iRAPA - International Research & Publishing Academy (E-Journals)
iRAPA - International Research & Publishing Academy (E-Journals)Not a member yet
512 research outputs found
Sort by
Patriarchal Practices and Exploitation of Women: Walby\u27s Feminist Reading of Durrani’s Blasphemy
Full text linkThis study is a comprehensive critical account of Patriarchal Practices and Exploitation of Womanhood by the patriarchal society in the novel “Blasphemy”. Blasphemy, a 1998 novel by Pakistani renowned feminist author Tehmina Durrani, draws inspiration from a real-life incident. This study aims to analyse the patriarchal society in the novel Blasphemy. The study employs qualitative methods and draws on Salvia Walby\u27s theoretical framework in "Theorizing Patriarchy" to analyse the culture of patriarchy and the subjugation of women. Within this framework, the research explores the appalling atrocities committed in the name of religion to oppress women, as depicted in the novel "Blasphemy." Durrani conducts a thorough examination of the misrepresentation of Islam by exploitative religious leaders, highlighting how pseudo-clerics like Pir Sain manipulate Islamic principles to exploit his wife, Heer. Trapped in her husband\u27s brutal and corrupted world, she faces extreme exploitation. Despite Pir Sain proclaiming himself a man of God, his cruel actions towards his wife, other women, his daughter, and his son contradict this facade. This narrative sheds light on how contemporary religious leaders exploit their power and believers\u27 faith for personal gain
Chapter of Twenty Years: An Ultimate End of Proxy War in Afghanistan and Role of Pakistan in Peace Process
Full text linkAfghanistan’s area is covered by the East-West and North-South of the Hindu Kush range, which pins down the foreign occupier. It forms a life-and-death bridge which joins Southern and Eastern Asia to Central Asia and West Asia. After the 9/11 incident, the journey of war came to an end on 29th February, 2021, the Taliban forces and the US government signed a peace agreement at Doha. This paper engages the withdrawal of US military troops from the landlocked country, Afghanistan and the peace process. The US returned to their home after the end of a twenty-year-long war. Resultantly, the ‘new’ Taliban and its club house took over the reins of the country. The Afghanistan government, the Taliban, and the US are ultimately involved in a battle of two decades. On 15th August, 2021, the Taliban forces entered the capital of Afghanistan with high speed and drew the world\u27s eyes towards them. After 15 days of the date of entrance of Taliban into Kabul, US military forces concluded their operations and evacuated the land of Afghanistan on 30th August, 2021, marking the end of the proxy war
Impact of Internet Memes on Perception of Gender-Based Violence among Pakistani Youth
Full text linkThis study investigates the impact of internet meme culture on the perception of gender-based violence and harassment among Pakistani-educated youth. Memes nowadays have become an integral part of virtual life and illustrate societal issues in humorous or satirical ways. This study aimed to analyse how memes present harassment-related issues and how these shift individual thoughts and behaviours regarding gender-based violence and sexual harassment in society. A qualitative methodology was adopted to conduct the research. Two methods were included i.e. content analysis of memes on the internet related to the topic of sexual harassment and in-depth interviews with university students about their exposure, perception, and effect of these memes on the understanding and severity of the harassment. The findings showed that memes displayed with sexual harassment content downplay the issue. Memes strengthen the traditional gender roles and unequal status of women in society, and it is done by lighter notes in satirical ways, which have a subconscious impact on the thinking of the people who watch them. Memes shape and reinforce the gender roles in society. The research illustrates that memes propagate harmful stereotypes and influence the perception of gender-based violence and sexual harassment among viewers. The study emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating memes and their impact on the psyche of society because of their serious viral nature; it trivializes the grave issue of sexual harassment in the minds of people
Constructive Learning and Learning Competency through Design Thinking Teaching Approach: A Case of University Students in Karachi
Full text linkThis study aimed to investigate the impact of design thinking on the constructive learning and learning competency of university students in Karachi. Using a quantitative research design, this study employed a systematic and structured approach to collect measurable data and applied statistical, mathematical, or computational techniques for analysis. A descriptive research strategy was adopted following the survey design. The findings of the study, supported by the reviewed literature, revealed a significant impact of the Design Thinking teaching approach on the constructive learning and learning competency of university students in Karachi. The study recommends the awareness sessions for pre-service teachers for the integration of design thinking in their teaching methods. Institutes offering educational programs should organize workshops and training sessions to foster a growth mindset in future teachers for integrating design thinking into their teaching methods. Furthermore, teachers should use project-based learning in their classrooms to engage their students in real-world projects that require design thinking
Investigating the Moderating Role of Profession, Personality Traits, and Previous Experience in Online Shopping Behaviour
Full text linkThis study aimed to establish the correlation between perceived risk and Online Purchase Intention (OPI), specifically examining whether profession, personality traits, and experience mediate this correlation in a collectivist culture. The type of research design employed in this study was a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design, which was conducted with a sample of Pakistani consumers. Ordinary least squares regression and moderation analysis were implemented. The findings indicate that among various dimensions of perceived risk, social risk is the only one that may be influential on online purchase intention, revealing the importance of societal influencing factors in the Pakistani collectivist society. The interaction effects are very strong as observed in the moderation analysis, which means that profession, personality traits and experiences moderate the negative effect that the perceived risk has on OPI. The results suggest that social risk is the only dimension of perceived risk that has a significant impact on online purchase intention, which also highlights the societal aspect in collectivist Pakistani society. The moderation analysis demonstrates that there are substantial effects of interactions between profession, personality traits, and experiences and the negative influence of perceived risk on OPI
Investigating the Emotional Challenges of Female University Learners: A Phenomenological Case Study
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to investigate the emotional well-being of female university students in Karachi. A qualitative phenomenological case study was carried out with a focus on graduate and postgraduate students to discover the lived experiences and views of female participants from the different departments of a university in Karachi. The purposive sampling technique was used. The study topic focuses on how these students deal with emotional challenges during their university experiences. Data was collected through an in-depth semi-structured interview approach and analysed using a thematic analysis. The key findings indicated emotional challenges were domestic issues, overburdened, tough routine, tiredness, depression, anxiety, stress, and disappointment. The present study throws light on the experiences of female university students and offers guidance to educational institutions looking to improve the well-being of female students
Strategic Growth and Innovation at Venture Dive: A Case Study of a Global Software Development Firm
Full text linkVenture Dive is a software development organization based in 2012, which is famous for providing custom software solutions to customers internationally. The company functions in such spheres as finance, healthcare, and e-commerce and employs the latest technologies, it is AI, blockchain, and cloud computing. Venture Dive has been able to expand due to strategic relationships with clients, strong operational structures, and quality and innovation despite its challenges such as political instabilities, currency risks and talent retention. The company is discussed in the case in terms of agile practices, technological skills, and customer-centricity, with the achievements of the Kashat fintech solution and the digital wallet implementation of Careem
Mediating Role of Psychological Distress in the Relationship between Peer Pressure and Substance Use among University Students in Pakistan
Full text linkThis study aimed to examine the association of peer pressure with substance use among university students. The study further explored the mediating role of psychological distress in the relationship between peer pressure and substance use. The study comprised students from public and private sector Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). A convenient sampling technique was employed to collect the sample. The peer pressure was found to be significantly associated with substance use. Results further revealed that psychological distress partially mediated the relationship between peer pressure and substance use. The findings of the present study highlighted the critical role of psychological distress in amplifying the effects of peer pressure on substance use among university students. Interventions that target both personal and environmental factors should be considered to address substance use among youth. Further, early detection and identification of the risk factors, such as mental health problems, should be addressed as part of prevention intervention would help build resilience, improve well-being, and reduce the risk of mental health and substance use among youth
Parenting Concerns for Children of Generation Beta: A Cross-Sectional Study
Full text linkGeneration Beta is the emerging generation born between 2025 and 2039, of older Millennials and early Generation Z. With the advancement of AI and technology, the latest generation is experiencing excessive screen time and limited parent-child bonding, which might pose serious implications on child development and attachment outcomes. This study explores the perception of parenting pertinent to the upbringing and development of Generation Beta. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted using a tailor-made structured questionnaire, with support from generative AI and grey literature, to explore parents\u27 perceptions by recruiting 157 individuals using convenience sampling. The data were analysed using descriptive-inferential statistics in SPSS to examine parental insights on rising concerns in Pakistan. Descriptive statistics were calculated, including frequencies (N) and percentages, along with inferential statistics where p-values were obtained using the Chi-Square test. The results revealed that technology will bring advancement and opportunities for Generation Beta; on the other hand, parents were concerned with more screen time, minimal parent-child bonding, limited outdoor play, parenting strategies in the future upbringing, and challenges faced by the children. Therefore, the study contributes to rising parents\u27 concerns for Generation Beta and the requirement of parental education programs and strategies for their children. It also offers a foundation for future researchers to work towards it
Gamified Assessment: Utilizing Kahoot as an Online Formative Assessment Tool in Online Learning
Full text linkThis research aims to identify the effectiveness of Kahoot as a gamified formative assessment tool in online learning. Classroom action research was conducted, and the Kurt Lewin Model was followed to plan, implement the intervention, observe and reflect on the activity. To answer the research questions, pre and post tests were used, where a t-test was applied to find out the effectiveness of utilising Kahoot for improving students’ academic performance in online learning. On the other hand, students\u27 opinionnaire was utilised and focus group discussions were conducted with the students after practically utilising Kahoot. Quantitative data were analysed through both descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analysed through thematic analysis. Quantitative data revealed that students outperformed in the post-test as compared to the pre-test. Students also viewed Kahoot as a better option to be utilised for online formative assessments as it helped in creating a supportive environment, supporting interactive engagement, and providing on-the-spot productive feedback. Thus, findings of the study highlighted that Kahoot effectively enhanced students’ level of understanding, performance and engagement towards their learning, and it provided students and teachers with instant feedback