Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Cultural and Individual Factors Influencing Test Anxiety: A Concurrent Mixed Method Study of Saudi High School Students’ Perceptions of Test Anxiety in English and Math(Howard University, 2024) Albalawi, Yusra; Picho-Kiroga, KatherineThe purpose of this study was to investigate the level of test anxiety that high school male and female students experience in English and mathematics classes in Saudi high schools. The study examined test anxiety in both subjects from motivational antecedents and cultural factors that cause test anxiety among students. A mixed-methods study was designed, with quantitative data collected on structured instruments. Test anxiety was measured on the Test Anxiety Inventory (TIA) from a total of 280 high school students in grades 9 through 12 recruited from public high schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Qualitative data were collected using focus group interviews with 20 students (10 male, 10 female) selected from a sample pool of 280 students by a systematic random sampling procedure. The quantitative data were analyzed with means, t-test (independent and dependent sample), one-way ANOVA, and hierarchical linear regression. The results indicated a moderate level of test anxiety in all students, with male students experiencing higher test anxiety than female students. Moreover, higher test anxiety was observed in English than in mathematics. Motivation and cultural factors are substantial sources of test anxiety among students, and success expectancies were negatively correlated with test anxiety in mathematics and English; however, task value was positively correlated with math test anxiety. Collective social stigma was the only predictor found to be significantly predictive of English and math test anxiety. Five themes emerged from qualitative data: high-stakes tests, subject-induced anxiety, family and social bonding, incompetence and nervousness, and future aspirations and value of the exams. The study concluded that test anxiety is common among Saudi high school students, but that gender and subject differences exist, caused by several cultural and motivational factors.48 0Item Restricted PERCEIVED LINGUISTIC AND NON-LINGUISTIC BARRIERS FACING SAUDI FEMALE PARTNERS LEARNING ENGLISH(University of Mississippi, 2024-05-29) Dulli, Samah; Coles, FeliceThe partners of the Saudi students who come to the United States on scholarships to earn a degree (Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D.) are eligible for full scholarships as well. However, most of them fail to proceed in earning a degree or fulfill the language proficiency requirement needed to join an academic degree program. This study surveys between 10 to 20 adult female partners of Saudi university students to elicit their opinions on how much English they think they will learn during their partner scholarship time in academic and non-academic settings. This study investigates the female partners of the Saudi degree learners and the factors that they believe could influence their level of attainment of the English language or mastering the second language while in Oxford, Mississippi, as they have full scholarships to earn degrees. Keywords: Sociolinguistics, Saudi Females, linguistics/non-linguistics factors, Motivation, EFL learners, Language barriers.23 0Item Restricted Student Perceptions of Virtual L2 Learning: Anxiety and Motivation in the COVID-19 Era(University of Reading, 2024-03-25) Alahmadi, Asim Eid; Capstick, TonyThe impacts of virtual education on student levels of motivation and anxiety are explored by the present study, using the qualitative method. Ten students from one Saudi Arabian university were recruited to participate in this study. Thematic Analysis, developed by Braun and Clarke (2006), was used to analyse the data deductively in order to identify those factors influencing students’ anxiety and motivation levels in the virtual environment. The results indicate that the online environment is associated with a higher level of anxiety and a lower level of motivation. The investigation highlighted a number of relevant aspects, including instructors’ teaching styles, lacking student interaction, and online content.10 0Item Restricted Teachers’ Perceptions of EFL Students’ Motivation in Blended Learning Using Blackboard(University of Glasgow, 2023) Ashkan, Layal; Marshall, CharlesAbstract Teaching English online has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its convenience and flexibility, necessitating a deeper understanding of the dynamics that influence student motivation in virtual classrooms. This study aims to investigate Saudi EFL teachers' perceptions of Blackboard as an educational tool for the students’ motivation and identify the teaching practices they believe are effective. The researcher conducted a thematic analysis and semi-structured interviews to gain insights into Saudi EFL teachers' perceptions of Blackboard as an educational tool. The research findings revealed positive and negative feelings about online learning among Saudi EFL teachers. While some teachers expressed enthusiasm for the potential benefits of using technology in teaching, others raised concerns regarding the challenges associated with online learning. Blackboard was seen as facilitating communication between teachers and students, allowing for instant feedback and exchange of ideas. However, there were also some negative perceptions expressed. Some teachers reported feeling isolated and disconnected from their students in an online learning environment. They highlighted the importance of face-to-face interactions and the social aspect of teaching, which could not be fully replicated through digital means. Additionally, technical issues, such as slow internet connections and glitches in the platform, were cited as barriers to effective teaching and learning. Furthermore, the findings highlighted the importance of effective teaching practices when using Blackboard methods. Teachers emphasized the importance of clear instructions and well-designed content to facilitate student learning. They also highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for students to interact and collaborate with their peers and the teacher. Understanding the role of possible selves in Dornyei’s self-motivation theory is crucial in helping students address the real problem with motivation. By encouraging students to explore and envision their future selves, educators can help them make meaningful connections between their academic endeavors and their long-term aspirations. This approach goes beyond short-term rewards and punishments, fostering a genuine desire to learn. By delving into Dornyei's theory and emphasizing the significance of possible selves, educators can better understand student motivation and guide their students more effectively. Encouraging students to explore their possible selves fosters intrinsic motivation and paves the way for a more meaningful and fulfilling educational experience.13 0Item Restricted CLICKING, SCROLLING, OR SWITCHING: UNVEILING THE PREDICTORS OF MEDIA MULTITASKING IN THE UNITED STATES AND SAUDI ARABIA(The University of Alabama, 2024-03-18) Alshamrani, Talal; Panek, ElliotMedia multitasking is the simultaneous use of two media devices or applications. Given the global rise of media multitasking and its potential implications for media users, understanding the factors that drive this behavior across cultures is crucial. This study explores different factors that may predict media multitasking behaviors among users in the United States of America (USA) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), using the Uses and Gratifications Theory (U&G) as a theoretical framework. Specifically, the study examined three key factors that may influence this behavior including, demographic, motivational, and cultural factors. The study utilized an online survey to gather data from two samples of media users in both countries (N = 587). The study revealed that while both the USA and KSA participants frequently multitask with long video-based content and social networking, KSA users exhibit higher levels of media multitasking frequency. Among the demographic factors, age negatively predicts media multitasking, while unemployment status is linked to increased multitasking activities in both countries. Motivational factors played a different role, with social motivations positively predicting multitasking in the USA, while connection and enjoyment motivations served as positive predictors in the KSA. In addition, time orientation (polychronic vs. monochronic) partially explains the variation in media multitasking frequency between the countries, highlighting the role of cultural factors. This study contributes to the understanding of cross- cultural differences in media multitasking, highlighting the complex interplay of demographic, motivational, and cultural factors.17 0Item Restricted THE IMPACT OF PREFORMANCE APPRISAL ON EMPLOYEES’ COMMITMENT AND MOTIVATION AT TOURISM HOTELS IN JEDDAH(Oxford Brookes University, 2024-03-12) Aloqab, Ameera; Yan, GordonIn the context of Jeddah's tourist hotels, this study investigates how performance reviews affect workers' dedication and enthusiasm. Examining the interplay between performance review, employee dedication, and intrinsic motivation in this sector is the study's primary objective. The research lays forth many important goals to accomplish this purpose. The primary goal of the research is to have a better understanding of performance evaluation and its effects on workers. This requires an in-depth investigation of performance evaluation's theoretical foundations and practical consequences within the specific context of Jeddah's tourist hotels. There is a main research component to the study that involves interviewing employees to get their first-hand accounts and empirical evidence. The research aims to capture the positive and negative effects of performance assessment on employee motivation and commitment through these interviews. Furthermore, using a qualitative method with the adoption of primary research method allows for a more in-depth exploration of the personal perspectives and encounters of those employed by tourism establishments by way of conducting interviews among targeted participants. The analysis of the collected data follows the data collecting step of the study. The purpose of this part is to assess the results by comparing them to previous studies and noting any discrepancies or overlaps. By contextualising the study's findings within the larger corpus of literature on performance evaluation, motivation, and commitment, this comparative analysis strengthens the study's validity. Consequently, in order to draw significant conclusions, the research combines its results. Further research is needed to fill in the gaps and reduce the detrimental effect of performance assessment on staff motivation and commitment at Jeddah's tourist hotels, according to the study's suggestions. This research adds to the continuing discussion about how to optimise performance evaluation procedures in the specific setting of the hotel and tourist industry by using a comprehensive approach that integrates academic knowledge with witness accounts.13 0Item Restricted How Do Saudi Universities Motivate Students to Benefit from and Engage in E-Learning Systems?(Victoria University, 2024-03-27) Alamrei, Saad Othman M; Martino, John; Thomas, PeterIn recognition of the importance of education and health, the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia allocated the largest budget in 2023 to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, among all ministries (Ministry of Finance, 2023). e-learning in Saudi universities is considered an indispensable part of continuing the educational process and keeping pace with the world in scientific and technological development. Because there are few studies that have focused on motivating students in Saudi universities and even less on motivating students to use and engage in e-learning systems i, this thesis investigates student motivation and explores strategies used by Saudi universities to motivate their students to benefit from and engage in e-learning. In addition, it aimed to measure the effectiveness of these strategies through the use of Keller's ARCS Model of Motivational Design. The study sample covered three universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and included students, academic staff, and e-learning specialists. A mixed methods research approach was used in this thesis, which selected two units from each university. Data were collected through individual interviews with six academic staff members, five e-learning specialists, and twenty-six students in total in focus groups; one hundred and sixty responses were also obtained from students who participated through filling out questionnaires across the three universities. The results of the study revealed that there were no specific strategies developed by the three Saudi universities to trigger students’ motivation towards using and engaging in e-learning systems. However, the results showed that some academic staff motivate students in the e-learning environment, using different methods they consider appropriate based on their experience, aiming to make the content more engaging and thus increasing students’ engagement. The results of the study also brought to light some barriers facing e-learning in Saudi universities, such as weak Blackboard systems or poor internet performance, especially in university branches outside big cities. The study concluded that Saudi universities need to develop clear strategies aimed at motivating students to use, engage in, and fully benefit from e-learning systems. The thesis recommended that academic staff should be involved in developing and creating e-learning content to ensure that it appeals to students. In addition, the study highlighted the need for further research to foster better understanding of students’ motivation and achieve successful implementation of e-learning systems in Saudi Arabia.20 0Item Restricted Artificial Intelligence: Voice Assistants(University of Manchester, 2023) Almirabi, Alaa; Mehandjiev, NikolayThe increasing amount of data and the need to rapidly retrieve information has prompted individuals to rely on technology. Voice assistants have been developed as an innovative tool that provides a natural interface to retrieving information from the digital world and even instructing simple transactions such as purchasing items off the Web. A voice assistant is a software application driven by AI that operates as a personal information manager, such as Siri, Amazon Alexa and Google Now. However, a deeper understanding of users' perceptions regarding voice assistants is necessary to increase user engagement and ensure users continue using them. This need motivates the exploratory study presented in this thesis. It aims to investigate the relationship between individuals and their home's voice assistants to identify the main characteristics that facilitate establishing a significant and engaging connection between them, leading to their continuous use of the voice assistant. This research thus aims to enhance the post-adoption stage by providing a valuable contribution to improving the relationship between users and their home voice assistants. The main findings of this study indicate that both perceived anthropomorphism and perceived intelligence significantly impact the continuous intention to use and engage with the voice assistant. Nevertheless, the importance of these relationships comes from specific crucial mediators such as engagement, rapport, engagement motivations, perceived value and satisfaction. These factors significantly influence the user's intention to use and engage with voice assistant technology.23 0Item Restricted The Effects of Travelling on the Wellbeing of Saudi Millennials(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-10-20) Alashahrani, Shuruq; Ladkin, AdeleIn recent decades, the concept of tourism and wellbeing has gained considerable attention. This research assesses the effects of travel on the wellbeing of Saudi Millennials and their perceptions regarding the importance of tourism in aspects of their wellbeing. It also explores the characteristics and motivations of this specific group towards travel. Using quantitative approaches, a survey was distributed to 535 participants, including both genders. The findings reveal that the majority of Saudi Millennials strongly believe that tourism positively affects their happiness and overall wellbeing. The results further indicate that the act of travelling itself is the biggest motivation for this generation, and it is mostly driven by push motives. Notably, the findings also demonstrate that the quality of social relationships significantly influences the overall wellbeing of Saudi Millennial tourists.16 0Item Restricted LEARNING ENGLISH IN THE TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING CORPORATION (TVTC) IN SAUDI ARABIA: PERSPECTIVES OF FIRST YEAR STUDENTS(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-12-12) Daqdaqi, Rashed Ahmed; Dietrich, SarahThis study examines the perspectives of 35 first year students enrolled in the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In light of the development strategy of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which places significant emphasis on the acquisition of foreign languages to facilitate economic diversification and growth, this research examined the perspectives and drives of students in relation to the learning of English. The study found that the participants mostly showed positive and hopeful attitudes when it came to learning English. This study offers significant contributions to the understanding of the intricate dynamics involved in the process of learning the English language among students from Saudi Arabia. It illuminates the various obstacles and possibilities that arise as they strive to achieve proficiency in the language. The research emphasizes the necessity of adopting an innovative methodology for teaching English in vocational and technical education institutions in Saudi Arabia. This approach should aim to tackle motivational challenges and ensure that language acquisition is in line with the changing demands of the Saudi economy and society.49 0