scholarly journals Local awareness of and attitudes towards the pygmy hippopotamusChoeropsis liberiensisin the Moa River Island Complex, Sierra Leone

Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 550-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
April L. Conway ◽  
Sonia M. Hernandez ◽  
John P. Carroll ◽  
Gary T. Green ◽  
Lincoln Larson
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Local Support ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Local Awareness

AbstractThe pygmy hippopotamusChoeropsis liberiensisis an Endangered species found only in the Upper Guinea rainforests of West Africa. Using a two-phase approach, with initial semi-structured interviews followed by more extensive questionnaires, we examined local residents' awareness of and attitudes towards the pygmy hippopotamus along the Moa River near Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Sierra Leone. The interviews and questionnaires addressed human–hippopotamus interactions, local knowledge and awareness of pygmy hippopotamus ecology and behaviour, and public attitudes towards hippopotamus conservation. Overall, 22% of questionnaire respondents acknowledged benefits related to hippopotamus conservation; factors affecting the perception of benefits included age, livestock ownership, distance from Tiwai Island and exposure to conservation programmes. The results of this study could be used to inform the conservation of the pygmy hippopotamus and highlight the critical role of local support in the management of threatened species in biodiversity hotspots.

The arrival of a new principal and the school staff

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 492-504
Author(s):  
Izhar Oplatka ◽  
Hamutal Ben Or
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
School Staff ◽  
New Principals ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
New Principal

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore teachers’ responses to the arrival of new principals (NPs) into their school. More specifically, the paper poses three questions: How do teachers perceive the arrival of an NP into their school? How do teachers cope with the arrival of an NP? What are the factors affecting teachers’ responses towards the arrival of an NP? Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Israeli teachers who experienced the arrival of an NP into their school during the last three years. Findings The perceived image of the former principal in the teachers’ lounge and the manner in which s/he left principalship seem to greatly influence teachers’ responses towards the NP. Likewise, the first personal conversations of the NP with the teachers are highly influential on their responses to his/her arrival into their school. Originality/value The paper sheds light on the critical role of emotions towards the former principal in the induction stages of NPs.

scholarly journals Exploring Vulnerability–Resilience–Livelihood Nexus in the Face of Climate Change: A Multi-Criteria Analysis for Mongla, Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 7054
Author(s):  
Nur Mohammad Ha-Mim ◽  
Md. Zakir Hossain ◽  
Khan Rubayet Rahaman ◽  
Bishawjit Mallick
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Livelihood Systems ◽  
The Face ◽  
Local Livelihood ◽  
Local Residents

This article illustrates the critical findings of an empirical investigation of resilience, vulnerability, and livelihood nexus in one of the worst cyclone-affected sub-districts “Mongla” in Bangladesh. Results obtained from the survey conducted in 2018 and 2019 explore the co-existence of climate change vulnerability and resilience at the rural household level. Additionally, the study identifies the role of assets (e.g., land, cash, and livestock) in order to enhance the resilience of poor inhabitants. Quantitative data have been collected using structured and semi-structured interviews. The outcome of the study demonstrates that the relationships between vulnerability and resilience are very complex and exist in the study area. An exciting outcome has revealed that in some places, more vulnerable people exhibit higher resilience capacity and vice versa. Furthermore, this research emphasizes that local livelihood systems may be improved if appropriate policies are considered by local government organizations in collaboration with multiple stakeholders. Consequently, the local citizens have to play their critical role to assist government policies in order to enhance resilience at the community level. Moreover, local residents can have a better understanding of their livelihood issues in the face of climate change.

Bank officers’ perceptions and uses of qualified audit reports

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Sormunen
Keyword(s):  
Financial Statements ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Going Concern ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Audit Reports ◽  
Going Concern Reports ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to provide insights into the perceptions and uses of qualified audit reports in financial statements of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As there is a long-standing debate on the usefulness of auditor’s going-concern reports, this study aims to provide insights into the factors that affect how banks perceive and use going-concern reports. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews with bank officers were conducted. Findings – The study findings demonstrated that bank officers considered that the going-concern report provided information, although they did not regard the information as being particularly useful. The main factors affecting the usefulness of information are use of other information sources and bank officers’ perceptions of auditing. Other factors are also presented and discussed in the current research paper. Practical implications – Regulators have taken the action to improve the auditor’s reporting model, and the findings provided by this study are important because they provide a deeper understanding of the perceptions and uses of audit reports from smaller companies. The study also contributes knowledge about the role of audit reports in the context of SMEs finance. Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to use a qualitative approach to examine factors that affect the use of going-concern reports.

Knowledge Utilisation in AgriFood SMEs: Effects of Organisational and Informational Factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 235-248
Author(s):  
David Eshun Yawson
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
User Interaction ◽  
Consumer Information ◽  
Partial Least Squares Analysis ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Knowledge Utilisation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Role Of Information

Given the critical role of information and marketing in SME management it is surprising that little attention has been paid to the salient factors that motivate or inhibits consumer information used by agrifood SMEs. A model of organisational and informational factors affecting knowledge utilisation in Agri-food SMEs is presented and empirically tested through partial least squares analysis via SmartPLS. The results of the empirical testing of the conceptual model provide evidence to indicate that functional and technical qualities, provider-user interaction and usefulness in the market environment are determinants of knowledge utilisation. The findings of this study have implications for agri-food SME management in the UK regarding their growth and competitiveness in the medium and long term.

Communication Themes of Patient Engagement for Multi-speciality Hospitals: Nurses’ Perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-546
Author(s):  
Harbir Singh ◽  
Ajoy K. Dey ◽  
Arunaditya Sahay
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Patient Engagement ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Different Types

Introduction: Patient engagement is engaging patients in their own medical care to heal them faster and take their valuable inputs to improve the health of population. Nurses contribute significantly in treatment, interact and spend most of their time with inpatients. Therefore, exploring the perspectives of nurses on patient engagement-communication is of vital importance. Objective: This article focuses on exploring the communication themes of patient engagement from the perspective of nurses in a multi-speciality hospital in Delhi. Methodology: The exploratory qualitative case study was carried out with semi-structured interviews of 12 nurses, observation at receptions of ICUs and emergency department and analysis of documents from the hospital’s official website. Grounded theory—three-level coding—was performed to identify the themes of patient engagement-communication. Results: A total of nine themes have been identified: ‘attendant’s role’, ‘communicating with patients of different categories’, ‘doctor’s support to nurses’, ‘nurse action’, ‘nurse behaviour’, ‘nurse challenges’, ‘patient actions’, ‘patient emotions’ and ‘wider role of nurses’. Conclusion: Nurses play a critical role in engaging patients through communication. They should change their approach of communication with different types of patients, understand, respect and give due weightage to patient’s emotions and actions and, play a wider role of teacher and guardian than just being the nurse.

scholarly journals Informed consent in clinical trials: Perceptions and experiences of a sample of South African researchers

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Van Loon ◽  
Graham Lindegger
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
South African ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Training Support ◽  
Informal Practices ◽  
Formal Requirements ◽  
Research Assistants

The implementation of informed consent (IC) in clinical trials presents many challenges, especially in developing countries. This study explored the experiences and reported practices regarding the implementation of IC in clinical trials in South Africa. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with a range of stakeholders in clinical trials in two provinces. The interviews were analysed to identify themes and issues relating to IC. The findings show that IC practices involve attention being paid to both formal requirements and informal practices to attain IC. Research assistants or trial counsellors were found to play a critical role in facilitating the IC process. It is recommended that more recognition be given to the important role of trial counsellors in clinical trials, and that they be given more formal training, support and supervision.OpsommingDie implementering van ingeligte toestemming (IT) in kliniese proewe bied menige uitdagings, veral in ontwikkelende lande. Hierdie studie het die ervarings en vermelde praktyke betreffende die implementering van IT in kliniese proewe in Suid-Afrika ondersoek. Data is ingewin deur middel van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met 'n verskeidenheid van rolspelers in kliniese proewe in twee provinsies. Onderhoude is ontleed om herhalende temas rakende IT te identifiseer. Bevindings toon dat IT-benaderings die voldoening aan formele vereistes sowel as die gebruikmaking van informele metodes behels. Daar is bevind dat navorsingsassistente 'n kritieke rol in die fasilitering van die IT-proses speel. Daar word aanbeveel dat meer erkenning gegee word aan die rol van proefvoorligters in kliniese proewe, dat hulle meer formele opleiding ondergaan, dat hulle beter ondersteuning ontvang en dat daar beter oor hulle toesig gehou word.

Women Chiefs and Post War Reconstruction in Sierra Leone

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 19-39
Author(s):  
Lynda R. Day
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Gender Equity ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Culturally Based ◽  
Women's Equality ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Post War ◽  
Traditional Structures

This paper examines the role of women chiefs in post war reconstruction in Sierra Leone, particularly the connection between women chiefs with the movement for women’s equality and economic empowerment. Contrary to scholarship which views culturally based traditional structures, including chieftaincy, as counterproductive to progressive change, I argue that traditional women chiefs have contributed to the movement for gender justice and gender equity and could be key to shaping and promoting both an agenda and an ideology for women’s social and political advancement on a local level. The study is based on fieldwork conducted in Sierra Leone from 1982 to 2012 and includes semi-structured interviews with women chiefs and other key players before, during, and after the war, as well as sources such as newspaper articles, journal and book publications and archival materials.

Radio, conflict and land grabbing in Sierra Leone: Communicating rights and preventing violence through drama

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-391
Author(s):  
Valentina Baú
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Land Acquisition ◽  
Land Grabbing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Entertainment Education ◽  
Radio Drama ◽  
Complex Issue ◽  
Rural Farmers ◽  
The One

With a focus on entertainment education, this article sheds light on the effects of radio drama in addressing conflict over land governance. The discussion is built around the broadcast of Bush Wahala radio series during the recent land acquisition process that has taken place in Sierra Leone. Through the analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted by the author with rural farmers affected by this issue, on the one hand, this work generates reflections on the role of radio drama in providing listeners with alternative options to the use of violence and confrontation with the authorities in order to claim land rights; on the other hand, it represents an important contribution to the literature of edutainment in contexts of conflict, with a specific focus on the increasingly complex issue of land grabbing in the developing world.

scholarly journals Collaborative learning and choral confidence: the role of peer interactions in building confident amateur choirs

2020 ◽  
pp. 38-56
Author(s):  
Michael Bonshor
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Peer Interactions ◽  
Peer Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
And Performance

This article describes some of the collaborative processes that take place within adult amateur choirs, and demonstrates some associations between group dynamics, peer learning and the development of choral confidence. Three focus groups and 16 individual interviews provided 40 hours of verbal data. The research aims were: to explore the lived experience of amateur choral singers in relation to their confidence levels; to identify some of the factors affecting singers’ confidence in their vocal skills and choral performance ability; to use the data to extrapolate strategies designed for managing confidence issues amongst amateur choral singers. Data was collected during semi-structured interviews and focus groups with amateur singers. The superordinate themes, which emerged from the data, included collaboration and teamwork, reciprocal peer learning, and the contribution of unofficial team leaders to effective learning and performance. All of these factors were reported as increasing individual and collective confidence levels. The findings highlight the role of peer interactions and social learning in developing the confidence of choral singers, and suggest ways in which conductors might optimize these interactions to build confidence during choir rehearsals and performances.

Sanctuary Cities: Public Attitudes Toward Enforcement Collaboration Between Local Police and Federal Immigration Authorities

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason P. Casellas ◽  
Sophia Jordán Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Immigration Enforcement ◽  
Local Law Enforcement ◽  
Local Police ◽  
Local Law ◽  
Attitudes Toward Immigration

Local law enforcement has dramatically increased its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, while other localities refuse to cooperate. Although scholars have examined how sanctuary cities may differ from other places in terms of crime rates, attitudes toward local law enforcement’s collaboration with federal immigration authorities remain understudied. We utilize original data from the 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Survey (CCES) to study attitudes toward local/federal collaboration. Our results demonstrate that those who most recognize the racial advantage of Whites are significantly less likely to support collaboration between local police and federal authorities. Confirming prior work, our results also support the critical role of partisanship, nativity, and education in explaining attitudes toward sanctuary policies. Our findings have important implications for understanding attitudes toward immigration enforcement and policies.

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