Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1040
B. Zulu, Tony Ngwenya, B. Zondi
The general state of entrepreneurship reveals that despite the efforts of the South African government to stimulate entrepreneurship through a policy framework, many SMMEs remain unsustainable. SMMEs in the country continue to experience a high failure rate of almost 70% to 80% within the first 5 years of operation. Policymaker’s have attempted to advance local economic development through various developmental models, as key economic development drivers, without success. Studies reveal that there is a misalignment in the various developmental instruments aimed at the development of the SMME sector and its reality. This study sought to explore challenges faced by SMMEs within the ocean economy in KZN province. This study was conducted with SMMEs in the ocean economy in the KZN province. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 SMMEs participating in the ocean economy in the KZN province. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The generated data from the research study showed that entrepreneurs are faced with various challenges which influence the organisation’s capacity to operate appropriately and sustainably. Understanding key challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the ocean economy in the province can help policymakers and entrepreneurs to navigate sustainable approaches to the sector’s development.
{"title":"An Evaluation of the Factors that Impact the Sustainability of Maritime SMMES in the Kwazulu-Natal Province","authors":"B. Zulu, Tony Ngwenya, B. Zondi","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1040","url":null,"abstract":"The general state of entrepreneurship reveals that despite the efforts of the South African government to stimulate entrepreneurship through a policy framework, many SMMEs remain unsustainable. SMMEs in the country continue to experience a high failure rate of almost 70% to 80% within the first 5 years of operation. Policymaker’s have attempted to advance local economic development through various developmental models, as key economic development drivers, without success. Studies reveal that there is a misalignment in the various developmental instruments aimed at the development of the SMME sector and its reality. This study sought to explore challenges faced by SMMEs within the ocean economy in KZN province. This study was conducted with SMMEs in the ocean economy in the KZN province. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 SMMEs participating in the ocean economy in the KZN province. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The generated data from the research study showed that entrepreneurs are faced with various challenges which influence the organisation’s capacity to operate appropriately and sustainably. Understanding key challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the ocean economy in the province can help policymakers and entrepreneurs to navigate sustainable approaches to the sector’s development.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"30 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125411197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nigeria is a country consistently tilting towards one violent situation or another. Since its independence in 1960, Nigeria has witnessed numerous ethnoreligious conflicts that have threatened its corporate existence. For example, age-long feelings of relative deprivation by certain sections of the country, have given rise to the continuous reference to a need to address the national question: a phenomenon that describes the aggregation of concerns by the different nationalities on how they can or should cohabit in the same federation. However, elections, and the entire electoral process, often serve as precipitates of ethnoreligious conflicts in Nigeria. Aside from the tensions that always sprout about who becomes what, there is a more prominent challenge of where the candidate comes from. Thus, elections in Nigeria often get reduced to geographical linings of candidates, rather than their competence or political ideology. This is often festered by the need to provide opportunities for all geographical sections of the country to produce the President, thus giving rise to the idea of a rotational presidency as a negotiated approach. The article examined the rotational presidency, vis-à-vis its implication for inclusiveness, peace, the national question, and development in Nigeria. The study utilised historical materials, elite theory, and the consociational model of power sharing to explore how the political activities towards elections have shifted the attention of the populace away from the pedigree and the leadership potentials of the aspirants/candidates to their ethnic and religious backgrounds. The study suggests how good leaders can emerge without jettisoning inclusiveness.
{"title":"Nigeria and ‘Negotiated Elections’: Examining the Impact of Rotational Presidency on Peace, the National Question, and Development","authors":"O. Faluyi","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v4i1.995","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v4i1.995","url":null,"abstract":"Nigeria is a country consistently tilting towards one violent situation or another. Since its independence in 1960, Nigeria has witnessed numerous ethnoreligious conflicts that have threatened its corporate existence. For example, age-long feelings of relative deprivation by certain sections of the country, have given rise to the continuous reference to a need to address the national question: a phenomenon that describes the aggregation of concerns by the different nationalities on how they can or should cohabit in the same federation. However, elections, and the entire electoral process, often serve as precipitates of ethnoreligious conflicts in Nigeria. Aside from the tensions that always sprout about who becomes what, there is a more prominent challenge of where the candidate comes from. Thus, elections in Nigeria often get reduced to geographical linings of candidates, rather than their competence or political ideology. This is often festered by the need to provide opportunities for all geographical sections of the country to produce the President, thus giving rise to the idea of a rotational presidency as a negotiated approach. The article examined the rotational presidency, vis-à-vis its implication for inclusiveness, peace, the national question, and development in Nigeria. The study utilised historical materials, elite theory, and the consociational model of power sharing to explore how the political activities towards elections have shifted the attention of the populace away from the pedigree and the leadership potentials of the aspirants/candidates to their ethnic and religious backgrounds. The study suggests how good leaders can emerge without jettisoning inclusiveness.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"35 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131367436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1149
Nkululeko Zondi, Zikho Qwatekana, S. Dube
Solid waste management is a global challenge, particularly in economically developing countries due to their growing population, urbanisation, and increasing waste generation. Municipalities in South Africa are responsible for general waste management in both residential areas and industrial sites. However, waste management is not implemented in all rural areas of South Africa, even against the background of socioeconomic improvement and increased consumption patterns in these communities. This study aims to examine the relationship between rural socioeconomic conditions and solid waste generation and management. The target population of this study is five rural communities of the Vulindlela area, which is situated west of Msunduzi Municipality in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 50 households were randomly selected as sample sites as the result of a detailed field survey in 2022 and 50 respondents participated in the study for interview through cluster sampling technique. The study uses a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. Primary data about the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents were gathered through close-ended questions. Open-ended questions in the semi-structured interviews were utilised to gather data on Vulindlela residents’ perceptions of waste pollution effects and strategies implemented in their area. Microsoft Excel version 2305 was used to perform basic descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) to examine the socio-economic characteristics of respondents. While a thematic content analysis was undertaken to analyse the open-ended question data which was on respondents’ perceptions of waste pollution in their area. The study findings suggest that Vulindlela is a socioeconomically diverse rural community, with households earning between 500 and 31,000 Rand per month. In addition, grocery expenditures range from 800 to 3100 Rand per month. Communities characterised by lower income generation dispose of their waste inside their households, apart from certain waste such as nappies that are disposed of in freshwater ecosystems and open spaces, while those who earn more money have diverse waste types and dispose of their waste at illegal dump sites.
固体废物管理是一项全球性挑战,特别是在经济发展中国家,因为它们的人口不断增长、城市化和废物产生不断增加。南非的市政当局负责住宅区和工业场所的一般废物管理。然而,即使在这些社区的社会经济改善和消费模式增加的背景下,南非的所有农村地区也没有实施废物管理。本研究旨在探讨农村社会经济条件与固体废物产生和管理之间的关系。本研究的目标人群是位于夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省彼得马里茨堡姆松杜兹市西部的Vulindlela地区的五个农村社区。通过2022年的详细实地调查,随机抽取50户家庭作为样本点,采用整群抽样技术对50名受访者进行访谈研究。这项研究采用了定性和定量相结合的方法。调查对象的社会人口特征的主要数据是通过封闭式问题收集的。利用半结构化访谈中的开放式问题收集有关Vulindlela居民对其所在地区废物污染影响和实施策略的看法的数据。使用Microsoft Excel version 2305进行基本的描述性统计(频率和百分比),以检查受访者的社会经济特征。同时进行了主题内容分析,以分析关于答复者对其所在地区废物污染的看法的开放式问题数据。研究结果表明,Vulindlela是一个社会经济多样化的农村社区,家庭每月收入在500至31,000兰特之间。此外,杂货支出从每月800到3100兰特不等。收入较低的社区除了在淡水生态系统和露天场所处置尿布等某些废物外,还将废物处置在家庭内部,而收入较高的社区的废物种类多样,并将废物处置在非法倾倒场。
{"title":"Modernisation of Rural Communities: Solid Waste Management Implication","authors":"Nkululeko Zondi, Zikho Qwatekana, S. Dube","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1149","url":null,"abstract":"Solid waste management is a global challenge, particularly in economically developing countries due to their growing population, urbanisation, and increasing waste generation. Municipalities in South Africa are responsible for general waste management in both residential areas and industrial sites. However, waste management is not implemented in all rural areas of South Africa, even against the background of socioeconomic improvement and increased consumption patterns in these communities. This study aims to examine the relationship between rural socioeconomic conditions and solid waste generation and management. The target population of this study is five rural communities of the Vulindlela area, which is situated west of Msunduzi Municipality in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 50 households were randomly selected as sample sites as the result of a detailed field survey in 2022 and 50 respondents participated in the study for interview through cluster sampling technique. The study uses a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. Primary data about the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents were gathered through close-ended questions. Open-ended questions in the semi-structured interviews were utilised to gather data on Vulindlela residents’ perceptions of waste pollution effects and strategies implemented in their area. Microsoft Excel version 2305 was used to perform basic descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) to examine the socio-economic characteristics of respondents. While a thematic content analysis was undertaken to analyse the open-ended question data which was on respondents’ perceptions of waste pollution in their area. The study findings suggest that Vulindlela is a socioeconomically diverse rural community, with households earning between 500 and 31,000 Rand per month. In addition, grocery expenditures range from 800 to 3100 Rand per month. Communities characterised by lower income generation dispose of their waste inside their households, apart from certain waste such as nappies that are disposed of in freshwater ecosystems and open spaces, while those who earn more money have diverse waste types and dispose of their waste at illegal dump sites.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"68 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134157077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study explores the plethora of challenges encountered in ensuring that research conducted in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Africa is ethical and morally unobjectionable. The study reflects on the roles and accountabilities of various stakeholders in contributing to the various challenges, either directly or indirectly. Data were collected using a narrative review of literature. Several challenges militate against the conduct of ethically sound research. The challenges can be categorised at two levels: the individual level and the system level. They include but are not limited to the lack of ethical awareness among emerging researchers, researchers not embracing ethics as their full responsibility, and the prevalence of a wide knowledge gap between researchers and participants. On the part of HEIs, challenges such as the lack of functional ethics committees, institutions’ failure to improve ethical literacy among emerging researchers, and a lack of mechanisms to monitor researchers’ conducts during the course of studies, particularly in empirical research, have been identified. A focus on the wider African research space illuminates such challenges as language barriers, diverging cultural and religious practices, rules and regulations of the land, and lower literacy levels in some parts of the continent. To mitigate these challenges, we recommend that HEIs should prioritise the conduct of ethical research through increased funding, through the institution of monitoring mechanisms, and through ensuring that highly and appropriately qualified personnel are constitutive of ethics committees to ensure best practice.
{"title":"Navigating the Contours of Ethical Research in Higher Education: An African Perspective","authors":"E. Madondo","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v3i1.978","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v3i1.978","url":null,"abstract":"This study explores the plethora of challenges encountered in ensuring that research conducted in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Africa is ethical and morally unobjectionable. The study reflects on the roles and accountabilities of various stakeholders in contributing to the various challenges, either directly or indirectly. Data were collected using a narrative review of literature. Several challenges militate against the conduct of ethically sound research. The challenges can be categorised at two levels: the individual level and the system level. They include but are not limited to the lack of ethical awareness among emerging researchers, researchers not embracing ethics as their full responsibility, and the prevalence of a wide knowledge gap between researchers and participants. On the part of HEIs, challenges such as the lack of functional ethics committees, institutions’ failure to improve ethical literacy among emerging researchers, and a lack of mechanisms to monitor researchers’ conducts during the course of studies, particularly in empirical research, have been identified. A focus on the wider African research space illuminates such challenges as language barriers, diverging cultural and religious practices, rules and regulations of the land, and lower literacy levels in some parts of the continent. To mitigate these challenges, we recommend that HEIs should prioritise the conduct of ethical research through increased funding, through the institution of monitoring mechanisms, and through ensuring that highly and appropriately qualified personnel are constitutive of ethics committees to ensure best practice.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"9 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126894250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1042
Simphiwe Magagula, N. Mugovhani, S. Yende
In recent years, there have been debates regarding the scope of Creative Arts subject in the existing curriculum known as the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement offered in the South African public schools. Crucial points in question include that the curriculum does not fully equip learners with the requisite skills for their respective areas of interest. This article interrogates these, and many other challenges encountered in teaching and learning this subject. The study adopted a qualitative research method to collect data, using methods such as semi-structured interviews with the principals, teachers, as well as selected learners from the selected public schools. A substantial review of previous and recent scholarly writings was used to substantiate the findings. The over-arching finding is that this Creative Arts subject requires some intervention strategies and revision by the government and all relevant stakeholders. This study concludes by affirming that the Creative Arts subject plays a vital role in schools, but some issues have contributed to the ineffectiveness of the subject. There is a clear indication that one of the main contributions to the ineffectiveness of the Creative Arts subject in schools is to find specialist educators in each art form.
{"title":"Challenges Encountered in the Enhancement and Optimal Teaching and Learning of the Creative Arts Subject in South Africa","authors":"Simphiwe Magagula, N. Mugovhani, S. Yende","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1042","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, there have been debates regarding the scope of Creative Arts subject in the existing curriculum known as the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement offered in the South African public schools. Crucial points in question include that the curriculum does not fully equip learners with the requisite skills for their respective areas of interest. This article interrogates these, and many other challenges encountered in teaching and learning this subject. The study adopted a qualitative research method to collect data, using methods such as semi-structured interviews with the principals, teachers, as well as selected learners from the selected public schools. A substantial review of previous and recent scholarly writings was used to substantiate the findings. The over-arching finding is that this Creative Arts subject requires some intervention strategies and revision by the government and all relevant stakeholders. This study concludes by affirming that the Creative Arts subject plays a vital role in schools, but some issues have contributed to the ineffectiveness of the subject. There is a clear indication that one of the main contributions to the ineffectiveness of the Creative Arts subject in schools is to find specialist educators in each art form.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"51 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114784069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1162
Sarah Jembere, P. Moodley, N. Kiliswa
Service robots are humanoid and non-humanoid machines that communicate and deliver services to customers of an organisation. They are Artificial intelligence (AI) enabled and display human intelligence (Wirtz et al., 2018; Blut et al., 2021). Service robots may undertake cognitive-analytical activities and emotional-social duties. Artificial Intelligence is built-in to service robots, allowing them to interact with the customer as regular hospitality services thrive on providing interpersonal interactions to create customer value. As substitutes for human employees, service robots may posit a psychological and emotional challenge to the traditional view of hospitality services, such as human frontline employees. Professional Service Robots (PRS) have proven to have the potential to drastically change the service industry. The use of PSR is lagging in an African context, necessitating more research on factors that may influence acceptance. This study aims to explore the cultural factors that influence consumers’ acceptance of PSR. The Service Robot Acceptance Model (sRAM) is adopted as a guiding framework for this study. Using an exploratory qualitative research approach data is collected using three focus groups, with 16 participants in total, using the simulation method. Interviews were also conducted with seven participants who were purposively selected based on age, gender, and race. Sexual orientation was found to have a positive influence on acceptance while beliefs and norms were barriers to acceptance, with the Ubuntu philosophy being one of the main reasons for rejection. Language appeared to have a huge role, as forwarded by the sRAM. The results suggest that acceptance of PSR is also dependent on cultural factors, however, its influence is lesser in certain types of service sectors. The research recommends that practitioners, service robot developers, and implementers should consider the culture of the consumers when implementing service robots.
服务机器人是人形和非人形的机器,它们与组织的客户沟通并提供服务。它们支持人工智能(AI)并显示人类智能(Wirtz等人,2018;Blut et al., 2021)。服务型机器人可以承担认知分析活动和情感社会职责。服务机器人内置人工智能,使它们能够与客户互动,因为常规的酒店服务通过提供人际互动来创造客户价值。作为人类雇员的替代品,服务机器人可能会在心理和情感上挑战传统的酒店服务观念,比如人类一线员工。专业服务机器人(PRS)已被证明具有彻底改变服务行业的潜力。在非洲的情况下,PSR的使用是滞后的,因此需要对可能影响接受程度的因素进行更多的研究。 本研究旨在探讨影响消费者接受PSR的文化因素。 采用服务机器人接受模型(sRAM)作为本研究的指导框架。采用探索性定性研究方法,采用模拟方法,通过三个焦点小组(共16名参与者)收集数据。研究人员还根据年龄、性别和种族对7名参与者进行了采访。研究发现,性取向对接受度有积极影响,而信仰和规范是接受度的障碍,乌班图哲学是拒绝的主要原因之一。语言似乎扮演着巨大的角色,正如sRAM所提出的那样。结果表明,社会责任报告的接受程度也取决于文化因素,然而,其影响在某些类型的服务部门较小。该研究建议从业人员、服务机器人开发者和实施者在实施服务机器人时应考虑消费者的文化。
{"title":"Acceptance of Professional Service Robots: A Cross-Cultural Study","authors":"Sarah Jembere, P. Moodley, N. Kiliswa","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1162","url":null,"abstract":"Service robots are humanoid and non-humanoid machines that communicate and deliver services to customers of an organisation. They are Artificial intelligence (AI) enabled and display human intelligence (Wirtz et al., 2018; Blut et al., 2021). Service robots may undertake cognitive-analytical activities and emotional-social duties. Artificial Intelligence is built-in to service robots, allowing them to interact with the customer as regular hospitality services thrive on providing interpersonal interactions to create customer value. As substitutes for human employees, service robots may posit a psychological and emotional challenge to the traditional view of hospitality services, such as human frontline employees. Professional Service Robots (PRS) have proven to have the potential to drastically change the service industry. The use of PSR is lagging in an African context, necessitating more research on factors that may influence acceptance. This study aims to explore the cultural factors that influence consumers’ acceptance of PSR. The Service Robot Acceptance Model (sRAM) is adopted as a guiding framework for this study. Using an exploratory qualitative research approach data is collected using three focus groups, with 16 participants in total, using the simulation method. Interviews were also conducted with seven participants who were purposively selected based on age, gender, and race. Sexual orientation was found to have a positive influence on acceptance while beliefs and norms were barriers to acceptance, with the Ubuntu philosophy being one of the main reasons for rejection. Language appeared to have a huge role, as forwarded by the sRAM. The results suggest that acceptance of PSR is also dependent on cultural factors, however, its influence is lesser in certain types of service sectors. The research recommends that practitioners, service robot developers, and implementers should consider the culture of the consumers when implementing service robots.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"40 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124272836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1016
Teresa Eaton, Noel Richardson, Rachael Schmidt
Integrating undergraduate research into introductory level courses can improve student accessibility, inclusion, and retention. Herein, we discuss two one-on-one research projects that are being scaffolded into the undergraduate curriculum. We will describe the design and application of CUREs (course-based undergraduate research experiences) in forensic biology as well as physics and astronomy degree programmes. The forensic biology CURE includes trace evidence analysis and models the experimental methods, techniques, and instrumentation students will use in their future careers. In the Eclipsing Binaries CURE, students are introduced to coding and computational physics through modelling spectroscopic and photometric data. The lessons learned through scaling up these interdisciplinary models can apply to other fields of study.
{"title":"Integrating Research-Based Learning into the Undergraduate Curriculum: Challenges and Solutions","authors":"Teresa Eaton, Noel Richardson, Rachael Schmidt","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1016","url":null,"abstract":"Integrating undergraduate research into introductory level courses can improve student accessibility, inclusion, and retention. Herein, we discuss two one-on-one research projects that are being scaffolded into the undergraduate curriculum. We will describe the design and application of CUREs (course-based undergraduate research experiences) in forensic biology as well as physics and astronomy degree programmes. The forensic biology CURE includes trace evidence analysis and models the experimental methods, techniques, and instrumentation students will use in their future careers. In the Eclipsing Binaries CURE, students are introduced to coding and computational physics through modelling spectroscopic and photometric data. The lessons learned through scaling up these interdisciplinary models can apply to other fields of study.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"116 2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124417361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In this research, the effect of leader-member exchange (LMX) on teachers’ affective commitment is examined using communication satisfaction as an intervening variable. Using a quantitative research method, data was collected with a cross-sectional survey. A regression analysis indicates that LMX has a significant effect on affective commitment of teachers in the five vocational colleges examined in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Further analysis showed that communication satisfaction (relational and informational communication satisfaction) partially mediated the influence of LMX (represented in this study as programme managers) on teachers’ affective commitment. The findings are consistent with previous studies about the influence of workplace relationships on teachers’ behaviors, especially supervisor-subordinate relationships. The implications of these findings are explained.
{"title":"The Role of Communication Satisfaction in the Relationship between Leader-Member Exchange and Teachers’ Affective Commitment","authors":"S. Usadolo, Q. Usadolo, J.E.O Edigin","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v4i1.987","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v4i1.987","url":null,"abstract":"In this research, the effect of leader-member exchange (LMX) on teachers’ affective commitment is examined using communication satisfaction as an intervening variable. Using a quantitative research method, data was collected with a cross-sectional survey. A regression analysis indicates that LMX has a significant effect on affective commitment of teachers in the five vocational colleges examined in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Further analysis showed that communication satisfaction (relational and informational communication satisfaction) partially mediated the influence of LMX (represented in this study as programme managers) on teachers’ affective commitment. The findings are consistent with previous studies about the influence of workplace relationships on teachers’ behaviors, especially supervisor-subordinate relationships. The implications of these findings are explained.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"54 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130000786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1015
J. Rulfs, Louis E. Roberts, M. Buckholt, J. Whitefleet-Smith
In an effort to introduce discovery-based learning in our undergraduate laboratory curriculum, we joined two collaborative, crowd-sourcing efforts to engage early career undergraduates in searching for novel antibiotics or bacteriophages as antimicrobial therapies. This was the first step in transforming the curriculum into one focused on providing research experiences to all our undergraduates. Our goal was to engage students in open-ended research projects that foster a sense of ownership, advance knowledge, and introduce relevant skills. We also developed courses built on faculty research programs and biotechnology industry practices. In one, students design cell culture models of tissue regeneration. Another connects to faculty research investigating stress responses in a model of mycobacterial tuberculosis. In an immunotherapies course, students design cell culture and protein purification strategies to maximize generation of a monoclonal antibody. In our newest course, students examine number and diversity of soil nematodes in urban locations. This course has evolved to include interdisciplinary research into the environmental history of the sites. Assessments demonstrated gains in concrete skills and related concepts, and in aspects such self-efficacy. All are measures shown to increase retention and student future success.
{"title":"Redesigning Undergraduate Laboratories: From Recipes to Research","authors":"J. Rulfs, Louis E. Roberts, M. Buckholt, J. Whitefleet-Smith","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1015","url":null,"abstract":"In an effort to introduce discovery-based learning in our undergraduate laboratory curriculum, we joined two collaborative, crowd-sourcing efforts to engage early career undergraduates in searching for novel antibiotics or bacteriophages as antimicrobial therapies. This was the first step in transforming the curriculum into one focused on providing research experiences to all our undergraduates. Our goal was to engage students in open-ended research projects that foster a sense of ownership, advance knowledge, and introduce relevant skills. We also developed courses built on faculty research programs and biotechnology industry practices. In one, students design cell culture models of tissue regeneration. Another connects to faculty research investigating stress responses in a model of mycobacterial tuberculosis. In an immunotherapies course, students design cell culture and protein purification strategies to maximize generation of a monoclonal antibody. In our newest course, students examine number and diversity of soil nematodes in urban locations. This course has evolved to include interdisciplinary research into the environmental history of the sites. Assessments demonstrated gains in concrete skills and related concepts, and in aspects such self-efficacy. All are measures shown to increase retention and student future success.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129607364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The present study focusses on exploring the impact of parental support on the academic performance of students with disabilities. A qualitative study approach was used to explore students with disabilities' perspectives of parental support and the impact it has on their academic performance. This qualitative study purposively selected eight participants. They were subjected to semi-structured, open-ended, one-on-one interviews, and these interviews were recorded using an audio recorder with their permission. The collected data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Parental support may take numerous forms, including emotional, physical, and financial assistance. As a result, parental support influences academic success and the adjustment of students living with disabilities to their new environment. However, parental knowledge, attitudes, and tolerance of a student's disability have been shown to be obstacles to meaningful parental support. This study concludes that for students with disabilities to perform to their maximum potential, parents must be trained and empowered to provide necessary support including motivating their children.
{"title":"Exploring the Perspectives and Parental Roles in the Academic Performance of University Students with Disabilities","authors":"S. Mntambo, W. Hlengwa, J. Adam, S. Krishna","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v3i1.924","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v3i1.924","url":null,"abstract":"The present study focusses on exploring the impact of parental support on the academic performance of students with disabilities. A qualitative study approach was used to explore students with disabilities' perspectives of parental support and the impact it has on their academic performance. This qualitative study purposively selected eight participants. They were subjected to semi-structured, open-ended, one-on-one interviews, and these interviews were recorded using an audio recorder with their permission. The collected data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Parental support may take numerous forms, including emotional, physical, and financial assistance. As a result, parental support influences academic success and the adjustment of students living with disabilities to their new environment. However, parental knowledge, attitudes, and tolerance of a student's disability have been shown to be obstacles to meaningful parental support. This study concludes that for students with disabilities to perform to their maximum potential, parents must be trained and empowered to provide necessary support including motivating their children.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"100 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122611310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}