African Journal of Empirical Research
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A New Bivariate Family of Distributions Based on the Clayton Archimedean Copula and Dagum Distribution
Get PDFThis study introduces a novel bivariate distribution combining the Clayton Archimedean copula and the Dagum distribution, addressing challenges in modeling complex dependencies, skewness, heavy tails, and multimodal distributions. The proposed NBCDagE distribution leverages the Clayton copula’s ability to capture asymmetric dependencies and the Dagum distribution’s flexibility to model diverse data behaviors, making it suitable for reliability, finance, and survival analysis applications. Key statistical properties of the NBCDagE distribution, including the probability density function (PDF), cumulative distribution function (CDF), product and joint moments, and Shannon entropy, were derived and analyzed. The model demonstrates sensitivity to parameter changes, with higher parameter values leading to sharper PDFs and lighter tails, while lower values result in flatter PDFs and heavier tails. Joint moments and entropy analyses revealed the distribution’s ability to adapt to varying data complexities, showcasing its robustness in capturing dependence structures and marginal characteristics. Visual representations, including contour plots and density curves, illustrate the flexibility of the NBCDagE model in handling a wide range of dependence patterns and data structures. The distribution’s performance was further validated through theoretical derivations and numerical examples, highlighting its adaptability and precision in multivariate data modeling. In conclusion, the NBCDagE distribution provides a robust framework for analyzing bivariate data with intricate dependency structures. Its flexibility and statistical rigor make it a valuable tool for diverse applications, paving the way for future research in higher-dimensional extensions and practical implementations
Effect of Project Communication Practices on the Performance of the Child Protection and Education Project Implemented by World Vision International in Rutsiro District, Rwanda
Get PDFThis study examined the impact of project communication practices on the performance of a child protection and education project implemented by World Vision International Rwanda (WVIR). Specifically, to assess the effect of participatory communication on performance of a child protection and education project, to examine the effect of results-driven communication on the performance of a child protection and education project and to assess the effect of feedback mechanism communication on the performance of a child protection and education project in Rutsiro district. The theories guided this study are participatory communication theory, feedback intervention theory and goal-oriented communication theory. The study employed the descriptive and correlational research design. The target population was 142 people including project coordination staff, project team implementers, project promoters, project beneficiaries. The population was small and accessible; therefore, the census method was used. The data was collected using questionnaire and interview guide. The data was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative approches, including descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using SPSS version 25.0. Qualitative data was collected through interviews and analyzed based on responses. The findings revealed strong positive agreement with participatory communication (M=4.27), results-driven communication (M=3.75), and feedback mechanism communication (M=4.16). Regression analysis showed that for every one-unit increase in participatory communication, project performance increased by 1.354 units (p=0.000), while results-driven communication and feedback mechanisms had negative effects on performance, with decreases of -2.081 and -0.163 units respectively (p=0.000). These findings suggest that participatory communication significantly improves project performance, while results-driven communication and feedback mechanisms do not. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the project shares regular the project activities designed to foster trust and open communication among stakeholders and team members. Further, project should organize a regular communication training to equip project stakeholders with effective communication strategies for example how to provide feedback communication. Additionally, the project should encourage more proactive feedback through recognition programs and ensuring feedback
Effects of Headteachers’ Implementation of Government Secondary Education Bursary Fund on Students’ Retention in Masinga Sub County, Kenya
Get PDFBursary fund helps to increase access to secondary school education, ensure retention of students in secondary school and promote transition and completion rates in secondary school education. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of headteachers implementation of government secondary school bursary fund on students’ retention in Masinga Sub County, Kenya. This study was anchored on human capital theory. The study used descriptive survey research design. The study had a target population of 5022 students, 50 headteachers and 50 deputy headteachers. A sample size of 420 was determined using purposive sampling and Yamane formula. Purposive sampling was used to identify 25 headteachers and 25 deputy headteachers. Yamane formula was used to compute 370 students. Simple random sampling was used to identify 370 students. Questionnaires, interview guides and document analysis were used to collect data. Validity of the research instruments was ascertained through expert judgment and piloting. Reliability of the research instruments was achieved through test-retest method where the instruments were piloted in a time interval of two weeks and the two results were correlated using Pearson’s product moment correlation method. In addition, inferential analysis was employed that involved correlational analysis at a 0.05 level of significance. The hypothesis was rejected or accepted at 0.01 level of significance. The findings showed that there is a significant strong correlation between effective implementation of government bursary funds by the headteachers and students’ retention (r (23) =0.79, p=0.00), hence the hypothesis was rejected and an alternative hypothesis accepted. The study concluded that effective allocation of bursary funds leads to increased students’ retention. Bursary funds could provide necessary financial support for students’ who might otherwise struggle to continue with their education due to financial constraints. The study recommended that more financial resources should be allocated to schools for bursary to enhance students’ retention
Effect of Gross Capital Formation on the Economic Growth in Tanzania: A Vector Error Correction Model Analysis
Get PDFThe goal of this research was to investigate the influence of gross capital formation on economic growth in Tanzania. Neoclassical Growth Model was used in this study. The quantitative research approach was used in this study. This study adopted a longitudinal research design, while a documentary review was employed to get secondary data from specific sites. The analysis relied on secondary data on private and public investment. Following the determination of the model\u27s assumptions, a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was used. Because the data were presented in the form of a time series, stationarity was investigated. This was followed by a unit root test, then a cointegration test. Consideration is given to validity, reliability, and ethical considerations. The study revealed that there is positive association between gross capital formation and economic growth in Tanzania, also the study revealed that there is positive association between government consumption expenditure and economic growth in Tanzania. The study concluded that the economic growth is significantly impacted by gross capital formation. The study recommends that the government should focus more on the implementation and development of policies and strategies pertaining to the fees and charges paid to the government at all administrative levels. It also suggests that penalties be imposed in order to increase capital formation for private and public companies
Urban Flooding in the Cities of Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nairobi, Kenya: Causes, Vulnerability Factors, and Management
Get PDFThis research investigates the complex urban flooding dynamics of Kisumu together with Mombasa and Nairobi cities in Kenya. Since both human-caused urban growth and climate change effects simultaneously produce more non-absorptive surfaces. conditions have worsened globally. The problem of urban flooding in Africa deepens when countries fail to plan their cities correctly and continue to deteriorate their environments. The recent floods in Kenya have produced catastrophic outcomes which make it vital to implement strong flood management methods that adhere to national climate action plans. Based on environmental justice and urban metabolism theories, this study employed qualitative and descriptive research methods to investigate urban flooding in Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nairobi, Kenya. It relied on purposive sampling to select data sources, including government reports, NGO publications, and academic journals. Primary and secondary data were analyzed through structured data analysis to categorize findings systematically. The research utilized qualitative techniques for in-depth exploration and descriptive methods to explain factual data. An online review of databases spanning a decade ensured data reliability, while expert insights from urban planners and flood management officials enhanced methodological rigour. Experts have proved that economic differences create more exposure to flooding within lower-income neighbourhoods besides failing institutions in planning and communication that heighten risks. The irregular rainfall patterns of global warming create additional stress for urban flood operations. Through the combination of urban metabolism and environmental justice concepts the research study demonstrates how resources get distributed unfairly and environmental risks affect selected populations unequally. The research indicators show the need to merge disaster risk reduction requirements directly into socio-economic urban development programmes. This research demonstrates the need for better community participation alongside improved institutions and sustainable urban development programmes which need to protect urban areas from floods. Future investigations should concentrate on building adaptable urban planning systems which dynamically react to environmental changes and social-economic fluctuations to include every community segment within flood risk approaches. The process requires the examination of advanced technology systems for forecasting floods as well as building community-driven resilience methods to achieve better disaster response control at a local level
An Empirical Analysis of an Evolutionary Game Theory Model for Trustworthy Information Collection and Distribution
Get PDFThis paper analyzes the honest-dishonest behavior of cloud data collection and dissemination system users, employing evolutionary game theory. It’s very important to study evolutionary game theory application in cloud data collection and dissemination systems. It tends to describe the trends of honest-dishonest behavior of system stakeholders based on their strategic choices during the game rounds. This study employs involvement and character as criterion to incentivize or reprimand stakeholders. The truthful stakeholder is incentivized while the untruthful stakeholder is penalized. The system is coded using MATLAB software, and several experiments carried out. The system user’s behavior is analyzed using replicator dynamics. The discoveries indicated that regardless of the number of stakeholders selecting an untruthful approach at beginning of the game, the mainstream of stakeholders is encouraged to select a truthful strategy after numerous game rounds. According to a comparative investigation of the evolution dynamics simulation outcomes for information suppliers and users indicated that, ultimately they select honest strategy, and the proportion of honest stabilizes. Consequently, the incentive approach can effectively encourage stakeholders to use the system honestly. The empirically analyzed evolutionary game theory model supports stakeholders\u27 efficient participation and guarantee truthful use of the information collection and dissemination system
Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Inmates’ Education and Vocational Skill Training at Nsawam Medium Security Prison in Ghana
Get PDFThis study explored stakeholders\u27 perspectives on inmates’ education and vocational skills training in Nsawam Medium Security Prison in Ghana. Grounded in functionalists’ strain theory, and the symbolic interactionists’ labelling theory, this exploratory study targeted participants from the University of Cape Coast\u27s Distance Education (DE) programme at Nsawam Medium Security Prison, and Prison Officers connected with inmates\u27 education and vocational skills training, representatives from the Plan Volta, a non-governmental organization and the University of Cape Coast (UCC) as its population. The purposive sampling technique was used to select student inmates, 11 prison officers, and a representative each of Plan Volta and UCC. Data collection was facilitated through semi-structured interviews and data analysis was achieved through thematic analysis. The result of the study suggests that participants generally have a positive impression of inmates’ education and skills training. They unequivocally demonstrated that inmates’ education and skills training play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between societal structures and individual agency and stressed their transformative potential in promoting rehabilitation and reintegration. The study therefore concluded that education and vocational skills have the capacity to redefine inmates\u27 self-perception, foster a sense of purpose, and equip them with employment skills leading to the prospects for successful reintegration into society, thereby addressing recidivism. It is therefore recommended that the Government of Ghana, through the Ministries of Interior, and Education enhance resource allocation to support inmates’ education and vocational skills training. Furthermore, the Ghana Prison Service should foster stronger partnerships with institutions such as the University of Cape Coast, the Plan Volta, and other community-based organisations to facilitate resource sharing and coordinated efforts to support inmates’ education and skills training for positive rehabilitation outcomes
Effect of Spices on the Microbial Diversity, Physicochemical Properties and Nutritional Properties of Fermented Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) Slurry
Get PDFFermentation improves taste, adds flavour and makes nutrients easily digestible. Millet porridge is produced from spontaneous fermentation of pearl millet grain with or without spices. A study was carried out to evaluate the proximate, nutritional, and bacterial diversity composition during fermentation of pearl millet slurry with and without spices. In this experimental study, some millet grains were fermented with selected spices, while others were fermented without spices. The pH, proximate and mineral analysis, and lactic acid production were determined in the fermented products. The 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) metagenomic method was used to identify the microbial diversity and abundance in the fermented millet slurry with and without spices. The slurry fermented with spices recorded 22.50 (mg/g) iron at 24 hours whilst without spices recorded a 10.10 (mg/g) iron content. Furthermore, zinc content at 24 hours for slurry with spices was 175.50 (µg/g) whilst without spices was 60.10 (µg/g). The lactic acid content for millet slurry without spices was between 7.16µg/mL and 9.22µg/mL whilst the lactic acid content for millet slurry with spices was between 6.55µg/mL and 9.88µg/mL produced after a 72-h fermentation period. Acetobacter was the most dominant genera in the fermented slurry (54.23%). The relative abundance of the genus Lacticaseibacillus (19.71% to 1.69%), Lactobacillus (0.49% to 5.25%), Limosilactobacillus (2.43% to 40.96%), Acetobacter (54.23% to 34.93%), Schleiferilactobacillus (16.29% to 0.84%) were present in the fermented slurry. The fermentation of pearl millet grains with spices improves the nutritional composition of pearl millet and provides a diversified fermenting bacteria community. The most dominant species in the slurry fermentation can be formulated into starter cultures to be used in controlled fermentation
Caregiver motivation and child well-being: HIV status disclosure among pediatric patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Uasin Gishu, Kenya
Get PDFDisclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV] status to children is a complicated procedure and an emotional task especially within resource-poor environments. Besides supporting the adherence to treatment, disclosure plays numerous critical roles, including mental strength and independence of a child. Nevertheless, caregivers experience the dilemma of when, how and whether to disclose depending on cultural, emotional and contextual issues. The aim of the study was to investigate reasons why caregivers decide to disclose the HIV status to their children; evaluate the psychological, emotional, and social impacts of such disclosure to their children living with HIV in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). The research work used a descriptive survey directed by the Social Cognitive Theory. The target population involved 85 children with HIV, 50 care givers, and 70 health care providers. Inclusion of the caregivers was formed through a purposive sampling approach to cover the various samples of respondents regarding their status of disclosure (whether they disclosed or not). In case of the participants (children) stratified sampling was conducted based on age group (1013 and 1417 years) to assess the difference in disclosure due to age. The sample calculating was done through the Cochran formula (1977), the confidence level of 95 percent and 10 percent adjustment of non-response. They resulted in having 100 caregivers and 60 children with HIV as the final sample. The structured questionnaires were used to collect data and the statistic package for social sciences (SPSS) to analyse the data presentation in frequencies and percentages. IDIs: 20 in depth interviews with the caregivers; focus group discussion-4 with the adolescents with HIV. The results showed that, age, perceived emotional readiness of the child, fear of stigma and the general comfort level played a big role in the disclosure decision of the caregivers. Some care givers had a view that disclosure would also offer an avenue to better adherence and psychological readjustment but other care givers were scared that it might lead to emotional damage to the child or social discrimination. The finding of the study also revealed that those children who knew their HIV status mostly underwent various emotional predispositions such as shock, sadness, and reaction of relief and better cooperation with care. In the long-term, the disclosure was associated with the enhanced social functioning, the improved knowledge of ART, and psychological better results. To conclude, disclosure of the HIV status even though difficult is a key component in promoting the well-being of the paediatric patient. The research suggests specific training of caregivers to develop disclosure plans, the development of age appropriate counselling procedures and systems to support both a caregiver and the child that can support disclosure as a process successfully
Corporate governance, firm age and financial stability of microfinance banks in Kenya
Get PDFFinancial stability has remained a major challenge of the microfinance banks in Kenya. Statistics from the Central Bank of Kenya show that for the period 2018-2022, the aggregate net incomes of these institutions have been negative with return on equity (ROE) and return on asset (ROA) values averaging at 13.24% and -1.55% respectively. This implies that these institutions have been posting losses hence providing a pointer of concern about their financial stability. The instability of these microfinance banks is detrimental to the survival of the entire financial sector and the economy at large. The general objective of the study was to establish the effect of firm age on corporate governance and financial stability of microfinance Banks in Kenya. The following specific objectives guided the proposed study. To establish the relationship between board independence and financial stability of microfinance banks in Kenya; to determine relationship between ownership concentration and financial stability of microfinance banks in Kenya; to analyze the relationship between CEO compensation and financial stability of microfinance banks in Kenya and to assess the moderating effect of firm age on the relationship between corporate governance and financial stability of microfinance banks in Kenya. The agency theory, stewardship theory provided anchorage to the study. This study adopted explanatory design to meet the formulated objectives. The target population comprised of 12 Microfinance banks licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and census was adopted, Secondary data was gathered in this study with the aid of the questionnaire that was in structured format. The analysis was done through panel data and findings presented through tables. It was established that board independence had p-value of p=0.016 i.e. p<0.05, ownership concentration had p-0.015<0.05 and chief executive officer (CEO) compensation had p= 0.028<0.05 hence all of them were significant. It was concluded that corporate governance significantly affects financial stability. The study recommended that shareholders and policy makers at the Central Bank of Kenya should balance between independent and non-independent director among microfinance banks in Kenya. Shareholder working with Microfinance Institution (MFIs) in Kenya should restructure their shareholding structures and composition so as to balance the interests of shareholders. Shareholders of microfinance banks should provide competitive remuneration package to the CEO which should be tied to their performance