Degree Holders Research Articles

The Role of Educational Supervisors in Developinging the Professional Performance of Social Studies Teachers in Jordan From a Teacher's Perspective

This study aims to identify the role of the educational supervisors in developing the professional performance of social studies teachers in Jordan from a teacher's perspective in the Irbid Governorate of Jordan by identifying the effect of (gender, academic qualification, school level, and years of experience) variables during the academic year 2019/2020. The study used a descriptive and analytical approach on a sample consisted of (120) social studies teachers (60 teachers from each gender) selected randomly from a population of (690) teachers distributed over (487) government schools. A researcher-made questionnaire with (35) response-close questions divided into five areas: planning, teaching methods, relationship with colleagues and the local community, classroom visits, and evaluation on the five-point Likert scale was used as a measuring instrument, and its validity and stability were confirmed. The results showed that both genders agree that there is a major role for educational supervisors in developing the professional performance of social studies teachers, and there is a statistically significant impact at the level of significance (α≥0.05) attributable to gender variable in the areas of planning and teaching methods in favor of females. As well as, there is a statistically significant impact at the level of significance (α≥0.05) attributable to academic qualifications variable in the areas of planning and teaching methods in favor of postgraduate degree holders. The results also showed that there is an effective role of the educational supervisor in developing the professional performance of social studies teachers from teachers’ perspective in Irbid Governorate of Jordan in the field of planning, relationship with colleagues and the local community in favor of primary schools, and no statistically significant impact of class visits, teaching methods and evaluation attributable to the school level variable. Also, there is a statistically significant impact at the level of significance (α≥0.05) attributable to years of experience in planning, teaching methods, and the relationship with colleagues and the local community in favor of the category (more than 10 years) of experience, and no statistically impact of classroom visits and evaluation attributed to years of experience variable. In light of the results, the main recommendation was that, that there is a necessity for reviewing the supervision system by the Ministry of Education to reinforce the educational supervision system and increase the quality of education, thus, a new educational supervision model based on multiple data sources based on guidance should be developed and rapidly adapted to compete with the rapid changes occurring in the educational system, as well, technological and educational changes.

URDU-23 The Academic and Religious Contribution of Shiekh Saeed Hawwaa

Abstract: Sheikh Saeed Hawwa was a high ranking scholar, a well known research scholar, broad minded thinker and stylish exegetical writer of Quran. He bears an important contribution in the interpretation and explanation of Islamic thinking. The academic field in which, he was degree holder in specialization divinity sciences. He had a profound and juristic look on the events and fields of knowledge. Throughout his life, he had special interest in writing and composing the Qur’an alongwith its teaching and explanation. In modern age, he occupied an important status among the scholars in the history of Syria. He was a master scholar in his words and actions. He had so deep association with divinity sciences that even inconvenient and unfavorable conditions of prison could not put him away to restrain in his Study. Such devotion and hard work can be done by only a person whose purpose is to achieve the successor of the day of Judgement instead of this temporary world’s few gains. This article describes the religious and scholarly effect of Sheikh Saeed Hawwa who is an Arabic thinker. So that a common reader and a researcher unfamiliar with Arabic language and literature may get benefit from his brilliant approach.Keywords: Sheikh Saeed Hawwa, Exegitical, Interpretation, Divinity Sciences, History of Syria.

Assessment on The Information-Communication Technology Literacy of Principals of Health School

The study determinedanassessment of the Information-Communications Technology literacy of the principal of health school in Eastern Visayas Region, Philippines. This was conducted randomly selected central health schools in thirteen (13) divisions in the Department of Education. A total of 505 respondents, one hundred one (101) of whom were central school principals, 101 district supervisors, and 303 teachers who rated the principal's performance along with the following indicators:Occupational Competence, Professional and Personal Competence, Attendance and Punctuality and Plus Factors. A survey questionnaire was used to gather the data relevant to the study. The obtained data were tabulated, analyzed, and interpreted through frequency counts, mean, percentage of distribution, and t-test. Findings of the study were as follows: Of the 505 respondents, 65 (64.4%) were females while 36 (35.6%) were males, 53 (52.5%) belonged to early later years, 33 (32.7%) were masters' and doctoral degree holders, 57 (56.5%) with anactual monthly income of 36,501–42,500, 40(48.51%) or almost half of the respondents has no ICT training, 49 (48.51%) owned computers for 1-3 years, 80 (79.21%) has 1-3 computer units, and 51 (50.5%) have favorable attitudes towards computer literacy. Onthe performance of principals as rated by teachers it was very satisfactory with a mean of 4.11 while immediate supervisors and principals themselves have a similar rating of very satisfactory with a mean of 3.86 and 4.01 respectively. It is recommended that school principals must undergo continuing education programs concerning ICT. Literacy skills of principals of health school may lead to effective instructions and managerial functions.

ACADEMIC STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO ENHANCE RESEARCH COMPETENCE: A CASE STUDY

Findings from this study include a summary of best practices in terms of Academic staff development programme (ASDP) to support the implementation of the Research modules to enhance the university teacher’s research competence. Mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) approach and the case study were used to explore the problem, to find out the result of Research modules implementing into the practical space where university teachers had the opportunity to engage in active training. The authors highlighted general principles of active/ research-based learning in practical space training environments, focused specifically on the content of Research modules for lectures – Early-Stage Researchers, Doctoral candidates (Gr. A, the RM I); for PhDholders, professors, doctoral degree holders (Gr. B, the RM II). The teaching and learning strategies used in the modules were a combination of workshops, case studies, small group discussions, pair peer review and independent study including a literature review of relevant research. The research has shown that competency enhancement programme with Research modules is effective and crucial for developing Academic staff research competence at universities. The evaluation of competence research components has revealed the positive changes and confirmed the effectiveness of the Research modules. The programs of the Modules have effectively contributed to the development of Academic staff research competence. The proposed ASDP can be applied to other universities. Some recommendations for Academic staff developers, Curriculum development managers, coaches are suggested for consideration and using to support the professional development of academic and research staff.

Differential effect of gender, marital status, religion, ethnicity, education and employment status on mental health during COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria

ABSTRACT We examine the differential effect of gender, marital status, ethnicity, religion, education and employment status on mental health indicators (successful coping, stress & self-esteem) during COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria. Applying a cross sectional approach, we administered an anonymised online questionnaire to select 353 individuals (mean age = 34.84, SD = 11.19) from 17 April to 24 May 2020. Married individuals coped better, were less stressed and reported high self-esteem. Christians were less stressed and have high self-esteem. Yoruba ethnic group coped better and were high in self-esteem, while Igbo ethnic group was less stressed. Also, postgraduate degree holders coped well; secondary education holders were highly stressed; while first degree holders were high in self-esteem. Self-employed respondents successfully coped, while the unemployed were high in stress and low in self-esteem. Marital status and employment status directly and interactively affected overall mental health. Officially employed persons reported higher self-esteem and less stress. Married females, single males and self-employed males coped better, while self-employed singles recorded highest stress. No gender difference was observed in mental health indicators. The degree of differences in Nigerians’ mental health indicators according to socio-demographics and the importance in improving mental health during and post COVID-19 pandemic are highlighted.

A distributional analysis of the gender wage gap among technical degree and diploma holders in urban India

Using Indian employment data obtained from the National Sample Survey, 2011−12, we investigate whether, in urban India, there is a wage gap between men and women workers with similar technical education (degrees or diplomas) at various points on the wage distributions. Our descriptive analysis shows that women in urban India are lagging behind men in obtaining technical education. Attainment of technical education raises the probability of labour force participation of both men and women compared to those who don’t have such education. The magnitude of this effect is strongly pronounced among women than men. However, the unemployment rate among technically educated women is higher than their male counterparts. With regard to our central objective, the findings from the Re-centered Influence Function decomposition show that women get lower wages than men. Our sub-sample-wise and state-wise analyses concur with this finding. Furthermore, we find that women workers with technical diplomas face a sticky floor effect, while women with technical degrees face both sticky floor and glass ceiling effects. Lower attachment to the labour market, marriage and presence of children in the family are the key factors explaining women’s lower labour market rewards than men. This observation is true across the wage distributions of diploma and degree holders in urban India. We emphasize on continued attention with respect to anti-discrimination labour market policies, public provision of day-care services, and compulsory crèche facilities at workplaces to minimize the gender wage gap. Additionally, the formulation of gender sensitization committees and setting up of behavioural standards at workplaces are called for tobreak the glass ceiling among the technical degree holders.

Inter-rater Variability in Malaria Microscopy at the LEKMA Hospital, Ghana.

Background Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where it is endemic. As such, it is important that a proper diagnosis is made before treatment is initiated. Malaria parasite count plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of malaria. Variations in ratings by laboratory personnel can impact negatively on the treatment regimen for malaria-infected patients. The study is thus aimed at evaluating and comparing the proficiency and parasitaemia counts by two different categories of laboratory staff at the LEKMA Hospital, Ghana. Materials and Methods A total of 200 confirmed malaria-positive samples were used in the study. Six thick and thin films were prepared from each sample and uniquely labelled. Two of the six slides were given to two WHO-accredited malaria microscopists to examine and report their respective parasite count/μl (parasite count/WBC × 8000). These were used as the reference for the two categories of laboratory staffs: rater A being diploma holders (Technical Officers referred to as untrained rater) and rater B being degree holders (Medical Laboratory Scientist referred to as trained rater) at the LEKMA Hospital. Results In comparison to the expected outcome, the parasite count by the rater group A (190 (151-239)]) and the rater group B (177 (140-224)) demonstrated significant positive correlation (r = 0.995, p < 0.0001 vs. r = 0.995, p < 0.0001, respectively) with the expected outcome in the cases of heavy parasitaemia. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between counts by the different raters in low parasitemia was observed in this study. A persistent nosedive inter-rater agreement from k = 0.82 to k = 0.40 with increasing density cutoff was observed in this study. Conclusion The study observed that the degree of inter-rater agreement of parasite density count by various categories of laboratory personnel is almost perfect. However, the parasite count between raters varied significantly with very low levels of parasitemia but better correlated with heavy parasitemia.

Tracking the impact of nursing informatics

Tracking the impact of nursing informatics

A Study on Impact of Stress towards Work Related Behavior among Secondary School Teachers in Malawi

This investigation conducted on impact of stress towards work behavior among secondary school teachers in Mangochi, Malawi. 200 secondary school teachers were randomly chosen to form as participants for the investigation. Data were collected by using research questionnaire titled “stress management in educational sector”. The purpose of this study was to identify the various impacts of stress towards work related behavior among secondary school teachers. This study reported that teachers were encountered impacts on job related behaviors such as losing interest in teaching, committing a lot of errors in work, Not attending to students’ needs, transferring of aggression to students, increasing Absence. Male teachers encountered more impacts in job related behaviors compared to female teachers. There was positive correlation between age of the respondents and respondents encountered in job behaviors. Master degree holders encountered more job-related impacts compared to all other teachers who are all secured certificate, diploma and Bachelor degree. Teachers who are having experience between 11–15 and 16–20 years encountered more stress impact on job behavior compared to teachers who are having experience in teaching between 0 to 10 years.

Performance of Post Graduate Students Using Multiple Regression Analysis (Case Study)

The present study is focused to analyze the performance of post graduate students through various statistical parameters. In order to estimate the performance of Post Graduate Students, who are enrolled in different fields of Science, Technology and Humanities at Mehran University of Engineering &amp; Technology (MUET) Jamshoro. The modified model of MLR is used to represent the Number of Degree Holders Students (ND) and would be utilized for those who obtained their master’s degree within time duration or well time to be considered as dependent variable, the initially enrolled student denoted as (NS) number of students and with their obtained CGPA to be considered as independent variable. The result of this research would help to estimate the performance of post graduate students. For this study multiple linear regression model can also be generalized as,............. Keywords: Student’s performance, Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Hypothesis testing. DOI: 10.7176/MTM/10-8-01 Publication date: December 31 st 2020

International Prevalence and Correlates of Psychological Stress during the Global COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study reports perceived stress and associated sociodemographic factors from an international sample of adults, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) along with socio-demographic questions were conducted between 8 April 2020 and 11 May 2020. The survey was translated from English into five languages. Recruitment was conducted worldwide using social media. A total of 1685 survey responses were collected across 57 countries with eleven countries (≥30 responses/country) included in the sub-analyses. Overall, the mean PSS-10 score was 19.08 (SD = 7.17), reflecting moderate stress compared to previously reported norms. Female gender was associated with a higher PSS score (3.03, p < 0.05) as well as four-year degree holders (3.29, p < 0.05), while adults over 75 years (−7.46, p < 0.05) had lower PSS scores. Personal care composite score (including hours of sleep, exercise, and meditation) was associated with lower PSS scores (−0.39, p < 0.01). Increases in personal care and changes in work expectations were associated with lower PSS scores (−1.30 (p < 0.05) and −0.38 (p < 0.01), respectively). Lower total PSS scores were reported in Germany (−4.82, p < 0.01) compared to the global response sample mean. This information, collected during the initial period of global mitigation orders, provides insight into potential mental health risks and protective factors during crises.

A Study on National Education Policy 2020 Concerning Career Opportunities

Education is the key to achieve overall development and acquire human potential, developing an equitable and just society, and promoting development. Providing universally quality education which is a pivotal element in success, leadership on the global stage in terms of economic growth, social justice, equality, scientific advancement, cultural preservation, and national integration.Indeed, with the quickly changing employment landscape and global ecosystem, it is becoming increasingly critical that students not only learn but, more importantly, learn how to learn. Education, thus, must move towards less content and more towards critical thinking and problem solving approach. The pedagogy of NEP-2020 must make students evolve with experiential, holistic, integrated, inquiry-driven, discovery oriented, learner-centered, discussion-based, and flexible, and of course, enjoyable.The world is undergoing rapid change in the knowledge scape. Today’s education should not offer a mere degree, but should be capable of imparting skills, technical knowledge, job-oriented training and should bring employment to the degree holders. It is to wish that the new education system should bring career opportunities to the students by imparting quality education with a universal approach and learner-centric pedagogy.In this context, this paper focuses on the new education policy w.r.t. its scope towards career opportunities in the coming era in achieving full employment

Myths regarding COVID-19 among Indian population – An online survey

Objectives: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been recognized as one of the fast spreading infectious outbreaks of the recent times. In such situations, assessing the knowledge concerning the myths of the disease is crucial. Hence, this study employs a rapid online survey methodology to check the prevalence of myths concerning COVID-19 among a convenient sample of Indian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 1016 respondents participated in the study. Demographic details along with the data regarding the myths of COVID-19 were collected and evaluated using 19 questions in a yes/no format. Mean score and overall mean score for the incorrect responses were calculated and compared based on demographic variables using t-test for two variables and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for three or more variables. Results: The mean score for myths among the study population was 7.17 + 3.27 that displayed significant difference for educational level with postgraduation degree holders having lower score (P = 0.007). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated younger age group (18–30 years) (P = 0.01) and middle age groups (41–60 years) (P = 0.04) which were at higher odds of myths related to COVID-19 as compared to older age group (61+ years). Conclusion: On the whole, 44.69% of the population had high levels of myths. Such kind of population should be included as part of the disease surveillance and campaigns by the public health authorities that might facilitate to alleviate the fear and anxiety among the general population.

Present day Agricultural Education Ecosystem and Assessment on Educational Aspirations of Farm Graduates

In the global ecosystem, swift changes are happening in the knowledge sphere. The present study aims to find out the aspirations of the agricultural graduates regarding their education and agriculture. The study was conducted in the three Agricultural Colleges of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) through open online survey. Well-structured questionnaire was prepared using ‘Google forms’, an online application and data was collected by publishing it online in KAU Student’s Community through ‘Facebook’. Among the sixty four respondents, all the respondents were B.Sc. Agriculture degree holders from KAU and vast majority of the respondents were girls. Majority of the respondents are having medium level of educational, agricultural aaspirations. More than three fifth of the respondents (67.19%) are most interested doing post-graduation in agricultural sciences after completing their graduation. Over one third of respondents (39.10%) were mostly interested to become innovative and progressive farmers, where as less than one-third of the respondents (29.7%) are most interested in starting agricultural subsidiary enterprises.

Interrogating Structural Racism in STEM Higher Education

The racialized structure of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) higher education maintains gross inequities that are illustrative of structural racism, which both informs and is reinforced by discriminatory beliefs, policies, values, and distribution of resources. Thus, an examination into structural racism in STEM is needed to expose the marginalization of underrepresented groups in STEM and to improve understanding of the STEM policies, practices, and procedures that allow the foundation of racism to remain intact. I argue that, even at the top of the education hierarchy, Black STEM doctorate students and PhD degree holders consistently endure the racist residue of higher education institutions and STEM employers. Thus, this manuscript also discusses how universities institutionalize diversity mentoring programs designed mostly to fix (read “assimilate”) underrepresented students of color while ignoring or minimizing the role of the STEM departments in creating racially hostile work and educational spaces. I argue that, without a critical examination of the structural racism omnipresent in the STEM, progress in racially diversifying STEM will continue at a snail’s pace.

Is it time for dermatologists to review our professional consumer-brand relationships?

The coronavirus pandemic and global political movements in 2020 have highlighted the health and societal discrepancies (1) between different socioeconomic groups, gender, and ethnicities. Global campaigns such as "Pull Up For Change" have been instrumental in highlighting the lack of diversity with major consumer brands, particularly the beauty industry (2). "Pull Up For Change" was a campaign which gave major brands a 72-hour deadline to release the number of Black employees in leadership roles after any company's social media post supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. Customers are then asked to refrain from shopping with any brands until they disclosed those numbers after the 72-hour deadline. The goal of the campaign was to encourage consumer brands to have at least 10% Black corporate employment, which matches the percentage of Black college degree holders in the United States.

Consumers’ willingness-to-pay for convenient catfish products: Results from experimental auctions in Arkansas

This study has examined consumers’ acceptance, preference, and willingness to pay (WTP) for five newly developed convenient (ready-to-cook) catfish products. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, in collaboration with Texas State University and USDA Agricultural Research Services, New Orleans, has developed these products. We have collected data from 121 catfish consumers of Arkansas through 18 experimental auction sessions (Vickrey’s second-price auction). Participants evaluated the products’ sensory attributes (appearance, color, glossiness, and serving size). They elicited their WTP for each of the products through bid (quoted price) in separate sealed envelopes. Consumers’ acceptance of various product attributes was measured using a hedonic scale (Likert scale) and just about right (JAR) scale. We have measured consumers’ preferences for the products and their attributes through two-way internal preference mapping (Principal Component Analysis) and three-way internal preference mapping (Parallel Factor Analysis—PARAFAC). We have examined the role of consumers’ acceptance level for product attributes and the participants’ socioeconomic characteristics on their WTP using the Tobit model. The study revealed that the acceptance level for panko-breaded products was higher than marinated products. Consumers preferred breaded products to marinated products. The WTP for a product was higher with the higher acceptance ratings for product attributes, young participants, and African–American catfish consumers. There was a negative relation between the participants’ education level (dummy for bachelor’s degree holders) and their WTP. The study concluded that all the newly developed catfish products are likely to be successful as future seafood products in the market.

Faculty research productivity: differences between foreign and local doctoral degree holders in Pakistan

The presence of foreign doctoral degree holders has significantly been increasing in Pakistani public universities. Despite their increasing presence and significance in universities, they have been ignored in higher education literature, notably the absence of empirical studies exploring their research productivity. This study aimed to explore research productivity differences between foreign and local doctoral degree holders and determine the factors (demographic, individual, and institutional) that contribute to their research productivity. Data were collected from 14 Pakistani public universities through a self-administered questionnaire using a systematic random sampling method. A total of 241 questionnaires were returned, among which 232 well-filled and completed questionnaires (foreign (119) and local (113), respectively) were used for analysis. The findings showed that foreign doctoral degree holders were not more productive in terms of total refereed journal articles and book chapters than local doctoral degree holders. However, foreign doctoral degree holders had published statistically significant research articles in international journals with impact factors and published more research articles with international colleagues than their local doctoral counterparts. Moreover, the findings showed that unlike the institutional factors, demographic and individual factors had significantly contributed to faculty research productivity in Pakistani public universities. Further implications are discussed, and suggestions for future research are outlined.

Understanding Job Placement of Recent Emergency Management Graduates: An Initial Test of a Theoretical Framework

Abstract The job placement of emergency management degree program graduates has been an enduring point of conversation for over a decade https://training.fema.gov/hiedu/readinglist.aspx, https://www.hsdl.org/?view&amp;did=478470, https://doi.org/10.2202/1547-7355.1910, https://training.fema.gov/hiedu/readinglist.aspx, https://training.fema.gov/hiedu/readinglist.aspx, https://training.fema.gov/hiedu/latest/2018.aspx. Whether graduates are employable, whether they are getting jobs, and why some get jobs and others do not have been of concern. Yet, until recently, no empirical study had examined the extent to which emergency management degree holders who want emergency management jobs actually get them. Jensen and Kirkpatrick (2020), found that the majority of graduates who intended such jobs got them, while almost a third did not. Jensen and Kirkpatrick (2019), proposed a theoretical framework that might guide research on job outcomes of emergency management degree program graduates, including job placement. This manuscript reports the authors' efforts to utilize the theoretical framework to explore the difference between those graduates who wanted and secured an emergency management position post-graduation and those who wanted one but did not. Specifically, this manuscript reports initial findings and challenges related to this question in the context of a theoretical framework of job placement and the current state of emergency management higher education nationally.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Awareness about Colorectal Cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Saudi Arabia, ranking first among men and third among women. Colorectal cancer can be easily prevented through CRC screening which can detect the disease during its early stages when the survival rates are high. The aim of this study was todetermine the level of knowledge, awareness and attitudes about colorectal cancer among Saudi people. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among general population of different regions of Saudi Arabia from 1st of January 2018 to 28th of February 2018. The study questionnaire, containing 25 items, was adapted from surveys identified in the relevant literature. The CRC awareness questionnaire consisted of an awareness section, knowledge section and attitude of participants toward colorectal cancer screening. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 521 general populations answered the questionnaire. Majority of participants (82%) were bachelor’s degree holders and females represent (60%). Symptoms such as change in bowel habit, blood in the stool, weight loss and abdominal pain were recognized by only 54%, 41%, 45% and 52% of the respondents, respectively. Common risk factors such as positive family history, obesity and old age were acknowledged only by less than 34%, 29% and 33% of the respondents. More than one-third of the participants (45%) had received information material regarding CRC from their curriculum and by social media and nearly 30% from other sources such as TV, hospital and mass media. Attitude regarding colorectal screening was positive for 71%, Almost 71% of the respondents willing to have a screening test for the bowel cancer, even without any symptom. Conclusion: Although majority of the respondents had positive attitude toward concept of cancer screening but their knowledge and awareness about colorectal cancer was low which indicate the need for promotion of cancer education among public. Key words: Colorectal cancer, Saudi Arabia, Questionnaire, Awareness, Knowledge.