Academic Specialization Research Articles

Academic procrastination and its relationship to neurotic perfectionism among university students

This study explores the relationship between academic procrastination and neurotic perfectionism on a sample consisting of (200) male and female students from the University of Sulaymaniyah, as well as identifying the differences in the level of both academic procrastination and neurotic perfectionism among the research sample according to the variables: (social gender, academic stage, academic specialization, And the place of residence. The descriptive correlational approach was used, and the academic procrastination measure of Abu Ghazal (2012) was applied. The researcher prepared a measure for neurotic perfectionism consisting of (22) items and applied it to the sample after extracting the validity, and reliability. The results showed the following: - There was a low level of academic procrastination and a high level of neurotic perfectionist tendencies among the research sample. The results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences on the academic procrastination scale due to the variables (gender, academic major, place of residence), but there were statistically significant differences on the academic procrastination scale due to the variables (the academic stage in favor of the third stage), and significant differences were found. Statistics on the neurotic perfectionism scale are due to the variables (gender in favor of students, academic stage in favor of the third stage, specialization in favor of scientific specialization, and place of residence in favor of students living with their families). Finally, a significant positive correlation was found between academic procrastination and neurotic perfectionism among students at Sulaymaniyah University. In light of these results, the researcher presented some recommendations and proposals.

The indirect effect of communication skills on the relationship between emotional maturity and mental health disorders among a sample of Egyptian university students

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the indirect effect of communication skills on the relationship between emotional maturity and mental health disorders (anxiety and depression) among a sample of Egyptian university students, while also examining potential differences based on gender (male/female) and academic specialization (scientific/literary). A total of 236 undergraduate and postgraduate students were recruited from two faculties at Ain Shams University. The findings revealed: (1) a significant negative correlation between emotional maturity and mental health disorders, as well as between communication skills and mental health disorders; (2) a statistically significant indirect (partial mediating) effect of communication skills on the relationship between emotional maturity and both anxiety and depression; and (3) notable differences in emotional maturity and communication skills across academic specializations. Specifically, students in scientific disciplines demonstrated stronger communication skills yet reported higher depressive symptoms, whereas those in literary disciplines exhibited higher emotional maturity alongside elevated anxiety symptoms. These results underscore the importance of fostering both emotional maturity and communication skills to support better mental health outcomes among Egyptian university students.

Knowledge and Awareness About the Basics of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in the Saudi Population.

Introduction According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, accounting for approximately 17 million deaths annually, with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) as a significant contributor to this alarming statistic. SCA, the abrupt loss of heart function, is a critical medical emergency that requires early recognition and immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)for the effective resuscitation of victims.Various studies have shown a low level of knowledge regarding CPR in the community.This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of CPR among the Saudi population, identify gaps, and propose targeted health interventions, including education campaigns and training programs, to enhance community preparedness in emergencies and improve survival rates for SCA victims. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from May 2023 to November 2023. The study population included citizens and residents aged 18 years and older from the Central, Eastern, and Western regions of Saudi Arabia to ensure a diverse range of cultural and social backgrounds, with a sample size of 4,932 participants. Data were collected using an online, validated, closed-ended, structured questionnaire distributed via social media platforms, specifically WhatsApp and Telegram. Statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.3 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). Counts and percentages were used to summarize categorical variables. The chi-square test of independence was used to assess associations between categorical variables. The unpaired t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare continuous normal and non-normal variables. Results A total of 4932 respondents completed the questionnaire. The gender distribution was predominantly female (76.5%, n = 3775), compared to 23.5% (n = 1157) males. The age distribution was skewed towardthe younger population, with 59.1% (n = 2914) aged between 18 and 30 years. The educational level was predominantly university-level (68.8%, n = 3391). The academic specialization was diverse, with the largest group being healthcare practitioners (47.1%, n = 1615). The study found that 44.7% (n = 2203) of respondents had received basic life support (BLS) or first aid training, while 55.3% (n = 2729) had not. Results suggest a trend toward higher knowledge levels. The average knowledge score among the respondents was 7.17 ± 2.37, indicating that respondents answered slightly more than half of the questions correctly. The minimum score in the dataset was 1, suggesting that nearly all respondents had some level of correct answers. The maximum score achieved is 13, indicating the presence of individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the assessed topic. However, there is still room for improvement in knowledge and emergency preparedness among the surveyed group. Conclusion The study found a relatively high level of knowledge and awareness regarding CPR effectiveness, with higher levels observed among individuals with advanced education and health-related academic backgrounds. Additionally, completion of BLS or first aid training was positively correlated with increased CPR knowledge. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating CPR training into educational curricula and public health programs to enhance awareness and improve bystander response and survival rates in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Fatty Acids Composition Investigation of Natural Lipids: A Multidisciplinary Workshop.

Teaching mass spectrometry essentials is usually connected with one of the basic courses for undergrads. Thus, specific previous knowledge is required from students. However, the necessity of teaching mass spectrometry essentials to students of different academic specializations and multidisciplinary groups can arise in every academic group. A specific workshop is needed to address such a demand. The presented workshop consisted of several thematic parts: assembling an ambient ionization ion source using improvised materials, preparing biological samples for analysis, data acquisition, and interpretation of data to solve a simple problem from the real world. The first part of the work consisted of assembling an ambient ionization setup and obtaining mass spectra of substances from standard solutions, natural mixtures, and biological fluids such as saliva. The second half of the workshop consists of analyzing the composition of fatty acids of natural and artificial fats using the same ion source. The identification of oils is a simple model problem that makes the workshop attractive for attendees with different backgrounds. The workshop provides students with practical skills that are highly valuable in fundamental and applied mass spectrometry. Students familiarize themselves with the basic concepts, instrument use, and mass spectra interpretation. They achieve basic hands-on experience in experimentation procedures and the practice of using mass spectrometry to solve problems related to real life.

The Level of Professional Ambition Among Student's Jordanian Universities and Its Relationship to Some Variables

The study aimed to identify the level of professional ambition among Jordanian university students and its relationship to the variables of gender, type of specialization, and type of university. To achieve the objectives of the study, the descriptive approach was used, in addition to using the questionnaire as a tool for the study, which was applied to (6983) male and female students. The study concluded that the level of ambition among the students was (medium) with an arithmetic mean of (3.27), and a standard deviation of (0.62), and the study found that there were statistically significant differences in the level of professional ambition among university students, which were attributed to gender variables, in favor of males, and to the type of academic specialization variable, in favor of students in scientific specializations. The study also found that there are no statistically significant differences in the level of professional ambition among university students, which is attributed to the variable type of university in which the student studies.

Social Characteristics of The Male Work Forcein Education Sector in Ramadi City Between2022-2023

The research aims to know the social characteristics of the workforce in the education sector in the city of Ramadi, which includes teachers and instructors who are the basis of the educational system. The teacher is the heart of the community and is responsible for conveying knowledge, information, skills and abilities and investing them in order to transform them into sustainable educational standards to contribute to forming the learner's personality to complete the educational process. The distribution of the workforce for educational bodies in the city of Ramadi in terms of educational levels came according to statistical standards that were followed and highlighted the disclosure of the academic specializations of the workforce and marital status and showing the extent of the impact of health conditions in addition to the distribution of craftsmen and service employees and marital status and the amount of monthly income for craftsmen and service employees in the city of Ramadi.

Self-assessment of entrepreneurial potential and actual intentions to start a business Depending on the chosen field and language of study

Background: : This article aligns with contemporary approaches to defining entrepreneurship by examining not only its core essence but also the entrepreneurial potential, personality traits, and behavioral dynamics necessary to identify an individual as entrepreneurial. Research objectives: By examining the entrepreneurial landscape among students at the University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow (UITM), the article explores the connections between academic specialization, field of study, and entrepreneurial aspirations, focusing on both the potential and intention to initiate business ventures. Based on data from a survey of 1,526 students, representing 29.8% of UITM's total student population, the study offers a representative and comparable research sample encompassing various educational paths in both Polish and English programs. Results: The research findings reveal how students' entrepreneurial potential is distributed across various academic disciplines, emphasizing the correlations between their chosen field of study and entrepreneurial potential. Additionally, the article examines the relationships between the urge to start a business and factors such as employment status, language of study, and field of study. It also summarizes the impact of academic programs in specific specializations, as well as support mechanisms, on entrepreneurship development. Conclusions: The study validates two research hypotheses: first, that the chosen field of study affects entrepreneurial potential and the likelihood of starting a business; and second, that the language of study influences the intention to launch one's own business in the near future.

Functional stupidity and the modern knowledge condition: Martin Davies on cognitive psychopathology

ABSTRACT Martin Davies’s work offers a valuable dissident account of history and the humanities, critiquing orthodox and critical movements of recent decades. Movements such as postmodernism and multiculturalism, according to Davies, too often merely expand academic specialization whilst failing to tackle modernity’s central problematics. This article focuses on the psychological aspects of Davies’s work, exploring his argument that academic knowledge intensifies modernity’s innumerable interlocking crises by perpetuating the collective psychopathology which underpins them. For example, historical knowledge, in Davies’s view, provides an-aesthetic discourse, which numbs people’s capacities to feel moral horror when confronted by modernity’s most appalling failures and excesses. One way history does this is by passing off modernity’s failures as simply ‘inevitable’. At the same time, modernity’s technocratic knowledge regime ruthlessly prioritizes commodifiable knowledge over personal judgment, which further serves to undermine people’s innate capacities for ethical discernment. Higher education places ever-increasing value on technical skills over ethical and aesthetic discernment. But when a civilization becomes as imperiled as ours – ecologically, and otherwise – then ethics and aesthetics, conscience and imagination, may need to be re-prioritized more urgently than ever. Davies’s work provides important clues to how we might begin such a cognitive reversal and academic re-prioritization.

“Democratizing punishment”? Federal prosecutors’ new anticorruption project and the Brazilian penal field

ABSTRACT Since the 2000s, Brazilian federal prosecutors increasingly worked on corruption and white-collar crime (WCC) cases. While scholars have focused on how this engagement impacted politics, few works examine its implications for the country’s penal field. In the context of the mass incarceration of working-class and racialized groups, does prosecutors’ focus on the powerful promote penal change or continuity? Using this issue’s concepts of professional trajectories, professional projects, and contexts, I investigate how prosecutors built their expertise on criminal law, how this process shaped their penal discourses and practices, and how these contrast with the country’s penal context. Empirically, I analyze prosecutors’ CVs and discourses on an anti-corruption bill. I find that prosecutors invested heavily in academic specialization and international training in criminal law, focusing on WCC. With this move, they created a new professional project, which breaks with traditional racialized tough-on-crime discourses and proposes measures to increase accountability for the powerful, seeking to “democratize punishment.” However, some of these discourses and practices reproduce traditional punitive approaches embedded in the Brazilian penal context, such as penal populism and the disavowal of procedural rights. Although prosecutors built their professional trajectories around corruption and WCC, their professional project may incidentally harm marginalized defendants.

Back to the Future

Abstract: This issue of L'Esprit Créateur is devoted to a form of 'creative disruption' that aims to question the self-contained time periods of academic specialization, bringing into focus interdisciplinary connections between the contemporary Francophone and the early modern. Introducing each article's particular 'disruption', Thomas provides an example by exploring potential connections between early-modern representations of the fête galante and France's growing colonial ambitions. Thomas argues that the ambiguity of the fête galante as simultaneously revealing and concealing alluring visions of global mercantilism offered a veiled glimpse of the forced labor that fueled it.

Assessing Lesotho High Schools Teachers’ Content Knowledge of Teaching Narrative Composition Writing

Proficiency in English narrative composition is essential for developing learners' creative and critical thinking abilities. Teachers frequently face challenges, including insufficient training in narrative techniques, language barriers, and curriculum limitations that prioritise examinations preparation over creative writing. This study employed semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers from three academic specialisations—English Language and Literature, English and Geography, and English and Sesotho—to explore the extent of teachers' knowledge regarding plot structure, character development, and stylistic techniques. Research findings reveal that only five teachers demonstrate high proficiency in these areas, while the majority show moderate to low understanding, particularly in teaching complex narrative structures and indirect characterisation. The research highlights the necessity for focused professional development and curriculum modifications to improve teachers' instructional skills in narrative writing, potentially leading to better student performance and engagement. These insights give direction for the formulation of teacher training and educational policies in Lesotho and comparable multilingual settings.

A study of some psychological variables as predictors of COVID-19 vaccination anxiety among Faculty Members of Ain Shams University

The study aimed to investigate the relative contribution of each of psychasthenia, psychological flexibility, suggestibility, and conspiracy beliefs in predicting the anxiety of vaccination with the anti COVID-19 vaccine among faculty members at Ain Shams University (ASU). Examining the difference in the sample’s scores on the vaccination anxiety scale and its sub-factors according to the variables (age—chronic diseases—academic specialization—previous infection with COVID-19—gender), the sample of the study included 139 faculty members at Ain Shams University aged ranged from 23 to 78 years, with a mean of 49.52 years, and a standard deviation of 13.29 years. The vaccination anxiety scale, psychasthenia scale, psychological flexibility scale, suggestibility scale, and conspiracy beliefs scale were used to collect data. The results revealed that the variables of suggestibility and conspiracy beliefs significantly contribute to predicting the vaccination anxiety among faculty members at Ain Shams University. There is a significant difference in the average scores on the vaccination anxiety scale according to age, with the difference in favor of the age group less than fifty years, as well as according to the presence/absence of a previous infection with COVID-19, with the vaccination anxiety being higher for those who were previously infected. There has been no observed significant difference according to the presence/absence of chronic diseases or academic specialization.

Language Learning Strategies of Maritime Students

Language learning strategies for maritime students might differ depending on their individual requirements and programs. In this premise, this study aimed to determine the extent of Language Learning Strategies by Maritime Students in a private school in a highly urbanized city in the central Philippines during the first semester of the School Year 2023-2024 as the basis for the language mastery program. The data needed for this descriptive research framework, coupled with statistical analysis to investigate the language learning strategies, was collected from 438 first-year maritime students using a standardized questionnaire. The results indicate that most parents hold graduate-level education, influencing academic environments. Most students are enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, with a balanced distribution of private and public school backgrounds. The study examines language learning strategies used by maritime students, finding moderate utilization in both direct and indirect dimensions. The study highlights the importance of tailored language learning support in marine education, enhancing language learning practices and promoting practical communication skills for professional endeavors. Moreover, it reveals notable language learning strategy employment variations among BSMT and BSMarE students. BSMT students showed slightly higher engagement in metacognitive aspects, while BSMarE students showed moderate engagement in affective and social strategies. The overall mean suggests areas for improvement in language learning behaviors. The study compares language learning strategies among maritime students and reveals significant differences based on a program of study. Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation students show higher engagement; in contrast, BSMarE students show no significant difference. The findings suggest tailoring specific language learning strategies to enhance students’ proficiency and academic success. Specialized support programs tailored to academic specializations and collaborative efforts among language teachers and faculty across programs are essential to enhancing language learning in maritime education. Keywords: Education, language learning, maritime, strategies, private school, central Philippines

The meaning of life and its relationship to existential anxiety among middle school teachers

The current research aims to identify the meaning of life and its relationship to existential anxiety among middle school teachers. To achieve the research objectives, the researcher adopted the Wong scale to measure the meaning of life, and to build the existential anxiety scale. The researcher applied the two scales to a sample of 308 male and female teachers. The data were then analyzed using the computer program for the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results were: high level of meaning of life among the research sample, moderate level of existential anxiety among the research sample, no statistically significant differences according to the gender variable (males, females) in each of: meaning of life, existential anxiety, no statistically significant differences according to the variable of academic specialization (scientific specializations and humanities specializations) in each of: meaning of life, existential anxiety, there is a statistically significant inverse relationship between the meaning of life and existential anxiety among middle school teachers. The research concluded by discussing the results and presenting some recommendations and suggestions.

تأثير الشبكات الرقمية الاجتماعية على القيم الاجتماعية للشباب السعودي

Social media networks have emerged among young people in a way that has made digital platforms dominating on virtual reality for many users, which has made them win the bet on media competition between media institutions and communicating platforms to attract more users. In the midst of this demand for digital social platforms, questions arise regarding the nature of the changes and effects that these platforms reflect on users. Despite the fact that this path has been previously addressed by a number of researchers, questions related to these effects still exist due to the change in communication content and the increase in consumption by users, which suggests a change in perceptions, whether negatively or positively. Therefore, many research questions arise here related to intellectual influences in terms of the type of influence that digital social platforms reflect on university student users and to what extent this influence reaches and what are the individual differences due to demographic characteristics. Given that the social aspect is the final result of common customs and traditions, which stem from religious culture, socialization, education and upbringing, this study addresses the intellectual and social effects of digital social media platforms on university students (King Abdulaziz University) due to the great diversity that the university contains in terms of social and cultural backgrounds, which reflects a clearer and more accurate picture than some other universities located in areas with less cultural and social diversity. The study included a diverse sample of university students, numbering around 264 male and female students. The study showed that intellectual effects tend to be largely negative, as variables related to the positive effects of social media networks on social values received a weak approval rate among the study sample, for example: what is published of news and events on social media networks about social values is positive (45.20%), social media networks help in preserving social values (44%), social media networks enhance the building of social values (47.20%), with the emergence of demographic differences due to gender between male and female students in some other variables regardless of academic specializations. The study includes at the end a number of outputs and recommendations that can contribute to reducing the negative effects among university students, which increases the chances of influencing more than being influenced.

The Role of Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in Promoting Environmental Sustainability Among Students in Light of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030

Education for sustainable development aims to develop students' awareness of sustainability issues and foster their attitudes towards environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The study aimed to identify the role of Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in promoting environmental sustainability among its students, in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. A descriptive analytical approach was used, with a sample of 341 university students. The study found that faculty members ranked first in promoting sustainability, followed by curricula, student activities, and university administration. The most important ways to activate the university's role in promoting sustainability from students' perspectives were rated as very important. Statistically significant differences were found between the sample's responses, with females expressing more support in university administration. Academic specialization also influenced responses, with scientific specializations showing more favor in university administration, faculty members, and curricula. The researchers made several recommendations based on the findings.

Gender and Specialty Influence on Narcissism in University Students

Background: Narcissistic personality traits have garnered increasing attention in psychological research, particularly within academic environments where student behavior and performance are critical. Understanding these traits and their influencing factors is essential for improving student well-being and academic outcomes. Specific Background: The impact of gender and field of study on narcissistic traits among university students remains underexplored. Kernberg's (1970) theoretical framework provides a basis for investigating these traits through empirical measures. Knowledge Gap: While previous studies have examined narcissism broadly, there is limited research focusing specifically on how gender and academic specialization affect narcissistic traits among university students. Aims: This study aimed to identify narcissistic personality traits among university students and examine variations based on gender and field of study using a newly developed Narcissistic Personality Scale. Results: The research, involving 376 students from the University of Basra, utilized a 35-item scale validated through rigorous psychometric testing. The results indicated that the average narcissism score was significantly higher than the hypothesized mean. Male students exhibited higher levels of narcissism compared to female students, and humanities students scored higher than their scientific counterparts. Novelty: This study provides new insights into the prevalence and variance of narcissistic traits among university students, highlighting significant differences related to gender and academic specialization. Implications: The findings underscore the need for university programs to address narcissistic traits and their impact on student behavior and academic performance. Future research should investigate the longitudinal effects of narcissism and evaluate interventions aimed at reducing these traits. Highlights: Gender differences: males show higher narcissism. Humanities students exhibit more narcissistic traits. Calls for targeted university interventions. Keywords: narcissistic personality, university students, gender differences, academic specialization, psychometric scale

Investigation of the Competencies of Teacher Candidates in Using Web 2.0 Tools

This study aimed to examine the web 2.0 tool usage competencies of Turkish and Turkish language and literature teacher candidates. The participants' proficiency with Web 2.0 tools was assessed in this context based on several characteristics. 279 teacher candidates (219 female and 59 males) were the subjects of the study, which was carried out at an eastern Turkish university. The data was gathered using Google Docs (Google Forms) and the “Web 2.0 Tools Usage Competency Scale (WAKYÖ)” created by Çelik (2021) as the data gathering method. The results of the study indicate that the digital competency of teacher applicants is frequently in the medium range. The results show that while most teacher applicants use social media, they don't use it frequently. In the gender-based examination, male teacher candidates performed much better than female teacher candidates when using Web 2.0 tools. However, an analysis of age groups shows that there are no discernible differences in Web 2.0 tool proficiency. The examination conducted based on the department or main science that each student pursued at the university revealed that teacher candidates with varying degrees of education possessed comparable levels of digital proficiency. However, there was no discernible difference in the analyses conducted based on the individuals' devices, their use of social media, the amount of time they spent on it each day, and whether or not they had taken computer or information technology courses during their undergraduate studies. The results showed no appreciable variation based on family income level. The results suggest that the focus of educational activities should be on more effective ways to improve digital skills. This makes it obvious that specialized training and support programs should be developed to fulfill the requirements of teacher candidates while taking into consideration factors like academic specialization and gender.

The degree to which parents practice the methods of giving examples, lessons, and sermons in Islamic educational thought from the children’s point of view, University students

The study aimed to identify the degree of Parents’ practice of methods of setting examples, lessons, and sermons included in Islamic educational thought from the point of view of university children. This is related to some variables, such as gender, academic specialization, and study stage, where the researcher followed the Descriptive analytical method. By applying the questionnaire consisting of (15) items, which served as a tool for the study and which was applied to (2500) male and female students from various Jordanian universities in the second semester of the academic year (2023/2024), the study concluded, after conducting appropriate statistical treatments, to the level of parents’ practice of educational methods in general. He came with a degree high on the scale as a whole, with an arithmetic mean of (3.94) and a standard deviation of (0.64). The results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences attributable to the variables of the study, namely the variables of gender (males, females), the variable of the type of student’s academic specialization (scientific, humanities), and the academic stage variable. For students (intermediate diploma and bachelor’s degree).

University-Industry Relationships beyond Technology Transfer: the Role of Intangible Knowledge

Abstract This article explores the complexities of intangible knowledge transfer in university- industry collaborations, offering a comprehensive view of the current landscape and its future direction. Using a bibliometric and systematic literature review of 1496 articles and 20 selected studies, the research identifies key trends and patterns. Despite differences between academic and practical domains, the study finds that informal networking and personal interactions facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships, regardless of industry type, firm size, or academic specialization. The paper highlights the crucial role of intangible knowledge transfer platforms in fostering effective collaborations and advocates for streamlined protocols to enhance knowledge exchange between academia and businesses. Introducing the Unity Index, the paper provides a novel tool to analyze key authors and relationships between variables, offering new insights and opportunities for future research. This study emphasizes the critical importance of intangible knowledge transfer in university-industry relationships, addressing gaps often overlooked in traditional analyses.