Validated Survey Questionnaire Research Articles

Impact of socio-demographic factors on job satisfaction among academic staff of universities in Ghana

The study examined the effect of age, rank, marital status and gender on job satisfaction among academic staff of universities in Ghana. The descriptive survey design was employed for the study. A proportional stratified random sample of 361 academic staff made up of 287 males and 74 females completed a validated survey questionnaire. The results of ANOVA show a significant positive effect of age, rank and marital status on job satisfaction among academic staff of universities in Ghana with senior lecturers being the most satisfied academic staff among the ranks. Independent samples t-test results found no significant difference between male and female members of the academic staff with regard to their levels of job satisfaction. It is recommended from the study that universities in Ghana engage young academics who have the opportunity of progressing on the academic ladder.

Tourism guide cloud service quality: What actually delights customers?

BackgroundThe emergence of advanced IT and cloud services has beneficially supported the information-intensive tourism industry, simultaneously caused extreme competitions in attracting customers through building efficient service platforms. On response, numerous nations have implemented cloud platforms to provide value-added sightseeing information and personal intelligent service experiences. Despite these efforts, customers’ actual perspectives have yet been sufficiently understood. To bridge the gap, this study attempts to investigate what aspects of tourism cloud services actually delight customers’ satisfaction and loyalty.Methods336 valid survey questionnaire answers were analyzed using structural equation modeling method.ResultsThe results prove positive impacts of function quality, enjoyment, multiple visual aids, and information quality on customers’ satisfaction as well as of enjoyment and satisfaction on use loyalty.ConclusionsThe findings hope to provide helpful references of customer use behaviors for enhancing cloud service quality in order to achieve better organizational competitiveness.

Resource alignment, organizational distance, and knowledge transfer performance: the contingency role of alliance form

The main objective of this study was to examine empirically the moderating effects of two forms of alliances—equity-based and contract-based—on knowledge transfer performance. Using a quantitative analytical approach, the theoretical model and hypotheses in this study were tested based on empirical data gathered from the top 5000 Taiwanese companies listed in the yearbook published by the China Credit Information Service, Inc. in 2006. Data obtained from 107 valid and complete survey questionnaires were analyzed using correlation coefficients and multiple linear regressions. The results revealed that resource similarity was more positively associated with knowledge transfer performance when the alliance form is equity-based, whereas resource utilization was more positively related to knowledge transfer performance when equity-based alliances were adopted. In addition, organizational distance was more negatively related to knowledge transfer performance for equity-based alliances than for contract-based alliances.

Students’ Perceptions on the Use of Portfolio Assessment: It’s Relationship to Performance in Trigonometry

The main objective of the study was to determine whether there is a significant relationship between the students’ perceptions on the use of portfolio assessment and their performance in Trigonometry. The respondents were 100 students from St. Mary’s College of Bansalan, Davao del Sur. The researcher employed descriptive correlation and used a researcher-made validated survey questionnaire for data gathering. Results revealed that the students’ perceptions on the use of portfolio assessment were not significantly related to their performance in Trigonometry. Thus, there are other factors that contributed to the performance of students in Trigonometry. It is recommended that school administration and teachers should take further initiatives to make a continuous move on implementing portfolio assessment in college instruction especially in Trigonometry subject and students should maintain or improve their performance by doing desirable study behaviors and learning strategies. Other academic performance-related variables like study habits, learning strategies and academic related skills should be studied.<div> </div>

Mobile healthcare services adoption

Recent penetration of mobile technologies opens exciting potential for e-healthcare in low-income countries - e-healthcare services can now reach the populations of rural and far away locations in a cost effective and timely manner. The final challenge however rests on successful user acceptance of the technologies of e-healthcare, which we investigate in this work. Our research enhance the basic TAM model with two additional context appropriate constructs from extant research to arrive at an extended TAM model that is suitable for understanding e-healthcare adoption in low-income countries. We operationalise the model with the help of a validated survey questionnaire in the health extensions workers of Ethiopia, a Sub-Saharan low-income country. Our result shows that compatibility positively affects adoption intention. These results demonstrate that inclusion of additional constructs of compatibility and network quality enhances the richness of the model and explain adoption intention in a more effective manner.

The K to 12 Senior High School Technica-Vocational Livelihood Track is Not at All Ready for Implementation

The K to 12 program in the Philippines was enacted into law on May 15, 2013, through Republic Act 10533, otherwise known as the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. The effort is an act of legislation, putting in place the K to 12 Curriculum, so that the Philippine Basic Education becomes competitive at par with other countries. The Senior High School program is believed to be one of the answers to the country’s issue on the educational system. The study determined the optimal readiness of the three groups of stakeholders, namely: Division of Zamboanga del Sur, Industries, and Community in the implementation of Technical-Vocational Livelihood Track for Senior High School in 2016. The study employed descriptive research design; and used validated survey questionnaires. Results revealed that: 1) in terms of facilities/equipment, the school administrators admitted that they are “not at all ready” in the SHS Technical-Vocational Livelihood Track; and 2) the LGUs and industries are “partially ready” to support the SHS implementation. The study concludes that the K to 12 SHS program is not at all ready for implementation in Zamboanga del Sur. It is recommended that a thorough assessment on the functionalities of facilities and equipment needed for each sub-strand of the TVL Home Economics strand be provided by concerned stakeholders prior to implementation to ensure readiness of the school to offer such strand by academic year 2016. This is also to ensure that development of the required skills among the SHS students will not be sacrificed.

Pattern of Optometry Practice and Range of Services in India

This study was conducted to evaluate the range of services provided by optometrists in various modes of optometric practice in India. An online questionnaire was administered to 1674 optometrists to collect information on the range of optometric services offered. Data were analyzed based on variables including sex, educational qualification, and modes of practice. Two-sample Wilcoxon rank sum tests, χ tests, and Fisher exact text were used to conduct inferential statistics. A total of 563 valid and completed survey questionnaires were received from graduates of 41 optometry institutes working across 23 states of India. Of these, 225 (40.0%) were female, 288 (51.2%) had completed postgraduate education, and 340 (60.5%) were involved in more than one mode of practice. The top three modes of practice were hospital-based practice (44.8%), academia (42.8%), and optical retail (33.0%). Of the 441, out of 563 (78.3%) respondents involved in patient care, the majority (98.4%) performed refraction and routine eye examination, 70.3% dispensed contact lenses, and 66.9% practiced optical dispensing. Lower involvement was seen in providing binocular-vision (45.1%) and low-vision services (30.2%). Higher education was associated with advanced level of practice (p < 0.05) except clinical investigative procedures. There was a significant association between postgraduate studies and involvement in academics and research (p < 0.01). Most optometrists are engaged in multiple modes of practice, with optical practice, hospital-based practice, and academia being the leading modes. Optometrists need to be more involved in providing the core optometric services of binocular vision and low vision. Higher education has an impact on the level of optometric practice.

Fitness for life primary: stakeholders' perceptions

Background: Currently, obesity is one major pressing health concern for children, with physical inactivity being one main contributor. Schools are an excellent venue to provide pupils with opportunities for physical activity; however, schools are in need of user-friendly intervention programs that increase pupil activity and healthy behavior knowledge.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine primary stakeholders' perceptions of a recently developed comprehensive healthy behavior program, Fitness for Life: Elementary . Methods: Parents (N = 342), pupils (N = 328), and school staff (N = 24) completed a previously validated survey questionnaire. A smaller group of school staff (n = 7) also participated in formal interviews.Results: Survey mean data indicated that average reactions from the participating stakeholders were positive. Classroom teachers who chose to participate had mostly positive reflections with three major themes identified: (a) teacher and pupil buy-in, (b) minimal teacher training, and (c) supportive administration.Conclusions: Teacher training and pupil reinforcement were two key factors that positively affected participants' reported fidelity to the program. Although, at first, some classroom teachers chose not to participate, additional classroom teachers joined the project over time. Favorable ratings of the curriculum suggested that busy classroom teachers could implement physical activity programs using ‘wellness weeks’ into the classroom when provided with appropriate materials and support.

Socio-Cultural Variation and its effects on Learning English in Pakistan

This study was conducted to see cultural factors affecting on learning English as a second language in Pakistan. Culture is collection of attributes of a group of people and language is an important part of it. As culture varies from country to country, region to region, family to family even sometime within family that affects on nurturing the children’s habits that makes attitudes that affects on learning. So is the case of English learning that is affected by culture especially when it is being learned as a second language. This study was conducted to explore some dimensions in this perspective. The objective of this study was to see socio-cultural factors affecting on learning English at intermediate level students. In this study 430 students were participants and rural and urban is used variable. A validated survey questionnaire was used to collect required information. The collected data was analyzed with the help of SPSS-16. The results revealed that social factors affect on learning English that vary with respect to area. Keywords - second language, multilingual, socio-cultural, variation, learning English, Pakistan

Pain Survey in Rheumatology Outpatient Clinics in Taiwan

Objective: For this study, a pain survey was conducted in the rheumatology outpatient department (OPD) of eight medical centers in Taiwan to determine the prevalence and characteristics of pain in a Taiwanese rheumatology patient population. Methods: Multi-center pain survey was conducted among Taiwanese patients in rheumatology OPDs. Eight medical centers in Taiwan were enrolled from July to September in 2009 to recruit participants. Using a well-designed and validated pain survey questionnaire that was uploaded to touch-screen computers, all questions were answered by the patients themselves and checked by physicians. Results: In all, 8,549 patients were recruited from 8 medical centers in the northern, central and southern regions; 62% (5,316)) of patients had pain, and among them, more than 70% were suffering from moderate to severe pain (VAS ＞4). Chronic pain with duration of more than three months was found in 64% of the with-pain patients. The most common diseases in this pain survey were rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 24.2%), osteoarthritis (OA, 11.2%), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, 15.3%), gout (11.9%), ankylosing spondylitis (AS, 8.2%) and other autoimmune diseases (AID, 12.6%). Of the 5,316 patients with pain, females were predominant (64%). The overall average visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 4.76. The prevalence of pain was increased with age. In Taiwan, the highest pain prevalence (68%), but lowest average VAS (4.5), was observed in the central region. In contrast, the highest average VAS (5.33) was found in the southern region. Severe pain was significant in inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint diseases and in fibromyalgia syndrome, compared with SLE or AID. Conclusion: The pain survey revealed that 62% of Taiwanese patients had chronic rheumatic pain and most of them with moderate to severe pain had received pain management. The pain might have resulted from the inadequate or insufficient treatment. The reason for the differences in pain prevalence and severity in different areas of Taiwan remains unknown and further study is needed.

The importance of cannabis culture in young adult cannabis use

Background: Research into drug use initiation has focussed on drug use as risky behaviour. Qualitative research suggests that a culturally derived set of beliefs about the positive effects of cannabis play an important role in the production and maintenance of cannabis use.Methods: An online survey questionnaire was designed to measure both perceived positive and negative effects of cannabis. The questionnaire was submitted to a factor analysis, and two factors were extracted: a positive and a negative effect scale. Using regression analyses, associations with cannabis use, perception of general use and perception of general acceptance of use were assessed.Results: After removing respondents based on age and responses to questions, 1416 valid survey questionnaires were collected. In bivariate analyses, both positive effects and negative effects were associated with use (p < 0.001), perceived normative use (p < 0.001) and acceptance of use (p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, only glorification remained consistently associated with perceived use, acceptance and all categories of use (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Positive beliefs about the effects of cannabis use are important and form part of a cannabis culture, which are essential for understanding initiation and maintenance of cannabis use. These findings have important ramifications for cannabis preventive work and also call on further investigation into the relation between cannabis culture and individual use.

Practices in habilitation of pediatric recipients of cochlear implants in India: A survey

IntroductionCochlear implant (CI) (re)habilitation programs are long-term processes, with many factors contributing to the overall success. The clinics in India that are working toward pediatric CI habilitation vary in their team philosophy, clinical practices, and service delivery. It is important to explore their clinical perspectives and practices to appreciate their current state and suggest directions for improvement in the future.ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to characterize the current status and clinical practices of the pediatric CI programs in India.MethodsTwenty-two clinics involved in the pediatric CI habilitation program across India participated in the survey. The heads of the CI teams of the participant clinics completed a validated survey questionnaire containing multiple-choice and open-ended questions on the details of the CI habilitation team, assessment and therapy protocols used, and other related clinical services. The categorical data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistical measures.Results and discussionThe interpretation of results indicated a need to focus future discussions on early identification and management of hearing impairment, funding for CIs, continuing education programs for professionals, decision processes for providing CIs for children with multiple concerns, choice of language(s) of instruction, assessment protocols used, and outreach/consultation services.

State legislators' support for evidence-based obesity reduction policies

ObjectiveThis study aimed to gauge state legislators' level of support for evidence-based obesity reduction policies. MethodsA list of 17 potential obesity reduction measures was sent via a valid and reliable survey questionnaire to a random sample of 800 state legislators from all 50 United States in 2011. Legislators were asked to rate their support for each measure on a three-point Likert-type scale. ResultsThere were 250 questionnaires returned. Chi-square tests revealed no significant differences between respondents and non-respondents by sex, political affiliation, or chamber designation. Respondents were approximately evenly split between Republicans (n=117) and Democrats (n=122). Overall, public school and community-based measures were supported at approximately the same levels. Linear regression revealed that political affiliation, race, and perceiving obesity as a serious societal problem were significant predictors of legislator support for obesity reduction policies. Legislator body mass index, level of education, and geographic location were not significant predictors of support. ConclusionsPublic health advocates interested in promoting obesity prevention legislation at the state level are most likely to find support among non-white female Democratic legislators regardless of their BMI who perceive obesity to be a serious societal problem.

Do we know what foundation year doctors think about patient safety incident reporting? Development of a web based tool to assess attitude and knowledge

BackgroundMaking healthcare safer is an international priority. Patient safety modules are now taught in medical schools, and methods to assess related student knowledge and attitudes have been developed. However, little...

Working in Macau Casinos: The Perceptions of Hong Kong Tertiary Students Majoring in Hospitality

This study examines the perceptions of students at a Hong Kong tertiary institution majoring in hospitality as to the importance of various job selection criteria in considering whether to work in the Macau casino industry. A total of 259 valid survey questionnaires were returned and the results showed that the respondents perceived good wages as the most important job selection criterion. Significant differences between respondents in the perceived importance of individual criteria were also found. The implications of these are discussed and suggestions are made for future research.

Validation of an asthma questionnaire for use in healthcare workers

Background: Previous studies have described increased occurrence of asthma among healthcare workers, but to our knowledge there are no validated survey questionnaires with which to study this occupational group. Aims:...