الأدب والاختلاف في أصالته

The word (Adab) , contrary to its present equitant in English language (literature) , has an interesting background and exciting history. This word went through many developments in its meaning and senses throughout the history of Arabic literature. Linguistics took keen interest in each and every change and development came into its meaning. They thoroughly studied this word, and tried to link between its early root meaning (giving a banquet or feast) , and its present meaning (literature) . Linguistics7 this attempt resulted in out break of differences among them regarding the word (Adab) . This article deals with this issue.

An Investigation of Attitudes, Competencies, and Performance in Research Activities of University Teachers

This blend of descriptive and causal comparative or ex-post facto study in the domain of quantitative approach was aimed to describe and investigate the cause and effect relationships two independent variables, research attitudes and research competencies, with a third dependent variable, performance of university teachers in research. Faculty of public sector general universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan was the population of the study. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 240 teachers from six randomly selected universities. An attitude scale based on five-point Likert technique was developed. Its items were classified into six domains—research orientation, rewards influence research, personal interest, mission of university, research use, and research anxiety. Similarly, a competency scale, with seven factors, knowledge and ability associated with research, awareness of different research types, ability to plan professional-quality research, ability to conduct research analysis, research reporting, proposal writing, and ability to implement aspects of quality research, was formulated. To measure performance an inventory with five performance indicators—publications, dissertation supervised, projects developed, research grants, and paper presented—was framed. Validity was ensured by peer and expert review; and reliability coefficients were 0.76 and 0.73 for attitude and competency scales respectively. Statistical analyses were done by employing averages, percentages, mean ratings, chi-square (χ2), Pearson values, F test, covariance, and regression statistics. Teachers exhibited positive attitudes towards research, and incentives played crucial role in enhancing interest in scholarly activities. Research anxiety did not hamper intellectual activities though significant per cent considered research stressful. Faculty showed efficacy and mastery over different research competencies such as knowledge and ability associated with research in the areas of personal and professional responsibility, awareness of different research types, and to plan professional-quality research. Senior faculty on the average displayed better performance, perhaps in line with longevity of their service and experience. Performance in publications and dissertation supervision was comparatively better as compare to project development, winning over research grants, and paper presentation. Research attitudes and research competencies displayed positive correlation with performance.