scholarly journals Knowledge Mobilization in the Beaver Hills Biosphere, Alberta, Canada

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 424
Author(s):  
Clara-Jane Blye ◽  
Elizabeth A. Halpenny ◽  
Glen T. Hvenegaard ◽  
Dee Patriquin
Keyword(s):  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Working Relationships ◽  
Knowledge Mobilization ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Types Of Knowledge ◽  
Loss Of Autonomy ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Forms Of Knowledge

This study explores how knowledge was and is mobilized to advance the objectives of the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve, located in Alberta, Canada. Established in 2016, a 12-year collaborative effort worked to establish the biosphere reserve and achieve formal UNESCO designation. Subsequent efforts to grow the newly established biosphere reserve have accelerated in recent years. Our study documented how different types of knowledge were accessed, created, curated, and shared between partners during these two time periods. Focus group interviews were conducted with 14 participants, who are affiliated with Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve partner organizations, and revealed the following findings: (1) not all knowledge is equally valued or understood; (2) partnerships are highly valued, and were essential to successful knowledge mobilization, but were stronger among individuals rather than organizations; (3) fear of the loss of autonomy and potential complications due to the establishment of a biosphere reserve slowed the exchange of information and engagement by some regional actors; and (4) knowledge mobilization is and was impeded by staff and agency capacity, finances, and time scarcity. This was further complicated by entrenched norms of practice, existing successful working relationships impeding the development of new partnerships, and embracing alternative forms of knowledge.

scholarly journals A paradigm shift: Adoption of disruptive learning innovations in an ODL environment: The case of the University of South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blessing Mbatha
Keyword(s):  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Transactional Distance ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Disruptive Innovations ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Axial Coding ◽  
The University

<p class="norm">The aim of this article is to shed some light on patterns of and major motives for the adoption of different types of disruptive learning innovations by Unisa academics. To realise the aim of the study, the following questions were addressed: What are the reasons for adopting disruptive learning innovations? What is the level of interaction with disruptive innovations? What training do Unisa academics require on disruptive innovations? A qualitative approach was adopted by conducting focus group interviews with 76 Unisa academics. The data was analysed using open and axial coding, where dominant themes from the discussions were identified and discussed in detail. The findings show that the interaction of Unisa lecturers with different technologies varied from technology to technology. The study also found that disruptive innovations play a pivotal role in opening avenues and collapsing the transactional distance in an ODL institution. Some lecturers lack skill in using some technology, which is a cause for concern. Therefore, lecturers need to be trained in using technology and develop a good understanding of it to improve teaching and learning.</p>

scholarly journals Crossing borders . . . shifting sands: An investigation of Chinese students’ study experiences in the UK and China

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-472
Author(s):  
Kashmir Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Different Types ◽  
English Medium Instruction ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Learning Issues

In the current landscape of higher education in the UK, international students play a key role. It is an environment in which they not only cross borders physically but also transition through various identities as they develop their professional and linguistic confidence and skills to fully access and contribute to their programme of study and beyond. The aim of this paper is to outline the results of an empirical investigation into Chinese students’ perceptions of their study experiences in the context of student mobility and English-medium instruction in higher education. It reports on a study of two groups of Chinese students – one group studying in an English-speaking environment, the other in their home country where instruction is delivered through the medium of English. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted at each site which focused on the transition of “crossing borders” for educational purposes. The data was analysed using thematic analysis (Clarke & Braun, 2016). The main finding was that both groups experienced remarkably similar learning issues, despite being located in very different learning environments and crossing different types of borders.

scholarly journals The (in)visible ‘mother’: Diabetes specialist nurses in Swedish primary healthcare

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-37
Author(s):  
Eva Boström ◽  
Stina Öresland
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Subject Position ◽  
Doing Gender ◽  
Working Relationships ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Diabetes Specialist ◽  
Specialist Nurses ◽  
Group Interviews

This study aimed to explore how diabetes specialist nurses (DSNs) discursively construct and reconstruct their professional position in their working relationships with physicians and thereby the relation with patients in primary healthcare in Sweden. Twenty-nine DSNs working in diabetes care from 21 primary healthcare centres were included in focus-group interviews. The interviews were analysed using discourse analysis. From a social constructionist perspective, findings showed that the working relationship between the DSNs, physicians and thereby the relation with patients was discursively constructed as a relationship within a gendered discourse. The DSNs constructed their subject position metaphorically as ‘mothers’ in this relationship. The construction of doing gender implies that the DSNs became visible as biological women, but invisible in being perceived as competent, well-educated professionals, because skills such as multitasking and versatility are often associated with female abilities.

Facilitating the Inclusion of Children With Vision Impairment: Perspectives of Itinerant Support Teachers

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Morris ◽  
Umesh Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Working Relationships ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Regular School ◽  
Good Working ◽  
Group Interviews

AbstractChildren with vision impairment (VI) and blindness are largely educated in mainstream schools in Australia. Specialist itinerant support teachers – vision (ISTVs) travel from school to school to facilitate the education of these children. The purposes of this study were to examine the barriers that ISTVs face in this role, and to identify strategies used to address these barriers. Seven ISTVs participated in the study. Focus group interviews were conducted to collect data from participants. Constant comparison, a form of thematic analysis, was used to examine the data. Results indicate that barriers include a lack of understanding among regular school educators of the needs of children with VI, lack of awareness of the role of ISTVs, insufficient resources and time, and inadequate training. Frequent communication and good working relationships with staff help to minimise or negate many of the potential barriers. However, barriers such as lack of time and inadequate training remain unaddressed and require the attention of policymakers at higher levels.

Interviews

2021 ◽  
pp. 129-154
Author(s):  
Aaron Williamon ◽  
Jane Ginsborg ◽  
Rosie Perkins ◽  
George Waddell
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Research Interviews ◽  
Music Research ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
Group Interviews

Chapter 6 of Performing Music Research sets out the characteristic features of research interviews, introducing four types of interview: open interviews, which often arise spontaneously or informally and which are largely unstructured or explore an overarching topic of interest; semi-structured interviews, an approach often taken in music research that relies on a predetermined yet flexible set of principal questions; structured interviews, which make use of fixed and unchangeable questions within an entirely predetermined format; and focus group interviews, which take place with groups of participants rather than individuals. The chapter addresses some of the challenges of using different types of interviews, presents ways to design and conduct interviews effectively, and considers ways to write about and report them.

scholarly journals How can sexual and reproductive health and rights be enhanced for young people with intellectual disability? – focus group interviews with staff in Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Wickström ◽  
Margareta Larsson ◽  
Berit Höglund
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Young People ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Staff Support ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Background Different types of staff support individuals with intellectual disability (ID) in their daily life, in schools, leisure activities and in special accommodations. This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of experiences and perceptions regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among staff. Methods Data were collected in mid-Sweden in four focus groups with altogether 20 participants, 18 women and 2 men aged between 18 and 65 years. They had different professions and worked among youth and adults with ID aged 18–40 years in schools, accommodations and with leisure activities. Their working experience varied from 3 years to more than 20 years. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed with content analysis. Results The participants generally described positive attitudes towards sexuality for people with ID, both among themselves and in society. However, many situations such as ensuring privacy, balancing between waiting and acting, issues around contraception and reproduction were difficult to address and participants had hesitations about childbearing. They described different strategies such as showing respect, enhancing self-esteem and decision making ability and using interprofessional support to cope with frustrating situations. They lacked a clear mandate from managers as well as written guidelines and policies. They requested education and support from peers, supervisors and other professionals. Conclusion Participants in the study were generally open-minded and accepting towards sexuality among young people with ID. They thought it was difficult to deal with reproduction/parenthood and felt unprepared and frustrated in certain situations. The participants requested a clear mandate from managers, organizational guidelines, more education and inter-professional support. We believe these findings can inform the development of policy and support the implementation of SRHR related guidelines to support staff working with young people with ID.

An employee who was not there: a study of job boredom in white-collar work

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 374-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotta K. Harju ◽  
Jari J. Hakanen
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
White Collar ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Job boredom is an amotivational state at work, where employees lack interest in their work activities and have difficulties concentrating on them. Although recent research suggests that job boredom may concern a wide range of industries, studies investigating the experience and its emergence in white-collar work are scarce. Thereby the purpose of this paper is to contextualize job boredom by exploring the experience and its preconditions in white-collar work. Design/methodology/approach – This inductive, exploratory study employed data from 13 focus group interviews (n=72) in four organizations to investigate the emergence and experience of job boredom. Findings – Three types of job boredom was found. Each type involved distinct temporal experiences: inertia, acceleration and disrupted rhythm at work. The findings suggest that different types of job boredom involve specific conditions that hamper the activation of individual capabilities and disrupt temporal experience accordingly. Research limitations/implications – Extending the conceptualization of job boredom may enable better understanding of the variety of consequences often associated with the phenomenon. Practical implications – It is also important for organizations to recognize that there are different types and various preconditions of job boredom in white-collar work, as it may have a negative impact on employee well-being and performance. Originality/value – The results indicate that job boredom is a more nuanced phenomenon than earlier believed. By identifying job boredom in white-collar work as an experience with various forms and respective preconditions, this study expands the understanding of the phenomenon and its emergence.

Management Strategy for Distributing Questionnaires and Interview Guidelines in the Research Data Collection Process

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-111
Author(s):  
Po. Abas Sunarya ◽  
George Iwan Marantika ◽  
Adam Faturahman
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Good Management ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Group Interviews

Writing can mean lowering or describing graphic symbols that describe a languageunderstood by someone. For a researcher, management of research preparation is a veryimportant step because this step greatly determines the success or failure of all researchactivities. Before a person starts with research activities, he must make a written plan commonlyreferred to as the management of research data collection. In the process of collecting researchdata, of course we can do the management of questionnaires as well as the preparation ofinterview guidelines to disseminate and obtain accurate information. With the arrangement ofplanning and conducting interviews: the ethics of conducting interviews, the advantages anddisadvantages of interviews, the formulation of interview questions, the schedule of interviews,group and focus group interviews, interviews using recording devices, and interview bias.making a questionnaire must be designed with very good management by giving to theinformation needed, in accordance with the problem and all that does not cause problems at thestage of analysis and interpretation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document