Cumulative Mean Score Research Articles

Work Stress and Job Satisfaction among Staff in a New Medical University

Background: Services rendered in exchange for reward or payment may be referred to as a job. Different rewards exist for different services; however, some services are associated with varying levels of discomfort, deprivations or denials which the individual may perceive as stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between job stress and job satisfaction among members of staff in a new medical university in the year 2020/2021.
 Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among total population of members of staff in a private medical university, using a pretested questionnaire. Data was analysed using The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0.
 Results: A total of one hundred and twenty-eight (128) respondents were involved in the study. There were 52 (40.6%) lecturers. The cumulative mean score for academic workload, work environment, student-related issues, and research and career development was 10.84. There was unwillingness among a variable number of staff (between 19 (14.8%) and 71 (55.5%)) to comment on job satisfaction. Fewer respondents strongly agreed with positive items of assessment for job satisfaction. A statistically significant inverse difference was found between job stress and job satisfaction.
 Conclusion: Although varied degrees of work stress were recorded among the university staff, the cumulative average stress score was high. Fewer respondents strongly agreed with positive items of assessment for job satisfaction, and a few staff were unwilling to provide responses on job satisfaction. Efforts should be intensified to reduce stress among staff with the goal of improving job satisfaction.

Assess the Attitude of Post Rn 2nd Year and 4th Year Bsn Students Towards Research Study in Two Private Nursing Colleges of Lahore

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to assess the attitudes of student nurses towards research study. The study will help the students to have positive look towards research which will help them to develop a positive attitude towards research in order to maintain evidence-based practice in Nursing.
 Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was selected and 153 students have been selected by non-probability convenient sampling technique out of the 250 students. Sample size was calculated by using the Sloven’s Formula. The questionnaire was consisted of 27 items and developed on five-point Likert scale. The key questionnaire is given below Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Uncertain, Agree, and Strongly Agree. The data was analyzed on SPSS software version 20.0 and by using frequency distribution table showing the responses of the respondents and analyzed in percentage. The collected data was also presented in pie charts and bar charts.
 Results: The results were calculated after collecting data. The overall cumulative mean score was 69.29% resulting in an overall individual mean of 3.4% indicating a degree of positive attitudes toward research. In conclusion it was found that BScN and Post RN nursing students have good awareness about the Knowledge of nursing research and have positive attitude toward research.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study recommended as: I. Improve the professional behavior of nursing students through the conduct of training programs and make them aware of nursing research. II. Nursing students must be encouraged to begin their career by understanding the importance of nursing research in patient care. III. The organization and authorities must do some strategies to indulge nurses in implementing evidence-based nursing practices. IV. Education should be provided to the students of schools and college about the research and its utilization.

Awareness of Generation Z Students about The Plaf (Plastic Flamingo) and Other Campaigns Concerning Plastics in Online Shopping

Environmental awareness is crucial in addressing the issues of plastic waste and pollution, which have a significant impact on our environment and our health. The study aimed to analyze the awareness of Bulacan State University College of Science Generation Z students regarding PLAF (Plastic Flamingo) and other campaigns related to plastics in online shopping. The researchers used a descriptive research design to achieve this goal and collected data from 350 samples of Generation Z students through a standardized questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. The findings revealed that Shopee is the most commonly used online shopping application by students, and they tend to purchase items online when needed. Bubble wrap emerged as the most frequently used parcel packaging material. The results also indicated that the students are highly aware of the different impacts of parcel packaging, as evidenced by the mean score of 4.02. However, their awareness of environmental campaigns related to plastic was only average, with a mean score of 2.93. In particular, the understanding of PLAF (Plastic Flamingo) was low, with a cumulative mean score of 2.13. The findings suggest the need to improve Generation Z students' awareness of environmental campaigns and promote ecological practices and involvement in addressing plastic waste and pollution issues. Educating and engaging students through various campaigns and initiatives can help raise their awareness of the environmental impacts of plastic waste and encourage them to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives.

IMPACT OF SHORT-TERM EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON PUPILS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS WASTE IN DISTANCE EDUCATION

The aim of the work was to apply short-term educational activities to primary school pupils and to find out their influence on pupils' attitudes, compared to the traditional way of teaching. We observed differences between the cumulative mean scores of girls (x = 2,1) and boys (x = 2,4). We showed no difference in the cumulative mean scores of 7th and 8th graders. The pre-test data were at the level of statistical significance (p = 0,0521), with the experimental group (E) performing worse on mean score (x = 2,61) than the control group (K) (x = 2,31). The values correlated with the end-of-year grade in the biology and chemistry subjects. A paired t test revealed a statistically significant difference in the experimental group between the cumulative means of the pre-test and post-test (p = 0,0419) and the pre-test and retention test (p = 0,0354). A statistically significant difference was also observed in the individual dimensions (separation, recycling and production). In the control group, there was no statistically significant difference between the individual tests and dimensions. We have demonstrated the effective use of inquiry-based learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Intravenous fluid therapy in perioperative and critical care setting-Knowledge test and practice: An international cross-sectional survey.

In the absence of recent international recommendations supported by scientific societies like Anesthesiology or Intensive Care Medicine, healthcare professionals (HCP) knowledge on IV fluid is expected to vary. We undertook a cross-sectional survey, aiming to assess prescription patterns and test the knowledge of HCP for IV fluid use in the operating room (OR) and intensive care unit (ICU). An online international cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 20, 2019, and November 27, 2021. The survey included multiple-choice questions on demographics, practice patterns and knowledge of IV fluids, and a hemodynamically unstable patient assessment. 1045 HCP, from 97 countries responded to the survey. Nearly three-quarters reported the non-existence of internal hospital or ICU-based guidelines on IV fluids. The respondents' mean score on the knowledge assessment questions was 46.4 ± 14.4. The cumulative mean scores were significantly higher among those supervising trainees (p = 0.02), specialists (p < 0.001) and those working in high-income (p < 0.001) countries. Overall performance of respondents on the knowledge testing for IV fluid was unsatisfactory with only 6.5% respondents performed above average. There is a wide difference in the knowledge and prescription of IV fluids among the HCP surveyed. These findings reflect the urgent need for education on IV fluids.

Behavioural Determinants for Hand Hygiene Practices among Primary School Children during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Children acquire SARS CoV-2 infection from their family members but they experience mild symptoms. Hand washing promotion programs are being executed in many countries to enhance child healthcare development. Objective: This study was designed to identify behavioural determinants to increase hand washing practices among primary school children during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted by the Department of Pediatrics, King Edward Medical University/ Mayo Hospital, Lahore from June to November 2020. Total of 195 mothers of primary school children were enrolled by non-probability consecutive sampling. A 23-item, 5 points likert scale questionnaire assessed 5 domains related to handhygiene. Data was entered in SPSS 24. Domains were presented as frequency tables. Independent sample t-test was applied to 8 mean score of sub-category of each domain, and to cumulative mean score of each domain. A cut off mean score of ≥3 was taken as satisfactory. Results: We found satisfactory mean scores amongst mothers for knowledge regarding the importance of hand-washing (3.59±0.62), and commitment regarding maintenance of hand-hygiene (3.44±0.773). Better mean score for liking hand washing with alcohol rub/sanitizer than with soap and water (3.14±1.063 versus 1.10±1.229) was seen. Children reported not feeling dirty if they did not practice hand-hygiene (2.99±1.195). Elders in the households promoted hand-washing, but lacked practicing it themselves (3.48±0.881 versus 2.85±1.242). There was below satisfactory mean score for hand-hygiene amongst children after sneezing, coughing, blowing their nose, or playing (2.50±1.253, 2.23±1.265, 2.27±1.301, 2.83±1.280 respectively). Norm and self-efficacy factors had adequate overall scores (3.17±0.84, 3.17±0.65). The total score for this study was 2.8759±0.419. Conclusion: We found satisfactory mean scores for risk, attitudes, norms, ability, and self-regulation factors of handhygiene among primary school children.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and its effect on quality of life in adolescents: A retrospective cohort study in Saudi Arabia.

Quality of life (QoL) in adolescent patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been thoroughly explored in Saudi Arabia. Herein, we aimed to measure the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescent patients suffering from T2DM and explore the correlation between adolescents' self- and parent-reporting of QoL scores, and glycaemic control (HbA1c). A retrospective multi-centre cohort study was conducted at 4 hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM) Diabetes Module 3.0 was completed by children and their parents in a confidential and anonyms manner through a phone interview. We recruited 49 paediatric patients for this study (mean age: 18.45 years; male: 55%). Both children and parents reported low cumulative mean scores for PedsQL™ (58.65 and 57.38, respectively) as compared to previous international studies. The lowest obtained score was noted for the diabetes symptoms domain (53.4). Comparing the magnitude of discrepancy between the adolescents' and parents' subscale scores revealed a non-significant difference, except for the 'worry' subscale, in which parents reported significantly higher mean scores (76.73 vs. 60.54, p = 0.02). Comparison of mean scores reported by adolescents who met the target HbA1c goal (<7%) and their counterparts revealed a non-significant difference, suggesting an irrelevant impact of this parameter on their perspectives or experiences. The study findings emphasized the need to initiate further intensive awareness programs concerning this disease and its clinical implications in T2DM children to improve treatment adherence and symptoms, and consequently improve the perception of the patient and the family for HRQoL.

Medical Trainees’ Attitudes about the Value of Simulation in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Program of King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Objective: Simulation was introduced as an educational method in the Obstetric and Gynecology (OB-GYN) to enhance the quality of trainees’ medical education, knowledge, and skills acquisition. This questionnaire-based study aimed to assess types of simulation used and satisfaction with simulation -based education (SBE) among medical trainees in the OB-GYN program of King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia before and during COVID- 19. Method: A total of 1131 undergraduate and postgraduate medical students were registered in the OB-GYN programs and participated in the SBE activities utilizing KAU-CSSC from 2018 through 2020. total, 581 requested to participated in questionnaire, only 300 students completed the questionnaire. Results: Simulations were used most frequently for skills training (91.3%), followed by mannequin-based scenarios (63.0%), virtual reality (41.3%), standardized patients (34.0%), and tissue-based scenarios (32.1%). OB-GYN simulations can help trainees and instructors overcome problems in conducting intimate-area examinations and improve their gynecological history-taking skills. Trainees recommended mandatory establishment of simulation skills centers in every hospital and medical college and the use of online simulation tools after COVID-19. The mean of total score for simulation use was 49.63 out of 60 points. A total of 218 trainees (72.7%) had a positive attitude toward simulation use and 82 (27.3%) had a more neutral attitude. Conclusions: The study results revealed the usefulness of low and high-fidelity SBE among OB-GYN medical trainees in concerning their teaching, training, and objective assessments. The cumulative mean score suggested that the trainees were satisfied with simulation-based modules and practical learning. SBE provided a valuable alternative opportunity for exposure to clinical cases during COVID-19, allowing interactive virtual demonstrations of simple clinical examinations and procedures while attending to infection control concerns relating to COVID-19

Perception of the Educational Environment of Post-graduate Residents in Teaching Hospitals across Pakistan

Aim: To evaluate the perception of educational environment of post-graduate residents in teaching hospitals of Pakistan. Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in four tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan from January 2020 to November 2020.The Post-graduate Hospital Education Environment Measure (PHEEM) inventory (40 items on a 0-4 Likert scale) was distributed among 195 post-graduate residents of multiple specialties by convenience non-probability sampling technique. Response was recorded into three subscales which included perception of teaching, role of autonomy and social support. The total score of these three domains had a combined maximum and minimum of 160 and 0, respectively. Results: Cumulative mean score obtained in our study showed a total score of 23.69 ± 16.247 / 56 for the theme: Perception of Role of autonomy, 24.17 ± 16.928 / 60 for Perception of Teaching and 19.35 ± 13.224 / 44 for Perception of Social Support. Conclusion: There are no drastic flaws in the post-graduate medical education residency-training program currently running in Pakistan. However, there is need for further improvement in teaching attitude of instructors and the need to eradicate discriminatory behavior felt by the post-graduate residents in certain circumstances. Keywords: Perception, Educational environment, Postgraduate Residents, Pakistan

Prospective audit of blood transfusion request forms and continuing medical education to optimise compliance of clinicians in a hospital setting.

The aim of this study was to analyse blood requisition forms sent by clinicians in a tertiary care hospital to the transfusion service to ascertain their completeness and correctness. A secondary objective was to study the effect of continuing medical education (CME) in a hospital setting on clinician's behaviour regarding the importance of details that ought to be mentioned on blood requisition forms. Transfusion audits are useful tools in the evaluation and education of those requesting blood components. This was a prospective, observational study conducted in the department of Transfusion Medicine at a tertiary-level healthcare centre from June 2019 to December 2019. The study was divided into two phases: pre-CME (P1) and post-CME (P2). In both phases, an audit for assessing completeness and correctness of blood requisition forms, which were divided into four sections, was performed. A scoring system was devised to compare both phases. In the P1 phase, 45.77% of the blood requisition form entries were complete and correct; 23.45% of incomplete entries were generated by emergency and trauma. In the P2 phase, 76.75% of the blood requisition form entries were complete and correct; 35.09% of the incomplete entries were generated by obstetrics and gynaecology. Complete and correct entries increased from 45.7% (P1) to 76.75% (P2). Scores of P1 were found to be lower than scores of P2 for all four sections. Cumulative mean score for P1 (20687) was found to be significantly lower than the mean score for P2 (30870). Audit and CME regarding different aspects of transfusion medicine practices play a major role in the improvement of transfusion practices in hospitals.

Appraisal of environmental sustainability studies in the quantity surveying curriculum

The construction industry requires professionals that are environmentally sensitive to sustain the built environment for future generation. This is necessary due to the rising environmental degradation from various construction activities. Tertiary institutions could be the appropriate platform to instil these ideas in aspiring construction professionals. This study assessed Quantity Surveying (QS) curriculum of Polytechnics to examine the courses taught and to assess whether there are courses in the curriculum that are related to environmental sustainability studies. Also, questionnaires administered to lecturers and students of QS departments was used to examine the concept and awareness of environmental sustainability taught in the institution. The study established that generally, taught courses in QS departments of Polytechnics have little or no environmental sustainability factored into them. Furthermore, cumulative mean and regression analysis were used to evaluate the data obtained from the questionnaire. The analysis established that the respondents affirmed that the QS curriculum does not create awareness of environmental sustainability, having a cumulative mean score of 2.04 for lecturers and 2.28 for students which is within the cut-off point of 1.5 to 2.5 (Disagree). Based on the regression analysis, it was established that the correlation between the lecturers’ and the students’ responses was significant having a R result of 0.95. The regression analysis explicated that the lecturers can explain the students’ views having a R2 value of 0.90. The review of QS curriculum to include environmental sustainability studies is paramount in producing QS professionals that are environmentally inclined in training.&#x0D; Keywords: Environmental Sustainability, Quantity surveying, Higher institutions and Curriculum

Educational Value of Surgical Multidisciplinary Team Meetings for Learning Non-Technical Skills – A Pilot Survey of Trainees From Two UK Deaneries

This prospective survey study aimed to identify trainee surgeons' views on the educational potential of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings for learning non-technical skills and relevant issues around using MDT meetings as an educational instrument. An online survey questionnaire containing eight closed and three open-ended questions; was developed based on established educational theories. Responses were anonymous. This survey study was designed as professional project for masters in medical education degree at Warwick University. The study received ethical approval from the Biomedical Science Research and Ethics Committee of Warwick University. Trainee surgeons and non-trainee junior surgical doctors within two regions (Health Education Kent Surrey and Sussex, Health Education Wessex) in the UK were invited through an email to take the survey with the help of regional heads of surgery and coordinators. Twenty eight (28) out of 420 invitees completed the survey. High internal consistency was observed for questionnaire (Cronbach's α = 0.924). 71.42% (20/28) respondents attended MDT at least once a week. 75.9% of participants indicated the importance of attendance to MDT meetings with any level of involvement; passive attendance considered the least important (5/28, 17.9%, p=0.005). Trainees felt included in the team by attendance to MDT meetings (Median score 5, p=0.027). MDT meetings were considered important for learning all domains of non-technical skills for surgeons taxonomy (cumulative mean score 2.4, p=001). Respondents considered MDT as a valuable tool for learning non-technical skills for surgeons on Miller's pyramid for learning (Cumulative mean 5.6, p=0.025). Free text answers indicated agreement to the learning opportunity provided by MDT meetings. Consistent suggestions of increasing trainee participation were obtained. Results indicate consistently positive views from trainees about the educational value of MDT meeting in general and for non-technical skills. Trainee participation, in the form of case-preparation, presentation, and discussion are recommended by respondents.

Analysis of Joint External Evaluations in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region

Joint External Evaluation (JEE) was developed as a new model of peer-to-peer expert external evaluations of IHR capacities using standardized approaches. This study aimed to consolidate findings of these assessments in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and assess their significance. Analysis of the data were conducted for 14 countries completing JEE in the Region. Mean JEE score for each of the 19 technical areas and for the overall technical areas were calculated. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done to assess correlations with key health, socio-economic and health system indicators. Mean JEE scores varied substantially across technical areas. The cumulative mean JEE (mean of indicator scores related to that technical area) was 3 (range: 1-4). Antimicrobial resistance, Biosecurity and Biosafety indicators obtained the lowest scores. Medical countermeasures, personnel deployment and linking public health with security capacities had the highest cumulative mean score of 4 (range: 2-5). JEE scores correlated with most of the key indicators examined. Countries with better health financing system, health service coverage and health status generally had higher JEE scores. Adolescent fertility rate, neonatal mortality ratio and net primary school enrollment ratio were primary factors within a country's overall JEE score. An integrated multisectoral approach, including well-planned cross-cutting health financing system and coverage, are critical to address the key gaps identified by JEEs in order to ensure regional and global health security.

Can teaching hospitals use serial formative OSCEs to improve student performance?

BackgroundWe report on interns’ clinical competence and experiences of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) training program over 3 years. We aimed to determine whether repeated formative OSCEs allow teaching hospitals to improve the effectiveness of clinical training and help interns to achieve high scores in the national summative OSCE.MethodsThis study included 207 participants, among whom 82 were interns who had completed four mock OSCEs and a national OSCE at the clinical center of Cathay General Hospital (CGH). The other 125 participants were final-year medical students from Fu-Jen University who had completed the national OSCE between 2013 and 2015 at one of four teaching hospitals (including CGH). CGH interns were categorized into three groups according to the medical school attended and Fu-Jen University students were grouped according to their training hospitals. CGH held four mock OSCEs (30 stations), whereas each of the four training hospitals for Fu-Jen students each held one or two OSCEs (6–12 stations) annually. Differences in the mean OSCE scores among groups were analyzed. The medical school attended, pre-internship OSCE experience and the frequency of mock OSCEs held by training hospitals were independent factors in this study.ResultsThe cumulative mean scores for five OSCEs among three groups of students trained at CGH tended to increase from the first OSCE (OSCE1) to the fifth (OSCE5). The mean score of the students who attended Fu-Jen Medical School was higher than that of students who graduated from foreign medical schools in all five OSCEs; however, the differences were significant only for OSCE2 (P = 0.022) and OSCE3 (P = 0.027). The mean national OSCE scores of FJU students showed no statistically significant differences among the four training hospitals for 2013; however, students training at CGH had significantly higher mean scores in the 2014 (P = 0.001) and 2015 (P = 0.005) OSCEs compared with students training at the other three hospitals.ConclusionsSerial administration of formative OSCEs by teaching hospitals enhances the performance of students on the sequential summative OSCE. Such programs provide multiple opportunities for students to practice their clinical skills, and for faculty to develop their teaching, assessment and consensus building skills.

Blood and Lymphoid Tissue: A Team-Based Learning Module for Histology

Abstract Introduction Team-based learning (TBL) is an instructional strategy that promotes greater student engagement in the classroom. In TBL, scheduled class time is not used for lecturing. Rathe...

The Practicum Script Concordance Test: An Online Continuing Professional Development Format to Foster Reflection on Clinical Practice

Judgment in the face of uncertainty is an important dimension of expertise and clinical competence. However, it is challenging to conceive continuing professional development (CPD) initiatives aimed at helping physicians enhance their clinical judgment skills in ill-defined situations. We present an online script concordance-based CPD program (the Practicum Script Concordance Test, copyright ©2006 by Practicum Foundation), a tool that can be used to support health professionals in the development of their reflective clinical reasoning ability. We describe the rationale and principles and report on the implementation of 2 online programs based on this new CPD initiative. The Practicum Script Concordance Test program consists of daily testing and feedback over the course of a year using SCT items. Feedback is both global (eg, health professionals are told their cumulative mean score) and specific (eg, they can view the expert panel's responses together with their justifications for their answers). Participants have the option of contacting a personal tutor, to whom they can send questions. Data regarding feasibility, participation, and acceptability were collected. Initial implementation took place in Mexico where 1901 physicians (1349 paediatricians, 552 cardiologists) were enrolled in Practicum programs. Around 70% of those enrolled pursued the program and were very satisfied with its format and content. The online format was an important factor in the development and maintenance of the programs. Dropouts had issues with the SCT concept and the time required to participate. The on-line Practicum Script Concordance Test program was designed to foster expertise development based on practice, reflection and feedback. Although further research is needed to examine its impact physicians' practice and ultimately on patient outcomes, it is an original and promising development in CPD.

Behavioural issues in maintenance of university buildings

University buildings require maintenance to create a suitable environment that supports and stimulates learning, teaching and innovation. This article is concerned with identifying, evaluating and categorizing the criteria of the university building users' value systems. The criteria of the user value system or VALUCRITE are those that are taken into account while making decisions on maintenance management to enhance user satisfaction. For this purpose, this article reviews the related literature and presents the outcome of a questionnaire survey. Questionnaires were administered to 550 university building users in Malaysia. Twelve criteria were addressed to the respondents measured on a five-point continuum scale. With 87 per cent response rate and a cumulative mean score of 4.0516, six of the criteria have an individual mean score more than the cumulative mean score. The data were both satisfactorily reliable and valid. A multiple regression analysis performed revealed that collectively the 12 criteria can significantly explain user satisfaction (F (12 439)=33.576; 0.05) Therefore, the criteria can actually be used as screened criteria to ensure users' optimum performance with the maintenance service of university buildings.

An Analysis of News Media Coverage of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

BackgroundTo examine the accuracy and adequacy of lay media news stories about complementary and alternative medicines and therapies.Methodology/Principal FindingsA descriptive analysis of news stories about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the Australian media using a national medical news monitoring website, mediadoctor.org.au. Each story was rated against 10 criteria by two individuals. Consensus scores of 222 news articles reporting therapeutic claims about complementary medicines posted on mediadoctor.org.au between 1 January 2004 and 1 September 2007 were calculated. The overall rating score for 222 CAM articles was 50% (95% CI 47% to 53%). There was a statistically significant (F = 3.68, p = 0.006) difference in cumulative mean scores according to type of therapy: biologically based practices (54%, 95% CI 50% to 58%); manipulative body based practices (46%, 95% CI 39% to 54%), whole medical systems (45%, 95% CI 32% to 58%), mind body medicine (41%, 95% CI 31% to 50%) and energy medicine (33%, 95% CI 11% to 55%). There was a statistically significant difference in cumulative mean scores (F = 3.72, p = 0.0001) according to the clinical outcome of interest with stories about cancer treatments (62%, 95% CI 54% to 70%) scoring highest and stories about treatments for children's behavioural and mental health concerns scoring lowest (31%, 95% CI 19% to 43%). Significant differences were also found in scores between media outlets.Conclusions/SignificanceThere is substantial variability in news reporting practices about CAM. Overall, although they may be improving, the scores remain generally low. It appears that much of the information the public receives about CAM is inaccurate or incomplete.

Relationship Between Language and Communication Skills and Students\' Performance in Vocational Courses: A Case Study of F.C.E. Okene.

This study sought to find out the influence of language and communication skills on students\' performance in vocational courses. The study used the cumulative mean scores of two sets of final year students over tine three-year perrod of their N.C.E course in Agricultural Education, Business Education, and Fine and Applied Art and their corresponding cumulative scores in language and communication courses. The degree of relationship was determined using Pearson Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation. Results obtained show that for the two sets of Agricultural Education students, there was a highly significant positive linear correlation (r; 0.56, 0.63), while for Business Education students there was a highly significant positive linear correlation for one set, (r; 0.83). For the other a not significant positive correlation (r, 0.12) was obtained. For the two sets of Fine and Applied Art students there were not significant linear correlation (r; 0.24, 0.23) at 0.01 level of significance. These results show that language and communication skills positively affect students\' academic achievement in Agricultural Education. The same is true for one set of Business students but it was no so for the other. The results also show that language and communication skills have no positive influence on the performance of the two sets of Fine and Applied Art students These mixed results explain the argument that is often made about the level of understanding of language and communication skills that vocational students should possess. The Nigerian Journal Of Guidance And Counselling Vol. 7 (1) 2000: pp. 196-205

Assessing the Basic Math Skills of First-Year Doctor of Pharmacy Students

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to assess the basic math skills of two classes of doctor of pharmacy students at a private southeastern school of pharmacy. The Basic Math Skills Test (BMST) was used to assess 121 first-year doctor of pharmacy students from the classes of 2003 and 2004. All entering students present during orientation week were tested using the BMST. The BMST consists of a 50-question, timed math test that measures basic math skills in 9 different areas. The areas and level of difficulty were taken from an eighth-grade mathematics textbook. In accordance with the recommendation of the developer, students were allotted 20 minutes to complete the exam. Results revealed that the cumulative mean score on the BMST of this sample was 68.90%. Implications of the study: (1) poor basic math skills impede successful completion of the pharmacy curriculum and (2) poor basic math skills may increase the probabilities of mathematical mistakes when filling prescriptions in pharmacy practice. Two ...