The Conceptualisation of Peace in the Zimbabwean Rural Water Sector

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-44
Author(s):  
Evans Shoko ◽  
Maheshvari Naidu

Peace as a concept has been relatively under-researched in view of its conception within the rural knowledge system and especially in connection to water access. This study used a sequential exploratory design to gather and analyse qualitative data in the form of semi-structured interviews from 20 village residents. In addition, quantitative data, drawn from a questionnaire, was used to validate the findings from the semi-structured interviews. This research showed that cooperation in the management of common water resources harmonises relations and brings unity and peace. The results also revealed that in as much as the rural Zimbabweans desire peace, corruption in water management increases the likelihood of grievance-based conflicts. Collaborative activities improve community relations and create a space for collective resolution of conflicts. The researchers recommend using local peace institutions to absorb macro-conflicts.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 4904
Author(s):  
Nan Yang ◽  
Gerbrand van Hout ◽  
Loe Feijs ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Jun Hu

With the development of sensing technology and the popularization of quantified-self devices, there are increasing types of health-related data that can be sensed, visualized and presented to the user. However, most existing quantified-self applications are designed to support self-management and self-reflection; only a few studies so far have investigated the social aspect of quantified-self data. In this study, we investigated the social role of quantified-self data by introducing the design and evaluation of SocialBike—a digitally augmented bicycle that aims to increase the user’s intrinsic motivation in physical activity through on-site quantified-self data sharing. We conducted a controlled experiment on a cycling simulation system. Two forms of SocialBike’s on-bike display were evaluated with 36 participants. We used the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory to collect quantitative data about users’ intrinsic motivation in physical activity; the cycling simulation system recorded quantitative data about user behavior. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews. We conducted paired sample t-test to analyze both types of quantitative data; qualitative data were analyzed by the method of thematic analysis. The results show that SocialBike’s front display significantly increased users’ intrinsic motivation in physical activity. A total of nine themes were identified from the qualitative analysis, providing supplementary explanations for the quantitative results and additional insights into the overall design.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Mehmet Akif Karabörk ◽  
Soner Durmus

In this study, the effects of redesigned modeling activities on the academic achievement of 7th grade students and the student’s view about these activities were investigated. We use explanatory sequential mixed method design that is one of the mixed research methodology for this investigation. The quantitative part of this research established according to semi-experimental study with pre-posttest, and qualitative part of this study execute with the case study. Quantitative data were collected with multiple choice academic achievement tests, and qualitative data were collected with study papers, observation forms, forms of student’s view, and semi-structured interviews at the end of all activities. The quantitative data were analyzed with covariance analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis. As a result, a statistically significant difference was found in favor of the experimental group on the academic achievement which influenced by modeling activities. This difference has been influenced by the presentation of the learning environment in which the students' attitudes and beliefs towards themselves and the lessons will be positively affected, and mathematical skills will be supported to increase success.


Author(s):  
THEOPHILE BINDEOUE NASSE

The topic of alcohol consumption and conflicts has been explored in several context not only because consumers do not have a good consumption culture, but also because alcohol consumption often leads to social violence (Nasse, 2018; Nasse, Ouédraogo & Diop, 2019). Most of the studies on the topic are done in other contexts. Little research on the subject has been conducted in Burkina Faso. Therefore, this research aims to explore the concepts of alcohol consumption and conflicts in the context. Burkina Faso is a country where religion plays a significant role. However, alcohol consumption is increasing (Sow, 2005), even among consumers who are believers, but ignorance in the sector of marketing seems to be a barrier that favors unethical consumption. The research is a mixed approach. The qualitative data collection is performed with a voice recorder by the means of some semi-structured interviews. Then, the qualitative data is transcribed by hand. The quantitative data is collected by the means of a questionnaire. The qualitative data and the quantitative data are performed using sphinx IQ software. The results show that social class moderates the relationship between alcohol consumption and conflicts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. p79
Author(s):  
Lilian Ya-hui Chang

The use of smartphones among university students is like a double-edged sword (Qi, 2019), on the positive side, it can boost academic performance; on the negative side usage (or the restriction of it) can detract from learning. The studies offered seem to create a dichotomy: smartphone use during class is either positive or negative. This paper, however, aims to reveal how students’ smartphone use in the classroom is an intricate, conflicting picture that has several layers of complexity creating a confusing picture for the instructor as to how, when, or why to use smartphones in the classroom. In order to explore Taiwanese university students’ potential conflicting viewpoints on the smartphone uses during class time, this study collects both quantitative and qualitative data for data analysis. All the questionnaire respondents used their smartphones during class time. The main reason they do so is due to learning purposes (e.g., check English words online, participate in class activities). However, it is interesting to note that the most frequent uses for the students are for personal reasons, e.g., check the time, check personal messages. Moreover, quantitative data shows that 2/3 of the participants in this study believed that it is all right to use their smartphone during the class, because being able to check information online aids their learning during the class. On the other hand, about 1/3 of the students believed that cellphone use is a distraction for them during the class. Semi-structured interviews also reveal that the interviewees expressed that they have mixed feelings about the appropriateness of the use of smartphones during class. Hopefully, these data can shed light on how teachers approach students’ smartphone uses policy in class.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 192-206
Author(s):  
memet karakuş

The general aim of the research is to examine the effect of field-related and technology-aided measurement and evaluation courses on students’ academic achievement towards measurement and evaluation and to determine their views about the practice. This research was conducted with a case study design. The participants of the study consisted of 28 pre-service teachers studying in the English Language Teaching Department in the spring semester of 2016-2017 at a state university in the South of Turkey. The study was carried out for one semester. In order to collect quantitative data, the Measurement and Evaluation Course Achievement Test developed by the researchers was applied twice before and after the practice. In the evaluation of the practice, semi-structured interviews were conducted with volunteer students in the study group, and qualitative data were collected. In the context of the analysis of quantitative data, the difference between the pretest and posttest achievement scores of the students in the study group was examined with dependent sample t-test. In the analysis of the interviews within the scope of qualitative data, the inductive approach used in content analysis methods was used. As a result of the research, it has been seen that the field-related and technology-aided measurement and evaluation course increases the academic achievement of the students. In addition, it was determined that the students had positive views about the course, they had difficulties with mathematical subjects and there were generally positive views about Excel practices but there were limitations in various aspects. Finally, it has been determined that there are positive views regarding the integration of the course with the field teaching, recommendations are made to improve improvement of the course about time and duration, and the course has various contributions to the professional life.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda M Singrey ◽  
Maria C. Pruchnicki ◽  
Jennifer Seifert ◽  
Juan Peng ◽  
Gregory Young ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to explore access to breathing medications in an uninsured and underinsured patient population and identify needs for additional medication access resources. Quantitative data were collected from a dispensing report, financial database, and medical records review of patients who filled prescription medications at a charitable pharmacy in Ohio between December 11, 2014 and March 11, 2015, and qualitative data were collected from five semi-structured interviews with patients regarding breathing medication access. A total of 181 patients filled a breathing medication during the study period, which is nearly a quarter of the pharmacy’s patient population. The majority of patients were African American or Caucasian, and almost half were uninsured. Ultimately, the pharmacy had to purchase nearly half of breathing medications provided despite utilizing several medication access routes. Thus, access remains a significant challenge. Efforts are needed to ensure that vulnerable populations can consistently access breathing medications.   Type: Clinical Experience


Author(s):  
Dilek Durukan ◽  
Ayhan Kahraman

Whether the mother tongue (L1) should be included or excluded in foreign language classes has been debated by researchers and there is no consensus on this controversial issue.   However, most of the studies are conducted on the tertiary level, and there is very few on the primary & secondary levels.  Therefore, this study explores the perspectives of English teachers working in primary schools in comparison to high schools affiliated with national education. It also investigates for which language skills both of those groups find the use of mother tongue (Turkish) relatively effective and their justification behind the use of L1 in their classes in which English is taught as a foreign language. A total of 30 primary and 30 high school teachers working in Usak participated the study voluntarily. The study has employed mixed-method and   data was collected through a questionnaire developed by Kuru and Tekin (2019). Moreover, semi structured interviews were conducted to obtain qualitative data with randomly selected primary school (8) and high school teachers (8). By means of SPSS, descriptive statistics were conducted and qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings of the quantitative data indicated that majority of both primary and high school teachers support the use of mother tongue in EFL classes. Additionally, there is no significance difference between the perceptions of primary school and high school teachers regarding the use of L1. Finally, results of the qualitative data advocate the findings of the quantitative data.


Author(s):  
Cemre Isler ◽  
Ozgur Yildirim

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible sources of reading anxiety experienced by Turkish EFL learners. The participants of the study were 50 first year university students studying at the English Language Teaching program of a public university in Turkey. The study employed the explanatory sequential mixed methods design. First, the quantitative data were collected through Foreign Language Reading Anxiety Scale (FLRAS), and then the qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews for the purpose of better understanding quantitative data findings. For analyzing the quantitative data, each participant’s mean score from FLRAS was computed. As for the qualitative data, the transcribed interviews were analyzed using the constant comparison method, for which the researcher identified the recurring themes through coding, prioritizing and connecting the pieces of data. Results indicated that the participants of the study, in general, experience a moderate level of FL reading anxiety. The following three main categories of FL reading anxiety sources were identified with their ten sub-categories: (1) personal factors (inappropriate reading strategy use, lack of self-confidence, high expectations), (2) features of the reading text (topic familiarity, unknown vocabulary, complex reading structure, text length, figurative language), and (3) reading course (compulsory reading, exam). Key Words: foreign language anxiety, foreign language reading anxiety, the sources of foreign language reading anxiety


2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (06) ◽  
pp. 309-314
Author(s):  
Seyi Ladele Amosun ◽  
Greta AVM Geerts ◽  
Reneda Basson

Mentoring programs contribute to the development and retention of academics in dental education. To describe the perceptions of academic staff of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, South Africa, about a funded pilot mentoring process. Cross-sectional, purposive sampling qualitative design. Twenty mentees who had engaged in the funded mentoring process were targeted for semi-structured interviews, to describe their perceptions about the ongoing mentorship process, experiences in other mentoring processes, and expectations about future formal mentoring in the faculty. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively, while content analysis of the qualitative data was performed to identify themes. Perceptions of eight mentees, aged 37 to 59 years and spent between 3 and over 20 years in the faculty, were categorized into two themes - ‘A welcome initiative’ and ‘Mentorship seen as a holistic experience’. The program provided the much-needed space where mentees felt they could seek guidance for their development. Expectations from a future formal program included assistance in meeting institutional and personal demands. Participants’ expectations were broader than what the pilot program offered, though


Author(s):  
Carolynn Waweru; Peter Koome; David Gichuhi

The aim of this study was to examine how cultural modernization has influenced employees' performance at the Nakuru Lands Offices. Various modernization programs have been undertaken among Kenyan public institutions with the view of improving employee performance. In the Ministry of Lands, various modernization initiatives have been implemented while others are ongoing. This study utilized the descriptive research design and targeted 56 operations employees and 6 heads of departments (HODs) at the Nakuru Lands Offices.  Data was collected using structured questionnaires from all the 56 operations employees. Data was also collected through semi-structured interviews with all the six HODs at Nakuru Land Office. Quantitative data collected using questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while the qualitative data collected through interviews was analyzed using the thematic technique. Results showed that the Nakuru Land Offices had made remarkable progress in terms of cultural modernization (score=82.9%). Pearson correlation analysis showed that cultural modernization (r= 0.509, sig=.000) has a positive and statistically significant association with employees' performance. This relationship was also supported by regression analysis results (β= .537, sig= .007). The study recommends that to significantly improve the level of employees' performance, the management at the Nakuru Land Office should cultivate a culture that supports employees' learning and growth and develop strategies for increasing organizational commitment among staff.


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