Some disciplines in the social sciences rely heavily on collecting survey responses to detect empirical relationships among variables. We explored whether these relationships were a priori predictable from the semantic properties of the survey items, using language processing algorithms which are now available as new research methods. Language processing algorithms were used to calculate the semantic similarity among all items in state-of-the-art surveys from Organisational Behaviour research. These surveys covered areas such as transformational leadership, work motivation and work outcomes. This information was used to explain and predict the response patterns from real subjects. Semantic algorithms explained 60-86% of the variance in the response patterns and allowed remarkably precise prediction of survey responses from humans, except in a personality test. Even the relationships between independent and their purported dependent variables were accurately predicted. This raises concern about the empirical nature of data collected through some surveys if results are already given a priori through the way subjects are being asked. Survey response patterns seem heavily determined by semantics. Language algorithms may suggest these prior to administering a survey. This study suggests that semantic algorithms are becoming new tools for the social sciences, opening perspectives on survey responses that prevalent psychometric theory cannot explain.
Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengesahkan item instrumen Kemenjadian Pelajar (KP) tingkatan enam. Sebanyak 418 orang responden terdiri daripada pelajar tingkatan enam dari seluruh negeri Sabah telah dipilih sebagai sampel kajian. Terdapat enam pemboleh ubah KP yang diuji dalam kajian ini merangkumi pengetahuan, kemahiran berfikir, kemahiran kepimpinan, kemahiran dwibahasa, etika dan kerohanian serta identiti nasional. Analisis data kajian dijalankan secara deskriptif (Cronbach alpha) dan analisis faktor pengesahan (CFA) menggunakan perisian Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) dan Structural equation modeling (SEM). Dapatan kajian menunjukkan nilai Alpha Cronbach berada pada klasifikasi tinggi dan sangat tinggi melebihi 0.70. Hasil analisis model pengukuran peringkat kedua kemenjadian pelajar adalah sepadan dan boleh diterima berdasarkan penyelesaian enam pemboleh ubah kajian. Kajian juga mencadangkan model pengukuran 19 item soalan untuk mengukur tahap kemenjadian pelajar.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment outcome using fixed and removable appliances, in the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya (U.M.). The study models of 25 fixed and 30 upper removable appliance cases, with complete written records were examined before and after orthodontic treatment using the PAR (Peer Assessment Rating) Index. All the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows. Eighty five percent of the cases selected as sample were either 'improved' or 'greatly improved'. Among the 10 cases which were 'greatly improved', all had high pre-treatment PAR points (> 35 PAR points). Conversely, all the eight cases classified as 'worse or no different' were with low pretreatment PAR scores « 20 PAR points). The mean treatment duration in this study was 23. I months, ranging from 2 months to 78 months. The results of this study showed that the standard of treatment in this Faculty were fairly acceptable.
Perkembangan industri permotoran telah menyebabkan pencemaran udara yang menjadi faktor kepada peningkatan simptom masalah respiratori dalam kalangan kanak-kanak sekolah rendah. Kajian ini mengkaji perkaitan antara peningkatan simptom masalah kesihatan respiratori dalam kalangan kanak-kanak sekolah rendah dengan pendedahan terhadap pencemaran udara akibat lalu lintas. Kajian school-based jenis keratan lintang telah dilakukan di dua buah sekolah di daerah Kota Bharu, Kelantan iaitu Sekolah Kebangsaan Langgar dan Sekolah Kebangsaan Demit dengan melibatkan pelajar berumur 10, 11 dan 12 tahun. Saiz sampel seramai 124 orang (n = 124) dipilih menggunakan corak persampelan kebarangkalian iaitu persampelan rawak mudah. Responden disoal menggunakan instrumen yang telah disahihkan dan diadaptasi dari International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan Statistical Package For Social Sciences (SPSS). Hasil kajian menunjukkan peningkatan simptom masalah respiratori yang dihadapi oleh pelajar di dua buah sekolah rendah di Kota Bharu adalah berkait rapat dengan pencemaran udara yang berpunca dari lalu lintas dengan p < 0.05. Kajian mendapati pendedahan kepada bahan pencemar udara yang berpunca dari lalu lintas telah meningkatkan simptom masalah respiratori dalam kalangan kanak-kanak sekolah di rendah lokasi kajian.
Research study is an academic methods applied in real world in solving problems associated with the
society. The research process in achieving objectives of study will have a complete framework
including methodology. Methodology can be defined as method used to collec and compile data
through effective procedures in resulting the study problems. Methodology is divided into three stages,
namely the planning process, application process, and analysis process. This literature review of
methodology framework prioritizes on the planning process that involve with research study design,
which can be divided into an experimental and non-experimental. Experimental methods can be
categorized into real-experimental studies and quasi-experimental studies. Meanwhile, nonexperimental
can be divided into experimental survey, field studies, case studies, action studies and
historical studies. Mostly experimental methods are used in pure science and non-experimental methods used in social sciences. However, both methods are still relevant to be applied into certain
areas of study in order to achieve the objectives and hypothesis. Therefore, the methodology are
compulsory to be designed and applied properly, precisely and accurately so that the process of
collecting data in the period of before, during and after collection will not involve with ant errors,
mistakes and carelessness that may affect the research study.
Studies on the organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) is still new in Malaysia, especially among teachers. The importance of OCB in an organisation has been proven to improve individual performance and productivity. Meanwhile, personality plays an important role in influencing OCB. Therefore, this study will identify whether a teacher's personality influences OCB. This quantitative study was carried out by collecting data from a questionnaire distributed to 287 people that consists of teachers from SBT (High Performance Schools) and daily schools in primary schools around Putrajaya. The Big Five Inventory Instrument by John and Srivastava (1999) is used to measure the five-factor personality and the measurement scale of Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) by Podsakoff et al. (1990) to measure OCB. Data was analysed by multiple regression using Statistical Package for Social Science version 23. The results showed that neuroticism, agreeableness and openness influenced OCB among teachers as a whole. The impact of this study can help the MOE identify the characteristics of the candidate teachers who match the OCB required in the selection and placement of teachers. The MOE can also devise self-awareness intervention modules to maintain and improve OCB among teachers. Future studies need to examine the influence of personality upon the more specific OCBs so that the performance of teachers is always maintained at its peak.
Family functioning and achievement motivation are two aspects that have been frequently discussed by psychologists. Findings from previous research found that both aspects are related to each other. The objective of this research was to identify the levels of family functioning and motivation achievements among civil servants from the Ministry of Human Resources. Besides that, this research intended to observe the influence of family functioning towards motivation achievement of the same sample. This research involved 945 respondents comprised of employees with different grades and position within the Ministry of Human Resource in which they were chosen via simple random sampling. The Family Functioning Style Scale (FFSS) was used to measure family functioning while the Cassidy and Lynn Achievement Scale (CLAM) was used to measure achievement motivation. Analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22 on the data collected. Results showed that majority of the respondents were found to have high levels of family functioning, however, majority of the respondents reported average level of achievement motivation. Results also found that family functioning was influential to motivation achievement.
Perkembangan kecerdasan emosi terbentuk hasil daripada pelbagai aspek dan salah satunya melalui sosial yang wujud dalam keluarga. Kajian ini bertujuan meneliti kesan penerimaan gaya keibubapaan terhadap perkembangan kecerdasan emosi remaja. Selain itu, kajian ini turut mengkaji perbezaan perkembangan kecerdasan emosi mengikut tempat tinggal dan jantina. Metodologi kajian yang digunakan adalah kaedah tinjauan dengan menggunakan soal selidik ke atas 255 orang pelajar sekolah menengah yang berusia 15 hingga 17 tahun. Satu set soal selidik digunakan dalam kajian ini yang terdiri daripada Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ) untuk mengukur gaya keibubapaan dan The Assessing Emotions Scale (AES) untuk mengukur kecerdasan emosi dalam kalangan remaja. Data dianalisis dengan perisian IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) versi 22 dengan menggunakan ujian regresi pelbagai dan ujian-t sampel bebas untuk mengkaji hipotesis yang telah dibina. Hasil keputusan menunjukkan penerimaan gaya keibubapaan autoritatif dan autoritarian secara signifikan memberi kesan terhadap perkembangan kecerdasan emosi remaja. Sebaliknya, gaya keibubapaan permisif pula tidak menyumbang kepada perkembangan kecerdasan emosi remaja. Selain itu, terdapat perbezaan perkembangan kecerdasan emosi mengikut tempat tinggal dan jantina. Implikasinya, pemilihan gaya keibubapaan yang bersesuaian amat penting kerana akan menyumbang kepada perkembangan kecerdasan emosi remaja dan seterusnya akan membentuk personaliti dan tingkah laku mereka.
The ethnopharmaceutical approach is important for the discovery and development of natural product research and requires a deep understanding not only of biometabolites discovery and profiling but also of cultural and social science. For millennia, epigeous macrofungi (mushrooms) and hypogeous macrofungi (truffles) were considered as precious food in many cultures based on their high nutritional value and characterized pleasant aroma. In African and Middle Eastern cultures, macrofungi have long history as high nutritional food and were widely applied in folk medicine. The purpose of this review is to summarize the available information related to the nutritional and medicinal value of African and Middle Eastern macrofungi and to highlight their application in complementary folk medicine in this part of the world.
This paper examined the significant relationship between government regulation and
construction waste management among Malaysian construction industries. Survey
was conducted among 10 contractors registered G7, using proportionate stratified
random sampling, out of which 10 questionnaire were collected for data analysis with
five point Likert scale categories of waste management from previous studies,
statistical analysis affirmed a significant positive relationship between government
regulation and construction waste management in Malaysian construction industries
through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.
Psychological well-being among students began to received attention and be seen as an important aspect in the life of an individual who are in primary, secondary or higher education institution. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the three subfactors of perfectionism, three sub-factors in basic psychological needs and psychological well-being among university students. Methodology of the research is based on a survey among 468 university students using questionnaires of Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB), Almost Perfect Scale Revised (APS-R) and Basic Psychological Needs Scale (BPNS). The subjects consisted of 468 undergraduate students in University Malaysia Sabah. Data were analysed by using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The results showed a significant relationship between perfectionism, basic psychological needs and psychological well-being among university students. Implications and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
BACKGROUND: The 10-item version of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a widely used tool to measure stress. The Malay version of the PSS-10 has been validated among Malaysian Medical Students. However, studies have not been conducted to assess its validity in occupational settings.
AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the PSS-10 in two occupational setting in Malaysia.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted among 191 medical residents and 513 railway workers. An exploratory factor analysis was performed using the principal component method with varimax rotation. Correlation analyses, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, Bartlett's test of Sphericity and Cronbach's alpha were obtained. Statistical analysis was carried out using statistical package for the social sciences version 16 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) software.
RESULTS: Analysis yielded two factor structure of the Malay version of PSS-10 in both occupational groups. The two factors accounted for 59.2% and 64.8% of the variance in the medical residents and the railway workers respectively. Factor loadings were greater than 0.59 in both occupational groups. Cronbach's alpha co-efficient was 0.70 for medical residents and 0.71 for railway workers.
CONCLUSION: The Malay version of PSS-10 had adequate psychometric properties and can be used to measure stress among occupational settings in Malaysia.
KEYWORDS: Factor structure; Malaysia; Occupational; Perceived stress scale; Psychometric properties; Validity
In the present work, the extended Theory of Planned Behaviour was utilised in order to exam- ine and unearth the consumer milk powder purchase intention after the milk powder scare. For this reason, a self-administered questionnaire was developed using established scales. Moreo- ver, a survey on 200 respondents was conducted in Penang, Malaysia through an online survey questionnaire. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) was utilised to analyse the data. The findings revealed that product knowledge, product involvement, and perceived benefit were positively and significantly related to purchase intention. Surprisingly, perceived risk and country of origin's image do not have any significant relationship with purchase inten- tion. Attitude, playing the role of the mediating variable in the present work, was discovered to have a mediating effect on the relationships among product knowledge, product involve- ment, perceived benefit, perceived risk, country of origin's image, and purchase intention regarding milk powder. The present work shines a new light on Malaysian consumers’ purchase intention towards milk powder. Furthermore, the results of the present work can be adopted as a source of reference by milk powder companies in order to formulate strategic marketing plans, for instance during the food scare crisis.
Objective: To determine the construct validity and the internal consistency of the Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ) among medical students hence in the future it could be used as a valid and reliable instrument to identify stressors among medical students. Methods: The blueprint for the development of MSSQ was developed after a review of literature on the subject and a discussion with experts in the field. It comprised of 40 items
with six hypothetical groups. The face validity of the questionnaire was established through discussion with 141 final year medical students whereas content validity was established through discussion with experts from field of Medical Education and Psychiatry. It was administered to a total of 761 medical students. Data was analysed using Statistical Package Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12. Factor analysis was applied to test construct validity of the MSSQ. Reliability analysis (Cronbach’s alpha and item total correlation) was applied to test internal consistency of the MSSQ. Results: The total Cronbach’s alpha value of the MSSQ was 0.95. All the preliminary 40 items were included in the MSSQ as the items had item total correlation value of more than 0.3. The items were loaded nicely into the six pre-determined hypothetical groups as their factor loading values were more than 0.3.
Conclusion: This study showed that MSSQ had good psychometric value. It is a valid and reliable instrument in identifying stressors among medical students.
The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate what percentage of the dental students in the University of Malaya has a tooth size discrepancy. The sample comprised 40 good quality pre-treatment study models with fully erupted and complete permanent dentitions from first molar to first molar, which were selected from the dental students of the University of Malaya. The mesiodistal diameter tooth sizes were randomly measured manually from first molar to first molar using digital calliper (Mitutoyu) accurate to 0.01 mm, and the Bolton analyses for anterior and overall ratios were calculated by scientific calculator. Reproducibility analysis for intra- and interexaminer calibrations was assessed by measuring 10 study models twice, a week apart. A paired sample t-test and the correlation coefficient were used to evaluate the systematic and random errors of the measurements using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12.0. The reproducibility of the intra and inter-examiners for the sum of upper and lower mesiodistal tooth size were high (average mean difference = 0.62, r = 0.82). This study found 47.5% of the samples had anterior, and about 10% had overall· tooth width ratios greater than 2 standard deviations from Bolton's mean. Large percentage of the dental students of the University of Malaya has tooth size discrepancies outside of Bolton 2 standard deviations. It would seem prudent to routinely perform the tooth size analysis and include the findings into orthodontic treatment planning.
Objective: Emotional Intelligence (EI) is described as the ability to perceive, express,
understand, motivate, control and regulate emotion. The USM Emotional Quotient Inventory (USMEQ-i) was designed to measure EI and it was found to be a reliable and valid tool in a sample of prospective medical students. The objective of this study is to determine stability of the USMEQ-i to measure EI at different time and occasions. Methods: A prospective cohort study was done on 196 first year medical students. It was administered to the medical students at four different intervals. The Cronbach’s alpha and intra-class correlation analysis were applied to measure the internal consistency and agreement level across the intervals. The analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18. Results: A total of 196 first year medical students participated in this study. Its overall Cronbach’s alpha value across intervals ranged between 0.94 and 0.97. The Cronbach’s alpha values of emotional control, emotional maturity, emotional conscientiousness, emotional awareness, emotional commitment, emotional fortitude, and emotional expression scale ranged between 0.59 and 0.91. The Cronbach’s alpha value for the faking index scale ranged from 0.76 to 0.89. The ICC coefficient values for EI total score was 0.83, EI domain score ranged between 0.62 and 0.76 and the faking index score was 0.76. Conclusion: The USMEQ-i has demonstrated a good level of stability and internal consistency to measure EI at different time and occasions. It is a promising psychometric instrument that can be used to measure EI.
Feedback and students’ perception towards it has gained increasing attention in the educational literature recently, yet it is an underresearched area. The importance of feedback has not been perceived in a positive manner among medical students. This may be due to students’ lack of knowledge on the concept of feedback and their awareness of the benefits of feedback. This study focused on students’ knowledge on the concept of feedback and their perception towards the feedback system practiced in School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 433 numbers of students from year 1, 3 and 5 medical students. The variables that were included in this were the gender and their year of study. A validated questionnaire was used to perform this study. School and ethical committee clearance were obtained prior to the start of the study. Data obtained was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: Findings revealed that students have an average level of knowledge on the concept of feedback and have a neutral perception towards the feedback system that is practiced in School of Medical Sciences, USM. There was no association between students’ knowledge level on feedback and their perception with their year of study and gender differences. However, although there was not much difference in students’ perception level about feedback with their year of study but it was found those students’ perception level decreases as their year of study progresses. It was also found that there was a poor correlation between medical students’ knowledge level on feedback with their perception towards the feedback system in School of Medical Sciences, USM. Conclusions: The area in which it raised concern in students’ perception about feedback was the factors that are involved in feedback practice, which are the givers of feedback, timing of feedback and the mode of feedback. Further study addressing students’ poor engagement and involvement in feedback can be done and issues identified from this study can be included in together for further improvements of the feedback system.
Objective: To determine the construct validity and the internal consistency of the Postgraduate Stressor Questionnaire (PSQ) among postgraduate medical trainees hence it could be used as a valid and reliable instrument to identify stressors among them.
Methods: Items of the PSQ were derived from a review of literature on the subject and a discussion with experts in the field. It comprised of 28 items with seven hypothetical groups. The content and face validity was established through discussion with experts from field of Medical Education and Psychiatry. It was administered to all participants (N = 34) of postgraduate personal and professional development programme in a Malaysian university. Data was analysed using Statistical Package Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18. Factor analysis was applied to test construct validity whereas reliability analysis was applied to test internal consistency of the PSQ.
Results: Thirty three postgraduate medical trainees participated in this study. Factor analysis found that the 28 items of the PSQ were loaded nicely into the seven pre-determined groups as their factor loading values were more than 0.3. The reliability analysis showed that the Cronbach's alpha value for The PSQ was 0.95. Whereas, The Cronbach's alpha values for academic, poor relationship with superior, bureaucratic constraints, work-family conflicts, poor relationship with colleagues, performance pressure, and poor job prospect domains were 0.63, 0.84, 0.81, 0.65, 0.73, 0.78, and 0.70 respectively.
Conclusion: This study showed that the PSQ is a reliable and valid instrument to identify stressors of postgraduate medical trainees. It is a promising instrument that can be used in future to explore further on this area.
The aim of this paper is to review the potentialities and major methodological challenges
of integrating remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) with socioeconomic data
from published articles or book chapters. RS and GIS combined with social science (SS)(termed as
geoinformation technology) serve many applications for sustainable management and monitoring of
the environment. This combined approach gives more accurate results than the single one. It makes
information available about the trend and pattern of land use and land cover change (LUCC) with
socioeconomic variables like population, demographic or income. This combined study which links
RS and GIS with socioeconomic data can also be used successfully for monitoring transmission rate
of disease and mapping or preparing vulnerability index. For impact assessment and modelling, this
combined technology provides better results than the single one. There are some methodological
problems for the researchers to link completely two different disciplines as the object of study and
observational unit is completely different. However, this interdisciplinary study is gaining popularity
day by day to researchers from different disciplines as well as decision makers.