1116 research outputs found
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Effect of Mobile Learning App on Undergraduates’ Performance in GNS through A Blended Learning Approach
No full textThis study examined the effects of a researcher-developed mobile learning app on the performance of undergraduate students in a compulsory general study course in a Nigerian University. A mixed-method was adopted in the study. A pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was used. The research population involved undergraduates in Nigerian universities. A sample of 21 year-one students, were purposively drawn among University of Ilorin undergraduate students. The group was subjected to pretest, followed by the administration of the treatment, and then post-tested. A simple random sampling method was adopted in selecting the experimental group. It was found that there was a significant difference in the students’ post-test score after they were exposed to the GNS App. t (20) = 4.303, p = < 0.05; and no significant difference was noticed in the male and female students’ performance after being exposed to the treatment. The study concluded that the mobile App when used alongside traditional teaching and learning improved students’ performance in GNS -Use of Library, irrespective of gende
The Impact of Taxes on the Borrowing Behaviour of Nigerian Quoted Firms
No full textAn underexplored research in modern finance theory borders on the issue of taxes and corporate debt policy. Financial theory should be able to explain why large, profitable and heavy tax paying firms do not fully exploit the potential tax savings generated by debt. At best, partial explanations exist for debt conservative behavior. This study delves into the role of taxes on corporate borrowing in Nigeria. The population of study comprises all non-financial corporations quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for the period 1999-2014 out of which 50 companies that met the minimum data criteria were utilized. Using a combination of panel data least squares regression, the Modigliani- Miller tax benefit formula, the Miller equilibrium and the Graham simulation technique, the research documents the following findings. First, the factors that exert positive influence on corporate borrowing include firm age, financing deficit, asset intangibility and expected inflation while those factors that exert negative influence on capital structure include asset tangibility, growth, size, volatility of earnings, profitability, liquidity, dividend-paying status and uniqueness of industry. Second, the marginal tax rate exerts a negative impact on corporate debt ratios and there is weak evidence that tax considerations are crucial in capital structure choice – a position that challenges the trade-off theory. The results were, at best, mixed with respect to the portability of pecking order, target adjustment, agency and market conditions models. Asymmetric information rationalizes the aggressive debt posture of smaller, less profitable, less liquid firms with more risky intangible assets and low dividend-payers. The study recommends the use of non-debt tax shelters for corporate tax planning, government simplification of tax administration
Effect of Cisco-Packet-tracer Simulator on Senior School Students’ Comprehension and Skill Acquisition in Computer Network Topology in Nigeria
No full textExcellent performance in network topology cannot be achieved without adequate comprehension of the concept and experimenting with real-life or simulated environment. Cisco packet tracer simulator as a tool for teaching and learning computer science concepts, provides simulation, visualization, authoring, collaboration capabilities, and assessment experiences for both teachers and students. Thus, this study determined the effect of using CISCO-packet-tracer on senior school students’ skill acquisition and comprehension of network topology designing, configuration and troubleshooting skills when taught using CISCO-packet-tracer simulator. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted with a purposively-sampled intact class of 26 computer studies students’ in a senior secondary school in Ilorin.. Three research questions were answered with the use of validated research instruments (an adopted software (CISCO-packet-tracer simulator; a network topology skill acquisition observation checklist; and an adopted standardized network topology comprehension test (NTCT). It was found that there is a significantly positive effect of CISCO-packet-tracer simulator on students’ skill acquisition (95.2%) and comprehension (61.5%) of network topology, (95.2%) of the students acquired a substantial level of skills (software initiation skill - 98.5%; configuration skill - 93.1%; redirection skill - 92.3%; simulation skill - 98.7%; and connection skill 94.2- %) and students’ comprehension of network topology concept was averagely high (61.5%). The study concluded that the CISCO-packet-tracer simulator is an effective tool for fostering students’ skills acquisition and comprehension of computer science concepts, while also recommending that educators should use the Cisco packet tracer to allow students gain practical and cognitive skills in computer science concept
Parenting Styles and Bullying Behaviour Among Adolescents in Senior Secondary Schools in Ilorin West Local Government, Kwara State
No full textThis study examined parenting styles and bullying behaviour among adolescents in senior secondary schools in Ilorin West Local Government, Kwara State. The study adopted a correlational survey research design. The population comprised all secondary school students in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. The sample size was 200 SSS II students selected through Simple random sampling technique from each of the 5 senior secondary schools, the study has two research questions and three research hypotheses A questionnaire tagged “Parenting Styles and Bullying Behaviour of Adolescents Questionnaire” (PSBBIAQ) was used to collect data from the respondents. The data obtained were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Statistic and the result indicated a correlation co-efficient of 0. 70. Mean, ranking order, percentage and range were used to answer the research questions while Pearson Product Moment Correlation Statistic was used for the testing of the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that most parents adopt authoritative and democratic parenting styles and laissez-faire style is the least. It is revealed that most of the adolescents exhibit moderate level of bullying behaviours; the finding also revealed that there is a significant relationship between autocratic and democratic parenting styles adolescents and bullying behaviour among adolescents. It showed that no significant relationship between laissez-faire parenting style and bullying behaviour among adolescents. It was recommended among others that parents should be encouraged to employ the best parenting styles in the upbringing of their childre
WEIBULL-EXTENDED PRANAV DISTRIBUTION: APPLICATION TO LIFETIME DATA SETS
No full textIn this article, Weibull link function initiated by Jones (2004) and extended Pranav distribution written by Uwaeme et al. (2018) are convolute to introducedWeibull-extended Pranav distribution using the idea of Tahir et al. (2016). The motivation is to develop a robust and flexible distribution that will have betterfit to any skewed data set. Different properties of the proposed distribution are obtained. Estimation of model parameters with the method of maximumlikelihood estimates are presented. Then, the new distribution is compared with some existing distributions by illustrating two different life time data sets.Hence, the results through estimation and goodness of fit criteria reveal that Weibull-extended Pranav distribution has better fit to the data sets than otherdistributions considered in the study
An Assessment of Risk Culture Practices on the Financial Efficiency of General Insurance Companies in Nigeria.
No full textInsurance has been adjudged to be the most effective risk management technique because of its applicability to all spheres of life. However, the inverse nature of insurance operations necessitates the need for an insurance companies to embrace a combinations of techniques through the development of risk culture. Therefore, the study assessed the influence of risk culture practices on the financial efficiency of general insurance companies in the Nigerian insurance market. The study employed correlational research design. The population comprised of forty one general insurance companies as at January, 2019. Census sampling technique was adopted using a secondary data obtained from the annual financial statements of all general insurance companies. The study used risk tolerance, risk appetite and underwriting capacity as indicators of risk culture while reserve, investment and profitability were adopted as surrogates of financial efficiency. Findings of the study revealed statistical influence of risk tolerance and risk appetite on reserve and investment respectively while there was no statistical relationship between underwriting capacity and profitability. Hence, risk tolerance and risk appetite are strong risk culture practices that guide general insurance companies in determining their level of reserve and investment strategy. The study recommended that general insurance companies in Nigeria should develop a robust risk culture to compliment widely used reinsurance arrangements. This can be done by creating a virile investment and actuarial departments that will constantly review claims fluctuations, investment pattern and monitor the reserve level
Identity and Ideological Positioning in Popular Nigerian Ethnic Jokes
No full textEthnic jokes are deeply rooted in the social structure of the contexts in which they are constructed being anchored on socially shared knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and ideologies of the people. This study investigates the discursive constructions of selected ethnic jokes to determine their expression of attitudinal and ideological dispositions of the ethnic groups within the multilingual/multicultural context of Nigeria. Findings reveal the cognitive states of the ethnic groups manifest in the construction of Others and the struggle for social power in the entertainment world. Therefore, inclusion or exclusion strategies are employed to signal consciousness of group identity and solidarity. In addition, ethnic jokes in the country construct stereotypes about linguo-cultural signs, that is, stereotypes that express attitudes about natural linguistic performance, perception of appropriate speech, typical topics and what language represents for people in inter- and intra- ethnic contexts. The study concludes that ethnic jokes in multi-ethnic Nigeria have been stripped of their stigmatising effect owing to the ability of Nigerians to laugh collectively at their perceived prejudices and stereotypes about their socio-cultural and linguistic behaviours
Colonial Capitalism and the Structure of the Nigerian Cocoa Marketing Board, 1947-1960
No full textColonial capitalism had far-reaching consequences on the income and earnings of Nigerian cocoa farmers and the environment in the first five decades of the twentieth century. Although literature exists on the history and contributions of cocoa to capital formation and economic development in Nigeria, very little or nothing is known of the challenges and bottlenecks encountered by the cocoa producers in the production and exports of their cocoa throughout the period of colonial capitalism in Nigeria. This paper examines the genesis, structure and impact of what became popular as the largest statutory commodity export monopolies in the British Colonial Empire - the Cocoa Marketing Board - which was inaugurated in 1947. Through a careful diagnosis of the factors that aided the establishment of the Commodity Marketing Board, the paper argues that the Nigerian Cocoa Marketing Board was used to serve various interests and purposes, which hardly benefited the producers. Rather, the board was a tool of oppression and further exploitation of farmers through rapacious taxes, price regulations and unfavourable grading policies. Indeed, the colonial government found the cocoa board a ready-made instrument for taxing farmers, enriching colonial treasury, and financing anti-decolonization activities
The Language Factor and Internet Penetration in Nigeria: A Practical Assessment
No full textEfforts towards greater linguistic diversity in internet usage have often been seen as means of achieving increased internet penetration. Perspectives in this regard are based on several stated or unstated assumptions, one of which is the view that people who do not speak the major internet languages such as English or are not fluent readers in them would naturally opt for their own languages if/when such languages are used on the Internet. This paper presents the argument that in the Nigerian context, assumptions such as this may be misleading in view of findings in past studies which show that Nigerians generally do not enthusiastically embrace the acquisition and use of literacy skills in indigenous languages. In this regard, this article x-rays all the unstated assumptions behind quests for more language options on the Internet with specific reference to Nigeria. It concludes that the provision of Nigerian language options online would not significantly enhance internet penetration in Nigeria without broader adjustments to the roles and status of indigenous languages, as well as greater socio-economic inclusiveness in governance. The article therefore recommends holistic linguistic, socio-economic and political reforms to fight general social exclusion for which linguistic exclusion of any form may be merely symptomatic
Towards the Globalization of Language and Culture in Nigeria: Stakeholders, the State and Action Steps
No full textThe word globalization and what it stands for is no longer a novel idea in the world of today. However, there is still no universal definition of globalization. This has led to erroneous interchangeable use of the word with internationalization and liberalization. Suffice it therefore to say that globalization is the transcendence of the economic, political, environmental, social and cultural constraints across territories. The task of this paper, essentially, is to ascertain the level of involvement of Africa via Nigeria in this new international economic power and order. This is necessary because Nigeria, particularly, has become a good consumer of information technology which is an essential ingredient of globalization. The issue then is how prepared are Nigerian languages in the challenges of information technology as demanded by globalization. Many relevant materials were perused with a view to ascertain Nigeria’s extent of preparedness in making Nigerian languages globalization compliant. The study observed that though Nigeria, vis-à-vis Africa, has been making frantic efforts in the development of its indigenous languages, a lot is still needed because of the obvious dynamism of globalization. It concludes that though Nigerian indigenous languages are very vital in this context, the study of other foreign languages like Russian, German, Arabic, and Chinese, apart from English and French, should be encouraged and supported. This is based on the understanding that the wider the scope of knowledge of other vital foreign languages, the better