Influence of Principal-initiated Goal Setting Strategies on Students’ Academic Achievement in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya: A Study across Secondary Schools, Mbita Sub County

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Goal setting is one of the most important principal initiated strategies that facilitate students’ academic achievement in schools. This is because it energizes the students’ participation in academic programs and as a result enhances their academic achievement. World over, research has shown that motivation of the students enhance their academic achievement. In Mbita Sub-County, despite the existence of motivation strategies put in place by principals, the Sub-County was still performing poorly as was revealed by the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results of 2018, 2019 and 2020. The Sub-County was ranked last in KCSE Examinations compared to the five other neighbouring sub- counties in Homa Bay County. Mbita Sub-County was ranked position five with an average mean score of 4.886 compared to Rangwe which was position one with a mean score of 5.354, Rachuonyo South was second with a mean score of 5.022, Rachuonyo East was third with a mean score of 4.988 while Homa Bay town was fourth with a mean score of 4.958. The objective of this study was to establish the influence of Principal-initiated Goal Setting on students’ academic achievement in public secondary schools. The study established that Principal-initiated goal setting strategy significantly influenced students’ academic achievement in public secondary schools by promoting independent learning among students. The findings are beneficial to policy makers and education administrators in formulating policies that can be used to improve students’ achievement in KCSE as well as improve practices in the initiation of motivational strategies in schools.

The Teaching Process Applying the Flipped Classroom Model in Teaching Science Subjects Oriented Towards Developing Self-Learning Capacity for Primary School Students

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The integration of the flipped classroom model into education has led to significant changes in both teaching and learning activities in various ways. Studies have shown that the most frequently reported advantage of the flipped classroom is the improvement of student learning performance, resulting in numerous positive educational outcomes. Recognizing the benefits that the flipped classroom model brings to education, this paper presents a teaching process that applies the flipped classroom model in Science education, aimed at developing self-learning abilities for elementary school students. This model alters the traditional teaching sequence by shifting the knowledge acquisition phase to self-study at home, while classroom sessions focus on practical activities and interaction. The research developed a specific 5-step process to effectively implement the flipped classroom model in the topic “Human and Health” within the Grade 4 Science curriculum. The results indicate that applying this model not only helps students acquire knowledge effectively but also fosters self-learning capacity, self-management skills, and a sense of responsibility in learning.

The Process of Teaching STEM Application Oriented Towards Developing the Competence of Applying Learned Knowledge and Skills in Science for Primary School Students

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STEM education encompasses four main areas: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, which are important elements in the learning process of all students, especially in science and mathematics. An effective STEM education will help students better understand how things work and enhance their ability to use technology. The article presents the research results on a teaching method for the Science subject at the primary school level based on STEM education. The research focuses on designing a process for the topic “Energy” in Science. The process includes five main steps: defining objectives, establishing foundational knowledge, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This method not only helps students understand the knowledge but also encourages application through products such as a “mini movie theater.” The research demonstrates that this method is feasible, develops scientific competencies, and connects school knowledge with real life.

Impact of Rearing Environment on Chemical Characteristics of Catfish, Khartoum State, Sudan

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This study was conducted in Khartoum State; the aim of this study was to evaluate Chemical composition of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) reared in different environments in Khartoum State. A total of 60 samples of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were collected from Nile river and earthen ponds fish farms around Khartoum State and the samples were subjected to chemical composition analysis (Dry matter (DM%), Crude protein (CP%), Either Extract (EE%) and Crude fiber (CF%) moisture% Nitrogen Free Extract ( N.F.E%) Ph as well as ash %). The data was subjected to statistical analysis (SPSS) by using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings of this study revealed that, Catfish (C. Gariepinus) from Nile environment has Higher in nutritive values than catfish from earthen pond environments and there was highly significant difference (P≤0.01) except the pH. Accordingly, the study concluded that the fish from Nile River water has a high in nutritive values than earthen pond fish.

Engagement Analytics and Employee Retention: Challenges and Opportunities

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Employee retention is one of the major challenges for organizations, especially in IT sector, where high turnover rates can impact performance and increase costs. This study explores the role of engagement analytics in mediating the relationship between overtime, Job Satisfaction, and employee attrition. Utilizing secondary data from Kaggle and with the help of python’s libraries like Numpy, Pandas, Seaborn, Scipy stats, matplotlib and Networkx for analysis and visualizations, the study conducts correlation analysis to determine whether Job Satisfaction affects employee engagement to find that Job satisfaction is positively associated with engagement levels and mediation analysis among Overtime and employee attrition keeping engagement as a mediating variable to find that engagement has a minimal mediating effect on attrition whereas overtime highly positively affect attrition. The study leaves scope for further research governing unexplored factors affecting engagement and retention through primary data. The study also informs about the opportunities and challenges of integrating engagement analytics in driving employee retention.

The Influence of Consumer Persuasion Knowledge in the Context of Online Targeted Advertising (OTA) on Ad Intrusiveness and Privacy Concerns: The Emergence of Ad Avoidance Behavior

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With the increasing use of Online Targeted Advertising (OTA) on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, the phenomenon of ad avoidance has emerged due to privacy concerns and perceived ad intrusiveness. This study aims to analyze how consumer persuasion knowledge influences perceived ad intrusiveness, privacy concerns, and ad avoidance behavior, as well as the role of coping self-efficacy as a moderator. This research employs a quantitative approach using an online survey involving 500 Facebook and Instagram users. Data were collected through a Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the relationships between variables. The findings indicate that OTA persuasion knowledge significantly influences ad intrusiveness and privacy concerns, ultimately increasing ad avoidance behavior. Furthermore, coping self-efficacy acts as a moderating variable that weakens the relationship between persuasion knowledge and both ad intrusiveness and privacy concerns. The study concludes that consumer awareness of online advertising strategies can heighten discomfort and ad avoidance, particularly when privacy concerns arise. Therefore, marketers need to develop more transparent and non-intrusive advertising strategies to enhance the effectiveness of online advertisements.

Sustainable Briquette Production from Hazelnut Shell Waste: The Significance of Particle Size in Quality Enhancement

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Interest in biomass briquettes as a fossil fuel substitute has increased due to the growing need for sustainable energy sources. The impact of hazelnut shell charcoal particle size on briquette quality is examined in this study, with particular attention paid to important variables such bulk density, compressive strength, moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, and fixed carbon content. Three different particle size treatments (20 mesh, 40 mesh, and 60 mesh) were analyzed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five replications. The results indicated that finer particle sizes (60 mesh) significantly improved briquette quality, exhibiting higher bulk density (0.975 g/cm³), compressive strength (58.38 N/cm²), and fixed carbon content (68.25%), while reducing moisture content (7.13%), ash content (2.85%), and volatile matter (21.65%). These findings highlight the importance of optimizing particle size to enhance the physical and combustion properties of biomass briquettes. Briquette manufacture from hazelnut shell waste offers a viable sustainable bioenergy strategy that supports waste reduction and the growth of renewable energy sources.

The Correlation of Thumbprint Patterns with Blood Group and Gender Among Students at Saint James School of Medicine

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This study explores the relationship between thumbprint patterns, blood groups, and gender among students at Saint James School of Medicine. The primary aim is to examine whether specific thumbprint characteristics are associated with blood group types and whether these patterns differ between male and female students. A total of 60 participants (31 males and 29 females) were involved in this study. Thumbprint patterns were classified into loops, double loops, whorls, tentarchs, and arches using a standardized classification system. Blood groups were identified through serological testing. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were used to examine potential associations between thumbprint patterns, blood groups, and gender. Preliminary results suggest notable variations in thumbprint patterns across different blood groups, with some patterns being more common in specific groups. Additionally, gender differences were identified, indicating that male and female students display distinct thumbprint characteristics. These findings contribute to the understanding of biometric traits and their potential connections to genetic factors, such as blood group and gender. Further research is recommended to investigate the genetic and environmental factors influencing thumbprint patterns.

The Rise of AI Chatbots: Balancing Customer Satisfaction and Operational Efficiency

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AI chatbots have transformed the customer service landscape by providing instant responses, 24/7 availability, and cost-efficient solutions for businesses. Industries such as retail, banking, and healthcare are increasingly adopting AIdriven conversational agents to manage customer inquiries. While these tools enhance operational efficiency, they also spark concerns about their ability to deliver customer satisfaction comparable to human representatives. A critical question arises: How can businesses effectively balance automation with the need for personalized customer interactions?

This paper examines the advantages and limitations of AI chatbots, assessing their impact on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, and explores strategies for optimizing their use in customer service.

The Effect of Organizational Support and Work Stress on Employee Performance with Satisfaction as a Mediating Variable

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The hospitality industry in Bali has great potential in line with the growth of new tourist destinations and changes in global tourism trends. This study aims to examine the theoretical and practical implications related to organizational support and employee performance in 3-star hotels in Badung, Bali. Data collection was conducted by distributing questionnaires to 110 employees of 3-star hotels in Badung Regency, Bali. Data analysis used inferential analysis using SEM PLS. Based on the results of the study, it was found that organizational support had a positive and significant effect on employee job satisfaction and performance. Job stress had a significant negative effect on employee job satisfaction and performance. In addition, job satisfaction was able to partially mediate the relationship between organizational support and job stress on the resulting performance. The theoretical implications of this study contribute to equity theory and social exchange theory, which show that a reciprocal relationship between organizations and employees based on fair support will increase employee motivation and performance. Conversely, high job stress can decrease satisfaction and performance, due to an imbalance in the relationship.