scholarly journals Enabling the potential of Mission-led Research in New Zealand: Conceptualisations, Structures, and Relationships in the National Science Challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
James Brathwaite
Keyword(s):  
Structural Alignment ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Research Outcomes ◽  
National Science ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
Collective Benefit ◽  
Research Frameworks

<p>Addressing the Grand Challenges of the world requires a mode of research that can mirror their scale and complexity. Traditional investigator- and industry-led research frameworks, although useful in their own right, fail to capture the collaborative, transdisciplinary approach that can both generate the necessary knowledge and apply research outcomes on the scale needed to resolve the ‘big picture’ problems. Mission-led research provides a framework that attempts to strike that balance of knowledge generation and application; and New Zealand’s National Science Challenges (NSCs) provide a representation of missionled research that may exemplify the relationships and processes needed to enact it. This thesis aims to understand how the relationships and processes designed to facilitate mission-led research in the NSCs impacts their ability to achieve their missions.  Research was undertaken through semi-structured interviews with participants from two NSCs, representing four of the key stakeholder perspectives: Management, Researchers, Industry, and Māori. These interviews sought to understand how different stakeholder groups conceptualised mission-led research itself, the processes within it, and their relationships with other stakeholder groups. The results demonstrated that stakeholders perceived mission-led research in four interdependent ways, driven by a core concept of ‘Big Picture’ problems. These problems were seen to necessitate ‘Transdisciplinarity’ in their resolution, that research would be ‘Long-term/Strategic’, and that research outcomes would have a ‘Collective Benefit’. Alignment between conceptualisations of mission-led research and how closely processes and stakeholder groups adhered to those conceptualisations was central to positive engagement and collaboration.  Alignment between stakeholders was seen to occur through three modes: Conceptual, Structural, and Relational. Conceptual alignment promoted a common understanding of the mission; Structural alignment ensured research practices reflected mission-led values; and Relational alignment improved stakeholder understanding of diverse expectations and motivations amongst other worldviews. Successful NSCs used the three modes of alignment to improve transdisciplinary collaboration while maintaining diversity of worldviews and skillsets, enabling them to more effectively address their missions.</p>

scholarly journals Enabling the potential of Mission-led Research in New Zealand: Conceptualisations, Structures, and Relationships in the National Science Challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
James Brathwaite
Keyword(s):  
Structural Alignment ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Research Outcomes ◽  
National Science ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
Collective Benefit ◽  
Research Frameworks

<p>Addressing the Grand Challenges of the world requires a mode of research that can mirror their scale and complexity. Traditional investigator- and industry-led research frameworks, although useful in their own right, fail to capture the collaborative, transdisciplinary approach that can both generate the necessary knowledge and apply research outcomes on the scale needed to resolve the ‘big picture’ problems. Mission-led research provides a framework that attempts to strike that balance of knowledge generation and application; and New Zealand’s National Science Challenges (NSCs) provide a representation of missionled research that may exemplify the relationships and processes needed to enact it. This thesis aims to understand how the relationships and processes designed to facilitate mission-led research in the NSCs impacts their ability to achieve their missions.  Research was undertaken through semi-structured interviews with participants from two NSCs, representing four of the key stakeholder perspectives: Management, Researchers, Industry, and Māori. These interviews sought to understand how different stakeholder groups conceptualised mission-led research itself, the processes within it, and their relationships with other stakeholder groups. The results demonstrated that stakeholders perceived mission-led research in four interdependent ways, driven by a core concept of ‘Big Picture’ problems. These problems were seen to necessitate ‘Transdisciplinarity’ in their resolution, that research would be ‘Long-term/Strategic’, and that research outcomes would have a ‘Collective Benefit’. Alignment between conceptualisations of mission-led research and how closely processes and stakeholder groups adhered to those conceptualisations was central to positive engagement and collaboration.  Alignment between stakeholders was seen to occur through three modes: Conceptual, Structural, and Relational. Conceptual alignment promoted a common understanding of the mission; Structural alignment ensured research practices reflected mission-led values; and Relational alignment improved stakeholder understanding of diverse expectations and motivations amongst other worldviews. Successful NSCs used the three modes of alignment to improve transdisciplinary collaboration while maintaining diversity of worldviews and skillsets, enabling them to more effectively address their missions.</p>

scholarly journals Education for sustainability using a campus eco-garden as a learning environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi Chiu Cheang ◽  
Wing-Mui Winnie So ◽  
Ying Zhan ◽  
Kwok Ho Tsoi
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Cognitive Learning ◽  
Affective Learning ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Education For Sustainability ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Teachers And Students

Purpose This paper aims to explore stakeholder perspectives of the role of a campus eco-garden in education for sustainability (EfS). It will combine the perspectives to highlight a powerful learning environment (PLE) for university students to realize the concept of EfS. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted to reveal stakeholder understandings of a campus eco-garden, as well as its associated expectations of learning activities and education outcomes. Three stakeholder groups were interviewed; designers, educators and environmental and non-environmental subject-related students. Findings All three stakeholder groups expected cognitive learning of EfS to be enhanced by the eco-garden. The use of affective learning was not strongly expected by the stakeholders. Psychomotor learning was believed to be the most difficult to realize. To fulfill the potential of the eco-garden in EfS, all stakeholders suggested learning activities and roles for both students and teachers. The combined perspectives of the stakeholders helped to visualize a PLE to aid EfS. Practical implications This study underlines the importance of effective communication of expectations between stakeholders. It underlines the importance of integrating educational activities with the eco-garden as a PLE, highlighting the roles of teachers and students. It also sheds light on the importance of introducing a cultural component to the EfS program. Originality/value This is the first study to apply the PLE theory to enhance EfS with the aid of infrastructure. Both users and designers reveal their views on the planning of the campus eco-garden, especially in its educational function. The study is possibly the first to reveal the differences in expectations between designers and other stakeholder groups (teachers and students) using Könings et al.’s (2005) combination-of-perspectives model.

How do Players and Developers of Citizen Science Games Conceptualize Skill Chains?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (CHI PLAY) ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Josh Aaron Miller ◽  
Britton Horn ◽  
Matthew Guthrie ◽  
Jonathan Romano ◽  
Guy Geva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Free Recall ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
The Core ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
Structure Of Knowledge

For citizen science games (CSGs) to be successful in advancing scientific research, they must effectively train players. Designing tutorials for training can be aided through developing a skill chain of required skills and their dependencies, but skill chain development is an intensive process. In this work, we hypothesized that free recall may be a simpler yet effective method of directly eliciting skill chains. We elicited 23 skill chains from players and developers and augmented our reflexive thematic analysis with 11 semi-structured interviews in order to determine how players and developers conceptualize skill trees and whether free recall can be used as an alternative to more resource-intensive cognitive task analyses. We provide three main contributions: (1) a comparison of skill chain conceptualizations between players and developers and across prior literature; (2) insights to the process of free recall in eliciting CSG skill chains; and (3) a preliminary toolkit of CSG skill-based design recommendations based on our findings. We conclude CSG developers should: give the big picture up front; embrace social learning and paratext use; reinforce the intended structure of knowledge; situate learning within applicable, meaningful contexts; design for discovery and self-reflection; and encourage practice and learning beyond the tutorial. Free recall was ineffective for determining a traditional skill chain but was able to elicit the core gameplay loops, tutorial overviews, and some expert insights.

Comparing Digital vs Paper Decision Aids about the Use of Antipsychotic Medication: Client, Clinician, Caregiver and Administrator Perspectives

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30
Author(s):  
Yaara Zisman-Ilani ◽  
Ksenia O Gorbenko ◽  
David Shern ◽  
Glyn Elwyn
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Aids ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Psychiatric Medication ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Medical Decisions ◽  
Digital Devices ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Digital Format ◽  
History Of

Objective: Decision Aids (DAs) help patients participate in medical decisions. DAs can be in paper or digital format, but little is known about the readiness of people with psychosis to use digital technologies for decision-making in psychiatry. We evaluated attitudes and readiness for digital DAs among four stakeholder groups: people with psychosis, clinicians, caregivers, and administrators.Methods: Semi-structured interviews included 19 respondents: six people with a history of psychosis (clients), six clinicians, five caregivers, and two administrators. We recorded, transcribed, and coded interviews for themes using a qualitative inductive analytic process.Results: Our analysis revealed three key themes addressing readiness for involvement in an interactive digital decision-making: (1) preferences for paper DAs; (2) disadvantages of digital DAs (lack of computer skills, lack of access to digital devices, compounded by clients’ age and socioeconomic status); (3) advantages of digital DAs (accessibility to illiterate people or those with disabilities, decrease in cognitive burden).Conclusions: Our study suggests that the introduction of digital DAs into psychiatric medication consultations could be potentially well received. Appropriate training and access to digital devices may facilitate the adoption of digital DAs in mental health care. 

Stakeholder relations in Australian science journalism

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 554-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merryn McKinnon ◽  
Bronte Black ◽  
Sophie Bobillier ◽  
Kirsten Hood ◽  
Madeleine Parker
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Science Journalism ◽  
Cultural Divide ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Science Reporting ◽  
Australian Science ◽  
Science Media

This study explores the relationships between scientists, science communicators and science journalists in Australia. Building upon a smaller previous study, this article provides an overview of the science media landscape across a nation through the use of semi-structured interviews with members of stakeholder groups. Although relationships between each of the groups are generally positive, a lack of clear understanding of the professional practice and cultures of the different groups sometimes appear to hinder positive interactions. Many scientists continue to lament the need for journalists to understand more science, yet very few make similar comments about the need for scientists to know more about media. Refocusing on sharing the responsibility for science reporting may be a means of bridging the identified cultural divide.

scholarly journals Knowledge generation in agricultura research

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 1301-1307
Author(s):  
José Roberto de Souza Freire ◽  
Isabel Cristina dos Santos ◽  
Leandro Sauer
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Doctoral Degrees ◽  
Generation Model ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Technological Competence ◽  
Global Demand ◽  
Brazilian Science

ABSTRACT: Over the past decades, Brazilian agriculture has played an important role in the international market, in response to growing global demand for products, services and food security. This achievement was in a large extent powered by the ability to generate knowledge and the actions promoted by science and technology institutes. This article aims to describe the model of knowledge generation in agriculture, assuming that the knowledge cycle is responsible for the capture, identification, selection and share of informal and formal information, through practices in the workplace and outside it, in personal and institutional networks. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this research deals with a multi-case study on three Brazilian science and technology institutes dedicated to agricultural research. Using both, qualitative and quantitative approaches, and collecting data through semi-structured interviews applied to seniors researchers, as well as questionnaires answered by 410 scientists holding master's and doctoral degrees in natural sciences. Results indicate the existence of a knowledge generation model in agriculture research focused innovation, whose process starts from capturing ideas on how to solve a problem using the technological competence developed, through formal research projects.

scholarly journals Blame game or dialogue? Financial, professional and democratic accountabilities in a complex health care setting

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 626-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jukka Pellinen ◽  
Toni Mättö ◽  
Kari Sippola ◽  
Antti Rautiainen
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Network Governance ◽  
Organizational Characteristics ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Democratic Accountability ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stakeholder Groups

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the complexity of the network governance setting affects accountability practices. The authors pay particular attention to the organizational characteristics that may enable a common understanding of multiple accountability relationships, or lead to problems in reconciling competing forms of accountability, thereby appearing as blame game-type behavior. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a case study with 31 semi-structured interviews in a Finnish health care organization (FHC) that offers basic public health care services. The organization represents a co-operative arrangement with the main city and three smaller municipalities. The FHC has faced difficulties in balancing budget constraints with the provision of statutory care to citizens. This case is analyzed with the help of theories relating to accountability, the blame game, and dialogue. Findings The authors found that in the FHC operating under austerity constraints, attempts to reconcile financial, professional, and democratic accountability were made but, instead of dialogue and consensus, the different stakeholder groups resorted to defensive tactics in order to protect their resources, position, or sense of professional obligation. The authors suggest that in a context of network governance, accompanied by an increasing emphasis on financial accountability, organizational practices are susceptible to conflicting accountabilities and behavior characterized in this paper as a blame game. Originality/value The study contributes to the empirical studies on accountability in the new public governance context by analyzing the complex accountability relations between stakeholder groups with different agendas. The authors suggest organizational characteristics that may exacerbate conflicts between different stakeholder groups and prevent constructive dialogue. Furthermore, the study analyzes the composition of democratic accountability within the studied organization.

Work integrated learning internships in transnational education

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Bilsland ◽  
Leanne Carter ◽  
Leigh N. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Theory Approach ◽  
Transnational Education ◽  
Integrated Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Stakeholder ◽  
Employment Transitions ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
University Support ◽  
Work Integrated Learning

Purpose Research into employability initiatives such as work integrated learning (WIL) in transnational education (TNE) is scarce, and the alumni voice in TNE is largely unreported. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to TNE research by investigating the value of internship electives in the TNE campus location. Design/methodology/approach A grounded theory approach employed semi-structured interviews with local business undergraduate alumni in Vietnam. Findings Internships were instrumental to local graduate employment transitions. University support of WIL internships was a valuable differentiator in the Vietnamese university context, where internships lack formal support mechanisms. Alumni regarded internships as transformational learning journeys, rather than simply as pathways to post-graduate jobs. Research limitations/implications The scope of the study was Vietnam. Findings imply the importance of incorporating local stakeholder perspectives into TNE, particularly regarding WIL. Practical implications Universities that operate in transnational environments must meet local stakeholder needs by providing authentic, industry-related learning activities. The findings support the integration of WIL internships into TNE programmes in Vietnam and further research relevant to other TNE contexts. Originality/value The study contributes to underdeveloped TNE research around employability in general, and more specifically about the particular value of internships in TNE campus locations. Alumni stakeholders constitute uniquely valuable feedback sources based on their shared experience as TNE students, interns and graduate employees in local work environments. Their insights enable universities to facilitate locally relevant learning outcomes.

scholarly journals 3575 Assessing Research Activity and Capacity of Community Based Organizations: Field Testing of the Community Research Activity Assessment Tool (CREAT)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 84-84
Author(s):  
Mahaya Allie Walker ◽  
Natasha Ray ◽  
David Fiellin ◽  
Debbie Humphries
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Research Partnerships ◽  
Activity Assessment

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: 1. To assess the acceptability and feasibility and of an online self-assessment version of the Community REsearch Activity Assessment Tool (CREAT), an instrument to measure research capacity of CBOs. 2. To elicit CBO perspectives on their research and knowledge generation activities. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Thirteen CBOs who had previously partnered with an academic course on practice-based community health research were contacted and asked to participate in the field testing of the CREAT and provide feedback on areas of strength and areas for potential improvement. Eleven organizations completed the field testing, which began and ended with an in-person semi-structured interview with the online self-administration of the CREAT in the middle. The semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded with questions pertaining to topics such as: strengths and challenges of previous academic research partnerships, perceptions around the importance of research within the organization, thoughts and reactions to the CREAT, and general feedback about the CREAT. Results from the self-administered CREAT were used to test a scoring algorithm. Semi-structured interviews are being transcribed, pre-post responses to questions of strengths and challenges in engaging in research partnerships will be compared, and overall qualitative transcripts will be coded using grounded theory. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Anticipated Results: The CREAT was acceptable and self-administration was feasible. Average time for completion of the online CREAT was 41 ± 13 min, and respondents did not need assistance from the interviewer to complete the online instrument. Suggestions for improvements focused on word choices and scale options. Respondents were aware of the importance of research activities for their CBOs, particularly for optimizing programmatic quality and services. Access to staff and financial resources were key barriers to strengthening research capacity, and respondents noted that engaging in research partnerships can also bring in additional resources. Interview transcription is still in progress along with the refinement of the codebook for the qualitative data collected. In alignment with objectives/goals outlined above, the results will be separated into the following four sections: CBO Research and Knowledge Generation Activities, Acceptability of the Tool, Feasibility of the Tool, and Refinement of the Tool. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The online, self-administered CREAT instrument is acceptable and feasible for CBO respondents. Availability of a validated tool to assess research capacity of CBOs, developed and refined with input from community researchers, will support targeted research capacity building for CTSAs, community organizations and partners, thus strengthening collaborations. Translational scientists, public health systems and community health improvement depend on CBOs as partners in community-engaged research (CEnR). The CREAT will allow community members to more fully contribute their expertise to the development, implementation and evaluation of interventions, and to develop more equitable partnerships with researchers.

scholarly journals Stakeholder Perspectives on Blue Mussel Farming to Mitigate Baltic Sea Eutrophication

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9180
Author(s):  
Emilija Žilinskaitė ◽  
Malgorzata Blicharska ◽  
Martyn Futter
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Blue Mussel ◽  
Municipal Government ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Eutrophication Control ◽  
Mussel Farming ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Multiple Stakeholder

Here, we present an application of systems thinking to controlling Baltic Sea eutrophication—a wicked environmental problem characterized by multiple stakeholder perspectives and no single, agreed upon solution. The Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted waterbodies in the world. More than 40 years of land-based (linear) measures have failed to adequately control eutrophication, yet internal (circular) measures are rarely used. Farming native blue mussels for nutrient capture has been proposed as one measure for eutrophication control, but the relevant stakeholders disagree as to its environmental, social and economic benefits. Here, we present the views of four Swedish stakeholder groups—academics, entrepreneurs, municipal government employees and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—on the sustainability of native blue mussel farming, a circular measure for eutrophication control. Using semi-structured interviews, we elicited stakeholder perspectives on the environmental, economic and social dimensions of blue mussel farming. The interviewees generally agreed that blue mussel farming is not currently economically sustainable, but that it can contribute to the social sustainability of coastal regions. Academics were skeptical of the environmental benefits, claiming that farms could reinforce eutrophication, whereas the remaining stakeholder groups argued for its potential to mitigate eutrophication. In a roundtable discussion conducted one year after the original interviews, all stakeholder groups agreed that blue mussel farming alone will not fix Baltic Sea eutrophication, but can be part of the solution together with land-based measures. All groups also agreed on the need for cautious upscaling, continuous environmental monitoring and constant improvement if blue mussel farms are to be part of a “toolkit” for eutrophication control. Our results highlight the fact that wicked environmental problems can be addressed when multiple stakeholder groups with differing perspectives have the opportunity to achieve consensus through dialog.

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