University Students Research Articles

Extracurricular internships and university students’ evaluation of higher learning: a cross-cultural adaptation perspective

PurposeAs competition in the graduate labor market intensifies, extracurricular internships have become increasingly popular among university students. This paper explores whether and how students’ evaluation of the higher learning that they have received changes during extracurricular internships.Design/methodology/approachWe interviewed 47 undergraduate students who had extracurricular internships across five Chinese universities. Data were analyzed innovatively through the lens of cross-cultural adaptation theory, which guides us to view internships as a transition from university culture to workplace culture through the stress-adaptation-growth dynamic.FindingsThe findings reveal that participants faced stress from multiple sources at the beginning of their internships, which collectively prompted them to adapt proactively to the workplace culture. While acquiring new habits and trying to acculturate into the surrounding work milieu, many participants deculturated from their old habits and student identity, putting aside higher learning. As the adaptation progressed, over half of the participants even began to critique university curricula and depreciate the value of higher learning.Originality/valueThe study offers theoretical insights into internships and the broader university-to-work transition as well as practical implications for universities in balancing learning and employability goals from a novel cross-cultural adaptation perspective.

Knowledge, perception, and attitude toward premarital screening among university students in Kurdistan region–Iraq

Premarital screening programs are essential for identifying and providing counseling to couples at risk of transmitting genetic diseases or sexually transmitted infections. Despite their importance, university students’ awareness and knowledge of premarital screening programs remain inadequate. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of university students in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq regarding premarital screening programs. A cross-sectional survey involving 960 students was conducted from December 2023 to February 2024. The survey assessed participants’ demographics, knowledge, perception, and attitudes toward PMSP using a structured questionnaire. Findings revealed that a significant portion of participants (39.4%) had poor knowledge of premarital screening programs, 35.9% had fair knowledge, and only 24.7% had good knowledge. Despite limited knowledge, there was strong support for premarital screening programs, with 83.1% agreeing on its importance and 78.8% recognizing the need for premarital awareness. Most participants (65.8%) believed premarital screening programs could reduce genetic diseases, and 65.6% thought it could lower sexually transmitted diseases’ prevalence. Cultural acceptance of marrying relatives was notable, with 59.7% disagreeing with the preference for not marrying relatives. Married participants showed significantly higher knowledge and attitude scores compared to single participants. Gender differences were observed, with males having higher knowledge scores. There were no significant differences in perception and attitude scores based on gender or residential area. The study underscores the need for enhanced educational campaigns to improve premarital screening programs awareness and positively influence attitudes, especially targeting cultural aspects like accepting relative marriages. Comprehensive education and fostering positive attitudes toward premarital screening programs are vital for their broader acceptance and implementation.

Strategic use of machine translation

Abstract The development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and its associated tools has revolutionised the learning and use of foreign languages (L2). One such tool is machine translation (MT), which has become increasingly popular among university students worldwide, spurring research on MT use in L2 writing. However, previous research has primarily focused on the writing products of intermediate or advanced L2 learners, neglecting the writing process with MT of students with limited L2 proficiency. Therefore, this case study aimed to qualitatively explore how the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) A2 university students employ strategies for L2 writing with MT and how their strategies change after strategy instruction. Seven participants completed writing tasks on a PC before, immediately after, and four weeks after three one-hour out-of-class instruction sessions based on the Strategic Content Learning (SCL) approach. Their writing process was screen-recorded, followed by stimulated recall interviews to elicit their strategies, which were coded and categorised using a framework by O’Malley and Chamot (1990). The results showed an increase in students’ elaborate use of strategies after instruction. In particular, strategy clusters were observed for all participants, demonstrating their cognitive engagement in the writing process. Furthermore, first-language (L1)-related strategies were used more frequently post-instruction, indicating learners’ efforts to create translation-friendly L1 input for MT. The findings suggest that teaching MT-use strategies is crucial to fostering learners’ active engagement in the L2 writing process in a technology-enhanced learning environment.

Anxious Thoughts and Well-Being in University Students with Anxiety in the Two Years After the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediational Relationship of Physical Symptoms and Sadness Rumination

Objective: This study examines the relationship between anxious thoughts and well-being, with physical symptoms and sadness rumination as mediators, in young people who suffer from anxiety in the first two years after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A community sample of 198 participants, 94 males and 104 females, aged between 19 and 35 years, all of them experiencing an anxiety disorder in their past, answered an online survey during the years 2022–2023. The instruments were the Rumination of Sadness and Anger Questionnaire, The Burns Inventory, and Ryff’s Psychological Well-being Scale. The data analysis used hierarchical regression. Results: The results show that the conditional indirect effects of anxious thoughts on well-being are statistically significant (β = −0.29, SE = 0.08, p < 0.001) for high physical symptoms of anxiety (β = 0.25, SE = 0.11, p < 0.001) and for high sadness rumination (β = −0.82, SE = 0.04, p < 0.001). Physical symptoms of anxiety (β = 0.25, SE = 0.11, p < 0.001) and sadness rumination (β = 0.05, SE = 0.07, p < 0.001) have a partial serially mediating effect on the relationship between anxious thoughts and well-being (β = −0.74, SE = 0.02, p < 0.001).

Implementation of augmented reality herbarium malangensis website tour to enhance conservation literacy

The biodiversity of Indonesia showed by the numerous of plant species, including one of the 89,326 species of spore plants. Along with the high diversity of various threat factors that will affect the status of a plant, knowledge about plants can be enhanced through conservation literacy using modern technology-based learning media, such as 3D modeling and augmented reality (AR) websites. AR acts as an interactive window that opens the view of conservation reality. The aim of this research is to produce a rare plant learning media product in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park that exists on the Malangensis Herbarium with the integration of 3D modeling websites. The method used is R&D, referring to the ADDIE model. The practicality test results obtained 91.54%, while the media effectiveness test showed with n-gain scores obtaining a result of 0.66 that media can improve conservation literacy skills in biology students of the State University of Malang. This research could provide a benchmark and literature for advanced media development on plant divisions other than Pteridophyte.

Social media and the mental health of university students in Sub-saharan Africa

Social media and the mental health of university students in Sub-saharan Africa

Thyroid Ultrasonography Screening of a Cohort of Male University Students

Objective: To assess thyroid ultrasonographic (US) findings from a male cohort of asymptomatic Saudi Arabian university students. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three university students were enrolled in a quantitative prospective study from February 2024 to April 2024. They were conveniently selected, excluding females. A MyLab40 US equipment system was used with a 7 MHz transducer. The thyroid was evaluated with US for size, echotexture, and abnormalities. The chi-square test, correlations, and descriptive statistics were applied for the data analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.5 ± 1.1 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.03 ± 6.6. 95.2% of participants had normal findings; positive findings were found in 4.8 % of the participants. Of these, 1.6 % had multiple nodules, and 3.2 % had signs of thyroiditis. The statistical analysis revealed no significant association between right and left thyroid lobe lengths compared to BMI ( p = .7 right and left 0.3). Moreover, there was no association between the thyroid echo pattern and the BMI ( p = .4). Conclusion: This cohort study concluded that the thyroid US findings were very limited. There was no statistical correlation between the thyroid lobe length, thyroid echo pattern, compared to participants’ BMI.

Assessing Yemeni university students' public perceptions toward the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Artificial intelligence (AI) integration in healthcare has emerged as a transformative force, promising to enhance medical diagnosis, treatment, and overall healthcare delivery. Hence, this study investigates university students' perceptions of using AI in healthcare. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at two major universities using a paper-based questionnaire from September 2023 to November 2023. Participants' views regarding using artificial intelligence in healthcare were investigated using 25 items distributed across five domains. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare variables. Two hundred seventy-nine (279) students completed the questionnaire. More than half of the participants (52%, n = 145) expressed their belief in AI's potential to reduce treatment errors. However, about (61.6%, n = 172) of participants fear the influence of AI that could prevent doctors from learning to make correct patient care judgments, and it was widely agreed (69%) that doctors should ultimately maintain final control over patient care. Participants with experience with AI, such as engaging with AI chatbots, significantly reported higher scores in both the "Benefits and Positivity Toward AI in Healthcare" and "Concerns and Fears" domains (p = 0.024) and (p = 0.026), respectively. The identified cautious optimism, concerns, and fears highlight the delicate balance required for successful AI integration. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing specific concerns, promoting positive experiences with AI, and establishing transparent communication channels. Insights from such research can guide the development of ethical frameworks, policies, and targeted interventions, fostering a harmonious integration of AI into the healthcare landscape in developing countries.

PROMOTING THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF THE POPNEURO, A SUCCESSFUL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY OUTREACH PROGRAM.

Here, we report a successful initiative between Brazil and Germany to stimulate neuroscience outreach: the POPNeuro Program. The POPNeuro Program is a neuroscience outreach project created in Brazil that has been active for over ten years. It was initiated in Uruguaiana/RS/Brazil and linked to the Physiology Research Group from the Federal University of Pampa. The neuroscience dissemination was developed mainly in school environments by a team that includes neuroscientists and university undergraduate and graduate students. One of the key focuses of POPNeuro is to identify and avoid the dissemination of neuromyths (misconceptions generated by a misunderstanding, a misreading, or a misquoting of scientific facts). Following an initial research cooperation, the Brazilian and German teams decided to replicate some of the POPNeuro activities in Germany. The POPNeuro spin-off developed the first activities in Germany included neuroscience disclosure activities during the TUC Open Campus Day and a Neuroscience of Learning course for sports and physical education teachers. During the activities, participants took a quiz to identify the prevalence of neuromyths and knowledge of neuroscience facts. The results demonstrate a high prevalence of neurotmyths between the different participants. Despite the socio-cultural differences, these results are in line with previous results from POPNeuro in Brazil. Considering our experience and the participants' evaluations, we are confident that promoting the internationalization of this successful neurophysiology outreach program, expanding the Brazilian POPNeuro program in Germany will have a positive impact. This initiative represents a model of international cooperation that should be stimulated.

Psychometric properties of the Maladjustment Inventory in a Spanish clinical and student sample.

The various systems of diagnosis and classification of mental disorders underline the need to evaluate the interference caused by the different disorders in a person's daily life. The Maladjustment Inventory (MI) evaluates the impairment in the individual's functioning in a brief and self-applied way, through six items. The objective of this research was to explore the psychometric properties of the MI scores through two studies, one with a Spanish clinical sample (Study 1) and another with a Spanish university students' sample (Study 2). The total sample was made up of 928 participants (81.1% women, n = 495 clinical sample). Descriptive analyses, exploration of internal structure and reliability, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, relationship with other variables (quality of life, anxiety, depression, neuroticism and extraversion), and percentiles and T-scores were performed. The results showed good psychometric properties of the MI, with a good fit model for one factor solution in both samples, Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.84-88, and evidence of validity based on the relationship with other variables. The good psychometric properties of the MI, together with its brevity, make it a recommended instrument for the evaluation of interference in both clinical and research contexts.

Assessment of the modified attitudes toward health care teams scale using item response theory analysis

ABSTRACT The modified Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams Scale (mATHCTS) is a self-administered questionnaire with 14 items to assess participants’ perceptions of the impact of interprofessional collaboration. Its validity and reliability have been widely evaluated. The effect of interprofessional education (IPE) has been evaluated using changes in mATHCTS factor scores. However, several aspects of the scale require clarification: the difficulty of correctly answering each item; how well each item discriminates between respondents’ abilities; and whether the mATHCTS is better at identifying those with higher/lower abilities. We investigated the mATHCTS’s item characteristics such as difficulty, discrimination, and measurement accuracy using item-response theory (IRT) analysis. Health and welfare university students were administered a questionnaire prior to starting IPE in 2021. The results for 180 participants were analyzed based on IRT. The test-response (TRF) and test-information (TIF) functions, discrimination, and difficulty were estimated. All items’ discrimination and difficulty were adequate. The TRF, which shows the relationship between scores and ability, increased monotonically. The TIF, which shows the relationship between ability and measurement accuracy, decreased as the total score increased. The mATHCTS effectively assessed participants’ attitudes toward health care teams as a one-dimensional ability. The mATHCTS performed well in identifying participants with relatively low scores.

The Influence of Foundational Bases of Internet-Only Banks on Consumer Attitudes and Usage Intentions: Focused on the Moderating Effect of Involvement, Usage Purpose, and Construal Level

This study investigates how the foundational bases of internet-only banks shape consumer attitudes and intentions to use these services. Specifically, it examines how consumer attitudes and usage intentions toward internet-only banks are moderated by factors such as involvement, purpose of use, and construal level. This research contrasts consumer attitudes based on the foundational bases of internet-only banks (ICT-driven vs. bank-driven) and analyzes whether involvement (high vs. low) and usage purpose (deposit vs. loan) have moderating effects on these attitudes. Furthermore, it explores whether construal level (low vs. high) moderates usage intentions depending on the bank’s foundational base (ICT-driven vs. bank-driven). For empirical analysis, two types of surveys representing ICT-driven and bank-driven internet-only banks were administered to a sample of 360 participants, including university students, graduate students, and the general public in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Key Findings: 1) Consumer attitudes were significantly more favorable toward ICT-driven internet-only banks compared to bank-driven counterparts. 2) High involvement correlated with more positive attitudes toward ICT-driven internet-only banks, whereas low involvement correlated with more favorable attitudes toward bank-driven banks. 3) For usage purpose, consumers with a loan-oriented purpose demonstrated a stronger positive attitude toward ICT-driven internet-only banks, while, counter to the hypothesis, deposit-oriented consumers also showed a preference for ICT-driven banks. 4) Regarding construal level, lower construal levels were associated with stronger usage intentions for ICT-driven internet-only banks. Unexpectedly, high construal levels also displayed elevated usage intentions for ICT-driven models. In conclusion, initial consumer responses to internet-only banks, which incorporate ICT as an enabling technology within essential financial services, appear to prioritize convenience and procedural efficiency. This study thus offers theoretical insights suggesting that both internet-only and traditional banks should address these consumer demands by enhancing service speed and simplicity.

Identifying university students’ online self-regulated learning profiles: predictors, outcomes, and differentiated instructional strategies

Identifying university students’ online self-regulated learning profiles: predictors, outcomes, and differentiated instructional strategies

The Introduction of Social Robots into the Social Work Practice with Older Adults: a Challenge for the Education of University Students in the Field of Gerontechnology

The Introduction of Social Robots into the Social Work Practice with Older Adults: a Challenge for the Education of University Students in the Field of Gerontechnology

Audience Perceptions on Online Radio Platforms: A Case of University Students in Nyanza Region, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to examine audience perceptions of online radio platforms among university students in the Nyanza region. The study’s objectives included assessing audience perception of the programming of online radio platforms among university students in the Nyanza region, evaluating audience perception of signal reception of online radio platforms among university students in the Nyanza region, investigating audience perception of programs aired on online radio platforms among university students in the Nyanza region, and analyzing audience perception of program presentation of online radio platforms among university students in the Nyanza region. This study was underpinned by the framing theory and the agenda-setting theory. The research employed a descriptive research design. The target population was 872 media studies undergraduate students in six universities in the Nyanza region. Stratified random sampling was utilized to select 274 students in each of the universities. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires, and a pilot study was conducted at Rongo University. The study used questionnaires for accuracy and consistency, and data were cleaned and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Descriptive statistics were employed to examine audience perception of online radio platforms. A thematic analysis approach was used to identify recurring themes and to explore participants' perspectives. Data were presented using graphs, pie charts, and tables. Findings revealed that online radio provided higher quality programming compared to traditional radio. Results indicated that signal reception on online radio platforms was consistently reliable. According to the findings, programs aired on online radio platforms were engaging and interesting. Results indicated that the presentation style of programs on online radio platforms was professional. The study concludes that diverse and high-quality content on online radio platforms caters to varied interests, offering clear audio and stable listening experiences. Engaging and well-structured programs meet entertainment needs, recommending the development of new genres, topics, and formats to stay relevant. Quality programming, optimized scheduling, and innovative content delivery methods are essential for maintaining listener satisfaction and competitiveness in the media industry.

Cultural Adaptation and User Satisfaction of an Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Program for Depression and Anxiety Among College Students in Two Latin American Countries: Focus Group Study With Potential Users and a Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study With Actual Users.

To scale up mental health care in low-resource settings, digital interventions must consider cultural fit. Despite the findings that culturally adapted digital interventions have greater effectiveness, there is a lack of empirical evidence of interventions that have been culturally adapted or their adaptation documented. This study aimed to document the cultural adaptation of the SilverCloud Health Space from Depression and Anxiety program for university students in Colombia and Mexico and evaluate user satisfaction with the adapted program. A mixed methods process was based on Cultural Sensitivity and Ecological Validity frameworks. In phase 1, the research team added culturally relevant content (eg, expressions, personal stories, photos) for the target population to the intervention. In phase 2, potential users (9 university students) first evaluated the vignettes and photos used throughout the program. We calculated median and modal responses. They then participated in focus groups to evaluate and assess the cultural appropriateness of the materials. Their comments were coded into the 8 dimensions of the Ecological Validity Framework. Phase 3 consisted of choosing the vignettes most highly rated by the potential users and making modifications to the materials based on the student feedback. In the final phase, 765 actual users then engaged with the culturally adapted program and rated their satisfaction with the program. We calculated the percentage of users who agreed or strongly agreed that the modules were interesting, relevant, useful, and helped them attain their goals. The potential users perceived the original vignettes as moderately genuine, or true, which were given median scores between 2.5 and 3 (out of a possible 4) and somewhat identified with the situations presented in the vignettes given median scores between 1.5 and 3. The majority of comments or suggestions for modification concerned language (126/218, 57.5%), followed by concepts (50/218, 22.8%). Much less concerned methods (22/218, 10%), persons (9/218, 4.1%), context (5/218, 2.3%), or content (2/218, 0.9%). There were no comments about metaphors or goals. Intervention materials were modified based on these results. Of the actual users who engaged with the adapted version of the program, 87.7%-96.2% of them agreed or strongly agreed that the modules were interesting, relevant, useful, and helped them to attain their goals. We conclude that the adapted version is satisfactory for this population based on the focus group discussions and the satisfaction scores. Conducting and documenting such cultural adaptations and involving the users in the cultural adaptation process will likely improve the effectiveness of digital mental health interventions in low- and middle-income countries and culturally diverse contexts.

An Empirical Study of the Constituent Factors of Player Behaviour

Background Player behaviour comprises thoughts, decisions and other actions that arise from multiple sources and contexts in games and is based on the players’ complex environment of information, vicarious experiences and perspectives. Learning and superior performance within the game are shaped by the players’ goal orientation, conviction and interactions. Objectives of the study: The study sought to understand the concept, functions and constituents of player behaviour from their perspectives, expectations, beliefs and traits. Recognising player behaviour in terms of its constituent elements would clarify and enhance knowledge of human behaviour and make it simple to use the understanding in deeper enquiry and applications. Method An instrument of 43 statements was first developed based on extant research and refined by the responses of 45 university teachers. It was then administered to 1,260 university students from whom 711 valid responses were received. The sample was processed by exploratory factor analysis under varimax rotation to yield the scale of player behaviour at a Cronbach alpha of .96 and a cumulative variance of 54 percent. Results The seven factors of the scale had an eigenvalue each of more than one, and Cronbach α values of .58 to .90. The exploratory factor analysis generated seven factors that were named conviction, experience sharing, uncertainty, unpredictability, insights, preparedness and planning. Discussion The study identified the factors of player behaviour and studied the effect of gender and education on player behaviour. It showed that player behaviour emerges from convictions which are perspectives backed by ready resources, skills and action plans to simplify, understand and respond to situations and likely problems. The behavioural differences between gender, type of programme and level of education were not significant. The study also discussed the nature of each factor and the limitations, suggestions and implications of the study.

Unveiling the Impact of Emotional Regulation on Academic Procrastination

This study examines how consumer perceptions of the Skintific brand, product quality, and pricing influence product selections among 110 FBHIS students at Muhammadiyah University of Sidoarjo. Using online questionnaires and quantitative analysis methods, including validity and reliability tests, multiple linear regression, and t-tests, the research reveals significant relationships between brand image, product quality, pricing, and consumer purchasing decisions. The findings emphasize the importance of these factors in shaping consumer behavior, particularly among university students, and offer insights for skincare companies targeting this demographic to enhance brand image, maintain product quality, and offer competitive pricing strategies. Highlight: Quantitative Analysis: Validity, reliability tests, regression for consumer behavior research. University Sample: Investigated FBHIS students' purchasing choices at Sidoarjo University. Strong Associations: Brand image, product quality, pricing linked to consumer decisions. Keywoard: Consumer perceptions, Skintific brand, Product quality, Pricing, Decisions

Book review: Kwok, Virginia H. Y. (2023). <i>Language learning in the digital age: YouTube and learners of English as a foreign language</i>. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

YouTube has gained global popularity for language education, especially among young language learners in informal contexts. Language Learning in the Digital Age: YouTube and Learners of English as a Foreign Language by Virginia H. Y. Kwok explores how university students in Hong Kong use YouTube to enhance their English language proficiency outside formal classroom settings. Through a qualitative, case study approach, the author delves into diverse ways students navigate and personalise their language learning opportunities on YouTube. This paper reviews the book, focusing on how the book provides a nuanced understanding of student engagement with YouTube and its role in facilitating autonomous and self-directed language learning.

Hyper-binding: the surprising roles of age and affect.

When irrelevant stimuli are processed and then bound to relevant stimuli in memory, it is known as hyper-binding. Hyper-binding has been demonstrated consistently in older-aged participants, but university-aged participants do not typically show hyper-binding. This phenomenon has been attributed to older individuals having greater difficulty filtering out irrelevant information compared to younger adults. Emotions can also influence how individuals attend to and process information, and older individuals report feeling greater positive, and less negative, affect than younger adults. Low arousal positive affect is associated with greater cognitive breadth and reduced distractor suppression. Therefore, it is possible that differences in affect contribute to the differences in hyper-binding demonstrated for younger versus older adults. In four studies, we measured hyper-binding using a standard hyper-binding task and examined whether individual differences in hyper-binding could be predicted by individual differences in self-reported affect. Study 1 included an online community sample between 18 and 45years of age. Study 2 included university undergraduate students that were tested online. Study 3 participants included university undergraduate students that were tested in the lab. Study 4 participants included an older aged sample that was tested online. Overall, there were no significant relationships between affect and hyper-binding across age samples. Surprisingly, however, significant hyper-binding was observed for all age groups and was not larger for older individuals. The results suggest that individual differences in naturally occurring affect do not meaningfully predict hyper-binding, but the prevalence of hyper-binding across all studies demonstrates it may not be unique to older adults.