Validity Of Research Instrument Research Articles

Ethical consumer practices of senior high school students of selected public and private schools in District 1 Tondo Manila

This study was conducted to assess the ethical consumer practices of selected public and private senior high school of district 1 Tondo, Manila in terms of ecological consciousness and social consciousness. After assessing this, a proposed strategic learning plan for applied economics subject was formulated. This study used purposive sampling in the selection of schools participants, while convenience sampling for students as respondents in gathering data and information needed for the study and collecting data among the selected senior high schools in district 1 Tondo, Manila. In the construction of the questionnaire, the researcher adopts and translate a validated research instrument with the permission of the original owner. The researcher sought the assistance among experts and master teachers coming from different schools to check tagalog translation and validation of the research instrument. Letter of request sent to the division’s office and principal of the school for the administration of the survey. The researcher personally administered the questionnaire to avoid problems that may occur. This study found out that students seldom practiced ethical consumer practices in public senior high school while students from private senior high school sometimes practice ethical consumer practices in terms of ecological consciousness and social consciousness. It is evidently implied with their answers in the survey. Through T-test of independent means, it was revealed that there is a significant difference on the assessment between the public and private senior high school students in ethical consumer practices because the assessment showed the extensiveness of the difference in terms of ecological consciousness and social consciousness of both public and private schools students. Furthermore, they need to strengthen their practices. A proposed strategic learning plan for applied economics subject specifically in consumption topic was formulated based from the findings of the study.

MATHEMATICS EFFICACY AMONG STUDENTS WITH DYSCALCULIA IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN KANDARA SUB-COUNTY, MURANGA COUNTY, KENYA

<p>The thrust of the study was to determine levels of mathematic efficacy among students with dyscalculia in public secondary in Kandara sub-county in Muranga County guided by Expectancy Theory (ET) of motivation developed in 1964 by Victor Vroom. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population for study was 54 Public secondary schools in Kandara Sub-County, out of the 54 targeted schools 7 public secondary schools were sampled for the study. The target respondents were 7 principals, 7 teachers of mathematics, 1 from each school and 125 students were sampled for dyscalculia screening. Research instruments included: questionnaire for mathematics students with dyscalculia, dyscalculia screening instrument, mathematics self -efficacy scale and documentary analysis. Pilot study was conducted in Gaichanjiru Mixed and Kenyoho Secondary schools in Kandara Sub-County, Murang’a County. The validity of research instruments which were used for this study were first tried in a pilot study which helped in clarification of ambiguities prevalent before data collection while the reliability of the research instruments in this study was determined using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient formula. The study used stratified random sampling and purposive sampling to select the schools, teachers and students with dyscalculia respectively. Data for the main study was collected and analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively (Mixed method research). Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 26.0), while qualitative analysis was done by organizing variables into themes. The study reveals that learners without dyscalculia exhibited high self-efficacy in mathematics while those with dyscalculia displayed low self-efficacy in mathematics. The researcher recommends that Students’ mathematics efficacy should be improved by inviting mentors or people who have succeeded in mathematical field to help boost their morale in the subject.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0781/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurse Spirituality, Stress, Coping, Spiritual Well-being, and Intent to Leave: A Mixed-method Study.

Background: Intense emotional demands of oncology nursing create a stressful work environment and increase the likelihood of leaving. The study aims to explore, describe, and understand how pediatric hematology/oncology nurses caring for chronically ill or dying patients use their spirituality to cope with job stress, maintain spiritual well-being (SWB), and continue to work in this specialty. Methods: A concurrent mixed-method research design consisted of a web-based survey and interview. Data collection included demographics, intent to leave questions, and four valid and reliable research instruments measuring spirituality, stress, coping, and SWB. A responsive interview guide directed interviews. Results: Quantitative analysis (n = 130) revealed moderate to high levels of spirituality, moderate stress, coping, and SWB. Stress and SWB were weakly, inversely correlated (r = -.221, p = .011) indicating lower stress was associated with greater SWB. Coping and SWB were weakly, positively correlated (r = .248, p = .005) indicating greater coping was associated with greater SWB. An intent to leave in the next year was reported by 5.4%. Emerging themes from qualitative data (n = 22) included faith-informed or existential spirituality, work environment, and emotional/psychological stressors such as feeling overwhelmed or witnessing suffering and coping through self-care and spirituality. Dimensions of SWB included spiritually based coping and life's meaning and purpose. Intent to leave was related to the work environment or travel distance. Discussion: A nurse's spirituality offers a mechanism for coping with accumulated losses and grief encountered in clinical practice and in turn supports SWB.

Investigating cross-linguistic similarity ratings: A Rasch analysis

A robust finding in psycholinguistics is that cognates and loanwords, which are words that typically share some degree of form and meaning across languages, provide the second language learner with benefits in language use when compared to words that do not share form and meaning across languages. This cognate effect has been shown to exist for Japanese learners of English; that is, words such as table are processed faster and more accurately in English because they have a loanword equivalent in Japanese (i.e., テーブル /te:buru/ ‘table’). Previous studies have also shown that the degree of phonological and semantic similarity, as measured on a numerical scale from ‘completely different’ to ‘identical’, also influences processing. However, there has been relatively little appraisal of such cross-linguistic similarity ratings themselves. Therefore, the present study investigated the structure of the similarity ratings using Rasch analysis, which is an analytic approach frequently used in the design and validation of language assessments. The findings showed that a 4-point scale may be optimal for phonological similarity ratings of cognates and a 2-point scale may be most appropriate for semantic similarity ratings. Furthermore, this study reveals that while a few raters and items misfitted the Rasch model, there was substantial agreement in ratings, especially for semantic similarity. The results validate the ratings for use in research and demonstrate the utility of Rasch analysis in the design and validation of research instruments in psychology.

Investigating cross-linguistic similarity ratings: A Rasch analysis

A robust finding in psycholinguistics is that cognates and loanwords, which are words that typically share some degree of form and meaning across languages, provide the second language learner with benefits in language use when compared to words that do not share form and meaning across languages. This cognate effect has been shown to exist for Japanese learners of English; that is, words such as table are processed faster and more accurately in English because they have a loanword equivalent in Japanese (i.e., テーブル /te:buru/ ‘table’). Previous studies have also shown that the degree of phonological and semantic similarity, as measured on a numerical scale from ‘completely different’ to ‘identical’, also influences processing. However, there has been relatively little appraisal of such cross-linguistic similarity ratings themselves. Therefore, the present study investigated the structure of the similarity ratings using Rasch analysis, which is an analytic approach frequently used in the design and validation of language assessments. The findings showed that a 4-point scale may be optimal for phonological similarity ratings of cognates and a 2-point scale may be most appropriate for semantic similarity ratings. Furthermore, this study reveals that while a few raters and items misfitted the Rasch model, there was substantial agreement in ratings, especially for semantic similarity. The results validate the ratings for use in research and demonstrate the utility of Rasch analysis in the design and validation of research instruments in psychology.

EFFECTS OF ECOLOGICAL DESIGN SYSTEMS ON SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION OF TEA FACTORIES IN NANDI COUNTY

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ecological design systems on sustainable environmental conservation of tea factories in Nandi County. The study was guided by transaction economic cost theory.
 Methodology: The study used explanatory research design to help in exploring research questions with varying levels of depth. A semi-structured questionnaire with Likert-type interval scale anchored on a five-point scale was used to collect primary data. A pilot study was conducted in Eldoret Kiptagich tea wholesalers to test the validity of research instrument, Cronbach’s alpha formular was used to test reliability. The analysis technique included both descriptive statistics (means, standard deviation, percentages & frequencies) and inferential which included multiple regression analysis conducted at 95% confidence level with significance levels of 0.05. Data has been presented in tabular format.
 Findings: The findings of the study indicated that ecological design practices had positive and significant influence on sustainable environmental conservation of tea factories in Nandi county (β =0.113; p<0.05). The study concluded that ecological design, reverse logistics, green production and green procurement are the predictors of sustainable environmental conservation of tea factories in Nandi county. The study recommends that more participation of national government on implementation of sustainable environmental conservation is necessary to ensure that the future generation is well taken care of by ensuring the four-bottom line of sustainable supply chain are practiced. The study also recommends tea processing firms and other manufacturing firms adopt GSCM practices in their supply chain operations. The study suggests that further studies should be conducted in processing firms other than tea processing firms.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Further studies can be conducted to relate GSCM with individual aspects of performance such as Economic, Environmental and Social and future other replica studies can be done on the areas of ecological design on sustainable performance.

Nursing Team Training to Use a Flowchart to Care for Patients with Chest Pain

Background: chest pain, of multicausal etiology, associated with a cardiac cause or not, is one of the most frequently presented symptoms by patients in Emergency Care Units. Despite its high prevalence in health services, there is still a deficiency in care standardization, which raises difficulties in acute coronary syndrome diagnosis and delay in treatment. The objective was to assess the efficiency of professional training of nursing teams in Emergency Care Units on the use of a flowchart to care for patients with chest pain.
 Methods and Findings: this educational intervention study was conducted with 25 nursing team professionals. It has been developed in four steps: Step 1 referred to prior application of the validated research instrument. Step 2 comprised training to use the flowchart with an expository lesson on care of patients with chest pain and guidance regarding the flowchart to be implemented. Step 3 reapplied the validated instrument after class. Step 4 reapplied the instrument after 2 months of training for flowchart implementation. When comparing the results of the instrument applied to nursing team professionals, post-training and follow-up performance surpassed that of pre-training. It was observed that professionals with less than five years of experience showed better performance. This study had as limitation the small sample of health professionals participating in the offered training.
 Conclusion: training was satisfactory and significant, and professionals demonstrated content assimilation, obtaining higher scores than at the beginning of the research.

Political Environment and Biosocial Projects Performance in Informal Settlements in Nairobi County, Kenya

This research study strived to find out the influence of Political Environment on biosocial projects performance in informal settlements in the county of Nairobi. The extent to which political environment influence biosocial project performance. Biosocial projects are projects working with people with disabilities. Two theories, Theory of Constraint and diffusion were used in this field of study to support predictive and outcome variable respectively. Pragmatism paradigm and mixed research were adopted in this study projects. Quantitative data was collected through structured self-administered questionnaires while qualitative data was collected through interview guides. Collection of data was preceded by testing for validity of research instruments through reliability and content related method through test-retest criterion. In Nairobi County, a sample size of 183 individuals from 61 biosocial projects were selected from a target sample of 70 biosocial projects. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from 61 beneficiaries of the biosocial projects and 61 staff members directly working for biosocial projects in the County of Nairobi. In- depth qualitative interviews with 61 state and non-state actors through purposive sampling technique were executed. Arithmetic mean and the standard deviation were the statistical tools of analysis that were used for descriptive data, whereas Stepwise Regression (R2) and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (r) were the statistical tools of analysis that were used for inferential statistics whereas F-tests were executed to test hypothesis. To avoid statistical analysis invalidation, statistical assumptions tests were executed before analysis of data. Null hypothesis after analysis of data analysis was rejected at r = 0.313, F = 8.988, p = 0.004<0.01. Conclusively, constitution of Kenya 2010 and the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2003 were some of the key legal legislation that were pointed out to be championing success of biosocial projects performance that champion for the rights of persons with disabilities.

Bibliometric analysis of publications on inclusive education from the Web of Science Core Collection published from 1992 to 2020

Purpose: This study analyzed the bibliometric characteristics of publications on inclusive education in the Social Science Citation Index and Science Citation Index Expanded in the Web of Science Core Collection from 1992 to 2020.Methods: Terms related to “inclusive education” and “inclusion of education” were used as keywords to search for journal articles on July 3, 2020.Results: There were 1,786 articles, representing 3,376 authors, in the 345 journals scanned. The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia were the three leading countries/regions in this field. In the top 12 countries, the top 15 institutions and the top 10 most-cited journals were identified by either the number of publications or the number of total citations. Core themes from the 30 most highly-cited articles were teachers’ attitudes, teachers’ self-efficacy, and the effects of inclusive education. Teachers included both pre-service and in-service teachers; students represented those with and without special educational needs.Conclusion: The results indicate that the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia dominated inclusive education research, originating most of the highly-cited articles, having more prolific authors, and presenting the most-cited institutions. Furthermore, three emerging core themes from the 30 most highly-cited articles were teachers’ attitudes, teachers’ self-efficacy, and the effects of inclusive education. Frontline teachers are recommended to submit manuscripts about their teaching experiences to the most-cited journals, which have a large readership. To measure the effects of inclusive education, it is essential to formulate reliable, valid, and culture-free research instruments for future studies.

The Influence of Learning Resources on Meeting Expectation for Transition from Preschool to Grade One in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

The transition from pre-primary to Grade one need to set proper expectation measures to enhance effective transition. However, Grade one teachers are complaining of poor entry behavior of a learner from preschool. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of selected factors on meeting expectations for the transition of learners from preschool to grade one in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The following objective drove the study to establish the influence of learning resources in meeting expectations for the transition from preschool to Grade one. This study employed a survey research design. The study target was 462 Preschools attached to public primary schools in Elgeyo Marakwet. The target population was 1848 participants comprising 462 headteachers, 924 preschool teachers and 462 Grade one teachers. The sample size of the study was 214 schools, 272 preschool and 210 Grade one teachers. The study employed stratified random and simple random sampling. Research instruments used in this study were questionnaires and interview schedules. A pilot study was carried out in 10 randomly selected schools in Uasin Gishu County to ascertain the reliability and validity of research instruments. Qualitative data collected using interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative data were coded, cleaned and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 26) to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics used were frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Analyzed data were presented using tables and reports. It was further established that learning resources positively and significantly affect meeting expectations for the transition from preschool to Grade one in Elgeyo Marakwet county. The study concludes that learning resources has a significant effect on meeting expectations for the transition from preschool. The learning resources such as textbooks and other teaching-learning materials improve children's performance, improving children's participation rates in all subjects. The study recommends that the county government to avail adequate learning resources such as textbooks and other teaching-learning materials to improve children's performance.

The Impact of Knowledge Management on Service Quality: The Mediating Role of Organization Learning (Applied Study: Alexandria Water Company)

The purpose of paper is to explore the role of the learning organization as a mediating variable between knowledge management and service quality in these organizations, also the paper aims to review the concept of learning organization, and the different elements of knowledge management and service quality in service business organizations. In order to achieve the purposes of the study, researcher adopted a descriptive analytical method, valid research instrument was utilized to conduct a survey of (450) questionnaires which were distributed, and (398) questionnaires were retrieved for analysis, rating (88%) of the distributed questionnaires. Analyzing data was conducted using a set of statistical methods including a normality test along with Cronbach’s alpha, standard deviation, confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, multiple and simple linear regression using SPSS-V25 and AMOS-V25. The study reached a set of results, the most important of which are: 1) There is a statistically impact at significant level (α ≤ 0.05) of knowledge management on service quality through the learning organization as a mediating variable in Alexandria Water Company in Egypt. 2) There is a significant correlation between learning organization and knowledge management, also there is a significant correlation between knowledge management and service quality, and finally there is a significant correlation between learning organization and service quality. The study reached a set of recommendations, the most important of which are: 1) It is necessary to plan, organize, lead and monitor enterprise knowledge and process management with emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness of the right of access to it; 2) Managers and owners should pay attention to the learning organization, as it plays a major role in building and forming organization culture and knowledge structure of organizations.

Interrelation of Multiple Intelligences and their Correlation with Linguistic Intelligence as Perceived by College Students: A Correlation Study

The present study was concerned to determine Interrelation of Multiple Intelligences and their correlation with linguistic intelligence as perceived by college students. All the students of intermediate level studying in Islamabad Model Colleges was the population of this study. The 1000 students were selected as sample by using simple random sampling technique Questionnaire for students was used to collect the data. Experts were involved for validation of research instrument. The reliability was measured through pilot testing on 100 students. Researcher used SPSS advanced version to analyze the quantitative data. Mean, Standard Deviation, and Pearson Coefficient Correlation were used to analyze the data. The results of the study showed that moderate inter-correlation exists between verbal/linguistic and logical/mathematical intelligences and. It was suggested that teachers may use all the Multiple intelligences during the teaching-learning process to promote their development.

Influence of Self-Efficacy on Risky Sexual Behaviors among Undergraduate Students

This study’s purpose was to determine the influence of self-efficacy on risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students of main campuses in Nakuru County. Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura and Person-Centred Theory by Carl Rogers guided the study. The study was carried out among 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th year undergraduate students from main campuses in Nakuru County. The study adopted a correlational research design. The target population was 18570 undergraduate students. The accessible population was 8456 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th year undergraduate students whose sample was 367. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The study included a sample of 10 peer counsellors and 2 student counsellors from the Egerton University and Kabarak University main campuses who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were obtained using questionnaire for undergraduate students, focus group discussions guide for peer counsellors and interview schedule for student counsellors. Validation of research instruments was done through peer and expert review and also through pilot testing which was done in Mount Kenya University (MKU) - Nakuru Campus. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data using SPSS Version 25 whereas the qualitative data was analysed thematically. The analysed data was presented in tables, graphs, and narratives. The researcher considered ethics of confidentiality and informed consent. The findings indicated that majority of the respondents were of the view that self-efficacy influence risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students.

Role of Counseling Services in Mitigating Risky Sexual Behaviors among Undergraduate Students

This study’s purpose was to identify the role of counselling services in mitigating risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students of main campuses in Nakuru County. Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura and Person-Centred Theory by Carl Rogers guided the study. The study was carried out among 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th year undergraduate students from main campuses in Nakuru County. The study adopted a correlational research design. The target population was 18570 undergraduate students. The accessible population was 8456 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th year undergraduate students whose sample was 367. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The study included a sample of 10 peer counsellors and 2 student counsellors from the Egerton University and Kabarak University main campuses who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were obtained using questionnaire for undergraduate students, focus group discussions guide for peer counsellors and interview schedule for student counsellors. Validation of research instruments was done through peer and expert review and also through pilot testing which was done in Mount Kenya University (MKU) - Nakuru Campus. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data using SPSS Version 25 whereas the qualitative data was analysed thematically. The analysed data was presented in tables, graphs, and narratives. The researcher considered ethics of confidentiality and informed consent. The findings indicated that counselling services play a key role in universities in mitigating risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students.

Pre-School and Primary School Pre-Service Teachers’ Attitudes towards Using Technology in Music Education

Purpose: The present study aims to develop a valid and reliable scale that measures attitude towards using technology in music education and to investigate pre-school and primary school pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards using technology in music education concerning their demographic variables and musical experiences. Research Methods: A total of 640 students studying in pre-school and primary education departments at a public university in Turkey participated in this research (N=640). Data were collected using a questionnaire for collecting the demographic information and the musical background of the respondents in addition to Attitude towards Using Technology in Music Education Scale, which was developed by the researchers in this study. Findings: Analyses resulted in an 8-item Attitude towards Using Technology in Music Education Scale with a Cronbach’s α of 0.931. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a statistically significant model fit to the data with six indices indicating a good fit and three indicating a substantial fit. Attitude towards using technology in music education did not show any significant difference concerning gender and musical background. However, primary school pre-service teachers had a more positive attitude than those of pre-school pre-service teachers. Finally, age correlated with the attitude towards using technology in music education. Implications for Research and Practice: Attitude towards Using Technology in Music Education Scale is a valid and reliable research instrument. Having more experience in using technology or perceiving that the future profession and instructional program at the universities necessitate the use of technology improves attitude towards using technology. Positive attitudes of pre-service teachers, who feel themselves inadequate about using their voice and instruments, and have inadequate musical experience, maybe due to their belief that they will be able to compensate for these deficiencies in music with the opportunities offered by technology.

An Interdisciplinary Scientific and Mathematic Education, Addressing Relevant Social Problems Such as Sexist Hate Speech

The intention of this article is to share research taken from the initial training of secondary education pre-service teachers, in which college professors from mathematics and social sciences education participate. There are numerous studies regarding curriculum integration. However, there is insufficient research that offers insight into how different forms of disciplinary thought may come together in the design and development in practice for an educational purpose. The research professors carried out a qualitative investigation, working with two pre-service teacher groups from the fields of mathematics and social sciences. We used a validated research instrument to analyze how interdisciplinary educational proposals are developed, and how said proposals can be used to understand our social reality. Through an integrated project, pre-service teachers addressed sexist hate speech taken from different contexts. They designed didactic proposals, with mathematical contents, which allow high school students to argue with data and create counter-narratives, which softened or eliminated the sexist hate speech Among the conclusions, we may emphasize the value of pre-service teachers identifying their strengths in order to use the mathematical and social thought processes in an autonomous and creative way, thereby developing the instrumental, functional, and formative character in mathematics education.

Predicting Student Success in Online Physical Education

ABSTRACT Currently, limited data are available on student retention rates and attrition factors in online physical education (OLPE) courses. Several early OLPE studies as well as the 2007 NASPE Initial Guidelines for Online Physical Education have suggested that certain prescreening efforts be in place prior to student enrollment in OLPE; however, at present no such empirically sound and theoretically based screening instruments exist. The purpose of the study is to identify online student cognitive characteristics and environmental factors associated with success and/or failure within college online health-related fitness (HRF) courses. Students (N = 821) enrolled in a 16-week online HRF course at a university during the Fall 2017 participated in the study. Data were collected at the beginning of the course with two previously validated research instruments, the Educational Success Prediction Instrument Version-2 (ESPRI-V2) and the Distance Learning Survey (DLS). Results reveled a relationship between course completion and six variables: GPA, class standing, hours worked outside of school, achievement, organization and study environment). The full model containing all predictors was statistically significant (χ 2 (6, N = 821) = 94.296, p <.001), indicating that the model was able to distinguish between students who completed and did not complete the online course. This analysis provides an initial understanding of the unique student characteristics affecting OLPE course completion.

The Validity of Construct Analysis on Assessment Instrument of Basketball Skill for Senior High School in Yogyakarta City

This research is quantitative research which aims to know the quality of instrument proved by the validity of construct. The empirical validity of research instrument is tested to senior high school students both public and private school in Special Region of Yogyakarta which hold the basketball competition among senior high school. The result of tested then is analyzed by using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The EFA analysis uses software support of SPSS 23.0 and CFA analysis uses software LISREL 8.8. The result of analysis by EFA shows that the grouping data into two big groups such as skill execution and decision making. The result analysis of EFA also shows that the value of KMO is about 0.747 > 0.50. The value of Bartlett’s test and Chi-square is about 318.020 and the significance is on 0.000, therefore the analysis tested factor can be continued. The result of assessment calculation of basketball skill by using first order CFA shows that the value of p-value=0.16220 (>0.05), RMSEA = 0.042 (>0.08) and chi-square =11.76 > 0.05 which means that the model is appropriate with the data, the analysis of model structural equation, and decision making effect the ability of playing basketball. The amount of contribution of decision making toward the ability of playing basketball is about 26 percent, while the contribution is about 74 percent influenced by another variable.

Relational capital, service quality and organizational performance in the Egyptian telecommunication sector

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the mediating effect of service quality (SQ) in the relationship between relational capital (RC) and organizational performance (OP) within the Egyptian mobile telecommunication setting.Design/methodology/approachA valid research instrument was utilized to conduct a survey of 384 top- middle- and supervisory- level managers from three Egyptian mobile telecommunications companies. The hypothesized direct relationships were tested through multiple linear regression, and the mediating effect was tested using a structural equation modeling technique.FindingsThe results revealed that the firm's “customer and supplier relations” and “marketing capability” positively affect both OP and SQ, “customer knowledge” positively affects SQ only, while “strategic alliances, licensing and agreements” do not have an association with SQ or OP. Moreover, SQ was found fully mediating the effect of RC on OP.Research limitations/implicationsThis is an empirical research applied in the Egyptian telecommunication setting. Its results need further investigation in other settings and countries. Also, traditional limitations of a cross-sectional study apply with respect to the attribution of causality and the time lag effects.Practical implicationsThe optimal procedure for the Egyptian telecommunications companies is to focus their efforts on leveraging all four components of RC in order to improve SQ and consequently enhance their OP. The telecommunications companies must do all they can to connect the unconnected. As the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis has shown, connectivity is a public good.Originality/valueThis is the first research that merges the concepts of RC, SQ and OP in an integrated model, and tests this model empirically in the Egyptian mobile telecommunications setting.

Separating the Signal from the Noise: How Psychiatric Diagnoses Can Help Discern Food Addiction from Dietary Restraint.

Converging evidence from both animal and human studies have implicated hedonic eating as a driver of both binge eating and obesity. The construct of food addiction has been used to capture pathological eating across clinical and non-clinical populations. There is an ongoing debate regarding the value of a food addiction “diagnosis” among those with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa binge/purge-type, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Much of the food addiction research in eating disorder populations has failed to account for dietary restraint, which can increase addiction-like eating behaviors and may even lead to false positives. Some have argued that the concept of food addiction does more harm than good by encouraging restrictive approaches to eating. Others have shown that a better understanding of the food addiction model can reduce stigma associated with obesity. What is lacking in the literature is a description of a more comprehensive approach to the assessment of food addiction. This should include consideration of dietary restraint, and the presence of symptoms of other psychiatric disorders (substance use, posttraumatic stress, depressive, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity) to guide treatments including nutrition interventions. The purpose of this review is to help clinicians identify the symptoms of food addiction (true positives, or “the signal”) from the more classic eating pathology (true negatives, or “restraint”) that can potentially elevate food addiction scores (false positives, or “the noise”). Three clinical vignettes are presented, designed to aid with the assessment process, case conceptualization, and treatment strategies. The review summarizes logical steps that clinicians can take to contextualize elevated food addiction scores, even when the use of validated research instruments is not practical.