Testing Factorial Validity and Gender Invariance of the Survey of Attitudes toward Statistics Scale

Objective: The main goal of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the Survey of Attitudes Towards Statistics (SATS‑36) among undergraduate students. Materials and Methods: Cross‑sectional study was conducted among a sample comprising of 218 undergraduate students at University Malaysia Sarawak. A convenience sampling technique was implemented while selecting participants. The self‑report questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first section included the socio‑demographic characteristics of participants, such as age, gender, and ethnicity. The second section was the Survey of Attitudes Towards Statistics(SATS‑36). Exploratory factor analysis(EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis(CFA) was used to arrive at the best factor solution. To assess factor invariance, multi‑groupCFA was performed. Results: Descriptive statistics of students’ attitudes toward statistics revealed that most of the students held positive attitudes toward statistics. EFA analysis deemed to have produced the incorrect factor structure as most items were misclassified on the wrong factor. CFA suggested a 6‑factor solution with 30 items. Thus the 36 items were reduced to SATS‑30. The goodness‑of‑fit statistics for the SATS‑30 showed a passable model fit. Responses of male and female students to the SATS‑30 were then examined to explore scale invariance across gender. Consistency was found across two groups. This was, furthermore, supported by the assessment of composite reliability which was also found to be relatively high. Conclusion: The present findings are consistent with extant research literature on factor structure and invariance of the Survey of Attitudes Toward Statistics scale. Further research on SATS‑30 could include longitudinal studies in order to analyze causality

Counsellors Practices of Ethnic and Religious Factors in Secondary Schools

This study explored the everyday experiences of Muslims’ school counsellors as they encounter and negotiate ethnic and religious contextual factors in their practices in Malaysian secondary schools. Specially, the study also explored how Muslims’ school counsellors adapt their generic, Western-oriented training models and practices to the needs of everyday practice in Malaysian society. In particular, the researcher investigated the influence of multi-ethnicity of students and diversity of religion in their counselling contexts. A major difficulty is that much of the literature appears to be general, theoretical or ideological, rather than based on the actual experiences of practicing counsellors in the countries concerned. In order to focus on experience of counsellors, a qualitative case study approach was used. The researcher examined the practice of eleven Muslims’ school counsellors in the district of Muar, using a combination of interviews, observation and document analysis. The data suggested that counsellors actively adapt their training models in various ways in relation to the two factors studied. Counsellors perceived a considerable gap between what they learned in their university training course and the knowledge and skills required for actual practic

Towards Effective Counseling Approaches and Contextual Factors Enhanced Diversity Collaboration

This study explored the counselling approach and contextual factors to enhance diversity collaborations among ethnic, religious people, teachers and parental involvement in Malaysian secondary schools. Specially, the study outlined cross-cultural counselling and related training approaches and effective factors that needs in Malaysian society. In particular, the researcher investigated the effectiveness of multi-ethnicity of students and diversity of approaches in their counselling contexts. Qualitative data were obtained from field survey while secondary data collected from various sources. The study focuses the main difficulties in general contextual literature, theoretical or ideological, and collaborative diversity approaches showing in the countries concerned. A qualitative case study approach was also represented on the experience of counsellors of eleven muslim schools in the Muar district through primary and secondary data analysis. The study recommended that effective counselling environment context enhanced diversity collaboration with their training models in various ways in relation to the contextual factors studied

The Goodness-Of-Fit Of Dass-21models Among University Students

Depression, anxiety and stress are the most prevalent mental health problems among university students, which may adversely influence their psychological wellbeing. Considering these problems, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) may hold more promise as a screening tool. The present study sought to assess competing models of the latent factor structure of the DASS-21 utilizing Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and also to examine the multi group invariance. An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students recruited from a public university in Sarawak, Malaysia. The self-report English language questionnaire was administered to 254 students. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis. Overall, the DASS-21 exhibited adequate reliability, with the three-factor model showing good fit to the data from the current study. Gender invariance was also adequately demonstrated. However, high inter correlations indicated that depression, anxiety and stress may not be distinguishable constructs, as was originally perceived

Reliability and Factor Structure of the Westside Test Anxiety Scale among University Students

The Westside Test Anxiety Scale (WTAS) is a widely-used screening instrument for assessing test anxiety impairments in educational settings. However, psychometric properties of this measure have not been established adequately. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the factor structure and measurement invariance of the WTAS. Data for the cross-sectional study was collected from a convenience sample of 218 undergraduate students enrolled in a public university in Malaysia. Construct validity was investigated by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to test two models (original structure and EFA structure). Also, multiplegroup invariance was analyzed in order to determine the extent to which the factor structure was comparable across gender. Results of CFA indicated that both models met all the preestablished fit criteria. There was however, more support for the re-organized two-factor EFA model, with high reliability values. Multi-group CFA demonstrated measurement invariance across gender. Findings from the present study indicate that the WTAS could serve as a screening tool to detect test anxiety among students

Sociodemographic Determinants of Acculturation Stress Among International University Students

The study attempted to identify which sociodemographic factors predict acculturation stress and also to examine the levels of acculturation stress amongst 208 international students enrolled in a Malaysian university. A convenience sampling technique was implemented for data collection by utilizing a self-reported questionnaire. As for the sociodemographic factors predict acculturation stress multiple regression analyses demonstrated that among the independent variables, family support, year of study, difficulties in comprehending lectures, and strains of relationship with boyfriend/girlfriend had significant predictive effects on acculturation stress. Young and male international students expressed significantly higher levels of acculturation stress than their older and female counterparts. Students who acknowledged strong family support and were single depicted lesser acculturative stress compared to those with inadequate support and were in a romantic relationship. As for the levels of acculturation stress, findings revealed that acculturation stress was relatively high amongst most of the international students. Perceptions of discrimination and rejection, as well as feelings of homesickness and fear were portrayed by large numbers of students

Cultivating Research Skills among Undergraduate: A Research Methodology Toolkit

The purpose of this study is to develop the “Research Methodology Toolkit” which enable to assist for front-line staff that enables them to learn about an issue and identify approaches for addressing them. Toolkits can help translate theory into practice, and typically target one issue or one audience. A toolkit is a become tool importance for lecturers or instructors to engage and interact with students in class. In this study, the “Research Methodology Toolkit” is a toolkit for supporting lecturers in teaching research methodology to students whether in class or research supervision. There is a Quantitative research design. This study is consisted two (2) phases of development. First phase is “Content Development” and second is “Toolkit Development”. Aims of this study are (i) identify the gaps in comprehension which affect the conduct of small-scale research projects among the final year students; (ii) develop a research methodology toolkit for students and lecturers; and (iii) examining the effectiveness of the research methodology toolkit. For the First phase, researcher come out the toolkit content using Inquiry based learning and Gamification approach in process of executing the questions to students. Then, the Second phase development comprises the keyword cards, keyword manual of answers, leader board, score board, game based, games regulations and role of game master. In answering the first research objective study found students has difficulties to understand the concept and application of research methodology as well as lecturers/supervisors also have issue in explaining the research methodology concept as well as application to students/supervisees. Then, the second objective is development of toolkit which consisted seven (7) components which are the keyword cards, answers booklet, leader board, score board, game based, games regulations and role of game master. Hence, in examining the effectiveness of the “Research Methodology Toolkit” the first usability stated 94% participants mentioned they are satisfied with interface and content of the toolkit and the second usability test is described majority of participants understand on the keyword questions. Practical implication showed the “Research Methodology Toolkit” is enabled to increase the engagement and interaction between lecturers and students in class as well as supervisor and supervisees in supervision process. Future researcher is advised to expand this research to the postgraduate students

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

The moderating effect of perceived social support on stress and depression among university students

Background and objectives: The omnipresence of stress and depression among university students is a cause for concern, as it can have adverse consequences on all aspects of their life. Understanding the role of social support as a protective factor within this context, may well be vital to the enhancement of overall wellbeing among students. The main aim of the present study was to examine the moderating effect of perceived social support on the relationship between stress and depression. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to garner data from 254 university students for hierarchical multiple regression and structural equation modeling analysis. Results: Firstly, the present study replicated the frequently reported positive relationship between stress and depression. Secondly, an inverse association between social support and depression was also depicted. Finally, the results also supported an interaction between perceived social support and stress in predicting depression among students. Conclusion: In sum, the results of the current study may well augment our understanding of the role of perceived social support in combating stress and depression among students, and thereby convey important implications for intervention strategies tailored to this demographi