A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ATTITUDES OF MALES AND FEMALES STUDENTS TOWARDS SHORTHAND COURSE IN THE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY, ENUGU STATE
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research is to find out, compare and analyse the attitude of male and female students towards shorthand course in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.  The researchers were guided by the shorthand attitude scale (SAS) relating to students attitude towards shorthand course, the difference between male and female students attitudes towards shorthand course in the Institute of Management, Enugu.  Also to find out the implication of lack of adequate equipment and poor method of teaching towards shorthand course.
The findings revealed that students generally have a positive attitude towards shorthand in Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.  Also the findings revealed that there is lack of adequate equipment for shorthand course in Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, this effects the students attitude towards the course.  Shorthand lecturers do encourage their students and put in their best in the teaching-learning procedure.
Based on the findings from the shorthand attitude scale (SAS), the researchers were able to recommend the following:
1.    Reasonable periods should be allocated to shorthand course in order to make the course interesting.
2.    The government should help to provide funds and adequate materials and equipment, should also be made available to shorthand course.
3.    Industrial visits should be undertaken periodically by students who offer shorthand course.
4.    The class accommodation should be made moderate to suit proper learning environment to enhance effective and efficient teaching and learning.
5.    The teachers should endeavour to encourage their students.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
Background of the Study
Statement of the problem
Purpose of the study
Scope of the study
Significance of the study
Research Questions
Limitation of the study
Definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:
Shorthand had been used for non business purposes for a very long time by the ancient Greeks and Romans.  On 10th Century, shorthand was used entirely for verbating of political speeches, of serious, and of court trials, and those who used the art were largely self-taught.  The use of shorthand for business purposes was unknown until after the manufacture of typewriter on a commercial basis.  Once typewriter was into business, however, the value of shorthand as a sister art to typewriting was recognized and was soon accepted as an essential business skill, shorthand is popular because of its job-oriented value.  Next to typewriter, shorthand is the skill most often demanded by business for initial employment.
Shorthand as one of the secretarial subjects is not taught in isolation.  The business subjects found most frequently are secretarial subjects which include shorthand, typewriting, business English and office practice.  It is quite natural that the secretarial subjects should hold an important place in business education or business studies department.  This is because, it is more difficult to acquire skill and knowledge in this subject “SHORTHAND” though individual studies them in most other subjects, the proper techniques and ability to write shorthand and transcribe it, is acquired only from careful controlled drills and good instruction.  Furthermore, knowledge in this subject cannot be learned or acquired on the job and business offices require proficiency in this subject for employment.
Before the advent of tape recorders, computers etc shorthand was very much encouraged for vocational development.  Some people argue that shorthand has much personal value and may be used for taking notes of speeches, debates and college lectures.  It is believed that shorthand does not lend itself readily to taking lecture notes for most people in as much as lecture notes must be transcribed in order to be useable and this is a time of consuming process.
Shorthand is almost wholly vocational in nature.  It is what makes a secretary what he is, it is the only subject among all other secretarial subjects (typewriting, office practice, and business English) that requires a special skill and time to be learned, for fast encoding and decoding of information, shorthand is highly needed.
It was noted by I. Ubuma (1986) that students need to be trained in the realities of the business beyond the formal classroom.  The link between the classroom and business offices is necessary to give those who will enter the world of work meaningful and useful experience. They will need to shape this career.
The question is, how have people related to the study of shorthand course with the advent of computers, tape recorders, word-processors and other electronic gadgets that can encode, decode and transcribe information?  Most students in higher institutions of learning in Nigeria have individual views and perceptions about shorthand course.  Some have positive attitudes while others have negative attitudes towards it.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:
Recently, the Nigerian economy has been witnessing technological changes in business and industries.  Because of this, there is a high demand for competent and efficient personnel in these sectors in order to improve and encourage this situation.  This creates problem as there is no other way to meet the present industrialization demands unless educational machinery is geared towards supplying the industries with required manpower.
The economy today is such that specialization is required in the labour market and they want people who have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge in various occupations like government offices and business houses.  Among other things, shorthand course is one of the subjects that specialists are highly demanded for in the labour market, but people lack adequate understanding of the significance of the course.  Some even think that shorthand course is meant for the academically less intelligent students.  To the male students, they feel that shorthand course is meant for female students only, hence they call it women subject.
Chiegwu (1988) reminded us of the Peter Pitman’s opinion when he said that there was no doubt that all students in schools and colleges who learn typewriting and shorthand find it much easier to get job than those who did not.  Here, Pitman did not tell us that shorthand course is meant for the male students neither did he say or emphasize that it is for the females alone, rather he said that students who studied secretarial course to get jobs easily.
As a result of the problem, this study is meant to find out the feelings and perceptions of male and female students about shorthand course in higher institutions and what are the problem faced by teachers and students in this course.
THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:
    The purpose of this study “A Comparative Analysis of Male and Female Students Attitude Towards Shorthand Course in the Institute of Management and Technology Enugu, Enugu State” is to compare and analyse the attitude of students towards Shorthand course in Nigeria Higher Institutions of learning with reference to institute of management and Technology Enugu, Enugu State.
To this end, the purpose of this study also include:
1.    To identify the attitudes of students in the Institute of Management and Technology Enugu and make comparative analysis on them.
2.    To identify the differences between male and female students attitudes.
3.    To identify the teaching methods used and their effects on students attitude.
4.    To also asses the significance of equipment and other facilities for the study of shorthand in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu, Enugu State.
SCORE OF THE STUDY:
    This research work has the task of covering all departments offering shorthand course in the Institute of Management and Technology Enugu, Enugu State. These departments include:
Department of Business Education and Department of Science studies. However, this research study would be so voluminous and broad if the scope is not limited to a sizeable proportion. So we chose one (2) of these departments (secretarial studies) in the Institute of Management and Technology Enugu for the purpose of this study.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:
    The findings of this study will be useful to both male and female studies as well as the educational authorities and the nation at large.
    This study would explore and expose the attitudes of male and female students towards the learning of Shorthand Course in the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu. Again, It will help to eliminate most of the problems lecturers world encounter in the efforts to motivate Individual study of shorthand Course especially in this dispensation. The study of the comparative analysis of attitude of male and female students towards shorthand Course will help in erasing the thoughts that men who work or study Shorthand Course in higher level do the job of woman.
    The study would be beneficial to the society, both male and female students so that they will have a night attitude towards perceiving exactly what the Course is all about.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
    To facilitate the investigation, the research questions have been formulated.
1.    What are the attitudes of students towards Shorthand Course in the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu?
2.    Are there any differences between male and female students attitudes towards Shorthand Courses?
3.    Do Students feel that lack of equipment hampers the study of Shorthand?
4.    Do Students feel that proper teaching methods are used in the study of Shorthand?
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:
    This study is limited to the above scope as a result of short period of time and financial; problems that the study was expected to be completed.
    The choice of this study is based on some selected departments in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu.
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
1.    SECRETARY:        A secretary is an executive assistance  
who  possesses a mastery of office skills. Demonstrates the ability to assume responsibility without a direct supervision.
2.    SHORTHAND:        Shorthand is the art of representing    
                                          spoken words with signs.
3.    TYPEWRITING:     Typewriting is an art of reproducing a
hand written item into a printed form or printed matter.    
4.    VOCATIONAL:        This is the act of guiding one according  
                                          to one’s choice of profession.
5.    COMPUTER:        It is an electronic device that is capable
of performing tasks at a very high speed and accuracy.