Undergraduate Perceptions Research Articles

The impact of subjective norms, eWOM and perceived brand credibility on brand equity: application to the higher education sector

PurposeThe growing competitive environment in which higher education institutes are immersed has caused them to strengthen their competitive position of a brand and its equity in emerging countries. However, there are several contradictions between the empirically approved determinants and the dimensions of brand equity in higher education. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the structural relationship between subjective norms, electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), perceived brand credibility and brand equity, taking cross-culturally comparisons between Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachA survey was used to collect data from a sample of 800 undergraduates of private higher education institutions in Sri Lanka and Vietnam in 2019. These data were gathered using purposive sampling and analyzed using a structural equation model. A total of 768 questionnaires were considered valid. In testing the hypothesis and structure among the variables, structural equation modelling was used to determine the relationship between subjective norms, eWOM, perceived brand credibility and brand equity for the higher education institutes in emerging countries.FindingsFor the conceptual framework, the author found that this structural equation model complies with the empirical data. The structural equation model shows that subjective norms, eWOM and perceived brand credibility were significantly related to brand equity. Perceived brand credibility was found to be the mediating variable. Further, the location was found to moderate the relationship between perceived brand credibility and brand equity, highlighting that Vietnamese students are more relying on perceived brand credibility in creating brand equity than their Sri Lankan counterparts.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted at private higher education institutes in Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Future research could benefit from perceptions of undergraduates in public higher education institutes. This study discusses the implications of developing branding strategies for higher education institutions.Originality/valueThe current research contributes to the services marketing and branding literature in the higher education context. The paper presents the crucial elements in building brand equity for higher education institutes to fill the existing gaps in higher education branding literature. The findings of the current study provide strategies to improve the higher education sector.

Occupational perception of agricultural undergraduates of PAU, Ludhiana and PJTSAU, Hyderabad towards agriculture. A comparative study

Occupational perception of agricultural undergraduates of PAU, Ludhiana and PJTSAU, Hyderabad towards agriculture. A comparative study

Webinar on the perception of Brazilian, Italian, Swiss, and French medical science undergraduates about the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience Report

Webinar on the perception of Brazilian, Italian, Swiss, and French medical science undergraduates about the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience Report

Evaluation of physical medicine and rehabilitation course for undergraduate medical students: A mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND:The objective was to evaluate an innovative physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) course for undergraduate students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and their attitude and knowledge change following course participation.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Ninety-one medical students filled the knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction forms pre- and postintervention. Nineteen medical students, two faculty physiatrists, two residents, two physical therapists, and two occupational therapists participated in the focus groups.RESULTS:We found significant attitude improvements. They declared the usefulness of PMR course for undergraduate. Moreover, they agreed that physiatrists could be first choice for refer of musculoskeletal patients and they preferred PMR as future career after course experience. Also, they preferred to refer musculoskeletal patients including carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder, nonspecific low back pain after course participation. We found a good relationship between attitude and practice scores (r = 0.543, P = 0.000); in fact, students' attitude would strongly predict their practice through a model involving age, satisfaction, and exam scores (R2 = 0.356, B = 0.35 [0.06], and P = 0.000).CONCLUSION:We found that internship training course might be an effective method of teaching PMR. Improving attitude toward the field of PMR and patient referral practice, career choice and disability perceptions of undergraduates is concluded in this study. Investigation of the advantages of such courses in larger studies with longer follow-up time-points is highly recommend.

Arabian undergraduates perceptions regarding barriers among the geriatric patients for failing to keep dental appointments: A cross-sectional study.

Regular visits to the health care providers can develop a relationship that can extend beyond the physical health alone as the patient is transiting towards older age, adapting to changes in physical health, emotional health, and social connections. Apart from limiting access to health care services, the attitudes, beliefs, comfort level of the treating doctors towards the geriatric patients can motivate or demotivate them to access dental care. To explore the Saudi Arabian undergraduate students perception of geriatric patients and identify potential barriers that prevent the utilization of their dental appointment. A close-ended questionnaire with one question and eight reasons was administered to the fifth year clinical students. The students were requested to specify their agreement with each question on a 5-point Likert scale. Among the barriers presented, each reason's approval was expressed as the percentage of the total number of responses. In addition, the gender comparison of mean scores was made, and an independent sample t-test was used to analyze the statements agreed by the students. All analyses were performed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 (IBM, USA) with the probability of statistical significance at 0.05 level. Fifty-one students recorded their perceptions on the questionnaire administered during their clinical posting in the fifth year of the geriatric dental education program. It was concluded that students believed that geriatric patients give overwhelming importance to other problems with minor importance to oral health care. In addition, gender comparison was more evident as the percentage expressed was more in females. There is a need for more clinical exposure of geriatric patients during their clinical postings. Student's acquaintance with didactic and clinical settings appears to be a critical element towards positive knowledge and attitude towards the geriatric population.

Undergraduate orthoptic students’ views of the use of Virtual Reality in teaching and learning

This study ascertains undergraduate perceptions of the use of Virtual Reality (VR) within undergraduate studies. Fifty undergraduate orthoptic students were surveyed through an online questionnaire, where questions were based around students understanding of VR, teaching methods in higher education and the value of VR in learning and teaching. Ninety-two percent of students surveyed reported experience of VR on at least one occasion and 55% of all surveyed felt that VR has a valuable role within higher education. For those who do not use VR regularly, 24% reported this being due to a dislike of the headset, and 14% stated that it was due to cyber-sickness. Twenty-seven per cent indicated the lack of use was due to insufficient content. Overall, perception of VR as a learning tool is generally positive or comes with some uncertainty; however, there are factors identified that may prevent use within the curriculum. Development of educationally specific content to orthoptics and increased access to the technology is indicated to enhance student learning.

Online Shopping Sales Promo and its Perception Among Undergraduate Students in Osogbo, South Western Nigeria

This paper explores the perception of university undergraduates about online shopping sales promo. The researchers adopted a qualitative approach, conducting four sessions of focus group discussion (FGD) among forty students selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques across the two colleges of the university that served as the study setting: College of Management and Social Sciences and College of Natural and Applied Sciences. The study is underpinned by the consumer perception theory which explains consumer behaviour by analyzing motivations for their buying decisions and preferences. Major findings revealed that university undergraduates in this study trust online sales promo and were active in benefiting from it while being influenced by certain factors that shaped their perception of online sales platforms and promotions. It is therefore recommended that online shops and malls need to provide more convenience, competitive price, product variety, after sales services in order to attract more patronage to for their products.

The quiet agora: Undergraduate perceptions of the academic library

This research paper reports the findings of a grounded theory analysis of undergraduate perceptions of academic libraries serving their university community. The qualitative researchers employed long interviews to interview forty-one participants at various stages in their undergraduate career in order to determine how they perceive the academic library as an institution. Three theoretical categories emerged from the data analysis: (1) Constructing the Academic Library as Geographic Space, (2) Constructing the Academic Library as Idea, and (3) Constructing the Library Worker. The researchers found that participants may simultaneously view the academic library as physical geography and idealistic abstraction, and that the physical navigation of the library may remain hindered despite normative perceptions of the academic library.

Perceptions and Attitude of Students toward E-Learning in Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria

The study examined the perceptions and attitude of students toward e-learning in Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: examine the perceptions of undergraduates on the adoption of e-learning by Kwara State University; examine the attitude of students towards e-learning in Kwara State University, Malete; and investigate the constraints affecting e-learning by students of Kwara State University. The study adopted the survey design. The population of the study comprised the entire undergraduate students in Kwara State University, Malete. 240 students participated in the online survey. A self-designed questionnaire was used for the collection of data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentage. Findings of the study revealed that students have positive perceptions and attitude toward e-learning. The study also revealed the constraints affecting the use of e-learning tools by students of Kwara State University, Malete. The study recommended that the management of Kwara State University should embraced e-learning as a way of overcoming the covid-19 challenges in the university and expanding learning. Keywords: Attitude, E-learning, Kwara State, Perceptions, Undergraduate students DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-31-08 Publication date: November 30 th 2020

Perception of Kwara State undergraduates on the contributions of online tools towards improvement of reading habit

Background of the study: The study aimed at examining perceptions of undergraduates on the contributions of online tools towards improvement of reading habit in Kwara state in universities. The study identified six (6) research questions. The research population was limited to undergraduates at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Malate and Al-Hikmah University.Purpose: The study adopted descriptive survey design with questionnaire to collect data. The simple random sampling technique was adopted. The researcher used Educational and Psychological Measurement Israel model (2003) sample table to arrive at the actual sample size for this study. Therefore, the sample size for this study at level of ± 5% level of significance for population of 53, 130 students was 397. With total population of 76% for University of Ilorin, 18% for Kwara State University Malate and 6% for Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.Method: Data collected from the field were analyzed using descriptive method of analysis.Findings: The findings of the study revealed that blog, twitters, E-mail, websites, YouTube, Facebook is the most available online tools that improve undergraduates reading habit. The study also revealed that undergraduates using online tools for social purpose than others.Conclusion: The study concluded that undergraduates have good perception using online tools for their reading. The study also established that undergraduates using online tools for social, political, recreation and religion benefits. It is also established that distraction, fallout from technologies, financial constraints and poor power supply are the major setbacks to the use of online tools for reading.

A Closer Look at the Academic Support Seeking Behaviour of Male Undergraduate Students

This qualitative case study embraced Social Construction theory to explore undergraduate male students' perceptions on the academic support provided at one university as well as their engagement in academic support seeking. The study aimed to examine the influence of masculinity on academic support seeking behaviour. Volunteer sampling was used to collect data from seventy undergraduate male students in the School of Accounting. An open-ended questionnaire and semi structured interviews were used to collate data. Data generated was subjected to content analysis which revealed that participants are aware of the academic support available to them and that they consider certain forms of non-academic support as necessary for their academic success. The findings revealed that participants engaged in academic support seeking via Academic Development Officers, specialist tutors, lecturers, peers, family members and no one. The findings exhibit the need for a greater understanding by lecturers and the relevant personnel of how masculinity impacts academic support seeking behaviour of undergraduate male students. The findings of this study reveal that for students to excel at university they need more than just academic support as their basic needs for food, financial support and health care must be met. Further findings illuminate that undergraduate male students' decisions and behaviours are profoundly shaped by rigid social and cultural expectations related to masculinity. The findings of this study are significant as they subvert the findings of previous studies that men avoid help seeking behaviour.

Mode of Teaching in Anatomy- Perception of 1st Year Medical Undergraduates

Introduction: To analyse and assess the perception of medical students on different teaching aids whichare normally used in teaching and their attitude towards it.. Time to time evaluation of medical curriculumby experts is the routine practice in medical education. A comparison between the use of recent advancedteaching tool and the traditional way of teaching is challenging. However the student’s perception andopinion is equally important because it is meant for them.Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was designed covering the different aspects of lecture. It was wasgiven to 150 medical students of first year students of Sri lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences.Informed consent was taken by the participants and confidentiality was maintained. The questionnaire wasassimilated and analyzed statistically. A personal interview was also conducted to them to know their bettersuggestions.Result : In our study HIGH SATISFACTION INDEX (SI) for the teaching aids were for Powerpoint +Blackboard teaching. As for teaching methods students preferred combination of teaching followed by smallgroup discussion and group assessment. However, under individual teaching tool they opted for Powerpointteaching only (80%).Conclusion: The combination of teaching methods using technology is more effective when compared todidactic lectures. This observation and application may probably break the monotonous mode of lectures .

Making Inorganic Chemistry Interesting

The undergraduate student perception of inorganic chemistry as routine and unimaginative was transformed by adopting few innovative approaches in the pedagogy. This is primarily a reflection of my experiences in classroom teaching that is presented in this commentary. Fun-oriented, analogy based and pragmatic approach was used to explain simple concepts in inorganic chemistry. Laboratory demonstrations and exposure to understand research articles made the course more interesting. Selective examples of defining classroom moments are presented in this reflective commentary. Framing questions in an animated, imaginative and unconventional style made students feel quite challenged and also experience the joy in learning. The introduction of group discussion as an evaluative component enhanced the soft skills of the students. The creative instinct in learning changed students’ perception of inorganic chemistry from an insipid to a highly engaging and captivating subject.

Exposure to Urbanized Poverty and Attitude Change: A Longitudinal Case Study on Service-Learning with Rural Undergraduate Criminal Justice Students

Criminal justice departments recognize the value of connecting students to real-world problems through service-learning activities. Yet, challenges exist in exposing students to diverse populations. The current study stepped outside the classroom, involving an extra-curricular group of criminal justice students, in a unique service-learning project. Students from a rurally located university traveled to the most poverty-stricken area in Los Angeles, California, known as Skid Row. Students partnered with The Burrito Project, making and serving 950 burritos to people living on the streets. To assess the impact on exposure to poverty, students completed a pre and post-test utilizing the Undergraduate Perceptions of Poverty Tracking Survey. Four years later, follow-up interviews were conducted. Survey results suggest no significant changes pre/post project completion while longitudinal interviews yielded rich data on the project impact. Future directions including criminal justice students within service-learning projects are discussed, especially considering inclusion of students early within their academic careers.

Ethics: Perceptions of undergraduates in Singapore

This study focused on the ethical intentions and perceptions of ethical problems among undergraduates in Singapore. An online survey was conducted to a sample of 100 undergraduates studying in local and foreign universities based in Singapore. The study found influences on ethical perceptions and intentions by factors such as gender, religious commitment, and academic majors. Finance & Accounting and Business Management students were more able to perceive an ethical problem and proved more ethical in their intentions than students in other disciplines.

Quem decide sobre controvérsias científicas? Uma análise das percepções de licenciandos em ciências sobre participação social e modelos decisórios em ciência e tecnologia

Resumo: A complexidade de decisões públicas envolvendo ciência e tecnologia – C&T é um desafio para a garantia de participação social em questões altamente especializadas. Em geral, a população reconhece a importância de regulações e controle social sobre C&T. Mas como tal participação deve ocorrer? Modelos decisórios adotados para tais questões são indicadores da concepção de ciência e da necessidade de participação social no fechamento de controvérsias científicas. Com objetivo de compreender como licenciandos em ciências enxergam essas questões, o artigo propõe, através do emprego da análise textual discursiva, apresentar as percepções emergentes no discurso dos licenciandos de cursos de Biologia, Química e Física que participaram de um curso sobre as inter-relações ciência, tecnologia e sociedade. As categorias de análise foram duas: racionalidade científica e modelos decisórios. Os discursos emergentes deixam claro que o grupo separa controvérsias em dois grupos: as demasiado técnicas para que haja participação social, e as que envolvem questões morais mais pronunciadas, as quais deveriam acatar a participação social.
 Palavras-chave: Formação docente. Controvérsias Científicas. Educação Científica.

P105 Using Theater to Explore Poverty and Food Insecurity Issues in an Undergraduate Community Nutrition Course

<h3>Objective</h3> To explore the potential of theater as part of an undergraduate community nutrition course in shaping students' attitudes, beliefs, and empathy toward individuals experiencing food insecurity and living in poverty. <h3>Use of Theory or Research</h3> The benefits of arts-based curricula has been well-documented in other health and social service disciplines. Theater, poetry, and art can broaden students' understanding of complex social problems, foster engagement, and promote empathy. These skills and capabilities are important for nutrition educators. However, few studies have investigated the potential role of arts-based education in nutrition/dietetics coursework, and to our knowledge, no studies have been published to-date on the use of theater. <h3>Target Audience</h3> Students (n = 11) enrolled in an undergraduate community nutrition course at a small university in New England. All were majoring in either nutrition or public health. <h3>Course/Curriculum Description</h3> Students attended a theatrical performance that addressed everyday experiences of families living in poverty and confronted a wide range of social issues connected to food insecurity. After the performance, students were given a reflection paper assignment. <h3>Evaluation Methods</h3> The evaluation was a mixed methods design with both qualitative and quantitative components. Reflection papers were analyzed for themes. Perceptions on individuals in poverty (pre/post) was assessed by the validated Undergraduate Perceptions of Poverty Tracking Survey (UPPTS) and analyzed using paired t-tests. <h3>Results</h3> After attending the performance, perceptions on those living in poverty improved. Common themes discussed in reflection papers revealed greater awareness of stressors and barriers to accessing resources. Lower mean survey score on Likert-scale of 1-5 indicated greater overall empathy, and likelihood of viewing the underlying causes of poverty related to lack of resources and opportunity (2.2 + 0.4 vs 1.9 + 0.4), <i>P</i> < .05. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Theater can provide nutrition students with new insights and perspectives that can potentially broaden their understanding of complex social and environmental factors that influence nutrition-related behaviors.

Social Media and Women’s Culture of Silence on Sexual Violence: Perception of Babcock University’s Female Undergraduates

The study examines the perception of female undergraduates’ about the role of social media in breaking women’s culture of silence on sexual violence. Violence against women is a subject of concern due to its prevalence and the culture of silence associated with it. Involvement of social media groups appears to be changing this trend as women are supported to speak out. The study examines some social media platforms involved in this campaign, how they contribute to knowledge of females and shape their attitude to information on sexual violence on social media as well as their perception of the effectiveness of the social media in the campaign against sexual violence among women. Anchored on two theories - agenda setting and the spiral of silence, the study through a descriptive survey, sampled the perception of 370 female undergraduates of Babcock University. Responses derived from a questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Students were moderately exposed to campaigns on sexual violence (Mean= 3.32, SD=1.49), just as majority have a positive perception of the social media’s role in breaking the culture of silence on sexual violence (x= 5.00, SD=0.00). The need to intensify efforts in reaching more females especially those who still have limited knowledge and tend to be silent was underscored.

Strategies for Leading Weekly Teaching Assistant Meetings: Undergraduate Student Perceptions after Implementing Pedagogical Change

Strategies for Leading Weekly Teaching Assistant Meetings: Undergraduate Student Perceptions after Implementing Pedagogical Change

How a typhoon event transforms public risk perception of climate change: A study in China

Risk perception understanding is fundamental for risk management. The effects of catastrophic events on public risk perception of projects such as nuclear plants have become a critical concern, however, there is still few studies concentrate on public risk perception of extreme weather brought by climate change. In this study, the proposed statistical methods were applied to evaluate the impacts of Typhoon Meranti on climate change risk perception of undergraduates from Xiamen University, China. It is found that both the evaluation on personal efforts and domestic community efforts on climate change mitigation were significantly affected by the Typhoon Meranti, while the public risk perception structure of climate change did not change significantly after the typhoon. Meanwhile, disciplinary background, teaching contents and the location of hometown are main influential factors on interviewees’ risk perception of climate change. The results indicated that the transformation of public risk perception is a long-term process, education can be an effective approach to promote public’s concern and comprehension on climate change. The proposed framework explores a quantitative method to measure the impacts of an extreme weather event on public risk perception and its policy implications on public risk.