“Stages of change, smoking behavior and acceptability of a textmessaging intervention for tobacco cessation among cigarette, dokha and shishasmokers: A qualitative research study.”

ObjectivesTo explore: (A) the underlying motivators and barriers to smoking cessation among young Arabic speaking smokers and (B) to examine the suitability and preferences for tobacco cessation interventions (specifically text messages) and study the possibility of enrollment methods for a randomised controlled study using text messages as an intervention for tobacco cessation.DesignQualitative research using focus group discussions and content analysis.Setting(s)Two universities, one of them is the first and foremost comprehensive national university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The third setting is the largest hospital in the UAE and the flagship institution for the public health system in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.ParticipantsSix focus group discussions with a total of 57 participants. Forty-seven men and 10 women. Fifty-three of them were current smokers.ResultsThe analysis of six focus groups was carried out. Main themes arose from the data included: preferences for tobacco cessation interventions and acceptability and feasibility of text messaging as tobacco cessation intervention. Different motives and barriers for quitting smoking including shisha and dokha were explored.ConclusionInterventions using text messaging for smoking cessation have not been used in the Middle East and they could potentially be effective; however, tailoring and closely examining the content and acceptability of text messages to be used is important before the conduction of trials involving their use. Social media is perceived to be more effective and influential, with a higher level of penetration into communities of young smokers.

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Disability and Social Exclusion

Psychology and Developing Societies ◽

10.1177/0971333616689203 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 22-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Elina I. Tobias ◽

Sourav Mukhopadhyay

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Focus Group ◽

Social Exclusion ◽

Lived Experiences ◽

Research Approach ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Community Activities ◽

Individual Interviews

This article explores the experiences of social exclusion of individuals with visual impairment (IWVI) as they negotiate their daily lives in their homes and societal settings in the Oshana and Oshikoto regions of Namibia. Employing qualitative research approach, this research tried to better understand the lived experiences of IWVI. Nine IWVI with ages ranging from 30 to 90 years were initially engaged in focus group discussions, followed by semi-structured in-depth individual interviews. The findings of this research indicated that IWVI experience exclusion from education, employment and social and community participation as well as relationships. Based on these findings, we suggest more inclusive policies to address social exclusion of IWVI. At the same time, this group of individuals should be empowered to participate in community activities to promote interaction with people without visual impairments.

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America in Pakistani Print Media: A Semiotic Discourse Analysis based Study of Pak-Us Relationship

International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature ◽

10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.9n.4p.71 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 71

Author(s):

Muhammad Akber Sajid ◽

Muhammad Riaz Khan

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Focus Group ◽

Data Collection ◽

Print Media ◽

Time Span ◽

Research Model ◽

Semiotic Analysis ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Qualitative Research Design

Print media semiotic discourses are one of the best sites for ideological investment and their role is very significant in the production and dissemination of certain ideology. The aim of the present study is to critically decode the semiotic discourse(s) of Pakistani English newspaper DAWN (daily) with special reference to the representation of Pak- Us relationship through the analysis of the semiotics discourses. The data for the present research has been collected from the mentioned newspaper. The time span for data collection ranges from October 2018 to December 2018. Out of ten (10) caricatures which represent Pakistan attempting to survive at its own rather than depending on America one was purposively selected for linguistic and semiotic analyses. The study is descriptive and utilizes qualitative research design. For this purpose, the researchers have devised an amended research model by drawing upon Fairclough (1995), Kress (2010) and Kruger’s (2000) research models to analyse linguistic, semiotic and focus group discussions data. The semiotic analysis has also been validated by incorporating the remarks of focus group participants. Based on the analysis of data the study concludes that noting is absolute in politics as far as Pak- Us relations through semiotic discourses are concerned. Additionally, the research reveals that print media semiotic discourses work insidiously to represent socio- political changes by employing linguistic and meta-linguistic devices and techniques.

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The Unexpected Rewards of Qualitative Research in Assessment: A Case Example

The Qualitative Report ◽

10.46743/2160-3715/2008.1599 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Penny Singh

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Focus Group ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Tertiary Institutions ◽

Learning Opportunity ◽

Face To Face ◽

Oral Assessment ◽

Oral Component

This paper reports on the inclusion of an oral component of assessment in science at two tertiary institutions in South Africa. The purpose of this paper is not to report on the results of the assessments conducted, but to focus on some of the unexpected rewards of conducting qualitative research in assessment. Using focus group discussions within a qualitative framework allowed me insights into the thoughts and experiences of the students and assessors, making the benefits of oral assessment apparent. These benefits included how assessment can be used as a learning opportunity, the advantages of homogeneous versus heterogeneous groups, and the benefits of face-to-face interaction, all of which led to improved relationships between students and assessors.

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Genomics and Pharmacogenomics Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Pharmacists Working in United Arab Emirates: Findings from Focus Group Discussions—A Qualitative Study

Journal of Personalized Medicine ◽

10.3390/jpm10030134 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 134 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Azhar T. Rahma ◽

Iffat Elbarazi ◽

Bassam R. Ali ◽

George P. Patrinos ◽

Luai A. Ahmed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Genomic Medicine ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Public And Private ◽

Health Authorities ◽

The Right

(1) Background: Genomics and pharmacogenomics are relatively new fields in medicine in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Understanding the knowledge, attitudes and current practices among pharmacists is an important pillar to establish the roadmap for implementing genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics; (2) Methods: A qualitative method was used, with focus group discussions (FGDs) being conducted among pharmacists working in public and private hospitals in Abu Dhabi Emirate. Snowball sampling was used. Thematic inductive analysis was performed by two researchers independently. NVIVO software was used to establish the themes; (3) Results: Lack of knowledge of genomics and pharmacogenomics among pharmacists was one of the most prominent findings. Therefore, the role of pharmacist in making the right decisions was highlighted to be a barrier for pharmacogenomics implementation in the UAE. Pharmacists have a positive attitude toward pharmacogenomics, but they are preoccupied with concern of confidentiality. In addition, religion and culture shadowed their attitudes toward genetic testing; (4) Conclusions: It is highly recommended to introduce new courses and training workshops for healthcare providers to improve the opportunities for genomics and pharmacogenomics application in the UAE. Pharmacists agreed that the health authorities should take the lead for improving trust and confidence in the system for a better future in the era of genomics and pharmacogenomics.

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Sexual and reproductive health in the time of COVID-19 in Latvia, qualitative research interviews and focus group discussions, 2020 (in Latvian)

10.25143/fk2/lxku5a ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gunta Lazdane ◽

◽

Dace Rezeberga ◽

Ieva Briedite ◽

Elizabete Pumpure ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Focus Group ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Care Providers ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions

Qualitative research is focused on the influence of COVID-19 pandemic and restriction measures on sexual and reproductive health in Latvia. Results of the anonymous online survey (I-SHARE) of 1173 people living in Latvia age 18 and over were used as a background in finalization the interview and the focus group discussion protocols ensuring better understanding of the influencing factors. Protocols included 9 parts (0.Introduction. 1. COVID-19 general influence, 2. SRH, 3. Communication with health professionals, 4.Access to SRH services, 5.Communication with population incl. three target groups 5.1. Pregnant women, 5.2. People with suspected STIs, 5.3.Women, who require abortion, 6. HIV/COVID-19, 7. External support, 8. Conclusions and recommendations. Data include audiorecords in Latvian of: 1) 11 semi-structures interviews with policy makers including representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in sexual and reproductive health, information and health service provision. 2) 12 focus group discussions with pregnant women (1), women in postpartum period (3) and their partners (3), people living with HIV (1), health care providers involved in maternal health care and emergency health care for women (4) (2021-02-18) Subject: Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Keywords: Sexual and reproductive health, COVID-19, access to services, Latvia

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Smoke-Free Men: Competing and Connecting to Quit

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.1177/0890117116671257 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 135-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Joan L. Bottorff ◽

John L. Oliffe ◽

Gayl Sarbit ◽

Paul Sharp ◽

Mary T. Kelly

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Tobacco Cessation ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Self Control ◽

Smoking Reduction ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Related Factors ◽

Group Design ◽

Interview Guide

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore gender-related factors that motivate and support men’s smoking reduction and cessation to inform effective men-centered interventions. Approach or Design: Focus group design using a semi-structured interview guide. Setting: Three communities in British Columbia, Canada. Participants: A total of 56 men who currently smoked and were interested in reducing or quitting or had quit. Intervention: N/A. Methods: Data collected in 6 focus group discussions were transcribed and analyzed in accord with principles of thematic qualitative methods. Results: We report the results across 4 interconnected themes: (1) the fight to quit takes several rounds, (2) the motivation of supportive competition, (3) challenges and benefits of connecting with smoke-free peers, and (4) playing up the physical and financial gains. Conclusions: Masculine-based perspectives positioned quitting alongside fighting for self-control, competing, connecting, physical prowess, and having extra cash as motivating components of programs to engage men in efforts to be smoke-free. It may be worthwhile to consider the inclusion of gain-framed and benefit-focused messaging in programs that support men’s tobacco cessation.

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Perceptions and Attitudes towards Medical Research in the United Arab Emirates: Results from the Abu Dhabi Cohort Study (ADCS) Focus Group Discussions

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0149609 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e0149609 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Yusra El Obaid ◽

Aisha Al Hamiz ◽

Abdishakur Abdulle ◽

Richard B. Hayes ◽

Scott Sherman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Focus Group ◽

Medical Research ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Abu Dhabi ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Perceptions And Attitudes

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The Management of Waqf Universities in Selangor, Malaysia

Journal of Contemporary Islamic Studies ◽

10.24191/jcis.v6i1.3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 45-60

Author(s):

Mohd. Ali Muhamad Don ◽

Muhamad Rahimi Osman

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Focus Group ◽

Model Theory ◽

The State ◽

Research Approach ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

The University ◽

The Impact ◽

Management Issues

In Malaysia, waqf management including those in universities, is under the authority of the State Islamic Religious Council as a sole trustee waqf. This is to protect the waqf assets from any interventions by the heirs. Even so, one Malaysian university is said to manage the waqf scheme without the supervision of the Islamic Council which contradict with the provision of the State of Islamic Religious Council (SIRC) as the sole trustee of waqf. Thus, this study explores the management of waqf by several universities in Selangor and relation to SIRC as the sole trustee of waqf. A qualitative research approach was employed to collect data from focus group discussions and interviews with selected participants from the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Selangor IRC), selected universities and waqf experts in Malaysia. The findings show that University Kebangsaan Malaysia and University Putra Malaysia waqf funds are managed under the Selangor IRC monitoring while University Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia endowment or waqf fund is managed privately by the university. The impact of this is that several waqf management issues arose. Hence, the authors recommend the Model theory of al-wilayah to be applied in the management of waqf in the universities. Through this model, SIRC and the university can play a more significant role in the management of waqf, thereby promoting the development of waqf in Malaysia.

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Practitioners and Uses of Contemporary Mende Folk literature in South-Eastern Sierra Leone

Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies ◽

10.36941/ajis-2021-0157 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 97

Author(s):

Ibrahim Mustapha Fofanah ◽

Philip Foday Yamba Thulla ◽

Samba Moriba

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Focus Group ◽

Sierra Leone ◽

Secret Society ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

South Eastern ◽

Qualitative Research Design ◽

Interview Guide ◽

Folk Literature

The study examined the practitioners and uses of contemporary Mende folk literature in South-eastern Sierra Leone. A qualitative research design involving 250 participants from 50 communities with 5 participants from each community was used in the study. Interviews were carried out using interview guide questions relating to folk practices, performance, and uses in the selected communities. Focus group discussions followed the interviews in 10 communities selected using simple random techniques. The findings revealed that Mende folk literature was endangered and, apart from occasional singing, household story-telling and riddling sessions done mainly by children and women, the only groups of people recognized as practitioners of Mende folk literature were the tribal and secret society heads and the community's griots, who mostly were elderly people. Mende folk literature should not only be of academic interest but rather a source of cultural rejuvenation. Received: 26 July 2021 / Accepted: 27 September 2021 / Published: 5 November 2021

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How do medical students utilize mobile handheld devices in learning?

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1118v1 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Ayad M Al-Moslih ◽

Erik Driessen

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Focus Group ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Handheld Devices ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Handheld Device ◽

Medical College ◽

Survey Results ◽

Initial Survey

Introduction. The phenomenon of increased and ubiquitous use of mobile handheld devices by medical students triggered the interest to explore how these students utilize their devices while learning. Methods. This study was conducted at the Medical College of University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates during the period February to April 2012. A total of 463 students participated in the study. A mixed methodology was employed where an initial survey provided the necessary preliminary data and purposively sample the subjects, followed by two focus group discussions to explore this phenomenon in depth. Results. The survey results demonstrated that vast majority (95.9%) of students possess at least one type of mobile handheld device. Most of these students (90.1%) used their handheld device while learning. Students used these devices in different contexts, varying between Lectures, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions, Hospitals and other contexts were identified (32.4%, 30.1%, 20% and 13% respectively). Majority of students (83.2%) use their handhelds when learning individually on their own time, whereas about half of them (48.3%) use it in learning with friends i.e. collaboratively. Focus group discussions revealed several aspects of how students utilized their mobile handheld devices while learning. Five themes were identified, which demonstrated the resources and accessed content, contexts of use, activities that involved learning, with whom students learned, and what made them learn or not learn while using these devices. Conclusion. Mobile handheld devices facilitated students learning “on-the-move” on and off-campus in different ways. Students utilized their devices mostly to complement and augment their learning in different contexts. Students believed that a huge gap exists between themselves and their teachers in terms of mobile learning.

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