Research In Albania Research Articles

Development of the Albanian translation of the Perceived Affective Qualities in the ISO/TS 12913-2 soundscape standard

The Perceived Affective Qualities (PAQs) outlined in the ISO/TS 12913-2:2018 standard have been translated into many languages and are referred to as a global standard to evaluate the acoustic environment in various contexts. There is a growing legislative framework in Albania that addresses noise pollution through Law No. 9774 and Guideline No.8. The aim of this study, which recognizes the increasing trends in acoustic research in Albania, and acknowledges the gap regarding soundscape descriptors has been to develop equivalent versions of the soundscape descriptors defined in ISO/TS 12913-2:2018 by translating the PAQs into the Albanian Language through a model fitting approach. This study, which has followed the Soundscape Attributes Translation Project (SATP) guidelines, has employed a mixed method, that is, both a qualitative investigation and a quantitative evaluation based on specific criteria built upon previous work, have been conducted. In the first phase (1a), eight linguistic experts independently translated eight affective attributes, which were later verified in the second phase (1b) by acoustic experts. After three potential translations had been generated for each of the eight PAQs, a quantitative approach, namely phase (1c), which had been proposed in previous SATP studies, was employed. Thirty-two native Albanian individuals, all of whom were proficient in English, evaluated the translated candidate terms in an online questionnaire, considering such criteria as their Appropriateness, Understandability, Clarity, Antipodal Antonymity, Orthogonal Unbiasedness, Connotativeness, Non-connotativeness, and Implicative Balance. The collected data were then subjected to a series of Kruskall Wallis tests with Bonferroni corrections to determine the final translation for each PAQ. In conclusion, eight Albanian attribute translations have been defined. Despite some limitations, our findings are promising and suggest that the selected attributes are validated inputs to the next steps of the research which involve listening experiments (SATP phase 2).

Factors Affecting Students Evaluation of Teachers: A Case Study Research in Albania

The reliability, efficacy, and ethics of students “judging” their professors at university are considered to be controversial and political issues. Students’ evaluations of teaching (SET) instruments are used by universities to rate teachers and teaching. However, we question whether or not such instruments are adequate. And to what degree? What are the limitations? Are there any biased interpretations in the responses of the students? In this article, we address some of the issues concerning the evaluation of teachers by students at the University of Durres, Albania, such as the direct correlation between grading and positive evaluation, gender of professors, et al. A quantitative methodology was used for the realization of this study. The instrument used in the study was a questionnaire designed to explore students' and academic staff attitudes, regarding students’ evaluations of teachers. The article presents the study results and recommendations for better, more effective SETs instruments that limit ethical implications in these evaluative processes.
 
 Received: 22 January 2023 / Accepted: 2 March 2023 / Published: 5 March 2023

Prawo cudzoziemców do nauki i prowadzenia badań w Republice Albanii

The European Union has achieved much in promoting cross-border access to education in the course of the last two-and-a-half decades. Free movement of students is one of EU law’s most important achievements in the general context of free movement of persons. Today, EU law confers far-reaching educational rights upon workers and their family members and it entitles all EU citizens to move to other Member States to take up studies. The right to education is one of the basic human rights, which is recognized in the Albanian legislation as well. The right to education is granted to Albanian citizens, all foreigners and stateless persons resident in the Republic of Albania alike. Albania has especially changed its legislation to improve its alignment with the standards of the EU necessary for its eventual accession. As it is known Albania has transposed all EU directives relating to immigration and asylum into its national legal system and now it participates in the negotiations on new migration and asylum rules at a regional level as well. This paper seeks to provide an overview of rules in Albania for foreign students and researchers in the Republic of Albania. It also highlights some of the challenges in the application, interpretation and development of immigration rules for students and researchers currently present in the Republic of Albania, especially the Law “On Foreigners”. The objective was to trace the main institutional and legal procedures applicable to foreign citizens who seek to study and research in Albania, to analyze the data on students and researchers in Albania and to reflect on these findings.

The Reform of Justice in Albania

The justice reform in Albania has been one of the country’s major steps to tackle corruption in all levels, to strengthen the integrity of the public administration, to support the independence and/or functional autonomy of law enforcing and independent institutions, to promote a more effective and efficient institutional cooperation and coordination, to promote public trust in juridical system and to accelerate the process of integration in the European Union. This study, through a qualitative methodology, aims at analyzing the main steps conducted by Albanian governments in initiating and adapting the justice reform, the role of EU in this process, the current progress achieved till the EU accession negotiations as well as further recommendations in the road towards EU membership. In the case of Albania, the acceleration of reforms in the judicial system among other reforms was a strong reason that the European Commission opened the accession negotiations with Albania in 25 March 2020. Based on this fact, the study enriches the juridical research in Albania and beyond.

Managing the Patient Evidence Base Through Trauma Cases in Military University Hospital of Albania

The level of management of traumatic health care services in Albania as a service of the Military University Hospital in Emergency Care differs in relation to other university hospitals across the country, mainly due to changes in the public health of the population. The article aims to present the management of traumatic patients at the Military Hospital in Albania, providing examples of the number of cases that have been addressed in the spread of this disease as epidemiology in Albania. The literature review and data statistics will be carried out by using the hospital records that will be used for further research in Albania. In addition, there is a study of international reports on Trauma management issues, trauma care and quality in Trauma. Much of the results consider the necessity of adopting a comprehensive traumatic system, focusing on quality management and improving trauma care to increase survival and reduce complications to the wounded. Urban conditions and public health policies are the most important factors in developing and implementing programs to improve emergency trauma care services. The heterogeneity of the population and its geographical distribution, the complexity of road accidents, are challenging factors for quantitative research on trauma management and the effectiveness of its care. Staff training in all areas, combined with the existence of modern vehicles and equipment, means of communication and timely transfer of the ambulance, contribute to the treatment of patients with urgent trauma, life saving and prevention of all types of disabilities.

Managing the Patient Evidence Base Through Trauma Cases in Military University Hospital of Albania.

The level of management of traumatic health care services in Albania as a service of the Military University Hospital in Emergency Care differs in relation to other university hospitals across the country, mainly due to changes in the public health of the population. The article aims to present the management of traumatic patients at the Military Hospital in Albania, providing examples of the number of cases that have been addressed in the spread of this disease as epidemiology in Albania. The literature review and data statistics will be carried out by using the hospital records that will be used for further research in Albania. In addition, there is a study of international reports on Trauma management issues, trauma care and quality in Trauma. Much of the results consider the necessity of adopting a comprehensive traumatic system, focusing on quality management and improving trauma care to increase survival and reduce complications to the wounded. Urban conditions and public health policies are the most important factors in developing and implementing programs to improve emergency trauma care services. The heterogeneity of the population and its geographical distribution, the complexity of road accidents, are challenging factors for quantitative research on trauma management and the effectiveness of its care. Staff training in all areas, combined with the existence of modern vehicles and equipment, means of communication and timely transfer of the ambulance, contribute to the treatment of patients with urgent trauma, life saving and prevention of all types of disabilities.

‘Hasty observations’? - Geographical field research and intercultural encounters in the Austro-Hungarian occupied Western Balkans, 1916 – 1918

ABSTRACTThis article examines geographical field research in Albania and Montenegro under Austro-Hungarian occupation, which lasted from 1916 to 1918. It focusses on one of the most important German-speaking geographers of the early 20th century, Eugen Oberhummer (1859–1944), a pupil of Friedrich Ratzel, the founder of German geopolitics. In 1917 and 1918, Oberhummer went on two expeditions to Montenegro and Albania during the First World War. He already had travelled in four continents and vaguely knew the Western Balkans from an expedition in 1907. It will be argued that the actual situation in Albania and Montenegro did not alter, but did rather reinforce Oberhummer’s attitudes and opinions on the ‘other’ he encountered. Thus, the two war expeditions – Oberhummer primarily met high-ranking Austro-Hungarian officials and only few locals – confirmed his expectations basing on his ‘Ratzelian’ theoretical conceptions. It will further be argued that – in contrast to the much younger and less experienced ‘scholars-at-arms’ of the expedition of 1916 – war and violence were of secondary relevance for the well-travelled and renowned professor of geography in his late 50s. Neither in Oberhummer’s articles nor in his diaries the war and the occupation of Albania and Montenegro made up an important part. In Oberhummer’s ‘Ratzelian’ view, humans could not change or overcome the basic features of geography, as humans were clearly subordinated to the elemental forces of geography. People, over generations, adapted to geography, not the other way round. The on-going First World War was an opportunity for Oberhummer to travel to Albania and Montenegro, but the guerrilla warfare in large parts of Montenegro, the violence against the civilian population, and the fighting at the Albanian front were of secondary relevance and interest for him. Nevertheless, what Oberhummer observed offers great insights into the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Montenegro and Albania from the perspective of a renowned and – given the general circumstances – pleasantly relaxed Ratzelian geographer at the height of his academic career.

Market orientation, innovation, and firm performance\u2014an analysis of Albanian firms

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the concept of market orientation as an outer source of innovation for organizations in the context of Albania. We investigate the market orientation relation with innovation and firm performance by analyzing a sample of 99 companies operating in Albania. The relationships and the impact of market orientation on innovation and performance is tested empirically through structural equation modeling techniques (SEM). The analysis confirms prior theoretical and empirical findings in developed economies, however, it gives way to some contextual interpretations. The implications of this study are considerable in academia and in managerial purposes. In academia, considering that there is no research in Albania on the topic of us being aware of, nevertheless, we identify the need for deeper and wider research, especially with bigger sample sizes, industry-specific, and across industries to grasp more about market reality. On managerial account, its relevance relies in the distinction of market orientation construct and the right division of components within the company, and the adequate approach toward intelligence generation, dissemination, and reaction on it by responding to market needs and competition with innovative products and services.

An Analysis of Recent Changes in Higher Education and Research in Albania

Higher education is a public good as well as a public responsibility. It is realized from higher education institutions and is regulated by higher education legislation in the Republic of Albania. From January 2014 in Albania started a reform process in higher education and research. The way how this reform is realized is a particular way because the drafting of it is entrusted to an independent Commission. The Commission consists of academics and experts in higher education. The result of the reform consists in a draft law which abrogates the law no.9741, dated 21.5.2007 “On higher education in the Republic of Albania”. The draft law has already initiated its legislative process. This paper seeks to be one of the first works that examines some of the innovations in this draft law. The draft consists of thirteen chapters. In my opinion two are the most important innovations. The first innovation relates to the proposal of a new way of organizing and functioning of institutions of higher education which clearly separates academic and administrative leadership. The highest academic governing body is the Academic Senate and the highest academic authority remains the Rector of the Institution which is its legal representative for academic affairs. The highest administrative governing body is the Board of Administration, which guarantees the fulfilment of the mission of the institution and its financial and administrative conduct. The draft law creates a new figure who is the administrator of the Institution who is the highest administrative authority responsible for the financial functioning of the institution. The administrator is the legal representative of the institution for financial and administrative matters. This paper will analyze the relationship between academic and administrative structures. A hotly debated innovation of the reform is the creation of another type of institution which is the Independent public institution of higher education known as a public legal person. The special thing about this institution is that it is created as a result of the transformation of the existing institutions of higher education, on their demand, but only when they meet preset criteria set by law. Can be transformed into public legal persons not only public institutions, but also non-public higher education. The new institution is non-profit and regardless of the origin of the foundation, the institution applies the same rules of organization. To the new institution will apply the provisions for public institutions of higher education in all cases when is not otherwise provided. The methodology used will be analytical. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2s2p46

The New Higher Education Reform and Higher Education Law in the “Social Dimension” Perspective: The Albanian Case

Higher education and research in Albania during these 24 years of democracy seems to be not in the international standards, progress seems to have been somewhat disappointing in the last 14 years of reforms in higher education. Although the number of universities and students enrolled in higher education has grown rapidly, the quality assurance remains an issue. For this reason the government is undertaking a reform that involves higher education which is expected to bring a dramatic change in the structure of the higher education and soon in the outputs. This new approach to higher education brought many debates among the stakeholders of higher education and especially among student’s organizations. In this context this paper focus the analysis in particular of 1. 1) How the social dimension of higher education is perceived in the higher education reform and the new higher education law 2. What are the specific actions undertaken by the government to improve the participation of under-represented groups in higher education. This paper and the study of the higher education reform and law is part of my PhD thesis (which is in progress) which tends to open a discussion on the role that universities , as one of the main stakeholders of higher education, has in the Albanian society. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2s2p284

Does Students' Financial Behaviour Differ Based on Their Family Income?

This study investigates the differences on Financial Behaviour among Albanian university students based on their family income. The main objectives of this study are: i) firstly, to assess the level of financial behaviour of Albanian university students; ii) to examine whether the financial behaviour differs based on the level of students family income; and ii) finally, , to provide some conclusions and policy implications with regard to financial behaviour. An instrument comprised of specific and personal questions is administered to 637 students from five public and two private universities in Albania. Factor analysing and Cronbach Alpha test are utilized to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Data analysis is conducted based on the One Way Welch Anova technique. The outcomes discover that Albanian university students show almost a good financial behaviour which differs based on household income. Students with low or middle family income are revealed to show better financial behaviour in comparison with those who reported to have high level of family income. This study paves the way for future research in Albania and for taking incentives for helping students to shape healthy spending habits.

Parental Stress in Families of Children with Disabilities: A Literature Review

A lot has been written about the stressors in the lives of parents of children with disabilities. Several studies indicate that parents of children with disabilities experience higher levels of stress compared to parents of children without disabilities. Studies have focused on understanding the types, causes and the effects of these stresses, discussing further implications for family intervention. Anyway, little research is done in this area in Albania. This paper examines the existing research on stress in families of children with disabilities, highlighting different variables related to stress. Through a literature review and conceptual framework the aim of this article is to help professionals to a better understanding of variables related to stress, and to create some basis and guidelines for further empirical research in Albania. Suggestions for research in the future are discussed. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n7p579

The Differences in Students’ Financial Literacy based on Financial Education

This paper examines the differences in Financial Literacy among Albanian university students based on their financial education. The main objectives of this study are: i) firstly, to assess the level of financial knowledge, financial attitude and financial behaviour, and to make relevant comparison based on students financial education; ii) secondly, to evaluate an overall score of financial literacy and to investigate its difference among students who are financially educated and their counterparts; iii) finally, to provide some conclusions and policy implications with regard to financial literacy. A total of 607 students from five public and three private universities in Albania participated in this research. The outcome shows that student’s financial behaviour does not differ based on their financial education. In addition, non-financially educated students appear to demonstrate better financial behaviour. Finally, students who have taken a personal financial course are shown to be more knowledgeable and financially literate than their counterparts. This study paves the way for future research in Albania.

Social sciences, scientific research, higher education and social developments - An Albanian inside of dialectics and structured scientific research, in social sciences

The social sciences have inherited a not so clear relationship with the social politics throughout the history. At the first moment the concept of social sciences came into use in the 19th century the first organizations that were promoting them were not located in the universities. They were located in the Public Sector. They brought into the scenery not only professional of the area, but also politicians, clerics and businessmen. The main objective was the promoting of the reforms that consider the social politics able to improve the so defined social problems. These associations thought that by collecting different kind of data regarding these problems they would reach a clear insight on the directions the state should follow in the framework of different politics and reforms. As a result, the national research capacity is of the highest importance to the ability of a state to invent and implement successfully its politics based on evidences that concern and come as a reaction to the concerns and issues of the social problems as a whole. In this article I will be presenting first of all an overview of the scientific research in Albania in the area of the social sciences by pointing out the main areas that deserve to be the prior ones in the contest of developing activities that aim the implementation of the research in Social Sciences. Also, a great number of Institutions has been contacted with the aim of receiving official information and data on the functioning and on the potential problems that can be faced during the research processes. These institutions have been selected based on their involvement at the area of the scientific research of the social sciences. At first this will involve the policy makers at the central level, like the Ministry of Education and Sciences and the main research actors in the public and in the private sector. The criteria of the geographical and the subjects coverage has been also used in order to be able to present a public institutions of the higher education and research but even the enterprises that act in the research area are mainly focusing to the integration of these two systems which have been working separately for a long period of time and that must become efficient in order to adapt to the conditions of a country that has limited financial resources. This article is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific research in Albania, focusing in defining the priority areas for the research in social sciences. The information about the higher education and the potential problems that it faces, is based on a big number of research institutions, selected based on their involvement in scientific research in social sciences. This article brings into evidence the fact that in order to establish a stable and effective infrastructure in scientific research in Albania, is important to work in different directions. A successful way to increase the efficasity through the elements of the “innovative system” is by working with organizations that work in specific sectors of the economy, aiming for a possible cooperation in scientific search, for an important social contribution.

Reforming Higher Education In Albania: The Scientific Research

In the current development and perspectives in the Albanian education, reforms on the high education, bears the internaltendency for development, aiming on the integration of the Albanian society in the European regional development. This paper has on itsfocus the analysis of functioning and malfunctioning of the scientific research in Albania, which would highlight some of the problems itfaces, such as: a) Low research level; b) Unclear financing strategies and c) Deep separation between research and university as wellbetween research conclusion and market. System reformation of scientific research and technological development will lead to a rationalframe in which the actors would feel estimated and the society itself would experience the investment. In terms of an opened market theprocess of research integration in universities is unavoidable defined from the adjustment of university offers and labor market demands.

Carbonate Coastal Aquifer of Vlora Bay and Groundwater Submarine Discharge (Southwestern Albania)

POLEMIO, M.; PAMBUKU, A.; LIMONI, P.P., and PETRUCCI, O., 2011. Carbonate coastal aquifer of Vlora Bay and groundwater submarine discharge (southwestern Albania). In: Tursi, A. and Corselli, C. (eds.), Coastal Research in Albania: Vlora Gulf, Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 58, pp. 26–34. West Palm Beach (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The study discusses the large karstic coastal aquifer of Vlora Bay. This case is peculiar, as the submarine groundwater discharge has a relevant rate of terrestrial inflow in an almost closed bay that is located in an environmentally valuable area. The study is based on four methodological activities: geological and hydrogeological conceptualisation, climatic study and hydrological balance, numerical modelling, and monitoring. A geodatabase was created considering hundreds of data points (wells, springs, rivers, lagoons, and seas) and monthly time series of rainfall, temperature, and river discharge. Monitoring activity was realised over a hydrological year, installing a rainfall network tool and using a network of tens of sampling points, including springs, wells, lagoons, and sea. Chemical–physical and stable isotope determinations were realised. Two main groups of aerial springs are fed by the aquifer, one of which is of a coastal type. The total spring discharge is roughly 4 m 3 /s. The submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) was assessed as being equal to 1.4 m 3 /s on the basis of the current rate of anthropic discharge and climatic conditions. The study showed the peculiarities of this carbonate coastal aquifer and the importance of its groundwater, which is the chief water source for the third-largest Albanian town.The groundwater quality was generally high, mainly due to the negligible presence of contamination sources on the relief in which the aquifer outcrops. The rate of seawater intrusion effects was also low, thanks to favourable aquifer threedimensional geometry and high recharge levels. The increasing anthropic activities constitute a relevant risk in the absence of the introduction of rigorous land and water management criteria.

P02-88 Pathways to psychiatric care in child and adolescent mental health - Tirana

There has been almost no mental health service research in Albania. A pathway study provides a quantitative description of the filters in the help-seeking and investigate the relative contributions of child, parents, pediatrics, GP etc. in determining service use.Aims:To investigate the process of help seeking for child and adolescent psychopathology at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in UHC “Mother Teresa”, Tirana.Method:Participants were 5-18years old, newly referred children/adolescents in CAMHS during 2006. Measures: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents/children, Pathways Encounter Form. Pathway diagram was drawn showing the main routes of care seeking. Patterns of care seeking, durations and previous treatments for diagnosis within ICD-10 groups were prescribed. Analysis: Comparisons between groups, diagnosis and predictive factors influencing help seeking care.Results:The main pathway of seeking care resulted to be from hospital doctors or to be direct access. General practitioners have a limited role as ‘gatekeeper’ for patients. 72% of individuals resulted with conduct, hyperactivity, depressive and some anxiety disorders, but fewer than 30% of individuals with specific phobias, separation anxiety and eating disorders.Conclusions:A clear picture of pathway of seeking care in mental health for children/adolescents coming in CAMHS is provided. Findings highlight areas that require further attention if aspirations for community-oriented mental health care are to be realized in Tirana and Albania. Declaration of interest: None.

Ethical approval for health research in central and eastern Europe: an international survey

Research ethics committees in central and eastern Europe are increasing in importance as institutions in this region host a growing and more diverse range and volume of health-related research, with funding from an increasingly wide variety of sources.Aim: To describe the arrangements for ethical supervision of research in eleven countries of central and eastern Europe, so as to identify examples of good practice and areas of weakness.Methods: A questionnaire was sent to key informants known to be active in health-related research in Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine in October 2000. It sought information on the composition and functioning of ethics committees, their training and any public concerns about the ethics of health-related research.Results: All countries except Ukraine confirmed that decision-making committee structures operate to oversee the ethics of research on human subjects. In all countries except Albania committees are comprised of medical and non-medical members. Members received specific training in bioethics in Estonia, Hungary, and Lithuania. Countries had made different degrees of progress in implementing arrangements for coordinating multi-site research and for monitoring research once it had commenced. Public concern about ethical issues arising from health-related research was rare.Conclusion: The development of ethical supervision of health-related research in central and eastern Europe varies considerably. In some countries there are significant weaknesses that should be addressed. Other countries could serve as examples of good practice in the region. A major challenge is how the public can be involved in this process.

Conducting Individual and Focus Group Interviews in Research in Albania

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