scholarly journals Development of a practical tool to measure the impact of publications on the society based on focus group discussions with scientists

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Niederkrotenthaler ◽  
Thomas E Dorner ◽  
Manfred Maier
Author(s):  
M Y Gebregeorgis

The objective of this study was to explore the endogenous conflict resolution mechanisms and practices of the San people at Platfontein, South Africa. To this end, data were collected from 304 interviews and 26 focus group discussions. The collected data were analysed through Inductive Thematic Analysis. The findings show that the San people have endogenous conflict resolution mechanisms which basically aim at restoring peace and harmony within the community. The endogenous mechanisms were found to be fairly participatory and supplementary to the state machineries that work for justice, peace and harmony. However, the conflict resolution mechanisms of the San people are currently weakening due to the impact of modernisation and the leadership dispute among the sub-groups of the community.


2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise McCall ◽  
Natalie Wray ◽  
Bill Lord

Introduction To identify factors that affect the education of pre-employment paramedic students during the clinical practicum. Methods A purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit undergraduate students from the Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic) (BEHP) who had recently completed their first or final clinical placement. Qualitative data was collected via a total of 3 focus group discussions; two focus group discussions were conducted with students on completion of their final placement, and one focus group discussion was conducted with students who had recently completed their first placement. Participants were asked to share their career and placement expectations, placement experiences, career path intentions, and the impact of placements on their career decisions. Results This paper reports on student perception of education in the clinical environment and their impression of the strengths and weaknesses of this model. We identified four major themes: (1) communication, (2) appropriate placements, (3) capacity building and, (4) adequate preparation for students. Conclusion The University, ambulance service and students need to form a relationship to foster the quality of clinical education. Each party needs to adequately communicate and prepare for quality learning to occur in placements. Good mechanisms for the identification of problems early, particularly in relation to student support and case load are necessary. Ongoing evaluation of the quality of clinical placement education is required and should include all parties who are also committed to continuous improvement.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lwazi Sibanda ◽  
Joyce Mathwasa

The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of teachers and learners on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on rural secondary school female learners in Matobo District. The study was qualitative in nature, entrenched on interpretivist paradigm and adopted a case study design. Data was collected using open-ended questionnaire and online focus group discussions from six teachers and eighteen learners who formed three focus group discussions. The participants were purposively sampled from three schools. The study found that a few teachers were able to conduct online lessons using WhatsApp platform during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in the selected schools though there was no consistence as teaching was not programmed and participation of female learners was low. The findings revealed that most of the parents could not afford to provide online learning resources for their children because of economic hardships. The study further established that rural female learners were at risk during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown as some of them were exposed to sexual abuse when they try to have access to smartphones and data bundles from some male adults. It was found that female learners have lost much of their learning time whilst on lockdown and many cases of pregnancy have emerged leading to dropping out of school. The study concluded that most of the rural secondary school female learners were excluded from education during lockdown due to poverty, unavailability of network or poor network coverage, lack of broadcast transmission services to enable them to access online lessons through the radio, lack of electricity, poor attendance due to lack of smartphones and data bundles, performance of all household chores including herding of cattle and lack of cooperation from some parents. The study recommended that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should collaborate with stakeholders to provide necessary resources to enable all learners to access online learning despite geographical location. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0721/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>


1995 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.G. Long

This article describes the impact of positive and negative housing-design features on the everyday functioning of persons who are blind and visually impaired in their homes based on information obtained in focus-group discussions with consumers, parents, and professionals.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e54371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah V. Kedenge ◽  
Beth P. Kangwana ◽  
Evelyn W. Waweru ◽  
Andrew J. Nyandigisi ◽  
Jayesh Pandit ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e051410
Author(s):  
Kannamkottapilly Chandrasekharan Prajitha ◽  
Arya Rahul ◽  
Sujatha Chintha ◽  
Gopakumar Soumya ◽  
Meenu Maheswari Suresh ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo understand the structures and strategies that helped Kerala in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges faced by the state and how it was tackled.DesignQualitative descriptive study using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews.SettingState of Kerala, India.Participants29 participants: four focus group discussions and eight in-depth interviews. Participants were chosen purposively based on their involvement in decision-making and implementation of COVID-19 control activities, from the department of health and family welfare, police, revenue, local self-government and community-based organisations. Districts, panchayats (local bodies) and primary health centres (PHCs) were selected based on epidemiological features of the area like the intensity of disease transmission and preventive/containment activities carried out in that particular area to capture the wide range of activities undertaken in the state.ResultsThe study identified five major themes that can inform best practices viz social capital, robust public health system, participation and volunteerism, health system preparedness, and challenges. This study was a real-time exploration of the intricacies of COVID-19 management in a low/middle-income country and the model can serve as an example for other states and nations to emulate or adjust accordingly.ConclusionThe study shows the impact of synergy of these themes towards more effective solutions; however, further research is much needed in examining the relationship between these factors and their relevance in policy decisions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-60
Author(s):  
Mohd. Ali Muhamad Don ◽  
Muhamad Rahimi Osman

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-90
Author(s):  
Dian Eka Putra ◽  
Agus Darwa

There has not been a good integration among the central, provincial, and regional levels in the allocation of the budget, thus making the impact of plantation development activities less effective and efficient. This study aimed to analyze the potential of the region and create a pattern for the development of rubber commodity plantations in Musi Rawas District. This study was conducted by analyzing the data and literature review, conducting focus group discussions, mapping and digitizing the potential for rubber commodities using satellite imagery. With the position of the region that is included in the growing stage, the development of the area is directed first for on-farm development. The development of the region is carried out by increasing the production and productivity of rubber plants in Musi Rawas District by replanting and intensifying the rubber plants. The activity strategy focuses more on how to increase the productivity of rubber plants so as to produce high quality claret processing materials (BOKAR) and rubber wood. The development strategy is centered in Tuah Negeri sub-district as the center of the Area and other surrounding sub-districts as supporting Areas. Therefore, in order to achieve these production targets, the strategy taken in developing rubber-based plantation areas is the incorporation and strengthening of the rubber agribusiness system.


Author(s):  
James M. Oketch ◽  
Edward M. Mugalavai ◽  
Nicodemus O. Nyandiko

Currently, 85 per cent of the world’s human  population lives in the drier half of the Earth, which exacerbates the water risks including lack of access to safe water, poor basic sanitation and water-related disasters and diseases. Vihiga County is located in the western region of Kenya (former western province). The county covers a total area of 531.0 Km2. This paper examines the impact of water related risks on the livelihood of residents in Vihiga County. The study used evaluation research design. A sample size of 384 households was used to obtain data from the households. Sampling technique comprised of multistage sampling for the households, Quota sampling for the Focus Group Discussions and purposive sampling for the Key Informants. Primary data was gathered by use of questionnaires, Key Informant Interview guides, observation checklists and Focus Group Discussions. Secondary data was collected by use of publications, journals, and internet access. Quantitative data was analysed using Microsoft excel, and Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 20.0. Results reveal that majority of the household respondents had experienced different forms of water related risks including, water pollution at 42%, inadequate water infrastructure 32%, poor water governance 10%, water scarcity 7% and environmental flows at 4% respectively. The study established that the existing Water Funded Projects (WFPs) initiatives include protected water springs at 31%, water kiosks 21%, boreholes at 18%, open wells 14 %, rain water harvesting at 12% while 4% of household respondents had piped water. The results (X25, 0.05=69.76; p-value=0.000) indicating that Water Funded Projects (WFPs) initiatives have positively influenced reduction in water related risks.


IKONOMIKA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-230
Author(s):  
Chuzaimah Batubara (Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara - Medan) ◽  
Isnaini Harahap (Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara - Medan) ◽  
Siti Marpuah (Universiti Tun Hussein Onn - Malaysia)

The village fund is the government's effort to reduce poverty in villages in Indonesia, including in North Maluku. From the perspective of development funding, village funds play a major role in improving the quality of villages in North Maluku. But in fact, the poverty rate in North Maluku has actually increased. Based on these facts, this paper seeks to explain how the effectiveness of village funds is to reduce poverty and improve community welfare. To answer this problem, a qualitative research approach was carried out by the method of collecting in-depth interview data and focus group discussions with the village head, BPD and village communities.By conducting in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, this study found that village funds in Beringin Jaya and Akeguraci Villages in Tidore Kepulauan District and Ake Jailolo Village and Bobane Village, West Halmahera District, North Maluku, were able to improve the status of villages from disadvantaged to developing villages, but these changes are not followed by an increase in welfare (Falah). This is because village fund programs are more focused on infrastructure development but have not been able to meet economic and social aspects of life, such as providing life skills, enhancing harmony, and independence. The main problem is that human resources are still low both in terms of education level and quality of expertise so that village funds are managed as is.This study recommends that village funds are effective in reducing poverty, the village government needs to prepare a village development blueprint (renstra) in the next 5 years with clear indicators based on village achievements and the amount of village funds received. Village governments also need to send village fund managers to attend training on planning and reportingvillage financialKeywords: village funds, index, empowerment, Falah, North Maluku


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