No description available.

Plagiarism is a worldwide problem that is widely recognised in developed countries. There is increasing plagiarism awareness in developing countries such as Nigeria. Problems can arise when students with a low level awareness of plagiarism move from developing to developed countries for further studies. Given their previous academic background which differs from that of the western education system, some students contend with issues of plagiarism for most of the period of their study overseas. This thesis identifies a need to explore issues related to the Nigerian university system including Nigerian students studying in Nigerian universities and those travelling overseas for further studies. This investigation into student textual plagiarism was aimed at exploring the awareness, perception and attitude of Nigerian students to plagiarism. Furthermore, the research aimed to determine the types and causes of student plagiarism and Nigerian universities’ responses, policies, guidelines and prevention mechanisms. The thesis proposes a conceptual model for managing the occurrence of student plagiarism that can be consistently used across the Nigerian universities as an approach to the deterrence of plagiarism amongst students. A mixed methodology was adopted to harness the advantages of both qualitative and quantitative methods with a greater leaning on the qualitative data collected using a phenomenographic approach. Findings from this research confirmed the perceived occurrence of student plagiarism in Nigerian universities studied, showing that a significant proportion of students were unaware of the concept, and where they claimed awareness and understanding, their understanding was partial. This research revealed that the major causes of the perceived occurrence of Nigerian students’ textual plagiarism were associated with the students, staff, universities and the society. The thesis discusses these findings in the context of existing literature. Findings related to the students revealed issues in relation to the lack of: awareness, study skills, mastery of requisite academic writing skills, previous experience with virtual learning environments, mastery of information and communication technology skills. Findings also identified inadequate perception of the concept and inability to acquire and effectively transfer the skills from the learning outcomes of the ‘technical writing’ course offered in their first or second year to other courses offered. Issues identified in relation to the lecturers were: perception and disposition towards teaching the requisite skills, the degree of emphasis they placed on the concept, poor monitoring of the students’ use of the skills acquired and the type of roles they modelled. Regarding the institutions, issues identified were related to the academic learning environment. This was with respect to the: academic climate and culture, infrastructure, pedagogy, perception of the institutions’ views about the importance of plagiarism and institutional policies, procedures and guidelines on dealing with student plagiarism. On the part of the government, there were issues regarding inadequate financial commitment to the education sector. The proposed conceptual model for managing the occurrence of student plagiarism is designed around the findings of this research. Findings from the research impacted on the Nigerian universities in several ways, particularly in the area of raising student plagiarism awareness and highlighting the need for upholding academic integrity which has contributed to the recent adoption of Turnitin as a standard tool for checking text matching in 115 Nigerian universities.

Master of Science / Journalism and Mass Communications / Nancy W. Muturi / Background: Depressive and anxiety disorders are common mental health disorders that threaten the well-being of ethnic minorities. Asian international students are suggested experience higher level of depression and anxiety, but less likely to use mental health services than students in general. This study examines factors that motivate and impede Chinese international students from seeking college counseling services from the perspective of health communication. Method: An online, self-administered questionnaire was conducted among a randomized sample of 150 Chinese international students from a Mid-Western university. The questionnaire was structured with key variables derived from the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), such as perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, and self-efficacy of using counseling services. Key variables are measured by 5-point Likert scale. Data analysis was conducted with Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression. Results: Chinese international students’ counseling seeking behavior is influenced by their perceived self-efficacy and external impediments of using counseling services. Perceived knowledge of mental health disorders and counseling contribute significantly to Chinese international perceived self-efficacy of using counseling services; however, perceived knowledge of the two items are generally low. The adherence of Asian cultural values, especially to collectivism and emotional self-control, contribute significantly to Chinese international students’ negative perceptions of counseling. Conclusion: College counseling services should conduct health communication campaigns that aim at improving Asian international students’ knowledge of depression/anxiety and psychological counseling, in order to encourage them to engage in college counseling system. College counseling services should also enhance the cultural sensitivity of counselors, and provide culture-matched counseling services to Asian international students.

In Asia many young men and women feel obligated to give allowances to their parents. Scholars have shown that Singapore has reinforced traditional family relationships as a source of economic national security among citizens by drawing these feelings of obligation. I argue that students’ experience with parent-child relationships of obligation within Singapore comes from a combination of state policy and parental expectations. These relationships are not created solely by the state, but co-created by the combination of parents and the state and result in reciprocal relationships expressed as gratitude. This thesis argues that there are state programs in Singapore that reinforce sons’ bonds to parents while they are studying overseas in order to inculcate the idea of self-motivated gratitude to give money to parents. This study draws on data gathered from ethnographic interviews and participant observation conducted in Singapore with male students returning from studying overseas in 2015. The conscription of men into the military, scholarships for overseas educations, and funding for overseas Singaporean communities were all arenas where the state invested in strengthening the ties between sons and their parents in order to keep overseas students close to family. Among the respondents in this study the pressure to give back to family was solidified as a result of these programs which demonstrate that the state of Singapore seeks to sustain a global governance of gratitude among Singaporean transnational families. / Graduate / 0326 / raviv_litman@outlook.com

Thesis advisor: Eve Spangler / Thesis advisor: Clifton Shawn Mcguffey / The research explores the influence of US culture on Pakistani graduate students studying in the US. I investigate how the students navigate through the different elements of US culture, while adhering to their pre-existing ideals of the home culture. I examine the role of gender and inter-generational differences of the students, in the process of interaction with the host culture. I use qualitative methods and conducted twenty-eight life history interviews across the students from both F1 and J1 visa categories, while maintaining the gender ratio. The duration of their stay spans over a period of 5 months to 5 years. I argue that the students adopt a keepers and explorers approach while navigating the different cultural elements of the host culture. The explorer approach is further facilitated by a select and drop mechanism, developed by the students, as they navigate the different elements of US culture, while using the value system of the home society. / Thesis (MA) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Sociology.

The result of the globalization is an intensification of the exchange of goods, capital,information and people between the countries from all over the world. Thus, to adapt to thisprocess, the demand on the labor market changes, skilled people and international knowledgeare required.During the last decade of years, we assisted to an increase of the High Education institutions,which offer to students the opportunity to study abroad. That becomes a strong competitivemarket. Thereby, we assist to an amplification of the student’s mobility because they arelooking for living an unforgettable experience and improving their professional competences.Studies abroad require a lot of preparation. Students have to evaluate the alternatives offeredto them, and according to different factors of selection, they will determine their final choicefor their future university abroad.To attract international students, the universities need to develop marketing strategies. Theyhave to give the most information possible to the student and work on its communication.Selecting a university to go abroad is an important decision that the student has to take.Quantitative and qualitative researches were conducted in this study. The primary data werecollected directly at the university where the authors studied this year, through a survey andseveral interviews. This study contributes to the understanding of the student’s motivationsto study abroad, and determine the different factors that they take into account to select theiruniversity.

International Japanese Students: Their Expectations and Learning Needs at Australian Universities International full fee paying students make a sizable economic contribution to the Australian economy and the universities at which they enroll. Considerable competition for these students from the UK and USA indicates the necessity of meeting their needs if the Australian higher education market is to be preserved. Recent research has challenged the effectiveness of the currently operating Australian marketisation model that focuses upon attracting students and maximizing profits. International students, and specifically Japanese students who were the focus of this research, are attracted to Australian university studies for a number of reasons which are analyzed. The numbers of Japanese students studying at Australian universities have fallen since 2006, despite Japan being potentially one of the largest international markets. The learning needs and expectations of 51 Japanese undergraduate and postgraduate students at two Sydney universities were analyzed using a questionnaire and semi-structured interview during their first semester of enrollment. The expectations and needs of these students had been shaped by growing up and being educated in Japan, a culture that values university education in different ways to Australia, and has different views on learning and study. Analyses of Australian academic culture, that emphasizes individuality and critical thinking, together with analyses of Japanese values and cultural mores, provided the foundations to guide the study and help formulate the questions used to gather data. Results revealed a considerable proportion of respondents were postgraduates contrary to the expectation that the market is chiefly an undergraduate one. It was found that only approximately thirty per cent of students had come to Australia for primarily educational reasons. The other seventy per cent had been attracted to Australia the country and its culture, and had been motivated for personal development reasons and to satisfy challenges pertaining, in some cases, to English language acquisition. These findings reflect earlier research based on ESL classes. The majority appear to have been motivated by liberal education reasons, with explanation of the process engaged in, with so little serious preparation, perhaps best accounted for in terms of Hart’s (1999) work on the hero’s personal journey with its substantial challenges. Results indicated that a considerable number of students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels experienced difficulties with a number of basic academic skills expected at Australian universities. These included listening to and understanding lectures, note taking in lectures, reading for assignments, writing assignments, discussing studies with Australian students, and group work activities generally that required public presentation and argument. The majority had done little reading or other preparation for their educational adventure in a foreign Australian culture, although many were aware of the fact that their undertaking would be hard, having spoken to other Japanese students. Relatively few appeared to have been influenced by family members who had undertaken international study. All had been admitted on the basis of IELTS or TOEFL standards set by the universities, but had studied English in preparation for their international studies for relatively short periods of time, with this apparently contributing to their problems with Australian academic skills. Findings indicate that most of these students continued to frame their intercultural experience in terms of the Japanese cultural scenario, leading in many cases to academic and socio-cultural expectations at odds with Australian university expectations of the roles these students should play. Specific recommendations are made regarding the need for university policies to ensure that Japanese students are made aware of academic and socio-cultural differences and challenges before enrollment, and are offered programs that will develop specific academic skills. The analyses of the culturally-based academic learning difficulties encountered by students in this research should provide a substantial guide for specific skill development programs. Some of the expectations, that would be appropriate in the Japanese cultural setting, cannot be accommodated in the Australian one, and need to be managed prior to enrollment. On the wider policy level, there is also a serious need to reconsider the standards of English required for admission. Recommendations are made for a larger scale, longitudinal study to be undertaken to address issues that could not be considered in what was essentially an exploratory study. The analyses of Japanese cultural values and social expectations, presented as part of this research, would appear to offer a substantial basis to assist institutions and staff to better understand Japanese students and their learning needs in the Australian academic cultural context, and to guide both research and teaching. In policy terms, results indicate that there is a clear need to reconsider the marketisation model and spend more on support services for the students who have paid full fees. Results also indicate that the policies advanced by government policy makers linking tourism and university study are relatively naïve, and cannot succeed without better understanding of the needs and expectations of international students from different cultural backgrounds, and better support services carefully tailored to their needs.

International Japanese Students: Their Expectations and Learning Needs at Australian Universities International full fee paying students make a sizable economic contribution to the Australian economy and the universities at which they enroll. Considerable competition for these students from the UK and USA indicates the necessity of meeting their needs if the Australian higher education market is to be preserved. Recent research has challenged the effectiveness of the currently operating Australian marketisation model that focuses upon attracting students and maximizing profits. International students, and specifically Japanese students who were the focus of this research, are attracted to Australian university studies for a number of reasons which are analyzed. The numbers of Japanese students studying at Australian universities have fallen since 2006, despite Japan being potentially one of the largest international markets. The learning needs and expectations of 51 Japanese undergraduate and postgraduate students at two Sydney universities were analyzed using a questionnaire and semi-structured interview during their first semester of enrollment. The expectations and needs of these students had been shaped by growing up and being educated in Japan, a culture that values university education in different ways to Australia, and has different views on learning and study. Analyses of Australian academic culture, that emphasizes individuality and critical thinking, together with analyses of Japanese values and cultural mores, provided the foundations to guide the study and help formulate the questions used to gather data. Results revealed a considerable proportion of respondents were postgraduates contrary to the expectation that the market is chiefly an undergraduate one. It was found that only approximately thirty per cent of students had come to Australia for primarily educational reasons. The other seventy per cent had been attracted to Australia the country and its culture, and had been motivated for personal development reasons and to satisfy challenges pertaining, in some cases, to English language acquisition. These findings reflect earlier research based on ESL classes. The majority appear to have been motivated by liberal education reasons, with explanation of the process engaged in, with so little serious preparation, perhaps best accounted for in terms of Hart’s (1999) work on the hero’s personal journey with its substantial challenges. Results indicated that a considerable number of students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels experienced difficulties with a number of basic academic skills expected at Australian universities. These included listening to and understanding lectures, note taking in lectures, reading for assignments, writing assignments, discussing studies with Australian students, and group work activities generally that required public presentation and argument. The majority had done little reading or other preparation for their educational adventure in a foreign Australian culture, although many were aware of the fact that their undertaking would be hard, having spoken to other Japanese students. Relatively few appeared to have been influenced by family members who had undertaken international study. All had been admitted on the basis of IELTS or TOEFL standards set by the universities, but had studied English in preparation for their international studies for relatively short periods of time, with this apparently contributing to their problems with Australian academic skills. Findings indicate that most of these students continued to frame their intercultural experience in terms of the Japanese cultural scenario, leading in many cases to academic and socio-cultural expectations at odds with Australian university expectations of the roles these students should play. Specific recommendations are made regarding the need for university policies to ensure that Japanese students are made aware of academic and socio-cultural differences and challenges before enrollment, and are offered programs that will develop specific academic skills. The analyses of the culturally-based academic learning difficulties encountered by students in this research should provide a substantial guide for specific skill development programs. Some of the expectations, that would be appropriate in the Japanese cultural setting, cannot be accommodated in the Australian one, and need to be managed prior to enrollment. On the wider policy level, there is also a serious need to reconsider the standards of English required for admission. Recommendations are made for a larger scale, longitudinal study to be undertaken to address issues that could not be considered in what was essentially an exploratory study. The analyses of Japanese cultural values and social expectations, presented as part of this research, would appear to offer a substantial basis to assist institutions and staff to better understand Japanese students and their learning needs in the Australian academic cultural context, and to guide both research and teaching. In policy terms, results indicate that there is a clear need to reconsider the marketisation model and spend more on support services for the students who have paid full fees. Results also indicate that the policies advanced by government policy makers linking tourism and university study are relatively naïve, and cannot succeed without better understanding of the needs and expectations of international students from different cultural backgrounds, and better support services carefully tailored to their needs.

<p>The thesis give an overview of survival modelling and inference in Cox-models with high-dimensional covariates.</p>

The thesis give an overview of survival modelling and inference in Cox-models with high-dimensional covariates.