scholarly journals The adaptation process of international lecturers in a South African university: The centrality of agency and collegiality

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 236-247
Author(s):  
Loïse Jeannin
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
South African ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Adaptation Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
To Receive

Teaching in a new country initiates a process of adaptation requiring emotional, cognitive and behavioural adjustments. This qualitative study explores international lecturers’ perceptions of their adaptation process in a South African university. The findings, based on semi-structured interviews with six lecturers from six different countries, indicate that teachers’ agency and collegiality are crucial interrelated factors of adaptation. Agency and collegiality enabled lecturers to receive context-relevant information and decide how to modify their pedagogical practices. The description of the adaptation process provides new insights for staff induction programmes.

Non-native isiZulu Pre-service Teachers’ Views and Experiences on Learning isiZulu as a Second Language at a South African KwaZulu-Natal University

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-110
Author(s):  
Zinhle Primrose Nkosi
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Second Language ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
South African ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Student Attitude ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Study Methods ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
First Time

This paper explores non-mother tongue isiZulu pre-service teachers’ views and experiences on learning isiZulu as a second language. The study uses qualitative study methods and it operates under the interpretivist paradigm. Semi-structured interviews are used with 20 students. Among findings are issues that relate to the usefulness of learning isiZulu as a compulsory module, good student attitude and academic performance. One of the recommendations is that there is a need to separate students studying isiZulu for the first time and those who are not studying it for the first time.

scholarly journals General practitioners’ concepts on issuing out-of-pocket prescriptions for hypnotics and sedatives in Germany

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 785-790
Author(s):  
Katharina Schmalstieg-Bahr ◽  
Christiane A Müller ◽  
Eva Hummers
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Statutory Health Insurance ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Hypnotics And Sedatives ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Medication Costs ◽  
Prescription Form ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Background In Germany, almost 50% of prescriptions for benzodiazepines and drugs as Zolpidem and Zopiclone are as out-of-pocket (OOP) prescriptions—requiring patients to buy the drug at their own expense—although almost 90% of the population has statutory health insurance covering medication costs. Objective To understand why general practitioners (GPs) choose this prescribing method since needed medications are insurance covered, and unnecessary drugs should not be prescribed at all. Methods In this qualitative study, 17 semi-structured interviews with GPs were conducted, audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed with grounded theory to extract a model explaining the described behaviour. Results Knowing the significant medical risks and insecurity about regulations makes GPs wish to avoid hypnotics and sedatives. They achieve this by ‘Creating a barrier’ (central phenomenon) and employing the strategy ‘Using an out-of-pocket prescription’, which not only generates costs for the patient but also reduces the physicians´ legal and financial accountability. The perceived patient type, expected problem duration and diagnosis influence the decision about the prescription form: patients with an alcohol or drug addiction or those with ‘uncomplicated’ insomnia are more likely to receive an OOP prescription. Patients with any psychiatric diagnosis will likely receive a statutory health insurance prescription. Discussion Current regulations do not provide guidance to GPs regarding hypnotics and sedatives. A clear regulatory framework and guidelines could possibly reduce physicians’ defensive attitudes about these drugs and their use of OOP prescriptions. The approach to use OOP prescriptions as a barrier to reduce patients’ medication use lacks evidence regarding effectiveness.

scholarly journals Difficulties and strategies related to blood donation in a hemotherapy service

Rev Rene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. e70830
Author(s):  
Nanci Felix Mesquita ◽  
Ana Claudia Souza Vazquez ◽  
Maria de Lourdes Custódio Duarte ◽  
Daniela Giotti da Silva ◽  
Larissa Gomes de Mattos
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Blood Center ◽  
Donation Process ◽  
The Hours ◽  
The City

Objective: to analyze the aspects that hinder blood donation and strategies to attract donors. Methods: qualitative study conducted with 12 donors. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Content Analysis. Results: regarding the complicating aspects, the lack of time and little flexibility in service hours, the displacement in accessing the service and the fear of the donation process were scored. As strategies for attraction, the interviewees talked about the dissemination and internal campaigns in companies, education in schools and universities, loyalty of donors, flexibility in the hours of the blood center and mobile units for blood donation at strategic points in the city. Conclusion: donors pointed out difficulties and suggestions for strategies, constituting relevant information for innovative proposals that help in the process of attracting new blood donors.

scholarly journals Ups and downs of drug rehab among women: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
zahra boroumandfar ◽  
masoud kianpour ◽  
maryam afshari
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Supportive Family ◽  
Substance Related Disorders

Abstract Background: According to recent studies, the number of women drug users is dramatically increasing. However, the information on the issue of drug rehab in women is not sufficient, and there are numerous traditional, organizational, political and cultural barriers to the provision of relevant information in this regard in Iran. This study, thus, aimed to explain the factors influencing the decision of these women to stop drug use. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in two rehab camps of Isfahan (in Iran) on July to October 2017. Thirty participants (women drug users) were selected through purposive and theoretical sampling until data saturation was reached. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Based on the analysis of the obtained results, the women's experience of the ups and downs of stopping drug use yielded two themes and nine sub-themes. The themes were “the need for emancipation (the deviated path, being abused, compulsive drug use, acquaintance with God, a supportive family)” and “Sinking factors (non-assisting mates, pro-addictive family, unawareness of assisting official organization and non-government organization, woman’s lack of authority, ineffective opportunities)”. Conclusions: It was concluded that addiction rehab strategies can lead to a brighter life for women drug users only when they are coupled with open-hearted assistance of the families and women specific rehab centers are established to help them meet their specific needs. Keywords: Drug Use, Lived Experience, Substance-related disorders, Women's Health, qualitative study

Teachers’ Mindsets about L2 Learning: Exploring the Influences on Pedagogical Practices

RELC Journal ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 003368822110670
Author(s):  
Nourollah Zarrinabadi ◽  
Elnaz Afsharmehr
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Private Language ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pedagogical Strategies ◽  
Learning And Teaching

This qualitative study aimed to examine Iranian language teachers’ mindsets about language learning and teaching, and the ways in which their mindsets influenced their educational practices. The participants of this study were 20 Iranian language teachers who taught general English courses at private language institutes in a city in central Iran. The data were collected through conducting semi-structured interviews with the participants. The qualitative content analysis was conducted, and the main themes and categories were extracted. The results revealed that teachers had categorical (fixed or growth) or mixed mindsets (both fixed and growth mindsets). Moreover, the results showed that teachers’ mindsets influenced teachers’ pedagogical strategies, homework assignment, and their praise type. The findings show that it is important to raise teachers’ awareness about their mindsets and the effects they might have on their teaching strategies and the feedback/praise they give to their students.

Collaboration between libraries, archives and museums in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kagiso Mabe ◽  
Andrea Potgieter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
South African ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Collaborative Partnerships ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The World ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Good Number

Background: Many libraries, archives and museums (LAMs) all over the world have begun digitising their collections, and with a good number of these institutions failing to sustain their digitisation projects because they cannot afford to, it is best to find ways to lessen the financial burden that comes with digitisation.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the possible benefits and challenges if LAMs in South Africa were to collaborate on digitisation efforts.Method: A mono-method qualitative study was undertaken. The objectives were addressed by making use of a literature review and by conducting non-standardised, semi-structured interviews with 21 interviewees located at different LAMs.Results: It was found that funding for digitisation projects was a major problem, while collaboration between LAMs would involve sharing the financial burden among several institutions. In addition, reasons preventing LAMs from forming collaborative partnerships for the purpose of digitisation were also identified. A lack of collaborative digitisation policies and funding, both internally and between LAMs, was found to be a major obstacle for the formation of such partnerships. In determining the relevance of the research, it was important to determine whether or not LAMs in South Africa were open to collaboration and responses to this question were positive. It can thus be concluded that the results of this study can be used to motivate and guide collaboration partnerships for the purpose of digitisation between South African LAMs.Conclusion: It was concluded that collaboration could indeed appreciably alleviate problems related to digitisation, the most prominent being the cost associated with such endeavours.

scholarly journals Acceptability of a Hypothetical Zika Vaccine among Women from Colombia and Spain Exposed to ZIKV: A Qualitative Study

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 580
Author(s):  
Elena Marbán-Castro ◽  
Ana Villén-Gonzalvo ◽  
Cristina Enguita-Fernàndez ◽  
Kelly Carolina Romero-Acosta ◽  
Anna Marín-Cos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Vaccine Trial ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Effective Delivery ◽  
Congenital Zika Syndrome ◽  
To Receive

Zika virus (ZIKV) can cause pregnancy loss and congenital Zika syndrome, among other poor health outcomes. The ZIKV epidemic in 2015–2017 disproportionately affected pregnant women in poor-resource settings. We aimed to understand perceptions and attitudes towards a hypothetical ZIKV vaccine, women’s willingness to be vaccinated, and potential barriers and facilitators for vaccine acceptance in 1) migrant women living in Spain who travelled to their countries of origin and were diagnosed with ZIKV infection during pregnancy, and their healthcare providers, and 2) women living in Colombia who delivered a child with microcephaly. An exploratory qualitative study based on phenomenology and grounded theory was conducted. Data were collected through in-depth, paired and semi-structured interviews. Overall, women from both sites were willing to receive a hypothetical ZIKV vaccine. However, some expressed concerns of being vaccinated during pregnancy, yet they would accept it if the vaccine was recommended by a healthcare professional they trust. Main fears towards vaccination were related to vaccine safety and potential adverse effects on child’s health. Women reported feeling hesitant to participate in a ZIKV vaccine trial. These results may contribute to guiding the effective delivery of future ZIKV vaccines among populations most at risk and particularly vulnerable.

scholarly journals People living in poverty and their relationship to local church communities: An exploratory qualitative study in Mechelen, Belgium

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemie Dillen ◽  
Elke Van Hoof
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Private Religious Practices ◽  
To Receive ◽  
The Church ◽  
Church Communities

Much literature on church and poverty issues takes the church as the actor and people living in poverty as the acted upon, those who have to receive care or who will benefit from the church’s diaconal action. Not much is known about experiences of the church and the religion of people living in poverty themselves. The aim of this article is threefold: (1) To learn more about possible difficulties, also possibilities, for participation of people living in poverty in Catholic parishes in Flanders; (2) To give a voice to people living in poverty, to help them to express their ‘ordinary theology’ (Astley 2002) and to make their experiences visible to a broader ecclesial audience; (3) To discuss the ecclesial experiences of people living in poverty and people who know their experiences quite well, in light of church documents.This article presents the results of an exploratory qualitative study in Mechelen, a medium-tolarge city in Flanders, Belgium. We present the results of semi-structured interviews with 20 participants – 7 caregivers and 13 people living in poverty.We found both pragmatic difficulties and more religious difficulties for participation in parishes, named by people living in poverty, as well as by (voluntary and professional) caregivers. Pragmatic difficulties are, for example, mobility or time (in relation to working hours on Saturday/Sunday). More religious-related difficulties concern the doubts about God in relation to their own suffering, aspects of the moral teachings of the church (e.g. about homosexuality) and questions about the Eucharist itself, experienced in a non-satisfactory way. More positive experiences concern the silence or rest people experience in the church or the experience of a community. We discuss findings relating to experiences of ‘inclusion’ of people living in poverty within church communities and more private religious practices, named by people living in poverty.In a next step, we compare these results with other empirical research. Finally, we discuss what it can mean to be a ‘church of the poor’ and what ‘friendship with the poor’ might be and how this concept can be evaluated. 

scholarly journals Perceptions of South African National and Provincial Health Directorate managers on eye health promotion

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hlupheka L. Sithole
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
South African ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Health Directorate

Background: Health directorate managers are responsible for health promotion initiatives in South Africa.Purpose: This study sought to establish the perceptions of health managers in the various health directorates regarding eye health promotion activities in the country.Methods: The study used structured interviews as a tool for collecting relevant information on the perceptions of health directorate managers about eye health promotion. Six managers from the National Department of Health and 53 from the Provincial Health Directorates were interviewed.Results: The provincial managers from the Directorates of Chronic Diseases, Disabilities and Geriatrics (N = 8) indicated that their policies included eye health issues. Those from other directorates (N = 45) indicated that no reference was made to eye health in their provincial policy documents for health promotion. However, they all believed that eye health promotion messages or some elements of eye health promotion should be integrated in their programmes.Conclusion: Although there is a draft policy framework for eye healthcare, the lack of a dedicated directorate and poor capacity in the National Department of Health is likely to retard the progress of implementing policy directives.

scholarly journals “That’s Schoolified!” How Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment Shape the Educational Potential of Poetry in Subject English for Black High School Learners

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Cooper
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
First Language ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Figures Of Speech ◽  
Model C ◽  
Educational Potential ◽  
Literary Devices

This article explores the teaching of English poetry in two Gauteng high schools, one a suburban, former Model C school and another in Soweto. Both schools are attended predominantly by Black learners for whom English is not their first language. Nine in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with educators at the two schools. The choice of poems, pedagogy and assessment emerged as important themes in making poetry relevant and educational in South African schools. Writers from similar backgrounds, with common “race” or class-based identities, helped make poetry relevant, but were no guarantee that learners would relate to these poets. Teaching poetry was described as an intimidating experience both for learners and educators, resulting in many teachers retreating to the safe space of a defined set of teaching practices focused on figures of speech, literary devices and a line-by-line analysis of the poems. While some intentions existed to teach poetry in a way that encouraged a range of interpretations and possible answers to assessment questions, the standardised matric examination shaped pedagogical practices, as educators wanted to support learners to excel. These findings are interpreted in a post/decolonial context where a range of disparate “Englishes”, identities, learners and histories exist, and neoliberal education policies and practices increasingly standardise assessment processes, with implications for the teaching and learning of poetry.

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