Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum Volume 2011 Issue 1

Abstract Renovation is considered a prominent feature in Islamic sciences & methodology in particular, as characterized by cumulativeness, flexibility and knowledge overlap. Some researchers were interested in the renewal of knowledge of Islamic sciences represented by the science of jurisprudence, whereby the focus was on the form without going into the innovative features of the fundamental approach. Objectives: - Read More

Abstract Qatar has experienced spectacular economic growth over the past decade. Between 2004 and 2010, real GDP grew by an annual average of around 16.2%, and over this period Qatar's economy grew faster than any other. Measured in purchasing power parity terms, its per capita GDP is now among the highest in the world. With huge and increased revenues from its exports of gas and oil, Qatar has invested heavily in e Read More

Abstract There has been a serious decline over the last 15 years in the number of students studying mathematics and science at both secondary and tertiary levels of education in Qatar. This paper explores the major factors influencing student attitudes towards science, as well as the interest and enrollment in science subjects, by addressing the following question: What are Qatari precollege students’ interest in, and attitudes Read More

Abstract We study how background characteristics and media branding affect viewers’ perception in Qatar. We conduct an experiment by asking individuals to provide background information and then comment on a 2-minute Al Jazeera clip from 2006 on the Danish Cartoons controversy. However, an element of deception is added when for half the participants we remove the Al Jazeera logo from the clip, add the CNN log Read More

Abstract Background: Research reports a dramatic increase in the rate of overweight and/ or obese Qatari nationals. Limited research has been completed on the female subset population; however, it appears that the majority of Qatari women are insufficiently physically active for health benefits. Reasons for high inactivity levels among Qatari women are typically attributed to conservative social norms that are prevalent Read More

Abstract While the traditional urban spatial geography of khaleeji residential patterns has been in flux for much of the past century, the vast infrastructural modernization plans and urban development schemes characteristic of the last decade in Doha have significantly reconfigured the social geography of urban life in the city. Overall, this research made use of a diverse set of qualitative, ethnographic methods as a path Read More

Abstract Higher education sector is one of the fundamental and energetic fields in any developing country. It had become a very competitive one as a result of globalization and increase in the demand for education. Thus, most, if not all universities are competing to level up among others and provide high quality services. The objective of this study is to propose an adaptation of the SERVQUAL scale's generic questionnaire for t Read More

Abstract Many resource-exporting nations have sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), but only the Alaska Permanent Fund (APF) pays a regular dividend to citizens. They call it the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). Every Alaskan citizen-resident has received a small share of the returns to the state's SWF since 1982. This article argues, using rigorous qualitative analysis of Alaska politics and of the social science literature on the effect Read More

Abstract Family businesses are considered important drivers of economic growth process since they are credited for nurturing across generations entrepreneurial talent, a sense of loyalty to business success, long-term strategic commitment, and corporate independence. Family firms are often praised for their ability to nurture a sense of loyalty, long-term strategic vision and commitment, and pride in family tradition. Fam Read More

Abstract The pressing challenge of being in a creativity economy paradigm means that many cities are now looking for ways to be creative not only through their components, but also with their management and development procedures. Creativity and innovation are currently seen as the most important aspects of development. The paper will analyze the shift over the past decade which reveals how numerous cities view creati Read More

Abstract Foodborne illness continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality both nationally and internationally. Protecting the human host from exposure to foodborne pathogens and reducing the incidence of foodborne illness are the central goals of established national food safety intervention program. Foodborne illness is a reportable disease in the State of Qatar. Protecting the food supply from the microbial risk Read More

Abstract Background: Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a strengths-based approach that focuses on exploring participants’ core values and peak experiences. In AI, interviews are used to extract positive elements that can be applied to the current situation. The literature indicates that using AI approaches in the classroom leads to enhanced student engagement, participation and achievement. This study is an ongoing explor Read More

Abstract The escalating frequency and intensity of natural disasters exacerbated by conflict and global challenges are increasing the need for humanitarian aid and having a dramatic impact on human and economic costs. In 2010 alone, 263 million people were devastated by natural disasters with experts predicting this number potentially increasing to 375 million people by 2015. Although there are 600,000 active aid Read More

Abstract Understanding health statistics in graphical or numerical format is essential for evidence-based medical decision making. It has been reported repeatedly that physicians, medical students, and patients perform poorly when interpreting those kinds of information. With the current research we started to decompose skills and competencies needed for interpreting complex medical graphs. We invited students at Weil Read More

Abstract Background: The problem with the study lies in answering a series of scientific questions and assumptions that can be raised within the context of the following research question: “What is the nature and limits of interest of academic qualification institutions in the Arabic language, as compared to English, in educational courses offered by them at the undergraduate level - as this is the primary stage that interest in Ara Read More

Abstract Qatar is a Gulf state undergoing a sweeping educational reform where educational development is linked to ICT and the English language. ICT is promoted to upskill the future generation or the “digital natives”. English is seen as a key to a myriad of doors and a passport to a world class education. In all public schools, English is a compulsory subject taught from grade one where learners are exposed to English for more t Read More

Abstract Background: The observance of Ramadan involves daily fasting from sunrise to sunset and often leads to a delay in bedtime, decrease in total sleep time, and reduction in sleep quality. Such changes in athletes may influence the preference for morning versus evening physical activity (e.g. chronotype) but have not been previously evaluated. Objectives: To determine the influence of Ramadan on subjective sleep qualit Read More

Abstract In 2007 the government of Qatar enacted a new traffic law with the objectives of improving the traffic flow and reducing the road traffic-related death and accident rates in the country through policy interventions, mass media and national traffic campaigns. Three years have passed since then and Qatar is still among the countries with the highest death accident rates in the world. The purpose of this presentation is t Read More

Abstract Background: Little is known about domestic violence in Qatar due various cultural factors. Further, the studies that exist ignore victims’ social and cultural factors that prevent the victims from seeking help. That is, there are factors related to family dynamic, gender roles, and culture constraints which make it difficult for victims of domestic violence form seeking help or protection. Methods: Data collected from 50 cas Read More

Abstract Background: For the last two decades, the size of the literature that is based on the cost-effectiveness (CE) evaluations of pharmaceuticals has only been increasing, together with increasing sponsorship provided by manufacturing pharmaceutical industry. Objective: The current study attempted to analyze the CE literature, in terms of changing trends overtime as well as the potential influence that industry funding has Read More

Abstract A quiet social revolution with far-reaching implications is underway in Qatar: many Qatari men marry women who are not Qatari by birth. I have focused on what I have termed “the New Qataris:” western women who are neither Muslim nor Qatari by birth. Who are these women and how do they go about the business of becoming and being Qatari Muslims? How do their conversion and their new nationality affect and Read More

Abstract Background: Our research investigates the impact of the sudden profusion of internet media and other forms of global communications on family values in Qatar. The majority of mass communications and sociological research has focused on examining the media content and the audience of the media in the United States and Europe. However, documentation on the societal consequences of the dissemination of i Read More

Abstract Background: Our research investigates the impact of the sudden profusion of internet media and other forms of global communications on family values in Qatar. The majority of mass communications and sociological research has focused on examining the media content and the audience of the media in the United States and Europe. However, documentation on the societal consequences of the dissemination of i Read More

Abstract This paper aims to review some researches on sukuk, the difference between sukuk and bonds, sukuk kinds, the role of shari’ah supervisory, sukuk case study (Qatar Global Sukuk), many related issues and finally the future for the sukuk. Sukuk represents the most innovative product of Islamic finance and one of the fastest growing sectors in Islamic finance. Sukuk can be structured based on the principles of Read More