Faculty and Staff Publications

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Addressing the Ten Commonly Asked Questions about Qualitative Research in the Philippines
(2017-12-25) Dr. Wa-Mbaleka, Safary
There is no doubt that the need for qualitative research has increased and has been felt all around the world. Once feared, detested, or even not much valued by some, qualitative research has now become the rare bird many people are trying to catch. Unfortunately, as more and more people and institutions try to embrace qualitative research, maybe more damage is being done in the process because of the lack of solid understanding of qualitative research. To pave a strong way to excellence in qualitative research conduct and dissemination, it is important to have an idea of the current state of qualitative research. This paper is based on content analysis of the input from 197 higher education professors, administrators, researchers, graduate and doctoral students from 40 higher education institutions in the Philippines. It is based on 10 most commonly asked questions about qualitative research. These questions are grouped into three major themes: the fundamentals, the methodology, and the trustworthiness of qualitative research. Understanding these commonly asked questions can help us pave better the way to quality capability training in qualitative research.
Adventists in politico-military strife and violence
(Ministry International Journal for Pastors, 9-12, 2016-02) Dr. Wa-Mbaleka, Safary
An assessment of the effectiveness of records management practices in Adventist Health Institution in Ghana
(GE-International Journal of Management Research, 2016-08) Dr. Nwaomah, Angela E.
This paper is a report of a study that evaluated the practice of effective records management in the Seventh-Day Adventist Hospital in Kwadaso-Kumasi, Ghana. The study revealed that only 46.7 percentage of the records managers have professional qualifications/specialized training in records management. The findings also revealed that there is a positive level (51.1%) of effective records management practices in the hospital. However, those with the job title records manager faced some specific constrains that hinders the maximum achievement of records management effectiveness. The conclusion drawn is that, certain factors are responsible for the challenges. The paper then offers some recommendations that will help the hospital management and Ghana government deal with those challenges.
Analysis of Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior towards Sustainability and Sustainable Lifestyle: Implications for the Sustainable Future of Africa
(2020-12) Dr. Ganu, Josephine; Ocansey, Evans
Sustainable development has become a critical concern in the 21st Century. While a number of players are actively engaged in the delivery of the SDGs,the unique contribution of educational institutions of higher learning is key to achieving the SDGs. Apart from the fact that quality education can break the shackles of poverty and hunger (SDG 1 & 2), spur economic growth and decent jobs (SDG 8), we argue that quality educational institutions of higher learning play a critical role in grooming future leaders and workers to develop global social consciousness, positive sustainable development mind-set and adopt a sustainable lifestyle.Therefore,this empirical study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive research design and surveyed 422 respondents to examine the level of students’ awareness of sustainability issues, their attitudes towards sustainability and their current lifestyle in selected countries in Africa. The results suggest that generally, students have a fair idea of sustainability issues. They seem to know a lot about pollution and deforestation, however, they lack a deep understanding of other key sustainability-related concepts that confront our world today. More so, they appear to have positive attitudes towards the multi-dimensions of environmental sustainability. Nevertheless,their daily actions and lifestyle do not powerfully support what they profess. Implications of the study results are therefore discussed.
Biblical Narratives of Steadfast Grit: A Select Example in Cultivating Psychological Fortitude
(Pan-African Journal of Theology, 2024) Dr. Mahlon, Juma
Psychological grit is credited to Angela Duckworth. Psychologists have investigated grit as a personality trait, educators as a character trait, and economics as a non-cognitive competence or soft skill. Additionally, it has been translated into Russian, Japanese, German, Korean, Turkish, and Spanish. However, the attributes associated with grit, such as courage, conscientiousness, excellence, resilience, and optimism, are similar to Bible terminology. However, the literature is scarce, and there is a knowledge gap about these characteristics from a biblical standpoint. Critics have proposed that future studies look into the useful applications of grit in educational contexts and other languages. In response, the story investigated the following issues: (1) What words do the New and Old Testaments use to describe grit’s courage, conscientiousness, excellence, resilience, and optimism? (2) Who are the Biblical characters who demonstrated these virtues? The analysis revealed that grit is an abundant biblical attribute in both the New and Old Testaments. Countless Bible characters demonstrated grit. Distressing end-times call on Christians to display grit.
A Brief Ethnography on Philippine English
(2014-04) Dr. Wa-Mbaleka, Safary; Blath, Claudia; Lloren, Janice; Duan, Wenwan
The Philippines is a nation with a rich culture and heritage that reflects the indigenous diversity of the islands. Its present identity and unique features are not whimsical. They are mainly the result of a combination of events throughout its history. Its linguistic diversity and cultural uniqueness— e.g., being the only Asian Christian country—are clear evidence of several colonial influences (Hechanova, 2012; Miller, 2014). Using an ethnographic approach, this paper examines English, Taglish, and pragmatic aspects in a suburb and a metropolitan area of the Philippines. This study reveals that socioeconomic status, educational attainment and background go hand in hand with the level of exposure and usage of the English language. It also shows that the interactional and speech acts that nine participants demonstrated during the interviews, together with the artifacts found on the research sites, are reflections of their culture. The study also led to the conclusion that code-switching or Taglish is common among English-speaking Filipinos. Finally, more English proficiency was evidenced with people who had attended private schools more than those who attended public education.
The Changing Face of Corporate Governance in the World: – A Critical Literature Review of INSEAD Panel of Board of Directors' A Midst Uncertain Time
(2020) Mtike, Rubbie Mzumara; Prof. Nyakora, Musa
This critique is on the discussion by INSEAD Panel at the Global Business Leaders Conference which took place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on the future of governance. Following the video discussion, literature review on governance was done to strengthen the stand taken in this critique. Governance should be a driving factor to success. However, companies have been casualties affecting millions of employees who lose their jobs. Governance rules in isolation have proved unsuccessful. Pomposity, greed and abuse of positions have led to failing companies, organizations even governments. Board members who become irrelevant due to the changing world have contributed to the dysfunction of governance leading to the fall of many companies. Therefore, I recommend training the Board should include ethics as this is an umbrella for good decisions regardless of context. Board members need also be independent to be able to make decisions without undue influence. The board should begin to use the stakeholder view which benefits society. Communication has to flow both ways for informed decisions to be made. The critique concludes that there is hope for governance once ethics begin to reign and ensure justice for every stakeholder. Support for the company will be ensured in return by the society who are the customers of the company as it does not exist in a vacuum. Governance is everywhere. Each individual around the globe should strive to make a difference in improving the future of governance.
Changing Lives through Qualitative Research: Some Practical Principles and Practices for Advocacy
(2020-12) Dr. Wa-Mbaleka, Safary
Research in social sciences is or at least should be, primarily about improving people’s lives. This is especially important in qualitative research. It is not uncommon to find many qualitative research books and articles encouraging qualitative researchers to give voice to participants who do not have any. In the literature, one branch that is concerned with this specific ethical duty of qualitative researchers is advocacy or advocating. While some qualitative research books and articles have referred to advocacy in passing, it is not a topic that is frequently discussed in the qualitative research fora, despite its significant importance. This paper defines what advocacy is, its importance in qualitative research, and the challenges of advocating. The ultimate goal of this paper is to discuss effective ways of advocating through qualitative research. This is especially important when conducting qualitative research with alienated, marginalized, dehumanized, and powerless groups of people.
Christian ethics challenges: the case of the Great Lakes Region of Africa
(2014) Dr. Wa-Mbaleka, Safary
In some academic and professional circles, ethics is a topic that is often discussed as a brainteaser. In the Great Lakes Region of Africa, war has challenged Christian members’, pastors, and church leaders’ ethics. War has claimed about 10 million lives in that region in the past couple of decades. It has been sustained directly or indirectly around the world because of the benefit it brings to the world population at large. This paper presents findings of a phenomenological case study based on accounts from lived experiences of Christian, pastors, and church leaders of the Great Lakes Region. It presents challenges that these Christians have had to face, how they have dealt with them ethically, and better paths that can be taken to deal with the impact of war on Christians in this and other similar contexts.
Designing Learning Modules for Online Courses: The 5-WH Approach
(2012-10) Dr. Wa-Mbaleka, Safary
More and more educators today are joining online teaching with little or no instructional design training. Challenges have been reported in in many regions around the world. In addition, time constraints present another challenge because of the many responsibilities that educators assume as regular faculty members. They need practical guidelines that can help them in designing their online courses, beginning with the module–the meaningful, self-contained, basic building block of the online course. This theoretical paper provides some practical guidelines for this purpose by applying the common 5-WH approach in designing a module for any online course. This approach helps the online educator to address the questions related to who, what, why, where, when, and how, expected from any complete online course module from a Christian perspective.
Development and Validation of Domain-Specific Grit Scale for Prisoners in Criminal Justice System in Kenya
(International Journal of Resaerch and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2024-12-10) Dr. Mahlon, Juma
Grit – defined as perseverance and passion for long-term goals has been considered a prognosticator and requisite trait of success and achievement and has been utilizing the domain-general Grit-S - for its good internal consistency, and test-retest stability. The domain-specific aspects of grit are required and a valid tool has been an imperative need. This quantitative study introduced the Prison Grit Scale (P-GS) to recidivists (N =418) selected through purposive and systematic random sampling to ascertain the reliability and validity using the partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results demonstrate that P-GS possesses good psychometric properties. The factor loadings of courage, conscientiousness, excellence, resilience, and optimism were between 0.754 - 0.836, thus acceptable. P-GS’s composite reliability of 0.895 is acceptable; a value greater than the recommended 0.70, and the rho-a value of 0.857 falls between Cronbach’s Alpha (0.853) and composite reliability (0.895). The convergent validity’s average variance extract was 0.631; above the accepted threshold of 0.50. Lastly, discriminant validity using Fornell and Larcker indicator loadings scored 0.794 and fell between 0.65 and 0.85. The conclusion is that P-GS has good internal reliability and convergent and discriminant validity. This implies the support of domain-specific aspects of grit and can benefit positive psychology researchers in the criminal justice system. A convergent parallel design in a mixed method is recommended for future research, utilizing more women respondents
Dissemination of information in the COVID-19 era in university libraries in Nigeria
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, 2022) Omeluzor, Saturday U.; Dr. Nwaomah, Angela E.; Molokwu, Ugochi Esther
In Nigeria, the first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported on 27 February 2020 and as at date, there are about 13,000 confirmed cases across Nigeria. The spread of COVID-19 forced the lockdown of libraries. This study investigated the dissemination of information in meeting the information needs of library patrons during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown of university libraries in Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey design, a sample population of 178 librarians from federal, state and private universities in Nigeria was questioned. The findings show that libraries disseminated information on personal hygiene to their patrons (hand-washing, cleanliness and the use of hand sanitizers) and sensitized the general public to COVID-19 by using posters and flyers. The findings also reveal that libraries disseminated information and links to e-resources to support patrons’ ongoing research. Moreover, It was revealed in the findings that lack of coordination, strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and none subscription for data for librarians to work from home were challenges.
Effects of Job satisfaction on the effectiveness of students' records management in South-South Nigerian Universities
(International Journal of Liberal Arts and Social Science, 2014-12) Dr. Nwaomah, Angela E.
This study provides empirical evidence regarding the effects of job satisfaction on the effectiveness of students’ records management in South-South Nigerian universities. A survey research design was employed for the study. Based on equal representation, three each of the three types of universities were randomly selected as the sample population. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 564 from 1,123 officers managing students’ records. . Data was collected with a self-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that at 0.05 level of significance, p-value of (0.0000, 0.1219 and 0.2639) job satisfaction significantly influenced students’ records management effectiveness in federal universities but not in state and private universities. Findings of this research provides university administrators and records managers with better understanding on how job satisfaction influences the effectiveness of students’ records management in the different types of university in South-South, Nigeria.
Employee Intrinsic Motivation and The Attainment of the Organisation Goals: A Case of Private University in Malawi
(2020-01) Dr. Nwaomah, Angela Ewhonne; Tsukani, Rose Mandala
Employee motivation is a very important subject as far as the achievement of organisation goals in universities is concerned. This has been recognised by some studies on staff motivation in Malawi and even abroad. Nevertheless, not much has been done on the factors that affected the achievement of organisation goals. Therefore, this study examined the effect of intrinsic motivation factors on the achievement of organisation goals at Malawi Adventist University. A causal type of study design conducted in one month was used for the study. The university population was two hundred forty-one employees whose employment status was permanent and contract, teaching and nonteaching excluding those on wages. To ensure that all employees were represented, employees were randomly selected for the study. Krejicie and Morgan pre-calculated sample size table was used to select a sample of 181 employees from the population. Data was collected with a self –structured questionnaire validated with Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of .579 on intrinsic motivation factors and .690 on the attainment of organisation goals. A total of 146 copies of the questionnaire were validly completed and returned representing 81% response rate. Descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that at the 0.05 level of significance, intrinsic motivation factors such as nature of work and responsibility significantly and positively affected the achievement of organisation goals at Malawi Adventist University as evidenced by the p-values of (.180, 1.961and .052) and (.225, 2.574 and .011). The study concluded that intrinsic motivation factors of work life balance, nature of work, equity and fairness, responsibility and recognition are important towards achieving organisation goals even though their importance were not at equal proportion. Therefore, recommendation was made to help the management to optimize the attainment of organisation goals at Malawi Adventist University.
English Teachers’ perceptions of the mother tongue-based education policy in the Philippines
(2014) Dr. Wa-Mbaleka, Safary
The instruction of English in the Philippines causes quite some challenges to scholars due to its rich linguistic diversity. With more than 180 languages currently recorded in the country, linguistic power struggle is unavoidable, although it may be silent. To make the situation even more complex, the Philippine Government recently launched a new educational policy that promotes learning in mother tongues in earlier years of primary education. While this policy is based on sound research, it poses quite some challenges to linguists due to the various linguistic backgrounds found in almost every classroom around the nation. This survey research investigated 467 English teachers’ perceptions about the importance of this policy. Findings were inconclusive on teachers’ perception about the policy’s importance on general learning and the nation’s preparedness. Findings were positive, however, about teachers’ perceptions about the role this policy plays on first language learning, students’ culture, and the Philippines as a nation.
Evaluating Access and Use of Information Resources by Postgraduate Students at Adventist University of Africa Library in Kenya
(International Journal of Humanities & Social Science Studies(IJHSSS), 2018-01) Norah Mauti; Dr. Andrew Chege; Prof Joseph Kiplagat
At Adventist University of Africa (AUA) library, observation and statistical reports depict a regressive pattern in the access and use of information resources. For example, in the year 2012, 400 students accessed information resources, while in 2013 the number dropped to 362. In 2014 the number further dropped to 304. The aim of this study was to evaluate access and use of information resources by post-graduate students at AUA library and to suggest ways in which access and use can be enhanced. The objectives of the study were: to identify the information resources in the library; establish how the information resources are accessed by the students; establish how the information resources are used; identify challenges post-graduate students face while accessing and using the information resources; and establish ways of enhancing access and use of the information resources. The study population was 473 postgraduate students with a sample study of 142. Stratified and purposive sampling techniques were used. Data collection methods included distribution of questionnaires. The major findings were that users need to be well equipped with information retrieval skills to access and use information resources effectively. The study also established challenges users faced and these included, lack of the necessary skills to access electronic resources, language barrier and lack of awareness of available information resources. The study recommended that measures should be put in place to ensure that the students use the information resources effectively, and that the resources should be regularly updated.
Factors Leading to Limited Faculty Publications in Philippine Higher Education Institutions
(2015-10) Dr. Wa-Mbaleka, Safary
One of the major expectations of the higher education faculty is to generate knowledge through research and disseminate it through scholarly conferences and journal publications. This expectation has created much pressure on faculty members in higher education, even more so in recent years, as more and more emphasis is placed on presenting and publishing research. Using content analysis as a design, this exploratory study is based on data from higher education faculty members of 3 different universities about the reasons they gave for having no or limited number of publications. Findings reveal that the 7 most challenging factors preventing faculty members from publishing enough or not publishing at all include having limited time, lack of training on publication, fear of rejection, lack of interest, faculty laziness, limited funds, and lack of institutional support. This study helps raise scholars’ awareness on the common issues expressed by the faculty, with the hope of starting some constructive discourse in colleges and universities on how to better support the work of publication. Some recommendations are made to help colleges and universities tackle more effectively the 7 issues found in this study.
Globalization, Minerals, War, and Education: the case of Congo
(2014) Dr. Wa-Mbaleka, Safary
Seen as a bittersweet gift to the world today, especially in developing countries, globalization has had both positive and negative impacts on Africans, and especially on the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The resources of Congo have played an important role in globalization around the world; more so in the world outside Congo. Through the death of millions of people, socioeconomic and psychological challenges, the Congolese people have had to pay a very high price simply because of these resources that are so highly needed to sustain globalization. While expected to help address these challenges, higher education in the Congo has struggled to face the challenges of repeated wars. This case study presents the results of interviews, archival data, and participant observation done with educational leaders and administrators, teachers, and students in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country that has been on war for almost two decades. The study explores how war affects the quality of higher education when a country is constantly under the challenges of war, and what is being done about it.
Influence of Job Suitability on the Effectiveness of Students’ Records Management in South-South Nigerian Universities
(Online International Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2014-12) Dr. Nwaomah, Angela E.; Prof. Okoro, Clara C.
This study examined the influence of job suitability on the effectiveness of students’ records management in South-South Nigerian Universities. A descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. The population for the study was fifteen universities that have graduated students out of the twenty-one federal, state and private universities in South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria. Based on equal representation, three each of the three types of universities were randomly selected as the sample population consisting of 1,123 officers managing students’ records and 470 university administrators. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 564 records students’, records management officers and 237 administrators giving a sum of 801. Data were collected with a self-structured questionnaire validated with overall Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.81. A total of 531 copies of the questionnaire were validly completed and returned making it 66.3% return rate. Descriptive statistics, simple correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that at the 0.05 level of significance, job suitability significantly influenced students’ records management effectiveness in the Universities as evidenced by the p-values of (0.0005, 0.0032 and 0.0143). The study concluded that job suitability is important towards achieving the effective management of students’ records in the universities. Consequently, the study recommended that University Administrators should consider recruiting personnel based on merit. Possession of requisite skills and behavioural competencies should be the focus of appointments to avoid employment of unqualified staff based on family ties, ethnicism and tribalism. Records management should be professionalized to enhance job suitability of records managers. Administrators should support adequate training/re-training of existing records officers and the National University Commission (NUC) should come up with a policy that will enable the establishment of a functional records management programme as a benchmark for program accreditation in the universities.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage on students records management effectiveness in the Nigerian Universities
(International Journal of Social Relevance & Concern (IJSRC), 2015-06) Dr. Nwaomah, Angela E.
Effective management of students‟ records underpins decision making, protects rights of students and helps universities conduct business and services in a consistent and equitable manner. Thus, this study investigated the influence of information and communication technology (ICT) on students‟ records management effectiveness in Nigerian universities. A survey design was employed for the study. The population consisted of 1,123 students‟ records officers and 470 university administrators from randomly selected federal, state and private universities in south-south geo-political zone of Nigeria. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select the sample for the study consisting of 564 records officers and 237 administrators giving a sum of 801. A total of 531 copies of the questionnaire were validly completed and returned making it 66.3% successful. Data was collected with a self- structured questionnaire validated with overall Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient =0.81. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were employed to analyze data processed from responses of the survey. The results revealed that at the 0.05 level of significance, the p-values of (0.9324, 0.8478 and 0.0004) indicated information and communication technology (ICT) had negative and insignificant influence on students‟ records management effectiveness in the federal and state universities, but had significant and positive influence on in the private universities. Since this study has established that the Nigerian Universities operate both paper and electronic records management system, the researcher recommended that government should come up with a model for the effective combination of electronic and manual records management procedure for students‟ records that will suit the Nigerian environment.

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