Collected Survey Data Research Articles

Incidence of A.I. and TECD Assessment-Learning in University Students

Currently it is seen a diversity in the use of digital tools emerging every day, so A.I. appears as an ally in the academic formation on the assessment-leaning and the TECD (Technology of digital knowledge empowerment). The main objective is to determine the incidence that exists between artificial intelligence and TECD assessment-leaning in the empowerment of digital knowledge in university students. The method used in the research is of basic type, with positivist paradigm of quantitative approach, because it measures the casual relationship that exists between the dependent variables, with non-experimental correlational causal design using surveys for data collection in the students at a university. In the results, it is obtained that 33.3% of students manage to empower themselves with digital knowledge creating materials within specific works according to their professional training lines; in the intermediate level, the result is that 35.9% of students manage to have a regular domain on programming systems and model new computer systems creating a computational system, neural network training and deep learning. In conclusion, data collection and analysis are powerful tools in the continuous improvement of education.

Exploring the Role of Early Diagnosis of Hearing Loss in Children and Its Impact on Educational Outcomes, Language Development, and Social Integration in Special Education Settings

The study explores the impact of early diagnosis of hearing loss on children's educational outcomes, language development, and social integration in special education settings. The research involved 150 children with early hearing loss, comparing the differences between early diagnosis (0-2 years) and late diagnosis (more than 2 years after birth). A quantitative research design was employed, using standardized test scores, teacher assessments, speech development tests, and social interaction surveys for data collection. The findings show that early diagnosis positively influences academic performance, language development, and peer interactions. Children diagnosed early demonstrated better academic outcomes (p < 0.05), more advanced language skills (p < 0.05), and improved social interactions (p < 0.05) compared to those diagnosed later. A strong positive correlation was found between early diagnosis and the effectiveness of support services (r = 0.65, p < 0.05). These results emphasize the importance of early intervention and robust support systems for children with hearing loss, highlighting the need for expanded newborn hearing screening programs and improvements in educational practices. Further research is recommended on long-term outcomes, the role of assistive technologies, and the influence of family involvement on improving outcomes following early diagnosis.

Predicting Depressive Symptoms Using GPS-Based Regional Data in Germany With the CORONA HEALTH App During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study.

Numerous studies have been conducted to predict depressive symptoms using passive smartphone data, mostly integrating the GPS signal as a measure of mobility. Environmental factors have been identified as correlated with depressive symptoms in specialized studies both before and during the pandemic. This study combined a data-based approach using passive smartphone data to predict self-reported depressive symptoms with a wide range of GPS-based environmental factors as predictors. The CORONA HEALTH app was developed for the purpose of data collection, and this app enabled the collection of both survey and passive data via smartphone. After obtaining informed consent, we gathered GPS signals at the time of study participation and evaluated depressive symptoms in 249 Android users with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The only GPS-based data collected were the participants' location at the time of the questionnaire, which was used to assign participants to the nearest district for linking regional sociodemographic data. Data collection took place from July 2020 to February 2021, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. Using GPS data, each dataset was linked to a wide variety of data on regional sociodemographic, geographic, and economic characteristics describing the respondent's environment, which were derived from a publicly accessible database from official German statistical offices. Moreover, pandemic-specific predictors such as the current pandemic phase or the number of new regional infections were matched via GPS. For the prediction of individual depressive symptoms, we compared 3 models (ie, ridge, lasso, and elastic net regression) and evaluated the models using 10-fold cross-validation. The final elastic net regression model showed the highest explained variance (R2=0.06) and reduced the dataset from 121 to 9 variables, the 3 main predictors being current COVID-19 infections in the respective district, the number of places in nursing homes, and the proportion of fathers receiving parental benefits. The number of places in nursing homes refers to the availability of care facilities for the elderly, which may indicate regional population characteristics that influence mental health. The proportion of fathers receiving parental benefits reflects family structure and work-life balance, which could impact stress and mental well-being during the pandemic. Passive data describing the environment contributed to the prediction of individual depressive symptoms and revealed regional risk and protective factors that may be of interest without their inclusion in routine assessments being costly.

Individual differences in acceptance of direct load control

Consumer acceptance of direct load control is becoming increasingly important as energy systems transition towards greater reliance on intermittent renewable energy sources. The objective of this paper is to better understand the attitudinal and socio-economic determinants of direct load control acceptance. To do so, we collect survey data from participants in 31 European countries (N = 5,970). Regression analyses testing a comprehensive model of attitudinal and socio-economic determinants of direct load control acceptance reveal that attitudes and beliefs specific to direct load control acceptance (social and personal norms, anticipated emotions, and outcome efficacy beliefs) predict acceptance, whereas more general attitudinal variables and socio-economic characteristics play no or only a secondary role. These findings substantially improve our understanding of direct load control acceptance. While European policy documents recognize the importance of individual attitudes for the success of demand response programs, reference to specific factors or processes is often missing due to lack of evidence. The present research helps fill this gap, and can inform the design of novel soft policy measures – highlighting the usefulness of facilitating positive peer influence, of reinforcing perceptions that engaging in demand response is effective, is the responsible thing to do, and also something to be proud of

Comparing Health Survey Data Cost and Quality Between Amazon's Mechanical Turk and Ipsos' KnowledgePanel: Observational Study.

Researchers have many options for web-based survey data collection, ranging from access to curated probability-based panels, where individuals are selectively invited to join based on their membership in a representative population, to convenience panels, which are open for anyone to join. The mix of respondents available also varies greatly regarding representation of a population of interest and in motivation to provide thoughtful and accurate responses. Despite the additional dataset-building labor required of the researcher, convenience panels are much less expensive than probability-based panels. However, it is important to understand what may be given up regarding data quality for those cost savings. This study examined the relative costs and data quality of fielding equivalent surveys on Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk), a convenience panel, and KnowledgePanel, a nationally representative probability-based panel. We administered the same survey measures to MTurk (in 2021) and KnowledgePanel (in 2022) members. We applied several recommended quality assurance steps to enhance the data quality achieved using MTurk. Ipsos, the owner of KnowledgePanel, followed their usual (industry standard) protocols. The survey was designed to support psychometric analyses and included >60 items from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), demographics, and a list of health conditions. We used 2 fake conditions ("syndomitis" and "chekalism") to identify those more likely to be honest respondents. We examined the quality of each platform's data using several recommended metrics (eg, consistency, reliability, representativeness, missing data, and correlations) including and excluding those respondents who had endorsed a fake condition and examined the impact of weighting on representativeness. We found that prescreening in the MTurk sample (removing those who endorsed a fake health condition) improved data quality but KnowledgePanel data quality generally remained superior. While MTurk's unweighted point estimates for demographics exhibited the usual mismatch with national averages (younger, better educated, and lower income), weighted MTurk data matched national estimates. KnowledgePanel's point estimates better matched national benchmarks even before poststratification weighting. Correlations between PROMIS measures and age and income were similar in MTurk and KnowledgePanel; the mean absolute value of the difference between each platform's 137 correlations was 0.06, and 92% were <0.15. However, correlations between PROMIS measures and educational level were dramatically different; the mean absolute value of the difference across these 17 correlation pairs was 0.15, the largest difference was 0.29, and the direction of more than half of these relationships in the MTurk sample was the opposite from that expected from theory. Therefore, caution is needed if using MTurk for studies where educational level is a key variable. The data quality of our MTurk sample was often inferior to that of the KnowledgePanel sample but possibly not so much as to negate the benefits of its cost savings for some uses. RR2-10.1186/s12891-020-03696-2.

The Relationship Between Authoritative Parenting Style, Oral Sensory Processing, and Eating Behaviour Related to Picky Eaters among Toddlers in Klang Valley, Malaysia

This study aimed to examine the relationship between authoritative parenting style, oral sensory processing, and eating behaviour related to picky eaters among children aged 3 to 5 years. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 99 mother/father-child dyads from several Klang Valley nurseries and kindergartens. Online survey data collection, including the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ), the Child Sensory Profile 2 Questionnaire (CSP-2) (Oral Domain), the Parental Style Dimension Questionnaire (PSDQ), and a demographic questionnaire. Appointment-based collection of anthropometric measurements (weight and height) was conducted. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between eating behaviour (picky eaters), oral sensory processing, and authoritative parenting scores, independent t-test to determine nutrition status and eating behaviour, and chi-square test to examine picky eater status and oral sensory processing classification. Results show that the prevalence of picky eaters is 45.5%. Picky eaters scored low in food responsiveness and food enjoyment but high in satiety response and slowness in eating. There was only an association between picky eating behaviour and oral sensory processing (r=0.22, p=0.003), but no correlation between these indicators and authoritative parenting styles (p&gt;0.05). No significant difference was found in nutrition status between non-picky eaters and picky eaters (p&gt;0.05). According to this study, nearly one out of two children is a picky eater, which is defined by less enjoyment of food, less responsiveness to food, eating slowly, and feeling full quickly. This research is likely to aid in the development of more targeted intervention programmes for picky eaters.

Leaf nutrient traits exhibit greater environmental plasticity compared to resource utilization traits along an elevational gradient.

Studying key leaf functional traits is crucial for understanding plant resource utilization strategies and growth. To explore the patterns and driving factors of key leaf functional traits in forests along elevational gradients under global change, we collected survey data from 697 forests across China from 2008 to 2020. This study examined the elevational patterns of Specific Leaf Area (SLA, m²/kg), Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC, g/g), Leaf Nitrogen (LN, mg/g), and Leaf Phosphorus (LP, mg/g), and their responses to climate, soil nutrients, and stand factors. The results showed distinct differences in these key leaf traits at different elevational gradients. Generally, as elevation increased, SLA decreased, while LDMC significantly increased (P < 0.001), and LN first increase and then decreased (P < 0.001). The direct influence of elevation on the spatial variation of key leaf traits was greater than its indirect effects (through environmental and stand factors). The elevational patterns of leaf traits related to resource utilization strategies (SLA and LDMC) were mainly influenced by climate (temperature and precipitation) and soil nutrient factors, showing opposite trends in response to environmental changes. The patterns of leaf nutrient traits (LN and LP) along elevational gradients were primarily influenced by climatic factors, with LN exhibiting greater environmental plasticity. Compared to other stand factors, forest age predominantly influenced the spatial variation of key leaf traits, especially SLA. These findings have significant theoretical implications for revealing how plants adapt to global change.

Influence of WhatsApp Online Phishing Messages on Data Security among Undergraduates in Anambra State

Due to the widespread sharing of phishing emails on WhatsApp, university students face a high risk of data breaches. This study examines the impact of WhatsApp phishing messages on data security among students at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, Anambra State. The research collected survey data from 375 students out of 17,055 based on their population and adopted Social Cognitive Theory as the theoretical framework. The findings indicate that most students are aware of these phishing messages, with scam emails and fake login pages being the most common forms. Additionally, most students believe these messages threaten their data security. The study suggests holding regular educational campaigns to address this problem. This study sheds light on the alarming risks of online phishing, revealing the vulnerabilities that university students face every day. The study aims to educate, empower, and protect students from cyber threats, fostering a safer digital campus community.

Identification of optimum scopes of environmental drivers for schistosome-transmitting Oncomelania hupensis using agent-based model in Dongting Lake Region, China.

Oncomelania hupensis (O. hupensis), the sole intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum, greatly influence the prevalence and distribution of schistosomiasis japonica. The distribution area of O. hupensis has remained extensive for numerous years. This study aimed to establish a valid agent-based model of snail density and further explore the environmental conditions suitable for snail breeding. A marshland with O. hupensis was selected as a study site in Dongting Lake Region, and snail surveys were monthly conducted from 2007 to 2016. Combined with the data from historical literature, an agent-based model of snail density was constructed in NetLogo 6.2.0 and validated with the collected survey data. BehaviorSpace was used to identify the optimal ranges of soil temperature, pH, soil water content, and vegetation coverage for snail growth, development and reproduction. An agent-based model of snail density was constructed and showed a strong agreement with the monthly average snail density from the field surveys. As soil temperature increased, the snail density initially rose before declining, reaching its peak at around 21°C. There were similar variation patterns for other environmental factors. The findings from the model suggested that the optimum ranges of soil temperature, pH, soil water content and vegetation coverage were 19°C to 23 °C, 6.4 to 7.6, 42% to 75%, and 70% to 93%, respectively. A valid agent-based model of snail density was constructed, providing more objective information about the optimum ranges of environmental factors for snail growth, development and reproduction.

Belief in a just world as a moderator in the face of ageism: a comparative analysis of just world theory and worldview verification theory.

Based on the Just World Theory (JWT) and Worldview Verification Theory (WVT), we conducted two studies to investigate whether a belief in a just world for the self (BJW-self) moderates the relationship between perceived discrimination against older adults (ageism) and self-esteem in a sample of South Koreans older adults. In Study 1, we collected survey data from 304 South Koreans aged 65 and older using the scales of perceived ageism, BJW-self, and self-esteem. In Study 2, we randomly assigned 140 South Koreans aged 65 and older to read one of two articles: one describing ageism as pervasive or one describing ageism as rare. Study 1 revealed that perceived ageism negatively correlated with self-esteem at low levels of BJW-self than at high levels of BJW-self. In Study 2, older adults who were told that ageism is pervasive had lower self-esteem than those who were told that ageism is rare, but this difference was greater for those who rejected BJW-self than for those who endorsed BJW-self. The results support the notion of the JWT that BJW-self mitigates the deleterious effects of perceived ageism on self-esteem.

Perceptions of Faculty and Students in Online Learning: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed how universities provide education -- teachers switched to online teaching methods, while students quickly adapted to the online learning environment. This study adopts the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework to examine differences in student and faculty perceptions of online learning due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Student and faculty perceptions can be used to evaluate and ultimately improve the quality of education. This study used survey methods and data collection instruments with a Likert scale sample of 150 students and 150 faculty from a US university. This study’s results indicate a significant difference between perceptions of pedagogy, technology challenges, and difficulties in online Zoom courses. Furthermore, the authors provide practical implications for educators and administrators to navigate the rapid growth in online learning.

Where there is a thriving, there is a green way: cultivating employee green creativity through green HRM and creative leadership

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to investigate the mechanisms through which green HRM practices foster green creativity among employees. Specifically, it tests a conceptual model linking green HRM practices to green creativity, with employee thriving at work as a mediator and creative leadership as a moderator strengthening the links.Design/methodology/approachThe study collected survey data from 319 employees working in the financial, internet and IT sectors in the developed coastal regions of China. The conceptual model and hypotheses were tested using this sample focused on sustainability-oriented sectors based in regions with imperative ecological needs and priorities.FindingsThe findings indicate that thriving at work (characterized by vitality and learning) mediates between green HRM practices and green creativity. In addition, creative leadership was found to moderate the impact of green HRM on both thriving and green creativity, including the indirect effects through thriving.Originality/valueThe study breaks new ground by being the first to examine the mediation of thriving at work and the moderation of creative leadership in connecting green HRM to green creativity. It develops and tests an integrated theoretical framework that combines insights from self-determination theory and creative leadership theory, situates the research in the timely and relevant context of China’s developed coastal areas and key industries and offers new insights and practical implications for fostering green creativity and aligning organizational strategies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Does paradoxical leadership predict employee job performance in hospitality? A sequential mediation of harmonious work passion and innovative work behavior

PurposeDrawing insights from a self-determination perspective, this study aims to investigate the impact of paradoxical leadership (PL) on job performance among hospitality employees. It also explores harmonious work passion (HWP) and innovative work behavior (IWB) as sequential mediators in this direct association.Design/methodology/approachA self-report structured questionnaire was used to collect survey data from 298 employees working in Indian four-, five- and five-star luxury hotels. To test the hypothesized model, partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used.FindingsThis study found PL positively influences HWP, IWB and job performance of hospitality employees. Also, the positive association between PL and employee job performance is significantly mediated by HWP and IWB, individually as well as sequentially.Practical implicationsAdopting PL in hotels can significantly boost employees’ HWP and IWB, resulting in enhanced job performance. This leadership style empowers employees to navigate conflicting demands, fostering creativity and adaptability. Consequently, hotels can benefit from a more engaged workforce, improved service delivery and a competitive edge.Originality/valueThis research adds to the limited literature on PL in the hospitality sector by highlighting its impact on employee behavior and performance outcomes. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to empirically link PL with HWP, IWB and job performance in a sequential mediation model. It uncovers the “black box” of mechanisms connecting PL to work outcomes from emotional and cognitive perspectives.

The CHALO! 2.0 mHealth-Based Multilevel Intervention to Promote HIV Testing and Linkage-to-Care Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Mumbai, India: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Current programs to engage marginalized populations such as gay and bisexual individuals and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in HIV prevention interventions do not often reach all MSM who may benefit from them. To reduce the global burden of HIV, far-reaching strategies are needed to engage MSM in HIV prevention and treatment. Globally, including low- and middle-income countries, MSM are now widely using internet-based social and mobile technologies (SMTs; eg, dating apps, social media, and WhatsApp [Meta]), which provides an unprecedented opportunity to engage unreached and underserved groups, such as MSM for HIV prevention and care. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a multilevel mobile health (mHealth)-based intervention to improve HIV testing uptake and status neutral linkage-to-care among sexually active MSM reached through internet-based platforms in Mumbai, India. In this randomized controlled trial, we will determine whether CHALO! 2.0 (a theory-based multilevel intervention delivered in part through WhatsApp) results in increased HIV testing and linkage-to-care (prevention or treatment). This study is being conducted among 1000 sexually active MSM who are unaware of their HIV status (never tested or tested >6 months ago) and are recruited through SMTs in Mumbai, India. We will conduct a 12-week, 3-arm randomized trial comparing CHALO! 2.0 to 2 control conditions-an attention-matched SMT-based control (also including a digital coupon for free HIV testing) and a digital coupon-only control. The primary outcomes will be HIV testing and status neutral linkage-to-care by 6 months post enrollment. Participants will be followed up for a total of 18 months to evaluate the long-term impact. The study was funded in 2020, with recruitment having started in April 2022 due to delays from the COVID-19 pandemic. Baseline survey data collection began in April 2022, with follow-up surveys starting in July 2022. As of April 2022, we enrolled 1004 participants in the study. The completion of follow-up data collection is expected in January 2025, with results to be published thereafter. While global health agencies have called for internet-based interventions to engage populations vulnerable to HIV who are not being reached, few proven effective and scalable models exist and none is in India, which has one of the world's largest HIV epidemics. This study will address this gap by testing a multicomponent mHealth intervention to reach and engage MSM at high priority for HIV interventions and link them to HIV testing and prevention or treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04814654; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04814654. Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2021/03/032280. DERR1-10.2196/59873.

ASSISTANCE FOR THE STUDY OF POTENTIAL COAL DOWNSTREAMING PROJECTS IN SOUTH SUMATRA

Community service aims to provide assistance to the government in conducting academic studies to provide an overview and estimation in various aspects studied such as: planning, technical, legal, economic, financial, social sustainability and so on on objects selected as research or pre-feasibility studies (Pre FS) which are then compiled in the form of reports that will be useful for stakeholders (investors, community, government, private entrepreneurs and others) which aim to improve the investment climate in Indonesia which is getting better especially in the field of coal downstreaming with Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) derivative products. The method of implementing this work is carried out using primary data collection techniques (interviews), secondary (data or documents related to the project), surveys and focus group discussions (FGD) on a number of competent parties and related to the business sector. The results of the work are then transformed and presented in the form of a Pre-Feasibility Study report in various forms comprehensively containing all aspects studied in this study, and then promoted in various media, activities and events carried out in various places at home and abroad.

The Role of Mentoring in Shaping Educational Aspirations: A Theory of Planned Behavior Study of Hmong Students in Vietnam

This study examines the influence of mentorship on the desire to pursue higher education among Hmong ethnic minority students aged 12-15 in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam. Utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior as a theoretical framework, the research investigates how cross-ethnic mentorship between Kinh majority mentors and Hmong minority mentees affects students' educational aspirations, using the Phieu Linh Educational Summer Camp as a case study. The study employed a quantitative approach, collecting survey data from 75 Hmong students participating in the summer camp. Five key aspects of mentorship were analyzed: quality, educational accessibility, clear educational outcomes, self-awareness, and cultural identity support, in relation to the components of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Results indicate that all mentorship aspects positively correlate with students' educational desires, with mentorship quality emerging as the strongest factor. Family support and household income were also found to significantly influence educational aspirations. The study reveals that culturally responsive mentorship can play a crucial role in shaping attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control related to pursuing higher education among ethnic minority youth. This research contributes to the understanding of effective strategies for promoting educational equity in Vietnam's multicultural context. It offers insights for designing targeted interventions and policies to support the educational aspirations of ethnic minority students, potentially contributing to narrowing educational gaps among ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Healthy Drinks, Healthy Teeth – Ciunerkaq Tanqigtuq (The Future is Bright): A study protocol for a community-based, non-randomized sociobehavioral trial to reduce added sugar intake in Alaska Native Yup'ik children in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta

BackgroundThis study protocol describes a community-based intervention that will seek to reduce added sugar intake in Yup'ik Alaska Native children by targeting reductions in sugar-sweetened fruit drinks. MethodsA two-group non-randomized design will be used to evaluate the intervention in three Yup'ik communities in Alaska focusing on children age 1 to less than age 12 years with a minimum enrollment target of 192 children. Families in the intervention arm will participate in a program consisting of five sessions plus four brief check-ins, all delivered by a Yup'ik Community Health Worker. Modifications to the local store environment will be made to give families a place to purchase sugar-free water enhancers. Families in the delayed treatment control arm will receive no intervention during the main study period. There will be five data collection visits (baseline, 1-month, 3-months, 6-months, and 12-months) that will include collection of survey and dietary data, and a hair and plaque sample from each participating child. The outcomes will be change, from baseline to 6 months, in added sugar intake based on a validated hair biomarker (grams of added sugar/day). We hypothesize children in the intervention arm will have greater reductions in added sugar intake compared to children in the control arm as measured by the hair biomarker. DiscussionThis is one of the first known community-based sociobehavioral interventions aimed specifically at reducing added sugar intake in Alaska Native communities by targeting sugar-sweetened fruit drinks. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.govNCT05219448 (first posted on February 2, 2022).

Basic Skill Levels In Playing Futsal Among Extracurricular Participants at SD Negeri Karangtalun 05

This study aims to evaluate the basic futsal skills of the extracurricular participants at the school. This research is a descriptive quantitative study that employs a survey method and data collection techniques through testing. The subjects of the study consist of futsal extracurricular students aged 10-12 years at SD N Karangtalun 05, totaling 20 participants. The instrument used is a basic futsal skills test model for the 10-12 age group developed by (Wijayanti &amp; Kushartanti, 2014). To assess the basic ability to play futsal, four test items are combined into one test series: dribbling, passing, controlling, and shooting. The data analysis technique applied in this study is descriptive quantitative, presented in the form of t-scores adjusted to the applicable norms. The results indicate that the level of basic futsal skills among participants in the extracurricular program at SD N Karangtalun 05 includes 5 students in the very good category, 11 students in the good category, 3 students in the moderate category, 1 student in the poor category, and no students in the very poor category.

상담자의 상담경력과 사례개념화 능력의 관계에서 마음챙김과 인지적 유연성의 매개효과

Objectives This study examined the process by which counselor experience influences case conceptualization ability through the mediating effects of mindfulness and cognitive flexibility. Methods A total of 261 counselors with counseling experience participated in an online survey for data collection. The relationship between counselor experience and case conceptualization ability, mediated by mindfulness and cognitive flexibility, was examined using the SPSS Process Macro. Bootstrapping was conducted to test the significance of the mediating effects. Results First, the results revealed significant correlations among counselor experience, case conceptualization ability, mindfulness, and cognitive flexibility. Second, counselor experience was found to influence case conceptualization ability through the mediating effect of mindfulness. Third, counselor experience was found to affect case conceptualization ability through the mediating effect of cognitive flexibility. Fourth, it was also confirmed that counselor experience influences case conceptualization ability sequentially meidated by mindfulness and cognitive flexibility. Conclusions The findings highlight the importance of mindfulness and cognitive flexibility in the improvement of case conceptualization ability resulting from increased counselor experience. Consequently, counselor education aimed at enhancing these factors is deemed necessary.

Developing oral communication skill in Bangladesh

Competency in Oral Communication has become the most spoken issue of Bangladesh in the recent years (Brunfaut, T., &amp; Green, R., 2017). English Language is no more the communication medium for the English only; it has achieved the status of the official or the dominant language for above two billion people in more than 60 countries. In a short period of time, English received a wide geographical coverage and become one of the leading means of communication. In line with the present competitive world, Bangladesh is not an exception. In the country, English continues its domination and expansion as the highly demandable and an inevitable language. People who have a very sound communication skill in English, especially of spoken English, are in the triumphant march. However, the way of increasing this oral communicative competence for the students of Bangladesh, is indeed a very crucial and burning issue. Despite acknowledging the great importance of this language, our students have not reached to that required level. Only ‘mutual intelligibility’ or ‘mere communication through English’ cannot be considered as competency in speaking. Even the students entering the tertiary level have a very poor knowledge in English Language. This paper, therefore, goes through the present scenario of communicative skill especially speaking skill of today’s students and the existing methods of developing this oral communication skill in Bangladesh. In doing so, the researcher collected survey data from 50 students and 10 Teachers from 3 different schools of different geographical locations, data from 30 students’ and 6 teachers’ interviews. Significant innovations are also found from the practical observations of 3 English language classes of three different institutions. The paper, thus, attempts to diagnose the reasons behind the students’ incompetency, and to propose some new strategies to overcome the language barriers.