scholarly journals FEEDBACK

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (01) ◽  
pp. 156-164
Author(s):  
Naheed Mahsood ◽  
Brekhna Jamil ◽  
Usman Mehboob ◽  
Zeeshan Kibria ◽  
Kashif Ur Rehman Khalil
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Feedback Model ◽  
Timely Feedback ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Academic Workload

Objectives: To explore perception of Khyber Medical University teachersregarding challenges in provision of timely feedback to students. Setting: Khyber MedicalUniversity, Peshawar. Period: March 2016 to September 2016. Methods: A qualitative multiplecase study in which seven focus group discussions with seven constituent institutes of KhyberMedical University have been conducted, each institute is taken as one case, selected throughpurposive maximum variation sampling technique. Each FGD was audio-recorded, transcribedverbatim, analyzed and themes were identified. Results: Total forty faculty members participatedin seven focus group discussions. Three themes that emerged were ”institutionalization offeedback” indicating need of establishing a feedback culture so that it is taken as a norm bothby teachers and students; “Lapses in feedback priority” indicating teachers don’t give priorityto feedback due time constraints, work overload, lack of training and resource deficiencies:“establishing manageable model of feedback at organizational/institutional level” indicatinga need for developing a feasible feedback model compatible to university contextual needsinstead of implementing any ideal feedback model. Conclusion: The concept of providing andreceiving feedback is deficient and its significance with respect to teaching and learning islacking. Contextual academic workload and time constraints may impact the quality and timingof feedback provided. There is need of collaborations between university administration andfaculty so that feedback can be utilized effectively in the learning process.

Identifying Iranian Consumers’ Preferences towards Functional Dairy Products

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Marjan Bazhan ◽  
Naser Kalantari ◽  
Nastaran Keshavarz-Mohammadi ◽  
Hedayat Hosseini ◽  
Hassan Eini-Zinab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Dairy Foods ◽  
Purposeful Sampling ◽  
Employed Women ◽  
Promotion Strategies

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION:</strong> During the past few decades, production and marketing of functional foods has increased in many countries including Iran. Considering the fact that consumers’ preferences play an important role in the success of marketing a product to increase consumption, this study was conducted in Iran to fill the knowledge gap in this regard.</p><p><strong>METHODS: </strong>The theory of social marketing served as the framework of this study. Qualitative data were collected via eight semi-structured focus group discussions, between May and September 2014. Participants were 65 women (44 housewives and 21 employed women), aged 23–68 years, selected by purposeful sampling technique, considering maximum diversity. All focus group discussions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis of the qualitative content of the data was conducted using MAXQDA<sup>® </sup>software.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The findings showed that there were quite diverse preferences among studied women in regards to different aspects of a product and its social marketing strategies. The preferences towards functional dairy were categorized in 4 main groups: (i) characteristics of products including sensory and non-sensory characteristics; (ii) price; (iii) place of the product supply; and (iv) promotion strategies of products categorized in three subgroups of informing and educating, advertising, and recommending.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>This diversity should be considered both in production of dairy foods and their promotion plans. This understanding can contribute to success of interventions to increase consumption of these products among consumers.</p>

scholarly journals Factors affecting the education of pre-employment paramedic students during the clinical practicum

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise McCall ◽  
Natalie Wray ◽  
Bill Lord
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Student Perception ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Clinical Placement ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Clinical Practicum ◽  
The Impact

Introduction To identify factors that affect the education of pre-employment paramedic students during the clinical practicum. Methods A purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit undergraduate students from the Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic) (BEHP) who had recently completed their first or final clinical placement. Qualitative data was collected via a total of 3 focus group discussions; two focus group discussions were conducted with students on completion of their final placement, and one focus group discussion was conducted with students who had recently completed their first placement. Participants were asked to share their career and placement expectations, placement experiences, career path intentions, and the impact of placements on their career decisions. Results This paper reports on student perception of education in the clinical environment and their impression of the strengths and weaknesses of this model. We identified four major themes: (1) communication, (2) appropriate placements, (3) capacity building and, (4) adequate preparation for students. Conclusion The University, ambulance service and students need to form a relationship to foster the quality of clinical education. Each party needs to adequately communicate and prepare for quality learning to occur in placements. Good mechanisms for the identification of problems early, particularly in relation to student support and case load are necessary. Ongoing evaluation of the quality of clinical placement education is required and should include all parties who are also committed to continuous improvement.

scholarly journals FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE CLASSROOM: PERSPECTIVES ON TEACHER FEEDBACK ON ACADEMIC WRITING AND FEEDBACK PRACTICE

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Alvin Ping Leong ◽  
Hwee Hoon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Student Writing ◽  
Educational Setting ◽  
Personalized Feedback ◽  
Writing Teachers ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
The Individual

Research on feedback on student writing has investigated numerous aspects over the years. However, focused studies involving perspectives of both teachers and students in a particular educational setting are rare. This study investigated the views of teachers and students from a university in Singapore regarding feedback on academic writing and feedback practice. Nine experienced writing teachers and eight undergraduates participated in focus-group discussions in separate sessions. Discussions covered topics on the purpose of feedback and the specific areas that feedback should cover. Both teachers and students agreed that the purpose of feedback should be to help students become reflective and independent learners. The teachers tended to use feedback to justify the grades awarded to the assignments, and tailored their feedback to the requirements of the respective courses. The students, however, felt that the feedback needed to be more detailed. The individual needs of the students were also not always met. We propose recommendations to create a dialogic environment between teachers and students, and so facilitate the provision of personalized feedback on academic writing.

scholarly journals Online conferencing for focus group discussions with teenage girls

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-293
Author(s):  
Roberta Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Remote Access ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teenage Girls ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Spontaneous Interaction

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of online conferencing platforms for focus group discussions with teenage girls. Design/methodology/approach The paper discusses the use of online conferencing for focus group discussions with Australian teenage girls aged 12–14 years who were participating in a study about their online interaction with friends. It examines both the practical application of online conferencing as a qualitative method as well as the inherent challenges of this context for youth research. Design decisions are explained and methods for ensuring rich contribution are detailed. Findings Online conferencing offers three distinct advantages for focus group work. First, the environment consciously engages participants in spontaneous interaction with other participants by using communication tools familiar to them. Second, elaborated discussion can be stimulated by introducing ideas and trends through visual mediums and artefacts. Third, the virtual setting provides remote access by the researcher which shifts power relationships so discussions flow more naturally between participants. Practical implications Outcomes indicate that online conferencing is an effective method for encouraging participants to share ideas and experiences about aspects of their lives that are often private and/or sensitive. Originality/value Technological advances in online collaboration tools have resulted in an increased use of online conferencing platforms across disciplines especially for teaching and learning contexts. However, application of online conferencing for focus group discussions with young people has not received much attention. Research presented here demonstrates that it is a useful tool for engaging teenage girls in focus group discussions.

scholarly journals Determinants of Water-funded Projects in Mitigating Water Risks in Vihiga County, Kenya

2021 ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
James M. Oketch ◽  
Edward M. Mugalavai ◽  
Nicodemus O. Nyandiko
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Environmental Flows ◽  
Evaluation Research ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
P Value ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
The Impact

Currently, 85 per cent of the world’s human  population lives in the drier half of the Earth, which exacerbates the water risks including lack of access to safe water, poor basic sanitation and water-related disasters and diseases. Vihiga County is located in the western region of Kenya (former western province). The county covers a total area of 531.0 Km2. This paper examines the impact of water related risks on the livelihood of residents in Vihiga County. The study used evaluation research design. A sample size of 384 households was used to obtain data from the households. Sampling technique comprised of multistage sampling for the households, Quota sampling for the Focus Group Discussions and purposive sampling for the Key Informants. Primary data was gathered by use of questionnaires, Key Informant Interview guides, observation checklists and Focus Group Discussions. Secondary data was collected by use of publications, journals, and internet access. Quantitative data was analysed using Microsoft excel, and Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 20.0. Results reveal that majority of the household respondents had experienced different forms of water related risks including, water pollution at 42%, inadequate water infrastructure 32%, poor water governance 10%, water scarcity 7% and environmental flows at 4% respectively. The study established that the existing Water Funded Projects (WFPs) initiatives include protected water springs at 31%, water kiosks 21%, boreholes at 18%, open wells 14 %, rain water harvesting at 12% while 4% of household respondents had piped water. The results (X25, 0.05=69.76; p-value=0.000) indicating that Water Funded Projects (WFPs) initiatives have positively influenced reduction in water related risks.

Applying social marketing mix to identify consumers’ preferences towards functional dairy products in Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjan Bazhan ◽  
Naser Kalantari ◽  
Nastaran Keshavarz-Mohammadi ◽  
Hedayat Hosseini ◽  
Hassan Eini-Zinab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dairy Foods ◽  
Purposeful Sampling

Purpose During the past few decades, production and marketing of functional foods has increased in many countries including Iran. Considering the fact that consumers’ preferences play an important role in the success of marketing a product to increase consumption, this study aims to fill the knowledge gap in this regard in Iran. Design/methodology/approach The theory of social marketing served as the framework of this study. Qualitative data were collected via eight semi-structured focus group discussions, between May and September 2014. Participants were 65 women (44 housewives and 21 employed women), aged 23-68 years, selected by purposeful sampling technique, considering maximum diversity. All focus group discussions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis of the qualitative content of the data was conducted using MAXQDA® software. Findings The findings showed that there were quite diverse preferences among studied women in regards to different aspects of a product and its social marketing strategies. The preferences toward functional dairy products were categorized in four main groups: characteristics of products including sensory and non-sensory characteristics; price; place of the product supply; and promotion strategies of products categorized in three subgroups of informing and educating, advertising and recommending. Originality/value This study is the first study in this regard in Iran. Given the novelty of functional dairy products in the market, the diversity of preferences should be considered both in production of dairy foods and their promotion plans. This understanding can contribute to success of interventions to increase consumption of these products among consumers.

scholarly journals “Moments That Glow”: WhatsApp as a Decolonising Tool in EFAL Poetry Teaching and Learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine Naidu ◽  
Denise Newfield
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Text Message ◽  
After School ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Creative Space ◽  
English Classroom

This article, based on a research project with learners in a township school in South Africa, seeks to discuss whether WhatsApp was able to transform the space of the poetry classroom in positive and productive ways. The project was designed in response to research in EFAL (English First Additional Language) classrooms that revealed the marginalisation of poetry as a component in the English classroom, a lack of enthusiasm for it on the part of teachers, and a lack of engagement and energy on the part of learners—all of whom seemed to find poetry remote, irrelevant, unengaging and difficult. The shift to a WhatsApp chatroom, after school hours and outside the classroom, revealed encouraging results. The article seeks to explore the transformative effects of that move, how the chatroom gave learners a creative space in which to express themselves, to speak with their own voice, in their own tongue and to take control of their learning—which seem to us to be decolonising effects. We use Maggie MacLure’s idea of selecting “moments that glow” from the text message conversations and the subsequent focus group discussions and questionnaires to show moments of pedagogic decolonisation.  

Drivers and Barriers to the Uptake of Learning Technologies

2011 ◽  
pp. 125-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Davies ◽  
Kelly Smith
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Learning Technology ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

This chapter discusses key findings from three focus group discussions held with practitioners in a higher education institution about their experiences of using learning technologies to support student learning. Focus groups were organised in March 2004 to further explore staff responses to a 2003 campus-wide survey, which gave a general overview of learning technology use among teaching staff. The chapter will examine the key issues that staff raised during the focus group discussions, including the barriers to and implications of introducing and implementing learning technologies into different subject disciplines within a research-led institution. The question of whether or not the use of learning technologies enhances, or has the potential to enhance, the teaching and learning experience is also discussed, as well as the lessons that staff have learnt from this use.

Minority Languages’ exclusion in the Lesotho School Curriculum: Perceptions of Teachers and Learners

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-149
Author(s):  
Maboleba Kolobe ◽  
Lifelile Matsoso
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
National Minority ◽  
Minority Languages ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Learning Practices ◽  
Linguistic Backgrounds

The study sought to know why learners from linguistically disadvantaged backgrounds have low educational morale. A constructivist study  was adopted through the use of focus group discussions with 246 learners and 142 teachers in 23 schools located in Botha Bothe, Mohale’s Hoek, Qacha’s Nek and Quthing districts in Lesotho. The findings revealed minimal if not absolute nonrecognition of minority languages in the teaching and learning of learners from these linguistic backgrounds. Therefore, the study concludes that linguistically exclusive  curriculum, and teaching and learning practices can reasonably be associated with poor performance of learners. Based on these findings, the paper recommends that Lesotho’s education system recognise the existence of national minority languages. In other words, the  curriculum, its implementation and assessment of learners should not be divorced from the linguistic background of learners.

scholarly journals Public Perception towards Police Corruption: A Case Study of Tehsil Takht Bhai

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-29
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zahid ◽  
Rahman Hussain ◽  
Hazrat Bilal
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Police Corruption ◽  
Media Campaigns

Throughout the world, the department of police has been established for enforcing the law, protecting the life and property of the people, and ensuring peace. Police play a vital role in maintaining law and order in the society as well as controlling crimes and their services are considered as good, but police corruption has also occurred throughout history and therefore it is by no means a new phenomenon. The issue of corruption in police in terms of lodging first information report (FIR), during investigation and detention, calls for immediate attention from the researchers because it negatively affects justice delivery in society. The current study was conducted in Tehsil Takht Bhai, of district Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan, which examined the perception of the general public, drivers, elected representatives, lawyers, past prisoners, and the police tout about police corruption. The study was qualitative specifically based on thematic research design. A stratified purposive sampling technique has been utilized, while the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used as a tool for collecting primary data.   Further, focus group discussions were elaborated narrated and linked with the literature (thematic analysis) to extract findings. Research findings show that corruption is prevalent in police at different levels, and it is suggested that media campaigns, public awareness, and legislation about corruption need to be implemented to control corruption in the police.

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