Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research

1-7

Authors: DANIEL SERKI ORTSERGA, PH.D

This study set out to investigate land fragmentation in Ute Districts of Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State in Nigeria with a view to gaining insight into its nature, extent and effect on the socio-economy of the area. To achieve this objective, 129 farm plots together with their owners were randomly selected and studied. Dimensions of individual plots and distances between plots and owners’ residences were determined through field measurements. A questionnaire survey was also conducted to obtain information on number of plots held per farming household in the area. In addition, aerial photographs taken over the area in 1977 and topographical maps of the area as well as reports were studied to get baseline data on the extent of fragmentation in the past. Analysis of data showed that, average size of farm plot in 1977 was 0.171 hectare, and declined to 0.149 hectare in 2009. Mean number of plots per farmer in 2009 was 5.37 and mean number of plots cultivated in the same year was 3.68, while range of plot holdings was between 2.67 and 10.00. Using Januszewski’s index of fragmentation, a value of 0.173 was derived, indicating extreme pulverization of farm plots in the area. It was also found that farm plots were not only small, but also scattered over space. The study noted the diseconomies of land fragmentation arising from its severe limitation on mechanization and input investment in farm enterprise. It however recommends support for fragmentation in the area as a realistic response to ecological and demographic imperatives and as a way of stabilizing the socio-economy. It also recommends diversification from agriculture to other gainful activities in the area to augment proceeds from the small and inappropriately distributed farm plots.

15-19

Authors: ANANIA B. AQUINO

As the police force performs important functions in society, men and women alike are attracted to enter this job. However, it can be noted that there is a preponderance of male over female in the police service which is true in the Philippines. With this scenario, female police officers may have experienced difficulties in performing their duties and responsibilities. The study surveyed the profile, motivation to enter the police service, work motivation, gender – related problems and its perceived effect to the job performance of policewomen from five municipalities in Western Batangas, Philippines. It used descriptive research method with questionnaire as data – gathering instrument back –up with interviews. There were only 14 female police officers mostly young, married, bachelor’s degree holder, had been in the service for 1-5 years and were PO1. They were motivated to enter and remain in the police service because of the police uniform, service to country men, and implementation of law and justice. Gender – related problems they experienced were perceived to be affecting their performance to the least extent as they received very satisfactory job performance rating. Conclusions reached were that female police officers were motivated to enter and remain in the service for different reasons and most did not feel discriminated.

24-31

Authors: Dr. Maria Luisa A. Valdez, Thaakor Pathak

This research aims to assess the reports generated from the Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test (DMIT) administered by selected DMIT resource companies and consultancy firms in India with the end view of identifying its implication to career guidance program enhancement of academic institutions. This paper employed the descriptive research method which involved the use of documentary analysis, questionnaires and interviews with purposively selected respondents supported by the researchers’ analysis and insights with reference to the content of the data. Findings of this research revealed that the dermatoglyphics, as a scientific discipline, began with the publication of Purkinje’s thesis (1823) and Galton’s classic book, Fingerprints (1892); DMIT is a remarkable offshoot of Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences which has the following salient features: Overview of the Dermatoglyphics and the Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test/Analysis; Personality Assessment; Profile based on Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and Dunn’s Brain Lateralization Theories; Learning Styles; Competency and Compatibility Profiles; Working Style; Leadership Style; Management Style; Report Interpretation; and Customized Academic and Relationship Advises; the respondents of this study gave their perceptions with reference to the beneficial results of the DMIT; and the foregoing findings have some implications that may be used by academic institutions to enhance their career guidance program.

41-48

Authors: EDWARD KERVIN B. MOJARES, MBA

One of the most vital challenges of the Internet as a service delivery channel is providing and maintaining service quality. This study aimed to describe the profile of the respondents with regards to socio-demographic and bank-related variables; to identify the effects of internet banking among its clients in Batangas City; to determine the level of customer’s satisfaction in terms of speed and accuracy, accessibility and convenience, and security features; to determine the respondents level of loyalty; to test the relationship between effects of internet banking service and customer satisfaction and loyalty variables; and lastly, to propose effective measures on how to enhance the quality of internet banking service offered by PNB in Batangas City. The descriptive-correlation method was utilized in the conduct of the study. The respondents of the study are the top 100 or 30% of the three hundred thirty four active users of internet banking service of Philippine National Bank in Batangas City during the period of October 2012 as generated by the bank’s system. The study revealed that the respondents are generally satisfied with the speed and accuracy, accessibility and convenience, and security features of the internet banking service facility. It was also found out that only speed and accuracy showed significant relationship on the effect of internet banking. Internet banking users are still considering the speed and accuracy of the banks service to make them satisfied despite that internet banking provides lower cost delivery channel, gives customers to almost any type of banking transactions and gives breadth and depth customer service. However, customers’ level of loyalty is not affected by the effects of internet banking services. This proves that as long as the customers are being provided with an excellent service, customer loyalty/retention could still be possibly attained by the bank.

58-65

Authors: MITCHEL S. MAPALAD, MA Psych

Romantic relationship among adolescents are common everywhere however not all of us are true natural born, hopeful romantics. Yet there are those who struggle with the whole concept. It is not because they don’t want to enjoy it with their partner but has more to do with their never having understood it. No relationships-themed resource would be complete without some helpful insights regarding the subject of romance. This study was conducted to discover whether or not there is an association between the profile and involvement in a romantic relationship among adolescent. It also outlined the timing of romantic attachment formation and its implications for relationship stability. Fifty high school students attending Batangas National High School were surveyed. Approximately one hundred percent of those surveyed were involved in a relationship. Results showed that adolescents are generally satisfied with their romantic relationships. The respondents are already confident in establishing romantic relationship. The relationship between the length of the romantic relationship and the level of satisfaction was found to be positive.

73-81

Authors: ROSEMARIE M. ANDAYA, MBA

This study assessed the level of effectiveness of sales force management of Honda Cars Batangas and provide ways on how to enhance their productivity. More specifically, it described the profile of the respondents; to assess the level of effectiveness of the existing practices in sales force management of Honda Cars Batangas in order to increase sales productivity; to identify common problems met by sales consultants of Honda Cars Batangas considering both internal and external stakeholders; and to test the difference on the practices of sales force management when grouped according to profile variables. The descriptive-correlation method was utilized in the conduct of the study. The study revealed that most of the sales consultants at Honda Cars Batangas are relatively young, female, new in the field of sales, with middle income group and most of them are bachelor degree holders. Based on the results, the existing practices on sales force management of Honda Cars Batangas were effective, while lost sales due to unavailability of unit’s variant, color etc. and promos being offered by competitors were the most common problem met by sales consultants when internal and external factors were considered respectively and the existing practices on sales force management of the two groups of respondents did not differ.

89-99

Authors: ELVIRA R. EBORA, MBA

The study determined the compliance of the domestic shipping operators at Batangas Port to Republic Act 9295 also known as Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004. It described the profile of the respondents in terms of age, sex, designation, and department/office where the respondents work; determined how the domestic shipping operators at Batangas Port comply with Republic Act 9295; identified the problems encountered by the respondents in implementing Republic Act 9295. The researcher made use of descriptive correlational method. The study revealed that majority of the respondents fall on adult age, female and with considerable number of years working at a government agency overseeing the maritime industry. The domestic shipping operators of Batangas Port very much complied with the provisions of Republic Act 9295. The respondents disagreed that there were problems encountered in the law implementation. Such include shipping operators’ failure to observe schedule of trips, aging manpower and personal limitations in doing fieldworks as well as implementation of the mandatory vessel retirement program, checking if the deputized agency conducts security inspection prior to ships’ departures routes and failure of the operators to maintain its vessels in safe and serviceable condition, implementing of rules on over-tonnaging and schedule of trips reservation. The respondents’ profile variables were not contributory to the compliance of domestic shipping operators at Batangas Port to Republic Act 9295.

108-114

Authors: CLARIBELLE C. HABER

The main objective of this study was to determine the learning strategies used by College Freshmen to enhance the development of English language proficiency; and to find out the extent of using them along phonology, vocabulary and grammar. The survey-results served as the basis of devising an instructional tool that would offer more learning techniques and ways that would enhance further the development of English proficiency. The descriptive method of research was applied. Survey questionnaires of two parts were used. Part 1 was a diagnostic test in English focused on phonology, vocabulary and grammar. Part 2 was an inventory of English Language learning strategies that emphasized reading and study skills, which also determined the extent of using them along the three (3) elements of English. The research venue was Camarines Sur State Agricultural College where 255 College Freshmen served as respondents. The statistical tools used were score interval, weighted mean, averaging and ranking systems. Results showed that the College freshmen are moderately proficient both on vocabulary and grammar but are hardly proficient on phonology. Varied learning strategies on reading and studying exercises are frequently used by the respondents in developing English proficiency. The extent or frequency of using learning strategies along the English language elements revealed that the respondents moderately used target learning strategies along phonology while they frequently used said strategies along vocabulary and grammar elements of English language.”Language Strategies for Better English Proficiency” was devised to offer more learning ways and techniques that would enhance English proficiency development. The teaching tool entitled “Language Strategies for Better English Proficiency” was found valid to be used in the curriculum.

124-129

Authors: ANA CECILIA B. FAJARDO

This study identified the multimedia-assisted instruction used by the respondents in teaching English and determined the extent of using the same in developing the relevant language skills.This study was premised on the assumption that multimedia-assisted instruction in English has been applied in developing the English language skills of college students; specifically, this involved the teacher’s manipulation of print media, audio and audio-visual aids as well as internet materials. The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Main campus in Pili, including its campuses in Pasacao, Sipocot and Calabanga, all in Camarines Sur, served as the venue of this study. The college instructors, deans and language educators as well as experts of English from the said university served as respondents.The descriptive method of research was applied. The statistical tools used were the weighted mean and the Likert’s validation scale. The data were subjected to an in-depth analysis and interpretation to find concretely the specific multimedia-assisted instruction in English used by college instructors, the extent of using it in teaching, as well as the extent of using the same to language skills development. Based on the findings, the college instructors were using much of the multimedia available in their campuses, while frequently applying multimedia-assisted instruction in related English language skills development. It also proposed an instructional tool entitled “PowerPoint for Better English Language Teaching” which was prepared and validated. The findings helpedinstructors, administrators, and educational leaders to augment university budget, to purchase updated teaching devicesand to conduct teacher-training programs.