bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Roles of Parents in Enhancing Academic Performance among Public Secondary Schools at Nyamagana District, Tanzania
Authors: Peter Seni Adam , Onyango Daniel
Published: April 2021

This study sought to investigate on the roles of parents in enhancing children’s academic performance among Public Secondary Schools at Nyamagana District, Tanzania. The study employed the mixed research approach to organize the qualitative and quantitative data so as to deal with the research problem. The sample for this study included 88 students whereby Simple random sampling was used to select them. Purposive sampling was used to select the DEO, WEO and some teachers while parents were selected through convenient sampling. Data was gathered through questionnaire and interview schedule. The instruments were validated by two research experts from Saint Augustine University of Tanzania. The study concludes that parents are somehow not doing very well on the issue of parenting as a good number of them did not play their role effectively. Parental role in communication with teachers was done well as a good number of parents rarely or never communicated with teachers to make follow ups regarding their children’s education. The rate of parents’ volunteering in school development activities was very low and the rate of parental participation in supervision of students’ learning at home was very minimal. However, parents participated in decision making regarding school related activities. Finally, parents were not doing well on issues related to community participation. Based on the conclusions, it is recommended that since the rate of parental participation in enhancing children’s academic performance is low, school authorities need to organize for seminars and workshops to parents on the importance of their participation in school related programs that enhance the academic performance of their children.
Perceived Influence of Career Guidance and Counselling Services on Secondary School Students’ Academic Performance: A Case of
Tanga City, Tanzania
Authors: Lubawa Dorothy
Published: April 2021

This study examined the perceived influence of career Guidance and Counselling Services (GCS) on secondary school students’ academic performance among secondary schools in Tanga City. The study employed a mixed method approach that utilized a correlation design and a case study design. The sample size was 423 respondents, including 330 students, 26 heads of schools, 33 guidance and counsellor teachers, 33 academic teachers, and one City Educational Officer (CEO). The study used questionnaires, and semi - structured interview guides for data collection. The study concludes that the academic performance of the students is good; the career GCS services contribute to students’ academic performance. Furthermore, there is a significant positive relationship between students’ access to career GCS and their academic performance. Therefore, the study recommends the establishment of a strong policy on school GCS which will enable the effective implementation of the career GCS in the schools. Therefore, it is recommended that the services should be strengthened in the schools. The heads of schools should be in the forefront to make sure they establish strong and effective career GCS in their respective schools. Finally, students should be motivated to seek the career guidance services in addressing their academic challenges.
Perception of School Stakeholders on the Effect of School- Home Distance on Students’ Academic Performance among Community Secondary Schools in Rorya District, Tanzania
Authors: Oneya Lilian , Onyango Daniel
Published: April 2021

The study sought to determine the perception of school stakeholders on the effect of school- home distance on students’ academic performance among community secondary schools in Rorya District, Tanzania. The study employed a convergent survey design under the mixed research approach. The sample for this study was 100 respondents out of the population of 21,894 stakeholders, but only 87 responded. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire while qualitative data were collected through the interview. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study concludes that long distance travelled by students reduces teacher-students contact time, leads to stomach ulcers, headaches and related issues which reduce school attendance and completion rates. The researchers recommended that community, government authorities and other stakeholders should make plans to build school dormitories or hostels to reduce the adverse effects of school –home distance.
After TikTok: International Business and the Splinternet
Authors: Stallkamp Maximilian
Published: April 2021

The internet is evolving from a globally connected and lightly regulated network to a ‘splinternet’ governed by diverging national policies. Governments are effectively re-creating national borders in digital space by asserting their authority over areas such as data protection, taxation, censorship, and national security. This increasing fragmentation of the internet creates new challenges for companies that use the internet to offer digital products and services (such as apps) internationally. Rather than addressing global markets more or less by default, these digital firms must make strategic choices with respect to foreign market selection, entry modes, local adaptation, and stakeholder management.
Reflections on Teaching Qualitative Methods Using Team-Based Learning: An Exemplification by Photovoice
Authors: Rania Nadia , Migliorini Laura , Rebora Stefania
Published: April 2021

This research article as a part of larger study intends to explore the role of teaching qualitative methods is not easy and often represents a great challenge. In this work, we describe our experience of teaching a qualitative methods course for undergraduate psychology students. In this course, we used a Team-Based Learning (TBL) approach in which we had students cluster into small groups to enhance their education by having them become more active in their learning. To teach qualitative methods, we used TBL and in this paper, we present the exemplification of this method by choosing Photovoice. The Team-Based methods may be thought of as a new approach for teaching qualitative methods at the university because it allows the students to reach relevant life skills, like reflexivity, sensitivity, and critical thinking that are relevant not only for qualitative researchers but also for the psychologists and the social service professionals.
The Influence of Mentorship and Role Models on University Women Leaders’ Career Paths to University Presidency
Authors: Hill Lilian , Wheat Celeste
Published: April 2021

While the literature concerning female administrators in higher education indicates the critical role that mentors and role models play in contributing to women’s professional advancement, the relationship between mentorship and women’s attainment of senior leadership positions including the college presidency remain underexplored. The purpose of this study was to explore how women in key-line administrative positions to the presidency (e.g., academic dean, vice president, chief academic officer) and women presidents understood the role of mentoring relationships and role models in their career paths to leadership. This study employed a postmodern feminist theoretical framework and a feminist qualitative design to give voice to the unique and individualized ways university women in key-line positions to the presidency and women presidents made meaning of the influence of mentors and role models during their careers. Data collection involved 16 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a criterion-based sample of 12 female key-line administrators and four presidents employed at universities located in the southeastern United States. The data analysis revealed four main themes related to: (1) the minimal role of mentors and role models; (2) gender dynamics characterizing participants’ role models and mentoring relationships; (3) mentoring moments with multiple and non-traditional mentors and role models; and (4) the benefits of mentors and/or role models. This study recognizes the participants’ complexity in their multiple identities and demonstrates women’s resourcefulness in seeking career guidance and social support from multiple sources including male and female mentors, role models, colleagues, friends, and family members.
Overcoming Barriers to Implementing Electronic Health Records in Rural Primary Care Clinics
Authors: Mason Patricia , Mayer Roger , Chien Wen-Wen , Monestime Judith
Published: April 2021

Medicare-eligible physicians at primary care practices (PCP) that did not implement an electronic health record (EHR) system by the end of 2015 face stiff penalties. One year prior to the 2015 deadline, approximately half of all primary clinics have not implemented a basic EHR system. The purpose of this phenomenology study was to explore rural primary care physicians and physician assistants’ experiences regarding overcoming barriers to implementing EHRs. Complex adaptive systems formed the conceptual framework for this study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a purposeful sample of 21 physicians and physician assistants across 2 rural PCPs in the southeastern region of Missouri. Participant perceptions were elicited regarding overcoming barriers to implementing EHRs systems as manadated by federal legislation. Interview questions were transcribed and processed through qualitative software to discern themes of how rural PCP physicians and physician assistants might overcome barriers to implementing electronic health records. Through the exploration of the narrative segments, 4 emergent themes were common among the participants including (a) limited finances to support EHRs, (b) health information exchange issues, (c) lack of business education, and (d) lack of change management at rural medical practices. This study may provide rural primary care physicians and administrators with strategies to promote the adoption of EHRs, provide cost efficient business services, and improve change management plans.
Facilitating the Transition from Military Instructor to Academic Educator: Cognitive Apprenticeship in Teacher Induction at the United States Air Force Academy
Authors: Swaim Thomas
Published: April 2021

This article examines teacher induction in the military undergraduate education context. The U.S. Air Force Academy relies on approximately 520 military and civilian instructors to educate nearly 4000 future military officers each year. These educators must be highly skilled and unquestionably capable in their abilities to teach these future leaders. Many of these instructors derive from highly technical active duty operational career fields (such as pilot, missile operator, etc.). This article reveals how Collins’, Brown’s, and Newman’s (1989) theory of cognitive apprenticeship is manifested within teacher induction experiences at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Using a qualitative multiple-case study approach, this research integrated data from observations, interviews, and participant journals to reveal how the six methods of cognitive apprenticeship (modeling, coaching, scaffolding, articulating, reflecting, and exploring) are facilitated in the individual operator-to-educator transition experience. The findings from this study inform faculty orientation and faculty development policies and processes within the U.S. Air Force Academy and bear implications for civilian post-secondary educator induction processes as well.
The Construction of “Discomfort Psychological”: An Exploration of Italians Teachers' Reports
Authors: Iudici Antonio , Fabbri Matteo
Published: April 2021

Although there are several studies on youth problems in school, there are few studies on how teachers report psychological discomfort of the students and on what criteria does their procedure. Considering that schools increasingly make such reports to social or neuropsychiatry services, we wanted to find out whether it is flawless (bias, etc.) and how it can affect a student's career. This research presents an investigation on how the practice of signaling "psychological discomfort" at school is set up. Objects of the survey are the procedures used by the teachers to submit the psychological problems. The research subjects were Secondary School teachers. In this research, we used qualitative research methods. We specifically chose to use a semi-structured interview. The data analysis was conducted in line with the analysis of the conventional content. From an analysis of the responses, it is possible to highlight that there is no generally agreed description of psychological discomfort, that the criteria for identifying distress are different and that the way in which they follow the reporting procedure varies very much from teacher to teacher. Finally, we discuss the implications of individualized reports both for the school course of the student and for the requirements of the teachers.
International Students’ Transition Experiences in Rural Texas: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Lertora Ian , Henriksen Richard , Starkey Jesse , Li Chi-Sing
Published: April 2021

Due to the growth in the number of international students attending universities in Texas and the need to provide appropriate counseling services to them, nine international students were interviewed about their experiences of transitioning from their home country to college in rural Texas. The authors employed the transcendental phenomenological approach to qualitative research (Moustakas, 1994) which allowed for the following seven emergent themes were identified that described the participants’ experiences: American TV; Knowing Someone; Like a Movie; Everybody Saying Hi; Transportation is Inconvenient; I Miss Noodles; and Being Optimistic. The emergent themes provided the basis for implications and recommendations for counseling services with the international student populations. Implications and recommendations for counselors on college campuses include, but are not limited to: actively collaborating with international student services, participating in new international student orientation services, and developing preemptive approaches to assisting international student during their transitions The authors make recommendations for further qualitative research and focus groups inquiries should be conducted by college counselors to better inform outreach services, for campus counseling and career service center, directed at assisting international students during their numerous transitions (Lértora et al., 2017).
Making Corporate Social Responsibility Work: Do Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) in Ghana Care at All?
Authors: Mensah Henry , Agyapong Ahmed , Oteng-Abayie Eric
Published: April 2021

Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) were set up to provide banking services by way of funds mobilization and offering of credit to cottage industry operators, farmers, fishermen, and regular salaried employees. These banks are not obliged to undertake Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities but are expected by some stakeholders such as citizens in the community to devote part of their profits to meet social developmental activities. This study examines the CSR practices among RCBs in Ghana by adopting a mixed method approach. A combination of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and cross-sectional survey was employed to gather detailed information from 86 respondents who are associated with the selected RCBs. Data collected from Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and annual reports were analyzed using content analysis and presented in themes and models. Using the binomial test and descriptive statistics, questionnaire responses were analyzed and presented. We found that among RCBs, CSR has become synonymous to community and social development as managers accept the value that CSR can create in business. Additionally, it was found that three major stages are involved in the planning and implementation of CSR by RCBs. The researchers recommend that RCBs put together CSR policy guidelines, which will form the basis for CSR engagements in their respective banks.
“You Can Sort of Feel It”: Exploring Metacognition and the Feeling of Knowing Among Undergraduate Students
Authors: Gutierrez de Blume Antonio , Wells Pamela , Davis C. Amelia , Parker Jason
Published: April 2021

Traditional research on the metacognitive practice of calibration has been primarily investigated within the realm of quantitative experimental methodologies. This article expands the research scope of metacognitive calibration by offering a qualitative approach to the growing body of literature. More specifically, the current study investigates the learners’ perspective on the calibration process. Ten undergraduate students were selected to participate in a structured interview on their previous calibration performances (five students low in calibration processing and five proficient in calibration processing). Ultimately nine students (N=9) participated in individual interviews. Participant interviews are qualitatively assessed through the mediums of (1) Serra and Matcalfe’s original work on the “feelings of knowing” and (2) self-regulated learning theory (SRL). Results indicate a difference in feelings of knowing between low and proficient calibrators across a battery of themes: effort, strategies, planning, and evaluation. Implications of the results and direction for future research are explored.
Older People in a Community Gospel Choir: Musical Engagement and Social Connection
Authors: Joseph Dawn , Southcott Jane
Published: April 2021

This research explores the role of community music in the lives of older Australians. This qualitative case study investigated the meanings and understandings ascribed by participants to their musical engagement in the South of the River Community Gospel Choir. This mixed a cappella SATB choir was formed in 2002 in Melbourne. The choir began with a repertoire of African-American Gospel music and South African Freedom Songs. With time their musical choices have transitioned to include more contemporary Australian composed works. The choir sings in diverse community settings such as high security prisons, palliative care, hospitals and the more common range of gigs such as community events, private events and folk festivals. Data were gathered from individual and focus group semi-structured interviews undertaken in 2016 with the members of the choir and with the Musical Director. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and reported under the themes of Musical engagement and Social connection, Performing and Outreach. The findings confirmed the pivotal musical and social importance of the Music Director; the importance of performance opportunities that support both socialising and community outreach; and the role of ensemble membership in fostering and maintaining understandings of self-worth and self-esteem.
The Chameleon Characteristics: A Phenomenological Study of Instructional Designer, Faculty, and Administrator Perceptions of Collaborative Instructional Design Environments
Authors: Bawa Papia , Watson Sunnie
Published: April 2021

While several professionals, organizations and departments may be a part of the instructional designing process usually faculty, instructional designers, and administrators are key stakeholders and collaborators. Although there are some studies related to the process of instructional designing, there is little by way of research that has investigated the stakeholders’ perceptions of the key characteristics of effective collaboration within instructional designing projects. Thus, there is a gap in our understanding of the phenomenon of instructional designing project collaboration. This hermeneutic phenomenological study seeks to add to the literature by sharing the perceptions of seven stakeholders in different roles, who have collaborative instructional designing experiences within Midwestern higher education institutions. Practitioner and research implications are also discussed. The data revealed nine core characteristics perceived as crucial to effective collaboration within instructional design projects. These characteristics are discussed using the metaphor and associated acronym of CHAMELEON (Communication, Humility, Adaptability, Mentorship, Empathy, Looping, Engagement, Oscillation, Networking).
Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions of Using iPads with Students with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Kaur Daljit
Published: April 2021

Preservice teachers reflected on their experiences teaching mathematics to ten students using iPads. The students had learning disabilities and were tutored over 5 consecutive weeks. Teachers reflected weekly for 5 weeks then responded to an online open-ended survey regarding their overall teaching experience. Findings suggest that the experience allowed preservice teachers to gain helpful insight, knowledge, and ideas on how to use iPads as an instructional tool.
To Think or Not to Think with Theory in Qualitative Research
Authors: Yacoub Mohamed
Published: April 2021

Thinking with Theory in Qualitative Research: Viewing Data across Multiple Perspectives is a book that challenges the traditional way of analyzing qualitative data. The book invites researchers who use qualitative methods to think with theory when it comes to analyzing their data since analyzing the data with no theory in mind can make injustice to the data. Thinking with theory, however, can enrich one’s study and direct the process of the data analysis. The authors offer us six theories, as examples, to think with when analyzing qualitative data. These theories are: Derrida’s Deconstruction, Spivak’s Marginality, Foucault’s Power/Knowledge, Butler’s Performativity, Deleuze’s Desire, and Barad’s Intra-action. To clarify their approach, the authors interviewed two first-generation-scholar participants: Cassandra and Sera and analyzed their data in the chapters of the book; each chapter analyzes the data from the perspective of one of the six aforementioned theories, and each chapter is proceeded by an interlude in which the authors explicate why they have chosen this particular theory.
Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder through Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Authors: Chugani Carla , Seiler Ashley , Goldstein Tina
Published: April 2021

This article presents a qualitative investigation of the perspectives and experiences of recovery from borderline personality disorder from six individuals who were treated with comprehensive dialectical behavior therapy. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews, transcribed, and coded using a six-step analysis process. Six primary themes emerged: (1) belief about recovery, (2) current experience of self, (3) facets of recovery, (4) motivating factors, (5) external supports to recovery, and (6) characteristics required for recovery. Overall, the findings took a dialectical form in which participants often described conflicting experiences (e.g., feeling recovered while also continuing to experience heightened emotional sensitivity). We conclude that the themes presented in this article represent broad domains related to the meaning of recovery from BPD, and recognize that the relative importance of each domain is best determined by the individual.
Material Forms: What is Really Going On? Shaping Who We Are and What We Do
Authors: Grube Vicky
Published: April 2021

Using visual and ethnographic methods the author forms a connection between materiality and the memories of childhood. The researcher begins by asking the question, “Can a studio environment create encounters between a researcher and preschool children that deepen understanding of culture?” To this end, the researcher engaged in sensory research practices through ethnographic methods in a preschool art studio. Through free choice art making, children were found expressing their emotions and demonstrating an awareness of adult culture. In particular, the researcher’s encounter with four-year old George was enriched through sensory participation and triggered embodied and empathetic knowing. As it happens, conducting this research through the shared sensory attributes of art materials, the researcher was sent reeling. The encounter with memories of her childhood were unforeseen and disturbing. Art materials, it appears, can reveal cultural knowledge and can also serve as emotional bookmarks of time. Materials can juxtapose the past with the present, linking then with now. Feeling is embedded in the artifact and can release provocative memories. Materials from childhood create the self for what it is.
An Expose of the Relationship between Paradigm, Method and Design in Research
Authors: Makombe Godswill
Published: April 2021

It is crucial that any research inquiry be guided by a paradigm. However, many early career researchers do not mention the research paradigm guiding their inquiry. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative methods are sometimes erroneously referred to as research paradigms or research designs. Experienced researchers often use the terms research paradigm, research methods and research design in a loose and confusing manner. Although it is reasonable to assume that experienced researchers do understand the distinction and relationship between the three concepts, the loose use of the concepts leads to confusion among early career researchers, especially Master’s and PhD students. By using a literature review, this paper provides an expose of the relationship between these three concepts and highlights the sources of confusion from the literature. A qualitative approach, using a sample of 11 students from different South African universities, is used to provide an understanding of these concepts by early career researchers. The findings show that there is confusion in the understanding of these concepts. The study raises questions about what could be the possible sources of the confusion, besides the literature, and how the confusion could be addressed.
Applying a Mindfulness Practice to Qualitative Data Collection
Authors: Lemon Laura
Published: April 2021

Mindfulness, or paying attention on purpose in the present moment, can serve as a tool for qualitative researchers as they navigate the research setting and data collection. In this article, I provide an overview of mindfulness and suggest ways to incorporate mindfulness as a data collection tool. To demonstrate how to apply mindfulness to qualitative research, I share my personal experience in incorporating a mindfulness practice into data collection as part of a phenomenological study and what I learned in the process. In doing so, I offer an actual practice that researchers can incorporate into the research process as a means to attune them to the present moment to deepen self-reflexivity and enhance trustworthiness.
Latino and Non-Latino White Parents’ Experiences Raising their Child with ASD: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Casillas Nicole , Vigil Debra , Wang Hui-Ting
Published: April 2021

There is a dearth of research about the experiences of the Latino population in raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This includes a lack of cross-cultural perspectives and perspectives from fathers. Although there are similar experiences in raising a child with ASD among parents, we hypothesize that there will be different experiences due to culture. The current study is an exploratory qualitative research design, where we sought to understand the experiences of Latino and non-Latino White parents who are raising a child with ASD. Results indicated similarities across all families that include: self-efficacy beliefs, challenges, stress and coping, and goals and expectations. Different themes emerged in the Latino families that were not evident in non-Latino White families. Specifically, Latino families emphasized religion and faith, involvement and love, extended family support, Latino pride, and importance of collaboration. Implications are discussed for further cross-cultural family studies, the need to inform healthcare professionals on the early signs of ASD especially with regard to culture, and the importance of collaboration among parents and professionals.
The What’s and Why’s of The How To of Qualitative Research
Authors: Arar Khalid
Published: April 2021

The book provides an excellent guide for those wishing to conduct qualitative research, whether new or experienced scholars. It links theoretical foundations with practical tools, including examples that illustrate how to bridge the gap between theorizing and conducting real-life qualitative research in the field. It shows how to design and craft the qualitative research in the field using different research tools (e.g., interviews, observations etc.) and how to analyze the data and compose a qualitative draft. In short, it answers the “what,” “why,” and “how” of qualitative research.
Experiences of LNU Neophyte Teachers: Cues for a Viable Mentoring Program
Authors: Aguirre Evelyn , Faller Solomon
Published: April 2021

The usefulness of teachers’ mentoring program cannot be underestimated. Some universities and colleges in the Philippines have been implementing this kind of program with different approaches, content, and scope. The extent of mentoring programs to improve teaching careers has been studied here and abroad. Results remain inconclusive. This case study with a phenomenological peg has explored the lived experiences of neophyte teachers through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Their experiences in the first years of teaching were characterized by uncertainties, anxieties, struggles, and difficulties emanating from their lack of expertise on various aspects related to teaching practice, lack of knowledge about the culture and context of the university in which they were teaching, and lack of knowledge about the learners. With these specific inadequacies identified and the novice teachers’ implicit desire to be mentored, cues for a viable neophyte teacher’s mentoring program are drawn in the context of a teacher-training university.
Impact of English Language Training on Linguistic and Cultural Identity of Call Center Employees
Authors: Zagabe Mitima
Published: April 2021

The Call Center Industry in the Philippines has been attracting employees from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Such industry requires employees to have a strong command of the English language. More specifically, American English serves as the model for English language requirements. The problem is that these requirements may have a negative impact on linguistic and cultural identity of Filipino employees. This study explored the Filipino English language trainers’ integration with the American culture and language and whether this has any influence on the way they teach the language. It also investigated whether the Call Center Industry training has any impact on the language and cultural identity of employees. Methodologically, this study was a critical ethnography that was conducted by an experienced customer service representative. The results of the study can be useful to socio-linguists, school administrators, psychologists, families and educators, the Philippine government, the business process outsourcing employers, managers, and agents.
Exploring Relational Ethics and Care: A Longitudinal Study of a Hong Kong Cellist's Marriage Disintegration and Identity Change
Authors: Fung Annabella
Published: April 2021

I am a survivor of divorce. When I visited Hong Kong, a mutual friend introduced me to a cellist going through a divorce as a participant for my research which investigates music learning and identity of Chinese musicians. My research took a different path because I decided to explore how she constructed meaning through divorce, leading to her identity change. I referred her to counselling and supported her through regular messaging. Research is more than just data collection; the wounded-healer standing by the wounded is therapeutic for both of us. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), this study reports our conversations, including two face-to-face semi-structured interviews and messaging over eighteen months. Four themes emerged about the cellist’s understanding of her marital conflict: an urge for financial security and materialistic pursuit; faith abandonment; prioritizing children’s education and parenthood; and diverging lives. This longitudinal study explored relational ethics, researcher care and research as emancipation. It acknowledged the freedom and choice-making responsibility of the researcher who extended the project boundary to improve the wellbeing of the participant. This is the essence of qualitative research, with unanticipated life-changing consequences that transform the researcher, the participant, and global readers who share a similar experience.
“If our English isn’t a language, what is it?” Indonesian EFL Student Teachers’ Challenges Speaking English
Authors: Abrar Mukhlash , Mukminin Amirul , Habibi Akhmad , Asyrafi Fadhil , Makmur Makmur , Marzulina Lenny
Published: April 2021

Research on students’ skill speaking English in a non-English speaking country such as Indonesia is limited. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to document Indonesian EFL student teachers’ experiences in speaking English at one public university in Jambi, Indonesia. Data came from demographic questionnaires and semi-structured interviews obtained from eight participants. We organized our analysis and discussion around Indonesian EFL student teachers’ perspectives and the contexts in which experiences they encountered emerge. Our analysis of the text revealed overarching themes and sub-themes including (1) language barriers (vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and fluency); (2) psychological factors (anxiety, attitude, and lack of motivation); (3) learning environment (lecturers, peers, and topics of speaking modules), and (4) practicing the language (self-practice, practicing the language with tutors and peers, practicing the language with media and technology, and maintaining a positive motivation). The findings indicated that all of themes and sub-themes appeared to be intricately interrelated.
PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSTRUCT & HUMAN RESOURCE DETERIORATION: HOW BURNOUT STRESS AND JOB INSECURITY TRIGGER TURNOVER INTENTION? A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY FROM PAKISTAN
Authors: Qureshi Muhammad Azeem
Published: April 2021

Purpose:- This study examines the impact of job burnout, occupational stress and perceived job insecurity which has been termed as a psychological construct; on turnover intention of the employees working in private healthcare sector of Pakistan. The psychological construct consists of bunch of variables which have not been measured so far in the proposed combination in any study conducted in Pakistan. This study examines the phenomenon in healthcare sector where under the influence of perceived job insecurity, working for long hour in consecutive shifts under chronic pressure for a long time causes occupational stress and burnout which leads to turnover intention that ultimately results in deterioration of human resource. Methodology/Sampling:- This is cross-sectional, hypothesis testing research based on primary data collected from 5 renowned private sector healthcare institutions. The data was gathered through convenient sampling technique from 141 respondents comprising of doctors, nurses, administrative & allied-health staff. Findings:- The results suggest that the turnover intention is significantly positively influenced by job burnout, occupational stress and perceived job insecurity. Results also support that these conditions may lead loss of potential talent and hence failure in attainment of organizational long term objectives. Practical Implications:- Excessive workload, long working hours, intense working environment and demanding job tasks are the key factors that contribute to occupational stress and burnout. These conditions become more severe when accompanied by perceived job insecurity due to economic instability or elevated unemployment rate. This study can also be helpful to devise strategies to prevent or attenuate long term psychological and physical disorders of incumbents which ultimately affect the entire society.
INTERNAL CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS & ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Authors:   Institute of Business & Technology, Karachi., Channar Zahid Ali
Published: April 2021

Purpose: This research attempts to investigate the functionality of each of the five Internal control components, effectiveness of the control system and its relationship with financial performance. Methodology: Sample size for this research is 210 respondents comprising of employees from 6 Banks in Hyderabad: NBP and Sindh bank from the public sector, MCB and HBL from the private sector, Meezan bank and Bank Alfalah as Islamic banks. In this study, internal control is measured by the five components whereas financial performance is measured through three profitability ratios. Data is collected through primary as well as secondary sources. The primary source used is questionnaire taken from a combination of instruments developed by Baker, Castro, Labrena & Meyer (2005). Secondary source used are the financial statements of the sample banks for a period of four years. Return on Asset (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), Profit expense ratio (PER) are the profitability ratios used to measure the financial performance. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The statistical methods of correlation and one-way ANOVA were used for the testing of the research hypotheses. Findings: Results showed that Internal control effectiveness is strongest in private banks, followed by public banks and weakest in islamic banks, although the difference is not statistically large, but slight variation exists. Moreover, private banks had a high level of financial performance, public banks had moderate level of financial performance whereas islamic banks were found to have low financial performance. Hence it was concluded that Internal control effectiveness has a positive relationship with the Financial performance of the banks. Practical Implications: The detailed evaluation and understanding of the Internal control system effectiveness and its components provides valuable insights to managers and employees of how they can manage or improve their control systems in order to achieve greater operational as well as financial performance.
Characterization of Gosa Municipal Solid Wastes at Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Seidu Kamoru , Muhammad Ibrahim D , Ozigis Idris I
Published: April 2021

The study examined municipal solid wastes characteristics of Gosa dumpsite at Abuja, Nigeria. Waste characterization has not yet been given adequate attention in management of waste in Nigeria and it is a major problem that affects waste materials handling and recovery processes. Wastes samples from Gosa waste dump site, Abuja, were randomly collected and subjected to moisture content, composition, density and size distribution determinations according to prescribed standards in literature. The moisture content of the Gosa waste solid was 19.3%.  The results of the characterization of the Gosa municipal solid wastes show 34% organic, 10% paper, 28% plastic, 2% glass, 6% metal, 4% fabric, 2% rubber and 14% dust. The average density of glass, metal, plastic, fabric, rubber, paper, organic and dust materials were 0.044 kg/m3, 0.045 kg/m3, 0.176 kg/m3, 0.043 kg/m3, 0.042 kg/m3, 0.074 kg/m3, 0.143 kg/m3 and 0.098 kg/m3, respectively. The size distribution of the Gosa solid waste ranges from 10-28 cm for metals and plastics and 3-13 cm for paper and glass. The rubber had size ranges from 8-23 cm while size ranges of organic was from 3-6 cm. The large presence of organic, plastic, paper and metal wastes at Gosa waste dump site, is an indication that the municipal solid wastes can be sorted, recycled and processed to other useful products, using the characteristics as a guide.Keyword:  Characterization, Density, Municipal Solid Waste, Size Distribution, Waste Management
Investigating Possibilities of fuelling NIRR-1 with Low Enriched Uranium Silicide-Aluminum Dispersion Fuels
Authors: Salawu Abdulhameed , Shuaibu Asuku S , Tairu Memunat , Olabode Medinat O , Agada Bright O , Adegoke Temitope J
Published: April 2021

In the last quarter of 2018, low enriched uranium dioxide fuel with zirconium alloy cladding was used successfully to convert the core of NIRR-1 from HEU to LEU fuel and the removed core returned to the country of origin. The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of fueling the same system with alternate LEU fuel for future replacement of the current fuel, without any unacceptable compromise in reactor performance. Having more than one fuel options available for the same reactor system will present Nigeria an opportunity of making good economic decisions at the end of the cycle of the current LEU fuel. The performance of low enriched uranium silicide aluminum dispersion fuels in the core of NIRR-1 has been investigated and the results were identical with that of similar studies conducted elsewhere for generic MNSR system. Some of the calculated reactor parameters using this alternate LEU fuel were closely identical with that of the old HEU core. The computer software selected for this studies were the SCALE code system and the VENTURE PC. While the SCALE code system was employed to generate a properly averaged multigroup cross section library for the investigated LEU core models for NIRR-1 system, the VENTURE PC was utilized to give criticality information, few group fluxes and power density distributions within the core of the modeled system.Keywords— Reactor, Reactivity, Fuel, Enriched, Silicide
Design and Construction of a Low-Cost Automatic Single-Phase Transfer Switch
Authors: Amoran Abiodun E , Ijemaru Gerald K , Akinsanmi Olaitan , Agbramu Watson
Published: April 2021

Irregular power supply poses a serious problem in many developing countries with power outage usually experienced on a regular basis. Thus, this challenge necessitates the need for an automated method of power change over to an alternative source during power failure that will be an improvement over the manual change over system. This study aims to design and construct a microcontroller-based Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) for a single-phase system. Atmega8 microcontroller was programmed to automatically switch power supply between a primary source and a secondary power source through the aid of relays. A modular approach was used in the design of this ATS, which incorporates Atmega8 microcontroller, diodes, resistors, L7805 voltage regulator, PC817 optocouplers, a buzzer alarm, NPN transistors, and a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) that indicates which power source was available. This design is limited to 30A on full loading due to the power relay used in the design. The testing showed that the design was able to automatically switch power between two supply sources with no external aid and it performed optimally even when loaded to 90% of its maximum bearing-capacity.Keywords: Automatic Transfer Switch, Atmega8 Microcontroller, Liquid Crystal Display, NPN Transistors, PC817 Optocouplers, Relays
Effect of Elevated Temperatures on SAC305 Solder Alloy Thermal Interface Material in a Microelectronic Assembly
Authors: Ekpu Mathias
Published: April 2021

In microelectronics assemblies, Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs) are vital to the reliability of the devices in operation. Some electronic devices operate in elevated temperature environments such as military and industrial applications. Hence, the need to evaluate the reliability of such devices at elevated temperatures. Tin-Silver-Copper lead-free solder TIMs have been used during the assembly process of some electronic devices operating under harsh temperature environments. In this study, the reliability of SAC305 lead-free solder TIM was considered at elevated temperatures ranging from 100 oC to 200 oC at 25 oC interval, and aged for about an hour. ANSYS finite element analysis software was employed for the design and evaluation of SAC305 lead-free solder model. The findings of the investigation demonstrated that the higher the harsh temperature environment, the lower the reliability of the SAC305 solder TIM. In addition, the highest fatigue life (36735 or 4.2 years) was recorded at 100 oC, while 200 oC recorded the lowest fatigue life (1014 or 0.12 years). The fatigue life is an indication of the lifespan of the TIM when in operation. This research will be beneficial to engineers assembling microelectronic products.  Keywords— elevated temperature; fatigue life; microelectronics; reliability; SAC305 solder
Nature-Inspired Meta-heuristic Optimization Algorithms for Breast Cancer Diagnostic Model: A Comparative Study
Authors: Oladele Tinuke O , Olorunsola Babatunde J , Aro Taye O , Akande Hakeem B , Olukiran Oyenike A
Published: April 2021

The selection of features is used to obtain a subset of features by the removal of irrelevant features with no or less predictive output. Meta-heuristic algorithms are appropriate for the selection of features because feature subset representation is direct and the evaluation is easily accomplished. This paper performed a comparative study on the impact of meta-heuristic optimization algorithms on breast cancer diagnosis using Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The two feature selection algorithms were used to obtain the relevant attributes from the Wisconsin breast cancer (original) dataset. The selected attributes were passed to seven learning algorithms: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (C4.5), Naïve Bayes (NB), K Nearest Neighhood (KNN), Neural Network (NN), Logistic Regression (LR), and Random Forest (RF). The diagnostic model was evaluated based on accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-measure. Experimental showed that the highest accuracy of 97.1388% was obtained in both PSO and ACO using RF classifier, the highest precision value of 0.9720 was recorded in ACO using RF classifier,  the highest recall value of 0.9750 was achieved in PSO using RF classifier, the highest F1-measure value of 0.9700 was obtained in PSO using SVM, the highest kappa statistic of 0.9370 was obtained in both PSO and ACO using RF and the lowest time of 0s was taken to build a model was recorded in PSO using KNN and NB, and also in ACO using KNN. The paper concluded that the breast diagnostic model using PSO and ACO with different learning algorithms revealed that the accuracy of RF outperformed other algorithms. Also, it was shown that ACO produced better precision using RF compared with PSO and PSO gave better recall using RF compared with ACO, PSO recorded an efficient F1-measure using SVM. The best time used to build a model was obtained in PSO for KNN and NB, and ACO with KNN.Keywords— Breast cancer, Data mining, Diagnosis, Feature selection, Meta-heuristic.
Effect of Pretreating Poultry Wastes with Cocoa Pod Husk Ash and Cassava Peel Ash on Biogas Production
Authors: Aderinlewo Adewole A , Akivie Obukomena O , Adeosun Olayemi J , Omotainse Peter O
Published: April 2021

The effect of addition of cocoa pod husk ash and cassava peel ash on biogas production from poultry waste was investigated. Three metallic floating drum digesters each of 36.5 L capacity and labeled A, B, and C were used. Digester A contained poultry waste only, B contained poultry waste blended with cocoa pod husk ash and C contained poultry waste blended with cassava peel ash. Biodigestion of the wastes in the three digesters was carried out simultaneously using a retention period of 41 days. The mass of poultry waste used in each of the three digesters was 20700 g. The biogas yield results showed that 13,977 cm3 of gas was produced in digester A, while 19,517 and 21,305 cm3 were produced in B and C respectively. When compare with digester A (control), addition of cocoa pod ash and cassava peel ash had increased biogas production by 39.63 and 52.43% respectively.Keywords— Cocoa pod husk, cassava peel, biogas, floating drum, digester, poultry waste