This study explores how the scholarly accomplishments of students might increment due to specific fundamental causes. The academic performance of the student was prioritized as a dependent variable, and the independent indicators chosen were “information seeking, IT ability, reading/writing capacity, and resilience.” At the same time, age, gender, marital status, and family income were included in the control variables. The research subject samples were limited to (N = 288) postgraduate students from three mega universities in Islamabad, Pakistan. Forward regression analysis was performed in this research to decide the impact of the indicators. The results indicate that information seeking affects academic performance positively and significantly. Essentially, the study revealed that information technology (IT) skills make a fundamentally positive and significant impact on academic performance. Reading and writing influenced academic performance considerably. In addition, resilience affected academic performance emphatically and essentially. Further, this research also noted the relationships between information-seeking behaviors, IT ability, reading/writing capacities, and resilience capabilities and the academic performance of students. These variables have a positive impact on the academic performance of students.

Sunflower is an important edible oil seed crop. Adequate amount of nutrients are required for sunflower to get maximum yield. A field trial was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar during Summer 2016 with the objective to investigate the effect of potassium levels (30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1) and sulfur levels (15, 30, 45 and 60 kg ha-1) on oil and grain yield of sunflower. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications. One control plot with no potassium and sulfur was maintained in each replication. Ammonium sulfate and Potassium chloride were applied as a source for sulfur and potassium, respectively. The results showed that palmitic acid concentration and stearic acid concentration were not affected by potassium and sulfur application. Potassium applied at the rate of 90 kg ha-1 produced maximum biological yield (7178 kgha-1), grain yield (2074 kg ha-1), oil yield (775 kg ha-1), harvest index (28.87 %) and oil percentage (37.32 %). Sulfur applied at the rate of 60 kg ha-1 produced maximum grains capitulum-1 (873), thousand grain weight (46.63 g), grain yield (2037 kg ha-1), oil yield (771 kg ha-1), harvest index (29.54 %), oil percentage (37.81 %) and linoleic acid concentration (78.80 %). Non-significant effect of sulfur was observed on biological yield of sunflower. Application of potassium at the rate of 90 kg ha-1 and sulfur at the rate of 60 kg ha-1 could be recommended for higher oil and grain yield of sunflower.

BACKGROUND: Research is essential and necessary for those who love learning, whether they belong to a research institution or not. Numerous elements influence researchers’ attitudes towards good research work, but in this study we focus on the most significant ones: advisor support, intrinsic motivation, timing, and planning. OBJECTIVES: The current study aims at motivating readers to help improve students’ attitudes towards research work within the university context. METHOD: The target demographic of the current research comprises masters and doctoral students from three major public institutions in Xian, China. We aimed to examine the effects of the variables and the study employed correlation and stepwise regression. RESULTS: The results show that advisor support influences attitudes towards research positively and significantly (β= 0.20, p < 0.01). Likewise, intrinsic motivation has a positive and significant effect on attitude towards research (β= 0.18, p < 0.01). Time attitudes significantly influenced attitudes towards research (β= 0.14, p < 0.05). Furthermore, time planning also positively and significantly influenced the attitude towards research (β= 0.15, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: To achieve an excellent attitude towards research work, students need a cooperative academic advisor who will intrinsically motivate them in their research activities. However, they must manage their academic time and be equipped with time management skills.