scholarly journals The role of extra-curricular activities in increasing student engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saba Munir ◽  
Muhammad Zaheer

PurposeThe first objective of this study is to review the mechanism of conducting extra-curricular activities (ECAs) in the open and distance learning (ODL) setting. To achieve this objective, the procedure of ECAs at the Virtual University of Pakistan has been studied. The second objective of this study is to find the impact of ECAs on student engagement.Design/methodology/approachThis is a cross-sectional quantitative study. The questionnaire has been used to collect the data. The purposive sampling technique has been used, while this study's sample size is 970. An independent sample t-test has been used to find the difference between the groups.FindingsThis study shows a significant difference between the engagement levels of students who have been part of any ECA at university compared to the students who never participated in any ECA.Research limitations/implicationsThe results have been derived from the data gathered from one university only that might hinder the generalizability of the findings. The same study can be conducted in other ODL institutions to authenticate the findings.Practical implicationsThis study will help in realizing the policymakers of ODL about the importance of ECCAs. This study has also discussed an existing system of conducting ECCAs in an ODL setting that can be generalized and implemented across all the ODL universities to enhance student engagement.Originality/valueThis study has highlighted the importance of ECAs in ODL institutions that have been neglected since forever. This study is novel because it has highlighted the importance of social interaction of students in ODL and its relation with student engagement that has not been highlighted by any study so far.

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-222
Author(s):  
Hansani Chathurika Dassanayake ◽  
Asanka Senevirathne

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of design of e-servicescapes on student engagement in distance education (DE), and examine whether this impact is mediated by student experience quality. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative research approach based on cross-sectional survey design was adapted where data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Sample consisted of 252 undergraduates registered in the DE platform in Sri Lanka and was drawn using a simple random sampling technique. Collected data were analysed using the structural equation modelling. Findings Data analysis revealed that there is a direct significant impact of e-servicescapes on student engagement while this impact is partially mediated by student experience quality in the Sri Lankan context. Meantime, the social presence feature of e-servicescapes has the highest impact on student engagement. Practical implications Findings of the study provide an empirically validated model to boost up the student engagement and significantly contribute to the designing of the e-servicescapes of the DE institutes in order to offer a superior service to a wide array of stakeholders. Originality/value Even though e-servicescapes have been recognised as a driver of customer behaviour, the concept is fairly unexplored in the educational context. Due to its practical applicability in the DE context, this study contributes to the existing knowledge by presenting a novel conceptual model developed based on multiple theories to identify its impact on student behaviour.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Foruzan Rajabzadeh ◽  
Mirsaeed Yekaninejad ◽  
Mohammadali Moshtaq ◽  
Shima Kordi ◽  
Aliyu Tijani Jibril ◽  
...  

Purpose Life conditions for most slum dwellers are deplorable, with poor socio-economic status and high rates of malnutrition and communicable diseases. Studies have shown lower intake of many nutrients in such people, but no study yet has checked the quality of diet using Healthy Eating Index (HEI) in them. This study aims to assess the quality of diet among slum dwellers of Tehran using the HEI-2015. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 slum dwellers from two slums located on the border of Tehran city which is the capital of Iran. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select subjects for this study. Data on socioeconomic characteristics and 24-hours dietary recalls were obtained through face-to-face interviews with the respondents by trained personnel. Findings The overall diet quality of the respondents was poor, with a mean HEI score of 40.9 ± 23.7. About 84% of the participants had low overall HEI scores. A significant relation was seen in the following: the HEI and educational level (p = 0.044); the HEI and employment status (p = 0.001); and the HEI and chronic diseases (p = 0.049). There was no significant difference between the mean HEI score and marital status, welfare status and addiction status. From the findings, the diet of most of these slum dwellers needs modification. Therefore, taking measures to reduce slum dwelling and to improve the nutritional intake of this study population is needed. Originality/value The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.


2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Creaser

Purpose Library impact and how to evaluate it has been debated for a number of years. While the activity – the busy-ness – of the library is now routinely measured and described, the difference the library makes is less tangible and harder to measure. Libraries in all sectors and worldwide are grappling with this issue, and the purpose of this paper is to summarise international standards available to support them. Design/methodology/approach The first international standard concerning library impact, ISO 16439 Information and documentation – methods and procedures for assessing the impact of libraries, was published in 2014 after several years in development. Findings The standard describes a range of methods for assessing library impact which have been used across the world in a variety of libraries in all sectors. Originality/value This paper summarises the key methods described in the standard, and gives references for further reading.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1027-1030
Author(s):  
Shanti Sunuwar Subedi ◽  
Rakina Bhansakarya ◽  
Sajjan Kumar Sharma

Introduction: To evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcome in booked and unbooked cases. Objectives: To assess the maternal and fetal outcomes in unbooked and booked patients. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional comparative study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from Augustti2019 to January 2020. Using a convenient sampling technique, 204 samples were taken and cross-sectional study was done. Results: There were total 204 cases in this study;102were booked and 102 were unbooked. In this study, 85(83%) of booked cases were educated up to secondary level as compared toti65 (64%) of unbooked cases. There was no significant difference in Apgar score in 1 and 5 minute between booked and unbooked cases. More babies in the unbooked group were transferred to NICU as compared to the booked group and the difference was significant (9.8%vs 1.9%). Greater proportion of booked cases had spontaneous vaginal delivery (81.3% vs 59.8%) and complications like preterm delivery, anemia, preeclampsia/ eclampsia, complicated labor and puerperal sepsis was also less in the booked group. Conclusions: The study showed that unbooked mothers and their newborns had higher chance of having complications.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Syeda Razia Bukhari ◽  
Syeda Ishrat Fatima ◽  
Amenah Rashid ◽  
Farhana Saba

The aim of the research is to investigate that emotional intelligence and self-esteem in male and female school students. The present research design is research cross sectional design.  Sample contained 200 students (100 =male, 100= female)   (mean age = 14.16, SD = 0.740) all belonging to the upper, middle and lower Scio economic status. Whole sample was collected from different schools of Karachi, Pakistan with the help of convenient sampling technique. First, the confidentiality about the participants demographic information was assured after that about the purpose and procedure of research explained to participants. The participants who given consent of participation in research, the demographic form, Urdu version of Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue) (K.V. Petrides) were administered on them. Statistical Analysis (t-Test for independent) applied to assess the difference of emotional intelligence and self esteem among male and female.The results reveals there is significant difference among emotional intelligence of male and female school students (t (198) = 6.597, P< .05) and there is also significant difference in self esteem of male and female school students (t (198) = 2.837, P< .05).


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20
Author(s):  
Fatima Bichi ◽  
Dr. Shumaila Hanif

Diastasis Recti (DR) is a common muscular condition often present during and after pregnancy. This cross-sectional correlational study investigated the prevalence of DR among pregnant and postpartum women. A total of 250 pregnant and postpartum women were recruited using convenience sampling technique from obstetrics and gynaecology department, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Age, body mass, height, BMI, parity, trimester, duration of DR postpartum, location of DR and DR status was recorded for each participant. Presence of DR was confirmed using the finger width method. Descriptive statistics of mean, SD, percentage were used to describe the data and determine the prevalence. Inferential statistics of Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation were used to analyse the relationship between prevalence of DR and age, parity and duration of DR postpartum. Chi square was computed to determine the difference in prevalence of DR across trimesters. The result of this study indicated high prevalence of DR in post-partum and pregnant women (84% and 64.7% respectively); the most common location of DR was at the umbilicus in both pregnant and postpartum women. Prevalence of DR was high among the multigravida; and a significant relationship was found between prevalence of DR and age and parity of participants. There was a significant difference in prevalence of DR across the trimesters. It can be concluded that prevalence of DR among pregnant and postpartum women is high; age and parity are determinants of DR prevalence. Evaluation of DR should be considered as routine assessment in both pregnant and postpartum women.


Author(s):  
Rabia Imran ◽  
Raghad Ezzeldin Aldaas

PurposeThe current research is aimed at exploring entrepreneurial leadership (EL) as a mediator in perceived organizational support (POS) and organizational performance (OP) relationship. Furthermore, it also examined the impact of POS and entrepreneurial leadership on the performance of an organization.Design/methodology/approachA purposively selected sample of 216 respondents from the SME sector of Oman was chosen for the study.FindingsThe results revealed that POS and entrepreneurial leadership positively and significantly have an effect on organizational performance. Moreover, the hypothesized role of entrepreneurial leadership as a mediator between POS and OP relationship was also supported.Research limitations/implicationsIn spite of the novelty of the research, it was limited due to a few reasons. First, the research design is cross-sectional. Second, the research only focused SME sector. This research only focused on entrepreneurial leadership as a mediator, whereas, other mediators could have been explored as well.Originality/valueThe research on POS and organizational performance relationship is still in its exploration stage. Past research indicate that POS has an effect on different outcomes within an organization, including its performance. However, still, the research on the entrepreneurial leadership process is quite scarce. The current research will explore it in the context of Oman, where there is a dire need to establish SME sector performance. The unique combination between POS, entrepreneurial leadership and performance in the SME sector of Oman marks the novelty of the current research. This study contributes to the SME’s literature and it is among the pioneer studies exploring the mediating role of entrepreneurial leadership in the relationship between POS and OP.


2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 415-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maimunah Ismail ◽  
Muhammad Ibnu Kassim ◽  
Mohd Rozi Mohd Amit ◽  
Roziah Mohd Rasdi

Purpose – This exploratory study aims to investigate how the role of the CSR manager is influenced by his orientation to corporate social responsibility (CSR) responsibilities, his attitude and competency. Design/methodology/approach – The study involved 112 managers of CSR-implementing companies in the Klang Valley, a highly industrialized region in Malaysia. They were chosen based on a systematic random sampling technique. Findings – The study found that the level of role, orientation and competency of CSR managers was high, whereas that for attitude was moderate. Further, regression analysis results showed that the managers’ orientation to economic and ethical responsibilities as well as competency significantly influenced their role in CSR with an explanatory power of 20.1 per cent. Research limitations/implications – The study was cross-sectional in nature. Nevertheless, it involved a sample of company managers from a selected location in the country. The predictor variables were limited to orientation to economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities; attitude; and competency. Practical implications – The study highlights the importance of personal qualities of the manager and also the manager’s role in promoting community development CSR. These findings should be capitalized on by managers and other practitioners in CSR. Originality/value – The study findings contribute to research on CSR that is viewed from the perspective of corporate image being projected by the role of CSR managers, as influenced by their CSR orientation, attitude and competency. Recommendations for CSR and human resource development practice and future research on the predictors of the role of CSR managers are proposed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devika Vashisht ◽  
Sreejesh S

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of brand placement strength on gamers’ brand recall as moderated by gamers’ prior game playing experience and game involvement in the context of advergames. Specifically, this research utilizes Limited Capacity Model of attention to explain how and under what conditions brand placements create attention, elaboration and subsequent brand recall. Design/methodology/approach – A 2 (brand placement strength: prominent versus subtle) × 2 (prior game playing experience: experienced versus inexperienced) × 2 (game involvement: high versus low involvement) between-subjects measures design is used. Empirical data were obtained from 220 undergraduate student gamers. A between-subjects measures ANOVA is used to test the hypotheses. Findings – There are several important findings that can be inferred from the results. First, inexperienced gamers report high brand recall in prominent brand placements than subtle brand placements, whereas for experienced gamers, no significant difference in recall rates is found between prominent brand placement and subtle brand placement. Second, inexperienced gamers with low game involvement playing an advergame with prominent brand placement report high brand recall compared to inexperienced gamers with high game involvement playing an advergame with prominent brand placement. Research limitations/implications – The study contributes to the advertising literature from a non-traditional advertising perspective, particularly in the context of online advergames, and explains the role of brand placement and its boundary conditions to create customers’ brand memory. Moreover, this research contributes to the marketing knowledge on how to locate and embed the brands effectively in advergames, taking into account the individual characteristics of each advergame. Practical implications – The findings are very important for advertising practitioners because selecting media that enhances the brand memory of the consumers through entertainment is a planning strategy that has been widely used by media planners today. Hence, advertising managers should think about designing advergames by taking into account the game involvement factor to make sure that the implementation has the strongest positive effect on consumers’ memory. Originality/value – This research contributes to the literature of online advertising, especially the advergames by exploring the impact of brand placement strength and prior gaming experience on gamers’ brand recall. In addition, this study is the first step toward understanding the moderating role of game involvement on Indian gamers recall in the context of online advertising.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 540-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Gkorezis ◽  
Eugenia Petridou ◽  
Katerina Lioliou

Purpose – Substantial research has examined the pivotal role of supervisor positive humor in generating employee outcomes. To date, though, little is known about the relationship between supervisor humor and newcomers’ adjustment. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this gap by examining the effect of supervisor positive humor on newcomers’ adjustment. In doing so, the authors highlighted relational identification with the supervisor as a mediating mechanism that explains the aforementioned association. Design/methodology/approach – Data were drawn from 117 newcomers. In order to collect the data the authors used the snowball method. Also, hierarchical regression analysis was conducted. Findings – The results demonstrated that supervisor positive humor affects employees’ relational identification with the supervisor which, in turn, positively relates to newcomers’ adjustment. Research limitations/implications – Data were collected using a cross-sectional design and, therefore, the authors cannot directly assess causality. Moreover, the authors used self-report measures which may strengthen the causal relationships. Originality/value – To the best of the knowledge, this is the first study that illustrates the role of supervisor humor in enhancing both newcomers’ relational identification and adjustment.


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