Showing papers in "European Scientific Journal, ESJ in 2016"

Flipped Learning As A New Educational Paradigm: An Analytical Critical Study

Abstract: A literature on the flipped learning model has been reviewed. Therefore, the new form of education is worthy enough to be further studied. It is believed that flipped learning has gained great attention of many researchers as a result of what educators are implementing at their classrooms. The main objective of the paper is proposing an educational analytical critical framework for flipped learning that has powerful effects for who are concerned with educational development. The broad groundwork of literature on the flipped learning, described as the inverted learning, provided a foundation for the present study. This groundwork of literature used the term flipped learning and examined its effects on the pedagogy in education. The educational analytical critical framework of flipped learning developed in this paper includes components that reveals different views of flipped learning from just a “fashion” of adding more mechanism to the classroom to it is as a tool for shifting present pedagogy customized according to the individual needs of the learners instead of the whole group. The components of the framework are: instructional foundations, learning theories, Bloom’s taxonomy, and conceptual framework of the flipped education that is discussed in the light of its connection to the educational foundations of flipped learning. Research method used was descriptive method and method of philosophical analysis.

The Role Of CSR In Achieving Sustainable Development – Theoretical Approach

Abstract: The study is looking for the answer to the question that how the theory of Sustainable Development and that of Corporate Social Responsibility are linked, by means of what development process the two theories came near to each other and why is it that CSR is considered to be the corporate concept of Sustainable Development. The aims of this study are: (1) to give a synthesized approach to both of Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility concepts (2) to find the relationship between Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility based on the content analysis of the main milestones of Sustainable Development process, and (3) to highlight some practical relevance of the relationship of the two concepts which can be a basis of further empirical researches. Based on the research the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility and that of Sustainable Development progressed separately for a long time. The business sphere got a larger and larger role in sustainable development and it has become clear by now that CSR contributes to the sustainable development of the business sphere and without that sustainable development cannot be attained.

The Determinants Of Renewable Energy Consumption: An Empirical Analysis For The Balkans

Abstract: As a measure of development, energy has a priority in economic literature. However, both economic and social costs caused by traditional energy sources have led to question on the importance of these resources. In addition to this, various problems such as pollution and dependence on foreign energy has brought about new researches instead of existing energy sources. Alternative and renewable energy sources, which are named as “clean energy”, are expected to take the place of the old method. However, there are many factors affecting the use of new energy sources. These factors include energy prices, energy production, energy dependence, economic growth, trade openness, and the use of carbon dioxide. Besides, development levels of countries have a significant influence on the degree of interaction between these factors. In the present study, firstly, renewable energy consumption and the determinants of this energy use were discussed in the theoretical context. Consequently, the required empirical tests were applied for Balkan countries - Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, and Greece. Dynamic panel data method was preferred for analysis. However, this panel covers a period between the years of 1998-2011. According to the results obtained through a dynamic panel data analysis, it was found that there is a negative and statistically significant relationship between economic growth and renewable energy consumption. On the other hand, trade openness and natural gas rents are determined to have a positive effect on renewable energy consumption in the Balkans.

Catastrophic Health Expenditures And Impoverishment In Kenya

Abstract: Background: Out-of-pocket health expenditures leave households exposed to the risk of financial catastrophe and poverty whenever they entail significant dissaving or the sale of key household assets. Even relatively small expenditures on health can be financially disastrous for poor households and similarly, large health care expenditures can lead to financial catastrophe and bankruptcy for rich households. Objective: There is increasing evidence that out-of-pocket expenditures act as a financial barrier to accessing health care, and are a source of catastrophic expenditures and impoverishment. This paper estimates the burden of out-of-pocket payments in Kenya; the incidence and intensity of catastrophic health care expenditure and impoverishment in Kenya. Methods: Using Kenya Household Health Expenditures and Utilization Survey data of 2007, the study uses both descriptive and econometric analysis to investigate the incidence and intensity of catastrophic health expenditures and impoverishment as well as the determinants of catastrophic health expenditures. To estimate the incidence and intensity of catastrophic expenditures and impoverishment, the study used both Wagstaff and van Doorslaer, (2002) and Xu et al. (2005) and applied various thresholds to demonstrate the sensitivity of catastrophic measures. For determinants of catastrophic health expenditures, a logit model was employed. Findings: Among those who utilized health care, 11.7 percent experienced catastrophic expenditures and 4 percent were impoverished by health care payments. In addition, approximately 2.5 million individuals were pushed into poverty as a result of paying for health care. The poor experienced the highest incidence of catastrophic expenditures. Conclusion: The paper recommends that the government should establish avenues for reducing the burden of out-of-pocket expenditures borne by households. This could be through a legal requirement for everyone to belong to a health insurance and targeting the poor, the elderly and chronically ill through the devolved system of the government and devolved funds.

Evaluating Citizen e-Satisfaction from e-Government Services: A Case of Pakistan

Abstract: Citizen satisfaction is a critical and decisive factor for persistent use of e-Government services as it can substantially impact on failure or success of e-Government projects. Main hurdle for e-government planners and practitioners in Pakistan is to find out the key determinants of e-satisfaction of their citizens. This article actually tries to identify the major factors that drive Pakistani citizen’s e-Satisfaction while using Punjab Province Portal (http://www.punjab.gov.pk/) in Pakistan. After extensive relevant literature review we formulated 7 hypotheses and distinguished 7 different determinants namely trust, accessibility, awareness of e-services, quality of e-services, computer anxiety, customer expectations and security/privacy. A sample of survey data from 200 employees in 8 universities in different cities of Punjab Province of Pakistan was gathered to perform data analysis. Several key outcomes based on multiple linear regression and factor analysis were exhibited. These final results would help to understand the degree of satisfaction of Pakistani citizens. E-governmental policy-makers and practitioners both would be benefitted by this analysis and results of these determinants of e-satisfaction. Some recommendations and implications of our findings were also addressed at the end.

Foreign Language Anxiety in Higher Education: A Practical Framework for Reducing FLA

Abstract: This study aimed at investigating foreign language anxiety level and the factors affecting the anxiety among Saudi English major students at Taif University and exploring the impact of gender and academic level in this regard. It also examined the relationship between anxiety and language proficiency in the Saudi context. Two questionnaires, a modified version of FLCAS (Horwitz et al., 1986) and IFLAF, were administered to 373 English major students (205 male and 168 female). The results revealed that Saudi English major students had moderate level of anxiety. The highest provoking causes of students' anxiety were worrying about consequences of failing, forgetting things they knew and feeling uneasiness during language tests. The analyses of the variables related to foreign language anxiety revealed a significant negative correlation between language anxiety and language proficiency (grammar, speaking, writing, reading and GPA). Gender did not have a significant impact on foreign language anxiety in the current study. Finally, the academic level of students did not affect the level of anxiety indicating that all students, despite their academic level, suffer from the same level of anxiety. The study suggested an EFL practical Model to reduce the negative effects of anxiety. Suggestions and further research were presented.

Corporate Governance Failure: The Case Of Enron And Parmalat

Abstract: Corporate governance is a central and dynamic aspect of business. The term governance is derived from the latin word gubernare, meaning to steer. It usually applies to the steering of a ship. Thus, this implies that corporate governance involves the function of direction rather than control. Corporate governance has come to the forefront of academic research due to the vital role it plays in the overall health of economic systems. Corporate governance was long ignored as a matter of potential importance for the development of a nation’s economy. The wave of U.S. corporate fraud in the 1990s was attributed to deficiencies in corporate governance. The recent 2008-2009 global financial crisis, triggered by the unprecedented failure of Lehman Brothers and the subprime mortgage problems, renewed interest on the role of corporate governance in the financial sector. The development of a strong corporate governance framework is important to protect stakeholders, maintain investor confidence in the transition countries, and attract foreign direct investment. This paper looks at the collapse of Enron and the Parmalat, which was a particular Italian scandal. Parmalat, Enron, and other American firms such as Tyco and WorldCom all have a number of fudging at their core – efforts to make the companies look healthier than they were. Parmalat’s collapse began in November when its auditor raised questions about a $135 million derivatives profit. After additional evidence of accounting misstatements, the company’s chief executive and founder, Calisto Tanzi, resigned on the 15th of December. Four days later, the company disclosed the fake Bank of America letter. On the 23rd of December, Italian investigators stated that the company had used dozens of offshore companies to report non-existent assets to offset themselves. This was as much as $11 billion in liabilities. Also, this is in addition to the fact that Parmalat might have been falsifying its accounting figures for as long as 15 years.

Government size and economic growth in Italy: a time-series analysis

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to empirically assess the relationship between government size and economic growth. Using time series methodologies applied to annual data for Italy, the effect of public expenditure, unemployment, and fiscal reforms on economic activity have been analysed. The data used in these analyses have been collected and shown in Forte (2011). The analysis covered a very long period, 1861-2008. Our results show the presence of a non-linear relationship between the size of the public sector (measured by the share of government expenditure over GDP) and the economic growth rate for Italy. In general, the presence of an inverted “U-shape” curve, which emerges for the last two decades, suggests that expenditure cuts might be faster than GDP dynamic. This result is in line with recent empirical literature on this issue. Interestingly, for the monarchic years, it has been found that the zero budget constraint provoked a slower aggregate income variation.

Exploring Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies: A Guide to Novice Nursing Researchers

Abstract: This paper reviews three research articles concerning the methodologies of quantitative and qualitative research. The body of knowledge can be used as a guide for novice researchers who wanted to have in-depth understanding about the nature and underpinnings of each research design. The first article written by Beverly Hancock, ‘Trent for Research and Development in Primary Care: An Introduction to Qualitative Research (2002)’, emphases on the foundations of qualitative research in application to primary health care setting; the second article authored by Gary Rolfe, ‘Validity, Trustworthiness, and Rigor: Quality and the Idea of Qualitative Research’ (2006), accentuates the methodological `issues in nursing research; and the last article written by Looi Theam Choy, ‘The Strengths and Weaknesses of Research Methodology: Comparison and Complimentary between Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches’ (2014), spotlights the similarities and differences of both research methodologies in the field of social sciences. Fundamentally, it would specify a necessary knowledge, adequate information, and appropriateness in the applicability of the research design. Likewise, it would stipulate a realization for the readers about the coexistence of both research approaches in any field of investigation.

Spatiotemporal Trend Analysis of the Mean Annual Rainfall in Senegal

Abstract: The spatiotemporal trends of annual rainfall in Senegal during 1940 - 2013 were investigated using the Mann–Kendall test and Theil–Sen’s slope estimator. Theil and Sen's slope estimator test was used for finding the magnitude of change over a time period. Inverse Weight Distance (IDW) technique in Arc GIS 10.2 was used to investigate spatial patterns of the trends over the entire country. For the period 1940-2013, the results of the analysis showed negative trends in annual rainfall at the whole country except for the Bakel station which exhibits a positive trend but not significant. While for the period 1984 - 2013, all the stations show a positive trend with 07 out of 22 stations exhibiting a significant trend at the 95% confidence interval. The spatial distribution of trend during the period 1940- 2013 showed a significant negative trend in the whole study of area except small areas located at the extreme South Est and West as well as North East and West. The trend magnitude varies between -4.41mm/year to 1.34 mm for the period 1940-2013 with a maximum negative magnitude at the Tambacounda station. For 1984-2013, the trend magnitude is positive for the whole country with values varying between 2.67 mm/year at Goudiry and 12.2 mm/year at Ziguinchor. Magnitudes are greater than 5 mm/year, for stations with significant positive trend.

Discharge Forecasting By Applying Artificial Neural Networks At The Jinsha River Basin, China

Abstract: Flood prediction methods play an important role in providing early warnings to government offices. The ability to predict future river flows helps people anticipate and plan for upcoming flooding, preventing deaths and decreasing property destruction. Different hydrological models supporting these predictions have different characteristics, driven by available data and the research area. This study applied three different types of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and an autoregressive model to study the Jinsha river basin (JRB), in the upper part of the Yangtze River in China. The three ANN techniques include feedforward back propagation neural networks (FFBPNN), generalized regression neural networks (GRNN), and the radial basis function neural networks (RBFNN). Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) has shown Great deal of accuracy as compared to statistical autoregressive (AR) model because statistical model cannot able to simulate the non-linear pattern. The results varied across the cases used in the study; based on available data and the study area, FFBPNN showed the best applicability, compared to other techniques.

New Social Movements: “Refugees Welcome UK”

Abstract: This study addresses the dynamics of new social movements with a special emphasis on the “Refugees Welcome UK” in the light of the Syrian refugee crisis. Since March 2011, over four millions of people have fled civil war in Syria and sought refuge mainly in neighbouring countries, such as Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon. However, precarious living circumstances and uncertain legal status in these countries have forced hundreds of thousands of Syrians to head for Europe in quest for a better life. The European countries, on the other hand, have adopted restrictive approaches towards Syrian refugees. Among these European countries, the UK has been the most criticized one because of its indifference to the plight of Syrian refugees. Under the leadership of David Cameron, the UK has taken a restrictive stance on accepting Syrian refugees and resisted any solution attempts at the EU level. Contrary to this anti-refugee approach at the state level, there emerged social movements in support of refugees throughout the UK. The most prominent one is the “Refugees Welcome” movement engaging in various strategies, ranging from seeking donation to raising public awareness. Building upon the insights of “New Social Movements” paradigm and using documentary analysis, this article explores the dynamics of this movement, its demands and objectives, social base, organizational structure, mobilization strategies and medium of action and social location. The article seeks to contribute both to the literature on social movements and to the current debate on refugees.

Instagram Role In Influencing Youth Opinion In 2015 Election Campaign In Bahrain

Abstract: This study can be considered a descriptive study portraying the effect of the exposure to Instagram campaign in Bahrain among Bahrainis. The research is mainly concerned with presenting this effect in relevance to their awareness, attitude, and behaviour. Its main question: Does the exposure of the studied sample to Instagram election campaigns; has an effect on their cognitive, affective and behavioural systems? A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to 200 Bahraini universities youth to know cognitive, affective and behavioural levels of awareness and changes. The researcher main objective was to know the effect of Instagram in the latest election in Bahrain (2015) and whether it encouraged people to vote and feel the importance of their vote. In addition to understand the level of awareness of each candidate and the information they knew through Instagram. The results proved the effectiveness of Instagram to get to the youth as the rate of seeing Instagram election post per week, 62.16% of the questionnaire takers answered that they see it more than 9 times a week, 8.10% see it 7 – 9 times a week, 16.21% see it 4 – 6 times a week, and 13.51% see it 1 – 3 times a week. 8.10% of the participants said that they “always” get information about the election candidates & their programs from the Instagram election posts, 21.62% said that they “frequently” do, 37.83% said “sometimes”, 21.62% said “rarely”, and 10.81% said they “never” do get information about the election candidates and their programs from Instagram election posts.

One Dimensional Steady Flow Analysis Using HECRAS – A case of River Jhelum, Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract: Floods have been recurrent phenomena in the study area. A heavy precipitation, usually coming during the end months of the summer season in association with sudden cloudburst, leads to severe flooding in the study area. By now the catchment area of the river is already saturated and the high run-off swells the rivers beyond their capacity. The present study describes the application of HEC RAS Model for flood studies in the river Jhelum Kashmir valley. The peak flood records were used as inputs into HEC RAS model to find out the resultant expected flood levels. The resultant output generated by the model shows an overflow at maximum locations of the river under study for 50 years and above return period. This purpose is to give a hand to policy makers, planners and insurers, to develop a robust strategy for the development of flood mitigation measures and plans to minimise the losses associated with the disaster in the study area.

Free Space Optical Communications: An Overview

Abstract: Bridging the so-called “last mile” in communication networks has revived keen interest in free-Space Optics (FSO), also known as fiber-free or fiberless optics, which is a technology that transports data via laser technology. It is a line-of-sight technology that currently enables optical transmission up to 2.5 Gbps of data, voice and video through the air at long distances (4km), allowing optical connectivity without deploying fiber-optic cable or securing spectrum licenses. It is moving closer to being a realistic alternative to laying fiber in access networks. This paper presents an introduction to FSO and the current state of its technology.

A Study of Clothing Purchasing Behavior By Gender with Respect to Fashion and Brand Awareness

Abstract: It has been suggested that male and female consumers demonstrate considerably different approaches in their decision-making and purchasing behavior when shopping for clothing for a variety of different reasons. For this reason, this study is centered on determining the degree to which gender affects the purchasing behavior of consumers buying fashion items and on determining what the differences between male and female consumer clothing purchasing behavior might be. The sample group for this study, which aims to identify the differences between male and female consumers from a gender perspective by examining their purchasing behavior with respect to fashion and brand awareness, was made up of 382 consumers chosen at random. The data used in this study were collected using a scaling tool made up of 29 questions devised by the researchers. The gathered data were then analyzed using the Social Sciences Statistics Packet (SPSS 17). As a result of this study it was determined that male and female consumers do have different perceptions and preferences with respect to fashion and brand awareness in their clothing purchasing behavior, that demographic characteristics were influential in purchasing clothing, and that women were more influenced by fashion while men were more influenced by brand name.

Teacher’s Job Satisfaction And Its Relationship With Organizational Commitment In Ethiopian Primary Schools: Focus On Primary Schools Of Bonga Town

Abstract: This study explored the extent of organizational commitment and how this may support or hinder a range of job satisfaction of teachers examined in the Ethiopian primary schools.The research employed correlation design. To this end, one hundred and eighteen 118 (58.1%) teachers were selected from six primary schools using simple random sampling technique and participated in the study. The researchers collected the relevant data from teachers using Spector’s (1997) adopted version of job satisfaction survey (JSS) and Meyer and Allen’s (1990) organizational commitment questionnaire (OCQ). The researchers analyzed the data using mean, standard deviation, correlation analysis and t-test. The result showed that there was evidence of positive correlation between teachers’ job satisfaction and their organizational commitment in the sampled schools. Regardless of this, the findings of the study revealed that gender was the only demographic variable that had significant positive relationship with job satisfaction. The other demographic variables such as age, gender, marital status and level of education did not show significant relationship with teachers’ job satisfaction in the sampled schools. Consequent up on this finding it was concluded that schools can enhance the level of teachers’ organizational commitment by creating a more satisfying working environment. As to the demographic variable, since some of the finding contradicts with the existing literature, we need to undertake more studies to have better understanding of the nature of the relationship between teachers demographic variables, job satisfaction and organizational commitment in developing countries context.

Performance Evaluation Of Research Assistants By Copras Method

Abstract: Performance evaluation of research assistant has become an important factor and a strategic decision for universities. However, this decision is generally complex. Many conflicting criteria should be taken into account at the same time. Correct solution of the problem is related to decision maker’s multiple criterion evaluation in the light of alternatives. In this study, research assistants’ performance evaluation is carried out by COPRAS method. The method of complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) developed by the authors aims at solving this problem. This method assumes direct and proportional dependence of the significance and utility degree of investigated versions on a system of criteria adequately describing the alternatives and on values and weights of the criteria. This study aims to solve performance determination problem of research assistants. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach. In the end ranking carried out by COPRAS method is given.

Corporate Governance, Board Gender Diversity And Corporate Performance: A Critical Review Of Literature

Abstract: This paper aims to critically review the existing literature on the relationship between the Corporate Governance aspect of board gender diversity, and its influence on corporate performance. This review specifically evaluates theoretical and empirical literature related to board gender diversity and corporate performance with an aim of establishing areas of gaps for further research. In particular the paper identifies some of the important theoretical, operational, measurement, contextual and methodological drawbacks in previous researches and literature that restrict generalization of results to particular contexts, sectors and larger populations. Additionally, several research avenues are proposed for in- depth understanding of the relationship between board gender diversity and corporate performance. Finally, the implication of the study on policy, theory and practice are discussed.

The Determinants Of Industrialization: Empirical Evidence For Africa

Abstract: In this paper, we run dynamic panel model describing the relationship between industrialization and different socio-economic, financial and institutional determinants for 35 African countries over the period 1970- 2012 We conduct also sub-regional and sub-period analysis in order to check the robustness of the results Our main results are the following: (i) As generally found in the literature, Human capital, Labor Market conditions, Real Effective Exchange Rate and GDP per capita are clear determinants of industrialization in Africa; (ii) The determinants of industrialization vary between regions in the continent and evolve over time; (iii) policy interdependencies are significant and positive for industrialization in Africa

Cartographie Des Risques De L’erosion Hydrique Par L’equation Universelle Revisee Des Pertes En Sols, La Teledetection Et Les Sig Dans Le Bassin Versant De L’ourika (Haut Atlas, Maroc)

Abstract: Covering an area of 576 square kilometers, the Ourika watershed is a sub-watershed of the large Tensift basin, located on the northwest slopes of the Marrakech High Atlas, in mid-west Morocco. This basin of dramatic topography, with sparse vegetation cover and friable substrates, is under increasing human action exacerbated by a variable and changing climate. Its vulnerability to water erosion is quite high, increasing risks of wadi flows with significant sediment loads. The aim of this work was to quantify soil loss in the basin using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Geographic Information System. The results showed that the Ourika watershed was subject to strong climatic aggressiveness ranging from 55.22 to 100.57 MJ.mm/ha.h. The average soil erodibility value, K, was 0.48 t.ha.h/ha.MJ.mm, with a standard deviation of 0.28 t.ha.h/ha.MJ.mm. Slopes with values higher than 35% represented 72% of the watershed’s area, with the topographic factor, LS, values ranging from 0.01 to 94.5. The vegetation factor was high throughout the Ourika watershed while C values were higher than 0.5 for 73% of the watershed’s area. The average soil loss obtained in the basin was 380 t/ha/year. These results indicated that 48% of the watershed’s area was subject to a soil loss between 50-400 t/ha/year, and between 400 and 1000 t/ha/year for 30% of the watershed. Soil loss below the tolerance level (<7 t/ha/year) represented only 4% of the watershed area. These findings served in highlighting the significance of erosion in the Ourika watershed.

Comparison Of Two Hydrological Models (Lumped And Distributed) Over A Pilot Area Of The Issen Watershed In The Souss Basin, Morocco

Abstract: The present study aims to develop a hydrological model of flood forecasting to arid environment in the Issen basin (sub-chatchement of Aguenza basin) through a comparison between two conceptual hydrological models (HEC HMS) and ATHYS which is a conceptual distributed model rarely used in the Moroccan context. The aim is to measure the degree of adaptability of these models to the study area in order to generalize the selected model to the entire watershed. The obtained results from the validation phase of the two models were satisfactory, the two models were able to reproduce the hydrological behavior of the Aguenza watershed during flooding periods. Besides, this study has shown that a good distributed model can provide improvements over a global model for flood forecasting and particularly in terms of volume as in the present study case.

La identificación del conocimiento y actitudes del profesorado hacia inclusión de los alumnos con necesidades educativas especiales

Abstract: This article describes the development and evaluation of a tool to assess knowledge and attitudes of teachers towards inclusion of students with special educational needs (SEN). A questionnaire on attitudes of teachers towards these students was designed paying attention to three different levels: knowledge and attitude towards disability, organization of the educational response created to help students with SEN, and professional skills to adequately respond to the SEN students. The suitability of the instrument was assessed takng into account its content validity, reliability and underlying structure. Six different key dimensions, related to the investigations that have been carried out so far, were analyzed. These dimensions justified, from their theoretical point of view, their value.

Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) Practices In Health Care Sectors Of Bangladesh

Abstract: Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) has been a topic of considerable importance and interest to Information Systems (IS) professionals since the 1970's and consistently ranked as a top issue for IS executives in both developed and developing countries. Studies have shown that SISP can assist manager in defining the information systems, develop IS strategy, and allocate resources for IS strategy. However, the use of SISP in healthcare sectors in developing countries like Bangladesh is underdeveloped and under-researched. This study examined the benefits of SISP in healthcare organization in developing countries in general and Bangladesh in particular. This study also focused on the current practice and key implementation challenges of Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) in healthcare sectors in developing and transitional economies. Finally, some recommendations are proposed to overcome the challenges using a ‘hybrid’ approach.

Importance And Implementation Of Nursing Documentation: Review Study

Abstract: This study was conducted to review the literature about nursing documentation. We presented the importance and implementation of nursing documentation. The importance of this topic has been realized here, in Jordan, and the Ministry of Health has recently started application of electronic documentation systems. Nursing documentation can be either paper based or electronic based documentation. Paper based documentation has been described not meet the required standards. We argued the standards of nursing documentation that should be met including completeness, clearing, and concision.

Effect of Job Status, Gender, and Employees’ Achievement Motivation Behavior on Work Performance: a Case Study of Selected Local Government Employees in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of job status, gender, and employees’ achievement motivation behavior on work performance. Two hundred and seven (207) local government employees’ opinions were sampled using the achievement motivation questionnaire and the perceived work performance questionnaire. Seven hypotheses were developed and tested using 2 x 2 x 3 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics. Results confirmed that job status [F (2,206) =5.05, p05]. A significant interaction effect of gender and job status; gender and level of achievement motivation behavior; and job status and level of achievement motivation behavior were also found on work performance. However, there was no significant interaction effect that existed between gender, job status, and the level of achievement motivation behavior on work performance [F(2,206)=.217, p>.05]. Findings were discussed in the light of available literature and it is recommended that efforts should be made to discourage discriminative behavior among sexes while also closing gaps in level managers’ hierarchies and categorizations. This is particularly in terms of derivable incentives, benefits, and pay on their jobs to have a significant impact on the work performance of employees.

Impact Of Mobile Phone Usage On Academic Performance Among Secondary School Students In Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract: This study employed survey design in investigating the influence of mobile phone usage on academic performance among secondary school student in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria. The sample for the study was 300 respondents selected from the total population of 6,482 respondents. Stratified sampling technique was employed to select the sample. The Mobile Phone Usage Questionnaire (MPUQ) adapted from Twum (2011), Mathematic Achievement Test (MAT) and English Language Achievement test (ELAT), were the instrument used for this study. Data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, t-test and ANOVA to answer the research questions and hypotheses. The finding of this study, revealed that mobile phone usage significantly influence academic performance among male and female senior secondary school students (t = 6.113, P = 0.02), age difference was not a significant factor in mobile phone usage on academic performance among senior secondary school students (f = 6.431, P = 0.022), parent’s occupation was not a significant factor in mobile phone usage on academic performance among senior secondary school students (f = 9.005, p= 0.031) and that the frequency of mobile phone usage does not significantly influence academic performance among male and female senior secondary school students (t = 8.131, p = 0.02). It was recommended that, School psychologists, teachers, school administrators, parents and students should be sensitized on the influence of mobile phone usage on academic performance among secondary school students irrespective of gender and age differences.

Urban Solid Waste Management And Environmental Sustainability In Abakaliki Urban, Nigeria

Abstract: Waste management has become a common issue of discourse among individuals, groups and governments. This study which assessed urban solid waste management in Ebonyi state with focus on Abakaliki urban specifically sought to find out why indiscriminate solid waste disposal/dumps has persisted in Abakaliki urban, investigate the measures put in place to curtail the tide and ascertain the extent to which indiscriminate waste disposal affects people’s health and environment. Four null hypotheses were formulated and Human Capital Theory was adopted as the theoretical framework. The study used survey design whereby data were collected from the sample considered to be representative of the population. Taro Yameni’s formula was applied to reduce the initial population of 116,987 to a smaller researchable size of 399 while data were collected through structured questionnaire. The data collected were presented in tables containing frequencies of the responses and their corresponding percentages. The four hypotheses of the study were tested using chi-square (X2) statistical tool and the result of the analyses revealed that: there is currently no government approved dumpsites in Abakaliki metropolis, most communicable diseases are contracted from dirty environment, among others. The implications are that most households will soon be cut off by flood arising from the blockage of water channels, some streets and roads will be blocked by heaps of wastes and more epidemics will be contracted by the people if nothing urgent was done. The study concluded that, the Ebonyi State Environmental Protection Agency (EBSEPA) currently have no required manpower, technical skills and competences to curtail the tide of waste and therefore made the following recommendations: Ebonyi state government should strengthen the already established departments of Environmental and Health Sciences in Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and the School of Health Technology, Ezzamgbo, by providing and equipping them with modern waste management equipment for students to be exposed to practical methods of waste management, Government should contract foreign-based private firm through Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement to establish waste management industry in Ebonyi state, immediate provision of permanent waste dumpsites by the government, among others.

The Effect of Adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards on Quality of Financial Reports in Public Sector in Kenya

Abstract: Quality financial reports plays significant role in accountability of government to their citizens and how it meets its financial management responsibilities. The introduction of IPSAS formed an important part of public sector reforms and followed a global trend in government accounting in response to calls for greater government financial accountability and transparency which is a fundamental principles of democracy. This study focused on effect of adoption of IPSAS on quality of financial reports in meeting the criteria for decision usefulness. The design of this study was the descriptive survey design while the target population was the 19 ministries of the national government in Kenya. Data was collected using secondary means and was analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test for differences. The study indicated enhancement in the quality of characteristics of comparability, relevance, timeliness and faithful representation by adoption of IPSAS while the quality of characteristics of understandability declined. The study also showed no significant difference in items pertaining to transparency and accountability indicating that the goal for government reforms in achieving greater transparency and accountability may not be fully achieved. The study also revealed that adoption of IPSAS is adjudged to have moderate effect on quality of financial reports in public sector in Kenya using a 5 point likert scale. The study concluded that there exist statistically significant difference between old accounting standard-based financial reports and IPSAS-based financial reports in meeting the criteria for decision usefulness as revealed by paired-sample t-test.

Comparative Research on the Zahir and Batin Thought

Abstract: This research paper makes an attempt to expound the Muslim concepts of al-zahir [the evident] and the al-batin [the intrinsic] which touch deeply upon both spiritual and secular practices to ascertain possible similarities and differences between the Muslim and the non-Muslim realms. Despite centuries of economic and cultural relationships, recent times have been loaded with political and media stereotyping of Islam as a “warring” religion whose militants “threaten” the regional peace and international order. Almost nothing is mentioned about the “intrinsic” motives that underlie “evident” dictions of all parties of the conflict. To establish corrective understanding between the Muslims and the non-Muslims as a unified human family, comparative research is critically needed to educate and to disseminate the facts about Islam and the Muslim heritage to expand the peaceful co-existence and the full enjoyment of freedoms and human rights to all humans. In this context, the paper analyzes key concepts of the al-zahir and al-batin to appreciate the meanings of the Muslim Truth and the Hikmat al-Ta’aruf teachings, in comparison with non-Muslim beliefs and secular thought. To conclude, systematic research is crucial to help reconcile the parties by the establishment of comparable ontologies for the Muslim and non-Muslim thought.