CARC Research in Social Sciences

The Educational Problems, their Causes, and Remedial Measures for the Community-Based Schools of Yohanabad, Lahore

2024-06-24T19:14:19+00:00

This study aimed at identifying the educational issues prevalent in the community-based schools of Yohanabad Lahore, pursue the reasons behind them and offer some recommendations, thus, this research form the qualitative exploration type. Gaining feedback from five schools, major problems such as lack of finance, lack of amenities, shortage of qualified teachers, and students’ poor preparation in academic processes were identified. Furthermore, the learning achievements and participation level of students and teachers are characterized by high attrition rates, which are caused by low community culture of education, parents’ disengagement, and weak school polices. The key recommendations from the study include calling for higher financing prospects, more opportunities for continual training of teachers, changes in organizational remunerations according to performance, and community engagement to highlight the importance of parental involvement in learning. It is important to make radical improvements for community-based schools in Pakistan and focus on the education policies to create positive atmosphere in education institutions and proper development of students.

Women Academic Leaders’ Experiences in Private and Public Universities of Pakistan

2024-06-30T07:46:19+00:00

This qualitative study has investigated the experiences of women who hold academic leadership positions at Pakistani public and private universities in Lahore. With reference to society, organizations, families, and personal lives, it sought to examine the difficulties and sources of support faced by female academic leaders in Pakistani institutions. Semi structured interviews were conductedfor data collection by using convenient sampling technique. Thematic analysis has been used to examine the qualitative data. The major conclusions pointed to a range of obstacles and enablers that impact the leadership of female academics. The main obstacles that hinder female academic leaders are personal ones, such as their upbringing, lack of confidence, availability of resources and the ability to manage their time. The second most challenging collection of issues was social in nature and included unjust judgment and gender biasness, while institutional issues included politics inside the organization, favoritism, and jealousy. The support that women who hold academic leadership positions receive from higher authorities and faculty members in private v/s public colleges, however, is a significant difference between their experiences. As per the participants, private institutions offer equal opportunities for male and female students to develop as leaders, while public universities tend to give greater opportunities to males. The assistance faculty members of private colleges to their female leaders, who are comparatively more numerous and cooperative than the faculty members of public institutions, was another obvious distinction between their experiences. Faculty members, both male and female, appreciate the judgment of the female leader and follow her instructions just as they would that of the male leader. Compared to women leaders in public institutions, this is one of the main causes of the superior experiences that female academic leaders have in securing and carrying out leadership positions at private universities.

Effect of Despotic Leadership Style on Employee Job Satisfaction at University Level

2024-06-30T08:35:38+00:00

This study investigates the impact of despotic leadership on job satisfaction among employees in Pakistani universities, with a particular focus on the mediating role of workplace deviance. This research is pivotal as it addresses a relatively underexplored dimension of leadership within the unique context of higher education in a developing country. A cross-sectional research design was employed, gathering data through questionnaires from six public universities in Punjab, Pakistan. Despotic leadership, workplace deviance, and employee job satisfaction were assessed using validated scales. Data analysis was performed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicated a significant negative direct relationship between despotic leadership and employee job satisfaction. Furthermore, workplace deviance was found to mediate this relationship, indicating that negative leadership styles not only directly diminish job satisfaction but also promote behaviors that further degrade satisfaction. Despotic leadership detrimentally affects employee satisfaction and cultivates a negative environment that can lead to deviant workplace behaviors. The study underscores the importance of recognizing the effects of leadership styles to enhance employee satisfaction and organizational health in academic institutions.

Challenges Faced by Emotionally Intelligent Teachers at the University Level

2024-06-26T15:26:46+00:00

This study aimed to explore the “Challenges faced by emotionally intelligent teachers at the university level”. To be fruitful this aim the two objectives were proposed. First objective was to identify the level of emotional intelligence among university teachers. Second objective was to recognize the challenges faced by emotionally intelligent teachers at the university level. Due to the broad nature of the topic, conducting an in-depth analytic study would have been time-consuming. Therefore, the research was delimited to focus specifically on 100 university teachers due to time constraints. A total of 100 university teachers were selected based on the informed consent of university-level teachers. The entire sample of 100 university teachers was included in the study. A five-point rating scale was developed specifically for university-level teachers. The literature relevant to emotional challenges faced by university-level teachers was reviewed. Based on this literature review, a five-point rating scale was constructed, comprising the following main categories. Emotional intelligence, Challenges faced by emotional intelligence, Emotional regulation and coping strategies, Support and training, and Suggestions for improving. The data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using percentages and standard deviations. The majority of respondents (45%) rated their understanding of emotional intelligence as average, followed by 25% rating it as high, and 15% defining it as very low. Only 5% of respondents rated their understanding as very high. Conclusions were drawn accordingly, and recommendations consistent with the findings were also provided.

Comparison and Empirical Evaluation of Classical Tests of Skewness versus Bootstrap Tests of Skewness

2024-06-08T18:49:13+00:00

This study compares classical (SK-1, SK-2, SSS, MED, STDM, PRSN)and bootstrap (KS and Student’s t) tests on the basis of size and power properties for six different data generating processes (chi-square distribution, beta distribution, lognormal distribution, mixture of two normal distribution, and mixture of two uniform and normal distribution) via Monte Carlo Simulations. In general, the classical tests for skewness perform better than bootstrap tests, however, in certain situations the bootstrap tests perform better. Therefore, this study recommends a strategy for choice of test to be applied in different situations. If the data histogram shows deviation from symmetry and the third moment is close to zero then the bootstrap tests should be used. In other cases the classical tests of skewness, in particular SK-2 which is the best performing test, should be used.

Assessment and Analysis of Public Perception of Environmental Pollution

2024-06-08T18:52:55+00:00

This study carried out an assessment and analysis of the perception of public about the extent of environmental pollution in the city of Lahore. The city has been ranked as one of the most polluted cities globally every year from October to December over the past five years thereby posing health challenges for the public due to smog. The study conducted a survey of 120 respondents from different income and age groups. Multinomial logistic regression technique was being used in order to see the impact of income, age and gender on an individual’s Willingness To Pay (WTP) in order avoid pollution while the method of contingent valuation was used to measure the WTP. The survey results showed that 94% of the respondents were concerned about the deteriorating environmental quality and expressed WTP a proportion of their income for better environmental quality. Results from regression analysis showed that there was a high probability of WTP up to five percent of their household income in a month, irrespective of their age and income. The study suggests the government to promote public transport network, improve the collection and monitoring of air quality data and take the WTP into consideration while designing tax policies.

Social Media Influencers as Catalysts

2024-06-24T19:23:02+00:00

In the context of Pakistan, where social media is increasingly integrated into daily life, social media influencers emerge as catalysts for consumer behavior. They are trying their best to build trust among their followers or viewers to strengthen the psychological ties, influencing their buying decisions for technology-oriented (smartphone & IT-based) products. Therefore, the present study aims at analyzing the impact caused by the parasocial relationship of consumers with their influencers on online buying intentions and behaviors. The population of the study was the students of three public sector universities from Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, ages ranged from 18-45 years. Keeping in view the specific criteria, a purposive sampling technique was utilized to select participants from a population. A total of 174 individuals have participated in a survey and filled out a questionnaire. The findings suggest that parasocial relationships have played a significant role in influencing consumer’s online buying intentions and behaviors. Furthermore, parasocial ties have been crucial in moving participants toward buying products endorsed or promoted by the influencers they followed. Overall, this study sheds light on the transformative role of social media influencers in the Pakistani market, highlighting the importance that parasocial connections have in influencing online consumer engagement and purchase decisions regarding smartphones and IT based products in general.

Fear of Missing Out and Procrastination Among University Students

2024-06-24T19:23:09+00:00

The present study aimed to test the mediating effect of screen time on the relationship between Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and procrastination. A cross-sectional research approach and purposive sampling technique were employed to recruit university students (N = 400) from public and private sector universities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The study variables were assessed using the FoMO Scale (Wegmann et al., 2017), the General Procrastination Scale (Lay, 1986), and the usage dimensions of the Media and Technology Usage and Attitude Scale (Rosen et al., 2013). Participants also reported their mobile phone usage time using the screen time tracking feature available in their smartphones. Results of correlational analysis indicated that FoMO and screen time are positively associated with procrastination. Mediational analysis revealed that screen time mediates the relationship between FoMO and procrastination. It is concluded that FoMO increases screen time which consequently exacerbates procrastination. Findings suggest that interventions aimed at fostering mindful screen time management could offer effective strategies for minimizing procrastination tendencies.

Determinants of Intercity Migration in Pakistan

2024-06-08T18:56:29+00:00

Intercity migration is one of the most important sources of rapid population growth in big cities, especially in the developing countries. Cities differ from each other in terms of the availability of economic and social opportunities which motivate people to move from less populous areas to more populous areas with a view to benefit from better socio-economic opportunities. The model of the study is based on the extended gravity model of migration. The dynamic panel data approach is being used to examine the determinants of intercity migration. The data is taken from the Labour Force Survey of Pakistan and Development Statistics of each of the four provinces of Pakistan from 2010-2011 to 2020-21 covering fourteen major cities of the country. The results of the study showed that the cities with a higher economic status offered more employment opportunities, higher average expected real incomes, greater influx of migration and increased average years of schooling. Moreover, it was found that with higher incidence of reported crime, a greater extent of congestion and an extended distance inhibited an individual’s motivation to migrate.

The effect of Chinese Bilateral Trade on Economic Growth

2024-06-24T19:23:51+00:00

Trade promotes economic growth through comparative advantage, specialization, access to foreign markets, economies of scale, resource allocation, technological progress, knowledge diffusion, and competition. This study is carried out to examine the effect of Chinese Bilateral trade on economic growth in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) thus; exports and imports of GCC with China are considered as explanatory variables of economic growth in GCC. Foreign direct investment (FDI) in taken as a control variable. This study analyzes panel data and unit root tests, cointegration test and cointegration regression are applied. Results indicate that variables are cointegrated in long run and exports and imports are determinants of economic growth in GCC. The long run estimates show that exports and imports are positive and significant factors of economic growth but the imports positively affect economic growth more than exports in GCC. The bilateral trade between China and GCC is beneficial for economic growth in GCC thus; GCC must strengthen political and economic ties with China for the development of the region.

Definitions and Estimation Models of Shadow Economy

2024-06-11T21:49:49+00:00

This study is an attempt to understand the divergence between different definitional approaches and measuring methods to estimate the shadow economy through extensive review of literature. The misunderstandings in the definition of shadow economy are underpinned in the contradictory views of researchers belonging to different academic backgrounds. Although reconciliation attempts were made to mitigate the difference between these conflicting definitional approaches but there is still non-availability of common ground. This variation in definitional approaches has resulted in researchers taking different routes for estimating the size of shadow economy. Literature identifies three approaches taken by researchers to measure the informal sector i.e. direct, indirect and model approach. After an extensive evaluation, the current study identifies many advantages and disadvantages for each of the methods. The direct approach is highly useful when a specific sector and specific time-period is into play but fails to deliver when estimating the size of an aggregated shadow economy. The indirect approach is often criticized for taking only one factor into account while calculating the black economy but also praised for its simplicity. The model approach considers multiple cause and indicating variable for the estimation of shadow economy, but these models tend to be unstable and overly complicated. The current study suggests there are broken links between the theory and estimation techniques of informal economy which needs to be addressed for true estimation of shadow economy.

Teachers’ Perceptions About Authentic Assessment in Higher Education

2024-06-26T15:29:03+00:00

Recently, there has been a shift in the assessment paradigm in higher education (HE), moving away from traditional assessment systems towards authentic assessment (AA). AA ensures profound and high-quality learning outcomes, diverging from the standardized, memory-centric approaches often found in traditional assessment systems. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of university teachers regarding AA. The researchers purposively selected participants from nine departments of the Faculties of Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences at Hazara University Mansehra, Pakistan. Through semi-structured interviews, the perceptions of 14 university teachers were analyzed through thematic analysis. The five main themes emerged as 1)deviating from traditional assessment methods, 2)connected to the real world, 3) abilities and skills, 4)connected to the future, and 5)updated knowledge. Three sub-themes for a primary theme, abilities, and skills also emerged: i)assessing professional skills, ii)behavioral skills, and iii)problem-solving skills. The findings highlighted that AA requires assessing students' abilities, skills, and current knowledge to prepare them for the future. University teachers also emphasized the importance of determining behavioral, problem-solving, and professional skills relevant to students' respective disciplines. The study recommends universities integrate AA methods to better prepare students for real-world challenges and professional environments, ensuring they possess the necessary competencies for their future careers.

Impact of SERQUAL Model on the Customer Citizenship Behavior in the Airline Services Companies of Pakistan

2024-06-24T19:26:05+00:00

The study was carried out to explore the Impact of SERQUAL Model on the Customer Citizenship Behavior (CCB) in the Airline Services Companies of Pakistan with mediating role of Behavioral Intention (BI). The data was collected from frequently users of the sample airlines. The data of these frequent users were collected from the travel agents. These frequent users were approach and then after taking consent, paid visit for the data collection. A questionnaire was the main tool used in the current study to collect data. There was 27-item question sheet. The researcher emailed the airline's concerned HR division to make contact. The list of frequent and devoted airline customers, along with their email addresses and phone numbers, was obtained from them. The findings of reliability statistics showed that the variables included in the data collection were found reliable. The results of correlation test showed that reliability, responsiveness, tangibility, assurance, empathy and BI are having positive and significant correlation with CCB. The findings of regression model showed that reliability, responsiveness, tangibility, assurance and empathy have significant impact on the CCB. Reliability, responsiveness, tangibility, assurance and empathy have significant impact on the BI. BI showed significant effect CCB. The findings of mediating analysis showed that BI are having significant mediating role between reliability, responsiveness, tangibility, assurance and empathy and CCB.

Widows’ Remarriage Problems

2024-06-27T19:53:39+00:00

The present study, titled “Widows’ Remarriage Problems: A Case Study of District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan,” was carried out to evaluate various remarriage problems faced by widows on the basis of their gender, specifically focusing on Pakhtun socio-cultural norms and values. The goal of this research is to look into the problems that widows face when they remarry. The study was conducted using a quantitative approach, and data was gathered using a structured questionnaire. With the use of purposive sampling and Yamane's formula, 386 widows of all ages made up the sample size. In uni-variate analysis, data were analysed using frequencies and percentages, and a chi-square test was applied for the association of independent and dependent variables under the bi-variate analysis. The study findings disclose that widows in Pakhtun society were facing numerous problems, in which problems with remarriage are extremely common. Despite the fact that widows in Islam are allowed to get married again after their iddat period, which is four months and ten days if the widow is not conceived, or until the widow gives birth if she is conceived, but still, widows face certain socio-cultural obstacles to remarriage in Pakhtun society. Results found different factors significantly associated with widows’ problems like, widows were abstained from remarriage because society does not accept widows’ remarriage, widows do not want to remarry because they think that their children will suffer due to negligence in the second marriage, widows abstained from remarriage due to their grownup children, they do not remarry because in Pakhtun society majority of widows devote their lives for children, widows have not remarried because their children did not give proper consents, the saying that it is inauspicious for a young man to remarry a widow is/was an obstacle to widows’ remarriage and widows have not remarried because of love, loyalty and respect for late husband.

Economic Determinants of Crime and Their Psychological Impacts on Offender Personality

2024-06-27T19:47:24+00:00

The issue of crime is universal and found across the country. The prevalence of criminality among people in rural-urban areas of Pakistan has been triggered by the paralyzed and dysfunctional economic system. This empirical ascertains the association between economic factors and participation in crimes. The present study also explored psychological issues such as depression, stress, and aggression experienced by people involved in unlawful activity. Data were gathered through structured interviews with 200 criminals housed in the sampled prisons of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan. Furthermore, to investigate the level of significance and association between an independent and dependent variable Bivariate analysis was carried out through a contingency table as well as Chi-Sequre statistics. Likewise, the association between multiple variables was examined through Multivariate analysis. It has been observed that on Bi and Multivariate level involvement in crimes was found significant with economic factors ( ≤ 0.000). A strong significant relationship was also found between involvement in criminal activities and an upsurge in mental health issues such as stress, depression, and aggression among inmates. Existing findings were also in line with previous studies dealing with criminality and economic factors. Certainly, the results of the present study have substantial additions to the existing literature on crimes in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Government and non-government organizations who are looking to develop effective strategies to reduce crime rates can benefit from this study.

Living with Persecutory Delusions

2024-06-27T19:43:53+00:00

This case report presents the clinical profile of a 52-year-old married Urdu-speaking Muslim male with persecutory delusions. The client's symptoms included auditory hallucinations, poverty of speech, and social anxiety, leading to significant distress and impaired functioning. The Growth, Anomalous Experience, and Formulation (GADF) model of persecutory delusions by Daniel Freeman et al. provided a conceptual framework for understanding and addressing the client's symptomatology. Formal and informal assessments, including Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), PANSS, mental state examination, and behavioral assessment, were utilized to propose the intervention plan. The results showed suspiciousness and persecutory beliefs. Short-term goals were proposed to alleviate distress, improve sleep quality, and provide support, while long-term goals focused on challenging delusional beliefs, improving interpersonal relationships, and enhancing coping strategies. The case underscores the importance of a collaborative and holistic treatment approach to effectively manage persecutory delusions and enhance the client's long-term prognosis.

The Nexus between Foreign Aid and Economic Growth of Pakistan

2024-06-19T19:01:05+00:00

There is extensive literature available that dissects the linkage between foreign aid and the growth of the economy. The key focus of the current study is to explore how aid received from foreign countries are linked with growth rate of Pakistan’s economy. The present study considers time series data from 1985 to 2019 and corelates the nexus of foreign aid and Pakistan’s GDP growth rate in the long as well as short run. The study examined one dependent variable which is GDP, and seven independent variables including official development assistance as foreign aid, population growth, inflation, trade, domestic saving, unemployment, and foreign direct investment by using ARDL method. Broad canvas of the foreign aid and growth rate nexus is the main limitation of the paper and other factors impacting economic growth could not be taken into consideration due to the non- availability of complete data. The results of the study conclude that foreign aid hurts the economic growth of Pakistan throughout the thirty-four years not only in the short run but in long run as well.

Unstable Bilingualism between Hindko and Pashto in Hazara

2024-06-30T07:54:08+00:00

Hindko and Pashto languages belong to the Indo-European language family, belonging to subgroups Indo-Aryan and Indo-Iranian respectively. In North West Frontier Region Pashto and Hindko co-exist side by side, gaining numbers of bilingual speakers. But the bilingualism between these two languages is not of a stable nature. Survey-based research was conducted in five different localities across Hazara Division districts. Results from the statistics collected from five hundred bilinguals' questionnaires data provided the results of the research. The study provides substantial evidence in proof of Unstable Bilingualism. The bilinguals do not exhibit equal competency in both languages, with some exceptions. However, majority of the bilinguals have more competencies in mother-tongue rather than the 2^nd language. The circumstances and factors involved in language acquisition and learning have a great impact on the competency in language; the domains and usage of specific language also affects the competency in the language. Study further pointed out that the areas in which both languages exist, the use of one language in more domains leads to the dominance of that language in overall impression and accent of other language. Like in the locality of Dhodial most of the speakers showed that the impression of Hindko accent is dominant on Pashto accent and vice versa in areas where Pashto has impact on Hindko accent. These results pointed out stable groundings to prove that bilingualism between Pashto and Hindko is of unstable nature.

Analysing the Dynamics of Language Change in Contact Situation

2024-06-30T08:10:17+00:00

Weak bilingual proficiency of Balti-English and Eng-Balti have given a new dimention to the current situation of the language. Codeswitching has declared English insertion of nouns in health related talk. Furthermore, strong beleifs and langage motivation were factors responsioble for a need for teaching materials for young Balti speakers. The study investigated bilingualism profile and language dominanace in order to determine language attitudes of Balti speakers. Study used self-assessment Bilingualism profile (BLP) form that is basically a language background questionnaire based on the exposure of the language in different phase of life in different contexts from family to friends and later professionals. Findings revealed that Balti dominance in all aspects despite the fact that English scored higher in the 4^th category of language proficiency. Balti speakers have less knowledge of Balti script and they are more proficient in English reading and writing. English has 0% history in the lives of Balti speakers whereas Balti has 28% language use where English stood at 8% only.

Academic Adjustment, Perceived Social Support and Psychological Well-being of International Students at HEIs in Hungary

2024-06-27T19:43:45+00:00

This study aims at investigating the correlation between academic adjustment, perceived social support, and psychological well-being of international community of students studying at universities in Hungary. The hypothesis stated that there is a chance of the presence of a positive correlation amongst academic adjustment, perceived social support, and psychological well-being of the students that can easily be predicted by these factors. In addition to this, perceived social support will increase the strength of the relationship amid academic adjustment and psychological well-being. Data was collected from five public universities through non-probability purposive sampling from 153 international students enrolled in different programs. The students predominantly belonged to an age group of 18 to 35 years (M= 24.54, SD= 4.1). However, academic Adjustment Scale (AAS; Anderson et al., 2016), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS; Zimet et al., 1988), and Ryffs’ Psychological Well-being Scale (RPSWS; Ryff, 1989) were utilized to gather data, and the analysis employed included Pearson product-moment correlation and hierarchical regression. It was revealed that academic adjustment, perceived social support, and psychological well-being are positively correlated. However, the perceived social support as well as academic adjustment can positively predict the psychological well-being. Furthermore, correlation between psychological well-being and academic adjustment was moderated positively by the perceived social support. The results indicate the significance of effective processes for academic adjustment and delivery of efficient methods to provide assistance to safeguard the well-being of students studying overseas.