Review Of Empirical Studies Research Articles

Factors that support teachers as educational professionals doing doctoral studies: an integrative literature review

In recent decades, various initiatives have been established to support the professional development of teachers and their school context. In some cases, they provide teachers the opportunity to combine their profession with doctoral studies. This paper explores factors that support teacher research as part of school practice and academia. It takes the perspective of teachers as a starting point and examines their experiences through the lens of the learning potential of boundaries. A review of empirical studies was conducted from various international educational contexts through an integrative literature review. The selected empirical studies (n = 13) contributed to a better understanding of the complexity of this undertaking, and three themes were generated as main factors: (1) a stimulating school culture; (2) engaging with the academic community; (3) and aligning the research design with the practitioners’ needs.

A Meta-Analysis on the Effectiveness of Gamification on Student Learning Achievement

Gamification is an educational strategy that makes learning fun and keeps students interested in learning, which helps them learn more and grow their knowledge. However, given its growing popularity, it is necessary to review empirical studies regarding gamification in education as an intervention for an effective teaching and learning process. Due to this need, the researcher conducted a meta-analysis to examine the impact of gamification on students' learning achievement across five moderator variables. Fifteen studies published between 2018 and 2022 were included in the review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Meta-essentials v. 1.5 were used to determine effect sizes (Hedge's g) and the outcomes of the forest plot, funnel plot, Begg-Mazumdar test, and moderator analysis. Findings revealed that gamification significantly and positively affected student learning achievement. The five moderator variables were found to be statistically insignificant. The results suggest that gamification would be appropriate across academic courses at all educational levels in Asian regions. Moreover, Kahoot is the gamified platform with the biggest effect size that could be used in well-designed in-person, online, or blended learning classes.

The emergence of team compassion: Theoretical implications and practical interventions

With the recent experiences involving COVID-19, there is a growing need for organisations to better understand compassion in addressing employees’ suffering and boosting their well-being. Particularly, as teamwork is becoming ubiquitous, organisational scholars have identified positive benefits of compassion at the team level such as improving communication, decreasing interpersonal conflicts and boosting team effectiveness. Using a multilevel theoretical framework in reviewing compassion research, this article advances our understanding of team-level compassion by elucidating the processes through which individual-level compassion gives rise to team-level compassion. First, we delineate composition and compilation models of the emergence of team compassion and review empirical studies with respect to the two models. Second, we explain three social mechanisms in teams – social learning, emotional contagion and reciprocity – that shape the emergence of team compassion. Finally, we discuss interventions that can facilitate the emergence of team compassion and offer practical guidance for managers seeking to foster team compassion. JEL Classification: D23, I31

Strategies and tactics to reduce the impact of healthcare on climate change: systematic review

ObjectiveTo review the international literature and assess the ways healthcare systems are mitigating and can mitigate their carbon footprint, which is currently estimated to be more than 4.4% of global...

Tourism Policy for Sustainable Mountain Tourism: A Systematic Literature Review

The tourism sector is a key driver of socio-economic advancement. This study aims to assess tourism policy for sustainable mountain tourism using a systematic literature review. The research is based on a review of empirical studies, reports, and policy documents. The Google Scholar search engine was applied using the keywords "tourism policy" and "sustainable mountain tourism". All papers that were published from January 2010 to February 2024 have been checked for the study and 27 research papers were selected for this study using the PRISMA framework. An increased emphasis on sustainability and responsible practices has resulted in a paradigm change in the global tourism business. Sustainable tourism promotes ecological sustainability, economic viability, and social equality by mitigating the negative effects of tourism on the environment, society, and economy. Collaboration with stakeholders is essential for implementing integrated sustainable mountain tourism policies. For this, government strategies should be directed toward improving sustainability awareness, strengthening local communities and political leaders’ participation, and adopting new technologies and renewable energy sources for sustained growth.

The Role of Art Therapy in Enhancing Rehabilitation Outcomes for Athletes with Sports Injuries

Purpose: This study sought to analyze the role of art therapy in enhancing rehabilitation outcomes for athletes with sports injuries. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the role of art therapy in enhancing rehabilitation outcomes for athletes with sports injuries. Preliminary empirical review revealed that art therapy offers significant benefits for athletes recovering from sports injuries. Through a review of empirical studies, it was found that art therapy facilitated emotional expression, coping skills development, and social support, leading to improved psychological well-being and holistic healing. The study emphasized the importance of addressing the biopsychosocial aspects of rehabilitation and highlighted the need for further research to understand the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of art therapy. Overall, the findings underscored the transformative potential of art therapy in optimizing rehabilitation outcomes for athletes with sports injuries. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Biopsychosocial Model of Health, Self- Determination theory (SDT) and Transactional Model of Stress and Coping may be used to anchor future studies on rehabilitation for athletes with sports injuries. The study provided several recommendations contributing to theory, practice, and policy in sports injury rehabilitation. It suggested further exploration of theoretical frameworks to understand art therapy's therapeutic mechanisms and its integration into existing models. In practice, it recommended incorporating art therapy into multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs, along with developing evidence-based guidelines for its implementation. Additionally, the study advocated for policy initiatives to increase access to art therapy services for athletes, emphasizing collaboration among stakeholders and interdisciplinary knowledge sharing. These recommendations aimed to promote holistic approaches to rehabilitation, improve outcomes, and enhance the overall well-being of injured athletes.

Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Political Participation: A Review of Empirical Studies

Politicians around the world are increasingly using social media platforms as a means to engage with the public and conduct election campaigns. However, the true impact of social media campaigns on political outcomes remains untested and empirical evidence is scant. This research aims to review the existing literature on this issue to explore the impact of social media on political participation. The widespread use of social media by the public has attracted the attention of politicians as a platform for election campaigns. This type of research is a literature review by analyzing previous research qualitatively. The results show that social media has a significant impact on political participation. Social media platforms provide powerful new tools for individuals to engage in the political process and make their voices heard. However, it is important to be aware of the potential challenges of using social media for political participation and to use it responsibly and ethically. Social media has a significant role in expanding access to political information, mobilizing public participation, and reaching marginalized voters. Social media provides an inclusive platform for individuals to participate in political discussions, organize political movements, and strengthen democracy by ensuring the voices of all citizens are heard. However, challenges such as the digital divide and imbalances in social media use also need to be addressed so that the full potential of social media in democracy can be realized. Therefore, joint efforts from governments, NGOs, social media platform providers and the general public are needed to ensure that social media is used responsibly and inclusively in supporting democratic political processes.

Food Texture Perception and Its Influence on Consumer Preferences

Abstract Purpose: The general purpose of this study was to evaluate food texture perception and its influence on consumer preferences. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to food texture perception and its influence on consumer preferences. Preliminary empirical review revealed that that food texture plays a pivotal role in shaping consumer preferences and purchase decisions across various product categories. Through a review of empirical studies, it was found that texture preferences are influenced by sensory experiences, cultural norms, and individual differences. Cross-cultural variability in texture preferences was noted among Western, Asian, and Middle Eastern populations, highlighting the importance of considering cultural factors in product development. Furthermore, texture was found to elicit emotional responses during eating, with certain textures evoking positive emotions while others elicited negative ones. The practical implications of texture research were underscored, emphasizing its relevance for food manufacturers, marketers, and policymakers in developing products that align with consumer expectations and promoting healthier food choices. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Sensory-Specific Satiety theory, Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) and Schema theory may be used in anchoring future studies on food texture perception and its influence on consumer preferences. The study provided recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy in the field of food science and consumer behavior. The study suggested further exploration of texture perception mechanisms, tailored product development strategies based on sensory evaluations, and sensory marketing approaches emphasizing texture cues. Additionally, it recommended integrating sensory considerations into food regulations, promoting consumer education on texture-related labeling, and investing in sensory research and innovation. These recommendations aimed to enhance understanding of texture perception, improve product development and marketing strategies, and inform policy initiatives to meet consumer preferences effectively.

Enhancing Data Privacy in Wireless Sensor Networks: Investigating Techniques and Protocols to Protect Privacy of Data Transmitted Over Wireless Sensor Networks in Critical Applications of Healthcare and National Security

The article discusses the emergence of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) as a groundbreaking technology in data processing and communication. It outlines how WSNs, composed of dispersed autonomous sensors, are utilized to monitor physical and environmental factors, transmitting data wirelessly for analysis. The article explores various applications of WSNs in healthcare, national security, emergency response, and infrastructure monitoring, highlighting their roles in enhancing patient care, public health surveillance, border security, disaster management, and military operations. Additionally, it examines the foundational concepts of data privacy in WSNs, focusing on encryption techniques, authentication mechanisms, anonymization techniques, and access control mechanisms. The article also addresses vulnerabilities, threats, and challenges related to data privacy in healthcare and national security contexts, emphasizing regulatory compliance, ethical considerations, and socio-economic factors. Furthermore, it introduces the Diffusion of Innovation Theory as a framework for understanding the adoption of privacy-enhancing technologies in WSNs. Finally, the article reviews empirical studies demonstrating the efficacy of security solutions in preserving data privacy in WSNs, offering insights into advancements in safeguarding sensitive information.

Population Density and COVID-19 Spread: a Review of Empirical Studies

Population Density and COVID-19 Spread: a Review of Empirical Studies

Review of Empirical Studies on Climate Risk—Effects and Activism

Review of Empirical Studies on Climate Risk—Effects and Activism

Government Health Expenditure and Policy for Public Health Outcomes: A Systematic Literature Review

INTRODUCTION: The level of good governance, the efficiency of the healthcare system, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities all affect public health outcomes. Despite potential gains in terms of health outcomes, public healthcare investment has been extremely low in low-income countries. By improving the consolidation of healthcare system performance, this study helps the government and policymakers improve the quality of life in developing countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study aims to assess the government health expenditure and policy for public health outcomes. The research is based on a review of empirical studies and reports. The PubMed search engine was used to locate research publications on government health expenditure and policy for public health outcomes. The PubMed Open Database was applied to find the publications using the keywords “health expenditure” and “health policy”. All papers that were published from January 1, 2013, to January 31, 2024, were checked for the study. 121 research papers were discovered during the initial inquiry; five duplicate articles were eliminated, and 84 were irrelevant to the study. Finally, 25 research papers and reports were selected for evaluation with the study titled “ Government Health Expenditure and Policy for Public Health Outcomes: A Systematic Literature Review”. RESULTS: Raising the nation’s social health insurance (SHI) coverage does not guarantee universal health care (UHC) or improved financial security. Extremely few people in poverty have health insurance and attempts to give them coverage through exemptions and waivers have not had the intended effect. To prevent families from being ruined due to family health problems, an innovative insurance plan needs to be created. Supply-side strategies, or health infrastructure, are needed to expand access to high-quality medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life in developing nations is directly improved by the consolidation of healthcare system performance, suggesting that policymakers should step in and offer financial and political help through a variety of policy options. Curative and preventive care are provided by health systems, which can greatly enhance people’s health. Developing a robust health finance system has been a primary objective for numerous countries worldwide, as increased public spending on healthcare leads to better health outcomes and more effective healthcare services. Financial limitations are one of the largest barriers to obtaining high-quality healthcare. A national health insurance program increased public financing for healthcare, and the construction of community-based clinics in rural areas could all contribute to the nation’s transition to universal health care. Policymakers ought to pay greater attention to the quality of care since it significantly affects the amount of money that patients must pay out-of-pocket. Governments must develop new internal financing sources and devise strategies to refocus on health promotion and prevention.

Psychological Development of Preschoolers in Project-Based Learning: An Overview of Empirical Research

Introduction. The search for technologies to provide the harmonious development of preschoolers through the enrichment of children’s activities inherent in this age period is an urgent task for the modern education system. Recently, along with traditional forms of education, front-line work and free play, project-based learning has become widespread in kindergartens. To clarify the fundamental features of project-based learning and its developmental effects, a review of empirical studies on this topic was conducted. The purpose of the article is to present the results of the review and identify the main trends, limitations and prospects of studying the project-based learning impact on the psychological development of preschoolers. Materials and Methods. The literature review was conducted using the PRISMA. As a result of the search, 789 Russian-language publications and 687 English-language publications corresponding to the search query were found. As a result of screening and selection, 18 studies were included in further qualitative analysis. For the qualitative analysis a validated checklist of questions was used to assess the methodological level of quality of randomized and non-randomized studies (max. score 26). Results. 7 out of 18 studies satisfied less than half of the items on the checklist and scored less than 13 points, which indicates insufficient reliability of the results obtained in these works. As the result it was sufficiently reliably shown that the use of project approach in preschool age can positively affect the development of social and research skills, cognitive abilities, creative abilities and speech. Discussion and Conclusion. The review showed main trends in the field of studying the developmental effects of project-based learning, reflecting possible research directions in this area. The most promising perspectives for further research are connected with the comparison of the project approach with other forms and methods of education, which can contribute to determining the specifics of different educational methods and determining the conditions for their most effective use. The materials of the article would be useful for planning research in the field of child development, as well as for organizing project-based learning in educational institutions.

Corporate Governance and Firm Performance: A Review of Empirical Studies

Although, there is growing consensus that corporate governance mechanisms and firm performance are related, empirical evidence to support the consensus is, however, far from settled. In fact, scholars and market analysts have not reached agreement on the strength of the relationship between various governance mechanisms and performance of the firm. To some, there is no connection between the two. In view of these, sufficient empirical evidences have emerged in support thereof. This study provides elaborate insights into the literature that studied the role of these mechanisms in relation to various measures of firm performance. The findings from our review are, no doubt, ambiguous. These ambiguities may be due to differences in theoretical frameworks, sampling and estimation methods as well as variations in data used as well as peculiarities of countries and/or industries of studies. In view of these, this study notes these shortcomings and advocates more appropriate research design, a mixture of accounting and market-oriented variables, longer study period, larger sample size and advance technique of data analysis that are capable of providing better ways of minimising the principal-agent problems of the corporate world.

Research on Human Trafficking Survivors and Mental Health Issues from 2012-2022

ABSTRACT This study aims to contribute to the body of human trafficking and mental health literature by synthesizing past research on mental health issues experienced by human trafficking survivors. Specifically, this study aims to identify the common themes and differences observed in the literature on the mental health outcomes of trafficking survivors. Ultimately, this study hopes to contribute to the literature by providing human trafficking researchers and mental health practitioners with the current state of knowledge on the issue and directions for future research. A review of empirical studies from 2012–2022 was conducted. After searching through databases and screening articles, 30 studies were extracted for synthesis. Five coders reviewed the articles and coded survivors’ experiences of mental health issues. The findings from the review highlighted several aspects relating to the mental health experiences of trafficking survivors: 1) the mental health outcomes of human trafficking are complex and extensive, 2) demographic characteristics were found to play a role in the mental health outcomes of trafficking survivors in some but not all diagnoses, and 3) potential risk factors found across multiple studies shed light on what may exacerbate mental health symptomatology and the occurrence of mental health disorders following trafficking.

Indigenous Health Research Mentorship within Post-Secondary Institutions in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand: A Scoping Review

Indigenous peoples have been engaged in research since time immemorial, and have always acknowledged the power of their own knowledge systems, ways of being, and approaches. However, Indigenous peoples continue to be underrepresented in health research within academic institutions. There is an increased need for Indigenous leadership in health research, including greater Indigenous autonomy, mentorship, and self-determination in health research. This scoping review aims to explore Indigenous mentorship within Indigenous health research in post-secondary institutions in Canada, the US, New Zealand, and Australia. A review of empirical studies, case studies, reviews, commentaries, and grey literature was conducted. Four databases were used: Web of Science, PubMed, Native Health, and Google Scholar. Out of 1594 articles, 11 articles met the inclusion criteria. Four overarching themes were identified: (1) reciprocity: giving back to community; (2) supporting the development of research skills to build research capacity; (3) fostering a sense of belonging; and (4) building student ownership and confidence. The findings suggest that Indigenous mentorship is vital to creating supportive research environments for Indigenous students in the area of health sciences. Indigenous mentorship holds promise to address challenges faced by Indigenous scholars within post-secondary institutions, including intellectual, social, and cultural isolation, and can help to foster greater integration of Indigenous worldviews in Western-dominated academic settings and research systems. Future research should examine place-based mentorship opportunities for Indigenous students in community-based health research environments. Fostering Indigenous mentorship in health sciences is essential for advancing the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples and communities.

Use of assistive and adaptive technology in learning English as a foreign language: A systematic review

With the advancement of technologies, disabled students are being cared for to progress in their education through assistive technologies (AT). They ensure the inclusion of the target group to make them equal with their peers who do not suffer from disabilities. Unfortunately, there is only scarce research on this margin group in connection with technology. Therefore, the aim of the systematic review is to conduct research on the best practices, pedagogical implications, and limitations for the target group using AT. The results based on the review of empirical studies on the research topic conducted between 2013 and 2023 suggest that the best practices of AT are coming from recent years, specifically from 2017, and countries ranging from Europe to Indonesia and Thailand. Pedagogical implications suggest that the learners using AT are becoming more autonomous, independent and successful in academic achievements. Limitations within the study include the fact that AT needs to be more developed and accessible to learners along with more specialized training of specialists and teachers. Future research on the topic should be aimed at better equipment for these learners with AT.

The Design, Implementation and Evaluation of Gamified Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) for Learning: A Review of Empirical Studies

The reduced cost of Virtual Reality (VR) technology makes it possible to be used in education. And the virtual learning scenarios in immersive virtual reality (IVR) contain some kind of gamification in the design aspects. Though some published reviews mapped the application of IVR in education, reviews about the use of gamification in IVR in education are still under research. In this review, game elements, game mechanisms, learning performance evaluation, research design, and methods were extracted from the selected empirical articles from Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar after rigorous inclusion and exclusion. It found that learning interactions inside the IVR learning scenarios frequently consisted of interaction with virtual objects or equipment, interaction with avatars (non-Player Characters (NPC)), interaction with avatars (participant displayed as an avatar), and watching the video in a follow-the-machine view. The most popular three gamification mechanisms were rewards, challenges, and avatars, while the most common gamification elements utilized were content unlocking, a point system, task difficulty levels, NPC, an achievement system, role-playing, and a progress bar. Action error rates and test scores were the popular learning performance measurement metrics. In general, positive learning performance was more related to the number of game mechanisms rather than the number of game elements. Gamified IVR programs facilitated learning engagement, learning motivation, collaborative ability, declarative knowledge learning, and procedural knowledge and skills learning especially for novice trainees. Some high abstract focus areas like algebra in mathematics might not be suitable for IVR-based instruction even combined with the use of gamification. Some recommendations and future research directions were given such as how to help integrate gamified IVR learning materials with normal education or training and how to improve simulator sickness, more attention to diverse learning performance measurement, collaborative learning in IVR, learning theories or pedagogical strategies adopted in gamified IVR-based instruction.

Self-regulation of learning in the context of modern technology: a review of empirical studies

PurposeSelf-regulation is the level of learning where the learner becomes an active agent in their learning process in terms of activity and aspects of motivation and metacognition. The current paper mostly deals with the metacognitive aspect. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into self-regulation of learning in the context of modern technology in higher education. This study also aims to highlight the direction, tendencies and trends toward which self-regulation of learning is moving in relation to modern technologies.Design/methodology/approachThe review study was compiled via searches in three databases: Scopus, Web of Science and ERIC. A filter was used to search for empirical studies solely in English, published over the past decade on the topics of self-regulation of learning and technology in higher education.FindingsThe findings clearly show a correlation between self-regulation of learning and modern technology, especially after a significant event such as the Covid-19 pandemic. However, in the wake of this change, the field of education has seen the emergence of methods and new platforms that can provide support for the development of self-regulated learning strategies.Originality/valueThe originality of the study lies in the fact that it focuses on the link between self-regulation of learning and modern technologies in higher education, including some predictions of the future direction of self-regulation of learning in this context.

Cashless Policy and Patronage in Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Katsina-Nigeria

Existing empirical literature on cashless banking is one that is quite scanty in the developing countries including Nigeria. Reviews of empirical studies on cashless policy indicate that a lot of prior studies focused on the adoption, prospects and benefits and challenges of cashless policy. This study on the other hand is aimed at investigating the effect of cashless policy on patronage using responses obtained from 410 customers of Stanbic IBTC Plc branch domiciled at Katsina town-Nigeria. To achieve the stated objective, authors used descriptive statistics and multiple regression techniques. The major findings reveal that ATM transaction has significant negative effect on patronage; POS transaction has no significant effect on patronage; web transaction has positive and significant effect on patronage and mobile banking has negative but significant effect on patronage in Stanbic IBTC bank Plc, Katsina. Authors conclude that if deposit money banks in Nigeria can make cashless policy channels well functional and secured, it will enhance and improved bank patronage. It is recommended by the authors that the management of Stanbic IBTC Plc, Katsina needs to ensure that the ATMs are functional 24/7, and loaded with mints to attract patronage. Author also recommends that DMBs should deploy information technology (IT) solutions that will make transactions on POS and other cashless channels more safe and secured. It is also recommended that banks especially Stanbic IBTC Plc should provide incentive for using internet banking platform for transactions; and should deploy mobile banking solution that is all phone enabled.