Malaysian Students Research Articles

Malaysian Medical Students’ Career Intention (MMSCI): a cross-sectional study

BackgroundIn recent years, there have been many instances of negative sentiments expressed by and resignations observed from doctors working in the Ministry of Health (MOH), Malaysia. However, little is known about the perspectives of medical students and their career intentions. This study aims to determine the current Malaysian medical students’ career intentions immediately after graduation and upon completing the 2 years of housemanship and to establish the factors influencing these intentions.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 859 Malaysian medical students from 21 medical schools who voluntarily completed a self-administered online questionnaire that was disseminated by representatives from medical schools nationwide and social media platforms of a national medical student society.Results37.8% of the respondents were optimistic about a career with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Malaysia in the future. Most of the respondents (91.2%) plan to join and complete the MOH Housemanship programme as soon as possible after graduation, with the majority of them (66.2%) planning to complete it in their state of origin. After 2 years of Housemanship programme, only more than half of the respondents (63.1%) plan to continue their careers in MOH. Slightly more than a quarter (27.1%) of the total respondents plan to emigrate to practise medicine, with 80.7% of them planning to return to Malaysia to practise medicine after some years or after completing specialisation training. Combining the career intentions of Malaysian medical students immediately after graduation and upon completion of the 2 years housemanship programme, only a slight majority (57.5%) of the respondents plan to continue their career in MOH eventually. Most of the respondents (85.0%) intend to specialise.ConclusionA concerning number of Malaysian medical students plan to leave the Ministry of Health workforce, the main healthcare provider in Malaysia, in the future. Urgent government interventions are needed to address the underlying factors contributing to the potential exodus of future doctors to prevent further straining of the already overburdened healthcare system, posing a significant threat to public well-being. An annual national study to track medical students’ career intentions is recommended to gather crucial data for the human resources for health planning in Malaysia.

Exploring the Significant Factors Affecting the Social Crimes of Malaysian Students

This study aimed to explore factors hindering social crime among Malaysian students. 383 respondents, all students, were surveyed. Parental influence emerged as the most significant factor in dissuading students from social crime, according to mean score analysis. Correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between self-efficacy, peer pressure, mass media influence, parental influence, and Malaysian students' involvement in social crimes. The linear regression model, with a statistical significance below 0.05, indicated a strong fit for the data, suggesting its reliability. Mass media exerted the greatest influence on Malaysian students' involvement in social crimes, followed by peer pressure, self-efficacy, and parental influence. These findings offer insights for educational institutions, government officials, and policymakers to foster a culture of peace, justice, and strong institutions. Proactive measures can mitigate social conflicts and reduce crime rates, fostering individuals who contribute positively to society and support Sustainable Development Goal 16.

The Mediating Role of Cognitive Workload and Loneliness in the Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Sleep Quality among Public University Students in Malaysia

The Mediating Role of Cognitive Workload and Loneliness in the Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Sleep Quality among Public University Students in Malaysia

GASLIGHTING, PARENTING STYLES, AND THE MENTAL HEALTH OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

This study aims to identify the level of gaslighting, parenting style, and mental health of secondary school students in Malaysia. Gaslighting, as a hidden form of psychological manipulation, can have a negative impact on the mental well-being of adolescents. Parenting styles, especially those of a negative nature such as authoritarian and permissive, have also been identified as risk factors for mental health problems. A total of 273 secondary school students in the Petaling Perdana district, Malaysia were selected as respondents to this study. Data were collected using questionnaires consisting of the Victim Gaslighting Questionnaire (VGQ), Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21). Descriptive analysis is used to analyse the data. The results showed that the mental health of pupils was reported to be at a normal level, however, there were a large number of those who experienced higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Gaslighting among secondary school students has been detected to be at an alarming level and needs to be paid attention to by the relevant authorities. Authoritative parenting style is described as the most dominant parenting style practice among parents of secondary school students. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of family relationships that affect adolescent mental health and can be used to plan more effective interventions and support programmes.

Intention to purchase eco-friendly stationery: A study on university students using S-O-R framework

Due to the high usage and demand of stationery among university students, this study investigates the factors that significantly influence university students' intention to purchase eco-friendly stationery. A novel research model has been developed using the stimulus-organism-responses (S-O-R) framework. Four external factors have been proposed as stimuli, namely, environmental knowledge (EK), environmental concern (EC), perceived environmental responsibility (PER), and university green initiatives (UGI), with attitude (ATT) as an organism and purchase intention (PI) as the response. Using purposive sampling, 367 Malaysian university students participated in this study, and the result of the partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that EK, EC, and PER significantly influenced students' ATT toward eco-friendly stationery. In addition, only the PER and ATT significantly affect the students' PI on the eco-friendly stationery. Additionally, the indirect hypothesis testing showed that EK, EC and PER indirectly influenced students' PI on eco-friendly stationery through ATT. This study's findings provided several important implications, including theoretical and practical implications, which would be utilized to understand the subject area better and cultivate students' PI on eco-friendly stationery in establishing a sustainable environment, communities and campus.

The Effectiveness of STEM Education Programs on Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills Among High School Students in Malaysia

In the 21st century, critical thinking has become an essential skill, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This study investigates the effectiveness of STEM education programs in enhancing critical thinking skills among high school students in Malaysia. Using a quasi-experimental design, the research compares the critical thinking abilities of students enrolled in STEM programs with those in non-STEM tracks. The analysis, which includes both ANCOVA and propensity score matching, reveals that students in STEM programs significantly outperform their non-STEM peers in critical thinking assessments. These findings suggest that STEM education, when implemented with active and inquiry-based learning strategies, can play a crucial role in developing the cognitive skills necessary for success in the modern world. The study’s results have important implications for educational practices and policies in Malaysia, advocating for the continued investment in and refinement of STEM curricula

Discrepancies between actual and perceived abilities in understanding argumentative texts amongst ESL students in Malaysia

The ability to apply classroom learning to real-world contexts is essential, particularly in understanding arguments within argumentative texts. This skill is vital for informed citizenship, as it equips future graduates to handle real-life issues they will encounter in society and industry, fostering lifelong learning beyond their tertiary education. The purpose of this study is to compare students’ actual abilities with their self-assessments in comprehending argumentative texts from newspapers by identifying any discrepancies between students' actual and perceived abilities, enabling instructors to design more effective teaching strategies to bridge these gaps. This study is qualitative in nature whereby it involved 51 diploma-level English as Second Language (ESL) students from a Malaysian public university. Four newspaper articles from local columns were used to test actual comprehension abilities, while an online survey assessed students' self-perceived abilities. Results indicated a significant disparity between actual and perceived abilities, consistent with previous research. Although not explicitly tested, there appears to be a correlation between negative self-assessments and poor performance. Future research should explore the effectiveness of the three-stage model essay framework in preparing students for real-world applications, as this model may not align with industry needs. A new framework is needed to aid ESL students in comprehending not only academic argumentative texts but also authentic texts.

Using Pictures and Guided writing Strategy to Improve Malaysian ESL Primary Students' writing Skill

Using Pictures and Guided writing Strategy to Improve Malaysian ESL Primary Students' writing Skill

The acceptance of artificial intelligence in education among postgraduate students in Malaysia

The acceptance of artificial intelligence in education among postgraduate students in Malaysia

Migraine symptoms and association of triggers, coping strategies and clinical characteristics with COVID-19 diagnosis among university students in Peninsular Malaysia: A cross-sectional study.

Differentiating between migraine and COVID-19 headaches is essential for better treatment. Evidence-based research during the COVID-19 pandemic has found that university students are more likely to experience migraine. Migraine can affect academic performance, sleep pattern, social and emotional well-being if left untreated or misdiagnosed. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of migraine symptoms and the association of triggers, coping strategies and clinical characteristics with COVID-19 diagnosis. This cross-sectional study was conducted across higher educational institutions in Peninsular Malaysia. Convenience sampling was applied to recruit full-time university students. A reliable and validated instrument was used to evaluate demographic data, migraine symptoms, triggers, coping strategies and clinical characteristics of migraine (frequency, intensity, severity and duration) during COVID-19 diagnosis. The response rate was 98.3%, where 485 out of 493 responses were analysed. The prevalence of migraine was 35.9% (n=174). None of the triggers, coping strategies and clinical characteristics of migraine were significantly associated with COVID-19 diagnosis. The university students in Peninsular Malaysia showed a considerable prevalence of migraine symptoms. During the pandemic, the common triggers for existing symptoms were stress and a lack of sleep (combined triggers). The coping strategy adopted by most of the university students was lifestyle changes and in the COVID-19 positive group maladaptive coping strategies were adopted indicating the need for further investigation.

MITIGATING RESPONDENT FATIGUE IN SELF-ASSESSMENT: CEFR-BASED ITEMS FOR MALAYSIAN UNDERGRADUATES

Background and Purpose: The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an internationally recognised instrument for describing language skills. It describes language proficiency on a six-level scale, ranging from A1 for beginners to C2 for those who have already mastered a language. The roadmap in the Malaysian Education Plan 2013-2025 sets B2 as the target for Malaysian higher education graduates as this is the level at which they can expect to get a job and function adequately in English, while graduates of English language degree programmes are expected to reach C1 when they graduate. The aim of this study is to test and verify whether it is appropriate to use only the items from B2, C1 and C2 to measure the language proficiency of Malaysian students to avoid respondent fatigue in answering the questionnaire. Methodology: A proportionate stratified random sampling method was used and four strata were defined: Strata I and II were male and female students in public institutions, Strata III and IV were male and female students in private institutions. The instrument used was a questionnaire containing demographic profiles and eight items from the CEFR Global Self-Assessment Grid. Exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis were conducted using SPSS. Findings: The eigenvalue of 7.263 with factor loadings between 0.774 and 0.854 and the Cronbach’s alpha value for language ability of over 0.9 indicate excellent reliability of the selected items. The study found that Malaysian university students were good at understanding and discussing personal information, events, opinions and plans. However, they found it difficult to understand complex and longer texts, to use language flexibly in social and academic settings and to express themselves without constantly asking for feedback. As the current education system focuses too much on memorization, it does not contribute to the development of practical language skills. In order to improve, students should use the CEFR as a self-assessment tool. Contributions: The findings of the study contribute to the understanding of the optimization of the CEFR framework in Malaysian higher education by reducing respondent fatigue and improving the quality of self-assessment. The study provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of using CEFR-based items at B2, C1 and C2 levels in reducing fatigue, improving the quality of self-assessment and informing language teaching and learning practices. The findings can assist educators and policy makers in developing more effective language teaching and assessment strategies that promote student learning outcomes and ultimately improve the language education of Malaysian students. Keywords: CEFR rubric, ESL, self-assessment, perceived language proficiency, answering fatigue. Cite as: Tg Nur Liyana, T. M. F., Wan Nazihah, W. M, & Mimi Mazlina, M. (2024). Assessing the self-perceived language proficiency of Malaysian ESL learners in higher education utilizing the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(2), 474-489. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp474-489

EXPLORING THE MANIFESTATIONS OF SECOND LANGUAGE WRITING ANXIETY IN MASTER’S LEVEL DISSERTATION WRITING: A MULTIPLE-CASE STUDY

Background and Purpose: Past studies have reported negative correlation between second language writing anxiety (henceforth, as SLWA) and writing performance but little information is available on the underlying mechanism. Therefore, the study aimed to improve understanding on how and why SLWA could influence writing performance as the connection appears stronger in L2 settings. Thus, this paper describes how SLWA may manifest in master’s level dissertation writing. Methodology: In this multiple-case study, four Malaysian postgraduate students were selected as participants using purposeful sampling and the data was obtained through a combination of in-depth interviews, personal document analysis, audio journals, and supporting instruments (i.e., academic reading survey and Foreign Language Reading Anxiety Scale). Findings: The thematic data analysis revealed the following themes: 1) students’ perceived sources of SLWA are their present reasonings; 2) L2 dissertation writing has contextual significance on SLWA when students are reviewing existing literature, conceptualizing research, and writing; and 3) performance appraisal, self-perception, and cognitive dissonance link SLWA to writing performance. Contributions: Hence, this paper promotes greater understanding of SLWA as a way to inform efforts to improve students’ performance and motivation in dissertation writing. The paper also highlights important pedagogical, practical, and methodological implications. Keywords: Second language writing anxiety, master’s level dissertation writing, ESL context, dissertation writing issues, multiple-case study. Cite as: Wan Osman, W. S., Senom, F., & Sharatol Ahmad Shah, S. (2024). Exploring the manifestations of second language writing anxiety in master’s level dissertation writing: A multiple-case study. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(2), 57-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp57-79

DEMOTIVATION IN MANDARIN AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AMONG MALAYSIAN TERTIARY STUDENTS

Background and Purpose: Demotivation has been acknowledged as a significant factor in the decrease of student enrolment and the increase in student attrition rates within the domain of Mandarin as a foreign language (MFL) learning. This study seeks to identify the causes of demotivation among learners of MFL at a public tertiary institution in Malaysia. Methodology: The study's sample consisted of 72 undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory-level MFL elective course. Data were collected using online questionnaires at the end of the academic semester. The online questionnaire consisted of two sections: the first focused on the demographic information of the participants, and the second contained open-ended questions. Participants were asked to characterize the learning experience that (1) negatively impacted their motivation and (2) caused them to feel frustrated or want to quit their MFL studies. The data was subjected to thematic analysis, and the themes from the responses were identified and categorized. Findings: The factors that contribute to demotivation can be classified into two categories: internal and external. Internal categories include psychological states such as anxiety and boredom. In contrast, external categories include test performance, course content, workload, and significant others (teachers and peers). External factors, particularly test performance, course content, and workload, have a greater impact on the demotivation of MFL learners compared to internal factors. The most frequently cited factor is test performance, primarily due to the difficulty of learning course content, particularly Chinese characters. One-third of the students in this study spent more than three hours per week on MFL learning outside of class. However, many students struggle to manage their Mandarin study time due to other academic or extracurricular obligations. Contributions: The current research offers additional insights into the nature and characteristics of demotivation in foreign language learning, specifically among non-native Mandarin learners with little or no prior knowledge, in the context of MFL as an elective course. Keywords: Demotivation, LOTE, Mandarin as a foreign language, Malaysian tertiary institution, elective. Cite as: Paee, R., Lam, K. C, Kuan, W. L, & Kopli, N. H. (2024). Demotivation in Mandarin as a foreign language among Malaysian tertiary students. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(2), 40-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp40-56

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE TOWARD ENERGY CONSERVATION IN UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA

Climate change and global warming are crucial problems due to carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions cause by fossil fuels consumption. Malaysia has a sustainable power mix but the industry and transportation sectors rely on fossil fuels to generate electricity. Energy conservation are important to improve or change the behavior of people in order to minimize energy usage because humans cannot longer rely on conventional energy sources. Due to the impact of climate change and global warning problems. The objectives of this study are (1) to determine the current practices of energy conservation among UUM students and (2) to investigate the relationship between current practices and energy conservation perspectives among UUM students. This study focuses on Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) students' academic session A221, which is semester 1 to semester 7 students. Researchers have used quantitative methods, the questionnaire was distributed using Google form that uploaded on social media and will receiving answers. A survey was conducted with 377 understudies to get information. The analysis was using statistical software package (SPSS) of software for using in data analysis. The results show the mean of attitude with total mean 31.87 is higher than the level of awareness, energy conservation knowledge and subjective norms, which mean that attitude is most influences perspective of students to energy conservation. Besides, the relationship between level of awareness, energy conservation knowledge, attitude and subjective norms are positive correlated. Based on the results and discussion, energy saving intervention strategies are proposed for student accommodation. Government should implement educational programs and campaigns to raise awareness toward energy conservation practice among students.

Faktor Ekstralinguistik Terhadap Penguasaan Kemahiran Lisan didalam Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Bahasa Arab

Various reforms and updates in teaching and learning have been carried out by the Ministry of education, but the mastery of oral skills among students is still not encouraging. The average study conducted found that the mastery of the Arabic language (BA) in Malaysia is still not able to achieve real goals and objectives. One of the factors affecting language skills is extralinguistics. Extralinguistics refers to linguistic situations outside the linguistic environment, such as motivation, emotion, attitude, personality, and the like, that are proven to help a student master a particular language. Therefore, this study identifies extralinguistic factors on BA Communication among Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia students in Perak. This study was conducted quantitatively at Sekolah Menengah Agama Negeri (SMAN) which offers learning to sit for the Sijil Tinggi Agama (STAM) examination in the state of Perak. Results indicated that there are five extralinguistic factors on BA Communication, namely attitude, motivation, Arabic exposure, use of BA, Communication problems and teacher encouragement. It can be concluded that there is a strong relationship between attitude factors and the use of SK among students of STAM Perak. This study implies the importance of providing a conducive and supportive learning environment to improve Arabic communication skills among STAM students. Further studies are proposed to examine in depth the factors related to the use of technology in Arabic language learning and the impact on the communication strategies of STAM students.

Stressors and Solutions: Addressing the Needs of International Medical Students in Malaysia

Stressors and Solutions: Addressing the Needs of International Medical Students in Malaysia

Challenges and Strategies for Using ChatGPT in Written Communication Assignments: A Study of University Students in Malaysia

Challenges and Strategies for Using ChatGPT in Written Communication Assignments: A Study of University Students in Malaysia

Optimizing Online Learning for Generation Alpha: Insight from Elementary Students in Malaysia

Optimizing Online Learning for Generation Alpha: Insight from Elementary Students in Malaysia

Analysing the Determinants of Job Selection Preferences among Quantitative Science Students in Malaysia using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM)

Analysing the Determinants of Job Selection Preferences among Quantitative Science Students in Malaysia using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM)

Predictors of grit among medical students: a study at a Malaysian Public University

BackgroundPrevious literature has demonstrated associations between grit and positive educational and psychological outcomes, such as higher academic grades, lower attrition rates in medical training, and protection from burnout. However, the predictors of grit have yet to be studied, particularly among medical students in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the level of grit and its predictors among Malaysian medical students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 123 medical students from a public university in Malaysia. Data on sociodemographic and educational characteristics were collected. The student’s personality traits were determined using the Big Five Inventory (BFI), while grit was assessed using the validated 7-item Short Grit Scale (Grit-S). Grit was expressed as a mean score, ranging from 1 (not at all gritty) to 5 (extremely gritty). Multiple linear regression was used to determine the association between the predictors (personality, sociodemographic and educational characteristics) and grit among these students.ResultsThe mean grit score was 3.43 (SD 0.57). Based on the multiple linear regression analysis, the grit score was significantly predicted by three personality traits which were extraversion, b = 0.2 (95% CI: 0.07–0.32), agreeableness, b = 0.28 (95% CI: 0.12–0.44) and conscientiousness, b = 0.6 (95% CI: 0.42–0.77). A 1-point increase in the mean extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness scores would independently increase these students’ mean grit scores by 0.2, 0.28, and 0.6, respectively. The sociodemographic and educational characteristics did not significantly predict grit among Malaysian medical students.ConclusionsThe mean grit score among Malaysian medical students is comparable to other medical students in Asia. Extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness personality traits were associated with higher grit. As grit is a dynamic trait, appropriate interventions should be implemented to foster and increase it among these students.