Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities
Not a member yet
2148 research outputs found
Sort by
An Empirical Study on College Students’ Academic Writing Motivation in Sabah, Malaysia
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the academic writing motivation among 160 randomly chosen college students in Sabah, Malaysia using the 37-item Academic Writing Motivation Questionnaire. Kruskal-Wallis H test revealed no significant differences in college students’ academic writing motivation by way of ethnicity and age, while Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant differences in terms of gender. Wilcoxon signed rank test based on a hypothesized value of 3.5 revealed that 26 of the items were significant at p < .001. Moreover, a total of 11 items showed that their medians significantly differed from the test value and were likely to indicate strong agreement, while the other 15 items showed that their medians significantly differed from the test value and were likely to indicate strong disagreement. The overall mean score was 126, indicating that college students tended to have a low level of academic writing motivation. In light of the findings, some recommendations were made on ways to enhance their academic writing motivation
‘Historical’ Xi’an: A Corpus Analysis of Adjectives in Online Tourism Promotional Materials
No full textThis study examines the significance of highly frequent adjectives in promoting Xi’an, China’s online tourism promotional materials. It specifically focuses on the frequency and functional impact of these adjectives. Adopting a corpus-driven approach, a specialised corpus of English-language promotional texts from Xi’an’s official tourism website was constructed and analysed using AntConc software. The findings reveal that descriptive adjectives dominate, emphasising Xi'an's geographical, historical, and cultural attributes, while experiential and positive evaluative adjectives enhance the emotional and qualitative aspects of the promotional discourse. These adjectives not only describe Xi’an’s historical and cultural significance but also create a sense of appeal and interest among potential tourists. The study further explores collocation patterns to understand how these adjectives function within promotional texts. The results offer insights into how adjectives in Xi’an online tourism promotional materials promote Xi’an and highlight the importance of using high-frequency, positive adjectives in tourism promotional materials
Kaedah Fuzzy Delphi (FDM): Reka Bentuk dan Pembangunan Modul ALGO ART Berasaskan Pemikiran Komputasional
No full textPengintegrasian pemikiran komputasional (PK) dalam pelbagai bidang pendidikan semakin mendapat perhatian kerana potensinya untuk meningkatkan kemahiran menyelesaikan masalah dan cetusan idea dalam kreativiti. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan kesepakatan pakar dalam pembangunan modul pengajaran dan pembelajaran ekspresi seni catan berasaskan pemikiran komputasional bagi membantu guru di sekolah menengah. Keperluan utama dan turutan kedudukan keutamaan bagi setiap item dalam reka bentuk pembangunan modul ALGO ART yang berasaskan pemikiran komputasional ini menggunakan kaedah Fuzzy Delphi beserta tujuh skala likert. Pengkaji turut mendapatkan konsensus pakar berjumlah 19 orang pakar yang terdiri dari pelbagai bidang terutamanya bidang pedagogi pendidikan seni visual, bidang teknologi dan pendidikan, bidang pemikiran komputasional dan bidang pembangunan modul. Instrumen kajian merangkumi 66 item soalan yang dikategorikan kepada 10 konstruk utama, iaitu (i) Objektif (ii) Reka bentuk Pengajaran, (iii) Antara Muka, (iv) Komponen Ekspresi Seni Catan, (v) Pemikiran Komputasional, (vi) Teori Pembelajaran Kognitivisme Piaget (vii) Isi Kandungan (viii) Penilaian (viiii)Pendigitalan dan (x)Gambar Ilustrasi. Analisis data telah dilaksanakan menerusi pendekatan penomboran segi tiga Fuzzy, manakala kedudukan hierarki setiap item dikenalpasti melalui proses Defuzzification. Penemuan kajian memperlihatkan kesepakatan dalam kalangan panel pakar terhadap kesemua item dalam konstruk utama yang dikaji. Kesemua item telah mencapai penerimaan berdasarkan tiga kriteria Fuzzy yang ditetapkan, iaitu: nilai threshold (d) yang tidak melebihi atau bersamaan dengan 0.2, peratusan konsensus pakar yang mencapai atau melebihi 75%, serta nilai Defuzzification (alpha cut) yang mencapai atau melebihi 0.5. Modul ALGO ART yang berasaskan pemikiran komputasional di harap dapat mencetuskan idea baharu dalam pengajaran dan pembelajaran ekspresi seni catan
Informal Food Systems at Risk: Agrarian Changes and Rural Food Security in Lower Gangetic Basin, Bangladesh
No full textAgrarian transformations in Bangladesh’s Lower Ganges Basin, influenced by neoliberal policies, population growth, and environmental shifts, are reshaping rural livelihoods and food security landscapes. This study investigates how shrinking arable land impacts informal food sources—such as wild plants, uncultivated crops, and natural fisheries—that have historically sustained small-scale and landless farmers. Through a qualitative methodology incorporating in-depth interviews and ethnographic observation, this research reveals the essential role these informal food resources play for rural communities as formal agriculture recedes. Field insights show that modern agricultural practices driven by neoliberal policies and commercialization disrupt these informal food systems, which are increasingly relied upon amid diminishing arable land. Research participants shared their struggles adapting to industrial agriculture, underscoring the need to preserve natural food sources as buffers against food insecurity. The study advocates for balanced policies that protect these informal food systems while accommodating agricultural progress. Findings have significant implications for food security policies and rural development in Bangladesh and other countries centered around the Ganges River, especially concerning the resilience of vulnerable communities
Explaining UMNO’s Downfall Post GE14 and GE15: The Strengthened Convergence Between Two Cleavage Structures
No full textUMNO's electoral defeat in 2018 and 2022 facilitated a transformation in the Malaysian political landscape. While the party’s defeat could be ascribed to conventional factors, including narratives of elite corruption linked to its leadership and internal factionalism; however, another significant factor that contributed to UMNO’s remarkable downfall was the cleavage structure that shifted away from the party which therefore eroded their political support. The article seeks to demonstrate the erosion of UMNO’s influence among the Malay electorates, particularly in its traditional strongholds of rural parliamentary constituencies in Peninsular Malaysia due to modifications in the cleavage structure. The analysis of the 2013, 2018, and 2022 general elections indicated that UMNO ceded votes to the Islamic party, PAS and the newly formed Malay party, BERSATU, which were partners of the Pakatan Harapan opposition coalition in 2018. The outcomes of the 2022 general elections revealed a further decline in support for UMNO among Malay electorates, attributed to the merger between PAS and BERSATU, to establish a perceived Malay-Muslim coalition in Perikatan Nasional. This article argues that UMNO lost its monopoly among the Malay electorates due to the strengthened convergence between the two cleavage structures of ethnicity and religion. The convergence was facilitated by UMNO's promotion of Islamisation, its normalisation of political cooperation with PAS, and the party’s inability to compete effectively with BERSATU which ended UMNO’s one-party dominance in Malaysia
Marginalization of Lower-caste Christians in Mohammad Hanif’s Our Lady of Alice Bhatti
No full textLower-caste Christians are mostly the converts from Dalits who converted to escape injustices based on caste (Banerjee, 2023). Although caste consciousness is not as noticeable in Pakistan as it prevails in India, Pakistani lower caste Christians still face discrimination because of their Dalit ancestry (Kamran, 2017). Also, being a religious minority and having Dalit ancestry exacerbates their marginalization and force them to live their lives as subalterns. This paper explores the manifestations of marginalization against lower caste Christians as subalterns in the text of Our Lady of Alice Bhatti (2011). The study uses Spivak’s (1988) concept of subalternity and proposes that lower-caste Christians face marginalization not just for their religion but also for their Dalit ancestry in the text of OLAB. It also establishes the notion that lower caste Christians are considered untouchables and impure because of their jobs as sweepers which makes them subalterns in the text. While analyzing the text, the study explores Spivak’s concept of subalternity which she proposed in her famous essay Can the Subaltern Speak? (1988). Spivak says that subalterns are the oppressed people who are living outside the periphery or cultural imperialism (Mostafaee,2017)
An Ecomusicology of Shaanxi Erhu based on “Lan Huahua Ballade”
No full textEcomusicology is a type of comprehensive study that attempts to use ethnomusicology or an anthropological lens to study music or the nature of sound (sonic), which is related to human social and cultural habits as well as the relationship to nature or the environment. Shaanxi erhu, otherwise known as “Qin pai erhu”, is a specific erhu music school with its special playing skills, strong regional characteristics formed through Shaanxi music style, adaption and creation based on Shaanxi local music elements including folk songs from north area and operas from Guan Zhong area. This study aims to provide an in-depth analysis and understanding about Shaanxi erhu and its performance practice by studying the influence of north Shaanxi ecology and environment on Shaanxi erhu based on the representative work “Lan Huahua ballade”. The outcome of the study has instructional significance in erhu music pedagogy and, to some extent, helps heighten environmental awareness. In addition, a comprehensive understanding and analysis about Shaanxi erhu provide necessary references for future scholars and erhu players
Distribution Characteristics and Impact of Microplastics: A Literature Review
No full textMicroplastic (MP) pollution in marine and lake environments has become a worldwide problem affecting aquatic ecology and human life. However, many people still ignore the severity of MP pollution. This paper expounds on seven types and two primary sources of MP, introduces the current situation of MP both in marine and lake, summarizes the adsorption of environmental pollutants, explains the harm to the human body and the existing removal technology of microplastics (MPs) by searching and summarizing previous studies. The results showed MPs is prevalent in aquatic environments and did affect biological and human health. And some effective removal technologies have been used to reduce some MPs pollution. The paper helps to better understand the pollution status of MPs and provide as reference for future research about MPs
Punca-Punca Tekanan Kerja di kalangan Guru
No full textTekanan kerja dalam kerjaya guru merupakan isu yang sering dibincangkan. Daya tindak strategi perlu menghapuskan punca tekanan kerja guru bagi merealisasikan pemerkasaan pendidikan ke arah pembangunan sosial. Justeru itu kajian ini dijalankan bagi mengenalpasti punca-punca tekanan kerja di kalangan guru. Kajian yang berpaksikan pendekatan kualitatif ini mempunyai tiga orang peserta kajian yang dipilih di kalangan guru. Peserta ini telah ditemu bual dengan mendalam dan hasil dapatan menemui bahawa terdapat enam punca utama tekanan kerja iaitu beban kerja, kekangan masa, keletihan emosi, sikap pentadbir, persekitaran dan sikap dan masalah tingkah laku murid. Punca-punca ini, sekiranya tidak ditangani dengan sewajarnya, berpotensi untuk memberi impak negatif terhadap keberkesanan sistem pendidikan negara. Justeru itu, cadangan kepada pembangunan model holistik bagi daya tindak guru dalam menangani tekanan kerja perlu dibangunkan bagi kegunaan guru-guru seluruh Malaysia
Integrating AI-Generated Content and Micro Materials for Line Drawing Conservation for Chinese Art Preservation
No full texttheir cultural and artistic significance, faces unique challenges due to their delicate nature and intricate details. Traditional conservation methods often fall short in addressing the complexities of these artworks, necessitating innovative solutions to maintain their aesthetic and structural integrity. This study explores the integration of AI-generated content (AIGC) and micro materials in conserving Chinese line drawings. The objectives are to enhance aesthetic restoration, structural reinforcement, and long-term preservation while respecting the cultural significance of these artworks. The research employs a quantitative methodology, utilizing structured assessments and statistical analysis to evaluate the impact of AIGC and micro materials on conservation practices. Participants provide diverse perspectives, including art conservationists, historians, and digital artists. Ethical considerations ensure informed consent and adherence to cultural preservation standards. The study reveals that AIGC significantly enhances the precision of aesthetic restoration by simulating realistic restoration scenarios and providing personalized feedback. Micro materials, particularly nanomaterials, offer structural support without altering the artwork's appearance. The collaboration between AIGC and human expertise ensures culturally sensitive and technically robust restorations. Integrating AIGC and micro materials revolutionizes the conservation of Chinese line drawings, combining advanced digital simulations with precise structural reinforcements. This approach ensures the enduring preservation of these cultural artifacts, balancing artistic integrity and structural stability. Recommendations include targeted training programs and ongoing technical support to facilitate the effective integration of these technologies into traditional conservation practices