Bulgarian Students Research Articles

Posttransition Word Associations of Bulgarian Students – A Comparison to the 1980s Norms

Economic developments in South European countries raise questions about the sustainability of fiscal policy. We aim to study the attitudes of young people in Bulgaria towards prudent economic policy and we use the word-associations as a tool for this goal. To our knowledge, this is a pioneer attempt in this field, the present paper shows some results from our pilot study among Bulgarian students in economy.

Attitudinal Predictors of Potential Illegal Cross-Border Migration

This paper reports on the relationship between attitudes toward illegal immigrants and illegal immigration, and people's private behavioural intention to immigrate illegally into a foreign country. The research was carried out in 2005, in Bulgaria, a country with a net emigration rate, using a sample of 505 undergraduate Bulgarian students (22.5% male; M age = 23.3; SD = 4.8). A pool of 78 items assessed attitudes toward undocumented immigrants and evaluation of illegal migration. These two measures were used to predict potential undocumented immigration. Based on a factor analysis six subscales were identified and labelled: improvement of life, moral evaluation, courage to live, failure experienced in own country, expectations of benefits from illegal migration, and right to immigrate. Results of a multiple regression analysis explained 62 percent of the variance of the behavioural intention to migrate illegally into a foreign country. The analysis yielded the following factors: attitudes to improve life (β = 0.35), the moral evaluation of illegal immigrants (β = -0.26), expectancies of benefits (β = -0.19), the courage of migrants (β = 0.10), and seeing illegal immigration as a right (β = 0.09), These findings support the hypothesis that attitudes may predict potential behaviour, the strongest predictor for undocumented migration being the urge to improve life, and moral evaluation of migrants.

Student Migration Potential: The Case of Bulgarian Students in Key University Subjects

In the present conditions of globalization, lack of human capital and demographic imbalance, the cross-border student mobility is a particularly sensitive factor that plays a significant role in the process of international intellectual migration. The high student mobility and flexibility put the need of systematic and targeted research of the migration potential of the highly educated young population, especially in the countries with not very attractive socio-economic conditions. The option of the mobility development into a brain drain is a very sensitive choice for many countries, including Bulgaria. In this sense, the knowledge of the attitudes, objectives, motives and expectations of the potential highly educated labour force should be an integral part of maintaining an adequate and sufficiently flexible migration policy for the highly qualified specialists in the sending country. This policy should follow the direction towards the brain gain and brain circulation.

Comparative Study on the Motivation of Medical Students in Human Biology at Sofia University, Medical Faculty

ABSTRACTThe course in Human Biology for students in medicine plays crucial role in creating accurate biological and medico-biological approach to the problems of medical science and acquiring biological knowledge about the nature of living processes and their pathological changes in the human body. The desire to learn and the endeavour for self accomplishment, with the aim of developing new knowledge and skills, are stimulated by students' motivation for learning. A comparative study of the level of acquiring knowledge and motivation in the course in Human Biology in students with different preliminary high-school knowledge of biology and students in the Department for Language Teaching and International Students (DLTIS) have been undertaken. The results of this pedagogical study are premised on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the level of performance and the change in the level of motivation of students prior to and after the completion of the course, as an indicator about the quality of their knowledge. Based on the results of the questionnaire carried out with students and its statistical analysis, it could be concluded that the dynamics of the motivation for studying, and thus the capacity to acquire knowledge in the course of studies, are relatively stable in the case of Bulgarian students, but diverse in foreign students. Despite their efforts and their strong desire to cope successfully with the terminology and the complex biological matter, some foreign students do not manage to grasp in time the course material which leads to decrease in their motivation and ability to acquire knowledge. The results of the analysis of the motivation of students in Human Biology are discussed in view of their possible use as an indicator for improving the learning process and an argument for the necessity of maximising the efficiency of the relationship between students and lecturers.

The National Biology Competition: Criteria for Assessing Students' Knowledge and Skills

ABSTRACTQuality education is a key priority for democratic societies. Investment in youth is a token for success with high returns. Bulgarian students achieve considerable success at various international forums such as Olympiads, competitions, and contests and frequently win medals and prestigious rewards. One of the principal reasons for the success of our students is precisely the approach in preparation and selection of students chosen to compete at such forums.The National Biology Competition for Students grades 7 and 8 is a considerable platform for future achievements in the field of biology. The idea for conducting a large scale display of students' capabilities is directly related to pupils' strong interest, enveloping student's creative skills and love for the science of biology. The original style and formulation of the problems at the National Biology Competition stimulate creativity and thinking, encourage curiosity and serve as a trampoline for deciphering, learning and solving scientific problems.In the current report, we analyze the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of students in solving the problems in three sub-areas of biology: anatomy, physiology, and human hygiene, suggested by the National Biology Competition conducted in 2007 in the city of Gabrovo.

Research Concepts and Contributions of Acad. R. Popivanov for the Development of the Education in Biology in Bulgaria

ABSTRACTThe study presents the teaching and research activity and contributions of acad. R. Popivanov in the field of the modern biology in Bulgaria.The data are statistically processed.Acad. R. Popivanov was a revered tutor, teacher and guide in science for a number of generations of Bulgarian students, PhD-students in the field of general biology, parasitology and genetics. He has authored over 200 papers dedicated to important problems in the fields of immunology of reproduction, Rhesus factor and blood groups. Acad. R. Popivanov is the author and co-author of a number of textbooks in General Biology, Parasitology, Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates, and Medical Genetics. After acad. M. Popov head of the Department of Biology in Medical Academy has been Acad. Radoi Popivanov. He left remarkable ideas and works. Acad. R. Popivanov has fundamental and applied contributions in biology and medicine.For his contributions for the development of biology, genetics and immunology of reproduction and education in Biology in Bulgaria acad. R. Popivanov has been honored with many awards.

Sociological research of students from Medical University - Varna to determine the level of knowledge and readiness for protection in case of disastrous situations

The sociological research is carried out by the method of individual inquiry with questionnaire, included 32 questions, with students of Medical University. In connection with presentation of the discipline Medicine of the disastrous situations (catastrophe), it is followed the raise of knowledge and the readiness for protection in case of disasters. Before the beginning of the teaching about Medicine of the disastrous situations the knowledge of the students about the questions connected with damages with radioactive substances chlorine and ammonia, are totally insufficient, especially at the foreign students. The level of the preliminary knowledge about the origin of the epidemics is higher. Better are the knowledge for the right attitude in case of danger of intestinal infectious diseases than the protection of air dropped infections. The preliminary subjective evaluation of the students for the lack of readiness for protection became positive and the self-confidence increase till 88.33% foreign students and 93.33% Bulgarian students. Scripta Scientifica Medica 2008; 40(2): 129-131.

Item Analysis of C, D and E Series from Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices with Item Response Theory Two-Parameter Logistic Model

The present report is focused on the Item Response Theory research methodology and descriptive potential. Its purpose is to present the item analysis of C, D and E Series from Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices which were given to 506 Bulgarian high school students. The basic concepts and underlying assumptions of IRT are briefly reviewed. The latent variable is defined after a short check of some intelligence theories and a detailed examination of the used items. After the verification of IRT assumptions, the Two-parameter logistic model is selected for the analysis. The estimated item parameters are interpreted in accordance to suggested guidelines. Item Characteristic Curves and Item Information Functions are plotted and their features are also discussed.

Strawberry fields forever?

This article is based on fieldwork conducted among Romanian and Bulgarian students working under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme in the UK. It shows how a public discourse on the benefits of and for immigrant seasonal workers silences the voices of these workers. It also discusses how a hidden transcript of the student workers shows they are deeply frustrated about their exploitation in terms of wages, living conditions, and the fact that they have come to the UK on false promises of cultural exchange and learning. The confinement of Bulgarian and Romanian immigrants—such as these student workers—to the unskilled and underpaid labor sector in the UK, which continues despite Romania and Bulgaria's recent accession to the EU, not only reproduces the dual labor market in the UK itself but it also reduces Romania and Bulgaria to 'second-hand' EU members states.

P.8.003 Measuring psychological distress in a sample of Bulgarian medical students

P.8.003 Measuring psychological distress in a sample of Bulgarian medical students

Social transitions and anomie among post-communist Bulgarian youth

Bulgarian society after 1989 has been characterized as a typical risk society, both causing and caused by anomie. The present article tested the standardized anomie scale for underlying dimensions, measured the level of anomie among 560 Bulgarian university students, and explored factors associated with feelings of anomie. A factor analysis revealed three dimensions of anomie: one reflecting individual psychological reactions, indicating personal helplessness towards the post-communist transition, and two reflecting feelings of nostalgia and normlessness in the face of that transition. The level of anomie was considerably higher in Bulgarian students than Swedish students, and lower in Albanian students, suggesting that social circumstances make a difference to the level. Separate regression analysis revealed that psychological anomie reflects a situation of strain, explained by poor income, socio-economic loss, disappointment with reform, and strong feelings of hopelessness for the future. Nevertheless, this dimension of anomie reflected support for the democratic intentions of reform, and a certain political engagement. Psychological anomie and feelings of normlessness were more frequently reported by female students. Unlike psychological anomie, anomic attitudes of nostalgia and normlessness did not reflect a situation of socio-economic loss or strain. Whereas nostalgia mainly reflected disapproval of, and resistance to, reform, the association between normlessness and aspirations for a future career reflected a positive and progressive mentality.

Simulation as a pedagogical tool for managerial decision-making in a transition economy

Eastern European countries are undergoing a transition from centralized economic planning to more open economic systems. A team of Bulgarian and US researchers collaborated to study this problem, using a Bulgarian winery as the focus of their research. The study resulted in development of a business simulation of the winery, with the purpose of generating a pedagogical tool for knowledge acquisition by winery management as well as Bulgarian business students. This paper discusses the concept of simulation as a pedagogical tool, outlines the purposes of this simulation, reviews the development of this model using soft systems approaches, and suggests its applicability for any pedagogical learning situation but more specifically to the general operations of the firm at the microeconomic level of decision-making.

School adaptation of Roma children

This paper examines the degree of school adaptation among Roma children who were included in a program for the desegregation of Roma schools in Bulgaria. More specifically, the program requires Roma children to attend mixed classes with Bulgarian students and Roma teacher assistants to work with them. The Bulgarian version of the Questionnaire on School Adaptation, developed at the Harvard Graduate School of Education was used. A factorial experimental design was applied to test the hypothesis that Roma children adapt better to school when they study in mixed classes with the support of a Roma teacher assistant rather than in homogeneous classes. As predicted, the results reveal that Roma students in mixed classes with Roma teacher assistants adapt better than Roma students in homogeneous classes on the most important indicators of adaptation.

Educating Bulgarian Students for Both National and International Citizenship

What are the communication experiences associated with educating active citizens and activating youth to address social problems? How does this happen in the context of Bulgaria defining its national as well as European and global identity? This study conducted during the academic year 2003‐2004 specifically looks at how Bulgarian English language teachers are using democratic methods and projects to meet the goals of improved English language and citizenship skills to prepare their students to be active citizens of Bulgaria and future citizens of the European Union. Findings are still preliminary, and this paper will focus on background, methods, highlights and raw data.

Exit and/or Voice? Youth and Post‐Communist Citizenship in Bulgaria

Hirschman's (1970, 1993) theoretical constructs of Exit and Voice represent a useful way to think about citizenship. Exit refers to a desire to emigrate and can be construed as apolitical, private, and passive—a threat to citizenship—whereas Voice refers to political commitment and can be construed as ideal citizenship. A survey of 560 Bulgarian university students in 1998 explored their emphasis on Exit and Voice (as options for themselves in the future) and the association of each option with different economic, political, and psychological factors. One in four students wanted to emigrate, and half of them considered leaving the country for a period of time. Exit plans appeared mainly to be triggered by a wish to participate in the consumer culture, but were also associated with a critical view of the political system as well as a rejection of tradition in conjunction with a Western identity. Although most of the students shared vague or ideal Voice‐related plans, few wanted to become actively involved in politics. An emphasis on Voice reflected not only a somewhat limited political engagement but also a more traditionalistic attitude associated with plans for a career and family. The findings indicate that a normative separation between Exit and Voice as theoretical concepts does not cover the complexities of the Bulgarian students’ emigration and political involvement plans.

Web-based youth communities in the light of cyberspace psychology

The internet new media creates new types of communities online or web-based communities in virtual reality. Everyone, to a certain degree, is involved in building and creating online communities. The main aim of this study is to make an overview of cyberspace technology and to extrapolate the influence of computers, technology and virtual environments on the psychology of Bulgarian students (individuals and groups). This study is focused on the chief features of web-based life in web-based communities. Web-based youth communities are capable of mirroring the behaviour of people in virtual reality.

Skills of Bulgarian students in choosing a rational drug therapy.

109 medical students in their 5th year of study in Sofia and 37 medical students in their 5th year of study in Varna, Bulgaria, participated in a study comparing the therapeutic skills of a total of 1,234 students from various EU countries. The students were required to determine a drug or non-drug treatment for 4 written patient cases within 30 minutes. They then had to complete a questionnaire regarding their education in therapeutics. For preliminary results see Table 1. Medical students in Sofia and Varna, Bulgaria, receive problem-oriented teaching comparable with the WHO-accepted model. The results indicate that the therapeutic skills they develop during the 5th and 6th year of study are similar to the therapeutic skills of students from EU countries.

A Mix of Cultures, Values, and People: An Organizational Case Study

The key premise of this article is that normative and prescriptive value orientation collisions are underlying causes of organizational culture conflict. This article explores the premise by examining the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG); an organization rife with internal conflicts between its major internal constituencies of American faculty, Bulgarian administrators, and Bulgarian students. Arguably, the conflict reduced the effectiveness of the school's educational mission. For better understanding of the causes of conflict at AUBG, I examine the normative and prescriptive values of each constituency within the internal cross-cultural context of the institution.

Cross-cultural and cognitive issues in the implementation of new technology: focus on group support systems and Bulgaria

Over 40 per cent of technology implementation attempts in the United States (US) fail. These failures often are the result of human (rather than technological) problems. The consequences of implementers installing in one country equipment designed in another should be even more problematic and ubiquitous, as technology designers continue to move into international markets. A cognitive model of cross-cultural implementation is tested, using a US-designed group support system (GSS) and groups of Bulgarian and US university students. Bulgarians were expected to be less critical of the technology due to cultural responses to power and authority (i.e., less likely to challenge authority) and therefore less successful in adapting to the technology. However, results suggest that the Bulgarian students may in fact be more likely to challenge authority than their US counterparts. As hypothesized, Power Distance mediates some of the effects between culture and satisfaction with the GSS.

Terrestrisch-photogrammetrische methoden zum Aufnehmen von architektur- und archäologie-objekten

In this report, firstly the standard procedures of photogrammetric surveys are reviewed. Secondly, the use of amateur cameras for architectural photogrammetry is examined. From this examination the author concludes that amateur cameras can be used, although they have some disadvantages compared with metric cameras. As an example of this method the survey of the Basilika “Domus el Charita”, a work performed by Bulgarian students using Zeis-Jenaa equipment, is reported.