scholarly journals NATURE AND DETERMINANTS OF STUDY HABITS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Bentil ◽  
Alfred Kuranchie ◽  
Hagar Ayisi-Boateng

This investigated the nature of study habits and how the demographic variables (sex, age, level and residential status) determine the study habits among full-time regular undergraduate students. Using the cross-sectional survey design, 621 full-time undergraduate students were sampled through proportionate stratified random sampling. Structured questionnaire which had a reliability co-efficient of 0.91 determined through Cronbach alpha was the main instrument used for data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, and standard deviation and inferential statistics such as independent samples t-test and One way between groups ANOVA. The study revealed that the undergraduate students practised homework and assignment most, followed by concentration related study habits, reading and note-taking, examination related study habits while time management related study habits was the least study habits practiced among the students. It was also discovered that students’ demographic variables like sex and level were statistically significant with their study habits. This was seen as male students had better study habits than the females while level 100 full-time undergraduate students had better study habits than their counterparts in level 200, level 300 and level 400 respectively. Besides, it was disclosed that though not statistically significant, students who were resident on-campus had better study habits than their counterparts living outside campus. Furthermore, it was revealed that there is a general disinterest in the practice of study habits as students advanced in age. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the University Management and Academic Board through various departments should introduce study skill courses to assist students in the development of effective study habits. In so doing, these demographic variables should be factored in rolling out interventions for improved academic performance. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0870/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Koawo Edjah ◽  
Francis Ankomah ◽  
Ebenezer Domey ◽  
John Ekow Laryea

AbstractStress is concomitant with students’ life and can have a significant impact on their lives, and even how they go about their academic work. Globally, in every five visits by patients to the doctor, three are stress-related problems. This study examined stress and its impact on the academic and social life among students of a university in Ghana. The descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. Using the stratified and simple random (random numbers) sampling methods, 500 regular undergraduate students were engaged in the study. A questionnaire made up of Perceived Stress Scale and Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale was used to gather data for the study. Frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), with AMOS were used for the analyses. It was found that majority of the students were moderately stressed. Paramount among the stressors were academic stressors, followed by institutional stressors, and external stressors. Stress had a significant positive impact on the academic and social life of students. It was concluded that undergraduate students, in one way or the other, go through some kind of stress during the course of their study. It was recommended that the university, through its Students’ Affairs, and Counselling Sections, continue to empower students on how to manage and deal with stress in order to enhance their academic life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doret Botha

Orientation: South Africa has been suffering from persistently high levels of unemployment since 2008. The youth is regarded as the most at-risk group in the South African labour market and unemployment amongst the youth is considered one of the most critical socio-economic problems in South Africa. Increasing one’s employability is essential to securing employment and enhancing one’s well-being.Research purpose: This study aimed to explore the self-perceived employability of undergraduate students at a South African university.Motivation for the study: Currently, there is a scarcity of published research on the self-perceived employability amongst undergraduate students at higher education institutions in South Africa.Research approach/design and method: The study was conducted within a positivistic research paradigm. A quantitative-based cross-sectional survey design was used. Convenience sampling was used to select the students who were included in the survey. Data were collected through a web-based survey, using a standardised coded questionnaire that consisted of a five-point Likert-type scale.Main findings: The results indicated that the respondents were relatively confident about their internal employability, but they were less confident about their opportunities in the external labour market.Practical/managerial implications: Understanding one’s employability and the accompanied issues creates awareness of one’s potential, skills and knowledge to become a successful citizen and employee.Contribution/value-add: The study shed light on the self-perceived employability of undergraduate students at a South African university and consequently contributes to the existing literature on employability in the South African context.


Author(s):  
Kathleen Sheridan ◽  
Melissa A. Kelly ◽  
David T. Bentz

The purpose of the study presented in this chapter was to examine students’ perceptions of the importance of various indicators of teaching presence for their success in online courses. A cross-sectional survey design was used to identify the indicators that students perceived to be most important and to determine whether there were potential differences between graduate students and undergraduate students in terms of the students’ perceptions. Although the indicators that students rated as most important were similar for both groups of students, there were statistically significant differences for a few of the indicators. Students’ comments suggested additional indicators and provided insights about the importance of dispositions in online courses.


2020 ◽  
pp. 019394592093543
Author(s):  
Colleen J. Klein ◽  
Lisa Pierce ◽  
Melinda Cooling ◽  
Wen Che ◽  
Shannon Lizer

This study sought to examine the experiences of advanced practice providers (APPs) as an approach to inform the development of formalized programs for transition into practice and to compare APP ( N = 122) and physician ( N = 84) perceptions of the novice practitioners’ acclimation into a provider role within the first year of practice. Using a cross-sectional survey design, two separate web-based questionnaires were distributed to APPs and physicians. The APPs’ perspectives echoed findings of earlier studies with regard to perceived confidence, feelings of anxiety/fear, and inadequacy. In 16 of 23 paired items, physicians and APPs had similar perspectives about confidence/competence after orientation. Significant differences in their perceptions included amount of physician support, time management, length of time to become a fully functional APP, and independence. Better understanding of the perceptions of APPs and physicians can augment APP preparation for a shifting workforce composition and team-based, interprofessional practice designed to meet the population’s health care needs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Navin Gazanchand Matookchund ◽  
Renier Steyn

Literature suggests that performance appraisal (PA) contributes to innovation. However, the absolute and relative importance of PA to innovation, the different aspects of PA which drive innovation, as well as PA as a precursor among other antecedents to innovation, has not been adequately described. The aim of the study is to provide clarity on the drivers of innovation, specifically contextualising the impact of PA within the South African context. This study used a cross-sectional survey design, where only quantitative data was collected from full-time employees across private sector, parastatal, and government organisations. The respondents represented a broad cross-section of South African employees. PA and three other known antecedents to innovation, as well as innovation itself, were measured. It was found that PA (as a single variable) was responsible for 5.7% of the variance in innovation. Items in the PA scale with a clear link to innovation were identified, and thematically integrated. It was further found that, when PA was combined with other antecedents of innovation, leading to 26.6% of the variance in innovation being explained, the role of PA was significant, though mostly secondary. Proactive personality was the most dominant predictor of innovation. The importance and relative importance of PA as an antecedent to innovation in the workplace has thus been established. The outcomes of this study may assist managers and human resource practitioners to focus on appropriate, evidence-based information when attempting to enhance innovation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
John Dadzie Thompson ◽  
Gilbert Ansoglenang ◽  
Suuk Laar

Any form of examination malpractice is unacceptable, fraudulent, and signifies an act of academic dishonesty with significant punitive consequences. This paper investigated the reasons why students engage in examination malpractice during examinations at the University for Development Studies (UDS). The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design for this research and targeted undergraduate students of the Tamale Campus of the UDS. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 278 out of a total student population of 6,729 for the study. They responded mainly to questionnaire and a few open ended questions to provide the needed data for analysis. The findings suggest that (i) smuggling of prepared notes on pieces of papers (foreign material) into the examination hall,(ii) writing of examination answers on palms, thighs and other body parts, and (iii) communication by seeking for answers from colleagues are the three topmost forms/methods students engage to cheat during examinations. The desire to obtain good grades just as the more intelligent students pushes some students to cheat during examinations. The introduction of scanners and e-search software, the spacing of sitting arrangements, installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in large examination halls may help curb cheating.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
kejimu sunzi ◽  
cheng lei ◽  
jun pan ◽  
mei ju

Abstract Background: Nursing is becoming ever more demanding, and is regarded as a stressful occupation because of manpower shortages and various other challenges associated with nursing practice.This article describes the students’ professional commitment and career maturity, and students establish their career objectives during the early stages of their graduate study. Methods: A cross sectional,survey design was conducted at universities in China. A sample of 184 students was selected using the professional commitment scale and career maturity scale to investigate the status quo of professional commitment and career maturity of full-time nursing postgraduates. Data was collected using self-designed demographic characteristics of the student, professional commitment scale, career maturity scale in 2019.Data was analyzed using correlation coefficient test(α < 0.05 ).Results: Participants returned 184 surveys (response rate, 100%) . Career maturity (105.12±11.13), Specialty commitment(90.0 ±12.09),Career maturity was positively correlated with Professional Commitment (r=0.20).Conclusions: The career maturity and professional commitments of full-time nursing postgraduates were of an average level. Career planning courses could be useful to strengthen the vocational education of the post-graduate students.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
John Dadzie Thompson ◽  
Gilbert Ansoglenang ◽  
Suuk Laar

Any form of examination malpractice is unacceptable, fraudulent, and signifies an act of academic dishonesty with significant punitive consequences. This paper investigated the reasons why students engage in examination malpractice during examinations at the University for Development Studies (UDS). The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design for this research and targeted undergraduate students of the Tamale Campus of the UDS. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 278 out of a total student population of 6,729 for the study. They responded mainly to questionnaire and a few open ended questions to provide the needed data for analysis. The findings suggest that (i) smuggling of prepared notes on pieces of papers (foreign material) into the examination hall,(ii) writing of examination answers on palms, thighs and other body parts, and (iii) communication by seeking for answers from colleagues are the three topmost forms/methods students engage to cheat during examinations. The desire to obtain good grades just as the more intelligent students pushes some students to cheat during examinations. The introduction of scanners and e-search software, the spacing of sitting arrangements, installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in large examination halls may help curb cheating.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 213-228
Author(s):  
Hudson Baraza

This paper uses data collected for an MA Thesis on Assessing Congregants’ perception of Vulnerability of Church Buildings to security threats in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study has been necessitated by increased cases of targeted criminal attacks on congregants and church buildings in addition to increased perceptions of congregants as soft targets of insecurity, more pertinently in Nairobi County. The study will be guided by the following objectives; to investigate the nature of perceived vulnerability against church buildings; to explore congregant’s perceptions of what constitutes church buildings security and safety; to establish congregant’s perceptions of their level of preparedness in case of a criminal attack while in church buildings service; and to determine the congregant’s perceptions of what they think should be done to secure church buildings in Nairobi County Kenya. This study was grounded by two theories; Defensive Space Concept and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). This study adopted a cross-sectional survey design while Stratified random sampling technique was used to pick all the main respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 182 members of each church (main respondents). In addition, Key Informants (K.I) guide was used to collect qualitative data from 8 K.I who include 4 Priests (1 from each church), and 4 security guards (one from each church). Data was analyzed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and results presented using tables, bar and pie charts. The study results revealed that violent attacks against the churches in Nairobi county are on the increase (72%) and that the violent attacks against the churches in Nairobi county have inspired fear among church attendants (68.1%). Further, results showed the gun attacks were the most prevalent in church buildings (29.7%) closely followed by knife attacks (29.1%), explosive attacks (20.3%), suicide bombs (13.2%). Further, the results have revealed that some churches had employed various measures to counter violent attacks that included amongst other measures employed full time trained security staff to manage such incidents. Congregant’s perceptions on violent attacks against churches include; Knife and explosive attacks during services, but which have prompted fears of future gun or other terror attacks as is the case in other countries. According to the study; main measure of church security and safety included the Perimeter Walls, use of Surveillance cameras, use of Metal Detectors in church entrances, and heavy barriers in church entrance amongst other measures. As a policy measure, the study recommended formulation of standard security and safety measures applicable to all places of worship in Kenya that include; permanent security staff and armed security in all places of worship.


Author(s):  
Sarita Dubey ◽  
Tanima Verma ◽  
Suman Lata ◽  
Trupti Bharti ◽  
Shams Tavrej ◽  
...  

Background: Sexual harassment means unwanted sexually determined behavior such as physical contacts and advances, making sexual derogative comments, and sexual pressure whether by verbal or -nonverbal actions. Young female adults are most vulnerable to harassment and violence towards them. Despite of high literacy levels young female adults show tendency to tolerate harassment and delay in early identification of warning signs, leading to sexual harassment. Therefore, it becomes very important to understand how the students perceive different types of sexual harassment. Objective of the study was to assess the perception of undergraduate girl students regarding Sexual Harassment.Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional survey design on 100 female undergraduate students from the King George’s Medical University of Lucknow, India was undertaken using convenient sampling technique. The data were collected from 15th May to 15th June 2018. A self structured perception questionnaire developed by researchers was used.Results: The data gathered from the study suggests that majority (81%) of the participants responded that sexual harassment is related to all unwelcome sexual behaviour, 72% of the participants feel most afraid of sexual harassment during night, and 83% of the participants responded that the most probable place for sexual harassment is public transport. 91% of the participants believed that the incidences of the sexual harassment has increased in the last 10 years and majority (81%) of the participants didn’t had knowledge of any legal provisions regarding sexual harassment.Conclusions: The data shows that the definition of sexual harassment can differ according to individual’s perception. To understand how people perceive and define sexual harassment is crucial for explaining and understanding how they react to sexual harassment and why they often do not stand up against sexual harassment.


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