Standardised Causal Statistical Equations of Curriculum Management on the Viability of Graduate Programmes in Universities: The Mediation of Institutional Effectiveness
This study derived ten standardized causal statistical equations to model the association between various proxies of curriculum management and the viability of graduate programmes in universities, with indices of institutional effectiveness mediating the association. The study was guided by three specific research objectives. Quantitative data were gathered from a population of 149 respondents who are institutional leaders at different cadres in two public universities in the state of Cross River, Nigeria. A validated questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection, with reliability properties meeting the internal consistency criteria. All the proxies of curriculum management jointly explained some portion of variances in the proxies of the mediating and dependent variables respectively. Not all indices of curriculum management caused a significant change in institutional effectiveness and the viability of graduate programmes. All the proxies of institutional effectiveness played a significant role in causing a direct and mediated effect on the indices of the viability of graduate programmes such as availability of funds, persistent procurement of facilities and so on. Based on these findings, key practical and policy implications are discussed for effective curriculum development and educational reforms.