https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6997 2026-04-05T02:24:11Z 2026-04-05T02:24:11Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113426 2023-10-05T07:26:49Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Measuring change in Maltese education : an impact evaluation of large-scale policy introduction on learning outcomes and the quality of education Abstract: This research investigated the impact on the quality of education across the Maltese Islands of two broad-scale educational policy changes — the National Minimum Curriculum (1999) and For All Children to Succeed (2004). It did so by investigating change in student outcomes on a set of five benchmark tests held across the same period as the policy introductions. The initial stages considered a quality education framework (input – process – output – context) to underpin the key processes of the study and help define the educational functions being investigated. The main part of the analysis then established a timescale based on the NMC and FACTS polices before analysing changes in examination constructs and forms. Once the inputs, processes and contexts were structured, the research proceeded to investigate outputs using Junior Lyceum Entrance Examinations results data. The overlaying of time series analysis for each of these analytical processes from before and after the policy introductions allowed the determination of impact points and direction of effect. The research indicates that the general effect of the two policies had an indirect positive influence on student outcomes. More specifically, there was/were: i. an overall rate of improvement in student achievement scores before and after the introduction of the NMC and FACTS policies. ii. discrepancies between application of conjunctive criteria (used by the EAU) and a parallel analysis of the data using compensatory criteria suggest that the criteria applied to the Junior Lyceum Examinations would have skewed signs of progress in teaching and learning at classroom level. iii. an increase in the rate of change of achievement when comparing the decade before and after the introduction of the NMC. The main changes took place at the beginning and end of the decade with the period 2001 – 2008, showing very slight change when using the compensatory data sets. iv. English, and mathematics, had a disproportionately higher impact on student success rates that made the inclusion of the other three exams practically irrelevant. v. The Junior Lyceum Examination set as a whole lacked independent objectivity and as such could not be considered an effective benchmarking tool. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the reforms on student learning, develop tools for monitoring change outcomes and identifying key factors driving the change. By analysing changes in student achievement and identifying the contributing factors, the study also sought to provide insights for future policy decisions and educational reforms. Description: PH.D.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/101802 2022-09-27T07:02:18Z 2003-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An investigation of 16 to 18-year-old students' difficulties with thermochemistry calculations Abstract: Thermochemistry calculations have been described as stumbling blocks for many students of chemistry. This study set out to investigate the difficulties encountered by students when working out these calculations. The method adopted included collection of written responses to six graded pencil-and-paper items from 55 students. These responses were analysed and were then used to identify a group of 19 students of mixed abilities who participated in the second part of the study. These 19 students were given another set of graded questions to work out in a one-to-one session with the interviewer and were instructed to talk as they work, explaining what they were doing and if possible what they were thinking. The verbatim transcript of each interview together with the written solution produced as they worked made up the interview protocol. The interview protocols provided information about the processes used as well as the way each student performed in the graded items. The method used was found to yield rich data. The different errors observed in students' responses could be grouped under four categories: the errors that were not chemical but mathematical in origin; general chemical errors; errors showing deficiency in thermochemistry; and random errors related to procedure that could have been avoided by appropriate attention to the steps required. The analysis carried out on the interview data has highlighted characteristics in the way students work out calculations and how these may influence success or failure in arriving at a correct answer. Successful students were found to spend more time in understanding the situation, were more likely to check the solution and used a greater variety of ways of representation. This study has improved existing problem solving models and successfully developed and applied a model of problem solving to this investigation of students' difficulties with thermochemistry calculations. Description: PH.D.

2003-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/100506 2022-08-12T08:06:31Z 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Love relationships and gender differences over time Abstract: Research shows that the initial honeymoon phase of a marriage dissolves after some time and differences between the couple begin to hamper the harmony in the relationship. One of these differences is that attributed to gender. This study attempts to study these phases of the relationship. It approaches this issue from an inductive standpoint to counterbalance the deductive quality that pervades most literature in this field. A mixed qualitative and quantitative design was selected in a multiple case study format. An open style interview preceded and followed a Q-sorting exercise. Ten individuals (five couples) who have been married between five and ten years were studied. For several reasons, including the need to widen the cultural base of the research field, the study was conducted in Malta, a Mediterranean culture. The information provided by each participant (called co researcher here to indicate the empowerment accorded to them in the research), was organized by re-casting it into a narrative form. The accuracy of the narrative was additionally validated by the respective co-researcher and an independent reviewer. The purpose was to construct individual and common stories of the marriage from the perspective of difference and harmony. Comparisons between individuals and gender revealed common factors, indicating the generic path of these relationships, and individual factors based on previous history, personality, gender and culture. Individual life themes, the dialectic pattern of relating, and phases in the relationships were identified. Finally, the results were compared to previous research on love, relational development, gender differences, and attachment. The model of the dialectic was found to be a useful tool for understanding relationships and integrating research. Finally, the implications of this study on counselling, and possibilities for further research were discussed. Description: PhD

1992-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/100226 2022-08-02T11:04:23Z 1971-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Modernising educational administration to facilitate formulation and implementation of plans, with special reference to the educational administration in Malta Abstract: 1. This thesis in divided into two sections. The first section looks at the general problem of educational administration and educational planning. The second section makes special reference to the educational administration in Malta. 2. Some educational administrations are adopting new planning techniques to try to solve the problems they are faced with. Very often they are not successful because they look on planning as a technique, rather than as an essential administrative process which pervades the whole administration. An administration which does not constantly adapt itself to the process rigid and inefficient. 3. This thesis tries to describes whet the planning process is. It gives levels of development various administrations have reached in the process so that a particular administration can have a scale against which it can measure its own progress. It describes the interrelated stages of administrative process and defines whet modern educational planning is. 4. Am attempt is made to set up a criteria far appraising educational administration from the point of view of planning, thus giving pointers to areas where an administration can organise itself. One of these areas is the specialisation of certain administrative members in planning techniques, The setting up of a planning unit, its function composition end cosition within the administration are discussed, as well as the changes which might be necessary in an educational administration if this planning unit is to be fully utilised. Various reasons why administrations resist changes are mentioned and suggestions are made on certain strategies for achieving these changes. 5. In the second section the criteria established in Section 1 to assess the administration from the point of view of the planning process are used to attempt a system analysis of the educational administration in Malta. This system analysis includes a description of the Maltese educational system and the educational administration as well as of recent changes and developments in both. Suggestions for improvements are made to facilitate better preparation and implementation of plans. Description: PhD

1971-01-01T00:00:00Z