Salahaddin University-Erbil Research Articles

Response of Soil, Growth, and Biomass Properties of Lupin (Lupinus albus L.) to Wood ash and Sawdust

Two organic carbon resources (wood ash and sawdust) were applied in the study site to assess their profound effects on soil properties and growth and biomass properties of lupin (Lupinus albus L.). Because of their contribution to improving soil structure, enhanced water-holding capacity, and increased carbon sequestration. The experiments were conducted in mid-November 2022 at Grdarasha Research Station, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Iraq. The experiment includes two organic amendments (wood ash and sawdust) as a treatment and Control. Results showed that the application of wood ash and sawdust improved and raised the number of essential elements and heavy metals in the soil, which in turn boosted the ability of the roots to absorb nutrients. The highest germination percentage, plant height, and leaf number were observed in the ash treatment (95.00 %, 22.00 cm, and 21.22) respectively. The great values of fresh and dry shoot weight were found in sawdust treatment 63.78 and 14 g/plant) respectively. The effects of treatments were not significant on root length and fresh and dry root weights. The final findings showed that adding various forms of organic carbon could alter the chemical characteristics of the soil. This, in turn, might have a good impact on microbes, which can subsequently help plants grow by converting, solubilizing, and mobilizing soil nutrients. Furthermore, lupin plants appeared to be a form of phytoremediation, or absorption, for certain heavy metals.

Exploring the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Pair Work in the Foreign Language Learning Classrooms at Salahaddin University-Erbil

Exploring the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Pair Work in the Foreign Language Learning Classrooms at Salahaddin University-Erbil

Histopathologic Changes and Molecular Characterization of Fascioliasis (a Zoonotic Disease) among Slaughtered Livestock in Erbil and Halabja Abattoirs, Kurdistan Region-Iraq

داء حلزون كبد الاغنام (المتورقات) الناجم عن Fasciola (F.) hepatica وF. gigantica مرض معد يصيب الإنسان والحيوانات المجترة في العديد من دول العالم، بما في ذلك العراق. إن دراسة هذه الطفيليات، وتأثيراتها الضارة على مختلف المضائف، شكليًا ، نسيجيا ، وبائيًا وجزيئيًا مهمة جدًا. لهذا السبب تم تصميم البحث الحالي للتحقق من المثقوبة الكبدية في الماشية التي تم ذبحها في مسالخ مدينة أربيل وحلبجة من شهر اب إلى شهر تشرين الاول ٢٠٢٢. حيث تم جمع ٣٣ مثقوبة كبدية من القنوات الصفراوية للحيوانات. نقلت العينات إلى مختبر أبحاث علم الحيوان، جامعة صلاح الدين- أربيل. تم استخدام بعض العينات لتحديد العينة مظهريا، في حين تم حفظ بعضها في ٩٦ ٪ من الإيثانول وتخزينها عند -20 م. °ثم تم استخلاص الحمض النووي لتحديد العينة جزيئيا. من ناحية أخرى، تم تثبيت قطع من كبد المجترات المصابة في ٩٩٪ إيثانول و ١٠٪ فورمالين قبل استخدامها في فحص الأنسجة. تم التعرف على أنواع هذه الطفيليات باستخدام الوحدة الفرعية28SrDNA ، وتفاعل البوليميراز المتسلسل التقليدي (PCR)، وطرق التسلسل. بالفحص المجهري كان تضخم الكبد هو النتيجة الرئيسية للاصابات. کانت أعلى نسبة للالصابة بين الأبقار ٥،٦٪ ، يليها الماعز ٥،٠٪ ، والأغنام ٢،٠٪. بينت النتائج وجود تطابقا بنسبة ٩٨-٩٩٪ مطابقة لسلسلةمن بنك الجينات ل F. hepatica وF. gigantica . ثبت أيضًا أن تسلسل 28SrDNA-PCR جنبًا إلى جنب مع الخصائص الشكلية لأنواع Fasciola يمكن تطبيقه كمؤشر بارز في تحديد هذة المثقوبات. تعتبر الدراسة الحالية بمثابة تحقيق شامل لداء المتورقات في إقليم كردستان.

Kurdish EFL Students' Perceptions towards Summative and Formative Assessment at Salahaddin University

Inappropriate choice of assessment type in education may undermine the positive facets of both the teaching and learning process. The assessment system at Salahaddin University-Erbil has remained in an unchanged form over a prolonged duration. The students at Salahaddin University think that the assessment system fails to help them improve their learning process. Hence, the current assessment system should undergo certain changes. This study aims to delve into Kurdish EFL students’ perceptions of summative and formative assessment at Salahaddin University and look for ways to refine the existing assessment framework to better address students’ needs and contribute to the improvement of their overall learning experience. Additionally, it aims to pinpoint which assessment type yields a more positive impact on both the teaching practices and students’ learning. A mixed-methods approach has been adopted to attain the aims of the study. Quantitative data was obtained by administering a survey questionnaire to 542 students majored in English language across three Colleges at Salahaddin University to capture their perceptions about the two forms of assessment. Qualitative data has been gathered through interviewing thirty senior English majors at three colleges within Salahaddin University to quest for solutions to the problems that they encounter with the current assessment system. Results yield promising conclusions by showing that the students at Salahaddin University are not satisfied with the assessment system in use at the present time because they believe that it has a detrimental impact on their academic achievement. According to their beliefs, the assessment system needs to be altered towards a more formative-oriented style since it opens threads for helping them enhance their learning experience and equips them for the demands of the labor market competently. Results prove beneficent as they provide significant information for the board of trustees and faculty staff of Salahaddin University who are in charge of refining the assessment framework, which consequently leads to the improvements of the educational structure and the overall quality of both teaching and learning.

Comparative effects of humic acid and charcoal on soil, growth, and biomass properties of lupine (Lupinus albus L.)

Recently, charcoal and humic acid application in soils is a burgeoning area of research due to its profound impact on soil properties and crop yields. Charcoal contributes to improved soil structure, enhanced water-holding capacity, and increased carbon sequestration while humic acid, a component of organic matter, enhances nutrient retention and availability, fostering healthier plant growth and long-term soil health. The experiments were conducted on November 20, 2022, at Grdarasha Research Station, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Iraq. Two organic sources (humic acid and charcoal) were used to improve soil chemical properties, growth, and biomass characteristics of white lupines. Humic acid at the levels of (0, 10, and 15 g m-2), respectively along with 1 kg m-2 of charcoal. Results showed that essential elements and heavy metals in soil were increased and improved with adding humic acid and charcoal, and then well-affected root ability to uptake nutrients. The great values of germination rate, leaf number (LN), and fresh and dry shoot weights were found when charcoal was stirred to the soil (83.33%, 15.67 LN plant-1, 10.91, and 2.24 t ha-1), respectively. While the longest root length was recorded when humic acid applied at rate of 10 g m-2 (24.22 cm), it was true about the enhancement of cluster roots. Despite that, humic acid at the rate of 15 g m-2 caused to improve fresh and dry root and shoot weights, which were compared to control treatment. The final results indicated that by adding humic acid (H), and charcoal (CH) could improve soil chemical properties, and then may affect positively microorganisms, which can promote plant growth by transforming, solubilizing, and mobilizing soil nutrients. As well, lupinus seemed as phytoremediation (uptake) in case of some heavy metals.

The Role of Intercultural Dimension in Developing EFL Students’ Negotiation of Meaning in Salahaddin University-Erbil

The recognition of the intercultural dimension as a key component in language learning and teaching has been one of the most significant changes in the last few decades. The nature of the experience of teaching and learning languages has significantly changed as a result of this transition. This quantitative study presents the results of an investigation of the role of the intercultural dimension in developing EFL students’ Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) and negotiation of meaning at Salahaddin University-Erbil (SUE). The aim of the study is to find out teachers’ and students’ perceptions about the intercultural dimension in language teaching and to discover the role of the intercultural dimension in developing students’ negotiation of meaning. That is to say, to what extent does being aware of other cultures, especially the target culture develop students’ knowledge, skills, awareness and attitude to effectively and meaningfully negotiate? This study attempts to find out whether EFL teachers in SUE integrate culture into classes or not. For the purpose of data collection, a total of 148 EFL students and 30 EFL teachers in the College of Education, College of Languages, and College of Basic Education at Salahaddin University-Erbil were selected as the study participants. Instruments such as teachers’ and students’ questionnaires were used to collect data from the participants. The result of the study revealed students’ and teachers’ positive perceptions towards the intercultural dimension of language teaching. Also, the findings confirmed that the intercultural dimension in language teaching develops students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and awareness of students’ own culture and others which are fundamental for students to negotiate meaningfully and effectively with speakers of other cultures. The result also revealed that despite teachers’ positive attitude towards the intercultural dimension in language teaching they do not fully integrate culture into their classes due to the shortage of time and being obliged to follow and finish the curriculum

The Impact of Teachers’ Wellbeing on Their Performance at Salahaddin University-Erbil

The Impact of Teachers’ Wellbeing on Their Performance at Salahaddin University-Erbil

The Combination Impact of Various Rates Of (N, P, K) Fertilizers on The Critical Point Concentration and Nutrient Balance of the (NPKS) In the Local Red Onion Leaf

The research was taken place in Grdarash field the experimental farm of the College of Agriculture Engineering Science, Salahaddin University Erbil . Spilt-spilt plot design was used in the field with different NPK-fertilizer applications [ Nitrogen ( 0 , 40 , 80, 160 ) , Phosphorus ( 0 , 80 , 160 ) and Potassium ( 0 , 50 , 100 ) Kg ha -1 ] .The amount of Macro and Micro nutrients are excessive which used in Onion crop production . Nutrient balance impacted the crop production and quality. This study aimed to know the influence of the different rates of Nitrogen, Phosphorus &Potassium on the onion-yield to establish Nutrient Indexes and critical points concentrations for the elements (N P K S) , by using foliar analysis , so we can obtain the conditions of the elements-concentration in the leaf of the crop ( balance , imbalance , deficiencies , excessive ). The results show that there was high Significant interaction between (N P K) elements and Onion bulb yield. The best combination between Potassium and Nitrogen elements was (K50 N40) between Potassium and Phosphorus was (K50 P80). The treatment K1 P2 N 1 (K 50 , P 160 & N 40 Kg ha-1 ) has the highest Significant Onion-yield and recorded the best interaction between the ( Nitrogen , Phosphorus , Potassium ) elements .The critical concentration points for the Nutrients ( N P K S ) were ( 2.65 , 0.10 , 2.14 , 1.36 ) % respectively . The N-indexes, P-indexes, K- indexes and S-indexes ranged from (- 20.18 to 21.38 ) , ( - 27.30 to 17.07 ) , ( - 20.61 to 14.55 ) , ( - 11..22 to 23.11 ) respectively .

Investigating ESP Courses at Salahaddin University-Erbil from the Instructors’ Perceptions: A Qualitative Study

The current study aims to investigate the ESP courses at Salahaddin University-Erbil to identify the current situation of ESP programs and highlight the main challenges encountered by ESP instructors. The study hypothesizes that when the methodology and the principles of ESP are implemented appropriately in the courses at Salahaddin University, the teaching/learning process is likely to be more efficient. Moreover, when the ESP instructors understand the nature of ESP teaching, the quality of ESP courses can be improved. To achieve the aim of the study, the researchers employed a 20-question semi-structured interview for data collection; the study instrument was divided into several parts including instructors’ knowledge and expertise, conceptualizing the concept and the objectives of ESP, the nature of implementing the stages of ESP course design, the nature of collaboration, and instructors’ perceptions about the main issues. The sample of the study consisted of (7) instructors of ESP courses in non-English majors departments at Salahaddin University- Erbil. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively focusing on specific certain themes. Moreover, the results indicated that the ESP courses taught at Salahaddin University-Erbil did not meet the requirements of ESP courses. Besides, the instructors highlighted some main problems that led to the failure to achieve the objectives of the course; the reasons are the students’ poor linguistic level, time constraints, lack of background knowledge and linguistic literacy, large classes, and students’ low motivation.

Assessing EFL Students Speaking in the classroom from Kurdish Instructors’ perspectives

Nowadays, students are required to improve their speaking skill more than any other language skill. Since, speaking skill is difficult to develop in EFL classes teachers need to use effective strategies to teach and assess this skill. A student's ability to speak is determined by their ability to explain something or express themselves verbally. This paper aims at finding out Kurdish instructors ‘perspectives on their role on assessing EFL students in the classroom and the strategies used for assessing speaking in EFL classes. This paper tries to find out an answer to the following question: what is the Instructor’s role in the assessment process? Moreover, what are the strategies for assessing speaking in EFL classes from instructors’ perspective? Furthermore, the paper has been limited to instructors of Cihan University-Erbil and Salahaddin University-Erbil for the academic year 2022-2023. The population was (21) instructors College of Language, Education and Basic Education. The data has been conducted by questionnaire, the Tool adopted for analyzing the data is SPSS. It is concluded that the most common strategies applied by the instructors in assessment of speaking sessions were direct question and answer, interview and storytelling. Moreover, the data analysis presented that the main role that majority of the instructors gave importance to were objective assessment and rubric, taking into consideration the students interest in the topic, and the content of the conversation or discussion in addition to the interaction.

First Morphological and Molecular (28S rDNA) Characterization of Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Monogenea, Diplozoidae) parasitizing Cyprinus carpio, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

The present study is the first morphological and molecular characterization of a monogenean Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Goto, 1891) parasitizing gill filaments of common carps (Cyprinus carpio) obtained from the Lesser Zab River in northeastern Iraq in the subdistrict of Altun-Kopru from July to October 2022 and transported to the Laboratory of Zoology Research, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Iraq. Most previous studies regarding the considered parasite have targeted morphological data analysis. However, DNA sequence outline is typically supportive in systematics, since it contains aspects that are absent from morphological research. The main goal was to molecularly identify E. nipponicum utilizing the nuclear 28S rDNA region by PCR and nucleotide sequencing approach. The sequences were obtained and compared to the accessible GenBank sequences. The results justify the validation of E. nipponicum in Iraq using traditional (morphology-based) and modern (molecular-based) parasitological techniques. The latter one showed 99.11% (identity percentage) of E. nipponicum in comparison to the registered sequences of NCBI. Additionally, this was considered the first wide-ranging morphological and molecular study in the studied region. The phylogenetic relationship was concluded using Maximum Likelihood (ML) method. It was concluded that besides of the morphological characterization of E. nipponicum, PCR sequencing was considered a suitable molecular method for recognizing monogenean diplozoid species on the fishes.

The Use of Factor Analysis and Cluster Analysis Methods to Identify the Most Crucial Key Factors Influencing the Psychological Stability of University Students

Abstract-This research aimed to use factor analysis and cluster analysis approaches to evaluate the crucial components influencing the psychological stability of students at Salahaddin University-Erbil. To obtain our data, we selected a sample size of 149 students and surveyed them with twenty-two items about their psychological stability. According to the findings of both methods, six common factors or clusters influence the psychological stability of students labeled (Anxiety, Satisfaction, Relationship, Health, Simplicity, and Participation). Furthermore, according to the results of both methods, the first factor and the first cluster, anxiety, have the most significant effect on the psychological stability of university students compared to the other variables. Consequently, it is suggested that universities should emphasize the psychological stability of students and provide training courses for academic staff by educational and psychological experts so that they can treat the students better and understand their psychological instability situations.

Comparison Between Factor Analysis and Cluster Analysis to Determine the Most Important Affecting Factors for Students' Admission and Their Interests in The Specializations: A Sample of Salahaddin University-Erbil

The main goal of this thesis is to determine the most important effective factors for student admission and his/her interests in the specialization by using multivariate methods. Therefore, it focused on using factor analysis by identifying a number of the obtained factors and cluster analysis by classifying them into five clusters. Furthermore, the factor analysis and cluster analysis results will be compared to each other. Moreover, this study depends on the analysis of 350 questionnaire forms, distributed by random stratified sample method on students in the first stage of three different colleges, including Scientific colleges and Humanity colleges of Salahaddin University in Northern Iraq for the academic year 2018-2019. Thus, the IBM SPSS Statistics V: 25 software programs have been used in data analysis. Additionally, the results have demonstrated that Reliability is accepted, and also in factor analysis, the rate of the total variance interpretation is %62.157. Moreover, the most common variables between the factor analysis and cluster analysis can be considered the most important and influential variables for student admission and their interests in choosing a specialization. Consequently, the first factor and the first cluster have five significant variables in common; they are V1, V2, V3, V4 and V5 (the system is helpful for student admission to colleges to get their desired professions). The second factor and the second cluster have four influential variables in common they are V24, V32, V35 and V37 (the new system may help master's and PhD students to be admitted to colleges and get competitive results by utilizing their accounts). In the fourth factor and the fourth cluster, there is one variable in common, which is V18 (decreasing the number of students admitted in the parallel system by using the graduated students who must not be able to refill admission forms). Ultimately, the conclusion has shown a kind of approach and similarity between factor analysis and cluster analysis.

An Investigation of Constructive Alignment between Learning Outcomes and Assessment in English Department Modules

Before the 21st century education reform, most university teachers considered assessment quality to be based on studied material comprehensiveness. The current requirements of society and market have given rise to a considerable change in dealing with and assessing information at university level from content memorisation to using the content information in daily life to do various tasks; for instance, solving problems, applying studied information to new situations, and evaluating it. In the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, such a shift in assessment quality is rarely perceived as a way of preparing university students for the present labour market, especially in terms of focusing on the course-syllabus learning outcomes (CSLO) and final written examinations (FWE). This could be due to the fact that the university examination questions of the region are not currently reviewed by the quality assurance of college or the scientific committee of department as part of education quality. Thus, at the absence of quality control, some instructors may design examination questions the way they prefer as university students complain about the differences in the difficulty level of various examination questions. Through content analysis, the present study investigates the quality of learning outcomes stated in the course syllabi, the knowledge depth in final examination questions, the alignment extent between FWE and CSLO in terms of knowledge depth. Additionally, it studies the instructors’ perceptions and practices of constructive alignment via using an interview, at English Department, College of Basic Education, Salahaddin University-Erbil for the academic year 2020-2021. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used for data collection and analysis in this study. Among the study findings are that university teachers are unaware of the constructive alignment between the learning outcomes of a module and its summative assessment questions; and they largely focus on lower thinking skills, rather than higher thinking skills of the revised Bloom’s cognitive taxonomy in their written examination questions. To improve the quality of constructive alignment between learning outcomes and assessment, several recommendations are finally put forward.

The The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic as a Strategic Shock on Education Process

Covid-19 has influence on all aspects and fields around the world, especially learning institutions. This research seeks to demonstrate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as a strategic shock on education process, analytical research on a sample of teaching staff at Salahaddin University in Erbil. The research used questionnaire tool for obtaining the data, as it designed on the basis of research hypotheses, and distributed on the Lecturers of Salahaddin University-Erbil/ College of Administration and Economics, numbering (195) Lecturers, and returned (122) forms, which are (%70) of the total sample. The research tested the impact and differences between research variables in order to obtain answers related to the research problem by using statistical methods based on statistical programs for administrative research (SPSS). The research concluded that the Covid-19 pandemic had a shocking impact on the researched Organization as impacted on the other Organizations, it made them to review its strategies and policies. The research recommends developing strategies and policies to cope with surprised/ shocked changes.

Growth, Yield, and Fiber Morphology of Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus L.) Varieties Influenced by Different Levels of Npk Fertilizers

Different levels of NPK fertilizer were used to improve the growth, yield, and fiber morphology of two kenaf varieties. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in the summer season of 2021 at the Grdarasha Field, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin University-Erbil. The results revealed that adding NPK at the rate of 100 kg/ha caused improved growth and yield characteristics includes; plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, and total fresh stem yield by almost (3.35 m, 25.88 mm, 250.10, and 246.93 t/ha), respectively. While, the best values of fresh and dry matter of core and bast fibers were recorded when NPK was applied at the proportion of 150 kg/ha which were (98.40, 57.80, 39.73, and 15.13 t/ha), respectively. Morphological properties of the kenaf bast fiber were also improved by adding NPK fertilizer. Both levels of NPK 100 and 150 kg/ha were noted to be the best for enhancing kenaf bast fiber compared to the control treatment. Finally, based on the results could recommend the farmers to use NPK fertilizer as a factor to increase fiber yield and improve its quality.

Influence of Ion Pairs and Activity on the Index of Irrigation Water Quality Relying on Some Modern Terms in Erbil Governorate. *

Influence of Ion Pairs and Activity on the Index of Irrigation Water Quality Relying on Some Modern Terms in Erbil Governorate. *

The Role of Blended Learning (Campus and E-Learning) on Students’ Scientific Level in Accounting Subjects an Exploratory Study of the Opinions of a Sample of Students of the Accounting Department at Salahaddin University-Erbil for the Academic Year 2020-2021

The research dealt with the relationship of blended education with the scientific level of students of the Accounting Department in accounting subjects and whether there was an effect of blended education on the scientific level of students in those subjects. The results of the research showed that the blended education with its two methods (inside the halls and electronic) has a significant and direct effect on the scientific level of students in the study subjects according to the results of the statistical analysis and the most important recommendations of the study are the continuation of electronic education in parallel with the education inside the halls, especially for students who want to continue to study from a distance and to achieve this, the research recommends establishing studios and equipping them with modern devices and to record lectures with audio and video. Reference: داود، سلیمان حمودة محمد (2018) فاعلیة مقرر الالکتروني لمهارات الاتصال وفق معاییر جودة التعلیم الالکتروني في التحصیل الدراسي والاتجاه نحو المقرر لدی طلاب کلیة الشریعة جامعة القصیم- المملکة العربیة السعودیة، المجلة الدولیة للابحاث التربویة، 42 (1) ، جامعة الامارات، لەم بەستەرە بەردەستە: https://www.academia.edu/35662943 (Accessed: 7 September 2021). الربیعي، محمود داود (2020) تطبيق التعليم المدمج في الجامعات العراقية، ئارتیکڵێکی زانستیە لەم بەستەرە بەردەستە: https://mustaqbal-college.edu.iq/ (Accessed: 19 August 2021). الزاملي، علي عبد الحسین هاني (2014) التعلیم المحاسبي ودوره في تطویر المهارات المهنیة لخریجي قسم المحاسبة، مجلة الادارة والاقتصاد، 3 (12)، کلیة الادارة والاقتصاد- جامعة کربلاء، ل. 286- 312. السقا، د. زیاد هاشم، والحمدانی، خلیل ابراهیم (2013)، دور التعلیم الالکتروني في زیادة کفاءة وفاعلیة التعلیم المحاسبي، مجلة اداء المٶسسات الجزائیریة، 2، جامعة قاصدي مرباح ورقلة، ل. 47-64. عبدالله، عائدة عثمان، و الاسمري، هاجر (2018) دور التعلیم المحاسبي في ترسیخ اخلاقیات مهنة المحاسبة في المملکة العربیة السعودیة، Route Educational and Social Science Journal، (5(3، لەم بەستەرە بەردەستە: http://www.ressjournal.com/Makaleler/902708651 (Accessed: 5 September 2021). عجیلة، محمد، وقنیع، احمد (2016) مساهمة التعلیم المحاسبي الالکتروني في تنمیة مهارات طلبة اقسام المحاسبة، المجلة الجزائریة للدراسات المحاسبیة والمالیة، العدد 3، جامعة قاصدي مرباح ورقلة (الجزائر). ل. 37- 47. Arkorful, V. (2014) The role of e-learning, the advantages and disadvantages of its adoption in Higher Education, International Journal of Education and Research, 2 (12). Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348335311 (Accessed: 11 September 2021). Bryan, A., Volchenkova K.N. (2016) Blended Learning: Definition, Models, Implications For Higher Education, Bulletin of the South Ural State University. Ser. Education. Educational Sciences, 8(2). Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/ 303815166 (Accessed: 11 September 2021). Chang, T.F., Chao, C,M., Cheng, B.W. (2015) Framework and Verification of a Blended E-learning System Behavioral Intention Model among Clinical Nurses, Journal of Baltic Science Education, 14(6), the Scientia Socialis Ltd., pp. 733-743. Dziuban, C. et al (2018) Blended learning: the new normal and emerging technologies, International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, Open Access, Open University of Catalonia & University of Los Andes – Colombia, DOI 10.1186/s41239-017-0087-5 http://www.hammuraby.com (Accessed: 12 September 2021). https://moodle.org (Accessed: 10 September 2021).

EFL College Students' Plagiarism: An Assessment of their Undergraduate Research Projects and Perceptions

Owing to vastly increasing practice of plagiarism at university level, it is vital that university teachers understand students’ beliefs about plagiarism and the nature of plagiarism at their institutions. This article investigates senior EFL college students’ perceptions of plagiarism seriousness and reasons for plagiarism via utilizing a questionnaire comprised of two sections. Furthermore, it focuses on assessing the students’ practice of plagiarism in their undergraduate research projects through first using ‘Turnitin’ program to check similarity index percentage, and then manually checking plagiarism types. Face validity of the questionnaire and the inter-rater reliability for manual checking were estimated by SPSS. The current research is restricted to a sample of 53 college students at the English Department of College of Basic Education/ Salahaddin University-Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for the academic year 2020-2021. Additionally, 29 of their undergraduate research projects were randomly selected for assessment. This study depends on a mixed method approach via adopting both qualitative and quantitative research designs. To achieve the aims of this research based on the collected and analyzed data, the researchers responded to five study questions. Results revealed that there is inconsistency in the similarity index percentage of their research projects. Moreover, not only were the practiced types of plagiarism found, but also the most common type of plagiarism was highlighted in their research projects. In addition, the students viewed some types of plagiarism as more serious ones based on the found mean of each type. Among 27 reasons, 14 reasons were considered as the most common reasons of plagiarism based on the found percentage. Finally, the study offered some recommendations for university teachers on how to improve students’ academic integrity and deter students from committing plagiarism acts in the future.

COMMERCIAL AND FIELD FACTORS OF SELECTING KENAF FIBERS AS ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS IN INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

This work was carried out from 15 July 2021 in Grdarasha Field, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin University-Erbil. It aims to show the impact of using kenaf fibers as alternative materials in manufacturing. Global climate change and environment pollution cause to do this kind of researching. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a fast growing natural crops, belongs to the Malvaceae family. It is an industrial crop has high potential for cultivation in a tropical climate and also which resistance to various soil types and climate. Selecting the raw materials for industrial applications is more important. Actually, kenaf fibers have many advantages to use in wade range of applications, also it’s fibers not just a part of plant useful as raw material but also leaves and seeds have many other advantages and uses. The results show that there is a significant between varieties on growth and fiber yield properties. The highest plant high was of FH952 by (368.33 cm), while the best values of total fresh and dry stem yields were found of HC2 and V36, by almost (219.33 and 60.93 t/ha), respectively. Providing these results through kenaf plant could be considered as substitute materials for timber and other biocomposite manufactures, and also it causes to safe environment by absorption optimal value of carbon dioxide (CO2), then cutting of woodland trees will be decreased. Finally recommended to cultivation fiber crops (kenaf) globally to conserve environment.