Sultan Qaboos University Students Research Articles

Students’ Online Learning Self-Efficacy during the Spread of Corona Pandemic (Covid-19) at Sultan Qaboos University

The current study targets measuring the level of online learning self-efficacy among Sultan Qaboos University students during the spread of the Corona pandemic (Covid-19). The tool adopted by this study, to measure online learning self-efficacy, is OLSES, which was developed by Zimmerman & Kulikowich (2016). OLSES has been translated into Arabic by a well experienced translator. The OLSES scale was applied to a sample of 120 male and female students studying at Sultan Qaboos University to verify its psychometric properties in terms of its validity and reliability. Following on establishing the stability and integrity of the scale, it was applied on a research sample of 1560 male and female students at the same university. The results of the study indicated a high level of online learning self-efficacy among university students. Furthermore, the study showed a significant statistical difference between male and female students in favor of female students. Meanwhile, the community of the students, in terms of rural and urban, and the type of study, whether humanitarian or practical, did not have any significant statistical difference. The number of years variable at the university indicated significant statistical differences for only time management variable with higher self-efficacy for students who studied for five years or more.

Exploring Sultan Qaboos University Students' Perceptions and Challenges: Unveiling the Realities of Asynchronous Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Exploring Sultan Qaboos University Students' Perceptions and Challenges: Unveiling the Realities of Asynchronous Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Understanding the Role of Family Environment in Predicting Academic Probation among Sultan Qaboos University Students: Implications for Family Social Work Practice

Understanding the Role of Family Environment in Predicting Academic Probation among Sultan Qaboos University Students: Implications for Family Social Work Practice

Factors Affecting the Satisfaction of Sultan Qaboos University Students about Remote Academic Advising during the Covid-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to investigate the level of satisfaction of Sultan Qaboos University students with remote academic advising during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also aimed to explore the factors that might affect the extent of satisfaction, such as gender, academic year, and the nationality of the academic advisor. To achieve these aims, the researchers developed an academic advising satisfaction survey. The survey consisted of three sub-scales, namely, satisfaction with the advisor's competence and information, satisfaction with the advisor's interest and enthusiasm, and satisfaction with the ease of communication with the advisor. The survey was distributed to a sample of 490 undergraduate students (248 males and 242 females) during the COVID-19 period in the Spring 2021 semester. The study results showed that the students were highly satisfied with the competence and information of the academic advisors. At the same time, they expressed moderate levels of satisfaction with the advisors' interest and enthusiasm and the ease of communication with the advisors. The results also revealed that students supervised by Omani faculty members are more satisfied with academic advising than students supervised by non-Omani faculty members. In addition, the results showed that third-year students and above are more satisfied with academic advising than their first and second-year counterparts. Keywords: Academic advising, distance learning, Covid-19, Sultan Qaboos University

Lifestyle Habits Among Sultan Qaboos University Students During COVID-19 “Stay-At-Home” Period

The aim of the present study was to enhance our understanding of COVID-19 quarantine’s effect on lifestyle of Sultan Qaboos University students. 192 male and 186 female students completed an online multi-section questionnaire between 15th April and 1st May 2020 five weeks after the beginning the “stay at home” period. Almost 34% of the students gained between 2kg – 4kg weight during this period. We found that more than half of the students slept less than the recommend 7 hours of sleep. Also, 75% of the students spent most of their daily time in front of screen (e.g., mobile phone & computers). Approximately 70% of students exercised at home 3-4 times at light or moderate intensity per week with an increase of physical activity levels for most of them. In contrast 29.2% of student engage in sedentary behaviours at home. The major effect of COVID-19 stay-at-home period on SQU students’ daily lifestyle had behaviours warrant the attention of SQU administrations and health practitioners to prevent or mitigate the potential adverse physical and psychological consequences.

Social networks as a source of Arabic digital content in Oman: A case study on Sultan Qaboos university’s students

This paper aims to identify the role of social media in the digital transformation of the Omani society, as social media represents an essential source of information that many rely on to create and disseminate knowledge and digital transformation. The study focuses on Sultan Qaboos University students, who are consumers and producers through social networks. The study attempts to identify the contribution of the study sample to these sites and the quality of information shared through those networks. The study also sought to identify the possibility of relying on Arabic information available in those networks and employing it as a source of information. The purpose of this study is to identify the information practices of the study sample on social networks, which may affect Arabic digital content on the Internet. The result of this study shows that the social networks are a rich source of information and have a significant role in enriching the Arab digital transformation. However, despite being a source of digital content, many users treat their content with caution due to doubts regarding the credibility of the information. The study also finds that social networks can be exploited in disseminating digital Arabic knowledge content on the Internet through codified practices through which the information can be verified.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Conservation of Salūt, Sultanate of Oman

ABSTRACT The relationship between planning and restoration work, and the acquisition of data necessary for contextual understanding of Salūt, a large Iron Age site, are discussed. Its different historical contexts required close collaboration among architects, archaeologists, Ministry of Heritage and Culture staff, local workers and students from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). A central aim was to awaken the interest of the community and encourage them to play an active role in the conservation of local heritage sites. This and the technical solutions adopted are also a focus of the paper. Intangible cultural heritage should be considered to be an integral part of the site. A number of activities was undertaken to develop sustainable responses for the management of Omani cultural heritage: historical and ethnographic research into the traditional techniques of mudbrick and mud plaster construction, with visits to surrounding villages to identify Omani residents familiar with the process; information storage, images, and video interviews for a multi-level, potentially replicable approach; creation and implementation of guidelines for the conservation of the mudbrick walls; organization of site visits, awareness-raising activities for local students and interested community members; the training of two female SQU students in stratigraphic excavation and conservation of artifacts; and the use of state-of-the-art surveying and 3D modeling for the evaluation of interventions. The program at Salūt site, until the interruption due to the pandemic, has produced largely positive results, and the methodology developed here can promote recovery of other archaeological sites similar to Salūt.

Predicting Dimensions of Intrinsic Motivation from Self-Concept among Sultan Qaboos University Students in Oman

The purpose of this study was to predict the dimensions of intrinsic motivation from self-concept among 1684 first-year students at Sultan Qaboos University. A related purpose was to explore statistically significant gender differences in self-concept and the dimensions of intrinsic motivation. The study tools were intrinsic motivation and self-concept scales. The results showed that academic and non-academic self-concept predicted challenge, curiosity, and independence. Statistically significant differences were attributed to gender in the challenge, independence, and academic self-concept in favor of females. There were no statistically significant gender differences in curiosity and non-academic self-concept.

The Effect of Psychological Stress on Alienation Levels among Sultan Qaboos University Students

The study aimed to examine the predictive effects of educational and health stress on Sultan Qaboos University's (SQU) students' feeling of alienation. In addition, the study examined the effects of demographic variables (gender, GPA) on the levels of alienation. The study sample consisted of 482 students (69.3%) females from both undergraduate and postgraduate levels at SQU. Two questionnaires were used. The first one measured the levels of alienation based on four domains: loss of belonging, non-compliance with standards, feeling of disability, and loss of meaning. The second one measured the levels of educational and health stress. The study results revealed that the rates of alienation and stress were generally low. Moreover, statistically significant differences were found in the domain of non-compliance with standards based on gender. Also, statistically significant differences were found in all alienation domains based on GPA. The results indicated that educational stress was able to predict all domains of alienation; however, health stress was able to predict the "loss of meaning" domain only. The researchers provided a number of recommendations to deal with feelings of alienation among students.

The Effect of Psychological Stress on Alienation Levels among Sultan Qaboos University Students

The study aimed to examine the predictive effects of educational and health stress on Sultan Qaboos University's (SQU) students' feeling of alienation. In addition, the study examined the effects of demographic variables (gender, GPA) on the levels of alienation. The study sample consisted of 482 students (69.3%) females from both undergraduate and postgraduate levels at SQU. Two questionnaires were used. The first one measured the levels of alienation based on four domains: loss of belonging, non-compliance with standards, feeling of disability, and loss of meaning. The second one measured the levels of educational and health stress. The study results revealed that the rates of alienation and stress were generally low. Moreover, statistically significant differences were found in the domain of non-compliance with standards based on gender. Also, statistically significant differences were found in all alienation domains based on GPA. The results indicated that educational stress was able to predict all domains of alienation; however, health stress was able to predict the "loss of meaning" domain only. The researchers provided a number of recommendations to deal with feelings of alienation among students.

Knowledge and Experiences of Final Year Medical and Nursing Students with Regard to Palliative Care at Government University in Oman: A Questionnaire Based Study.

Palliative care (PC) is an essential part of the healthcare system, aiming to improve the quality of life of terminally ill patients and their families through prevention, relief of suffering, and providing psychosocial and spiritual support. To achieve high-quality PC, medical education should encompass PC training, including knowledge of PC, and skills and attitudes towards PC, at the undergraduate level. The aim of this study is to identify PC knowledge and experience among undergraduate medical and nursing students at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), a government university in Oman. A validated questionnaire that measures knowledge and experiences of PC was administered to all final year medical and nursing students (N = 196) at SQU. The majority of the students (93.4%) were aware of the term PC, but most of them (68.9%) did not have any experience of PC. Around half of the students (54.9%) had a vague notion of how to implement PC, and only 41.3% felt confident in providing PC for terminally ill patients. Less than half of the students (44.8%) were aware that the patient's family should be included in PC, as well as the patient. The majority of students (71.3%) thought that PC should be included in the undergraduate teaching curriculum, though few students (17.9%) knew that PC is currently a specialized medical unit (sub-department) in Oman. Most of the students (73.0%) thought that terminally ill patients have the right to choose "do not resuscitate," but few students agreed that patients should be able to request a lethal dose (24.0%) or consent to a physician-assisted suicide (35.7%). Most of the students (84.7%) believed that special psychological support should be provided for doctors and nurses working in PC. Bivariate analysis showed no significance in the knowledge of applied PC in relation to which of the colleges the students were from (p = 0.283) or gender of the students (p = 0.068). Despite the fact that SQU students had favorable attitudes towards PC, they have insufficient knowledge and lack of experience. As the number of geriatric and terminal cancer patients increases across Oman, there is a need for the healthcare system to provide high-quality and effective PC services. Thus, there is an urgent need to integrate PC teaching courses as part of the undergraduate medical education for medical and nursing students.

University students’ nomophobia prevalence, sociodemographic factors and relationship with academic performance at a University in Oman

BackgroundNomophobia “no mobile phone” and phobia” is a pathological fear of being out of contact with a mobile phone, has no mobile networks, or has insufficient balance or battery. Purpose of the studyTo determine the prevalence of nomophobia, demographic factors affecting nomophobic behaviors, and the relationship between nomophobia and academic performance among university students in Oman. MethodsA descriptive correlational study design was chosen to describe the prevalence of nomophobia among Sultan Qaboos University students. A convenience sampling technique was used to select 735 students based on defined inclusion criteria. Nomophobia was identified using a self-report instrument, the Nomophobia Questionnaire, which includes 20 Likert scale items rated from 1 (“strongly disagree”) to 7 (“strongly agree”). Descriptive analysis and a Pearson correlation statistical test were used to determine the possible relationship between nomophobia and academic performance. ResultsThe prevalence of nomophobia among students was 99.33%, most with a moderate level of nomophobia. Students with severe nomophobia reported weak academic performance (p = .706), but this was not statistically significant. ConclusionThis study found a high prevalence of nomophobia and a weak relationship with academic performance. More studies should be conducted in this area to inform policy on cellphones within academic premises, to avoid serious ill effects of chronic use.

Students' Reluctance to Attend Office Hours: Reasons and Suggested Solutions

This paper focuses on investigating students’ reasons for their reluctance to attend faculty members’ office hours. Study participants included 500 male and female students from the Colleges of Engineering (n = 248) and Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) (n = 252) at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). The study followed a descriptive-analytical approach, and a questionnaire was utilized to collect people’s views. The results of the study indicate that the rates of SQU students’ attendance to office hours were low, and some students (11.2%) do not attend at all as they consider these office hours a waste of time. The main reasons behind the students’ lack of interest in office hours were busy student timetables, conflicts between faculty office hours and students’ timetables, and easier and faster ways of getting information than visiting faculty members. Additional reasons were related to faculty members’ personalities and their discouraging attitudes toward attending office hours. The researchers recommend that SQU adopt a new strategy for encouraging faculty members to hold office hours, familiarizing students with the importance of office hours and assigning part of a course’s grades to meeting with faculty members’ office hours.

Students' Reluctance to Attend Office Hours: Reasons and Suggested Solutions

This paper focuses on investigating students’ reasons for their reluctance to attend faculty members’ office hours. Study participants included 500 male and female students from the Colleges of Engineering (n = 248) and Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) (n = 252) at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). The study followed a descriptive-analytical approach, and a questionnaire was utilized to collect people’s views. The results of the study indicate that the rates of SQU students’ attendance to office hours were low, and some students (11.2%) do not attend at all as they consider these office hours a waste of time. The main reasons behind the students’ lack of interest in office hours were busy student timetables, conflicts between faculty office hours and students’ timetables, and easier and faster ways of getting information than visiting faculty members. Additional reasons were related to faculty members’ personalities and their discouraging attitudes toward attending office hours. The researchers recommend that SQU adopt a new strategy for encouraging faculty members to hold office hours, familiarizing students with the importance of office hours and assigning part of a course’s grades to meeting with faculty members’ office hours.

The Addiction of Sultan Qaboos University Students to Social Networking Sites (SNS)

The present study aimed at identifying the prevalence of addiction of SNS among the students of Sultan Qaboos University, analyzing the most common symptoms of SNS addiction among them, and determining the categories which are most vulnerable to addiction to SNS. The study sample consisted of 237= 67% females and 33% males. The Alpha Cronbach coefficient for the SNS scale was 0.92, while for its three dimensions: emergence and relapse 0.85, endurance and conflict 0.81, mood adjustment and withdrawal 0.81. The results showed that the prevalence of SNS addiction among university students reached 21.1%. Endurance and conflict were the most common symptoms of SNS addiction among students. The multiple variance tests revealed that there were no significant differences among university students in terms of SNS addiction related to gender, while there were significant differences among them related to number of usage hours, GPA, and household income level.

The Addiction of Sultan Qaboos University Students to Social Networking Sites (SNS)

The present study aimed at identifying the prevalence of addiction of SNS among the students of Sultan Qaboos University, analyzing the most common symptoms of SNS addiction among them, and determining the categories which are most vulnerable to addiction to SNS. The study sample consisted of 237= 67% females and 33% males. The Alpha Cronbach coefficient for the SNS scale was 0.92, while for its three dimensions: emergence and relapse 0.85, endurance and conflict 0.81, mood adjustment and withdrawal 0.81. The results showed that the prevalence of SNS addiction among university students reached 21.1%. Endurance and conflict were the most common symptoms of SNS addiction among students. The multiple variance tests revealed that there were no significant differences among university students in terms of SNS addiction related to gender, while there were significant differences among them related to number of usage hours, GPA, and household income level.

Smoking among Sultan Qaboos University Students: Prevalence rates, attitudes, causes and treatment

The current study aimed at identifying different aspects pertaining to the extent of smoking prevelence among SQU students. Among these aspects, reasons behind students’ smoking, students’ atttiudes towards smoking, their attempts to quit, and their awarness of smoking negative efffects in terms of physical, psychological, social, and academic effects. Quantitiative approach was used and the sample included 3931 male and female students (22.80% of the population), who were enrolled in different colleges and from different academic degrees (e.i., undergraduate and postgraduate studies).The study findings showed that 4% of the study sample smoked different types of smokes, especially ciggerates. Most of the students had started smoking before they joined SQU or during their first or second years at SQU. In addition, friends a major reason for starting smoking. The study also showed that the students smoked in order to get rid of tension and study stress. Furthermore, more than half of the sample decleared their desire to quit smoking and join any therapy or counselimg programs which can help them.

Smoking among Sultan Qaboos University Students: Prevalence rates, attitudes, causes and treatment

The current study aimed at identifying different aspects pertaining to the extent of smoking prevelence among SQU students. Among these aspects, reasons behind students’ smoking, students’ atttiudes towards smoking, their attempts to quit, and their awarness of smoking negative efffects in terms of physical, psychological, social, and academic effects. Quantitiative approach was used and the sample included 3931 male and female students (22.80% of the population), who were enrolled in different colleges and from different academic degrees (e.i., undergraduate and postgraduate studies).The study findings showed that 4% of the study sample smoked different types of smokes, especially ciggerates. Most of the students had started smoking before they joined SQU or during their first or second years at SQU. In addition, friends a major reason for starting smoking. The study also showed that the students smoked in order to get rid of tension and study stress. Furthermore, more than half of the sample decleared their desire to quit smoking and join any therapy or counselimg programs which can help them.

Predicting Critical Thinking Ability of Sultan Qaboos University Students

Predicting Critical Thinking Ability of Sultan Qaboos University Students

Counseling Needs Among Sultan Qaboos University's Students in Light of Some Demographic Variables

Counseling Needs Among Sultan Qaboos University's Students in Light of Some Demographic Variables