M.Ed. Abstracts (Project Reports)
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Item The Impact of Closure of Schools During COVID-19 on Parents(2021) Joseph, JenniferThe COVID-19 pandemic transformed life across the globe. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the closure of schools on parenting practices and finances of families. An online cross-sectional survey was administered to collect data from 170 parents of children in Central Trinidad. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics were conducted on the data. Results showed that 74.7% of parents experienced a decrease in family income. Most parents implemented greater mitigation of infection risk and lesser promotion of physical activities as compared to before the pandemic. Mothers helped with schoolwork more than fathers did.Item The Perspectives of Men on Compliance to NCD Medication in a Rural Community, North-East Trinidad(2021) Joseph-Ryan, KarissaThis qualitative case study of five (5) male participants from the Men’s Health Clinic explored how the perspectives, culture, socioeconomic status, and masculinity or gender roles of men affected compliance with NCD medication in a rural community in North-East Trinidad. Data was collected using online semi-structured interviews. The results showed that men had a positive view of NCD medication. However, neither this positive outlook, the views of other men, social support, socioeconomic status, nor the level of education influenced compliance. Side effects of NCD medication were the main militating factor to compliance, while the desire to live a long life was the main facilitating factor.Item The Impact of Burnout Amongst Healthcare Workers of the South-West Regional Health Authority During the COVID-19 Pandemic(2021) Ali, IanThe aim of this study was to investigate the presence of burnout among healthcare workers in South Trinidad during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from 120 participants using an online, cross-sectional survey. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Findings revealed high emotional exhaustion (32.5%), depersonalization (7.5%), and low personal accomplishment (52.5%) among workers. There was no difference in the level of burnout by gender. There was a difference in depersonalization among physicians (74.80), enrolled nursing assistants (61.33), registered nurses (55.28), and district health visitors (43.18), p = 0.020.Item An Exploration into Patients and Families’ Knowledge and Perceptions of the Prevention of Complications of Type 2 Diabetes(2017) Cunningham-Morrison, DebraThis qualitative case study explored the views of diabetes patients and their families regarding diet, exercise, and medication of Type 2 Diabetes in Trinidad and Tobago. Data were collected through interview with 17 participants. The findings indicated that: 1) the participants lacked thorough knowledge about an appropriate diet for Type 2 diabetes, and 2) exercise was perceived as having a “burning up” effect on excess blood sugar. Dietary culture played a crucial role in their food preferences and associated behaviours.Item Teacher Collegial Relationships and Children Learning Outcomes in a Government Early Childhood Centre in the St. George East Educational District of Trinidad and Tobago(2017) Abbott, Shelly C.This study investigated the extent to which teacher collegial relationships influenced curriculum delivery and learning outcomes at a government early childhood centre in Trinidad and Tobago. Data were collected through interviews with three teachers and one administrator/teacher of the centre. It was found that: 1) most of the teachers believed that the administrator was not very concerned about the state of collegial relations at the centre, 2) although the teachers seemed unaware of the impact of collegial relations at the centre, one of them acknowledged the possible impact of fractured relations on its climate, while another expressed the hope that teachers would put the centre first so that relations would improve, 3) curriculum delivery at the centre appeared to be somewhat impeded by frayed teacher collaboration and cooperation with respect to curriculum and lesson planning, role modelling, and the teachers’ ability to reflect on the power of the hidden curriculum, and 4) although there was no consensus that the children modelled the prevailing collegiality among their teachers, some of the teachers contended that the negativity among them was not transferred to the children.Item Changing “I Can’t” to “I Can”: Fostering “Growth Mindsets” to Improve Resiliency and Academic Performance at an All-Girl, Urban Secondary School in East Trinidad(2017) Mohammed-Khan, RabiaThis study investigated “growth mindsets” among students at an all-girls secondary school in Trinidad and Tobago. The participants in the study were 111 students from Forms 1-3, 97 parents, 17 teachers, 3 heads of department, the vice principal and one dean at the school under study. Data were collected through interviews with three students, three parents, and three teachers. Other data were obtained through the administration of questionnaires after the employment of a psychological intervention. The findings revealed that among the students, there was a change from fixed mindsets to growth mindsets. The teachers reported a difference in the learning attitude and behaviour of the students whom they noted were more willing to ask for help, were more motivated to learn a different topic, showed greater initiative in preparation for class and projects, and were more willing to persist with difficult work.Item Perceptions of the Challenges and Support Experienced by New and Acting Secondary School Principals in an Educational District in Trinidad and Tobago(2017) Williams, JanineThis study explores the challenges experienced by new and acting principals at a secondary school in Trinidad and Tobago. The participants in the study were four principals (three male and one female). Data were obtained through interviews. The findings revealed that the principals faced challenges such as the lack of support from the Ministry of Education and unsupportive or uncooperative staff. It was also found that the principals employed various coping mechanisms to address the challenges they encountered. Mechanisms included their formal preparation programmes, previous school leadership positions, and informal mentors. Another finding was that the participants in the district under study received support from their district office via social media and social gatherings.Item A Positive School Climate: School, Home and Community Partnership(2017) Robinson, DawnielleThis study investigated the effect of the intersectional relationship of the home, the school and the community on a selected primary school in Trinidad and Tobago. The participants in the study were the principal, 8 teachers, 7 parents, and 12 students of the school under study. Data were collected through interviews, observations, the administration of questionnaires, through a series of workshops aimed at developing capacity building among teachers and parents. After the interventions it was found that: 1) the principal believed that there was an improvement in the general school climate, which emanated from greater camaraderie among staff, increased school visits by parents, and a willingness to cooperate by stakeholders; 2) the parents felt generally encouraged by the school’s efforts to have them more involved in their children’s education; 3) the students expressed mixed feelings and indicated that negative feelings surfaced when parental involvement was low; and 4) the teachers lamented the lack of time, especially for the planning of activities.Item Towards Institutionalizing Best Practices for Problem Based Learning: Promoting Higher Order Thinking at a Government Co-Educational Sub-Urban Primary School in Tobago(2017) Smith- Rochford, CorineThis study sought to implement, institutionalize, and evaluate innovative best-practice approaches for problem-based learning (PBL) to promote higher-order thinking at a coeducational primary school in Tobago. Six teachers were selected to participate in a 12-week professional development programme at the school under study. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis. The findings revealed a number of factors that could impact the implementation of PBL in the classroom. Analysis of the data showed that professional development workshops facilitated the implementation of PBL and enhanced the teachers’ classroom instruction. However, while they all perceived PBL as positively impacting their students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills, they identified certain factors that impeded implementation. These were: 1) insufficient time, 2) inadequate resources, and 3) teacher preparedness in relation to planning. Additionally, the teachers all opined that continuous training and professional development were necessary to build their capacity to institutionalize the change process.Item Institutionalizing Best Practices in Formative Assessment in an Urban Co-Educational Primary School in Tobago(2017) Rochford, PhillipThrough a school improvement project, this study investigated how professional development on formative assessment could be implemented to enhance student learning at an urban coeducational primary school in Tobago. The participants in the study were seven teachers - three from Infant level, one each from Standards 1, 2, and 3. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis. The findings indicated that: 1) most of the participants felt that the formative assessment strategies contributed to marked improvements in student learning in their classrooms; 2) despite the requirement for more planning, which they saw as increased workload for them, the teachers felt that the professional development sessions provided them with support; 3) teachers would require additional time for planning; and 4) the participants felt that administrative support was essential to continued improvement at the school.Item Exploring Perceptions to Prevent the Spread of Mosquito Borne (Sic) Diseases: A Case Study of the Zika Virus in Diego Martin(2017) Lewis, Rhonda-Joy M.This study examined the perceptions of vector control in response to an occurrence of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in a community in Trinidad and Tobago. Data were collected through interviews with four residents of the community, as well as through observations and document analysis. The study yielded six themes: 1) invisibility of Zika, 2) disease management, 3) competing resources, 4) unsustainable compliance, 5) previous exposure to the disease, and 6) nuisance of the mosquito.Item Exploring the Sources and Effects of Work-Related Stress on the Physical and Mental Health of Nurses Who Work at a Public Health Institution in Trinidad and Tobago(2017) Forde-Sealey, NatalieThrough interviews with four participants, this study investigated the sources and impact of work-related stressors on the wellbeing of nurses in the public health sector in Trinidad and Tobago. The participants in the study were selected from four different hospitals. The findings revealed that the stress experienced by the nurses were as a result of: a) poor management, b) the lack of resources, and c) increased workload. The impact of these factors on the physical health of the participants was manifested as: 1) elevated blood pressure, 2) headaches, and 3) acid reflux. It was also found that the identified stressors on the nurses’ mental wellbeing led to job dissatisfaction and mood alterations.Item An Investigation into the Factors Affecting Parental Involvement of Four Parents of the Students at the Standard Three Level of Happy Hill Boys’ Primary School(2017) Edwards, PatriceThis study investigated the factors affecting parental involvement at a primary school in Trinidad and Tobago. It also examined parents’ perceptions of their role in their children’s education. Data were collected through interviews with four parents of Standard 3 students at the school under study. The findings revealed that while each parent had a different perception of parental involvement, they all believed that it was critical to their children’s educational development. They also did not associate homework assistance and other such activities, with parental involvement, although they had routines to facilitate homework completion and revision. Additionally, all but one of them stated that they were actively involved in their children’s education. It was also found that the parents relied heavily on the school to facilitate their involvement, since they believed that the school was inclined to assist parents in typical parenting duties.Item The Experiences and Perceptions of Tobagonian Men in the Context of Health Care Utilisation(2017) Mohamed, Zebada AleiaThrough interviews with four participants, this study explored men’s experiences with, and perceptions of, health care utilisation in Tobago. The participants were between the ages of 33 and 70 years, and had utilised various health care services in Tobago five years prior to the commencement of the study. Analysis of the data yielded 13 themes which reflected perceptions and experience with health care service utilisation: 1) patient-provider relationship, 2) wait time, 3) poor communication, 4) treatment effectiveness, 5) lack of empathy, 6) health knowledge, 7) severity of symptoms, 8) alternative medicine, 9) sense of control, 10) family role, 11) social support, 12) personal health choices, and 13) male social norms.Item Towards a More Holistic Approach to Managing Student Behaviour and Discipline in a Suburban Secondary School(2017) Dass, Lystra ShamelaThis mixed-methods study elicited stakeholders’ views regarding student behaviour and discipline at a secondary school in Trinidad and Tobago. Data were collected through interviews, audio-visual analysis, and questionnaires. The study produced thematic concerns regarding: 1) problem solving, 2) consensus, 3) effective communication, 4) engagement, and 5) adaption.Item The Exploration of the Perceptions of the Parents of Prepubescent Girls in West Trinidad towards Vaccination of Their Daughters against the Human Papilloma Virus(2017) Caesar-Pecome, MarshaWith a focus on Western Trinidad, this qualitative phenomenological case study investigated the attitudes that contributed to parents’ refusal to allow their prepubescent daughters to be vaccinated against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Data were collected through interviews. The findings suggested that knowledge of HPV, the HPV vaccine, and cervical cancer, were low among the participants. The parents rejected the vaccine due to concerns about the age of their daughters, their misconceptions about their daughters’ susceptibility, and their own discomfort about discussing sexual health issues with their children.Item Health Literacy and Health-Promoting Behaviours in Chronic Disease Clients: A Survey of Adults in the North Central Region(2017) Boodoo, SorayaThis study examined the relationship between health literacy and health-promoting behaviours among adult chronic-disease clients in the North Central Regional Health Authority of Trinidad and Tobago. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to a representative sample of 153 participants at health centres in the region under study. Analysis of the data revealed that while there was no significant relationship between health literacy and behaviours, or health literacy and gender, health literacy was significantly impacted by factors of age, religion, education level, and medication compliance.Item Secondary School Science Teachers (sic) Perception of the Relationship between Practical Work and Student Concept Attainment(2017) Alsuran, Chivonne JacintaThis qualitative case study investigated the relationship between practical work and student concept attainment in science at secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago. The participants in the study were four science teachers (two from government schools and two from denominational schools). Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, and observations. All the participants believed that there was a positive relationship between practical work and student concept attainment at their respective schools.Item Using ICT and Best Practices in Teaching Mathematics to Improve Problem Solving (sic) Skills in a Suburban Tobago Primary School(2017) Beckles, IonThis study explored the major mathematical skills and cognitive abilities that caused difficulties in mathematics learning among students at a primary school in Tobago. It also investigated whether the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and other best practices facilitated the development of problem-solving skills in the mathematics classroom. Data were collected through interviews with five teachers and questionnaires administered to 25 students of the school. Other data were obtained through observations of the students, who were exposed to an intervention comprising a series of problem-solving activities. The finding revealed that: 1) mathematics learning could be made more enjoyable through the incorporation of games and technology into traditional modes of instruction, and 2) some improvement in problem-solving abilities after the intervention.Item Towards Best Practices in Teaching Reading Comprehension in a Tobago Anglican Primary School(2017) Armstrong, JarrelThis study investigated the causes of students’ poor reading and comprehension competencies in the junior department at a primary school in Tobago. Data were collected through interviews with seven teachers, as well as through observations and the administration of questionnaires. The findings revealed that the participants attributed the students’ poor performance in reading and comprehension to the inability of some teachers to effectively impart strategies that would improve student performance, as well as to the students’ inability to read and decode text.