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Reference Taking in Employee
Selection: Predication or Verification
Bill B. Puplampu,
Chris
Lewis, David Hogan
Abstract
During the 1980’s, researchers
and practitioners were engaged in a debate on the usefulness of
reference checks in employee selection. This debate took as its point
of departure, the results of several studies, which cast doubt on the
predictive validity and reliability of references. The general
conclusions were that references being subjective and unreliable have
no place in the drive for more objective selection. This paper,
however asks a number of critical questions: if references are so poor
at predicting job performance, why are they endemic to selection
systems? Do prospective employers really expect references to predict
performance? The study reported here was conducted to examine the
perceived purpose of references in selection and to assess whether
studies, which judge references on the basis of predictive validity
are actually testing a predictive tool. Findings indicate that
references are used as a means of verification not as tools of
prediction.
Determinants of Post-Retirement
Satisfaction among Ghanaian Teachers
James A. Opare
& Kofi Addison
Abstract
The purpose of
this study was to find out why so many Ghanaian teachers retired
voluntarily in the late 1990’s, whether those who retired were
feeling happy, and what factors determined the retirees’
satisfaction with life after retirement.
Paper-and-pencil
questionnaires were used to collect data from a non-probability sample
of 225 retirees. Multiple regression procedures were used as the major
analytical tools. The results of the study indicated that the teachers
sought and obtained voluntary retirement as an escape from an
impending government policy to withdraw End of Service Benefits for
retirees. It was found that majority of the retirees were happy and
satisfied with their post-retirement lives, and that having a network
of friends and relatives, having a viable income, being engaged in an
activity one was enthused in, and having an accommodation one liked,
made a retiree satisfied with his or her post-retirement life.
Implications for employers and government have been drawn.
Family
Size and Rural Poverty -in the Kwahu South District in Ghana
Alex
Somuah Obeng
Abstract
Rural Poverty is one of the
greatest social problems confronting the world today. The problem is
more pronounced in the developing countries. Ghana is no exception to
this global problem of rural poverty. Ghana as a nation has adopted a
lot of measures to address poverty. From the early 1980's to 2002, the
country has seen Economic Recovery Programme Structural Adjustment
Programme, Vision 2020 and Emergency Social Relief Fund just to
alleviate poverty. But a little has been achieved in this direction.
It is believed that the rate of population growth (large family size)
is thwarting the efforts at alleviating poverty. It was therefore the
aim of the study to establish the impact of large family size on the
socio- economic well being of the rural people. It was identify that
large families were unable to provide adequately the social and
economic needs of their members (example education and health), high
level of consumption resulting in no savings and investment due to
high dependency ratios and inadequate access to land to increase
production, hence most rural large families are poor.
Long-Term Growth
and Fiscal Development Policies: The Ghanaian Experience
P.
Kojo Acquah
Abstract
The article aims at clarifying the
relationship between long-term growth and fiscal policy variables.
Growth equations are derived from a structural macroeconomic model.
The model developed here postulates that the steady-growth rate of
output becomes endogenous and is influenced by government policies.
The regression analysis finds that
a large part of economic growth performance is related to the extent
of favourable economic openness and the quality of fiscal policies.
In particular, under the necessary
assumptions, the following are found to be growth-promoting:
-
increase in tax-to-GDP ratio;
-
reduction in current expenditure-to-GDP ratio;
-
the reorientation of expenditures in favour of basic
infrastructure, maintenance, education and health;
-
reduction in fiscal deficit-to-GDP ratio.
Out
of School Youths in Ibadan: Its Psychological Implication and the Way
Out
Osiki
Jonathan Ohiorenuan
Abstract
The
identification of young persons who have been to school but had left
at various stages of the education cycle was part of the focus of this
investigation. The study also found out the factors predicating school
dropout with a concomitant discussion on some possible ways for
ameliorating the phenomena Three research methodologies which are
interviews, focus group discussion and opinion survey were conducted
using 827 participants
purposively sampled from University of Ibadan community,
Eleyele, Agbowo, and Sango areas. The participants age range was
between 15 and 38 years while their mean age was 25.87 years. The
study revealed that approximately thirty-eight (37.6%) of all the
youths attended and finished secondary school education. Sixty-five
percent and 84.94% indicated that they were neither happy nor
satisfied with their present status. Since school dropout creates
mental agonies, psychological traumatization and self-esteem
difficulties for the youths, part of the recommendation was that the
provision of education to children of ages 1-18 years should be the
direct responsibility of the Federal government ,and should not be
politicized. The junior second school (JSS) curriculum should be made
functional and practical.
Effects
of Behavioural and Lecture-Discussion Techniques on Job Interview
Skills of High School Adolescents in Nigeria
Samuel O. Salami.
Abstract
This
study examined the effects of behavioural and lecture-discussion
methods on the job interview skills of secondary school adolescents.
118 SS2 students (males = 60, females = 58) randomly selected from
three co-educational secondary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State
participated in the study. A 3x2 factorial pretest-posttest
experimental design was adopted for the study. There were two
experimental groups and a control. Job Interview Rating Scale for
assessing the students’ job interview skills was administered before
and after the five-week experiment. The data derived from the pre-post
treatment assessments were subjected to a 3x2 factorial analysis of
covariance using pretest scores as covariates. The differences between
the groups were established through the use of t-test on the Y
adjusted means. The results indicated that the two treatment methods
(Behavioural and Lecture-discussion techniques) were more effective
than the control in improving the students’ job interview skills.
Sex had no significant effect on treatment outcome while there was no
significant interaction effects of sex and treatment on job interview
skills. Based on these findings, the need to incorporate the two
treatment methods in the school counselling programmes are
highlighted.
Correlates
of Examination Cheating Behaviour Among University Students
Alarape,
A.I. & Onakoya, A.Y
Abstract
Cheating is gradually becoming a means
of getting ahead academically. Past research indicates who cheats and
reasons for cheating. This study sought to find out some psychological
correlates of examination cheating behaviour among university students
in Nigeria. Cheating behaviour data was obtained with a survey design
using two hundred and fifty [250] subjects with a mean age of
twenty-three [23]. Results revealed that age, and self-esteem had a
significant positive relationship with examination cheating behaviour
while locus of control and need for achievement had a significant
negative relationship with examination cheating behaviour. These
findings were discussed, particularly in terms of various personality
differences of students, which suggest different reasons why students
cheat.
Mutilation
and Theft of Library Materials: The Perception and Reactions of
Students
Ajayi,
N. A. & Omotayo, B. O.
Abstract
Mutilation
and theft in libraries is a menace that has persisted, and it is
indeed a global problem. However, the worsening state of libraries in
Nigeria appears to have aggravated its intensity and the consequent
detrimental impact. This study attempts to investigate the perception
of students on the dynamics of book theft and mutilation, including
its effects and impact on the library, its services and clientele.
Using a structured questionnaire distributed to a sample population of
undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and a
stratified focus group discussion (FGD), information was elicited on
their perception of the methods of theft, attitudes to and perceived
implications of theft on academic performance and library use, and
suggestions on ways of curbing the menace, as well as on their
demographic, economic and social background
The
results reveal that insensitivity to the need of other users, high
cost of books, non-detection of previous acts of theft, incessant
power failure are some of the factors responsible for mutilation and
theft of library materials. It was also revealed that students are
aware that mutilation and theft prevent effective use of the library,
deprive users of vital information, including information from
recommended texts, and hence impact negatively on the academic life of
the users. The library should provide more copies of recommended
textbooks, provide more security men who also should be more vigilant,
and ensure that stiff penalties are meted out to any offending
clientele.
Support For
Organizational Reproductive Health Policies: Is Sexism A Problem?
Udegbe, I.
Bola
Abstract
This study
focuses on the realities of organizational policies and practices for
women’s reproductive health in Nigeria. It examines the relationship
between sexism and several indices of support for organizational
reproductive health policies, particularly those relating to
family-friendly policies. Data was collected from 419 (63.5%) female
and 241 (36.5%) male employees from private and public organizations
in Lagos, Nigeria. Using a series of tests of differences and
association, it was found that (1) there are sex differences in the
respondents’ support for organizational reproductive health policies
for female employees; (2) within each gender category, those with
higher levels of benevolent sexism exhibited higher levels of support
for family friendly policies; (3) hostile sexism more than benevolent
sexism related to lower levels of support for the policies, and (4)
there were gender differences in hostile and benevolent sexism scores.
Implications of the findings were discussed and suggestions were made
for intervention.
Grace Yawo Gadagbui
Abstract
The
article reports on traumatic events on six clients who visited the
Language and Speech Centre of the University of Education, Winneba,
between1994 and 2002 of which the writer is the clinician. The aim of
the centre is to correct clients’ speech disorders and to counsel
families. However, cases on rape, effects of maternal stress and
episodes of death due to cancer in a family were other traumatic
events reported. Findings revealed that post traumatic stress
disorders (PTSD) such as “flashbacks” of the painful experiences
not withstanding impact negatively on families and clinicians.
Recommendations for public awareness as to the roles of counsellors’
and access to counselling centers have been stressed.
Risk
Assessment: How Crucial in Determining Child’s Susceptibility to
Abuse in Nigeria
Mbakogu, I.A.
Abstract
There is a global concern to
curtail the prevalence of child abuse. However, certain difficulties
are posed in meeting this objective in Nigeria, because child social
workers often lack the practical or theoretical skills for detecting
those children that are susceptible to abuse and thus, in need of
early protective measures. This paper is therefore concerned with
isolating those risk assessment procedures or factors based on foreign
research that would assist professionals in identifying children that
are potentially at risk of abuse from parents or guardians and assess
their relevance for effective management and reduction of cases of
child abuse in Nigeria.
Impact
of Female Genital Mutilation on Sexual Functioning, Self-Esteem and
Marital Instability of Women in Ajegunle
Osinowo, H.O. & Taiwo, A.O
Abstract
This
cross-sectional research examined the impact of Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM) on marital instability, self-esteem, sexual
functioning and marital satisfaction of women. A total of 99 women
drawn from Ajegunle area of Lagos formed the study group. They were
divided into 2 groups: circumcised women (N=53) and uncircumcised
women (N=46). All participants responded to self-reported
questionnaires that assessed sexual satisfaction, self-esteem and
marital instability. Results show that the uncircumcised women
significantly reported better sexual functioning and marital
satisfaction than the circumcised women (t=9.4, df= 97, p<.01) thus
confirming the presence of psycho-sexual dysfunction among the
circumcised women. Circumcised women significantly reported higher
level of marital instability (t=5.4, df= 97, p<.01) and expressed
statistically significant lower self-esteem (t=2.6, df=97, p<.01)
compared with the uncircumcised women. It was concluded that FGM has
devastating psychosexual influence on women and should be discouraged.
Awareness about the adverse consequences of FGM should be intensified
and psychological treatment especially post-traumatic stress disorder
intervention for circumcised women is recommended.
Law
Practice: Myth of the Born-Lawyer and Psychological Perception of
Advocacy in Nigeria
S.B. Odunsi
Abstract
Over time,
legal practice in Nigeria has been held to require some peculiar
natural or congenital attributes. The belief that, “a Lawyer is
born, not made” naturally creates a psychological feeling of
inability of inadequacy in the minds of very many law students
aspiring to the bar. Thus before graduation such have emotionally
disqualified themselves from active legal practice under the induced
belief that they are not naturally equipped.
This paper
aims to solemnly examine the phenomenon and seek to achieve a
re-orientation of the mental attitude that a good lawyer is primarily
packaged in heaven. The writer makes use of legal literature- primary
and secondary; findings of his discussions, observations, interactions
and general experiences spanning about twenty years as a law student,
practising lawyer and law teacher.
While the
primary focus of the paper is Nigeria the issues raised therein are
equally applicable to other jurisdictions; this much has been
corroborated by the works of learned writers, some of which are
utilised in this paper.
Experience
above the Glass Ceiling: A Study Of Female Executives
Chovwen, C.O.
Abstract
The study
examined the experience of female executives who have risen above the
glass ceiling in male dominated work environment. A total of 230
male and female executive
participated in the study. They had spent a
minimum of five years in their present position, which allowed
information from a wide range of organizational experience to be
collected. Results
indicated that female executives in such environments perceived they
are not well recognized and as result they do not receive enough
cooperation and support from colleagues. This perception is of low
acceptance which has implication for the development of women the
organisation and the nation in general. This situation calls for a
reconstruction of practices and polices within and outside the work
setting that could impinge on full expression of women’s potentials.
Reliability
and Validity of a Short Scale of Attitude toward Christianity among
12-19 year olds in South Africa Prof. John E. Williams
Christopher.A.Lewis,Leslie.J.Francis
& Shiley Kerr
Abstract
To facilitate cross-cultural
research in the psychology of religion, the reliability and validity
of the 7-item short form of the Francis Scale of Attitude toward
Christianity was examined among a sample of 453 young people aged
between 12-19 years old from standards six, seven, eight, nine and ten
attending a secondary school in South Africa. Data analyses support
the reliability and validity of the scale and commend it for further
use among South African samples.
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