UFS Publications Platform (Univ. of the Free State)
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Attitude toward plagiarism among Chemistry and Biology students in Algeria
Get PDFImprovements are needed in promoting scientific integrity and ethical practices in academic work, particularly in recognising the contributions of other authors. And wherever academics use other authors\u27 work, they are faced with the possibility of engaging in plagiarism. Therefore, it is essential to know the different attitudes of students towards it. Therefore, in the current study, a quantitative descriptive method was adopted to identify attitudes towards plagiarism of chemical and biological students. We randomly sampled 252 students studying at the Chemical and Biological Departments of Boumerdes University in Algeria in the first semester of the academic year of 2022-2023. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, and average), t-test and ANOVA were carried out using SPSS software. To compare the data, the significance level was accepted at a .05 level of significance. In addition, ATP (Attitudes Toward Plagiarism) questionnaire, after being translated and adapted to the Algerian context. The findings of this study revealed that students generally displayed a favourable attitude towards plagiarism. Gender was found to have no significant impact on attitudes and subjective norms concerning plagiarism. However, educational level was observed to play a role, as higher levels of education correlated with decreased positive attitudes and increased negative attitudes. Moreover, subjective norms have been identified as a powerful predictor of attitudes. It was, therefore, recommended that the importance of universities in addressing the issue of plagiarism among students
Emotional intelligence and organisational commitment of Lecturers at Kyambogo University
Get PDFThe study examined the casual link between emotional intelligence and organisational commitment of lecturers at Kyambogo University. Specifically, the study examined the link between the four emotional intelligence competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management with organisational commitment of full-time lecturers at Kyambogo University. The three-component model of organisational commitment by Allen and Meyer, which describes it in terms of affective, normative, and continuance commitment, was used to assess the concept. Using the correlational research design, the study adopted the quantitative approach. The study participants were 175 full-time lecturers of the selected university. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Structural equation modelling (SEM) using SmartPLS was used to analyse the data. The study findings indicated that while self-management and social awareness were significant determinants of organisational commitment of full-time lecturers, relationship management and self-awareness were positive but insignificant determinants of organisational commitment. The study concluded that while self-management and social awareness are essential for the organisational commitment of lecturers, relationship management and self-awareness are not. Therefore, it was recommended that to promote the organisational commitment of lecturers, university managers should take cognisance of lecturers\u27 self-management and social awareness more than relationship management and self-awareness
Dissecting probable indicators of juvenile delinquency among Gweru Urban adolescents in Zimbabwe
Get PDFSociety today is still naïve that some children are no longer innocent, beautiful souls but callous and dangerous to the community. The escalating crime incidents by juveniles make it imperative to concede the rampant prevalence of juvenile delinquency. This research sought to identify the probable indicators of juvenile delinquency in the milieu of the unprecedented global trend. The study used a mixed-method approach guided by the pragmatist research paradigm. A descriptive research design enhanced an appreciation of participants’ multiple realities based on their lived experiences premised on qualitative and quantitative research. Random sampling was used in selecting 209 students to complete a translated questionnaire. An interview was used to collect data from teachers and parents selected purposively. Data was analysed using frequency count. Data from interviews was thematically analysed. Significant findings were that mental illness, social conditions such as neighbourhood location, home conditions such as family size, school conditions such as strictness of school and environmental factors were the indicators of juvenile delinquency. After-school programs to increase school time counselling services at schools were some of the recommendations by key informants on curbing juvenile delinquency. The overall conclusion is that probable indicators of juvenile delinquency result from several factors such as individual, home, social environment, and school
The influence of authentic leadership on institutional framing in Acoliland, Uganda: A local government perspective
Get PDFThe research that has confirmed the beneficial relationship between authentic leadership and institutional framing has included global metrics for both concepts. In order to study how authentic leadership affects institutional framing, this work particularly examined how the four dimensions of authentic leadership relate to the regulative, normative, and cognitive/dimensions of institutional framing. In this study, a quantitative technique restricted to a cross-sectional study and a questionnaire instrument to local government employees (n=261) were employed to collect data in accordance with a positivist research paradigm. Statistical analysis with the statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) was utilised to analyse the quantitative data gathered. The outcome of stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrates that there are substantial correlations between all aspects of authentic leadership and institutional framing. The relational transparency component had the greatest score (M=4.0; SD=3.8), while balanced processing and internalised moral perspective received the lowest scores (M=3.9; SD=3.8). Furthermore, when these perceptions are impersonal and aimed at the local government rather than when they are directed toward individual people, authentic leadership is a better predictor of institutional framing. These findings have practical ramifications for management in local governments, particularly for handling their employees.
Using Smartphones in Teaching English to Secondary School Students in South Africa
Get PDFThis study aimed to explore teachers’ experiences of using smartphones in teaching and learning English in Capricorn South Circuit, Limpopo Province. We used a qualitative research approach and adopted a case study design to conduct the study. Purposive sampling strategy was used to select data from six teachers. Data were collected through three methods, namely; interviews, observation and a reflective journal. We adopted Strauss and Corbin’s Model to analyse data. Thus, the study generated three findings: (a) reluctance among some teachers to use smartphones in teaching and learning; (b) challenges experienced at schools such as contextual factors (e.g., poor network coverage) and disruptive learners; as well as (c) strategies used by teachers to plan and implement the use of smartphones in teaching and learning to determine its success. These findings have major implications for the use of smartphones in teaching English in schools. Therefore, the study recommends that there be training for teachers regarding the use of smartphones in teaching. Additionally, the study recommends that the school management should be supportive and actively involved in the implementation of using of smartphones for teaching and learning in schools. In conclusion, teachers should ensure that timeous and thorough planning is done to ensure success if the use of smartphones is to succeed. This study is significant because it emphasises the need for a shift in teaching from a teacher-centred approach to a learner-centred approach that incorporates the use of technology in classroom.
The Impact of Take-home Open-book Examinations due to COVID-19 among Business Students. Do Gender, Age, and Academic Skills Matter?
Get PDFDue to COVID-19, numerous universities and colleges have been forced to arrange home-based exams in many countries. We know relatively little about what consequences this might have for the ranking of students based on qualifications in the various subjects. This is an important issue for administrators, educators, and others involved in planning the design of higher education. The intention of this article is to get more insight into this issue. By analysing administrative data from a Norwegian Business School, we examined the impact of moving from traditional school exams to home-based exams in 2020 due to COVID-19. The chosen methodology is the comparison of means by using t-test and standard linear regression models. The results indicate a weaker link between high school performance and achievements in business administration courses. Furthermore, home-based exams might disadvantage older students. This is useful knowledge in the judgement as to whether or not to introduce home-based exams as a permanent arrangement
Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Boko Haram Attacks and its Effects on Education in Northern Nigeria (2009-2020)
Get PDFThe persistent attacks from Boko Haram have been issues of concern to the Nigerian government and its citizens. The study assessed spatio-temporal pattern of attacks by Boko-Haram insurgents and its effects on education in the Northern Region of Nigeria between 2009 and 2020 with specific objectives of ascertaining the pattern of the attacks, and appraising the trend of attacks’ fatalities over time, and reviewing the effects of the attacks on education. The study covered all three geopolitical zones (19 States with FCT) in the Northern Region of Nigeria. Data on Boko-Haram attacks were obtained from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) database. Nearest Neighbourhood Analysis and Geographically Weighted Regression on ArcGIS 10.8 were analytical techniques adopted in this study. Results with a negative Z-value of -88.62 indicated the clustered pattern of Boko-Haram at an observed mean distance of 1213 metres from one attack to another. There were 28 792 reported fatalities due to Boko-Haram attacks from 2009 and 2020. Boko Haram has affected the education system of the Northern Region of Nigeria through attacks and abduction of students. The study revealed that geospatial technology has the potential to analyse and monitor insecurity issues, and it is thus recommended that geospatial technology need to be integrated into security surveillance and operation to curb the challenges of insecurity on education, not only in the northern region but the entire space of Nigeria, so that Sustainable Development Goal Four (quality education for all) can be achieved
Face Threatening Act and Gender Bias in Manggarain Marriage Proposal, Indonesia
Get PDFThis study aimed to describe and analyze the spokesmen\u27s politeness strategies and gender bias in their utterances when making a marriage proposal in Manggarai, Indonesia. This study was under the philosophy of interpretivism with the employment of descriptive qualitative design. Six spokesmen in three different marriage proposals were the main source of data. Since the researchers were participant observers, relevant data notes were taken. To support the observation data, the researchers conducted interviews and documentation studies. Dwelling pragmatic theory, the obtained data were analyzed through some stages: data reduction, data display, and drawing a conclusion. It is discovered that on record without redressive consisting of positive and negative type is predominantly used as a strategy followed by redressive and off the record. In addition, gender bias was found in the use of the figurative language of metaphor, simile, and symbolism in the spokesmen’s utterances. In order to have effective and meaningful interpersonal relationships and communication, it is, therefore, crucial that we understand what to say and how to say it
Influence of Post-Harvest Technology on Food Security in Narok East sub-County, Kenya
Get PDFCrop yields have decreased globally due to declining investments in research and infrastructure, which are preconditions for food security. The study established the Influence of Post-Harvest technology on Food Security in Narok East sub-County, Kenya, which is a rural sub-County in Narok County. A descriptive research design was adopted by the study. The target population is comprised of 25078 households distributed proportionally in the four wards and is involved in different farming activities. A sample of 378 household heads was determined using the sample size determination formula. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages and inferential statistics of correlation, ANOVA and regression analysis. The results were presented using frequency and percentages, tables and charts. The relationship between the variables was tested at a significant level of 0.05. The results show that there is a strong, positive and significant correlation between post-harvest technology and food security in the sub-County (r = .606** and p-value = 0.000). This implies that the relationship between the variables is very significant hence post-harvest technology is a strong determinant of food security in the study area. The study concludes that ANOVA model indicated a very significant and statistical relationship between post-harvest technology and food security. The study is beneficial to all the stakeholders in rural areas in Kenya who have consistently experienced food insecurity as it will provide appropriate data that will be used for policymaking
Exploring the Discrimination Factors of Marine Women Officers Onboard
Get PDFSeafaring is a challenging working environment for women. For the last two decades, mainly in western countries, women have been showing their existence in the fleet, but as the chief marine, women officers such as captain, executives, or leader posts aboard are very poor with respect to other services. In practice, women continuously face many problems from working environments, and it may be very high in seafaring. The current article aims to determine the factors related to discrimination of women officers (DOWO) onboard based on a data set containing 149 female officers’ responses from 18 different countries. The aimed response DOWO is marked as heteroscedastic. It is derived that the mean (or average) of DOWO is directly linked to women nationality (Spanish = 1; Others = 2) (P=0.0022), while it is reciprocally linked to her professional qualification (P=0.0290) and their male companion’s support (P<0.0001). The DOWO’s variance is reciprocally linked to women nationality (P= 0.0356), while it is directly and partially linked to their age (P=0.1343) and contract’s type (P=0.0799). It is observed that women officers with Spanish nationality, higher qualifications and their male companion’s support can reduce the degree of discrimination against women