Postgraduate Scholars Research Articles

Linking motivation and alliance to perceived ambidexterity outcomes at the individual level in academia

Purpose Previous research has considered human motivation as a determinant of inquisitiveness, learning and innovation. However, how student’s motivation affects both exploitative/exploratory research outcomes has not yet been sufficiently addressed. The purpose of this paper is to examine self-determination theory (SDT) as a conceptual tool to understand post-graduate student’s academic motivation and how it affects two types of ambidextrous outcomes (exploitative and exploratory), and thus posit relational capital as an important mediator in the motivation–innovation process. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw conclusions using 331 valid post-graduate foreign scholars data collected via online survey in three Chinese Universities and conduct data analysis using the structural equation modeling technique (AMOS). Findings Results indicate that: academic motivation and perceived collaboration capability both has a significant effect on exploitation behavior; there was no significant relationship between academic motivation and tendency to collaborate with actors within their networks; collaboration capability and exploitation behavior mediate the relationship between academic motivation and exploration behavior; and further a complementary link was found to exist between exploitation behavior and exploration behavior in students attempt to be ambidextrous. Originality/value The authors advance innovation research by expanding SDT to include relational perspective as an antecedent of ambidexterity (exploration/exploitation behaviors) and provide new insights into current understanding of research engagement in higher education settings. The authors highlight some implications for educational agencies seeking to promote the emergence of psychological and relational conditions to enhance novelty in post-graduate internationalized education.

A case study of information needs and information seeking behaviour of the postgraduate students and research scholars in Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

A case study of information needs and information seeking behaviour of the postgraduate students and research scholars in Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

Tool to Measure Attitude of Postgraduate Scholars towards Extension Service

Extension is broadly divided into three major components namely extension education, extension work and extension service. Therefore, persons who want to work in various line departments of government extension agencies like Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Forestry, Fishery etc. are expected to build positive feeling towards extension service. It is therefore significant to know the attitude of postgraduate scholars towards extension service. Keeping this in view a standardized scale has been developed to measure the attitude of the postgraduate scholars towards extension service as one of the important components of extension. A summated (Likert) rating scale was used to develop scale. The process started with identifying the dimension, collection of items followed by relevancy and item analysis and checking the reliability and validity for precision and consistency of the results. A total of 24 statements were framed in which 11 statements were finally retained which has practical applicability in measuring the attitude towards extension service. The scale contains total eleven statements, out of which five are positive and six are negative. The developed scale was found highly reliable.

Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Land Reclamation Development in Indonesia

Land reclamation activities can, directly and indirectly, impact the environment. Examples of direct effects include alterations in coastal geomorphology, variations in the chemical content of water and changes in biological composition along the littoral zone. The indirect impacts can involve geological changes and increase vulnerability to natural disasters. Reclamation processes also result in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vehicle and machinery fuel use and through the release of carbon stored in vegetation, soils and sediment in mangroves and seagrass ecosystems. Considering the global extent of land reclamation, the scale of these emissions is likely to be of widespread interest. The case of Jakarta Bay provides useful insights that can contribute to the improved environmental management of kindred land development projects in Indonesia and other parts of Asia. More than 5,100 ha of new land mass is planned from the Jakarta Bay reclamation. Preliminary analysis suggests that 30% of the planned area will require more than 150.7 million cubic metres of sand sourced from 8,628 ha of marine quarry area. In this study, we examine the sources of GHG emissions in these activities and the potential opportunities available to reduce them. The audience for this paper includes policymakers, environmental practitioners, city developers and postgraduate scholars dealing with land reclamation or other major infrastructure developments.

Postgraduate writing groups as spaces of agency development

Abstract Academic writing is a peculiar phenomenon – it varies greatly from discipline to discipline and its requirements are rarely made overt. Taking on the writing practices of the academy has implications for identity and it is thus unsurprising that it is seen to be a risky endeavour. This article analyses the experiences of postgraduate scholars who have participated in writing groups that meet weekly to read each other’s work and provide supportive critique. Thirty-two people provided detailed, anonymous evaluations of their writing groups and these were analysed using a discourse analysis. Three main findings are discussed here. Firstly, writing circles allowed for academic writing development to be engaged with as a social practice, where the disciplinary norms could be made more explicit through peer deliberation, and where they could also be challenged. Secondly, the lack of hierarchical power in the writing groups was key to making safe spaces for agency development, and also for providing positive peer pressure whereby participants were spurred on to work on their writing. Thirdly, the fact that the groups were interdisciplinary, within cognate disciplinary families, provided an interesting challenge in that the students had to consider what these non-specialist readers would or would not understand. This process assisted students in clarifying their writing. Participants’ evaluation of the writing groups revealed an overall sense that these contributed to postgraduate student wellbeing and were places of significant agential development.

An interrogation of research on Caribbean social issues: establishing the need for an indigenous Caribbean research approach

Caribbean social issues, like so many other global issues, are often researched and addressed using traditional Western philosophies and methodologies. However, some societies have criticized the use of Western approaches recognizing their unsuitability to accurately assess the distinctive culture, identity, and overall social structures of these societies. An investigation of the use of Caribbean research methodologies or approaches revealed that there is a significant absence in the use of culturally specific ways of conducting research in the Caribbean region and diaspora. This pattern was found to be consistent with the authors’ findings from a critical review of research methodologies used by postgraduate scholars in investigating Caribbean-related issues in the past 10 years. As a result, this article lobbies for the promotion of more culturally specific and relevant Caribbean research approaches that are respectful of the worldviews and practices of locals within the region.

Reconsidering postgraduate ‘supervision’ from a participatory action learning and action research approach

Postgraduate supervision is most often perceived as a one-to-one relationship between an expert and a novice researcher. Even when working in groups, an instructional approach tends to dominate, where the supervisor(s) prescribe(s) the content and process, with a narrow focus on the outcome of degree completion, rather than a more holistic approach to the development of postgraduate scholars. At a time when curriculum transformation is high on the agenda of Higher Education, we problematise this traditional conceptualisation of postgraduate supervision and argue for a more participatory action learning and action research (PALAR) approach to postgraduate learning and development. PALAR creates a relational and reflective space for dialogical conversations, equalizing traditional power relations and democratising knowledge creation. This opens up the possibility for postgraduate candidates to perceive themselves as self-directed lifelong learners and collaborative action leaders, rather than just ‘students’. Using a case example of a postgraduate PALAR retreat, we thematically analyse the data generated from participant reflections, presented over three days in visual, oral and other creative forms. Findings reveal that this approach to postgraduate learning and development enhances critical thinking and promotes collaboration rather than competition. Participants are thus able to see themselves as developing scholars and action leaders within their specific fields of influence. Such outcomes are likely to provide a solid foundation for developing future academics or other professionals, able to model a holistic, participatory approach to knowledge creation in their own practice.

International postgraduate students’ perceptions of service quality

South African universities have embraced a drive to internationalize in view of globalization. One of the widely adopted measures towards internationalization has been the recruitment of international postgraduate scholars. The rationale is to draw diverse knowledge and expertise from the international students. However, the University of KwaZulu Natal’s Westville campus has not managed to attract a significant number of international scholars. The trend suggests that the university is unable to meet the expectations of international postgraduate students with regards to service delivery. The suggestion is premised on the argument that the previous and current international postgraduate students have not been satisfied with the service quality to stimulate other foreign postgraduate student enrolments through positive word of mouth. The main objective of the study was to confirm the assertions while exposing the gaps between their expectations and perceptions of service delivery at the university. The SERVQUAL model was used to guide the assessment of service quality among the research participants. The study adopted quantitative methodologies and data was drawn from international postgraduate students who were enrolled at the institution during the academic year 2016. The findings revealed that the international postgraduate students were dissatisfied with the levels of service at the university. Specifically, the study exposed gaps across all the five dimensions of service quality, namely reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy and tangibles. It was concluded that the management at the university should institute deliberate measures to improve service quality, especially towards international postgraduate students.

Information literacy among the postgraduate students and research scholars of social science faculty at Aligarh Muslim University, India

Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to identify the need for information, find, locate, evaluate and use needed information effectively and efficiently. Today, information literacy has become literacy of vital importance because of proliferation of information resources in all forms. This paper explores the information literacy of postgraduate students and research scholars of social science faculty at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. The survey method was adopted for the study. 150 questionnaires were circulated among the postgraduate students and research scholars in social science faculty and 125 were received back for analysis with response rate 83.33%. The findings of the study disclosed that maximum number of the respondents visit the library to borrow/return the books. Books are the most frequently used source of information among them. Google is the favourite search engine used by most of the respondents. It is also found that majority of the respondents are not acquainted with the use of encyclopaedia and journals.

Psychosocial Analysis of Quality Research Competence of the Pakistani Postgraduate Research Scholars


 
 
 The present study is based on the investigation of the factors deteriorating quality research competence among research scholars and the relationship of psychosocial factors with the researchers’ creativity. Thus, the gaps in self-actualization and research development were elaborated. Data was collected from 459 subjects including 310 scholars, 111 teachers and 38 heads of departments selected from 10 leading universities located in Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Critical analysis of M.Phil and PhD theses was undertaken. The findings were statistically analyzed using Chi-square. The results identified the problem of postgraduate quality research in relation with psychosocial factors and competence affecting researchers’ performance. The study recommends for environment conducive for the self and learning, and psychosocial facilitation for Pakistani postgraduate research scholars.
 
 

The reintegration of Tongan postgraduate scholars after study abroad: knowledge utilisation and resituation

Higher education has seen increasing educational mobility as students finance themselves or get financial support from their families to study abroad (Shields Comp Educ Rev 57(4):609–636, 2013; Verbik and Lazanowski in World education news and reviews. http://www.wes.org/educators/pdf/StudentMobility.pdf, 2007). Another significant source of support, particularly for students in developing countries, is that from international aid scholarships. This research presents the reported experiences of 15 Tongan postgraduate scholars who successfully completed overseas postgraduate studies. The study focuses on the perceptions of qualifications and of scholars, as well as knowledge utilisation and knowledge resituation in and beyond the workplace. Knowledge utilisation, sometimes referred to as knowledge management, is how others support returnees’ to share and make use of their knowledge; while knowledge resituation is a personal and individual process in which knowledge gained in one context is tuned to and made use of in a new context (Eraut in Expertise development: the transition between school and work. Open Universiteit, Heerlen, pp 52–73, 2004a, Pedagogy and practice. Culture and identities. Sage, London, 2008; Franken 2012). Given the challenges the scholars faced, we advocate for a more explicit recognition of what knowledge and skills returning scholars bring home, and a more proactive and strategic use of these by their workplaces in particular.

Symposium abstracts: Thresholds and permeability in performance

Thresholds and permeability in performance was an event organised and hosted by PhD students Ben Fletcher-Watson (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and Adelina Ong (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama), with Cath Badham (University of Sheffield). Funded by the Theatre and Performance Research Association as a Postgraduate and Early Career Researcher Symposium, the day was intended to provide a collegiate, supportive atmosphere for postgraduate scholars to share and discuss their research. The event focused on the liminal spaces in between performance, with many areas of study represented, including live art, theatre, musicals, dance, livecasting and multimedia work. While theatre has often been presented in binary terms—actor / audience, reality / illusion, national / regional, canon / avant-garde—it can be productive to consider the blurred boundaries within and beyond performance.

Capacity building, tertiary postgraduate interventions and the changing media environment in southern and eastern Africa

Abstract An academic revolution in higher education during the past half century has been marked by transformations unprecedented in scope and diversity. Simultaneously, the significant changes in the ‘mediascape’ of southern and eastern Africa over the past two decades have replaced total state control with a degree of liberalization, while the digital revolution has changed the access to, and the content of, media programming. The article argues that the production of postgraduate scholars, particularly at the doctoral level, is a useful indicator of the way in which capacity building in higher education – specifically, higher education for media and journalism studies – is being undertaken. This desk research article synthesizes the trends in media and academia under six headings: 1. structure and regulation; 2. end users – audiences, readers and viewers and students; 3. content delivery – programmes and curricula; 4. human resources; 5. digital technology and new media; and 6. financial sustainability.

Information Needs and Information-Seeking Behaviour of Post-Graduate and Doctoral Students

Information seeking behaviour is an essential component in the designing and developing of need based information centres for meeting the information requirements of users. The undertaken study describes the information needs and information-seeking behaviour of post-graduate students and research scholars of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The main objective of this research study is to analyse the information seeking pattern of students in the social sciences stream. The survey was conducted to look more closely at specific areas of the study for an in-depth examination of trends and patterns in seeking information. It is found that almost all students used to get information through Internet but they prefer print material over digital resources for study purpose. They face a lots of difficulties and obstacles to access those electronic and print resources. Therefore, orientation programs and users' education programs are imperative to give them information on library services and activities. This study can be helpful for students as well as for teachers, librarians and mentors who provide information to the students and researchers.

Studies on the effect of minor addition of phosphorous on microstructure, mechanical and wear behavior of LM-28 alloy

Purpose – The main purpose of the research paper is to study the effect of refinement of primary silicon on sliding wear behavior of commercially available LM-28 alloy and correlate these with the micro-structural and mechanical properties. It is well known that the refinement of primary silicon increases the toughness, ultimate tensile stress (UTS) and wear resistance of the Al-Si alloys at ambient temperature. But exact addition level is not clearly mentioned in the paper; hence, the present paper throws light on the addition level for refinement of primary silicon present in LM-28 alloy. Design/methodology/approach – In the present paper, commercially available LM-28 alloy was prepared in the laboratory before and after the addition of Cu-P master alloy. Further wear studies will be carried out at room temperature. Wear properties are correlated with microstructure and mechanical properties. Findings – Improvements in mechanical properties were observed after refinement of the primary silicon present in LM-28 alloy. Research limitations/implications – Further studies are required regarding in-depth investigation of refinement of primary silicon and its effects on the life of the components prepared by this alloy. Practical implications – The data obtained from the research paper help the manufacturers of automotive, aerospace and marine components, such as pistons, cylinder heads and blocks, etc. Social implications – The present research work will be an essential information required for the students of undergraduate, postgraduate and research scholars to carry out research at an R&D centre. Originality/value – Experiments are conducted at an R&D centre and analyses were carried out for structural changes, mechanical properties and wear properties. Further, the results are compared with other researcher’s data.

Impact of a short biostatistics course on knowledge and performance of postgraduate scholars: Implications for training of African doctors and biomedical researchers.

This study was designed to evaluate the impact of a short biostatistics course on knowledge and performance of statistical analysis by biomedical researchers in Africa. It is recognized that knowledge of biostatistics is essential for understanding and interpretation of modern scientific literature and active participation in the global research enterprise. Unfortunately, it has been observed that basic education of African scholars may be deficient in applied mathematics including biostatistics. Forty university affiliated biomedical researchers from South Africa volunteered for a 4-day short-course where participants were exposed to lectures on descriptive and inferential biostatistics and practical training on using a statistical software package for data analysis. A quantitative questionnaire was used to evaluate participants' statistical knowledge and performance pre- and post-course. Changes in knowledge and performance were measured using objective and subjective criteria. Data from completed questionnaires were captured and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Participants' pre- and post-course data were compared using nonparametric Wilcoxon signed ranks tests for nonnormally distributed variables. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Baseline testing of statistical knowledge showed a median score of 0, with 75th percentile at 28.6%, and a maximum score of 71.4%. Postcourse evaluation revealed improvement in participants' core knowledge with the median score increasing to 28.5%; and the 75th percentile score to 85.7%; signifying improved understanding of statistical concepts and ability to carry out data analyses. This study just showed poor baseline knowledge of biostatistics among postgraduate scholars and health science researchers in this cohort and highlights the potential benefits of short-courses in biostatistics to improve the knowledge and skills of biomedical researchers and scholars in Africa.

Fashion and memory

Abstract

English

The aim of this study is to find out the use of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology (GBPUAT) library collection and services by postgraduate students and research scholars. The scope of the study was limited to the use of library collection and services as well as the postgraduate students and research scholars. Questionnaires were administered randomly among 250 students. A total 137 useable questionnaires were taken for analysis and interpretation. The Likert’s scale was also used for designing questionnaire. The findings showed that from the library’s collection (books/monographs, reference materials, research reports/bulletins, CD-ROMs, newsletters, periodicals, thesis/dissertations, book reviews and seminars/conference proceedings/workshops) whereas library services (photocopying, CD-ROM database, online, catalogue, indexing and abstracting, CAS, bibliographical, reference, and lending/circulation) were the most used among the P.G. students and research scholars for different purposes like (research work, project work, study, personal work). It was also observed that CD-ROM databases, e-journals and online databases were the most highly used e-resources. Moreover, electronic and online databases such as AGRIS, AGRICOLA, CAB Abstract and Agriculture & Natural Resources were the most highly used databases among the PG students and research scholars. The study puts forward its recommendations in regards to enhancing the use of collection and services.http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/djlit.34.6.7938

Critical Pedagogy in Postgraduate Classroom: Students’ Perspectives

Postgraduate classroom, in pedagogical discourses, is a physical space where learners can interact with their teachers and other learners, where they can share their experiences, ideas and knowledge, and put them into action for their individuals and collective change. This paper examines whether postgraduate classroom in Pakistan provides learners with the opportunity to widen their intellectual horizon through interactive learning and prepare them for jobs in the competitive knowledge based economy or equip them with ‘inflated credentials’. The data informing this study were gathered during fall 2015 semester from 20 (10 MS/M. Phil and 10 Ph. D) scholars at two public sector universities of Islamabad. Drawing on qualitative data, the paper employed Foucauldian discourses analysis as the key methodological and theoretical tool for understanding how postgraduate students describe their learning experience. Analyzing the data with the insights from Foucauldian discourses analysis (FDA), the paper explores a number of concerns, including the constitutive and constituted nature of teachers’ practices and teachers’ ideology. The study findings suggest that majority of the universities’ teachers are preachers rather than teachers. The paper stresses for the recognition and application of critical pedagogy in our postgraduate classroom. Based on the study findings, the paper suggest that postgraduate scholars should be treated as intellectuals who will engage in dialogue with their teachers and their peers to test their ideas and knowledge against the ideas and opinions of their teachers and class fellows.

Editorial 8(1)

Editorial 8(1)