Thesis Abstracts: International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research
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International Scientific Research and Researchers Association (ISRRA)
Lived Experiences of Adolescent Fathers: Basis for an Enhanced Intervention Program
This paper seeks to present the experiences of males who have fathered a child on their adolescence and to explore possible intervention program that could be enhanced. There are few literatures that focus on the bout of adolescent fathers. They both have dual challenge to face: being an adolescent and a new father, which calls for the need for social services, support and organizational interventions. Applying an Exploratory Sequential Mix Method Research Design, the study drew strengths from the combined methods. The first phase documented the lived experiences of the respondents and five themes surfaced which are: below or near the poverty threshold, community and school-based exposure, stalled education, social support and social constructs. A questionnaire was then designed to help generalize results and an enhanced intervention program Batang Ama, Turo at Alaga (BATA) project is proposed. The result of this study adds to the buildup of previous research in the field.
Copyright (c) 2022 Thesis Abstracts: International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research
UNDERSTANDING CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES AS A TOOL FOR CRIME PREVENTION
The story of Adam and Eve shows that there was a law (not to eat the fruit from the tree of good and evil). The consequence or punishment would be death as stated by God, while the benefit was ‘to be like God’ according to Satan. Therefore, the choices were either to receive a punishment or a benefit. Eve then chose the latter. This may reflect how one foreign theory of crime causation (rational choice theory) works, especially when it comes to crimes and punishments. A person would weigh the costs and benefits and decides according to his/her belief, judgment and conviction. In the local setting, a recent incident showed a preliminary applicability of one of the theories of crime causation, specifically, the rational choice theory (RCT) in the Philippine setting. It was when a relieved security guard turned into a hostage taker.
Copyright (c) 2021 Thesis Abstracts: International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research
A review of the impact of availability of Antiretroviral drugs on the quality of care received by people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries
Objective: To investigate the availability of ARV drugs for PLHA in developing countries, factors that affect it and how this affects the quality of health care this group of people receive. Data Sources: This review consists of literature from Medline, Pub med and Google scholar. The following key words were used: Health service Accessibility, Anti-HIV Agents, HIV infection, Anti-retroviral Agents, Quality of Health care, Health policy, and Developing countries. Study Selection: The articles were selected based on their validity and relevance. This meant that only articles which presented data based on research [empirical] was included. Articles were also chosen to cover a good spread of the entire developing countries. Abstracts, personal opinions, propaganda papers, and News/editorials were excluded. Results: The articles reviewed were in concordance with the objectives of the review, and showed conclusive data to make deductions with respect to the general objective of the review. Conclusion: The data in the review showed some evidence that availability of antiretroviral drugs had significant impact on the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS
An Investigation into the Applications of Total Quality Management on Government Funded Road Projects in Zambia A Case Study: The Kitwe-Ndola Dual carriageway
The construction industry plays a vital role in the economic development of any country. The road sector in Zambia has been taken as the major drive in the effective transportation of goods and services from one area to another within the country and beyond. The general aim of the study was to establish the causes of poor quality road projects, quality shortfalls and schedule overruns in the Zambian road sector on government funded road projects. The research took a case study of the Ndola-Kitwe dual carriageway. This road directly serves a population of three towns and beyond, namely Ndola, Kitwe and Luanshya. The escalations on Costs, Schedule overruns and quality shortfalls have a negative effect on the performance of the road sector in enhancing economic growth of a country. The research was conducted by use of closed ended type of questionnaires. These were delivered and collected by hand by the author himself to and from the respondents. The results from the Ndola-Kitwe dual carriageway confirmed that the project had cost escalations of 7.2% with a schedule overrun of 72.2%. Cost and schedule overruns were seen on other projects investigated. From the findings, the study identified lack of contractor experience, material shortages, project scope changes, poor project planning, high labour costs and insufficient tendering information and site conditions as the major causes of Cost overruns. Further the study identified changes in initial designs, low labour productivity, wrong material estimates, decision making delays and unforeseen ground conditions as the major causes of schedule overruns. On quality shortfalls, the study identified lack of material testing, late consultant engagements, wrong estimates and inadequate specifications as the major causes of quality shortfalls. The study concluded that although there are levels on the usage of Total Quality Management principles on government funded road projects, however there are no formal systems that have been set up to implement the use of Total Quality Management. It was also established that the project team members lack training and education in the management of projects. Appropriate training and education for project personnel should be enhanced couple with supplier involvement. The study also recommended the use of Quality groups in the implementation of Total Quality Management usage on Road construction projects.
A Study of Relationships Between Perceived Value, Perceived Price, Perceived Quality and Trust toward Purchase Intention of Timeshare Ownership among Tourist in Bangkok
The vacation ownership and timeshare industry has emerged as a sector of the travel industry with significant opportunities for growth and development. The aim of this research was to study the influence of perceived value, perceived quality, perceived price and trust on purchase intention of timeshare ownership. In additional, the objectives also were to determine the most influential factors of timeshare ownership purchase intention. The data was collected from 420 tourism among three Bangkok shopping area. The results of this research showed that all four independent variables have influence in the timeshare ownership purchase intention. Among which, the perceived price contributes highest level of influence on timeshare ownership purchase intention. The findings can serve as a guideline for the company to adjust this product as well as selling process. In order to attract potential customers to participate on product selling and make final deal.
The construction industry plays a vital role in the economic development of any country. The road sector in Zambia has been taken as the major drive in the effective transportation of goods and services from one area to another within the country and beyond. The general aim of the study was to establish the causes of poor quality road projects, quality shortfalls and schedule overruns in the Zambian road sector on government funded road projects. The research took a case study of the Ndola-Kitwe dual carriageway. This road directly serves a population of three towns and beyond, namely Ndola, Kitwe and Luanshya. The escalations on Costs, Schedule overruns and quality shortfalls have a negative effect on the performance of the road sector in enhancing economic growth of a country. The research was conducted by use of closed ended type of questionnaires. These were delivered and collected by hand by the author himself to and from the respondents. The results from the Ndola-Kitwe dual carriageway confirmed that the project had cost escalations of 7.2% with a schedule overrun of 72.2%. Cost and schedule overruns were seen on other projects investigated. From the findings, the study identified lack of contractor experience, material shortages, project scope changes, poor project planning, high labour costs and insufficient tendering information and site conditions as the major causes of Cost overruns. Further the study identified changes in initial designs, low labour productivity, wrong material estimates, decision making delays and unforeseen ground conditions as the major causes of schedule overruns. On quality shortfalls, the study identified lack of material testing, late consultant engagements, wrong estimates and inadequate specifications as the major causes of quality shortfalls. The study concluded that although there are levels on the usage of Total Quality Management principles on government funded road projects, however there are no formal systems that have been set up to implement the use of Total Quality Management. It was also established that the project team members lack training and education in the management of projects. Appropriate training and education for project personnel should be enhanced couple with supplier involvement. The study also recommended the use of Quality groups in the implementation of Total Quality Management usage on Road construction projects. Keywords: Total Quality Management, Cost, Quality, Schedule and implementation
THE INFLUENCE OF SERVICE QUALITY AND PRICE ON CUSTOMERS SATISFACTION AND ITS EFFECT ON LOYALTY OF SIANTAR EKSPRES TRAIN CUSTOMERS
Siantar Ekspress Train is one of the means of transportation used by surrounding people when they want to go from Medan to Pematang Siantar, and vice versa. The loyalty of the customers of Siantar Ekspress Train is influenced by variables of service quality and price which have good impacts on customer loyalty influenced by customer satisfaction. The objective of the research was to test and analyze the influence of service quality and price on customer loyalty and its impact on the loyalty of the customers of Siantar Express Train. This is a descriptive quantitative research with associative explanatory level. Accidental Sampling technique was employed to take the samples; the sampling, was based on the members of the population who accidentally met the researcher and was able to provide required information. Path analysis was the method used for the data analysis. The research results demonstrated that service quality had positive and signtficant influence on customer sattsjacuon, pnce fwd posutve and stgruficant influence on customer satisfaction, service quality had positive and significant influence on customer loyalty, price had positive and significant influence on customer loyalty, customer satisfaction had positive and significant influence on customer loyalty, service quality had positive and significant influence on customer loyalty through customer satisfaction, price had positive and significant influence on customer loyalty through the satisfaction of the customers of Siantar Ekspress Train.
DETERMINANTS OF TEACHERS’USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES IN TEACHING PRE-PRIMARY SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS ACTIVITIES IN MACHAKOS COUNTY, KENYA
This study sought to find out the determinants of pre-primary school teachers’ use of instructional resources in teaching science and mathematics activities. Its effects in learning achievement which has led to poor performance in science and mathematics activities the current study sought to establish the extent of teachers’ use of instructional resources in teaching pre-primary science and mathematics activities in Athi-River Sub County of Machakos County, Kenya.The study also found out the influence of teachers’ training level, gender, attitude and motivation on the use of instructional resources in teaching science and mathematics in pre-primary schools. This study employed Bruner’s learning theory (1966), which was on the determinants of pre-primary teachers’ use of instructional resource. The study targeted 40 pre-primary head teachers, 600 pre-primary teachers and 1800 pre-primary children in Athi-River Sub-County, Machakos County. Athi-River Sub-County was sub-divided to 5 bases and stratified sampling technique was used to select 6 pre-schools from each base translating to a total of 30 pre-schools. Random sampling was used to select 6 pupils from each of the sampled schools for focused study giving a sample size of 1800 pupils. Purposive sampling was also used to select 2 teachers for science and mathematics activities from each of the sampled schools. All head teachers from all the 30 sampled schools were selected leading to a sample of 30 head teachers. A sample size of 270 respondents including 60 teachers, 30 head teachers and 180 pupils) was used in the study. Questionnaires and oral-interviews were used to collect data. Validity of the instruments was determined through examining of the items using face validity. A. Pilot test of the research instruments was done in two schools in the neighboring sub county. Quantitative data was generated from the close-ended items from the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data such as frequency; standard deviation and mean data analysis was analyzed according. The data was presented in tables. Qualitative data produced from the questionnaire, interview schedules, focused group discussion, as well as data obtained through the observation checklists was analyzed with regards to relevant themes and discussed in line with the research objectives. The study found out that pre-primary teachers with higher training qualifications were more likely to use instructional resources in teaching science and mathematical activities than their counterparts with less or no training. Male teachers were found to use instructional resources more often in teaching science and mathematics than their female counterparts. Teachers with positive attitude towards science and mathematics were also found to use more instructional resources than teachers with negative attitude. The study recommends that the ministry of education should facilitate pre-primary school teachers to advance their studies through in-service training and that the government of Kenya should motivate pre-primary teachers by paying them reasonable salary. All stakeholders should ensure that instructional resources are made available for better pupil achievement in science and mathematics.
THE INFLUENCE OF TOURISM, SERVICE, AND FACILITY ATTRACTIVENESS ON INTEREST IN REVISITING WITH TOURISTS’ SATISFACTION AS MEDIATING VARIABLE IN THE TOURISM OBJECT OF SOUTH NIAS NORTH SUMATERA PROVINCE
Tourism object of South Nias is a destination which can attract tourists to visit and revisit it. The objective of the research was to examine the influence of tourism, service, and facility attractiveness on the interest in revisiting with tourists’ satisfaction as mediating variable in the tourism object of South Nias, North Sumatera Province. The research used descriptive quantitative method. Primary data were gathered by using questionnaires. Hypothesis was tested by using significance level of 5%. The population was 29,129 tourists who had visited, and 395 of them were used as the samples, taken by using proportionate sampling technique. The data were analyzed by using path analysis, T-test, and t-test. The result of the research, using path analysis, showed that there was the influence of tourism, service, and facility attractiveness on tourists’ satisfaction. There was the influence of tourism and service attractiveness and tourists’ satisfaction on the interest in revisiting, while facility did not. It was also found that, simultaneously, tourism, service, and facility attractiveness had the influence on the interest in revisiting. Partially, tourism and service attractiveness had significant influence on the interest in revisiting, while facility did not.
THE ANALYSIS OF THE AFFECTING MARKET SEGMENTATION,MARKETING MIX TO BUYING DECISION USING INTERNET MOBILE DEVICES AS THE INTERVENING VARIABLE AT THE TRADITIONAL BATAK RESTAURANT ESPECIALLY POKKALAN NANOLON IN MEDAN CITI AND PEMATANG SIANTAR TOWN.
Abstract Pokkalan Nabolon is a traditionally restaurant of Batak Simalungun that have been set up for 45 years. It started the operation in 1972. The location is in the crowd of a central market as the adventage and favor for the restaurant to have customers almost every day. Restaurant prepares menu chicken and beef in trditional spicy taste. The citizen are proud of the menu that always generating appetite and the group plan to continuously settle them to the younger generation. The objective of this study is to analyze the impact of the independent variables market segmentation,marketing mix,product,price,building,promotion,skilled-labours,equipments,other consumerson the buying decision at Restaurant Pokkalan Nabolon Pematang siantar,and using the internet mobile devices as the intervening variable.The research methodology,which were interview and give directly questionnaires to get primary data from 90 respondents. Data werw analyzed using Multiple Regression Linier, Linier Regression,and approached by path analysis method, the F-test resulted that simultaneously market segmentation,product,price,building,promotion,skilled-labours,equipments, and other customers were capable of affecting the buying decision and was significant.The second F-test resulted that that simultaneously market segmentation,product,price,building,promotion,skilled-labours,and other customers were capable of affecting the use of the internet mobile devices and was significant. The third F-test resulted that simultaneously using the internet mobile devices affected the buying decision and was significant. The fourth path analysis resulted that that simultaneously market segmentation,product,price,building,promotion,skilled-labours,equipments,and other customers were capable of affecting the buying decision using the internet mobile devices and was significant. Partially,market segmentation,product,price,building,promotion,equipments,other customers did not affect the buying decision and was not significant,except skilled-labours partially affected the buying decision and significant.Partially, only people and promotion affected using the internet mobile devices and was significant,market segmentation,product,price,building,equipments,other customers did not affect using the internet mobile devices and was not significant.Partially, product and price, did not affect using the internet mobile devices but was significant,market segmentation,building,promotion,skilled-labours,equipments,other customers affected the buying decision using the internet mobile devices and was significant. Key words : Market segmentation,marketing mix,buying decision,using mobile devices.
INFLUENCE OF SELECTED DETERMINANTS OF STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION ON PERFORMANCE OF PARASTATALS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR IN KENYA
Strategy implementation is an on-going, never-ending, integrated process requiring continuous reassessment and reformation. Strategic management is dynamic. It involves a complex pattern of actions and reactions. It is partially planned and partially unplanned. Particularly, strategy implementation includes designing the organization's structure, allocating resources, developing information and decision process, and managing human resources, including such areas as the reward system, approaches to leadership, and staffing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the selected determinants of strategy implementation on organisational performance in parastatals in the energy sector in Kenya. Specifically, this study sought to establish the influence of top management commitment, strategy communication process, resource availability and coordination of activities on organization performance. This study adopted a descriptive research design: the target population comprised of the 105 management staff from various departments in seven (7) organizations in the energy sector. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Descriptive statistics included means, standard deviation, and percentages and presented in tables and graphs. Inferential statistics included both Pearsons correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. The correlation analysis determined the strength and direction of the relationships between the dependent and independent variables. The study showed that top management commitment, strategy communication, coordination of activities and resource availability had a positive correlation with organizational performance. The Model summary of the regression analysis showed that all the independent variables accounted for 70.3% of the variance in organizational performance. The study recommended that organizations should offer back up (support) to the top management to increase their commitment and effective communication of formulated strategies that should be properly resourced. Further, the study recommended that parastatals should ensure that key tasks are well defined in enough detail and information systems for them to successfully implement strategies and improve organizational performance.
STABILISATION ET APPROXIMATION NUMERIQUE D’UNE CLASSE DE PROBLEMES INVERSES EN EDP
Dans ce travail, nous étudions un problème inverse du type identification de sources pour un problème parabolique modélisant la diffusion dans un rectangle. En utilisant la décomposition spectrale de l’opérateur différentiel A, on peut expliciter la solution formelle du problème sous la forme d’une série de Fourier avec des coefficients non-bornés (hautes fréquences). Nous proposons dans notre étude une méthode de régularisation basée sur la troncature spectrale, qui nous permet de construire une solution approchée et stable. Ensuite, la solution stabilisée sera projetée sur un sous espace de Krylov engendré par l’opérateur A en dimension finie. Cet algorithme nous fournit une méthode pratique et simple pour calculer numériquement la solution stabilisée. Plus précisément, nous faisons une analyse théorique de l’approximation de (A)g = (I
The project emphasizes simulation of various DSP effects using elementary phenomenon of audio processing, and by manipulating audio using various filters in order to enhance the quality. There are many commercially available systems, which provide facilities such as channel equalizers, karaoke systems, and a few audio processors based on Digital Signal Processing. Software systems are also available which provide a fairly good and cost effective solution to audio enhancement. Yet they are limited due to resources issues and thus make a trade-off between performance and quality. The project at first studies and analyses proceeds as study and analysis of audio processing phenomena and various effects involved in it. In the second phase algorithms have been developed for these phenomena and their simulation in MATLAB.a
A BIOGRAPHY OF MOSES BUDAMBA MUDAVADI, 1923-1989
Moses Mudavadi a Loogoli or Maragoli born in Vihiga district was a grandee civil servant in colonial and nascent Kenya. The absence of an authentic and documented history on the legendary politician dubbed "King of Mululu" necessitated the study titled " A Biography of Moses Budamba Mudavadi, 1923 - 1989" The purpose of the study was to examine the life and times of Moses Mudavadi in the colonial era, the president Kenyatta epoch and the president Moi regime. The study anchored on Stogdill (1974) trait theory of leadership per se the big five factor model. It deployed historical research design, purposive and snowball sampling techniques that sampled 30 respondents from a target population of 307, 815 people - residents of Vihiga County in Kenya. The data was collected using field research and library search. . It was analyzed using narrative, conversation and content techniques; presented in prose. The findings actualized the findings. They showed that Moses Mudavadi was born in Vihiga district in 1923, was well educated during colonial era and served in the Ministry of education and tourism, made first entry in parliament in 1976 and a coveted minister in President Moi regime between 1979 and 1989. He demised in early1989. Had failures depicted by his temperamental character and blind support of President Moi`s populism that plummeted Kenya`s economy in 1980`s. His legacy was wrapped in his amiability, benevolence, projects he initiated and his renowned son cum formidable politician - Musalia Mudavadi. It was recommended that a book to be written from the thesis for posterity and another research of the kind to be carried out using a different design and methods.
The Dynamics of Current Accounnt and Budget Deficits: the cases of Ethiopia
Analysts and politicians have shown concern over the state of macroeconomic imbalances. They consider the growing fiscal and current account imbalances have been the cause of macroeconomic imbalances which could affect the long term economic progress of a country. Here, the dynamics, causality and long run relationship between the current account and budget deficits along with other key macroeconomic variables are investigated; in a small open economy, Ethiopia. It adopts a VAR based Granger-causality tests, impulse response functions and variance decompositions analysis using annual data for the period of 1970/71 to 2008/09. It has found evidence that suggests the consequences of a large budget deficit on current account deficit become noticeable only in the short run while the effect of persistent current account deficit on budget deficit is far and wide. It follow that policies aiming at reducing the budget deficit could only solve the current account deficit in the short run whereas reducing current account (trade) deficit sustainably may help reducing the budget deficit and hence restoring macroeconomic balances. Therefore, policy makers should give more emphasis to reduce the external deficit. This requires implementing prudent monetary and fiscal policy. In addition, policies must be put in place to increase the capacity, efficiencies and competitiveness of domestic industries in the export sector as well as policies that aimed at broadening the export base to benefit from trade liberalization policies.
Influence of Monitoring and Evaluation paramenters on the performance of national government funded construction projects in uasin gishu county, Kenya
ABSTRACT The general objective of the study was to identify the influence of monitoring and evaluation on the performance of National Government funded construction projects in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine influence of monitoring tools on the performance of government funded construction projects in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, to establish the influence of quality of field data collection methods on the performance of government funded construction projects in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, to examine the influence of on the performance of National Government funded construction projects in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, to determine the influence of project team effort on the performance of National Government funded construction projects in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, and to find out the influence of project management as an intervening variable on monitoring and evaluation and the performance of National Government funded construction projects in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Theories used are theory of change, information processing theory, knowledge flow, and structural contingency theory. The methodology used was literature review and field study. The field survey employed was self-administered questionnaire instrument as well as random sampling. The study used quantitative research methodology and employed field survey design as well as literature review. The Target population was 215, and the sample size of 134. Questionnaires were distributed to clients, consultants, contractors, ministry of public works supervisors, randomly selected from projects that are sampled responded. The quantitative data and descriptive statistics were analyzed by the use of statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) and results reported in tables showing percentages and ratios. The findings revealed that Quality of field data collection method has the most significant influence of the performance of national government construction projects in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study recommended improvement and management support for project management analysis, and tracking of variance from specific plans; the use of software, including estimation and planning, scheduling, cost control and budget management, resource allocation, collaboration software, communication, quality management and documentation or administration system. The study also recommended management support for the use of quality data collection methods on the projects, identifying where systems are falling short and project delivery capability, and more emphasis on cost of quality. The study further recommended the develop human resources in the construction industry through proper and continuous training programs about construction projects performance. It also recommended a clear mission and vision in place to formulate, implement and evaluate the performance of national funded construction projects, and the introduction of contract management training for relevant stakeholders.
ASSESSMENT OF ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE AMONG NURSES IN MANAGEMENT OF BURNS PATIENTS AT KENYATTA NATIONAL HOSPITAL
Background: Nurses are at greater risk of acquiring and transmitting Health Care Acquired Infections (HCAI) in the course of delivering nursing care; measures to prevent the transmissions are therefore a significant core nursing care. Aseptic Technique among nurses in infection control during management of burns plays a vital role in reducing their morbidity and mortality and hence cost of burn wound management at individual and national level. Therefore, HCAI is the most serious complication of burns with sepsis being the main cause of death. Adherence to the standard operating procedures on burns management put in place by KNH on aseptic techniques assist in preventing infection spread. The aim of this study was to assess aseptic technique among nurses in management of burns patients at KNH. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study design was employed to obtain a sample size of 59 nurses working in the burns wards, Kenyatta National Hospital. A self administered questionnaire and structured observational checklist was used to collect data. Data was coded and analyzed using SPSS version 21, descriptive statistics such as median, mean and frequency distribution were applied and categorical data was analyzed using chi-square. Measurements of association between the independent variables with key dependent variable were ascertained through logistical regression modeling. Results: 42.9% of the participants did not wash their hands properly before, during and after the dressing procedure while 88.1% had good knowledge on aseptic technique , however 14.6% of the participants maintained the aseptic technique practice throughout the procedure while 85.4% did not. Statistical significance was found between barriers to aseptic technique and adequate water supply in the taps and soap at P=0.038(OR=4.5).70.7% of the rooms lacked standard operating procedures on infection prevention. Presences of segregation posters were present at 31.6 % of the rooms. Barriers to aseptic technique implementation were noted by 54.8% of the nurse’s in hindering application of knowledge to practice. RECOMENDATION: This results suggest that nurses in the specialized wards need to be re -trained on aseptic technique procedures by the institution and institutional policies be availed to the respective ward departments, in addition to adequate logistics on supplies and equipments Infection prevention surveillance needs to be improved from the managerial to the ward level to maintain the Standard Operating Procedures
Factors Affecting Effective Selection of Teachers for Promotion to Management Positions in the Education System: A Case Study of Mazabuka District.
There is no doubt that education is an important sector in the development of any economy. Education is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty and inequality (World Bank, 2011). The Education sector’s contribution to the growth and development of the economy is however difficult to measure because it is immaterial and non-quantitative. Despite the education sector’s vivid contribution to the national development, serious concerns exist regarding the various lapses in the sector. Of great concern is the inadequate adoption and utilisation of Information and Communications Technology, which seems to be hampering efficiency in most management processes. The study purported to establish the causes of and solutions to ineffective promotion procedures in the education sector. The major focus having been put on the evaluation of the effects of the lack or underutilisation of effective information management and information communications systems. The focus also extended to addressing the impact of corruption in the processes of recruiting, selecting and appointing staff for promotion. The study employed a quantitative survey design approach. The findings of the study indicated that ineffective data capturing, poor record management and storage, ineffective communication, as well as corruption are detrimental to staff promotion hence hindering sound school management and the quality of education in the final end. In anticipation of achieving an effective staff promotion process, the government ought to consider reinitiating and fully supporting the provision of cost effective information management and communications infrastructure and facilities, streamline the staff promotion policy framework that will take care of political interference in the Public Administration and foster transparency and accountability.
INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS IN PERSPECTIVE OF ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE
From pre-mature state to the modern development of law and legal institutions, the subject of statutory interpretation has been facing daunting challenges. The most burning legal issues of the 21st century facing all the legal systems of the world are the development of a legal thinking to establish some general and flexible interpretive principles applicable to all laws. Talking about the Isl?mic legal system, it is confronting a rigorous challenge of being out-moded, stagnated and as an inappropriate system to cope with the changes of the modern scientific development. Lack of updated knowledge, unscientific understanding of the contemporary socioeconomic problems, world politics, a system of global governance and above all lack of unity have made the Muslim world subservient and dependent in every walk of life. This situation has led the contemporary Muslim scholars and the researchers to establish a flexible legal theory to re-interpret the Qur’anic legal texts in the light of the changed context. This phenomenon provided a significant opportunity for the scholars and students of law to compare different legal systems to find out the way to develop their own system. This research titled as “Interpretation of Statutes: A Critical Analysis in Perspective of Islamic Jurisprudence” presents a comparative analysis of the interpretive systems of English-common law and Islamic law. This work intends to explore that Islamic legal system consists of dynamic interpretive approaches which unfortunately are being neglected by the holders and made the whole system of the interpretation (ijtih?d) static and retarded. This work has been divided into five chapters. Each chapter has two sections. At the end of each chapter, a concluding Para has been added. Chapter, 1 addresses the nature and the historical development of the statutory interpretation of the English-common law. It also throws light on the development of law, statute, and legal text. Chapter, 2 elaborates historical development of the statutory interpretation of Islamic law. Chapter, 3 describes an interpretive system of English-common law. It describes both the classical and the contemporary theories of interpretation. Chapter, 4 consists of the discussion regarding the interpretive policy of Islamic law. It explains the linguistic rules, the fundamental, the traditional and the modern legal theories presented by the Muslim jurists of the last two centuries. The last chapter consists of a comparison of both systems. Further some conclusions have been drawn in the light of the past and the contemporary approaches of interpretation of both systems and thus some suggestions have been given to make the existing structure of the law flexible. This research thus, concludes that the theory regarding the re-interpretation of the Qur’anic legal texts and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) in the light of the changed context has not built in a day rather it has its roots in the interpretive policy of the Qur’an, the Sunnah (PBUH) and the early Muslim jurists among the companions and the traditional Muslim jurists. This work suggests that the contemporary Muslim jurists should adopt flexible approaches to reconstruct the legal texts of the Qur’an and the Sunnah (PBUH) in the light of the objective and context of the text. This research recommends Ijtihad al-Maqasidi and contextual interpretation as the most recommended rules of interpretation to combat the challenges of the modern Muslim world. It also opines that it is quite possible to establish a common legal theory of interpretation in the light of the common and general interpretive principles of both systems by considering fundamental differences between English-common law and Islamic law. Note: The full thesis can be downloaded also from the following link: http://www.razi.ca/path/to/thesis.pdf
Universal Medium Exploration of Einstein’s Mass Energy Relation: E = M C2 New Mass Energy Relation
Universal Medium; This thesis is about the Universe, which is a branch of Physics. It is a known fact that, we receive heat and light from sun and there are billions of stars in our galaxy which are emitting the same along with other radiations. In the universe there are billions of galaxies in which all the stars are emitting and the remaining [heavenly bodies] are receiving the radiations. The space between the heavenly bodies was considered as vacuum. In 20 th century it was found that ( i ) Though vacuum does not transmit sound , it will transmit heat , light and other wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum , known as Physical Vacuum and ( ii ) The physical vacuum possess energy ( heat energy ) known as Zero Point Energy and was found to be all pervasive and mandatory for all that exists in the universe . In the book titled ‘Numeric Biography of Prophet Muhammad‘[Peace be upon Him], the not worthy quote of Mrs. S. S. Banu, an Educationist and Awardee that “Universe possess heat”, bears testimony to my research. Further the discovery and existence of heat in the entire universe motivated to think of the universal medium. Mass Energy Relation The in depth study on heat and light radiations and their comparison proves that, heat is everything and light is fancy or optional. On the contrary, all the scientists from Aristotle till date have considered light and its velocity. Even Einstein in his mass energy relation e = m+c 2, had considered the velocity of light, even though it is independent of mass energy, reaction and medium. And the Einstein’s constant ‘ c ‘ , no longer remained a constant , as it was found to be decreased over a period of 300 years . The importance and the existence of heat in the entire universe and the variation of velocity of light, makes one to think of the velocity of heat radiations (Radiance), which is a constant. It is evident that the mass and energy are proportional to each other and the constant of Proportionality, should be a factor of the reaction (fusion) and the medium (in which the reaction is taking place). The constant is assumed as the velocity of Radiance ‘r’ as it justifies the dependence. Consequently, the mass and energy relation may be accepted as e = m+c 2 Since the heat of the medium is from the Infra Red Radiations, the medium may be called as ‘Radiance’. And its velocity may be denoted as ‘r‘ Similarly the other equations which comprises of the velocity of light may be reconsidered and replace the velocity of Radiance in place of velocity of Light wherever necessary.
A Study of E-Business/E-Manufacturing Models
Traditional business methods are taking a drastic turn and changing to digitized businesses. Information and communication technology is being integrated into orthodox business practices and giving birth to e-business. E-business in turn, is looking up to e-business models for dynamic integration. The e-business concept was first explored. It was broken down into its smaller entities to make for a clearer and better understanding. Components of an electronic business were identified, and e-commerce was understood to be a subset of e-business. It was established that for a business to be e-business enabled, it required information and communication technology (ICT) to be integrated into its brick and mortar business practice. This showed that the e-business concept was not replacing traditional business practices but improving on it. The e-manufacturing business practice was also researched. This practice was found to be in essence e-business, but in the manufacturing context. It showed that e-manufacturing made for a dynamic integration of the complex manufacturing business practice in real-time. It linked shop floors to top floors, as well as all the other areas of the whole manufacturing supply chain. Adequate relevance was established for designing e-business and e-manufacturing models. This was achieved through rigorous literature review as well as a questionnaire survey. A hypothesis design and test based on the literature review was made to ascertain what models are utilized and in what context. Currently used models in different company sectors were discovered, and their subsequent benefits identified. Also reasons behind the adoption of the different models in the firms investigated were identified. Barriers associated with the e-business practice as well as the implementation of an e-business model were also identified. A measurement system was utilized to ascertain if the investigated models met that stated in the literature (i.e. product innovation, infrastructure and the network of partners, customer relation, and finance). This was adopted from that presented in the literature review. Based on the study, a conclusion was drawn and recommendations suggested.a
Assessment of Social Response to Incentives, On Reduction of Plastic Bags Use in Pakistan: A Cross Market Study of Abpara and Itwaar Bazaar.
The objective of the study is to assess the social willingness to pay and willingness to accept for demand of cloth bags and proposed paper bags This study is conducted in Islamabad with 150 sample size on primary data from Abpara market and Itwaar bazaar respectively .The data was treated through stata and through descriptive tools ,the research found that reuse of plastic bags are significant in both the markets but high at Itwaar bazaar and the study concluded that the proposed change to state of plastic culture, prevailing from many years was according to desired implications for the study area. Note: Muhammad Imran Khan is currently working with Professor Dr. Rehana Siddiqui on his MPhil thesis on ecological footprints.
Implementation of a Successful Project Management Method to Serve Modern Organizations
The project management arena requires much knowledge, many skills, techniques, tools, and a high level of experience in order to achieve satisfactory results and to add value to organizations. The scope of this paper is to address and discuss many important aspects needed to succeed in project management within Iraqi organizations because Iraqi businesses are developing and expanding their products into global markets. However, most Iraqi organizations struggle to implement and select productive programs and projects that will fit in with their strategic objectives. Therefore, a primary aim of this paper is to discuss the factors that make project management more effective and successful in these organizations. Also, there are many challenges and risks that project management can face during project processes that can have an effect on an entire project and sometime cause project failure. In addition, many organizations have problems with project teams, such as, differences in culture and behavior within the same team. Therefore, project management should have the organizational skills, knowledge, experience, and technical skills in order to meet the project requirements. This paper contributes and clarifies the understanding of project management field and how it works in an efficient manner. The results will help Iraqi organizations to utilize project management skills and knowledge. Also, these skills will help them to reduce budgets and increase the value of the final products within a reasonable time.
Use of L1 in ESL classes: A study of teachers’ perceptions and practices
This thesis examined the declared perceptions of Arab teachers of English towards the use of Arabic in beginner English classes. Since the issue of using the first language (L1) in the second language (L2) classes has been a debatable issue, this study attempted to gain understanding of the place of Arabic in low-proficiency English classes in a specific language centre in Oman by focusing on a sample of ten Arab teachers. The teachers were chosen from two programmes where the students are more or less beginners in English. To achieve the aim mentioned above, this study made use of two qualitative research methods: two group interviews and four classroom observations. Each group interview consisted of five teachers with different teaching experiences. The study revealed that teachers do use Arabic in their lessons as a last resort after they have tried various teaching methods first. When they realise that their students cannot understand a specific language item after using those methods, they resort to Arabic. However, they perceive it negatively in the classroom when students start using it, fearing that it will destroy the students’ opportunities to practice the target language. Arabic, as the study highlighted, is used for both teaching purposes, such as teaching some grammatical structures, and also for non-teaching purposes, such as telling jokes. It is recommended that more research is done on ways of using Arabic to address a specific language skill, especially grammar and vocabulary rather than focusing on all the skills in a single study. It is also suggested that when writing a policy regarding the scope of using Arabic in English classes, the choice of when and how to use it should be left to teachers.
Development of a Curriculum Framework for the Public Health Institute, Sudan
Curriculum development is the overall process of curriculum design, including aim and objectives setting, learning and teaching methods and quality enhancement mechanisms. Realizing that the area of curriculum development is a wide area, this dissertation will analyse briefly the different elements of the process while trying to identify a possible framework appropriate for the public health institute in Sudan who is intending to introduce a postgraduate master’s degree in health system management (MA HSM). The Public Health Institute (PHI) was established in 2009 under the management of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) with the mandate to contribute to health staff and health system development in Sudan. The author is affiliated to the PHI and is expected to act as the programme coordinator for the MA HSM. The area of health management training is relatively new and literature specifically relating to curriculum development in this area is scarce. In Sudan, most training institutions still lack health management curriculum, the PHI currently lacks staff with the needed capacity and skills to develop such a programme. There is also a great need to improve the health management capacity of health professionals in Sudan. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop an understanding and theoretical framework of curriculum development for a postgraduate level training in health management for the PHI, Sudan. The main objectives and expected outputs are an overall understanding on how to develop and implement a curriculum suitable for postgraduate level training, a framework of a health management curriculum suitable for the PHI context and contribute to improving the capacity of PHI staff including the author in delivering health management training. The methodology used is an in-depth analysis of secondary data mainly from literature review and internal PHI records for the overall understanding of curriculum development and the context and to come up with a suitable framework for the PHI. Two conceptual frameworks are used. The first is to show the different components of the curriculum development process and influencing factors and the second framework is used to analyze the internal strength and weaknesses of the PHI and the environmental threats and opportunities (SWOT analysis). The main limitations of this paper are scarcity in relevant data especially from Sudan and the realization that the framework suggested is the author’s own opinion and it’s for discussion and consultation with the PHI staff. Literature review has shown that models of curriculum development illustrate four common elements: Needs assessment; objectives; teaching and learning strategies; assessment and evaluation processes. The modern trend also shows a shift to a student-centered, problem-based, integrated, and community oriented approach to curriculum development. The resources for curriculum implementation and quality enhancement are important considerations like staff and learning resources. The key to a suitable curriculum framework for the PHI would be forging an educationally sound and logically linked objectives, course content, teaching and learning methods and assessment while taking into consideration the PHI factors, student characteristics and Sudan context. This includes a proper training needs assessment which is already conducted in January this year, a clear aim and SMART objectives, a flexible modular type curriculum with core and specific modules and a module based on independent study like a dissertation to complement a master level degree. Elective (optional) modules might not be possible at the current PHI capacity. Teaching methods should support deep learning approaches and critical thinking among students through the use of postgraduate teaching techniques like small group teaching, problem based learning (PBL) and tutorials. A quality enhancement culture needs to be fostered through the set up of a guiding policy and setting appropriate academic standards including student assessment, promoting teaching assessment and curriculum evaluation.
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN PAKISTAN: TRENDS AND RELATIONSHIP WITH TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
This study is based upon examining an empirical relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows and technology transfer in case of Pakistan. In addition, the study also highlights the trends of FDI inflows in various sectors. The model, which has been, constructed uses time series data of 38 years starting from 1970 to 2008. All econometric tests have been applied using EVIEWS. The empirical findings indicate a strong positive relationship between FDI inflows and technology transfer. Moreover, it also leads to domestic innovation and R&D projects in the long run.
Brand Management as a Trigger in the Success and Competitiveness of Mexican Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
The exponential growth of foreign direct investment (FDI) since the entry into force of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994 has had positive and negative outcomes for the country, the international agreement has had positive effects over the manufacturing sector which is largely comprised by large foreign multinational enterprises, leading Mexico to be one of the most important manufacturing countries in North America. However, the negative impact of this agreement has been reflected over the Mexican SMEs which were not prepared for large-scale trade liberalization, making almost impossible to compete against foreign multinational enterprises due the large cultural, technological and managerial divergences between them.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS FOR LEARNERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KASARANI DISTRICT, NAIROBI
The general objective of this study was investigating the factors influencing the implementation of programmes for learners with special needs in Kasarani district, Nairobi. The specific objectives of this study will be: to establish the effect of adequate skilled staff on implementation of programmes for learners with special needs in public primary schools in Kasarani district, Nairobi, to investigate whether Instructional Materials influence the implementation of programmes for learners with special needs in public primary schools in Kasarani district, Nairobi, to find out the extent to which School Physical Environment influence the implementation of programmes for learners with special needs in public primary schools in Kasarani district, Nairobi, to establish the influence of Supervision and Monitoring on implementation of programmes for learners with special needs in public primary schools in Kasarani district, Nairobi and to find out the extent to which Financial Constraints affect the implementation of programmes for learners with special needs in public primary schools in Kasarani district, Nairobi. This study will adopt a survey descriptive research design approach in collecting views on factors influencing the implementation of programmes for learners with special needs in Kasarani district. The population of this study was all the schools in Kasarani division comprising of 252 possible respondents. The researcher used stratified random sampling technique to select a sample of 30% of the whole target population which gives a sample size of 76. This study will adopt a questionnaire and an interview guide for the instructors to collect the necessary information. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze the data collected which was achieved through the use of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Findings were presented using tables, graphs, pie charts and figures as will be thought appropriately. The researcher presented conclusions and recommendations that will be derived thereafter.
EARLY CT FINDINGS TO PREDICT EARLY DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: MARSHALL AND ROTTERDAM CT SCORING SYSTEMS COMPARED IN THE MAJOR TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NEPAL
In clinical practice, the severity of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is generally classified as mild, moderate and severe according to the level of consciousness as assumed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The increased use of early sedation, intubation and ventilation in more severely injured patients has decreased the accuracy of GCS for the purposes of TBI classification, as patients need to be conscious to be able to respond verbally. An alternative to this is the classification of TBI according to morphological criteria based on computed tomography (CT) scan. Although TBI can also be classified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is more sensitive for detecting small white matter lesions in later phases, CT examination remains the investigation of choice to rapidly identify the presence and extent of structural damage in the acute phase.