Comparison of Self-Assessment with Peer and Student Assessment in Evaluating the Overall Performance of the Faculty

To evaluate the overall faculty performance by comparison of Self-assessment with peer and student assessment. A comparative cross sectional survey. Study was conducted from January to June 2012 in Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Riphah International University Islamabad. This research study was conducted among students of Doctor of physical therapy [DPT], post-professional Doctor of physical Therapy [PPDPT], and Master of Science in speech language pathology [MS-SLP], and faculty members at Riphah College of Rehabilitation Science [RCRS], Riphah International University Islamabad. The total sample size was 730, including 700 students and 30 faculty members. A questionnaire was developed according to likert scale, and after a pilot study on 20 student and 10 faculty member to determine the reliability. The questionnaire was circulated among all the 30 faculty members and 700 students, including 500 undergraduate and 200 post graduate students of all the 3 programs. The data was analyzed and Wilcoxon [Kruskal-Wallis] was applied at 95% level of significance for all the 3 groups. The group [A] included assessment of the performance of the faculty members done by the students, group [B] done by other faculty members, and group [C] included self assessment done by faculty members. The averages were calculated to determine the overall performance of the faculty members as assessed by themselves, other faculty members, and the by students as well, afterwards the averages of 3 groups were compared. the overall performance of the faculty members was graded as 71% [P=0.015] as evaluated by the students, 77% [P=0.009] as evaluated by other faculty members, and 73% [P=0.011] as evaluated by the faculty members through self assessment. It is concluded that there was no significant difference in the performance of the faculty members, as assessed themselves, by the students and the other faculty members

Medicinal Plants as Agent of Anticonvulsant Activity.

Epilepsy is one of the major neurological disorders where modern drug therapy is complicated by side-effects, teratogenic effects and long-term toxicity. Medicinal plants have been an important source for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds which served and continue to serve as lead molecules for the development of new drugs. Large body of evidence has accumulated to demonstrate promising potential of medicinal plants used in various traditional, complementary and alternative systems. Several Indian medicinal plants have been studied for pharmacological activity in recent years. To understand the mechanism of action, the researchers have worked at molecular levels and several significant phytochemicals have been isolated. The present review is aimed at compiling data on promising Indian medicinal plants, which are being used as anticonvulsant agents, are discussed.