Predictors of Library and Information Science Students’ Achievement in Research Statistics: A Path Model from the University of Abuja, Nigeria (Published)
This study examined the path model of variables affecting Library and Information Science (LIS) students’ achievement in research statistics, with empirical evidence from the University of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Two objectives guided the study: to develop a meaningful path model of variables affecting students’ achievement in research statistics and to determine the estimates of the causal links among lecturers-related, students-related and school-environment-related variables. The study adopted an ex-post-facto and cross-sectional survey approach. The participants comprised 49 LIS students and eight lecturers teaching research statistics at the University of Abuja. Data were obtained through the lecturers-related and students-related variable questionnaires and students’ achievement records. Path analysis was used to examine the structural relationships. The results showed that students-related variables constituted the strongest component of the meaningful path model, with a reported regression weight of 0.41. The estimated path coefficients for lecturers-related, students-related and school-environment-related variables were 0.21, 0.41 and 0.31, respectively, indicating an interconnected relationship among the three clusters. The study concludes that improvement in research statistics achievement requires simultaneous attention to students’ motivation, self-efficacy, anxiety, prior quantitative preparation and study behaviours, alongside teaching quality and institutional learning conditions.
Keywords: Academic Achievement, Path Analysis, School Environment, University of Abuja, lecturers-related variables, library and information science, research statistics, students-related variables
Path Analysis of Innovative Management Practices and Secondary School System Effectiveness in Cross River State, Nigeria (Published)
This study used a path analytic approach to examine the composite interaction of supervisory and records management with secondary school system effectiveness in terms of students’ academic performance, teachers’ job effectiveness and principals’ administrative effectiveness. Two research questions were answered while one null hypothesis was tested. The study adopted a factorial research design. Convenience sampling technique was adopted by the researchers in selecting a sample of 1,200 respondents which comprised 271 principals and 929 teachers from a population of 271 principals, and 4,878 teachers. Principal Innovative Management Practices and Administrative Effectiveness Questionnaire (PIMPAEQ), Teachers work effectiveness questionnaire (TWEQ), and Students Mathematics Achievement Test (SMAT) were all used as instruments for data collection. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the research questions and null hypothesis were answered and tested (at .05 level of significance) respectively using multiple regression and path analyses with the aid of SPSS v25 and Amos v22. Findings from the study established amongst others that; supervisory management and records management practices have a significant joint contribution to students’ academic performance by 66.4%, teachers’ job effectiveness by 71%, and principals’ administrative effectiveness by 86.8%. Supervisory management and records management practices had a significant influence on students’ academic performance (F= 1183.641, p<.05), teachers’ job effectiveness (F= 1465.615, p<.05), and principals’ administrative effectiveness (F=3924.763, p<.05). It was recommended amongst others that; secondary school principals should jointly use supervisory and records management practices as innovative techniques for improving students’ academic performance, teachers’ job effectiveness and their own administrative effectiveness.
Keywords: Administrative effectiveness, Innovative management, Path Analysis, Records Management, School system, Supervisory management
Decision Model for Suspension or Withdrawal of College Students in Taiwan: Verification of Model (Published)
The present study verified the decision model proposed by Hung et al. (2016) of college students applying for suspension/withdrawal from school in Taiwan based on empirical data. The present study employed path analysis and the chi square test to verify the decision model. The results indicated the decision model accurately reflects the actual situation in current Taiwan.
Keywords: Path Analysis, Suspension, Verify model, Withdrawal