Absent I Seem
Absent I Seem
Absent I Seem
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This study could not have been done without the valuable contribution of many
individuals. They have contributed their time, advice,effort, and ideas that enhance
the quality of this study, and never ending support to the success of this research.
Therefore, I would like to take this golden opportunity to express my sincere
appreciation and profound gratitude to several people who provided critical
comments, suggestions and support to the success ofthis study_
First and foremost, I would like to thank God for giving me the courage, serenity and
perseverance in completing this research. I also would like to express my deepest
appreciation and gratitude to my supervisor, Mr.Abang Ekhsan Abg Othman for all
his guidance. Without him assistance, I may not be able to complete my project
within time frame. Furthermore, his constructive advices, constant guidance and
insightful suggestion have helped me immensely in improving my research as well.
I would also like to put into words of thanking Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and
Human Development for instructions in proper procedures given to me on completing
my research. Moreover, the information and suggestions provided by the lectures and
staff serve as a source for improving my research.
Moreover, I would like to say thank you to all respondents who had given high
cooperation in completing my research questionnaires. In addition, the continuous
encouragements, information, suggestions and ideas that are given by my friends
along the whole process also helpful to me and my research.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my family for their unwavering support, both
financially and morally, throughout my research. Without them, I would not have the
strength and courage to complete this research.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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vi
ix
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Abstrak
Abstract
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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
Introduction
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Objective of the Study
1.3.1 General Objective
1.3.2 Specific Objective
Conceptual Framework
Research Hypothesis
Significance/Importance of the Study
Limitations and Scope of the Study
Definition of Terms
1.8.1 Absenteeism
1.8.2 Gender
1.8.3 Subject Interest
1.8.4 Lecturer's Skills
1.8.5 Student's Attitude
1.8.6 Health Problems
Summary
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2.2
Introduction
Basis for Formulating Conceptual/ Theoretical
Framework
2.1.1 Social Learning Theory
2.1.2 Maslow Theory
Review of Related Literature
2.2.1 Related Studies of Absenteeism
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2.2.6.1 Gender
2.3 Summary
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3.0
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.6
Introduction
Design of the study
Population and Sample
Instrument of the Study
3.3.1 Section A: Demographic Background
3.3.2 Section B: Level of Perceived Absenteeism
3.3.3 Section C: Factors Influencing Student's Absence
Pilot Studies
Data Collection Method and Procedures
3.5.1 Primary Data
3.5.2 Secondary Data
Data and Analysis Procedure
3.6.1 Descriptive Statistic
3.6.2 Inferential Statistic
3.6.2.1 Independent Sample t-Test
3.6.2.2 Pearson Correlation Coefficient
3.6.3 Independent Sample t- Test
3.6.4 Pearson Correlation
Summary
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4.0 Introduction
4.1 Findings
4.1.1 Demographic characteristics
4.1.1.1 Gender
4.1.1.2 Faculty
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1
Figure 2
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1
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Table 2
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Table 3
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Table 4
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Table 6
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Table 7
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Table 8
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Table 9
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Table 10
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Table 12
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ABSTRAK
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FAKTOR- FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHl KETIDAKHADIRAN PELAJAR
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ABSTRACT
This study aimed to detennine the factors that influencing student's absenteeism in
university level. The study was conducted in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. The
dependent variable in this study was student's absenteeism and while the independent
variables were demographic characteristics, subject interest, lecturer's skills,
student's attitude, and health problems. A survey questionnaires in the fonn of Likert
Scale were used to obtain data from a sample of 120 respondents from four selected
faculty, i.e. Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts (FACA), Faculty of Cognitive
Science and Human Development (FCSHD), Faculty of Resource Science and
Technology (FRST), and Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS). The data collected was
analyzed using descriptive statistic and inferential statistic. Percentages and
frequencies were used to detennine the distribution of the demographic
characteristics. T-test was used to determine the significant difference between male
and female students in term of their perceived absenteeism (t = -1.280, df = 118, p=
0.203) showed that p value was bigger than O.OS.The result indicated that there is no
significant difference between male and female students in terms of students'
absenteeism. Pearson Correlation test was used to detennine the significant
relationship between factors of subject interest(r= 0.421, p= 0.000), lecturer's
skills(r= 0.549,
p= 0.000), student's attitude(r= 0.426, p= 0.000), and health
problems (r= 0.221, p= 0.015) toward absenteeism. The finding of this study showed
that there was a significant relationship between factors of subject interest, lecturer's
skills, student's attitude, and health problems towards absenteeism. Based on the
study, lecturer's skills was the most dominant factor that influenced student's
absenteeism. This study would contribute to enhance the knowledge and
understanding of absenteeism in the university.
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.0
Introduction
In this era, knowledge is very important to mankind who wants to succeed and
gets a good job in the future. For those who want to survive in this competitive world,
holding a good qualification in education is the main key. As the numbers of
university applicants have increased, the students need to face a high level of
competitive results to enter to the university. However, there are many university
students who do not use the chance that they have in the right way. Presently,
university attendance and students absenteeism had tum into one of the major
problems faced by the universities. Student's attendance is very important because
not all institution provides on- line or e- learning methods in learning. In this kind of
scenario, it is imperative that students must attend classes regularly to benefit
maximally information that they get from their lectures. It is necessary to understand
the factors that contributing to student's absenteeism and also to define a strategies to
prevent the problem of absenteeism.
1.1
which has not been given much attention today. It is still withdrawal behavior which
is difficult to control. The absenteeism among university student can lead to much
negative effect such as the student pointer can drop and many social problems will
happen. The university also will not be able to produce quality graduates. University
has their own responsibility to produce a knowledgeable, skill and discipline graduate
student so that after graduation, the students can easily get a job and be a good citizen
so that this can help economy in our country develop.
The meaning of absence from work depends upon the motivation attributed to
this behavior, its timing, the frequency of its occurrence, and the social setting in
which it occurs (Johns & Nicholson, 1990, p. 134; Rosse & Miller, 1984, p. 194).
Nicholson even describes absence as a potential "flight from the workplace"
(Nicholson, 1977, p. 241), and draws on the adverse and probably harmful influence
of work on employees' health. Absenteeism also has been described as a multi causal
and complex phenomenon (Johns & Nicholson, 1990; Nicholson, 1993). The finding
that there is a weak relationship between job satisfaction and numerous forms of
absenteeism sparked the development of new theories on absenteeism (Farrell &
Stamm, 1988; Hackett & Guion, 1985; Nicholson, Brown, & Chadwick-Jones, 1976;
Scott & Taylor, 1985).Johns congruously describes absenteeism as a "hard" criterion
variable (Gary Johns, 1978, p. 431). First, it is always shown that it is high of
frequency that related to employees health problems like accidents and illness (illness
seemed to be the "most usual objective reason for absence" (also see Herzberg,
Mausner, Peterson, & Capwell, 1957, p. 107). There is called the sickness absences.
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achieve its goal. Therefore, before expecting the students to achieve a good pointer, it
is crucial for the university to find the strategies to counter absenteeism problem
among its student.
In this study, there are some factors that have been noticed which can
contribute to student's attendance such as subject interest, lecture's skill, student's
attitude and health problems. All this factors can lead students to attend or not attend
the class. Here, it is also interesting to study the relationship between personal
characteristic of gender with absence. Demographic variables are included in
absenteeism research because they can be measured validly and reliably (Harrison
and Martocchio, 1998).
1.2
In this new era, more and more universities are being required to deal with the
problem in producing qualified fresh graduate. It is because the demand of stable and
constant workforce for various industries in Malaysia is increasing. Thus, the
problematic issue such as students' absence from the lecture has to be fully addressed
to meet the demands of rapid changing workforce.
Student absenteeism is an acknowledged problem in many universities. It is
said that a high level of absence will have a big impact on student's study
performance in the long run. Thus, in order to cope with this problem, possible
variables that contribute to absenteeism among students have to be figured out. Apart
from that, there is a need to generate possible solution and then try to resolve the
existing problems.
A major problem facing schools is how to effectively deal with student
absenteeism and truancy (DeSocio et at, 2007). When a student has not attended
school for a long period of time or frequently misses school, they are classified as
truant. These students miss opportunities to learn. When a student does not come to
school for a lengthy period of time, one may assume these students are learning
elsewhere, but unfortunately in most circumstances this is not the case (RJ Kids
Count, 2007). Students start truanting in primary school, and often continue through
secondary school and so on (Reid, 2005). Student absenteeism and truancy have
become a large problem with students today and receives little attention due to the
abundance of other issues and priorities that social workers and other service agencies
are faced with (Teasley, 2004).
Absenteeism is a period of time when a student does not attend school
(Teasley, 2004). Students who do not attend school will generally fall behind their
classmates in their academic success (Ford & Sutphen, 1996). They have fewer
opportunities to learn the materials that will help them to succeed (Epstein &
Sheldon, 2002). The focus of student absenteeism ranges from early schooling until
adolescent years (Ford & Sutphen, 1996). Reasons students do not attend school can
be influenced by a number of factors ranging from a lack of community support and
an unsupportive school environment or family to bad weather, transportation
problems and poor health (Teasley, 2004).
Rodgers (2001) reported findings from the follow up study on Australian
university students in statistic class found that a students with the average attendance
level of 74 percent would have scored about 1.3-3.4 percentage points lower than an
identical students with perfect attendance. Marburger (2001) reported a carefully
designed study of attendance and test performance among university students.
Students were significantly more likely to answer incorrectly those test questions
covering material taught during day on which the students were absent. This was true
even though most students reported reading the class notes of others after absences.
This is clearly shown that absenteeism among student will give the negative impact
of their learning process.
1.3
that the researchers intend to have on the related issue that explained in the
background. These objectives can be the result to the problem. All the relevant
progress and results that obtained in the study will be reported in achievement report.
Objective can be divided into general objective and specific objective. General
objective is the overall summary of the purposes in the study. Specific objective must
be specific, concrete and achievable.
1.3.1
General Objective
In general, this study is to find out the factors that contribute to the problem of
absenteeism among students in UNIMAS. Apart from that it suggests the suitable
ways regarding ways of solving the problem.
1.3.2
Specific Objective
absenteeism frequency.
absenteeism frequency.
absenteeism frequency.
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1.4
Conceptual Framework
Demographic Characteristic
Gender
Dependent
Variable
(Student's
absenteeism)
Independent variables
Subject Interest
Lecturer's Skills
Student's Attitude
Health Problems
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1.5
Hypothesis
Based on the objective and the conceptual framework of this study, null
absenteeism.
Ho3:
absenteeism.
Ho4:
There
IS
absenteeism.
Ho5:
There
IS
absenteeism.
1.6
.
,
'
The main purpose of this study is to examine the factors that affect
absenteeism among student in UNIMAS. There are several factors that are chosen
such as interest of subject, skills of lecture, and attitude of the student. The finding of
the study will benefit both the students and the university. The study can use to
perceive the student commitment as a student. The higher levels of commitment are
related to attendance.
The findings will help the institution to minimize the absenteeism among
student when the main factors can be reduced. Apart from that, the findings will
influence the perception of absenteeism. Absenteeism has been defined as "non
attendance when an employee is scheduled to work" (Price and Mueller, 1986, p. 17).
1. 7
absenteeism. There are several factors that may cause absenteeism. The researchers
have chosen four of the factors which are interest toward the subject, lecturers'
teaching skills, students' attitude and health problem. The four factors that the
researchers have focused on are not significant enough to find out the reason of
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student's absence. There are other factors that also contribute to absenteeism among
students in UNIMAS.
In thus research, the researchers only use questionnaire and verbal
communication with one of UNlMAS's senior lecturer as the survey method.
Besides, the questionnaire is only distributed to the students in four randomly chosen
faculties. There are only 160 participant are randomly chosen as this survey's sample.
Therefore, it might not represent the whole population in UNIMAS.
Another limitation is that the period of doing this research is limited. This
force the researchers have to rush their time to finish this research.
1.8
Definitions of terms
In this study, the researchers will give a brief explanation about the terms that
1.8.1 Absenteeism
Conceptual Definition
when employees do not intentionally create the conditions which produce the absence
(e.g. illness) then these are typically considered as involuntary absenteeism (Mueller
et al., 1987).
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Operational Definition
1.8.2 Gender
Conceptual Definition
concerns physical and biological differences that distinguish males from females.
Cultures construct differences in gender. These social constructions attach themselves
to behaviors, expectations, roles, representations, and sometimes to values and beliefs
that are specific to either men or women (Answer. com 2010).
Operational Definition
Conceptual Definition
According to Your Legacy (2010), subject interest is referred to a label that uses to
relate the individuals with their interests, activities, hobbies and so on.
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Operational Definition
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students. Skills mean the ability, practices, aptitude and one's knowledge that he or
she has. In this study, lecturer skills refer to the lecturer ability to inculcate the
knowledge to the students and attract their attention.
1.8.5 Student's attitude
Conceptual Definition
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Operational Definition
Conceptual Definition
The root cause of sick absence is the fact that an employee is unwell, and
where the employee is incapacitated there exist a stage of being unfit for work
(Pilbeam and Carbridge, 2002). It is because of either serious or minor illness that
makes them unfit to work.
Operational Definition
In this study, health problems refer to student's which absence from lecture
due to their illness. It is also to find whether health problems are the factors that can
lead to students' absenteeism.
1.9
Summary
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CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
t '
2.0
Introduction
The review of related literature will be discussed in this chapter. The main
purpose of this chapter is to look into related topics and issue of past literature and
studies written by researchers of related field. It provides a better view on related
topics to expand our knowledge and understanding on the research being done.
Particularly, it reviews the literatures on theories and factors contributed to
absenteeism among university student. This literature review was generally obtained
from both primary and secondary sources such as journals, report, articles, thesis and
other related materials.
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