School of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSS&H)

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SSH offers a wide range of innovative programs in Education, English Literature, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Media and Communication, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Social Sciences, Educational Leadership and Management, English Language Teaching, English Language and Literature and Montessori education.

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Gender-based faculty development model for higher education
(Oxford Business & Economics Conference Program, 2008) Uzma Quraishi; Rukhsana Kalim
Political education for democracy in schools
(Gomal University Journal of Research, 2009) Uzma Quraishi; Farah Rahman
This paper argues for democratic education for countries faced with conflict and political instability. Political education is an essential component of democratic education. The paper develops a conceptual framework for the effectiveness of such education in a country like Pakistan where is there is a dire need to improve educational content and experience to promote democratic mindset. Harber’s (1991) distinction of political education, political socialisation and political indoctrination has been used to develop the framework.
Promoting critical pedagogy in language education
(2009) Muhammad Shaban Rafi
This research investigates effects of critical pedagogy on the development of critical thinking through teaching English essay writing. The research also provides guideline to English Language Teachers to promote critical thinking in language learning and to teach language for reasoning. Quantitative and Qualitative data were collected from 53 English Language Teachers and 34 Civil Superior Services (CSS) students to test the hypothesis (by incorporating critical thinking through English Essay Writing promotes reasoning skills among the students). Descriptive Statistics, Paired Sample t-test and graphic representation were executed for the analysis of data. A marked difference (41.26 Mean Score) was measured in the performance of English language teachers in the result of critical thinking instructions into the composition of English Essay Writing. A significant difference was measured between Post-test I and II among the CSS students. The results signify that by incorporating critical thinking in teaching English Essay Writing promotes reasoning skills among the subjects. The research suggests replacing the old cycle of transmission pedagogy with critical thinking pedagogy in language education – a vehicle through which the students gradually discover themselves in the process of language leaning, and develop the cognizance of appropriate language to reason.
Modular education network – ModENet
(2010) Lloyd, Nigel; Nadeem Ahmad Khan; Jacyniuk-Lloyd, Marta
ModENet (Modular Education Network) is a network of modular training providers as well as individual enthusiasts, researchers and experts across various disciplines who aspire to the modular approach in various fields of vocational education and training. One of the main aims of EMCET2 project was to create the network of training providers across Europe and beyond. The task was led by the team from Cambridge Professional Development (CamProf) with the co-operation of the rest of the partnership of the EMCET2 project. A four-phase strategy was proposed during the project kick-off meeting:
The big five personality inventory: performance of students and community in pakistan
(University of the Punjuab, 2010) Iftikhar Ahmad
NEO-FFI as translated in Urdu in the National Institute of Psychology was used on 452 undergraduate students in Pakistan. Item-analysis revealed that the respoase pattern of the students was differentiated across the five response choices for 44 of the 60 items. The mean scores of the respondents were close to a theoretical average of 35 for each scale. Girls scored significantly higher than boys on Neuroticism and Conscientiousness scales. The alpha index for the Neuroticism and Conscientiousness scales was in the .70s for Extraversion scale in the .50s and for Openness and Agreeableness scales in the 40s. The scales evidenced validity across multiple criterions. The translation of the 16 items that yielded undifferentiated responses were revisited by a committee of three faculty members in psychology. The inventory was thereafter administered to a community sample of 320 (male 139, female, 181) who gained 2-3 points in mean scores over the student sample on Neuroticism and Conscientiousness scales. The normative data of the community sample are recommended to be used for every day applications of the inventory in Pakistan.
Semantic variations of punjabi toneme
(2010) Muhammad Shaban Rafi
This study highlights that Punjabi spoken in the suburbs of Lahore is loosing its tonality to mark semantic variations. This study based on numerical data examines: (a) whether or not Punjabi (spoken in Pakistani Punjab) is spoken with its tonal features (level, fall and rise pitch), and (b) Do Punjabi speakers perceive semantic variations of Punjabi tonal words (Kora, Cha and Kera)? Acoustic and perceptual data were elicited from 20 Punjabi speakers between 20 to 22 years old, belonging to the suburbs of Lahore, the Punjab. Tonal words: Kora, Cha and Kera with their conventional semantic variations were manipulated at three different positions: Phrase Initial, Phrase Medial and Phrase Final in 27 phrases in order to neutralize effects of stress. Similarly, to neutralize effects of intonation, these tonal words were also recorded in the form of statement and question. Phonetic analysis and sound manipulations were performed with the help of PRAAT, speech processing tool designed for windows users. Results illustrate that the above mentioned Punjabi tonal words are overwhelmingly articulated with fall pitch and they are perceived with marginal pitch variations in a discourse. Instead of using their phonological knowledge to perceive pitch variations, the Punjabi speakers activate their pragmatic knowledge to entail different meaning of tonal words.
Predictive ability of ability-based versus self-report EI measures for academic performance
(Pakistan Journal of Psychology, 2010) Shumaila Aslam; Iftikhar Ahmad
The study aims at finding if there is a valid increment for the tests of emotional intelligence (E1) in explaining variance in academic performance ofuniversity students. In this context, the contention was that 'ability-E1' measure would do better than 'trait EJ' measure. A sample of309 undergraduate students who had completed first year of their BA / BSc program was recruited from a local university. End of the first year GPA served as an index of student academic performance. High school marks (12 years ofeducation) ofthe students, a cognitive index, correlated strongly with Mayer; Salovey and Can.so Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) confirming that it embodied ability conceptualization of emotional intelligence tmlike Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) which is known as following the trait model of E1. The two E1 measures were lIncorrelated. Students ofsocial sciences scored equal to natural sciences on EQ-i and even lower on MSCEIT rejecting our hypothesis that social science students would score more on emotional intelligence. Prediction of academic performance popularly known as GPA was investigated through hierarchical regression analysis using high school marks and E1 tests, in order, as predictors. The incremental prediction made by E1 tests in explaining variance in students' GPA was however found to be modest (< 5%) both by trait-Ei as well as ability-E1 measure, after the major predictor i.e. high school marks, which explained 17 % of the variance in GPA, was controlled. The hypothesis ofincremental prediction ofGPA by the E1 measures was therefore not supported irrespective of the type aT Ef measures.
Authentic leadership for democracy in schools
(Academic Leadership, 2010) Uzma Quraishi; Farah Rahman; Abiodullah, Muhammad
The main underlying value of authentic leadership is self awareness along with honesty, truthfulness, loyalty, transparency and integrity. These values define the main characteristics of authentic leadership, which this paper argues are the important values of democratic education also. Leadership is an art of inspiring or influencing followers in order to achieve organization’s goals. In any organization, there is always a need for strong leadership (Daft, 1999). It is well established in literature that the success of an educational institution depends on the effectiveness of leadership (Huber, 2004). In the late 20th century, various researches have appeared regarding leadership styles like transactional and transformational, charismatic, visionary and inspirational
Stress and early careers: coping strategies of young women academics in pakistani universities
(BERA Annual Conference, 2010) Uzma Quraishi; Ghazala Norin
Currently educational reforms are taking place in Pakistan, specifically focusing on teacher education - Teacher Education Standards are developed - National Teacher Education Accreditation Council has also been established alongside other reforms to improve higher education in the country. Although educational policy is now also focusing on improving overall standard of teacher education in the country, the careers of young women academics is not highlighted as a focus. The research and scholarship on teacher education appears to ignore and overlook the experiences of young women academics which can provide and bring in unique dimensions for reform and improvement in teacher education institutions. Some recent research has indicated that young women academics face stress and anxiety primarily because of the authoritarian culture prevalent in teacher education institutions and find it difficult to deal with because of lack of understanding on part of university/institution leadership and policy makers. This body of research, is not primarily focused on young women academics and is not extensively focused on coping strategies. The researchers argue that in order to have ustainable reform to improve the quality of teacher education the early careers of women academics need to be facilitated and the experiences of young academics in their early careers can provide much needed insight into the practice and can identify areas for improvement and reform.
Faculty satisfaction in higher education: a TQM approach
(Clute Institute, 2010-06) Uzma Quraishi; Ishtiaq Hussain; Makhdoom Ali Syed; Farah Rahman
This paper was aimed to investigate the levels of satisfaction among faculty members in higher education in Pakistan. Five hundred faculty members were surveyed from leading public and private universities through an instrument developed by the authors and 450 were completed and returned. Percentage method was used to analyze and interpret data. The results highlighted the value of the survey as a strategy for management and human resource planning in universities.
Effect of direct teaching method on the academic achievement of high and low achievers in the subject of English at the secondary level
(Journal of College Teaching & Learning, 2010-07) Uzma Quraishi; Ishtiaq Hussain; Nisar Hussain Hamdani, Syed; Zeeshan, Muhammad
The major objective of the study was to determine the role of the direct teaching method in the academic achievement of students in English at the secondary level. To achieve the said objective, the Solomon Four-Design pre-test/post-test equivalent group design was considered to be the most useful design for this study. The pre-test was used to measure the achievement. The pre-test was used only to equate the control and experimental groups. Thus, the Solomon four-group design was applied for treatment of the data. The experimental group was taught by the direct method, while the control group was taught by the traditional method for a period of six weeks. At the end of the treatment, a post-test was administered and scores of pre-test and post-test were served as data for the study. Applying t-test and analysis of variance tested to know the significance of difference between the scores of groups at 0.05 levels. After analyzing the secured data it was concluded that the direct teaching method was more effective as a teaching-learning technique for English compared to the traditional teaching method. Students in the direct teaching method outscored the students working in the traditional learning situation. Low achievers in the direct teaching showed significant superiority over low achievers learning English by the traditional method. Thus, direct teaching was found to be a more effective method for quality teaching of English to the low achievers as compared to the traditional method of teaching. High achievers, whether they were taught English by the direct or traditional method, retained learned material at the same rate. Low achievers who were taught English by the direct method retained more material as compared to low achievers taught by traditional method of teaching.
Four-letter words and the Urdu learner's dictionaries in Pakistan
(Language in India, 2010-10-10) Mahmood Ahmad; Zafar Iqbal
The paper aims to analyze the way the Urdu learner's dictionaries treat the taboo/four letter words. In the characteristic Pakistani context, most of the taboo words are related to sexual organs, acts and excretions. In the present study, the macro-and micro-structures of the selected dictionaries have been analyzed to find out (i) whether the taboo words have been included or not (ii) whether meanings have been defined and exemplified in an appropriate manner. It was revealed that the treatment given to the taboo words in the dictionaries selected for investigation was shabby. This is a matter of grave concern as it is tantamount to depriving the users of the much-needed information about the most important aspect of their lives -sex. It seems that these words have been treated in this way in the dictionaries under the misplaced notions of decency and modesty. The paper concludes with the observation that the inclusion of the taboo words in the dictionary and provision of explicit and precise information on them will enhance the users' awareness of the word as well as the world.
Effect of teacher efficacy beliefs on motivation
(University of the Punjab, 2011) Iftikhar Ahmad
The purpose of this investigation was to explore meanings of the construct of teacher efficacy and its effect on teacher motivation. Teacher efficacy comprises Teaching Efficacy (TE) and Personal Efficacy (PE) as two constituent dimensions. The two interact in terms of their effect on teacher motivation. More specifically we sought to find whether teachers would be more motivated when levels of TE and PE were high than when any one or both were low. In-service 227 secondary school teachers completed three quarters of their M.Ed. training at the time of this assessment and had, on average, 5.3 years of teaching experience. They were administered Teacher Efficacy Scale along with three measures of motivation namely Task Motivation, Ability-Effort Attribution and Beliefs about Ability as Incremental Quality. Across the median split of TE and PE scores four levels / groups of teachers were created to compare strength as well as motivation pattern of these groups. One of the findings was that task motivation and effort–attribution predicted TE strongly (p <.01) but PE was predicted with ability attribution and incremental ability percept in the inverse direction (p < .05).Thus PE dimension was found different or independent from TE. However, levels of analysis technique indicated that teachers high on both PE and TE dimensions were motivationally adaptive: They dominantly attributed ‘effort’ as cause of success / failure unlike low PE and high TE groups which displayed a mixed attribution of ‘ability’ and ‘effort’. Motivation was modest where both the dimensions were weak. These findings bring out the significance of both competence or teaching efficacy and confidence or personal efficacy beliefs as reciprocally boosting teacher motivation.
Dreem on: Validation of the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure in Pakistan
(Pakistan Medical Association, 2011) Junaid Sarfraz, Khan; Saima Tabasum; Usman Khalil Yousafzai; Mehreen Fatima
Objectives: To validate DREEM in medical education environment of Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: The DREEM questionnaire was anonymously collected from Final year Baccalaureate of Medicine; Baccalaureate of Surgery students in the private and public medical colleges affiliated with the University of Health Sciences, Lahore. Data was analyzed using Principal Component Analysis with Varimax Rotation. Results: The response rate was 84.14 %. The average DREEM score was 125. Confirmatory and Exploratory Factor Analysis was applied under the conditions of eigenvalues>1 and loadings > 0.3. In CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS, Five components were extracted accounting for 40.10% of variance and in EXPLORATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS, Ten components were extracted accounting for 52.33% of variance. Total 50 items had internal consistency reliability of 0.91 (Cronbach's Alpha). The value of Spearman-Brown was 0.868 showing the reliability of the analysis. In both analyses the subscales produced were sensible but the mismatch from the original was largely due to the English-Pakistan contextual and cultural differences. Conclusion: DREEM is a generic instrument that will do well with regional modifications to suit individual, contextual and cultural settings.
Psychological predictors of college students performance
(Natioanl Institute of Psychology, 2011) Iftikhar Ahmad
Communicative language teaching: a modified version
(Language in India, 2011-04-04) Furrakh Abbas; Sahar Aslam; Rabia Yasmeen
The study aims at providing solutions for implementing Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in accordance with local culture. CLT is the first comprehensive method of language learning and it has achieved enormous importance as it addresses all important issues regarding language learning. It has also been criticized by many researchers for paying insufficient attention to the context in which teaching and learning take place. It is considered unsuccessful in a sense that it conflicts with social, cultural and physical conditions of the recipient countries. Despite all the drawbacks in CLT, its importance can not be denied. With expansion of globalization and increased demand of English, adopting communicative language teaching is inevitable. Its prominence is well observed not only in East Asia but also in South Asia. The need of the hour is to particularize its theoretical notions and the most important aspect of teaching is peculiarity. This peculiarity can be achieved by introducing local culture in the framework of CLT. As it is the product of sociolinguists who believe in the relation of language with culture and society, so importance of culture cannot be left out of language teaching.
HRM practices in public and private universities of Pakistan: a comparative study
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2011-11) Zafar Iqbal, Muhammad; Irfan Arif, Muhammad; Furrakh Abbas
The purpose of this study was to compare the HRM practices of public and private universities in Punjab province of Pakistan. The data for the study was collected through a questionnaire comprising 30 items mainly related to job definition, training and development, compensation, team work, employee’s participation and performance appraisal. The instrument was validated through pilot testing. The internal reliability of the instrument was found to be 0.85. The sample was comprised of 60 executives (directors/heads of departments) selected randomly from six universities. The collected data was analyzed by applying descriptive and inferential statistical techniques such as means and independent sample t-test. The results showed that there was a significant difference in HRM practices according to executives of public and private universities. HRM practices in the areas of job definition, training and development, compensation, team work and employees participation were better in the public universities than private universities. However, performance appraisal practices were found better in the private universities than public sector universities. At the end recommendations were made for the HRM executives of private and public universities to improve their HRM practices in favor of their employees.
A survey of teaching strategies in ESL classroom
(Language in India, 2011-11-11) Abdul Malik Abbasi
The study surveys as to what kind of teaching strategies are applied by English language teachers for the development of linguistic abilities of ESL learners at intermediate level in Pakistan. English language pedagogy keeps on exploring the ways and means of teaching second language in various strategic forms to ESL learners. The study focuses on the related analysis of English language teaching strategies applied by both Public sector and Private sector at intermediate level at District Jacobabad, Sindh, Pakistan. The study applies both quantitative and qualitative methods for data analysis. Participating subjects were 40 English language teachers of intermediate level of Public sector and Private sector schools and colleges. The ELT teachers were interviewed in details coupled with data via questionnaires. The evidence from the data manifests that the ELT teachers of public sector are more inclined to apply the teaching strategies of GTM (Grammar Translation Method) while Private sector teachers are interested in Communicative Teaching Approach Strategies. Furthermore, the study suggests that there is a great need to train and motivate Public sector teachers through workshops for applying Communicative Teaching Approach Strategies in their ESL context in order to make their ESL learners communicatively competent.
Leadership discourse and role of humor in it: A new orientation of business English
(2012) Irbaz Khan, Muhammad
The role of English cannot be ignored in global business. Humor, in its quintessence, bears numerous multi-faceted benefits for business and should be taken seriously. Discourse constitutes a crucial aspect of leadership performance. It has even been pointed out that „Imagining leadership outside of language is all but impossible‟ (Lyons & O‟Mealy, 1998). Indeed, it appears that many of the central leadership activities, such as creating and communicating a vision or mission statement, encouraging, motivating and guiding subordinates, setting a goal and ensuring subordinates‟ compliance all involve language (Bennis & Thomas, 2002). In spite of this long-winded relationship between leadership and language, there are amazingly few studies which view leadership performance from a linguistic standpoint (Wodak, 1997; Mullany, 2007). This paper aims at addressing this new orientation by illustrating some of the ways through which analysis of leadership discourse especially that involves humor will be carried out. The data analyzed in the paper proves that humor has a positive and productive effect in leadership discourse. CEO‟s may encourage this feature in their negotiations, daily written and verbal interactions and may feel the difference by miraculous impact of humor in their leadership practices.
Variety of the structure of some significant non-kernel clauses
(International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2012) Mahrukh Baig
The current paper presents an in-depth analysis of a variety of non-kernel clauses in English. The structures discussed include interrogatives and negatives with their contrastive types and uses. It further takes up clausal combinations such as subordinates and coordinates with reference to their various functions. Moreover, a detailed exploration of thematic variation follows with particular regards to information structure. Such constructions deal with extrapositioning, existentials and clefts as to how these clauses take account of information packaging in a message, thereby combining syntactic functions to the semantic and pragmatic strategies.

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