National Open Research Articles

Distance Learners' Assessment of the Quality and Satisfaction of the National Open University of Nigeria's Internet-based Service Delivery

This study examined the quality of internet-based service delivery and satisfaction of distance learners of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja through a descriptive survey method, using 875 distance learners which were selected through multi-stage sampling technique from three selected study centres of the University in Abuja, Nigeria. Two research questions were answered and four hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significant. Data were collected with the use of a modified 4-point Likert scale validated instrument titled “Quality and Satisfaction of Internet Service Delivery Questionnaire (QSISDQ; r=0.91). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics of t-test and ANOVA. Results revealed good quality and very high extent satisfaction of internet-based services offered based on study centre (F(2,874) = 0.08; p=0.92) and gender (t(1,873) = 2.96; p=0.77). Findings further revealed no significant difference in the extent of satisfaction derived in internet-based services based on study centre (F(2,874) = 0.14; p=0.87) and gender (t(1,873) = -1.24; p = 0.21). Based on the findings, recommendations point to the effect that University management should take the internet-based services offered to an enviable realm. Keywords: Internet-based services, quality, satisfaction, distance learners

The Open University Movement: A Comparative Case Study of Mega Universities

The increase in open and distance education and the rise of open university movement in the field of higher education have resulted in the establishment of open mega universities in different parts of the world with populations of more than 100,000 students each. Despite the benefits of access and low costs, the main criticism of this type of institution has been about quality assurance. The aim of this paper is 1) to compare and contrast three open mega universities namely Anadolu University in Turkey, Indira Gandhi National Open University in India, and Open University in Britain, in terms of their missions, visions, mottos, learning environments, entrance requirements, and quality assurance policies as they appeared on their official websites; and 2) to highlight their alignment with the open university movement. This qualitative study employs a comparative case study approach, and analyses data with the constant comparative method. Major findings suggested that these universities seemed to establish their access strategies and lower their costs through massification. They appeared to be concerned about quality assurance policies on their websites mainly to attract student masses around the world. The question we raise is the extent to which the balance between quality and quantity is reached in actual educational settings.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Social Science Studies, Vol. 11, No. 4

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 11, Number 4Aurora Pestaño, University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR), PhilippinesDaniel Tia, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny Abidjan, GRATHEL , Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)Encarnación ABAD ARENAS, National University of Distance Education (UNED), SpainFahri ÖZSUNGUR, Adana Science and Technology University, TurkeyJean Patrick Mve, Hohai University-China, CameroonJehu Onyekwere Nnaji, University of Naples II,Italy and Globe Visions Network Italy, ItalyJulia M. Mack, Gannon University, USAMd. Nasir Uddin, Prime Minister’s Office, BangladeshMei-Ling Lin, National Open University, TaiwanMOHD NORAZMI BIN NORDIN, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, MalaysiaNAZIAH ABD. KADIR, Universiti Selangor, MalaysiaSana Ali, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, PakistanYao Jingwu, Business School of Yulin Normal University, China James YoungEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://ijsss.redfame.com

Influence of Training and Development on Affective Commitment among Academic Staff of Public Universities in Lagos, Nigeria

Many Nigerian public universities are bedeviled with diverse challenges ranging from inadequate condition of work, human resource capacity and retaining skilled academic staff. This has overtime had debilitating consequences on the ability of these institutions to make giant strides especially from the purview of political and socio-economic developments. These attendant challenges have created reasons as to why the Nigerian tertiary institutions are experiencing continuous dearth of skilled teaching personnel and as a result, the quest for skilled academic personnel continues to rise. Based on these arguments, this study examined the influence of training and development as an employee retention strategy on affective commitment among academic staff of public universities in Lagos State, Nigeria. The population comprised 3354 academic staff from University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, National Open University of Nigeria, Victoria-Island, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu and Lagos State University of Education, Ijanikin. Through a multiple sampling technique, a total of 450 respondents served as the sample size for the study. Data were analysed using both descriptive, as well as inferential statistics. Findings revealed that a positive and significant relationship exist between training and development and affective commitment with (r=0.941, p-value<0.05). The study concluded that for academic staff of public universities to remain committed, management of public universities must fashion out modalities and framework for blending training and development, towards enhancing the commitment of academic staff in Nigerian public universities.

Guide for Authors

The National Open Journal of Medicine (NOJM) is a multidisciplinary open peer-reviewed journal focusing on impactful clinical and foundation medical research. NOJM publishes original articles, reviews, protocols, clinical cases, and commentary. All submitted works must be understandable, authentic, educational, and relevant to an international audience of clinicians and surgeons in related specialties. All manuscripts will be peer-reviewed and if accepted for publication in the Journal, Authors will be notified of this decision. Authors will NOT be required to pay processing fees. Upon publication, articles will be made universally available at no charge through the journal’s website, www.nojm.io. In addition to the article appearing on the NOJM website, NOJM will send to PubMed Central (PMC) the final authoritative version of the published article. NOJM will authorize its public posting on PMC, and PMC mirror sites, immediately, and these sites will also link directly to the journal article which will be made universally accessible on NOJM’s websites Online. Submission and peer review of all papers is conducted entirely online, increasing efficiency for editors, authors, and reviewers, and enhancing publication speed. Authors requesting further information on online submission are strongly encouraged to view the system. You may also provide the names and contact addresses (including e-mail) of two potential reviewers that have not been involved with the case and are not a co-worker. These may or may not be used at the Editor’s discretion.

Energy transition to photovoltaic system at UNAD as an instrument of environmental management system

The National Open and Distance University, UNAD, is an institution with experience in environmental management and is known to participate in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. This article shows the sustainable practices implemented within the institution achieved through the Participatory Action methodology, which facilitates integrated knowledge and actions to transform the mindset of the institutional community. In doing so, specific objectives, strategies, technologies, and ICT were established to strengthen the environmental management of the institution.The projects and goals stipulated in the university’s 2019-2023 development plan unified with the agenda for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to train the community in values such as solidarity, assertive and true communication, effective collaboration, and attitudes to dialogue comprehensively, for the benefit of current and future generations. The university is currently working on seven environmental programs in which solar tables are gradually installed in different centers nationwide to promote the efficient use and saving of energy. In the José Celestino Mutis National Headquarters, installing solar panels will allow for considerable savings in electricity. Together, these environmental friendly practices, in addition to environmental legal compliance and expansion in new centers within the scope of ISO 14001:2015 certification, have allowed the University to be recognized at a national level.

National Open Abdomen Audit (NOAA) - protocol for an observational audit of the use and management of the open abdomen in secondary care across Great Britain and Ireland.

Use of open abdomen (OA) remains an important life-saving manoeuvre in the management of trauma and the abdominal catastrophe. The National Open Abdomen Audit (NOAA) is an audit project investigating the indications, management, and subsequent outcomes of OA treatment throughout the UK. The aim is to generate a snapshot of practice which will inform the management of future patients and potentially reduce the significant harm that can be associated with OA. NOAA is a collaborative, prospective observational audit recruiting patients from across Great Britain and Ireland. The study will open from July 2023 with rolling recruitment across participating sites. All adult patients who leave theatre with an OA will be included and followed-up for 90 days. The primary objective is to prospectively audit the national variability in the management of the OA. Secondary outcomes include the treatment modality used for OA, indication, outcome of treatment and complications, including mortality and development of intestinal failure. All data will be recorded and managed using the secure REDCap electronic data capture and analysed using Stata (version 16.1). Results will be reported in accordance with the STROBE statement. Results will be used to formulate a practical clinical guideline on when to implement an OA along with a stepwise management plan once initiated to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. It is hoped that participation in this study will facilitate education of surgeons with a "trickle down" effect on all members of the surgical team and remove variability in the management.

Deposit of Intellectual Activity Results: Challenges and Opportunities of Open Access and Open Science for Ukraine

The aim of the article is to study the place of the process of depositing the intellectual activity results within the paradigm of open science; to summarize relevant international developments; to offer their use for the transformation of the deposit system in Ukraine.
 Research methods. The article uses a set of general scientific methods of generalization and analysis, synthesis and forecasting, as well as special library science methods, which made it possible to achieve the declared goal.
 Scientific novelty of obtained results lies in grounding the need in modification of policies and procedures for depositing intellectual property results, and the creation of necessary infrastructure, taking into consideration the concepts of open access and open science, as well as the corresponding international practice.
 Main conclusions. The open science paradigm implementation is a current world trend, which enables immediate and constant access to the results of scientific research and data. Many challenges are brought about by this tendency for both scientists and those ones in charge of publishing, storing, and preserving data, such as libraries. The transformation of the system of intellectual property results depositing in Ukraine should take into account the best international experience in the development of research infrastructure, and the creation of repositories of publications and data; ensuring their compatibility and interoperability; more active introduction of the culture of preprints and open review; the development of public license and copyright policies; the needs of relevant research and practices in the field of digital curatorship. Especially, all the highlighted above should be viewed in the aspect of the National Open Science Plan which was approved in Ukraine in October, 2022, the need for integration with the European Open Science Cloud, and the new version of the Law of Ukraine “On Copyright and Related Rights”, which has entered into force since January 1, 2023.

Trends in mortality in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico

The study aimed to analyze the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality rates in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) in Mexico. We selected SARD-related deaths using National Open Data and Information from the Ministry of Health, Mexico, and ICD-10 codes. We assessed the observed compared to the predicted mortality values for 2020 and 2021, employing trends from 2010 to 2019 with joinpoint and prediction modelling analyses. Among 12,742 deaths due to SARD between 2010 and 2021, the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) increased significantly between 2010 and 2019 (pre-pandemic) (annual percentage change [APC] 1.1%; 95% CI 0.2–2.1), followed by a non-significant decrease during the pandemic period (APC 13.9%; 95% CI 13.9–5.3). In addition, the observed ASMR of 1.19 for 2020 for SARD and of 1.14 for 2021 were lower than the predicted values of 1.25 (95% CI 1.22–1.28) for 2020 and 1.25 (95% CI 1.20–1.30) for 2021. Similar findings were identified for specific SARD, mainly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or by sex or age group. Interestingly, the observed mortality rates for SLE in the Southern region of 1.00 in 2020 and 1.01 in 2021 were both significantly greater than the predicted values of 0.71 (95% CI 0.65–0.77) in 2020 and 0.71 (95% CI 0.63–0.79). In Mexico, the observed SARD mortality rates were not higher than the expected values during the pandemic, except for SLE in the Southern region. No differences by sex or age group were identified.

NOJM - Our vision for the future of academic publication

Introducing the National Open Journal of Medicine: Pioneering a New Era in Open Access Publishing! We are thrilled to unveil a groundbreaking addition to the world of medical research and scholarly communication: The National Open Journal of Medicine (NOJM). As an entirely open-access publication, we are committed to fostering global scientific progress by removing barriers to knowledge and ensuring equal access for all.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Social Science Studies, Vol. 11, No. 3

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 11, Number 3Aurora Pestaño, University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR), PhilippinesEncarnación ABAD ARENAS, National University of Distance Education (UNED), SpainJulia M. Mack, Gannon University, USAMd. Nasir Uddin, Prime Minister’s Office, BangladeshMei-Ling Lin, National Open University, TaiwanRonaldo R. Larioque, NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PhilippinesSana Ali, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, PakistanYusramizza Md Isa, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia James YoungEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://ijsss.redfame.com

A CBT-Based Intervention Model for Computer Anxiety Management among first-year students at the National Open University of Nigeria in South-West Nigeria

The study investigated the effectiveness of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) in treating computer phobia among distance learning first-year students in south-western Nigeria. The moderating effects of age and gender were examined. Technology Acceptance Model was taken as the framework for the study, with the pre-test-post-test control group quasi-experimental design, where 55 computer anxious students first-year students who met the screening criteria were randomly allocated into the CBT and the Control groups. For screening, the Computer Anxiety Scale Revised (=0.89) with a norm of 60.0 was used, while Computer Anxiety Rating Scale (=0.86) was utilised to measure the criterion variable. Treatment lasted eight weeks using the CBT training guides. Data analysis was conducted using covariance and post-hoc multiple classification analysis at a significance level of 0.05. Participants mean age was =32.70, with 65.5% females. It was found that the treatment group was significantly affected by the management of computer anxiety among NOUN freshmen (F(1,46) = 42.492, p0.05, =0.480). Participants in the CBT had the least adjusted mean (=27.260), and the control group had a higher adjusted mean score (= 39.733). Participants in the treatment groups and the control group are significantly affected by age when it comes to computer anxiety (F(2,123)=4.548, p0.05, 0.090). There is a significant effect of age in the management of computer anxiety among the participants; gender did not significantly impact computer anxiety. It is recommended that educational and counselling psychologists should employ this therapy to reduce computer anxiety. Service providers should consider age in computer appreciation training for distance learners.

Evaluation of E-Learning Education System in Academic Achievement and Learning Outcomes in National Open University of Nigeria (Noun), Bauchi Study Centre, Bauchi State

As technology advances, the use of Information and Communication (ICT) tools or gadgetries has proliferated in all areas of human endeavors which paved way for the use of electronic learning (e-learning) system in which teachers are no longer present in the physical classroom to teach their courses. This paper therefore evaluate the e-learning system as a mode of teaching and learning process, relevance of its usage and challenges that hinder majority of students in its usage in learning process particularly in our National Open University. This research will adopt survey research design where the researchers developed questionnaire known as Questionnaire on Usage of Electronic Learning System (QUELS) that served as an instrument for data collected. The study areas constituted Bauchi study centre of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in the north east of Nigeria. And the population constituted all the students in the first year and second year of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) which was the sample of the study. Three (3) research questions were formulated the purpose of this research, The instrument used for data collected was validated by the experts in both fields of Computer Science and Education. Challenges such as non-availability of internet services, inability of indigent students to possess portable computer devices, irregular power supply as well as cost of accessing Internet facilities was assessed. And recommendations were given base on the findings of this research in order to see the possibilities of expanding the system in our schools at the advance level and some of the major problems facing studying electronically.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Social Science Studies, Vol. 11, No. 2

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 11, Number 2Ayşegül Sili Kalem, Necmettin Erbakan Universitesi, TurkeyE.Ozan Aksoz, Anadolu University, TurkeyFroilan Mobo, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, PhilippinesGülsüm Depeli, Hacettepe University, TurkeyLingkai Kong, Izmir University of Economics, TurkeyMei-Ling Lin, National Open University, TaiwanSana Ali, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, PakistanShyue Chuan CHONG, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, MalaysiaYaghoob Foroutan, The University of Waikato, New ZealandYusramizza Md Isa, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia James YoungEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://ijsss.redfame.com

Designing Online Learning: Comparative Study between Indonesian Open University and Korea National Open University

Designing Online Learning: Comparative Study between Indonesian Open University and Korea National Open University

High Level Multi- Sectoral National Open Science Dialogue for Academic and Research Institutes in Tanzania

High Level Multi- Sectoral National Open Science Dialogue for Academic and Research Institutes in Tanzania

High Level Multi- Sectoral National Open Science Dialogue for Academic and Research Institutes in Tanzania

High Level Multi- Sectoral National Open Science Dialogue for Academic and Research Institutes in Tanzania

Evaluation of Information and Communication Technology Skills on Use of University Web Portal by Students of National Open University of Nigeria, Ibadan

Evaluation of Information and Communication Technology Skills on Use of University Web Portal by Students of National Open University of Nigeria, Ibadan

Problems of Grade Inflation and Symptoms of Academic Fraud within the MOOCs: What Educational Analytics Says

The article studies the use of massive open online courses (MOOCs) when implementing educational programs at the university together with the related problems of evaluating students’ learning outcomes. The widespread introduction of online courses into educational practice significantly increases the risks of uncontrolled inflation of grades, which in the future may lead to a loss of employers’ confidence in university education. Within the study, there were analyzed the data of eighteen Ural Federal University’s online courses on the National Open Education Platform (more than 50 launches during the COVID‑19 pandemic). The aim was to assess the quality indicators of the course materials, academic performance, steadiness and regularity of students’ learning with the help of the «Digital Tutor» system. The results of the study show that the existing online courses cannot be a basis for an objective assessment of the real level of students’ knowledge and skills due to the imperfection of test materials and the insufficient volume of the task bank. The situation comes to be even worse thanks to the cases of students’ academic fraud, its traces identified during the analysis of their digital footprint on the platform. This leads to the uncontrolled inflation of grades, that is, to the high average score (82 points out of 100 in the semester and 70 points at the exam), to the shift in the median values of the distribution towards higher scores as compared to the average one, as well as to a critically high proportion of good and excellent marks in all courses (80%). The identified problems do not allow to use MOOCs in an exclusively e-learning model and require mixed learning formats and final certification in the form of an independent test control based on a specially developed bank of tasks that should meet the requirements of psychometrics.

ENHANCING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF INDONESIA’S FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR IN THE DIGITAL ERA THROUGH OPEN BANKING: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE UK’S EXPERIENCE

In 2021, Bank Indonesia launched the National Open API Payment Standard (SNAP) to facilitate interoperable data-access for Indonesia’s digital payments sector. This article examines the lessons learned from the UK’s experience in open payments to improve the regulatory and institutional framework of Indonesia’s open banking regime. This article employs a comparative legal analysis of the UK’s open banking regime and concludes that Indonesia’s open banking regime could be improved by expanding the delivery of the Open API standards enabling interoperable data access for the entire financial services sector through an outcomes-based approach. Such expansion could be facilitated by encouraging collaboration between banks and fintechs and by creating an Open Banking App Store to increase user adoption, enhance product visibility, and widen access to digital financial services for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)