Multiphase Sampling Technique Research Articles

Service Quality and Students’ Satisfaction in Higher Education Institutions: Nepali Students’ Experiences and Perceptions

Service quality in higher education has become a topic of growing interest in recent years. As a competition among higher education institutions around the world has increased, there has been a growing focus on providing high-quality services to students in order to attract and retain them. Thus, it is required to evaluate their satisfaction on the basis of service quality provided by higher education institutions. This study examines students’ satisfaction on service quality of Prithvi Narayan Campus (PNC), Pokhara. Thus, the main objective of the study is to analyse the major influencing factors of non-academic aspects of service quality, to measure the relationship of non-academic aspects of service quality with students’ satisfaction, and to analyse the impact of non-academic aspects on students’ satisfaction on service quality. Using the multi-phase sampling technique, both descriptive and inferential statistic was used to meet the objectives of this study. The overall students’ satisfaction towards the service quality provided by PNC is more than average. The study concludes that there is a low degree of positive correlation between non-academic aspects of service quality and students’ satisfaction. For non-academic aspects of service quality, only extra-curricular activities show a statistically significant impact on students’ satisfaction.

Determinants of urban households in the diversification of livelihood activities: The case of Wolaita zone in southern Ethiopia

Diversification of Livelihood Activities (DLA) is indeed crucial for populous countries like Ethiopia, where it serves as a strategy to mitigate food insecurity. Despite its significance, empirical studies focusing on DLA among urban households in Ethiopia are relatively scarce. Therefore, this study examines factors affecting urban households' participation in the DLA in selected towns of the Wolaita zone. The study used both primary and secondary data. A total of 310 sample respondents from three town administrations in the Wolaita zone: Areka, Boditi, and Sodo, were selected using a multi-phase sampling technique. The study used a survey questionnaire, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, and observations as methods for primary data collection. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that among the sampled respondents, 23.9 %, 28.4 %, and 33.2 % depend on on-farm, on-farm + non-farm, non-farm + off-farm activities, respectively, while the remaining 14.5 % diversify their livelihood activities through combinations of on-farm + non-farm + off-farm Livelihood Diversification Activities (LDA). The Multinomial Logot (MNL) model result shows that the participation of LDA in the study areas was positively and negatively determined by cooperative membership, development agent training, gender, education, home ownership, rural connections, household income, and technical skills that were found to be statistically significant at 1 %, 5 %, and 10 %. Therefore, the government should prioritize empowering the diversification of livelihood activities and develop policies and programs that support urban households’ livelihoods, with a specific focus on promoting off-farm and non-farm endeavors.

Students’ Satisfaction on Service Quality at Prithvi Narayan Multiple Campus of Tribhuvan University in Nepal

This study examines the students’ satisfaction on service quality of PNC. The main objective of the study is to analyze the major influencing factors of academic aspect of service quality, to measure the relationship of academic aspect of service quality with students’ satisfaction and to analyze the impact of academic aspects on students’ satisfaction on service quality. Philosophical foundation of this research is based on positivist research paradigm. Based on the philosophical foundation, this research has used descriptive and analytical research design. Using multi-phase sampling technique, this study reveals major influencing factor of academic aspect of service quality is quality of lecturers. The overall students’ satisfaction towards service quality provided by PNC is more than average. The learning environment of academic aspect has more influence in students’ satisfaction. Overall, there is high degree of positive correlation between academic aspect of service quality and students’ satisfaction. For academic aspect of service quality, only learning environment shows a statistically significant impact on students’ satisfaction. This study shows that academic aspects of service quality have positive impact on students’ satisfaction.

DEMAND FOR AQUACULTURE INSURANCE AND BARRIERS’ EFFECTS AMONG FISH FARMERS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Boosting aquaculture insurance, as a financial instrument, can assist the sustenance of aquatic food demand in order to cushion fish farmers’ income, and ensure adequate farm property safety in Nigeria. This study examined the barriers affecting aquaculture insurance and its related demand determinants, with empirical evidence drawn from fish farmers in Lagos State. The study employed a survey approach cum multiphase sampling technique. A descriptive statistic and Friedman’s rank test were adopted in the data analysis. This study contributes immensely with the tabular and graphical models that explain the barriers affecting aquaculture insurance and demand determinants for aquaculture insurance in Lagos State, Nigeria. While a major barrier, from the findings, to demand for aquaculture insurance was recorded due to high cost of insurance premium, poor access to the policy, and the likes; low awareness, poor insurance regulation, poor claims settlement and low financial literacy, among fish farmers, were recorded for demand determinants for aquaculture insurance. The study recommended that aquaculture underwriters should enhance and expand their value-chain processes in a bid to bolster fish farmers’ production capacities. However, the government should expand the subsidy net for more fish farmers to have access. With the simplicity of insurance contract design, aquaculture underwriters will gain attraction from farmers, which will, in turn, generate improved premium and their potential profitability.

Investigating the Attitude of School Teachers Towards Teaching of Nazra-E-Quran in Primary Schools of Punjab

The primary focus of the study was to find out "The Attitude of Primary School Teachers towards the Teaching of the Nazra Quran in District Pakpattan. In order to derive the objectives of the descriptive study method of research was used. The relevant data for this research was collected by using a quantitative method. The researcher used a self-developed questionnaire. Research experts checked the tool's validity at the university, and it was also checked through a pilot study. The reliability of the tool was checked by cronbach alpha. The population of the study was the primary school teachers of District Pakpattan. This study used a multi-phase sampling technique. In first phase school were selected randomly, and then a convenient sampling technique was used to select the teachers. The researcher got the data personally by visiting different schools. The data was gathered for this study from 300 primary school teachers. The collected data were analyzed on SPSS 22 using frequencies, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and cross-tabulation. The results of this study revealed that most teachers have a positive attitude towards Nazra Quran because most teachers have taken the training in Nazra Quran. They have already experienced the Nazra Quran's teachings. The majority of the teachers have the opinion that training in the Nazra Quran is necessary for all primary school teachers. There is less time to manage the teaching of the Nazra Quran in one period. It was recommended that training in Nazra Quran is compulsory for all the teachers, and the proper time is given to the Nazra Quran in classes, there must be an appointed religious teacher.

FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS ON THEIR SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL FUTURE IN PAKISTAN

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of female university students about their social and educational careers and factors that may promote or hinder their efforts to achieve their targets.
 Method: Mixed method research design was followed to achieve the research objectives. Three thousand female university students were selected following a multiphase sampling technique to participate in the close-ended questionnaire that was used to collect the quantitative data in the first phase of data collection. Forty female students were randomly selected from the already selected pool of students in the second phase of data collection. An interview schedule was used to collect qualitative data from these 40 students. The qualitative data were analyzed with the help of NVivo following a thematic analysis approach
 Main Findings: The results showed that the female university students are ready to move forward in their education and contribute effectively in the social spheres of life. Various educational, social, academic, and financial factors that hinder achieving their goals are also identified.
 Applications of the Study: The results help to make educational activities more systematic, modern, and target-oriented.
 Novelty/Originality of the Study: The activity contributes to identifying solutions to problems that are associated with the female students’ empowerment and engagement in social and economic activities.

Knowledge gained by farm women through CSR activities of vedanta in Jharsuguda district of Odisha

The study was undertaken in the operational area of Vedanta in Jharsuguda district of Odisha. Since the corporate house has the highest investment under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Rs. 63.21 crore in Odisha and implemented various developmental programmes for the welfare of the tribal communities particularly women and children, the Vedanta in Jharsuguda has been purposively selected for the study. The knowledge gained is a very important parameter which affect the adoption level of various developmental activities. Survey research design was used to gather data. Multiphase sampling technique has been followed to select blocks, panchayats, villages and respondents. The study sample included a total of 240 women in the operational area of Vedanta. The study revealed that majority of the respondents (65.84%) had medium socioeconomic status. Significant gap (35.33%) was observed on the extent of knowledge gained by the beneficiary and other category of the respondents on different developmental activities like rehabilitation and resettlement, creation of community assets, health care and sanitation, infrastructure developed, educational and farm activities. Statistical tools used were percentage, mean score, standard deviation, rank order and score gap.

The church in Nigeria and political economy of youth unemployment: A pragmatic approach

Nigeria has over 57% of its population as youths. The nation is rich in human and mineral resources, yet the level of youth unemployment continues to rise and to pose serious socio-economic and political threats. The aim of this study was to highlight the strong link between the high level of youth unemployment and the rising tide of violence and criminalization of the public space in Nigeria. In other words, we argued that the youth routinely took out their frustrations in violent and criminal forms. The study was set in Aba, city of Abia state, which is arguably the largest commercial town in the south-east region of Nigeria. It is also synonymous with violent and criminal social breakdowns. This empirical study adopted a multi-phase sampling technique for the data collection procedure, including the distribution of questionnaires, extensive library research and personal observation. By implication, both primary and secondary sources were used. The results show that youth unemployment was on the increase and government efforts alone were inadequate to solve the problem. In conclusion, the all-hands-on-deck approach was advocated. This entailed that the visibility of the church at almost every level of community life, especially at the grass-root level must be used as a vital platform to reach the people. Thus, it was recommended that the church should actively tap into the multifarious professional capacities of her members and use them as resource persons to creatively tackle the problem of youth unemployment. Contribution: This article contributes to the concept ‘faith seeking understanding’. It includes a systematic and practical reflection, within a paradigm in which the intersection of social sciences and theology generates a transdisciplinary contested discourse.

University Teachers Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Its Relationship with Workplace Stress

The efficacious attitude of a person plays a vital role to develop psychological well-being, interpersonal and self-esteem. An individual with high level of self-efficacy is able to regulate and balance thoughts over actions. The basic purpose of the current study was to find out the relationship between self-efficacy and workplace stress of university teachers. A quantitative co-relational research design was followed to achieve the research objectives. 180 faculty members working in three different public sector universities in Pakistan were selected using multiphase sampling technique. Self-developed self-efficacy scale (based on two factors; general teaching efficacy and personal teaching efficacy) and workplace stress inventory were used to collect the required data. Data were analyzed applying mean score, t-test and Pearson correlation. Findings of the study reveal indirect correlation between the level of teachers self-efficacy and their perceived stress at workplace. Few recommendations were made on the basis of the findings of this study.

PENGARUH WORKPLACE WELL-BEING TERHADAP KINERJA GURU SD

Teacher performance is teacher perception on teacher work performance related to work quality, responsibility, honesty, cooperation and initiative. This study was conducted to obtain empirical evidence of the effect of good work on the performance of elementary school teachers in central Jakarta. This research uses quantitative approach. A sample of 79 certified teachers teaching elementary school in central Jakarta using multiphase sampling technique. How to use data by using questionnaire media for data retrieval. Respondents of this study are teachers of primary school certified in central Jakarta. The variable used is workplace well-being as independent variable, teacher performance as dependent variable. To determine the effect of workplace well-being, based on multiple regression analysis at 33.1% significant level it can be concluded whether the workplace well-being is significant enough to the performance of elementary school teachers.

Uses of fund and constraints to growth among microfinance institutions in Kano State, Nigeria

This study aims to address challenges posed to Microfinance institution (MFIs) as they work to improve access to credits by poor entrepreneurs among farmers and other low resource-based individuals. This prompted this research work. A field survey, using multiphase sampling technique, was conducted to select samples for detailed analysis. Two sets of questionnaires were administered on the eleven (11) MFI decision units in Kano State, to collect information on their characteristics, financial resources and mode of operations; sources and uses of funds, resource use efficiency as well as outreach. Levels of savings of members, microloans packaged and delivered, women participation, levels of profits generated as well as returns to investments and to assets were measured. The results showed that three categories of MFIs operate in the area namely: formal finance institutions (FFIs), semi-formal finance institutions (SMFIs), and informal finance institutions (IMFI) each with its unique features and mode of operations. They share many common problems from low level of member savings, low equity levels lower than the African average in all cases and high level of borrowed funds. Though the returns indicated that average returns on assets for IMFI and SMFI ranged from 4 to 6% over the period, higher than the African average of 2% and confirms efficient use of resources, high dependence on costly borrowed funds as against savings by members may delay achievement of sustainability going by their level of dependence on subsidy. As to the main activities engaged by MFIs, petty trading ranks first followed by farming, equipment financing, livestock rearing, food and restaurant services, artisans and household wares trading respectively. With regards to problems and constraints to their growth they ranked lack of qualified staff, inadequate working capital, board decision problems, fund recovery, government policy changes, and sourcing additional funds in the fore front. Suggested solutions were made. Overall, it is evident that MFIs in Kano are profitable, efficient and could be sustainable if the identified problems and constraints are addressed by stakeholders and suggested solutions are adhered to. Key words: Microfinance, constraints to growth, sustainability.

Design of a 12-Bit 2.5 MS/s Integrated Multi-Channel Single-Ramp Analog-to-Digital Converter for Imaging Detector Systems

This paper presents a novel design of a 12-bit multi-channel single-ramp analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for imaging detector systems. To overcome the problem of long conversion time in the classic Wilkinson ADC, a new architecture using a counter and delay line interpolations is proposed. Two 5-bit Gray counters are designed for the coarse conversion. The time interpolation using an array of five delay-locked loops (DLLs) and the multiphase sampling technique are proposed for the fine conversion. The 140-phase delay clocks are generated by the array and pseudo 7-bit fine resolution is achieved. A one-channel prototype chip is implemented in AMS 0.35 μm CMOS technology. The total conversion time is about 400 ns, which corresponds to a sampling rate of 2.5 MS/s. The proposed ADC can be utilized in many fields, such as high-energy physics, biomedical imaging, and space applications.

A high-precision time-to-digital converter using a two-level conversion scheme

This paper describes a design of time-to-digital converter (TDC) using a two-level conversion scheme. The first level is accomplished by a multi-phase sampling technique with the aid of delay-locked loop (DLL). Then the input signal and its adjacent sampling clock are manipulated and sent into a vernier delay line (VDL) sampling circuit at the second level. The proposed TDC can provide high resolution with less hardware compared to one level VDL sampling circuit with the same dynamic range. A new architecture of dual DLL circuit is also implemented to stabilize delay control against process and ambient variations. A test chip is designed and fabricated in 0.35-/spl mu/m logic technology. With an input reference clock within 130 to 160 MHz, the TDC achieves 24 to 30 ps resolution. The DNL is less than /spl plusmn/0.55 LSB and INL is within +1 to -1.5 LSB.