Poverty-in-the-world

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Journal Article Reviews (CLO 5)

Journal Article Reviews (CLO 5)

Components

Three articles are described with the following for sections each:

·         Section 1 – Library research description

·         Section 2 – Article abstracts and references

·         Section 3 – Research descriptions

·         Section 4 – Article evaluation

The full evaluation is provided under the top ranked article – Article 3  

Article 1

Section 1

Source: HCT Libraries page >Discover>Electronic Resources   

Search terms: UAE Higher Education

Section 2

Title: A Study of the UAE Higher Education Sector in Light of Dubai’s Strategic Objectives

Abstract

 We provide an overview of the state of the higher education system in the UAE, and investigate its capacity to supply Dubai’s economy with skilled labor and achieve the emirate’s strategic social development objectives. We examine various characteristics of the higher education sector and discuss their inherent strengths and weaknesses in light of Dubai’s labor market needs. Our findings reveal that the UAE higher education sector has witnessed an impressive growth since 1997 mostly led by a vigorous expansion of the private higher education sector. This situation led to a substantial growth in higher education opportunities for the UAE population. However, the lack of development of graduate studies and the lower quality of graduates, as perceived by both employees and employers, represent the main challenges to the capacity of the sector in fulfilling the needs of Dubai’s economy.

Reference

Hijazi, R., Zoubeidi, T., Abdalla, I., Al-Waqfi, M., & Harb, N. (2008). A study of the UAE higher education sector in light of dubai's strategic objectives. Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, 24(1), 68-81. 

Section 3

Population

The data collected various sources in UAE. It includes Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MHESR), a survey of employees and employers in Dubai (DLM), Ministry of Labor, and the 2005 UAE population.

Research Approach

The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess the capacity of the higher education sector, Dubai labor market (DLM) and general population. Multiple statistical models were used to compare between the perceived quality of the skills of graduates with respect to the place of education, nationality and sector of employment.

                            

Participant selection

The data collected from 2001 to 2006 collected from various sources in UAE. The sample utilized in Dubai labor market consists of 282 establishments (workplaces) and 1455 employees through a face-to-face and self-report questionnaire.

Main results

The higher education sector in UAE is relatively young. It has witnessed an impressive growth since 1997 mostly led by a vigorous expansion of the private higher education sector. This situation led to a substantial growth in higher education opportunities for the UAE population. But, the higher education sector still faces many challenges to achieve the social development goals of the UAE in general and Dubai in particular.

The author multiple sources of data collection to include maximum number of participants for accuracy. The study provides how the increase in number of public and private institutions has increased the access of higher education for general population and the developments in programs to cater the skills and abilities required to labor market. It also explains the annual production of graduates, post graduates and doctoral degree holders to the country and the contribution level in each field.

Section 4

                Ranking: Middle

               

               

Article 2

Section 1

Source: HCT Libraries page >Discover>Electronic Resources   

Search terms: UAE Higher Education

Section 2

Title: The market route to higher education in UAE: its rationales and implications

Abstract

Externalities with regards to higher education have increasingly being debated across the world, with many countries shifting part of the higher education responsibility to the individuals on the premise that it generates private benefits. The transformation of higher education from elite to mass system and inability of the government to shoulder the ever increasing burden of higher education; is cited as one of the reasons for adopting the market route to higher education and treating students as consumers. This consumerist turn to higher education has raised concerns about quality, critical pedagogy and the perception amongst employers that graduates lack skills. The market of higher education in UAE (United Arab Emirates) is relatively free and there are substantial numbers of higher education institutions giving consumers fair choice in deciding whether to pursue their education at public, private or University Branch Campuses (IBC). The purpose of this exploratory study is to evaluate the market of higher education in UAE with regards to quality and market acceptability of universities and colleges. As the higher education sector in UAE is predominantly teaching oriented, this exploratory study is intended to assess perceptions of employers about private higher education and thereby assess the effectiveness of market route. The study revealed that the employers prefer graduates from public universities or IBC’s as compared to private ones citing the concerns about student’s preparation for the world of employment. The policy implications for State and universities are discussed.

                                                                                                                                                                

Reference

Bhayani, A. (2014). The market route to higher education in UAE: Its rationales and implications. International Review on Public and Non - Profit Marketing, 11(1), 75-87.

Section 3

Population

The population of the research consisted of the employers in UAE from across leading sectors contributing to national economy. The respondents selected were primarily involved in the recruitment of Emirati graduates and believed to be the major employers in the state.

Research Approach

The research approach is qualitative and involved survey to the respondents in major organizations involved in recruitment of Emirati graduates.  The scales used in the study were designed to measure quality perceptions of different types of institutions in relation to graduate preparedness for the employment market.

Participant selection

The participants were from the leading organizations in UAE primarily providing opportunities to Emirati graduates for employment. A total of 34 respondents from 23 organizations selected for survey. Most of the respondents were recruitment personnel and perceived to be from key employment groups.

Main results

According to author, per annum recruitment was 5-10 graduates for small firms, 25 for medium and 40 for large firms. About half of the organizations were satisfied with the graduates recruited in last 3-5 years. Organizations were not satisfied with the quality of graduates and claims that a lot of training is required to develop the desired skills and abilities.

The study used a limited number of organizations and respondents. The accuracy and validity of the study could have been much improved if the number of organizations and respondents were increased to a level that truly represent the general population of UAE.

Section 4

                Ranking: Bottom

Article 3

Section 1

Source: HCT Libraries page >Discover>Electronic Resources

Search terms: Student satisfaction and student perceptions

Section 2

Title: Student satisfaction and student perceptions of quality at international branch campuses in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The international branch campus has emerged as a popular form of transnational higher education but to date little research has been undertaken on student perceptions and experiences, other than the student feedback evaluations conducted by institutions. This research employed a survey questionnaire to investigate student perceptions of study at international branch campuses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the country which hosts the largest number of branch campuses globally. Across the seven dimensions examined – programme effectiveness, quality of lecturers and teaching, student learning, assessment and feedback, learning resources, use of technology, and facilities/social life – it was found that students are largely satisfied. The findings refute many of the criticisms of international branch campuses in the literature, regarding quality, political or ideological issues.

Reference

Wilkins, S., Balakrishnan, M. S., and Huisman, J. (2012). Student satisfaction and student perceptions of quality at international branch campuses in the United Arab Emirates. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 34(5), 543-556.

Section 3

Population

This article used a structured questionnaire, developed on 7-point Likert Scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree, to assess the student perceptions, experiences and satisfaction. The survey questionnaire was completed by students who were studying at an international branch campus in the UAE.

                Research Approach

A quantitative approach is used as the outcomes are presented numerically.  The respondents are assessed by 7-point Likert scale used in the questionnaire for student’s perception and student’s satisfaction.

Participant selection

The researcher used structured questionnaire containing 49 randomly selected questions collected from multiple sources by relevance and developed on a 7-point Likert scale. The data obtained from 247 respondents studying in UAE branch campuses of foreign institutions during a five week period in February and March 2011.

                Main results

The study provides that the branch campuses meet the perception of students and performing well. The students were generally satisfied with the teaching and learning at the branch campuses and their programs and offers. According to the study Indian students had the highest satisfaction scores, followed by Pakistani students and then African students; UAE students had the lowest satisfaction scores.

               

Section 4

                Ranking: Best

The author selected questions from many sources to develop the questionnaire up to the mark and include almost all the questions relevant to the quality education and student satisfaction to meet the accuracy. The cross referencing of data collected from respondents to the students of branch campuses further confirms the sources reliability and validity. The respondents further classified on the basis of nationality showing a majority of expatriates and programs with specializations in business, management and information technology or computer science. The author selected seven dimensions for quality of education from the literature and analysis based on factors shows a high level of perception and satisfaction in education at branch campuses located in the country. It also compared the student’s satisfactions in graduate and post graduate programs which was higher in post graduate studies. The author also shows a limitation in collection of data as all the campuses declined the offer to participate in the study. So, the study completed as a part of final year project in a branch campus at Dubai and data collected by sharing the link to the survey questionnaire to students of branch campuses. The hard copies of questionnaire also used to minimize the errors.

Besides the limitations, study performed very well and shows a high number of respondents and comparison of the respondents from different ethnicity to a transparent campus registrations shows the correctness of the figures. Further improvement could have been made by increasing the quality dimensions and the span of respondents.

Findings Report

LSC 2533 Research Methods

Findings Report

‘What are the main causes of poverty in the world?’

(Research Topic)

Section 1 - Research questions

Primary Question

1)      What are the main causes of poverty in the world?

Sub-Questions

1)      Are there any organizations that receive donations to help poor countries?

2)      Do you think it is right for us to donate to these poor countries?

3)      Do you think UAE has poor people ?

Section 2 – Background report summary 

The research topic chosen is, ‘What are the main causes of poverty in the world?’ The researcher got an interest in this particular topic because while the population of the world today is seven (7) billion, 795 million people do not have enough food to eat. This is equivalent to one in nine people in the world could not eat properly in a day (Shah, 2011). Additionally, 98 percent of the world’s population are undernourished and mostly they come from developing countries such as Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina, Ethiopia, Senegal, Uganda, only to mention few of these developing countries with big number of population is suffering from dire poverty (State of Food Security in the World, 2014). From among the populations of the world who suffer poverty, 60 percent are women who are among those suffering from hunger. Also, 50 percent of pregnant women coming from developing countries do not receive proper maternal care. This caused 240,000 maternal deaths from childbirth every year. Meanwhile, the UNICEF reports that there are 22,000 children die of hunger everyday across the world. Many of these children die quietly in the remote villages on earth especially those coming from the continent of Africa.  On the other hand, based on enrolment data, 72 million children in developing countries missed primary school and of this number, 57 percent are girls (Basu, 2014).

Section 3 – Questionnaire results 

To answer the foregoing questions, the research prepared a self-structured questionnaire with 10 items. They were distributed to 11 participants randomly that include men and women who willingly responded to the questionnaire without any action of force or coercion. Many of those people who approached by the researcher willingly responded the questionnaire because they themselves believe that poverty is not only a societal issue but a world’s problem as well. The first question asked is whether they knew of organizations that receive donations to be given to these poor countries mentioned in the early part of this report. All of the 11 respondents said that they knew of organizations in the country that received donations. This is equivalent to 100% of those participants that are aware that there are organizations in the country that you can give your donations for these poor countries. Also, 80% said that they gave their donations as well. Meanwhile, 62 percent said that they donated randomly while 37.5% said that their donations are monthly or in regular basis. When the respondents were asked about the causes of poverty, the responses were summarized as: war, political instability and inequality in the distribution of wealth. Other reasons of the participants included unemployment, tribal intolerance, and unequal distribution of foods. Also, the respondents believe that they can do something to ease the root causes of poverty by educating and or providing free education to these poor people who could impossibly go to school to earn even a primary education. The respondents are also willing to share their little resources to poor people so that they cannot miss their meals every day. Finally, the 11 respondents believe that even UAE, a country with high GDP has poor people as well and who could hardly eat three times a day. These are the families who bread winners may have abandoned them and the mothers could hardly provide the needs of the children anymore, he mothers would resort to alms begging.

Section 4 - Discussion of Results

In agreement with the background information, the survey findings said that the main causes of poverty around the world are due to war, political instability, and unemployment, unequal distribution of wealth and lack of education. What is interesting among the findings though is that most of the respondents said that they can help the poor people but they do not specify how they can do it. Although there are 80 percent of the respondents who said that they gave to organizations their help to support the poor countries but 62 percent do this also randomly, meaning not in regular basis because only 37.5 percent donated to organizations on regular monthly basis. The survey also reported that participants believe that even UAE with high GDP has poor populations as well especially those families that were abandoned by their parents especially the fathers. Finally, in order to ease the causes of poverty, probably the college or the council can do the following recommendations:

1)      Provide short-term courses for students so that they can easily graduate and find a job to immediately support their respective families.

2)      Respect and follow the political system so that instability in the government will not happen.

3)      Students will take their studies seriously so that they can gain sufficient knowledge in preparation for their future career.

Lastly, if I were to conduct research in the future similar to this topic, I would like to determine the measures that our government is doing in order to alleviate the living conditions of its population. Also, I would like to know what  help the government extends to Emirati families who are abandoned by their bread winners especially the husbands or fathers.