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Tomaž Vec[1], Tanja Rupnik Vec[2]

Abstract

Critical thinking is recognized as one of the key professional competences. In our study, we wanted to  research whether there were differences in critical thinking skills among the students entering the faculty, concerning some of their socioeconomic and educational characteristics, whether there were differences in critical thinking skills among students of two courses of study, as well as differences in critical thinking among the first-year and third-year students of each course of study, because the results could show the effects of courses of study on the ability of the graduates in this respect. Among the most important conclusions of the research we should emphasize that there were significant differences between the scores of the first-year students in relation to completed secondary school, that there were no differences in critical thinking among the first-year students of two courses of study,  that these differences  in the third-year students were significant, and that the first-year and third-year students of two courses of study  practically showed  no progress in critical thinking skills (except in one sub-test). Final conclusion would be that it would be necessary to introduce in study more specific content and different teaching styles, which would encourage critical thinking skills among students.

Keywords: critical thinking, skills, evaluation, study progress

Tadej Praprotnik

Abstract

The article presents the phenomena of social network sites as a modern and important framework for communication and establishing relationships. The article therefore presents some global trends characteristic for modern society. One of the major driving forces within social network sites is so-called networked individualism. Our society is network society, so networking is one of the basic organizational principles. The article problematizes communication practices within social network sites and presents some explanations. The article presents comparison between early text based (anonymous) on-line communication (chat-rooms and discussion forums), which were more topic-oriented and current networking and communication via social network sites, which are more personal–oriented (Me-Centered Society). The major shift is from communication toward networking. Networking presupposes lots of networked and connected people. This has influence toward communication practices; because it is difficult to maintain deep and content rich communication with lots of individuals, the phatic function of communication is prevailing. Within social network sites different types of information are exchanged. The motivation to be nice and conflict–avoidant influence upon what kind of information and what kind of communication we are looking for. The prevalence of “light” information is just one characteristic. As a consequence the article also stresses the potential danger in case individuals build their knowledge mostly or solely upon information recommended by their Facebook friends.

Key words: social network sites, communication, networked individualism, Facebook, phatic communion

Tadej Praprotnik, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Primorska (The Faculty of Humanities). Contact email address: pratadej (at) gmail.com

 Cite this article:
Tadej Praprotnik. WHAT'S UP? NOT SO MUCH. NETWORKING AND COMMUNICATION VIA SOCIAL NETWORK SITES. Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences, vol.11, no.3:5-97, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2018-no3-art1

Digital Object Identifier(DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2018-no3-art1

View full text in pdf: http://www.iiass.com/pdf/IIASS-2018-no3-art1.pdf

Aleksandar Ilievski, Igor Bernik

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to highlight the main issues of developing countries regarding cybercrime and examine the possible link between weak economic development and escalating levels of cybercrime. The findings were established on the basis of literature review, comparative studies and the synthesis of findings. The existing sociological theories of crime are not limited to traditional crime and may be used for the interpretation of its cyber version. By analysing individual sociological theories and the results of empirical research, we found that social-economic factors, such as GDP per capita, unemployment and education, are closely related to the incidence of cybercrime in different countries. This enables us to conclude that the relatively poor economic development is one of the reasons contributing to a higher incidence of cybercrime in Eastern European countries. By taking into account factors of different nature, one could increase the understanding of cybercrime and the possibility of adopting and implementing reliable preventive measures. However, this paper strives not only to understand the factors related to cybercrime, but also to raise awareness, stimulate a proactive approach and develop preventive actions in the fight against cybercrime.

Keywords: social-economic aspects, cybercrime, economic development.

Cite this article:
Ilievski Aleksandar, Bernik Igor. SOCIAL-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF CYBERCRIME. Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences, vol.9, no.3:8-22, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2016-no3-art1

Digital Object Identifier(DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2016-no3-art1

View full text in pdf: http://www.iiass.com/pdf/IIASS-2016-no3-art1.pdf 

Dolores Modic

Abstract

To understand the impact of university founders on (university) spin-offs' success, we must first understand the roles (and functions) of founders, how university founders move through different roles and what is their level of engagement. In the present article I build a university founders oriented research framework; first offering a literature review, next looking at different roles of founders and delving in specific into two issues (lock-out vs. exit strategies and hands on vs. hands off approach). Lastly, I dedicate myself to developing a university oriented spin-off development framework that takes into account various development stages of university spin-offs.

Key words: university spin-offs, spin-offs, academic entrepreneurs, university founders, roles

Cite this article:
Modic Dolores. BUILDING A UNIVERSITY FOUNDERS ORIENTED SPIN-OFF RESEARCH FRAMEWORK. Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences, vol.8, no.3:148-169, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2015-no3-art08

Digital Object Identifier(DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2015-no3-art08

View full text in pdf: http://www.iiass.com/pdf/IIASS-2015-no3-art08.pdf

Aleksandra Tabaj, Tatjana Dolinšek, Črtomir Bitenc

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to present the transition of youth with disabilities from education to labour market in Slovenia. The article introduces the European Social Fund project “Transition”, provided by the partnership of Racio, University Rehabilitation Institute and Auris, operated from 2010 to 2013. The Transition project was intended for two target groups: youth with disabilities in the education process, with the aim to achieve their integration from education to the labour market, and for professionals who provide the transition. Young people in Europe have been facing increasing uncertainty in the labour market. The labour market transition for youth, and especially for youth with disabilities, is a very demanding question. Policymakers and experts in the European Union have therefore developed programs for social inclusion, improved access, achievement and integration of young people with disabilities into the labour market. Youth unemployment during economic crises has increased in all parts of the world, with the impact of prolonging the duration of unemployment. The transition of young people with disabilities from school to the labour market in Slovenia is not integrally and adequately organised. A support system should be introduced to monitor young people with disabilities while they are still at school and prepare them for entering the labour market. After finishing school, a model of transition from school to work is proposed to prevent unemployment.

Key words: disability, transition, education, labour market

Aleksandra Tabaj, Ph.D. is the head of the Development Centre of Employment Rehabilitation at University Rehabilitation Institute Republic of Slovenia. Contact: aleksandra.tabaj (at) ir-rs.si

Cite this article:
Tabaj Aleksandra, Dolinšek Tatjana, Bitenc Črtomir. TRANSITION OF YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES FROM EDUCATION TO LABOUR MARKET IN SLOVENIA. Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences, vol.7, no.3:8-22, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2014-no3-art01

Digital Object Identifier(DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2014-no3-art01

View full text in pdf: http://www.iiass.com/pdf/IIASS-2014-no3-art01.pdf