INVESTIGATION OF EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA IN NIGERIA

INVESTIGATION OF EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA IN NIGERIA

 

Abstract

The upsurge in the incidence and prevalence of examination malpractice especially with the advent and popular use of the social media has become worrisome to educational managers and the society at large. This paper essentially examined the relationship between examination malpractice and the use of social media. The qualitative and quantitative methods were used to gather data and with the aid of simple percentage and content analysis the data were interpreted. The study revealed that the incidence of exam misconduct has soared as a result of the use of whatsapp and other social networking sites. There is therefore the need for government and educational managers to ensure the non use of mobile phones in and around examination venues.

CHAPTER ONE/INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Evidence abound of increasing incidence of examination malpractice by university undergraduates which conflicts with the core purpose of education – the training of the mind and character for the acquisition of practical and theoretical skills, knowledge and functional ideas for development; and the search for truth and knowledge and the creation and communication of ideas (Aaron, 1992, Nanna, 1997).
Examination malpractice is an illegal or unethical behaviour exhibited by students/candidates in the process of being tested on their ability or knowledge of a subject matter(s) (Ikupa, 1997). This is not a new phenomenon in Nigeria as the first incident was reported in 1914 during the senior Cambridge local examinations were the question papers leaked before the due date of the examination. It has however assumed an alarming rate of increase as the students have devised various means of evading the eagle eyes of the invigilators.
The advent and full embrace of social media, particularly whatsapp and facebook by all and sundry but more particularly by the youths who are students have further increased the sophistication and diversification of the means by which examination malpractice are carried out. Social media refers to web and mobile-based technologies which are used to turn communication into interactive dialogue among individuals, organization and communities. They are internet-mediated human communication systems that are based on the framework of web. 2.0. Web 2.0 is the software that accounts for all social interactions and exchange between and among individuals, organization and communities via the Web or internet, (Dominick 2009). The concept of social media therefore finds meaning in the ability of users to generate, interpret, restructure and disseminate content. The idea enables users to create and share experiences, information or ideas based on the pervasive technology of the internet and the World Wide Web (www).
Social media combine technologies and features (both past and evolving), to create online global environments for interaction and exchange and they have given rise to a new way of life and to essentially new voices through interpersonal communication channels. These new voices which began as innocuous interpersonal communication channels have, following increased access to the internet and other computer devices that support social networking, grown into global sites for news dissemination. Indeed, social networking sites such as facebook, twitter, you tube, and other handheld mobile applications, such as blackberry, whatsapp etc, are some of the popular web-based social media that are giving vent to previously voiceless individuals and groups who have today become strong new voices. The most popular users of these social networking platforms are the university undergraduates. This of course accounts for the use of the social networking platforms in the perpetuation and carrying out examination malpractice and vices.

Statement of the Problem

 
The prevalence and incidence of examination malpractice in Nigeria has grown astronomically and this has become a problem not just to the sociologists, school counselors, administrators of educational institutions, but also parents and the society at large. More worrisome today is the fact that, undergraduates in Nigerian universities have devised various means to perpetuate this social menace while avoiding being caught.
The wide reception and acceptance of the use of social media by the society are university undergraduates inclusive have further compounded the fight against examination malpractice. Ordinarily, the social media or networking was supposed to aid the study habits and academic performance of students but it would appear that besides this manifest function of social media, it has latent and unintended social consequences.
Students‟ academic performance takes important place in teaching and learning process. Social media utilization is supposed to enhance the students study habits and help to attain greater height in their academic pursuits. De Escobar (2009) observed that students need to be familiar with the relationship between good study habits and academic achievement to accomplish great success in any level of education.
There has been increased concern on the negative use of media among the students which has affected the study habits and performance. Oji (2007) noted that the growing incidence of students using the internet not necessarily for academic purposes but for anti-social activities is at an astonishing rate. They use websites for pornography, fraud and for other social vices in the society. Schill (2011) asserted that the social media
sites encourage negative behaviour among students such as catching up with unknown friends and so on.
Wang, Chen and Liang (2011) findings on effect of social media on college students, showed that social media use is negatively associated with academic performance. They noted that two thirds of the students are found using social media while in class studying or doing homework. This multitasking increase distraction and becomes detrimental to students‟ performance and study habits and reading habit. Osarumwense (2015) noted that the increase in examination malpractice is due to the use of whatsapp. He added that students now snap the questions in the examination hall and send the answer back through whatsapp while others simply google the answers. It is therefore worthwhile to investigate the perception of social media as a predictor for the incidence of examination malpractice amongst university undergraduates
 

Objectives of the Study

The Main Objectives Of The Study Is To Investigation Of Examination Malpractices Through Social Media In Kaduna North Local Government Area Or Ife Central Local Government Area Osun State
This study is designed specifically:

  1. to investigate whether social media is used in the commission of examination malpractice amongst students in UTME/SSCE coaching centre
  2. to examine whether social media is used in enhancing academic performance amongst students in UTME/SSCE SSCE coaching centre
  3. to examine the dangers associated with social media towards examination malpractices

 

Research Questions

  1. Does social media aid in the commission and perpetuation of examination misconduct?
  2. Do social media enhance academic performance?
  3. What are the dangers social media poses towards examination malpractices?

Social Media Usage as Predictor of Examination Malpractices among Students in Nigeria

Social Media Usage as Predictor of Examination Malpractices among Students in Nigeria

1.1 Background to the Study
Scholars have indentified age of the student (Achio, 2012);gender of the student (Nwafor, 2009); as well as test anxiety (Omotere, 2011) as traditional predictors of examination malpractices among students. Other predictors of examination malpractices that have equally received the attention of scholars include peer group pressure, poor study habit, and fear of failure. However, social media has received little or no attention by scholars.
Social media is defined as “the relationships that exist between network of people” (Qingya, Wei & Yu, 2011: 3). Social media emerged as a term frequently used to describe different types of electronic communication platforms. The availability of high speed internet broadband connection with massive use of desktop computers, laptops, e-readers, tablets and smart phones enable millions of undergraduates to actively engage in social networking, text messaging, blogging, content sharing, online learning, and much more.

ALSO EXPLORE SOCIAL MEDIA’S EFFECT IN EXAM MALPRACTICE IN NIGERIA

Social media, as defined by Bryer and Zavatarro (2011: 327), “are technologies that facilitate social interaction, make possible collaboration, and enable deliberation across stakeholders”. These technologies now include blogs, wikis, media (audio, photo, video, text) sharing tools, networking platforms, and virtual worlds. Social Media Online (2011) defines social media as primarily internet-and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information by users. The term, according to Andreas and Michael (2010: 61), refers to “a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content.” Web 2.0 was coined by  Darcy DiNucci in 1999 to describe interactive social websites which allow users to interact and collaborate with each other in a social media dialogue.
A growing number of Nigerian scholars agree that addiction to social media sites are potentially a disruptive technology to students’ academic work in higher education. Among them is Oluwatoyin (2011: 13) who surveyed 1,860 Facebook users from the Lagos State University and found that most of the students could not get cumulative grade point average (CGPA) above 3.50 because they’ve spent large part of their time on social media than on their home work and study time which could contribute to higher grade. Oluwatoyin’s findings is further supported by Ajewole and Fasola (2011: 69) whose study of 884 students from eight higher institutions in Oyo State showed that majority of them spend more time on social media at the detriment of their studies.
This view is however rejected by some researchers who acknowledge that social media sites not only re-engage learners with their studies but also enhance their academic performance. For instance, Onyeka, Sajoh & Bulus (2013:39) argue that the frequent use of social media sites has no negative effect on the students’ studies. In the same vein, Ogedebe, Emmanuel & Musa (2012: 788) posited that Facebook usage does not have adverse effect on the academic work of students in the Universities.
While the present study is not burdened with the direct effect of social media usage on undergraduates’ CGPA, its primary focus is centered how social media usage predicts examination malpractices among students.

Statement of the problem

Many educators and educationists such Adesina (2006), Anwabor (2006), Bamwo (2006) and Jekayinfa (2006) have written on many aspects of examination dishonesty in the Nigerian education system. However, none of them has written on how the usage of social media affects examination fraud. They also did not discuss how the introduction of ICT tools can help curb examination fraud in Nigeria. This study has attempted to fill that gap.

Significance of the Study

This research work will suggest to the government, the need to expand the scope of their policies on examination malpractice to make provision for examination malpractices that are perpetrated through social media tools.
It will further enlighten the school management and supervisors to the growing trend of social media usage and how it is been used for examination malpractices and how to curb their students’ from indulging it to perpetrate malpractice.
It will enlighten parents on the need for them to be sensitive, pay attention, to caution and regulate the manner in which their children use social media tools which will help to reduce the prevalence of examination malpractice.

DESIGN OF AN AUTOMATED COMPUTER BASED CURRENCY EXCHANGER SYSTEM

DESIGN OF AN AUTOMATED COMPUTER BASED CURRENCY EXCHANGER SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION
1.1        BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The market of foreign exchange has become the largest financial market in the world today. And it’s operating virtually around the world, the foreign market trades enormous amount of money which is estimated several trillion dollars daily. The introduction of the new system to the foreign exchange market will help reduce errors and problernsre1ated to currency exchange which the old system has been unable to solve. This is a brief idea of the old and new system of currency exchange services.
 
A country’s currency is a legal tender generally accepted or used in the exchange of goods and services. In such a way the currency of other countries are considered foreign to other countries. Individuals who are citizens of a country can at any point in time need money in foreign currency, for some reason. For example a Nigerian citizen could be involved in a certain business transaction involving the use of US dollars; he or she at this point in time will need to exchange his naira to its dollars equivalent to suit his purpose.
 
Likewise an European visiting Nigerian will need to carry out an exchange of currency since he cannot use euro in Nigerian for payments of transactions, hence there is need to device currency exchange system that will handle the process of exchanging a local currency for a foreign currency and vice-versa. This is the focus of this study and its primary aim is to introduce an automated system that will ease the burden of manual currency exchange in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
 
1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Currency exchange services are still manually operated in most banks today and this poses a lot of problem as a resultwhich exchange processes fail to meet with the desired objectives. Below are some problems associated with the manual method.
Delay in foreign exchange transaction.
Imbalance of accounts transaction.
Difficulties in the arrangement and retrieval’ of records.
Inability to meet up effectively the challenges of modern business management operations.
Excessive consumption of paper and time.
 
1.3 AIM  AND OBJECTIVES .
 
The primary aim of this study is to device and implement an automated (Computerized) system to help carry out currency exchange transaction which will be faster at the long run and less tedious than the manual method. The processed system is aimed at eliminating majority, if not all the problems brought about by the adoption of the manual system. I therefore, believe that the system would be good enough to achieve the following objective ;
 

  • Quicken the process involved in currency exchange transaction.
  • Provide accurate and maximum security to information security and records.
  • Keeping record of transactions made for future references.
  • Ensures less consumption of paper document.
  • Provide balance accounts of transactions.
  • Generally make work easier and more convenient for the staff and management of the bank.

 
1.4   SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study covers the conversion of currencies of eight different countries which include USA (dollars) UK (pounds) German (Deut she mark) France (French Frances) japan (yen) Switzerland (Swiss franc) European Union (euro) and Ghana (cedi) into Nigeria equivalent which is the Nigeria currency.
 
1.4   OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
 
The objectives of this research, is to implement currency exchange system that will be able:
1.To record the name of each customer, choose and record the amount currency type he/she  wishes to convert.
2.To produce the current exchange rate, save/delete each customer’s transaction.
3.To produce the naira equivalent of the currency being converted.
4.To produce and deduct the bank commission customer is obliged to  pay from naira equivalent.
5.To produce the net amount in naira the customer get at the end of the transaction.
Also an attempt is made to implement the currency exchange system in php programming language.
 
1.5 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
 
This sub topic aims at identifying the existing problems associated with manual system of currency exchange transaction in order to achieve a desired goal in the newly proposed system for efficiency in currency markets.
 
But it is specifically designed to work in the Central Bank of Nigeria. Hence, certain modifications have to be made if it has to work for any other bank. The issue of exchange rate fluctuation, merchandise trade balance and flow of funds between countries to pay stocks and bounds purchased and the rate of inflation other limitations to be reckoned with if this system is to be effectively implemented.
 
1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS
 

  • Automation: The use of automated machine such as computers is an organization for rapid processing test.
  • Merchandise Trade Balance: It is the net difference between thevalue of merchandise trade balance being exported and imported into a particular country.
  • Manual System: These are systems that are put into work using bare hand or physical skill(effort).
  • Computer Program: A set of instructions meant to be obeyed by the computer in order to accomplish a specific purpose.
  • Database: A collection of stored operational data used as information of related records for easy reference.
  • Database Management System (DBMS): It is a collection of programs that enable users create and maintain a database.
  • Algorithm: This is the method of solving a problem using operation for a given set of basic operation which produces the answers in a given set of basic operation which produces in a finite step.
  • Flowchart: It is a diagrammatic representation of algorithm using a limited set of symbols that outlines the program before writing it.
  • Pseudo code: It is a distribution of an algorithm using English expression, mathematical notation and a limited set of special command to represent the actual program.

 

AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT AS A MEANS OF SECURITY

ABSTRACT
This project work is based on the simulation of fingerprints based biometrics, h is an application that allows the computer to be able to identify and confirm an employee in an organisation and to change from the old manual system of identification to the new system. Visual Basic 6.0 was used for developing the system because it is flexible and memory conserving. And to itself documentation, it is easy to understand and to overcome difficult tasks when compared with other languages. Microsoft Access 2002 is used for the database development and preferred query language is Structured Query Language (SQL) for record manipulation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of contents
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Aim and objectives of the study
1.4 Significance of the study
1.5 Scope and limitation of the study
1.6 Definition of terms
1.7 Organisation of the report
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELEVANT LITERATURES
2.1 Background knowledge
2.2 Computer Aided Learning/Instruction
2.2.1 Computer Aided Individual Learning
2.2.2 Computer Aided group Learning
2.3 Types of Computer Aided Learning Program
2.4 Benefits of computer aided learning
2.5 Limitation of Computer as a teaching aid
2.6 Artificial intelligence
2.7 Problems of artificial intelligence
CHAPTER THREE: PROJECT METHODOLOGY
3.1 Method of data collection
3.2 Analysis of data and the existing system
3.3 Problems of the existing system
3.4 Description of the proposed system
3.5 Advantages of the proposed system
3.6 Design and Implementation Methodology
CHAPTER FOUR: DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE SYSTEM
4.1 Design of the system
4.1.1 Output Design
4.1.2 Input Design
4.1.3 File/Database design
4.1.4 Procedure Design
4.2 Implementation of the System
4.2.1 Hardware Support
4.2.2 Software support
4.3 Documentation of the system
4.3.1 Program Documentation
4.3.2 Operating the system
4.3.3 Maintaining the system
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
Appendix
Flowchart
Source code
Programs outputs

Contents

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AUTOMATED UNIVERSITY STUDENTS CLASS ATTENDANCE SYSTEM USING THUMB PRINTS

AUTOMATED UNIVERSITY STUDENTS CLASS ATTENDANCE SYSTEM USING BIO-METRICS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Pages
Cover page
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgment iv
Abstract v
Table of Contents vi
List of Tables x
List of Figures x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 1
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 3
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES 4
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY 4
1.5 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY 4
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 5
1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS 6
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 WHAT IS BIOMETRICS 7
2.2 HISTORY OF BIOMETRICS 9
2.3 TYPES OF BIOMETRIC DEVICES AVAILABLE 14
2.3.1 RETINA SCANNER 15
2.3.2 IRIS SCANNER 17
2.3.3 FINGERPRINT SCANNER 19
2.3.4 FACIAL BIOMETRICS 22
2.3.5 VOICE RECOGNITION 24
2.3.6 HAND PRINT PATTERNS 24
2.3.7 DNA FINGERPRINT 26
2.3.8 DEEP TISSUE ILLUMINATION 26
2.3.9 VOICE PRINT KEYSTROKE PATTERN 26
2.4 APPLICATION AREAS OF BIOMETRICS 27
2.5 RELATED STUDIES 31
2.6 SUMMARY OF REVIEW 34
CHAPTER THREE: SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
3.1 ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM 36
3.2 JUSTIFICATIONS OF THE NEW SYSTEM 37
3.3 METHODOLOGY 37
3.4 DATA COLLECTION 39
3.5 THE PROPOSED NEW SYSTEM 39
3.6 DATA STRUCTURE 44
CHAPTER FOUR: SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION, TESTING AND INTEGRATION
4.1 CHOICE OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE 46
4.2 THE SYSTEM MAIN MENU IMPLEMENTATION 47
4.2.1 MAIN MENU 47
4.2.2 ADMIN LOGIN PAGE 48
4.2.3 LECTURER ACTIVATOR SETUP PAGE 49
4.3 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUB-SYSTEM 50
4.4 QUERY SUB-SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION 53
4.5 SYSTEM TESTING AND INTEGRATION 54
4.6 TEST PLAN 54
4.7 TEST DATA 54
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 SUMMARY 55
5.2 RECOMMENDATION 56
5.3 CONCLUSION 57
REFERENCES

simulation of fingerprint as a means of academic staff attendance

Managing time attendance of staff in organizations has proven to be a challenging endeavor. Manual methods have been proposed in capturing employees’ attendance but there are inadequacies in measuring the performance of employees. This paper aims at promoting staff efficiency at work by developing a secure attendance management system for use in tertiary institutions via two subsystems; Fingerprint biometrics as a method of identification and authentication and Question-Answering module for staff performance rating. The system uses staff fingerprints stored in the database upon registration for carrying out the process of attendance and validate staff lectures’ requirements. It is accentuated by creating a question-answering module that allows students to answer some questions on each available and registered staff, hence, giving a more concentrated content about staff’s activities within the school.

SOURCE CODE AVAILABLE-simulation of fingerprint as a means of academic staff attendance

The evaluation was carried out based on the matching efficiency and attendance accuracy of the proposed system. The proposed system performed excellently with 98.51% attendance accuracy based on the high successful staff identification recorded. Hence, staff performance rating was generated, thereby creating an avenue for determining promotion grounds.

heamatological parameters and serum biochemical indices of indgenous sheep fed elephant grass

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Heamatological parameters and serum biochemical indices of indgenous sheep fed elephant grass

ABSTRACT

The hematological and biochemical parameters of 140 apparently healthy sheep consisting of 70 adults (35male and 35 female) comprised of 3 indigenous and popular brzzeeds of sheep of northern Nigeria were studied. Data were analyzed for the effect of breed, sex and season packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly higher (P<0.05) for Ouda ram of the north west. Haemoglobin (Hb) values was higher (P<0.05) for Balami sheep. Red blood cell count (RBC) was significantly (P<0.05) for Balami ewes. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) was higher in Balami ram (17.89 Pg) while the values were much higher in Yankasa ewe lamb. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was significantly higher (P<0.05) for adult sheep than in lambs. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was observed to be higher for Ouda ram (98.8 fl) while the values were much higher in Yankasa ram lamb. Yankasa ewe had the highest white blood cell count (WBC). White blood cell differential shows that lymphocytes was significantly higher (P<0.05) for Yankasa sheep (adult). Neutrophils was significantly higher (P<0.05) for Balami ewe (adults and lambs). Eosinophils was observed only in Yanksa goats (adult and lamb). Monocytes was observed only in Ouda ram. The serum sodium ranged from (140.0 to 156.0 mmol/l) for adult sheep of all breeds, (140.0 to 160.0 mmol/l) for sheep lambs of all breeds.
 

AUTOMATED BIRTH RATE MONITORING AND CHILD VACCINATION ALERT SYSTEM

AUTOMATED BIRTH RATE MONITORING AND CHILD VACCINATION ALERT SYSTEM

Vaccination is the way of prevention from various infectious diseases. It stimulates the immune system against a pathogen. In many developed countries, the process of Vaccination system is not technology based. In Bangladesh, patients use manual Vaccination system still now which is not secure. The existing systems are the paper-based system. Today peoples are going to be digitalized on their particular life in Bangladesh. So every parent’s wants secured and flexible child vaccines system than the existing manual system. In fact, many parents don’t register their childbirth just because the process of registering is tiresome. In this paper, we have implemented the web-based as well as android based vaccines system so that the parents get facilities to monitor vaccination activity by mobile application/online. We emphasized our government vaccines which have given after childbirth. Our digitalized vaccination system can solve many problems to monitor and maintain proper vaccination system. Especially problem of an unaware mother at third world country. It can be used for all government and non-government clinic or hospital who are working for mother and child health. Parents can register their childbirth and will know about vaccines schedule through a single & simple SMS by using our proposed system.

The Role of Personal Selling in Enhancing Client Satisfaction in

The Role of Personal Selling in Enhancing Client Satisfaction in
Nigerian Insurance Market

 

Abstract

Nigerian insurance industry is beset with a number of challenges, the most prominent is the low awareness level among the insuring public. This may be resolved through effective personal selling as promotional tool for insurance services. Personal selling is a unique element of marketing, it does not only create awareness and provide information about the features of the products; it also adopts individualistic approach that is designed to meet specific need of prospects and specific market segments. This study will be useful to insurance and marketing practitioners who wish to understand why there is variation in the demand for similar products of different producers. It will arouse the reasons for constant review and update of marketing strategies as response to changes in the business environment.This paper examines the roles of personal selling in enhancing clients’ satisfaction in Nigeria insurance market. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research was adopted and 110{One Hundred and Ten} respondents from selected insurance firms were randomly selected. Data procedures were done using descriptive and inferential statistical instruments while independent T-test was used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that personal selling strategy is the most beneficial marketing communication tool that should be embraced by Nigerian firms. It may also be used to improve the image of the industry.