Consumer Preferences for Mobile Internet: A Comparative Cross-National Mixed Methods Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1695-1711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sungbum Kim ◽  
Taeyong Yang

We use a mixed method to clarify current consumer preferences for mobile Internet and to predict the evolution of mobile Internet. In the first phase, we collected data by conducting focus group interviews with 115 French, German, Italian, and UK individuals aged between 18 and 49 years and analyzed the data using NVivo 7. In the second phase, we collected data using an online survey and analyzed quantitative data to verify and complement the qualitative findings. Qualitative analysis revealed that consumers perceive mobile Internet as a set of 6 service categories. Quantitative analysis showed different preferences across services. Correspondence analysis showed that there were intercountry differences in service preferences, adopter categories, and consumer attitudes. Our results have implications for network operators and mobile phone developers hoping to break into these markets.

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (05) ◽  
pp. 429-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Y. Loke ◽  
Yim-wah Mak ◽  
Cynthia S.T. Wu

Aim It is the aim of this study to explore the characteristics of influential peers identified by schoolmates, and the mechanism by which they exert their influence on their peers. Background Adolescent crowds are a salient influence on the health-risk behaviors of peers, contributing to adolescent substance use such as drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and taking drugs. Methods A mixed method study. Three schools granted us access to students and those who had been nominated as influential by their peers. The students were asked to nominate and indicated the characteristics of peers whom they considered influential in a quantitative study. Those peers whom they considered influential were invited to take part in focus group interviews. A total of six focus group interviews were conducted, comprised of two groups from each school, with an average of seven participants in each group. Findings Students considered caring and friendliness (91.0%), being a buddy (88.5%), and entertaining/humor (86.8%) as the top three characteristics of influential peers. The interviews revealed that the students believed that they are influential because of their cheerfulness and humor, considerateness, ability to communicate, popularity and sociability, sincerity and trustworthiness, and because they possess the characteristics of a leader. They also believed that their power to influence came about through their helpfulness, accommodation, and the closeness of their relationships. Their influence was manifested in both positive and negative ways on the academic pursuits and health-risk behaviors of their peers. In order to engage at-risk students in health promotion programs, it is important to identify their influential peers, and to understand how adolescent friends may help one another to resist behaviors that pose a risk to their health.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 1222-1229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Wolfensberger ◽  
Marie-Theres Meier ◽  
Lauren Clack ◽  
Peter W. Schreiber ◽  
Hugo Sax

AbstractObjectivePreventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an important goal for intensive care units (ICUs). We aimed to identify the optimal behavior leverage to improve VAP prevention protocol adherence.DesignMixed-method study using adherence measurements to assess 4 VAP prevention measures and qualitative analysis of semi-structured focus group interviews with frontline healthcare practitioners (HCPs).SettingThe 6 ICUs in the 900-bed University Hospital Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland.Patients and participantsAdherence to VAP prevention measures were assessed in patients with a device for invasive ventilation (ie, endotracheal tube, tracheostomy tube). Participants in focus group interviews included a convenience samples of ICU nurses and physicians.ResultsBetween February 2015 and July 2017, we measured adherence to 4 protocols: bed elevation showed adherence at 27% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 23%–31%); oral care at 41% (95% CI, 36%–45%); sedation interruption at 81% (95% CI, 74%–85%); and subglottic suctioning at 88% (95% CI, 83%–92%). Interviews were analyzed first inductively according a grounded theory approach then deductively against the behavior change wheel (BCW) framework. Main behavioral facilitators belonged to the BCW component ‘reflective motivation’ (ie, perceived seriousness of VAP and self-efficacy to prevent VAP). The main barriers belonged to ‘physical capability’ (ie, lack of equipment and staffing and side-effects of prevention measures). Furthermore, 2 primarily technical approaches (ie, ‘restructuring environment’ and ‘enabling HCP’) emerged as means to overcome these barriers.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that technical, rather than education-based, solutions should be promoted to improve VAP prevention. This theory-informed mixed-method approach is an effective means of guiding infection prevention efforts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 416-433
Author(s):  
Norma Ghamrawi ◽  
Tarek Shal ◽  
Ikram Machmouchi ◽  
Najah Ghamrawi

The purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of parents who providing support for their children during virtual learning to better understand whether virtual learning was potentially exacerbating or soothing access of children of various socio-economic statuses to education.  For this purpose, an online survey was passed into all e-channels of parents of children enrolled in primary schools accessible by the researchers. A total of 87 respondents constituted the research sample. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 for windows, while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Post to this, 3 e-focus group interviews were held with a total of 18 parents who volunteered to participate to better understand their view points. Findings show that parents are highly frustrated in relation to virtual schooling offered to their children. The underlying reasons for such exasperation have been attributed to the time that it requires them to put into their children learning; the money they needed to spend on technology; the lack of proficiency they suffered from using digital technologies; the preparedness of their children’s teachers in terms of using technologies; the competency of their children using digital technologies; and the internet connectivity in the country.  It can be therefore concluded that student access to education in light of Covid-19 is getting more linked to higher levels of socio-economic statuses thus advancing education inequality even more.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela YM Leung ◽  
Cindy S. U Leong ◽  
Pak Leng Cheong ◽  
Alice S. M. Tsang ◽  
Bernice O. C. Lam Nogueira ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: As population ageing and dementia incidence continue to increase worldwide, health systems are urged to empower the public to address factors related to dementia. This study aims to assess Macau citizens’ knowledge of dementia, attitudes towards persons with dementia, and help-seeking behaviours and intention toward dementia.Methods: This is a mixed-methods study with both quantitative (cross-sectional survey) and qualitative components (focus group interviews). The Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) were utilized in the quantitative data collection, whereas focus group interviews were employed to gather context-specific understanding of dementia in the local setting. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to analyze quantitative data, while content analysis was used for qualitative data.Results: The overall level of knowledge on dementia was low (ADKS mean total score = 17.38, SD = 3.31), with the least amount of knowledge in the caregiving domain. Meanwhile, attitudes toward persons with dementia was generally positive (mean [SD] = 89.07 [11.99]). Many of the focus group participants were also uncertain regarding the availability of dementia services in the region. The general public was interested to obtain dementia information through social media.Conclusions: Efforts should be made to build up dementia literacy in Macau, especially in terms of caregiving. Information about dementia could be disseminated in social media and by healthcare professionals.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Ma ◽  
Sin Wang Chong

AbstractHigh-stakes language tests are used around the world as a gatekeeping tool under the internationalization of higher education. However, the predictable aspect of the high-stakes language tests is seldom discussed, especially from students’ perspectives. This study aims to address this gap by aiming to better understand how certain factors and conditions contribute to the predictability issue of IELTS from students’ perspectives within a high-stakes context. This study used a mixed method approach to investigate the views and experiences of students within a Sino-UK joint college. The data collection was in two concurrent strands: online survey and group interviews. Findings suggested that IELTS can impact students negatively by narrowing their English learning scope, driving them into self-isolated way of study, doing repeated test-taking and buying predicted answers. Implications related to language test preparation are discussed in light of the findings.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anu H. Jansson ◽  
Antti Karisto ◽  
Kaisu H. Pitkälä

AbstractThe purpose of the study is to explore feelings of loneliness among residents in assisted living facilities in terms of how loneliness is experienced and articulated, and what specific factors are related to the experiences. The study used a mixed-method approach. We individually interviewed 13 residents twice over six months. We conducted two focus group interviews and noted our observations each time we met the respondents. Data analysis leaned on abductive reasoning. The respondents described loneliness in versatile, rich ways. It proved to be time and place dependent. It was dependent on the time of day, days of the week and seasons. Lonely time was meaningless and filled with a feeling of waiting. Loneliness was also intertwined with place. None of the respondents called their apartment home; instead they called it a hospital, even a prison. They had to spend long periods of time in their apartments against their will, and their desire to interact with other residents was not met. The respondents felt invisible. Residents’ experiences of loneliness in assisted living facilities are unique and distinctive. Time- and place-dependent experiences of loneliness act as important signals for reflection on how care practices in these facilities could be more satisfying. Loneliness should therefore be a key topic and the target of prevention and interventions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1444-1464
Author(s):  
Anne Mette Thorhauge ◽  
Andreas Gregersen

This article outlines how gaming and video gameplay among Danish youth can be integral parts of everyday practices. The article is based on a mixed-methods study of video gameplay patterns among Danish children and young people aged 10–18 years. The study included a survey with a stratified random sample ( N = 1560), follow-up in-depth interviews using purposive sampling from the survey respondents ( N = 19) and focus group interviews with boys and girls ( N = 2). We argue that pronounced differences in boys’ and girls’ gameplay patterns and preferences can be explained by the different ways in which gameplay is embedded into the social patterns of everyday life with family and friends. We identify two predominant gaming practices, one organised around competitive social play in teams and another around non-competitive solo play. These findings are discussed in the context of practice theory and existing work on gender and video games.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 398-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Calleja ◽  
Leanne M. Aitken ◽  
Marie Cooke

The aim of this multiphase mixed-method study was to improve access, flow, and consistency of information transfer for multitrauma patients leaving the Emergency Department. Methods included literature review, focus group interviews, chart audits, staff surveys, and a review of international trauma forms to inform an intervention developed with a researcher-led, clinician stakeholder group. Analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Baseline data revealed variability existed in patient-care documentation, showing little standardization. Improvement strategies implemented included a gold standard for information embedded in handover tools, raising staff awareness of complexities for information transfer. Improvement was seen in communication between wards coordinating transfer, improved documentation, decreased information duplication, improved legibility, and increased ease and efficiency in navigating to key information. Improvement in communication at patient transition is essential to continuity of safe, effective care, and is impacted by complex interactions between multiple factors. Difficulty increases for patients with high acuity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanda Hermanns

AbstractIn this article the development, use and evaluation of tasks in organic chemistry is discussed. These tasks are designed following the concept of school-related content knowledge. In this study the perceived relevance of these new tasks by preservice chemistry teachers was evaluated. Of special interest was the question how new tasks should be designed to be perceived as relevant; are some features of the tasks more suitable than others? To answer all research questions a mixed methods study was conducted. To understand the students’ rating of the new tasks by using questionnaires, in addition focus group interviews were conducted. The suitability of these new tasks for use in written exams was also evaluated. The results show that the students perceived the tasks as relevant for their future profession if they included contents of the school curriculum, realistic situations and were personalized. They perceived the new tasks also as relevant for practicing skills in communication and explanations.


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