BOOK OF ABSTRACT
ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020
Cohesion Patterns in Essays of Student Writers in the Tertiary Level
Jurlita U. Basuel
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to determine the patterns used by the student writers in constructing cohesive texts in four levels (intra-sentence, Inter–sentence, inter- paragraph, inter-text) through lexical and grammatical devices. It also aimed to show the extent of the use of cohesive ties, its effect on the structural surface of the text and to analyze ambiguities arising from cohesion problems that impair understanding and interpreting meanings. This descriptive study used the qualitative method of analysis which is reading- based inquiry. Twenty editorial texts, specifically the essays of student writers of the Northwestern University, Laoag City were the preliminary units of investigation. Each text was analyzed using Basuel’s (1992) classification scheme of cohesion devices, an enhanced version of Halliday and Hasan’s cohesion model (1976) and Leech’ model of linguistic analysis in four levels: intra-sentence, inter-sentence and inter-paragraph and inter-text. The main items taken into consideration were the types of devices used, their frequency in a sentence and the text as a whole, to determine the recurring pattern, and the direction to which these ties refer. Cohesion devices are effective linguistic strategies to reduce the lengths of texts particularly needed in editorial texts. Cohesion markers create links across sentence. It was found out from the text studied that the most frequently used ties are conjunctions, specifically the additive and which was often used as substitute for other functions aside from indicating additional information. The second group of most recurring ties was reiterations: simple repetitions, synonyms, superordinates and collocates. The third group of recurring ties was references dominated by personal pronouns. Substitute and ellipsis were found still not frequently used among the ties. Two types of cohesion devices were attested in the investigation–lexical and grammatical. The analysis uncovered the use of cohesive structures as collocation, reiteration, reference, substitution, ellipsis and conjunctions.
Three patterns have been traced in the essays-1) distant lexical repetition, 2) central sentences and 3) marginal sentences. The first pattern, an addition to the ones discovered in previous cohesion studies, is the use of distant lexical repetition and other cohesive devices to make a meaningful text. This pattern uses either a question, a short sentence, a phrase, or a word at the beginning paragraph of a text then is and is repeated at the close of the essay either as an answer to the question posed, or a re-statement of the short sentence or phrase as the writer’s final agreement or disagreement on the issue discussed. In between these two paragraphs are discussions of the question or the short sentence or phrase with the use of multiple cohesive devices that link the paragraphs together. The second pattern uses central sentences–interrelated packages of information connected by multiple lexical devices known as reiterations. Most of the cohesive texts studied used this pattern. They only differed in the sequence in the use of these ties. Less cohesive texts used a pattern that employed marginal sentences. These are sentences that contribute less to the development of the theme of the text. What they say neither builds lexically upon what has gone before nor provides the lexis of subsequent element. This does not mean the same as saying that these sentences have no purpose. They only needed linkers or cohesion markers to make reading smooth, consequently
BOOK OF ABSTRACT
ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020
easier to understand. The extent of the use of these devices has an effect on the surface structure of the text. Foremost of all, cohesion devices point out relationships of words, phrases, clauses, sentences and paragraphs within a text. More specifically, excessive use of grammatical ties causes ambiguity especially with the use of references in the inter-paragraph level. The use of lexical ties in inter-paragraph or inter-sentence levels makes more cohesive ties than grammatical devices. Simple repetitions though, used in the intra–sentence level are loose ties and often cause monotony or even suggest limited vocabulary. Frequent referring to a person or place creates a tone of prominence while over repetitions of a negative reaction to a person or place suggests hatred. Exophorical reference as manifested being used in a few of the texts studied is often a world shared by a writer or receiver of a linguistic message regardless of culture and background, thus, references are culture–bound and outside the experience of the language learner. The prevalence of intra-sentence level especially in the use of grammatical ties accounted for the loose texts. It is interesting to note that the writers had a greater use of ties at the inter-paragraph level than at the inter-sentence level. The study also showed that the number of ties a writer used did not guarantee the cohesiveness of the text. The use of effective ties depends on how they are clearly and properly used in terms of proximity and correctness of forms. The use of more grammatical ties and less lexical devices among the texts investigated parallel previous studies on cohesion. The textual ambiguities are natural problems that may arise from the use of cohesive devices. These are also common among native users of English.
Keywords: cohesion patterns, tertiary level, student writers
BOOK OF ABSTRACT
ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020
Academic Performance and Student Satisfaction at College of Business Education Northwestern University
Eric Santos Parilla, DBA
Marc Edward M. Abadilla, BSC
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to measure the relationship of academic performance and student satisfaction at College of Business Education. The respondents were students of the different courses of the college namely business administration, accountancy, tourism and hospitality management. Weighted mean and linear regression were used to determine the relationship. It was found out that there is no correlation between academic performance and linear regression as a whole, but in between courses, accountancy course was said to have correlation of academic performance and student satisfaction.
Keywords: academic performance, student satisfaction
BOOK OF ABSTRACT
ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020
Implementation of R.A. 10586 (Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013)
Jonah B. Badua
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of drunk driving incidences is alarming which significantly contributes on the causes of death and physical impairment. A law on anti-drunk driving was established and being implemented however drunk driving still prevails but few apprehensions are just recorded. This study assessed the implementation of RA 10586 (Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013). It sought answers to the profile of motorists and law enforcement officers, the level of implementation of drivers education, apprehension, conduct of mandatory alcohol testing and information, education and communication campaign and the problems encountered in the implementation of the law. It involved 114 motorist and 71 law enforcement officers from Laoag and Batac City and municipality of San Nicolas. Descriptive research design was applied, using a questionnaire and unstructured interview to gather data. Findings revealed that almost all the motorist are males, single, young-adult, college level and are employed. All have drivers license, well-experienced in driving but lack seminar on RA 10586. Meanwhile the law enforcement officers are male dominated, married, young-adult and attained college level. Majority are traffic enforces and stayed long in the service and have some seminars and trainings related to RA 10586 and the traffic rules and regulations. The two group of respondents disclosed that the overall implementation of RA 10586 is often implemented but there are also specific provisions of which they perceived differently like in apprehension (motorist=often; LEO = always) and information, education and communication campaign (motorist=often; LEO = sometimes). Law enforcers have very minimal involvement in IEC. The problems encountered by both respondents are interconnected. Motorists claimed that the law enforcers are lax, discourteous and show misconduct. Corruption is not a problem. While the law enforcers disclosed that motorists are disrespectful, usually offer a bribe as an option for non-issuance of ticket and escape penalties and dishonesty.
Keywords: RA 10586, anti-drunk driving, motorist, law enforcement officers.
BOOK OF ABSTRACT
ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020
Assessment of NWU Research Culture Towards Model Development
Lori Marseli L. De Castro, PhD
ABSTRACT
Research is one of the trifold function of Northwestern University. This study assessed the research culture of the university from the perspective of faculty to come up with a model to develop a culture of research. A descriptive research method was used with faculty as respondents from the different colleges of the university. The results revealed the following: a) the area of linkages, networking, and partnerships with other organizations is limited; b) low productivity in terms of research outputs quantity and quality, and in presentation and publication to national and international fora. Based on the findings, a model was developed to improve a culture of research in the university.
Keywords: research culture, model development
BOOK OF ABSTRACT
ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020
Supply Chain Management Adoption and Its Effect on Profitability of Philippine MSMEs
Eric S. Parilla, DBA
Marc Edward M. Abadilla, MBA
ABSTRACT
The study investigates the effect of the adoption of supply chain management adoption on Philippine MSMEs’ profitability and the mediating impact of organizational profile such as the number of employees, business, and business size. The study participants were the owners and operations managers of manufacturing firms in the Philippines, and they were chosen using a convenience sampling technique. The study employed a quantitative research design and a casual research approach to measure the relationship of adoption of supply chain management strategies and profitability and the mediating effect of organizational profile. Using simple structural equation modeling, the findings revealed a positive relationship between the adoption of supply chain management strategies and profitability. However, concerning the mediating effect of the organizational profile, there was no established effect. Implications, conclusions, and recommendations were also provided in the study.
Keywords: Supply chain, profitability, supplier-customer relationship