Management of Radioactive Spills in Nuclear Medicine; Teaching and Assessing with Objectively Structured Assessment of Technical Skills

Routine work in nuclear medicine requires the careful elution of radioactivity and its subsequent, storage and handling. Though all effort is maintained to prevent any spill of this radioactivity, accidents are bound to happen. The response to this spill is a methodically worked out a plan that is written and adopted as a standard operating procedure. This protocol is taught to all involved in the area of working as a mock drill/apprenticeship model. No formal evaluation of learning is in place except for the mock drills. The objectively structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) is a variation on the Objective Structured Clinical Examination, which is a form of workplace based assessment. The OSATS is cited in the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education evaluation toolbox on the website as the most desirable evaluation tool for the patient care topics. It is the objective of this paper is to introduce the OSATS for teaching, and assessment of the learning, of the protocol for the management of radioactive spill. As a review of the literature on the subject failed to reveal any such teaching protocol/material/document for this important technical skill, we hope that it may act as a landmark for the development of teaching and assessment of other technical skills also

Status of ICT Facilities in the Public Libraries: A Pakistani Perspective

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the ICT facilities in the public libraries of Pakistan. The specific objectives were to see the status of ICT resources, check the ICT tools used in delivering services and identify the problems faced by the public libraries in developing ICT infrastructure. Research Design and Methodology: All the public libraries of Pakistan, working under the administrative control of any directorate or department constituted the population of the study. The census-based approach was employed, and data was gathered from the heads of 119 public libraries. The collected data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. Results: It was found that most of the libraries did not have electronic information resources like e-books, theses and dissertations and access to the HEC database. The libraries had either deplorable or no IT infrastructure and lacked basic ICT devices and apparatus. A significant number of libraries did not use ICT applications for library services. The key problems identified by libraries in developing ICT infrastructure were limited human resources, insufficient IT literate staff, non-availability of technical support, lack of IT expertise among library users, non-availability of standard integrated library software, limited electronic resource, interrupted power supply and lack of financial resources. Implications: The study\u27s findings could be beneficial to the government and library authorities. The key point to be considered includes 1) LIS professionals and IT staff be recruited and trained regarding the applications of ICT in librarianship, 2) sufficient funds should be provided to develop ICT infrastructure 3) digital resources should be acquired, and 4) the librarians should have the power and freedom to spend the budget based on the users\u27 needs. Originality: The study is unique because this is the first study in the country to assess the ICT facilities of public libraries. It will fill the literature gap and guide the researchers to study public libraries across the country. Keywords: ICT Infrastructure, ICT tools and applications, ICT Facilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Public Libraries, Pakista

The Status of Public Libraries in Balochistan, Pakistan

Purpose: This study assessed the public libraries of Balochistan in terms of information resources, infrastructure facilities, human resources and services. It also probed the problems faced by the libraries in the delivery of services. Methodology: The study was quantitative in nature and survey research method was used to achieve the desired objectives. There were 35 public libraries, which constituted the study’s population and data was collected from heads/incharge of libraries through the questionnaire. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. Results: The heads of most libraries were non-professional staff and some libraries were worked with very few staff. The availability of information resources was found inadequate and resources such as maps, reports, theses & dissertations, rare books, and e-books were not found in any library. Most of the libraries had circulation, acquisition and reference sections, while most libraries did not have cataloging, classifications, digitization and preservation sections. The services such as reference, orientation, photocopying, CAS and indexing services were offered by most libraries; however, SDI, audiovisual, document reservation, interlibrary loan and translation services were not offered by any library. The major problems faced by the libraries were lack of training opportunities, non-availability of integrated library software, insufficient information resources, inadequate human resources and lack of commitment from the management. Implications: The study\u27s findings could be beneficial to the concerned authorities. The key points to be considered include 1) information resources should be procured both in printed and electronic formats, 2) the existing facilities and services should be upgraded and extended to other libraries and, 3) sufficient funds should be provided to acquire information resources, develop proper infrastructure and launched new services. Originality: This is the first study in the province to assess the various aspects of public libraries. It will fill the literature gap and guide the researchers to explore the other aspects of public libraries. Keywords: Information Resources, Library Services, Library Facilities, Public Libraries, Balochistan, Pakista

The Status of Resources and Services in the Public Libraries of Sindh, Pakistan: A Study

Purpose: This study assessed the public libraries of Sindh in terms of information and human resources, services and the problems faced by the libraries in the delivery of services. Methodology: The study was quantitative in nature and survey research method was used to achieve the desired objectives. There were 30 public libraries, which constituted the study’s population and data was collected from heads/incharge of libraries through the questionnaire. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. Results: The heads of most libraries were non-professionals, and some libraries were worked with very few staff. The availability of information resources was found inadequate and resources such as maps, reports, theses & dissertations, rare books, and e-books were found in very few libraries. The services such as open shelf, circulation, reference and current awareness services were offered by most libraries; however, SDI, audiovisual, document reservation, interlibrary loan, orientation and scanning services were offered by few libraries. The major problems faced by the libraries were lack of training opportunities, non-availability of integrated library software, insufficient information, human and financial resources, limited e-resources and lack of commitment from the management. Implications: The study\u27s findings could be beneficial to the concerned authorities. The key points to be considered include 1) information resources should be procured both in printed and electronic formats, 2) the existing facilities and services should be upgraded and extended to other libraries and, 3) sufficient funds should be provided to acquire information resources, develop proper infrastructure and launched new services. Originality: This is the first study in the province to assess the various aspects of public libraries. It will fill the literature gap and guide the researchers to explore the other aspects of public libraries. Keywords: Information Resources, Library Services, Public Libraries, Human Resources, Sindh, Pakista

Information Literacy as Liberal Education: Hurdles and Possible Solutions in United Arab Emirates\u27 Context

As noted by Weibe (2015, cited in Mackay and Eva, 2019), there is a connection between information literacy, liberal education and lifelong learning which altogether are linked to the critical thinking skills needed to evaluate information both for academic and personal life. In today\u27s world of information overload, multiple information formats, fake news and easy access to information by every individual, information literacy has become an important 21st-century skill to be learned by students. This learning not only helps students to become successful in academics but also in developing their behavior as responsible citizens. Therefore, information literacy should be taken more broadly as new liberal art which goes beyond using technology and accessing information to the social, cultural and philosophical context of information. The impact of such understanding is essential for the educated information – age citizen as the trivium of basic liberal arts (grammar, logic and rhetoric) was to an educated person in medieval society (Shapiro and Hughes, 1996). The Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education adopted by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) in 2015, focuses more on helping students develop a broader understanding of information than skill acquisition (Mackay and Eva,2019). In the six Frames, Authority is Constructed and Contextual; Information Creation as a Process; Information has Value; Research as Inquiry; Scholarship as Conversation; and Searching as Strategic Exploration form an interconnected set of skills critical for students to become truly information literate. Unfortunately, in the higher education institutes of United Arab Emirates, the formality of information literacy is fulfilled by Library Orientation for freshmen and a few database trainings done by the database subscribers. This study is an attempt to bring in front the hurdles of the way and the possible solutions. References ACRL. (2016, January 11). Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework Eva, N. and MacKay, B. (2019). Information literacy and liberal education: From Google to scholarly sources. Threshold Concepts on the Edge. (pp. 229-237). Brill. https://10.1163/978004419971_016 Shapiro, J. and Hughes, S. (1996). Information literacy as a liberal art: Enlightenment proposals for a new curriculum. Educom Review, 31(2), 31-35. Retrieved from https://www.educause.edu/ir/library/html/erm/31231.htm

Effect of Teachers’ Competencies on Scholars’ Academic Achievement and Satisfaction

The current research paper is an attempt to investigate the effect of teachers’ competencies on academic achievement and satisfaction of MPhil students. Effect is a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause. Obtaining students’ satisfaction and academic achievement as a result of teachers’ competencies is one of the prime objectives of higher educational institutions. Institution failing to get the desired competencies among the learners effect their reputation and students’ intake in future. The academic performance of low performer scholars resulted in quitting the degree. This study employed quantitative approach to test the hypotheses. Forty MPhil scholars from GC University Faisalabad were the sample of the study using census survey. Self-developed research instrument, Teachers’ Competencies and Scholars’ Satisfaction Scale (TCSSS) with Alpha value .954 were used for survey to collect data. The achievement score was scholars’ final test score in the semester. The teachers’ competence indicators were teacher’s content knowledge, presentation skills, students’ teacher interaction and modes of assessment. T-test, Pearson r, and ANCOVA were used for data analysis. The results showed that teacher’s knowledge of subject contributed to scholars’ satisfaction and achievement. Female scholars rate the teachers more competent than their male fellows. It was recommended that the scholars’ performance may be improved by using additional class tests and worksheets

Urban-Rural Differentials of Health and Educational Inequality in District of Faisalabad: A Social Analysis

This study aims to find out the relationship between socioeconomic determinants of rural-urban social inequity specifically with regard to health and educational facilities and the public perception of this inequality in Faisalabad District, Punjab, Pakistan. The data were collected through a survey by using interviewing schedules. The multistage sampling technique was used to collect data. At the first stage two Tehsils of district Faisalabad were selected randomly, while at the second stage four union councils, two from each Tehsil (one urban and one rural) were randomly selected. A specimen of 240 respondents, 120 from each Tehsil (60 from urban and 60 from country regions) were chosen arbitrarily from the selected regions. Data were analyzed by statistical analysis using SPSS software. Results of study revealed that peoples living in urban areas had better literacy level than rural peoples. T-statistics also revealed sharp contrast between urban and rural population regarding availability of basic education and health facilities. The study also revealed that urban people were more satisfied about available health and educational infrastructure. The study concludes that rural peoples are badly facing the impacts of social disparity due to lack of health and educational facilities as compared to urban peoples

Effect of Teachers’ Competencies on Scholars’ Academic Achievement and Satisfaction

The current research paper is an attempt to investigate the effect of teachers’ competencies on academic achievement and satisfaction of MPhil students. Effect is a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause. Obtaining students’ satisfaction and academic achievement as a result of teachers’ competencies is one of the prime objectives of higher educational institutions. Institution failing to get the desired competencies among the learners effect their reputation and students’ intake in future. The academic performance of low performer scholars resulted in quitting the degree. This study employed quantitative approach to test the hypotheses. Forty MPhil scholars from GC University Faisalabad were the sample of the study using census survey. Self-developed research instrument, Teachers’ Competencies and Scholars’ Satisfaction Scale (TCSSS) with Alpha value .954 were used for survey to collect data. The achievement score was scholars’ final test score in the semester. The teachers’ competence indicators were teacher’s content knowledge, presentation skills, students’ teacher interaction and modes of assessment. T-test, Pearson r, and ANCOVA were used for data analysis. The results showed that teacher’s knowledge of subject contributed to scholars’ satisfaction and achievement. Female scholars rate the teachers more competent than their male fellows. It was recommended that the scholars’ performance may be improved by using additional class tests and worksheets