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Writing a research paper as a graduation requisite by university students is an important part of university education. It is not a simple task for most university students who face several problems during writing the graduation project. Several kinds of research have been conducted onrecognising the challenges and problems that face students in academic writing, but to the researcher's best knowledge, no study has been conducted on the problems faced in writing a graduate research paper by Jordanian undergraduate students of the English Language and Literature major. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the academic writing challenges and difficulties encountered in writing graduation papers by EFL undergraduate students in the Department of English at Alzaytoonah University of Jordan (ZUJ). The data for the study was collected through distributing a questionnaire of three parameters: attitude about writing a research paper, methodology challenges, and background knowledge about research. The questionnaire is based on identifying the causes of the students' challenges in writing their graduation papers. The respondents were 45 undergraduate students of the English Language and Literature. The findings revealed that the most important problems were lack of an academic prerequisite of teaching the techniques of how to write a research paper, lack of knowledge of research paper writing process, lack of resources, lack of the methodology, etc. Thus, for these reasons, the present study attempts to present suggestions and recommendations to overcome such hurdles faced by graduate students in writing their graduation research papers.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in the Arab World are still in their infancy. Many Arab countries are now starting to launch their MOOC platforms; however, there are only a few who have actually implemented such systems. This paper will explore online learning, in particular the rise of MOOCs around the world and their impact on the Arab World. The purpose of this paper is to give a true picture of the development of the first MOOC platforms in the Arab World. It will analyse in detail the concept, definitions, background, and types of MOOCs (xMOOCs and cMOOCs), as well as the main MOOCs platform in the Western and Arab worlds, and a timeline of the development of MOOCs. It will then observe the status of MOOCs in the developed world, opportunities in the Middle East, and the influence of Western MOOCs on the Arab world, from many perspectives, e.g. educational, religious, cultural and social.

Objectives: Medication errors are among the most common medical errors. They can result in mortality, morbidity and additional healthcare costs. Surveillance of medication errors is encouraged to identify gaps in the healthcare system and work on them. This study aimed to compare medication errors in outpatient prescriptions in two hospitals in Jordan: one with a paper‐based and one with an electronic prescription system. Methods: This was a cross‐sectional observational study in two large hospitals in Jordan over a three‐month period. Prescribing and dispensing of medicines were screened for medication errors in both centres: 2500 prescriptions were screened in each hospital. Key findings: In the hospital with electronic prescriptions, of the 2500 prescriptions screened, 631 medication errors were detected: 231 (36.6%) prescription errors and 400 (63.4%) dispensing errors. In the hospital with paper‐based prescriptions, 3714 medication errors were found: 288 (7.8%) prescription errors and 3426 (92.2%) dispensing errors. The most common prescription and dispensing errors in electronic prescriptions were, respectively, prescription of drugs that could have a drug–drug interaction, and omitting to dispense a drug on the prescription. In the paper prescriptions, the most common prescription and dispensing errors were, respectively, inappropriate dose/quantity/frequency or route of administration, and inappropriate and/or inadequate labelling of medication when dispensed, of which there were a large number (2496 (67.2%)). Conclusion: This study highlights the effect of the prescription system used by hospitals. Fewer medication errors were found in the electronic system. Healthcare policymakers, professionals and administrators are encouraged to invest in electronic systems to minimize medication errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How has education for refugees been shaped by broader dynamics of educational privatization? This paper argues that the invoking of the 'refugee crisis' narrative has been a crucial force in facilitating the privatization of this sector. The urgency of crisis helps to naturalize private actors' participation in refugees' education as equal partners to host governments, multilateral agencies, and civil society. Consistent with Stephen Ball's (2012) distinction between privatization in and of education, the privatization of refugee education also advances through two dimensions: the creation of a new space -- a new 'market' -- for private actors, and the infusion of market and business principles such as 'innovation' into all aspects of education. The crisis narrative has created a new 'horizon of taken-for-granted' (Hall, 1993), where it is simply natural that private actors must participate in the assumption of the traditional responsibilities of the state in providing education for refugees.

Aims and objectives: To assess and compare the quality of paper-based and electronic- based health records. The comparison examined three criteria: content, documentation process and structure. Background: Nursing documentation is a significant indicator of the quality of patient care delivery. It can be either paper-based or organised within the system known as the electronic health records. Nursing documentation must be completed at the highest standards, to ensure the safety and quality of healthcare services. However, the evidence is not clear on which one of the two forms of documentation (paper-based versus electronic health records is more qualified. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, comparative design was used to address the study’s purposes. A convenient number of patients’ records, from two public hospitals, were audited using the Cat-ch-Ing audit instrument. The sample size consisted of 434 records for both paper-based health records and electronic health records from medical and surgical wards. Results: Electronic health records were better than paper-based health records in terms of process and structure. In terms of quantity and quality content, paper-based records were better than electronic health records. The study affirmed the poor quality of nursing documentation and lack of nurses’ knowledge and skills in the nursing process and its application in both paper-based and electronic-based systems. Conclusion: Both forms of documentation revealed drawbacks in terms of content, process and structure. This study provided important information, which can guide policymakers and administrators in identifying effective strategies aimed at enhancing the quality of nursing documentation. Relevance to clinical practice: Policies and actions to ensure quality nursing documentation at the national level should focus on improving nursing knowledge, competencies, practice in nursing process, enhancing the work environment and nursing workload, as well as strengthening the capacity building of nursing practice to improve the quality of nursing care and patients’ outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper investigates students' perceptions of whether English or the indigenous language (Arabic) should be used as a medium of instruction in English learning centers at the preintermediate level. This argument which is of both sides (Arabic or English should be used as a medium of instruction) has been investigated through students' responses. While there has been a great deal of research into students' perception of EMI in education, this study offers deeper explanations, from a psychological perspective, of why students prefer EMI despite the difficulty, which would negatively affect their attitudes toward English. In this study, the researcher employed a questionnaire survey to elicit some data from the participants studying in the EFL centers to present substantial evidence, represented by this study's findings, consulted, and supported by psychology-based explanations. Among the main findings is that although the participants of this study hold positive attitudes toward their native language (Arabic), they prefer to use English to Arabic as a medium of instruction. This study also found that awareness associated with business plays a key role in this preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study aims to determine whether the university students' scores in the compulsory Islamic culture course test on a selected sample differ across the paper-and pencil test (PPT) & computer-based test (CBT) versions, and to reveal the relationship between gender and the student's level of performance in the test. Therefore, the study evaluated the comparability of two versions of a compulsory Islamic culture course test (PPTs) and (CBTs). The importance of conducting the study in Jordan stems from the fact that public and private universities have begun to move away from the traditional patterns of tests such (PPTs) and went towards (CBTs). In addition to detecting which model gives the best in the output and has the characteristics of the psychometric test, furthermore, indicates whether there were any differences between males and females, the study sample consisted of 120 individuals, 67 females and 53 males from scientific, health and humanities colleges. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the two versions provided to students CBT and PPT with 0.36 moderate correlation indicators in the pre-CBT test, no significant differences between the males and females in the CBT test results. Therefore, on the basis of the results of the present study, the CBT test is an option and a preferred alternative for regular students of the bachelor's level at the University of Jordan.

Thermal comfort is usually calculated using discrete point measurements. This procedure is not suitable to study thermal comfort for inhabited areas with rugged terrains where climate gradient is high. The wide availability of remote sensing data and GIS tools has revolutionized data management, processing, and visualization. The present paper implemented digital elevation data, GIS tools, and a computational algorithm to generate spatially continuous maps of climatological elements which were employed to derive thermal comfort levels across Jordan. Results show detailed information of the spatial distribution of the degree of thermal comfort in winter and summer across the country which cannot be resolved using discrete point measurements. It is shown that most mountainous areas in the country, where most urban centers are situated, experience "slightly warm" to "warm" indoor apparent temperatures in summer in 50% of the diurnal cycle. The Jordan Valley and the desert experience high indoor apparent temperatures in summer with warm and hot conditions for the most part of the diurnal cycle. Cold conditions prevail over most parts of the country in winter, with the heating degree days ranging from 2200 in the southern mountains to values close to zero near the Dead Sea area. Mountainous and desert areas experience cold or very cold conditions in more than 75% of the diurnal cycle. The presented procedure demonstrated that the very low levels of ambient vapor pressure is an important atmospheric forcing contributing to the widespread cold conditions prevailing over the desert areas in winter. The efficiency of direct evaporative cooling systems to achieve thermal comfort in the various parts of the country is investigated. The procedure presented can be used over regional scales with different levels of spatial resolutions for a wide range of climatological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the process of in-site sorting of the generated solid waste (SW) in some educational institutions in Ma’an city, Jordan. The study included eight schools and one University. The students and employees of seven schools, as well as the students and employees of the University, had received the awareness campaigns concerning the importance and benefits of in-site sorting of SW. As a control, one school student and employee who had not received awareness campaigns were involved. The institutions were provided with four bins at each collection site (glass and plastic, paper and cardboard, metals, and bread). The content of bins in each institution was collected and sorted manually to evaluate the efficiency of the conducted awareness campaigns on onsite sorting behavior. The mass ratios of many SW components in their designated bins in the reference school (control) were higher than the average ratios in the assigned bins for the same component in all schools. As for the University, the results of the manual sorting showed that all bins included a mix of SW in different ratios; moreover, the proportions of glass and plastic, and metals were lower than the proportions of other components. On the basis of the above mentioned results, it can be concluded that the awareness campaigns did not achieve the stated goals; subsequently, the in-site sorting failed in the schools and the University. Thus, different awareness campaigns should be assessed to identify the best approach positively affect the SW sorting and disposal habits of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate medical students' impressions and attitudes toward scientific journal articles, and their accessibility to them in one of the developing countries, Jordan. Fourteen questions were asked to medical students to assess their knowledge and accessibility to papers, and to discover the impact of low interest in scientific papers on students' dealing with COVID-19. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. The study found that there is an unsatisfactory reading for scientific journal articles among medical students, with only 47.2% of students reading them. Furthermore, there are unsatisfactory results regarding students' knowledge about journal types from the trust perspective (i.e., predatory and reliable journals). This was mainly because of a lack of adequate universal teaching about scientific journal articles, as 86.7% of medical students reported that their universities do not teach them about scientific journal articles. The absence of comprehensive learning about scientific journal articles had a potential negative impact on the medical student's handling of COVID-19 socially (i.e., advising people in the community about vaccination importance, social distancing, and other preventive measures). Librarians should be involved primarily in undergraduate education related to scientific journal articles, and their role in providing subscription-based journals free of charge, as well as protecting students from predatory journals through suitable library instructions, is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the debates on the effectiveness and legitimacy of global labour standards. Theoretically, the paper integrates literature on labour standards in global production networks with cognitive framing and sensemaking literature to capture decent work understandings of suppliers and to theoretically underpin their relevance for the debates on the legitimacy and effectiveness of global labour standards. Empirically, the study explores cognitive decent work frames of garment suppliers and discusses them in reference to global decent work frames. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with thirty owners and managers in Egypt and Jordan served to identify suppliers' decent work frames. Owners and managers dominantly framed decent work as a (paternalistic) family responsibility and as a business responsibility. Further notions that recurred across interviews were the framing of decent work as a human responsibility, religious (Islamic) responsibility, philanthropic responsibility, and regulatory responsibility. The findings show that supplier frames partly go beyond, partly undermine, and partly accord with global conceptualisations of decent work. They imply the need to strengthen and better communicate the human rights orientation of global labour standards and to give local social partners the autonomy to supplement and specify standards according to their context-specific needs. Global regulations otherwise risk crowding out informal, locally specific decent work practices that benefit workers in GPNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines Egypt's labor market transition dynamics post-Arab Spring based on the two most recent rounds of the Egypt Labor Market Panel Survey conducted in 2012 and 2018. In addition to providing disaggregated level analysis by examining labor market transitions by gender, education, and age groups, our paper provides a cross-country perspective by comparing Egypt's labor market transitions with Jordan's. Regression analyses focusing on transitions to and from the dominant absorbing labor market states in Egypt – public sector employment for both genders, non-participation for women, and the informal sector for men – show that having a post-secondary education is associated with a lower probability of remaining out of the labor force (OLF) for women who were already OLF at baseline, while being married at baseline is found to be a significant predictor for women to stay out of the labor force if they were already so. As for men, the better educated are found to be more likely to secure formal employment, be it in the public or in the private sector, and also more likely to keep their public formal jobs once they secure them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates solid-waste management performance potential within Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU), Jordan, in the context of environmental benefits and the UI green metric rating system waste category indicators. First, a field survey was conducted to characterise and quantify solid waste generated in AAU. Second, a checklist of the solid-waste management practices in university campuses was developed, based on the UI green metric rating system. Finally, the environmental impact of implementing solid-waste management in AAU campus was measured using the zero waste index (ZWI). The findings show that 491 tonnes of mixed waste are produced each year on campus, of which compostable waste, recyclables, and non-recyclables account for around 21%, 47%, and 32%, respectively. Using the ZWI to measure the performance of waste management practices, the study found a score of 0.75 for non-recyclable paper and plastic prevention; paper, plastic, and metal recycling; and organic composting. Paper recycling was found to have the greatest impact on virgin material substitution, and metal recycling has the highest potential for energy, water, and greenhouse-gas savings. Waste management projects in Jordanian universities should include reduction, in addition to paper and metal recycling in phase 1; and plastic recycling and composting should be applied in phase 2. Since not all waste management practices have the same environmental impact, the study recommends redistributing the UI green metric waste indicators points in accordance with environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While individuals living near or on archaeological sites have frequently been hired around the world to dig on archaeological excavations, they have very rarely participated in the recording or documentation of those excavations. They have played even less of a role in designing the structures of either paper or electronic data management systems. In this paper, I describe some potential gaps in the archaeological record as a result of this exclusion, by detailing some ways that the communities at Çatalhöyük, Turkey and Petra, Jordan have developed highly situated forms of knowledge about these archaeological sites due to their proximities to them. I also argue that "proximity" inculcates not only forms of knowledge about an archaeological site, but also, under certain conditions, an important means of sharing knowledge between archaeologists and the communities who live where we work. I contrast proximity to the expansiveness of big data, and question whether it is possible and even preferable to imagine ways of integrating local, proximate perspectives into the rubric of big data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the prevalence of ambiguous citizenship policies that say one thing in law and another in implementing regulations, few studies have focused on systematically studying this type of implementation gap, particularly in contexts beyond North America and Europe. This largely has remained the case despite research on discursive policy gaps, which occur between a policy's stated objectives and its laws, efficacy gaps, which describe when a policy's outcomes fail to meet its goals, and compliance gaps, which reflect disparities between a state's commitments to international law and its corresponding domestic policies. How can we advance conceptualizations of law-regulation implementation gaps? This paper proposes one approach by focusing on the content of domestic laws, on the one hand, and the content of related implementing regulations, on the other. When law-regulation discrepancies occur, they illustrate the agency of senior officials in writing this intentional ambiguity into different levels of legislation, challenging assumptions about institutional weakness and lower-level bureaucratic discretion as chief drivers of implementation gaps. The paper illustrates this concept by analyzing discrepancies between Jordan's nationality and passports laws and their related implementing regulations, particularly regarding Gaza refugees' access to passports, investors' access to nationality, and Palestinian-Jordanians' subjection to nationality withdrawals. These diverse cases of intentional ambiguity demonstrate that such gaps can serve to partially exclude or include a group and can occur with noncitizen and citizen as well as more or less vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to explore examine the therapeutic potential of head-mounted display (HMD)-based Virtual Reality Relaxation Therapy (VRRT) sessions for people individuals with dementia in Jordan. Design/methodology/approach: This cross-sectional survey recruited 75 dementia-diagnosed elderly individuals from three Jordanian care homes. A VRRT intervention comprising 10 tailored RT sessions held over the course of five weeks was administered to the participants. Apathy, cognitive performance, anxiety and depression were evaluated before and after the intervention to determine any changes. The Person-Environment Apathy Rating Scale's (PEARS) Arabic translation's validity and reliability were also evaluated. Findings: The VRRT intervention yielded noteworthy results in reducing apathy, as indicated by a substantial decrease in PEARS scores from 17.20 to 11.15. The findings of the study revealed that the participants demonstrated enhanced cognitive abilities, as evidenced by a significant rise in their Saint Louis University Mental Status ratings, which increased from 15.11 to 19.70. The levels of anxiety and depression exhibited a significant decrease subsequent to the implementation of VRRT, with anxiety levels decreasing from 13.66 to 8.23 and depression levels decreasing from 13.62 to 9.33. Furthermore, a notable 70% of participants demonstrated statistically significant decreases in indifference. Practical implications: This study makes a significant contribution to the advancement of innovative treatment approaches aimed at addressing the needs of the aging population, hence enhancing health outcomes and raising the quality of care in Jordan. Originality/value: The effectiveness of VRRT in reducing apathy among Jordanian senior citizens residing in nursing homes has not yet been fully investigated. Therefore, this paper seeks to assess the effectiveness of HMD-based VRRT by conducting pre- and post-intervention evaluations. This research aims to provide valuable insights into the applicability and significance of VRRT in the Jordanian context, contributing to the development of culturally appropriate and cutting-edge therapeutic interventions for older individuals in Jordan. Through this study, the authors aim to promote improved health and elevated standards of care for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the relationship between different dimensions of intellectual capital and industrial companies' financial performance. In addition, this paper aims to examine the role of organisational ambidexterity in mediating this relationship. Design/methodology/approach: This paper adopted a quantitative method using a previously validated questionnaire. The questionnaire copies have been distributed to accountants and accounting managers in the context of industrial companies. Findings: Findings indicate that there is a positive correlation between all dimensions of intellectual capital and organisational ambidexterity. Furthermore, the connection between intellectual capital dimensions and financial performance is notably positive when it comes to relational capital. Additionally, it was established that the various dimensions of capital and financial performance are interconnected through the intermediary influence of organisational ambidexterity. Originality/value: This paper provides important contributions to managers, policymakers and stakeholders. Jordanian industrial companies must improve the quality of their work by enhancing levels of intellectual capital and organisational ambidexterity that leads to improving the financial performance of companies. Additionally, managers should identify and capitalise on the benefits of other intangible assets and understand more about how to increase the use level of other intangible assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jordan Museum is the most important modern archeological museum in Jordan. This paper assesses the quality of design and the visitors' satisfaction with the Jordan Museum. Also, it investigates which of the selected performance elements contribute most to visitors' satisfaction. Investigative Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) was used within a mixed methodology approach. A questionnaire was used for the quantitative part, complemented by other qualitative methods. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the design quality and visitors' satisfaction. Stepwise regression was used to detect which performance elements predict overall visitors' satisfaction. The design quality of the museum was rated as good, and its permanent galleries were exceptionally rated as excellent. The visitors were generally satisfied with the museum. Visitors were satisfied with the interior and exterior finish but were not impressed with the heavy use of stone in the façade. The simplicity of the museum layout made navigation easy, and visitors were satisfied with wayfinding. This paper is the first to use POE to assess the Jordan Museum. The findings can be used to enhance the management and operation of the Jordan Museum. Also, important performance elements can be developed into guidelines to guarantee effective museum designs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Society for Consumer Protection in Jordan is a non-governmental organization seeking to educate the public on consumer problems. The objective of this paper was to elucidate the role of this association and the challenges it faces in the absence of courts for consumers and the failure to activate the role of the Consumer Protection Association in defending consumers. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of this association and the challenges it faces in the absence of defending the rights of consumers and pleading before the courts on their behalf. This research has been achieved by adopting numerous study techniques and methodologies. In this study, numerous methods are employed; the online questionnaire method (survey online), and doctrinal method. the researcher has also conducted online questionnaire. The purpose was to get responses from laymen in of this method was to support and achieve the objectives of this study and to get feedback from consumer in Jordan particularly on the issues regarding to the role of Consumers Association in Jordan. The main objective of this paper is to given the Consumer Protection Association in Jordan the legal stand in defending the rights of consumers, as it was found through the result that the Jordanian legislator did not give the association the legal authority to defend consumers. Thus, this study also gives suggestions to the private agency such as legal committee of Consumers Association to strengthen its power legally and formally in Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jordan Medical Journal is the property of University of Jordan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Due to the current volatile environment and fierce competition, manufacturing firms (MFs) must improve their performance to survive. In this regard, checking and monitoring the suppliers' risk should significantly improve the performance of MFs. In addition, a relation based on not being an opportunist, confidence and reliance are influential factors in reducing the supplier defaults on his/her supply obligations and improving supply chain performance (SCP). Besides, the moderator function of supplier involvement (SI) in the relationship between quality of the relationship (QoR) and supply risk mitigation (SRM) is undeniable. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the survey of 148 samples from small to large-sized MFs in Jordan, Turkey and Egypt, empirical evidence has been conducted to support a majority of the authors' hypotheses. This paper provides a theoretical review of buyer–supplier relationships and supply risk. Hypotheses were tested by using structural equation modeling (SEM)/Smart PLS-4. Findings: According to the results, confidence and reliance have statistically significant and positive impacts on SRM, resulting in better SCP. Moreover, the findings show that SI positively affects and moderates the relationship between confidence (C) and SRM, while it has no statistically significant influence on the relationship between reliance (R) and SRM. Practical implications: This study provides necessary material for managers and decision-makers in MFs to confirm the importance and understanding of the QoR in building relationships and business dealings with partners in the SC, in addition to limiting and mitigating the risks of an interruption in supply in particular. Therefore, building a high-quality relationship as a practice based on trust and reliability with suppliers positively affects the performance of the SCs of MFs. Originality/value: This research paper offers empirical evidence for using QoR within SRM resources of MFs' context for enhancing their supply chain performance. This study is one of few studies that examine the QoR and SRM that contribute to enhancing SCP in MFs in developing countries, which also can serve as a reference for many SC managers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prolonged presence of Syrian refugees in Jordan has highlighted the need for sustainable health service delivery models for refugees. In 2012, the Jordanian government adopted a policy that granted Syrian refugees access, free of charge, to the national health system. However since 2012, successive policy revisions have limited refugee access. This paper seeks to understand factors that initially put refugee integration into the health system on the policy agenda, as well as how these same factors later affected commitment to sustain the policy. Methods: This paper draws on data from a document review of 197 peer-reviewed and grey literature publications, a media analysis of newspaper articles retrieved from four officially recognized newspapers in Jordan, and 33 semi-structured key informant interviews. We used Kingdon's Multiple Streams Model – a well-established tool for analyzing policy adoption – to understand how political priority developed for integration of refugees into the health system. Results: We find that several factors helped bring attention to the issue, namely concerns over infectious disease transmission to host communities, high rates of chronic conditions among the refugee population and the increasingly urban and dispersed nature of refugees. At the outset of the conflict, the national mood was receptive to refugees. Politicians and government officials quickly recognized the crisis as an opportunity to secure material and technical support from the international humanitarian community. At the same time, global pressures for integrating refugees into national health systems helped move the integration agenda forward in Jordan and the region more broadly. Since 2012, there were several modifications to the policy that signal profound changes in national views around the continued presence of Syrian refugees in the country, as well as reduced external financial support which has undermined the sustainability of the policy. Conclusion: This case study underscores the dynamic nature of policymaking and the challenge of sustaining government commitment to the right to health among refugees. Our analysis has important implications for advocates seeking to advance and maintain momentum for the integration of refugees into national health systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Dirasat: Educational Sciences is the property of University of Jordan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to examine a model that combines barriers, drivers, government responses, recovery expectations, expected future changes in performance and the extent of digitalisation as a moderator in SMEs. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses exploratory causal methodologies. The study employs a quantitative methodology based on utilising an electronic questionnaire to gather the opinions of home workers and entrepreneurs in Jordan. The cross-sectional data collection approach was conducted in a single time frame, and a total of 1,179 valid questionnaires were analysed using Smart PLS along with SPSS. Findings: The findings demonstrate that the barriers lower the expectations of recovering performance, whilst the drivers and government responses raise the expectations of both performance recovery and change in performance. Concerning digitalisation, this study discovered that firms going digital had a significant positive direct impact on expectations of performance change. This paper also found that expectations of performance change are significantly positively impacted by the interaction between drivers and digitalisation. However, the moderating influence of digitalisation on the positive impact of government responses on expectations of performance change was not verified. Practical implications: The study's conclusions led to the formulation of several policy recommendations aimed at easing the burden on SMEs. Originality/value: This study adds something new to the body of knowledge on SMEs by investigating the effects of barriers, drivers and government responses on expectations of performance recovery and the expected future change in performance moderated by digitalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study paper is to examine Jordan's mineral development and investment policies. Mining policies that attract foreign investment must handle both traditional investor concerns and some new challenges. The paper delves deeply into issues such as a country's geological, political, financial, regulatory, operational, fiscal, social, and environmental characteristics, as well as profit and marketing factors. After analyzing these criteria for Jordan, they were compared to the MENA region in order to provide insights into potential changes and improvements to both the MENA and Jordan mineral policies. International investors have not been drawn to Jordan's mineral resource sector for a number of reasons, including—but not limited to—a lack of digitally available and accessible geological data, lack of access to finance exploration projects, an unfavorable legal and fiscal environment, lack of many of the best practices for transparency standards, and lack of awareness and promotion of Jordan's mineral potential among international businesses. For Jordan to improve its standing in the world for investing in mining, it needs effective mining regulations, effective regulatory agencies, very lenient foreign investment laws, highly competitive tax system, enormous geologic potential, highly qualified personnel, exceptional local expertise and skills, modern infrastructure, and stable political and economic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this paper, the author aims to investigate the relationship between economic growth and unemployment in six Arab countries from Middle East and North Africa (MENA) zone including Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Jordan and Oman through the implementation of Okun's law using quarterly dataset covering the time period 2000: 1–2014: 4. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, static and dynamic linear and nonlinear models are used to test the linkage between cyclical unemployment and cyclical growth rate. Findings: The empirical results from considered models confirm an inverse linkage between unemployment rate and economic growth, as the Okun's law suggests (except for Oman). In a nonlinear autoregressive dynamic linear (NARDL) framework and gap specification, statistically significant Okun's coefficients indicate that output growth can be translated into employment gains. Absolute effect of an economic contraction is significantly larger than that of an expansion in Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Lebanon. The opposite is true for Jordan and Oman. Practical implications: Empirical finding provides then an additional proof that Okun's law could exist in a developing countries such as Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon and Jordan. Hence, any attempt to increase gross domestic product (GDP) through some economic fiscal and/or monetary policies in these countries would reduce unemployment rate. Originality/value: Based on asymmetric specification, the author can conclude with precision that an economic upturn of 3.37, 2.98 and 2.5%, respectively, in Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt reduces unemployment by 1%, whilst the downturn of 5.03 and 2.43% (and about 12%), respectively, in Tunisia and Morocco (and Lebanon and Jordan) achieves the opposite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper brings to the attention the newly discovered terracotta mask from the classical Decapolis city of Gerasa/Jerash in Jordan dated to the Roman period. The aim of this paper is to describe and to identify the personification and the function of the mask. The authors conclude that the mask is a miniature replica for character representing Hercules used as souvenir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of the legal framework for combatting administrative corruption in Jordan and its impact on the Jordanian economy. This paper seeks to answer its key-question which asks whether the existence of a robust legal framework for combatting administrative corruption is able to help to grease the wheels of a slow-moving economy. The study uses 2SLS econometric technique for estimating the relationship between administrative corruption and economic growth. This paper indicates one major conclusion which is the irrevocably annual loss of economic opportunities due to administrative corruption, subsequently, economic progress cannot be achieved without proper administration. The national strategy and the legal frameworks related to anti-corruption are not sufficient enough to grease the wheels for economic growth. Combatting corruption in Jordan is still facing legal and technical obstacles appeared in practice, therefore, more time to surround and prevent corruption is still needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Sustainable management has become a strategic and popular requirement for stakeholders, as the ability to create competitive advantages in the current dynamic business environment and the pressures of digital transformation need to be increased attention in achieving the highest level of sustainable performance. The main objective of this paper is to explore the direct effects of the industrial Internet of things and supply chain visibility on sustainable performance (economic performance, environmental performance and social performance), in addition to evaluating the indirect effects that supply chain visibility plays in these relationships. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the purposes and objectives of this work, a conceptual model was developed by referring to the current works in the literature, and the theoretical model was developed, and then data were collected through the questionnaire and by the snowball sampling method, as 380 questionnaires were used. In the data analysis, the multivariate analysis technique was used via Covariance-based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM), as hypothesized relationships were evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and then the hypotheses were tested through a structural model. Findings: The results reached the acceptance of all hypotheses, and this means that all hypothesized relationships were positive, as the impact of the industrial Internet of things was positive on each of the supply chain visibility and economic performance, environmental performance and social performance, and also the supply chain visibility mediated the relationship between each of the industrial Internet of things and economic performance, environmental performance and social performance. Originality/value: The current paper reported a range of theoretical and practical contributions, as this study is the first to examine these hypothesized relationships together in this way and thus helped this study to develop new perceptions about Industry 4.0 technologies and their potential impacts on supply chain and sustainable performance. Also, this study had a variety of management recommendations that allow managers of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies operating in Jordan to develop their technological capabilities and use them to enhance sustainable performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the latter part of the 21st century, the prevalence of online games has significantly increased, encompassing titles connected to the Internet via smart devices, enabling multiplayer interaction. Recent media attention has shed light on the adverse effects associated with online gaming. This research paper explores the viewpoints of 4,700 university students in Jordan regarding the physical, psychological, and behavioural impacts of Internet games. Additionally, it predicts how these impacts may affect the academic performance of 1,410 students. To analyze student trends and forecast outcomes based on sustained game engagement, a convolutional neural network (CNN) was specifically developed for the neural network. The findings revealed student consensus with recommended university measures to limit online game usage, emphasizing a prevalent belief in the negative influence of games on the body, behaviour, and mental health. In terms of the prediction process, the training data encompassed 60%, 70%, and 80% of the dataset. The results revealed that the highest accuracy, 96.69%, was achieved at the 70% threshold for predicting students' grade point average (GPA). The analysis suggested that projecting a decrease in the percentage of hours dedicated to playing online games could act as a mitigating factor to prevent GPA decline. Consequently, the system advises a range from 99.9% to 4.1%. This implies that a student with a maximum of 99.9% is encouraged to significantly reduce playing hours to preserve their GPA, while a student with a minimum of 4.1% is recommended to decrease playing hours by 4.1%. On average, for the 1,090 students, the system proposes a 48.36% reduction in playing hours to safeguard their GPAs and mitigate potential risks. This high level of accuracy played a crucial role in forecasting students' GPA outcomes following a year of sustained daily engagement with online games. Notably, the results unveiled a concerning revelation that 80% of students would face a detrimental impact on their academic performance after one year of such consistent online game involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study is to delve into the intricacies of econtracting within a legal framework. The researcher undertakes an in-depth exploration of the legal aspects associated with e-contracting, elucidating the fundamental components that constitute an e-contract. The initial section of the study encompasses the researcher's definitions and discussions regarding the concept, execution, and methods for validating e-contracts. Subsequently, the paper explores the domain of arbitration specific to such contracts, with a particular emphasis on electronic arbitration and electronic negotiations in its second segment. Employing an analytical descriptive approach, the researcher addresses the central theme, focusing on the application of traditional contract articles to electronic contracts. This encompasses an examination of electronic consent, acceptance, and electronic arbitration. The study's findings offer insights into e-contracts, characterizing them as agreements forged online. Furthermore, the study scrutinizes critical elements such as satisfaction, Lex loci, rationale, and the mode of communication, whether visual or auditory. This analytical inquiry aims to provide significant contributions to the comprehension of e-contracting within the legal landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Over the years, the knowledge translation (KT) field has moved from promoting linearized models to embracing the importance of interaction and learning. Likewise, there is now increased attention on the transfer of KT approaches to new environments. Some scholars, however, have warned that ideas about transferability still hinge on linear thinking and doing. In the current study, we therefore sought to use a more reflexive approach to KT and to study how actors align KT approaches with their local environments. Methods: Our (auto) ethnographic study took place in a wider KT project. This project intended to combine three components: (1) co-organizing demand-driven, locally led and embedded KT cycles in Cameroon, Jordan, and Nigeria, (2) building upon established KT methods and (3) equipping and empowering local teams. We conducted 63 semi-structured interviews with key KT actors, observed 472 h of KT practices, and collected a paper trail of documents. At the same time, we also compiled project exchanges, such as project documents, plans, protocols, field notes, meeting notes and an archive of (email) correspondence between project members. We analysed all data abductively. Results: We show that there were numerous moments where the design of our project indeed enabled us to align with local practices and needs. Yet this often did not suffice, and the project design sometimes conflicted with other logics and values. By analysing these tensions, we want to show that doing KT work which acts upon different values and knowledges and is sensitive towards the different effects that it produces demands both structuring projects in a specific way and requires significant alignment work of KT actors in practice. Conclusions: We show that practising KT more reflexively relies on two important conditions. First, KT projects have to be structured with sufficient discretionary space. Second, even though the structure of a project is important, there will be continuous need for alignment work. It is important to facilitate such alignment work and to further support it. In the discussion of this paper, we therefore articulate three design principles and three sensitivities. These elements can be used to make future KT projects more reflexive and sensitive to (social) complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming has become a main challenge that threatens life on Earth. It is mainly blamed on the unprecedented levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases emanating from natural and anthropogenic sources including food systems that encompass different processes including agricultural practices, food packaging, refrigeration, transportation, and disposal of food waste. Therefore, signatory nations to the Paris Agreement are called upon to assess the contributions of their food systems to national budgets of greenhouse gases and to take necessary actions to reduce these emissions. In this paper, we present the findings of an attempt to quantify the national emissions of greenhouse gases emanating from food systems in Jordan based on validly published emission rates and locally relevant agricultural data reported by the Jordanian Department of Statistics including cultivated areas, harvested goods, and imported food items. Our calculations revealed that more than 12.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2019 were generated by food systems in Jordan constituting about 47% of the total national emissions in that year. The transportation sector is found to be a main emitter of carbon dioxide, making imported meat and rice the main generators of carbon dioxide in the food systems in Jordan. Landfilling of food remains or losses generate massive quantities of greenhouse gases with no social gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early childhood is the period when inequality originates and the intergenerational transmission of poverty and inequality begins. It is therefore important to understand what drives inequality in early childhood health and nutrition in order to provide children with equal chances for healthy growth. In Jordan, there are substantial socioeconomic disparities in children's health and nutrition; children from wealthy households grow normally while other children falter. This paper examines the determinants and mediators of health disparities in children's height and weight in Jordan, including parental health knowledge, food quantity and quality, health conditions, the health environment, and prenatal development. While this paper demonstrates that the health environment and food quantity and quality contribute to inequality in child health, these effects explain only a small share of disparities. A large share of inequality in children's health is determined prenatally, and nutrition policies need to prioritize this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is an attempt to analyze the effects of current exchange rate regimes on the economic growth achieved by the MENA countries. To determine in a dynamic perspective new relationships that will be established between growth and exchange rate regimes, we are looking for an answer to two major concerns, namely: the question of the choice of the exchange rate regime and the question of the impact of this choice on economic performance. To reach our objective we first studied the theoretical and empirical literature of the exchange rate regime and then we had to study the evolution of the exchange rate regime in MENA countries. Then, we got an economic model based on the determinants of growth. The data used on this model takes the form of panel data for 5 MENA countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia) for the period 1984-2019, as well as, several methods of modeling will be discussed, to finally adopt one from them that best applies to our research goal and shows several possibilities that can be used to apply this model in different ways depending on the country considered. The results reveal that it is very important to take into account the monetary policy framework that accompanies the exchange rate regime when assessing the effects of this regime on the overall performance of the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the enormous need to succeed in the urban model, scientists and policymakers should work consistently to create blueprints to regulate urbanization. The absence of coordination between the crucial requirements and the regional strategies of the local authorities leads to a lack of conformance in urban development. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue. Design/methodology/approach: This study intends to manage future urban growth patterns using integrated methods and then employ the results in the genetic algorithm (GA) model to considerably improve growth behavior. Multi-temporal land-use datasets have been derived from remotely sensed images for the years 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020. Urban growth patterns and processes were then analyzed with land-use-and-land-cover dynamics. Results were examined for simulation and utilization of the GA. Findings: Model parameters were derived and evaluated, and a preliminary assessment of the effective coefficient in the formation of urbanization is analyzed, showing the city's urbanization pattern has followed along with the transportation infrastructure and outward growth, and the scattering rates are high, with an increase of 5.64% in building area associated with a decrease in agricultural lands and rangelands. Originality/value: The research achieved a considerable improvement over the growth behavior. The conducted research design was the first of its type in that field to be executed to any specific growth pattern parameters in terms of regulating and policymaking. The method has integrated various artificial intelligence models to monitor, measure and optimize the projected growth by applying this design. Other research on the area was limited to projecting the future of Amman as it is an urbanized distressed city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this research is to provide researchers with a comprehensive literature review while demonstrating how service quality (SQ) led to the development of viable research avenues for future analysis and research. In this study, the review protocol PRISMA approach and meta-literature review are used to analyse the relevant literature using the Scopus database from 1984 to 2023. This analysis takes into account top authors, top keywords by using Publish or Perish and page rank analysis by using Gephi software. Second, the VOS viewer is employed to engage in co-citation analysis and keyword co-occurrence analysis aiding in uncovering the core literature and research within this area of study. Initially, analysis reveals that the number of publications follows a general upward trend. Top authors and SQ keywords were identified in the most-cited papers in the Scopus database. The United States, followed by India, Hong Kong, Jordan, and the Philippines, published most of these papers. This study critically analysed data characteristics, labels, measures objectives and key findings of SQ top-cited papers. In addition, this paper provides additional details regarding the evolution of the research topic's trends and offers insights into future research directions. Finally, this study additionally elaborated key results of 88 top-cited papers. The paper demonstrates that SQ is a topic when taken as a whole, is both relevant and emerging and it necessitates future research about the skills of business, management and accounting professionals, as well as their activities and how their customers perceive quality in an environment that is subject to continuous change. This is the first study to analyse and review relevant research on service quality using the review protocol PRISMA and meta-literature review. This is helpful for researchers since it allows them to easily grasp its development and trend. This evaluation indicates potential paths for future research and acts as a valuable reference for additional investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The involvement of the private sector in fostering sustainable development is propelled by significant advancements in commercial and industrial spheres. However, despite these advancements, there is a noticeable decline in corporate social responsibility, attributed to various factors such as scepticism among owners or board members regarding sustainability concepts and the perceived high costs associated with adopting sustainable technologies. This paper endeavours to investigate the relationship between community responsiveness and the extent of businesses' commitment to sustainability in the context of Jordan. Utilizing a mixed methods approach comprising interviews and a comprehensive questionnaire, data was collected from a sample of two hundred and ten members of the Jordan community through an online platform. The collected data underwent rigorous analysis including descriptive and regression analyses as well as relevant correlations. Encouragingly, the findings of this study reveal a robust association between individuals' social consciousness and their support for businesses and organizations operating within the Jordan community. Future research endeavours could further explore additional influential factors. The conclusions drawn from this research hold potential significance as they may provide valuable insights for incentivizing businesses to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency in cultivating a genuine societal commitment to sustainability, thereby contributing to scholarly discourse on the subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jordan faces significant, immediate challenges of enhancing energy security while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. One of the most promising approaches to achieve sustainable development, energy security, and environmental conservation is to increase the integration of renewable energy into electricity generation. To this end, the Jordanian government aims to expand investments in the green energy sector, with solar and wind energy expected to play a crucial role in meeting energy demands and promoting environmental sustainability. This paper aims to examine the distinct dynamics, challenges, obstacles, and potential solutions related to establishing community solar and wind farms in suburban areas of Jordan. It seeks to highlight the opportunities and barriers influencing the adoption of sustainable energy in the country. Evaluation results from engaging 320 key stakeholders were obtained through a questionnaire, and after comprehensive analysis, it became evident that the benefits and positive aspects of solar and wind farms outweigh their drawbacks and obstacles. These insights can be useful in guiding policies and practices to make renewable energy community projects a reality within Jordan's suburban areas. Additionally, the findings may serve as a valuable benchmark for other regions facing similar challenges in their pursuit of a sustainable energy future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the utilisation of heritage building information modelling (BIM) in order to improve the architectural heritage documentation process at Ad Deir, a significant historical building within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra, Jordan. Ad Deir, also known as 'The Monastery', requires accurate and complete documentation for its preservation and effective management. Traditional documentation methods, such as manual surveys and 2D drawings, frequently fail to obtain the intricate details and complexity of heritage structures. This study proposes the use of heritage BIM, which involves creating a digital representation of Ad Deir by combining various data types such as geometric, material, and historical information. Laser scanning technology is used to capture the site in three dimensions, providing a precise representation of its current state. The point clouds are exported to the BIM workflow once they have been processed. The longitudinal and cross-sections of the point clouds revealed the dimensions of regular and irregular elements, which were then traced and modelled accurately. This digital model serves as a platform for future data integration, which may include historical documentation, architectural plans, and construction details. Creating accurate heritage BIM, which involves various levels of knowledge, improves quality control during conservation work and aids in informed decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although Jordan has made significant progress toward expanding the utilization of facility‐based intrapartum care, prior research highlights that poor service quality is still persistent. This study aimed to identify quality gaps between women's expectations and perceptions of the actual intrapartum care received, while exploring the contributing factors. Methods: Utilizing a pre–post design, quality gaps in intrapartum care were assessed among 959 women pre‐ and postchildbirth at a prominent tertiary hospital in northern Jordan. Data were gathered using the SERVQUAL scale, measuring service quality across reliability, responsiveness, tangibles, assurance, and empathy dimensions. Results: The overall mean gap score between women's expectations and perceptions of the quality of intrapartum care was −0.60 (±0.56). The lowest and highest mean gap scores were found to be related to tangibles and assurance dimensions, −0.24 (±0.39) and −0.88 (±0.35), respectively. Significant negative quality gaps were identified in the dimensions of assurance, empathy, and responsiveness, as well as overall service quality (p < 0.001). The MLR analyses highlighted education (β = 0.61), mode of birth (β = −0.60), admission timing (β = −0.41), continuity of midwifery care (β = −0.43), physician's gender (β = −0.62), active labour duration (β = 0.37), and pain management (β = −0.33) to be the key determinants of the overall quality gap in intrapartum care. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of fostering a labour environment that prioritizes enhancing caregivers' empathetic, reassuring, and responsive skills to minimize service quality gaps and enhance the overall childbirth experience for women in Jordan. Patient or Public Contribution: This paper is a collaborative effort involving women with lived experiences of childbirth, midwives, and obstetrics and gynaecologist physicians. The original idea, conceptualization, data generation, and coproduction, including manuscript editing, were shaped by the valuable contributions of stakeholders with unique perspectives on intrapartum care in Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]