Teachers’ Effectiveness and Students’ Academic Achievement in Senior Secondary School Civic, Osun State Nigeria

The study assessed the level of teaching effectiveness of Civic teachers in Osun State. It also determined the relationship between teachers’ effectiveness and senior secondary school students’ academic achievement and examined the difference between the academic achievement of the students taught by male Civic teachers and those taught by female Civic teachers in the study area. The study employed Correlational research design and the population for the study comprised of Civic teachers and the senior secondary school students in Osun State. The sample size for the study consisted of forty (40) Civic teachers and two hundred (200) students selected using multistage sampling procedure. A research question and two hypotheses were raised to guide the study. Two instruments: Teachers’ Effectiveness Rating Scale (TERS) and Civic Achievement Test (CAT) were developed and used for data collection. The two instruments were given to experts in Civic Education and Test and Measurement for face and content validity and were later subjected to a reliability test using Pearson moment product correlation which yielded values of 0.65 and 0.72 respectively. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, simple percentages, mean, standard deviation, linear regression and t-test statistics. Findings of the study showed that the level of teaching effectiveness of Civic teachers in the study area is moderate. The study concluded that teachers’ effectiveness is a correlate of senior secondary school students’ academic achievement in Civic in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun State

Evaluation of Specific Humidity over Nigeria using Artificial Neural Network

Weather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the state of the weather for a future time at a given location using quantitative data of past or present experiences. In this paper neural network–based autoregressive moving average with exogenous inputs (NNARMAX) and autoregressive moving average with exogenous inputs (ARMAX) models were used to obtain specific humidity (q) from the meteorological parameters  obtained from the archives of Nigeria Meteorological Agency NIMET, Oshodi Lagos, Nigeria. The data which covers a ten year period (1999-2008) were the daily temperature and relative humidity data taken at 09:00 hour and 15:00 hour over sixteen stations evenly distributed across Nigeria. The results showed that the two models could be applied to predict specific humidity (q) at all the selected stations. The performance evaluation mean square error (MSE) for training and validation error (MSTE & MSVE) that were obtained at most of the stations  showed that the NNARMAX model yielded better performances than the ARMAX model for instance, at Lagos, the mean square validation error (MVE) for training at 09:00 hour are 0.0007 and 0.2396 for NNARMAX and ARMAX respectively. Keywords: Weather Forecasting, Artificial Neural Networks, ARMAX model, time series.

Regional Estimation of Solar Radiation using Routinal Meteorological Variables

In this paper, the monthly surface data of solar radiation, minimum and maximum temperatures, wind speed and evaporation of 1970-1995 for four climatic regions in Nigeria were obtained from the archives of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Oshodi, Lagos. The distributions of solar radiation with each of the four meteorological variables were observed. It was found that solar radiation was well monitored by each of the variables indicating that the linear combination of the variables can be used to develop model from where solar radiation data can be evaluated. Consequently, the multivariate linear regression model was developed using 1970-1990 data of the five meteorological parameters for each of the four regions taking solar radiation as dependent variables and the four other meteorological variables as independent variables. The models were validated using 1991-1995 data of minimum and maximum temperatures, wind speed and evaporation to obtain the predicted solar radiation. Analyses have shown that over seventy percent correlations exist between the measured and estimated values of solar radiation. The efficiency of the developed models was further verified by calculating the values of R 2, MBE, RMSE and t-test at confidence level of p < 0.05. The results obtained showed that the models were statistically significant and could be used to estimate solar radiation at the regions in Nigeria. Keywords: Distribution, Meteorological, Multivariate, Radiation and Statistically

Application of nonlinear autoregressive neural network to estimation of global solar radiation over Nigeria

In this paper, surface data meteorological were used as input variables to create, train and validate the network in which global solar radiation serves as a target. These surface data were obtained from the archives of the European centre for Medium-Range weather forecast for a span of 36 years (1980-2015) over Nigeria. The research aims to evaluate the predictive ability of the nonlinear autoregressive neural network with exogenous input (NARX) model compared with the multivariate linear regression (MLR) model using the statistical metrics. Model selection analysis using the index of agreement (dr) metric showed that the MLR and NARX models have values of 0.710 and 0.853 in the Sahel, 0.748 and 0.849 in the Guinea Savannah, 0.664 and 0.791 in the Derived Savannah, 0.634 and 0.824 in the Coastal regions, and 0.771 and 0.806 in entire Nigeria respectively. Meanwhile, error analyses of the models using root mean square errors (RMSE) showed the values of 1.720 W/m2 and 1.417 in the Sahel region, 2.329 W/m2 and 1.985 W/m2 in the Guinea Savannah region, 2.459 W/m2 and 2.272 W/m2 in the Derived Savannah region, 2.397 W/m2 and 2.261 W/m2 in the Coastal region and 1.691 W/m2 and 1.600 W/m2 in entire Nigeria for MLR and NARX models respectively. These showed that the NARX model has higher dr values and lower RMSE values over all the climatic regions and entire Nigeria than the MLR model. Finally, it can be inferred from these metrics that the NARX model gives a better prediction of global solar radiation than the traditional common MLR models in all the zones in Nigeria

RELATIONSHIP AMONG COGNITIVE STYLES, PARENTAL INVOVLEMENT AND LEARNING OUTCOMES OF PUPILS IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the relationship among Cognitive Styles, Parental Involvement and Learning Outcomes of pupils in Social Studies in Ondo State. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population for the study comprised primary III pupils and their parents in Ondo State. The sample size consisted of 240 primary III school pupils and 240 parents selected using multistage sampling procedure. One senatorial district was selected from the state using simple random sampling technique. Two Local Government Areas (LGAs) were selected from the sampled senatorial district in Ondo State using simple random sampling technique. From each of the two selected primary schools, 30 pupils and 30 parents each from two intact classes were randomly selected for the study. Three instruments were used for data collection, they are: Cognitive Styles Questionnaire (CSQ), Pupils’ End of Term Examination Score in Social Studies (PETES) and Parental Interview Schedule (PIS). The data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and multiple regression analysis statistics. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between cognitive styles and learning outcomes (cognitive styles yielded a coefficient regression (R) of .152 and a correlation square (R2) of .023). There was also no significant relationship between parental involvement and learning outcomes (parental involvement yielded a coefficient regression (R) of .118 and a correlation square (R2) of .014). These values were statistically significant at 0.05 probability level. In addition, there was no significant relative contribution of cognitive styles and parental involvement to learning outcomes of pupils in lower primary schools. The result indicated that field independent and field dependent cognitive styles t-values = -1.696 and -1.581 respectively while their respective beta weight values = -.108 and -.101. Also, parental involvement t-value = 1.791 and beta weight = .114. The study concluded that parental involvement was a very good predictor of pupils’ learning outcomes in Social Studies in lower primary school in Ondo State.            Article visualizations

ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GEOGRAPHY CURRICULUM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the availability and adequacy of Geography instructional resources in senior secondary schools in Osun State. It also examined the instructional strategies being employed by Geography teachers in teaching and learning in the classroom. Furthermore, the study assessed the quality of teachers in terms of qualification, content knowledge and years of experience in the state. These were with the view to providing information on the implementation of the Geography Curriculum in Senior Secondary Schools in Osun State. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of all Geography teachers in senior secondary schools in Osun State. Eighty (80) Geography teachers constituted the sample for the study. Two instruments were used for data collection. These are the Instructional Resources and Strategies Observation Checklist (IRSOC) and Teaching Personnel Questionnaire (TPQ). Data collected were analyzed using frequency count and percentages. The results showed that instructional resources were not readily available for use. Globe (73.33%), Topographical map (83.33%), Atlas (93.33%), and Geography textbooks (100%) were resources that are available while Chart of Weather Symbols (60%), Globe (72.72%), Geography Textbooks (76.67%), Topographical maps (80%) and Wall maps (100%) were adequate in schools the resources were available. However, the instructional strategy employed by Geography teachers were peer tutoring (3.33%), group activity strategy (6.67%), inquiry (30%), demonstration strategy (36.67%) and expository strategy (100%). On the quality of Geography teachers in the state, the study showed that 57.50% studied Geography as a course while 6.25%, 10%, 11.25% and 15% studied Sociology, Urban and Regional Planning, Demography and Statistics and Geology, respectively. The study concluded that instructional resources, as well as instructional strategies employed by Geography teachers in Senior Secondary Schools in Osun State, were inadequate

Identifying Predictors of Racial Disparity in Treatment and Mortality Among Patients Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in South Carolina

Introduction: Despite a lower incidence of breast cancer (BrCA) among Black women in the U.S. compared to White women, Black women experience consistently higher mortality rates. The aims of this study were 1) to assess the relationship between race and diagnosis-to-treatment times 2) to assess racial disparity in mortality among Black and White BrCA patients in SC and 3) assessment of the validity of the Mortality-to- incidence ration (MIR) as a proxy for survival and geospatial investigation of racial disparity among breast cancer (BrCA) patients. Methods: Breast cancer cases diagnosed between 2002-2010 were obtained retrospectively from the SC Central Cancer Registry, linked with administrative data from a private payor source and Medicaid Plan. The main exposure variable for all analyses was patient’s race (White vs Black women). For aim 1, outcome variables were diagnosis-to-treatment time for BrCA-related surgery, radiation, adjuvant hormone treatment (AHT) and chemotherapy; Chi-square tests, logistic regression and generalized linear model analyses were conducted to compare patients’ diagnosis-to-treatment times among Blacks and Whites. For aim 2, the main outcome variable was mortality characterized by vital status and total survival time; Cox proportional hazard analyses were conducted to compare hazard ratios among Blacks and Whites to assess disparities in mortality. For aim 3, MIRs were computed from cancer incidence and mortality data which were obtained from the SC Community Access Network (SCAN). ArcGIS 10.2 was utilized to map BrCA MIRs by race (46 counties and 4 regions). MIR were categorized into seven levels using the national BrCA MIR for White women as reference in county maps; in all other maps, categorizations were based on natural breaks in ArcGIS. Survival percentage, Cox Proportional hazard ratios and survival-MIR correlation analyses were computed for all BrCA cases in each county/region utilizing SAS software and data on BrCA cases which were obtained retrospectively from the SC Central Cancer Registry from 2002 to 2010. Results: A total of 2155 BrCA patients with 1557 White women and 598 Black women were reported in the study period (2002-2010). For aim 1, multivariable linear model regression showed that there was statistically significant increase in adjusted least square means in receipt of AHT by 54 days, 36 days, 63 days and 46 days among unmarried, not being on best chance network and late surgery; multivariable logistic regression showed that the odds of late receipt of surgery was 1.96 (95% CI: 1.38-2.79) among unmarried Black women compared with unmarried White women; 1.89 (95% CI: 1.32-2.71) among Black women who lived Conclusions: Mortality was higher among Blacks who lived in the Low Country region of the state and among Blacks who lived in urban areas. Health region ranking utilizing the MIR correlated with 12-year survival time in the overall population, Whites and Black-White difference. To improve overall timely receipt of AHT, efforts need to be directed at Black BrCA patients that are not married, not on BCN, and those that received late surgery. To improve overall timely receipt of surgery, efforts need to be directed at Black BrCA patients that are not married, lived in urban areas and live

Measuring efficiencies of Bangladeshi and Indonesian microfinance institutions: A data envelopment analysis and latent growth curve modeling approach

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to measure the technical efficiency and growth trajectory of Bangladeshi and Indonesian microfinance institutions (MFIs). The motivation for this study was derived from crucial roles that these institutions play in the socio-economic transformation of any nations, especially Bangladesh and Indonesia which are at least prominent in the Asian context in this regard. Rather than “proving” impact, research endeavors have shifted to focusing on “improving” the impact of MFIs, because the ability to improve their impact as socio-economic transformation platform may be hinged on their efficiency over time. Design/methodology/approach: Data were obtained from MIX market database covering a five-year period from 2007 to 2011 for 20 Bangladeshi and 11 Indonesian MFIs. The data obtained were subjected to both efficiency and trajectory analysis using data envelopment analysis (DEA) based on Malmquist productivity index, independent t-test, and latent growth curve modeling (LGCM). Findings: Overall, DEA results indicate that both Bangladeshi and Indonesian MFIs are approximately efficient under constant returns to scale, variable returns to scale, and scale. There has been an improvement in the management practices of Bangladeshi MFIs, while Indonesian MFIs have increased in optimum size. Independent t-test result shows that Bangladeshi MFIs are significantly efficient in terms of performance and firm’s size compared to Indonesian MFIs, but there is no significant difference in their efficiencies with regard to technology. The intercept and the slope of the regression weight in the estimated model using LGCM are not significantly different. Research limitations/implications: This study measures technical efficiency and growth trajectory of Bangladeshi and Indonesian MFIs over a five-year period. However, future studies could explore this in greater depth by incorporating more data. Practical implications: The research findings have great implications for the Bangladeshi and Indonesian MFIs. Since this study is among the first of its kind, the researchers have paved ways for further investigation in this area. Moreover, the study encourages the Bangladeshi and Indonesian MFIs to be more concerned of their efficiencies. Originality/value: This study measures technical efficiency and growth trajectory of the Bangladeshi and Indonesian (MFIs). These have never been examined together in this way before. © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

Assessment of government’s involvement in implementation of national policy on early childhood education in Nigeria

The study examined the areas of Government’s involvement as stated in the national policy on early childhood education in South western Nigeria. It determined the implementation processes of the national policy on ECE on the areas of Government’s involvement and also investigated the level of compliance in the implementation processes of the national policy on ECE and the stakeholders' assessment of Government’s involvement in the implementation of the national policy on ECE. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. Data was collected from 72 head teachers, 144 classroom teachers and 144 parents of early childhood education pupils as well as 30 State Ministry of Education officials. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select the sample for the study. Three instruments were used for this study. The results of the study showed that governments were involved in the regulation of the establishment and registration of pre-school facilities at 91.7% and 96.7%, development and implementing educational support services to orphans and vulnerable children at 51.4% and 90%. The study concluded that Government’s involvement in the implementation of the national policy on early childhood education is only to a little extent. All the implementation processes of the national policy on education were not followed by the government.    Â

PERSONAL INCOME TAX ADMINISTRATION IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES (A STUDY OF SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA)

The study examined the effectiveness of Personal Income Tax Administration in the rural communities, focusing on assessment and revenue collection methods, effectiveness and efficiency of Relevant Tax Authorities. 125 copies of questionnaire were administered on respondents. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the opinions of key stakeholders directly connected with Direct and Minimum Tax Assessments in six selected Local Government Areas in Ogun State, Nigeria. Testing of the hypotheses for the study was done using both simple and multiple regression analysis. The findings from the study indicate that tax assessment method significantly encourages voluntary enrolment into the tax net and that effective collection method adopted by the relevant tax authorities ensures optimal tax revenue collection. The study recommends that government should intensify its enlightenment programmes and to introduce awards for recognition of the best rural taxpayers