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OUSL Journal
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This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Online) 2550-2816
Published by Sri Lanka Journals Online

[71 journals]

Perceived Research Publication Pressure on Academics: An Exploratory Study
at The Open University of Sri Lanka
- Abstract: Research is vital for development of any discipline. Academics in universities are also expected to engage in research in their discipline or other areas of interest and publish them in reputed journals. In most of the universities worldwide, the quantity of research publications has become the main criterion for recruitment, promotion, grants, and other incentives for academics. Many academics in Sri Lankan universities too experience pressure to publish and the pressure comes from different sources. Hence, the need to conduct research on publication experience of academics of The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) was felt necessary. The objectives of this research were to identify the level of publication pressure experienced by a sample of academics at OUSL and to find out the factors that influence their research performance. This study used a survey research design. The revised Publication Pressure Questionnaire (PPQr) by Haven, Bouter, Smulders & Tijdink (2019) with an additional open-ended question was used as the data collection instrument. The findings showed that the academics in the sample experience research publication pressure to a considerable extent. The findings of this exploratory study will be used to adapt the questionnaire to suit the Sri Lankan University context, especially the Open and Distance teaching context. Published on 2022-08-09 00:00:00
Flattening the Hate Speech Curve in the Digital Age: An Appraisal of
Regulatory Frameworks in Nigeria
- Abstract: The internet and its emerging technologies have expanded global communication landscape to the extent that citizens have unbridled access to social media, just as the mainstream media integrate them into their operations. Despite the productive and interactive potentials of social media, there has been a rise in the cases of hate expression as one of the pitfalls of the digital revolution. Nigeria has had her share of the menace of hate expressions among its citizens, prompting legal and regulatory measures to check the menace. This paper discusses the recent efforts of the Nigerian government in the areas of legislation and regulation in checking hate speech. It critically examines the extant Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015; the Independent National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speeches Bill introduced in the Nigerian Senate in November 2019; and the Reviewed Broadcasting Code as recent regulatory measures. It observes that while the Cybercrimes Act partly addresses hate speech in its provisions against racist and xenophobic contents on computer systems and networks, the proposed hate speech bill is a duplication which wrongly includes abusive and insulting words in its determination of hate speech. The Reviewed Broadcasting Code, which places a penalty of N5million on any erring broadcast station derives no legitimacy in extant laws. The paper recommends a holistic legislation derived from the Constitution, strengthening of the judicial system, socially responsible media practice and citizens’ ethical revolution to check hate speech. Published on 2022-08-09 00:00:00
Development of Mononuclear (Arene) Ruthenium Complexes as Anticancer
Agents: A Review
- Abstract: (Arene) ruthenium complexes have displayed promising activity against cancer and showed fewer side effects compared to platinum-based drugs. Activity tuning of arene complexes have been explored by varying, amines, phosphines and other N^N, N^O, N^S, N^C, S^O chelating ligands. (Arene)Ru(II) complexes of the type [(η6-arene)Ru(X)(Y)(Z)], [(η6-arene)Ru(L)(X)(Y)], [(η6-arene)Ru(L^L)X]Y and [(η6-arene)Ru(L^X)(Y)], where arene = cymene (C), benzene (B), toluene (T), hexamethylbenzene (H); L = amine, phosphine; L^L = en, diamine, diphosphine, (X^Y) = oxalate, (L^X) = acylacetonate; and (X), (Y) = halides, triflates etc. exhibit a high structural variety, and offer much potential in drug design. In this review, an overview of the progress in the field of mononuclear ruthenium complexes containing arenes and other co-ligands such as, PTA (1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane), ethylenediamine (en), phosphines, thiosemicarbazone, acylthiourea and their bioactivity is presented. Published on 2022-08-09 00:00:00
An Assessment of ICT Competence among Academic Staff in Kwara State
Colleges of Education, Nigeria: Implications for Management
- Abstract: Globally, information and communication technology (ICT) is seen as an indispensable part of the contemporary world. In fact, culture and society have to be adjusted to meet the challenges of the information age. ICT is a force that has changed many aspects of education system. It is on this premise that this study examined the ICT competence among academic staff of colleges of education in Kwara State, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted in this study. The population consists of all academic staff in government owned colleges of education in Kwara State. An instrument titled ICT Competence among Academic Staff of College of Education Questionnaire (ICASCOEDQ) was used to collect data from a sample size of 152 academic staff using simple random sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentages). From the results, it was revealed that academic staff are competent in word processing, Microsoft power point, e-payment and mobile phone browsing; electronic mail (e- mail) and social networking. It was also evident that inadequate funding, internet connectivity/low internet bandwidth, inadequacy of ICT facilities at workplace and low ICT literacy by staff are the biggest challenges to the ICT competence among academic staff. It was also revealed that better interactivity and connectivity, ability to type, process and store work for later use, facilities for easy information retrieval and timely and quicker information processing are some of benefits gained by the effective usage of ICT by academic staff. It was recommended that the government and school management should encourage academic staff to participate in ICT training programs. Acquisition of ICT skills from such training programs would help to improve their level of ICT competence and this would lead to high productivity. Published on 2022-08-09 00:00:00
The Impact of Shading on Growth and Yield of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea
L.) in the Low Country Dry Zone, Ampara, Sri Lanka
- Abstract: Shade level is a predominant factor which greatly influences the high growth, quality and yield of an exotic vegetables which are mainly grow in low and mid country dry zone areas. Accordingly, a field trial was conducted to investigate the impact of shading on growth and yield of cabbage var. “Green Coronet” in Ampara district of Sri Lanka during the period of July to November 2020. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replicates. Level of shades were defined as treatments namely: T1: Open field condition (40%) and T2: 70% shade levels. Growth Measurements such as plant height, number of leaves and diameter of rosette were taken at six and eight weeks after transplanting and Analysis of Variance was performed to determine the significant difference among treatments (p< 0.05). Further, the head weight and yield was recorded at the harvesting stage and the results revealed that the cabbage plants grown at 70% shade level showed significantly (p
“Like Mother, Like Daughter'” Perspectives on Mother to Daughter
Succession in Diasporic Culinary Fiction by Women
- Abstract: This work is based on the role migrant women have played in history as preservers of culture especially through the culinary domain. Then shifted the focus to fictional representations of migrant women. Popular culinary fictions by migrant women writers typically highlight the cooking mother ‘from home’ as a symbol for continuing traditions and for nostalgic reminiscences of nurturing. This study attempts to look beyond this familiar paradigm and to explore the significance of these mother figures in new and insightful ways which draw attention to their cooking as a powerful motif as well as their ability to influence the way in which their daughters navigate their diasporic existence. This work analyzes mother-daughter bonds represented in the fictions of two writers, namely Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni and Amulya Malladi and then studird how the ’traits of these fictional mothers are ’carried forward‘ by their daughters highlighting the way in which the mothers’ skills often undergo a process of transformation in their daughters’ hands. This type of lineage or succession which resonates with the idea of a matrilineal traditions expounded by feminist theorists can be further complicated by the associations with queer diasporas and global capitalism. Published on 2022-08-09 00:00:00
Architecture for Engaged Pedagogy: How Classroom Design Affects the
Teaching and Learning of English Literature
- Abstract: English Literature as a subject challenge the traditional notion of accuracy and demands negotiation between teachers and learners. It is a discipline that requires discussion, innovation and enquiry. Therefore, teaching and learning English Literature requires an environment that facilitates and accommodates engaging pedagogies as opposed to classrooms which exercise authority. Studies have shown that engaging pedagogies are enhanced within classrooms that are designed to encourage modern pedagogic practices. However, an often-overlooked area of Sri Lankan schools is the effect classroom design has on learning and teaching. This in particular affects English Literature due to its engaging pedagogic practices. This study aims to evaluate and understand classroom designs that help maintain engaging pedagogies for English Literature and the effect classroom design has on student learning. Data for the present study were collected through a lesson observation as well as semi-structured interviews of learners and a teacher of Advanced Level English Literature. Additionally, the school library was observed and discussed to understand the effects of learning environments on student learning. Through deductive data analysis, this study analyses features that contribute to the culture of learning required for Advanced Level English Literature. The implications of this study highlight that classroom design and culture promote learner thinking and collaboration. These factors enhance the learning experience of English Literature as they instill democratic values among learners and encourage learner participation. Published on 2022-08-09 00:00:00
Editorial
- Abstract: No abstract available Published on 2022-08-09 00:00:00
Information Printed on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Labels: A Comparative
Analysis of Australian and Sri Lankan Legal Framework
- Abstract: Sugar is one of the main ingredients in sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs): a major contributor to added sugar intake in the diet. Excess consumption of added sugars can adversely affect human health mainly by contributing to non-communicable diseases. Information related to sugar content is usually declared on an SSB product in the section titled ingredients, nutrition information panel, non-addition claim and in front-of-pack labelling (FOPL). Various countries have implemented laws to disclose sugar-related information in SSBs. The aim of this research is to assess sugar labelling requirements for SSBs in Sri Lanka against international Codex standards and sugar labelling requirements in Australia. A doctrinal review was conducted based on legal related literatures. Both Sri Lankan and Australian legislations as well as Codex standards have provisions on ingredients and claims. FOPL is compulsory for Sri Lankan law for selected sugar sweetened beverages. FOPL is neither recommended by Codex currently nor made compulsory by Australian law; however, Australia does have a voluntary code in that regard. NIP, a compulsory requirement in codex standards is mandatory in Australian food label; whereas, it is not mandatory in Sri Lanka. Introducing legal provisions on nutrition information panel would not only align Sri Lankan law with international standards and jurisdictions but also contribute to the control of non-communicable diseases. Highlighting the sugar content raw in the NIP of SSB with ‘high sugar’ in red colour would further improve the expected outcome. Furthermore, more legal clarity will be achieved in Sri Lanka by adding definitions to terms ‘ingredient’ and ‘non-addition claim’. Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00
Challenges for Bilingual education at the junior secondary level of
education in Sri Lanka: Student and teacher perspectives
- Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative case study is to understand the challenges for implementing Bilingual Education (BE) at the junior secondary level of education in Sri Lanka from the perspective of students and teachers. Six bilingual teachers and 30 students from Grades 6 and 8 of a selected school participated in the study. Focus Group Interviews (FGI) with the students and semi-structured interviews with the teachers were used to generate data. It has emerged in the analysis that both teachers and students face many challenges and issues in teaching, learning and assessments in their classrooms mainly due to lack of adequate and appropriate physical and human resources and the lack of necessary support from school and other educational authorities. Teachers with limited experience and training in BE had to face many difficulties in teaching and assessment of students due to the lack of sufficientL2 proficiency among their learners. Students, in turn, face challenges in learning and assessments due to the lack of necessary basic skills in L2 and support from their teachers, peers and home environments as well as self-learning skills. In conclusion, the authors argue that since BE is beneficial to both individuals and society, it needs to be expanded and further developed to enhance equity, inclusivity, and quality of education and capacity for lifelong learning among learners. Moreover, for successful implementation of BE, teachers and students should be adequately supported through a 'try level engagement' approach to education reforms. Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00