1150 research outputs found
Sort by
Karatina University refresher training for Secretaries and Clerical Officers
No full textKaratina University Refresher training for Secretaries and Clerical Officer
The Quest for Quality in University Education in the Post COVID-19 Era: Do Anti-plagiarism Tools Still Matter?
No full textAntiplagiarismPlagiarism is a major global challenge to quality assurance in higher education. Various efforts have been made to overcome the menace including the use of anti-plagiarism tools. At the same time, many questions have been raised about the efficacy of the current generation of tools in detecting, preventing plagiarism, and guaranteeing the quality of education. This paper examines the limitations of plagiarism detection tools in enhancing the quality of academic outcomes and proposes measures for improvement. The paper argues that while anti-plagiarism software has a role in preventing plagiarism in academic writing and academic integrity, they are not the panacea to the plagiarism pandemic, especially in the COVID-19 era. It proposes that there is a need to reform methods of assessment and implement forward-looking policies to address the underlying causes of plagiarism, provide students with appropriate information literacy skills training, and above all cultivate a culture of academic integrity in higher education institutions (HEIs)
Natural Radioactivity and radiological Hazard analysis of Construction stones from various queries in Machakos County Kenya. Radiation Protection Dosimetry.
No full textHazard analysis of construction stonesThe radioactivity levels of rocks sampled from the quarries of Kyasioni, Mavoloni and Kathaana located in the lower Eastern County of Machakos in Kenya were determined. Forty-two samples were collected using stratified random sampling and analysed using NaI(TI) detector with a specially designed lead shield. The parametric values of activity concentration, absorbed dose, annual dose rate and hazard indices were estimated using activity-dose relations suggested in UNSCEAR and ICRP reports. The mean activity concentration for the entire work for 238U (226Ra), 232Th and 40K were 68.33 ± 3.11, 101.10 ± 1.83 and 1084.02 ± 30.28 Bq/kg, respectively. Kyasioni quarry presented the highest activity concentration of 74.75 ± 3.15, 118.48 ± 1.91 and 1120.35 ± 30.07 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The average annual effective dose was estimated as 0.58 ± 0.01, 0.47 ± 0.01 and 0.52 ± 0.01 mSv/y for Kyasioni, Kathaana and Mavoloni quarries, respectively. Other radiological parameters estimated from the corresponding activities were within the recommended limits hence guaranteeing safety to the users
Effect of On-the-Job Training Techniques on Performance of SMES in Mombasa County.
No full textEffect of On-the-Job Training Techniques on Performance of SMESOrganizations rely largely on their employees to deliver high-quality production and performance. This means that staff needs to be skilled and knowledgeable, which can only be achieved through learning and development. Most small and medium-sized (SMEs) organizations hardly train their staff, and as such, performance is affected. This can be seen in the poor performance of some SMEs. To change this trend, it is thought that improving the competence and capacity of the employees can improve their performance. Training, especially on-the-job training, will give the SME in the construction sector hands-on experience. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effect of on-the-job training techniques on the performance of SMEs. The specific objectives covered employee coaching and apprenticeships. The study was anchored on social learning theory and human capital theory. The study employed a descriptive research design. The target population was stratified as per the position held in the organization. Primary data was collected through the use of structured questionnaires, which were self-administered to the respondents. The data was analyzed using SPPS, where descriptive analysis was done to obtain means, standard deviations, and inferential statistics. Pearson Moment of Correlation analysis was conducted to test the strength of the variables, and regression analysis was done to check the relationship between the study variables. The study established that employee coaching and apprenticeship all had a significant and positive effect on the performance of SME. The study concludes that on-the-job training techniques have a significant effect on organizational performance. The study recommends that training is very significant in improving the performance of SMEs, hence it should be embraced in the construction sector. As such, there should be more investment in enhancing training programs so as to drive organizational performance
Office Administrators/ Clerical Officers Refresher Training
Get PDFOffice Administrators/Clerical Officers refresher trainin
INTEGRATION OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN MANAGING TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN NAIROBI AND NYERI COUNTIES, KENYA
Get PDFA Thesis Submitted to the School of Education and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration, Karatina UniversityInformation and Communication Technology (ICT) is acknowledged as a key driver
for the worldwide economy, particularly in the progressively digitized era of the 21st
century. Educational institutions can no longer effectively prepare students to function
competently in the global economy without properly integrating ICT into their
curriculum. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of integration of ICT in
Technical Training Institutions (TTIs) in Nairobi and Nyeri Counties in Kenya. The
study was guided by the following objectives: to evaluate the level of integration of
ICT in performing administrative functions in Technical Training Institutions in Nyeri
and Nairobi Counties, to examine the level of integration of ICT in conducting
financial management, to assess the level of integration of ICT in instructional
processes and to examine the level of ICT integration in assessment practices in
Technical Training Institutions in Nyeri and Nairobi Counties, Kenya. The study was
guided by the Adaptive Structuration Theory and Technical Pedagogical Content
Knowledge (TPACK) model. The research design utilized in this study was a mixed
methods design. The target population consisted of 1026 respondents. The sample size
was 310 respondents, who included; 290 lecturers, 10 bursars and 10 principals from
the 10 TTIs in the counties of Nairobi and Nyeri. The lecturers were selected using
stratified random sampling, whereas the bursars and principals were selected using
purposive sampling. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data.
Reliability was tested using Cronbach alpha coefficient. The questionnaire's reliability
was calculated and yielded a Cronbach's alpha (α) of 0.903 in the measurement of ICT
integration while validity was ascertained through factor analysis. Quantitative data
was analyzed using both the descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.1. The qualitative data was
analyzed in terms of the themes expressed by the respondents. Results of the study
revealed a statistically significant difference in the level of ICT integration in
administrative functions (t=0.077, p=0.000), financial management (t=0.072,
p=0.000), instructional processes (t=0.0731, p=0.000) and assessment practices
(t=0.0724, p=0.000) in TTIs in Nyeri and Nairobi Counties. This highlights the
varying levels of ICT integration in TTIs in Nyeri and Nairobi Counties. The null
hypothesis was hence rejected. The study recommends the need for the government to
strengthen its ICT policy to facilitate enhanced resource allocation by both the
government and respective institutions, aiming to further deepen the integration of
ICTs in TTIs in Kenya
Motorcycles delivery innovation and performance of wholesale retail sector in Kenya.
No full textMotorcycles delivery innovationIn Kenya, the wholesale and retail sector has been undergoing a difficult time that has seen some of the big retailers closing due to myriad challenges in their performance in the dynamic environment. This study sought to establish the influence of motorcycle delivery innovation on the performance of the wholesale and retail sectors in Kenya. The study was anchored on social exchange theory. The research philosophy adopted for the study was positivism. A descriptive research design using a quantitative approach was used in this study. The study targeted all wholesale and retail shops in 47 counties in Kenya that employed commercial motorcycles for their last-mile delivery of goods. Systematic sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select a sample size of 383 respondents and a questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential analysis was undertaken across all variables using SPSS software. The findings indicated that there was a strong relationship between delivery innovations and the performance of the wholesale and retail businesses in Kenya (0.785). On the hypotheses, the study found that motorcycle delivery innovation had a statistically significant influence on the performance of wholesale and retail businesses in Kenya (t = 16.560, p=0.00
The Role Visual Resources and Improvised Techniques Play in the Actualization of Bukusu Circumcision Songs
Get PDFBukusu Circumcision SongsThe study is an analysis of visual resources and improvised techniques in actualization of the Bukusu
circumcision songs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role visual resources and improvised
techniques play in the actualization of Bukusu circumcision songs. The study employed Performance
Theory because it was performance-centered approach and more adequate to analyze visual resources and
improvised techniques employed in Bukusu circumcision songs in a more effective way. The study relied
on fieldwork methods like note taking, video recording, interviews, and questionnaire and participant
observation. It also employed purposive sampling procedures that used to obtain a maximum number
possible of informants from whom data was collected, analyzed and documented. Both primary and
secondary sources were utilized in data collection. The quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) in which, the rating scale was as follows: Strongly Disagree (SD) =
1; Disagree (D) = 2; Agree (A) = 3; Strongly Agree (SA) = 4. While the qualititative data was analysed
thematically then subjected to the rating scale. The researcher concluded that, visual resources and
improvised techniques play a role in the actualization of Bukusu circumcision songs in regard to;
composition, aesthetics and performance. The findings in table 2 showed that, majority of respondents
106 (56.7%) strongly agreed that composition of visual resources and improvised techniques played a role
in the actualization of Bukusu circumcision songs. Elements like gestures, costumes and dramatic
elements like body movements, facial expressions and tonal variations. VR and IT turned a boring song
into an interesting and memorable song. Facial expression showed feelings of the performer and
audiences, the costumes of the performers, all combined reveled the beauty and the semantic content of
the song and the performance. The findings on aesthetics in table 3 established that, women’s personal
interest in aesthetics in BSC had a role on use of visual resources and improvised techniques, ululation
brought in a happy mood of the mother and aunties of a circumcision candidate at 15 (76.9%). Youth at
20 (66.3%) believed that aesthetics had a role on VR and IT like costumes was associated with seriousness
of the initiation process. Men liked aesthetics of visual resources and improvised techniques at 35 (70.7%).
These implied that, men just like women and youth had an interest in aesthetics exhibited in BCS through
VR and IT made the song exciting. VR and IT in BCSs had its messages as well as its aesthetics which
were learned through the language of drum, the clapping of hands, the characterization and body
movements of the performers; the participation of audience and their imitation of the other audience-performers and the ululations by aunties and mothers made the songs enjoyable. Concerning the
performance of VT and IT, the study in table 4 established that, 113 (60.6%) strongly agreed that, during
performance of BSC, visual resources and improvised techniques were employed by the both the
performer and audience-performer that made a song lively. The study recommends that, the roles of visual
resources and improvised techniques in Bukusu circumcision songs cannot be ignored; there is need for
the government of Kenya and other cultural stakeholders to appreciate these components and initiate
programs that promotes traditional circumcision songs as a sources of tourist attraction activities in Kenya
Identification of Maize Leaf Diseases Based On AlexNet and ResNet50 Convolutional Neural Networks
No full textAbstract on Identification of Maize Leaf DiseasesMaize crop protection is crucial for global food security, requiring accurate disease
identification. In Kenya, farmers rely on subjective visual analysis of symptomatic leaves,
which is time-consuming and prone to errors. Computer vision technologies, like deep
learning and machine learning, offer promising solutions for disease identification. This
study applies Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), specifically AlexNet and ResNet-50,
to automatically learn image features and enhance speed and accuracy in maize leaf
disease identification. A dataset of 3200 digital maize leaf disease images from Embu
County is used for training and testing. AlexNet achieved the highest average accuracy of
98.3%, followed by ResNet-50 at 96.6%. The machine learning, support vector machine
(SVM) exhibited the lowest average accuracy of 85.5%. These findings highlight the
significance of utilizing AlexNet and ResNet-50 in maize leaf disease identification and
classification
The Role of Product Innovation and Entrepreneurial Passion on Performance of Manufacturing Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya.
No full textRole of Product Innovation and Entrepreneurial Passion on Performance of Manufacturing Pharmaceutical CompaniesThe study explores the impact of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and firm performance, based on self-efficacy theory. Relevant hypotheses were proposed, and the promotion mechanism of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and enterprise performance was analyzed. A survey of 150 Kenyan firm owners/managers was conducted, and the results showed that process innovation has a significant positive effect on performance. Entrepreneurial passion is a significant moderator of the relationship between process innovation and performance, with firms with higher levels of passion achieving greater performance from implementing process innovation. This suggests that entrepreneurial passion can guide entrepreneurial persistence and promote enterprise performance by stimulating positive emotions and creativity. The study suggests that effective management of process innovation can enhance performance and encourage more entrepreneurial behavior in competitive business environments