Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS) (Journal of UniSZA - Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin)
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Students’ perceptions of Computer-Based Language Test (CBLT) and validation of CBLT-listening questionnaire using exploratory factor analysis
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: One of the difficulties that emerged during online learning was the teaching and learning of listening skills which prompted the development of an online platform, Computer-based Language Test (CBLT), to assist educators conduct listening practices and assessment with students without experiencing geographical limitations. As this is a novel platform, this paper intends to examine students’ perceptions of listening skills and online learning after utilising this platform using the developed CBLT-Listening Questionnaire.
Methodology: This cross-sectional quantitative study employed questionnaires to collect data from diploma students. Two-stage sampling was utilised whereby the first stage used stratified random sampling in selecting classes from twenty-three (23) branches of the university. Simple random sampling was practised in the second stage which yielded 410 responses. The data were subjected to descriptive and exploratory factor analyses (EFA) in SPSS.
Findings: Descriptive analysis revealed that the respondents find listening a difficult skill to acquire yet view CBLT an excellent initiative for online distance learning. EFA revealed that the items in the Listening construct were significant and to be retained. However, the EFA results reported that one item from the Online Distance Learning construct needs to be deleted from the questionnaire.
Contributions: The validated CBLT-S Listening Questionnaire serves as an instrument to investigate the impact of a novel online platform (CBLT) on students' perceptions on listening and online learning. The results from this study evidenced that online platforms that incorporate practices and assessment are viewed positively by students for pedagogy in language teaching.
Keywords: Computer-based language test, exploratory factor analysis, listening skill, online listening test, CBLT-listening questionnaire
Social media support for women with endometriosis: A systematic review
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Social media is a key source of health information. Previous studies have indicated that women with endometriosis turn to the Internet for information about the condition and illness management. However, there is a dearth of studies on endometriosis online supportgroups. In contrast, studies examining the role of online support groups for other long-termconditions have been extensive. A systematic review of research on endometriosis support groups on social media and their efficacy was conducted to address this gap.
Methodology: Using a qualitative systematic review method and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P)., research databases, namely Research Gate, Springer, Wiley Online Library, Science Direct, Jstore, and PubMed, were manually searched using keywords such as "social support," "endometriosis support online," and "Facebook support & online communication". The review examined research related to endometriosis support on Facebook. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 100 full-text papers were extracted from the initial 200 publications. 36 papers were selected following the appraisal stage and thematically analysed.
Findings: Social media platforms, namely Endometriosis Facebook support groups, are found to set expectations, provide education, and highlight ways to manage chronic illness. Three prominent themes were identified: (1) topics related to social media support groups, (2) the efficiency of Virtual Help Communities for Endometriosis Patients, and (3) forms of support that women with endometriosis require.
Contributions: The findings support two primary points. Endometriosis Facebook support groups educate women about the illness, connect them with others in similar situations, and promote illness discussion and networking, hence pointing to the potential benefit of Facebook support groups as a platform to provide both support and education.
Keywords: Health communication, women health research, social media, online support, endometriosis
Strengthening accountability and governance of crowdfunding: Enhancing funding of higher educational institutions
Get PDFThe growing reduction in government funding has compelled public universities to explore alternative funding sources, with crowdfunding emerging as a significant enhancement to their financial sustainability. This paper evaluates the mechanisms for strengthening accountability and governance in crowdfunding initiatives for public universities. By examining relevant literature and documented sources, the study provides an in-depth review of factors that underpin effective crowdfunding governance. The findings highlight the critical need for robust accountability and governance frameworks to bolster public trust in crowdfunding. Effective governance requires the establishment of stringent criteria to ensure transparency, reduce corruption risks, and prevent fraud. Key components of a strengthened crowdfunding mechanism include methodologies and standards for evaluating funding sources, safeguarding donor interests, assessing project eligibility for funding, and ensuring appropriate reinvestment of contributions, where applicable. This study makes a valuable contribution to the field by investigating strategies to enhance accountability and governance in crowdfunding. It offers insights into how Malaysia could adopt and sustain crowdfunding mechanisms as an alternative funding platform for its public universities. By addressing these aspects, the research underscores the potential of crowdfunding to play a pivotal role in ensuring the financial sustainability of public universities, while maintaining high standards of transparency and trustworthiness.
Keywords: Crowdfunding, governance, accountability, transference, higher education
Enhancing organisational accountability: The role of human resource management in Malaysian statutory bodies
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Using the Social Contract Theory underpinning, this research examines the relationship between human resource management (HRM) and accountability within Malaysian statutory bodies.
Methodology: A quantitative approach was employed to gather data from 195 online surveys distributed to CEOs of Malaysian statutory bodies. 186 usable responses were obtained for further analysis. Statistical techniques were applied to assess the relationship between HRM and accountability.
Findings: The study’s results reveal a positive and significant relationship between HRM practices and accountability within Malaysian statutory bodies. These findings highlight the critical role of HRM in promoting accountability and ensuring the successful fulfilment of socioeconomic obligations in emerging countries like Malaysia.
Contributions: This study contributes to the existing literature by exploring the association between HRM and accountability in Malaysian statutory bodies. Additionally, it incorporates the Social Contract Theory to provide a unique theoretical lens for understanding this relationship.
Keywords: Human resource management, accountability, Malaysian statutory bodies, social contract theory
M-payment behavioural intention: Revisiting the models using the case of Sarawak Pay
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: With the acceleration of mobile payment usage in the daily routine, this study intends to examine the determinant factors on the user’s behavioural intention on Sarawak Pay using the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and a modified model.
Methodology: A total of 195 Sarawak Pay users were selected using the purposive sampling technique to collect their responses through the questionnaire-based online survey. The PLS-SEM was utilised to examine the proposed hypotheses.
Findings: The study found that the modified model had the greatest explanatory and predictive power compared to conventional models. Moreover, the performance expectancy, facilitating conditions and attitude positively influenced the behavioural intention and use behaviour on the Sarawak Pay, while effort expectancy had a contrary effect. Furthermore, the social influence failed to impact the Sarawak Pay users’ behavioural intention and their use behaviour.
Contributions: The findings clearly explained the drivers and inhibitors that inspired the users’ behavioural intention and use behaviour on Sarawak Pay, which has critical implications for the Sarawak government. This evidence was derived from three conventional models and a modified model.
Keywords: M-payment, mobile payment, unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, technology acceptance model, theory of reasoned action
Does legal representation influence the amount of awards in child maintenance? A quantitative analysis of selected cases in Malaysian Syariah courts
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Cases of child maintenance application in courts could have at least one party without counsel representation. Self-representation may lead to litigants’ inability to obtain fair outcomes. The impact of legal representation and self-representation on case outcomes has not been extensively studied. This study sought to examine whether self-represented mothers or mothers represented by lawyers were the ones who obtained more promising outcomes in terms of the amounts of awards.
Methodology: This quantitative study involved 82 first-instance and appeal cases decided in Syariah courts from 1969 to 2020. Relevant data on litigants and case decisions were extracted from these case reports and then statistically analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26. Case reports were retrieved from the Current Law Journal, Lexis Nexis, and Jurnal Hukum databases by conducting case searches using a list of search terms, including nafkah anak, nafqah, and child maintenance.
Findings: The finding indicated that representation for mothers did not significantly influence the total amounts of awards. Self-represented mothers were also shown to have won higher amounts in proportion to fathers’ incomes. Evidence relating to fathers’ incomes and children’s expenses significantly influenced the award amounts. The amounts were higher when these details were presented, as proven by their inclusion in case reports. Self-represented mothers fared better than mothers with lawyers when these determinants were presented.
Contributions: Through this study’s findings, parties and counsels will be better informed of past trends involving full, semi, and non-representation in cases involving child maintenance orders.
Keywords: Child maintenance, Act 303, legal representation, self-representation, child support
The use of Google Classroom among secondary school teachers
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Google Classroom is one of the technological innovations that has been developed to allow teachers and learners to meet virtually to promote an engaging teaching and learning experience. This paper outlines the results of a survey that was carried out to identify the factors influencing the intention to use Google Classroom among secondary school teachers in Kinta Selatan District in the State of Perak, Malaysia. The study investigated the different parameters that contribute directly to teachers’ intention to use Google Classroom: technical support, attitude, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and technological knowledge.
Methodology: The sample consisted of 216 government secondary schools in Kinta Selatan District. The principals of the schools assisted in distributing a self-administered questionnaire to the participants.
Findings: The study revealed that attitude, perceived usefulness, and technological knowledge significantly affect the intention to use Google Classroom. Regarding technical support and perceived ease of use, the relationship with the intention to use Google Classroom was found negative.
Contributions: This study contributes to the field of Google Classroom in education by providing a foundation for future research aimed at enhancing teachers' effectiveness in using Google Classroom for teaching.
Keywords: Google Classroom, secondary schools, teachers, technology, classroom
The effect of blended learning towards pupils’ vocabulary development and motivation in an ESL classroom
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Vocabulary is the fundamental aspect of a language. However, second language (L2) learners often perceive vocabulary learning as boring and difficult. As such, various efforts must be made by teachers to empower pupils’ vocabulary base to be able to be competent in the target language. Hence, this study attempts to address the use of blended learning on pupils’ vocabulary development and motivation.
Methodology: This research adopted the quantitative research design. The research participants consisted of two classes of primary school pupils chosen through purposive sampling. The pupils were divided into the experimental group and the control group. The instruments used were pre-test, post-test, and questionnaires. An independent t-test was used to compare the mean score to see any significant difference in terms of pupils’ pre-test and post-test scores whereas mean interpretation was used to determine pupils’ level of motivation.
Findings: The results revealed that pupils who learned through blended learning performed better in terms of vocabulary development compared to the pupils who learned through traditional learning. Similarly, pupils have high motivation towards blended learning instructions. It is apparent that pupils become motivated learners when their need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are fulfilled.
Contributions: This research aids teachers in constructing suitable blended learning environments for content delivery as an alternative way for students to interact with information in preparation for classroom work.
Keywords: Blended learning, vocabulary development, motivation, ESL classroom, purposive sampling
Ease and usefulness of zakat e-payment: The mediating role of attitude towards intention
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Online payment is an important method of transaction that is widely practised across the globe. Due to its flexibility and convenience, it has recently become a popular payment method, especially in important religious matters such as zakat, one of the pillars of Islam. This paper aims to identify factors influencing the intention to use electronic payment (e-payment) platforms to pay zakat. In addition, the mediating role of attitude is also analysed to examine the relationships between perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use to zakat payment intention.
Methodology: The present study employed a survey method to assemble data about attitude, perceived usefulness, and ease of use as potential factors determining users’ behavioural intention to use e-payment zakat in Malaysia. One hundred ninety-three questionnaires were responded to and analysed via Partial Least Square (PLS) with the Smart-PLS 3.0 software.
Findings: Results showed that significant aspects such as perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness have positive bearing on attitude and intention to use the zakat e-payment platform. The study also found that Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) are growing in popularity, and the zakat authorities and fin-tech companies are establishing greater synergies tools.
Contributions: The findings suggest that Zakat institutions may need to improvise their e-payment platform to attract zakat payers. Besides, the findings also highlight the behavioural intention of zakat payers in response to technological advancement that the providers and users should acknowledge. Hence, it is expected that the collection of zakat will increase in the future via e-payment platform.
Keywords: Zakat, e-payment, attitude, intention, online payment
Issues and challenges in the use of coherence among Jordanian EFL students in writing academic essays
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Writing a coherent composition is a challenging task for many English foreign learners, especially among English as Foreign Language (EFL) Jordanian students, as many of those learners cannot write coherent essays at the university level due to various reasons such as lack of lexical competence and lack of motivation. Since very limited studies have focussed on investigating this phenomenon in-depth, especially in the Jordanian context, the present study aims to explore issues and challenges faced by Jordanian students in using coherence in academic essays under the perspectives of writing course instructors.
Methodology: This study used a qualitative approach to gather data. The sample comprises eight male instructors from two Jordanian universities. They were selected using a purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants to gain their insights into the issues and significant challenges faced by the students and the potential strategies to overcome them. 20 academic essays produced by 4th-year undergraduate students from the two universities were observed.
Findings: The instructors found that the EFL Jordanian students were unable to achieve coherent writing in the essays mainly due to their limited vocabulary knowledge. They attributed this lack to learners’ inadequate attempts to enhance their writing and limited reading experience. Generally, they agreed that insufficient awareness of the importance of incorporating effective educational practices to enhance their students’ writing was the major contributing factor to their students’ failure to observe coherence in writing. The findings encompassed some potential strategies to cope with the current obstacles, such as training the EFL instructors and employing modern techniques and practices in teaching.
Contributions: Teaching and learning coherent writing is necessary at all higher learning institutions. The study's findings have implications for all the stakeholders as a means of enriching the instructional practices widely.
Keywords: EFL Jordanian students, EFL writing, writing challenges, writing strategies, coherent writing, coherence