ABSTRACT
Background In light of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, vaccination is one of the most important defensive strategies in combating the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Vaccine hesitancy or anti-vaccination attitude has become a barrier to the nationwide vaccination program, potentially sabotaging the effectiveness of vaccination. Thus far, Google Trends (GT) has been used extensively for monitoring information-seeking behavior during the pandemic. We aimed to investigate the association between Google search, the vaccination rate, and the number of vaccinated and infected cases among the Malaysian population. Material and method GT's customizable geographic and temporal filters were applied to include results for predetermined keywords from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. Both Malay and English languages were used to reflect the multi-racial and multi-lingual community in Malaysia. The search volume index (SVI) derived was compared with the numbers of vaccinated and infected cases which were extracted from the open-access database (COVIDNOW in Malaysia) within the same period. Both analyses were performed independently by two authors to ensure accuracy of the data extraction process. A descriptive analysis was used to compare GT analyses and the number of daily vaccinations and positive COVID-19 cases. Results The information-seeking behavior in the public fluctuated from time to time. The interest surged during the initiation of vaccination program and upon the outbreak of COVID-19 in Malaysia. The surge in interest prior to the peak of vaccination rate also indicated that the public tended to get information online prior to getting the vaccines. Conclusion This observational study illustrates the ability of GT to monitor the interest of vaccination among the Malaysian population during the pandemic. By monitoring the dynamic changes in Google Trends, healthcare authorities can get a glimpse of public perceptions such as attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine, hence potentially identify and stymie any dangerous online anti-vaccination rhetoric swiftly.
ABSTRACT
Caveat emptor is a common law principle still in use in today's sale and purchase transactions. The application of this principle placed consumers in a weak position, especially in the online purchase context. Therefore, this study aims to discuss in depth the application of caveat emptor in online purchase transactions. This qualitative study analysed the caveat emptor principle of the online purchase contracts. The findings indicate an unbefitting use of the caveat emptor principle in online sale and purchase contracts due to the presence of one-sided elements, particularly to online consumers. The recommendation to review the caveat emptor principle in the legal provisions should be taken into consideration.
ABSTRACT
Krisis Pandemik COVID-19 menyebabkan perubahan mendadak dan menjadi cabaran baharu terhadap amalan pengajaran dan pembelajaran (PdP) di institusi pendidikan tinggi, termasuklah bidang Pengajian Islam. PdP dalam Pengajian Islam lebih sinonim dengan amalan PdP secara bersemuka meskipun Pendidikan 4.0 menekankan kaedah penyampaian yang transformatif dan pengaplikasian pentaksiran alternatif. Keupayaan bidang Pengajian Islam mengadaptasi ciri-ciri ini khususnya pentaksiran alternatif dianggap terhad dan kurang diyakini kerana umumnya masih ramai pensyarah yang selesa melaksanakan penilaian sumatif atau peperiksaan akhir. Artikel ini bertujuan menganalisis amalan pentaksiran alternatif dalam kursus-kursus yang ditawarkan oleh semua program prasiswazah Pengajian Islam di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia serta menganalisis bentuk-bentuk penilaian yang digunakan dalam PdP. Kajian ini adalah kajian kualitatif yang menggunakan reka bentuk analisis kandungan. Data dikumpulkan daripada analisis dokumen ke atas proforma kursus berdasarkan penawaran kursus pada sesi akademik 2018-2019 dan 2019-2020, kemudiannya dianalisis secara statistik deskriptif. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa amalan pentaksiran alternatif dalam pengajian Islam telah bermula pada sesi 2012-2013 namun jumlah kursusnya sangat sedikit dan tidak konsisten. Namun, dengan adanya pelbagai inisiatif di bawah Pelan Pembangunan Pendidikan Malaysia (Pendidikan Tinggi) 2015-2025 dan Kerangka Pendidikan 4.0 UKM yang dilaksanakan pada tahun 2017 telah mendorong peningkatan bilangan kursus yang menggunakan penilaian berterusan pada sesi 2018-2019 dan 2019-2020. Kajian mendapati pelbagai kaedah penilaian yang memenuhi elemen Pendidikan 4.0 telah digunakan merangkumi pembelajaran berasaskan aktiviti, kerja lapangan, penulisan esei dan pembentangan, penganjuran seminar serta penggunaan teknologi digital. Hal ini menjelaskan bahawa amalan PdP Pendidikan 4.0 dalam bidang Pengajian Islam mampu dilaksanakan dan berpeluang dijalankan secara maksima khususnya dalam mengimplementasi kaedah pentaksiran alternatif yang sahih dan autentik. Ia juga memberi impak positif ke atas kemahiran insaniah pelajar dan pengalaman pembelajaran, selain mengurangkan kebergantungan pensyarah kepada peperiksaan akhir untuk mengukur hasil pembelajaran kursus.Alternate abstract:The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has led to abrupt changes and new challenges to teaching and learning (TL) practice at all levels of learning institutions. This includes tertiary Islamic studies courses, often associated with face-to-face TL. This research aims to explore the implementation of TL which applies Education 4.0 characteristics that emphasize on the use of alternative assessment. The capacity to incorporate Education 4.0 in TL practice of Islamic studies courses is considered average. Only a few courses were adapted for the Education 4.0 characteristics as many lecturers prefer conducting summative assessment. This study explored alternative assessment and analyzed the different forms practised in Islamic studies courses at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. This is a qualitative study using content analysis design. Data were collected from course proforma of all courses offered for two academic sessions, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The data were analyzed statistically and descriptively. The findings show that the practice of alternative assessment in the studies courses was initiated in the academic session 2012-2013. Yet the number of courses involved was small and inconsistent. Various initiatives introduced in the Malaysian Higher Education Plan for 2015-2025 and UKM Education 4.0 Framework in 2017 motivated some lecturers to apply alternative assessment in TL sessions. Additionally, various forms of alternative assessment used by the lecturers included project-based activities, fieldwork, essay writing, oral presentation, seminars and online assessment using digital technology. This study underlines the importance of alternative assessment in Islamic studies courses as i co tributes to development of students' generic skills and learning experience. Besides, it reduces lecturers' dependence on using final examination to assess student performance for course learning outcomes. Further, the implementation of alternative assessments portrays the flexibility of Islamic studies courses in adapting to current changes and challenges.