International Research Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Jlali Research Institute of Social Sciences, Lahore
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Hashtags as Elliptical Clausal Constructions in Digital News Discourse: A Faircloughian Critical Discourse Analysis
The rise of social media has transformed news communication, with hashtags emerging as prominent linguistic tools that shape public understanding and discourse. Despite growing research on digital media, limited attention has been paid to the structural and ideological functions of hashtags as elliptical clausal constructions in news posts. The current study aims to investigate how hashtags in digital news on X function linguistically and ideologically through the lens of Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis. The findings of the study reveal that hashtags compress complex propositions into minimal forms, enabling news organizations to frame events, obscure agency, and influence audience interpretation, thereby reinforcing dominant ideological narratives. The study recommends further research into cross-platform comparisons and the role of multimodal elements, such as emojis, in conjunction with hashtags, to deepen understanding of digital news discourse practices.
Hashtags, Digital News Discourse, Critical Discourse Analysis, Ideology, New Media Discourse, X (Twitter)
Copyright (c) 2026 International Research Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THEORIES OF ETHNIC CONFLICT AND BALOCH NATIONALISM: A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS
This paper is designed to come with analysis of Baloch Ethno-Nationalists politics on theoretical basis. Theories of ethnic conflict are important to study to examine properly and explain Baloch ethnic-conflict and correlation amongst situations such as economic, political and social. Similarly, theories of ethnic-conflict are important to develop understandings of different situations as well as conflicts that arise in multi-ethnic state of Pakistan in post-colonial era. Theories of ethnic conflict also help in analyzing the Baloch Nationalists political unrest, research domains for understanding political situation in Balochistan and the process to avoid violence in discriminatory socio-political conditions. By understanding these phenomenon, it helps in understanding violence against state of Pakistan by segment of a Baloch society on ethnic basis.
Copyright (c) 2025 International Research Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Examining the Effectiveness of the Collaborative Teaching Approach in Fostering the Students' Humanistic Values at the Secondary Level in Pakistan
The research titled “Examining the Collaborative Approach to Teaching in Fostering Humanistic Values” explores how an individual’s scholastic methods contribute to the community and society as a whole, fostering values such as compassion, reverence, honesty, integrity, generosity, kindness, resilience, creativity, personal growth, and an appreciation for different viewpoints and experiences. The study is quantitative in nature and grounded in the positivist paradigm. Its design is structured and systematic, following a deductive approach. For data collection, the researcher used a closed-ended questionnaire (a 5-point Liker scale). The population for the study consisted of 350 teachers, selected as a cluster for data collection. The researcher made careful efforts to ensure the trustworthiness and credibility of the study, employing a numerical approach to ensure validity and reliability. The quantitative data was statistically analyzed using an independent samples t-test in SPSS version 20.0. Within the realm of inferential statistics, the independent samples t-test was used to analyze the data. Wrapping up the topic, the researcher examines how collaboration in teaching is a valuable method for nurturing humanistic values among learners. By encouraging compassion, reverence, honesty, integrity, generosity, and other values, educators can enhance not only students' intellectual knowledge but also their development as successful members of society. For successful outcomes, educators must carefully plan collaborative activities, facilitate effective group dynamics, and ensure that all student voices are heard and valued timely. It has been observed that a lack of collaborative teaching can create a significant divide and lead to negative consequences for students. The study offers valuable insights for policy planners, researchers, teachers, curriculum developers, and parents in Pakistan to develop programs that address the humanistic needs of students. Finally, the researcher suggests new directions for future research in fostering humanistic values.
Negative emotions in consumers of empty calories in a higher institution in Sokoto, Nigeria
This study explores the link between consuming empty calories (energy drinks) and negative emotions among students at Sultan Abdurrahman College of Health Technology, Gwadabawa, Sokoto, Nigeria. A survey designed was applied among 62 participants that returned the questionnaire for further analysis. The research reveals that students experience sadness (37.1%), anxiety (33.9%), anger (22.6%), and fear (6.5%) due to energy drink consumption. Reasons for consumption include avoiding sleepiness (51.6%), feeling happy (22.6%), satisfying hunger (16.1%), and overworking (9.7%). The study suggests that health educators can leverage these negative emotions to promote awareness and encourage students to avoid empty calories.
Students, empty calories, emotions, negative emotions, anxiety
Negative Affectivity and Social Inhibition as Predictors of Health Behaviors: A Study of Type D Personality among cardiovascular patients
Negative Affectivity (NA) and Social Inhibition (SI) qualities, which are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), combine to form the Type D Personality. Although psychological dispositions are known to be important in preventing CVD, little research has been done on how these two factors relate to patients' participation in health-promoting behaviors. The goal of this study was to determine whether Type D personality traits can serve as predictors of patients' engagement in health-promoting behaviors and whether Type D personality does, in fact, have an impact on patients' participation in healthy lifestyle choices. Standardized examinations of Type D personality and health-promoting activities were utilized to gather data from individuals with cardiovascular disease as part of a correlational research technique. Version 25.0 of the SPSS program was used to analyze the data. The study variables and the demographics of the sample participants were described using descriptive statistics, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was employed to look at the association between NA, SI, and general health-promoting activities. We examined the impact of social inhibition and negative affectivity on general health behavior using multiple linear regression analysis. It was hypothesized that Type D personality traits would predict overall engagement in healthy behaviors and that they were connected with overall health behavior. Health care providers could better identify patients who would be at risk of poor cardiovascular health and assist in developing focused, evidence-based behavioral health interventions by understanding the impact of Type D personality in adherence to healthy behaviors.
Negative Affectivity, Social Inhibition, Health Behaviors, Cardiovascular Disease, and Type-D Personality
Integrated Micro-Statistical Frameworks for Predictive Validity in Climate and Policy Econometrics
This study proposes and applies an integrated micro-statistical framework to evaluate predictive validity in climate and policy econometrics. It has been found that traditional microeconometric models are highly cause interpretive but exhibit low predictivity, and modern statistical methods of learning do not have structural transparency but can make more predictions. By integrating microeconometric estimation, hierarchical multilevel modeling and machine-learned based predictive analytics into a single framework, this article fills this divide. Based on micro-level data on climate exposure, policy support and economic outcomes, the study evaluates the predictive performance based on cross-validated error measures and examines the moderating impact of policy intervention on climate-induced economic vulnerability.The results reveal that the combined model is significantly better in predictive validity with reduced RMSE and MAE and increased predictive R 2 compared to other traditional fixed-effects, multilevel-only, and machine-learn-only models. Findings also indicate that specific policy interventions can go a long way in offsetting the negative impacts of climate surprises on the income stability of households, agricultural output, and energy usage behavior, and with regional and income disparities in their impacts. The stability of results is confirmed by robustness checks based on alternative climate indices, subsample estimations and sensitivity analysis.The article advances predictive analytics and empirical strategies in climate and policy econometrics, methodologically, by bringing together the causal inference and predictive analytics. In substance, it emphasizes the significant role of micro-level heterogeneity as well as the effects of interaction in determining climate resilience. The research paper is concluded with finding that integrated micro-statistical frameworks can be more accurately used in predicting distributional effects and informing adaptive policy formulation in a period of increasing climate uncertainty.
The Embodiment of Justice, Sacrifice, and Reform in Islam
This exploration paper examines the life, charge, and enduring heritage of Hazrat Imam Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī( A.S.), the deified grandson of Prophet Muḥammad( ﷺ), whose martyrdom at Karbalāʾ represents one of the most defining moments in Islamic history. The study aims to explore the ethical, spiritual, and socio- political confines of Imam Ḥusayn’s struggle against the loose rule of Yazīd ibn Muʿāwiyah, pressing his unvarying commitment to verity( ḥaqq), justice( ʿadl), and reform( iṣlāḥ). Using a qualitative and descriptive methodology, the exploration draws from primary Islamic sources including ḥadīth, Qurʾānic elucidation, and classical literal accounts — as well as secondary scholarly interpretations to give a comprehensive understanding of his part as a moral leftist and a godly companion. The findings indicate that Imam Ḥusayn’s stage was n't simply a political defiance but a profound act of moral and spiritual resistance aimed at conserving the true spirit of Islam. His immolation readdressed generalities of leadership, faith, and justice, establishing a universal paradigm that continues to inspire religious and philanthropic movements worldwide. The paper concludes that Imam Ḥusayn’s heritage transcends time, side, and terrain — remaining an eternal symbol of courage, immolation, and verity in the face of despotism. His communication continues to serve as a guiding light for religionists seeking righteousness, ethical governance, and loyal devotion to Allah’s command.
THE CONCEPT OF TIME IN ISLAM: BETWEEN DUNYĀ, ĀKHIRAH, AND MODERN PRODUCTIVITY SYSTEMS
Time( * al- waqt *) occupies a intermediary theological, ethical, and empirical situation in Islam. The Qur’ān persistently directs mortal concentration toward the nippy passage of time and the virtuous consequences trussed to its use. This composition investigates the Islamic conception of time by examining Qur’ānic fabrics, Predictive traditions, prescriptive education, and coincidental intellectual converse. It also contrasts the Islamic worldview of time — embedded in responsibility, * niyyah *, unsubstantial discipline, and imperishable exposure with ultramodern productivity systems similar as time- blocking, effectiveness fabrics, and cognitive optimization models. Through a qualitative textual dissection of primary Islamic sources and secondary erudite literature, this study demonstrates that Islamic time ethics present a further integrative and holistic paradigm. While ultramodern productivity models prioritize effectiveness, affair, and acquirement in the * dunyā *, Islamic training advance a clearheaded model in which productivity is spiritually anchored, innocently chastened, and aligned with * ākhirah *- acquainted knowledge. The rulings punctuate Islam’s distinct path time is a godly trust( * amānah *) whose proper application transforms diurnal conduct into spiritually meaningful trials, adding * barakah * and cerebral well- being. This exploration concludes that consorting Islamic principles with coincidental productivity tools yields a sustainable, immorally predicated, and purpose- driven frame for the ultramodern Muslim.
Analyzing Gendered Speech Styles and Power Negotiation in Professional and Casual Face-to-Face and Digital Interactions: An Interactional Sociolinguistic Study of Politeness Strategies and Identity Construction
This paper examines how gendered speech style is used as an interactional resource in negotiation of power and construction of identity in the workplace and non-work settings of both personal and online communication. The frame of the research is based on the modern sociolinguistic studies which develop the concept of gender as socially constructed and performed phenomenon, and specific to the institutional conventions and communicative contexts. The main aim of the research will be to investigate the use of politeness strategies, turn-taking, directives, modality, stance-taking, and multimodal cues as strategic methods to negotiate the authority and social relations by speakers. The study has a mixed-methods design, with a qualitative predominant approach on an interpretivist research paradigm methodologically. Using purposive sampling so that data are balanced in gender and can be compared contextually, data are gathered through natural interactions that occur in the workplace, such as professional meetings, casual conversation, WhatsApp messages, and Zoom interactions. The theory is based on the Interactional Sociolinguistics, Politeness Theory, and social constructionist approaches to gender and identity. The interactional discourse analysis is used to analyze the data with the assistance of the thematic coding and partial quantitative frequency analysis. The conclusions demonstrate that gendered speech styles are contextual and being tactical. Female interactional and emotional labor is carried out more by mitigation and alignment than by direct and authoritative forms, which are more common between men (especially in professional face-to-face environments). There is no evidence of the end of gendered power asymmetries in digital communication, which instead reconfigures them. On the whole, the analysis shows that gender alone does not predetermine power and identity, but it is the everyday interaction that does.
Gendered Speech, Power Negotiation, Politeness Strategies, Interactional Sociolinguistics, Identity Construction, Digital Discourse, Face-to-Face Interaction, Workplace Communication, Modality, Stance-Taking
The Art of Teaching Methods in Biology: Strategies, and Aids in a Narrative View
Classroom procedure is a crucial aspect of effective teaching, involving careful consideration of instructional objectives, entering behavior, instructional procedures, and performance assessment. Instructional objectives outline what learners should achieve, guiding teachers in selecting lesson plans and methods. These objectives encompass cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains, emphasizing knowledge acquisition, emotional growth, and skill development. Entering behavior connects new instruction to prior knowledge, while instructional procedures involve presenting lessons in an organized, step-wise manner. Performance assessment measures student achievement, informing future teaching strategies. Various teaching methods, such as lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and field trips, offer distinct advantages and disadvantages. Audio-visual teaching aids, including podcasts, videos, and interactive whiteboards, enhance learning by engaging multiple senses. By understanding these concepts, educators can create engaging, effective learning environments.
Classroom, teaching, methods, audio, visual, assessment
A Corpus-Assisted Study on the Co-existence of Standard British and American Englishes in the Age of Globalization in Pakistan
This research documents a comprehensive empirical documentation of the co-existence of Standard British English (SBE) and American Englishes (AmE) in modern Pakistan. This perspective leaves a critical gap within the existing sociolinguistics literature. The research employed a mixed-method approach, a sort of triangulation technique to investigate the empirical evidence collected from Pakistani corpus of 50,000 words, interviews (N-10), and questionnaires (N=50). The findings depict that the use of different terms from each standard variety is not random but a structured process. A clear clash emerged between the perceived prestige of Standard British English which is linked with official documentation, and the perceived utility of American English which is further associated with globalization and digitization. This majorly points towards the term “stratified diglossia” where the use of Standard British and American English within Pakistani English highlight depends on the context users are in. The respondents also reported the use of code-mixing, code-switching, and linguistic schizophrenia which is mostly context-driven. Consequently, the co-existence of British and American English is not a competition but a structured process and functional distribution which revolves around complex, dual-identity of a post-colonial country.
Standard British English (SBE), American English, Pakistani English, Post-colonial nation, sociolinguistics, globalization, corpus, World Englishness
Association of Media Consumption on YouTube and Sleep Problems among Preschoolers: A Qualitative Study Based on Mothers’ Perspectives
The increasing exposure of preschoolers to digital media (especially cartoons and AI generated content on YouTube) is causing concern worldwide, as this has an impact on both sleep quality and a child's early development. By going back 10,000 years in our biological memories, it is possible to appreciate the quintessential role of darkness in child sleep. Mothers are children's primary caregivers and so should have a clear understanding of their media consumption and their sleep patterns. This qualitative study was conducted to analyze how YouTube effect on two- to six-years old children and in particular the point problem from the viewpoint of mothers whose child has spent time living. Through Qualitative survey (open ended questions) of 294 mothers of 2 to 6 years preschooler aged children. This work attempts to describe in detail various sleeping problems among two-to six-year-old children due to spending excessive time on YouTube. Data was analyzed using the six phase thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke and the results showed five main themes: excessive media consumption on YouTube in everyday routines, delay to falling asleep and bedtime resistance, awakening at night and restless sleep, emotional and behavioral dysregulation, maternal awareness and challenges in regulation of excessive media consumption on YouTube. Taken as a whole, these findings suggest a strong bonding between excessive media consumption habits and sleep problems among preschoolers. Parents need to be educated about their effect on children's bedtime habits and given guidelines from authorities in order that it may not become widespread; intervention programs can also help children establish new healthy patterns.
Media Consumption, Screen Time, sleep problems, preschool children, mothers’ perceptions
Islamic Jurisprudence and Religious Minorities: A Critical Study of Classical Fiqh Positions and Contemporary Reinterpretations
This study critically examines the treatment of religious minorities within Islamic jurisprudence by analyzing classical fiqh positions alongside contemporary reinterpretations. Drawing upon primary sources of Islamic law the Qurʾān and Sunnah as well as the legal reasoning of the major Sunni schools of jurisprudence, the research explores foundational concepts such as dhimmah, protection of life and property, religious freedom, and legal equality. The study highlights how classical jurists developed legal frameworks for minority communities within specific historical, political, and social contexts, aiming to ensure security, social order, and justice in pre-modern Muslim societies. At the same time, it interrogates the limitations of these frameworks when applied uncritically to modern nation-states characterized by constitutional citizenship, pluralism, and international human rights norms. The research further examines contemporary juristic approaches that seek to reinterpret classical rulings through the lens of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, public interest (maṣlaḥah), and contextual ijtihād. By engaging with modern scholarship and legal thought, the study demonstrates how Islamic jurisprudence possesses inherent flexibility to accommodate evolving social realities while remaining faithful to its ethical foundations. The paper argues that a maqāṣid-oriented and justice-centered approach provides a more coherent and normative Islamic framework for ensuring the rights, dignity, and equal citizenship of religious minorities in contemporary Muslim societies. Through this critical and comparative analysis, the study contributes to ongoing academic debates on Islamic law, pluralism, and minority rights, offering constructive insights for both scholarly discourse and practical legal reform.
Islamic Jurisprudence; Religious Minorities; Fiqh; Dhimmah; Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah; Legal Pluralism
A Corpus-Based Comparative Analysis of Human and ChatGPT-Generated Academic Abstracts
Academic writing continues to evolve alongside advances in digital technology, particularly the growing use of artificial intelligence in research communication. However, limited linguistic research has compared human and AI-generated academic texts to identify measurable differences in writing quality. This study analyses a corpus of 20 academic abstracts to compare lexical and syntactic features across both authorship types. Using qualitative and corpus-based methods, the study examines vocabulary range, academic terminology, sentence structure, and clause complexity. The findings of the present study reveals that human abstracts demonstrate greater lexical diversity, disciplinary precision, and syntactic depth, while ChatGPT abstracts display clearer structure but increased repetition and simplified syntax. The study concludes that although AI generates fluent academic language, it does not yet replicate the linguistic nuance found in human academic writing.
Academic research, Corpus study, ChatGPT, Lexical features, Syntactic features
Working of Local Governments in Pakistan: A Case Study of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation 2013
Local Governments are an essential tier for a successful, stable as well as continuous democracy in a country. Pakistan since independence has a very grumpy record of local governments with an opposite style of working under authoritative governments. Being a basic essence of democracy, Local Government is the most ignored subject while discussing achievements and failures of democracy in the country. The fact that local government have only been active in the country under military regimes made the subject undaunted for the elected governments which lost its actual importance and need to be enforced. The year 2010 brought a major change for the local governments and it was made compulsion for the provincial governments to conduct elections and form local governments after the 18th constitutional amendment was passed. The amendment proved to be a ray of hope for the subject of local government, as many powers from central level were transferred to provincial governments. Moreover, the local governments were said to be provided with administrative, political as well as financial authority so that the working would be practicable. The study is conducted to examine the performance of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation formed under Punjab Local Government Act 2013. Lahore was entitled to be only Metropolitan Corporation with on other local government working within it. The working of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation has been observed by performance, responsibilities and functions assigned to the local government and their relationship with the administration and impact on the performance. The Punjab Government has introduced new act by the name of Punjab Local Government Act 2024 after the general elections under which the Metropolitan Corporation as well as district councils has been abolished which requires to study in depth what positive outcomes this structure has brought under previous act of 2013
Lahore, Metropolitan Corporation, Local Government, Punjab, municipal services
Gendered Evaluation: A Stylistic Study of Adjectival Choices for Female and Male Public Figures in News Discourse
Language is crucial in forming social perceptions, and media discourse is a strong site where gender identities are made, maintained, and even challenged. In this respect, linguistic decisions, especially adjectives, have evaluative connotations, which express hidden ideological stances. A significant number of studies are available on news discourse, but limited research is available to explore on stylistic study of adjectival choices for female and male public figures in news discourse. Thereby, applying a qualitative approach using Stylistic analysis interpreted by Fairclough’s (1995) Critical Discourse analysis model. The data is purposely collected from three different Pakistani newspapers as Daily Times, Pakistan Today, and The Nation, with a total number of ten articles. The current study aims to explore adjectival choices in Pakistani news discourse that reflect gendered evaluations of male and female public figures. The study highlighted that descriptions of the female figures in the Pakistani news discourse are characterized by adjectival decisions favoring emotional, appearance-related, and relational expressions, which are contrasted by adjectival decisions of male figures being characterized by qualities of authority, competence, and rationality.
Gendered Language, News Discourse, Public Figure, Pakistani Newspaper, Stylistic Study
A Methodological Approach to Understanding Muslim Women's Impact on the Development of Early Islamic Society: Re-evaluating Historical Sources
The role of women in the development of society has been central. It is a fact that she is the one who has develops the generation in every society. Only man has a part in the progress of the world before Islam. Women have no role anywhere but the honor and status that Islam has given to women is unparalleled in any national and religious history. Islam has not only defined the rights of women but has also given them equal status with men and declared them to be fully human. Whether it was a field of learning and teaching or a field of social service, an opportunity for Jihād in the way of Allah or a matter of politics and government, women had a clear, bright and important role in everything. The Ṣahāba and the Ṣahābiat of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to participate in together and understand the religion. This shows that the education and training of women was more important to the Holy Prophet than that of men. In this article, we will talk about the services rendered by Muslim women to the formation and development of Muslim society. Muslim women used to water for Mujāhidīn in special situations, such as on the battlefield, bandage the wounded and there was no difference between good and bad. Similarly, early Muslim women played an active role in teaching knowledge, promoting education and narrating hadith.
Muslim women, Development, sacrifices, war services
Use of Multiple Languages (Mls) in Education in Sokoto Caliphate and Contemporary Lessons
This paper divulges an overview on the use of multiple languages in education in Sokoto Caliphate and contemporary lessons. The Sokoto Caliphate's use of multiple languages in education played a crucial role in its social revolution, led by Shehu Usmanu Danfodiyo. The caliphate utilized Arabic, Hausa, Fulfulde, and other local languages to disseminate Islamic knowledge, promoting education, social justice, and community development. This approach facilitated effective communication, diffusion of innovation, and localization of foreign languages, yielding valuable lessons for contemporary education in Northern Nigeria. The caliphate's emphasis on mother-tongue education, women/girl education, and personalized learning can inform strategies to address current educational challenges. By leveraging local languages, Nigeria can enhance educational outcomes, promote cultural preservation, and foster socio-economic development. The study highlights the significance of language in education, emphasizing its role in shaping consciousness, cognition, and societal progress. By embracing multilingualism, Nigeria can harness the benefits of diverse linguistic and cultural heritage, promoting inclusive and effective education.
Road Logistics’ Performance Constraining Export Competitiveness in Pakistan
This paper investigates the structural, operational and regulatory deficiencies of Pakistan's road transportation industry coupled with their performance-related impact on export competitiveness. From an empirical analysis based on primary-data collection, a bespoke Export-Linked Logistics Performance Index (E-LPI) was created to compare Pakistan's logistics performance against regional averages via Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Despite the industry representing over 10% of Pakistan's GDP, it remains an informal, fragmented and undercapitalized niche due to legacy regulations, insufficient public and private governance and a geologically dispersed network compounded by an ineffective, fuel-wasting vehicle fleet. However, the compounded E-LPI results suggest 13% performance in international standards versus 72% - suggesting a 138% deficit in sustainability, 51% in technological tools and 67% in freight costs. The latter two extremes are detrimental since sustainability could prevent the country from meeting the EU Green Deal and other global standards and it could become excluded from regulated markets. The gap in technological facilitation means that there is not enough tracking and tracing to facilitate digitization and approvals for further operations. Third, a huge percentage of freight costs related to top exporting industries - textiles, agriculture, heavy industries - undermine global competitiveness since buyers will not accept elevated prices - and thus, Pakistan is not benefitting from its geo-strategic advantage. Thus, to more effectively position itself as a cross-border trading partner with regional developments - including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) - this inconsistent, inefficient structure must be transformed. Otherwise, Pakistan will fall farther behind in global rankings and miss out on valuable opportunities. Lastly, this study highlights a comprehensive reform potential that is aligned with international standards from the introduction of a Ministry of Transport and Logistics to interprovincial regulatory harmonization, enforcement of axle load restrictions, modernization of fleets and green technologies through subsidies and digitization through comprehensive logistics efforts. It's expected that such reforms will promote reduced costs and emissions while providing transformative export capabilities to establish Pakistan as a valuable, low-cost yet climate-resilient regional logistics partner.
Influence of Assistive Technology on the Educational Achievements of Students with Visual Impairment in Post-secondary education
This study explored the influence of technology designed for the assistance of students with visual disabilities on their educational journey in post-secondary education. The research used a quantitative research approach, gathering information on forty students with VI who engaged in tertiary-level studies, collected through a convenience sample. The data was illustrated by a Likert-scale survey reviewed by two researchers for construct validity. The findings showed statistically significant support for the key role of technology designed for the assistance of individuals with disabilities in regard to areas related to their educational journeys, including: performance; confidence; access to digital reading materials and involvement in both academic and non-academic co-curriculars. Students reported challenges they faced with the educational experiences, however, with regards to: difficulty with studying independently; inconsistency with institutional accommodations and post-secondary education systems unique to post-secondary education; and barriers for effectively using technology designed for the assistance of individuals with disabilities. Overall, the research findings indicate that technology designed for the assistance of individuals with visual disabilities are necessary not only for consideration for educational processes but also as impetus for improved institutional supports and access practices in post-secondary education.
Assistive technology, students with VI, educational achievement, post-secondary education
The Role of Sports Protective Equipment in Injury Prevention: Athlete Feedback on Safety Gear and Its Effectiveness
This study examined the effectiveness of sports protective equipment and the perceptions of university athletes regarding its use, comfort, and role in injury prevention. The research focused on football, cricket, and hockey players, who are often exposed to high injury risk due to collisions, rapid movement, and high-speed projectiles. A sample of 150 both male and females was employed (Cricket =50, Football=50, hockey =50) athletes from the University of the Punjab and the University of Education Lahore was selected through a convenient random sampling technique. These institutions were selected due to their established sports programs and diversity of athletes participating in Football, Cricket, and Hockey. The sample size was justified using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling table, which recommends a sample of 150 for a population size of 300. This sample size was considered adequate for obtaining reliable and representative results. the researcher employed an adapted version of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue) developed by Petrides (2009). Although originally designed to assess emotional intelligence, specific items were adapted under expert supervision to measure athletes‘perceptions of protective equipment. The questionnaire consisted of 25 items measured on a five point Likert scale, where 1 represented "Strongly Agree" and 5 represented "Strongly Disagree." adapted questionnaire, validated by experts, was used to collect data on athlete opinions, usage behavior, and perceived effectiveness of safety equipment. Results showed strong agreement that protective gear improves safety and prevents injuries, with comfort, fit, and design influencing acceptance and consistent use. Although modern safety gear was widely viewed as effective, concerns persisted about discomfort, limited availability, affordability, and inconsistent enforcement by coaches. The findings highlight the need for enhanced athlete education, improved gear design, and continuous innovation in sport-specific protective equipment. The study contributes to a better understanding of athlete-centered factors that influence safety compliance in sports environments.
Protective Equipment, Sports Gear, Injuries Prevention, Athlete’s Perception
Pakistani Diaspora in the UK: Challenges and Responses
The Pakistani diaspora in the UK, established significantly following post-WWII labor recruitment, represents a complex and internally diverse ethnic minority facing persistent challenges across socio-economic, cultural, and political dimensions. While exhibiting notable entrepreneurial success, a considerable portion of the community contends with higher rates of income poverty and unemployment, compounded by issues of cultural friction, an identity crisis among second and third generations, and increasing instances of Islamophobia and discrimination. In response to these barriers, the diaspora demonstrates strong resilience, characterized by growing political engagement, the active maintenance of transnational socio-cultural and religious ties (including substantial philanthropic contributions), and the effective use of robust internal social networks for mutual support. Ultimately, the community remains an integral part of British society, with its continued progress requiring targeted policy interventions to address systemic disparities and prejudice alongside the institutional recognition of its significant contributions.
Diaspora, Identity, acculturation, threats, challenges, extremism
Gender Justice and Sociopolitical Reform: A Critical Analysis of Women’s Rights in Contemporary Societies
This research critically examines the evolving landscape of women’s rights within contemporary sociopolitical systems, focusing on the intersection of gender justice, legal reform, and institutional governance. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from law, sociology, political science, and human rights studies, the study analyzes how structural inequalities, socio-cultural norms, and state policies shape women’s lived realities. Through a comparative review of global and regional reform movements, the research highlights both progress and persistent challenges in addressing gender-based discrimination, legal disparities, and barriers to participation in public life. Findings indicate that meaningful sociopolitical reform requires not only legislative intervention but also transformation in societal attitudes, power structures, and governance mechanisms. Ultimately, the study argues that sustainable gender justice can only be achieved through integrated policy frameworks, inclusive institutions, and a rights-based approach that centers women’s autonomy, dignity, and equality.
Copyright (c) 2024 International Research Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Judicial Role in Constitutional Evolution: An Examination of Landmark Decisions and Institutional Impact
The judiciary has played a pivotal and often contentious role in shaping constitutional evolution across post-colonial legal systems, particularly in states where democratic institutions remain fragile and the separation of powers is frequently contested. This study provides a critical examination of judicial influence on constitutional development by analyzing landmark decisions that have altered the balance of authority among the executive, legislature, and judiciary. Through an evaluative doctrinal approach supported by comparative institutional analysis, the research highlights how judicial review, constitutional interpretation, and precedent-setting have both strengthened and, at times, undermined democratic governance. Findings demonstrate that landmark rulings on constitutional amendments, fundamental rights, military intervention, and judicial independence have produced long-term institutional consequences, including shifts in accountability, expanded rights protections, and evolving doctrines of constitutional supremacy. However, the analysis also reveals recurring challenges such as judicial overreach, inconsistent jurisprudence, political pressures, and weak enforcement mechanisms, which continue to influence constitutional stability. This study argues that a nuanced understanding of judicial behavior and decision-making patterns is essential for assessing institutional transformation and for proposing reforms that enhance the judiciary’s role as an impartial guardian of the constitution.
Judicial Review, Constitutional Evolution, Landmark Decisions, Democratic Governance, Separation of Powers, Constitutional Interpretation
Critical Discourse Analysis of Pakistani Showbiz Actors’ Talks to Analyze Code Switching as an Effective Strategy of Communication
This study conducts a critical discourse analysis of conversations involving Pakistani showbiz actors to examine code-switching as a strategic communicative resource and a marker of identity. Drawing on an extensive literature base in critical discourse analysis, multilingualism, bilingualism, and language politics, it investigates discourse features and the sociocultural functions of code-switching in celebrity interactions. Using a mixed-methods design, purposive sampling selected interviews of ten prominent actors and actresses from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, sourced from YouTube. The data were transcribed manually, with instances of Urdu–English code-switching catalogued into a corpus and analyzed through Fairclough’s three-dimensional model alongside quantitative content analysis. Findings reveal patterned use of intra-sentential, inter-sentential, and tag-switching to construct multifaceted identities, negotiate audience rapport, and align with both local and global cultural frames. While the study is limited by its sample size, reliance on secondary media data, potential transcription inaccuracies, and its temporal scope, the analysis offers substantive insights into how code-switching operates within the identity work of Pakistani celebrities. Recommendations highlight the need for media practitioners, researchers, and cultural stakeholders to embrace linguistic diversity, enhance methodological rigor, leverage digital platforms, and maintain ethical research practices.
Critical Discourse Analysis, Code-Switching, Pakistani Showbiz, Identity Construction, Fairclough Three-Dimensional Model, Media Discourse, Sociolinguistics
Ethical Leadership in the Hadith Literature: An Analytical Study of Prophetic Traits and their Relevance to Modern Governance
This research explores the concept of ethical leadership as presented in Hadith literature, focusing on the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ exemplary traits and their relevance to contemporary models of governance. By analyzing selected authentic narrations from major Hadith collections, the study identifies key prophetic characteristics such as justice, compassion, accountability, humility, and service-oriented leadership. The research further examines how these traits provide a universal ethical framework applicable to modern political, administrative, and organizational leadership. Through a comparative and analytical approach, the study demonstrates that Prophetic ethical principles offer timeless guidance, capable of addressing contemporary governance challenges and promoting integrity, social welfare, and moral responsibility.
IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR ON ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL
This study investigates the impact of leadership behavior on organizational commitment among university faculty in Lahore. The higher-education sector in Pakistan has undergone rapid expansion and reform, placing new demands on academic leaders to guide, motivate, and retain qualified staff. This research focuses on three dimensions of leadership behavior task-oriented, relation-oriented, and laissez-faire and their influence on employees’ organizational commitment, conceptualized as affective, continuance, and normative commitment. A quantitative approach using a cross-sectional survey design was employed. Despite extensive global research, limited empirical work has examined how leadership behavior functions in Pakistan’s academic context. This study fills that gap by employing a quantitative survey of faculty members across public and private universities in Lahore. Using validated instruments and rigorous statistical analysis, the research aims to determine which leadership behaviors most strongly predict organizational commitment. The results are expected to enrich theoretical understanding of leadership–commitment dynamics and provide actionable insights for university governance and human-resource development.
Leadership Behavior, Task-Oriented Leadership, Relation-Oriented Leadership, Laissez-Faire Leadership, Organizational Commitment, Affective Commitment, Continuance Commitment, Normative Commitment, Higher Education, Pakistan
Emotional Intelligence, English Language Anxiety, and Managerial Effectiveness in Corporate Training
Effective managerial communication in multilingual workplaces increasingly depends on both emotional competence and linguistic confidence. This study investigates the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI), English Language Anxiety (ELA), and Managerial Effectiveness (ME) among managers participating in English-medium corporate training programs. Using a cross-sectional survey of 280 mid-career and senior managers across multiple industries, the research employed validated EI, anxiety, and managerial effectiveness scales, analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results reveal that EI significantly reduces English language anxiety (β = –.49, p < .001) and directly enhances managerial effectiveness (β = .34, p < .001). ELA, in contrast, exerts a negative influence on managerial performance (β = –.31, p < .001). Mediation analysis confirms that ELA partially mediates the relationship between EI and ME, indicating that emotionally intelligent managers perform better partly because they experience lower anxiety when communicating in English. These findings highlight a dual emotional–linguistic mechanism shaping managerial behavior and underscore the need for EI-informed communication strategies in corporate training. The study contributes new interdisciplinary insight by linking affective variables with communication performance in professional contexts, offering practical implications for HR, leadership development, and training design.
Emotional Intelligence, English Language Anxiety, Managerial Effectiveness, Corporate Training, Workplace Communication, Multilingual Management, Leadership Development
INDIGENOUS ART FORMS IN THE AKUAPEM NORTH BASIC SCHOOLS’ CULTURAL FESTIVAL
This study investigated the indigenous art forms exhibited at basic schools’ cultural festivals within the Akuapem-North Municipal Assembly. The study used Schechner's (2003) performance theory as the theoretical framework for the study. Employing a qualitative approach and a descriptive design, data was collected through interviews and questionnaires from 28 participants, including 14 pupils, 7 head teachers, and 7 school-based cultural coordinators, and analysed thematically. The findings revealed that the cultural festival served as a platform to showcase diverse Ghanaian musical and cultural practices. Common performing art forms identified were visual arts exhibitions, drama and theatre, poetry and storytelling as well as drum language. The study concluded that these indigenous performing arts embody Ghana's culture through artistic expressions rooted in traditional practices, with visual arts activities like drawing, painting, sculpture, and literary arts being encouraged. Participation in these arts was found to enhance pupils' communication (listening, observation, language, speech), build confidence and self-esteem (through leadership opportunities), stimulate creativity (through imaginative roles and competitions), and promote inclusivity (by expressing diverse perspectives and fostering understanding). The study concluded that Indigenous Arts should be integrated into the school curriculum, providing resources and teacher training, encouraging guest performances, and organizing cultural exchange programs to better support and project indigenous performing arts in basic schools.
Indigenous, Arts forms, cultural festival, Akuapem-North
Banking Mechanisms and Deposit Systems: An Analytical Overview
This chapter explores the fundamental structure, functions, and types of banks in contemporary financial systems, with a particular focus on Pakistan and Islamic banking principles. It examines the formation (taʾsīs / formation) of banks, the procedures for deposit collection (deposits / ʿumānat), and the mechanisms of credit creation (qurūḍ / credit creation). The discussion highlights the roles of banks in profit and loss distribution (al-munafaʿ wa al-khasāʾir / profit and loss), investor protection, and public confidence building. Various types of banks (ashkāl al-bunūk / types of banks) are analyzed, including commercial, agricultural, industrial, cooperative, investment, mortgage, and Islamic banks. The chapter also outlines the operations of key international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF / Ṣunduq al-Nuqūd al-Dawli) and the World Bank (Al-Bānk al-ʿĀlamī / World Bank), along with the central banking system (al-bānk al-markazī / Central Bank) and their regulatory frameworks. Special attention is given to Islamic banking principles, emphasizing Shariah-compliant (al-sharīʿah / Shariah) financial practices, prohibition of riba (interest / fa’ida), and ethical investment strategies. The chapter provides a comprehensive understanding of how banks mobilize resources, facilitate trade, and support economic development, while ensuring compliance with both conventional and Islamic legal and financial frameworks.
financial and economic, collective, Banking Mechanisms, Deposit Systems