scholarly journals Spaces for Transdisciplinary Dialogues on the Relationship between Local Communities and Their Environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
Marta Crivos ◽  
María Rosa Martínez ◽  
Laura Teves ◽  
Carolina Remorini
Keyword(s):  
Rural Community ◽  
Routine Activities ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Medical Practices ◽  
Subsistence Activities ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractOur ethnographic research focuses on the perception and use of components of the natural environment in terms of routine activities carried out by the residents of a rural community in the Calchaqui Valley (Salta, Argentina). Life in this community is characterised by the presence of traditional subsistence activities – agriculture, cattle farming, textile manufacturing and ancestral medical practices – coexisting with business ventures focused on mono-culture and export, tourism centred on landscape intervention and promotion of native products, and the growing key role of public policies in the areas of health and human development. In this context, a joint reflection on viability and sustainability of local and global practices and resources must be undertaken. Implementing intersectoral forums and focus-group discussions, governmental and non-governmental actors, researchers and local people must work conjointly to achieve a fresh patrimonial awareness of livelihood strategies based on their long interaction with a specific environment.

scholarly journals Children’s rights, participatory research and the co-construction of national belonging

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Bivand Erdal ◽  
Mette Strømsø
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
National Belonging ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Diverse Classrooms ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
Pedagogical Interventions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Upper Secondary Schools

This article contributes to the debate on human rights education in diverse societies. It is concerned with the relationship between participation and the co-construction of national belonging. Our data consists of 289 pupil texts and 33 focus group discussions in 6 upper secondary schools in Norway. The role of the school in nation-building is well-known, often emphasizing policy documents or curricula. However, it is in the interaction between pupils and their teachers that the production and re-production of the nation occurs. Participatory exercises in our focus groups functioned as pedagogical interventions, helping pupils to reflect on how they understand, discuss and co-construct national belonging. We find that the potential for co-construction of national belonging, through pedagogical interventions, depends on who is acknowledged as a legitimate participant. Notwithstanding power hierarchies, it can be argued that group discussions are concrete ways to help young people in diverse classrooms co-construct national belonging.

scholarly journals Decoloniality, Language, Identity and Communication: The Case Study of Cameroonian Pidgin

2021 ◽  
pp. 13-24
Author(s):  
Magdalene Mbong Mai ◽  
Nyasha Mboti
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Language And Identity ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Language Identity ◽  
The Relationship

In this paper, the intersection between decoloniality, language, identity and communication is discussed in how they come together in the use or refusal to use Cameroon Pidgin (CamP). The paper draws on the concepts of coloniality and decoloniality and relates them to language as used by Cameroonians in South Africa. The argument is that it is surprising that many Cameroonian Pidgin speaking immigrants are choosing not to communicate in Pidgin, especially since usage of the language from the home country could become a locus of solidarity and reproduction of one aspect of the everydayness of home in a new country. This article relies on a qualitative framework comprised of openended interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation to explore the role of language, identity and decoloniality in communication. The idea is to explore how these issues and themes intersect, and what the intersections themselves tell us, firstly, about the nature of identity and, secondly, about the relationship between language and identity.

Nomadic Migration and Rural Violence in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-95
Author(s):  
Nsemba Edward Lenshie ◽  
Patience Kondu Jacob
Keyword(s):  
State Government ◽  
Migration Pattern ◽  
Land Resources ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Security Governance ◽  
North East ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Depth Interviews

The relationship between Fulani herdsmen and farmers has in recent years become hot-tempered motivated by competitive control of land resources, particularly in central and north-east Nigeria. In Taraba State, the ongoing nomadic migration pattern from the Sahel in quest of pastures has led to violent confrontation between Fulani herdsmen and farming indigenous natives. Using a descriptive approach consisting of documented evidence, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, the analysis revealed that conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and indigenous native farmers have culminated in population displacement and destruction of life and property in numerous rural enclaves in Taraba State. Despite the consequences of the conflicts, the Taraba State government was unable to act proactively because of the centralization of command over Nigerian security agencies. Accordingly, the study suggests decentralization of security agencies in Nigeria, especially the police, as the way forward for effective security governance in Nigeria.

Incidental specialised vocabulary acquisition: a case of incidental medical terms acquisition from students’ perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elham Abdullah Ghobain ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Medical Terms ◽  
Significant Negative Relationship ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Technical Terms

This study observes a particular group of students learning medical terms (MT) implicitly through studying medical subjects. That is, based on the policy followed in the context of the study, students shall not receive any deliberate terms instruction. This paper investigates their experiences and attitudes towards acquiring MT in such a situation. Students’ acquisition and proficiency, hypothesizing a positive relationship between the two constructs, are self-assessed through pre- and post-test surveys. The surveys included 114 and 95 students in each phase, respectively. Prior to the surveys, focus group discussions were conducted, according to which the questionnaire was developed. A statistical correlational Pearson test was done to examine the relationship between students’ proficiency and incidental terms acquisition. The results indicated a significant negative relationship between the two constructs tested. The study also tested the effect of time on increasing acquisition through conducting a paired independent t-test between the two sets of data. The results found that a more extended period was significant to incidental acquisition. Overall, through comparing the means, modes, and medians in the two phases (pre- and post-test), the findings reveal an increase in the students’ terms acquisition volume. However, students seem not to favour the approach and still advocate explicit instruction for technical terms.

scholarly journals Peran Nilai Pribadi, Nilai Budaya dan Nilai Religius terhadap Sikap Remaja Perempuan tentang Seks Pranikah (Suatu Kajian pada Remaja Perempuan di Maumere dan Larantuka, NTT)

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Susana Sabarni ◽  
Lidia Laksana Hidajat
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Personal Values ◽  
Premarital Sex ◽  
Religious Values ◽  
Sex Behavior ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

Latar Belakang : Pesatnya perkembangan teknologi informasi, memudahkan remaja mengakses semua hal yang berhubungan dengan informasi seputar seks. Dengan kemudahan yang dimiliki untuk mengakses teknologi informasi ini, remaja seringkali terekspos oleh konten-konten pornografi. Secara langsung maupun tidak langsung akan memengaruhi sikap remaja terhadap perilaku seks pranikah.Tujuan : Mengetahui peran nilai pribadi, nilai budaya dan nilai religius dikaitkan dengan sikap remaja perempuan di Maumere dan Larantuka terhadap perilaku seks pranikah serta mengetahui sikap remaja perempuan terhadap perilaku seks pranikah.Metode : Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan mixed method, pengukuran sikap melalui pengisian kuesioner dan diskusi kelompok terarah (FGD) untuk mengetahui gambaran sikap remaja perempuan terhadap perilaku seks pranikah yang dikaitkan dengan nilai pribadi, nilai budaya dan nilai religius. Kegiatan penelitian dilakukan pada empat SMA di Maumere dan Larantuka. Jumlah partisipan 120 orang, diperoleh dengan teknik accidental sampling. Sebagai informasi tambahan dilakukan wawancara dengan tokoh budaya di Maumere dan tokoh agama di Larantuka. Hasil dan pembahasan : Berdasarkan pengolahan data terhadap pengukuran skala sikap diperoleh gambaran bahwa pada dasarnya remaja perempuan di Maumere dan Larantuka tidak menyetujui hubungan seks pranikah, meskipun telah terjadi pergeseran nilai. Sikap ini berdasarkan pada nilai-nilai pribadi yang diyakini remaja yaitu pertimbangan etika dan moral, dampak kehamilan, aborsi atau penyakit menular seksual. Dalam konteks budaya, pertimbangan remaja adalah sanksi sosial yang akan diperoleh dari kehamilan di luar nikah. Sedang dalam konteks religius, remaja mempertimbangkan tentang dosa. Berdasarkan diskusi kelompok terarah (FGD) disimpulkan bahwa nilai religius dirasakan sangat penting oleh partisipan karena dapat menumbuhkan iman dan memberi dorongan,arah dalam bertingkah laku. Nilai-nilai religius juga berperan dalam memberi motivasi dan membimbing seseorang untuk melakukan perbuatan yang baik. Dalam konteks budaya, para partisipan berpendapat bahwa budaya sangat penting karena dalam budaya diajarkan tentang perilaku yang pantas dan tidak pantas dilakukan. Oleh karena itu dibutuhkan pendampingan orangtua dalam mendidik dan menanamkan nilai-nilai moral dan etika.Kesimpulan : Pernyataan sikap tidak setuju terhadap perilaku seks pranikah merupakan internalisasi nilai-nilai budaya dan religius yang akhirnya membentuk sikap remaja di Maumere dan Larantuka Kata kunci : Peran nilai pribadi, nilai budaya dan nilai religius, sikap remaja perempuan, perilaku seks pranikah, Maumere dan Larantuka, Nusa Tenggara Timur Susana Sabarni, Lidia Laksana HidajatABSTRACT Background: The rapid development of information technology, making it easier for teenagers to access all things related to information about sex. With the ease they have to access this information technology, teenagers are often exposed to pornographic content. Directly or indirectly will influence teen attitudes towards premarital sex behavior.Objective: To acknowlegde the role of personal values, cultural values and religious values associated with the attitudes of adolescent girls in Maumere and Larantuka towards premarital sex behavior and also to acknowlegde  the attitudes of teenage girls to premarital sex behavior.Methods: The study used a mixed method approach, attitude measurement through filling out questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD) to describe the attitudes of adolescent girls towards premarital sex behavior which is associated with personal values, cultural values and religious values. Research activities were carried out on four high schools in Maumere and Larantuka. The number of participants 120 people, obtained by accidental sampling technique. For additional information, interviews with cultural leaders in Maumere and religious leaders in Larantuka were conducted.Results and discussion: Based on data processing on attitude scale measurement obtained an illustration that basically girls in Maumere and Larantuka do not approve premarital sex, even though there has been a shift in values. This attitude is based on personal values believed by adolescents, namely ethical and moral considerations, the impact of pregnancy, abortion or sexually transmitted diseases. In the context of culture, adolescent considerations are social sanctions that will be obtained from pregnancy outside of marriage. While in a religious context, teenagers consider sin. Based on focus group discussions (FGD) it was concluded that religious values were felt to be very important by participants because they could foster faith and give encouragement, direction in behaving. Religious values also play a role in motivating and guiding someone to do good deeds. In the cultural context, the participants thought that culture was very important because in the culture it was taught about appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Therefore, parents are needed to assist in educating and instilling moral and ethical values.Conclusion: A statement of disagreement with premarital sex behavior is an internalization of cultural and religious values that ultimately shape their attitudes Keywords: The role of personal values, cultural values and religious values, attitudes of adolescent girls, premarital sexual behavior, Maumere and Larantuka, Nusa Tenggara Timur

High-yielding seeds in unyielding environments: Examining the learning process of maize and bean producers in eastern and midwestern Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 418-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claris Riungu ◽  
Harro Maat ◽  
Marrit Van Den Berg
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Environmental Learning ◽  
The Social ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Selection Of

This paper examines the learning process by which farmers come to a decision to use newly introduced seeds which were promoted through demonstration plots in midwestern and eastern regions of Uganda. Framed as social and material interactions, we investigated the learning process of the demonstration plots using data from focus group discussions, interviews and a survey amongst 983 individuals. The results reveal several constraints that impede learning, resulting in an overall low awareness and adoption of the introduced seeds. Some of the most prominent constraints resulted from the selection of location and demonstration plot host, the distance of agro-dealers, at district headquarters, limited interactions amongst farmers and irregular involvement of farmers in the demonstrations. Moreover, the prominent role of agro-dealers at field days suggests that informing farmers about where to buy seeds was considered more important than explaining farmers how to grow these seeds profitably. This commercial focus of field days and demonstrations plots had negative consequences for the social learning. This paper contributes to the learning and adoption literature by showing that interactions amongst actors can improve or reduce the balance between didactic, social and environmental learning.

Identity and Externalities toward Sustainability

2012 ◽  
pp. 100-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Francesca Spadaro ◽  
Gianvito D’Aprile ◽  
Maria Beatrice Ligorio ◽  
Neil Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Negotiation Of Identity ◽  
Framework Technology ◽  
Definition Of

Two focus group discussions involving 14 entrepreneurs and 106 questionnaires administered to employees were analyzed to explore various parameters of externalities, such as: (1) how externality is conceived; (2) the interplay between a sense of community and a re-definition and negotiation of identity; (3) the role of technology; the sense of belonging, and (4) the propensity to collaborate. Data are analyzed through both thematic discourse analysis and quantitative frequencies analysis. Results show that entrepreneurs hold a multidimensional definition of externality, meditated by their professional and private experience. Ultimately, the reflection on externalities sustains a sense of innovation connected to multi-membership and to re-negotiation of the sense of identity. Within this framework, technology is conceived as a tool supporting the appropriation and sharing of externalities.

Women, Faith, and Social Cohesion

2021 ◽  
pp. 327-345
Author(s):  
John Anthony Lawler ◽  
Ghazala Mir
Keyword(s):  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Faith Communities ◽  
Considerable Influence ◽  
Formal Leadership ◽  
Participatory Research Methods ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter presents findings from a research study examining the relationship between faith communities, social cohesion activity and the leadership role of women. The study examined women's exercise of leadership or influence in small intercultural, interfaith projects, which they had developed to improve social cohesion in their local communities. Data were gathered using qualitative interviews and participatory research methods, predominantly with women from a range of religious backgrounds. Findings indicated that women involved in interfaith activity often occupied roles with relatively little power within their communities. Despite this they were at times able to affect considerable influence within their own contexts. Contrary to expectations from existing evidence, changes resulting from the interfaith activities under consideration occurred despite rather than because of formal leadership. The concept and practice of leadership in interfaith activity and how this might relate to different conceptualizations of social cohesion and leadership within faith communities are discussed.

Hearing Other Voices: A Critical Assessment of Popular Views on Literacy and Work

1993 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glynda Hull
Keyword(s):  
Job Performance ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Critical Assessment ◽  
Literacy Programs ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Instructional Programs ◽  
School Based ◽  
The Relationship

Current popular discussion about the role of literacy in the workplace is often based on the largely unquestioned beliefs that workers are deficient in basic literacy skills and, further, that there are clear links among illiteracy, poor job performance, and the declining economy. These assumptions lead to demands for school-based, skill-driven literacy programs tied to the workplace. In this article, Glynda Hull challenges these demands and the characterizations of workers that underlie them, suggesting that these demands are based on overly simplistic notions about literacy and its relationship to job performance and the economy. Hull argues that ethnographic research on literacy and the workplace demonstrates that the relationship between work and literacy is far more complex than the current popular discussion would have us believe. She concludes that we must pay more attention to how literacy skills are actually used in the workplace and that we can best do this by asking workers about their experiences in workplace-related instructional programs.

Community, Class, and Kinship—Bases for Collective Action within Localities

1984 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
R R Hall ◽  
D C Thorns ◽  
W E Willmott
Keyword(s):  
Collective Action ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Community Studies ◽  
Property Ownership ◽  
Subjective Meaning ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between community and class has largely been neglected. In this paper, this relationship is focused upon, and a model is developed which allows the identification of significant aspects of locality and class relationships. The model identifies three sets of relationships, those based on propinquity, those based on property, and those based on kinship, and argues that the basis of communion within a locality can be found within any one of these three main sets of relationships. The research which stimulated this paper started with a focus upon the relationship between space and class as expressed in the pattern of landownership. Working from this beginning point, the analysis moves to examine the nature of boundaries and the structure of local organisations which constitute ‘latent’ community. A further dimension, which was pivotal in many traditional rural community studies, is then explored, namely kinship. For each of these three sets of relationships, it is possible to identify objective patterns based upon boundaries and upon local organisation, property ownership, and kin connections. The process by which these objective relationships acquire subjective meaning is similar in each of the three cases. The possibility both of contradiction and of reinforcement therefore exists in the development of communion within localities. The conditions under which propinquity produces community through the development of subjective consciousness are then explored. In the conclusions a number of issues are highlighted which are brought into focus by this approach. These are the interconnections of community and class, the relationship between transience and social structure, and between male mateship and egalitarianism, the role of gender within communities, and, finally, the relationship between localities and the wider society.

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