Quoted Research Articles

Developing a Model for Sustainable Financing for Biodiversity Conservation in Namibian National Parks

Biodiversity conservation is essential for maintaining ecological balance and fostering sustainable development. Biodiversity conservation efforts in Namibia encompass activities such as monitoring protected areas, preserving natural resources, preventing poaching, adapting to environmental changes, promoting tourism, and engaging in forestry work. Despite these efforts, funding for biodiversity conservation is insufficient, thereby necessitating innovative strategies to secure additional financial resources. Consequently, this study evaluated the total economic costs and benefits of biodiversity and its conservation to create a sustainable financing model for biodiversity conservation in Namibian national parks. This study aimed to develop a model for sustainable financing of biodiversity conservation in national parks, specifically within the context of Namibia. The research addresses the chronic underfunding of conservation activities and explores innovative financial strategies to bridge the funding gap. The study was based on the philosophy of pragmatism, used a mixed-methods research approach, and employed a concurrent research design. For the quantitative aspect, the study used the census sampling approach on 60 respondents. For the qualitative aspect, the study used purposive sampling on nine participants. To collect data, both aspects used structured questionnaires which were self-administered online using Google Forms, whereby the questionnaire for the quantitative aspects comprised closed-ended questions, while the one for the qualitative constituted open-ended questions. The study employed various analytical tools to analyse the data, precisely the PLS-SEM in SmartPLS 4 software for the quantitative aspect and the reflexive thematic analysis with direct quotations in ATLAS.ti for the qualitative aspect. The quantitative aspect of the study ensured reliability in terms of internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability using omega-a (rho_a). The quantitative aspect of the study used convergent validity based on the factor loading of the indicators and the average variance extracted (AVE), as well as discriminant validity using the Fornell-Lacker and Heterotrait-monotrait (HTMT) ratios. The findings indicate that effective financial management moderately and positively impacts the financial stability of biodiversity conservation in Namibia. Moreover, the study shows a strong positive and statistically significant correlation between sales revenue and financial stability in biodiversity conservation. However, numerous challenges hinder the financial stability of Namibia’s national parks. The study concludes that sales revenue should be a managerial focus in achieving financial stability. Drawing on these findings, a comprehensive model for sustainable financing was developed, which identifies key revenue streams and management practices crucial for long-term financial viability. The results of this study provide a noteworthy contribution to the current state of research, shedding new light on key issues and themes, and elucidating financial obstacles and opportunities pertinent to biodiversity conservation.

Co-Creation through scholarship. The Queen Mary Academy learner interns' programme

Since 2021, the Queen Mary Academy (QMA) at Queen Mary University of London has been running its Learner Interns Programme (LIP). The aim of the LIP is to support educators to undertake student-voice scholarship projects in collaboration with our diverse learner population by annually hiring interns to work on projects. In 2023-24, over 140 applications were received. The poster will discuss how learning and development, for both staff and students, occurs via instigation of such research projects, valuing learner expertise and agency. Student engagement is an element of the Queen Mary Academic Careers Framework which supports academic career paths, and engagement with the LIP has the potential for educators to develop evidence for this. Examples showed how educators deepen their approach to reflection and identified opportunities to leverage research avenues with students as active partners, contributing to their scholarly profiles. As a complimentary point, examples of how interns develop critical thinking and communication skills within academic contexts were shared, covering how interns’ exposure to research helps prepare them for professional roles. The origin and evolution of the LIP was outlined, alongside approaches to intern recruitment, onboarding, co-responsibility training, and community building, that subsequently provide opportunities for the professional development of support colleagues who are involved. Delegates took away ideas around valuing students as partners within structured internships, with direct quotes from educators and support colleagues describing the impact this initiative has had on their professional development. This approach was displayed as an effective example of educational learning development, underpinned by student involvement, for which others may wish to copy its approach or explore potential future collaborations with Queen Mary.

Literary metamorphosis: a corpus-assisted approach to characterisation in The Rouge of the North and “The Golden Cangue”

Based on her Chinese story “Jinsuo Ji”, the renowned bilingual writer Eileen Chang produced two English versions, i.e. The Rouge of the North and “The Golden Cangue”. The basic difference between the two English versions lies in that The Rouge of the North is more of a rewriting, while “The Golden Cangue” is a direct translation. An interesting issue emerges as to how characters are constructed in those two inter-related texts. This study, taking direct speech as an indicator of character portrayal, adopts a corpus-assisted approach to characterisation in the two texts. The study elaborates on the functions fulfilled by direct speech in constructing characters and carries out a comparative analysis of characterisation in the two texts. The results show that, due to distinctive uses of direct speech, there are subtle yet definite differences between The Rouge of the North and “The Golden Cangue” in shaping characters’ verbal prominence, establishing characters’ verbal interactional relationships, and presenting the protagonists’ linguistic features. Devoted to the issue of characterisation in literary metamorphosis, the study demonstrates the multiple functions performed by direct speech in character portrayal and has some implications for improving corpus methods to examine the complexities of characterisation.

Directive Speech Acts and Its Response on Japanese Anime “Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken”

This study aims to classify the directive speech acts used by the character Rimuru Tempest in the anime Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken and analyze the responses of interlocutors to these directive speech acts. The research employs a qualitative descriptive approach, with data collected from character dialogues across episodes 1 to 15 of the anime. The data were analyzed and categorized based on Namatame's (1996) directive speech act theory. The findings indicate 24 instances of directive speech acts, categorized into five types: commands (meirei), with 11 occurrences; requests (irai), with 5; prohibitions (kinshi), with 3; permissions (kyoka), with 3; and suggestions (teian), with 2. Additionally, 18 responses to these directives were positive, while 6 were negative. Analysis suggests that the relationship between the speaker and the interlocutor influenced response types. Results also show that the character Rimuru Tempest predominantly used requests (irai) in their directives.

DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH ACT IN OPRAH WINFREY’S MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH “LIFE ADVICE WILL CHANGE YOUR FUTURE”

This research was designed in descriptive qualitative research. The aims of the research were to find out direct and indirect speech act and the contextual meaning in Oprah Winfrey’s Motivational Speech “Life Advice Will Change Your Future”. In collecting the data, the researcher used content Analysis technique. The researcher used Miles and Huberman theory in analyzing the data. In doing the research, the theory of Finegan is used. Finegan stated that there were two types of speech act, direct and indirect speech act and it can be in the form of representatives, commissives, directives, declarations, expressives and verdictives. The result shows that there were found 30 expression of direct speech act and 26 expression of indirect speech act. Therefore, speech act can be found in many discourses and daily life conversation. The researcher expected that this research will be useful for teacher, students, and the next researcher who are going to do related research.

The development of an environmental educational game based on the ASSURE instructional design model: a case study in Turkey

ABSTRACT This study aims to develop an educational game on the environment based on the ASSURE instructional design model. Educational games are an excellent method for learning, letting students have fun and ensuring that students are physically, emotionally, and psychologically at the highest level. The phenomenology design, a qualitative research method, was used in the study. The participants of this study were 16 6th-grade students in Turkey. The selected games were prepared taking into account the Turkish game tradition. Purposive sampling was chosen to determine the participants. The observation form and interview form were used as data collection tools. The data were analysed by content analysis. The study findings were given in codes and categories, including direct quotations. As a result of the study, it was discovered that the students found educational games entertaining, that educational games could be adapted to Science courses the best, and that playing educational games was useful regarding ease of learning and learning by having fun. In line with these results, suggestions were made, such as giving more space to educational games in the lessons.

Direct quotations in social work writing: multi-functionality and double voicing

Abstract Writing comprises a core area of social work as a substantial amount of time is spent on producing case notes, assessment reports, and other required documentation in order to progress cases; however, little research has been carried out on social workers’ writing and, in particular, the specific discursive and rhetorical devices employed to create effective texts. One rhetorical device often employed in order to include the voices of service users and their families is the use of quotations. This article explores the extent to which quotations are used across social work domains and text types, the different voices represented through quotations, and the perceived functions of the quotations. The study draws on three different data types: (1) a 1-million-word corpus of social workers’ writing; (2) social worker interviews (n = 81); (3) two case studies comprising texts, interviews with the social worker writer, and researcher observations. All data were collected within the WiSP project and were interrogated through a mix of computational and qualitative analysis to develop a taxonomy of functions of quotations. In addition to furthering our understanding of how quotations are employed in professional writing, the study has implications for social worker training and practice.

Challenges in Maintaining Quality Assessments in Higher Learning Institutions: Experiences from Selected Tanzanian Universities

This study was conducted to assess the extent to which universities in Tanzania ensure quality in assessments and identify challenges facing the whole assessment process. Literature showed a poor linkage between university graduates and industry whereby some graduates were reported to be lacking essential skills expected of them beside of having good results. This situation motivated the researcher to conduct this study being guided by TQM theory. The study adopted a convergent parallel design which allowed a collection of both qualitative and quantitative at a go. The study targeted lecturers, examination officers, heads of departments and quality assurance directors from universities offering teacher education in Tanzania. Stratified convenience and purposeful sampling techniques were used to select 48 lecturers, 4 examination officers, 4 heads of departments and 4 quality assurance directors from four universities. Questionnaires and in-depth interview guides were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed in frequencies and percentages while the analysis of qualitative data was done in themes and its presentation was done narratively being supported by direct quotations. The study found out universities to be striving to improve quality in final examinations but doing less in formative assessments. Large classes and workloads on the other side were found to be the challenges facing the assessment process. The study recommended for universities to extend the moderation process to the continuous assessments and develop policies that will make lecturers maintain quality in the assessment process.

A systematic review: Which psycho-social-environmental factors do autistic students identify as being important for positive experiences in mainstream secondary school?

Research has shown that many autistic students do not thrive in mainstream secondary schools. Often studies focus on the challenges autistic people face rather than what supports thriving. We reviewed published articles, exploring what factors helped autistic people create a positive experience in school from their own perspective. We identified 36 studies and analysed the direct quotes made by autistic adolescents and adults in these studies. Factors important for positive experience included the autistic student feeling understood and accepted by adults and peers in school, being able to shape sensory and social environments in ways that suited them and accessing engaging activities. This review highlighted ways in which schools can become more inclusive and positive environments for autistic students.

Telaah Pemikiran Nurcholish Madjid Terhadap Politik Identitas

This research aims to determine Nurcholish Madjid's political thinking style. This research is library research or library study using a philosophical and historical approach. The data sources used are primary and secondary data sources. Primary data sources in this research are books written directly by Nurcholish Madjid, as well as books that are relevant to the discussion, while secondary data in this research are relevant literature materials that discuss identity politics. The data collection method in this research uses direct quotation and indirect quotation methods. The data analysis technique used in this research is content analysis technique. The research results show that Nurcholish Madjid's political thinking style is characterized by inclusiveness, pluralism and universal Islamic values. Madjid believes that Islamic values ​​should be applied in social life without linking them to religious-based political parties. He also advocates democracy, human rights, and education that emphasizes tolerance and pluralism. Background to the emergence of the jargon "Islam yes, Islamic parties no". This is a concern. He believes that Islamic political parties tend to divide society and are used for short-term political interests by elites. According to Nurcholish Madjid, the relevance of the jargon "Islam Yes, Islamic Party No" to the phenomenon of identity politics in Indonesia is very significant. This jargon teaches the importance of pluralism and inclusiveness in politics, so that it can reduce polarization and sectarianism in society.

Illocutionary Speech Acts on Stickers as Promotional Media of Mangroves Ecotourism in Bangkalan, Madura

The primary goal of this research is to find the lingual forms and meanings of the language in vehicle stickers used as promotional media to increase ecotourism possibilities throughout the Mangroves Ecotourism area of Bangkalan by means of illocutionary speech acts. In this research, the descriptive and qualitative research methods were used. The data for this research came from a form of vehicle sticker that was first investigated to promote Mangrove Ecotourism in Bangkalan, Madura. The following Mangrove Ecotourism sites were included in this research: Labuhan Mangrove Education Park Bangkalan, Mangrove Martajasah, and Mangrove Tajungan, Kamal. The research carried out adopted George Yule's pragmatic theory and J.R Searle's illocutionary speech act as the theoretical framework, which provides a good explanation of the representative speech act, directive speech act, expressive speech act, commissive speech act, and declarative speech act. Then, concluded that directive speech act plays a major form of this research’s finding and discussion and representative speech act as the second form whose type is commonly used in the sticker as promotional media.

Speech Act Analysis of Harry and Meghan’s Interview with Oprah Winfrey on CBS Morning News Show

This article is aimed at finding out types of illocutionary acts found in one of the most shocking viral interviews in the world, that is the interview with the royal family of former member, Harry and Meghan Markle interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, with amount of viewership of 4.79 million viewers when it first shows on air. This research is framed within mixed-method approach where the results of the study are in the form of an overview of what is said (illocutionary acts) by the three main subjects, namely Harry, Meghan, and Oprah and the percentage of each type of illocutionary acts. Data analysis was conducted through the analysis of interview videos along with the transcripts, simple statistical analysis and is supported by literature study. The results of the current study show that from 319 data of 644 sentences indicated as illocutionary acts. From those findings, it can be categorized that there are five types of illocutionary acts were found in an interview, they are 63% assertive, 27% directives, 0,6% commissive, 7,3% expressive, and 0,3% declarative. In other words, assertive is found to be the dominant type of illocutionary acts. In addition, of the 319 data, 295 data are categorized as direct speech act and 24 data are indicated as indirect speech act. In short, illocutionary acts of assertive type and direct speech acts are found to be more dominant in Harry and Meghan interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Language Education for Development: Enhancing Regional Banks' Performance through Illocutionary Speech Act Mastery in Indonesia

This study aims to explain how language plays a significant role in improving the performance of regional development banks in Indonesia. The method used was qualitative with a questionnaire instrument involving 6 regional development banks in Indonesia. Some of the main findings are 24 statements were found, 19 of which fall into 5 categories, namely assertive illocutionary speech acts, directive illocutionary speech acts, expressive illocutionary speech acts, commissive illocutionary speech acts, and declarative illocutionary speech acts. In its implementation, the process emphasizing the humanistic approach scored over 90%. By prioritizing language training initiatives that emphasize the mastery of illocutionary speech acts, regional banks in Indonesia can expect improved operational efficiency, strengthened customer relationships and a more strategic approach to communication, contributing to the overall development and success of the banking sector. This study is limited to the context of only one type of bank, the regional development bank. It is further suggested that there is a strong need to provide adequate and timely capacity building for the employees of regional development banks, particularly in language training as part of public service and satisfaction development.

Conceptions of accessibility among persons with spinal cord injury in Finland

Accessibility is defined according to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) as a prerequisite for an independent life for persons with a disability. To explore how accessibility is understood or experienced by persons with a spinal cord injury, 45 persons with spinal cord injury living in Finland were interviewed. The analysis approach was phenomenographic, resulting in three main categories of conceptions of accessibility, illustrated through direct quotations. These three levels of understanding are Assumptions, Experiences, and Actions. Accessibility was primarily understood as accessibility in the built environment, and the impact of climate as well as personal choices regarding one’s own actions. Environmental and personal factors either facilitated or hindered the experience of accessibility. Accumulation of varying experiences about accessibility increased the interpretation of the person-environment connection on one’s own functioning and requirements towards accessibility, thus promoting the agency of persons with spinal cord injuries. Points of interest This study explored the variations of conceptions of accessibility experienced or understood by persons with spinal cord injury in Finland. The analysis resulted in three ways of experiencing accessibility: 1. Assumptions, 2. Experiences, and 3. Actions. The findings indicate that accessibility can be understood in various ways depending on assumptions related to accessibility, experiences, shared information, and the knowledge accumulated in the interaction between individual and the environment. Experiences of accessibility were primarily related to personal, physical, social, and attitudinal environmental factors, the person-environment connection, and the interpretations of their impact on one’s own functioning and accessibility requirements. Respondents identified environmental or personal factors as barring or facilitating accessibility. The interaction between the individual and the Northern environment, including four seasons, lead to various strategies for overcoming climate-caused barriers.

Illocutionary Speech Acts in Sawér Poetry of the Sundanese Ethnic Traditional Marriage Ceremony

The lyrics contained in every nyawér ceremony certainly have meaning and a message. This research aims to determine the type of speech of each stanza of poetry and to understand the meaning contained inward. This research adopts descriptive qualitative methods with a cultural approach. The research data were taken from a Sundanese sawér poetry by Mr. Tahyan from Ciamis consisting of 9 stanzas. Each stanza, consisting of several lines of poetry, was analyzed using Searle's speech act theory to determine the type of speech and pragmatic manifestations. The cultural approach was used to strengthen the analysis. This was because the speech in the sawér poetry of the wedding ceremony is very closely related to the culture of a region, in this case, the Sundanese ethnic group. The results of the research show that the types of speech in Sundanese sawér poetry consist of 2 directive illocutionary speech acts meaning requests and hopes; 3 directive illocutionary acts meaning prohibitions and warnings; 2 directive illocutionary commands and suggestions; 1 assertive illocutionary meaning statement, and 1 assertive illocutionary act that means hopeful. The meaning contained in the sawér poetry is advice for the newlyweds to enter married life through religious norms and social norms so that they can live it well and achieve happiness.

Stimulus of Time-Management Supervisory Skill on Completion of Research Process for Postgraduate Students In Northern Zone Universities, Tanzania

This study examined the extent to which time management skills employed by research supervisors enhance the completion of postgraduate students’ research process in universities, of the Northern Zone, Tanzania. Anchored in Face-to-Face Interactive Dissertation Supervision Theory proposed by Wang and Li in 2011, the study employed a convergent design under the mixed-methods research approach. The target population of 1454 including 6 Directors of postgraduate studies, 14 heads of departments, 175 supervisors, 390 PhD continuing students, 635 masters continuing students, 84 PhD alumni, and 150 masters alumni, to make a total of 214 respondents sampled through probability and non-probability techniques. Questionnaires, interview guides, and document analysis guides used to collect data were validated by three research experts from the Faculty of Education at MWECAU. The Cronbach Alpha method and peer debriefing were employed to determine the reliability of questionnaires and interview guides respectively. Quantitative data were descriptively analysed, while qualitative data were thematically summarized and presented in direct quotations. It was found that time management skills are deployed to a moderate extent by supervisors to stir up postgraduate students' research process. The study revealed further that students’ delays are often due to supervisors' feedback taking longer than expected, low levels of supervisor-student cooperation, and supervisors not being reachable and not present during consultation hours. The study concluded that supervisors differ in their approaches to time management practices in stimulating and accelerating postgraduate students' research process across universities. The study recommended that universities should regularly provide supervisors and postgraduate students with time management training so that the research process can be completed on schedule.

Assessing the Translation of Direct Speech in “Wuthering Heights” into Arabic

The present study tackles the translation of direct speech forms in Bronte’s novel "Wuthering Heights" into Arabic. The significance of this study stems from the fact that English direct speech forms in literary texts might pose substantial challenges when translated into Arabic due to their semantic connotations and structural peculiarities. The study aims at assessing the translation of English direct speech forms in "Wuthering Heights" novel into Arabic. It also aims at investigating the problems that may arise during the translation of direct speech forms in this novel into Arabic. Wuthering Heights is Emily Bronte’s unique novel. It is a story of love and revenge, this exciting and vivid novel depicts a deep and devastating love between its two main characters, the stubborn, charming Catherine and the handsome, dark-skinned, impulsive Heathcliff, both of whom are as wild as the Yorkshire moors where the novel takes place The study hypothesizes that translating direct speech in literary texts poses serious difficulties for the translators. To test the validity of the hypothesis, the study includes a practical chapter which tackles the translation of (25) excerpts that have been chosen from Wuthering Heights novel along with four Arabic translation versions. The Arabic renderings are those of the Arabic Cultural Centre (2016), Rifaat Naseem (1975), Helmi Murad (2003) and Hanna Saeed (2021). The analysis is implemented according to the model proposed by Vinay and Darbelnet (1958) which tackles the different kinds of translation approaches and strategies available for the translator when handling the task of translating various kinds of texts. The study concludes that novice and unskilled translators might encounter serious difficulties and challenges in translating direct speech expressions due to the multiple meanings and connotations inherent in such expressions. It also concludes that context plays a vital role in defining the most appropriate rendering for the SL text.

Conversational networks: prophets and kings in the Old Testament

Abstract This article analyzes discourse in the Old Testament in terms of the frequency of direct speech between the main characters. We visualize the speakers, the hearers, and the amount of conversation between them in graphs known as conversational networks. We investigate whether these networks can help identify speech genres and significant relationships between biblical kings, prophets, and God. In an analysis on three books in the Minor Prophets, the networks are shown to reveal differences in book structure and speech genres including prophetic call, prayer, vision report, judgment speech, and historical narrative. In an analysis on the books of Samuel and King, the networks are shown to capture the web of relationships between kings and prophets, as well as divine communication with kings and prophets. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a comparison between these networks and their counterparts in Chronicles can visualize some major content differences identified in biblical research. These findings are expected to promote conversational networks as a visualization tool to support quantitative discourse analysis in the Bible.

The Aesthetic Expression of Abstract Calligraphy: Emotion and Form between Brush and Ink

Calligraphy is one of the most important visual art forms inherited from China for thousands of years. The visual formal resources contributed by the dots and structures of Chinese calligraphy are one of the wonders in the world art history. Among them, abstract calligraphy, as a unique art form, contains rich emotional expression and formal aesthetic exploration between brush and ink. This study adopts a qualitative research paradigm, through in-depth interviews with senior abstract calligraphers, art critics and scholars, combined with on-site observation of the creative process of calligraphy, literature analysis and interpretation of works, in order to comprehensively analyze the emotional connotation and formal vocabulary of abstract calligraphy, and to clarify the intrinsic connection and tension between the two. The results of the study show that in abstract calligraphy, the subject's emotional experience is the root power of modeling. Through the refinement and sublimation of life experience, the calligrapher injects the vibration of individual consciousness and philosophical thoughts into the brush and ink with the help of visual elements such as brush strokes, lines, and compositions. The brush and ink become the direct speech of the mind, and the viewer can feel the rhythm and bitterness of life, the struggle and emptiness of desire, the pursuit of tranquility and other rich emotional experiences in the works. At the same time, the careful construction of formal language is also the core of abstract calligraphy exploration. Through the mastery of brush and ink materials and writing momentum, the use of wet and dry contrast, white space, texture and other techniques, to create a shocking visual tension, giving people a strong experience of formal aesthetics. The study emphasizes that abstract calligraphy realizes a high degree of unity between emotion and form. On the one hand, the form itself carries the spiritual experience and inner emotion of the calligrapher; on the other hand, the emotion gives life and inner tension to the form. The two integrate and echo each other, forming an organic whole. It is this perfect combination of mind and form that makes abstract calligraphy become the visualization of human emotion and spiritual world, and triggers endless thoughts and resonance in the viewers. The researcher comprehensively analyzes the emotional core and formal qualities of abstract calligraphy from both theoretical and empirical levels, providing a new perspective for a deeper understanding of the unique aesthetic value of this art form.

Semantic Components of English Directive Speech Act Verbs (Order, Command, Instruct)

This research focuses on synonymous English speech act verbs that mean “giving order” (directive). The verbs analyzed in this study are those with very close synonymy, namely order, command, and instruct. The aim of this research is to describe in more detail the semantic behavior of the directive English speech act verbs through their semantic component. This semantics study is qualitative descriptive research. The data in this study were collected by using corpus linguistics and observation methods with note-taking techniques. The data source is the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA). There are 300 citations for each verb analyzed, which making in total 900 citations analyzed in the study. The study found that the verbs order, command, and instruct has eight semantic features/components that differentiate those three verbs, namely the components of authority, the way of saying, form of order, the duration of orders, level of urgency, actor and undergoer positions, domain of use, compliance level.