Perceptions Of Administrators Research Articles

INVESTIGATING ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATORS’ PERCEPTION TOWARDS THE PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

This study investigates the perception of academic administrators on the basic principles of educational leadership in higher education. The aim is to identify the principles that increase the level of effectiveness in academic works. A survey method was used to collect the data of the study. Questionnaires were distributed to academic administrators at the Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The findings revealed that the principles of educational leadership could help enrich excellence in higher education institutions. Also, the principles of educational leadership are applicable in leveraging academic administrators’ leadership qualities in higher education institutions. Article visualizations:

Influence of Self-Regulatory Policy of Auditing Profession on Audit Expectation Gap: A Qualitative Methodological Approach

Abstract This study examined the influence of self-regulation of auditing profession on audit expectation gap (AEG) in Nigeria with particular reference to respective perceptions of audit partners and pension fund administrators. The motivation for embarking on this exploratory research is born out of many years concern over the speedy erosion of confidence in the auditing profession after the collapse of many blue chip companies in Nigeria to which the external auditors were given ‘clean bill of health’ shortly before their demise. The theoretical framework adopted for this study was role theory propagated by Porter in her earlier study. This study also adopts the interpretivist or post-positivist epistemological approach. As exploratory study, semi-structured face-to-interview method was used for data collection. After the transcription of the recorded tape, a thematic data analysis method was used to analyse the data. The outcome of the study indicates that self-regulatory policy influenced the auditing standard setting. It was also found that some outdated provisions in the Nigerian company Act on appointment, remuneration and removal of external auditors contributed largely to audit expectation gap in Nigeria. This research responds to the need for a government intervention on auditing standard setting and establishment of transparently independent oversight body for auditing standard setting distinct from the present Financial Reporting Council that adopt auditing standards produced by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

The Politics of Distance Edcucation

"Distance education" at the college level is well over a century old. It has served the needs of a numerically large, but proportionately small population of learners who have eschewed the campus classroom. These correspondence school enrollees, educational TV watchers, and audiocassette listeners have had only modest impact on the structure, mission, and strategy of the institutions serving them. But that is now changing, and changing very dramatically. The advent of the Internet, interactive television technology, and web-based instructional software, coupled with administrative and political perceptions of educational reformation and fiscal efficiency, may be causing nothing less than a revolution in higher education. By applying a feminist model of assessment called "unthinking technology," that is to say, exploring the potential, but unthought of socio-political aspects of this technological revolution, this paper raises significant questions about the security of the traditional academic enterprise. "The Politics of Distance Education" urges a pro-active embrace of these technologies by the academy in order to enable a legitimate "competency for grievance" so that the protection of the validity of higher education, and legitimacy of the academic profession can be ethically defended and publicly respected, rather than being viewed as mulish resistance to the inevitable.

Effective School Evaluation in Primary Schools from the dimension of Parents

The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of the primary schools depending on “parents” dimension according to the perceptions of administrator and teacher in terms of different variables. It employed descriptive survey model. Data was collected through effective school questionnaire with the aim of determining the perceptions of school administrators and teachers working in primary schools in Erzurum. 155 school administrators and 616 teachers were selected through simple random sampling method and the obtained data was analyzed through arithmetic mean t-test, one -way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The data revealed that the school administrators and teachers expressed parents had a medium-level contribution to the effectiveness of primary schools. It is likely to state that school administrators and teachers in different duty stations and professional seniorities had different opinions about the attitudes of parents related to the effectiveness of schools while school administrators and teachers had similar opinions.

School Administrators Perceptions of the Employability of Preservice Science, Technology, and Mathematics Teachers through Teaching Practice in Nigeria

Teaching practice is considered a professional development tool for boosting science, technology and mathematics graduate teachers‟ employability. This study examined Nigerian school administrators‟ perception of the skills central to the employability of preservice STM teachers in order to make them work-ready when they graduate and increase their marketability in the transition from learning to earning. The study adopted a blueprint of mixed-methods approach. This approach offered an in-depth, contextualised, and natural but more time-consuming insight of qualitative research coupled with the more efficient but less rich of compelling predictive power of quantitative research. Data were collected using the semi-structured interview (qualitative data) with a protocol that comprised four open-ended questions involving 20 school administrators majorly Principals and a survey comprising 39 five-point Likert scale statements (quantitative data) from 180 school administrators (Principal, Vice Principal, Head of STM and Senior STM teachers) in 20 randomly selected senior secondary schools in Lagos State, Nigeria who offered three months of teaching practice for 98 preservice STM teachers in one university in Nigeria. The results showed a satisfactory level of preservice STM teachers‟ performance during the teaching practice as most administrators were in support of recruiting the preservice STM teachers in future. Teaching skills were ranked most important next to personal attributes for enhancing employability and needing most improvement by preservice STM teachers. The school administrators perceived the duration of the teaching practice to be too short and suggested an extension to twelve months for preservice STM teachers to benefit maximally from the training. They equally suggested that the preservice STM teachers on graduation should be posted to schools during the period of their National Youths Service Corps to further enrich their professional teacher training.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Kinesiology: Survey Results from the 2016 AKA Workshop

Over the past decade, institutions of higher education have been forced to become more innovative and entrepreneurial, seeking creative solutions to budget challenges. This has been particularly important within kinesiology programs, which represent one of the largest growing sectors of higher education over the past 10–15 years. In preparation for the 2016 American Kinesiology Association (AKA) Leadership Workshop, a survey was administered by the AKA to capture key institutional classifications (i.e., Carnegie classification, institutional size, public vs. private designation) and department chair or designated administrator perceptions on entrepreneurial issues relevant to their unit. Sixty-eight of 881 units surveyed responded, yielding a response rate of 7.7%. The majority of respondents (67%) indicated a unit funding model that was based on the previous year’s level (i.e., historical budget model). While the majority of respondents reported that their unit is provided with “adequate to plentiful” resources (59%), this varied widely based on institutional classification. Specifically, baccalaureate institutions (Chi-square 18.054, p < .001) and institutions with < 5,000 students (Chi-square 10.433, p & .015) had the least favorable perceptions of unit resource allocation. For the majority of entrepreneurial activities and partnerships (5 of 8 targeted questions), ≥ 50% of the respondents reported “no involvement.” There was a significant mismatch between actual vs. expected time spent by the department chair on fundraising activities (Chi-square 4.627, p = .031), with higher expectations than actual time spent on fundraising. In summary, the AKA survey suggests that there is tremendous heterogeneity in perceptions of and participation in entrepreneurial activities within kinesiology, and that there remains strategic areas of opportunity within the field.

School Administrator Perceptions of Cyberbullying Facilitators and Barriers to Preventive Action: A Qualitative Study.

Schools are often held responsible for preventing or addressing cyberbullying, yet little is known about school administrator perceptions of cyberbullying and the challenges they face in addressing this public health issue. The goal of this study is to examine school administrators' perceptions of the facilitators of cyberbullying and barriers to primary and secondary prevention strategies. Public school administrators ( N = 36) participated in in-depth interviews about bullying and discussed their experiences with cyberbullying and their perceptions of cyberbullying facilitators and barriers to prevention. Three main themes arose from the analysis: (1) cyberbullying as a major challenge; (2) facilitators of cyberbullying and barriers to preventive action, including parents and technology; and (3) prevention efforts, including unclear jurisdiction for action, primary versus secondary prevention efforts, and technology attributes that facilitate school response to bullying. Although administrators perceive cyberbullying as a major challenge facing their schools, they are often unsure about appropriate primary and secondary prevention efforts. Relationships with parents and police complicate response and prevention as schools attempt to navigate unclear jurisdiction. Additionally, technology presents a challenge to schools because it is seen as an enabler of cyberbullying, a facilitator of prevention, and a necessary part of education efforts. Lack of research on prevention strategies, parents' knowledge and attitudes, and confusion about responsibility for addressing cyberbullying are barriers to action. Findings suggest administrators could benefit from additional clarity on which strategies are most effective for primary prevention of cyberbullying, and that prevention strategies should proactively involve parents to promote effective collaboration with schools.

Exploring the experiences of administrative interns

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to identify how current administrative interns enrolled in a university administrator preparation program describe and make meaning of their internship experiences.Design/methodology/approach– For this qualitative study, the researchers interviewed administrative interns enrolled in one university preparation program throughout their internship regarding the experiences.Findings– The findings from this study contribute and add value to research in the area of administrator preparation by highlighting the experiences of administrative interns as well as the implications of how interns make meaning of those experiences using a developmental concerns framework. Key factors influencing those perceptions cited by interns as a result of their internship experiences include the interns’ readiness to take on leadership positions, their change in perception of administration, perceptions of journal reflections as an internship component, supporting teachers, receiving feedback from others, and the level of support provided by their internship supervisor.Originality/value– The findings from this study contribute to research in the area of administrator preparation at the university level, specifically pertaining to the structure of the internship, how university preparation programs can respond to interns’ concerns, and the design and emphasis of practicum experiences within those degree or certificate programs.

A Study of Faculty Governance Leaders’ Perceptions of Online and Blended Learning

This article reports the findings of a study on the perceptions of faculty governance leaders to online and blended learning. For the purposes of this study, faculty governance was defined as formally established bodies in colleges and universities such as senates, councils, and collective bargaining organizations that are affiliated with the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). While there have been many studies on the perceptions of students, faculty, and administrators, there has been very little research on the perceptions of faculty governance leaders who hold critical positions in colleges and universities. Governance leaders are at the crux of approval processes that influence the development of curricula, faculty personnel policies, and academic programs, all of which can impact the implementation of online and blended learning initiatives. The research methodology for this study included a survey sent to a sample of governance leaders at U.S. institutions of higher education and follow-up phone interviews or email correspondence with a small number of volunteers. The sample was identified using an American Association of University Professors (AAUP) membership list. The results of this study provide important new information on the perceptions of this influential group of leaders on matters related to online and blended learning.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Motivasi Bidan Pelaksana Dalam Pelayanan Ibu Nifas Di Wilayah Kabupaten Blora

Maternal Mortality Rate mostly occurred during postnatal period. Midwives played an important role and had responsibility in providing maternal services. Postnatal services in Blora District had not been optimally implemented. This condition was influenced by motivation of midwives in providing postnatal services. Five of seven midwives said that they were lazy to provide postnatal services particularly in visiting maternal. Motivation was influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Therefore, factors influencing motivation of midwives in providing maternal services needed to be investigated. This was a quantitative-analytic study using cross sectional approach. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Number of population was 359 midwives in Blora District. Number of samples were 76 respondents calculated using minimal sample size. A validity test used pearson product moment whereas alpha Cronbach test was used to analyse reliability. Data were analysed using methods of univariate (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test), bivariate (Chi-Square test), and multivariate (logistic regression test). The results of this research showed that factors of perception of administration and policy (p=0.043; C=0.227), perception of supervision (p=0.001; C=0.346), perception of work (p=0.000; C=0.503) and perception of environmental condition (p=0.001; C=0.350) statistically significantly related to motivation of midwives. Perception of work was the most influenced factor of motivation (p=0.000; Exp(B)=11.655). As suggestions, other researchers need to investigate the factor of perception of work. District Health Office needs to evaluate main and additional tasks and to consider increasing incentive for activities of maternal services. Indonesian Midwives Association of Blora needs to guide and to improve motivation of midwives in providing maternal services. Health Centres (Coordinator Midwives) need to involve midwives in improving perception of work (maternal services) by conducting training.

Do Incentive-Based Programs Improve Teacher Quality and Student Achievement? An Analysis of Implementation in 12 Urban Charter Schools

Context Policymakers have increasingly advocated for incentive-based approaches for improving urban schools. Purpose of the Study Few studies have examined the implementation of incentive based approaches in the urban charter school context. This paper presents research findings from a 4-year longitudinal study of the implementation of a comprehensive incentive-based program for school improvement. Setting The study was conducted in cluster of 12 charter schools in a large urban school district. Participants/Subjects Participants in the study included classroom teachers, administrators, and staff in the charter schools; program staff from the school district; and consultants to the project. Research Design The study used a mixed methods design, which included a comparative case study, and quasi-experimental design. Data Collection and Analysis Qualitative data elements included semistructured interviews and observations of program activities. Quantitative data elements included the official classroom teaching evaluation scores, teacher attitudes survey data, standardized student achievement scores from state and district assessment programs, and researcher-developed surveys of teacher and administrator perceptions. Results The results suggest that, in addition to questions about the viability of this comprehensive incentive model, there were several challenges related specifically to the context of the schools that affected program implementation. These included: misconceptions about performance pay; difficulties learning, understanding and sustaining a complex professional development model; poor fidelity of program implementation; varying capacities of the leadership teams; inability to sustain the incentive component; differences in the contexts and missions of the participating schools; and high teacher turnover at the schools. All the 12 schools reported some improvement in student achievement which led to performance rewards; however, this was not substantial or consistent over the course of the 4 years of implementation. The program also did not impact teacher retention at the schools. Schools that benefited the most from the program demonstrated an alignment of goals between the program staff, school leadership, and teachers. Conclusions/Recommendations The study findings suggest that even comprehensive incentive-based models are not yet viable and have limited effectiveness. Educators needed significant salary increases to be incentivized by money and incentive-based models need to be simpler in design for participants to understand them. The aspect that was somewhat sustained was the professional development and collegiality among the teachers indicating that a professional community is what teachers appreciated most from the program.

The Role Perception of Female Secondary School Administrators in Ekiti State

This study examined the self perceived role of female administrators of secondary schools in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Such perception is based on performing specific tasks, and is compared to the role of female administrators as perceived by the teachers under them and the board members of the Teaching Service Commission. A purposive sampling technique was used to select thirty (30) female principals/administrators, 670 teachers under them and five Board members. A 40 item questionnaire, arranged in a summated rating Likert Whitney U-test was employed to test the significance difference between the self-perceived role of female administrators and their role as perceived by both the teachers and Board member. Findings showed that self-perceived role of the female secondary school administrators is significantly different from her role as perceived by the teachers under them in (1) Staff Development (2) Instructional Supervision and (3) Finance and Budgeting Whereas both the female administrators and their superordinates (Board members) perceived the role of the female administrators in the following order of importance. 1. Staff development 2. Finance and Budgeting 3. Community Relations 4. Instructional Supervision 5. Student welfare Services It was recommended that both male and female school administrators need some orientation courses on professional matters regularly.

"Weariness" and "unpleasantness" reduce adherence to branched-chain amino acid granules among Japanese patients with liver cirrhosis: results of a single-center cross-sectional survey.

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are valuable in the treatment of liver cirrhosis because they increase serum albumin levels. Poor adherence to BCAA may adversely affect prognosis, but little is known about factors predicting adherence. We undertook a survey of patients prescribed BCAA for the treatment of cirrhosis. Pharmacists carried out face-to-face interviews with patients (or their representatives) prescribed any of nine BCAA formulations. Question categories included patient characteristics, prescription of BCAA granules, and perceptions of BCAA administration, including adherence and possible factors that might impact adherence. "Poor adherence" was defined as "not taking the medication appropriately" or "forgetting to take the medication". Overall, 253 patients (or representatives) completed the survey, of whom 135 were men, 114 were women, and 148 were ≥70years old. Most patients (163) were prescribed BCAA for ≥2years and were using three packs per day. Thirty-two patients did not take their medication appropriately and 69 sometimes forgot to administer it. Weariness of taking the medication (P <0.001) and the perceived unpleasantness (P = 0.023) of the medication in terms of its taste and volume were significantly associated with poor adherence. The patients reported that the most influential educators were general practitioners, followed by certified hepatologists, then pharmacists. Most patients had good adherence to BCAA in clinical practice. Poor adherence was associated with weariness with taking medication, and the unpleasantness of the medication itself. Patient education from general practitioners and hepatologists combined with adherence counseling from pharmacists may help improve adherence.

The perception of the contributory pension scheme administration by the staff of University of Benin

This paper x-ray the perception of the staff of University of Benin on the contributory pension scheme administration. The research instruments used in the data collection were structured questionnaire and face to face interview. A sample size of 250 made up of both the academic and non-academic staff were selected from the total populations of about 5,000 staff. The research findings indicated non-significant relationship between the variable on the hypothesis. They faulted the scheme for lack of transparency and accountability and the life time pension payment as in defined benefit scheme. Based on the finding, appropriate recommendations were made to make the scheme attractive.

A study on the perception of school administrators for school counselors’ role

A study on the perception of school administrators for school counselors’ role

Analysis of the Perceptions of School Administrators on the Recent Published Regulation

The aim of study is to examine the perceptions of school administrators about the regulation published on 10th June 2014. This study is a qualitative research and in order to acquire the data phenomenological method, which provides to focus on cases that we are aware of but do not have deep and detailed insight, was used. The target group of the study included 5 primary, 5 secondary and 2 high school administrators in Ankara province Polatlı district. The target group was designed based on purposive sampling method. The data was collected by using semi-structured interview method. Content analysis method was conducted to analyze the data. School principals in the study, expressed their ideas as follows; the assessments for school managements should be done by a lawful and objective exam. The exam should be written. The exam should be esteemed at; general ability, education management and regulations. The written exam should apply for both work of director and assistant director. Although the first rule for being appointed to educational institutions is being selected by an exam, the management knowledge and ability, master’s degree, in service training on management etc. should be given importance, too.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations in Medical Research: Perceptions and Experiences of Older Italians, Their Families, Ethics Administrators and Researchers.

BackgroundLow-participation of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients in medical research remains a problem in migrant and refugee destination countries such as Australia. The aims of this study were to explore i) CALD persons’ perceptions and experiences of the medical system and medical research, in this case, older Italian Australians; and ii) the views of research professionals on CALD patient participation in medical research.Design and MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in Melbourne, Australia, in 2015 utilising in-depth interviews and focus groups with four stakeholder groups: older Italian Australians (n=21); adult children of older Italian Australians (n=10); hospital Human Research Ethics Committee administrators (n=4); and clinical researchers (n=4). The data were analysed for content and thematic analysis.ResultsThemes for the CALD and family group were getting by in medical interactions; receptivity to medical research: testing the waters; and, receptivity to technology for support: passive versus active. Themes for the researcher and HREC groups about CALD patient participation in research were: exclusion; cultural factors; and e-consent.ConclusionsOur findings from four stakeholder perspectives and experiences confirm that there were considerable cultural, linguistic, and resourcing barriers hindering the participation of older Italian-Australians in medical research. Furthermore, our findings showed that in this study setting there were few enabling strategies in place to address these barriers despite the national ethics guidelines for equitable participation in research. The findings informed the creation of a multimedia tool whose purpose is to address and improve representation of CALD groups in clinical research.Significance for public healthMany people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds remain excluded from medical research such as clinical trials due to a range of language and cultural factors that can be amplified when this population is ageing. This exclusion has implications for the ability of CALD populations to benefit from participating in medical research and for applying research findings to CALD populations. It is essential to develop and implement strategies to include CALD communities in medical research and to uphold the ethical obligation of obtaining informed consent to research. The findings of this study have guided the development of a tablet-based resource which can be used in clinical and community contexts to raise awareness about the purpose of medical research. The resource has been carefully designed to be appropriate for participants' cultural background as well as their preferred language and literacy level. Such a resource has potential to address some of the cultural and linguistic barriers to clinical trial participation of CALD populations.

Perceptions and Practices: Employers, Educators, and Students on GIS Internships

AbstractWithin an increasingly competitive job market, academic internships have become an important source of work experience for students with career interests involving geographic information systems (GIS) and related geospatial technologies. However, while GIS internships offer benefits to employers and students, their structure and objectives may be viewed differently across stakeholder groups such as private industry, government, and academia. In this article we evaluate how GIS internships are valued and perceived by employers, educators, and the interns themselves using quantitative and qualitative measures collected though web‐based surveys and semi‐structured telephone interviews. Data analysis helped us determine the relative importance of technical and non‐technical skills needed by students in preparation for GIS internships. Our findings reveal relatively few differences in scores assigned to technical and non‐technical skills when comparing employer and educator ratings. Educator ratings were higher for nearly all technical and non‐technical skills. In comparison, employers placed greater emphasis on technical skills involving data entry/manipulation and non‐technical skills such as flexibility/adaptability. The survey also revealed differences in employer and educator perceptions of internship goals and administration. Telephone surveys with former interns supplemented information from employer and educator surveys in developing “best practices” that may be useful in the design and administration of GIS internships.

Analysis of the Perceptions of Administrators on the Educations Regulations

The main purpose of the Ministry of National Education Guidance and Inspection Directorate and Education Inspectors Directorates Regulation consists of defining the organizations and duties of these directorates. In this respect, the regulation deals with the power and responsibilities of education inspectors to be appointed in the directorates separately and regulates issues such as their appointment, employment, training and replacement; in short all working style and principles. In this study, it is aimed at analyzing and evaluating the Ministry of National Education Guidance and Supervision Directorate and Education Inspectors Directorates Regulation taking the views of inspectors in the dimensions of structure, process and understanding. In line with this purpose, the views of education inspectors (N=86) have been obtained by Baskan and Kapusuzoğlu (2013) through a survey of 25 items developed in line with the regulations. The obtained data has been analyzed through averages, the T- test, Anova and Tukey-B tests. As a result of the study, it has been concluded that the inspectors do not find the application terms related to the competition examination and the changes made in terms of the examination board, regulations made in terms of the reclamation period and the oral examination process “appropriate” and that they find the regulations related to the written examination subjects and score weight, their training and appointment “partially appropriate.” In addition, the views of the inspectors do not display differences based on personal characteristics with the exception of terms of service.

Determining School Administrators’ Perceptions on Institutional Culture: A Qualitative Study

Schools, the where educational activities are carried out, are among the major institutions society considers as important. Schools undertake strategic responsibilities in maintaining cultural values and conveying them to future generations. The primary responsibility in achieving these missions is assigned to the school administrators. The purpose of this study is to determine the perceptions of school administrators on institutional culture. This is a qualitative study conducted on school administrators who were selected based on the volunteering principle. Perceptions of school administrators concerning their institutions’ culture and the differences between their institutional culture and other institution’s cultures were determined and analyzed. Findings of this study suggest that school administrators have both positive and negative opinions regarding their institutional culture and cultural difference. While love-respect, collaboration-solidarity and common history were prominent positive opinions; lack of communication, lack of shared values and low expectation were prominent negative opinions. In addition, participants stated the environment as a crucial factor when defining culture.