International Journal of Bahamian Studies
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Assessment of Library Service Quality at University of The Bahamas Libraries: A Comparison of the 2008 and 2018 LibQual Surveys
Full text linkThe 21st-century learner has changed the way that libraries are being used. Academic libraries must demonstrate their value to university governing boards, therefore, libraries must understand current user perceptions to be prepared for the future. Continuous assessment of library collections, space, and services provides data needed to understand and demonstrate the impact of libraries in academia.
University of The Bahamas Libraries administered the web-based LibQUAL+® survey twice, first in 2008 and 10 years later in 2018, to assess users’ perceptions and to measure service quality. The survey designed by the Association of Research Libraries and Texas A&M University has been used globally by libraries to gain insight from their user communities.
In the survey findings, library users highlighted a need for more computers, printers, and updated equipment, along with more current books and journals. The survey results also revealed that University Libraries had helpful staff who provided efficient service. Users perceived that the libraries’ information literacy sessions helped them gain skills allowing them to become more efficient in their academic pursuits. With the opening of two new library buildings during this period, the onsite use of resources increased significantly for both the Harry C. Moore Library and UB North Campus Library. Overall, the general satisfaction level of users increased in 2018
Observations of Extreme Waves and Wave Spectra during Hurricane Dorian (2019)
Full text linkDue to the sparse distribution of buoys in the ocean, direct observations of extreme wave activity as excited by tropical cyclones (TCs) are few; but nonetheless, these buoys provide rare opportunities to learn more about how weather systems interact with the ocean wave field. In this study, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Data Buoy Center buoy observations of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) wave spectra during the translation speed of Hurricane Dorian (2019) through the Atlantic Ocean were used to examine extreme wave events in the days before and after its September 1, 2019 landfall in The Bahamas. Observations of wave properties during storm intensification and decay showed that although significant wave height naturally rose and fell, the dominant wave period remained virtually constant. At the height of the storm, a lethal combination formed, with the highest significant wave heights being recorded at over 8 m (more than four times the mean) and dominant wave periods exceeded 12 s. Wave direction also varied widely as wave regimes shifted from wind-sea to swell, with spectral wave energy peaking at over 120 m2/Hz, six times higher than pre-Hurricane Dorian wave states. This study provides the first in situ characterization of extreme wave heights as induced by Hurricane Dorian. The study recommends that a number of observational platforms be funded, developed, and deployed throughout the Lucayan Archipelago
Behaviours Associated with Male “Sweethearting” (Infidelity) in Heterosexual Relationships in The Bahamas
Full text linkThis paper presents incidental data on sweethearting from a study on sexual violence in intimate-partner relationships between men and women in The Bahamas. Females participating in the study reported male infidelity to be common (with about 20% and possibly as many as about 50% of men being unfaithful) in both unmarried and married relationships. Associated with infidelity were behaviours of concern, such as physical and sexual violence, as well as psychological abuse by male partners. These abusive behaviours were associated with the woman feeling that she would leave the relationship if she could, and that the relationship was not a loving one. Furthermore, the study suggests that unfaithful married men are more likely to demonstrate activities of concern (in the form of elevated scores for domestic violence and psychological abuse) compared to unfaithful unmarried men in relationships with women
Raising Awareness of Expressive Writing as a Method for Alleviating the Trauma of Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas
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To date, there has been no published research on the use of expressive writing therapy in The Bahamas. However, studies within the fields of clinical psychology and psychiatric medicine have explored both the emotional and physical benefits of expressive writing therapy in dealing with various types of trauma. In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, expressive writing workshops were conducted at the University of The Bahamas in an ad hoc manner to potentially assist in reducing the trauma experienced by students. This paper will explore the potential for future, long-term studies as well as the potential need to raise greater awareness and appreciation for this method of reducing the negative mental and physical health impacts of traumatic natural disasters on the emotional well-being of Bahamians and residents. Results could also potentially be applicable to other Small Island Developing States.
Losing Ground? A Meditation on Being in the (Post) Coloniality of Public Space: Part One
Full text linkThis is a creative non-fictional meditation on Public Space in The Bahamas. It is part one of a three part focus that hopes to get us to think about how we expereince space
In The Bahamas “She must give it up”: Sexual Abuse of Women in Heterosexual Relationships by their Intimate Partners
Full text linkThis study analyses the treatment of Bahamian women in heterosexual relationships by their intimate partners focusing on instances of sexual and psychological abuse. An internet survey obtained information from 464 married and 1,264 unmarried women currently in intimate relationships with men. Married women were more likely than unmarried women in intimate relationships to report non-consensual sexual intercourse. Married women who admitted to being victims of non-consensual sexual intercourse or reported having been raped by their husband were more likely to have been physically harmed by their husband than those who had not suffered non-consensual sex or rape. Likewise, psychological abuse was more evident in married than unmarried women. The results indicate that behaviours of concern are inflicted by men on their female intimate partners both inside and outside of marriage. The finding that abusive behaviours, including non-consensual sex and psychological abuse, are more common within marriage than outside of marriage requires further study
Examining Student Gendered Experiences with Parent Involvement in The Bahamas
Full text linkWithin English-speaking Caribbean K-12 schooling systems, there has been a consistent trend of boys performing at a lower academic standard than girls. Caribbean scholars suggest approaching gendered achievement patterns from multiple perspectives, dimensions, and methodologies to help clarify the inequities that are prevalent in Caribbean schooling. To address this call, I narrow attention onto the Bahamian family context and raise the question as to whether parent involvement with schooling in The Bahamas differs for boys versus girls. Survey data (parents, n = 377) came from a comprehensive study on parent involvement with schooling that took place in Grand Bahama during summer of 2018. Multivariate analysis of factor scores using two scales, Basic Needs Involvement (11-item scale) and Academic Involvement (3-item scale), showed that parental involvement was similar for boys and girls. Like previous findings in The Bahamas, there were more girls enrolled in private schools than boys. Findings are discussed in terms of societal perceptions about whose education is valued, mandates for gender parity, the impact global trends have on local trends, and moving towards empirical-based theories for gendered achievement patterns within Caribbean societies
Geojournalism: An Emerging Discipline and its Application at University of The Bahamas
Full text linkGeojournalism is a growing field within environmental journalism at the intersection of both eco- and data-journalism. It is a new way to combine maps and data with traditional reporting in online platforms to provide scientific evidence for stories and narrative context for data. However, given its novelty, there appears to be little formal recognition of geojournalism in educational and academic contexts. In this paper, we review tools, techniques, and platforms that can be applied by educators and learners to investigate and report on geographic and environmental issues. We also describe examples of geojournalism (blog, radio show, infographic, photostory, and virtual field trip) resulting from collaboration between Geography and Journalism faculty and students at University of The Bahamas. We propose that geojournalism include geography researchers, educators, students, and citizen scientists sharing their knowledge and data with journalists and as well as being trained in journalism themselves. This study furthers the recognition and formalization of geojournalism in environmental communication and higher education
Grand Bahama Post-Hurricane Dorian: A Comparison of Fresh Water in Two Primary Wellfields
Full text linkFreshwater lenses, a layer of fresh water that floats atop saline groundwater, are vulnerable sources of drinking water for small islands. The threats to freshwater lenses, and their recovery following catastrophic events, is not well documented. Due to storm surge and flooding during the Category 5 Hurricane Dorian in September 2019, the freshwater lenses of Grand Bahama were inundated with salt water, removing the freshwater source of drinking water for the island. This study builds on previous work to monitor the recovery of the freshwater lenses three years after the hurricane by assessing tidal lag, as well as stable isotopes in water (δ2H and δ18O), to understand the hydrologic characteristics of the FWL in Grand Bahama. Results from electrical conductivity revealed that the tidal lag, or the time it takes for the tidal effect to be observed in groundwater, was approximately 2.5 hours on average. Through stable isotope analysis of precipitation samples, we determined a local meteoric water line of δ2H = 8.2 * δ18O + 12.2, which is close to the global meteoric water line. Groundwater samples did not show evidence of significant evaporation from precipitation. These results serve as baseline data for additional monitoring and recovery efforts on Grand Bahama
Assessment of Soil Salinity on Grand Bahama Post-Hurricane Dorian
No full textSaltwater intrusion into land is becoming more of a problem as sea levels rise across the globe. The Bahamas is highly susceptible to extreme weather events and climate change because the islands are low-lying and located in the Atlantic hurricane belt. Hurricane Dorian (2019) had a devastating impact on Grand Bahama Island: producing heavy rains of up to 30-40 cm and storm surges of about 8 m. The objective of this study was to analyse the soil salinity status in Wellfields 1 and 6 on the island of Grand Bahama to determine if the salinity had decreased in the three years following Hurricane Dorian. As expected, the study found that by 2022, soil salinity in the wellfields had decreased compared to levels recorded in the year after Hurricane Dorian. Soil analysis completed in October 2022 illustrated that soil salinity averaged 475.5 mg/kg for both Wellfield 1 and Wellfield 6 on the island of Grand Bahama