‘Exam preparedness’: Exploring non-academic predictors of postgraduate exam success

Introduction: There are certain factors in exam preparedness that are not well studied in the postgraduate medical education context. Non-academic predictors have been extensively researched but usually in isolation. Methods: The study involved a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design. The study was conducted among anaesthesia postgraduates appearing for high-stake nation-wide primary examination. Data obtained by a questionnaire assessing pre-examination attributes were compared with the students’ reflections through focus group discussions (FGD) after the formal declaration of results. The examination had an overall pass rate of 42.9% (18 out of 42). Results: The study showed that pre-examination questionnaire could identify attributes and study behaviours in the postgraduates who passed. Passers procrastinated three times lesser, pursuing a timetable-based study (conscientiousness); had higher metacognitive self-regulation (p value<0.05) applying concentrated self-directed learning & effective group study and higher self-efficacy compared to those who failed. The focus group discussions affirmed of these attributes in candidates who ‘breeze through exams’. Postgraduate success required better ‘work-study’ balance, self & cross regulation and peer and faculty support. Conclusion: Implementing a composite tool to assess ‘exam preparedness’, we propose, would help the learners and teachers to skim for non-academic factors (metacognitive self-regulation, self-efficacy, conscientiousness) that influence the chances of success. Understanding & predicting this would help educators to identify the ‘candidates with difficulty’ and delegate personalised faculty attention. This could guide the exam candidates to have a ‘reality check’ to plan and pace their effort with peer learning, consolidated study and goal orientation.

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Factors affecting academic self-efficacy and learning experiences of pharmacy students: Insights from a qualitative study in Zambia

Pharmacy Education ◽

10.46542/pe.2021.211.133144 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 133-144

Author(s):

Aubrey Chichonyi Kalungia ◽

Micheal Chigunta ◽

James Sichone ◽

Bugewa Apampa ◽

Sarah Marshall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Learning Experiences ◽

Educational Programme ◽

Pharmacy Students ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Academic Self Efficacy

Background: Factors influencing how pharmacy students learn and experience pharmaceutical education have not been elucidated in Zambia. Aim: To elucidate contextual factors affecting academic self-efficacy and learning experiences among undergraduate pharmacy students at a public university in Zambia. Methods: A qualitative study utilising focus group discussions was conducted at the University of Zambia. Thirty-two undergraduate pharmacy students participated in four focus group discussions. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. Results: Four themes and eight sub-themes emerged from the data. Notional time management, learning style, and motivation; educational programme-related factors such as course load, the pace of teaching; the learning environment; and assessment practices affected undergraduate pharmacy students’ self-efficacy and learning experiences. Conclusion: Addressing the student-related, educational programme-related, and the learning environment factors identified in this study will contribute to the improvement of undergraduate pharmacy students’ learning experiences. This is premised to improve their educational outcomes and future practice of pharmaceutical care.

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Medication adherence, self-efficacy and health literacy among patients with glaucoma: a mixed-methods study protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039788 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e039788

Author(s):

Maria Achilleos ◽

Anastasios Merkouris ◽

Andreas Charalambous ◽

Evridiki Papastavrou

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Medication Adherence ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Focus Group ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Stage 1

IntroductionAs the world population ages, glaucoma is becoming an increasingly significant cause of blindness. A key component in the management of glaucoma is the use of prescribed medications and the adherence to treatment. However, there is evidence of low adherence to prescribed medication in chronic diseases, such as glaucoma. This study aims to explore the level of medication adherence, self-efficacy, social support and health literacy among the patients with glaucoma and to determine if there are any correlations between them. The ultimate aim is to use the information to develop an educational programme for patients with glaucoma at a later stage.Methods and analysisThis is a mixed-methods study which includes two stages: a descriptive study (stage 1) and focus group discussions (stage 2). Sample: Patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension, using at least one kind of drops, from two ophthalmology clinics. Selected measures include: The Glaucoma Treatment Compliance Assessment Tool, The European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire, The Glaucoma Medication Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Two focus groups will be used for the collection of qualitative data, aiming to enrich the study with the patients’ experiences. The data will be analysed with SPSS, using descriptive and inferential statistics for stage 1 whereas content analysis will be used for the data from the focus group discussions (stage 2).Ethics and disseminationPermission to conduct the study was received from the National Bioethics Committee and the board of management of the two ophthalmology clinics. All participants will be informed fully on the purpose and methods of the study. Consent forms will be signed and at any time participants will have the right to withdraw. Confidentiality and the protection of data will be respected at all times.

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ANALISIS MODEL PENGARUH GOAL ORIENTATION, GENERAL SELF-EFFICACY DAN JENIS KELAMIN TERHADAP SELF-REGULATED LEARNING DALAM PEMBELAJARAN JARAK JAUH

Jurnal Muara Ilmu Sosial, Humaniora, dan Seni ◽

10.24912/jmishumsen.v4i2.8849.2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 358

Author(s):

Santi Yudhistira ◽

Deasyanti Deasyanti ◽

Fellianti Muzdalifah

Keyword(s):

Distance Education ◽

Path Analysis ◽

Goal Orientation ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Self Regulation ◽

P Value ◽

Chi Square ◽

Self Regulated Learning ◽

Regulated Learning ◽

General Self Efficacy

Since COVID-19's entry into Indonesia in early March, 2020, the government has determined all educational institutions to carry out learning activities using the Distance Education method. The method changes are so fast that students as students who use this method do not have much time to adjust and meet various obstacles. This study aims to see how self-efficacy and goal orientation influences students self-regulated learning while carrying out distance education. This study also wants to look at differences in self-regulated learning between male and female students. This research uses quantitative methods. Respondents in this study were 319 students at a university in Jakarta who were carrying out learning activities with distance education methods. The instrument used is General Self-Efficacy Scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995), 2x2 Achievement Goal Orientation Framework (Elliot & McGregor, 2001), and Metacognitive Self-Regulation dalam Motivated Strategies Learning Questionaire (MSLQ). The validity of the measuring instrument was carried out using the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) method and hypothesis testing using path analysis processed through Mplus software version 7.11. The results of the path analysis test found that the model tested fit with the chi-square index = 2.39, df = 1, p-value = 0.25> 0.05), and RMSEA = 0.067. The final results of the study showed that self-efficacy, goal orientation, and gender had an effect of 19.7% on student self-regulated learning. Sejak masuknya COVID-19 ke Indonesia awal Maret tahun 2020, pemerintah menetapkan seluruh institusi pendidikan untuk melaksanakan kegiatan belajar dengan metode Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh (PJJ). Perubahan metode yang begitu cepat menyebabkan mahasiswa sebagai peserta didik yang menggunakan metode ini tidak memiliki banyak waktu untuk menyesuaikan diri dan menemui berbagai kendala. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat bagaimana pengaruh keyakinan diri (self-efficacy) dan penetapan tujuan belajar (goal orientation) terhadap strategi regulasi dan pengelolaan aktivitas belajar (self-regulated learning) pada mahasiswa dengan metode PJJ. Penelitian ini juga ingin melihat self-regulated learning pada mahasiswa laki-laki dan perempuan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif. Responden dalam penelitian ini adalah 319 mahasiswa disalah satu universitas di Jakarta yang sedang melaksanakan kegiatan belajar dengan metode PJJ. Alat ukur yang digunakan yaitu General Self-Efficacy Scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995), 2x2 Achievement Goal Orientation Framework (Elliot & McGregor, 2001), dan Metacognitive Self-Regulation dalam Motivated Strategies Learning Questionaire (MSLQ). Validitas alat ukur dilakukan dengan metode Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) dan pengujian hipotesis menggunakan Path Analysis yang diolah melalui software Mplus versi 7.11. Hasil uji Path Analysis diketehui model yang diuji fit dengan indeks chi-square=2,39, df=1, p-value=0,25 >0,05), dan RMSEA=0,067. Hasil akhir penelitian menunjukkan self-efficacy, goal orientation, dan jenis kelamin memberikan pengaruh sebesar 19,7% terhadap self-regulated learning pada mahasiswa.

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Determinants of Water-funded Projects in Mitigating Water Risks in Vihiga County, Kenya

International Journal of Pathogen Research ◽

10.9734/ijpr/2021/v6i330162 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 15-26

Author(s):

James M. Oketch ◽

Edward M. Mugalavai ◽

Nicodemus O. Nyandiko

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Environmental Flows ◽

Evaluation Research ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Primary Data ◽

P Value ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

The Impact

Currently, 85 per cent of the world’s human population lives in the drier half of the Earth, which exacerbates the water risks including lack of access to safe water, poor basic sanitation and water-related disasters and diseases. Vihiga County is located in the western region of Kenya (former western province). The county covers a total area of 531.0 Km2. This paper examines the impact of water related risks on the livelihood of residents in Vihiga County. The study used evaluation research design. A sample size of 384 households was used to obtain data from the households. Sampling technique comprised of multistage sampling for the households, Quota sampling for the Focus Group Discussions and purposive sampling for the Key Informants. Primary data was gathered by use of questionnaires, Key Informant Interview guides, observation checklists and Focus Group Discussions. Secondary data was collected by use of publications, journals, and internet access. Quantitative data was analysed using Microsoft excel, and Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 20.0. Results reveal that majority of the household respondents had experienced different forms of water related risks including, water pollution at 42%, inadequate water infrastructure 32%, poor water governance 10%, water scarcity 7% and environmental flows at 4% respectively. The study established that the existing Water Funded Projects (WFPs) initiatives include protected water springs at 31%, water kiosks 21%, boreholes at 18%, open wells 14 %, rain water harvesting at 12% while 4% of household respondents had piped water. The results (X25, 0.05=69.76; p-value=0.000) indicating that Water Funded Projects (WFPs) initiatives have positively influenced reduction in water related risks.

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Organizational Determinants of Choice of Sustainability Strategies Adopted by Group Ranches in Samburu County, Kenya

International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478) ◽

10.20525/ijrbs.v6i4.757 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 34-47

Author(s):

Eustace Njagi Kithumbu ◽

Julius M Huho ◽

Humphrey Opiyo Omondi

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Regression Coefficient ◽

Organizational Factors ◽

Primary Data ◽

P Value ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Sustainability Strategies

The group ranch system is one of the best land ownership and livestock production strategies in the dry lands of the world where the potential for rain-fed agriculture is limited. This has resulted in numerous studies on the establishment of group ranches, their dissolution and coping strategies but with less focus on the sustainability of the group ranches. It is against this background that this study investigated organizational factors influencing choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches in Samburu County; Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design employing use of Questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions and observation as primary data collection methods. The study used content validity and Cronbach’s alpha methods to measure validity and reliability of the research instruments, respectively. The target population for the study was the 16,611 registered members in 38 group ranches spread out in the County. The study sampled twelve group ranches with approximately 5,643 members from which 374 respondents were systematically sampled. Purposive sampling was used to select Key Informants and the participants in the Focus Group Discussions. The investigation employed Multi-linear Regression to analyse organizational factors influencing choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches in Samburu County while the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypothesis which stated that there was no significant influence of organizational factors on choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches in Samburu County, Kenya. The p-value of 0.00 was obtained, indicating that organizational factors significantly influenced choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches in the County. Overall, past experiences was the predominating organizational factor with a regression coefficient of 0.432 while past strategies had the least influence on choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches in Samburu County, with a regression coefficient of 0.110. The study recommended integration of organizational factors in formulating policies for sustainability of group ranches.

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Education and the Development Agenda: An Analysis of Factors Influencing Primary School Learners’ Outcomes in Hwange and Binga Districts, Zimbabwe

Africanus Journal of Development Studies ◽

10.25159/2663-6522/6526 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Raymond Chipfakacha

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Primary School ◽

School Attendance ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Pass Rate ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Education Policies ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

The Government

This article reports on a study which focused on analysing factors that influence primary school learners’ outcomes in Hwange and Binga districts, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe. Education policies that have been implemented by the government of Zimbabwe guided the philosophy underpinning the study. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative approaches in the research methodology. The study participants were selected through purposive sampling of schools with a zero pass rate in the Hwange and Binga districts. School authorities that responded to the semi-structured interview were purposively sampled by focusing on the school heads and the Grade 7 teachers. The learners who participated in the focus group discussions were randomly assigned to the sample making use of the school attendance registers and limiting the focus group discussions to a maximum of six participants per school. The findings revealed that the challenges that affect learners’ academic performance include the shortage of textbooks in the newly introduced learning areas; the poor infrastructure in schools; and the low motivation of teachers. One of the recommendations of the study was that local gatekeepers should engage in community awareness campaigns aimed at educating communities on the importance of education for children and advocating for the legislation of punitive policies that will see parents who unnecessarily absent their children from school being punished.

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Dari Idealisme ke Pragmatisme: Pergeseran Paradigma dalam Pengembangan Hukum Ekonomi Syariah di Indonesia

Al-Manahij Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam ◽

10.24090/mnh.v14i2.3408 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 191-210

Author(s):

Addiarrahman Addiarrahman ◽

Illy Yanti

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Business World ◽

Key Informants ◽

The Public ◽

Financial Products ◽

Legal Consideration ◽

Economic Law ◽

Islamic Economic

This study seeks to understand the pragmatism of the development of sharia economic law, and its implications for Islamic financial products in Indonesia. The data comes from the results of interviews and focus group discussions with key informants from academics, practitioners, authorities, and the public. This research finds that pragmatism in the development of Islamic economic law is an approach that still dominates the DSN-MUI fatwas. The pragmatism style used is complex-eclectic pragmatism which is represented through makhārij al-fiqhiyyah, which is to choose a mild opinion by sticking to the strongest method or also called "taysīr al-manhajī". The use of this method is intended to ensure that the fatwa is truly able to answer the needs of the business world, as well as being in line with sharia principles. DSN-MUI also does not use maslahah as a legal consideration in a free or liberal way. Rather, it returns maslahah in consideration of the method, so that it is permissible to use the bay’ al-'inān contract only in a forced state (ḍarurah).

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“Stages of change, smoking behavior and acceptability of a textmessaging intervention for tobacco cessation among cigarette, dokha and shishasmokers: A qualitative research study.”

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029144 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. e029144 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yusra Elhidaia Elobaid ◽

Andrea Leinberger Jabari ◽

Aisha Al Hamiz ◽

Abdul Rizzak Al Kaddour ◽

Sherif Bakir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Smoking Cessation ◽

Focus Group ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Tobacco Cessation ◽

Text Messages ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions

ObjectivesTo explore: (A) the underlying motivators and barriers to smoking cessation among young Arabic speaking smokers and (B) to examine the suitability and preferences for tobacco cessation interventions (specifically text messages) and study the possibility of enrollment methods for a randomised controlled study using text messages as an intervention for tobacco cessation.DesignQualitative research using focus group discussions and content analysis.Setting(s)Two universities, one of them is the first and foremost comprehensive national university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The third setting is the largest hospital in the UAE and the flagship institution for the public health system in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.ParticipantsSix focus group discussions with a total of 57 participants. Forty-seven men and 10 women. Fifty-three of them were current smokers.ResultsThe analysis of six focus groups was carried out. Main themes arose from the data included: preferences for tobacco cessation interventions and acceptability and feasibility of text messaging as tobacco cessation intervention. Different motives and barriers for quitting smoking including shisha and dokha were explored.ConclusionInterventions using text messaging for smoking cessation have not been used in the Middle East and they could potentially be effective; however, tailoring and closely examining the content and acceptability of text messages to be used is important before the conduction of trials involving their use. Social media is perceived to be more effective and influential, with a higher level of penetration into communities of young smokers.

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Perspectives of future pharmacists on the potential for development and implementation of pharmacist prescribing in Qatar

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy ◽

10.1007/s11096-019-00946-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 110-123

Author(s):

Mohammad Issam Diab ◽

Angham Ibrahim ◽

Oraib Abdallah ◽

Alla El-Awaisi ◽

Monica Zolezzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pharmacist Prescribing ◽

Barriers To Implementation ◽

Special Training Program

AbstractBackground Pharmacists in many developed countries have been granted prescribing authorities under what is known as “non-medical prescribing” or “pharmacist prescribing”. However, such prescribing privileges are not available in many developing countries. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the perspectives of future pharmacists (recent pharmacy graduates and pharmacy students) on pharmacist prescribing and its potential implementation in Qatar. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used: (1) a cross-sectional survey using a pre-tested questionnaire and; (2) focus group discussions to allow for an in-depth understanding of the issue, with a focus on pharmacists prescribing competencies as well as barriers for its implementation. Main outcome measures Future pharmacists’ perspectives and attitudes towards pharmacist prescribing in Qatar. Results The majority of the respondents (94.4%) indicated awareness of the prescribing competency related to selecting treatment options. Furthermore, the majority (92.4%) believed that pharmacists should undergo prescribing training and accreditation before been legally allowed to prescribe, a point that was reiterated in the focus group discussions. Participants generally expressed support for collaborative and supplementary prescribing models when developing prescribing frameworks for Qatar. Four categories emerged under the theme barriers to implementation of pharmacist prescribing: lack of prescribing competency, pharmacist mindset, lack of accessibility to patient records and counseling rooms, and diversity of education and training background. Conclusion The majority of recent pharmacy graduates and students were in favor of pharmacist prescribing been implemented in Qatar. However, a special training program was deemed necessary to qualify pharmacists to prescribe safely and effectively.

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Nairobi Early Childcare in Slums (NECS) Study Protocol: a mixed-methods exploration of paid early childcare in Mukuru slum, Nairobi

BMJ Paediatrics Open ◽

10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000822 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. e000822

Author(s):

Robert C Hughes ◽

Patricia Kitsao-Wekulo ◽

Sunil Bhopal ◽

Elizabeth W Kimani-Murage ◽

Zelee Hill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Focus Group ◽

Early Years ◽

Epidemiological Methods ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Early Childcare ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Childcare Providers

IntroductionThe early years are critical. Early nurturing care can lay the foundation for human capital accumulation with lifelong benefits. Conversely, early adversity undermines brain development, learning and future earning.Slums are among the most challenging places to spend those early years and are difficult places to care for a child. Shifting family and work structures mean that paid, largely informal, childcare seems to be becoming the ‘new normal’ for many preschool children growing up in rapidly urbanising Africa. However, little is known about the quality of this childcare.AimsTo build a rigorous understanding what childcare strategies are used and why in a typical Nairobi slum, with a particular focus on provision and quality of paid childcare. Through this, to inform evaluation of quality and design and implementation of interventions with the potential to reach some of the most vulnerable children at the most critical time in the life course.Methods and analysisMixed methods will be employed. Qualitative research (in-depth interviews and focus group discussions) with parents/carers will explore need for and decision-making about childcare. A household survey (of 480 households) will estimate the use of different childcare strategies by parents/carers and associated parent/carer characteristics. Subsequently, childcare providers will be mapped and surveyed to document and assess quality of current paid childcare. Semistructured observations will augment self-reported quality with observable characteristics/practices. Finally, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with childcare providers will explore their behaviours and motivations. Qualitative data will be analysed through thematic analysis and triangulation across methods. Quantitative and spatial data will be analysed through epidemiological methods (random effects regression modelling and spatial statistics).Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted in the UK and Kenya. Findings will be disseminated through journal publications, community and government stakeholder workshops, policy briefs and social media content.

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