Assessment as an area of research has a rich history of theories and debates and numerous studies deal with the definitions and different functions of assessment. Recent developments in the assessment field (Sadler, 1989; Black & Wiliam, 1998; Black et al., 2004; Taras, 2005; Fraser, 2016) stress the influence of assessment on learning and show a switch in assessment responsibilities from teacher to students. Although, there is a broad literature on the need for research on language assessment across many parts of the world like the United States of America, Europe, and Australia, there is still very limited research in the Arab world, particularly in Libya. Therefore, this study aims to investigate factors related to teachers' assessment practices in public secondary schools in a Libyan context. It sought to explore teachers' and students' perceptions towards these processes and identify major influences that could have effects on these processes. The research sample consists of 180 male and female students and 50 male and female teachers from 6 secondary public schools in Libya. The different schools in this study were chosen randomly using stratified random sampling. The study addressed various issues that may influence teachers' practices, including teachers' and students' perceptions about the different assessment processes to evaluate students' academic learning. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods was utilised to collect data. A closed-ended questionnaire was administered to 50 teachers and a student's questionnaire was distributed to 180 students. In addition, 12 semi-structured interviews and observations were conducted with 12 teachers and 12 semi-structured interviews were also conducted with students. SPSS software was used to analyse the questionnaire responses, while thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data. The findings revealed that most teachers and students were aware of the significance of assessment practices, including both the traditional test item forms and the new assessment processes. Teachers' comments showed that they were able and willing to implement different practices to evaluate their students' learning performance. However, there were some external factors such as; the accountability for the external exams, the class size and the lack of training that negatively influenced their application of different assessment forms and restricted their capability to introduce new assessment procedures. Furthermore, the instability of the country and the war affected the teachers' decisions towards students' evaluation and assessing with the latter sometimes threatening teachers with guns in order to gain high marks in their poor achievement. Teachers' responses also indicated that they would welcome any further plans that help in introducing any assessment workshops and training sessions in the new assessment processes. The findings of the current study draw attention to the impact of these factors on assessment practices, and further studies are needed to explore these issues in more detail and in different contexts. Additionally, the research findings provide empirical information that can be utilized in improving pedagogy in countries where English is taught as a foreign or second language.

After a brief historical introduction, the apparatus used in the investigation of the ionosphere in Grahamstown, is described with special reference to the recording equipment, which consists essentially of a camera focussed on the screen of a C.R.O. with z-axis deflection. The equations of the magneto-ionic theory are quoted. The basic formulae of the theories of layer formation in an isothermal (Chapman's),and linear temperature gradient (Gledhill and Szendrei) atmosphere are also quoted.

<p>The strategic importance of corporate diversification on firm?s competitive advantage and superior financial performance has been extensively studied in the strategic management literature. However, in the field of operations management, there is a lack of research on whether and how corporate diversification strategies would impact a firm?s operational performance, and vice versa. To fill this research gap, in this dissertation, we conduct three empirical studies to investigate (1) how product and international diversification strategies influence a firm?s inventory performance; (2) how a firm?s existing resources and target market uncertainty jointly impact product scope expansion; and (3) how a firm?s utilization of resources impacts product scope expansion. The first essay aims to investigate the impacts of two important corporate diversification strategies on firm?s inventory performance: product diversification (including related and unrelated diversification) and international diversification. Based upon a large firm-level data sample collected from Compustat Fundamental Annual and Compustat Segment, we find that firm?s inventory level increases with the degree of related product diversification but decreases with the degree of unrelated product diversification. There is also strong evidence that highly internationally diversified firms tend to hold more inventory. Current research has investigated the importance of product scope to a firm?s operational performance (e.g., inventory efficiency, operational costs, and service levels). However, what drives a firm?s decision to expand its product scope remains under-studied. Recent real options research points to the role of uncertainty in the target market. The second essay adds to the literature by proposing that a firm?s resources endowments and target market uncertainty jointly influence its product scope. The empirical analysis confirms a curvilinear relationship between target market uncertainty and the likelihood of product scope expansion. More importantly, we find that different categories of resources alter the influence of target market uncertainty on product scope expansion differently. Given the fact that firms are striving for improving operational efficiency and reducing operational slack (i.e., resources in excess of what is required to fulfill expected demand), the third essay focuses on the effects of a firm?s capacity, inventory, and supply chain slacks on product scope decision. Our empirical results reveal that firms with more production and inventory slacks are more likely to expand product scopes. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrates that market relatedness positively moderates the effects of production and supply chain slacks on the likelihood of product scope expansion, but negatively moderates the effect of inventory slack on the likelihood of product scope expansion.

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abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the generational differences among US commercial airline pilots regarding their attitudes toward safety. A survey was distributed to three different US airlines: one major commercial airline, one regional airline, and one charter airline. A total of 106 pilots participated in this study. The pilots were categorized into three groups of generations based on birth years: Baby Boomers: 1946-1964, Generation X: 1965-1980, and Generation Y: 1981-2000. Through the use of one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), the results of the analyses found that there was no significant difference between the generations of pilots regarding safety attitudes. In the subcategory of self-confidence, the results indicated no significant differences between the different generations of pilots. However, in the subcategories of risk orientation and safety orientation, significant differences were detected among the three generations of pilots. Baby Boomers were found to have the lowest risk tolerance, while Generation Y had the highest. Conversely, Baby Boomers were found to have the highest safety orientation, with the lowest being that of Generation Y. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.Tech Technology 2013

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M.Com. (Accounting) / The aim of this study was to research the perceptions of accounting academics regarding the relevance of accounting research as articulated in accounting theory and the related practice. The first area focused on the academics’ perceptions of whether their main academic mission is teaching or research. The second area focused on the academics’ perceptions regarding the relationship between teaching and research in accounting, i.e. does academic research influence the quality of teaching, does a conflict exist between teaching and research, etc. The third area focused on assessing the academics’ perceptions regarding the state of accounting research in general, the state of accounting research in their accounting department, and the state of the academics’ own research activities. The literature review, based on mainly accounting literature and theory, revealed that there is no clear agreement among commentators regarding the meaning of scholarly activity and whether the main mission of accounting academics should be teaching or research. In the South African context, it was noted that professional bodies, like SAICA, play a dominant role in how the accredited universities define the essence of a university and implement the main mission of academics. There are a multitude of differing views regarding the nature and state of academic accounting research. In a global context there is a contentious debate regarding the relevance of accounting research contributions. Many commentators believe that accounting research is in a state of crisis, while others disagree and purport that accounting research has made practical contributions to the development of accounting practice. However, the debate regarding the relevance and direction of accounting research may be secondary in the South African context, as the primary issue is the purported lack of an established accounting research culture in the South African academic community. The literature review also yielded insight into the discourse regarding the relationship between teaching and research. Many commentators assert that it is important to strive for a balance between teaching and research. In addition, some studies have found that there may be a positive relationship may enhance the effectiveness of teaching and lead to an increase in academics’ job satisfaction. The researcher determined that a quantitative approach was the most appropriate to obtain answers to the pertinent research questions. The total intended study population was identified as all academics serving in the University of Johannesburg (UJ) accounting department. In order to obtain the required primary data from respondents, the researcher designed a structured questionnaire that was based on insights gained from the literature review. The questionnaire was administered through a web-based survey tool. The final response rate to the survey was 47%. The majority of the respondents were experienced accounting academics, were qualified chartered accountants, and possessed at least a master’s degree. The results of the study indicated that most academics at the department do value the relevance of research and its potential contributions to the effectiveness of teaching. However, academics spend most of their time teaching, as circumstances demand, and because they largely view it as their primary academic role. The results of the study confirmed that there is a lack of focus on research in the accounting department at UJ, but that most academics may be receptive to moves toward a more research-oriented culture. The information obtained from this study provides information that can be used in the formulation of plans for the development of an accounting research culture at South African universities.

This thesis describes the application of tilting-filter photometry to the study of the airglow and aurora. Previous South African photometric research is reviewed. Optical instrumentation and techniques used in airglow and auroral research are reviewed. The transmission characteristics of narrowband interference filters are discussed. The analogue meridian-scanning tilting-filter photometry system used at Sanae, Antarctica is described. Shortcomings of this system have been identified, and modifications have been made to improve its spatial and temporal resolution. Details are given of the computer-controlled digital photometry system which replaced the analogue system. Equations are derived for the conversion of raw photometric data (analogue chart deflections or digital photon counts) to absolute emission intensities. The accuracy of the intensities obtained depends on the absolute calibration of the photometer, the transmission characteristics of the filter used to isolate the spectral feature of interest, and the effects of atmospheric extinction and scattering. The influence of these factors on observed emission intensities is discussed. Various models used to determine atmospheric correction factors are reviewed. It is shown that atmospheric correction factors can have a significant effect on both emission intensities and intensity ratios. The procedure used to determine the transmission characteristics of interference filters is described, as is the procedure used to cross-calibrate secondary light sources. The transmission characteristics of the filters and the brightnesses of the light sources were both found to have changed appreciably with age. The observation of a magnetospheric substorm at Sanae (L ≃ 4) is used to illustrate the use of a meridian-scanning tilting-filter photometer system in auroral research. The ratio I(557.7)/ I(391.4) observed at Sanae was found to be lower than expected, as were the OJ airglow emission intensities. A prototype digital photometer system was used aboard a ship, to observe the airglow in the region of the South Atlantic Anomaly. Significant N₂⁺ lNG emissions at 391.4 nm were measured, confirming the presence of discernable particle precipitation in the region. The 0I557.7 and 630.0 nm intensities measured from the ship were found to be lower than expected. This, combined with low airglow and auroral intensities measured at Sanae, is a cause for concern. It is recommended that further checks be made regarding the brightness of the calibration sources.

<p> The purpose of this narrative inquiry was to explore how the heroine&rsquo;s quest to overcome her murderous husband in the fairy tale &ldquo;Bluebeard&rdquo; may speak to the development of insight into the presence of an archetypal predator and the process of separation in real-life situations characterized by intimate partner violence (IPV). Four women in relationships characterized by IPV during their adolescence, currently between the ages of 27 to 60, participated in individual semistructured oral interviews followed by a self-guided reading of &ldquo;Bluebeard&rdquo; with a reflection questionnaire. The thematic analysis identified a cyclical progression of disorientation and descent, numinous experiences and moments of change, recruitment of resources, and escape. Key themes included na&iuml;vet&eacute;, ex-partner&rsquo;s attractiveness, isolation, fear, confusion, substance use, silence, and others being aware of the abuse but not intervening. Discussing the abuse with their family, friends, and/or the police was associated with final separation. As they described the aftereffects of IPV, common themes were anxiety, anger, somatic reactions, and nightmares. Shared resiliency factors included graduate education, coping skills, and 12-Step Program participation. The depth psychological interpretation considered the possibility that the archetypal predator-prey relationship may manifest as a syzygy. In order to escape a woman may access her own predatory nature, transitioning from being na&iuml;ve or disoriented by trauma to being resourceful or even aggressive. The recovery process was discussed in the context of the compensatory function of the psyche, psychic differentiation, and the relationship between embodiment and feminine insight.</p><p>

<p> Sex trafficking is defined as the use of force, coercion, or deception used to make someone work in the sex trade (United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, n.d.). Sex trafficking is often associated with prostitution, but are the same means ever utilized to force or coerce people to work in pornography? The results of this research suggest this connection. </p><p> The purpose of this dissertation was to identify the intersections of pornography and sex trafficking, and more specifically, discover if victims of sex trafficking are ever used to create pornography. In other words, are adults who appear in different kinds of pornography ever victims of sex trafficking themselves? Sex trafficking is illegal in the United States, whereas the pornography industry is not. So long as the participants in pornography are willing adults, any sexual activity is legal under current laws. It is therefore critical to determine consent. </p><p> A review of literature demonstrated the need to further investigate any relation between the two industries and establish a legitimate connection. Literature relating to sex trafficking and its intersections with pornography are identified, compiled, and analyzed in order to conclude where there is room for further study. While statistics on the prevalence of sex trafficking are available, albeit unreliable, and information is also available on the experiences of trafficking victims, little has been written on the subject of victims who are then forced to work in pornography. This dissertation addresses that deficiency. Substantial qualitative literature is available on the experiences of sex trafficking victims, which serves to explain better the systematic processes that contribute to their victimization, but there are limited academic studies available that draw a direct connection between sex trafficking victims and those working in pornography. The review of the literature indicated the possibility that those in pornography are at times victims of sex trafficking. </p><p> Six anti-trafficking and/or anti-pornography activists, some of whom were victims themselves, were interviewed for their experiences and personal stories. It was ascertained that women in pornography are at times victims of sex trafficking during the filming or shooting. Whether they are trafficked in pornography only, or other sex industries such as prostitution, varies based on the experience. Further research is necessary to determine how common this is, and to better understand the systemic structures, which allow for this to occur.</p><p>