Malaysian Students Research Articles

Shadow education, enabler or barrier: insights from Malaysian secondary school students

ABSTRACT Shadow education (SE) or supplementary private tutoring research has gained significant traction in the past two decades. With extensive implications of SE on the ecology of education and academic performance, this study investigates Malaysian secondary school students’ views on SE and its perceived impact on their academic performance. Eight focus groups with four schools (n = 47) were conducted with students (n = 24) who used SE and those who did not (n = 23) for a more holistic perspective. Findings revealed that all students perceived SE as beneficial for achieving improved academic performance. SE users found SE enhances their mainstream schooling performance. Nonetheless, they reported negative lifestyle impacts due to time demands. Furthermore, students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds reported that they felt educationally disadvantaged by not having access to SE due to its cost. We conclude that the inequality of opportunities requires policy responses to SE for regulation purposes in the Malaysian setting.

Why am I obsessed with viewing mukbang ASMR? The roles of mediated voyeurism and intertemporal choice

This study investigates the determinants of the obsessive view of mukbang autonomous sensory meridian response (Mukbang ASMR) and examines the moderation role of intertemporal choice and the mediating effect of mediated voyeurism among university students in Malaysia. A quantitative survey was conducted with 408 university students in Malaysia who viewed mukbang channel(s) often on social media. PLS-SEM is adopted to examine the associated paths and effects. The results demonstrate the significant impact of alienation and novelty, vicarious satisfaction, companionship and loneliness on mukbang ASMR obsession. Mediated voyeurism intervenes the effects of alienation and novelty on mukbang ASMR and intertemporal choice positively moderates the relationship between companionship and loneliness and mukbang ASMR. This study constructs a model to estimate Mukbang ASMR obsession by identifying specific motives and relationships among key factors, highlighting loneliness as the most effective determinant of mukbang ASMR among Malaysian younger generation. Research results provide an extended understanding of the mukbang ASMR, offering valuable insights in the areas of lifestyle, social well-being, and social media consumption.

Image-based dietary assessment skills of undergraduate nutrition and dietetics students in a multicultural developing country

Background: Image-based dietary assessment is a digital method relatively new in nutrition education. We aimed to evaluate the nutrient estimation skills of nutrition and dietetics students in Malaysia using image-based dietary assessment, and develop a tool to assess their image-based dietary assessment skills. Methods: The study was performed among undergraduate nutrition and dietetics students in two phases. Phase One (n=75) was conducted in four steps: 1) photography of food/beverage at two angles (45° and 90°) with and without a fiducial marker (ruler/dessert spoon); 2) study tool establishment; 3) pre-testing; and 4) conduct of the study. Incorporating changes from Phase One, 55 students participated in Phase Two. Participants were evaluated on their accuracy in recognizing and estimating portions and nutrients of a food/beverage. Data analysis included response frequency and percentages, and statistical differences (Wilcoxon Signed Rank test) in estimating nutrient content. Results: In both phases, the participants scored above 80% for the correct identification of most food items. Participants scored the lowest when estimating nutrient content in local snacks [median (IQR): Phase One, 12.5% (25.0); Phase Two, 16.7% (16.7)]. Participants in Phase One showed better nutrient estimation skills with both fiducial markers, however, no significant difference was observed in Phase Two [without: 21.1% (7.9%); with the dessert spoon: 19.0% (13.8%), p=0.197]. Participants’ knowledge, skills, and food images were the main barriers to accurate nutrient estimation. Conclusion: Our study found poor nutrient estimation skills among Malaysian undergraduate nutrition and dietetics students. These key findings warrant urgent attention to address this through innovative dietary assessment training on food and portion size from images.

Talk to engage: The influence of smartphone voice assistants on consumers’ brand engagement

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate how smartphone voice assistants (SVAs) impact brand engagement among Malaysian university students, who are leading in digital consumption trends. The study aims to investigate how brand characteristics such as appeal, attachment, perceived utility, and usability impact consumer behaviour by utilising Brand Identity and Technology Acceptance models. Analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) in AMOS, data from 500 students experienced with voice assistants was collected through a survey. The results show strong connections in all studied relationships, emphasising the crucial importance of various brand attributes in promoting engagement. Usability and perceived utility are essential factors, indicating that businesses should focus on creating products that are both functional and user-friendly. The study provides distinctive perspectives on improving student engagement and brand partnerships in a competitive environment. It highlights the necessity for more research to help voice assistant professionals and academics enhance consumer-brand connections, especially among the digitally adept youth population in Malaysia.

Sowing green seeds of mind: exploring the determinants of green mindfulness among university students

Purpose This study aims to investigate the determinants influencing green mindfulness among university students in Malaysia within the context of the Malaysia 2030 Agenda, focusing on Sustainable Development Goal 17 attainment. Design/methodology/approach The research uses a quantitative approach with a sample of 203 young adults. It explores the factors of goal difficulty, knowledge and awareness, spirituality, values and perceived university environmental responsibility (PUER), using a novel theoretical framework termed universal identity theory (IT). Findings Values, knowledge and awareness and PUER significantly contribute to green mindfulness, whereas spirituality and goal difficulty did not exhibit a substantial relationship to green mindfulness. Research limitations/implications Limited representation of diverse age groups and the potential influence of seniority on spirituality. Future research should expand the framework to include green behavior and performance, increase the sample size and consider a broader age demographic. Practical implications Universities play a crucial role in promoting green mindfulness through the establishment of rules, regulations, environmental initiatives, incentive systems and the introduction of a green mindfulness course. Clear communication channels and top-down approaches are recommended. Social implications This research contributes to understanding the mechanisms that induce green mindfulness among university students in Malaysia, aligning with national and global sustainability goals. Originality/value The universal IT provides a comprehensive understanding of how personal, social and community-based identities collectively influence green mindfulness. This theoretical perspective contributes to the environmental psychology and sustainability studies field, offering a culturally sensitive approach.

Validity And Realibility Of The Knowledge, Attitude And Practice (Kap) Questionnaire On Hexagonal And Olympic Barbell Deadlift Among Young University Students

An instrument for assessing the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) regarding hexagonal and Olympic barbell deadlift among young university students is crucial for identifying any gaps in KAP. This assessment can assist in developing specific educational interventions, enhancing training programs, improving overall strength and conditioning outcomes, and mitigating health risks. The objective of this study was to create and verify a questionnaire, specifically designed for young university students, that assesses knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to hexagonal and Olympic barbell deadlift exercises. A study employing purposive sampling was undertaken among a cohort of 242 young university students in Malaysia. This questionnaire was derived from a previous study and enhanced with additional components related to hexagonal and Olympic barbell deadlift. The verification of content validity, construct validity, and reliability was conducted utilising several tests. All the items in the questionnaire contribute to a minimal factor structure, as indicated by the results of a rotational component matrix. The Kuder-Richardson 20 (KR-20) coefficient for the knowledge domain was 0.73, which is regarded satisfactory. The Cronbach's Alpha values above 0.70, indicating strong reliability. However, they were lower than the overall Cronbach's Alpha value of 0.965 for the practice domain. Therefore, no item needed to be removed. This questionnaire demonstrates robust validity and reliability, making it suitable for assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to hexagonal and Olympic barbell deadlift.

Trends in Malaysian Adolescents’ Mathematics Performance Across Two Decades: What Factors Matter?

The relationship between individual and school factors plays a crucial role in shaping adolescents' mathematics achievement. Individual factors, such as a student's motivation and educational expectation, directly influence their engagement and persistence in mathematical learning. Concurrently, school factors, including teacher quality and the availability of resources, create an environment that either fosters or hinders students' academic success in mathematics. Together, these factors underscore the need for a holistic approach to education that recognizes the interconnectedness of personal and institutional influences on student performance. Thus, this study investigates what individual and school factors have been associated with adolescents’ mathematics achievement over the last two decades. We examined six-wave data of Malaysia from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Multilevel modeling technique was employed for data composed of 5557, 5314, 4466, 5733, 9726, and 7065 eighth-grade students participating in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019, respectively. The results showed that 65.17%, 57.44%, 65.89%, 73.00%, 43.16%, and 61.69% of the total variance in mathematics achievement was due to school differences in these years. The findings also indicated that students with higher mathematics motivational beliefs scored higher. Students who more frequently spoke the language of the test at home achieved lower scores in the four waves of TIMSS; however, this trend changed in 2015 and 2019. Student educational aspiration emerged as a positive predictor of mathematics achievement in the last two assessments of TIMSS. Home educational resources and book ownership also significantly correlated with mathematics achievement. At the school level, teacher gender was negatively associated with achievement in all TIMSS waves except 2019. Students whom female teachers taught outperformed those whom male teachers taught. The longitudinal study of Malaysian students' mathematics performance reveals critical insights for educational stakeholders. The findings indicate that 43.16% to 73.00% of the variance in mathematical achievement is linked to school differences, underscoring the importance of equitable resource distribution. Moreover, students' motivational beliefs significantly influence their mathematics scores, suggesting a need for interventions that foster positive attitudes. The evolving correlation between home language proficiency and achievement emphasizes the necessity of integrating language support into educational strategies. Additionally, promoting educational aspirations is vital for enhancing performance, while the role of gender dynamics in teacher effectiveness warrants further exploration.

Cultural adaptation challenges, academic stress, and social support: A study of Saudi students in Malaysia

This study explores the specific challenges faced by Saudi students studying in Malaysia, particularly the pressures related to achieving their academic goals abroad. Previous research has often looked at the general factors affecting international students' experiences but has not deeply examined the unique challenges faced by Saudi students who are studying abroad on scholarships. This research aims to identify the difficulties these students face in adapting to a new culture, understand how these challenges relate to their academic stress, evaluate the role of social support in easing this stress, and consider how this knowledge could help develop better support strategies for Saudi students in Malaysia. The research was conducted using a questionnaire given to a group of Saudi students in Malaysia. The findings indicate that social support helps lessen the link between cultural adaptation difficulties and academic stress, which is an important factor affecting their academic success and overall well-being. These results are significant as they can help improve the academic achievement and well-being of international students.

Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and Technostress: A Proposed Framework for the Malaysian Technical University Network Students

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of IND-COL of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension that can determine the level of technostress experienced by undergraduates’ students in the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) institutions with the presence of Perceived Instructor Support (PIS). More specifically, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of Horizontal Individualism (HI), Vertical Individualism (VI), Horizontal Collectivism (HC) and Vertical Collectivism (VC) and the experience of technostress among undergraduates’ students of MTUN institutions with PIS as a mediator. For the purpose of this study, the simple random sampling technique will be utilized. This is done to ensure that each and every student studying in MTUN institutions has an equal opportunity of being selected as a sample. As part of a quantitative research approach, a series of questionnaire questions will be distributed to a total of 380 undergraduate students studying in Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). This research seeks to present some determinant variables to minimize technostress and maintain a desired technology and digital literacy among undergraduates’ students in Malaysia by referring to the IND-COL of Hofstede Cultural Dimension and Person-Environment (P-E) Fit Theory.

Factors Affecting Food Choice Among University Students in Malaysia

This study investigates the variables affecting university students' food Choices. A total of 361 respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, data gathered. The Food Frequency and the Food Choice Questionnaires were used to assess dietary intake and food choice characteristics adapted from Steptoe, Pollard, and Wardle (1995). The study examined various food selection criteria including health, price, convenience, familiarity, and sensory appeal. The results indicated that sensory appeal was the most important factor influencing food choices among university students, while price was the least important. A significant relationship between food choice factors and their food intake. Students showed a strong concern forboth sensory appeal and convenience. Due to limited resources, students prioritized the sensory appeal of food over other factors, with sensory appeal sometimes acting as a barrier to healthy eating. Future research should explore these factors in different geographical areas and educational institutions.

Exploring the Experience of Arab PhD Students in Malaysia: A Phenomenological Study

Exploring the Experience of Arab PhD Students in Malaysia: A Phenomenological Study

The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status Background and Sense of Belonging Among University Students in Malaysia

A sense of belonging is increasingly emphasized in higher education. This is because belonging plays an important role in the well-being of students in education. In this study, the socio-economic background is examined to identify its relationship to student’s sense of belonging. Therefore, this study was conducted by implementing a quantitative research design to figure out the relationship. The data were collected by distributing questionnaires to 320 UNITAR International University students through Google Form platform. Based on the analysis of the data, this study discovered that there is a significant relationship between socioeconomic status and a sense of belonging among UNITAR International University students. Further research needs to be conducted to identify a clearer link between socioeconomic status and a sense of belonging in this study. Improvements to study instruments also need to be made to obtain more systematic and clearer findings.

A Multidimensional Assessment of Malaysian Polytechnic Students' Communication Apprehension in Oral Presentations

Focusing on situation, audience, context, and trait-based factors, this study examined the multidimensional aspects of Malaysian polytechnic students' communication apprehension during oral presentations. A total of 116 engineering and business diploma students enrolled in an English communication course at a polytechnic in Sarawak were selected to participate in a survey based on McCroskey's (1984) Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety (PRPSA). The results revealed that situation and audience-based communication apprehension in oral presentations were more prevalent than context and trait-based communication apprehension, indicating the significant influence of the communicative environment and audience dynamics on students' speech anxiety. Hence, the need for targeted pedagogical strategies by educators and administrators to alleviate students' communication apprehension and specific training programmes simulating various speaking scenarios and audiences is pivotal.

The Factors Affecting the Impacts of Using the School Improvement Plan (SIP) on Students' Academic Achievement in Malaysia

While professional learning communities are hailed as the solution to raising teacher quality in Malaysia, other nations, such as the UK and Canada, have started to deprivatize teaching. This theory is predicated on the notion that teaching is a collaborative endeavor in which educators grow as individuals and professionals. Rather, it is a cooperative process in which teacher learning enhances student learning. Furthermore, the traditional classroom is rapidly changing to accommodate the needs of students in the twenty-first century while also encouraging the deprivatizing teaching approach. Consequently, this study presents a curriculum-change implementation strategy one school uses to meet Malaysia's evolving understanding of learning in and for the twenty-first century. Narrating a series of anticipated strategic events clarifies the importance of using distributive leadership as an essential tool for supporting educational enhancement and highlights the benefits of consultative techniques. This study aims to determine the variables that influence how the School Improvement Plan (SIP) affects Malaysian students' academic performance. Using a Google Form approach, this study used a quantitative research design, an effective and systematic way to collect quantifiable data. According to this survey, teacher leadership factors have the most significant impact on students' academic success compared to the other two factors. The results of this study suggested a theoretical framework that forecasts the related factors—principal instructional leadership, teacher leadership, and conducive school environment—that influence the effects of implementing the School Improvement Plan (SIP) on students' academic achievement in Malaysia.

Validity of the Malay adaptation of the KOOS Patellofemoral Pain and Subscale (KOOS-PF)

Introduction: The Malay version of Knee Orthopaedic Outcome Score-Patellofemoral (KOOS-PF) is unavailable. Aims: This study culturally used the (KOOS-PF) questionnaire for Malaysian Malay-speaking students. Methods: Forward-backwards translation was used to translate the KOOS-PF questionnaire from English to Malay. Malay version psychometric patellofemoral characteristics (construct reliability) were examined using Cronbach's alpha to assess reliability and internal consistency with fifty-five UiTM physiotherapy students. Results: The reliability analysis found that each construct's Cronbach's alpha coefficient was more significant than 0.07, and the p-values were less than 0.001. Conclusion: A reliable and straightforward technique for assessing quality of life among Malaysian physiotherapy students.

Career Maturity and Intervention Strategies: A bibliometric approach

This study explores whether Malaysian student career awareness interventions whilst still in secondary school, that focus on career maturity and their readiness for the evolving job market, effectively prepares them for employment success. Recognising the importance of aligning career choices with interests and skills, the paper examines the impact of these interventions. However, despite growing interest, there remains a gap in understanding the actual impact of these career interventions for Malaysian students transitioning out of secondary education. Using Scopus Analyzer, academic papers were analysed considering publication trends, authorship, citations, and key topics. The paper aimed to highlight research trends and patterns, identify research gaps, and offer insights for future studies. Ultimately, this research seeks to clarify whether the career awareness interventions prior to Malaysian students transitioning to the workforce genuinely enhance their career choice, maturity, and success.

Evaluating Mobile Application as Assistive Technology to Improve Students with Learning Disabilities for Communication, Personal Care and Physical Function

This study addresses the challenges faced by Malaysian students with learning disabilities, emphasizing the critical role of assistive technology (AT), particularly Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) within mobile applications. Focusing on the Smart-App, the research explores its efficacy in supporting students in learning and establishing routines for activities of daily living (ADLs). Four preschool students aged five to six attending a specialized institution, with the use of direct observation and an adapted checklist methodology to assess their personal care, physical function, and communication aspects. Smart-App's shows significant impact on communication, enhancing two-way communication through visual schedules and AAC features. In personal care, the app facilitated ADLs, such as handwashing and tooth brushing, emphasizing a sequential click-through approach. Additionally, the oral hygiene module served as an effective pedagogical tool. In terms of physical function, Smart-App contributed to toilet training and identified challenges in specific physical activities. The study contributes substantively to the discourse on AT in education, underscoring the potential of Smart-App as a valuable tool for enhancing ADLs and fostering independence among students with learning disabilities.

Creative and Innovations Practices of Higher Education Institution Students in Malaysia towards Entrepreneurial Leadership

Creative and Innovations Practices of Higher Education Institution Students in Malaysia towards Entrepreneurial Leadership

The Influence of Financial Literacy on Entrepreneurial Intention among University Students in Malaysia

The Influence of Financial Literacy on Entrepreneurial Intention among University Students in Malaysia

Assessing Educational Approaches to Incorporate Indigenous Knowledge in Enhancing Learning Motivation among Malaysian Indigenous Students

Assessing Educational Approaches to Incorporate Indigenous Knowledge in Enhancing Learning Motivation among Malaysian Indigenous Students