No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
Organizational Research: Determining Appropriate Sample Size in Survey Research
Abstract
The determination of sample size is a common task for many organizational researchers. Inappropriate, inadequate, or excessive sample sizes continue to influence the quality and accuracy of research. The procedures for determining sample size for continuous and categorical variables using Cochran's (1977) formulas are described. A discussion and illustration of sample size formulas, including the formula for adjusting the sample size for smaller populations, is included
... Notably, numerous research studies have suggested using a variable items-to-participants ratio to obtain a minimum sample size for survey-based research. For instance, Kotrlik and Higgins (2001) recommended collecting a minimum response of 10 times to the total number of items in the questionnaire, specifically focusing on the factors of the study. The number of items focusing on the factors of the current study was eighteen (18); hence, considering the suggestion of prior work, it was deemed to obtain a minimum sample of 180 for the current research. ...
... Of the 400 distributed questionnaires, 385 were returned, resulting in a response rate of 93.5%. After eliminating potential outliers and incomplete responses, 375 entries were deemed suitable for the study and were found above the minimum sample required for the current work (Kotrlik and Higgins, 2001). A brief view of the respondents' profile is as follows: 58.7% were male and 41.3% were female. ...
Exploring Work-Life Balance (WLB) has gained significant attention from researchers, considering its relationship with various antecedents and outcomes. The present study examines the antecedents and consequences of WLB for academicians. A purposeful sampling procedure was employed to collect required data from academicians. IBM SPSS and AMOS were used to test the validity and reliability of the collected data, followed by structural equation modelling in the final stage. The findings revealed that autonomy (β = 0.35, p<0.001), supervisor support (β = 0.14, p<0.01) and workload (β = −0.19, p<0.001) significantly impact the WLB of the academician. Additionally, the WLB of academicians is found to be positively associated with psychological well-being (β = 0.53, p<0.001) and negatively associated with stress (β = −0.52, p<0.001). Current work contributes to the theory and provides valuable suggestions for institutions and policymakers to enhance the well-being of academicians by fostering healthier work environments. Hence, it presents numerous implications regarding academics psychological well-being and stress.
Keywords: work-life balance; workload; stress; psychological well-being; supervisor; support; academicians.
... Notably, numerous research studies have suggested using a variable items-to-participants ratio to obtain a minimum sample size for survey-based research. For instance, Kotrlik and Higgins (2001) recommended collecting a minimum response of 10 times to the total number of items in the questionnaire, specifically focusing on the factors of the study. The number of items focusing on the factors of the current study was eighteen (18); hence, considering the suggestion of prior work, it was deemed to obtain a minimum sample of 180 for the current research. ...
... Of the 400 distributed questionnaires, 385 were returned, resulting in a response rate of 93.5%. After eliminating potential outliers and incomplete responses, 375 entries were deemed suitable for the study and were found above the minimum sample required for the current work (Kotrlik and Higgins, 2001). A brief view of the respondents' profile is as follows: 58.7% were male and 41.3% were female. ...
... Conducting a study on the entire population of a city is very complex and very expensive. Through a representative sample, we can have an estimate of the expected responses for the entire population; the difficulty, therefore, lies in calculating a necessary sample size derived from the size of the population to deduce the results obtained for this population [30]. In the case of this study, the survey covers three distinct district municipalities assimilated to strata, and we want to evaluate the behavior of each stratum. ...
... is a coefficient, which takes into account the rate of unregistered vehicles that escape the technical inspection. The values found in Table 1 are in the same order as the sampling tables presented in the literature [30,32,33]. The numbers used in the study are greater than or equal to these minimum values. ...
Smooth movement is an essential function and an indicator of a healthy city. Cities being engines of growth, congestion is a real cancer for the country’s economy. In this sense, linking travel habits and the increase in the level of congestion in a city is very important. The objective of this work is to diagnose, using a statistical approach, the dynamics of urban mobility influenced by the traffic congestion situation in the city of Douala. For this, the study focuses on two aspects; the first aspect concerns the multivariate descriptive analysis of motorists’ travel habits. The methods used involve first submitting surveys to motorists in vehicle technical inspection centers and processing the data in IBM SPSS statistical software. Follow-up of the analysis of the correlation between the congestion level and some required solutions. The second aspect focuses on the principal component analysis (PCA) that is performed. The determination of Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) indices, the Bartlett significances, and the Pearson correlation coefficients are also done. The results show that the travel habits of motorists create a massive use of roads at certain specific time slots, in addition to extra-municipal trips mainly oriented towards the city center and the administrative district due to the monocentric situation of the city, which contributes to the increase in the level of congestion in the city. The correlation shows that there is significance between the level of congestion and the solutions considered, but this correlation is more or less moderate, which shows that the solutions considered can be used in the short term to alleviate congestion in the city.
... Sample size recommendations vary in the literature for exploratory factor analyses (EFA) [70][71][72]. EFA was prioritised to allow examination of broader trends in NES constructs. Suitability for EFA often depends on (1) the overall sample size; and (2) assessment of communalities. ...
... However, the current study's sample was deemed to be appropriate, consistent with its purpose as a pilot study searching to establish initial theoretical findings. Findings would also be explained with consideration of the potential impact of the low sample size (such as unstable factor loadings, and frequent occurrences of cross-loading) and the implications of this on the generalisability of results [70,71,73,74]. ...
The classification of emotional distress has significant diagnostic and treatment implications in psychological therapy. Traditionally models of distress have favoured a unitary model of emotions where an emotional reaction is dysfunctional according to the severity of its experience. An alternative to this is the binary model of emotional distress, which deems an emotion dysfunctional on the basis of the quality of the emotion itself. This is determined by rational or irrational beliefs and behavioural drives associated with the emotion. Some research has sought to investigate the binary model. However, attempts to find support for its theoretical assumptions have been challenging, specifically including a lack of psychometrically sound measures relevant to its investigation. Accordingly, this paper aimed to address this issue by creating a new measurement scale (the Negative Emotions Scale ) to provide preliminary validation of the binary model. A pilot study sample of adults ( N = 108, M age = 39, Males = 26.9%, Females = 72.2%) completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Attitudes and Beliefs Scale II (ABS-II), the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ), and the Negative Emotions Scale (NES). Exploratory factor analyses indicated adequate loading of NES items to distinguish between functional and dysfunctional emotional pairings for depression/sadness, anxiety/concern, and anger/annoyance. Differences in association between rational and irrational beliefs were not found for anger-annoyance and shame-guilt constructs. However, depression-sadness showed difference according to rationality, and concern-anxiety to irrationality. These findings indicate initial support for the binary model of distress in this pilot study. This suggests future research with more robust analysis (such as CFA) and a larger sample may enhance these findings and provide practical utility for the clinical assessment of emotional distress.
... The sample size for respondents in this study was calculated using the Cochran formula. N = (Z 2 pq)/e 2 [30], where N = sample size, Z = statistic corresponding to the level of confidence, p = estimated proportion of the population with the attribute of interest, q = 1-p, and e = desired level of precision. Therefore, p = 5.9% [31], Z = 95%, e = 5% (0.05), and N = (1.96 ...
... To accommodate for attrition and considering the fact that this was a cross-sectional study, 50% of SSV was added to the sample [30], giving a total sample of 108 respondents. A total of 102 respondents were involved in the study. ...
Background
Physical inactivity among stroke survivors (SSV) may result from fatigue, physical disabilities, and psychosocial factors, all of which adversely affect health-related quality of life (HRQL). Studies on combined interactions among physical activity (PA), fatigue severity (FS), and HRQL in SSV are scarce. This study was aimed to determine the relationships among PA, FS, and HRQL in community-dwelling SSV and to predict the association with selected socio-demographic and clinical variables.
Methods
This analytical cross-sectional correlation study involved 102 consented community-dwelling SSV. Respondents were purposively recruited from physiotherapy outpatient clinics of selected secondary and tertiary hospitals in southwest Nigeria. PA, FS, and HRQL of the SSV were assessed using the Stroke Physical Activities Questionnaire (SPAQ), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Stroke-Specific Quality-of-Life (SS-QoL) scale, respectively. Information on respondents’ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics was also collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p < 0.05 significance level.
Results
Respondents’ mean age was 59.98 ± 11.59 years. The majority were females (52.9%), had ischemic stroke (72%), and with right-side weakness (54%) of over 6 months (80%). Respondents’ mean scores on SPAQ, FSS, and SS-QoL scales are 1867.47 ± 1817.93 MET min/week, 31.94 ± 11.29, and 156.47 ± 26.62, respectively. There were no significant associations between selected socio-demographic/clinical variables and physical activity levels except in gender ( χ ² = 6.737; p = 0.034), fatigue severity except in side of affectation ( χ ² = 5.839; p = 0.054), and HRQL except in level of education ( χ ² = 23.497; p = 0.001) and side of affectation ( χ ² = 7.389; p = 0.007). There was a moderate and significant correlation ( R = 0.426; p < 0.05) among PA, FS, and HRQL. Regression analysis revealed no significant associations with the socio-demographic/clinical variable except the side of affectation for HRQL, low ( R = 0.223) level of prediction of socio-demographic/clinical variables for PA (F 8, 93 = 0.607; p > 0.05), and fair ( R = 0.326) level of prediction for FS (F 8, 93 = 1.386; p > 0.05).
Conclusion
Moderate correlations among fatigue severity, physical activity, and health-related quality of life in stroke survivors suggested that enhancing one domain can benefit others, while the limited predictive ability of socio-demographic and clinical variables highlighted the need to consider cultural and psychological factors in post-stroke outcomes.
... Determining a representative sample size is pivotal in conducting scientific investigations. It is known that "inappropriate and inadequate sample size affects the quality and accuracy of research" [59]. Therefore, great care should be taken while determining sampling design that reduces sampling errors and increases the accuracy of inference to the target population. ...
... Finally, 384 respondent households were randomly chosen from each sample kebele based on proportional size to their number of household heads ( Table 2). The sample size was determined using Cochran's formula as it is specified [59]: ...
Ensuring food security is one of the paramount challenges facing the developing world today. Developing countries like Ethiopia have been facing food insecurity for many decades. Despite many efforts undertaken by the government of Ethiopia, the country has not yet achieved food self-sufficiency. The current household food security status and determining factors are inadequately recognized in Hadiya Zone. Thus, this study aims to contribute to filling this gap. The study utilized both primary and secondary data sources. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 384 respondents. A seven-day food consumption score method was used to determine dietary energy intake in kilocalories per person per day, which was then employed to evaluate household food security status. Descriptive and inferential statistics as well as the binary logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. The findings show that 52.1 % of respondents were food insecure, and the remaining 47.9 % were food secure households. The logistic regression model results show that household food security status was mainly influenced by sex, dependency ratio, technology adoption, annual income, non/off-farm participation, soil and water conservation practices, credit use, and market participation. The extent and severity of food insecurity vary across different areas and depend on various factors. To transform the food system into resilient and sustainable, this study recommends that concerned government bodies and stakeholders support rural households with improved agricultural technologies, promote rural entrepreneurship, scale up soil and water conservation practices, provide affordable credit schemes, and enhance market access through improving rural infrastructure.
... Therefore, assuming a 15% response rate, we would be able to achieve our target sample size of 1200 needed to make the comparison between our two groups of interest (i.e. 600 people who currently smoked shisha and 600 who did not smoke shisha currently), within a 3% margin of error with associated 95% confidence levels 21 . Using simulations and the number of events per variable approach, this sample size was adequately powered to produce accurate estimates that represent the target population parameters 21 . ...
... 600 people who currently smoked shisha and 600 who did not smoke shisha currently), within a 3% margin of error with associated 95% confidence levels 21 . Using simulations and the number of events per variable approach, this sample size was adequately powered to produce accurate estimates that represent the target population parameters 21 . We aimed to enroll 10 individuals (five who currently smoked shisha and five who did not smoke shisha currently; about three females and seven males) from each of the 120 participating EAs. ...
INTRODUCTION
In Nigeria, there is very limited evidence on factors that influence shisha smoking, and this hinders effective tobacco control policymaking. We, therefore, aimed to identify factors associated with shisha smoking among the general population adults in Nigeria.
METHODS
We conducted a telephone-based, cross-sectional survey between 28 July and 11 September 2022 in 12 states of Nigeria. Our outcome of interest was self-reported current shisha smoking status, and the independent variables included potential behavioral, biological, mental health, environmental, and social determinants of shisha smoking. We performed logistic regression analysis, with adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as the measures of association.
RESULTS
We surveyed 1278 individuals: 611 who currently smoked shisha and 667 who did not. The following increased the likelihood of being a person who currently smokes shisha: being a person who currently smokes cigarettes (AOR=5.54; 95% CI: 2.57–11.90) or consumes alcohol (AOR=3.46; 95% CI: 1.91–6.28); and having a family member (AOR=2.32; 95% CI: 1.23–4.40), or one (AOR=22.81; 95% CI: 9.99–52.06) or more (AOR=78.85; 95% CI: 22.50–276.33) close friends who smoke shisha. The following reduced the likelihood of being a person who currently smokes shisha: being older (AOR=0.92; 95% CI: 0.89–0.95) and screening positive for possible generalized anxiety disorder (AOR=0.60; 95% CI: 0.41–0.88). We found sex differences in the factors associated with shisha smoking, particularly on the effects of household wealth, employment status, having family members who smoke shisha, and mental health.
CONCLUSIONS
Strategies to curb shisha smoking need to account for the associated biological, social and behavioral factors, including age, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and having family members or close friends who smoke shisha. They should also account for sex differences, and differences that exist between shisha smoking behavior and the smoking of other tobacco products.
... Using a direct estimation method for the number of clusters [18], and available population sampling frames in both health areas, we determined the number of clusters to be 23. Using an expected prevalence of depression of 11% [6], a level of acceptable error of 5% and a 5% Type I error rate, we obtained a required sample size of 151 [19]. We aimed to survey the same number of participants per sex in each cluster, resulting in a target sample of 4 male and 4 female participants per cluster (total target sample 184). ...
... It is made up of 9 Likert-scale questions, which align with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for major depressive disorder [20]. The total PHQ-9 score was used to categorise the severity of depression into mild (5-9), moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), moderately severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19) or severe (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). The standard cut-off score of ≥10 was used as being indicative of a major depression disorder. ...
Globally, one in five people in post-conflict areas are estimated to be living with a mental health condition. As a key public health issue, these conditions negatively affect individuals, communities, and societies to function after a conflict. Documenting the prevalence of mental health conditions amongst these populations is crucial to prioritise and guide future mental health interventions. This study was the first to use a repeated cross-sectional design and sex-disaggregated analysis, with the aim of estimating the prevalence of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) in a post-conflict population of the Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Several domains of Quality of life (WHO-QoL-BREF) were also assessed to gain insight into the relationship between bio-psychosocial stressors and mental health status. Using random cluster sampling, data were collected in two waves from 385 participants, with a one-year interval. The pooled prevalence across both waves was 34.3% for major depression disorder and 26.5% for generalised anxiety disorder. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that depression and anxiety were both predicted by being female, being of older age, and by experiencing lower physical quality of life, but not by the passing of time. For both mental health outcomes, environmental quality of life served as a significant predictor for women, but not for men. In conclusion, these results suggest that a lack of mental health services and continued exposure to daily stressors are linked to a sustained high prevalence of mental health conditions in our study population. There is a significant need for the development of mental health services in the region. These services should go beyond biomedical interventions and include multi-sectoral approaches that consider the social determinants of (mental) health.
... The value of can be taken as = 0.5 [78]. This value ensures maximum variability in a population and thus allows the required number of iterations to be determined with a safe margin [83]. In the present study, 10 4 iterations were used, providing a precision of 0.01 (and, therefore, up to 1% accuracy) for a confidence level of 95% [84]. ...
Authorities of self-government units, having autonomy in determining the directions of development of their area, can try to use their potential in an optimal way. The actions taken should consequently lead to the creation of the best possible living conditions for the local community. The aim of this article is to verify the hypothesis that the geographical location of self-government units affects the quality of life (QoL) of their inhabitants. Moreover, attempts were made to answer research questions regarding the counties of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship offering conditions ensuring the highest QoL. For this purpose, on the basis of a previously prepared set of criteria and their expert weights, county rankings were developed using the PROMETHEE method. The results of the expert approach were confronted with the results of the stochastic analysis taking into account the uncertainty of the preference model. Based on the results of this research, it was found that the leading positions in terms of QoL in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship were taken by cities with county rights, i.e., Szczecin, Koszalin, and Swinoujscie. At the forefront of counties with the highest QoL were also counties whose capitals were cities with the largest population in the voivodeship.
... We administered 526 copies of the questionnaire above the sample size of 376 obtained from Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) sample size determination for a population of 18,700. We increased the sample size by 40% in anticipation of a low response rate (Kotrlik & Higgins, 2001;Salkind, 1997). In all a total of 332 filled questionnaires were found usable indicating a total response rate of 63%. ...
As the workplace continue to attract all the segments of the diverse society, one stark reality organizations grapple with in recent times is the readiness to inculcate inclusive behaviour among all categories of employees. This study evaluates the role of perceived supervisors’ support (PSS) on perceived workplace ostracism (PWO) through psychological ownership (PO) among federal civil servants working in Plateau state. We draw from affective event theory (AET) and organizational support theory (OST)to justify the hypothesized relationship. Five hundred and twenty-six copies of questionnaires were administered while 332 out of the retrieved were usable. Structural equation modeling through SMART-PLS version 4. was used to analyze the data collected. The results suggest that PSS significantly associate with PWO and psychological ownership mediates the relationship between PSS and PWO. From the results, the study offers a modest theoretical contribution through the connection between AET and OST in justifying the role of PSS and PO in the tested model. Some practical implications for managerial practice were also proffered.
... In Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), latent variables are utilized to represent constructs derived from multiple indicators. Discriminant validity, assessed using Fornell and Larcker's (1981) criterion, showed that the average variance extracted (AVE) for each construct exceeded 0.50, indicating good discriminant validity (Bartlett et al., 2001). As for the discriminant validity test for the measurement scales, the square root of the AVEs, which is highlighted along the matrix diagonal, consistently exceeded the corresponding off-diagonal elements within their respective rows and columns. ...
This study analyzes the factors influencing the stakeholder perspectives on of Higher Education Institution (HEI) rankings, reporting data collected from 1232 participants through a survey method and employing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) model and complementary models for the analyses. Our primary focus was to identify the relationships between various predictor variables influencing the perception of HEI rankings. We analyzed how demographic variables, such as age, gender, job experience, and employment status, might moderate these relationships. The key findings show that certain model dimensions, such has Performance Expectancy, Price Value, Habit, Hedonic Motivation, Perceived Information Quality, Perceived Trust, and Awareness significantly influence participants’ behavioral intentions and actual use of the HEI rankings. Overall, this study provides a quantitative perspective to perception of HEI rankings from a stakeholders’ point of view, reflecting similarities and differences among various participants.
... Lastly, a snowball sampling technique was used to recruit participants nationwide by asking therapists who received the survey to forward it on to colleagues who had not received it. With the assumption that less than 10% of the occupational therapists in South Africa are working at the PHC level based on literature 3,49 , a sample size of 75 was needed to represent the population with a 5% margin of error as recommended by Bartlett, et al. 50 . ...
Background: Literature indicates that access to rehabilitation services in South Africa is limited. Recent policy documents by the National Department of Health related to disability and rehabilitation propose the integration of occupational therapy services in primary healthcare (PHC). However, the implementation strategies concerning integration are not clear as there is inadequate evidence locally on the occupational therapy service provision in PHC even though there is growing evidence internationally.Purpose: This study sought to determine the services provided by occupational therapists in PHC and to explore the perceptions of the occupational therapists on the integration of occupational therapy services within the PHC reengineering streams of the National Insurance (NHI).Method: A two-phase explanatory sequential mixed method strategy was utilised in this study. A quantitative survey was sent to members of the occupational therapy professional association and an organisation of professionals providing rehabilitation services in rural communities. Qualitative data were then collected using semi-structured interviews with five therapists who completed the survey.Findings: Findings from this study showed there is increasing alignment of occupational therapy services in PHC with the community-based rehabilitation (CBR), the Social Model, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the Medical Model using client self-management and case-management intervention approaches. The majority of occupational therapists are currently based in district hospitals (42%), community health centres (16%), community organisations (8%), and clinics (8%).Those working in the community indicated they work in a multidisciplinary team (MDT). They also use PHC service delivery models to manage people with disabilities (PWDs). Occupational therapists in PHC have a strong perception of their relevance in the PHC reengineering streams, despite the numerous barriers and few facilitators to the integration of occupational therapy services in the PHC reengineering streams of the NHI.Conclusion: The perception of the study participants is that occupational therapy service integration in the PHC reengineeringstreams will lead to improved healthcare. However, they are also of the opinion that integration will not happen without advocacy from occupational therapists or occupational therapy being adequately supported in PHC. Key words: Occupational therapy, primary health care re-engineering, integration, National Health Insurance, universal health coverage.
... Three of these schools were selected based on a total number of 360 potential learners in Grade 1 to 3 were identified in these schools. A sample size of approximately 48 learners was required to be representative of the 360 learners according to Cochran's sample size formula with a margin of error of 15% or alpha of 0.15 43 . The language of teaching and learning at all three schools were both Afrikaans and English. ...
Introduction: Occupational therapists routinely assess children's visual perceptual and visual-motor integration skills. To determine visual perception and visual-motor integration dysfunction, occupational therapists use standardised visual perceptual assessment instruments. For accurate results, the norms used to evaluate the outcomes of the tests need to reflect the ability of the population on which they are used.This study aimed to determine the comparison of scores for a sample of 6 to 9 year old South African children attending schools in middle socio-economic urban areas, to American norms on standardised visual perceptual tests - the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills Third Edition (TVPS-3), the Developmental Test of Visual Perception - Third Edition (DTVP-3) and the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor integration - Sixth Edition (Beery VMI-6). Method: A cross-sectional, quantitative design was utilised. Forty-eight children aged 6 years 0 months to 9 years 11 months participated in the study. The TVPS-3, DTVP-3 and Beery VMI-6 were administered to each participant as prescribed.Results: The scores for the typical children fell within the American norms reported for all three tests. The DTVP-3, TVPS-3 and Beery VMI-6 were found to show little convergence in the scores but exhibited adequate internal consistency for the South African sample. Conclusion The scores on the DTVP-3, TVPS-3 and Beery VMI-6 for South African children were similar to the American norms in identifying visual perceptual and VMI dysfunction and are suitable for use with children attending schools in a middle socio-economic urban area.KeywordsVisual perception, visual-motor integration, standardised tests, TVPS-3, DTVP-3, Beery VMI-6Â
... Sampling was based on the building ID in each community, while controlling for basic resident characteristics such as age and gender. Besides, for each community, we set the minimum sample size at 50 to ensure adequate representation of residents living inside, as recommended by many guidelines (Barlett et al., 2001;Memon et al., 2020). To ensure that respondents had a sufficient experiential basis for community life and good mobility for familiarity with the environment, selected residents were all healthy adults aged 20-70. ...
... By this method, we assign equal size of sample to all domain of the study even if size of the population varies by the study domain. This method of sample size determination is valid because effect of population size on the size of sample tends to be negligible when population size is large (Kish, 1995;Bartlett, Kotrlik& Higgins, 2001;Krejecie& Morgan, 1970). ...
As a most scientific approach to sampling, probability sampling has been a common tool for conducting general household survey. Sample design generally refers to the way in which population elements are included in the sample. In this regard, two contrasting approaches to sample design - element and cluster - have been evolved. At the same time, sample design also has to take into account the various population sub-groups through stratification process. When the concept of stratification involves in sampling, four basic forms of sample designs applicable to general household survey can be envisaged. With this, sampling and estimation process tends to be more complex and a single method to sample selection, evaluation of sample design and estimation do not work. In this context, based on the available literatures and author’s own work experience on sampling, this article describes various types of sample design for large-scale general household survey, methods of evaluating their efficiency, and the process of sample selection and estimation.
... In other words, it refers to individuals or objects with characteristics similar to those of the researcher interested in investigating and generalizing the study results (Pandey & Pandey, 2015). The accessible population refers to all accessible individuals or objects during the study period (Bartlett et al., 2001). ...
Adoption of the Competency-Based Curriculum was a shift from the historical Content-Based Curriculum, which necessitated the need to bring teachers up to speed with the requirements of the Competency-Based Curriculum in terms of teacher cognition and classroom practices in the delivery of the Competency-Based Curriculum that would improve students' academic performance and help them acquire critical competencies embedded in the curriculum.
Despite implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum over five years, high school graduates in Liberia continue to underperform academically and lack relevant competencies. National examination results and anecdotal reports highlight that students' performance remains substandard. The effectiveness and competence of teachers in implementing the Competency-Based curriculum have come under scrutiny and criticism from stakeholders. Predicated upon the alarming undesirable results and the blame game, this study proceeded to dig deep and investigate the problem by examining teachers' cognition and its dimensionality and related factors, teacher classroom practices, and impact on students' academic performance and competency acquisition.
The Theories of Planned Behavior and Situated Evaluation guided the study and applied a mixed-methods multistrand design. Through proportional stratified random sampling, 175 teachers and 455 students were selected from 35 schools for the quantitative data while purposive sampling selected 35 teachers for the qualitative data. The study analysis employed a series of statistical analyses using the Statistical Package of Social Science version 23.0 for the quantitative data and abductive thematic analysis using ATLAS. ti 7.5 to analyze the qualitative data.
The study revealed several important findings about teacher cognition and implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum. Teachers generally demonstrated below-average understanding of the curriculum, with their cognition consisting of three main components: knowledge, thinking, and belief. Traditional assessment methods were more commonly used than authentic assessment methods. Both teacher-related and
IX
contextual factors significantly influenced teachers' understanding of the curriculum. Interestingly, while quantitative results showed a strong link between teacher cognition and classroom practices, qualitative results indicated a mismatch between teacher cognition of the curriculum and what they implemented in classrooms. Together, teacher cognition and classroom practices did not have a significant impact on student’s academic performance and acquisition of embedded competencies. The findings highlight critical policy and practical implications for the competency-based curriculum's implementation.
The study introduced two innovative frameworks: a curriculum implementation framework and a teacher capacity-building framework to address these gaps. These innovations will enhance teacher cognition about the Competency-Based Curriculum and classroom practices to achieve better learning outcomes. By adopting the proposed frameworks, education systems can improve teacher cognition and ensure teacher classroom practices align with the Competency-Based Curriculum, which would translate into improved learning outcomes in Liberia and other related contexts.
... The study employs a sampling method with the target population classified as undefined. Kotrlik and Higgins (2001) cite Cochran's formula (1977), which is applied to 384 sample sizes to determine the sample size. The study employs a non-probability sampling technique, specifically accidental sampling. ...
This study aims to analyze the impact of handicraft product quality and price on purchase decisions in a case study on Atauro Island, Timor-Leste. This research was conducted in Beloi District, Atauro, with data collected through a questionnaire survey to 384 participants. Analysis using SmartPLS 4.0 shows that product quality and price significantly influence purchase decisions. The statistical test results showed that product quality positively affected purchase decisions considerably, with a t-statistic value of 8.217 (p< 0.05). At the same time, price also showed a significant positive effect with a t-statistic 6.087 (p < 0.05). Hypothesis testing shows that quality and price influence purchase decisions with a coefficient of determination R-square of 0.575, indicating that product quality and price can explain 57% of the variability in purchase decisions. Combining these two variables influences repurchase intention and increases customer loyalty to handcrafted products in Atauro. Therefore, it is recommended that producers continue to improve the quality of the product, especially in terms of aesthetics and durability, while setting the price competitive in line with consumer expectations.
... Economically active citizens, aged 15 to 64 actively seeking or engaged in work, form the survey's target population, alongside elderly consumers up to age 79 (totalling 43 million citizens) (Statistics South Africa 2021). Only individuals aged 18 and older completed the questionnaire for ethical reasons, aiming for a sample size of 2,401 respondents using Cohran's method (Bartlett et al. 2001). ...
Purpose: Transitional and developing countries need to boost revenue collection by improving citizens’ tax compliance. This research explores potential consumer acceptance of and engagement with a tax lottery system designed to improve domestic revenue mobilisation by targeting non-compliant businesses. Various countries use lotteries to enhance overall tax compliance, and, in turn, increase revenue collection. Design: An online survey that delivered 2,774 valid responses from a wide range of respondents in South Africa finds that consumers would accept and engage with a tax lottery system and that they would shift their patronage to other businesses if one refused to issue them with the requested receipt. Findings: Various demographic variables, including gender, monthly spend, and household size, can act as predictors of which types of consumers would be more likely to “buy into” or accept a tax lottery system. A positive perception of fairness (attitude) towards the tax lottery system also increases the likelihood of consumers accepting such a system. Value: This study adds to the limited empirical studies that have explored tax lottery systems, especially from an African perspective. Revenue authorities can replicate the survey, and potentially use the current study’s results to determine whether implementing a tax lottery system would be viable. Predictors of supporters could also assist revenue authorities with targeted advertising of the system.
... The general rule is to have a minimum of ten observations per variable (Hair et al. 2018;Ogundimu et al. 2016;Vittinghoff and McCulloch 2006;Schwab1980). At the same time, some researchers advocate for smaller sample size of -5:1 (Hatcher 1994;Suhr 2006), while other researchersfor larger sample size of 15:1 or 20:1 (Bartlett et al. 2001;Costello and Osborne 2005). As such, the rule of 10:1 was considered as acceptable and was employed in this study. ...
Power misuse by managers in organizations is a wide-spread problem that has significant negative consequences for organizational performance. At the same time, published research on attempts of diagnosing power misuse is scarce. As such, organizations keep facing this problem without help from academia on handling it. The authors of this paper suggest addressing the issue by utilizing a regular survey with the purpose of diagnosing potential power misuse by supervising managers of an organization. The information collected via such a survey can be a powerful feedback instrument toward changing or continuing the state of affairs. Such a survey is developed in this paper. The survey has adequate face validity and Cronbach’s alpha reliability of 0.93. Furthermore, its criterion, convergent, external structure, and discriminant validity results indicate their good levels. Therefore, the survey may be recommended for use in the organizational setting. Utilization of this instrument can potentially lead to the increase of employee accomplishments, and the improvement of organization-wide performance.
... In Phase II, initially, the sample size was determined by the formula given by Bartlett et al. (2001). As per the formula, a minimum sample size of 266 was adequate for this primary survey. ...
... The sample size was calculated using single population proportion formula [15]. The following assumption was considered. ...
Background: After a live birth, there is much unsatisfied interest in, and unmet family planning need for contraception. Waiting at least for 24 months before attempting the next pregnancy was recommended to reduce the risk of adverse maternal, perinatal and infant outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the determinants of long acting reversible contraception method use among mothers in extended postpartum period in Durame Town, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in Durame Town, Southern Ethiopia in De-cember, 2014. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to recruit a total 460 study participants. Structured and pretested questioner was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics was employed to characterize the study population using frequencies and proportions. Biva-riate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify all possible factors affecting utilization of LARC method. Multivariable logistic regression model was developed to control the confounding variables. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was computed in identifying the real factors associated with use of LARC methods. Results: In this study we found that the prevalence of LARC method use among mothers during their extended postpartum period was 36.7% (95%CI: 32.2, 41.0). The unmet family planning need of mothers in the extended post-partum period was 123 (27.9%). The odds of using LARC by literate mother were four fold higher than their counterpart illiterate mothers (AOR 4.09 95%CI: 1.68, 9.58, P value < 0.001). The odds * Corresponding author. Y. E. Tamrie et al. 1316 of mother who had pervious experiences of using LARC were up to eight folds higher than mother never used LARC methods (AOR 7.84 95% CI: 3.78, 16.23, P value< 0.001). Mother who received counseling service on LARC methods during delivery was up to three times more likely to utilize the services than not counseled (AOR 3.29 95% CI: 1.53, 7.03, P value < 0.001). And odds of mothers who received counseling service on LARC during immediate postpartum period were up to five fold more likely to opt method than never got the counseling service (AOR 4.55 95 % CI: 1.94, 10.66, P value < 0.001). Conclusions: In the study area, about one third of mothers utilized LARC methods during their extended postpartum period. Another one third of mother had unmet need for family planning. Participant's education, previous history of using LARC methods, receiving counseling services on LARC during delivery and immediate postpartum periods were found major determinant for LARC use. Educating women, providing counseling service on LARC methods during antenatal, delivery and postnatal were recommended.
... Out of the 680 questionnaires administered, 402 valid responses were received, which represents a valid response rate of 59.12%. SMEs-based studies usually have a response rate of 10% [56]; our study's sample is considered high. Table 1 represents the characteristics of the sample. ...
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are pivotal in driving economic growth and sustainability, necessitating a strategic focus on innovation and knowledge application to navigate dynamic markets effectively. Grounded in the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and Knowledge-Based View (KBV) theories, this study investigates the interplay between sustainability innovation, knowledge application, environmental awareness, and entrepreneurial success among SMEs in Turkey. The research adopts a cross-sectional design, using purposive sampling to survey 402 SME owners and managers from Istanbul and Ankara. Data were collected via electronic surveys and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS to validate the measurement model and test hypotheses through the PROCESS macro for mediation and moderated mediation analysis. The findings reveal that sustainability innovation significantly enhances entrepreneurial success by allowing businesses to develop products and services that address environmental and social concerns. Essentially, by integrating sustainability innovation, entrepreneurs create a growing market demand for eco-conscious solutions. Moreover, knowledge application positively influences entrepreneurial success and mediates the relationship between sustainability innovation and entrepreneurial success. Environmental awareness moderates this mediation, with the indirect effect being stronger for SMEs with higher environmental awareness. These results underscore the critical role of integrating sustainability and knowledge-driven strategies in achieving entrepreneurial success. Practical implications include fostering eco-innovation, enhancing knowledge-sharing practices, and promoting environmental awareness to achieve sustainable business growth and competitiveness in resource-constrained environments. This research provides actionable insights for policy-makers and practitioners to support sustainable entrepreneurship.
... The measurement accuracy (d) was set at three percent of the range between the smallest and largest average size of agricultural operating units across the four studied provinces: Alborz, Guilan, Hormozgan, and Yazd (0.8 ha in Guilan to 3.5 ha in Hormozgan) (Barlett et al., 2001;Cochran, 1977). It is noteworthy that the sampling method used in this study to select household heads was a simple random sampling with proportional allocation. ...
To advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it's essential to implement practices that improve the livelihoods sustainability. Achieving this goal requires identifying Factors affecting the livelihood sustainability of smallholder farmers (LSOSF). For this purpose, this study, conducted during 2023–2024. A statistical sample of 500 smallholders from Alborz, Guilan, Hormozgan, and Yazd provinces in Iran was selected using a multistage sampling method. The survey indicated an average farming unit had three able-bodied household members aged between 18 and 65, with none engaged in formal education. The head of household had an average of 10.53 years of formal education, ranging from 2 to 18 years. Household health status revealed an average of 1.69 healthy family members per unit. Annual savings for the farmers were approximately 100 million rials, about one-fifth of their total annual income. Regarding social networks, 55% of respondents had moderate to low confidence in assistance from neighbors and relatives during hardship. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine factors influencing LSOSF. Results indicated technical, economic, social, and environmental factors had positive and significant impacts on LSOSF. Among technical factors, agricultural land quality, land use conservation, land aggregation, and cropping patterns were identified as the most influential, with land use conservation having the greatest impact. Key factors such as soil erosion prevention, mitigation of land subsidence from groundwater extraction, and development of agricultural processing industries are crucial for LSOSF. This study provides a foundation for developing strategies to enhance smallholder farmers' livelihoods and well-being.
... The formuladerived sample size was then inflated by a factor of 1.18 to account for the design effect (Henry, 1990;Kalton, 1983). Additionally, 22% more cases were added to the final sample size to address potential missing data and non-response (Fink, 1995;Kotrlik & Higgins, 2001). Table 4 presents the key characteristics of the selected sample. ...
Pakistan’s evolution into a research-centric nation, recognized by Clarivate Analytics, suggests a transition towards a knowledge-based economy. However, the prevalence of academic dishonesty within Pakistan’s academic institutions raises concerns, potentially impeding the realization of its intellectual prowess. This research therefore examines the drivers of academic dishonesty in Pakistani universities, drawing on data collected from 457 students in four prominent public sector universities. Regression analysis of the dataset reveals several noteworthy findings. The study identifies that male gender, larger family size, risk preference, anxiety, and susceptibility to peer influence correlate positively with academic dishonesty. Conversely, students’ socio-economic status and their perception of diminished respect for dishonest behavior act as deterrents. Furthermore, the impact of detection on academic dishonesty exhibits a threshold effect, while personal integrity/morality and punitive measures appear to have limited impact on academic dishonesty. Consequently, this study underscores the importance of addressing socio-cultural and environmental factors as pivotal elements in combating unethical academic conduct within Pakistan.
... By replacing this number in the Cochran formula to calculate the minimum sample size and considering a five percent error, 92 sample size to answer the questionnaire was calculated. The Cochran formula is one of the most common methods used to measure the minimum sample size (Kotrlik & Higgins, 2001). ...
The Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) system is the contemporary contracting approach used in construction projects. However, its implementation faces many challenges due to the evolving nature of this project delivery system. Risk and reward sharing is one of the most challenging fields in IPD and this study aims to identify and prioritize these challenges based on their importance in the project success. The potential challenges were collected through a deep literature review and also, interviews. Subsequently, the most important ones were arranged in the questionnaire, and finally, they were analyzed by Structural Equation Modeling based on the Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that contractual challenges among cultural, contractual, technological, and accounting are more critical in the successful implementation of IPD. To the best of our knowledge, even though several studies have been accomplished to identify the challenges of IPD implementation, no study has focused particularly on the challenges of risk and reward sharing. This study’s outcome helps construction industry experts to find solutions for the most critical challenges regarding risk and reward sharing which leads directly to significant impacts.
... This approach allowed for the examination of variations in attitudes and experiences based on body weight status. [28] Sample Size: The sample size for this study was calculated using "Cochran's formula" (1), [29] considering the total population of Mysore city, which is approximately 1,316,460. Assuming an obesity prevalence of 25%, [30] a "confidence level of 95%," and a "margin of error of 5%," the calculation was as follows: ...
Obesity not only poses significant physical health risks but also deeply influences emotional well-being and societal acceptance. This cross-sectional study conducted in Mysore city, India, explores the relationship between emotionality and attitudes towards body size. A diverse sample of 444 adults participated, representing various age groups, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain the data on body weight perception, emotional experiences, and attitudes towards weight loss. Results reveal that while a significant portion of participants (males-35.4%; females- 41.7%), particularly overweight and obese individuals, express dissatisfaction with their appearance, a prevalent desire to lose exists (P=0.001). However, the actual participation in weight loss programs remains low (male-21.1%; female-30.7%), indicating a gap between aspiration and action. Reasons for non-participation include a lack of education on weight management and insufficient motivation. Importantly, participants who did engage in weight loss programs reported high rates of relapse, with common reasons including reverting to previous lifestyles and lack of motivation. The study suggests a need for more effective weight regulation programs that incorporate education, exercise, and dietary interventions. Governmental and non-governmental efforts, alongside media campaigns, are essential in fostering a supportive environment for sustainable weight management and emotional well-being in Indian populations.
... In all, there were 7,190 registered members of ESPA spread across the sixteen regions (16) of Ghana. Three hundred and sixty-seven (367) firms were selected using Kotrlik and Higgins (2001) Sample Size Determination formula. However, the sampling size is the minimum required based on assumptions of continuous data characteristics, 5 per cent margin of error, and significance level of 5%. ...
Introduction
This study examined the effects of circular economy practices on the integrated waste management industry, drawing on the stakeholder theory. This study examined how the performance of Ghanaian waste management companies is affected by circular economy strategies, particularly upcycling and was recovery.
Methods
About 7,190 firms registered with the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) formed the population of the study, out of which the sample yielded 524 valid responses, which was analysed using PLS-SEM and Partial Correlation Analysis. PLS was adopted because it integrates factor and route analyses into significantly more rigorous statistical processes. In addition, the Partial Correlation network structure was adopted to explain how the nodes or variables are related to one another.
Results
The results demonstrate that upcycling has a favorable and considerable impact on the economic performance ( β = 0.475, t = 4.495, p = 0.000), social performance ( β = 0.403, t = 3.132, p = 0.002), and corporate governance performance ( β = 0.455, t = 3.670, p = 0.000) of the firms. Furthermore, waste recovery improved the performance of waste management companies in terms of performance, specifically economic performance ( β = 0.333, t = 3.183, p = 0.001), environmental performance ( β = 0.583, t = 4.641, p = 0.000), social performance ( β = 0.402, t = 3.157, p = 0.000), and corporate governance performance ( β = 0.250, t = 2. 024, p = 0.048) indices.
Discussion
Finally, circular economy practices have a substantial impact on firms’ financial stability and investment readiness. It was concluded that waste management companies that excel in undertaking circular economy activities such as remanufacturing, trash recycling, and refurbishing are more likely to draw clients who want green activities in addition to their current needs. Additionally, these actions increase efficiency, which lowers operational expenses and improves governance-related concerns, including management training on these procedures and implementation of policies in compliance with the law.
... Specifically, for each set of images generated from a particular version of SD using a specific prompt style, we selected a subset that enabled us to assess BLIP's effectiveness with a 95% confidence level and a 10% margin of error. We use Cochran's Formula with Finite Population Correction to compute the subsample size [22]: ...
Generative models are nowadays widely used to generate graphical content used for multiple purposes, e.g. web, art, advertisement. However, it has been shown that the images generated by these models could reinforce societal biases already existing in specific contexts. In this paper, we focus on understanding if this is the case when one generates images related to various software engineering tasks. In fact, the Software Engineering (SE) community is not immune from gender and ethnicity disparities, which could be amplified by the use of these models. Hence, if used without consciousness, artificially generated images could reinforce these biases in the SE domain. Specifically, we perform an extensive empirical evaluation of the gender and ethnicity bias exposed by three versions of the Stable Diffusion (SD) model (a very popular open-source text-to-image model) - SD 2, SD XL, and SD 3 - towards SE tasks. We obtain 6,720 images by feeding each model with two sets of prompts describing different software-related tasks: one set includes the Software Engineer keyword, and one set does not include any specification of the person performing the task. Next, we evaluate the gender and ethnicity disparities in the generated images. Results show how all models are significantly biased towards male figures when representing software engineers. On the contrary, while SD 2 and SD XL are strongly biased towards White figures, SD 3 is slightly more biased towards Asian figures. Nevertheless, all models significantly under-represent Black and Arab figures, regardless of the prompt style used. The results of our analysis highlight severe concerns about adopting those models to generate content for SE tasks and open the field for future research on bias mitigation in this context.
... Data was collected through face-to-face and online surveys using random sampling. The procedures outlined in Kotrlik and Higgins (2001) were followed to ensure the representativeness of the collected questionnaires for the population. As a result, it was determined that the 578 questionnaires collected from employees were adequate for the scope of the research. ...
Keywords: Spiritual leadership, Organizational sacralization, Corporate reputation, White-collar employee Although corporate reputation studies are considered the most important intangible resource for organizations that have increased in the last 20 years, it is stated that they have not reached sufficient maturity in the context of internal stakeholders and especially within the scope of antecedents. Therefore, this study aims to quantitatively measure the mediating effect of organizational sacralization on the effect of spiritual leadership behaviors on employees' perceptions of corporate reputation based on the assumption that leadership behaviors are the leading actors of values and radical perceptual changes in organizations. A quantitative research method was used in the study. Research data were collected from 538 white-collar employees. The data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 and AMOS 26.0. According to the results of the analysis, spiritual leadership behaviors positively affect employees' perceptions of corporate reputation and organizational sacralization. In addition, organizational sacralization partially mediates the effect of spiritual leadership on the corporate reputation context of resource conservation theory. This research is the first study to determine that employees' corporate reputation can be increased through spiritual leadership and organizational sacralization in the context of resource conservation theory. In addition, the relationship between organizational sacralization and other concepts was tested for the first time in this study. ©CIKD Publishing
... Having the 20 groups (details in Table 2) as our sampling frame, the gross number of members of the 20 groups was 905,983 (accessed on 2022-07-15). Similar to de Mello et al. (2014), we used Bartlett et al.'s formula (Kotrlik and Higgins, 2001) to calculate our theoretical sample size. We aimed for a confidence level of 95%, a confidence interval of 8, and the percentage occurrence of a state or condition of 0.5 (recommended by Bartlett et al.), and hence, our theoretical sample size was 151. ...
The quality of the test suites and the constituent test cases significantly impacts confidence in software testing. While research has identified several quality attributes of test cases and test suites, there is a need for a better understanding of their relative importance in practice. We investigate practitioners’ perceptions regarding the relative importance of quality attributes of test cases and test suites and the challenges that they face in ensuring the perceived important quality attributes. To capture the practitioners’ perceptions, we conducted an industrial survey using a questionnaire based on the quality attributes identified in an extensive literature review. We used a sampling strategy that leverages LinkedIn to draw a large and heterogeneous sample of professionals with experience in software testing. We collected 354 responses from practitioners with a wide range of experience (from less than one year to 42 years of experience). We found that the majority of practitioners rated Fault Detection, Usability, Maintainability, Reliability, and Coverage to be the most important quality attributes. Resource Efficiency, Reusability, and Simplicity received the most divergent opinions, which, according to our analysis, depend on the software-testing contexts. Also, we identified common challenges that apply to the important attributes, namely inadequate definition, lack of useful metrics, lack of an established review process, and lack of external support. The findings point out where practitioners actually need further support with respect to achieving high-quality test cases and test suites under different software testing contexts. Hence, the findings can serve as a guideline for academic researchers when looking for research directions on the topic. Furthermore, the findings can be used to encourage companies to provide more support to practitioners to achieve high-quality test cases and test suites.
... The minimum sample size for validity and reliability studies is recommended to be between two and 20 people per item. 15 The BCS comprises 13 items; thus, the sample size was predicted to be between 26 and 260. Furthermore, it is proposed that a minimum of 21 participants were necessary to achieve an estimated intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value of ≥0.9. ...
OBJECTIVE
To examine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Breathlessness Catastrophizing Scale (BCS) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Seventy patients with COPD (55 male/15 female, mean age: 68.7±7.3 years, FEV1%: 45.4±19.5) were included in this methodological study. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s α, and intra-rater reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Correlations between the BCS and Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRCS), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Breathlessness Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ), and St. the George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores were assessed for convergent validity. Known-group comparisons were performed according to COPD stage and dyspnea severity using the independent sample t-test.
RESULTS
Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach’s α=0.941), and the ICC for reliability was 0.955. The BCS score was correlated with the mMRCS (r=0.745), CAT (r=0.652), HADS anxiety (r=0.556) and depression (r=0.588), the BBQ (r=-0.567), and SGRQ (r=0.550-0.634) scores (P < 0.05). The BCS score was higher in patients with advanced COPD (P = 0.003) and those with severe dyspnea (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The Turkish version of the BCS is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating catastrophic dyspnea in patients with COPD.
... They are the level of precision, confidence or risk, and the degree of variability in the measured attributes. Further, according to Adam (2020) and Bartlett et al. (2001), the Cochran (1977) sample size formula is best suited for discreet variable-based survey research under circumstances of unknown population size and degree of sample variability, as applicable to this study. Consequently, the Cochran (1977) sample size formula is adopted to fulfil the Miaoulis and Michener (1976) criteria using a 95 per cent level of confidence, ±5 per cent acceptable degree of sampling error, with 85 per cent degree of sample variability. ...
Small-scale enterprises (SSEs) are a primary means of economic survival for many individuals in both rural and urban areas. However, their medium to long-term survival is often adversely affected by various factors, particularly those related to finance. This study investigates the impact of taxation on the survival of small-scale enterprises in Ilorin South using a survey research approach. 196 questionnaires were distributed within four commercial clusters of the target area with 179 (91.33%)retrieved. Descriptive statistics and ordered probit regression techniques were employed to analyse the data. The findings show that tax compliance frequency, the convenience of available tax payment channels, and the ease of covering running costs within the business environment were discovered to be crucial to the survival of SSEs.
Purpose-Socioeconomic and political situations in a country significantly impact employment conditions across all sectors, placing employee well-being at risk during challenging times. This study aims to investigate work-related stress, coping strategies and their impact on the well-being of construction professionals in Sri Lanka amidst the ongoing economic crisis. Design/methodology/approach-A questionnaire survey was conducted among professionals employed by builders in major cities in Sri Lanka to assess their contemporary work stressors, mental health status and coping methods. A total of 105 usable responses were collected and analysed using statistical techniques such as t-tests, ANOVA and Pearson correlation. Findings-The study reveals that construction professionals in Sri Lanka experience moderate levels of stress and anxiety, primarily driven by five key stressors: time pressure, long work hours, excessive workload, insufficient pay and work-life imbalance. Among the professionals, technical officers are the most affected, followed by quantity surveyors and project managers. Additionally, employees in larger organisations experience higher levels of stress. Despite severe work stressors and economic challenges, including high inflation, the mental well-being of professionals remains only moderately affected, attributed to their consistent use of positive coping strategies such as spirituality, planful action and positive reappraisal. Originality/value-The findings have significant practical implications. Construction organisations should adopt tailored strategies to address identified stressors, such as implementing flexible work schedules, optimising workloads and providing adequate pay scales. Policies promoting work-life balance and supporting family and personal time can help foster a healthier work environment. Furthermore, professional development programs focusing on positive coping strategies, such as psychological training and peer support, can mitigate stress. Occupational health and safety authorities should recognise work stress as a critical health issue and integrate its management into regulations, encouraging socially responsible practices.
The adoption of Islamic Mobile Banking (IMB) services remains a challenge in Pakistan, despite the increasing global growth of Islamic banking. Shariah compliance, security concerns, and trust issues significantly impact the acceptance of IMB services. This study integrates the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) with Islamic compliance to explore key factors influencing consumer adoption. Previous research suggests that regulatory confidence and performance expectancy play a pivotal role in technology acceptance (Venkatesh et al., 2012; Nasri, 2021; Hassan & Lewis, 2020). However, in the context of Islamic banking, additional variables such as financial security, awareness, and government regulations significantly shape user perceptions and adoption decisions (Mensah & Khan, 2024; Yusfiarto et al., 2024). A quantitative research methodology was employed, utilizing a structured survey to collect primary data from 400–500 respondents in Pakistan. The study applied Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and SPSS for data analysis, ensuring validity and reliability (Hair et al., 2019). The results indicate that Government Regulation (GR) (β = 3.51, p < 0.01) and Performance Expectancy (PE) (β = 1.74, p < 0.05) are the strongest predictors of IMB adoption. Interestingly, Awareness (AWN) showed a negative impact (-3.20, p < 0.01), suggesting that consumer skepticism toward Shariah compliance and security may hinder adoption (Khan et al., 2023; Zouari & Abdelhedi, 2021). The findings highlight the critical role of regulatory transparency, perceived usefulness, and trust-building measures in driving IMB adoption. The study suggests that mere awareness campaigns are insufficient; rather, efforts should focus on strengthening Shariah governance, financial literacy, and cybersecurity measures to enhance user confidence (Ali & Hassan, 2022; Windasari et al., 2022). Future research should explore trust, risk perception, and ethical banking concerns as moderating factors influencing IMB adoption. Policymakers and financial institutions must adopt a holistic approach, ensuring that Islamic banking services align with consumer expectations while maintaining regulatory compliance. Expectancy (PE) (β = 1.74, p < 0.05) are the strongest predictors of IMB adoption. Interestingly, Awareness (AWN) showed a negative impact (-3.20, p < 0.01), suggesting that consumer skepticism toward Shariah compliance and security may hinder adoption (Khan et al., 2023; Zouari & Abdelhedi, 2021). The findings highlight the critical role of regulatory transparency, perceived usefulness, and trust-building measures in driving IMB adoption. The study suggests that mere awareness campaigns are insufficient; rather, efforts should focus on strengthening Shariah governance, financial literacy, and cybersecurity measures to enhance user confidence (Ali & Hassan, 2022; Windasari et al., 2022). Future research should explore trust, risk perception, and ethical banking concerns as moderating factors influencing IMB adoption. Policymakers and financial institutions must adopt a holistic approach, ensuring that Islamic banking services align with consumer expectations while maintaining regulatory compliance.
The National Guard in South Carolina has a rich culture of organised militiamen, with leadership playing a crucial role in shaping organisational culture. The study investigates the relationship between leadership styles (transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire) and organisational culture within the SCARNG, using the Competing Values Framework to identify dominant cultural dimensions. The study found a significant negative correlation between transformational and Clan culture, a positive correlation between transformational and Adhocracy culture, and a positive correlation between transactional and Adhocracy culture. Transformational leadership style predicted Clan, Market, and Hierarchy culture, while transactional leadership positively impacted market and hierarchy cultures. Laissez-faire leadership did not significantly affect any of the organisational cultures examined. The findings suggest that leadership styles play a crucial role in shaping organisational culture, with transformational and transactional leadership being more effective than laissez-faire leadership in fostering desired cultural outcomes.
The National Guard in South Carolina has a rich culture of organised militiamen, with leadership playing a crucial role in shaping organisational culture. The study investigates the relationship between leadership styles (transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire) and organisational culture within the SCARNG, using the Competing Values Framework to identify dominant cultural dimensions. The study found a significant negative correlation between transformational and Clan culture, a positive correlation between transformational and Adhocracy culture, and a positive correlation between transactional and Adhocracy culture. Transformational leadership style predicted Clan, Market, and Hierarchy culture, while transactional leadership positively impacted market and hierarchy cultures. Laissez-faire leadership did not significantly affect any of the organisational cultures examined. The findings suggest that leadership styles play a crucial role in shaping organisational culture, with transformational and transactional leadership being more effective than laissez-faire leadership in fostering desired cultural outcomes.
Article History Background: The Information Technology (IT) sector serves as a cornerstone of India's economic landscape, emphasizing the pivotal role of savings and investments in fostering sustainable growth. Purpose: This study seeks to delve into the intricacies of saving and investment behaviours exhibited by IT professionals, aiming to provide valuable insights for financial planning and decision-making. Data and Methodology: Through a meticulously designed structured survey, this research rigorously examines the investment behaviour of IT professionals, employing robust statistical tools and techniques for comprehensive analysis. Statistical Tools and Techniques Used: Leveraging advanced statistical methodologies, including regression analysis and correlation studies, enables a thorough exploration of the factors influencing investment decisions among IT professionals. Results: The study uncovers significant findings regarding the drivers of investment activities among young IT professionals, shedding light on their diverse investment objectives and risk tolerance levels. Suggestions: In light of the results, actionable recommendations are proposed to bolster financial literacy initiatives and empower IT professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary for prudent investment practices, thereby fostering economic resilience and prosperity.
This article assesses the children’s influence on family purchase decision during the purchase of goods and services that explains major influence in purchasing decisions within the family. The main purpose of the study is to understand the relationship between factors of children’s influence on family purchase decisions. The social learning theory is used to link the factors that determine the influence of children and, after reviewing various relevant studies, the conceptual framework is developed. The study has used descriptive, explanatory design and quantitative in nature. The sources of data collection are the primary sources. Structured questionnaires are used to know the opinions of parents on their children’s influence on family purchase decisions. For the purposes of this survey, total 140 respondents (parents) are sampled by using convenience sampling method. The data collected from the questionnaire has been analyzed and interpreted with the help of SPSS 20 version to analysis the children’s influence on family purchase decision. The regression and correlation method has been employed to show the impact and correlation between the dependent and independent variables. The analysis revealed that children have significant influence on family purchase decisions, particularly in categories like durable, vacations, movies, eating. Moreover, types of products and peer influence are playing important role on family purchase decision. The findings reveal to a better understanding of the complex family buying behavior, offer valuable and insightful information for marketers to target family-oriented consumers.
This study investigates the perceived costs and benefits of various climate change adaptation practices used by smallholder farmers for agricultural production in the Ahafo Ano South District, Ghana. The research addresses three key questions: (i) What are the different climate change adaptation practices used by smallholder farmers in selected communities (Afreseni, Bonkwaso, Dotiem, and Mpasaso) in the study district?; (ii) What are the perceived costs and benefits of the prioritized climate change adaptation practices used by the smallholder farmers?; and (iii) What are the barriers militating against smallholder farmers’ adoption of the prioritized climate change adaptation practices? The Relative Importance Index was used to rank the climate change adaptation practices used by smallholder farmers. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages were used to quantify the perceived costs and benefits of the prioritized climate change adaptation practices used by the smallholder farmers. The Weighted Average Index was also employed to rank the barriers militating against smallholder farmers’ adoption of prioritized climate change adaptation practices in the study district. The study reveals that crop diversification, changing planting dates, and cover cropping are the most commonly adopted adaptation practices across the communities. The results indicate that 46% of respondents reported initial implementation costs exceeding GHS 1000 (> 64.40 USD), while 60% noted ongoing maintenance costs above this threshold. Despite these costs, 54% of respondents perceived that the benefits, including moderate reductions in crop losses, improved water use efficiency, and enhanced soil quality, outweigh the costs involved. Results also showed that financial constraints, limited access to technology, and lack of awareness were identified as the primary barriers to adoption. The findings underscore the need for targeted financial support, improved access to technology, and comprehensive awareness and training programs to enhance the adoption of climate change adaptation practices. Addressing these barriers can significantly improve the resilience and productivity of smallholder farmers in the Ahafo Ano South District.
Introduction
As anatomical variations relate to the urinary system, knowledge on them is valuable, especially in the proper evaluation and conduction of surgical as well as interventional procedures of the urinary tract. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and possible association between anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract and renal vasculature.
Materials and Methods
A total of 200 computed tomograms were generated with Toshiba Aquilion Prime 160-slice scanner and analysed for the presence of potential anatomical variations using a Vitrea multi-modality work station capable of image post-processing by two expert radiologists.
Results
Anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract were commoner on the right with a prevalence of 33.5% and 29.0% on the right and left, respectively, while for the renal vasculature, the variations are commoner on the left at 27.0% and 28.5%, respectively. The most common anatomical variation of the upper urinary tract found on the right was extra-renal bifid pelvis at 25 (12.5%), while on the left, it was baggy extra-renal pelvis at 27 (13.5%). Early branching hilar renal artery and accessory superior polar renal artery, both at 19 (9.5%), were the most common renal vasculature variations on the right and left, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract and renal vasculature with a P < 0.001.
Conclusion
This study proposed that anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract are commoner on the right side, while for the renal vasculature, they are commoner on the left. There was a statistically significant association between the anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract and that of the renal vasculature, indicating an increasing likelihood of one occurring if the other is present.
Aim
Several wordings of the definition of severe hypoglycaemia (SH) exist. This study aims to evaluate how different SH definition wordings affect SH history assessment.
Methods
In this cross‐sectional study, surveys were emailed to registrants of the T1D Exchange, a U.S. national type 1 diabetes patient registry. Participants' demographic information was collected. Six‐month SH history was evaluated with questionnaires including SH definition wordings from either (1) professional societies, (2) a diabetes community website, or (3) a hypoglycaemia research questionnaire. Analyses included the McNemar test, pairwise Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, logistic regression analysis, Kappa statistics, and Spearman correlation.
Results
A total of 1580 valid responses were obtained from participants (52% female; mean ± SD age: 46 ± 15 years; 95% White; mean ± SD diabetes duration: 25 ± 16 years). Questionnaires with four different SH definition wordings yielded significant variations in the prevalence of SH (i.e., having developed at least one episode of SH) and the number of SH episodes: the ADA/ENDO 2013 definition wording yielded the highest results on both metrics, whereas HypoA‐Q and ADA 2023 yielded the lowest. Among participants reporting at least one SH episode, the number of episodes identified with the different SH definition wordings was poorly correlated (R s : 0.09–0.37; p < 0.001). Race, education level, and household income were associated with higher odds of discrepancies in SH history ( p < 0.05).
Conclusion
This U.S. national survey with individuals living with type 1 diabetes demonstrated significant discrepancies in SH history when assessed with different SH definition wordings. Race and socioeconomic status were associated with these discrepancies.
The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method is widely adopted in studies estimating net profit generation among farmers, despite its strong tendency to produce misleading estimates, particularly when one or more fundamental assumptions are violated. This study examined the determinants of farm income among smallholder cassava farmers in Osun State, Nigeria correcting for various assumptions violations of the classical regression model. Aside from the usual OLS estimator, we employed robust estimators such as Maximum Likelihood-type estimator (M-estimator), Monotone M-estimator (MM-estimator), and Scale estimator (S-estimator) to account for outliers. One hundred and one smallholder farmers in Osun state were randomly selected for the study. Analyses revealed that the major socioeconomic factors affecting farming household profit were access to credit, farm size, years spent in farmers’ associations, years of experience, and distance to the nearest market, which are the major determinants of net farm profit among the cassava-based farming households in the study area. On average, the return on investment (ROI) among cassava-based farming households was found to be ₦1.32 per naira invested. The research findings indicated that cassava cultivation is a profitable venture within the investigated area and recommended robust methodology for effectiveness and accurate information in future analysis.
An empirical study of statistical overkill investigated the generalizability of multiple regression equations as a function of the subject/variable ratio. Data from small, medium, and large samples of clients selected from one state's 1968 rehabilitation program were used to develop the equations. Data from three large samples of rehabilitation clients in an adjacent state's program were used to evaluate the generalizability of the original equations. Twelve client background variables were used to predict a criterion of client's salary. Findings showed that equations developed on samples with less than a 10 to 1 ratio failed to generalize. Inferences of the effects of a low subject/variable ratio on results of other statistical procedures were made. In addition, comparable predictive efficiency was found between the use of powerful and simplified methods.