Archive of Journal
Volume 78, Issue 5, May. 2022

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF COMMONLY CONSUMED FRUITS GROWN IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA AND ITS RELATION WITH PHENOLICS, FLAVONOIDS AND ANTHOCYANINS CONTENT

Volume 78, May 2022
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2022.5.4

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Abstract: Polyphenols as antioxidants in fruits have received a lot of attention for their positive influence on human health. This study has examined the total phenols (TPC), flavonoids (TFC) and anthocyanins content (TAC), as well as the radical scavenging activity (RSA) of selected fruits grown in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results showed that TPC (mg GAE/g) in fruits was in the range from 3.08 to 11.6, while TFC (mg QE/g) was from 0.84 to 3.98. The TAC varied between 0.69 for cranberry and 8.64 CGE/g of fruit for cornelian cherry. DPPH scavenging activity was the highest for physalis (peruvian strawberry) with value of 76.75 % while the lowest was for the sour cherry with value of 28.46 %. These tested fruits, found at markets across the country, can be grown and consumed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that manner, this research has shown that selected fruits could be considered as powerful supply of needed antioxidants.

Author(s): Hurija Dzudzevic-Cancar, Amra Alispahic, Alema Dedic, Samija Muratovic, Atifa Ajanovic, Kemal Duric, Ismet Fatih Cancar


REDUCING PERCEIVED RISK AND FEAR OF ROBBERIES ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUS RESIDENCES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Volume 78, May 2022
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2022.5.5

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Abstract: REDUCING PERCEIVED RISK AND FEAR OF ROBBERIES ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUS RESIDENCES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Author(s): Jacob Tseko Mofokeng

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BANKING PERFORMANCE IN PORTUGAL - THE IMPACT OF VARIABLE Z

Volume 78, May 2022
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2022.5.8

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Abstract: Effective corporate governance practices are essential to achieving and maintaining societal trust in the banking system, which is essential for the smooth functioning of the financial sector and the economy as a whole. Bad Corporate Governance can contribute to bank failures, which in turn can represent significant costs due to their potential impact on the macroeconomic system. Added to this is the risk of contagion to the entire sector, which may, at the limit, jeopardize the financial system, as was evident in the international financial crisis that began in mid-2007. The main objective of the research is to analyze the impact of variables associated with governance, structure and economy in the economic and financial performance of banking institutions in Portugal. The Z-Score is a variable widely used in the literature to measure banking risk (Beltratti & Stulz, 2012; Fu, Lin, & Molyneux, 2014). More specifically, this indicator measures the proximity to insolvency of a particular bank, which becomes insolvent when the value of its assets is not sufficient to meet its obligations (Wang, 2018). The model created highlights the negative impact of the variable LNAT and TXINF. If in relation to the latter the reason for being considered as such is perceptible and acceptable, the former raises doubts as to its consistency. and it becomes insolvent when the value of its assets is not enough to meet its obligations (Wang, 2018). The model created highlights the negative impact of the variable LNAT and TXINF. If in relation to the latter the reason for being considered as such is perceptible and acceptable, the former raises doubts as to its consistency. and it becomes insolvent when the value of its assets is not enough to meet its obligations (Wang, 2018). The model created highlights the negative impact of the variable LNAT and TXINF. If in relation to the latter the reason for being considered as such is perceptible and acceptable, the former raises doubts as to its consistency. It is also worth mentioning that when the t-student significance test is performed, the following variables are excluded because their p-value is greater than 0.05: CG, TXINF and TXJUR. We accept CPAT because the p-value is over the threshold even slightly exceeding (0.0548).

Author(s): Angela Vaz, Adalmiro Pereira


FREE COLLEGE AND EDUCATIONAL EQUITY: CAN THE EXCELSIOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM INFLUENCE THE GRADUATION OUTCOMES IN THE PUBLIC 2-YEAR COLLEGES?

Volume 78, May 2022
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2022.5.2

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Abstract: Promise Programs, a relatively new finance policy targeted at higher education, are becoming a \npopular tool to address educational equity issues and make higher education possible for more \nstudents, especially the historically underrepresented students. In 2017, New York was the first \nstate in the United States that announced a statewide Promise (called the Excelsior Scholarship \nProgram) applying the free college policy to all public higher education sectors for its state \nresidents. Will this program actually improve educational equity? This study seeks to explore this \nissue by focusing on the impact of the Excelsior Scholarship Program on the graduation \noutcomes of public 2-year colleges. Results show that for colleges that have implemented the \nExcelsior Scholarship Program, the undergraduate graduation rate (total undergraduates) \ngenerally decreased. The graduation of low-income undergraduates (full-time first-time) \ndecreased.

Author(s): ZHUOYAO LIU

DIGITAL LITERACY IN TURKISH STUDENTS BEFORE AND DURING THE PANDEMIC: A META-ANALYSIS

Volume 78, May 2022
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2022.5.9

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Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the impact of digital literacy on Turkish students during and before the pandemic. Thesis and article studies completed in the period of 2017-2021 and covering the Turkish sample were examined with the Meta-Analysis method. Studies on digital literacy in the sample of Turkish university students; Analyzed using Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, YÖK Thesis and Web of Science search engines. Criterion-based sampling, which is one of the sample selection methods, was used. Measured criteria; 1. The state of giving place to the studies conducted on a Turk sampling, 2. Its including the quantitative studies of the type of screening, Its containing on the üniversty students, 4. Its being of the type of study that takes in its scope the arithmetic mean, standard deviation and sampling sizes, in accordance with the results of the analysis of data, 5. Its containing the permitted theses and articles published in the literature, 6. Its containing the cronbah alpha in the studies. Effect value was calculated using Begg and Mazumdar's Cone Chart and Rank Fit Test, Forest Chart analysis and Hedges' g. Random effects model was used in the analysis. The overall effect size of digital literacy by gender was found to be low and in favor of women. Impact size; were found at low level compared to the sub-dimensions. The results of the study were discussed within the scope of the literature. The effect size values classified according to the levels are as follows: insignificant (g<0.15), low (0.14<g<0.40), moderate (0.39<g<0.75), high (0.74<g<1.10), very high (1.9<g<1.45) and appropriate (g>1.44).

Author(s): Mehmet Beyazsacli

INFLUENCE OF LEARNING RESOURCES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ACCOUNTING STUDENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Volume 78, May 2022
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2022.5.6

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Abstract: Accounting is one of the important subjects in schools as it provides learners with the necessary skills on how to deal with real life financial situations. However, it has been found that learning resources play a critical role in the teaching and learning of Accounting, as well as on students’ performance in the subject. The study observed that many of the schools which had inadequate supply of relevant resources and materials underperformed in Accounting as a subject. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of learning resources on the performance of learners in Accounting. The study utilized a case study design where only one school was used because of the challenges it has with performance of students in Accounting. Three teachers who teach Accounting were purposively selected in addition to five learners who participated in the focus group discussion. Recorded interviews were used to collect data which were analysed according to themes. Participants consented to participate in the study. Findings of the study revealed a dearth of the relevant teaching and learning materials for Accounting. It was also evident that shortage of textbooks made it difficult for teachers to teach it properly. More so, the school did not optimise the use of technology and the internet in teaching the subject. The study concluded that it is important for schools to provide the needed teaching and learning materials for Accounting. Also, there is the need for teachers to integrate the use of online platforms which enhance the interest of learners in the subject. Lastly, the study is of the view that since Accounting is a critical subject, it is pertinent to provide periodic workshops and seminars to fill the knowledge gap of teachers. The study recommended that, to improve the teaching and learning of Accounting, it is important that textbooks and other relevant resources for teaching and learning are provided timeously. There is also the need to provide the necessary support that empowers teachers to enhance the teaching of Accounting. Lastly, the study recommended the use of the internet and the relevant technology which promote students’ interest in learning Accounting.

Author(s): Agyeman Nana, Lungelwa Khesa


EXPLORING STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF USING SCHOOL BASED EXPERIENCE FOR TEACHER DEVELOPMENT: EXPECTATIONS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Volume 78, May 2022
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2022.5.1

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Abstract: The increase in enrolment of learners at both the primary and secondary schools has increased the demand for new teachers to make up for shortage of teachers in schools. As a result, universities and training colleges have had the responsibility of training and grooming new teachers. The objective of this study is to explore the perceptions of student teachers about their expectations, challenges, and opportunities during school-based experience. To explore student perceptions, the following research questions were used: (i) What were your expectations during school-based experience? (ii) What challenges were you confronted with that affected your practice in your school? (iii) What are the opportunities that school-based experience offers towards teacher development? The theoretical framework which underpins this study is the Behaviourism theory which was propounded by Skinner in 1930 and was further extended by James in 1938. The methodology used to explore this study was the qualitative approach with a case study design as a guide. From the cohort of 40, ten students were purposively selected for this study which used a semi-structured interview as a data collection instrument which required student teachers to reflect on their perceptions about school-based experience. Findings from the study indicated lack of support for students during teaching practice from their supervisors and the school. Contrastingly, it also found that teaching practice gave students an opportunity to apply theories they had learnt in the field during this period. The study concludes that the opportunities that student teachers get far outweigh the challenges. As such, the study recommended that supervisors, mentors and the schools should work collaboratively to improve school-based experience.

Author(s): Agyeman Nana, Vanessa Aphane


TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF CONDONING AND PROMOTING SENIOR PHASE MATHEMATICS LEARNERS INTO THE FET PHASE WITHOUT LEARNING SUPPORT

Volume 78, May 2022
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2022.5.7

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Abstract: The study investigated teachers\' perceptions of condoning and promoting senior phase mathematics learners into the FET Phase without learning support in a high school in KwaZulu-Natal. An exploratory case study investigated this phenomenon by looking at the teachers\' viewpoints of condoning and promoting learners, by conducting interviews with two mathematics teachers. The findings suggest that mathematical teachers perceived that condoning and then promoting learners into the FET phase, did not acquire the foundational knowledge in mathematics and therefore had a gradual increase in their knowledge gaps. This contributed to the challenges that mathematics teachers had to endure with their learners who struggled to attain good achievement levels in FET mathematics. As a result of this, their teachers will then make use of different complementary academic teaching and learning support strategies to help them improve their mathematics performance at the FET level. The success of a learning support programme to overcome their gaps in knowledge is dependent on a collaborative relationship between nurturing teachers, parents, and positive discipline in group teaching within supplemental classes.

Author(s): Gilbert Pule, Yudvir Bhagwonparsadh


SUPERVISOR AND STUDENT PERPSECTIVES ON THEIR ROLES IN RESEARCH PROJECT: THE CASE OF A SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITY

Volume 78, May 2022
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2022.5.3

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Abstract: This paper is based on research undertaken at a developing University in South Africa, Eastern Cape Province. The research explored the roles of the supervisor and student during the conduct of a research project. The study focused on the supervisor and student perspectives on their roles in a research project. A qualitative case study was adopted to explore supervisors and students perspectives on their roles in a research project at the purposively chosen institution under study. Narrative interviews and open-ended interviews were used as the core data collection tools from a sample of 8 research students and 4 supervisors from two faculties of the university under study. The findings of the study revealed that lack of communication, delay and poor feedback, non-availability of supervisors, lack of commitment and ill-preparedness by students were the key aspects that influenced the negative supervisory experiences of the students and supervisors who participated in the study. The study proffers recommendations and interventions that could be used by those in authority in the university under study, by supervisors, and by research students in order to improve and change the supervision experience. Amongst these are the adoption of Faculty Collaborative, training of students and supervisors, and improving of communication guidelines.

Author(s): Motsi Qoyi