In Their Own Words: Exploring the Phenomenological Field of a Sample of Employed Persons Who Are Deaf in Barbados

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-18
Author(s):  
Stacey Blackman ◽  
Donna-Maria Maynard
Keyword(s):  
Employment Status ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Attitudinal Barriers ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Methodologies

AbstractAn estimated 14,000 persons who are deaf (PWAD) reside in Barbados, many of whom are believed to live below the poverty line. Data on the employment status of PWAD in Barbados is sparse; this research seeks to fill a gap in the literature and inform social policy. Qualitative methodologies were utilized to understand how participation in the labour market influences the lives of PWAD in Barbados. The current research seeks to inquire into the phenomenological field of five persons who are deaf through a multiple case study strategy using focus group interviews. Data were analysed to derive themes common across participants and ecological systems theory was used to understand how PWAD cope in the world of work. The following research questions are addressed in an attempt to capture the unique perspectives of PWAD: (1) What are the experiences of persons who are deaf and employed? and (2) How does having a disability impact the lives of PWAD? The data revealed a relationship between environmental stressors such as attitudinal barriers and discrimination in the workplace and their psychological and behavioural impact in the form of resignation, frustration, isolation and creative coping among PWAD.

scholarly journals Evaluating a methodology for assessing the strategic alignment of a mining company recruitment function

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelé Janse van Rensburg ◽  
Gerhard Roodt
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Strategic Alignment ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Mining Company ◽  
Strategic Objectives ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
Group Interviews

In the human capital era, the strategic importance of measurement is unmistakable.  Therefore, the  objective  of  this  study  was  to  qualitatively  evaluate  a  methodology  for  assessing  the strategic alignment of a recruitment function. Persons working in the recruitment best practice community of a mining company were targeted as the case study for this research.  Individual (one-on-one) and focus group interviews were conducted to elicit the research data.  Thematic coding was used to identify the emerging themes from the research data.  The findings indicated that  this methodology can be used effectively  to determine  the alignment of  the  recruitment function with the strategic objectives of the company.  However, the bottom line contribution is still unclear.

scholarly journals Coordination mechanisms in the store opening process

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 482-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Sandberg
Keyword(s):  
Coordination Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organic Growth ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
A Company ◽  
Opening Process

Purpose – For many retailers organic growth through the opening of new stores is a crucial cornerstone of the business model. The purpose of this paper is to explore the store opening process conducted by retail companies. The research questions cover: first, the role and organisation of the establishment function in charge of the process; second, the activities and functions involved in the process; and third, the coordination mechanisms applied during the process. Design/methodology/approach – This research considers the store opening process as a company-wide project, managed by an establishment function, in which internal functions as well as external suppliers need to be coordinated. A multiple case study of eight retail companies is presented, focusing on the organisation of the establishment function, a mapping of the store opening process and the application of coordination mechanisms. Findings – The role and organisation of the establishment function is described and the store opening process is summarised into 11 main activities to be conducted by either the establishment function or other involved functions. During the store opening process six different coordination mechanisms are utilised, including mutual adjustments and direct supervision, as well as different types of standardisation. Originality/value – This research seeks to improve our understanding for the store opening process and how it can be managed and controlled in an effective manner.

scholarly journals UNDERSTANDING AIRLINE BRAND EQUITY DRIVERS: LESSONS FROM A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-93
Author(s):  
Kallol Das ◽  
Karman Khanna ◽  
Surankita Ganguly
Keyword(s):  
Brand Equity ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Consumer Involvement ◽  
Primary Research ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Cross Case Analysis ◽  
Case Design

There is increasing consumer involvement and hence, investor interest in the airlines industry, as far as emerging economies is concerned. A study of the literature by the authors did not produce any research paper on the process drivers of brand equity in the context of airlines. Therefore, the present study makes an attempt to address this gap. The primary research question is: What are the driving factors for building brand equity in the case of airline services? This paper uses a “two-case” multiple-case design employing theoretical replication. The cases are based on two Indian organizations, Indigo Airlines and Go Air. Both these businesses are similar in many aspects but have achieved very contrasting outcomes. The primary research question is broken down into following two secondary research questions. How is Indigo Airlines building its brand? How is Go Air building its brand? Data collection involved use of documents, archives, observations, participant-observations, and surveys. Data analysis involved conducting cross-case analysis. The findings have been used to develop a conceptual framework for building brand equity in airlines.

scholarly journals Classroom inside writing activities from perspective of pre-service teacherÖğretmen adaylarının perspektifinden sınıf içi yazma çalışmalarının değerlendirilmesi

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1534
Author(s):  
Seyit Ateş
Keyword(s):  
Student Teaching ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Classroom Setting ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Writing Practices ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Teachers Perspectives ◽  
Pre Service Teacher

Writing, which is defined as a statement of thoughts, emotions, and knowledge in a writing form, is an important skill used by any individual during lifelong. Due to this fact, writing skill have drawn more attention from educators and researchers and a number of empiric and theoretical researches have been conducted on how to acquire and develop this skill. Additionally, how this skill is transferred into classroom setting has an interest. The current research aimed to explore the writing practices in the classroom settings from the pre-service teachers’ perspectives. This research employed qualitative case study method and the data was collected though the structured observations and semi-structured focus group interviews. The fourth-year pre-service teachers studying at elementary school classroom teaching and their experienced teachers in their student teaching experience schools constituted the research sample. The data was analyzed by using descriptive techniques. The overall findings of the research showed that there was a relative lack of the practice used for developing writing skills in the classroom setting. While the grade level changed, the practices for writing di not differentiated. Based on the research findings, the recommendations were given. Extended English abstract is in the end of PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetZihindeki duygu, düşünce ve bilgilerin yazılı bir şekilde ifade edilmesi olarak tanımlanan yazma bireyin hayatı boyunca kullanacağı önemli bir beceridir. Bu nedenle yazma her zaman eğitimcilerin ve araştırmacıların ilgi odağı olmuş, bu becerinin kazanımı ve geliştirilmesiyle ilgili kuramsal ve uygulama temelli çok sayıda araştırma yapılmıştır. Bu araştırmaların sınıflara nasıl yansıdığı ise merak konusudur. Bu araştırmada öğretmen adaylarının perspektifinden sınıfta gerçekleştirilen yazma çalışmalarının betimlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma nitel yaklaşımla gerçekleştirilmiş olup veriler yapılandırılmış katılımlı olmayan gözlemler ve katılımcılarla yapılan odak grup görüşmeler yoluyla elde edilmiştir. Sınıf öğretmenliği eğitimi son sınıf öğrencileri ve bu öğrencilerin staja gittikleri okullardaki öğretmenler araştırmanın çalışma grubunu oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada gözlem ve görüşmelerden elde edilen veriler betimsel analizle çözümlenmiştir. Araştırmadan çıkarılan en genel sonuç ilkokul sınıflarında yazmanın geliştirilmesine yönelik uygulamaların yetersiz olduğu yönündedir. Sınıf düzeyinin değişmesine rağmen yazma öncesinde, yazma sırasında ve yazma sonrasında sınıflarda yapılan çalışmalar farklılaşmamaktadır. Araştırmada elde edilen sonuçlar doğrultusunda uygulamaya yönelik öneriler geliştirilmiştir.

scholarly journals What Makes a Good Program? A Case Study of a School Admitting High Academic Achievers

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1027-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching Man Lam
Keyword(s):  
Administrative Support ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Program Success ◽  
Project Coordinator ◽  
Clear Vision ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Group Interviews

This paper reports the results of a qualitative study that explored the administration and implementation of the Tier 1 Program (Secondary 1 Curriculum) of the Project P.A.T.H.S. The case study method was used to explore perceptions of the teachers and the project coordinator of program effectiveness, and to identify various factors for program success. A school admitting high academic achievers was selected, and site visits, as well as individual and focus group interviews, were conducted with the program coordinator, social worker, and course teachers. The results suggested that clear vision and program goals, high quality of curriculum, helpful leadership, positive teacher attitude, and strong administrative support are factors for program success. Analyzing the data enables the researchers to understand the characteristics of a successful program as well as the interplay among factors for producing success.

scholarly journals Graduate Transitions

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 264-289
Author(s):  
Jordan Stouck ◽  
Lori Walter
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Academic Literacy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Institutional Expectations ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Perceived Experiences

This exploratory study researches the experiences of Canadian graduate students as they pursue writing tasks for their degree. It also explores the supports currently utilized by such students and the need for additional supports. The research uses a case study design based on qualitative focus group interviews to provide detailed information regarding graduate students' perceived experiences with their academic writing tasks and available supports. The approach is informed by academic literacy theory. Graduate students who participated in this study identified a transition in voice, increased pressure to publish and professionalize, and misalignments between their own and supervisory and institutional expectations, which resulted in some interrogation of institutional norms. They utilized Writing Centre, online and supervisory supports, but called for additional ongoing and peer support. The study has implications for the development of new, collaborative and peer-based writing supports, as well as identifying future research areas related to interdisciplinary degrees.

scholarly journals Female School Leaders’ Perceptions and Experiences of Decentralisation and Distributed Leadership in the Tatweer System in Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rfah Alyami ◽  
Alan Floyd
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Leadership Responsibilities ◽  
System A ◽  
Documentary Analysis ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Group Interviews

While school reform has been the subject of much research globally, few studies have examined “on the ground” educational reform in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), especially in relation to the “Tatweer” System, an initiative which purports to transform education and lead educational change within the country. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap and reports on a study which examined female leaders’ perceptions and experiences of the system. A qualitative case study of three Tatweer schools was conducted, with data being drawn from one-on-one interviews (n = 16), focus group interviews (n = 4) and documentary analysis. Our findings suggest that the Tatweer system is what can be termed “semi-decentralised”, which appears to be linked to issues of accountability, trust, and perceived staff competence. However, at the local level, major breakthroughs seem to have taken place in relation to distributing leadership responsibilities and decision-making processes within these female-led schools.

Using Project-Based Learning to Teach Sustainability Issues to Elementary Students

2014 ◽  
pp. 190-209
Author(s):  
Ingrid Weiland ◽  
Elisa Pokral ◽  
Kristin Cook
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Elementary Students ◽  
Fourth Grade ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Support Students ◽  
Grade Classroom

This chapter describes a project-based learning unit on sustainability that was implemented in a fourth grade classroom by an informal educator (the second author) employed by a local waste management district. Previous instruction by the informal educator consisted of one-hour lessons that were separate units lacking the project-based learning format and transition links. This chapter describes a mixed-method case study in which pre and posttest tests as well as focus group interviews assessed students' learning as a result of participating in a cohesive project-based learning unit designed by the authors. There was a statistically significant change (p<0.05) in students' pre to posttest scores, and focus group interviews indicated that students could elaborate much more deeply on their ideas about sustainability after the program. The authors conclude that project-based learning can support students' understandings of sustainability while providing an engaging and enriching format to informal educator programs.

Physical Activity for Disabled Youth: Hidden Parental Labor

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 342-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna L. Goodwin ◽  
Amanda Ebert
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Relational Ethics ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Disabled Children ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Phenomenological Case Study

Locating suitable, inclusive community physical activity programs for disabled children can be challenging for parents. The aim of this study was to uncover everyday hidden labor experienced by parents, as they sought inclusive physical activity opportunities for their children. Focus group interviews with eight families of youth aged 13–19 years were completed using an interpretative phenomenological case study research approach. Four themes, interpreted through the framework of relational ethics, captured their experiences: (a) inclusion is immensely effortful; (b) judged by their impairments, not their possibilities; (c) ongoing education needed to open doors and sustain participation; and (d) the guilt of staying home. Reliance on hidden parental labor highlighted an exclusion agenda in community, accentuated by ableist belief systems.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document