SACM - New Zealand
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9662
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Item Restricted The Influence of Student-Perceived Factors on Foundational Knowledge for Problem-Solving: A TIMSS 2019 Comparison of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Selected MENA Countries(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Aljohani, Mohammad; Brown, GavinThis study investigates the influence of student-perceived learning environment factors on foundational knowledge for problem-solving and academic performance, comparing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with selected MENA countries using TIMSS 2019 data. A quantitative approach was employed, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) to validate the constructs and examine their relationships with student achievement. The analysis focuses on factors such as classroom environment and instruction, well-being and attendance, belonging and safety, home resources and attitudes toward learning, exploring how these dimensions affect performance in mathematics and science. Comparative analysis highlights both similarities and differences across KSA, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco, with consideration of contextual elements including cultural and socioeconomic influences. The results demonstrate that these constructs are significant predictors of student achievement in mathematics and science, which form the foundational knowledge for problem-solving, and student-perceived learning environment factors provide valuable insight into this relationship. The findings contribute evidence-based recommendations to improve educational policies and practices, supporting student engagement and achievement in the KSA and the wider MENA region.10 0Item Restricted Securing Saudi Arabia’s Smart Cities and Critical Infrastructure Against APTs: A Framework for IoT/OT Forensic Readiness(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alarjani, Abdulaziz; Lutui, RaymondThe Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia has encouraged the development of smart cities by means of all-inclusive integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems. While this transformation is very positive, it also makes critical national infrastructure more vulnerable to advanced cyber threats like Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). This dissertation demonstrates that while the Kingdom is investing heavily in cybersecurity, there is a major gap in the area of forensic preparedness in these complex IoT/OT environments. The main problem is not only technical, but also related to major legal and procedural ambiguities in the applicable frameworks. This paper conducts a Multi-Vocal Literature Review (MVLR) of Saudi Arabia's Anti-Cyber Crime Law and Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) to show how laws that are intended for conventional IT are causing challenges for investigators in obtaining digital evidence from Smart City systems. A comparative study of international frameworks, followed by a derived SWOT analysis, characterises a pressing demand for clarity of procedure on a jurisdictional basis. The paper concludes with four useful suggestions for how forensic preparedness practice may be enhanced by addressing these gaps in the law through mandatory 'forensics by design', standardised procedures, and capacity building of locally based expertise. This study contributes to a policy-focused approach to securing smart cities through the inclusion of legal and procedural considerations into the technical cybersecurity strategy for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.12 0Item Restricted Navigating Identity Through Language: A Case Study of Translanguaging Practices Among Saudi Arabian Youth in a High School Level Classroom.(Victoria University of Wellington, 2024) Alharbi, Areej Mosleh; Seals, CorrineThis study examines the translanguaging practices among teenage learners of English in Saudi Arabia, focusing on their impact on identity construction, academic engagement, and social positioning within multilingual classrooms. Grounded in García and Wei's (2014) translanguaging theory, Norton's (2013) Investment Theory, and Gumperz's (1982) interactional sociolinguistics, this research aims to understand translanguaging's role in shaping language learning, identity formation, and peer dynamics within an educational context. A qualitative methodology, incorporating data collection through interviews, classroom observations, and vignette responses, provides a comprehensive view of language use within a unique sociocultural context. Key findings suggest that strategic translanguaging fosters inclusivity, emotional comfort, and cultural identity, illustrating how multilingual practices contribute to a dynamic and supportive educational environment. The study further provides theoretical implications for sociolinguistics and applied linguistics, highlighting translanguaging as an adaptive and culturally responsive pedagogical tool. Practical recommendations are offered to educators, policymakers, and social media practitioners, advocating for structured translanguaging practices that align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and promote multilingualism without compromising Arabic cultural integrity.53 0Item Restricted A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF METHODOLOGIES IN NEEDS ANALYSIS IN ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES IN SAUDI ARABIA(The University of Auckland, 2024) Alkhalaf, Abdulrahman Malek; Basturkmen, HelenNeeds analysis is crucial for developing effective English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses, as it identifies learners' specific language needs. This systematic review examined the methodologies employed in needs analysis research within the Saudi Arabian ESP context from 2014 to 2024. Using a systematic review approach, 57 studies were initially identified through a detailed keyword search across various databases, with 21 studies meeting the inclusion criteria for in-depth analysis. A framework was designed and employed to extract and systematically analyze the data. The findings revealed an increasing reliance on mixed-methods approaches. Questionnaires and interviews were widely employed, with document analysis gaining prominence in recent years. The review also noted that, over the past decade, the majority of studies have concentrated on English for Academic Purposes (EAP) contexts. Additionally, there has been a significant rise in the use of technologies for data collection. The study identified challenges such as data complexity, participant accessibility, low response rates, and the need to ensure objectivity while minimizing bias. This review highlights the critical role of needs analysis in informing the design of ESP courses in Saudi Arabia. The findings underscore a methodological evolution toward mixed methods and digital innovation, offering valuable insights for future research and pedagogical practices aimed at addressing learners' language needs in this context.34 0Item Restricted Analyzing the Spread of COVID-19 Misinformation on Twitter: Patterns, Impact, and Countermeasures(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Abokhanjar, Hissah; Li, Weihua; Wang, XiaodanTwitter, as a significant information hub during the pandemic, has facilitated the rapid spread of accurate updates and false narratives, contributing to the ‘infodemic.’ This study investigates the most common types of COVID-19 misinformation spread on Twitter and examines their impact on public perception and behavior. By analyzing a substantial dataset of COVID-19-related tweets, the research identifies recurring misinformation themes, including erroneous claims about the virus’s origin, prevention strategies, treatments, and vaccine efficacy. Prominent misinformation types include theories falsely attributing the virus’s origin to human engineering or intentional release, unproven prevention methods like natural remedies, and misleading treatment options, such as the promotion of unapproved drugs. Additionally, vaccine-related misinformation, including baseless claims about vaccine safety, side effects, and hidden agendas, contributed significantly to public skepticism and hesitancy. The study explores how these misinformation narratives influenced public attitudes and behaviors, revealing that exposure led to increased vaccine hesitancy, reduced compliance with public health guidelines, and the widespread acceptance of conspiracy theories. These effects complicated public health efforts and deepened social and political divisions, further impeding effective pandemic management. The findings highlight the urgent need for strategies to counter misinformation and promote accurate public health information, especially during global crises. Public health authorities, social media platforms, and educators must collaborate to enhance information literacy, improve content moderation, and develop targeted interventions. These efforts are crucial to mitigating the spread and impact of misinformation, thereby safeguarding public health and trust in scientific expertise.33 0Item Restricted Privacy Regulation of Cellular Network Data: A Comparative Study with Recommendations for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(University of Waikato, 2023) Aldubayyan, Ahmed; Rumbles, Associate Wayne; Liao, Leo ZOne of the primary economic objectives of multinational technology corporations is to amass a significant amount of personal data, potentially leading to significant infringements of individuals' privacy rights. The advent of the technology revolution has resulted in a swift evolution of privacy laws in numerous jurisdictions. This can be attributed to the enhanced capacity of governmental and commercial entities to monitor and accumulate extensive data, as well as the economic objectives of global technology corporations to amass copious amounts of personal information. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has yet to implement legal provisions that ensure the privacy rights of its citizens and has also not introduced any legislation that safeguards the confidentiality rights of its citizens. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently contemplating the possibility of implementing a privacy legislation that considers not only its own distinct national culture, but also the role of privacy within the cultures of the surrounding region, as well as on a global scale. Annually, a vast number of international tourists travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has established a comprehensive plan and outlook aimed at luring multinational corporations across diverse sectors. Due to the aforementioned circumstances, it is imperative for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to establish a robust legislative framework that can effectively protect personal data. It is noteworthy that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia operates under the governance of Sharia Law and Islamic Jurisprudence, which serve to safeguard the entitlement to confidentiality and privacy of personal data. The preservation of privacy and confidentiality of personal information is a significant concern for the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and they handle these issues with great sensitivity. In contemporary times, characterised by technological advancements and rapid global and economic development, it is imperative to institute legislation that protects the data and information infrastructure of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in addition to the personal privacy of its populace. The thesis delves into the significance of privacy and examines the measures taken by various jurisdictions to safeguard the personal information of their residents. Additionally, it explores the potential lessons that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can draw from these examples.22 0Item Restricted Compliments and Compliment Responses in Saudi Arabia: A Socio-Pragmatic Study(The University of Auckland, 2024) Alqarawi, Nahlah Abdulaziz; Buckingham, LouisaThis thesis presents a sociopragmatic study of complimenting (C) and compliment responding (CR) in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabic complimenting reflects both universal linguistic features and culture-specific norms. The study aimed to comprehensively examine Saudi Arabic C and CR performance in an authentic context. This study addresses gaps in understanding the sociopragmatic aspects of C/CRs in Saudi Arabia, as prior research has focused on other languages. Unlike previous studies on complimenting and responding in Saudi Arabic that utilized elicitation methods, this study utilizes a corpus of naturally occurring data from 88 hours of audio recordings in informal social events, which serve to maintain and reinforce social ties across familial, tribal, and friendship networks. These events involved participants socializing in recurrent casual encounters and celebratory occasions. This study employed a qualitative approach with descriptive statistics. Thematic analysis was used to identify and categorize the C and CR strategies. The frequency of each identified C and CR strategy was calculated to determine their distributions across the corpus. This approach helped develop Saudi-centred taxonomies that reflect complimenting sociocultural norms. The analysis revealed that physical appearance and personal attributes were the most frequent compliment topics. Explicit compliment strategies predominated over implicit ones. Acceptance with deflection was a prevalent Saudi response strategy. Speaker attributes like gender and dialect (Riyadh and Qassim) impacted strategy choices. Islamic references were commonly featured in mitigation with Cs and appreciation tokens with CRs. The findings from this study contribute to greater awareness of how social values and politeness considerations are shaped by the Islamic faith which governs C/CR sociopragmatic conventions. The findings can help facilitate appropriate compliment and response exchanges between Saudi native speakers and non-native speakers and contribute to the development of educational materials to teach Arabic language learners.102 0Item Restricted Investigating the Influence of Knowledge and Attitudes on AI Practices in English Language Teaching: A Mixed-Methods Study of New Zealand Secondary School ESOL Teachers(Victoria University of Wellington, 2024) Khalil, Daya; Siyanova-Chanturia, AnnaThe rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education has transformed the teaching landscape, offering new opportunities but also posing challenges for teachers (Rahman et al., 2024; Karataş et al., 2024; Kartal & Yeşilyurt, 2024). Previous studies, such as those by Zhang et al. (2023) and Wang et al. (2023), have highlighted the potential benefits of AI for streamlining teaching practices and enhancing instructional efficiency. However, the effective use of AI depends on teachers’ knowledge and attitudes, which shape how they adopt and implement AI tools (Chiu et al., 2024; Kim & Kwon, 2023). Despite the increasing focus on AI in research, no empirical evidence to date has directly investigated how secondary school English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers’ knowledge and attitudes influence their AI practices in New Zealand. This study aims to fill that gap by exploring these relationships. This mixed-methods study involved survey data from 35 secondary school ESOL teachers and semi-structured interviews with four participants. Quantitative results showed that 68.6% of teachers reported low use of AI in English language teaching (ELT), while 31.4% demonstrated moderate use. Knowledge levels varied, with 40% having low knowledge and only 17.1% possessing advanced knowledge. Attitudes were mixed, with 22.9% showing positive attitudes and 25.7% expressing negative attitudes. Regression analysis revealed that attitudes (β = 0.560) were a stronger predictor of practices than knowledge (β = 0.379). Qualitative themes highlighted cautious exploration, the perceived need for robust verification methods of AI content, and the influence of both confidence and familiarity on AI use. Teachers with positive attitudes were more inclined to integrate AI meaningfully, while those with limited knowledge or negative attitudes restricted their use to simpler applications. These results emphasize the need for professional development that strengthens both technical knowledge and critical perspectives, supporting responsible and effective AI integration in ELT.46 0Item Restricted Earnings Quality Using the Long-Run Equilibrium Relation Between Income and Cash Flows(Victoria University of Wellington, 2024-07-07) Alghamdi, Feras; Roger, WillettIn this study, we provide evidence confirming the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship between comprehensive income and cash flows and that short-run deviations from the long-run equilibrium are regularly corrected. Therefore, we introduce an alternative approach to evaluating the quality of earnings, according to which, the quality of earnings is a function of the magnitudes of these short-run deviations and the speed with which they are corrected. We also develop an earnings quality measure, the Income Quality Index (IQI), to serve that purpose. Finally, we illustrate the application and advantages of this approach to earnings quality.35 0Item Restricted The English Language Needs of Applied Medical Sciences Students in a Saudi Arabian College- A Needs Analysis Study(The University of Auckland, 2024) Hausawi, Nada Mohammed; Basturkmen, HelenIn Saudi Arabia, many students are currently enrolled in undergraduate programs in Applied Medical Sciences studies, and these programs require students to complete written assignments in English, which they struggle with. Information about students' English language writing needs in these programs has been limited. This study adopted a genre-based approach to needs analysis to investigate students' English writing needs and challenges in three Medical Sciences disciplines– Anaesthesia Technology, Neuroscience Technology, and Respiratory Care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Applied Medical Sciences faculty members (N=7) and students (N=17). The study found that the students needed to write five genres - patient documentation reports, posters, essays, graduation projects, and case studies. Patient documentation reports were found to be the most important genre. The study found that the students faced multiple writing challenges, including limited knowledge of the genres, limited vocabulary and lack of academic literacy skills. The dissertation makes suggestions for ways English for Academic Purposes writing support can be developed to address the English writing needs of students in this context.38 0