Method This study used a descriptive correlational study design to examine new nurses within the first three years of work as a registered nurses' perception of stress and level of job satisfaction in today's complex clinical nursing working environment. Data was collected through distribution of self administered questionnaires, which comprised 59 items of Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (French, Lenton, Walters and Eyles, 1995) and the two part measurement tool of Index of Work Satisfaction Survey (Stamps, 2001). This questionnaire was distributed to 120 new registered nurses working in Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (R.I.P.A.S.), the main referral hospital in Brunei Darussalam. The sample consisted of both male and female registered nurses (RN) who had less than three years working experience in nursing. Results Responses to the Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS) identified that the new registered nurses rated their Uncertainty Concerning Treatment as highly stressful events that frequently occurred in the workplace. The study findings also revealed that the level of stress and the common stressors in new registered nurses within the first three years of work as a registered nurses were similar irrespective of whether they were working in the speciality units or in general wards. Results for Index Work Satisfaction Survey (IWSS) Part A and B also suggested that there was no significant difference on the levels of job satisfaction in both groups of new registered nurses, with the majority of nurse choosing Professional Status as the most important component. Conclusion Results of this study are likely to have important implications for nursing education, administration, management, organisation, practice, knowledge, and research. The study findings have the potential to make a significant contribution to determining coping strategies that might help in reducing the amount of stress experienced by the new registered nurses in day to day challenging and demanding nursing roles. The study also has the potential to have wider benefits to nursing practice not just at Brunei Darussalam.

This study examined the different types of mathematical errors exhibited by primary level pupils in Brunei when working with fractions. In addition, the study examined pupils' attitudes towards the learning of fractions and investigated if there were gender differences among Bruneian pupils' performances with fractions and with their attitudes towards fractions. The study was longitudinal in nature and its two phases involved a single cohort of Primary 5 pupils followed through a full year period in four government-funded primary schools in Brunei Darussalam. Pupils' mathematical errors were assessed by means of researcher-developed paper-and-pencil tests, while pupils' attitudes towards the learning of fractions were measured by means of an adapted version of attitude questionnaire that has been used previously with Bruneian pupils. Guided by six research questions, a number of statistical analyses were carried out to ensure the validity and reliability of the instruments used. These included piloting and revising the instruments, the use of Cronbach's alpha with the items in the attitude questionnaire, and the calculation of the Pearson Product Correlation Coefficient between scales of the questionnaire. The data was analysed by calculating the percentages and means of occurrences of each type of error. Paired and independent sample t-tests were carried out in order to investigate gender differences in pupils' errors and the impact of further instruction on fraction at the P6 level, while the GLM test was administered in order to investigate if there were significant change in pupils' attitudes towards fractions from the pre- to the posttests. Qualitative information obtained through pupils' interviews, field notes and lesson observations was used to support the quantitative data. / The study revealed that though pupils' achievement in the post-test improved, their performances on fraction work remained generally unsatisfactory. Many pupils in the study continued to have difficulty with the basic operations on fractions and resorted to the use of keyword strategies in dealing with word problems. Despite the pupils' unsatisfactory performance in the diagnostic tests, they generally held very positive attitudes towards the learning of fractions. No significant gender differences were observed either in pupils' performance in working with fractions tasks nor with their attitudes towards the learning of fractions. The findings of this study also highlight a number of issues for mathematics teachers to consider when dealing with fractions, and the findings also have implications for the quality of the instructional activities provided by the teachers, for the impact of language transfer in the medium of instruction - that is, from Bahasa Melayu to English at the pupils' Primary 4 level- and for the quality of the teacher training program in Brunei.

Thesis (D. Miss.)--Western Seminary, Portland, OR, 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 228-232).

Thesis (D. Miss.)--Western Seminary, Portland, OR, 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 228-232).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the practice of performance measurement systems (PMS) in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) operating in the service sector in Brunei Darussalam. A further aim was to find the drivers and barriers of PMS adoption for such companies. Quantitative and qualitative methods were applied in this research. Documentary data, questionnaires, and interviews were used to collect the data. 357 questionnaires were sent out to service SME and a total of 62 responses were received. 29 managers from four case study companies were interviewed and semi-structured questions were used during the interviews. The results from the questionnaires showed that 26 per cent of the sample practice advanced PMS, 16 per cent still use a traditional PMS and the rest use a balanced system. The results of the interviews showed two additional drivers and one additional barrier to those found in the literature review. Business process and external stakeholders were identified as the additional drivers of PMS adoption and the former was also identified as the additional factor that could block such adoption. The additional findings indicated that organizational strategy, appropriate management style and management experience and qualifications were the core factors that could either drive or block the adoption of PMS. The lack of a clear mission and vision influenced all the other blocking forces. At the same time, the existence of a clear policy, such as a mission and vision statement, influenced the other driving forces. Furthermore, exercising an appropriate management style which takes into account the current organizational culture of the company has a significant positive impact on the acceptance of performance measurement. The employment of a qualified and experienced management team that understands the concept of performance measurement is also valuable in ensuring that the design of the PMS is appropriate and the implementation successful. A practical framework based on the findings was created to overcome the key identified problems associated with PMS adoption. From these findings, the research results offer both useful and actionable implications for practitioners such as managers and external consultants involved in PMS, particularly in Brunei. Consideration was given to the breadth of the interviews and the use of other documentary data, as well as the limitations of the case study method employed in the research. This should ensure the findings will be useful for companies currently implementing PMS or those intending to in the future. Given the context of this research, the findings will predominantly be of use in developing countries.

Ethno botanical surveys have revealed that Brunei Darussalam has a rich source of tropical medicinal plants. As 80% of the country's land is covered by tropical rainforest, Brunei Darussalam may have some medicinal plants with unique characteristics of secondary metabolites. Some plants such as Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don and Eurycoma longifolia Jack have long been used by the local communities to treat various disease conditions. However, no research has been done in terms of the constituents or biological activities of the Brunei Darussalam medicinal plants. We have investigated the genetic variability diversity and pharmacological actions of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees [1] also known as Daun Pahit or Chuan Xin Lian or King of Bitters by an interdisciplinary approach, involving DNA-based RAPD and RFLP analyses, HPLC-based chemical analysis as well as cell culture and tissue-based bioassays. We have demonstrated that Andrographis paniculata extr acts exhibited a range of actions including antioxidant, anti-allergies, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Some of the pharmacological actions of Andrographis paniculata are co-related with their active constituents Andrographolide (A) and Dehydroandrographolide (D). The study is valued not only in obtaining experimental evidence for supporting traditional use of native medicinal plants but also in establishing a platform for studying other medicinal plants in Brunei Darussalam.

This study employs qualitative methods to explore the tensions experienced by deaf young people with hearing parents, hearing parents with little or no experience of deafness prior to the birth of their deaf children and language teachers with a lack of skills and knowledge of deafness in the implementation of an inclusive education system in Brunei Darussalam. The empirical evidence I used to develop and support my thesis involves data I have generated using a variety of data collection tools, and includes analysis of documents, interviews with 12 deaf people age 18-25 years old, 4 hearing parents and 4 teachers together with 8 hours of classroom observations. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify prevalent similarities in the participant’s responses. Underachievement among young deaf people was due to undeveloped language. Undeveloped language for communication is the major theme identified. This study argues that while certain barriers to participation in hearing inclusive classrooms and hearing environments may be being removed, perceptions of the deaf as being unable to communicate remain embedded in dominant disability discourse (Lang, 2001). The study’s conclusions are drawn within the context of proposing a framework for a holistic, integrated, community based educational support structure for Brunei Darussalam that meets the support requirements of deaf young people (DYP), parents and teachers within inclusive schools.

Whilst there are numerous studies on young people’s engagement in academic study, the internal relationship between young people and academic study is still unclear. This thesis seeks to explain the relation of young people to their academic study, in the context of Brunei Darussalam, through analysing young people’s motive hierarchy. The research is based on the understanding that young people are faced with multiple contradicting demands from the society, which evolve with their developmental age. The contradicting demands generate conflicts for young people as they participate across the different institutional practices in their everyday lives. The research entailed a semi-participatory research approach, which emphasised young people’s lived experiences, from a first-person perspective. Eight (8) young people aged 16-18 years who are studying for their GCE A Level examinations, played roles as both trained Student Researchers, as well as participants in this research. Data were collected from focus group discussions, annotated photo albums (MyAlbum) and a ‘participant self-generated’ questionnaire (MyQuestionnaire). The focus of the data collection was on the young people’s experiences of conflicts with respect to their academic study and the different agendas in their everyday lives. Intermediary tools were developed to focus the data analysis to identify motive-orientations and their relative importance in the construct of the motive hierarchy of a young person. An initial general model of motive hierarchy was developed from this study too. It is a societal demand for young people in late adolescence to be vocational and career oriented. However this study shows the eight (8) young people are also oriented towards other objects, apart from being future oriented. They can still have a dominant motive-orientation towards intimate personal relations, which usually prevails for early adolescence. Two other motive-orientations have also emerged from this study, i.e. the societal value system and self-comfort related. These different motive-orientations of the young people contradict the societal demands and create conflicts for the young people as they participate in and across the practices. These findings are important in informing intervention programmes to improve young people’s engagement in academic study.