International Journal of Bahamian Studies
Not a member yet
308 research outputs found
Sort by
Coir Fibre: A Sustainable Engineering Material for the Caribbean Islands
No full textOne of the most inventive, sustainable strategies used in ground engineering is the substitution of biodegradable materials for non-biodegradable materials, particularly in situations where short-term ground improvement is needed. Biodegradable materials such as vegetable fibres have excellent engineering properties that could be used in the construction industry to enhance filtration, drainage and reinforcement. Two of the most important properties of vegetable fibres used for soil reinforcement are their high initial tensile strength and environmentally-friendly qualities. This paper investigates the time-dependent behaviour of basal-reinforced embankments erected on soft ground using biodegradable geotextiles, such as coir fibre, derived from coconuts, as reinforcing materials. An analytical model for soil reinforcement, which incorporates changes of foundation soil strength over time due to consolidation, is analyzed using the GEO5 slope stability computer software. The initial strength of the fibre reinforcement required to achieve a specific factor of safety is calculated
Preliminary Survey for Spiders on Antigua, West Indies
Get PDFSpiders have a worldwide distribution that comprises all land environments except at the polar extremes. There are now 40,700 named, described species of spiders (Platnick, 2009), thought to represent about one-fifth of the true total. On a faunistic level, the spiders of some regions are reasonably well known, but this is far from the case in the New World tropics, including the West Indies. At present, we have species-level surveys for Cuba (Alayón, 1995), Barbados (Bryant, 1923; Alayón & Horrocks, 2004), St. Vincent & the Grenadines (Simon, 1894; de Silva, Horrocks & Alayón, 2006), Anguilla (Sewlal & Starr, 2006), Nevis (Sewlal & Starr, 2007), St. Kitts (Sewlal, 2008) and Grenada (Sewlal, 2009a), and a family-level list for Trinidad (Cutler, 2005, Sewlal & Cutler, 2003, Sewlal & Alayón, 2007, Sewlal, 2009b). Additional information on the family Pholcidae of some of the Lesser Antilles is provided by Sewlal and Starr (2008). The present short communication serves to expand on Bryant’s (1923) list of 23 species from Antigua and to treat the species distribution on the island with respect to habitats. This survey adds 18 species and 11 families to the list compiled by Bryant (1923)
Domestic Violence in the Homes of College Students, New Providence, The Bahamas
Get PDFThis paper identifies the link between a number of antisocial behaviours and domestic violence in 588 households of college students in Nassau, The Bahamas. The survey indicates that about 21% of college students could be living in homes with domestic violence. Further, domestic violence is associated with other anti-social behaviours which may have adverse affects on household members and ultimately the welfare of the nation. The findings suggest that government policy towards alcohol could be changed to reduce the participation by residents in antisocial behaviours linked to domestic violence
Are Essay Grades Fair?
No full textThe Bahamian national examination, the BJC, given at the end of junior high school is used by the majority of educators as a basis for selection of students into higher level courses. Most BJC examinations include essay-type questions, however it has been noted that English Language examinations allocate more than 50% of the total marks to questions requiring essay-type answers. This research was undertaken to determine whether the essay test provides a reliable measure of the free writing ability of junior high students. It sought to answer the following questions: i) do marks given for an essay test vary when the scripts are graded by different examiners? ii) would marks given for an essay test vary when different topics were given to the same students? and iii) would marks given for an essay vary when different marking schemes were used
Education, Employment and Economic Performance: Part I
Get PDFThis is the first of a two-part paper comprising a revised version of a public lecture given at the College of The Bahamas, April 15, 1997. The purpose of the paper is to offer some thoughts about how education, employment and economic performance are related. Does investment generate economic growth? Can education solve the problems of labour? Is education an investment? Does education give access to employment?
In this presentation the author reviews these central issues which have dominated the thinking about education, employment and economic performance during the past 50 years., revealing a preoccupation with the management of public programmes for employment, education and training which failed for lack of understanding of the functioning of the labour market and of how workers learn how to do their jobs
Some Observations on Dog Welfare in The Bahamas
No full textThis article uses data from several sources to outline dog welfare and to identify areas in which it could be improved. The data include 253 dog license records, 11 observations from free-roaming dogs, and two convenience samples (of 411 people in total). Dog age is used as an indicator of welfare. The current care given results in low average dog ages (three years). The actions of owners allow many animals to roam and so mate unchecked, and this exacerbates the nuisance of free-roaming dogs and diminishes the welfare of society. Three areas are identified which would enhance the welfare of dogs and society: keeping dogs inside the house, not in the yard; sterilizing dogs; and taking dogs to the veterinarian at least "when necessary"
Recent Doctoral Dissertations About The Bahamas and by The College of The Bahamas Faculty
Get PDFRecent Doctoral Dissertations About The Bahamas and by The College of The Bahamas Facult
Bahamian's British Roots Traced
Get PDFAn analysis of dialect words and regionalisms in Bahamian spoken English that might give clues to the place of origin of Bahamian British ancestors