Statistical Package For Social Studies Research Articles

A Decision Tree Approach for Predicting Students Academic Performance

This research is on the use of a decision tree approach for predicting students’ academic performance. Education is the platform on which a society improves the quality of its citizens. To improve on the quality of education, there is a need to be able to predict academic performance of the students. The IBM Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS) is used to apply the Chi-Square Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) in producing the decision tree structure. Factors such as the financial status of the students, motivation to learn, gender were discovered to affect the performance of the students. 66.8% of the students were predicted to have passed while 33.2% were predicted to fail. It is observed that much larger percentage of the students were likely to pass and there is also a higher likely of male students passing than female students.

Knowledge and attitude of dental trauma among dental students in Saudi Arabia.

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and attitude of Saudi dental students in the management of dental trauma in children.Materials and Methods:A self-administered questionnaire comprising 17 close-ended questions was used in this survey. The questions were divided into three parts including: Personal and professional profile; knowledge assessment; attitude toward dental trauma. Data of 307 respondents were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Studies) version 22.0 (IBM Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA).Results:The response rate was 76.8%. Around 40.3% of students reported attending additional courses about dental trauma with a significant difference between males (57.2%) and females (19.4%). The vast majority of students (95.7%) stressed the importance of dental trauma education. While 77% could correctly identify the media of transportation of an avulsed tooth, only 26.9% of the students knew the proper method of transportation. Regarding the knowledge of immediate replantation, only 67.5% of students responded correctly.Conclusion:The present study demonstrates an insufficient knowledge concerning dental trauma management among dental students in Saudi Arabia. This highlights the need to improve the knowledge of dental students regarding dental trauma and its management using a variety of educational methods such as problem-based learning and powering the curriculum concerning those topics of dental trauma.

The Impact of the Application of Fair Value Accounting on the Quality of Accounting Information. An Empirical Study on a Group of Companies Listed on the Khartoum Stock Exchange

Study addresses the impact of fair value accounting on the quality of accounting information. The study's main problem in the following question: What is the effect of the application of fair value accounting on the characteristics of accounting information? In order to clarify the effect of the use of fair value on the quality of accounting information. To achieve the objectives of the study were followed inductive and deductive and descriptive approach, where it was in the theoretical side; the study of literature review of relevant fair value accounting And use the inductive approach to the analysis of the problem and identify its components, while a researcher at the deductive approach adopted in the formulation of hypotheses The descriptive approach has been reliable in the field side. Researcher use statistical package for social studies in the questionnaire data analysis. The most important results that have been reached: the fair value contribute to provide useful information to users of financial statements and help them in decision- making There is a positive relationship between the application of fair value and the appropriateness of accounting information in decision-making. And also there is a positive relationship between the application of fair value and reliability of accounting information. Which means reliability of users, in addition to the fair value was able to make a fair comparison, both at the enterprise level for a number of periods or with similar enterprises for the same period.

Influence of Age on the Radiomorphometric Indices of the Gonial Region of Mandible in North-Indian Population

Background: The gonial region of mandible plays a significant role in the determination of mandibular basal bone morphology. Gonial Angle is important for maintenance of a harmonius facial profile whereas Gonial Index is an indicator of the bone quality of the mandibular gonial region. Objectives: To examine the influence of age on two quantitative radiomorphometric indices of mandible, Gonial Angle (GA) and Gonial Index (GI) in a group of North-Indian population. Material and Methods: 60 adult human orthopantomographs were evaluated and divided into six age groups (35-65 years) with equal number of cases. Gonial Angle and Gonial Index were measured bilaterally on each radiograph. The measurements were analyzed for interactions with age and other interrelationships between the indices. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Studies) software version No. 18 and Mann- Whitney tests were used for various comparisons. Results: Gonial angle showed a significant positive correlation with age as the mean gonial angle values showed an increase with increasing age. Whereas in sharp contrast to this, gonial index showed no correlation with age as the mean gonial index values showed no pattern of either increase or decrease with increase in age. The correlation between gonial angle and gonial index was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Age had a significant influence on the angular radiomorphometric index i.e. gonial angle but the linear radiomorphometric index i.e. gonial index remained independent of age.

Factors influencing attitude towards kidney donation for transplantation in Ilorin.

Background: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a major cause of premature death and morbidity in Nigeria. Majority of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are in the productive age bracket. Haemodialysis is the most commonly available mode of renal replacement therapy. The quality of life of the few that can afford the cost of haemodialysis is poor when compared to the transplanted patients. A survey is carried out to assess factors affecting attitudes towards kidney donation in Ilorin, Nigeria.Methods: A total of 600 self administered, semi-structured questionnaires were distributed amongst asymptomatic adults (aged > 17years) with a response rate of 88%. Data analysis was done using statistical package for social studies (SPSS) version 14.Results: There were 282 males (53.4%) and 246 females (46.6%) with age range of 17-65years and a mean of 34.76+14.9. Two hundred and ninety two (55%) were willing to donate a kidney (165 males,127 females). Majority of the willing donors (86%) were between 30 and 50 years of age. Though educational level positively influenced the knowledge about the kidney failure, it did not influence willingness to donation of a kidney. There was religion related gender disparity in the willingness todonate a kidney as more male Christians and Muslims were willing to donation than their females.Conclusions: The main constraints to kidney donation were fear of surgical pains, belief in life after death and uncertainty of donor outcome. This calls for awareness programmes on the safety of kidney donation for transplantation.

An Analysis of “Jordan Opportunities” Objectives in the General Secondary Certificate Examination of English: A Case Study in Jordan between 2008 and 2010

The study aimed at investigating the GSCE through assessing to what extent English Language Teaching Objectives are available in the GSCE in Jordan between 2008 and 2010.This study attempts to answer the following questions:1- To what extent are the English language Teaching objectives realized in the GSCE in Jordan between 2008 and 2010 for each academic year?2- To what extent are the English language Teaching objectives realized in the GSCE in Jordan between 2008 and 2010 for all the three years collectively?The sample of the study consists of all examination papers of the GSCE in English in Jordan between the years 2008 and 2010. For the purpose of the study, the researcher developed a questionnaire that consists of 13 Thirston –type items that were classified under the following categories:1- listening 22- speaking 33- reading 34 - writing 5The questionnaire was prepared in English. The questionnaire was given to a jury of professors, supervisors and teachers of English. The jury’s responses on the questionnaire were analyzed as follows:1- Percentage and frequency in each response category.2- Basic descriptive statistical mean and standard deviation.3- Phi and Cramer’s V for nominal variables (corresponding internal contingency coefficient in case of interval variables) Using the Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS) uses the above-mentioned procedure.The study presents the following1- The objectives of listening and speaking are not available in the GSCE completely.2- Two out of three of the reading objectives are available.3- Four out of five of the writing objectives are available in the GSCE.On the basis of the findings, the researcher recommended the following:1- Include speaking and listening exams in the GSCE because of the need to let teachers teach them in classes.2- Vary the questions of reading and writing to cover all the objectives.3- To test what we teach not to teach what we are going to test as the case in most schools.

Eye and vision defects in under-five-year-old children in Oman: A public health intervention study

Purpose:To identify under-five-year-old children with vision or ocular defect in two provinces (Wilayats) of central Oman in 2006.Study Design:Public health intervention study.Materials and Methods:Ocular examination in Manah Wilayat was conducted by nursing staff of the primary health center (PHC) and in Mudhaiby Wilayat was conducted by a trainee Omani optometrist. Abnormal sized eyeball, strabismus, nystagmus and white pupil were recorded. Visual acuity was tested by LOGMAR chart with Lea's symbols in children >2 years of age and preferential viewing was assessed by Lea's grating paddle or 'Hiding Heidi' picture in children ≤2 years age. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS 12).Result:Among 1,520 examined children, three children had absent eyeball bilaterally and three had unilaterally absent eyeball. Strabismus and nystagmus were detected in 44 (2.9%) and 18 (1.2%) children respectively. 'Hiding Heidi' test was normal in 530/537 (87%) of children. Distant vision reading was ≥0.32 in 386/448 (86.2%) eyes. Preferential looking test suggested that half of the children had defective vision (>2cpcm). Screening at '1-2 year' and '3-4 years' age group could significantly predict eye problems (P ≤ 0.001).Conclusion:Eye and vision screening of under-five kids helped in detection of eye problems in early stages. Instead of universal screening, high risk population or children of '3 to 4' years for vision and '1 to 2' years for ocular abnormalities is proposed The existing health services could not detect some children with eye problems and they were identified during such screening.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Rural Adolescent Females: Knowledge, Protected Sex, and Sexual Risk Behaviors

Reduction of cervical cancer morbidity/mortality relies on prevention and early detection of human papillomavirus (HPV). This study examined HPV knowledge, attitudes toward protected sex, and sexual risk behaviors among rural female adolescents, through cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample (n = 159). Data analysis, via the Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS), identified a sexually active sample (64%) with limited knowledge regarding effective sexual protection or HPV. Subjects living with both parents were (a) less knowledgeable about HPV than those living with single parents (b = -2.05, p = 0.035), as well as (b) less likely to be sexually active than those in other living arrangements (55% vs 77%, p = .0082). These findings suggest that the adolescent-parent relationship warrants further exploration in increasing knowledge regarding risk and reducing exposure to HPV.

Perceptions Of Administators And Instructors Concerning Factors Influencing Secondary Agriculture Enrollment

A study was conducted to determine the contribution of selected factors to the decline in enrollment in secondary vocational agricultural education programs in Idaho. It investigated the perceptions of 73 Idaho secondary school administrators and 81 vocational agriculture instructors toward the influence of the factors on enrollment. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Studies, with subprograms, Frequency, Friedman's Two-way ANOVA, and Wilcoxon's Matched-pairs Signed-rank test. The 13 factors, identified from the literature as limiting vocational agriculture enrollments, were rated significantly differently as to their effect by respondents. The four factors rated as having the most limiting effect on enrollment were scheduling conflicts, change in students' interests and attitudes toward agriculture, competition with other elective courses, and academically gifted students guided away from vocational agriculture. The five factors rated as having the least limiting effect on vocational agriculture enrollment were the supervised occupational experience program requirement, vocational agriculture used as a dumping ground, inadequacy of tools and equipment, limited facilities for vocational agriculture students, and students living in 11.-ban areas. Administrators and instructors rated 6 of the 13 factors significantly differently. (YLB) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be xade * * from the original document. *