News > COB Research Journal Probes Public Policy Issues
COB Research Journal Probes Public Policy Issues The College of The Bahamas has one of the highest consistent enrollment numbers for Haitian Creole classes in the world, but despite that students are still reluctant to classify Haitian Creole as a legitimate language, according to recently published research conducted by faculty members at The College of The Bahamas Philip Armbrister and Frenand Léger. The article is one of several contained in the latest volume of The College of The Bahamas Research Journal. The journal was digitized last year and is now fully accessible on the World Wide Web by libraries, scholars and authors around the world at http://researchjournal.cob.edu.bs. The joint research on Factors Affecting The Teaching and Learning of Haitian Creole in The Bahamas found that more than 250 students enroll in introductory Haitian Creole classes every year at The College, a very large number. According to the research, the lack of accurate information on many aspects of Haitian culture and society; preconceived ideas about Haiti and its people; dated information on the linguistic status of the Haitian Creole language and the socio-economic condition of Haitian Creole speakers living in The Bahamas have negatively impacted the practice of teaching and learning the language at The College of The Bahamas. The findings are particularly timely and relevant considering the country's lingering illegal immigration dilemma. Haitian nationals account for the majority of illegal immigrants in The Bahamas with one report by the International Organization for Migration [IOM] suggesting that there may be between 40,000 and 60,000 undocumented Haitians living in The Bahamas. The College of The Bahamas Research Journal, launched in 1980 under the name College Forum, is the primary source for faculty and student research articles on a broad range of subject matters. For instance, this latest edition - the 14th volume - contains research from a variety of disciplines: psychology, linguistics, natural history, mechanical engineering, and education. All have a Bahamian or Caribbean focus. According to College President Janyne Hodder, the research journal's evolution from paper to electronic was a successful move as many of the articles have been accessed more than 1,000 times by individuals around the world. "These articles can be accessed both by Google and Google Scholar from anywhere in the world and this is really increasing the visibility of our research activities and, of course, The College itself and our faculty," she said. "In keeping with our strategic plan we are delighted to have articles in this latest volume which speak to a number of issues of national development and topical issues of interest to academics and an educated citizenry at large." One of the articles, Domestic Violence in the Homes of College Students, written by Director of Planning William Fielding and former faculty the late Susan Plumridge, identifies the link between a range of undesirable behaviour and domestic violence in the homes of 588 college students in New Providence. Researchers uncovered valuable information about contributing factors to deviant behavior and also went a step further in suggesting government policy amendments regarding the sale of alcohol. The article explores the nexus between alcohol consumption and domestic violence. The research journal is now poised for another transition and will undergo a name change to The International Journal of Bahamian Studies next year. "Although our current research journal has served The College well, the challenge has been the lack of a niche attraction for published works which is somewhat of a dilemma when it comes to indexing and marketing to libraries, researchers and potential authors around the globe," Ms. Hodder explained. Recently, The College issued a Call for Papers for the new journal that will be a multidisciplinary, open-access journal with original articles from all academic disciplines. Managing Editor of the research journal Virginia Balance adds that the launch of the research journal's 15th volume was timed to coincide with the observance of Open Access Week. "Open access is a movement to move literature away from subscription journals into digital online free of charge free of copyright realm which is aided by the Internet today," she said. "The College library is undertaking a massive digitization project to make electronic copies of Bahamian related research materials available through our website and through another programme called DLOC called Digital Library of the Caribbean." Creating knowledge that informs public opinion and policy is one of the fundamental elements of The College's mission to support national development that catapults the country towards peace and prosperity. The College, in transition towards becoming a university and a member of the International Association of Universities, has made steady progress on its research agenda. Last year, the institution established a Research Advisory to develop new research policies and revise existing ones. Since it began awarding research grants last year, The College has also doubled its support to $60,000 this academic year, including $10,000 for student research.
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