Junior Secondary Level Research Articles

Development of Teaching Materials Based on Social Values of Banjar Community to Improve Students' Financial Literacy

Financial literacy is an essential skill to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage finances. The gap in understanding financial literacy among junior secondary level students reflects the urgent need to introduce innovative and effective learning teaching materials. This research was conducted with the aim of increasing students' financial literacy through the application of the Project Based Learning model. This research method is Research and Development (R&D) which adopted the 4D model of Thiagarajan, Semmel & Semmel in 1974. Validation of the teaching module was carried out by two expert lecturers and teacher response data was validated by two class IX junior high school teachers. Data analysis involves qualitative descriptive analysis techniques and descriptive statistics, including evaluation of validation results by experts and analysis of teacher responses. The results of the research show that teaching materials from the material aspect have an average Aiken's V value of 0.90 (Very Valid). In the language aspect of teaching materials, the average Aiken's V value is 0.89 (Very Valid). Teacher responses to teaching materials reached an average percentage of 85.25% (Very Good). Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that this research has succeeded in developing teaching materials based on the social values ofthe Banjar community to increase students' financial literacy.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in the Islamic Religious Education Assessment Model

Current curriculum developments place greater emphasis on developing learning models and methods that can accommodate students' differences in learning styles and abilities. In the independent curriculum, this concept is better known as differentiated learning. One concept that can facilitate differentiated learning in the context of assessment is Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, this research aims to analyze the effectiveness of implementing assessment models in PAI learning in the UDL context. The findings of this research indicate that the assessment model that is widely applied to PAI learning is the authentic assessment model. Based on educational level, this authentic assessment model is more widely applied at the junior secondary education level (SMP/MTs). Based on the results of the analysis of articles that met the inclusion criteria, no evidence was found regarding the effectiveness of its implementation which had an impact on PAI learning processes and outcomes. The findings of this research can be used as an empirical basis for conducting research that focuses on the influence of implementing assessment models on PAI learning processes and outcomes.

Analisis Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Matematis Siswa SMP Ditinjau dari Adversity Quotient pada Materi SPLDV

This research aims to describe the mathematical problem-solving abilities of junior secondary level students in terms of each student's adversary quotient level. This type of research is qualitative research with descriptive methods. The data collection techniques used in this research were tests, questionnaires, and interviews. The participants in this research were three junior high school students in Bogor Regency. The instruments used in this research were an adversity quotient questionnaire, mathematical problem-solving ability test questions, and interviews. The results of the research show that there are several relationships between the adversity quotient and students' mathematical problem-solving abilities. Climbers, campers, and quitters-type students have high, medium, and moderate mathematical problem-solving skills. However, the interview results show that quitters tend to give up easily when faced with complex problems. So that future researchers should study these findings further and increase the number of participants so that the research results are more valid.

Persepsi Siswa Terhadap Problematika dalam Pembelajaran Ips Kelas VIII SMP Negeri 1 Ngunut Tulungagung

Frequent emergence of problems faced by students in social studies learning activities problems experienced by students caused by many factors, both internal and external factors. Social studies learning at the junior secondary level is given or presented in an integrated manner to be more easily understood and learned by students. Because social studies is an integration of several branches of social sciences are simplified. The focus of research in writing this thesis is: (1) What are the problems of students in learning social studies class VIII SMP Negeri 1 Ngunut Tulungagung?, (2) What causes the emergence of problems experienced by students in learning social studies class VIII Smp Negeri 1 Ngunut Tulungagung?, (3)How can teachers overcome the problems experienced by students in social studies class VIII of Smp Negeri 1 Ngunut Tulungagung?. The objectives of the study are: (1) to describe the problems in social learning experienced by students of Grade VIII SMP Negeri 1 Ngunut Tulungagung, (2) to describe the causes of the emergence of problems in social learning experienced by students of Grade VIII SMP Negeri 1 Ngunut Tulungagung, (3) to describe how teachers overcome problems in social learning experienced by students of Grade VIII SMP Negeri 1 Ngunut Tulungagung. This research is categorized in qualitative research. with data collection techniques conducted by observation, interviews, and documentation with the research site at SMP Negeri 1 Ngunut Tulungagung. The subjects in this study were social studies teachers and eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Ngunut Tulungagung. The results showed that: (1) problems experienced by grade VIII students in social studies, namely students who have minimal or less reading interest in social studies subjects. Availability of package books and worksheets for students is limited. The methods and learning media used by class teachers are less varied. The teacher is not in control of the class. (2) the cause of students experiencing problems in social science learning is that students do not have books and worksheets as companion books in social studies learning. Students are allowed to bring cellphones to school. The teacher's voice is less loud and clear when teaching. Many students are crowded during the class learning process. (3) how teachers overcome Student Problems in social studies learning is class management. Variety of learning (methods, media, and tasks). The teacher's attitude is firm. Outdoor learning.

The relationship between individual internal factors and the prevention of obesity in students of junior secondary education level (Grades 7-9)

Purpose: Obesity is a risk factor for non-communicable diseases in children contributing to their physical, mental and social effects. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between individual internal factors and the prevention of obesity in students at the junior secondary education level.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: A multi-stage random selection method was used to select 273 junior secondary education level (grades 7-9) students from the province of Chachoengsao to participate as the study's sample. A questionnaire was used for data collection and was divided into 7 parts: (1) general information about the sample, (2) knowledge about the prevention of obesity, (3) attitudes towards the prevention of obesity, (4) motivation in obesity prevention, (5) habits in obesity prevention, (6) student allowance management and (7) obesity prevention behavior. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage and correlation analysis.
 Findings: Factors correlated with obesity prevention behavior were obesity prevention habits (r=0.382) and student allowance (r=0.294).
 Conclusion: Parents and schools should give importance to building obesity prevention habits and encourage children to manage their allowance efficiently to be able to help prevent obesity in students at the junior secondary education level. The results from the research can be used to create a model for modifying dietary habits accordingly. The emphasis is placed on involving children in the selection of nutritious foods. Cooking substantial meals or snacks will help to develop healthy eating habits gradually. Add exercise in the form of sports games. In addition, teaching children to record their daily income and expenses for food and snacks will help them use their daily money to their full potential and build habits and values.

Exploring predictors of STEM aspirations from a STEM capital perspective

ABSTRACT Background The concept of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) capital can serve as a framework for understanding how various resources contribute to aspiration formation in STEM fields. However, to date, it remains unclear what factors should be included in STEM capital and how they may help explain why students do or do not aspire to STEM careers. Purpose This study aimed to validate the instruments and explore the predictive effect of various factors, including STEM capital and other non-STEM specific cultural capital factors, on students’ STEM aspirations while comparing these variables among primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary levels. Sample A stratified sample of students (N = 3,991) from the upper-primary to senior-secondary level in Hong Kong participated in the study. Design and methods An online survey investigation was conducted for data collection. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to validate the instruments before ANOVA, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were performed. Results The elementary students had significantly greater scores on the STEM capital variables than did the students at the junior and senior secondary levels. Gender, age, parental school involvement and expectations, informal STEM participation, positive views of professionals, and self-concept in mathematics positively predicted STEM aspirations, while having a parent/guardian with a STEM career negatively predicted students’ aspirations. In addition, the results showed that having STEM books at home and self-concept in information technology were additional predictors at some educational levels. The explored factors can explain approximately 30% of the variance in students’ STEM aspirations. Conclusion Senior students’ STEM capital factors exhibit lower levels compared to their younger peers. The developed, adapted, and translated instruments are valid for measuring the factors composing STEM capital, where some cultural and STEM capital factors significantly explain variations in students’ STEM aspirations. The mechanism of the negative effect of parental STEM occupations and the implications of the current study are also discussed.

Management of Agricultural Education Teachers as a Correlate for Students’ Learning Outcome in Ekiti State Secondary Schools

This study examined the management of agricultural education teachers as a correlate for students’ learning outcome in Ekiti State secondary schools. The study specifically investigated Teachers’ Management Characteristics and Agricultural Science students’ learning outcome in Ekiti State secondary schools. The study also examined the relationship between Agricultural Science teachers’ management characteristics and students’ learning outcome in secondary schools in Ekiti State. It equally investigated students’ interest in studying Agricultural Science in Ekiti State secondary schools and determined the relationship between the secondary school location and students’ learning outcome. The study adopted the descriptive research design of the survey type. The population of the study comprised all the 607 teachers of agricultural science and 41,478 senior secondary school students of Agricultural Science in the 203 public secondary schools in Ekiti State. The sample for this study was 576 respondents, comprising Ninety-Six (96) Agricultural Science teachers and Four Hundred and Eighty (480) Agricultural Science students from twenty-four (24) secondary schools in Ekiti State. Multi stage procedure which involved purposive, simple random and stratified sampling techniques was used to select the sample for the study. Two set of instruments tagged “Teachers’ Management Characteristics Questionnaire (TMCQ)” and “Proforma on Students’ Learning Outcome (PSLO)” were used for the study. The three instruments were validated by experts. TMCQ had a reliability coefficient of 0.85. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics of Frequency Counts, Percentages, Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions while the inferential statistics involving Pearson Product Moment were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that the predominant management characteristics of Agricultural Science teachers in Ekiti State secondary schools were qualifications, teaching experience, teaching methods, gender, marital status and age. The study showed that the level of students’ learning outcome in Agricultural Science as well as students’ interest in studying Agricultural Science in Ekiti State secondary schools were moderate. Also, it was found that there was significant relationship between Agricultural Science teachers’ management characteristics and students’ learning outcome in Ekiti State secondary schools. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that management characteristics of Agricultural Science teachers were important factors that influenced students’ learning outcome in Agricultural Science in Ekiti State secondary schools. Teachers’ qualifications were the best predictor of students’ learning outcome in Agricultural Science in Ekiti State secondary schools among others. Qualified and experienced teachers should be employed to teach Agricultural Science at both junior and senior secondary schools levels. The veteran and experienced teachers should serve as mentor for the beginning teachers so as to ensure expected students’ learning outcome is achieved.

A Study on Cultural Contents in English Textbooks in Junior High Schools from the Perspective of Intercultural Communication: A Case Study of PEP Edition

As the cultural exchanges around the world become more closer, the cultivation of cultural awareness has become a need for social development. The English Curriculum Standard for Compulsory Education (2011 edition) explicitly incorporates cultural awareness into the English curriculum objectives, and good cultural awareness helps language learners to understand correctly and use the target language appropriately for intercultural communication. This paper therefore examines the effectiveness of the PEP English textbook in developing students' intercultural awareness and communicative competence through textbook evaluation, literature analysis and content analysis, in order to find out whether the cultural content in the textbook helps students develop cultural awareness, with a view to further improving the layout and design of the cultural content in the textbook, as well as providing suggestions for teachers to make better use of the cultural content in the textbook. The study also provides suggestions for teachers to make better use of the cultural content in textbooks, so that they can teach culture more effectively, thereby achieving the goal of cultural awareness development and effectively raising students' cultural awareness. The results of this study show that the cultural content set in the HRE textbooks is basically in line with the requirements and objectives of cultural awareness development in the Curriculum, but there are some areas for improvement. This study only focuses specifically on the textbooks at the junior secondary education level, selecting the content of the reading section, and does not cover all parts of the textbooks. In future studies, the research objects in the textbooks can be extended to other areas to make the research results more comprehensive and complete.

Bullying Phenomenon and The Perspective of Islamic Sharia in Society: Literature Review of The Last Ten Years from Various Countries with the Assisted of NVivo

<p><em>This research aimed to examine various studies that raised the theme of bullying in numerous countries over the last ten years, and explains how Islamic law provides its perception in preventing and avoiding bullying in social life. The research method applies literature review by reviewing various studies in journal articles. Article searches were carried out using the search engine on the Scopus website with the keyword "bullying phenomenon". The results show that bullying can occur in various locations, starting from educational establishments, workplaces, and even in everyday life. Based on the grouping of bullying locations in schools, it was found that the junior secondary education level was the focus of most research. The study results on the factors that cause someone to experience or become a perpetrator of bullying include family conflict, school playground, school economic index, digital media, and cultural diversity. The impacts of bullying include Exit from the organization, gender stereotypes, characteristics, and academic achievement. The final part is the solution or prevention of bullying, including victims' services, psychosocial well-being, sports participation, family environment, and awareness of the bullying phenomenon. Reflections is becoming increasingly important, and Islam is its source. </em></p>

English High-stakes Testing in Indonesia: Friend or Foe?

The Education Ministry has eliminated standardised high-stakes testing called Ujian Nasional (UN) since 2021 throughout schools all around Indonesia. However, it might be practical to look backwards at the UN and its implementation with the impact it gives on the teachers. This article has a concern about the washback consequences of a high-stakes exam on teachers. The effects were investigated within the specific context of the 2016 UN for students in Indonesia at the junior secondary level. A semi-structured interview with eight English teachers was set up to explore the teachers' perceptions towards the UN. Regarding feelings, all participants shared divergent feelings ranging from disinterested to excessive levels of fear or anxiety and mixed feelings. The data also showed mixed opinions, both positive and negative, regarding the examination. The students were thought to be motivated to study because the examination was used for selection purposes. The results did, however, also imply that the students' performance on the national exam was thought to have been assessed unfairly. The instructors demonstrated how the exam affected their teaching roles and methods. Making the national exam a low-stakes test was one of the suggestions made by attendees to enhance it.

ASSESSMENT OF EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS ACQUISITION NEED FOR SELF-RELIANCE IN BUSINESS STUDIES AMONG GOVERNMENT JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS IN NIGER STATE

This study was conducted to assess the employability skills acquisition need for self-reliance in business studies among government junior secondary schools students in Niger State. The researchers raised two research questions for the study. In line with the research question, two null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level if significant. A survey research design was used for the study. The area of this study consists of one government junior secondary schools from each local government in the state which comprise of twenty-five local government. A random sampling technique was used and the sample size for the study was two hundred and ten (210). A 4-point Likert scale used for the and the questionnaire was tagged as “Business Studies Skill Acquisition Questionnaire (BSSAQ)” containing twenty (20) statement items were used to collect data. To obtain the reliability coefficient of the measuring instrument, the instrument was pilot tested using some fifteen (15) selected junior secondary schools in Ilorin. The result obtained from the pilot study were then analyzed using Cranach alpha reliability coefficient statistical and the reliability index obtained was 0.88. The data collected on the twenty (20) statement items of the questionnaire were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and t-test was used to test the null hypotheses formulated for the study. The study revealed among others, that a significant difference existed in the employability skills acquisition need for self-reliance in government junior secondary schools in Niger State. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that at junior secondary schools business studies contents should be well taught in other to encourage the acquisition of employability skills among the students of junior secondary schools in Niger state. Also, Business studies at the government junior secondary level should be encouraged through proper funding, and the provision of equipment for better acquisition of computer skills.

SOLVING FORM TWO STUDENTS’ FAILURE TO SUBTRACT DIRECTED NUMBERS IN MATHEMATICS: AN ACTION RESEARCH STUDY

The purpose of this action research was to solve student’s failure to subtract directed numbers in Mathematics at junior secondary (Form Two) level. The study was conducted at a secondary school in Gweru, Zimbabwe. The research had two cycles. Cycle 1 had four participants, while Cycle 2 had one participant whose problem had not been solved in Cycle 1. Cycle 1 had three sessions: structured interview, implementation of the cooperative strategy and evaluation of the effectiveness of the cooperative strategy. The cooperative strategy was used in conjunction with the number line and the ‘having money-owing money’ techniques. Cycle 2 had two sessions namely: implementation of the counters model and evaluation of the effectiveness of the strategy. Results from the implementation of the cooperative strategy indicated that logical sequencing of concepts, group work and good presentation skills reduced possible misconceptions. The major reflection was that although the participants had seemed to have the same problem, the use of one strategy may not be effective as was the case for participant D. The results from the interviews highlighted the importance of continuously checking with the learners to reflect on the teacher’s practices. Results from the ‘two-colour counters’ showed the effectiveness in maintaining interest, motivation and concentration. The major limitation of the study was that the number line and the counters model were difficult to use, time consuming and laborious when large numbers were involved. The research has implications on the teaching and learning of directed numbers involving integers, fractions, decimals and algebraic expressions. A call for further research is also made.

PENERAPAN MODEL DISCOVERY LEARNING PADA PEMBELAJARAN MENULIS TEKS LAPORAN HASIL OBSERVASI SISWA KELAS VII

Learning to write the text of the observation report is studied at the junior secondary level which conveys observations of an object in the form of a general description of the object being observed and studied. However, learning activities to write the text of the observation report are still lacking so that learning innovation is needed through the liveworksheet application. One of them uses a discovery learning model assisted by the liveworksheet application. The purpose of this study is to find out the pre-test and post-test of student learning outcomes in writing observation texts using the discovery learning method assisted by the liveworksheet application. The research method used is a quantitative method of experimentation with data collection techniques in the form of pre-test scores and post-test scores. The research project was 31 students of SMPN 01 Gununghalu. Based on the results of the study, a normal distributed value was obtained and with an average prestest value of 69.83 and an average postest value of 80. With the increase in the average results in the pretest and posttest, it was concluded that in this study there was a positive influence on the application of the discovery learning model on learning to write the text of the observation report.

The Womb and the Representation of Ecological Cohesion: A Linguistic Reading of Nicole Chinelo’s Save the African Womb

This paper examined the place of the womb as a representative of ecological cohesion. Using the selected text, the paper explored the didactic role of literature, essentially from the purview of imparting on the youth and the adolescent; and based on this background, the paper made use of a literary text, Save the African Womb, which is one of the Government recommended texts for students at the junior secondary level of education in Nigeria. The adolescent and youth stage in human development, no doubt, is critical in the social, moral, cultural, intellectual, and psychological education and formation. Again, the paper advanced from the understanding that literature as a special area of writing thrives in the indirect expression of ideas and messages. As much as a literary writer sets to communicate his or her literary messages, such are often allegorically embedded, demanding the creative ability of the reader to decode and sieve the messages from the twined knot in the writer’s language choices. To be able to do this in our paper, we adopted the eclectic approach in the selection of theoretical framework, considering the fact that the paper involves a cross disciplinary adventure. The paper thus adopted principally, the semiotic theory, and then the eco-feminist theory as relevant theories. Part of the findings of the paper is that the writer represented the importance of the womb using different manners of signification, both the literal and the semiotic. The conclusion of the paper is that the womb is central to the woman’s position as unique biological specie. The womb is also critical in the discussion of the overall human nature, and the need for mutual co- existence in the ecology of human existence. Therefore, the text can be read from the viewpoint of fostering a solution to the social tensions which often arise in the society.

Hakikat Makna Konsep tentang Sistem di Sekolah


 The purpose of this research is to find out the principal's program in creating a school organizational system and how the principal's strategy is in forming a school organizational system. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. The informant of this research is the school principal. Data collection techniques used are observation, interviews and documentation. Data analysis techniques using data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions by testing the validity of the data using credibility, transfer, dependability and suitability tests. The results of this study indicate that: the school principal is to make an organizational system and school arrangement, including making the school organizational structure contained in the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture. Middle school, hereinafter abbreviated as SMP, is a form of formal education unit that organizes general education at the junior secondary education level. The organizational design for junior high schools has actually been regulated in Permendikbud No. 6 of 2019.
 Keywords: Concept Nature, the System in Schools

The Influence of Teacher Gender on Student Human Capital Development: An Empirical Study Based on Data from China Education Panel Survey

Based on data from China Education Panel Survey, this article examined the impact of teacher gender on student human capital development at the junior secondary education level. The research findings showed that female teachers were more capable of promoting cognitive and non-cognitive ability development of both girl and boy students than their male counterparts; and that student cognitive and non-cognitive performance was significantly and negatively related to the increase in the percentages of male teachers in the class and school.

The Development of Mathematical Model Consciousness in Junior Secondary Students: A Lesson Study of the Instruction of Congruent Triangles

The Compulsory Education Course Standards for Mathematics 2022 have highlighted the educational objectives of junior secondary mathematics by emphasizing the development of mathematical competence and practical learning. Model consciousness, as one of the fundamental mathematical competencies to be developed at the junior secondary level, can facilitate students’ comprehension of the universal application of mathematics. Teachers of mathematics in junior high school should construct effective classroom activities based on the cognitive qualities of their students in order to enhance their mathematical model consciousness and comprehension of the substance of mathematics knowledge. This paper is a lesson study of the education of Congruent Triangles, and its purpose is to investigate strategies for fostering mathematical model consciousness among junior high school pupils.

Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Agriculture: A Case of Women Farmers in Sri Lanka

Summary The role of women in the growth and development of agriculture in Sri Lanka has been increasing considerably. However, inadequate attention has been devoted to the use of information and communication technology (ICT) by Sri Lankan women farmers. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the application of ICT in agriculture by women farmers in the Imbulpe Divisional Secretariat (DS) Division in Sri Lanka. The primary data used in the study were collected from a total of 230 women farmers in the study area from March to July 2019, using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire survey. Moreover, focus group discussions and participatory observations were also conducted. The results obtained indicate that the majority of the women farmers considered were middle-aged and married, belonging to families with 4-6 members. Most of them had received education up to a junior secondary level. Their monthly total average income was 24,000 LKR. The below mentioned ICT equipment were commonly used by the women farmers for agricultural purposes: television (51.5%), the radio (43.9%) and mobile phones (52.1%). The use of personal computers, the internet and CD/DVDs was at lower levels. Although they were found to use ICT mostly for day-to-day activities, the application of ICT in their agricultural activities was fairly low. However, most of them expressed the desire to learn about ICT. According to the regression analysis conducted, a positive and statistically significant relationship was established between the farm size and respondents’ ICT literacy. Furthermore, a positive and moderately significant relationship was found between the respondents’ educational level and ICT use. High initial costs and the lack of comprehensive knowledge about ICT equipment maintenance were the major challenges they had encountered. Admittedly, as the women farmers considered apply ICT to a certain level, their use of ICT in agriculture should be further enhanced. Therefore, supplying useful ICT equipment to Sri Lankan women farmers at concession prices, accompanied by an awareness program on the use and maintenance of such equipment, would be highly beneficial.

Cross Word Puzzle Method: Upaya Meningkatkan Minat dan Hasil Belajar IPS di SMP Negeri 1 Krangkeng Indramayu

This study aims to analyze the use of cross-word puzzle learning media in increasing student interest and learning outcomes in social studies subjects. This research is an action research conducted in three cycles including planning, implementation, observation, and reflection activities. The subject of the study was a class VIII student at SMP Negeri 1 Krangkeng. The results showed that the average percentage of student interest indicators in the first cycle of 62% increased to 70% in cycle II, it has further increased to 88%. Meanwhile, in the learning outcomes indicator, the average percentage of students who achieve KKM scores in the first cycle of 20% increases to 60% in cycle II. Cross word puzzle learning media can be applied to students in education at the junior secondary level and can improve student learning outcomes and can increase student interest in learning.

Effect of using songs to teach junior secondary mathematics

Singing songs is part of human everyday lifestyle, they can easily be recalled and thereafter affect other aspects of human life. The studyexamined the effect of songs application in teaching junior secondary mathematics. The junior secondary level being the intermediateand upper basic level of education where learners are prepared for the serious academic rigour of the post-basic or senior secondary levelin Nigeria require the introduction of more learner-centred, learner-friendly and activity-based methods. Teaching Mathematics with useof songs will be one of such methods. The study employed the pre- test, post-test, quasi experimental design. Using purposive samplingtechnique, one hundred and twenty (120) junior secondary students from two public secondary schools were selected for the sample.Three hypotheses were formulated and tested. Two instruments, procedural and main instrument, were used. The data collected were analyzedusing analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The result of the study revealed that there was a significant effect of songs on the academicachievement of students in Mathematics and it was recommended that teachers should be encouraged to adopt songs composed duringteaching since their use sustains students’ interest and retention.