Assessment of Secretaries’ Perception on Relevance of Shorthand in their Functions in an Era of Advanced Office Technology and Information Systems

Abstract

This study is entitled “Assessment of Secretaries’ perception on relevance of
shorthand in their functions in an era of advanced office technology and
information systems”. The study had four objectives as a guide and four
hypotheses. The researchers adopted descriptive survey research design.
The study covered three tertiary institutions: Ahmadu Bello University, Federal
College of Education and Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, Kaduna State
offering shorthand. The population of the study consisted of 30 lecturers
and 30 practicing secretaries in the selected institutions. Four rating scale
structured questionnaire were used to generate data from the respondents. Data collected were coded in SPSS using Pearson Product Moment Correlation
(PPMC) to test null hypotheses one and two, while t-test was used to test
null hypotheses three and four. All the null hypotheses were tested at the
0.05 level of significance. The study shows, among others, that listening
skill and consciousness for speed and accuracy acquired in shorthand play
significant roles on secretaries’ duties in this era of advanced office technology
and information systems. The researchers recommended, among others,
that seminar/workshop should be organized to educate the government,
policy makers and students on the importance of shorthand for effective
and efficient performance of secretaries in this crucial dispensation.