Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities
Not a member yet
2148 research outputs found
Sort by
An Analysis of Performance Appraisal in China from The Perspectives of Scholars
No full textThe importance of performance appraisal is widely acknowledged, and its implementation varies from country to country. China's performance evaluation is conducted once a year, and a new version of the civil service evaluation system will be developed in 2020. This study examines academic perspectives on performance appraisal in China, which often vary in approach, content, incentive structures, and outcomes. Due to the lack of accuracy and subjectivity, the concept of "unscientific indicator design" in China has been greatly criticized. Chinese civil servants must have a high ideological and political quality, strong working ability, maintain a good work style, outstanding work performance, and achieve excellent results in the annual assessment. These criteria have a wide range and have the potential to lead to unfair evaluations that can negatively impact employee motivation. Many experts put forward opinions and suggestions on improving the content of performance appraisal in China; The Dutch academics suggest a transparent and detailed workflow system for registering and measuring performance, while the Brazilian academics suggest that employee performance should be taken seriously during evaluation. This requires recognizing strengths and weaknesses, making suggestions for improvement, and identifying their career prospects based on the results of the performance review. This study mainly examines the scholars' views on the similarities and differences of performance evaluation. In addition, it assesses current concerns within the appraisal system. This data will provide the basis for the exploration and development of broader, more scientific and logical performance evaluation systems
Portrayals of Marginalized Women in Jia Zhangke’s Cinematic Works
No full textFeminist theories gained prominence in the West as early as the 1960s, progressively impacting film criticism. It was only in the 1990s that Western feminist theory began to permeate Chinese academic realms, including film studies and theory. Despite this introduction, feminism did not significantly alter the traditional gender hierarchy in Chinese cinema, where female characters frequently assume roles subordinate to their male counterparts. Jia Zhangke, a notable figure from the sixth generation of Chinese directors, is neither a female director nor a feminist scholar with a focus on women's studies. Nevertheless, his oeuvre reflects a contemplation of women's issues and adopts a relatively equitable perspective in portraying female characters. This paper examines the depiction of marginalized women in Jia Zhangke's films and their transition from the 'Other' to the 'Subject'. Additionally, it delves into how his films contribute to the generation of feminist discourse and explore the role of cinema in reinforcing female ideologies. Using qualitative analysis, this paper analyses the representation of marginalised women in Jia Zhangke's three films through the theory of the male gaze, with the aim of demonstrating that as women's influence increases, their role will gradually evolve from being seen as 'the other' or a male appendage to being recognised as a 'subject' with a sense of self. Ultimately, after overcoming the established gender hierarchy of the "other", the female characters do not confront or antagonise the male subject, but rather help other women to establish themselves as true female subjects
The Impact of Popular Music Teaching in Music Classrooms: Perspectives of Malaysian Primary School Music Teachers
No full textThe music curriculum standards for Malaysian government primary schools are based on the concept of developing musical skills and providing students with the right values through music education. Malaysian Chinese National Type Primary Schools, as a type of government primary school in Malaysia, has also compiled its music curriculum in accordance with the government's standards and guidelines. With the current development of media technology, popular music has flooded every corner of life, and this situation poses new challenges to music education in schools. Malaysian Chinese community, as the second largest ethnic group in Malaysia, deserves to be noticed for its current status and outcome of music education. This study aims to understand the impact of popular music on music education in National-Type Chinese primary schools from the perspective of teachers. This study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with six teachers from different National-Type Chinese primary schools in Kuala Lumpur to explore the impact of popular music on students' learning the school music curriculum. The study's results indicated that music teachers' perspectives towards popular music and their students' preference for it were positive and accepting. However, they also express concerns about its detrimental effects on students' learning outcomes in music class. Therefore, this study argues that it is necessary to enhance teacher training, increase the number of professional teachers, and innovate teaching methods in order to meet the requirements of the curriculum standards for students' music learning, and to balance the contradiction between students' musical preferences and music education in schools
Integrating ECM, TAM, and SDT in Studying Accounting Lecturers' Continuance Intention for ODL: A Review
No full textLecturers are increasingly expected to use technology to prepare their students for 21st century skills (Ahmad et al., 2019). As a result, online learning will become a common trend in university education in the near future, particularly in accounting (Sarea et al., 2021), especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has brought enormous changes to the educational landscape. Thus, given that the ultimate success of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) hinges on the continuance of intention to use it, it is important to discuss this intention. This review paper aims to explore the factors that could influence accounting lecturers' continuance intention to use ODL by integrating three prominent theoretical models: the Expectation-Confirmation Model (ECM), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and the Self-Determination Theory (SDT). This paper included 23 articles that covered studies from 2008 to 2024. The key ECM, TAM, and SDT constructs that have been used in the literature to predict continuance intention are identified in this paper. The findings suggest that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, satisfaction, and intrinsic motivation are potentially critical predictors. It is posited that the integration of the ECM, TAM, and SDT frameworks provide a comprehensive understanding of both extrinsic and intrinsic factors that drive the continued use of ODL among accounting lecturers, offering insights for designing effective online learning environments
Antara Kerjaya dengan Melanjutkan Pengajian: Pilihan Pelajar-pelajar di Johor Bahru
No full textPemilihan antara kerjaya dan melanjutkan pengajian merupakan keputusan penting yang menentukan masa depan pelajar. Kemerosotan minat pelajar untuk melanjutkan pengajian telah menjadi satu trend yang membimbangkan di Malaysia. Ketersediaan peluang pekerjaan dalam ekonomi gig juga semakin berkembang dan mempengaruhi pilihan pelajar untuk memasuki alam pekerjaan. Perkara ini akan memberi kesan serius terhadap perkembangan individu dan juga negara jika tidak diambil Tindakan segera. Kajian ini dilakukan untuk mengkaji pilihan pelajar lepasan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) antara kerjaya dan melanjutkan pengajian. Kajian ini memfokuskan kepada faktor yang mempengaruhi pelajar dalam membuat pilihan sama ada ingin bekerja atau melanjutkan pengajian selepas SPM. Terdapat tiga objektif dalam kajian ini: pertama, untuk mengenal pasti latar belakang sosioekonomi pelajar yang memilih antara kerjaya dan melanjutkan pengajian; kedua, untuk mengkaji faktor dalaman yang mempengaruhi pilihan pelajar; dan ketiga, untuk menilai faktor luaran yang mempengaruhi pilihan pelajar. Kaedah kualitatif digunakan dengan melaksanakan temu bual secara mendalam dengan 15 orang pelajar lepasan SPM yang terpilih. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan pelajar lebih memilih untuk bekerja berbanding melanjutkan pengajian disebabkan oleh faktor dalaman seperti kewangan keluarga dan minat pelajar, manakala faktor luaran pula dipengaruhi oleh media sosial seperti keinginan untuk menjadi "influencer". Hasil kajian ini diharapkan dapat digunakan oleh pihak kerajaan atau agensi berkaitan dalam menghasilkan strategi untuk menangani permasalahan ini
Students’ Perceptions on The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools As Academic Support
No full textIn today’s world, technology is considered a necessity as many can benefit from using it. Education sector also cannot run from integrating and incorporating technology in the teaching and learning process. Therefore, this study would like to investigate students’ perceptions on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool in the classroom. This study employed a quantitative approach in obtaining the data. There were 284 respondents who participated in this study. The instrument used to obtain the data was a set of questionnaires where there were 20 items in it. Other than that, there were 6 sections in the questionnaire representing the constructs of the perceptions. The results showed that students perceived AI as a tool that could help them in their learning process. This implies that educators need to be more ready in using technology in the classroom and they should equip themselves with 21st century skills that are relevant in today’s education system. Therefore, integrating technology in teaching and learning processes may assist the educators and students to be more engaged in the classroom and two-way communication may occur
A Conceptual Framework of Behavioural Languages in Educational Leadership: Power, Politeness, Motivation, Humor, and Rhetoric
No full textThis paper attempts to propose a conceptual framework to gain a comprehensive understanding of how behavioural language (i.e. power, politeness, motivation, humour, and rhetoric) relate to the educational leadership practices. This framework gives educational leaders a tactical method for promoting productive interactions and successful educational results by combining the body of knowledge and insights into leadership communication. The study uses a literature review methodology to synthesise previous research on behavioural languages and their use in educational leadership. The proposed framework was developed by categorising relevant studies into themes of power, politeness, motivating language, humour, and rhetoric. This conceptual exploration offers insightful reflections for educators to improve leadership effectiveness by implementing communication practices that improve engagement and relational dynamics in educational environments. This framework is designed to provide insights for future research and propose implications for educational leaders who want to develop supportive and dynamic workplace environments
From Fear to Fluency: Exploring English Speaking Anxiety and Communication Willingness in UKM Undergraduates
No full textThis research study explores Second Language Speaking Anxiety (SLSA) and Willingness to Communicate (WTC) levels among undergraduate students at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Employing a quantitative methodology, the study aims to comprehensively understand these phenomena. The research sample comprises 102 participants from various academic disciplines at UKM. The primary objectives include evaluating SLSA and WTC levels and investigating their interconnections. The Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) measures SLSA, while the WTC Scale assesses participants' WTC in English. Results indicate a high level of SLSA and a moderate level of WTC in English among students, with a strong negative correlation between the two constructs. These findings significantly contribute to the existing knowledge in second language acquisition. Future research should consider larger sample sizes for enhanced reliability and generalizability. Additionally, longitudinal studies can capture temporal patterns and trajectories of SLSA and WTC over time
Kemahiran dan Minat Murid Tahun Empat terhadap Permainan Interaktif PowerPoint dalam Pembelajaran Sejarah
No full textPermainan interaktif PowerPoint merupakan aktiviti yang menggunakan peranti elektronik bagi membolehkan para murid terlibat secara proaktif dalam proses Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran. Namun begitu, permainan digital ini juga jarang digunakan dalam kalangan guru dan murid di sekolah. Perkara ini disebabkan mereka kurang kreatif dan inovatif dalam mengaplikasikan permainan interaktif PowerPoint. Kajian ini bertujuan meneroka kemahiran dan minat murid Tahun Empat terhadap permainan interaktif PowerPoint dalam pembelajaran Sejarah. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif yang melibatkan reka bentuk kajian kes. Seramai enam orang murid Tahun Empat telah dipilih sebagai peserta kajian. Pilihan dibuat berdasarkan kepelbagaian latar belakang murid di salah sebuah Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina, daerah Machang. Hasil kajian temu bual separa berstruktur dan pemerhatian menunjukkan murid Tahun Empat mempunyai kemahiran mengaplikasikan permainan interaktif PowerPoint dalam mata pelajaran Sejarah. Selain itu, kajian ini memperlihatkan bahawa penggunaan permainan interaktif PowerPoint dalam Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sejarah berjaya meningkatkan minat murid terhadap pembelajaran mata pelajaran Sejarah di peringkat sekolah rendah. Implikasi kajian ini juga menunjukkan bahawa permainan interaktif PowerPoint dapat meningkatkan kemahiran dan minat murid dalam Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sejarah. Oleh hal yang demikian, guru Sejarah juga disarankan untuk menggunakan permainan interaktif PowerPoint supaya murid berasa seronok dan terhibur dalam pembelajaran mereka berbanding dengan kaedah pengajaran sebelum ini yang lebih bersifat tradisional
The Graphic Schemata Drawings of Children Using Golomb’s Representational Theory
No full textThis study intends to study primary schools’ children’s graphic schemata drawings developments using Golomb’s representational theory. The graphic schemata drawing of 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12-year-old children was examined based on the stimulus given to them. Children’s drawing responses were observed in terms of representational activity marks such as line, shape and colour. The subjects were 384 from primary schools. Stimulus materials consisting of a theme “A Garden with Trees, Flowers and Insects” were given to the children to complete their drawings. The statistical analysis uses frequencies, percentages, and chi-square measurement to analyse the drawings of the children. The analysis indicates that the three key aspects of Golomb’s representation have similarities and differences based on each group of young children’s age. The findings revealed that Golomb’s representational theory were significant to the primary schools’ children’s age group. Hence, it can be concluded children’s creative and intellectual development is positively impacted