Thus, research is often viewed as the cornerstone of scientific progress. The rationale of research is to answer questions and add new knowledge to a given field of study. More to the point, research is the most important instrument used in almost all areas of science to enlarge the frontiers of knowledge. According to Mutula (2009) universities inherently assure research-based teaching, which is in contrast with other types of higher education institutions devoted to the provision of training and skills. However given the drastic increase in the demand for tertiary education over the past decade, many universities have been obliged to pursue these two missions with equal vigor – even when funding and other resources have been extremely limited. Like many other higher education institutes, Mekelle University provides opportunity to graduating class students to conduct researches. These researches are meant to let prospective graduate students *Corresponding author: Mekwanent Tilahun Desta Mekelle University, College of Social Sciences and Languages, Ethiopia. bring the theoretically acquired knowledge into practice. Although the very intention of engaging graduating class students in research activities in the areas of their specialization is to familiarize them with the research knowhow, they are seen facing stiff challenges precluding them from attaining their targets. The challenges they face are becoming apparent to students and instructors in the university. These challenges should aptly be investigated and resolved before they get pervasive. In order to precisely detect and diagnose the works in progress, the current research team deduced that surveying the challenges postgraduate students face in writing research proposals and reports is a timely move forward since the prevalence of this problem at postgraduate level is more attention seeking than it is in the undergraduate studies. The studies conducted in the undergraduate program are designed to serve as a runway for students to prepare themselves for further studies that are research based. Nevertheless, conducting researches in the post graduate program is a career oriented as compared to undergraduate program. Moreover, Kearney (2008), states that the current landscape of advanced degrees is increasingly varied. This has resulted from the many changes and developments in recent years within the Higher Education sector where supply must adapt to more diverse demand. On one hand, research degrees continue to denote advanced study in a chosen discipline with a view to the pursuit of an academic career; in this respect expertise in research methodology and investigative skills are required. Though post graduate students are expected to demonstrate clear understanding of research and their capability of I SSN: 0975 -833X Available online at http://www.journalcra.com International Journal of Current Research Vol. 6, Issue, 05, pp.6879-6884, May, 2014 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT RESEARCH Article History: Received 28 th February, 2014 Received in revised form 30 th March, 2014 Accepted 25 th April, 2014 Published online 31 st May, 2014 Keywords: Postgraduate research, Higher Education, Thesis, Supervisors, Advisees, Research proposal , Research report.