Service-learning from the views of university teachers: a qualitative study based on focus groups

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Stephen C.F. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Undergraduate Curriculum ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Under the New Undergraduate Curriculum at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), students are required to take a 3-credit subject to fulfill service-learning requirements. To understand the views of teachers regarding service-learning, five focus group interviews (n=33) are conducted to examine the perceived characteristics and myths of service-learning as well as colleagues’ views on the policy at PolyU. Results showed that most informants are aware of service-learning and have seen its benefits to both students and teachers. Most informants also possess positive views about service-learning. Nevertheless, in terms of service-learning at PolyU, three different groups of views on service-learning are observed, namely, positive, negative, and mixed views. This paper also discusses teachers’ views on the anticipated difficulties of service-learning implementation and the ways, by which to promote the subject in the PolyU context.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study on Employees’ Experiences of a Support model for Systematic Work Environment Management

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (19) ◽  
pp. 3551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese Hellman ◽  
Fredrik Molin ◽  
Magnus Svartengren
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Work Groups ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Environment Management ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Support Model

Background: The aim is to explore how an organisational work environment support model, the Stamina model, influences employees’ work situations and the development of sustainable work systems. Methods: It was a qualitative study with semi-structured, focus-group interviews, including 45 employees from six work groups. Eighteen focus group interviews were conducted over a period of two years. Data were analysed with constant comparative method. Results: The core category, shifting focus from an individual to an organisational perspective of work, illustrated how communication and increased understanding of one’s work tasks changed over time and contributed to deeper focus on the actual operation. These insights were implemented at different time points among the work groups during the two-year process. Conclusions: Our results indicate that working with the model engages employees in the work environment management, puts emphasis on reflections and discussions about the meaning and purpose of the operations and enables a shared platform for communication. These are important features that need to continue over time in order to create a sustainable work system. The Stamina model, thus seems to have the potential to promote productive and healthy work places.

How accessible are grocery shops for people with dementia? A qualitative study using photo documentation and focus group interviews

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1872-1888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Brorsson ◽  
Annika Öhman ◽  
Stefan Lundberg ◽  
Malcolm P Cutchin ◽  
Louise Nygård
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Grocery Shopping ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Photo Documentation ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach

Background People with dementia who live in ordinary housing need to perform activities outside the home such as visiting friends, talking walks and doing grocery shopping. This article identifies and examines characteristics that may influence accessibility in the space of a grocery shop as perceived by people with dementia. Methods This is a qualitative study with a grounded theory approach. The data collection was done with two different methods. It started with photo documentation and continued with focus group interviews in combination with photo elicitation. Data from both photo documentation and focus groups were analysed according to a grounded theory approach. Results The categories “illogical arrangement”, “overload of products, information and people”, “visual illusions” and “intrusive auditory stimuli” showed characteristics in the grocery shop that influenced how accessible and usable the informants experienced a shop to be. Furthermore, personal capacities in relation to the specific characteristics of the grocery shop space had an influence on how accessible and usable the informants experienced the grocery shop to be. Capacities to find, stay focused and concentrated, meet stress, remember, interpret and discriminate sensory impressions through hearing and sight came to the fore as important. Conclusions Characteristics of both the shop and the person need to be taken into account when supporting people with dementia in grocery shopping.

scholarly journals Pi-kaPika: A qualitative study for trainer-owned Pokémon

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka-Huen Yip
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Young People ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Childhood Memories ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Motivation Factors ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Objective To explore insights of young people’s experiences and motivations in Pokémon GO in Hong Kong. The perspectives of young people through qualitative focus group interviews. Results Eight focus group discussions with young people (n=45; age from 18-25 years old) recruited in Hong Kong. We analysed the discussions using a thematic approach. Five theme categories emerged from data analysis: missing out or self-regulation, childhood memories of Pokémon, extending virtual-reality exploration, spending more time outdoors for walking and exercise, gathering together and socially interacting with others. This study sets the way for a deeper analysis of motivation factors to young people that indicate the increasing playing location-based game (LBG) via smartphones worldwide among all cohorts of society. This relatively new phenomenon of LBG may impact players’ movement, social activity, and behaviour to gain a common goal into the preferences and effects of playing LBG for young people.

scholarly journals Different forms of informal coercion in psychiatry – a qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veikko Pelto-Piri ◽  
Lars Kjellin ◽  
Ulrika Hylén ◽  
Emanuele Valenti ◽  
Stefan Priebe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Informal Coercion ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Objectives The objective of the study was to investigate how mental health professionals describe and reflect upon different forms of informal coercion. Results In a deductive qualitative content analysis of focus group interviews, several examples of persuasion, interpersonal leverage, inducements, and threats were found. Persuasion was sometimes described as being more like a negotiation. Some participants worried about that the use of interpersonal leverage and inducements risked to pass into blackmail in some situations. In a following inductive analysis, three more categories of informal coercion was found: cheating, using a disciplinary style and referring to rules and routines. Participants also described situations of coercion from other stakeholders: relatives and other authorities than psychiatry. The results indicate that informal coercion includes forms that are not obviously arranged in a hierarchy, and that its use is complex with a variety of pathways between different forms before treatment is accepted by the patient or compulsion is imposed.

scholarly journals Focus Group Interviews in Child, Youth, and Parent Research: An Integrative Literature Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 160940691988727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Adler ◽  
Sanna Salanterä ◽  
Maya Zumstein-Shaha
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Research Focus ◽  
Child Research ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Group Interviews

Focus groups are becoming increasingly popular in research, especially in parent and child research. Focus group interviews allow participants to tell their own stories, express their opinions, and even draw pictures without having to adhere to a strict sequence of questions. This method is very suitable for collecting data from children, youths, and parents. However, focus group interviews must be carefully planned and conducted. The literature on focus group interviews with adult participants is extensive, but there are no current summaries of the most important issues to consider when conducting focus group interviews with children, youths, or parents. This article outlines the use of focus groups in child, youth, and parent research and the important factors to be considered when planning, conducting, and analyzing focus groups with children, youths, or parents.

scholarly journals Researchers’ perceptions of research misbehaviours: a mixed methods study among academic researchers in Amsterdam

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamarinde L. Haven ◽  
Joeri K. Tijdink ◽  
H. Roeline Pasman ◽  
Guy Widdershoven ◽  
Gerben ter Riet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Natural Sciences ◽  
Academic Rank ◽  
Aggregate Level ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Disciplinary Field ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Background There is increasing evidence that research misbehaviour is common, especially the minor forms. Previous studies on research misbehaviour primarily focused on biomedical and social sciences, and evidence from natural sciences and humanities is scarce. We investigated what academic researchers in Amsterdam perceived to be detrimental research misbehaviours in their respective disciplinary fields. Methods We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. First, survey participants from four disciplinary fields rated perceived frequency and impact of research misbehaviours from a list of 60. We then combined these into a top five ranking of most detrimental research misbehaviours at the aggregate level, stratified by disciplinary field. Second, in focus group interviews, participants from each academic rank and disciplinary field were asked to reflect on the most relevant research misbehaviours for their disciplinary field. We used participative ranking methodology inducing participants to obtain consensus on which research misbehaviours are most detrimental. Results In total, 1080 researchers completed the survey (response rate: 15%) and 61 participated in the focus groups (3 three to 8 eight researchers per group). Insufficient supervision consistently ranked highest in the survey regardless of disciplinary field and the focus groups confirmed this. Important themes in the focus groups were insufficient supervision, sloppy science, and sloppy peer review. Biomedical researchers and social science researchers were primarily concerned with sloppy science and insufficient supervision. Natural sciences and humanities researchers discussed sloppy reviewing and theft of ideas by reviewers, a form of plagiarism. Focus group participants further provided examples of particular research misbehaviours they were confronted with and how these impacted their work as a researcher. Conclusion We found insufficient supervision and various forms of sloppy science to score highly on aggregate detrimental impact throughout all disciplinary fields. Researchers from the natural sciences and humanities also perceived nepotism to be of major impact on the aggregate level. The natural sciences regarded fabrication of data of major impact as well. The focus group interviews helped to understand how researchers interpreted ‘insufficient supervision’. Besides, the focus group participants added insight into sloppy science in practice. Researchers from the natural sciences and humanities added new research misbehaviours concerning their disciplinary fields to the list, such as the stealing of ideas before publication. This improves our understanding of research misbehaviour beyond the social and biomedical fields.

scholarly journals Aspectos quantitativos e qualitativos sobre as barreiras para o uso de bicicleta em adultos de Curitiba, Brasil

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilson Kienteka ◽  
Edina Maria de Camargo ◽  
Rogério César Fermino ◽  
Rodrigo Siqueira Reis
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Heavy Traffic ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Bad Weather

The implementation of bicycling promotion programs should consider the barriers to this behavior. The aim of this study was to quantitative and qualitatively characterize barriers to leisure and commuting bicycle use for adults from Curitiba, Brazil. The first phase comprised a cross-sectional household survey involving 677 adults (53% women). Of these, 16.7% and 11.2% reported leisure and commuting bicycle use, respectively. Then, 24 bicycle users (50% women) were recruited and participated in focus group interviews. The content of answers was analyzed with a conceptual matrix. The most reported barriers to leisure bicycle use were “bad weather” (65.5%), “heavy traffic” (53.1%), “lack of bike lanes” (48.7%) and “lack of security “(44.2%). In commuting, the most reported were “bad weather” (69.7%), “heavy traffic”, “lack of safety” and “fear of accidents” (51.3% each). The comparative analysis between barriers reported in the survey and those reported in the focus groups showed a combination of seven of the 11 barriers reported in questionnaires. Some of the barriers identified in the survey were not mentioned in the focus groups (“poor street quality”, “pollution”, “not having a bicycle”, “lack of parking”, “distance to destinations”). The main barriers to bicycle use are related to physical environment and safety aspects, regardless of approach adopted and purpose of use.

scholarly journals Nurses’ Experiences of Blood Sample Collection from Children: A Qualitative Study from Swedish Paediatric Hospital Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Hjelmgren ◽  
Britt-Marie Ygge ◽  
Björn Nordlund ◽  
Nina Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Blood Sample ◽  
Hospital Care ◽  
Blood Sampling ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Paediatric Hospital ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Analytical Errors

Abstract Background: Blood sampling collections are necessary and important for diagnosis and treatment in paediatric hospital care. Nurses play an active role in helping the children with the blood sampling experience. Unfortunately, the blood sampling collection procedure is often affected by pre-analytical errors, leading to consequences such as delayed diagnosis, treatment and hospital stay, as well as repeated sampling. Moreover, children state that needle procedures are the worst experience of their hospital stay. Nurses working in children’s hospitals are responsible for conducting most of the needle related procedures but their experience of errors occurring during blood sample collection is unknown. The aim of this study therefore was to describe paediatric nurses’ experiences of blood sampling collections from children. Method: We used a qualitative study design with a (reflexive) thematic analysis (TA) method. Three focus group interviews were conducted, with 19 nurses from Sweden working at two different paediatric hospitals, focusing on their experiences of the blood sample collection procedure. Results: From the three focus group interviews we analysed patterns and meanings of the following themes: Paediatric blood sampling is a challenge for the nurses, Nurses’ feelings of frustration with unsuccessful samplings, Nurses believe in team work, Venous blood sampling was experienced as the best option, and Nurses’ thoughts and needs regarding skills development in paediatric blood sampling. Conclusion: The narrative results of this study illustrate that nurses working in paediatric hospital care face a big challenge in blood sampling collection from children. The nurses felt frustrated due to unsuccessful blood samplings and frequently could not understand why pre-analytical errors occurred. Nevertheless, they felt strengthened by colleagues in their team and shared feelings of responsibility to help each other with this complex procedure. The implications of this study are that paediatric hospital care needs to focus on improving guidelines for and increasing competence in blood sampling children and helping nurses to understand why samplings may be unsuccessful and how this can be avoided.

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