Universities In China Research Articles

The influence of organizational caring on mobile phone addiction in undergraduate nursing students: The chain mediating role of perceived stress and self-control

BackgroundThe incidence of mobile phone addiction (MPA) is increasing in undergraduates and may lead to depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Undergraduate nursing students are important group for clinical services; therefore poor mental health has an important implications for the quality of future nursing work and the relationship between nurses and patients. ObjectivesTo explore the connection between organizational caring and MPA in Chinese undergraduate nursing students and to investigate the mechanisms of perceived stress and self-control in this relationship by constructing a chain mediation model. DesignA cross-sectional study. MethodsA total of 900 participants (age range 18–25 years, M = 20.99, SD = 1.58, 94.0 % female) were recruited from 10 universities in China. Data were collected using an online survey between February and March 2023. Organizational caring, subjective stress, self-control ability, and MPA among undergraduate nursing students were assessed. Results(1) The prevalence of MPA was 34.9 % (314/900). (2) MPA in undergraduate nursing students was negatively correlated with self-control (r = −0.468, p < 0.001) and organizational caring (r = −0.156, p < 0.001), and positively correlated with perceived stress (r = 0.362, p < 0.001). (3) Perceived stress and self-control mediated the relationship between organizational caring and MPA, and the relative mediating effect values were 16.6 % and 17.2 %, respectively. (4) Organizational caring had an indirect effect on MPA through the chain mediation effect of perceived stress and self-control, and the relative mediating effect value was 19.1 %. ConclusionOrganizational caring, perceived stress and self-control directly influenced MPA among undergraduate nursing students. Additionally, organizational caring indirectly affected MPA through perceived stress and self-control. To further mitigate MPA among students, nursing managers and educators should enhance organizational caring, reduce perceived stress, and improve self-control abilities.

Reform of Photography Education in Chinese Applied Universities in the Self-Media Era: Evidence from Responsible Persons in the Photography Major

Live streaming and short videos have become the most favored means of communication, and the prevalence of self-media has had a profound impact on traditional media industries, indirectly promoting reforms in Chinese photography education. This study delves into the current state of photography education in Chinese applied universities and the transformations undertaken in response to the challenges posed by self-media. The research covers the development status of university photography programs, the impact of live streaming and short videos on photography education, changes in teaching models, and the issues encountered during these reforms. Through in-depth interviews with heads and instructors of photography programs at five applied universities in China, and using NVIVO software for thematic analysis, the study examines the professional divisions, curriculum design, teaching methods, student employment rates, reform policies, and the challenges faced. The research finds that the prevalence of live streaming and short videos has had a positive impact on the dynamic imaging specialties within photography education, but has been detrimental to the static imaging specialties. Universities have actively reformed their teaching methods in response to market demands, yet still face challenges in integrating live streaming-related courses. This study provides the latest insights for practitioners in the Chinese self-media industry and offers valuable references for university policymakers and researchers.

Patent output and patent transfer network in China universities: Moderating roles of absorptive capacity and desorptive capacity

Although absorptive capacity and desorptive capacity has been widely present in university-industry relationships, there has been no research on their potential impact on the relationship between university patent output and university patent transfer network. We constructed datasets of patent applications and patent transfers to firms from 383 universities between 2002 and 2021 in China, and empirically demonstrated the effect of the patent output on university patent transfer network using negative binomial regression models. We also examined the moderating effects of absorptive capacity and desorptive capacity. The results reveal that university patent output positively affects the size and the connection strength of the university patent transfer network. Technology transfer offices and satellite institutions, for desorptive capacity in universities, negatively moderate the relationship between the university patent output and the university patent transfer network, respectively. For absorptive capacity in firms, research and development intensity of new products and the level of research and development personnel input, respectively, have a positively moderate effect on the relationship between the university patent output and the university patent transfer network. Our research provides insights into the dynamics of the university patent transfer network; especially against the backdrop of a sharp increase in university patent output and insufficient development of the university patent transfer network, this study provides evidence to the substitution effect of desorptive capacity in universities and the bidirectional effect of absorptive capacity in firms.

Organizing activities of student associations in higher education institutions of Russia and China

Introduction. Student associations of higher education institutions contribute to successful socialization and early professionalization. The relevance of the study lies in the fact that designing educational and upbringing programs for future bachelors and masters of social work at the university, great importance is to be attached to professionally focused student associations. The study aims to develop and test the authors' practice-oriented methodology for training future specialists in social work in the context of student associations of higher education institutions using the example of Russia and China. Materials and methods. To determine the readiness of students for professional activities in the context of student associations, the authors conducted a survey based on the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Kostroma State University; it lasted from September to December 2023 and involved 1-4 year students (100 people) specializing in social work. Research methods and techniques were: content analysis of documents, frequency analysis, observation, survey, questionnaires and experience generalization. Results. The authors’ methodology for organizing student associations activities was developed; psychological and pedagogical conditions necessary for the training of future bachelors of social work were experimentally tested and clarified. The authors conducted a comparative analysis of how student associations activities in universities in Russia and China are organized. The abovementioned authors' methodology helps students form meanings and values: professional experience (23.25%); communication with friends (19.77%); social support and assistance to people in difficult life situations (15.11%); participation and organization of work forms related to professional activity (12.79%); obtaining new knowledge (9.30%), emotions (4.65%); teamwork (6.98%); visiting professionally focused institutions (3.49%). Conclusion. The ‘Social Work’ educational program includes practices of the following student associations: Abilympics, PROVICH, Studaktiv, Student Scientific Community in the Social Work Training Program ‘#SR’, and Chinese Student Association of Kostroma State University. Organizing activities of student associations is held in accordance with the following pedagogical conditions: assistance of the head of the student association in searching for variability in professional self-determination; psychological and pedagogical conditions; organizational and pedagogical conditions (external): internal environment of student association’s activities (pedagogical potential: managerial, educational, existential); the level of comfort students enjoy when working in the student association program; external environment of the student association (social partners, employers, social protection institutions, etc.); as well as internal psychological and pedagogical conditions (subjective conditions that contribute to the formation of personal psychological mechanisms of professional development).

A century of enduring legacy bodes well for future success of the Ocean University of China

A century of enduring legacy bodes well for future success of the Ocean University of China

Level and Influencing Factors of Clinical Nurses' Caring Behaviour in Southern China.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the level of caring behaviour among clinical nurses in Southern China and explore its influencing factors. The study was carried out in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangdong, China, from December 2022 to February 2023. A total of 537 nurses participated, and the mean scores for caring behaviour, responsibility perception, and inclusive leadership were examined. The mean score for caring behaviour among clinical nurses was 125.25 ± 18.31. The mean responsibility perception score was 21.38 ± 3.36, while the mean inclusive leadership score was 38.04 ± 6.56. Notably, the inclusive leadership questionnaire and responsibility perception showed significant positive correlations with caring behaviour (p <0.01). Furthermore, regression analysis indicated that inclusive leadership and responsibility perception exerted significant influences on nurses' caring behaviour (p <0.01). These findings underscore the importance of creating an inclusive leadership environment that enhances nurses' sense of responsibility perception in order to promote and improve nursing caring behaviour. Key Words: Caring behaviour, Inclusive leadership, Responsibility perception, Influence factor, Clinic nurses.

Development and validation of a higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) scale for major students in the interior design discipline for blended learning

Assessing and cultivating students’ HOTS are crucial for interior design education in a blended learning environment. However, current research has focused primarily on the impact of blended learning instructional strategies, learning tasks, and activities on the development of HOTS, whereas few studies have specifically addressed the assessment of these skills through dedicated scales in the context of blended learning. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive scale for assessing HOTS in interior design major students within the context of blended learning. Employing a mixed methods design, the research involved in-depth interviews with 10 education stakeholders to gather qualitative data, which informed the development of a 66-item soft skills assessment scale. The scale was administered to a purposive sample of 359 undergraduate students enrolled in an interior design program at a university in China. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were also conducted to evaluate the underlying factor structure of the scale. The findings revealed a robust four-factor model encompassing critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, teamwork skills, and practical innovation skills. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.948–0.966) and satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. This scale provides a valuable instrument for assessing and cultivating HOTS among interior design major students in blended learning environments. Future research can utilize a scale to examine the factors influencing the development of these skills and inform instructional practices in the field.

Predicting online learning experiences in sports education during the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for pedagogical strategies

This research aims to assess the predictors that impact the online learning experiences (OLEs) of undergraduate sports students amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak utilizing the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework. An online survey was employed using the cluster sampling method to systematically examine the associations among the variables related to the OLE of sports students. A sample size of 402 undergraduate sports students from two universities in China was chosen and surveyed. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to assess the validity of the questionnaires and model adequacy. Finally, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the associations of the study constructs. The results revealed that open communication, social presence, design and organization, and facilitation possess significant potential in predicting students’ OLE. This demonstrates the paramountcy of transparent communication, directs focus towards the indispensability of fostering a sense of reception and admiration among sports students, and highlights educators' sway in shaping their students' holistic and positive educational encounters. The scalability of our study highlights its potential to contribute valuable insights for developing national-level policies and educational strategies for this demographic.

A Review of The Current Situation of Career Planning Courses in Chinese Higher Vocational Colleges

As China pays more and more attention to vocational education, the urgency of high-quality employment for vocational college students is also increasing. Career planning courses, as a key comprehensive education for high-quality employment in vocational colleges, play a crucial role. However, according to the data, the resignation rate of vocational college students within six months has remained high in recent years, which shows that the teaching of career planning courses for vocational college students is still not adequate. This paper aims to study the teaching situation of career planning courses in vocational colleges in China and identify the problems and causes of such courses. Using the method of document research, the paper takes the career planning course teaching situation in Ningxia Vocational and Technical College as a sample for study. Through the research, it was found that vocational colleges generally have problems with outdated teaching methods, weak faculty teams, and insufficient course settings, mainly due to the lack of attention from the government, schools, and students themselves on career planning courses. This paper analyzes the problems and causes of the teaching of career planning courses and proposes relevant reform and innovation strategies to enhance the level of attention to career planning courses.

A Bibliometric Analysis of The Production-Oriented Approach in College English in China from 2015 to 2024

This paper studies the temporal distribution, author collaboration, research hotspots, theme clustering, and research changes and trends based on 516 CNKI literature in the field of Production-Oriented Approach (POA) for college English in China from 2015 to 2024. It reveals that research on the Production-Oriented Approach for College English in China from 2015 to 2024 can be divided into the Initial Fast Exploration Stage (2015–2017), Fast Development Stage (2018–2021), and Sustainable Development Stage (2022–2024). High-frequency keywords such as college English teaching, college English writing, blended teaching, teaching assessment, etc. are hotspots for current scholars' attention. The themes of research on the POA of college English in China mainly include teaching practice and application of the Production-Oriented Approach, exploration of the Production-Oriented Approach teaching model and design, and teaching assessment of the POA. “Teaching Reform,” “Blended Teaching," and “Teacher-Student Collaborative Assessment” are the current research frontier issues in the development of a Production-Oriented Approach for college English in China. Overall, the POA represents a significant advancement in China's college English teaching field. Its emphasis on integrating language learning with practical application and whole-person education addresses many of the shortcomings of traditional college English language teaching. To improve teaching development in the reform of POA for college English and to better prepare Chinese students for international communication, future research should prioritize themes such as investigating how digital tools and online platforms in education can enhance the implementation of POA and innovative approaches to teacher education that align with POA principles.

The Main Factors Impacting on The Success of Higher Education Internationalisation in Modern China

Higher education internationalisation has become a widespread phenomenon, but the route choice constitutes an important issue. This research intends to evaluate how higher education internalisation is influenced by several factors: the leveraging of globalisation and localisation, inflow and outflow of education resources. After reviewing the theories on the patterns of internationalisation and education flows, telephone interview is conducted with six participants from several universities of Xi'an China, include Xi’an University, Northwest University, Xi’an Jiaotong University. Indicated by interview data, universities show strong inclinations of globalising, because the education shall be oriented towards the future career of the students in a globalised business world. However, the globalisation level is not satisfactory for some students. For example, the international branch campuses could be built to a higher level. This means that the campuses could be funded by the local and foreign universities. In addition, the challenges of leveraging globalisation and localisation include vague standards for leveraging the extents of being localised and globalised, cultural barriers and the conflicting ideas among relevant stakeholders such as the education ministry officials, the principal, professors and students. Demonstrated by interview data, outward flows are exemplified by exchange learning. In order to facilitate inward resource flows, universities in modern China tend to attract international students in various ways: travels to some foreign countries to capture the attention of the audiences there; hire some dealers in foreign countries to seek international students; deliver the most recent documents to some foreign agencies that help students apply for studying abroad.

Emotions in English language classrooms among Chinese top university students

The role of learner emotions in language learning has long been observed and researched. Of various emotions, foreign language anxiety, enjoyment and boredom have been the most often researched, while research on other emotions like pride and sadness is hardly available in the current literature. Research on emotions in students with special characteristics can be hardly found as well. Hence, this study collected interview data from 26 and survey data from 520 top students in two universities in China to examine their emotions in English language class. Analyses of the data revealed the following major findings: (a) The participants experienced a diversity of emotions in their English language class due to both learner-internal and external reasons, but the most often reported emotions were anxiety, enjoyment and boredom, (b) significant correlations existed among the students’ English language classroom anxiety, enjoyment and boredom, (c) English language classroom anxiety and boredom significantly negatively while enjoyment significantly positively predicted the students’ English test performance, and (d) English language classroom anxiety debilitated English learning but motivated students to study harder as well; enjoyment facilitated English learning but students might forget much of what had been learned after class; though boredom caused some students to be absent-minded in class, most students would study on their own when feeling bored. These findings further pinpoint the important role and complex nature of learner emotions in second/foreign language learning. Based on these findings, specific suggestions for language teachers and learners are discussed.

Развитие творческого мышления студентов в процессе преподавания скульптуры

This article addresses the issue of the lack of creative thinking among master’s degree students in sculpture departments at universities in China. Combined with teaching practice, the article puts forward countermeasures to solve the problem of lack of creative thinking and emphasizes the importance of cultivating students’ creative thinking ability in sculpture teaching practice. Among these measures, whose effectiveness has been confirmed through teaching practice, are: encouraging student initiative, emphasizing independence in creative exploration, ensuring interdisciplinary training, integrating various art forms, and enhancing student self-discipline. Additionally, the author highlights the need for reforming the sculpture curriculum and updating the teaching methodology. In the context of modern art education, it should not be limited to the development of a specific set of skills but should instead stimulate students’ imagination and creative pursuits to meet society’s demand for creative art products. Cultivating of students’ creative thinking is not solely the responsibility of teachers; it requires active participation from the students themselves, ultimately leading to the formation of an independent artistic style and personalized artistic self-expression.

Wild edible plants of the Yao people in Jianghua, China: plant-associated traditional knowledge and practice vital for food security and ecosystem service

BackgroundTraditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and practice associated with wild edible plants (WEPs) is an important part of local culture of the Yao people in Jianghua Yao Autonomous County, which possesses the biggest population of Yao ethnic group in China. Economic development, urbanization, and transition of lifestyle and changing interests of the younger generations risk loss of such valuable knowledge. However, no record had been reported about WEPs from the Yao communities of Jianghua County. It is urgent to assemble data on the major WEPs and their uses in Jianghua. This can be used to educate and stimulate new interest in these WEPs, to aid inheritance and improvement of cultural identity and confidence, to enhance local resilience to various changes and to suggest pathways for novel and value-added applications to create new local business opportunities.MethodsTo record WEPs associated with TEK and practice, we conducted field surveys in 2018, 2019 and 2023. The ethnobotanical methods such as free-listing, participatory observation, semi-structured interview, and market survey were adopted in the field investigations. Information about WEPs including vernacular names, parts used, ways of use, and collection time were recorded. Voucher specimens were collected, identified, and deposited in the herbarium at Minzu University of China, in Beijing.ResultsTotally, 81 Yao people from 12 villages were interviewed. WEPs traditionally play a crucial role in Yao peoples’ daily lives. A total of 130 plant species from 89 genera and 49 families were recorded. The plants collected showed great diversity and reflected unique local culture. Most (54.5%) WEPs were also used as medicines. Baba can be defined as a cultural identity food, and WEPs are commonly used as tea substitutes for their health benefits.ConclusionsWe conclude that WEPs use is facing great challenges in a rapidly changing era. Preservation of WEPs related practice and knowledge is not only important for conserving local biocultural diversity, but also valuable in providing potential functional and healthy materials for food security and future economic development. Cultivation of young generations’ interest in nature and biodiversity, combined with local policy to enhance public awareness are recommended.

Levels, sources, and health risk assessment of phthalate acid esters in indoor dust of various microenvironments in university

Phthalate acid esters (PAEs), as a common group of plasticizers, are widely present in indoor environments and pose a risk to human health. Indoor dust samples collected from dormitory, classroom, laboratory, and office in several universities in China, were analyzed for seven types of PAEs. The total concentrations of seven PAEs (Σ7PAEs) ranged from 4.87 to 360 μg/g, with a median concentration of 51 μg/g, which is lower than that reported by other studies. Using the median concentration of Σ7PAEs as a metric, we assessed the levels of contamination in different microenvironments, resulting in the following ranking: dormitory > classroom > laboratory > office. There are significant differences in the levels of individual PAEs in different microenvironments. Radiation from sunlight, ventilation rates, cleaning frequency, and sprays were influential factors for the concentrations of individual PAEs in indoor dust. The indoor environmental conditions and consumption patterns profoundly affect PAEs levels. The sources of PAEs in classroom and office were more complex than in dormitory and laboratory. Daily intakes of PAEs were used to calculate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human risk for males and females, indicating a low health risk to humans. This is the first study to assess the risk of PAEs in university microenvironments and provides a valuable reference for further research.

Modeling college EFL teachers' intentions to conduct academic research: Integrating theory of planned behavior with self-determination theory.

This study constructed a robust theoretical model aimed at elucidating the determinants that shape college EFL teachers' research intentions by integrating the tenets of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) with Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). This model was empirically validated using data from 271 EFL teachers from eight colleges in China, selected through stratified sampling and collected via paper questionnaires, then analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings underscore the instrumental roles of both autonomous and controlled motivations in driving research-related behaviors, thereby reinforcing the foundational concepts of SDT. Additionally, this study provides intricate insights into the mechanisms wherein motivation steers immediate determinants of research intention, encompassing attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. This melding of SDT and TPB offers an all-encompassing perspective on the multifaceted nexus between motivation and research intentions. Consequently, this refined model not only marks a pivotal stride in advancing teacher education theory but also establishes a guiding framework for forthcoming research and interventions, accentuating the imperative of fostering research intentions among college EFL educators.

Olson's Theory of Collective Action and Online Mass Incidents

This study adopts a case analysis approach, examining the cause of online mass incidents through the fire incident at Zhonglan Apartment Complex of Communication University of China. Ultimately, the author concludes that from the perspective of group size, the primary reason for the occurrence of online mass incidents lies in the disparity between costs and benefits. When costs significantly outweigh benefits, groups are less likely to take action; conversely, when costs are substantially lower than benefits, the opposite occurs. Based on this conclusion, public authorities can devise tailored response measures for online mass incidents involving different group sizes.

Sustainable University Campuses: Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Lightscapes in Outdoor Spaces

A lightscape, as a special visual landscape, has unique temporal and spatial characteristics that traditional photometric measurements and descriptions struggle to capture accurately. Despite their significance, there is a lack of in-depth understanding of the on-site perception of lightscapes’ temporal and spatial characteristics, including in outdoor university campus spaces. This study aims to explore the temporal and spatial characteristics of outdoor lightscapes on university campuses and their potential perceptual influencing factors, providing sustainable design, planning, and management suggestions for campus lightscapes. This study was conducted in the Wushan Campus of the South China University of Technology. It employs a “lightwalk” method for on-site perception evaluation, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to investigate the temporal and spatial characteristics of lightscapes in outdoor university campus spaces and the effect of temporal and spatial factors on lightscape perception. The main findings are as follows: (1) Meteorological, architectural, and biophilic lightscape dominate the outdoor campus lightscapes. (2) The temporal and spatial characteristics of the lightscapes are affected by changes in natural light, the transition of light sources from day to night, human activity patterns, and the functional characteristics of the site. (3) The correlation between meteorological and traffic lightscape types and lightscape perception is diminished during the evening periods. This method should be a good way to optimize water and architectural lightscape at night to alleviate discomfort. (4) In green-shaded spaces, the association between meteorological, architectural, and traffic lightscape types and the evaluations of emotional, luminous, and eventful aspects is significantly enhanced, suggesting an increase in such spaces to improve lightscape experience quality. This study advocates that the construction of buildings and environments should be “human-oriented”, paying attention to the scientific foundation that humans perceive the habitat environment through the “five senses”. Research on lightscapes’ temporal and spatial characteristics, exploration of the temporal and spatial modes of lightscape perception, and avoiding energy waste and light pollution are conducive to the design and construction of university campuses in line with the principles of sustainable development. The lightscape optimization strategies derived from this study can not only provide practical guidance for the design and management of campus but also may offer valuable recommendations for planning sustainable campus development.

A Phenomenological Study on Teachers’ Perception of Classroom Management Challenges in Higher Vocational Colleges in China

For years, effective classroom management has been of much concern to both teachers and teacher educators. Despite such paramount importance, this issue has been far less explored in higher vocational college context in particular. Therefore, this study employed a phenomenological inquiry to delve into the lived experiences of teachers in vocational colleges, and explore these teachers’ perceptions of challenges related to classroom management so as to better understand and support them. 12 teachers from vocational colleges in China were selected through purposive sampling and data were collected by means of semi-structured Interviews. The interviews then were transcribed verbatim and their content was inductively analyzed to let frequent themes emerge. The results of the study show that teachers have been subjected to a number of problems, which result in their great pressure and frustration. Results of the analysis indicated three major themes about the problems, namely “college-related”, “student-related”, “teacher-related” frequently manifested. It should be noted that each main theme also comprised several sub-themes. Some stakeholders such as teachers, teacher educators, administrators, supervisors could benefit from the findings to promote the quality of classroom management in vocational colleges. In this research, we also found that during study, teachers do not acquire sufficient knowledge for effective class management.

Pre-service EFL teachers’ emotional experiences, emotion regulation strategies and influencing factors in research: A Chinese case study

Currently, teacher emotion in the context of conducting research has drawn much attention in the field of teacher development. However, existing empirical studies mainly focus on in-service teachers’ emotional experiences in conducting research, thus overlooking pre-service teachers. This study involving seven pre-service English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers from a comprehensive university in mainland China as participants adopts a qualitative method to explore their emotional experiences, emotion regulation strategies and influencing factors in research. The first major finding is that the participants experienced positive, negative and complex emotions throughout their research journeys. The negative emotions left the deepest impression, with confusion being the most common emotion. Second, the participants employed both antecedent-focused and response-focused strategies to regulate their negative emotions and sustain the positive ones, but they favored the response-focused strategies. The antecedent-focused strategies included attention deployment, cognitive change, separation, expectation lowering and situation selection, while response-focused strategies cover communication, self-improvement, action taking, relaxation, adaptation and expressive suppression. Third, both personal and environmental factors played a part in the participants’ emotion regulation in conducting research. Personal factors included participants’ past experiences, agency, and personality, while environmental factors included relationships with others and the research support they received. The findings have some implications which may be helpful for pre-service EFL teachers, educators and policy makers in conducting and supervising research.