Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research

Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research (MJAAR)

The Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research (MJAAR) is a peer-reviewed online journal published monthly. The ISSN for the MJAAR Digital Library is ISSN: 3006-6417 (Online). MJAAR is a highly selective journal that covers a wide range of topics, catering to a broad audience interested in academic and applied research across various fields. MJAAR offers numerous advantages designed to enhance research skills and advance academic careers. Publishing in scholarly journals plays a critical role in career progression within academia. Author Benefits Specific to MJAAR Publications: Fast and Efficient Paper Publishing Process: Authors can expect a smooth and timely publication process. Indexing in Prominent Databases: MJAAR is listed in notable platforms such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Scirus, get CITED, and others. Expert Peer Review Panel: We are honoured to have a highly respected team of academic reviewers from leading universities around the world. Open Access Journal: This ensures wide visibility and promotion of your published work. MJAAR is managed by a distinguished Board of Editors and is supported by an international review board comprised of prominent academics and professionals from renowned universities, colleges, and institutions across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. To ensure the highest quality standards, all manuscripts submitted to MJAAR undergo a stringent review process, which includes blind reviews by one or more members of the international editorial review board, followed by an in-depth evaluation by MJAAR editors. We are committed to supporting our authors in excelling across all areas of academic and applied research.

Latest Articles

Browse the latest peer-reviewed publications from Metropolitan International University Journals.

Nurturing Purposeful Entrepreneurs: A Dual-Curriculum Model for Guiding Ugandan Teens Beyond Academic and Societal Pressures

Authors: Dr. Arinaitwe Julius1 , Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

Background: Uganda's youth face mounting pressures from examination-focused education systems and societal expectations that prioritize traditional career paths while undervaluing entrepreneurship, resulting in graduates who lack purpose, practical skills, and confidence to pursue meaningful ventures despite a critical need for job creation through enterprise development. Objective: This study developed and evaluated a dual-curriculum model integrating purpose discovery and entrepreneurship education with conventional academic learning to nurture purposeful entrepreneurs among Ugandan teenagers. Methods: A mixed-methods quasi-experimental design was employed across six secondary schools in central Uganda from January to December 2024, involving 480 students aged 14-17 years (240 intervention, 240 control) selected through stratified random sampling.

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Survival Sex and its Cost to Education: An Analysis of Secondary Schoolgirls' Transactional Sex for Basic Needs in Soroti City, Uganda

Authors: Dr. Arinaitwe Julius1 , Ahumuza Audrey2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

Background: In Soroti City, Uganda, secondary schoolgirls increasingly engage in transactional sex as a survival mechanism to meet basic needs and educational expenses, yet the prevalence, drivers, and educational consequences of this phenomenon remain inadequately documented. Objective: This study analyzed survival sex among secondary schoolgirls in Soroti City and examined its impact on educational participation, performance, and completion. Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed across ten purposively selected secondary schools in Soroti City.

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The Price of Prestige: Effort Justification, The Extravagance Effect, and the Socio-Economic Implications of Costly Weddings in Uganda

Authors: Ahumuza Audrey1 , Musiimenta Nancy2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

This study examined the psychological mechanisms of effort justification and the extravagance effect in driving costly wedding expenditures and analyzed their socio-economic implications for individuals, families, and communities in Uganda. Employing a mixed-methods design, the research collected data from 450 participants in Kampala and Wakiso districts through structured questionnaires and 30 semi-structured interviews with recently married couples, parents, and wedding vendors. Quantitative analysis included univariate descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations and chi-square tests, and structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized theoretical framework.

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The IMRaD Anachronism: Reimagining Scholarly Communication for the Age of AI and Information Velocity

Authors: Ahumuza Audrey1 , Musiimenta Nancy2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

Background: The IMRaD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) format has dominated scholarly communication for decades, yet the integration of artificial intelligence into research workflows and the evolution of computational methodologies have raised questions about its continued suitability for contemporary knowledge production and dissemination. Objective: This study critically evaluated the alignment between the traditional IMRaD structure and AI-integrated research practices, examining factors associated with researcher satisfaction and preferences for alternative communication frameworks. Methods: A mixed-methods convergent parallel design was employed with 847 researchers from 15 countries across five disciplinary domains (computational sciences, life sciences, social sciences, interdisciplinary research, and digital humanities) between March and September 2024.

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The Mbitian Paradox: Religious Notoriety as Both Sustenance and Stagnation in Contemporary Africa

Authors: Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara1 , Musiimenta Nancy2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

Background: Contemporary Africa exhibits exceptional religious participation rates exceeding 80% in most countries, with religious institutions commanding substantial household resources and social influence, yet the continent continues facing persistent development challenges including poverty, limited innovation, and capital scarcity. Objective: This study examined the "Mbitian Paradox"—the phenomenon whereby religious notoriety simultaneously functions as community sustenance and potential socioeconomic stagnation in contemporary African contexts. Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed across five African countries (Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Senegal) involving 2,850 household respondents recruited through multistage stratified random sampling, alongside 75 key informant interviews and 30 focus group discussions conducted between March and September 2024.

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The Double-Edged Sword of Memory: Integrating Recollection with Present-Moment Awareness for Psychological Well-Being

Authors: Dr. Arinaitwe Julius1 , Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

Background: Memory recollection and present-moment awareness represent fundamental yet seemingly contradictory temporal orientations that influence psychological well-being. While extensive research has documented the detrimental effects of maladaptive memory patterns such as rumination and the benefits of mindfulness-based approaches, the field lacks integrative understanding of how these processes interact to determine mental health outcomes. Objective: This study investigated the dynamic relationship between memory recollection processes and presentmoment awareness practices, examining their independent and interactive contributions to psychological well-being across clinical and non-clinical populations.

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At 28, Facing the Family Meeting: A Critical Interrogation of Uganda’s Universal Primary Education in an Era of Transitional Expectations

Authors: Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara1 , Ahumuza Audrey2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

This study critically examined Uganda's Universal Primary Education (UPE) policy after 28 years of implementation, investigating the extent to which its performance, quality, and outcomes aligned with evolving transitional expectations for 21st-century competencies in the context of Uganda's aspired knowledge economy and Vision 2040 development goals. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study collected data from 480 respondents across 12 purposively selected districts representing Uganda's diverse geographical regions, utilizing structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary analysis to capture multiple stakeholder perspectives including teachers, parents, learners, head teachers, education officials, and employers. Quantitative data were analyzed using univariate descriptive statistics, bivariate tests (chi-square, Pearson correlations, ANOVA, t-tests), and Structural Equation Modeling to examine complex relationships between implementation factors and educational outcomes, while qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis to provide contextual explanations and stakeholder insights.

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Surviving the Statistics: Unraveling the Livelihood Strategies in Uganda's Informal Economy

Authors: Dr. Arinaitwe Julius1 , Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara12

Published on 01 Jan 1970

This study examined the livelihood strategies employed by workers in Uganda's informal economy, where approximately 90% of the workforce operates with limited institutional support and high economic uncertainty. Despite the sector's overwhelming contribution to employment and household income, significant knowledge gaps remained regarding the specific mechanisms through which informal workers construct, adapt, and sustain their livelihoods. The research adopted a mixed-methods design, collecting quantitative data from 450 informal economy workers across Kampala, Mbale, and Mbarara districts through structured questionnaires, supplemented by 30 indepth interviews and 6 focus group discussions.

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The Performed Self: Inauthenticity, Social Cohesion, and the Crisis of Faith in Ugandan Churches

Authors: Musiimenta Nancy1 , Ahumuza Audrey2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

This study examined the dynamics of performed religious identity in Ugandan churches and analyzed how the tension between performative self-presentation and perceived authenticity affected individual faith experiences and congregational social cohesion. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study collected data from 384 church members across six purposively selected congregations representing Pentecostal, charismatic, mainline Protestant, and Catholic traditions in Kampala and Wakiso districts, utilizing structured questionnaires, semistructured interviews with 36 participants, eight focus group discussions, and six months of observational fieldwork. Quantitative analysis included univariate descriptions of key variables, bivariate examinations of demographic associations, and structural equation modeling to test hypothesized relationships among performative religiosity, perceived authenticity gap, faith commitment, and social cohesion constructs.

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The Practicum Paradox: A Case Study of Ineffective Hands-On Training in a Kenyan Sub-County Office

Authors: Dr. Arinaitwe Julius1 , Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

Background: Practicum programs in Kenya's sub-county offices theoretically provide critical hands-on training for students, yet anecdotal evidence suggests widespread implementation failures. This study investigated the "practicum paradox"—the contradiction between formal training arrangements and ineffective learning experiences—through a case study of a Kenyan sub-county office. Methods: A mixed-methods case study design was employed involving 45 practicum students, 18 supervisors, and 7 administrators.

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