EFFECT OF TEST ANXIETY ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: A SURVEY STUDY OF PUNJAB SECONDARY SCHOOLS

This research inquiry was conducted to probe the consequence of test anxiety on students’ academic performance. The research design was descriptive, while the quantitative research approach adopted for the purpose of collecting and interpreting the desired information. 504 students (252 male and 252 female students) of the 10th class were selected as sample from nine cities of Punjab. The Westside Test Anxiety Scale for measuring test anxiety which was prepared by Richard Driscoll, Ph.D. available on the American Test Anxiety Association web was used to gauge the test anxiety of the students. For statistical investigation and interpretation, Pearson r was exercised. The findings of the study supported the research hypothesis as a significant correlation (r= -.072*) in students with higher anxiety and their academic performance and in students with low anxiety with their academic performance (r= -.083*) was found. The study also hypothesized that as the degree of anxiety raisin the level of academic performance would decline and vice versa. The value of Pearson r showed a significant connection between test anxiety and academic achievement/ performance as p< .05. Thus the null hypotheses of the study were rejected.

Gender Representation in Education: Critical Discourse Analysis of Urdu Textbooks used in Primary Government Schools in Punjab

This research aims to explore the gender equality or lack thereof in the Urdu textbooks taught in Punjab, Pakistan. Gender bias in textbooks is an important but almost invisible and overlooked problem. Five Urdu textbooks taught in primary government schools in Punjab were selected for critical discourse analysis. Both qualitative as well quantitative research methods were adopted. The number of female and male characters, portrayal of domestic and professional roles by both genders, and cosmetic bias was taken into account. In all five books analyzed, 28% characters were women whereas remaining were male characters. Female characters were mostly found in domestic situations with insignificant roles in the stories who did not have a name or an identity except being mothers. The text was highly biased towards the male characters associating valor and strength with men only. Since textbooks play a crucial role in the development of the children, it is important to remove the concealed gender bias in textbooks and acknowledge the changing roles of women in the Pakistani society in order to create a society that treats men and women equally.

Construction and Validation of Academic Stress Scale for University Students

Present study aimed to construct and validate an instrument to measure the academic stress among university students of Pakistan. Item construction of this instrument was based on literature review, interviews from university students and expert’s opinion. After pilot study exploratory factor analysis was performed on a sample of477 student (226men and 251 women), recruited from different departments of University of Sargodha, Pakistan. 26 items were retained after exploratory factor analysis with three well defined factors(1, Personal, Parental and Teachers’ attitude, 2. Perception of workload and examinations, 3. Concerns about education system and management)Range of Alpha coefficients for scale and its subscales was .72 to .87.Results of Confirmatory factor analysis performed on an independent sample revealed excellent model fit to present data. Three factor structure of Academic stress scale was confirmed by CFA. Convergent validity of Academic Stress Scale was proved by finding its positive correlation with UCLA Loneliness scale, Depression scale and Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale. Excellent reliability and validity evidences proved this scale as a promising measure of academic stress.

Psychometric Testing and Semantic Validation of Child Abuse Screening Tool in Urdu Language

Child abuse screening tool (CAST) has been used broadly for measuring maltreatment against children. The present study aimed to translate and validate the Child Abuse Screening Tool for two main purposes. Firstly, this scale was translated to use it as a screening tool for the abused children. Secondly, to determine concurrent validity of indigenous Child Abuse Scale (Malik & Shah, 2007) Revision by Malik and Saeed (2014). The Child Abuse Scale Revised was altered to address issues related to child abuse and sexual abuse in educational institutions, home, work place, by relatives, stranagers and servants. The scale was translated using standardized procedure of forward and backward translation. Confirmatory factor analysis was run to examine the factorial structure of Urdu translation of the scale. Convergent and discriminant analysis revealed construct validity of CAST. The results of CFA show adequate model fit; supporting the five factor solution of original scale. Thus, reliability and validity analysis indicated that the Urdu translated CAST scale is a valid and reliable tool for screening abused children in Pakistan.Keywords: abuse, translation, validity, child maltreatment, Urdu

Helping students to get better grades in mathematics at the elementary level

The current study is conducted to explore the learning potential of students at the elementary level by using the scaffolding technique. The study aimed to measure the efficiency of the scaffolding teaching method provided to the students at the elementary level. As it was an experimental study, so, no population was defined. The sample was selected from Gov. Girls Higher Secondary SchoolModel Town A, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. All 6th classes of this school were included to analyze the effect of scaffolding as an intervention. Retention of learning after 3 months, the provision of scaffolding in comparison to the traditional method was assessed. After the posttest, there was a retention test as the final test from all four groups. Solomon's four-group design was used for this experiment in which there were 40 students in each group and 160 total participants. In the current study, Pretest, posttest, and after 3months retention test was conducted as research tools. To analyze the data, SPSS version 20 one-sample t-test were used to analyze the data. The Data revealed that scaffolding was proved to be a better strategy compared to the control group. Even the results of retention of learning skills were higher than the control group. Students showed good understanding, remembering, and better-solving processes in experimental groups. Study recommended that scaffolding teaching needs a highly structured supervised environment and may be conducted in controlled conditions. It is recommended that in teacher education, the prospective teachers may be prepared in the principles, procedures, and rules of scaffolding. A due consideration may be given to teaching strategies in all teacher education programs in the country as it is an innovative and progressive way of teaching.

Factors Contributing To Absenteeism In Undergraduates Nursing Students.

Absenteeism is an act of being excessively away from educational institute which is a major indiscipline problem among students globally. Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Data was collected by using by self-administered questionnaire from nursing students of 13 nursing colleges offering 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Punjab province of Pakistan after taking care of all the ethical considerations. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 130 participants from nursing institutes offering 4 year BSN program. Most influential factors for absenteeism identified were ‘not joined nursing studies as per choice’ (mean=3.77), ‘awaking up late for college’ (mean=3.62), ‘impending assignments’ (mean=3.),‘feel bored with certain subjects’ (mean=3.46),‘when teachers teaching skills are not up to mark’ (mean=3.67), ‘Lack of proper guidance in clinical area’ (mean=3.94), ‘shortage of staff in clinical area’ (mean=3.88), ‘Not want to be treated as workforce in clinical area’ (mean=3.82) very exhaustive and rigid or irregular timetable’ (mean=3.81). Nursing student’s absenteeism is interplay of multiple modifiable factors. Hence, necessary steps may be taken to overcome these modifiable factors to improve the quality of nursing education.

ETIOLOGY OF STUDENTS FAIL TO COMPLETE DOCTORATE DEGREE WITHIN STIPULATED TIME

Doctorate degree so-called doctor of philosophy (PhD) is amiably recognized as remarkable postgraduate qualification so far. In the walk of technological advancement and globalization the demand of doctorate degree can’t be abandon and commonly, students with vivid academic background, desire to pursue challenging careers, auspicious personal traits with motivation are enrolled for this programme. When such distinctive students failed to complete the doctorate degree within stipulated time, have arise many questions for stakeholders. This study was conducted to articulate the etiology of student failure to complete doctorate degree programme within stipulated time. For this purpose, PhD students were considered population and data was collected through questionnaire. Total 268 questionnaires were distributed and 233 were received. Statistical tools such as EFA, CFA and SEM were applied. For this SPSS-20 and AMOS-24 software were used. Results of study found Institutional Support, Personality Trait and Supervisor Support have significant positive impact on PhD degree completion. It is recommended that all stakeholders need to play their role and there is dare need to develop a systematic formal organize research structure. Also establish National Research Monitoring Cell for centralization and streamline research activities. Supervisors engage students beyond odds hours also inculcate research / innovation habit.

Development and Validation of a Scale to Assess School Factors Contributing to School Refusal Behavior

School refusal behavior is a serious issue in Pakistan which has remained unnoticed. In order to understand the intensity of the issue it is important to understand the school related factors for school refusal. There was no tool available to study these factors in cultural context of Pakistan. The aim of this study was to develop a scale to measure different dimensions of school factors involved in school refusal behavior among middle school students. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected for this purpose. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit the sample of 260 middle school teachers. A series of exploratory factor analysis was conducted and four dimensions were extracted which were further reduced to three final including school environment, teachers’ classroom management and teacher-student relationship dimensions during confirmatory factor analysis. The scale showed high internal consistency and reliability. The Cronbach alpha reliability of the 26 items (five -Likert point) scale was 0.74. This scale will help to study all aspects of school factors contributing to school refusal behavior in Pakistan which was not available before.

Head Teachers' supervisory practices and teachers’ motivation in teaching

The study examined the relationship between Government Secondary head teachers’ instructional supervisory practices and teachers’ motivation in teaching. Quantitative research approach and survey technique was used in the study. The main objective of the study was to determine the relationship between head teachers’ instructional supervisory practices and teachers’ motivation. The population of the study was all the male and female head teachers and teachers working in the Government high schools of District Sargodha. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the research participants from 75 randomly selected Government high schools of tehsil Sargodha, 75 head teachers and 225 teachers were selected on availability basis. Two self-developed questionnaires; one for head teachers and one for teachers were used as research instruments. Descriptive statistics, frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation and Pearson r correlation were used in analyzing data and reporting the study findings. The conclusion of the study was that there was positive and moderate relationship between head teachers’ supervisory practices and teachers’ motivation. On the basis of conclusion, it was recommended that DSD should arrange trainings for the head teachers to improve their inspection skills.

The Impact and Efficiency of Electronic Libraries In Various Districts of Punjab, Pakistan

The present research study is conducted with the aim to assess and analyze the impact of electronic libraries (EL) by using usability criteria which include consistency, efficiency, learning and satisfaction in digital learning and reading stimulus among the general public and youth in specific. The structural equation modeling (SEM) of variables like effectiveness (EEF), efficiency (EFT), learning ability (LER) and performance & satisfaction (PES) was followed by research design. Survey was conducted in divisional headquarters of the Punjab province to collect data. The population was N=270 persons from 9 out of 20 districts having EL facilities. The findings revealed that E-Libraries have a positive correlation between productivity, effectiveness, learning and success. Performance, efficacy and learning capacity had a substantial and positive influence on user’s satisfaction. The study found that the provision of a conducive atmosphere that ensures productivity, effectiveness and learning capacity plays a vital role in enhancing performance of EL. It is proposed that we follow more efficient and dynamic methods in order to support the concept of EL for promotion of culture of digital learning philosophy among the public.