Differential Item Functioning in English Language Test Using Item Response Theory for Ethnic Groups

The study investigated detecting differential item functioning using item response theory in West African Senior School Certificate English language test in South-South Nigeria. Four research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive research survey design was employed for the study. The population of the study was 117845 Senior Secondary 3 students in Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states. A sample of 1309 (604 males, 705 females) drawn through multi stage sampling technique was used for the study. One valid instrument titled: WASSCE/SSCE English language objective test (ELOT) was used to collect data for the study. The reliability index of the instrument was estimated using Richard Kuderson 20 with coefficient value of .84 for the English Language objective test Chi square and Lord Wald test statistics statistical technique employed by Item Response Theory for Patient Reported Outcome (IRTPRO) was the technique used in data analysis which provided answers to the research questions and Chi Square test to test the hypothesis at.05 level of significance. On analysis, the result revealed that significantly between Ijaw, and Bini, 20 items were flagged as exhibiting DIF, between Esan and Ijaw, 20 items showed DIF, between Isoko and Ijaw, 15 items showed DIF, between Urhobo and Ijaw, 12 items were flagged as showing DIF and the number of items that function differently was significantly dependent on ethnic groups. This thus shows a total of 95% based on ethnicity indicating large DIF and items that are potentially biased. Based on the findings recommendation were made and one among others was that Item Response theory should be used as DIF detection method by large scale public examination and test developers. Keywords; Differential item functioning, Item Response Theory, Ethnicity, English language, Examination DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-6-02 Publication date:March 31st 201

Psychological Factors Associated with Job Satisfaction Among Counsellors in Rivers State, Nigeria

The study investigated psychological factors associated with job satisfaction among counsellors in Rivers State, Nigeria. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The design of the study is correlational. A sample size of 520 guidance counsellors which was drawn from both private and public secondary schools through purposive sampling technique was used for the study. The instruments used for the study were Counsellors Job Satisfaction Scale (CJSC) and Psychological Factors Scale (PFS) which were developed by the researchers. The instruments CJSC and PFS were validated by experts in educational psychology, guidance and counselling; measurement and evaluation. The reliability coefficients of CJSC and PTS sub sections were 0.64, 0.70 0.62 and 0.70 respectively which were determined through Cronbach alpha technique for internal consistency of the instruments. Data collected were analyzed using simple regression analysis to answer the research questions while Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test associated with the regression were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. The result revealed that self-concept and motivation significantly associate with counsellors’ job satisfaction while locus of control did not significantly associate with counsellors’ job satisfaction. Based on these results, it was recommended among others that guidance counsellors should always be motivated to do their counselling job through regular payment, seminars and workshops. Keywords: Job Satisfaction, Locus of Control, Motivation, Counsellors

Cog-Motivational Factors as Correlates of Academic Learned Helplessness Among Secondary School Students in Rivers State

The study investigated cog-motivational (cognitive & motivational) as correlates of academic learned helplessness among secondary school students in Rivers state. Cog-motivational factors of (self-efficacy, attribution and achievement motivation), were the independent variables while academic learned helplessness was the dependent variable. Four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. A sample of 500 SS2 academic learned helplessness students was drawn from a population of 32,126 SS2 students in public secondary schools in Rivers State, using multi-stage sampling procedure. Two instruments were used for the study: Cog-motivational Factors Scale (CFS) and Academic Learned Helplessness Scale (ALHS). Data collected were analyzed using simple and multiple regression statistics. Results of the study indicated that cog-motivational factors of (self-efficacy, attribution and achievement motivation) jointly, had a low positive relationship with academic learned helplessness which was significant at 0.05 levels of significance. Independently, self-efficacy had a negative relationship with academic learned helplessness, while attribution and achievement motivation had positive relationships with academic learned helplessness. Statistical testing revealed that independently, attribution had a significant relationship with academic learned helplessness while self-efficacy and achievement motivation had no significant relationship with academic learned helplessness. Based on the findings appropriate recommendations were made among which is that guidance counsellors should be employed in all public secondary schools in Rivers State to assist students with the problem of academic learned helplessness to improve academic performance Keywords: Self-efficacy, Attributon, Achievement motivation and Academic Learned Helplessness DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-8-01 Publication date: April 30th 201

A multinational Delphi consensus to end the COVID-19 public health threat

Despite notable scientific and medical advances, broader political, socioeconomic, and behavioural factors continue to undercut the response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic1,2. This Delphi study convened a diverse, multidisciplinary panel of 386 academic, health, NGO, government and other experts in COVID-19 response from 112 countries and territories to recommend specific actions to end this persistent global public health threat. The panel developed a set of 41 consensus statements and 57 recommendations to governments, health systems, industry, and other key stakeholders across six domains: communication; health systems; vaccination; prevention; treatment and care; and inequities. In the wake of nearly three years of ragmented global and national responses, it is instructive to note that three of the highest-ranked recommendations call for the adoption of whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches1, while maintaining proven prevention measures using a vaccines-plus approach2 that employs a range of public health and financial support measures to complement vaccination. Other recommendations with at least 99% combined agreement advise governments and other stakeholders to improve communication, rebuild public trust, and engage communities3 in the management of pandemic responses. The findings of the study, which have been further endorsed by organisations globally, include points of unanimous agreement, as well as six recommendations with >5% disagreement, that provide health and social policy actions to address inadequacies in the pandemic response and help bring this public health threat to an end

A multinational Delphi consensus to end the COVID-19 public health threat

Abstract Despite notable scientific and medical advances, broader political, socioeconomic and behavioural factors continue to undercut the response to the COVID-19 pandemic 1,2 . Here we convened, as part of this Delphi study, a diverse, multidisciplinary panel of 386 academic, health, non-governmental organization, government and other experts in COVID-19 response from 112 countries and territories to recommend specific actions to end this persistent global threat to public health. The panel developed a set of 41 consensus statements and 57 recommendations to governments, health systems, industry and other key stakeholders across six domains: communication; health systems; vaccination; prevention; treatment and care; and inequities. In the wake of nearly three years of fragmented global and national responses, it is instructive to note that three of the highest-ranked recommendations call for the adoption of whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches 1 , while maintaining proven prevention measures using a vaccines-plus approach 2 that employs a range of public health and financial support measures to complement vaccination. Other recommendations with at least 99% combined agreement advise governments and other stakeholders to improve communication, rebuild public trust and engage communities 3 in the management of pandemic responses. The findings of the study, which have been further endorsed by 184 organizations globally, include points of unanimous agreement, as well as six recommendations with >5% disagreement, that provide health and social policy actions to address inadequacies in the pandemic response and help to bring this public health threat to an end

A multinational Delphi consensus to end the COVID-19 public health threat

Abstract Despite notable scientific and medical advances, broader political, socioeconomic and behavioural factors continue to undercut the response to the COVID-19 pandemic . Here we convened, as part of this Delphi study, a diverse, multidisciplinary panel of 386 academic, health, non-governmental organization, government and other experts in COVID-19 response from 112 countries and territories to recommend specific actions to end this persistent global threat to public health. The panel developed a set of 41 consensus statements and 57 recommendations to governments, health systems, industry and other key stakeholders across six domains: communication; health systems; vaccination; prevention; treatment and care; and inequities. In the wake of nearly three years of fragmented global and national responses, it is instructive to note that three of the highest-ranked recommendations call for the adoption of whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches , while maintaining proven prevention measures using a vaccines-plus approach that employs a range of public health and financial support measures to complement vaccination. Other recommendations with at least 99% combined agreement advise governments and other stakeholders to improve communication, rebuild public trust and engage communities in the management of pandemic responses. The findings of the study, which have been further endorsed by 184 organizations globally, include points of unanimous agreement, as well as six recommendations with >5% disagreement, that provide health and social policy actions to address inadequacies in the pandemic response and help to bring this public health threat to an end

A multinational Delphi consensus to end the COVID-19 public health threat

Abstract Despite notable scientific and medical advances, broader political, socioeconomic and behavioural factors continue to undercut the response to the COVID-19 pandemic 1,2 . Here we convened, as part of this Delphi study, a diverse, multidisciplinary panel of 386 academic, health, non-governmental organization, government and other experts in COVID-19 response from 112 countries and territories to recommend specific actions to end this persistent global threat to public health. The panel developed a set of 41 consensus statements and 57 recommendations to governments, health systems, industry and other key stakeholders across six domains: communication; health systems; vaccination; prevention; treatment and care; and inequities. In the wake of nearly three years of fragmented global and national responses, it is instructive to note that three of the highest-ranked recommendations call for the adoption of whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches 1 , while maintaining proven prevention measures using a vaccines-plus approach 2 that employs a range of public health and financial support measures to complement vaccination. Other recommendations with at least 99% combined agreement advise governments and other stakeholders to improve communication, rebuild public trust and engage communities 3 in the management of pandemic responses. The findings of the study, which have been further endorsed by 184 organizations globally, include points of unanimous agreement, as well as six recommendations with >5% disagreement, that provide health and social policy actions to address inadequacies in the pandemic response and help to bring this public health threat to an end