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Positive psychology for depression: a critical review
Get PDFBackground Positive psychology has become a popular approach to psychology. Aim To evaluate the approach of positive psychology in dealing with depression and the strength of empirical research in the area. Method A comprehensive search was conducted using the search engines and databases: Scopus, Google Scholar, PsycARTICLES and ProQuest Central. Results were then screened. Results The ten reviewed studies indicate that the positive psychology approach is effective in treating depression and reducing symptoms. However, issues to be addressed include the need to integrate it with other approaches and how long it takes. Discussion The review highlights the effectiveness of positive psychology approaches and summarises the positives and negatives of the empirical research presented. Conclusion Positive psychology has clear, effective treatment methods that present benefits for the individual. However, the methods of treatment may be more time consuming and need more commitment from the individual than more traditional methods
Development of an enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) adoption model in Higher Education Institutions
Get PDFThis research investigates and identifies some of the major factors affecting the adoption of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Saudi Arabia. ERP has become a significant computer system in organisations; therefore, this study was motivated by the lack of comprehensive research on the adoption of ERP systems by HEIs.
The present study has extended previous research by examining factors that may affect the adoption of ERP systems, based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). HEIs must utilise information systems to achieve a competitive advantage; therefore, extra knowledge of the factors that affect their adoption is required to understand and facilitate acceptance.
The study employed a quantitative approach and was conducted on six HEIs located in different cities in Saudi Arabia. The proposed model was validated by a survey of 394 ERP users and was estimated using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). A path model was developed to analyse the relationships between the factors in order to explain the adoption of ERP systems by HEIs. The results have shown that both organisational factors (top management support and user training) and individual factors (computer self-efficacy and computer anxiety) have significant effects on ERP adoption in HEIs.
The current study provides both theoretical and practical contributions. The development of a new model extends the body of knowledge of the existing literature and research related to technology acceptance and, more specifically, to the adoption of ERP by HEIs. Along with these academic contributions, practical contributions are anticipated from this current study because HEIs need to enhance performance in the current competitive setting. This conceptual basis is aimed at providing an insight on the possible management procedures and activities that managers might utilise for examining the complexity of the ERP, thus equipping them with an instrument for exploiting its potential. This is critical because HEIs face challenges when applying ERPs through mechanisms that enable them produce the anticipated benefits.
This research also provides useful insights into the relationship between the factors and the actual use of ERP systems, enabling the HEI adoption teams and technology developers to better understand the key determinants of user acceptance and how different decisions may influence the success of the new systems they produce. Therefore, the proposed model serves as a framework for thinking through and establishing the different requirements and development criteria for the new system
Model for matching learner and tutor expectations
No full textWe often talk about managing learner’s expectations, whether that be around attendance, achievement, career aspirations, university choices, further training or life generally. But the major issue with this is that we as educators are ‘managing’ someone else’s expectations, when we don’t necessarily have a true understanding of what is occurring with that person, writes Dr Duncan Cross, Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Bolton
Remarkable Lives : Maddi Faith in conversation with Jerome Carson.
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Maddi Faith.
In this single case study, Maddi gives a short background and the origins of her mental health issues and is then interviewed by Jerome.
Maddi tells us how her problems developed in her childhood and of the journey she has been on since.
Single case studies provide a single perspective. Yet are they of any less value than a commentary by an academic? On the contrary many offer unique insights into how we provide services for people with mental health problems, and of better ways to help them.
Maddi raises the issue of “falling between services,” with the result that the individual concerned does not receive the help they need.
The persistent stigma of mental health problems is an issue that will need to be addressed for decades if it is to be overcome. Personal witness is vital in tackling this issues. Maddi has already done a lot to address this through her work at University.
The Trust the second author worked for, for many years used to have a staff “Made a Difference” award. Maddi surely deserves such an award for her own efforts to develop our understanding of the realities of mental health problems
Gaming against anxiety: user-feedback in the development of a therapeutic game for adolescent anxiety disorders
No full textChildren and young people’s goals in online counselling: who achieves what, and how can the data impact on practice?
No full textAim/Purpose: There is a growing awareness of the mental health difficulties that children and
young people (CYP) encounter. Given the acknowledgement that large numbers of CYP will
benefit from additional support, there is increased emphasis on creating accessible services. One
area of growth in the UK has been the provision of online therapeutic services. Further, in
attempting to make CYP services more youth friendly, goal-based outcome measures are
commonly integrated into therapeutic work. This study investigates the types of therapeutic
goals set by CYP online and considers how they develop.
Design/Methodology: It makes use of a year of practice-based data generated from April 2016 to
March 2017 on the Kooth.com service – a web-based platform that offers synchronous and
asynchronous counselling, peer-to-peer support and self-help tools. 3403 goals were reported
during this period by 1425 CYP and scored from 0-10. The demographic information of the clients
using the online service is reflected upon before this information is considered alongside the
change that is reported in goal scores.
Ethical Approval: This study received a favourable ethical review at the institution of the third
author.
Results/Findings: It is notable that the online service was primarily used by female users during
the reporting period (71%), and a majority of the service users were aged 13-16 years (62%).
46.5% of these goals were fully achieved by the cohort, with an average goal movement overall
of 6.69.
Conclusions/Implications: The findings contribute to the body of literature that reflect a similar
demographic of CYP access online counselling as they do face-to-face counselling. When
considering the level achievement of the commonest therapeutic goals, online services can
provide an important role in aiding CYP in accessing additional support. Such a view highlights
the importance of online services working in conjunction with face-to-face services
Undwarfing the giant: a shared value approach
Get PDFThis is a follow up paper on the dwarfed giant: impact of trade and related policies on SMEs in the Nigerian textile industry. This study uncovers how the dwarfed giant can be undwarfed through the creation of shared value. To achieve this, the study examines areas of SMEs collaborative partnership in the Nigerian textile industry. SMEs in the Nigerian textile industry are faced with challenges that limit their abilities to compete favourably due to growing pressures from the liberalisation of international trade. These challenges have been an issue of concern, especially for SMEs fabric manufacturers operating in the Nigerian textile industry who are faced with the fundamental task of attaining long-term sustainability while simultaneously creating value for their customers and the society. The study identified some elements of collaborative partnerships between SMEs, customers and the government. It also identified the absence of on-going collaboration between SMEs and educational institutions in the country. However, these collaborative efforts have yielded little or no result due to the lack of shared understanding and values among key stakeholders in the industry. In bridging this gap, the study suggests that the principles of shared value creation be embedded into SMEs business strategy in inter-organizational relationships with key stakeholders in and out of the textile value chain. This way, they can effectively co-create shared value in the internal environment and adequately tackle the challenges of the external business environment
A mixed method approach on policy, legal and regulations of non-Shariah compliant income in the Islamic banking Industry: the case study of Malaysia
Get PDFChannelling funds to charity by Islamic banks has become a popular approach to de-recognise non-Shariah income derived from non-Shariah compliant transactions. Unlike conventional banks, this distinctive feature occurs within Islamic banking environments due to nonconformance with Shariah (Islamic law), which is a basic principle of the Islamic banking system. For instance, the first stand-alone Islamic bank established in Malaysia has reported in its 2011 audited annual report that an amount of MYR181,791.91 was received from nonShariah compliant transactions. Thus, this research aims to study the issues and occurrences of non-Shariah compliant transactions in Islamic banks and to identify resolutions, particularly in Malaysia, by highlighting four main areas. These are: incidents of non-Shariah compliance, Shariah and corporate governance, a legal and regulatory framework, and financial disclosure.
The research focuses on a mixed method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to identify gaps and the lacuna in dealing with non-Shariah income. Due to the limited access of internal reporting of non-Shariah compliant transactions within Islamic banks and the central bank of Malaysia, self-administered questionnaires were generated and filled in by Shariah officers of Islamic banks as primary data. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with members of Shariah Advisory Council (SAC) of the central bank of Malaysia to understand and explore their perceptions and views on non-Shariah compliant issues. Furthermore, content analysis of audited annual report of Islamic banks was used to extract statutory information regarding financial disclosures, specifically on non-Shariah compliant transactions for specific accounting periods.
The findings in the study have discovered that there are shortcomings in existing practises of dealing with non-Shariah compliant transactions and income. Based on the empirical analysis, the study constructively proposes a comprehensive model and policy recommendations to enhance and further overcome the existing shortcomings in the main areas mentioned abov
Interference-free space-time block codes with directional beamforming for future networks
Get PDFAs the evolving communication standards would leverage on high data rates and low power consumption, future communication systems must be able to demonstrate these strengths. Space-time block codes (STBC) and quasi-orthogonal STBC (QO-STBC) including beamforming are multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) system design techniques used to improve data rates and reduce bit error ratio (BER). STBCs for larger antenna configurations use QO-STBC schemes which suffer from self-interference problems. The self-interference in QO-STBC systems diminishes the data rates and worsen the BER. In this study, we present three (3) methods of overcoming the self-interference problems in QO-STBC systems. We implement the interference-free QO-STBC systems with directional beamforming to improve the data rates and also reduce the BER. The results show significantly improved BER performance when the interferences are eliminated. An additional 3dB gain is achieved at 1
Moving forward with learning analytics: expert views
Get PDFLearning analytics involve the measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, in order to understand and optimise learning and the environments in which it occurs. Since emerging as a distinct field in 2011, learning analytics has grown rapidly, and early adopters around the world are already developing and deploying these new tools. This paper reports on a study that investigated how the field is likely to develop by 2025, in order to make recommendations for action to those concerned with the implementation of learning analytics. The study used a Policy Delphi approach, presenting a range of future scenarios to international experts in the field and asking for responses related to the desirability and feasibility of these scenarios, as well as actions that would be required. Responses were received from 103 people from 21 countries. Responses were coded thematically, inter-rater reliability was checked using Cohen’s kappa coefficient, and data were recoded if kappa was below 0.6. The seven major themes that were identified within the data were power, pedagogy, validity, regulation, complexity, ethics, and affect. The paper considers in detail each of these themes and its implications for the implementation of learning analytics