Relevance of Shorthand Skills to Secretarial Duties in Automated Offices.
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The major objective of this study was to determine the relevance of shorthand skills to secretarial duties in automated offices in North East Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria.
The specific objectives were to:
- determine the relevance of shorthand skill to secretaries ‘accuracy in minutes taking in automated offices.
- determine the relevance of shorthand skill to secretaries ‘speed in minutes taking in automated offices.
- determine the relevance of shorthand skill to secretaries ‘ability to compose correspondence in automated offices.
- determine the relevance of shorthand to secretaries ‘communication skill in automated offices.
- determine the relevance of shorthand skills to report writing ability of secretaries in automated offices.
- determine the relevance of shorthand skills to confidentiality of secretaries in automated offices.
- determine the difference between the opinion of managers and secretaries on relevance of shorthand skills to secretarial duties in automated offices.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps
The Secretary
In any organization, the secretary particularly is the most visible employee who occupies, the major sensitive position linking the customers with the managers. He is an indispensable tool for an efficiently administered office since it has in fact been recognized that the Secretary is the live wire of any organization. According to Udom (2002) the human resource of an organization is the most important resource of the organization. A pool of experienced skilful and efficient human capital is an indispensable tool for the attainment of the business goals of an organization, leading to higher profits if properly harnessed. It is common knowledge that every business venture is set up primarily for the purpose of making profit. The greatest challenge facing any organization therefore, is the possibility of recruiting the best hand at the right time to fill the vacancies available in that organization. According to Anderson (1978) “ a secretary is a person who schedules appointment, gives information to callers, records and route incoming mails, takes dictation in shorthand or on machine and transcribes notes on the typewriters or voice recording, composes, types routine correspondences, types statistical reports, keep personal records and record minutes of staff and management meeting”. According to Austin (1983) a secretary is a person who has acquired basic secretarial skills of shorthand and typewriting and has enough knowledge and practical experience in office work to be able to cope with filling simple office machinery and reception duties.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain relevance of shorthand skills to secretarial duties in automated offices. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of relevance of shorthand skills to secretarial duties in automated offices
Summary
This study was on relevance of shorthand skills to secretarial duties in automated offices. Seven objectives were raised which included: determine the relevance of shorthand skill to secretaries ‘accuracy in minutes taking in automated offices, determine the relevance of shorthand skill to secretaries ‘speed in minutes taking in automated offices, determine the relevance of shorthand skill to secretaries ‘ability to compose correspondence in automated offices, determine the relevance of shorthand to secretaries ‘communication skill in automated offices, determine the relevance of shorthand skills to report writing ability of secretaries in automated offices, determine the relevance of shorthand skills to confidentiality of secretaries in automated offices and determine the difference between the opinion of managers and secretaries on relevance of shorthand skills to secretarial duties in automated offices. The study adopted a survey research design and conveniently enrolled 80 participants in the study. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from secretaries from selected higher institution in Uyo, Pankshin. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
This study will conclude that shorthand is still relevant and there is no other course or application which could be used to replace the writing of shorthand
Recommendation
- Shorthand should still remain in the school curriculum of secretarial education both at secondary schools and post secondary institutions of learning because of its relevance to secretaries in taking accurate minutes of meetings.
- The institutions that offer shorthand should constantly organize seminars and workshops for students regularly as well as invite seasoned business educators who are office-based and professional counselors to educate business education students on the relevance of shorthand skills in an era of automated equipment. If business education students are well informed on the relevance of shorthand, they will be interested in offering the course and perform well in it.
- Organizations and employers of labour should educate people on the relevance of shorthand through appropriate seminars and workshops because shorthand skills still serve as a means of confidential writing in close door meetings.
- Ministries of education should collaborate with the Education Trust Fund (ETF) to enable them supply equipment and teaching materials in shorthand laboratories. This will enhance the teaching of shorthand to be more practical and that will help in bringing out the needed secretarial skills for boosting students‘ speed and accuracy in composing of reports and taking of minutes even when out of school.
References
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