Reflections on the Supervision of Postgraduate Research: The Students’ Voices in an Open Distance Learning (ODL) Context

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-125
Author(s):  
Mncedisi Christian Maphalala ◽  
Nhlanhla Mpofu
Keyword(s):  
Drop Out ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mixed Method Design ◽  
Postgraduate Studies ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis

Since the dawn of democracy in 1994 there has been a proliferation of postgraduate programmes aimed at responding to the social, economic and political needs of the country. This has led to an increase in the number of students enrolling for postgraduate programmes in South Africa. Some students successfully complete their studies, while others eventually drop out without attaining their chosen qualifications owing to various factors they encounter on their research journey. This study sought to determine postgraduate students’ experiences in terms of the educational and research experience at Unisa; the support services and funding; quality of access to facilities; and initiation into the community of researchers. Theoretically, the study was underpinned by ergonomics theory. To answer the research questions, the study followed a concurrent mixed method design. The study’s participants were 78 postgraduate students at Unisa who had volunteered to be part of the study. A self-constructed questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data used inductive thematic analysis. The findings indicate that students have a variety of experiences, both negative and positive, in their postgraduate studies.

SYMBOLIC STRUGGLE FOR POLICY IMPLEMENTATION OF «ACTIVE AGING» IN THE RUSSIAN SOCIAL AND LABOR SPHERE

2021 ◽  
pp. 1050-1059
Author(s):  
И. Л. Сизова ◽  
Н. С. Орлова
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Work Behavior ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Social Mechanisms ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Aging Policy ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
The Social

В статье рассматриваются социальные процессы, сопровождающие реализацию политики «активного долголетия» в российской социальнотрудовой сфере. В первом разделе статьи кратко представляются основы концепции «активного долголетия» и обсуждаются возможные социальные механизмы ее применения. Особое место здесь отводится анализу социальных прав, которые формируют основу для разных моделей развития общественного благосостояния и качества жизни населения. Во втором разделе на базе парадигмы конструктивизма в социальных науках и теории символической власти П. Бурдьё предлагается авторский вариант изучения структур восприятия и оценивания населением реализованных государственных реформ. В третьем разделе представлены результаты эмпирического анализа серии полуструктурированных интервью с основными субъектами социально-трудовой сферы и текстов обращений граждан в органы государственной власти. В заключение интерпретируется символическая борьба вокруг восприятия политики «активного долголетия» в России. Авторы приходят к выводу о том, что ожидается новый всплеск программ социальной помощи пожилым и рост пассивности в их трудовом поведении. The article examines the social processes accompanying implementation of the policy «active aging» in the Russian social and labor spheres. The basic concepts of «active aging» are briefl y introduced and possible social mechanisms of its application are discussed in the first section of the article. Special importance is given to the analysis of social rights which form the basis for different models of the development of public welfare and the population’s quality of life. In the second section, author’s version of studying the perception and assessment structures by the population of the implemented reforms of the State are proposed on the basis of the paradigm of constructivism in the social sciences and the theory of symbolic power by P. Bourdieu. In the third section the results of an empirical analysis of a set of semi-structured interviews with the main subjects of the social and labor spheres and the texts of citizens’ appeals to government bodies are presented. In conclusion, the symbolic struggle around the perception of the «active aging» policy in Russia is interpreted. The authors conclude that a new surge in social assistance programs for the elderly and an increase in passivity in their work behavior are expected.

A Qualitative Analysis of Factors Affecting the Successful Completion of Postgraduate Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 152-161
Author(s):  
Abdul Munir Ismail Et.al
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Successful Completion ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Postgraduate Studies ◽  
Research Findings

The study aims to highlight the current learning approaches used by postgraduate students to complete their postgraduate studies on time, as studies have shown many students have failed to finish their studies as planned. In particular, this study focuses on factors and methods that are perceived to be most effective by students to help them complete their studies on time.  Methodology: Thisstudy was based on a qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews. The study sample consisted of 14 postgraduate students and one lecturers as respondents. The research instrument was based on interview questions to elicit relevant information on their demography and learning practices. Data were collected and organized into four themes and were subsequently analyzed descriptively.     Findings: The findings showed that face-to-face discussions were the most popular practice adopted by the respondents. The findings also showed several factors had significant impacts on student learning, such as interpersonal relationships between students and supervisors, commitment, financial commitment, and moral support, which needs to be taken into account in helping students to complete on time.     Significance: The research findings can inform all the stakeholders, notably students, supervisors, and administrative officers, factors that have profound impacts on postgraduate students’ efforts to graduate on time.

scholarly journals Moral neutralization: Nurses' evolution in unethical climate workplaces

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamideh Hakimi ◽  
Soodabeh Joolaee ◽  
Mansoureh Ashghali Farahani ◽  
Patricia Rodney ◽  
Hadi Ranjbar
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Main Theme ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Organizations ◽  
Moral Performance ◽  
Unethical Behaviors ◽  
Moral Indifference ◽  
Moral Neutralization ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis

Abstract Introduction Good quality of care is dependent on nurses’ strong clinical skills and strong moral competencies, as well. However, the moral performance of some nurses in some organizations shows a deterioration in their moral sensitivity and actions. The aim of the study reported on in this paper was to explore the experiences of nurses regarding negative changes in their moral practice. Materials and Methods This was a qualitative study utilizing a inductive thematic analysis approach, which was conducted from February 2017 to September 2019. Twenty-five nurses participated in semi-structured interviews. Results The main theme that emerged from our analysis was one of moral neutralization in the context of an unethical moral climate. We found five sub-themes, including: (1) feeling discouraged; (2) normalization; (3) giving up; (4) becoming a justifier; and (5) moral indifference. Conclusions Unethical moral climates in health organizations can result in deterioration of morality in nurses which can harm both pateints and health syetms. Some unethical behaviors in nurses can be explaiened by this process.

scholarly journals Challenges of Improving the Quality of Academic Supervision of Postgraduate Studies at the Faculty of Education, Damietta University

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Aly Saleh Gohar ◽  
Marwa Maher Qouta
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Analytical Method ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Heavy Load ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Postgraduate Studies ◽  
Faculty Of Education ◽  
Theses And Dissertations

The present research paper aims to confront the challenges of improving the quality of academic supervision of postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Education, Damietta University, identifying the theoretical and conceptual framework for academic supervision of educational postgraduate studies. It also analyzes the reality and defines the challenges of academic supervision of educational postgraduate studies. The author adopted the descriptive and analytical method and applied the tool to a sample of (30) faculty members at the Faculty of Education, Damietta University. The study concluded that the heavy load of the supervisor, the tendency of the student to choose a supervisor in a certain position, and keenness of the student to carry out the study quickly without considering quality, and poor research skills among students are the most significant challenges of improving the quality of academic supervision. The study recommended abiding by the regulations of postgraduate studies that allow supervising several theses and dissertations to enable supervisors to follow up postgraduate students honestly and objectively. It also recommended the need to respect the desire of the student when choosing a supervisor.

‘There is no sincerer love than the love of food’ (George Bernard Shaw, 1903): The meaning of food and its uses in prison subculture

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomer Einat ◽  
Moran Davidian
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Maximum Security ◽  
Maximum Security Prison ◽  
The Social ◽  
Bernard Shaw

This study examines the ways in which the prison service handles food and analyses the uses and meanings of food in prison subculture. Using semi-structured interviews and content analysis, data were collected and analysed from 20 ex-prisoners who were incarcerated in maximum-security prison facilities for a period of three years or more. Our main findings are that, according to the interviewees’ testimonies, (a) the Israel Prison Service (IPS) makes manipulative and abusive use of food in order to perpetuate its power; and (b) food serves as a means to determine the relationship between prisoners and staff, govern social status or rejection in the prison subculture, or pass the time. We have four main conclusions. First, the IPS nutrition policy differentiates and discriminates among prisoners and clearly violates the basic human rights of prisoners, thus suggesting an abuse of power. Second, the IPS’s use of food as a tool for punishing or rewarding introduces and perpetuates inequalities and encourages the illegal prison trade in food and food products. Third, cooking in prison, especially in light of its illegality, constitutes a symbolic expression of resistance to the institution and a meaningful way of coping with boredom. Lastly, food and its possession in prison serve as very powerful tools for constructing and perpetuating exploitation and unequal power relations among prisoners. Although the study suffers from two limitations – the validity of the adolescents’ responses and the small sample size – its findings lead us to propose that an improvement in the food products that are accessible to prisoners and permission to cook in their cells are inexpensive and legitimate means of bettering both the prisoners’ quality of life and the social atmosphere in prison.

scholarly journals Improving quality of life in cancer patients through higher participation and health literacy: study protocol for evaluating the oncological social care project (OSCAR)

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Frick ◽  
Daniel Schindel ◽  
Pimrapat Gebert ◽  
Ulrike Grittner ◽  
Liane Schenk
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Social Care ◽  
The Social ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Mixed Method Design ◽  
Insurance Funds ◽  
Health Insurance Funds

Abstract Background Cancer patients experience psychological and social distress due to their medical treatment and social issues. However, continuous and specialized social support is still lacking. In Germany, a group of company health insurance funds has developed an approach to support cancer patients with monthly structured interviews conducted by specially trained Social Care Nurses. The nurses will identify patient needs in order to provide help with medical, personal, and social matters. One aim of the scientific evaluation is to analyze the effect of the consultations on various patient-reported outcomes, especially quality of life. The evaluation concept will be described in this study protocol. Methods/design The evaluation is a non-randomized, controlled, multi-center intervention study with a mixed-method design. It consists of three research modules which include primary data from questionnaires, and claims data from the health insurance funds. In Module 1, cancer patients will be recruited to form an intervention group (OSCAR, n = 150) and a control group (n = 200) in four study centers for a period of 1 year. One baseline and three follow-up questionnaires will be conducted to survey the patient-reported outcomes. Relevant secondary outcomes are health literacy, participation, and physician-patient communication. In Module 2, claims data will be used to analyze cost effects and thereby assess effectivity and hospitalization. Module 3 will involve a qualitative analysis of project diaries kept by the Social Care Nurses. The diaries will record the nurses’ practical experiences and the benefits of deploying OSCAR across the German healthcare system. Discussion OSCAR is an innovative way of providing cancer patients with continuous support to improve their quality of life. The evaluation concept aims to assess the effects of the monthly consultations by the Social Care Nurses on the patients, and will use a mixed-method design. The results are important for assessing the transferability of OSCAR to the healthcare system as a whole. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00013640). Registered 29 December 2017.

scholarly journals Postgraduate Studies in Africa: The Looming Crisis

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wisdom Tettey
Keyword(s):  
Academic Staff ◽  
Student Enrollment ◽  
Postgraduate Student ◽  
Completion Rates ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Staff Shortage ◽  
Postgraduate Studies ◽  
Huge Challenge

Academic staff shortage has become a huge challenge for African universities, and no respite seems to be in sight. This article argues characteristics of African universities: postgraduate student enrollment, gender distribution, master's and doctoral enrollees and program choices, graduation, retention, and completion rates. To regenerate academe, African tertiary institutions will not only have to improve the relative numbers, proportion, distribution, and quality of postgraduate students who enter but also ensure that these same characteristics are reflected in postgraduate output.

scholarly journals Representações sociais de travestis profissionais do sexo sobre qualidade de vida

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 131-169
Author(s):  
Ana Lilia Souza Barbosa Barbosa ◽  
Alef Diogo da Silva Santana ◽  
Ednaldo Cavalcante de Araújo ◽  
Paula Daniella de Abreu ◽  
Marcos Soares de Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Representations ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Calidad De Vida ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
The Social ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Trabajadoras Sexuales

Objetivo: Identificar las representaciones sociales de las trabajadoras sexuales travestis sobre la calidad de vida. Material y Método: Estudio cualitativo, descriptivo, exploratorio, basado en la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales, desarrollado con siete travestis trabajadoras sexuales. La producción de los datos se llevó a cabo con entrevistas semiestructuradas y posteriormente se transcribieron, validaron y analizaron a partir del Análisis de contenido temático.Resultados: Surgieron tres clases: 1) Acceso a la salud como principio de calidad de vida; 2) El apoyo de las organizaciones no gubernamentales en la visibilidad y respeto a las demandas de las personas trans y 3) Los vínculos sociales como herramienta útil en el sentido de la calidad de vida.Consideraciones finales: Las representaciones se ubican en la necesidad de acceso a servicios de salud libres de prejuicios; el apoyo de las organizaciones no gubernamentales en el reconocimiento de sus potencialidades y singularidades mediante el establecimiento de vínculos afectivos, solidarios, leales y de confianza, y en el establecimiento de lazos sociales producidos con vecinos y amigos para afrontar las dificultades vividas cotidianamente. Objective: To identify the social representations of transvestite sex professionals regarding quality of life.Material and Method: A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory study, anchored in the Theory of Social Representations, developed with seven professional transvestites of sex. The data production was carried out with semi-structured interviews and later transcribed, validated and analyzed from the Thematic Content Analysis.Results: Three categories emerged: 1) Access to health as a principle to quality of life; 2) Support of non-governmental organizations in the visibility and respect to the demands of the trans population and 3) Social ties as a propositional tool in the meaning of quality of life.Final considerations: The representations are located in the need to access health services free of prejudice; in the support of non-governmental organizations in the recognition of their potentialities and singularities, establishing affective bonds of support, loyalty and trust; and in the establishment of social bonds produced with neighbors and friends to face the difficulties experienced daily. Objetivo: identificar as representações sociais de travestis profissionais do sexo sobre qualidade de vida. Material e Método: Estudo qualitativo, descritivo, exploratório, ancorado na Teoria das Representações Sociais, desenvolvido com sete travestis profissionais do sexo. A produção dos dados foi realizada com entrevistas semiestruturadas e posteriormente transcritas, validadas e analisadas a partir da Análise de Conteúdo Temática. Resultados: Emergiram-se três categorias: 1) O acesso à saúde como princípio à qualidade de vida; 2) Apoio das organizações não governamentais na visibilidade e respeito às demandas das pessoas trans e 3) Os laços sociais como ferramenta propositiva no significado da qualidade de vida.Considerações finais: As representações estão situadas na necessidade de acesso aos serviços de saúde livre de preconceitos; no apoio das organizações não governamentais no reconhecimento de suas potencialidades e singularidades estabelecendo vínculos afetivos, de apoio, lealdade e confiança; e no estabelecimento dos laços sociais produzidos com vizinhos e amigos para o enfrentamento das dificuldades vivenciadas diariamente.

scholarly journals Pemahaman Wajib Belajar 12 Tahun di Sekolah Bawang Banjarmasin

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Mahmudah Hasanah ◽  
Mutiani Mutiani
Keyword(s):  
Community Service ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Compulsory Education ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Quality Of Education ◽  
Location Selection ◽  
Onion Peel ◽  
The Social ◽  
Scientific Approach

Wajib belajar (Wajar) 12 tahun merupakan hak bagi seluruh rakyat Indonesia. Pelaksanaan Wajar 12 tahun  diharapkan mampu mendorong peningkatan mutu lulusan dan mutu pendidikan di Indonesia. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan pemahaman wajar 12 tahun melalui pendampingan yang dilakukan di Sekolah Bawang Banjarmasin. Pemilihan lokasi didasari oleh peserta didik di Sekolah Bawang didominasi oleh anak gelandangan, kuli angkut, maupun remaja putus sekolah. Pelaksanaan pendampingan dilakukan setiap hari sabtu pada 21 April dan 12 Mei 2018. Penyampaian materi digunakan metode ceramah bervariasi serta mengedepankan prinsip pendekatan saintifik dalam kurikulum 2013. Hasil pengabdian dipaparkan, yakni; 1) peserta didik yang mengenyam pendidikan di Sekolah Bawang Banjarmasin didominasi oleh masyarakat yang kurang mampu bekerja di Pasar Lima sebagai juru parkir, kuli angkut, buruh kupas bawang, 2) Sekolah Bawang Banjarmasin banyak memiliki buku yang tidak up to date sehingga tidak menarik perhatian peserta didik, dan 3) lingkungan di Sekolah Bawang Banjarmasin sangat kumuh. Hal ini dikarenakan lokasi berdekatan dengan pasar. Pengabdian masyarakat memberikan motivasi bagi peserta didik yang belajar di Sekolah Bawang karena mereka diberikan pengalaman belajar dengan metode yang beragam. Pengabdian masyarakat sebagai langkah konkret bentuk kepedulian sosial dari lembaga Program Studi Pendidikan IPS FKIP ULM.The 12-year compulsory education is a right for all Indonesian people. Implementation of the 12-year Fair is expected to be able to encourage improvement in the quality of graduates and the quality of education in Indonesia. This article aims to describe a reasonable understanding of 12 years through mentoring conducted at the Sekolah Bawang, Banjarmasin. The location selection is based on students in Sekolah Bawang which are dominated by homeless children, porters, and teenagers who drop out of school. The assistance is carried out every Saturday on April 21 and May 12, 2018. The submission of material used varied lecture methods and emphasizes the principles of the scientific approach in the 2013 curriculum. Service results are presented, namely; 1) students who study in Sekolah Bawang are dominated by people who are less able to work in Pasar Lima as parking attendants, porters, onion peel workers, 2) Sekolah Bawang have many books that are not up to date so that they do not attract the attention of participants students, and 3) the environment in Sekolah Bawang is very dirty. This is because the location is close to the market. Community service motivates students who study at Sekolah Bawang because they are given learning experiences with a variety of methods. Community service as a concrete step in the form of social care from the Social Studies Department FKIP ULM.

‘We struggle and muddle.’ A qualitative study exploring community ABI therapists’ experiences of using, training in and implementing behaviour interventions

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Jai Jason Carmichael ◽  
Amelia J. Hicks ◽  
Kate Rachel Gould ◽  
Timothy J. Feeney ◽  
Penelope Analytis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Community Integration ◽  
Community Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Clinician Training ◽  
Australian Community ◽  
Challenging Behaviours ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis

Abstract Objectives: Individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) may present with challenging behaviours (CB) that place themselves and others at risk of harm and impact their community integration. It is crucial for community ABI therapists to successfully train in and implement behaviour interventions. The current study aimed to investigate community ABI therapists’ experiences of using, training in and implementing behaviour interventions. An additional aim was to determine these therapists’ understanding of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), one approach to addressing CB with a focus on improving quality of life. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 Australian community ABI therapists about their experiences of using, training in and implementing behaviour interventions and understanding of PBS. Inductive thematic analysis and content analysis were performed on interview transcripts. Findings: The thematic analysis resulted in the generation of six themes which described the difficulties participants faced in training in and delivering behaviour interventions and identified their training and implementation needs. The content analysis resulted in 10 categories that characterised participants’ understanding of PBS, which centred around the absence of consequences, a focus on antecedents, person-centred practice and encouraging prosocial alternatives to CB. Conclusions: The findings highlight a need and desire for more practical and interactive clinician training in behaviour interventions for individuals with ABI. Moreover, the findings suggest a limited understanding of PBS amongst community ABI therapists. Important considerations for the development of clinician training in ABI behaviour interventions and subsequent implementation into community practice are discussed.

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