African Journal of Empirical Research最新文献

{"title":"Adoption of Agroforestry as a Climate Smart Agriculture Practice among Smallholder Farmers in Kakamega County, Kenya","authors":"S. Ndung'u, Vitalis Kalor Ogemah, M. Thiga, P. Wandahwa","doi":"10.51867/ajernet.4.2.118","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.118","url":null,"abstract":"Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies help guide actions needed to transform and reorient agricultural systems to effectively support development and ensure food security by increasing farmers’ resilience to climate change. Agroforestry has been vouched for as one of the best CSAs because it provides ecosystem services such as water quality enhancement and prevents land degradation. This study sought to establish and document the adoption of agroforestry as a CSA practice among smallholder farmers in Kakamega County. Stratified sampling was used to select six sub-counties to represent the county's various agroecological zones and regions for the research sample. A combination of purposive and snowball sampling was used to select 428 smallholder CSA farmers, of whom 376 (87.9%) were practicing agroforestry. Primary data was collected using interview guides developed through the Kobo Collect application. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical packages were used to process and analyze the data. This study found that wood fuel was the main source of energy for 73% of the smallholder agroforestry farmers, followed by solar energy devices (12%), charcoal (7%), electricity (6%), and kerosene (2%). Grevillea Robusta was the most widely preferred agroforestry tree variety, adopted by 91.8% of agroforestry smallholder farmers, followed by fruit trees (73.4%), blue gums (67.3%), Cyprus (34.0%), and Calliandra (37.5%). Fodder tree types such as Sesbania and Casuarina were adopted by 30.9% and 23.9% of the smallholder agroforestry farmers, respectively. This study recommends the integration of agroforestry into farming systems by incentivizing farmers through programs like tree planting, free seedlings, and farm competitions. School agricultural clubs, such as 4K clubs for primary schools and Young Farmers Clubs for secondary schools, could be motivated and supported to use school gardens for food and fruit tree production. This study also recommends the promotion of modern stoves (maendeleo jikos), which use less wood fuel, are more efficient in cooking, and also reduce GHG emissions.","PeriodicalId":360060,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Empirical Research","volume":"17 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139265600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Virtual Laboratory-Based Instruction on the Frequency of Use of Experiment as a Pedagogical Approach in Teaching and Learning of Physics in Secondary Schools in Kenya","authors":"Elijah Owuor Okono, Eric Wangila, Annet Chebet","doi":"10.51867/ajernet.4.2.116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.116","url":null,"abstract":"Information and communications technology (ICT) incorporation in teaching physics in Kenyan secondary schools cannot be overlooked, given the key roles and benefits that ICT offers in the process of teaching and learning. Consistently poor average scores in the subject currently witnessed at the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) level in Physics can be attributed to low student motivation and traditional teaching strategies. For instance, in the years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, Kisumu County registered low mean scores of 4.23, 4.98, 4.67, and 4.10, respectively, in physics in KCSE. Therefore, there is a need for the incorporation of more effective teaching strategies to improve performance in physics and for students’ interest and attitude in learning the subject to change. Technology-based or enhanced learning leverages all learners, irrespective of their traits or socio-economic status. This study aimed at establishing the effects of virtual laboratory-based instruction (VLBI) on the use of experiments as a pedagogical approach. The study objectives were to establish the effect of virtual laboratories on the frequency of use of experimental teaching approaches in learning physics in secondary schools and to determine the extent of the relationship between physics teachers knowledge of the selected ICT frameworks and the use of virtual experiments in teaching and learning physics in secondary schools in Kenya. The study was supported by behaviourism learning theory and adopted quasi-experimental research designs. The physics teachers were purposefully sampled from each selected school. The sample size was 44 teachers and 358 students, summing up to 402 respondents. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study concluded that virtual laboratories advance the use of experimental teaching approaches and that there was no statistical significance between the knowledge of the teacher about the selected ICT framework and the use of virtual experiments. The findings of this study would help educational planners successfully design and implement various classroom-based innovations that would enable seamless integration of virtual laboratories into classroom instruction.","PeriodicalId":360060,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Empirical Research","volume":"420 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139271893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategies for Mitigating Flood Risks in Western Region, Kenya","authors":"Betty Nasambu Opilo, E. Mugalavai","doi":"10.51867/ajernet.4.2.108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.108","url":null,"abstract":"The focus on strategies for mitigating flood risks is to identify which measures have been put in place to reduce flood risk using nature-based affordable approaches. It has been observed that there is a continuous increase in floods all over the world, in developed and developing countries, as a result of climate change. Floods have affected millions of people worldwide, leading to environmental, physical, economic, and social losses and reducing the growth of the nation. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies have been rated among the best approaches for reducing natural hazard-related risks and setting the strategic direction for a sub-county, country, or region to become more resilient to hazards. However, the adoption level of the technology is still very low, creating a gap between the adoption of the technology and flood risk reduction. Dynamics in land use and cover have been increasing, thus enhancing flood risk in the western region of Kenya. This study therefore aimed at evaluating strategies for mitigating flood risks using a nature-based approach. The evaluation design was adopted, and both qualitative and quantitative data were utilized. A sample size of 384 was calculated using Fisher’s formula from a sample population of 63,025 households and Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, and a focus group discussion guide. Secondary and quantitative data were analyzed using MS Excel and Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 26. Qualitative data was analyzed using narration techniques to support quantitative data, while quantitative data was presented using tables, graphs, and charts. The findings on the evaluation of the strategies for mitigating flood risks revealed that extension service as an informational strategy was 92% (353) of the best measure, whereas the existence of project meetings at 80% (307) benefited a lot from them. The study recommends the adoption of holistic management of the Sustainable Land Management Technologies (SLMT) policies and increased training areas to create environmental equity for sustainable development. The study is expected to assist in strengthening extension services with the involvement of both the county and the national government.","PeriodicalId":360060,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Empirical Research","volume":"12 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139271753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions of Identity Formation in Ghana","authors":"Ernest Opoku","doi":"10.51867/ajernet.4.2.110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.110","url":null,"abstract":"This paper reports on a study that investigated the perception held by pre-service teachers on identity formation.  The study was purely quantitative involving 522 pre-service teachers. Data was obtained through the use of a set of questionnaires. Means, standard deviations, and independent t-tests were used in analysing the data. The results show that many of the respondents highly felt that identity formation is the way they view and understand themselves as teachers. In addition, they felt that identity formation is how they are recognised as a certain kind of persons, connected not to their internal states but to their performances in society. On the other hand, many of the pre-service teachers had different perceptions about identity formation. Thus, they disagreed that identity formation is about how they talk or think about themselves, or how others talk or think about them. The study further found no statistically significant difference between male and female pre-service teachers regarding their perceptions of identity formation. It is recommended that teacher educators must formulate and implement teaching philosophies that will reflect proper identity formation of pre-service teachers. Also, teacher education institutions must liaise with the National Teaching Council to periodically review the curriculum taking into consideration the demands of the 21st century teaching profession.","PeriodicalId":360060,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Empirical Research","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139274391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Social and Economic Influence of Abanyala Clan Politics on Resource Distribution","authors":"Bildad Mutimba Wangia, Kizito Muchanga Lusambili, Jason Momanyi, Josephat Nairutia Kemei","doi":"10.51867/ajernet.4.2.115","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.115","url":null,"abstract":"Like many other communities, the Abanyala clan struggles with the intricacies of resource distribution, which is greatly influenced by the political environment and sociocultural dynamics. Essentially, who has access to resources and how they are allocated are largely determined by the Abanyala clan's political structure. Political elites, or those in positions of power and influence, control resources and, occasionally, put their interests ahead of fair distribution, which leads to inequities. To maintain their advantages, these political elites may use strategies like alliances and patronage networks. Various pieces of literature were reviewed, especially those that are deeply ingrained with historical customs and cultural standards that are similar to the Abanyala clan's interactions between politics and business. These relationships frequently reinforce the socioeconomic status and influence over the resource distribution of particular families or groups according to established hierarchies. Due to its qualitative nature, the study used a descriptive research design. This paper used Thorstein Veblen’s theory to underscore the issue of resource distribution. It helped in analyzing the use of power, the people who profit from it, and the effects on the availability of resources for the larger community. The major finding was the need for the Abanyala clan to allocate resources in a way that is inclusive and deliberate.","PeriodicalId":360060,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Empirical Research","volume":"67 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139276034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors Influencing the Use of Mobile Phone-Enabled Services in Accessing Agricultural Information by Smallholder Farmers in Bungoma County, Kenya","authors":"Mary Lusike, Jacob. W. Wakhungu, A. Ndiema, Annette Okoth","doi":"10.51867/ajernet.4.2.112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.112","url":null,"abstract":"The agriculture sector is the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing approximately 33 percent of Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP). The agriculture sector employs more than 40 percent of the total population and 70 percent of the rural population. Kenya’s agriculture is predominantly smallholder farming and is carried out on farms averaging 0.2–3 ha, mostly on a subsistence basis. The objective of this study was to determine factors influencing the use of mobile phone-enabled services in accessing agricultural information by smallholder farmers in Bungoma County, Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional and correlational research design. Using simple random sampling, 400 respondents were selected to participate in the study. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussions. Findings revealed that 71.1% of smallholder farmers indicated that it was costly to use mobile phone-enabled services to access agricultural information. Another 57% of the farmers perceived that socio-economic characteristics (age, education, and income) were factors determining the use of mobile phone-enabled services for accessing agricultural information. About 75.8% of the smallholder farmers did not use mobile phones to communicate agricultural information needed for their farming activities for various reasons, including: having no one to communicate with, due to the complexity of mobile phone technology, not being able to pay for the cost of both the purchase and use of mobile phones, and due to network problems. Further evidence showed that the factors affecting the use of mobile phone-enabled services have a significant impact on accessing agricultural information. The fact that socio-demographic factors significantly affect the use of mobile phone-enabled services in accessing agricultural information It is recommended that mobile phone service providers such as Safaricom, Airtel, and Orange need to understand the user’s characteristics, their needs, dynamics, and challenges, as well as potential changes in the future.","PeriodicalId":360060,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Empirical Research","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139274737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diagnostic Assessment Knowledge and Practices among Secondary School Mathematics Teachers in Dodoma, Tanzania","authors":"Marcellina Mjenda, Védaste Mutarutinya, D. Owiti","doi":"10.51867/ajernet.4.2.114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.114","url":null,"abstract":"This study examined how secondary mathematics teachers understand and implement diagnostic assessments in their mathematics classes. To understand how mathematics teachers conceptualize diagnostic assessment and how they put it into practice, the study conducted in-depth interviews with 20 secondary school mathematics teachers using a phenomenography research approach and analyzed them thematically. The results showed that most mathematics teachers are unfamiliar with the concept of diagnostic assessment, misunderstand its role in the teaching and learning process, and refrain from using it because they don't know how to do so efficiently. Due to the overcrowding in classes and the widespread failure of national examinations, the few people who understood the concept admitted to not implementing it. The study recommends professional development for mathematics teachers to improve their conceptual understanding of diagnostic assessment as well as their capacity to integrate it in classrooms to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics and hence improve students' performance in the subject.","PeriodicalId":360060,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Empirical Research","volume":"4 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139275048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leveraging on Virtual Laboratory-Based Instruction to Achieve Active Classroom Interaction in Teaching and Learning of Physics in Secondary Schools in Kenya","authors":"Elijah Owuor Okono, Elizabeth Abenga, Caroline Ayoti","doi":"10.51867/ajernet.4.2.117","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.117","url":null,"abstract":"The philosophy that advances the study of physics as one of the learning areas in secondary schools cannot be overlooked due to the realization of the contributions of physics towards the industrial and vocational development of the country. The major concern of this particular study is the consistent poor average scores in the subject currently witnessed at the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) level in Physics, which can be attributed to low student motivation and traditional teaching strategies. For instance, in the years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, Kisumu County registered low mean scores of 4.23, 4.98, 4.67, and 4.10, respectively, in physics in KCSE. The use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the teaching and learning of physics can be used to promote learners’ centered teaching and learning of physics and eventually improve physics scores. This study therefore underscores the need for virtual laboratory-based instruction (VLBI) to realize active classroom interaction during the teaching and learning of physics. Technology-based enhanced learning leverages all learners, irrespective of their economic and demographic background. The study therefore aimed at establishing the effect of VLBI on students’ level of interaction in the classroom in learning physics in secondary schools in Kenya. The study is supported by behaviorism learning theory and adopted quasi-experimental research designs. The physics teachers were purposefully sampled from each selected school. Physics teachers were purposefully sampled from each of the schools selected. There were 358 students and 72 teachers in the sample. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study concluded that virtual laboratories enhanced the use of experimental teaching approaches and that there was no statistical significance between the knowledge of the teacher about the selected ICT framework and the use of virtual experiments. There is a need to develop a prototype for a technology-enriched ICT framework for active learning of physics that will provide teachers and students with an interactive platform to promote active physics learning.","PeriodicalId":360060,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Empirical Research","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139275357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Freshwater Aquaculture and Household Performance in Busia County, Kenya","authors":"Douglas Atamba Miima, E. Mugalavai, Jacob. W. Wakhungu","doi":"10.51867/ajernet.4.2.109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.109","url":null,"abstract":"Aquaculture has become a household source of proteins, taking over the traditional red meat delicacy that promotes food security and livelihood for over 2.5 billion people. This covers approximately 40 percent of the world’s fish production. As the population increases, the demand for fish increases owing to the current deficit. Therefore, the need for freshwater aquaculture is high to meet global demand. Busia County has benefited from internal and external support for household aquaculture practices to address nutrition challenges and livelihoods as well. This study investigated freshwater aquaculture performance in Busia County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design, applying both quantitative and qualitative methods. The target population was 55,608 households in Bunyala and Teso South sub-counties, resulting in a sample size of 384 households. Simple random sampling was used to select the households, while purposive sampling was used to select key informants. Questionnaires, interview schedules, focus group discussion guides, and photography were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, while qualitative data was analyzed by grouping them into themes and reporting verbatim. Private hatcheries produced the majority of fingerlings, which increased their price for households. Households bought fish feed from the local agrovets, which was not quite affordable to farmers. Extension services were primarily provided in pond management (96.1%; OR = 2.67), record-keeping (92.7%), and fish marketing (77.7%). Private sector hatcheries are the main distributors of fingerlings to farmers, which could have contributed to the higher price of a fingerling while also considering the transportation cost of the precious fingerlings. Pond management, recording keeping, and marketing were the main extension services accorded to households surveyed. Owing to the low investment in hatcheries by the national and county governments of Busia, there is a need to rethink the installation of government hatcheries in all sub-counties for ease of accessibility and affordability in order to promote the sustainability of aquaculture.","PeriodicalId":360060,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Empirical Research","volume":"3 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139273544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of Sustainable Agricultural Practices on Food Security, Nutrition, and Poverty among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Morogoro region, Tanzania","authors":"Joseph J. Mugula, Athman K. Ahmad, J. Msinde, Michael Kadigi","doi":"10.51867/ajernet.4.2.111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.111","url":null,"abstract":"The study utilized data from the adoption pathway survey and utility maximization theory to examine the impacts of adopting multiple sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) on food security, nutrition, and poverty among smallholder maize farmers in the Morogoro region of Tanzania. The SAPs considered include manure, crop rotation, intercropping, crop residuals, and improved maize varieties. Using the endogenous treatment effect model, data collected from 470 farming households in Kilosa and Mvomero districts through a multi-stage sampling procedure were analyzed. Prior to data analysis, weak instrument and zero first-stage tests were employed to test the robustness and validity of the selected instruments, with results deemed satisfactory. The empirical findings indicate that the application of improved maize varieties, crop residual, and crop rotation had positive and significant impacts on the household’s food security and nutrition. Notably, the usage of improved maize varieties alone demonstrated positive and significant impacts on the poverty indicators, suggesting its potential to alleviate poverty among smallholder farmers. The study recommends the development of agricultural productivity enhancement programmes. These programmes should feature a precise targeting strategy aimed at food-insecure households and poor farming households, with the goal of eradicating hunger and nutrition deficiencies within these vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the poverty-alleviating impacts of SAPs, such as the application of improved maize varieties, are expected to grow with increased adoption. Consequently, it is crucial to prioritize significant investments in agriculture. Strengthening and improving maize seed systems becomes imperative, aiming to guarantee the availability and affordability of enhanced maize varieties for smallholder farmers in Tanzania. This step will facilitate wider adoption and contribute to poverty reduction among farming communities.","PeriodicalId":360060,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Empirical Research","volume":"52 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139270905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}