scholarly journals Writing Skills Development for Graduate Studies and Career Readiness in Science and Aging Fields: A Case Study Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Stafford McRell ◽  
Betty L. Wilson ◽  
Sue E. Levkoff

Increasing the number of racially and ethnically underrepresented students who pursue scientific graduate studies in programs focusing on science and aging offers an opportunity to increase the number of aging specialists while simultaneously promoting diversity in the research labor market and supporting new ideas. This case study aims to better understand how students participating in an academic preparatory program experience a writing class contextualized within (1) students' writing background and (2) students' future ambitions related to science and aging. The individually-tailored writing class was taught as a critical component of a comprehensive educational program that targets underrepresented racial and ethnic minority undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing scientific graduate studies in fields related to aging. The researchers conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with students (n = 4) enrolled in the 24-month fellowship training program, which included participation in the writing course during the summer prior to their senior year of undergraduate education. All participants were young adult college students who identified as Black or African American and female. Using thematic coding, statements about professional writing skills were divided into four primary themes: (1) prior experiences, (2) class experiences, (3) future goals and ambitions, and (4) structural considerations. These themes suggest potential implications for effective interventions aimed to advance the writing skills and academic and career readiness of racially and ethnically diverse students entering fields of science and aging.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 516-527
Author(s):  
Nindya Septarica Happy gusnar ◽  
Rudi Hartono ◽  
Suwandi Suwandi

Creating text needs to be understood that it is not only about arranging the words into sentences and paragraphs but also delivering meaning. Unfortunately, not everyone can achieve good skills in writing. This study aims at analyzing the writing skills of a group of Indonesian non-English department undergraduate students. It focused on the cohesion and coherence of their production of the final project abstract. Ten texts were analyzed by employing a discourse analytical case study. Thus, it is an important matter to analyze the writing competency of students as they are at the undergraduate level, majoring in Informatics Engineering that should report their final project in English. In this study, a theory from Halliday and Matthiessen (2014) was used to analyze the cohesion while a theory from Eggins (2004), Thornburry (2005), and Paltridge and Starfield (2007) were used to analyze the coherence. An open-ended questionnaire was used to confirm the result of the analysis according to the writers’ point of view. The findings indicate that the students show a bit of weakness in achieving cohesion and coherence in creating texts due to a lack of knowledge about the theory of cohesion and coherence. The result of the study can be used as a reference and consideration in designing a suitable lesson plan for writing class.


2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (7) ◽  
pp. 493-500
Author(s):  
Derek Dube ◽  
Tracie M. Addy ◽  
Maria R. Teixeira ◽  
Linda M. Iadarola

Throughout global history, various infectious diseases have emerged as particularly relevant within an era. Some examples include the Bubonic plague of the fourteenth century, the Spanish Influenza pandemic of 1918, the HIV epidemic of the 1980s, and the Zika virus outbreak in 2015–16. These instances of emerging infectious disease represent ideal opportunities for timely, relevant instruction in natural and health science courses through case studies. Such instructional approaches can promote student engagement in the material and encourage application and higher-order thinking. We describe here how the case study approach was utilized to teach students about emerging infectious diseases using the 2014–16 Ebola virus outbreak as the subject of instruction. Results suggest that students completing the case study not only had positive perceptions of the mode of instruction, but also realized learning gains and misconception resolution. These outcomes support the efficacy of case pedagogy as a useful teaching tool in emerging infectious diseases, and augment the paucity of literature examining Ebola virus knowledge and misconceptions among undergraduate students within United States institutions.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekta Chauhan ◽  
Sanjana Anand

PurposeThis paper studies the role of heritage walks and tours in promoting inclusive education. It assesses if these walks are an effective method of exhibiting culture and facilitating inclusive heritage learning. The purpose of this paper is to attempt to establish that walks can play an imperative role in creating greater sensitivity towards heritage and conservation.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a case study approach using mixed methods. Participants for qualitative interviews were chosen using purposive sampling and six interview schedules were sent to walk leaders. Walk participant data were collected through participant observation and standardised survey with randomly selected participants of the case walks. Surveys were sent to participants electronically.FindingsHeritage walks play a crucial role in not only imparting knowledge about history and heritage but also as a tool for learning other crucial skills, competencies, values, attitudes, etc. This paper attempts to highlight that walks are an effective and inclusive way to shed light on the alternative and forgotten stories. As an educational tool these walks can not only encourage the development of historical knowledge and appreciation but also assist in the development of competency to “de-construct” mainstream “grand narratives”, questioning and learning about the forgotten.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper has limited itself to the study of select cases in New Delhi. Since the study has followed a case study design, it does not produce a largely generalizable result, but rather examines and understands the dynamics of particular walks and produces insights that may well be applicable in other contexts. Whilst this paper makes an attempt to understand the changes in perception and attitudes, it does not study behavioural changes.Social implicationsIn the long run, walks allow for meaningful citizen engagement with tangible heritage such as monuments as well as intangible heritage such as practices and festivals. This allows for appreciation for the value of heritage resources and leads to a demand for better conservation and preservation from the authorities. In a few cases, local citizens themselves lead heritage management and development activities in a bid to promote their local culture. This paper has shown that heritage walks can be helpful tools in giving “forgotten” voices and stories recognition in contemporary society.Originality/valueAs heritage walks have recently gained popularity, there has been very limited research in the field especially linking heritage walks to heritage education. This is especially true for India. Even a city like New Delhi, which boasts of a robust heritage and is one of the tourism hubs of the country, heritage walks have been a very recent phenomenon. This research aims to address this lacuna in academic research and contribute meaningfully to the field of heritage education and conservation by studying how heritage walks support and promote inclusive heritage education.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 160940691984932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Law

In this article, the author reflects on the process of interviewing professional footballers about the sensitive issue of money and the lessons learned from this process. The article discusses a case study approach using in-depth qualitative interviews, which generates an innovative insight into a closed social world. The focus is on the difficulties of obtaining a sample where challenges faced are discussed. The article also focuses on the interview style employed when dealing with individuals who are experienced at being interviewed regularly. It also examines the issues of being an “insider” when conducting research and ways in which this can benefit the research process. The issue of research being a messy process is also discussed as when conducting this research, it was imperative that the author could deal with unpredictability and had to be flexible to conduct the research. Finally, the article discusses the insecurities of the participants and the issues of trust, as the current position of the author led him to be seen as an “outsider” by some participants.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-33
Author(s):  
Aldwihi, Zakaria Ali Saad ◽  
Azman Bin Mohd. Noor ◽  
Ashurov Sharofiddin

This study aims to examine the effect of applying Total Quality Management (TQM) on improving the performance of the management of Al-Waqf of Albr societies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the optimal application of Deming's 14 Points on quality management. The research problem lies on the weakness of the outputs of Albr societies in terms of quality and productivity due to the lack of monitoring and control over those in charge of managing these charities. The researcher is going to use the descriptive qualitative, interviews and the case study approach to achieve the research' objectives. After an intensive reviewing the literature, this study confirmed the research gap and


Author(s):  
Ricardo Melo ◽  
Diogo Leite

The overall aim of this case study was to understand the role of nature sports guides in promoting sustainable local development. The study adopted a qualitative and descriptive case study approach. Data was collected from participant observation in one nature sports tourism company established in the area of Coimbra region in the centre of Portugal, as well as in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews applied to a sample of 30 nature sports guides working in nature sports tourism companies, established in the same region. The data collected from both participant observation and interviews were analysed through categorical content analysis. The findings reveal that the nature sports guides have already adopted certain sustainability practices in the analysed dimensions. However, the greatest focus of the nature sports guides is the instrumental role. Findings of this study are important for both the industry and academy and some strategies will be discussed so that the great potential of nature sports for the promotion of sustainable local development can be reached.


Author(s):  
Scott Reid

This paper examines the viability of the concept of “technological momentum” from Thomas Hughes’ Technological Systems Theory in the context of the adoption and use of online courses in post-secondary education. A case study approach using qualitative interviews is used to explore the “technological momentum” of the classroom as professors adopt the use of online courses. The findings provide specific examples of how previous classroom practice influences professors’ attitudes and practice in relation to the adoption and use of online courses.


2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
John James Cater ◽  
Robert T. Justis

The purpose of this exploratory study was to better understand the development of successors in the small family business, including their approach to the leadership of the firm. It examined variables (and their relationships) that help to explain family business successor leadership. A case study approach was followed, using grounded theory analysis of qualitative interviews of the top managers of six family businesses. It provided six propositions for future research—namely, concerning positive parent—child relationships, acquiring knowledge, long-term orientation, cooperation, successor roles, and risk orientation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhu Lei

The study investigates the incorporation and effectiveness of student written feedback and their attitudes towards peer feedback in writing class. Taking a qualitative case study approach, this study followes closely a class of thirty-two English juniors over one semester. Data sources include composition drafts, student written feedback and interviews. The data collected demonstrates that students generally accept peer feedback and incorporate most of their peers’ comments and suggestions into their writing revision and that peer feedback provides them with more chances to discuss with their peers and understand their peers’ suggestions on the composition improvement.


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