scholarly journals Variability of Academic Adjustment of First Years among Public Kenyan Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 1456-1467
Author(s):  
Osoro Gladys Nyaboke ◽  
Dr. Callen Nyamwange ◽  
Dr. Enock Obuba
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Academic Adjustment ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
First Year ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
First Year Students

Adjustment to University was defined in terms of academic; the study endeavoured to determine the influence of orientation programme on first-year students' academic adjustment in public universities in Kenya; Mixed methods research approach was used. The study utilized a descriptive survey design. Twostage cluster sampling, simple random sampling, and purposeful sampling techniques were employed to obtain 479 respondents from the target population of 71,285. The study was conducted in nine public universities in Kenya between January and April 2019. Data was collected using three research instruments: a questionnaire, focused group discussions, and in-depth interview schedule. The tools were validated by two experts from Kisii University, while reliability was determined through the test-re-test method in a pilot study for a first-year student questionnaire. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques (Content Analysis, Means and Standard Deviations, Factor Analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Post-hoc t-tests) were utilized to analyze data with the aid of the computer-based Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Research hypotheses were tested at α ≤ 0.05 level. Findings indicatethat the duration of the orientation programme, activities and how they are carried out together with the location and size of the universities in terms of the student population and organizational structure do influence the level of adjustment realized by first-year students. Besides, academic adjustment was higher in old universities than in new universities. This will inform the design and implementation of diverse guidelines and programmes suitable to meet first-year students' requirements.Further, results will enlighten first-year students to recognize their situation and be encouraged to seek more timely assistance and services. The study recommends that when developing orientation programmes, universities need to identify specific desired outcomes in all areas of first year students’ academic adjustment and create programmes that align with those unique demands.Universities may consider adopting an extended orientation programme by integrating orientation materials into the curriculum during the first semester.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Secondary School Guidance Programs in Preparing Learners for Successful Transition to University: A Case of Moi University

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 88-95
Author(s):  
L. Athiemoolam ◽  
R. Njage
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
First Year ◽  
Transition To University ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Successful Transition ◽  
Guidance Programs ◽  
School Guidance

The study aimed to establish the effect of secondary school guidance programs in preparing students for successful transition to university. Mixed methods research design was used which included the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods to generate data using a concurrent triangulation approach. Purposive sampling was applied to sample first year students in Moi University and proportionate sampling together with simple random sampling was used in the selection of 375 participants comprising both male and female students. Data were collected through questionnaires and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics by means of SPSS (Pearson Correlation Coefficient), followed by linear regression to test the hypothesis. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that high school guidance programs do not support learners adequately in preparing them to transition to university. The study recommended the implementation of more enhanced collaboration between schools and universities for successful transition.

College Adjustment Experiences of First-Year Students: Disengaged Athletes, Nonathletes, and Current Varsity Athletes

NASPA Journal ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Lubker ◽  
Edward F Etzel
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
College Adjustment ◽  
Academic Adjustment ◽  
Athletic Identity ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Freshman Year ◽  
First Year College ◽  
Varsity Athletes

The freshman year of college is usually acknowledged as a stressful time of social and academic adjustment. During this period, first-year students face many social and intellectual challenges. For high school athletes, the combined impact of college transition plus disengagement from sport can further complicate first-semester adjustment and may also affect first-year retention. Together, this complex phenomenon may diminish self-concept, challenge one’s felt sense of being an athlete, and elicit emotional responses usually associated with college and elite athlete disengagement resulting in a negative adjustment to the college environment. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the differences in the reported athletic identity and college adjustment patterns of first-year college males and females (N = 317) and how disengagement from sports may affect these variables. Three status groups were used in this study: disengaged athletes (DAs; n = 133), high school senior nonathletes (n = 106), and current first-year college varsity athletes (n = 78). Significant differences were observed between groups in reported level of athletic identity where disengaged high senior athletes had significantly different scores than both college athletes and high school nonathletes. This finding may warrant an investigation on how we conceptualize the terms “athlete” and “nonathlete.” The investigation into college adjustment patterns found that first-year females reported higher academic adjustment to college than males in the total sample. Specifically in the DA athlete group, significant differences in college adjustment for both gender and level of athletic identity were found. For this group, significant differences in college adjustment were found related to the nature of disengagement and perceived level of social support. Potential applications of these findings for college personnel and future directions related to research are explored.

scholarly journals Football Spectator Violence During Matches at the Zimbabwe Football Association Division One Level in Gweru District

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
Nemerai Pedzisai ◽  
◽  
Edmore Nhamo ◽  
Simbarashe Magonde ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Football Clubs ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Midlands Province ◽  
Spectator Violence

Background: A number of football matches in Gweru district have been characterised by undesirable acts of spectator violence resulting in injury and malicious damage to property. Football spectator violence is a very negative phenomenon in football because it chases away sponsors who do not want their organisations and brands to be associated with hooliganism. Violence also discourages spectators from attending football matches as they fear for their safety. This status quo precipitated the need to identify football stakeholders’ perceptions on the causes of spectator violence during football matches at Division One level in Gweru District. Aims: The primary aim and focus of this study was to investigate spectator violence among football spectators in Gweru district in Zimbabwe. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to identify the main causes of football spectator violence and recommend strategies to mitigate or even eliminate this scourge. Study Setting: The study was conducted in Gweru district in the midlands province of Zimbabwe. Materials and Methods: The study adopted the quantitative research approach utilising the descriptive survey design. Closed questionnaires were used to collect data from, twenty division one footballers from four Gweru division one football clubs, twenty spectators, six football referees and four coaches. This resulted in a total sample of fifty (50) respondents. Simple random sampling (Gold Fish Bowl procedure) was used to select the twenty players and six referees. Purposive sampling was used to select the four coaches and twenty football spectators. Statistics: Data was analysed statistically using simple frequency tables. Results and Conclusion: The study revealed that spectator violence during football matches at division one level in Gweru is mainly a result of hooliganism, controversial refereeing, lack of fair play by footballers in the field of play, outcome of matches, rivalry between clubs and euphoria. Factors such as use of juju, prestige seeking by spectators and reporting of violence by the media were found to be minor contributors towards football spectator violence during football matches in Gweru district. Recommendations: The study recommends that the Zimbabwe republic police who provide security during these violent matches should tighten security at football matches by searching all fans thoroughly for dangerous weapons and alcohol at stadia entry points. ZIFA and PSL should educate all football clubs on the negative effects of violence and punish offending teams severely. The clubs should educate their fans to shun violence. Sponsors should include funds in their sponsorship packages for purposes of educating fans on violence. Soccer players should lead by example and avoid provoking other team’s fans

scholarly journals Effective mathematics teaching in tertiary technological education: The case of ASPETE

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-168
Author(s):  
Katerina Kasimatis ◽  
Andreas Moutsios-Rentzos ◽  
Nikolaos Matzakos ◽  
Varvara Rozou ◽  
Dionisios Kouloumpis
Keyword(s):  
Mathematics Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Teaching Effectiveness ◽  
Learning System ◽  
First Year ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Technological Education ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning Mathematics ◽  
Learning Mathematics

In this mixed methods study, we draw upon a systemic perspective to investigate the way that effective mathematics teaching is constructed in the ASPETE (School of Pedagogical and Technological Education) learning system. We focused on the perspectives of the first-year students (through questionnaires), of the lecturer who taught the course (through interviews), as well as of the research team (through observations). We considered both the pragmatic level (what they actually experienced) and the desired level (what they would prefer to experience). The results of the conducted analyses support the proposed research approach, revealing convergences and divergences in the mapped perspectives, which identify the mathematics teaching effectiveness of the subsystem of the mathematics class in ASPETE as an emergent, systemic phenomenon. The pedagogical implications are discussed, with respect to the planifications of teaching and learning mathematics in the ASPETE learning system.

scholarly journals An Assessment of Educational leaders’ Multicultural Competences in Ethiopian Public Universities

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abeya Geleta ◽  
Frew Amsale
Keyword(s):  
Multicultural Competence ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Educational Leaders ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Multicultural Knowledge ◽  
Higher Education Leaders ◽  
University Leaders ◽  
The University

Multicultural Competences of higher education leaders refer directly to the multicultural knowledge, attitudes and skills of the leaders which is the focus of the present study. The demographic changes and the subsequent diversity in Ethiopian HEIs strongly demands the HEIs to be multiculturally competent, their leaders should in turn have the necessary multicultural competencies. In line with this, the multicultural competences of the educational leaders of Ethiopian public universities were investigated. The mixed-methods research approach was used in the study, including semistructured interviews and questionnaires. Academic and administrative officials, office workers and teachers were included in the study as sources of data. Multi-stage, simple random and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select 316 participants for the study. Inferential statistics including mean, standard division, t-tests and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the quantitative data. The university leaders, academic and administrative staff did not have a considered perspective on pluralism. In addition, there were limited spaces and opportunities for the staff to develop skills and experience in the management of difference as an important aspect of their work and with their interaction with other members of the university community. The staff associations were weak and poorly equipped to provide or promote opportunities for skills development in the management of diversity. Lecturers did not generally receive any preparation on managing within a multicultural setting. The findings confirm the position that the need to prepare university leaders with multicultural knowledge, skills, and dispositions. It is imperative that university leadership adopt multicultural competence as an essential competency within their profession, continue to seek out opportunities to further enhance personal multicultural competence, and infuse it into their daily practices.

scholarly journals The moderating effect of gender on the contribution of social enterprises to social transformation in Kiambu County, Kenya

2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 257-265
Author(s):  
Francis Kigo Njenga ◽  
Daniel M Kitonga ◽  
Francis M. Gatumo
Keyword(s):  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs

This study sought to establish the moderating effect of social entrepreneurs’ gender on the contribution of social enterprises to social transformation in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey design guided by mixed methods research on 322 sampled social enterprises drawn from a target population of 1944 social enterprises distributed across the 12 sub-counties of Kiambu County. Data were collected using survey questionnaires and interview guide instruments.  A simple random sampling technique was used to get the proportionate sample for each stratum.  In data analysis, both descriptive statistics (mean, percentages, standard deviation and frequencies) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression analysis) were applied. The findings showed the influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable being explained by R of 0.568. The findings also revealed that social entrepreneurs’ gender was likely to have an effect on the relationship between social entrepreneurship and social transformation of R2 = 0.322. By the estimates of the F-test, social entrepreneurship was found to predict social transformation by F (3, 281) = 77.330, p<.05.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Recruitment and Selection Practices in Public Sector Higher Education Institutions: Evidence from Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Christopher Otoo ◽  
Juliet Assuming ◽  
Paul Mensah Agyei
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Main Mode ◽  
Recruitment And Selection ◽  
Selection Practices

The purpose of this paper is to assess the recruitment and selection practices of public sector higher education institutions in Ghana. The research employed quantitative research approach with a descriptive survey design. Questionnaire was used to collect data from 128 respondents. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the sample from the targeted population. Data processing was done using SPSS version 22. Results of the analyses showed, inter alia, the following; (a) Public sector higher education institutions in Ghana predominantly relies on recommendation as its main mode of employment; (b) Identification of available vacancies and delay in feedback after interviews were the two main challenges with the public sector higher education institutions in Ghana recruitment and selection practices. It is recommended that employee referrals (recommendation) though a good idea should be reduced, public sector higher education institutions in Ghana should make use of adverts (either print or electronic or both) in publicising its vacant positions.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the student adaptation programme in respect to study quality

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-113
Author(s):  
Rita Mičiulienė ◽  
Albinas Pugevičius ◽  
Daiva Pugevičienė
Keyword(s):  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Academic Adjustment ◽  
Student Assessment ◽  
First Year ◽  
Development Communication ◽  
Study Quality ◽  
Institutional Adaptation ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Student Adaptation

Successful adaptation of the newly admitted students in a higher school is treated as one of the prerequisites for further high–quality studies. Within this context, the question arises, which further study quality problems reveals the first-year student adaptation programme, and what are its improvement possibilities. The paper aims to present recommendations or improvement of adaptation programme by presenting and comparing student assessment results of the adaptation programme events; revealing advantages and disadvantages of the institutional and the academic adjustment. In autumn, 2014, a survey of 404 first-year students was conducted at Aleksandras Stulginskis University. The institutional adaptation was evaluated more positively than the academic: more students took part in meetings with the University and faculties representatives than in educational sessions; their positive approach towards the introductory week events was related to the subcategories of the institutional adaptation. The advantages of the introductory week were associated with the institutional adaptation, while the disadvantages with the academic adaptation. However, the academic adjustment is critical: it may lead to further student satisfaction or dissatisfaction with academic life. The recommendations are related to the organizational aspects of the adaptation programme as well as to lecturers professional development (communication, evaluation, provision of feedback skills, better knowledge of student issues).

scholarly journals REFLECTIVE OBSERVATIONS ON THE DESIGN AND STUDIO ART PROGRAMME AT A UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lebogang Nthejane ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Studio Art ◽  
First Year ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Physical Sciences ◽  
Paper Report ◽  
Mathematical Concepts ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
First Semester ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Current Curriculum

The Central University of Technology (CUT) in South Africa compels that all programmes without a Mathematics module to offer Numeracy to first-year students. Initially, the Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at CUT was requested to facilitate this module from 2014 within the first semester. However, Numeracy was offered in a general manner without considering the applicability to the Design and Studio Art programme. The aim of this study was to revise the current curriculum and modify it to be applicable to the Design and Studio Art programme. Thus, the objectives of this study were firstly, to identify the gap in the current curriculum, which related to mathematical concepts within the Numeracy module which seemed to be not applicable to this programme. Secondly, to identify the mathematical concepts within the Numeracy module that could possibly be applicable to this Programme and modify them, accordingly. These concepts were identified as geometry, ratios and proportions, scale drawings, grid system, units and conversions. The final objective of this study related to the teaching of these concepts into the programme. The purpose of this paper report on the reflective observations on the revision and modification of the curriculum, more specifically on the application of these concepts in the Drawing module of the Design and Studio Art programme. A qualitative research approach was employed through reflective observations by the lecturer in the drawing lesson of 38 students who were enrolled on this programme. An analysis was further done on students’ abilities to apply mathematical concepts in their drawing project and what they have learnt in the Numeracy module. Findings revealed students’ abilities to apply mathematical concepts with ease- this after the lecturer explained the relations amongst these concepts to drawing. It appeared as though this intervention benefited mostly the students who were struggling with drawing. A key recommendation is that the application of the stated mathematical concepts be practiced in other modules within the Design and Studio Art programme at CUT.

scholarly journals Stress and its Impacts among Pastors in the Moravian Church of Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (Issue 4) ◽  
pp. 42-45
Author(s):  
Madaraka Angetile
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Church Members ◽  
District Leaders ◽  
Interview Schedule ◽  
Moravian Church ◽  
The Church

This study sought to establish stress and its potential impacts among pastors in the Moravian Church of Tanzania. The study adopted the mixed methods research approach whereby interview schedule and closed-ended questionnaire gathered data from respondents. The study comprised of 41 out of 120 population of pastors selected through simple random sampling, including one Bishop, four provincial and district leaders and thirty-six church pastors. Disagreement between church members and pastors was found to be one of stressors to pastors. It is therefore high time to intervene with strong means and alternatives so that pastors work in supportive environments. In order to enhance working morale among pastors it is essential to keep them motivated. Furthermore, the Moravian Church of Tanzania needs to review policies on working conditions so that pastors will work comfortably. The church should also establish regular seminars and trainings to educate pastors on essential skills, such as leadership and financial management in order to reduce unnecessary conflicts with church members and leadership as the conflicts are the causatives of stress.

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