This study investigated the effects of Indigenous Land-Based Pedagogy on the development of lifelong learning competencies among pupils in the North West Region of Cameroon, guided by the Cognitive Apprenticeship Theory (Collins et al., 1989). A concurrent mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population consisted of primary school pupils and teachers drawn from four divisions namely, Boyo, Bui, Mezam, and Momo, during the 2024/2025 academic year, with an accessible sample of 286 pupils from Class 5 and 15 teachers. A quasi-experimental design was used, involving pre- and post-tests administered to pupils at G.S. Group II Fundong to measure the impact of land-based pedagogy. Quantitative findings indicated significant improvements from pre-test (M = 6.00, SD = 1.82) to post-test scores (M = 7.90, SD = 1.42), with an average gain of 1.902 points and a strong positive correlation (r = 0.68, p < .01), demonstrating the measurable effectiveness of the intervention. Qualitative results complemented these findings by showing how teachers embedded theoretical content into practical, community-based activities such as gardening, agriculture, and environmental projects, thereby fostering problem-solving, self-reliance, and ecological responsibility. Together, the findings confirm that land-based pedagogy is both statistically effective and pedagogically transformative, enhancing pupils’ transferable skills, sustainability awareness, and cultural connectedness. The study recommends integrating land-based learning into school curricula, adopting cognitive apprenticeship approaches in teaching, and developing holistic assessment frameworks to promote lifelong learning competencies.

The increasing intensity and frequency of disasters in the Philippines continue to threaten the safety, stability, and resilience of local communities, particularly those in highly exposed and hazard-prone provinces like Pangasinan. Disasters—both natural and human-induced—continue to disrupt human security, economic stability, and community resilience across the Philippines. Given its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire and Typhoon Belt, the country faces recurrent hazards such as floods, typhoons, earthquakes, and landslides. This study assessed the disaster mitigation response of selected municipalities and a city in the 5th District of Pangasinan, with the aim of evaluating the level of preparedness and effectiveness of local disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) systems, identifying significant differences among stakeholders, and developing a validated intervention program to strengthen community resilience. Using a mixed-methods research design, quantitative data were gathered through structured questionnaires administered to 239 respondents, composed of MDRRMO personnel, civic organization representatives, and community members, while qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews. The quantitative results, analyzed through weighted mean and Kruskal–Wallis tests, revealed that LGUs were highly prepared in terms of planning and training but only moderately prepared in resource allocation. The overall effectiveness of disaster mitigation response was rated effective, though funding and coordination gaps persisted. Qualitative findings supported these results, identifying challenges such as limited financial resources, inadequate equipment, weak inter-agency coordination, and inconsistent community participation. The study concluded that the 5th District of Pangasinan demonstrates commendable progress in DRRM implementation, yet disparities among LGUs highlight the need for equitable funding, stronger coordination mechanisms, and continuous capacity-building. Keywords: Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness, Effectiveness, DRRM, Local Governance, Pangasinan

The construction industry is a major consumer of natural resources and a significant contributor to waste generation, with Nigeria facing critical inefficiencies in construction waste management. This study examines the adoption of circular economy (CE) principles in Nigeria’s construction sector, focusing on current waste management practices, material utilization efficiency, and the potential economic and environmental benefits of transitioning to a circular model. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and direct field observations across major construction hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Findings reveal that landfilling remains the dominant waste disposal method, with concrete waste accounting for 45% of total construction waste, followed by wood (20%), metal (15%), plastic (10%), and mixed debris (10%). The study highlights low awareness levels of CE principles, weak regulatory enforcement, and insufficient investment in waste recovery infrastructure as key barriers to adoption. Despite these challenges, the research identifies substantial economic and environmental benefits, including a 30% reduction in waste disposal costs, a 25% improvement in material efficiency, and a 35% reduction in carbon emissions through CE implementation. To accelerate CE adoption, the study recommends strengthening regulatory frameworks, investing in modern recycling infrastructure, integrating digital material tracking technologies, and promoting modular construction techniques. A multi-stakeholder approach involving government agencies, private sector players, and research institutions is essential to drive the transition towards a sustainable, circular construction industry in Nigeria.

Positive youth development (PYD) falls short in navigating multilevel factors triggering systemic inequalities among marginalized youth. To fill this gap, we aimed to develop an empirically driven social-justice-oriented PYD framework to address systemic barriers for ethnic minority youth in Hong Kong. We conducted an exploratory sequential mixed-methods research design. In our study, ethnic minority young people were the primary respondents, along with secondary informants as the ethnic majority and co-ethnic in Hong Kong. Our proposed framework on social-justice-oriented PYD for ethnic minorities comprises 1) Caring + Character; 2) Competence + Confidence; 3) Connection; and resulting in 4) Contribution. This study provides social-justice-oriented PYD implications.

The study assessed the pull and push factors influencing the Laboratory Teaching Method compared to the traditional lecture method on learning science. Employing a mixed-method research design, the study has collected quantitative data from achievement tests of experimental and control groups, alongside qualitative data from interviews with teachers and students. Analysis revealed a significant difference in the achievement levels, with a t-value of 12.388 for the experimental group. It indicates that the laboratory method enhanced students' utilization skills and adoption of behavior with practical knowledge and information. However, qualitative findings highlighted challenges encountered by both teachers and students in implementing this method. Addressing these challenges is essential for further improving student outcomes in science education, underlining the necessity of innovative pedagogies in teaching.

This study examines the pivotal role of digital influencers in fostering consumer trust and shaping purchase intentions within online retail contexts, with a specific empirical focus on Istanbul, Turkey. Adopting a mixed-methods research design, the investigation integrates quantitative survey data and qualitative interview insights to analyze how critical influencer attributes, namely authenticity, expertise, and relatability, influence consumer behavior. The results demonstrate that these characteristics substantially contribute to the development of consumer trust, which in turn serves as a key determinant of online purchase decisions. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) validates the mediating role of trust in the relationship between influencer traits and consumer decision-making processes. Furthermore, the study underscores the strategic effectiveness of micro-and nano-influencers in cultivating stronger relational engagement with audiences. The findings yield practical implications for marketers aiming to deploy influencer strategies in culturally nuanced and digitally active markets such as Istanbul.

The study was conducted to investigate the impact of the usage of generative AI on the academic engagement of students in a selected college of education in Ghana. The study seeks to explore and provide insights on the relationship between the use of generative AI in learning and students’ academic engagement. This approach was selected because it offers a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between generative AI use and students’ academic engagement. A sequential-explanatory mixed-method research design is applied in the study to provide in-depth enlightenment, discussion, investigation, and thorough understanding of the generative AI frequently used by students and how it affects their academic engagement. This approach was selected because it offers a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between generative AI use and students’ academic engagement. Ninety-eight (98) respondents served as participants for the quantitative phase of the study, and twelve (15) interviewees for the qualitative phase. The respondents were selected using convenience sampling, a non-probability sampling technique. The instrument for the quantitative data was a survey questionnaire to examine the type of generative AI mostly used by students and also assess the effect of generative AI on students’ academic engagement. The interview guide, on the other hand, was used to gather qualitative data to obtain rich data that could not be explored using only the quantitative data.

This study critically investigates the challenges researchers face in examining finance and public accountability in Ghanaian Colleges of Education, focusing on what is termed the privacy document dilemma, the tension between the legitimate demand for financial transparency and the legal and ethical constraints protecting institutional confidentiality. Adopting a mixed-method research design, the study draws on quantitative data from 120 administrative staff and qualitative insights from 20 finance officers and researchers across five Colleges of Education in the Ashanti and Bono Regions. Findings reveal that restricted access to financial documents, bureaucratic resistance, inadequate data management systems, and ambiguous legal frameworks significantly hinder research on financial accountability. The paper contributes to existing scholarship by situating the dilemma within Ghana’s historical, cultural, and institutional context, proposing a framework for ethical access and disclosure. Recommendations focus on digitization, legal clarity, capacity building, and participatory accountability systems.

BackgroundOver 10 million operations are carried out every year in the UK, improving millions of lives. While most operations are low-risk, some result in patients having poor outcomes. Preoperative assessment evaluates a patient’s health prior to surgery to identify risks and where possible minimise them through optimisation. However, this preoperative assessment often takes place close to the planned date of surgery, meaning there is little time to optimise patients’ health. Early preoperative screening is the process of evaluating a patient’s health earlier in the surgical pathway. In 2023, NHS England introduced a new programme where all hospitals were to implement early screening, triaging, risk assessment and health optimisation with the aim of increasing safety through reduced perioperative complications, increased efficiency (e.g., through reductions in last-minute cancellations), reductions in length of hospital stay, and identifying people who can undergo surgery without requiring an overnight stay. Here we describe the protocol to examine the implementation and impact of this new programme.MethodsA mixed methods research design will be used to evaluate this new programme. We will conduct a formative implementation evaluation using rapid qualitative methods consisting of interviews with staff members and patients across three broadly representative specialities (colorectal cancer surgery, repair of abdominal aorta and knee replacement) and observations of key meetings held regarding implementation activities. An interrupted time series analysis will address patient centered outcomes (days alive and out of hospital at 30, 180 and 365 days after surgery; postoperative hospital length of stay; emergency re-admission within 30 days) using routinely collected electronic health records.DiscussionThis study will provide lessons on the barriers and facilitators to implementation and will highlight staff and patient experiences of the new programme. It will also assess impact on patient centred outcomes using routinely collected hospital data and quasi-experimental research methods.

This study utilized an ex post facto explanatory sequential mixed methods research design to explore how a short-term study abroad in Jamaica may have influenced participants’ empathetic dispositions related to globally competent teaching practices. The study employed Tichnor-Wagner et al.’s (2019) Globally Competent Teaching and Learning Continuum, an independently validated research instrument, to assess participants’ self-rated empathy development. Data were collected through an online questionnaire from pre-service, in-service, and other agricultural educators (n = 36), followed by four focus groups. Findings were framed within Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory (TLT), which emphasizes empathy as a component of transformation and global competency development. Results indicated that study abroad experiences may have contributed to increased empathy and recognition of diverse perspectives, though pre-service teachers reported lower confidence in applying these competencies. Findings highlight the role of transformative experiences in fostering globally competent educators and suggest strategies for enhancing empathy-focused training in teacher preparation programs.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in Europe's transition to sustainability, accounting for more than 50% of EU GDP and more than 63% of business are responsible for CO² and broader GHG emissions (European Commission, 2025).This study focuses on a synthesis of existing methodological approaches used to study the transition to a circular economy in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The aim is to analyze and summarize different research strategies, highlighting the most effective methods for the transition to a circular economy in these enterprises. The study uses a meta-analytic approach, reviewing qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research designs used to investigate best practices. The main methodological frameworks include case studies, surveys, life cycle assessments and comparative analysis of regulatory compliance. By examining these approaches, the study identifies their strengths, limitations and applicability in assessing the circular economy performance of SMEs. A key aspect of this methodological synthesis involves the categorization of research approaches, such as resource efficiency, waste management, carbon footprint and regulatory compliance. It allows identifying best practices and gaps in current methodologies, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of how SMEs can effectively implement the transition to a circular economy.

English communicative competence and Indian graduates' employability: A Borneo-Pacific perspective Indeed, while English is increasingly made the criterion of access to higher education by standards‐conscious regimes in many regions of globalized academe, local certifications remain definitive. This paper explores the correlation between English communication skills and career development challenges faced by university graduates in two dimensions: universities and industry participants. A total of 300 students, faculty and HR professionals from Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand were surveyed using a mixed-method research design. Quantitative assessment indicated that 62% of students felt they had adequate writing skills in English, whilst only 34% were confident communicators which is undoubtedly a clear, significant disparity between learning and application. The interviews with the teachers revealed that value placed on traditional product- based, grammar-focused foreign-language education and short experiential contact block communication development. Concerning industrial needs, negative feedback was received on weak presentation through poor writing, speaking, artic ulation, inability to listen actively, and difficulty speaking in public which are directly reflected in the workplace. There was a high positive correlation (r = 0.78) between English skills and employment, statistically. The study established the fact that confidence, clarity and cultural sensitivity must be taught as life skills and not as a linguistic subject. It suggests integrating communication training from across disciplines, popularizing experiential and technology-assisted platforms for learning, encouraging university–industry partnerships and conducting faculty development programmes to reorient pedagogy with Outcome-Based Education and the aspirations of NEP 2020. Bringing about communicative ability would not only enhance graduate employability, but also prepare India’s youth to participate comfortably in the global workplace.

The emergence of the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) emphasises the need for ethical, human-centric technological integration in knowledge institutions. As a result, this study investigates the competencies, usage patterns, ethical concerns, and contextual challenges influencing the sustainable adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among librarians in Nigeria. Grounded in the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework and guided by AI ethics principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness, the study employed a mixed-methods descriptive research design. Using a snowball sampling technique, data were gathered from 1244 librarians across Nigeria via a semi-structured online survey distributed through social media platforms (WhatsApp and Facebook). The survey combined closed-ended items and open-ended prompts to capture both quantitative and qualitative insights. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics (means, frequencies, and percentages), while qualitative responses were subjected to narrative analysis. Findings reveal that librarians predominantly use language tools such as Grammarly and Quillbot, yet demonstrate lower competence and adoption of complex tools like speech-to-text and literature analysis applications. Ethical concerns ranging from data privacy to cultural insensitivity were prevalent, along with structural barriers including poor infrastructure, lack of policies, and limited training opportunities. In conclusion, the need for comprehensive strategies to promote sustainable AI adoption remains a gap. Therefore, the study proposes a holistic strategy for sustainable AI adoption encompassing institutional policy, inclusive training, infrastructural equity, ethical education, and the localisation of AI tools. These measures are vital for aligning librarianship in Nigeria with global 5IR trends while remaining responsive to local realities.

This study investigates the level and impact of second language (English) anxiety on learning performance among bachelor's degree students in UiTM. Drawing upon the theoretical framework of the Affective Filter Hypothesis, the research problem explores how anxiety acts as a barrier to language acquisition and its effects on learners’ academic performance. A mixed-methods research design was employed, with a convenience sampling of students who completed a survey and participated in interviews. Both quantitative survey data and qualitative textual responses were collected and analysed by using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, respectively. The findings indicate that learners experience a moderate level of language anxiety, with speaking tasks being a primary source of apprehension. Furthermore, the results revealed a complex relationship in which high anxiety negatively impacted performance, while a low to moderate level could be motivating. In conclusion, anxiety is not a simple negative construct but a causal factor that requires targeted pedagogical interventions. The study's implications suggest that future research should adopt longitudinal designs and explore cultural differences to further refine the understanding of language anxiety and its effects.

BackgroundThe shortage of nurses poses a growing threat to global healthcare quality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Out-flow of nurses from these regions to developed countries exacerbates the global imbalance in nursing resources. However, some nurses decide to return home after gaining experience abroad. Understanding their motivations, challenges, and opportunities can offer valuable insights for China and other nations facing similar challenges.MethodsData were collected from October to November 2023, with a mixed-methods research design. Trends and the distribution of returning nurses were visualized. Cox proportional hazards regression and subgroup analyses were used to examine the relationship between associated factors and return rate. Qualitative data, gathered through semi-structure interview, were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.Results29.69% participants have returned to China, with the cumulative incidence of return was 47.01% (95% CI 37.96%-57.04%) after 13 years, varying by destination. In the multivariable Cox model, factors like age 30–39 (adjusted HR [aHR] = 0.48, 95%CI 0.31–0.74), advanced language proficiency (aHR = 0.30, 95%CI 0.14–0.64), and average annual income abroad of $50,000: $100,000 (aHR = 0.32, 95%CI 0.20–0.52) and over $100,000 (aHR = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.33–0.83) were independently associated with return rates. Interviews with returning nurses revealed three main themes: (1) challenges faced overseas, mainly language barriers; (2) reasons for return, particularly family considerations; and (3) challenges and opportunities after returning, with better chance in private hospitals as a notable subtheme.ConclusionsThis study provides the first comprehensive analysis of Chinese nurses returning from abroad, revealing that nearly 30% returned, mainly due to family considerations. More skilled nurses, with international licenses and higher incomes, tend to stay abroad. Most of these returning nurses secure employment in private hospitals, while reintegration into public hospitals proves challenging. The study indicates the potential to leverage returning nurses’ global expertise to enhance China’s healthcare system.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12992-025-01157-w.

Large-scale religious events generate considerable amounts of solid waste calling for dedicated research to quantify wastage, explore its drivers, understand stakeholder perceptions and design effective management strategies. Responding to this call, this study investigated the generation of food and plastic waste during the 2023 Arba'een pilgrimage in Karbala, Iraq, one of the world's largest annual religious festivals. A mixed-methods research design was employed combining quantitative waste audits, conducted over 20 days at selected mawkibs (volunteer-run foodservice stations) and municipal waste disposal points, with qualitative semi-structured interviews (n = 60) involving mawkib owners, pilgrims, religious leaders and municipal authorities. Audits revealed substantial waste: 7900 tonnes of food and 4000 tonnes of plastic. Per pilgrim, 0.36 kg of food and 0.18 kg of plastic were generated, accounting for 0.72% and 0.58% of Iraq's total annual hospitality food waste and all-sectors-total plastic waste, respectively. Interviews explored such thematic areas as waste drivers, behavioural practices and responsibility attribution. Findings highlighted a 'blame game' dynamic between mawkibs and pilgrims regarding wastage. Religious leaders cited a moral tension, noting how observed excess in consumption contrasted sharply with Islamic values of modesty and resource conservation, while authorities stressed logistical constraints. This study provides novel empirical data, highlighting the complex interplay between traditional Islamic hospitality and sustainability. It outlines scope for waste reduction interventions, such as portion control at mawkibs and promoting alternative serving materials, such as bio-plastics, for future large-scale religious events.

This study examined the influence of sustainable supply chain practices on the competitive performance of manufacturing firms in Oyo State, Nigeria, framed by the Triple Bottom Line. It addressed the critical gap between global sustainability pressures and local adoption barriers. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative insights. Data were collected from 81 manufacturing firms using a structured questionnaire and were analyzed via SPSS for correlation and regression, complemented by thematic analysis. The key findings revealed that economic sustainability practices significantly enhanced cost-effectiveness (r=0.395, p<0.001), while social practices substantially improved customer loyalty and brand reputation (r=0.742, p<0.001). Compliance with global standards also positively impacted international competitiveness (r=0.634, p<0.001). Conversely, environmental practices showed an insignificant negative effect (r=-0.212, p=0.058), primarily due to infrastructural deficits. Qualitative data corroborated these results, with firms reporting 5–10% cost savings from lean production but facing significant hurdles in implementing green initiatives. The study concluded that while economic and social sustainability were potent drivers of competitive advantage, environmental sustainability was hampered by systemic constraints. It was recommended that firms prioritize cost-effective social and economic practices, while policymakers and industry associations should facilitate infrastructure sharing, simplify global certifications, and provide government incentives to close the sustainability adoption gap.

Aesthetic appreciation portrays one’s ability to perceive the beauty of a creative product, such as a novel, a poem, and so on. Prerequisites for aesthetic appreciation include, amongst others, knowledge, awareness, and recognition of the features that would make a product not only uniquely meaningful but also pleasing and appealing. Concerned specifically with the novel as a creative literary product, aesthetic appreciation of the novel entails valuing and admiring the qualities that would make the novel uniquely impressive. This study explores the main factors which would contribute to fostering a sense of aesthetic appreciation on the part of a novel’s reader. To realise the study’s aims, the author used a mixed-methods research design employing two study instruments: a ten-item questionnaire and a two-question interview. The study sample encompassed two categories: university instructors and passionate readers. The findings indicated that acquiring a repertoire of vocabulary, enhancing reading comprehension skills, developing critical reading skills, augmenting writing skills, and promoting communication skills could play a significant role in fostering aesthetic appreciation of the novel. Additionally, the study identified several factors which would contribute to developing a sense of aesthetic appreciation, such as using standard language, figures of speech, effective plot construction, and constructive character building. Based on the study findings, the paper proposes a framework for aesthetic appreciation of the novel, highlighting main factors and requirements.

The growth of the regional courts has transformed the nature of the settlement of international disputes, which leaves the question whether they are associated to the international courts like the International Court of Justice and specialized courts. Although the regional courts are making it easier to access justice and make rulings relative to the situation on the ground, their spread may lead to creation of piecemeal interpretations of the laws. The current literature is not systematic and with statistically based evidence on the balance of cooperation and fragmentation of this emerging system. In this paper, we wish to discuss the purpose of regional courts in international dispute settlement, and more precisely, whether they lead to legal cooperation between jurisdictions or enhance systemic fragmentation. It assumes that the international adjudicatory coherence is complementary and challenging at the same time by the regional courts. The study uses a mixed-methods research design since it combines both a qualitative legal study and quantitative statistical methods. An astute collection of local judicial rulings (n = 500 cases) will be gathered in Europe, Africa, and Latin America between 1990 and 2022. Descriptive statistics, network analysis and regression models are used in order to find patterns of convergence or divergence with international precedents. Citation-tracking and text-similarity measures are also used to determine the degree of cross-referencing between local and international courts. The evidence indicates that about 65 percent of court decisions in the area are consistent with the international jurisprudence referring to the cooperation with the legal integration, 20 percent is partially distorted, and 15 percent completely fractured. The regression findings also reveal that regional membership in international organizations, and the previous judicial cooperation are the strongest variables influencing alignment.

Determining pediatric nurses' anxiety levels, concerns, and metaphor perceptions towards artificial intelligence technologies: A mixed-method study.