Comparative Research Design Research Articles

Need a little love? Go South: patterns of trust across EU member states

ABSTRACT This paper examines the long-term impact of the economic crisis on citizens’ trust towards the EU. Political trust is expected to support the foundation of the institutions and, in this case, it reflects a diffuse form of support. The analysis studies what factors affect trust (additive index, 0 to 10) towards the EU, by using the 2007 and 2018 EB data. Findings demonstrate that the crisis affected lowering levels of trust towards the EU, but not how trust is structured. By applying a similar framework of analysis to examine support for the EU, the analysis finds that trust is explained by both affective and rational utilitarian dimensions, and the comparative research design stresses the distinctiveness of the domestic politics of EU integration. Education and the economy are likely to be critical factors across Eastern Europe; national identity holds a consistent negative relationship across Western Europe; and attachment towards the EU is always the most predominantly significant factor in Southern Europe.

Customer Perception on Adoption of Quick Response (QR) Code Payment in Nepal

The Quick Response (QR) code payment system has grown popularity in recent years. This study aims to examine the impact of customer perception on adoption of QR code payment in Nepal. Descriptive and causal comparative research design has employed with structured questionnaire survey administered to 385 banks customers in Nepal. This study analyze the relationships and impact between the variables by using pearson correlation and regression analysis. The findings reveal positive and significant impact of Knowledge about QR Code Perceived Cost on adoption of QR code and Ease of Use while Trust and Security have insignificant impact on customer perception. The findings of this study may offer valuable insights to banks customers, policymakers, and the future researchers, aiding the value of QR code payment on cusomer satisfaction. This study offers a unique contribution by exploring how the QR code payment enhance banking transaction with customer satisfaction in the context of Nepal, where only the limited research has been conducted.

Strategic Management Practices and Performance of Nepalese Commercial Banks

The adoption of good strategic management strategies is crucial for banks to attain long-term success and maintain their competitiveness. Examining strategic management practices in Nepalese commercial banks is aim of this study. Four independent variables i.e., environmental scanning, strategy formulation, strategy execution, and strategy assessment control, as well as one dependent variable i.e., performance of Nepalese commercial banks, were primary focus of this study. This study is quantitative in nature. For the study, a causal comparative research design was chosen. To gather primary data on the factors and investigate their relationship, a survey was conducted. Simple random sampling was used to distribute self-administered questionnaires for this investigation. Data was collected from 216 respondents from among 10 commercial banks of Nepal. In the analytical section, both descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted. Data analysis was made using SPSS. With an R2 value of 0.685, the inferential analysis demonstrates that every aspect of strategic management techniques under investigation has a favourable and statistically significant effect on the operations of Nepal's commercial banks. Among the four dimensions of strategic management practices strategy formulation have the most influential role on performance of commercial banks in Nepal in financial and non-financial terms. Managers of Nepalese commercial banks should take steps to continuously apply the approaches of strategic management for long-term competitive advantage.

Work Engagement and Performance of Auditors in the Province of Apayao in the Implementation of Flexible Work Arrangements

This study examines the work engagement and performance of auditors in the Commission on Audit (COA) in Apayao, focusing on flexible work arrangements and the influence of demographic factors such as age, gender, education, and years of service. Using a quantitative approach, it evaluates engagement in three dimensions—vigor, dedication, and absorption—and measures performance for the first and second semesters of 2023. Descriptive, comparative, and correlational research designs are employed, with data gathered through a survey using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and performance ratings. Findings reveal that auditors exhibit high engagement, particularly in dedication, reflecting a strong sense of pride and purpose in their roles. Performance ratings were consistently "Outstanding" across both semesters, indicating a high level of commitment. Statistical analysis shows that demographic factors significantly influence both engagement and performance, highlighting the need to tailor support strategies to individual backgrounds. However, the study found no significant relationship between engagement levels and performance, suggesting that other factors, such as resources and workload management, may play a larger role in shaping performance outcomes. This study concludes that while flexible work arrangements contribute positively to engagement and performance, engagement alone does not directly impact performance. It recommends that COA consider demographic characteristics in designing engagement programs, enhance support for flexible work arrangements, and address additional factors to optimize auditor effectiveness and well-being.

Impact of Brand Love on Brand Loyalty: The Moderating Role of Self-Esteem and Social Influences

This study examines the impact of brand love on brand loyalty, examining the moderating roles of self-esteem and susceptibility to normative influence (SNI) within the context of consumer behavior in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, Nepal. Utilizing a descriptive and causal comparative research design, the study employs a structured questionnaire survey, gathering primary data from 218 respondents through purposive sampling. The research aims to elucidate how brand love fosters brand loyalty and how self-esteem and social influences modulate this relationship. The findings reveal that respondents exhibit a moderate level of brand love, self-esteem, and susceptibility to normative influence, with brand loyalty also being moderately present. Correlation analysis indicates a significant, albeit weak, positive relationship between brand love and brand loyalty, suggesting that while emotional attachment to a brand enhances loyalty, other factors are also influential. SNI shows a weak positive correlation with brand loyalty, but this relationship is not statistically significant. Self- esteem, on the other hand, significantly negatively impacts brand loyalty. Regression results further highlight that brand love is a significant positive predictor of brand loyalty, whereas self-esteem negatively affects it. SNI does not significantly influence brand loyalty. These findings underscore the critical role of brand love in fostering loyalty and suggest that higher self esteem may reduce brand loyalty, potentially due to overconfidence or differing consumer priorities. The study contributes to understanding the dynamics of brand loyalty and the nuanced effects of psychological and social factors on consumer-brand relationships.

Bank Regulations and Credit Risk of Nepalese Commercial Banks

Purpose of this study is to measure the impact of banking regulations specifically base rate, weighted average spread rate, bank capital, loan loss reserve, and broad money supply on credit risk of commercial banks in Nepal. Descriptive, correlational, and casual comparative research design have been used in this study. This study is based on secondary sources of data. Data were collected from annual audit reports of twenty- six commercial banks from fiscal year 2012/13 to 2018/19 out of twenty- seven, and from fiscal year 2020 to 2022, nineteen commercial banks out of twenty. Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) as a Government owned bank has been excluded in this study. The mean, range, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis statistical tools were used in this study. This study reveals that loan loss reserve is highly scattered than after bank capital, credit risk, broad money supply, base rate, and weighted average spread rate respectively. There is significant positive relationship of credit risk with bank capital, loan loss reserve, and broad money supply. Study results revealed that there is significant impact of bank capital, loan loss reserve, broad money supply, and base rate on credit risk.

Financial Literacy and Financial Well-Being among Working Professionals in Dolakha District

The study attempts to examine the influence of financial literacy on financial well-being, the purpose of study is to identify the most influencing factors of financial literacy on financial well-being and analyze the mediating role of financial self-efficacy on working professionals. The causal comparative research design was employed in the investigate the cause and effect of financial literacy on financial well-being. Data gathered from 229 respondents through structured questionnaires distributed via KOBO toolbox utilized convenience sampling. Quantitative analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics, employing the PLS-SEM method. Out of four determinants of financial literacy determinants considered for the study, financial attitude, financial experience, financial skills had significant impact on financial self-efficacy however, financial awareness did not have a significant impact. Further, the study results found that financial self-efficacy had a significant impact on financial well-being of working professionals in Dolakha district. The results establish the mediating role of financial self-efficacy. This study is limited to current and potential working professionals in Dolakha district, utilizing cross-sectional data, which may restrict generalizability. Nevertheless, the outcome of the study will assist all the stakeholders, including employers, policymakers, local governments in Dolakha district. The application of this study is extensive. The study’s findings will assist policymakers, local governments, employers and financial literacy researchers all stakeholder to protect the financial well-being of working professionals in Dolakha district. Similarly, improving the financial well-being of working professionals from rural part of Nepal can help reducing poverty by encouraging investing and fair economic growth. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is one of the earliest studies to financial literacy and financial well-being a study on working professionals in Dolakha district by using PLS-SEM and theory of planned behavior.

Satisfaction in Birth Experience among Women with Doula Delivery Support: A Correlational-Comparative Study

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of doula services by comparing satisfaction with the childbirth experience between women who received doula support and those who did not. Methods: A correlational comparative research design with a quantitative approach was utilized. Purposive sampling was used to gather participants. The collected data were analyzed using MS Excel and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Statistical methods included the Mean, Pearson correlation, and Wilcoxon test. In this study, an online survey questionnaire was disseminated in Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. Results: Findings showed that expectant mothers who received doula support reported high satisfaction across various domains, whereas those without doula support had lower satisfaction during childbirth. Conclusion: The results suggest that doula support is important for expectant mothers, as it helps to reduce stress and anxiety during labor and delivery. Integrating doula support into maternity care can enhance the childbirth experience, leading to higher satisfaction and improved outcomes.

Effect of Leadership Styles on Employee Productivity in Nepalese Commercial Banks

Different leadership styles can significantly affect organizational outcomes and employee well-being. There are many distinct leadership philosophies, and a leader may choose to implement a certain style depending on their inclinations, the circumstances, and the demands of their group. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different leadership styles on employee productivity in the banking sector. The study employed a descriptive and causal comparative research design. This quantitative research aimed to establish the relationships between dependent and independent variables. The population consisted of employees from Nepalese commercial banks, with 384 complete responses gathered through a judgmental sampling method from initial 390 questionnaires distributed. The findings shows the transformational leadership, transactional leadership, charismatic leadership and laissez-faire leadership are all positive and statistically significant on the employee productivity. The consistency in the positive effects of transformational charismatic leadership and laissez-faire leadership across different contexts suggests that these styles may be universally beneficial, although the degree of impact may vary depending on the organizational environment and culture. Transactional leadership, while effective, may need to be complemented with other styles, especially transformational and charismatic, to achieve optimal outcomes.

Investment and Profitability of Commercial Banks in Nepal

The objective of this study is to analyze the impact of investment on profitability of selected Nepalese commercial banks. This research employs a descriptive and causal comparative research design. Given the impracticality of including all banks, the study focuses on a selected sample of twenty banks, specifically NABIL bank limited and Standard Chartered bank limited, chosen through judgment sampling. Secondary data, including annual reports and various published sources has used for analysis. The research employs statistical tools such as arithmetic mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, correlation coefficient, and regression analysis to evaluate and interpret the data. The results indicate that higher NRB Balance and Investment on Security are positively associated with both return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE), suggesting that banks with larger reserves and substantial investments in securities tend to achieve better profitability. Conversely, Loan and Advance to Customers show a strong positive correlation with ROA but a negative correlation with ROE, indicating that while increased lending boosts asset returns, it may reduce returns on equity and investment in securities. Regression analyses further illuminate these relationships. For ROA, Bank Size emerges as the most significant factor, with a strong positive impact, followed by NRB Balance and Loan and Advance to Customers, which also positively influence ROA. Investment on Security, although positively related, has a less pronounced effect.

Teacher Support and Student Engagement in the Conduct of Blended Learning Instruction for English as A Foreign Language

With the deep integration of information technology and education, blended learning has emerged as a new paradigm in higher education, combining the strengths of both online and offline learning environments. This approach allows English as Foreign Language (EFL) learners, particularly in the Chinese context, to engage in flexible and continuous learning beyond traditional classroom settings, thereby fostering greater student initiative and self-directed learning. Understanding the impact of teacher support on student engagement within this blended learning framework is crucial for optimizing educational outcomes. This study employed a quantitative descriptive comparative and correlational research design to examine the relationship between various forms of teacher support—instructional, emotional, feedback, and interpersonal—and student engagement among 307 Chinese EFL learners in a blended learning environment. The findings reveal that all forms of teacher support were perceived as high, with feedback provision ranking highest. Similarly, student engagement was also rated highly across behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social domains. The Pearson correlation coefficient between teacher support and student engagement was found to be 0.75, indicating a significant positive relationship. Based on these findings, a program aimed at enhancing teacher support to further improve student engagement in blended learning environments was developed and recommended.

Single Parental Status: Effects on Learners’ Emotional Behaviour in Public Primary Schools in Kanduyi Sub County, Kenya

The family is the stimulus behind the growth and development of an individual. Children emerge from different parental status, this include intact and single parental status. However in schools, learners from single parenthood display different emotional behaviour compared to those from intact parenthood. The objective of the study was to establish the effects of single parental status on learners’ emotional behaviour. The study was guided by family systems theory and adopted comparative research design. The study targeted a total of 458 participants, including 440 standard eight learners (212 boys and 228 girls), 9 class teachers, and 9 guidance and counseling teachers from 9 public primary schools in Kanduyi Sub County, Bungoma County. The standard eight learners were selected due to their unique experiences and maturation, as well as their physical, mental, and emotional development, which enabled them to express themselves in a manner that was comparable to that of their peers in other classes. Stratified random sampling was used to obtain participants according to their gender; simple random sampling was used to give equal chance to all learners to participate in the study. Purposive sampling was employed to select class teachers and Guidance and Counselling teachers as key informants on matters concerning learners. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. The study utilised content validity while reliability of the instruments was established by cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.697. Simple linear regression was used to analyse data. Data analysis revealed a statistically significant effect of single parenting on learners emotional behaviour F (1,198=4.731, p<0.05. The findings revealed that single parenting negatively affected learner emotional behaviour since the p-value<0.05 hence the null hypothesis rejected. The study recommended for effective guidance and counselling services for learners from single parental status to help them improve on their emotional behaviour such as low self-esteem, aggression and anxiety while in school.

Perbedaan komitmen karier ditinjau dari data demografi pada anggota kepolisian

The Indonesian National Police is a state apparatus responsible for maintaining security, public order, and law enforcement, as well as protecting and serving the community in safeguarding the Republic of Indonesia. Career commitment refers to an individual's dedication to their work in pursuit of career goals through active participation. Those who are committed to their careers strive to achieve their objectives. This study aims to examine the differences in career commitment among police officers based on demographic data. Utilizing a quantitative approach with a comparative research design, the study involved 125 police members from one of the police agencies in Pasuruan Regency, East Java. The purposive sampling technique was employed to select participants. The study used the Career Commitment Measure (CCM) as the assessment tool. The findings indicate that there are significant differences in career commitment related to demographic factors such as career development stages, length of service, and educational background.

Recovery and Its Correlates Following Intervention in Depression

Abstract Background: Recovery connotes the act of regaining or returning to a normal or usual state of health. When it comes to recovery in depression, recovery is usually defined as sustained remission. The process of recovery from depression is influenced by a wide variety of factors such as internalized stigma and self-esteem. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to find out the longitudinal effectiveness of intervention on the process of recovery, self-esteem, and internalized stigma in depression. Sample and Design: A longitudinal and comparative research design was employed in the study. Consecutive sampling was employed to recruit 30 participants fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were distributed into two groups – Group 1 (pharmacological treatment) and Group 2 (pharmacological treatment along with psychotherapeutic treatment). Results and Conclusion: Results indicate that patients provided with combined treatment showed a significant increase in clinical and personal recovery. There was a significant improvement in “Connecting and Belonging” subdomains of personal recovery. No significant differences were observed for internalized stigma and self-esteem.

Adoption of Life Cycle Thinking: Impact-driven comparative assessment of Japanese construction corporations’ trends in practices

Although life cycle thinking offers a well-founded set of concepts, methods, and tools for organizational contexts, only little is known about its relevance in the construction sector. In this sector, construction corporations are key players. In this work, a novel impact-driven method to assess the adoption of life cycle thinking by construction corporations is introduced. Japan, as a high-income country with a relatively long history of environmental policies informed by material flow analysis, is chosen as the context. Five Japanese construction corporations and respective reporting are used as case studies. Trends in environmental impacts over time of the case study corporations are assessed using two indicators: resource and carbon productivity. In comparison, an automated text corpus analysis workflow is presented to explore the corporate report’s life cycle thinking-related content in a meaningful way. Comparing the period of 2014–2018 and 2019–2023, an overall relative increase in framework adoptions (77%) and their integration in corporate categories (85%) in corporate reports indicates its increased procedural relevance among Japanese construction contractors. Findings show how the carbon indicator is embedded in various frameworks and, for instance, reveal an increased relevance of Scope 3 emissions as a framework on a low level. However, Scope 3 is also utilized as a performance indicator. To this end, considerable temporal differences in adoption practices are observed. Finally, a potentially effective corporate adoption model is identified through the comparative research design. The proposed method can be applied to other construction corporations and regional contexts.

THE INFLUENCE OF GENERIC SKILLS ON GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SCIENTIFIC PROCESSING AND CRITICAL THINKING IN PHYSICS MOTION DYNAMICS

This study investigates the gender differences in generic skills, scientific process abilities, and critical thinking among high school students during physics learning, specifically within motion dynamics. The research aims to uncover the impact of generic skills on students' scientific processing and critical thinking abilities while examining how gender influences these cognitive domains. Employing a comparative quantitative research design, data were gathered from 180 students (90 male and 90 female) in Jambi City using observation sheets, test questions, and questionnaires. The sample was selected through simple random sampling, and statistical analyses were performed to examine the differences in learning outcomes between genders. Results revealed notable gender disparities in generic skills, scientific processing, and critical thinking, with male and female students demonstrating distinct proficiencies in physics learning. This underscores the necessity of adopting gender-sensitive educational approaches to foster equitable learning experiences. The uniqueness of this research lies in its detailed exploration of the interconnectedness between generic skills, scientific processing, and critical thinking within the framework of gender. Unlike prior studies, which often focus on isolated skills, this study integrates these core competencies to provide a more holistic understanding of how gender influences physics learning. The findings emphasize the need for inclusive curricula and gender-tailored instructional strategies that promote equal opportunities for all students in science education, particularly in physics, thus contributing to a more balanced and equitable academic environment.

Impact of Volleyball Course on College Students’ Tactical Skills in China

In 1910, the game of volleyball was introduced in China. Currently, the level of Chinese competitive volleyball is relatively high, and it has achieved good results in international tournaments so it is timely and necessary to investigate its teaching in universities and colleges. The effects of playing volleyball may influence the students’ safety, physical conditioning, use of facilities, team considerations, experience with the coach or instructor, and tactical ability. Much has been studied in the field of volleyball including its health effects on its players. However, there was a dearth of literature on the effects of volleyball courses on university students in China. Thus, the study looked into this area of investigation to propose a teaching development for volleyball courses in universities and colleges in China. Using descriptive comparative correlational research design, the findings revealed that the majority of the participants were male first-year college students pursuing engineering studies. The college students evaluated the impact of their tactical skills in playing volleyball. The factors of safety and instructor received the highest assessment while the management of equipment and facilities had the lowest assessment. There was a significant difference in the assessment of the management of equipment and facilities domain based on the respondents’ year levels, with a small effect size. On the other hand, no significant difference was found in safety, physical conditioning, team consideration, instructor, and overall experience of college students in playing volleyball. Comparing the groups, 1st and 2nd year students scored higher in management of equipment and facilities than those 3rd year students. Overall, the college students were assessed to have average tactical skills in playing volleyball. Specifically, offensive tactical skills scored higher than defensive tactical skills.

Stress levels of science teachers when delivering distance education instruction in a state college during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically reshaped education worldwide, compelling institutions to rapidly adopt distance education models. Among those most affected are science educators, who face unique challenges in transitioning traditional classroom instruction to virtual platforms. Understanding the stressors experienced by science teachers during this shift is crucial not only for their well-being but also for the effectiveness of educational delivery. This study aims to investigate the stress levels and sources of stress experienced by science teachers at Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) during the shift to distance education. The specific objectives were to determine the overall stress levels, identify the least stressful pre-identified causes of stress, compare the significance of different categories of stressors, and develop an intervention program based on the findings. A descriptive comparative research design with a quantitative approach was used, involving a purposive sample of 45 science teachers. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, which included sections on demographic information, perceived stress levels, and specific stressors related to professional skills, technical skills, work-home conflict, and support systems. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. The results indicated that science teachers experienced moderate to high levels of stress, with professional and technical skills being the most prominent stressors. Support systems, although somewhat helpful, still contributed to the overall stress levels. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to alleviate these stressors, such as professional development programs, enhanced support systems, and policies addressing work-home conflict. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of addressing the specific stressors identified to improve the well-being of science teachers and the effectiveness of distance education. Further research is recommended to develop and evaluate interventions aimed at reducing teacher stress, enhancing teaching effectiveness, and understanding the long-term impact of these interventions in digital environments.

Effect of FinTech Adoption, Green Finance and Green Innovation on Sustainability Performance of Nepalese Financial Institutions

This study is aimed to investigate the impact of FinTech adoption on the sustainability performance of financial institutions of Nepal focusing the mediating role of green finance and green innovation. Employing a descriptive and causal comparative research design, the research systematically describes the characteristics of FinTech adoption among customers of financial institutions of the selected area and explores potential cause-and-effect relationships between FinTech adoption and sustainability performance. Data were collected from 180 respondents through a structured questionnaire distributed via an online survey platform, utilizing a 5-point Likert scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) were used to test the measurement model and examine the relationships between the constructs. The study confirmed that FinTech adoption positively impacts sustainability performance and green finance, although it negatively influences green innovation. Mediation analysis revealed that neither green finance nor green innovation significantly mediate the relationship between FinTech adoption and sustainability performance. The findings underscore the necessity for financial institutions to integrate both technological advancements and sustainable practices comprehensively. This study contributes to the academic literature by providing empirical evidence from Nepal and offers practical insights for policymakers and financial institutions aiming to enhance sustainability through fintech. By addressing critical research gaps, this study advances our understanding of how FinTech can be effectively aligned with sustainable financial practices in Nepal, ensuring long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits.

Practices Of Corporate Governance And Its Impact On Perceived Performance In Nepalese Life Insurance Companies

The goal of this research is to explore the ‘Practice of Corporate Governance and Its Impact on Perceived Performance in Nepalese Life Insurance Companies’. The study used a descriptive and causal comparative research design. The main variables of corporate governance identified include commitment to corporate governance, transparency and disclosure, alongside the structure and functioning of the board. In contrast, the perceived performance of the companies, measured through enhanced productivity and profitability, serves as the control variable. The analysis covers all 14 life insurance companies currently functioning in Nepal. To achieve the study's objectives, a judgmental sampling approach from the non-probability sampling method was adopted, while purposive sampling was applied to identify respondents for the questionnaires. Out of the 14 companies, five were selected as samples. The participants included specific employees from these companies, with a total of 106 respondents completing the questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model. The findings revealed that Nepalese life insurance companies exhibit strong adherence to corporate governance and their performance is also excellent; however, the connection between commitment to corporate governance, structure and functioning of the board, transparency and disclosure, and perceived performance appears to be quite weak. The research concluded that effective corporate governance have only a slight positive association with performance.