Formality in Academic Writing: Investigating Stylistic Competence of Undergraduate EFL Learners | Author : Raheela Akhtar, Mehvish Riaz | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :ABSTRACT
Academic writing is expected to be formal. The study, therefore, investigates the extent to which written text created by undergraduate learners of English as a foreign language is formal or informal. For this purpose, essay writing projects given to a class of 30 students of BS in Arts at Government Postgraduate Islamia College for Women, Faisalabad have been selected. The framework for analysis has been adopted from the frameworks of formality and informality suggested by Heylighen and Dewaele (1999) and Chang and Swales (1999), respectively. The analysis has been made by checking the frequencies of first-person pronouns, unattended anaphoric pronouns, conjunctive adverbs, sentence final preposition, listing expressions, second person pronouns, contractions, direct questions, exclamations to examine informality; while, prepositional phrases, larger and different words in the form of adjectives, verbs, adverbs and nouns, longer sentences and coherence markers to examine formality. Results of the study have implications for language testing, curriculum design, genre analysis and methods for teaching academic writing. There is paucity of research in this area in Pakistani context; therefore, the study not only contributes to the existing literature, but it can also help improve teaching and assessment methods for teaching essay writing to undergraduate students in Pakistani colleges. |
| A Comparative Study of Gender Inequality in Education Pertaining to Economic and Socio-Cultural Aspects at Secondary School Level in District Swabi | Author : Dr. Habib Elahi Sahibzada, Mr. Muhammad Tayyab, Dr. Kifayat Khan | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this study was to compare the gender inequality in education between male and female students pertaining to cultural, social and economic aspects at Secondary school level in Swabi district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All the students of the Government schools situated in the district were the population of the study. The sample of the study consisted of 200 students (male and female) from rural and urban areas of the population. More than 70% of the male respondents were undecided that economic, cultural, and social aspects are the main cause for gender inequality. Further, about 70% male respondents disagreed that culture is the main cause for gender inequality. More than 68% female respondents were undecided that economic and cultural aspects are the main factors responsible for gender inequality. Furthermore, more than 65% female respondents disagreed that social aspect is the main cause for gender inequality at Secondary school level. Uniform measure needs to be prescribed for teachers and parents to reduce discrimination against students by gender in rural areas. Furthermore, the introduction of free and compulsory education along with some financial support is recommended for every female student up to high school level specifically in distant areas. |
| Terms of Trade and Economic Growth in Pakistan: An Empirical Analysis | Author : Rizwana Yasmeen, Ihtsham Ul Haq Padda | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :ABSTRACT
This paper evaluates the impact of terms of trade on economic growth for Pakistan economy. We divided our analysis into two parts. Firstly, this study estimates the relationship between terms of trade and economic growth and further the impact of volatility in terms of trade on economic growth. Secondly, focuses on the export demand and import demand elasticities for Marshall Lerner condition. The ARDL test is used to estimate long run and short run relationship. In empirical estimation, no evidence of significant impact of terms of trade and volatility terms of trade on economic growth in the long run as well as in the short run is found although Marshall Lerner condition holds in Pakistan. A movement in terms of trade can be explained in terms of export demand elasticities and import demand elasticities. Despite of satisfaction of Marshall-Lerner condition; only devaluation of currency may not be advantageous. Under situations where export demand and import demand elasticities are not fully elastic separately; devaluation may not be successful. |
| Gender and Regional Differences in Five Factor Personality Traits Among Students at Secondary Level in Punjab, Pakistan | Author : Sajid Ali Yousaf Zai, Afroz Jan | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :ABSTRACT
The educational success of any person seems to depend on residence. It is usually seen that students residing in urban areas enjoy more facilities than rural pupils, so they show higher academic success. Along with residence, many other factors such as students’ personality type and gender matter a lot in academic success. Personality is considered as a fundamental pattern of all-round development of a person. An attempt in this regard was made to examine difference in academic achievement of rural and urban students of secondary level according to their personality traits. Students of rural and urban areas of 9th grades enrolled in public sector schools at secondary level in district Mianwali constitute population. 935 students were selected as sample through stratified random sampling technique. 752 students responded on Big five (BFI) Personality Inventory resulting 80% response rate. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Consciousness, neuroticism, agreeableness, personality traits were higher in students of rural area. Openness, extraversion personality traits were higher in urban students. Significant difference between openness personality trait and gender of students while no difference in consciousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism personality traits were observed. |
| Gender Role Differences in the Preferences of Values Among University Students | Author : Sarwat Sultan, Saqib Shabbir, Frasat Kanwal | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of gender roles on the preferences of values among postgraduate students studying in Baha Uddin Zakariya University Multan. The sample consisted of 256 students; 126 male and 130 female students who were selected through convenient sampling technique. The Allport-Vernon Study of Values Questionnaire measuring six personal values and Bern Sex Role Inventory measuring masculinity and femininity were used. The data were analyzed on SPSS-21 employing Pearson Correlations and t-test. The findings revealed the significant relationships among gender roles and personal values. Results showed that males were found more political, social and economic while females were found more religious, theoretic and aesthetic. Correlation analysis depicted that masculinity was more related to political, social and economic values and femininity was more related to religious, theoretic and aesthetic values. The study findings have the significant implications for students’ teachers and parents in the manner that understanding of gender roles and preferences of values will help them to understand their expected roles and behaviors in daily activities. |
| Working Long Hours and Its Impact on Family Relations: Experiences of Employed Women in D.G. KHAN | Author : Aamir Abbas, Dr. Kanez Fatima, Muhammad Imran | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :ABSTRACT
Long working hours affect the life of both men and women. But the impact of long working hours has been greater on the women as compared to men regarding their family relations. The aim of this study is to find out the impact of working long hours of employed women on family relations. A sample of 160 long hours working “employed” women of public and private sectors from the study areas of Tehsil Dera Ghazi Khan has been taken. To find out the impacts of long working hours of women on family relations we had applied linear regression, chi-square test and Cronch Bach’s alpha for reliability. Results of the present study concluded that situation of working long hours has a significant positive impact on the employed women family relations. Whereas the women working for long hours had a negative impact on children’s grooming and socialization because of lack of their care. Furthermore, the working long hours also had a negative impact on mutual understanding among spouses. Findings of the study concluded that “long working hour’s women” experience physical symptoms of stress such as fatigue, irritability, headaches and depression. Therefore, there is a need for protective laws to decrease employed women’s working hours, providing training about health safety measures, time management & nutrition education so that these employed women perform their work activities in a better way and play a significant role at their workplaces. |
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