Development of Hybrid Result Processing and Management System for Nigerian Universities

Abstract

Result computation and management in tertiary institutions is one of the key components to ascertain the level of academic quality a gradu and possesses. Research indicates that result computation through the available single-platform system models are about 40% deficient (for the offline) and about 50% deficient (for the online), and inadequate to drive the NUC's goal of attaining higher global ranking and competitiveness. To solve this inadequacy, this work developed a hybrid result processing and management system (HRPMS) for Nigerian Universities. The study adopted Agile-Scrum methodology, which provided the platform for quick response time to changes in user requirements and enhanced the pace of development of the software product. In the design and development process, the HRPMS input-output modules and computing components were developed with the following tools: UML designs, Excel Binary VBA, Java 8.0 (NetBeans 8.0), PHPDesigner 8.0 and MySQL5.4 programs, which optimized the standalone-internet hybrid functionalities of the socket-subsystem. Using the Agile four-quadrant tests in the alpha and beta test stages, the HRPMS operations, user requirements, cost effectiveness and system performance were hybrid-validated. Consequently, the HRPMS model development is valid (HRPMSDevVal) when the result of the hybrid-validation tests (HRPMSFunctVal + HRPMSReqVal + HRPMSCostVal + HRPMSPerfVal) passes as valid. The hypotheses test and the probability density function (PDF) prediction value (1.043458X10-8), shows that the non-functional requirement variables actually and positively drives HRPMS performance to becoming improved over the existing single-platform system model. Finally, the HRPMS promises to provide more efficient, more secured and hard-to-crash system for result processing and management in Nigerian Universities.