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Vajpayee, P. (1995). A Study of the Communication Process in the Open University System of the Distance Education Programme in Rajasthan. Unpublished. Ph.D., Education. M.L.S University.

The objectives of this study were: (1) To find out the communication measures / devices adopted by the Distance Education centres in respect of academic courses. (2) To find out the communication measures/devices adopted by the Distance Education centres in respect of professional courses. (3) To determine the effectiveness of delivery media (Printed material, Radio, TV, Audio-Video Cassettes etc) and their significance in respect of both academic and professional courses. (4) To determine the effectiveness and significance of student support material (including the role played by Regional and Study Centres therein). (5) To find out the difference with regard to the communication measures / devices used in difference Education Centres. (6) To find out the pattern of communication between: Central management and Regional Centres; Central management and Study Centres; and Regional Centres and Study Centres. (7) To locate the gaps and difficulties in communication at the above three levels. (8) To formulate suggestions for improvement and enhancement of quality in the Distance Education

Extensive survey was carried out in respect of the communication pattern and processes in prevailing Kota Open University (KOU) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) along with their Regional Centres and the Study Centres operating in Rajasthan.

Techniques and tools employed basically consisted of observation, interview and collecting observations suggestions and criticisms etc through questionnaires.

The present study was confined to the Normative Survey Method.

The content analysis technique and percentages were used for data analysis.

The findings were: (1) An overwhelming percentage of students of academic and professional courses of KOU and IGNOU affirm that printed study material is the most dominant source of Distance Education presently available to students of both KOU and IGNOU. (2) Majority of the students affirm that printed study material is generally timely delivered by both the universities. (3) Most of the students of IGNOU receive the study material in more than one installment while in the cased of KOU most students receive the study material in one lot. (4) Most of the students of both the universities affirm that printed materials as received for the study were prepared keeping the whole of the curriculum in view. (5) KOU needs to recast and revise its printed material in order to make it more comprehensive (particularly that meant for its professional courses). The need also stands emphasized to an extent for IGNOU professional courses. (6) Most of the officials of IGNOU and KOU affirm that the printed study material is sent to the students directly from the University by post and not through the Regional or Study centres. In general, the same practice appears to be adopted by both the universities. Due stress is also being laid on timely distribution of printed study material at both the universities. (7) 40% to 47% students of both the universities refrained from giving a positive response for the statement that "the printed study material provides due background for the use of reference books".

Keyword(s): Communication Process , Open University System