Anjum Mishu, Hanan Abdullah Mohammed, Sabreen Ahmed A. Hakami and Gaus Chowdhury
This study aims to focus on how online presentations have a positive effect on the anxiety of the students, especially students who are introverted by nature and always suffer…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on how online presentations have a positive effect on the anxiety of the students, especially students who are introverted by nature and always suffer from anxiety and stress while performing face-to-face presentations in the classrooms, which negatively affect students’ performance and, thereby grade.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a quantitative research design to obtain a broader perspective. An online questionnaire, developed using Google Forms, was accessed by 239 female undergraduate students from Level 1 to 8 of the English Department at the College of Languages and Translation in King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of 15 closed Likert-type questions. The Arabic translation of the questions was included in the questionnaire to make the participants more comfortable answering the questions as all the participants' L1 is Arabic.
Findings
With the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020, COVID-19 became a global health issue and significantly impacted education worldwide. With this, a digital transformation took place, resulting in a total e-learning distance education system. This type of technology enhanced distance learning approach had to be adopted as social and physical contacts were limited globally to mitigate the transmissions of the virus. Accordingly, all lectures, learning activities, tests and other forms of evaluation were conducted via distance e-learning. When oral presentations were conducted online, a new reality emerged in this changed situation. This study sought to prove that online oral presentations positively reduce introvert EFL learners' anxiety and stress.
Research limitations/implications
The study was conducted using a small number of samples; thus, to gain substantial insight, future research could be conducted with a greater number of samples from diverse demographic backgrounds. Teachers' perceptions of online oral presentations could also be considered in future studies since education consolidates between learners and teachers. In addition, as this research explored English language major students only, further comparative studies can be conducted including students from other disciplines, which may lead to new insights and issues related to online presentations. This study used a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. It is recommended to use qualitative tools such as interviews, focus group meetings, journals and student diaries in future studies so that more information about in-person presentation anxiety can be discovered.
Originality/value
Participants' opinions, procured through the questionnaire of this study, can bring new insights for educators and policymakers to incorporate online presentations as one of the mainstream assessment methods for tertiary-level courses.
Details
Keywords
The present paper aims at defining and analyzing the techniques, strategies, and challenges in translating the euphemism of two English interpretations of the Holy Quran. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The present paper aims at defining and analyzing the techniques, strategies, and challenges in translating the euphemism of two English interpretations of the Holy Quran. The first is the translation of Abdullah Yusuf Ali (14 April 1872–10 December 1953), whereas the second is the translation of Arthur John Arberry (12 May 1905–2 October 1969).
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a qualitative approach that is introduced through a theoretical framework thatdiscusses and elaborates on the term “euphemism”. After that, the study uses analytical approaches in order to define and analyze the techniques and strategies in translating the euphemism of two English interpretations of the Holy Quran.
Findings
The results elaborate on the techniques used by the two translators to translate the euphemisms of two English interpretations of the Holy Quran.
Originality/value
The reason for selecting these two translations is to find the different techniques and approaches of both Eastern and Western translators. The main analysis of the study is based on Newmark’s perceptions about the techniques and strategies of translation.
Details
Keywords
Ramzi M. Hakami, Mohamed S. Mahfouz, Abdulrahman M. Adawi, Adeebah J. Mahha, Alaa J. Athathi, Hadi H. Daghreeri, Hatim H. Najmi and Nuha A. Areeshi
Although social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common mental disorder, it is often under diagnosed and under treated. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence, severity…
Abstract
Although social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common mental disorder, it is often under diagnosed and under treated. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence, severity, disability, and quality of life towards SAD among students of Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a stratified sample of 500 undergraduate students to identify the prevalence of SAD, its correlates, related disability, and its impact on the quality life. All participants completed the Social Phobia Inventory, Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Sheehan Disability Scale, and the WHO Quality of Life – BREF questionnaire. Of 476 students, 25.8% were screened positive for SAD. About 47.2% of the students had mild symptoms, 42.3% had moderate to marked symptoms, and 10.5% had severe to very severe symptoms of SAD. Students who resulted positive for SAD reported significant disabilities in work, social, and family areas, and this has adversely affected their quality of life as compared to those who screened negative for SAD. Students reported several clinical manifestations that affected their functioning and social life. Acting, performing or giving a talk in front of an audience was the most commonly feared situation. Blushing in front of people was the most commonly avoided situation. Since the present study showed a marked prevalence of SAD among students, increased disability, and impaired quality of life, rigorous efforts are needed for early recognition and treatment of SAD.
Details
Keywords
Maryam Yousefi Nejad, Ahmed Sarwar Khan and Jaizah Othman
Financial statement fraud has become a global concern, and auditors are increasingly focused on identifying and investigating it. Auditors may play a crucial role in investigating…
Abstract
Purpose
Financial statement fraud has become a global concern, and auditors are increasingly focused on identifying and investigating it. Auditors may play a crucial role in investigating and reducing financial statement fraud, and this is particularly important in developing countries where fraudulent practices are more prevalent due to the lack of strict regulations and oversight. This study investigates whether enhanced audit quality has an impact on reducing financial statement fraud. The primary aim is to recognize whether a higher level of audit quality relates with a decrease in fraudulent activities in Indonesia, which is one such country that has not yet adopted IFRS.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates the effect of audit quality, as measured by audit tenure, audit fee, and audit size, on the dependent variable of financial statement fraud, as indicated by Dechow F-value. The sample for this study comprises 951 observations from 2015 to 2020, and the research design utilizes a panel data approach. To test the main hypothesis, OLS, and GMM estimation techniques are employed.
Findings
The analyses reveal a negative relationship between audit tenure and financial statement fraud. This suggests that shorter audit tenure may be associated with an increased risk of financial statement fraud. This heightened risk could stem from auditors having limited time to thoroughly understand the company's operations and internal controls, potentially making it more challenging to detect and prevent fraudulent activities perpetrated by the client. Conversely, a positive relationship is identified between audit fees and financial statement fraud, suggesting that companies paying higher fees may be engaging auditors less adept at detecting fraudulent activities. Furthermore, a negative relationship is observed between Big-5 and financial statement fraud, which may be due to the greater resources, expertise, quality control, scrutiny, reputation, and ethical conduct of Big-5 audit companies.
Research limitations/implications
This study only focused on listed companies in Indonesia, therefore, caution should be exercised when generalizing the findings to other developing and Muslim countries such as Malaysia. The findings may differ due to the adoption of IFRS in Malaysia. As such, it is important for future studies to include Malaysia as a sample and compare the results with those of Indonesia. This comparison would demonstrate the impact of IFRS adoption on the relationship between audit quality and financial statement fraud and provide insights for policy makers in Indonesia.
Practical implications
The findings of this study have important implications for developing countries that have been shown to be more susceptible to fraud than developed countries. This study contributes to the existing research on the role of audit quality in reducing financial statement fraud and emphasizes the need for auditors and accountants to take a proactive approach in detecting and investigating financial fraud.
Originality/value
This study is a new study because it investigates the relationship between audit quality and financial statement fraud in Indonesia, a developing Muslim country that has not yet adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The study provides valuable evidence on the unique factors that influence fraud in Indonesia and fills a gap in the literature as previous studies on this topic have largely focused on developed countries. Additionally, the study recommends that policymakers in Indonesia consider implementing IFRS to improve the reliability of financial reporting and strengthen the effectiveness of the auditing process, thus reducing the incidence of fraud.
Details
Keywords
Laila Al-Omairi, Hosam Al-Samarraie, Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani and Nasser Alalwan
In any developing country, the critical benefits for ensuring proper utilization of e-government learning services have basically emerged from the integration of underlying…
Abstract
Purpose
In any developing country, the critical benefits for ensuring proper utilization of e-government learning services have basically emerged from the integration of underlying processes – not only across different levels of government but also across different functions and agencies. The literature showed a notable lack of research to underline the limited use of e-government learning services in a university setting. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine students' intention to adopt e-government learning services in a developing country. Precisely, the existent to which reputation, social influence, information quality and system quality of e-government learning services would influence students' trust, perceived usefulness and perceived learning values was investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
The effect from these variables on students' intention to use e-government learning services was also investigated. A total of 406 questionnaires were collected and analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) modeling.
Findings
The results showed varying relationships between the study's variables. It is anticipated that understanding these relationships can predict future learning trends of e-government learning services use among university students, thus helping decision makers plan ahead, prioritize tasks and make better decisions.
Originality/value
Knowledge about students' intention to use e-government learning services is even useful for the implementation of other services by higher education institutions. This study also offers some implications for practitioners and researchers concerned about the application of e-government in students' learning development.
Details
Keywords
Ahmed Shuhaiber, Khaled Saleh Al-Omoush and Ayman Abdalmajeed Alsmadi
This study aims to empirically examine the impact of perceived risks, optimism and financial literacy on trust and the perceived value of cryptocurrencies. It will also examine…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to empirically examine the impact of perceived risks, optimism and financial literacy on trust and the perceived value of cryptocurrencies. It will also examine the impact of trust on the perceived value of cryptocurrencies.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative approach is followed. A questionnaire was designed to collect data from 308 respondents in Jordan. The Structural Equation Modeling – Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) method was used to evaluate the research model and test hypotheses.
Findings
The results of PLS algorithm analysis showed that perceived risks negatively impact the optimism and trust in cryptocurrencies. This study revealed that while financial literacy minimizes the perceived risks, it serves to enhance optimism and improve the perception of the value of cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, the findings of this study show that optimism plays a significant role in trust and perceived value.
Originality/value
This study provides new insights into the literature on cryptocurrencies adoption, blockchain theory, the theory of trust in financial systems, the role of the optimism factor and the perception of the value of cryptocurrencies. It also provides important practical implications for different stakeholders.