Analysis of Character Strength and Religiosity among Students of  University and Madrassa System
Creators: name: Muhammad Shahzad Ashfaq
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022

description: Abstract 

This study analyses the character strength and religiosity among students at university and the madrassa system in Punjab, Pakistan. The study determined the role of universities and madrassas in developing character strength and religiosity among their students. This study also carried out a comparison of character strength and religiosity of university and madrassa students and determined the relationship between character strength and religiosity of students. The study used a convergent mixed method research design. The sample of the study was 896 respondents selected through a multi-stage convenient sampling technique. This sample included 640 students (320 from universities and 320 from madrassas) and 256 teachers (128 from universities and 128 from madrassas). Two research tools were used to collect information from the respondents. A self-developed questionnaire was used to measure the level of students’ character strength and religiosity. To confirm the validity of the questionnaire, the original questionnaire was discussed with the panel of experts to obtain their feedback. The panel of experts comprised, Director Academics, Director Co-curricular, Director QEC, three Chairpersons of Academics Departments and 05 senior academics of the field education. The questionnaire consists of twelve indicators, which includes six indicators of character strength and six indicators of religiosity the total items were sixty. The experts identified some grammatical mistakes in the items. The necessary changes were made accordingly. The views of teachers and the head of the institutions were collected through a semi-structured interview schedule to determine the role of these institutions in promoting character strength and religiosity among students. The pilot study was conducted with 60 Bachelor of Science students (30 from eight departments of the university of Sargodha and 30 Shahadatul Alia and Shahadatul Almiya students from four madrassas of Sargodha division) along with 48 teachers (24 university teachers XI from eight departments of the university of Sargodha and 24 madrassa teachers of four sects of Muslims madrassas of Sargodha division) for internal consistency of questionnaire items. To determine the reliability of the questionnaire, a reliability test of the Cronbach’s alpha factor was performed. The results show that the overall alpha score for each item was 0.88 and the instrument was considered as reliable. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical procedures i.e. mean values, t-test, Pearson correlation and regression analysis. The qualitative data was analyzed through the thematic analysis technique and used NVivo version 10 software. The interviews were transcribed, coded, analysed and synthesized through thematic analysis (Fraenkel et al., 2011). The findings of the study revealed that both the university and madrassa students maintain a high level of character strength. The madrassa students positioned themselves high with respect to their religiosity while the university students were found at a moderate level. The comparison of students on the basis of their institutions revealed that there was a significant difference among them with reference to their character strength and religiosity. It showed that the university students have superiority over madrassa students with respect to their character strength. It was also inferred that the madrassas students showed superiority in religiosity. A significant but positive relationship was reported between character strength and religiosity leading to the fact that an increase in students’ religiosity may increase their character strength and vice versa. It was also reported that the universities lack in the inclusion of sufficient content on character strength and religiosity they try to teach these values through various activities as part of their hidden curriculum. On the other hand, madrassas have sufficient content on these abilities with the least practicum. The level of religiosity is comparatively low in university students so universities may arrange seminars to sensitize the students. The religious scholars from XII madrassas may be invited to emphasize religious obligations. Although findings of the study are clear, but sampling error might be there so future researchers may conduct a large-scale comprehensive study covering both public and private universities and madrassas across the province of Punjab. Future researchers may use explore deeper the reasons behind the difference in character strength of madrassa and university students. Especially why madrassas are unable to develop the character of their students.