Interdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies

Being sacrificed in the name of development: A case of social distress caused by the Tokwe-Mukosi dam

Piwai Chendume, Kudzayi Savious Tarisayi — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0200

The study investigated the impact of displacements on the rights of the people that were caused by a development project in Zimbabwe. A case study of people displaced by the construction of the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam was used to explore the challenges faced by displaced people. This study was a mixed-method design. Data was collected using questionnaires and a document. A purposive sample of 100 participants was used by the researchers. The sample comprises people displaced by the construction of the Tokwe-Mukosi dam. The researchers utilised thematic analysis and descriptive statistics to make sense of the data. It was noted from the findings that the livelihoods of the displaced people by the Tokwe-Mukosi changed due to the displacement. Market gardening, a major livelihood among the participants before displacement, was the most affected due to the lack of reliable water sources at the relocation site. Human rights violations were also noted in the study due to the failure of the government to prepare the relocation site adequately. Due to the noted human rights violation, the displaced people were subjected to social distress. Therefore, the study concludes that several communities were negatively impacted by the construction of the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam, with a recommendation that suitable relocation sites with adequate social service should be identified before the finalisation of the construction of dams.

Post COVID-19: New breakthroughs and the future of behavioural research data collection

Afeez Jinadu, Olajumoke M. Akere, Rukayat T. Balogun — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Behavioural researchers have been faced with challenges associated with the choice of data collection methods that is timely and cost-effective for all situations. Several studies have examined various means of collecting data while some electronic means of data collection have been explored. However, there is a need for a study that compares the conventional and contemporary data collection methods in terms of profile, perceptions and prospects. Therefore, this study examined the new breakthroughs and the future of behavioural research data collection in post COVID-19 era. The study is underpinned by connectivism learning theory within ex-post facto design with a sample of one hundred and twenty-six (126) behavioural science researchers. Post COVID-19 Data Collection Methods Scale-Forms App (r=0.86) was used, and the data collected were analysed using frequency count and t-test. The findings showed that there were more users of breakthrough methods 47 (37.3%) than conventional 39 (30.9%) and mixed method 40 (31.7%). Conventional methods were less available than new breakthrough methods. There is a significant difference in the perception, challenges and prospects of the conventional and breakthroughs in behavioural research data collection methods, all in favour of new breakthroughs. It is, therefore, recommended that behavioural researchers, as well as other researchers, avail themselves of the opportunities offered by the new breakthrough to advance their research endeavours in post COVID-19 era.

Emotional intelligence and organisational commitment of Lecturers at Kyambogo University

Joshua Kimata Kato, Wilson Mugizi, George Wilson Kasule, Peter Kyozira — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

The study examined the casual link between emotional intelligence and organisational commitment of lecturers at Kyambogo University. Specifically, the study examined the link between the four emotional intelligence competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management with organisational commitment of full-time lecturers at Kyambogo University. The three-component model of organisational commitment by Allen and Meyer, which describes it in terms of affective, normative, and continuance commitment, was used to assess the concept. Using the correlational research design, the study adopted the quantitative approach. The study participants were 175 full-time lecturers of the selected university. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Structural equation modelling (SEM) using SmartPLS was used to analyse the data. The study findings indicated that while self-management and social awareness were significant determinants of organisational commitment of full-time lecturers, relationship management and self-awareness were positive but insignificant determinants of organisational commitment. The study concluded that while self-management and social awareness are essential for the organisational commitment of lecturers, relationship management and self-awareness are not. Therefore, it was recommended that to promote the organisational commitment of lecturers, university managers should take cognisance of lecturers' self-management and social awareness more than relationship management and self-awareness.

Marital adjustment and bio-social actors as predictors of depression among perceived highly stressed couples in Ondo State, Nigeria

Oluyinka Olutola Olajire, Abayomi Olubanjo Olusa — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

A continuous threat to the efficiency of human functioning, interaction and relationship due to depression serves as a rationale for this study, and it shows the need to gauge the influence of selected bio-social factors and marital adjustment on depression among perceived highly stressed couples in Ondo State, Nigeria. Adopting a correlational design, 175 highly stressed couples were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique (stratified, proportionate, purposive and random sampling techniques) and responded to standardised measures. Frequency and percentage were adopted to describe the bio-social factors of the respondents. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to test the inter-relationship among the variables, while a two-step hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The result revealed that gender, religion and educational qualification predicted depression among highly stressed couples. It was also indicated that depression decreases among highly stressed couples along with a significant increase in their marital adjustment. It was concluded that bio-social factors, such as gender, religion, educational qualification, and marital adjustment, were significant predictors of depression. And factors such as age, family type, and nature of employment had no significant relationship with depression among perceived highly stressed couples.

An exploration into the impact of citizen journalism on traditional journalism in Lesotho

Tsepiso Claurina Mncina, Hlompho Letsie, Sekoai Elliot Nkhi — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0200

In recent years, technological advancement in communication has given citizens opportunities to be recipients and purveyors of news. Social networking sites propagate citizen journalism, wherein ordinary citizens without professional training gather and disseminate information. This has presented a number of challenges due to limited quality control standards for determining what constitutes news. The study thus sought to establish the depth and breadth of the impact of citizen journalism on traditional journalism in Lesotho. The study used the qualitative methodology embedded in a case study design. The in-depth face-to-face interviews with (n=10) journalists were conducted to get insight into the impact citizen journalism has on traditional media. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In this case, respondents were selected based on their availability and knowledge of the subject at hand. The findings were analysed using thematic analysis to interpret the findings. The results revealed that citizen journalism had posed an imminent threat to traditional journalism as it plays a complementary role. It was also discovered that the fast passed nature of citizen journalists compromises the quality of the content. The study also revealed that mainstream media professionals face fierce competition from citizen journalism, resulting in poor-quality stories. Therefore, the study recommends that mainstream media should have platforms where citizen journalists can submit content that can be vetted for quality control and ethical considerations.

Politeness in Tiba Meka ritual in Manggaraian language and culture, Eastern Indonesia

Tobias Gunas; Fransiskus Bustan, Sebastianus Menggo, Yosefina Helenora Jem — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Politeness is crucial to communicating among individuals or between groups in a speech community. This research mainly explores the politeness of welcoming guests in the Manggaraian speech community. Video recording and interviews were the techniques used to collect the data. Eight videos were recorded and transcribed in text. The data were interpreted in socio-pragmatics theory. The findings reveal that the Manggaraian speech community tend to apply positive and off-the-record politeness strategies. A positive politeness strategy was mainly employed to build a close relationship and friendliness and to show respect to a guest. The use of a positive politeness strategy was marked in honorifics such as ite, mori, ema, and downtoner yo. An off-the-record politeness strategy was utilised to designate generosity, modesty, and approbation to a guest. This politeness strategy was indicated in metaphorical expressions. The social factors that determine the use of those politeness strategies are related to the context of the event, age, relation, and guest status. In this study, the Manggaraian speech community employ politeness in the ritual of welcoming a guest to achieve three benefits: manifesting respect, maintaining a good relationship, and showing a positive attitude toward the guest.

Dissecting probable indicators of juvenile delinquency among Gweru Urban adolescents in Zimbabwe

Phumuzani Mpofu, Tatenda Thelma Machingauta — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Society today is still naïve that some children are no longer innocent, beautiful souls but callous and dangerous to the community. The escalating crime incidents by juveniles make it imperative to concede the rampant prevalence of juvenile delinquency. This research sought to identify the probable indicators of juvenile delinquency in the milieu of the unprecedented global trend. The study used a mixed-method approach guided by the pragmatist research paradigm. A descriptive research design enhanced an appreciation of participants’ multiple realities based on their lived experiences premised on qualitative and quantitative research. Random sampling was used in selecting 209 students to complete a translated questionnaire. An interview was used to collect data from teachers and parents selected purposively. Data was analysed using frequency count. Data from interviews was thematically analysed. Significant findings were that mental illness, social conditions such as neighbourhood location, home conditions such as family size, school conditions such as strictness of school and environmental factors were the indicators of juvenile delinquency. After-school programs to increase school time counselling services at schools were some of the recommendations by key informants on curbing juvenile delinquency. The overall conclusion is that probable indicators of juvenile delinquency result from several factors such as individual, home, social environment, and school.