Higher Academic Level Research Articles

Knowledge of COVID-19 Updated Guidelines among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Selected Nursing Schools in Palestine

The aim of this study was to assess undergraduate nursing students’ understanding of updated guidelines for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). For the methodology, the study used a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative design. Three hundred undergraduate nursing students from 10 nursing schools in the West Bank, in the occupied Palestinian territories, were surveyed between April and May 2022 using a computerised survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into two sections, the first comprising sociodemographic data, and the second evaluating nursing students’ knowledge. Based on the study findings, 48.3% of the nursing students had inadequate knowledge, 50.3% had satisfactory knowledge, and just 1.3% had good knowledge. Students with higher academic levels (p < 0.001); students who began clinical training in healthcare facilities (p < 0.001); and students who had one or more family members employed in the healthcare sector (p = 0.038) all showed significantly higher levels of knowledge of COVID 19 guidelines. In conclusion, nearly all elements of COVID-19, including its clinical presentation, treatment, and prevention, were poorly understood by nursing students as a whole. Evaluating nursing students’ knowledge about COVID-19 will assist policy-makers in developing appropriate techniques for moving forward with mindfulness and states of mind about COVID-19 to encourage oversight of the pandemic and increase nursing professionals’ adherence to disease anticipation and control measures.

Analysis of Metacognitive Awareness, Learning Methods, and Learning Outcomes in Biology of Student

This study aimed to determine the relationship between metacognition awareness, learning methods and learning outcomes in biology based on the academic abilities of students in class X MIPA at SMA Negeri Bangkinang city for the Academic Year 2022/2023. This research was conducted on January 9 - January 17, 2023. This research was a correlational study and data collection used questionnaires, documentation and interviews. The sample in this study were 218 students with different levels of academic ability. Data analysis in this study used the Person Product Moment correlation analysis technique. The results showed that at high academic levels, metacognition awareness (X1), learning methods (X2) and learning outcomes (Y) had a moderate relationship (0.418). In low academic metacognition awareness (X1), learning methods (X2) and learning outcomes (Y) there is a moderate relationship (0.447). For significant test scores obtained at high academic, metacognition awareness (X1), ways of learning (X2) and learning outcomes (Y) t-test (4.75) > t-table (1.98). At low academic levels, metacognition awareness (X1), learning methods (X2) and learning outcomes (Y) t-test (5.16) > t-table (1.98). The results showed that there was a significant relationship between metagonistic awareness, ways of learning and learning outcomes in biology based on the academic abilities of class X students at SMA Negeri Bangkinang city

Mental Representations as The Students’ Academic Success Predictor

The analysis is aimed at defining peculiarities of mental representations in homogeneous cluster groups, represented by the students characterized by different (high, average or low) academic progress levels. Deductive and correlation design of the research is defined here as a general method. Statistic design: the research is held taking into account a mixed method, including several qualitative and quantitative techniques of data processing and interpreting; more specifically cluster analysis (used for relatively homogeneous groups defining), multiple regression analysis (used to determine the impact of mental representations characteristics on academic success) as well as Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. The average value of the regression model significance reflects the veracity of the research results. The attained statistic results prove that mental representations have peculiar impact on students’ academic success and there is an effect of the students’ academic activity progress splitting. On the one hand, the research helps to identify cluster groups of students characterized by success exteriorization indices growth and academic success indices reduction. On the other hand, non-linear impact of mental representations characteristics on students’ academic success was identified (the effect of inversion); i.e. some mental representations indices are highly developed, but the quality of education is low and individual resource is hard to implement in everyday life. Academic progress index, high level of studying and professional competences acquirement orientation as well as the activity factor are defined as measures of academic success mental representations splitting in groups. These results and conclusions prove the scientific fact that mental representations have an influence on the students’ academic success. This influence is multidimensional and vague. These facts offer a challenge of the research in considering highly-effective psychotechnologies for developing mental representations in general and students’ academic success in particular.

Improving middle school students' geometry problem solving ability through hands-on experience: An fNIRS study.

Hands-on learning is proposed as a prerequisite for mathematics learning in kindergarten and primary school. However, it remains unclear that whether hands-on experience aids understanding of geometry knowledge for middle school students. We also know little about the neural basis underlying the value of hands-on experience in math education. In this study, 40 right-handed Chinese students (20 boys and 20 girls) with different academic levels were selected from 126 seventh-grade students in the same school, who learnt "Axisymmetric of an Isosceles Triangle" in different learning style (hands-on operation vs. video observation). Half of them operated the concrete manipulatives while the other half watched the instructional videos. The learning-test paradigm and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technique were used to compare the differences in geometry reasoning involved in solving well-structured problems and ill-structured problems. Behavioral results showed that hands-on experience promoted students' performances of geometry problem-solving. Students with lower academic level were more dependent on hands-on experience than those with higher academic level. The fNIRS results showed that meaningful hands-on experience with concrete manipulatives related to learning contents increased reactivation of the somatosensory association cortex during subsequent reasoning, which helped to improve the problem-solving performance. Hands-on experience also reduced students' cognitive load during the well-structured problem-solving process. These findings contribute to better understand the value of hands-on experience in geometry learning and the implications for future mathematics classroom practices.

Karsten Brüggemann, Detlef Henning, Konrad Maier, Ralph Tuchtenhagen (Hrsg.). Das Baltikum. Geschichte einer europäischen Region. Band 1: Von der Vor- und Frühgeschichte bis zum Ende des Mittelalters. Stuttgart: Hiersemann Verlag, 2018; Karsten Brüggemann, Detlef Henning, Ralph Tuchtenhagen (Hrsg.). Das Baltikum. Geschichte einer europäischen Region. Band 2: Vom Beginn der Frühen Neuzeit bis zum Gründung der modernen Staaten. Stuttgart: Hiersemann Verlag,

With this publication, the German-reading public has acquired a rather sizeable, three-volume addition to their library that helps them to learn more about the Baltic and its history. The work is written on a high academic level, with extensive reference material. The reader is acquainted with the territories of the three present-day Baltic states from pre-history to the present day, when their statehood has been restored. Among the authors are respectable German historians as well as their colleagues from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland. Among other things, the three volumes could serve as an impetus to Latvian historians, signalling that it is high time to write and publish our own academic history based on the latest research findings.

Rethinking the effect of inter-gender collaboration on research performance for scholars

• Inter-gender collaboration decreased research performance for female scholars. • Inter-gender collaboration increased research performance for male scholars. • The effect of inter-gender collaboration with star partners was stronger for female scholars. As scientific collaboration has become more common with increased representation of female scholars, the effects of inter-gender collaboration have attracted more attention. However, scholars have not reached a consensus on the relationship between inter-gender collaboration and research performance. Empirical evidence at the scholar level has also been rare. Therefore, based on the ratio of the opposite sex in collaboration partners, this study reveals the influence of participating in inter-gender collaborations on research performance for scholars. Grouped regression was employed to test gender differences in this effect. The effect of partners’ academic levels was also investigated to account for potential gender differences. The results indicated that inter-gender collaboration had a positive effect on research performance for scholars. Grouped regressions also showed that collaborating with more inter-gender partners exerted a significantly negative effect on the research performance of female scholars, while it had a positive effect for male scholars. The negative effect on female scholars were found to be strengthened if the partners were at a high academic level. This study is helpful to understand inter-gender collaboration in depth, and further reveals the gender differences in scientific collaboration.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Mental Health among University Students: Do Sex and Academic Level Matter?

University students’ mental health and well-being is a growing public health concern. There is a lack of studies assessing a broad range of mental health domains by sex and academic level of study. This cross-sectional online survey of BSc, MSc, and PhD students (n = 3353, 67% female) enrolled at one university in Germany assessed a wide scope of mental health domains, covering positive (i.e., self-rated health, self-esteem, student engagement) and negative aspects (i.e., perceived stress, irritation, and screening positive for depression, anxiety, comorbidity, and psychological distress). We evaluated differences in mental health by sex and academic level. Overall, although self-rated health did not differ by sex and academic level, females and lower academic level were associated with less favorable mental health. Males reported higher prevalence of high self-esteem, and higher engagement (all p ≤ 0.04). Conversely, mean perceived stress and cognitive/emotional irritation were higher among females, as were rates for positive screenings for anxiety, anxiety and depression comorbidity, and psychological distress (p < 0.001 for all). Likewise, lower academic level (BSc) was associated with lower rates of high self-esteem (p ≤ 0.001), increased perceived stress (p < 0.001), and higher prevalence of positive screening for depression, anxiety, comorbidity, and psychological distress (p ≤ 0.002 for all), while higher academic level (PhD) was linked to increased student engagement (p < 0.001 for all). Although the effect sizes of sex and academic level on student mental health were modest, these findings support a need for action to establish and expand early detection and prevention programs, on-campus advisory services, and peer counseling that focus on the sex-specific and academic-study-level-specific factors, as well as mental health and career development resources for students. Academics and policy makers need to consider multipronged intervention strategies to boost confidence of students and their academic career.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the Central Middle Atlas region (Morocco)

This work focuses on the ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the Central Middle Atlas region. The collection of information using a questionnaire form was done in 2013 and 2014. The location of the different environments, ethnobotanical surveys and floristic surveys, was located by the stratified sampling method. The ethnobotanical study revealed that Modern medicine is mainly chosen by men, young people, single people and people with relatively high academic level (secondary and higher). Traditional medicine, on the other hand, is mainly chosen by women, older and younger people, married people and people who are illiterate or have a primary school education. The results of this study allowed us to draw up a catalog of 267 medicinal species, divided into 211 genera and 79 botanical families, of which the most usable by the local population are the Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Fabaceae and Rosaceae. Oregano (Origanum compactum Benth.) is the most used species. The majority of the medicinal species are used mainly against digestive diseases, with a percentage of 25%.

Levels of Students’ Critical Thinking Skills and Their Academic Achievement at Secondary Level: A Diagnostic Study

The main theme of the study was to assess the levels of critical thinking skills and academic achievement of students at secondary level. The study was descriptive in nature and survey method was used to conduct the study. All the schools of district Gujrat were taken as cluster. Among all clusters 10% clusters were randomly selected. Moreover, all 10th class students of selected clusters were taken as sample for the study. Test was developed to assess students’ critical thinking skills. Students’ achievement was considered as overall score obtained by the students in the annual examination directed by Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Gujranwala in 2021. Results of the study concluded that majority of students had high critical thinking and academic achievement level in public and private schools at secondary level. On the basis of conclusions, it was recommended that the curriculum wing may add more content in the curriculum at secondary level regarding different levels of Bloom’s cognitive domain for developing critical thinking and problem solving skills among students, as well as the administrative authorities of educational institutions may focus on the development of critical thinking skills among students to improve their learning progress and academic achievement.

Exploring medical students' perception of non-face-to-face theory and face-to-face laboratory classes during COVID-19 pandemic: focusing on anatomy course.

PurposeThis study investigated students’ perceptions of non-face-to-face theory classes and face-to-face laboratory classes conducted in anatomy courses at medical schools during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.MethodsThis study utilized a questionnaire to assess self-reported academic achievement level, satisfaction with non-face-to-face theory classes, satisfaction with face-to-face laboratory classes, and self-directed learning level, and conducted difference verification and regression analysis for 51 students who took anatomy courses from the fall semester of 2020 to the spring semester of 2021.ResultsThe group with a high self-reported academic achievement level was more satisfied with the non-face-to-face theory classes than the group with a low self-reported academic achievement level. The group with a high self-reported academic achievement level had a higher self-directed learning level than the group with a low self-reported academic achievement level. In addition, it was found that the higher the self-directed learning level, the higher the satisfaction with non-face-to-face theory classes.ConclusionThese results suggest that to enhance satisfaction with non-face-to-face theory classes in an anatomy course, a favorable class environment that can increase the self-directed learning level is needed. In particular, careful concern is required when designing non-face-to-face classes for students with a low self-reported academic achievement.

COVID-19 and New Normal Education: Modular Learning Styles, Study Hab-its, and Performance of Grade I Learners

Learning styles and study habits are essential in developing knowledge and perception. Study habits reveal how much a person will learn, how far he wants to go, and how much money he wants to make. All these things can be determined throughout one's life by studying habits. As a result, it's considered that study habits are linked to learning style or academic success. This descriptive-correlational study investigates the relationship between the learners' study habits, learning styles, and academic achievement, considering 64 randomly chosen participants. The researchers applied descriptive statistics to describe the participants' study habits, learning style, and academic success and Pearson's r to determine the relationship among the variables. The findings revealed that the learners favored feelings and doing. They have adaptors as their primary learning styles, and they have a modest level of study habits. They also have a high academic achievement level. Finally, there were substantial connections between the variables. The study's findings can help instructors design and deliver effective instructional interventions.

Self-regulated learning in online classes: A comparative study between Malaysian and Indonesian students

Self-regulated learning (SRL) becomes a crucial part for the success of online classroom activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, studies exploring students’ SRL in the contexts of Malaysian and Indonesian universities are still lacking and remain more empirical evidence. This study aims to examine and compare both university students’ SRL toward online learning activities at the time of global pandemic. The required data are quantitatively collected from 103 undergraduates from University A in Malaysia and 119 college students from University B in Indonesia by using an online questionnaire on students’ self-regulated learning adapted from Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). The sudden shifting from face-to-face interaction to online class instruction is a new learning style and could be challenging, but the finding of this study shows that the students from both universities achieve high mean scores on the SRL questionnaire. This finding indicates that the students have a positive attitude, high academic motivation levels, and good self-learning control over themselves during the online classes. This study contributes to the extension of the current literature about self-regulated learning in higher education context. This study further suggests that teachers could assist students’ self-regulated learning to improve their academic performances by keeping their motivation and engagement, particularly in the time of online classes during COVID-19 pandemic era. Hence, future studies are recommended to investigate the impact of students’ SRL on learning achievement as it can help teachers to enhance students’ performance in online classes.

Assessment of Diagnostic Imaging Sector in Public Hospitals in Northern Jordan.

The most effective diagnostic methods in the medical field are diagnostic imaging techniques such as radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine, which are used to visualize internal body to diagnose it, determine potential treatment, and evaluate and forecast care results. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to assess the diagnostic imaging sector, at three major public hospitals in the northern part of Jordan, according to regional and global requirements. The assessment approach was based on knowledge of the accessibility of diagnostic imaging equipment and its quality assurance and performance, the quantity and efficiency of radiological technologists, and the design of radiology units and medical imaging chambers in many aspects based on the use of two tools, a questionnaire and checklists, to accomplish a comprehensive evaluation. The response rate of radiological technologists was 66%. The assessment reveals a noticeable increase in the number of radiological technologists in general with high academic qualification level. Additionally, the number of diagnostic imaging equipment in Jordan revealed a large deficiency in the population–device balance, and through checklists that evaluated both CT and MRI units, it was revealed that the rate of following global requirements and occupational health and safety (OHS) standards was high. The basic supplies available in both the CT and MRI units alike were high, which indicates the high quality of healthcare provided in Jordan.

The Knowledge, Opinions, Attitudes of Physicians About Biosimilar Drugs: A University Hospital Data

Purpose: To evaluate the knowledge, opinions and prescribing attitudes of physicians working in an university hospital about biosimilar drugs and analyse the factors affect these parameters. Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of 5 sections and 41 questions evaluating the knowledge, opinions and prescribing attitudes of physicians about biosimilar drugs. Descriptive statistics was used to report the findings; relationship between dependent and independent variables were examined using the t-test for parametric data, and Mann Whitney U and Kruskall Wallis analysis for nonparametric data. P &amp;lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Questionnaire response rate was 61.9% (n=114). Physicians mean knowledge score about biosimilar drugs was 7.6 ± 2.5 out of 14 points. Have heard the concept the biosimilar drug, had training towards biosimilar drugs and high academic level were increased the mean knowledge score. Of the respondents, 45.2% of the physicians stated that biosimilar drugs are not as effective as biological reference drugs, and 35.9% thought that they aren’t safe. More than half of the physicians (56.6%) stated that they did not hesitate to prescribe biosimilar drugs. Conclusions: Physicians' general knowledge level on biosimilar drugs was low and they had doubts about the efficacy and safety of biosimilar drugs. This might be related with lack of knowledge. Therefore structured training programmes related in this area, might increase the knowledge level and might positively affect physicians' opinions and attitudes on biosimilar drugs

Effects of academic achievement and group composition on the quality of student-generated questions and online procedural prompt usage patterns

This study aims to examine if and how academic achievement and gender group composition affect the quality of online SGQ and the use patterns of procedural prompts provided to support SGQ activities. Forty-one university sophomores enrolled in an English as a foreign language class participated in a four-week study. All questions generated were categorized based on the revised Bloom’s taxonomy for quality evaluation, and a content analysis along the set of integrated online procedural prompts was conducted to reveal usage patterns. Five key findings were obtained: First, the provision of the online procedural prompts served as an efficacious learning scaffold to help the participants at both high- and low-academic achievement levels generate the most questions at high-cognitive levels. Second, based on the results of the Fisher’s exact test, no significant relationships were found between academic achievement and the quality of SGQ. Third, the participants in the all-male and mixed-gender groups generated the majority of their questions at high-cognitive levels, whereas the all-female group generated an equal number of questions at both low- and high-cognitive levels. Fourth, no significant relationships between the gender group composition and the quality of SGQ were found according to the chi-square test of independence. Fifth, the results of the content analysis revealed that while some same usage patterns related to online procedural prompts were exhibited by students at both low- and high-academic achievement levels and with different gender group compositions, slightly different usage patterns were observed.

Features of the socio-pedagogical profile of women of the first period of adulthood engaged in health fitness

Relevance. The modern reformation of society requires the correction of many aspects of a person's life: increasing the level of health and motor activity, mobilizing of their psyche, increasing the level of physical fitness, which ensure their adaptation to new conditions and phenomena of life. Studying the socio-pedagogical profile of women in the first period of adulthood is an important research step. Research tasks. To determine the education, marital status, social status, history of physical activity, having of children, goals of classes, forms of classes, health status, smoking habits and regularity of morning gymnastics of women aged 23-27 years who are engaged in health fitness. Research results. Health fitness classes in the first period of adulthood allow not only improve or maintain the functional capabilities of women at a high level for a long time, but also create reliable conditions for the formation of stable motives and needs for motor activity in the following years of life. It was found that the majority of women (59.46%) have higher education, what indicates their high academic level and probably greater awareness of healthy lifestyles. More than half of the participants (51.35%) are married women, a significant proportion are also divorced (40.54%), what emphasizes their life experience in family relationships. The social status of the participants varies between working women (62.16%) and housewives (37.84%), what indicates the different level of involvement in the labor market and the impact on their lifestyle. Conclusions. There were some differences in educational level and marital status between women aged 23-25 and 26-27. Differences in physical activity goals, health assessment, and smoking habits were also found. In other aspects, such as social status, physical activity, having the children, form of classes and morning gymnastics, the differences between age groups were insignificant, according to which women of the first period of adulthood have similar socio-pedagogical influences.

Predictors of Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy in Expectant Mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Breastfeeding is beneficial for mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Saudi Arabia is considered one of the countries with the highest prevalence of GDM. Mothers with GDM have a low intention to breastfeed and are less likely to continue breastfeeding. This study aimed to measure breastfeeding self-efficacy among expectant mothers with GDM and quantify its determinants. This cross-sectional study recruited expectant mothers with GDM from an antenatal care clinic and queried them on breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes using the Arabic validated prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy scale (PBSES). The study took place at the Medical City of King Saud University, during January–April 2021. The average PBSES score among 145 GDM Saudi participants was 64.07 ± 16.3. Higher academic level, previous satisfactory breastfeeding experiences, breastfeeding intention, six months or more breastfeeding experience, and health education were significantly positively correlated with PBSES score. A higher knowledge score was also correlated with a higher PBSES score (p = 0.002). Longer breastfeeding duration (β.197, p = 0.036), satisfactory previous breastfeeding experience (β.218, p = 0.020), and higher knowledge score (β.259, p = 0.004) were significant predictors of a high PBSES score. Breastfeeding self-efficacy is low among expectant Saudi mothers with GDM, especially those with unsatisfactory previous experience or low knowledge scores. Establishing systematic education about breastfeeding during antenatal care is recommended to improve breastfeeding experience and improve GDM outcomes.

Model bimbingan kelompok dengan art therapy untuk mereduksi stres akademik mahasiswa mengikuti perkuliahan daring dalam kondisi pandemi (Covid-19)

The process of lecture activities that have just been followed will have an influence on students' condition, such as experiencing academic stress. This study aims to develop a group guidance model using art therapy to reduce academic stress for students attending online lectures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The method used is research and development with an analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation (ADDIE) approach. The research sample consisted of five students with high academic stress levels and six students with low academic stress levels. Based on the results of data analysis, it is stated that the group guidance model using art therapy can be used to reduce the academic stress level of students who take online lectures.

Salivary Morning Cortisol as a Potential Predictor for High Academic Stress Level in Dental Students: A Preliminary Study

Students experience different levels of acute and chronic stress during the academic year. Selected salivary biochemical parameters change as a result of stress. Our preliminary study aimed to indicate possible links between alterations in the salivary biochemical parameters (such as cortisol and total antioxidant status) and different accompanying stress levels in dental students during the academic year. The study group consisted of 20 volunteer dental students at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences—both genders, aged 20–26 years. Students were asked to fill in the electronic version of the author’s survey on experiencing and coping with stress. Samples of unstimulated saliva were collected in the morning and late evening at four-time points: in the middle of the academic year, during the examination period, at the beginning of the academic year, and in the middle of the following academic year, together with a determination of currently experienced stress on the Stress Numerical Rating Scale-11. According to the circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion, morning levels of the hormone in saliva were much higher than in the evening. In evening cortisol, significant differences were observed during the studied periods—the highest level was found at the beginning of the academic year. However, the morning cortisol concentrations correlated more strongly with the declared stress levels and showed better predictability for high-stress levels. Salivary morning cortisol could be a potential marker of academic stress levels. Further studies are needed on a larger group to confirm.

The Impact of Lockdown during COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity: a Web-based Cross-sectional Survey

INTRODUCTION: Home lockdown enforced during COVID-19 pandemic may have affected individuals’ lifestyles and, possibly, their physical activity (PA) levels. In this study, we aimed to assess changes in Portuguese PA levels during lockdown.METHODS: We conducted an online survey based on the Special eurobarometer public opinion survey on sports and physical activity in April 2020 in order to collect data about the Portuguese PA levels before and during the home confinement period. PA was assessed by three outcome variables: (i) compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) aerobic PA recommendations, (ii) daily sitting time, (iii) and weekly walking time, with pre- lockdown and during lockdown levels being compared for each. Multinomial regression models were used to identify variables that were associated to changes in PA levels.RESULTS: We obtained 1281 responses (36.4% males). Most participants had high academic levels (73%) and were employed (76.3%). Lockdown was associated with significant decreases in aerobic PA levels (50.0% participants met WHO recommendations for aerobic PA levels before lockdown versus 38.8% during that period; p&lt;0.001) and average weekly walking time (97.2 versus 72.4 minutes; p&lt;0.001), as well as with increases in daily sitting time (p&lt;0.001). We did not identify variables consistently associated with increasing or decreasing PA during lockdown.CONCLUSION: Home lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a decrease in PA levels. In the likely event of another waves, when confinement may again be implemented, these data can be used to better prepare and to promote PA during that period.