What kind of information do drivers need? An investigation of drivers' information requirements in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Past research indicated that driver information requirements were varied (e. g. Spyridakis et al., 1991) and the motorists population cannot be consider homogeneous in terms of information requirements (e. g. Haselkorn et al., 1991). Some of the previous studies even suggestedth at before the so-called intelligent systemsg o into production, several unresolved issues concerning what kind of information drivers require need to be resolved. Thus, this thesis is interested in exploring several human factors issues concerning drivers; ' information requirements. First, the study is trying to provide at least a general picture of what kind of information is suitable to be presented to drivers in certain types of journey. Secondly, the thesis is interested in exploring the suitable timing and mode to present the required information to the target audiences. Besides the aforementioned human factors issues, this research also investigated how drivers plan their routes and find their way in unfamiliar destinations. The study is also interested in examining criteria used by drivers in choosing a route to their intended destination. Finally, this thesis aims to measure respondents' behavioral responses when they were given several traffic messages on congestion while commuting to and from work. The results also revealed that local drivers used more than one strategy for route planning and wayfinding in unfamiliar locations. Maps were the main strategy used by most of the respondents who participated in this study. Other strategies used by respondents were asking a passer-by, relying on memory and going without preparation. Apart from that, this study also demonstrated the difficulty in arriving at a general conclusion concerning the appropriate criteria that drivers would use in selecting a route for different trips. Local drivers would use a variety types of criteria in order to choose a route to a particular destination. However, the thesis identifies that drivers mainly employed three types of criteria in selecting a route to a particular destination. These criteria were safety, saving mileage and avoiding congested routes The final study (Study 3) was interested in extending the results of both studies I and 2 particularly the presentationo f congestionm essagesto its end users,i . e. motorists. An experiment was conducted to investigate drivers' response towards the presentation of traffic messagesa bout congestion.T he findings clearly supportedp revious work that found different types of information are likely to elicit different kind of responses from the drivers. In addition, local drivers also had ideas about the design of future traffic messages on congestion. For example, the need to have a quick solution when faced with the problem, e. g. offer alternate route; the need to have information on travel time if they decided to use the alternate route recommended by the systems; and some of the messages should be given as early as possible to serve as pre-trip advanced warning to drivers. The findings clearly demonstrated the preference for having more information rather than less

Students' preferences for lecturers' personalities: A study among University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students

Malaysian older adults will be accounted for 10% of the population by 2020 as the consequence of the global ageing demographic revolution. Malaysian studies showed poor quality of life (QOL) among Malaysian older adults despite their long life expectancy. Studies showed the positive relationship between religiosity, spirituality, and QOL. However, previous studies did not distinguish spirituality from religiosity and it has presented insufficient persuasiveness of findings. This study aims to investigate spirituality and religiosity as the predictors for QOL. Quantitative and cross-sectional survey designs were used in this study. 180 participants from aged 60 to 88 were recruited. This study used multiple linear regression analysis to examine the predictors of religiosity and spirituality on QOL. The result showed only spirituality predicted QOL among elderly adults, but not religiosity. The findings of the study implied the importance of internalising spiritual virtues instead of focusing on religious activities which may not improve QOL among older adults significantly

Gender, cultural influences, and coping with musculoskeleta pain at work

Purpose Workers with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) often continue to work despite their condition. Understanding the factors that enable them to remain at work provides insights into the development of appropriate workplace accommodations. This qualitative study aims to explore the strategies utilised by female Malaysian office workers with MSP to maintain productive employment. Methods A qualitative approach using thematic analysis was used. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 female Malaysian office workers with MSP. Initial codes were identified and refined through iterative discussion to further develop the emerging codes and modify the coding framework. A further stage of coding was undertaken to eliminate redundant codes and establish analytic connections between distinct themes. Results Two major themes were identified: managing the demands of work and maintaining employment with persistent musculoskeletal pain. Participants reported developing strategies to assist them to remain at work, but most focused on individually initiated adaptations or peer support, rather than systemic changes to work systems or practices. A combination of the patriarchal and hierarchical cultural occupational context emerged as a critical factor in the finding of individual or peer based adaptations rather than organizational accommodations. Conclusions It is recommended that supervisors be educated in the benefits of maintaining and retaining employees with MSP, and encouraged to challenge cultural norms and develop appropriate flexible workplace accommodations through consultation and negotiation with these workers

Psychological Capital Scale: A Study on the Psychometric Properties of Employees in Malaysia

Since its inception in 2007, psychological capital has been gaining more and more attention. Nonetheless, zero studies had been done on the psychometric properties of the 24-item Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) in Malaysia. Therefore, the present study examined the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. A total of 420 Malaysian government employees participated in this study. Findings revealed that the PCQ demonstrated a satisfactory level of psychometric properties in Malaysia after five items were excluded. Hence, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) could be used for Malaysian employees to discover positive contributions to psychological capital in the Malaysian workplace setting.

Predictors of musculoskeletal discomfort: a cross-cultural comparison between Malaysian and Australian office workers

Prevalence and predictors associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) vary considerably between countries. It is plausible that socio-cultural contexts may contribute to these differences. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 1184 Malaysian and Australian office workers with the aim to examine predictors associated with MSD discomfort. The 6-month period prevalence of self-reported MSD discomfort for Malaysian office workers was 92.8% and 71.2% among Australian workers. In Malaysia, a model regressing level of musculoskeletal discomfort against possible risk factors was significant overall (F [6, 370] = 17.35; p < 0.001) and explained 22% (r = 0.46) of its variance. MSD discomfort was significantly associated with predictors that included gender (b = 14), physical (b = 0.38) and psychosocial hazards (b= - 0.10), and work-life balance (b = - 0.13). In Australia, the regression model is also significant (F [6, 539] = 16.47; p < 0.001) with the model explaining 15.5% (r = 0.39) of the variance in MSD discomfort. Predictors such as gender (b = 0.14), physical (b= 24) and psychosocial hazards (b = - 0.17), were associated with MSD discomfort in Australian office workers. Predictors associated with MSD discomfort were similar, but their relative importance differed. Work-life balance was significantly associated with increased MSD discomfort for the Malaysian population only. Design and implementation of MSD risk management needs to take into account the work practices and culture of the target population

Hubungan di antara dimensi personaliti, Konsep Kendiri dan pengaruh keluarga ke atas pencapaian pelajar di Rancangan Skim Felda, Johor

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between the dimensions of personality, self-concept and family influence on students’ performance. The sample consists of 214 students from two secondary schools in the FELDA settlement in Johor. Random cluster sampling was employed to select participants for the study. A pilot test was conducted to assess the internal consistency of the questionnaire used in the study which was the Malay version of the Junior Eysenck Personality Inventory (JEPI) (α = .57), the Malay version of the Tennessee Self-concept Scale (α = .86) and the family influence questionnaire (α = .79). These instruments were used to examine the effects of family influence in the aspects of family cohesiveness, religious and moral aspect and freedom aspect. Pearson's Correlation was used to analyze the relationship between the dimensions of personality, self-concept and family influence. The results show a relationship between the dimensions of personality and self-concept, and between the dimensions of personality and family cohesiveness. However, there was no relationship between the dimensions of personality and the religious and moral and freedom aspect. The results also show that there was a strong relationship between self-concept and family cohesiveness and a moderate relationship between self-concept and the religious and moral aspect. However, there was no relationship between self-concept and freedom. The implications of the study were also discussed

Prevalens ketidakselesaan Muskuloskeletal (msd discomfort) dalam Kalangan anggota polis trafik di Sabah

The job sector that is said to be related to the MSD problem is those who work as police officers. Studies on the prevalence rate of MSD are still not carried out in Malaysia, therefore the awareness of the effects and consequences of MSD is not well known. This study aims to examine the prevalence and gender differences in MSD among traffic police officers. This study was conducted using a cross-sectional design through a survey method using a questionnaire. A total of 262 respondents participated in this study among traffic police officers and members who carry out traffic control duties. The MSD prevalence rate for traffic policemen in the last 6 months was 96.6% with 83.6% of male traffic policemen and 13% of female policemen. The study found no significant relationship (p >.05) between the MSD prevalence rate and gender. The prevalence level for pain in the body part is 26.3% (N=69) in the neck/shoulder part, 14.5% (N=38) in the hand/finger part, 16.8% (N=44) in the arm, 30.1% (N=79 ) in the mid to lower back and 29% (N=76) in the hips/back, calves/legs. Therefore, this study is expected to provide information on the MSD prevalence rate among traffic police members as a reference to improve the level of health in their work

Predictors of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Teachers: An Exploratory Investigation in Malaysia

Purpose: The present study aimed to examine the prevalence and gender differences in MSDs among teachers, as well as the interaction of associated predictor .In addition, another aim of the study was to investigate the contribution of these predictors, which have not been examined thoroughly particularly in Malaysia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was employed in this study. A questionnaire was used to measure physical factors, psychosocial factors, workload, work-life balance, general well-being, and MSDs levels among primary school teachers (N=460) from 10 primary schools in Kota Kinabalu. Findings: The prevalence of MSD in the past 6 months was 61.7% (95% CI: 57.4% – 65.9%). The present study findings also indicated that there were significant gender differences in MSDs between female and male teachers (t = 1.04, p< .05). Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to examine a range of predictors related to MSDs. Physical factors (ß = .17, p<0.05). Multiple regression was used for a variety of predictors that are associated with MSD. Physical factors (ß = .17, p<0.05), psychosocial factors (ß = -.14, p<0.05), and general well-being (ß = .43, p<0.01) are significantly associated with MSD in Malaysian primary school teachers. Overall, model statistic result was F (3, 276) = 36.730, p=0.001, R² = .45 and adjusted R² = .435. The model explained 44.7% (r= 0.67) of the variance in MSD discomfort. Conclusion: The studies concerning MSDs among teachers revealed the need for a significant effort, not only to examine the risk factors but also to develop interventions to minimize MSDs for those in the teaching profession

Kajian Permasalahan yang Dihadapi oleh PelajarPelajar Tingkatan Empat di Sekolah Menengah MersingBerasaskan Senarai Semak Mooney: Satu Kajian Lanjutan

Dalam kajian ini penyelidik ingin melihat permasalahan yang paling utama, pencapaian akademik pelajar dalam PMR serta mengenal pasti perbezaan permasalahan yang dihadapi berdasarkan demografi pelajar. Kajian dilakukan ke atas 186 orang responden menggunakan soal selidik yang diterjemah daripada MPCL yang dibahagikan kepada dua bahagian. Bahagian A melibatkan demografi pelajar dan bahagian B melibatkan maklum balas pelajar terhadap elemen permasalahan. Maklum balas yang diterima dianalisis menggunakan perisian SPSS versi 14.0. Statistik deskriptif seperti frekuensi, peratusan, min dan sisihan piawai serta statistik inferensi seperti ujian-t telah digunakan dalam kajian ini. Nilai kebolehpercayaan Alpha Cronbach adalah α = .895. Hasil kajian menunjukkan tahap permasalahan yang dihadapi oleh pelajar-pelajar di sekolah menengah daerah Mersing berada pada tahap sederhana (min = 3.20). Permasalahan akademik dan kerjaya merupakan permasalahan yang paling utama (min = 3.82) serta tidak terdapat perbezaan permasalahan pelajar mengikut jantina, bangsa dan lokasi sekolah tetapi terdapat perbezaan permasalahan agama dan moral mengikut bangsa (k = .01 < α = .05) dan terdapat perbezaan permasalahan persekolahan yang dihadapi oleh pelajar-pelajar yang dikaji mengikut jantina (k = .004 < α = .05) dan lokasi sekolah (k = .002 < α = .05). Ini bermakna pelajar-pelajar tingkatan empat di sekolah menengah daerah Mersing perlu dibantu bagi mengurangkan permasalahan akademik dan kerjaya, serta tumpuan boleh diberi bagi permasalahan agama dan moral mengikut bangsa dan persekolahan mengikut lokasi sekolah