Self-regulated learning skill as a predictor of mathematics achievement: a focus on ability levels

This paper investigated self-regulated learning skills as a predictor of students’ achievement in mathematics based on ability level. The study is prediction-design research of correlational type. The subjects were 882 SSII students from the secondary schools in Owerri Education Zone of Imo State. The researchers adopted the multi-stage but simple random sampling technique to draw the sample. Two instruments were used to collect data for this study. They are the Self-regulated Learning Questionnaire (SRLQ) and Mathematics Achievement Proforma. The validity of the instruments was ensured through experts’ suggestions and guidance. Single-administration reliability and Cronbach Alpha ensured the reliability of SRLQ (0.89). The data collected were analyzed using regression analysis and coefficient of determination at 0.05 alpha level with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The results of the study revealed that self-regulated learning skill predicts 6.0% and 4.3% respectively to the variance observed in high and low achieving students in mathematics. This prediction is significant as attested to by the regression analysis carried out (p < 0.05). Therefore, secondary school students should regulate their learning to increase their mathematics achievement

Understanding Accretion Outbursts in Massive Protostars through Maser Imaging

The bright maser emission produced by several molecular species at centimeter to long millimeter wavelengths provides an essential tool for understanding the process of massive star formation. Unimpeded by the high dust optical depths that affect shorter wavelength observations, the high brightness temperature of these emission lines offers a way to resolve accretion and outflow motions down to scales below $\sim$1 au in deeply embedded Galactic star-forming regions at kiloparsec distances. The recent identification of extraordinary accretion outbursts in two high-mass protostars, both of which were heralded by maser flares, has rapidly impacted the traditional view of massive protostellar evolution, leading to new hydrodynamic simulations that can produce such episodic outbursts. In order to understand how these massive protostars evolve in response to such events, larger, more sensitive ground-based centimeter wavelength interferometers are needed that can simultaneously image multiple maser species in the molecular gas along with faint continuum from the central ionized gas. Fiducial observations of a large sample of massive protostars will be essential in order to pinpoint the progenitors of future accretion outbursts, and to quantify the outburst-induced changes in their protostellar photospheres and outflow and accretion structures. Knowledge gained from these studies will have broader impact on the general topic of accretion onto massive objects.Comment: Science white paper submitted to the Astro2020 Decadal Survey. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1806.0698

Does Domestic Energy Consumption Contribute to Exports? Empirical Evidence From Nigeria.

This paper examined the existence of interaction between domestic energy consumption and exports in Nigeria by using annual data from 1970 to 2009. We applied cointegration, Granger causality and impulse response functions to capture the relationship. The empirical results indicate that there is significant relationship between domestic energy consumption and exports in the long run. Granger causality tests showed that there is unidirectional causality running from energy consumption to exports. Impulse response functions indicate that shocks to the energy consumption have a positive impact on exports in the longrun. Likewise, expansions on exports were positively related to energy consumption. Therefore, significant improvement in energy production and utilization is expected to stimulate exports and engender economic growth in Nigeria. Keywords: Energy; domestic energy consumption; exports; cointegration; causality; Nigeria JEL Classifications: C32; Q40; Q43 

Funding Arrangements for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria: An Assessment

Small and Medium Scale Enterprises have been fully recognized by governments and development experts as the main engine of economic growth and a major factor in promoting development. They not only contribute significantly to improved living standards, employment generation and poverty reduction but also bring about substantial domestic or local capital formation and achievement of high levels of productivity and capability. A major gap in Nigeria’s industrial development process in the past years has been the absence of a strong and virile SME sub-sector. This study seeks to generally appraise and analyze the operating environment and circumstances of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria with a view to actually identifying why SMEs are not playing major roles in the Nigerian economy as in other economies. The random sampling method was employed and responses to the questionnaire were complemented with personal interviews of key operators. Analysis was undertaken using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings revealed that SMEs have performed below expectation in the development of Nigeria economy due to a combination of factors. Thus, the paper recommends that the realization of these require a paradigm shift from paying lip service to a practical radical forward approach to issues and focus on this all-important sector of the economy and realistically addressing the identified problems by the key operators