scholarly journals The siLang Simulation Tool for Business Secondary Technical Education E.S.P. Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (04) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charilaos Tsihouridis ◽  
Marianthi Batsila
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
English Language ◽  
Technical Education ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Simulation Tool ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Learner Motivation ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research

The purpose of the paper is to detect Technical Secondary Education learners’ views on the siLang software. Particularly the aim is to investigate its effectiveness on learners’ reading and listening English language skills competence. A number of 64 learners and their four teachers participated in the research, conducted with quantitative and qualitative research methods. According on the results of students’ questionnaire answers, focus group discussions and teachers’ interviews the particular software is considered to be an authentic-like tool for business purposes, relevant to learners’ future working needs, and capable of promoting learner motivation and participation in the lesson. The software was also found to improve learners’ reading and listening skills in English.

When Culturally Significant Songs are Decontextualised: The Initiation Song Somagwaza, A Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Dowling ◽  
Somikazi Deyi ◽  
Anele Gobodwana
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Popular Song ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Ritual Music ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Small Focus ◽  
Over Time

While there have been a number of studies on the decontextualisation and secularisation of traditional ritual music in America, Taiwan and other parts of the globe, very little has been written on the processes and transformations that South Africa’s indigenous ceremonial songs go through over time. This study was prompted by the authors’ interest in, and engagement with the Xhosa initiation song Somagwaza, which has been re-imagined as a popular song, but has also purportedly found its way into other religious spaces. In this article, we attempted to investigate the extent to which the song Somagwaza is still associated with the Xhosa initiation ritual and to analyse evidence of it being decontextualised and secularised in contemporary South Africa. Our methodology included an examination of the various academic treatments of the song, an analysis of the lyrics of a popular song, bearing the same name, holding small focus group discussions, and distributing questionnaires to speakers of isiXhosa on the topic of the song. The data gathered were analysed using the constant comparative method of analysing qualitative research.

scholarly journals “Stages of change, smoking behavior and acceptability of a textmessaging intervention for tobacco cessation among cigarette, dokha and shishasmokers: A qualitative research study.”

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e029144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusra Elhidaia Elobaid ◽  
Andrea Leinberger Jabari ◽  
Aisha Al Hamiz ◽  
Abdul Rizzak Al Kaddour ◽  
Sherif Bakir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

ObjectivesTo explore: (A) the underlying motivators and barriers to smoking cessation among young Arabic speaking smokers and (B) to examine the suitability and preferences for tobacco cessation interventions (specifically text messages) and study the possibility of enrollment methods for a randomised controlled study using text messages as an intervention for tobacco cessation.DesignQualitative research using focus group discussions and content analysis.Setting(s)Two universities, one of them is the first and foremost comprehensive national university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The third setting is the largest hospital in the UAE and the flagship institution for the public health system in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.ParticipantsSix focus group discussions with a total of 57 participants. Forty-seven men and 10 women. Fifty-three of them were current smokers.ResultsThe analysis of six focus groups was carried out. Main themes arose from the data included: preferences for tobacco cessation interventions and acceptability and feasibility of text messaging as tobacco cessation intervention. Different motives and barriers for quitting smoking including shisha and dokha were explored.ConclusionInterventions using text messaging for smoking cessation have not been used in the Middle East and they could potentially be effective; however, tailoring and closely examining the content and acceptability of text messages to be used is important before the conduction of trials involving their use. Social media is perceived to be more effective and influential, with a higher level of penetration into communities of young smokers.

Disability and Social Exclusion

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina I. Tobias ◽  
Sourav Mukhopadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Community Activities ◽  
Individual Interviews

This article explores the experiences of social exclusion of individuals with visual impairment (IWVI) as they negotiate their daily lives in their homes and societal settings in the Oshana and Oshikoto regions of Namibia. Employing qualitative research approach, this research tried to better understand the lived experiences of IWVI. Nine IWVI with ages ranging from 30 to 90 years were initially engaged in focus group discussions, followed by semi-structured in-depth individual interviews. The findings of this research indicated that IWVI experience exclusion from education, employment and social and community participation as well as relationships. Based on these findings, we suggest more inclusive policies to address social exclusion of IWVI. At the same time, this group of individuals should be empowered to participate in community activities to promote interaction with people without visual impairments.

scholarly journals America in Pakistani Print Media: A Semiotic Discourse Analysis based Study of Pak-Us Relationship

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Muhammad Akber Sajid ◽  
Muhammad Riaz Khan
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Print Media ◽  
Time Span ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Semiotic Analysis ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Qualitative Research Design

Print media semiotic discourses are one of the best sites for ideological investment and their role is very significant in the production and dissemination of certain ideology. The aim of the present study is to critically decode the semiotic discourse(s) of Pakistani English newspaper DAWN (daily) with special reference to the representation of Pak- Us relationship through the analysis of the semiotics discourses. The data for the present research has been collected from the mentioned newspaper. The time span for data collection ranges from October 2018 to December 2018. Out of ten (10) caricatures which represent Pakistan attempting to survive at its own rather than depending on America one was purposively selected for linguistic and semiotic analyses. The study is descriptive and utilizes qualitative research design. For this purpose, the researchers have devised an amended research model by drawing upon Fairclough (1995), Kress (2010) and Kruger’s (2000) research models to analyse linguistic, semiotic and focus group discussions data. The semiotic analysis has also been validated by incorporating the remarks of focus group participants. Based on the analysis of data the study concludes that noting is absolute in politics as far as Pak- Us relations through semiotic discourses are concerned. Additionally, the research reveals that print media semiotic discourses work insidiously to represent socio- political changes by employing linguistic and meta-linguistic devices and techniques.

scholarly journals The Unexpected Rewards of Qualitative Research in Assessment: A Case Example

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny Singh
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Learning Opportunity ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Oral Assessment ◽  
Oral Component

This paper reports on the inclusion of an oral component of assessment in science at two tertiary institutions in South Africa. The purpose of this paper is not to report on the results of the assessments conducted, but to focus on some of the unexpected rewards of conducting qualitative research in assessment. Using focus group discussions within a qualitative framework allowed me insights into the thoughts and experiences of the students and assessors, making the benefits of oral assessment apparent. These benefits included how assessment can be used as a learning opportunity, the advantages of homogeneous versus heterogeneous groups, and the benefits of face-to-face interaction, all of which led to improved relationships between students and assessors.

scholarly journals Learning Strategies Employed in English Language: Perceptions and Practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 87-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pitambar Paudel
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
English Language ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Learning Goal ◽  
Listening Skill ◽  
Teaching Learning

Learning strategies are the key tools to determine the approach for achieving the learning goal. They are included in different phases of teaching learning process. They are usually tied to the needs and interests of students to enhance their learning efficiency. This article aims at exploring perspectives and practices of learning strategies in learning English language. For this, phenomenological descriptive qualitative research was conducted with a class of 48 students of Bachelor in Education at a constituent campus, under Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Both the class of the students and campus were selected purposively to meet the requirement of phenomenological study. Thirty classes were observed as a participant as well as teacher and from the same group of the students only ten students were interviewed. Then, the data from both the sources were triangulated, interpreted and analyzed descriptively. From this study, it was interpreted that students employed various strategies to learn different language skills and aspects. The study revealed that students felt difficulty in selecting proper learning strategy for learning grammatical rules due to many exceptional cases and listening skill due to their less time devotion on it while the felt ease to select and employ proper strategies in learning vocabulary.

Diverse Perceptions of Cross-Racial Adoption in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-238
Author(s):  
Pius T. Tanga ◽  
Kausi Nyasha
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Black Children ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Custody Of Children

Purpose: This study explored the perceptions of stakeholders regarding the practice of cross-racial adoption (CRA) in East London, South Africa. Method: A qualitative research design was used. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus group discussions from 23 participants. The data were analyzed qualitatively, using thematic analysis. Results: The results show that there are mixed perceptions among the participants, with White participants more likely than participants of other racial groups to support the practice of the CRA. The findings also revealed that the practice of CRA is a controversial, yet an increasing phenomenon in which most Black children are being adopted by White parents. Conclusion: It is concluded that although the practice of CRA is an acceptable form of custody of children in need of care and protection, it is still an area that requires more attention from scholars and researchers. Pertinent recommendations have been made to various stakeholders.

scholarly journals English language skills for disciplinary purposes: What practices are used to prepare student teachers?

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Nhlanhla Mpofu ◽  
Mncedisi C Maphalala
Keyword(s):  
Student Teachers ◽  
Social Constructivism ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Academic Values ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
English Language Skills

In the study reported on in this article, we explored the preparation practices used to prepare student teachers to use English language skills in disciplinary content teaching. Despite studies which emphasise generic academic literacy where language is a subset of this field discourse, there is a dearth of research studies on the use of English in the specific context of disciplines in initial teacher education (ITE), which is addressed here. Guided by social constructivism, we collected data from 102 purposively selected student teachers from 3 universities. A qualitative multiple case study design was used as the methodological tool, and data from focus group discussions and document analysis were collected, documented and analysed. The results of the analysis show that the student teachers were prepared using structured and unstructured English Across the Curriculum (EAC) pedagogical activities. Structured activities are content oriented learning processes that are largely rigid and prescriptive, while unstructured activities are rooted in the academic values and identity that are held in the institution. Although drawn from a relatively small sample, these findings may assist ITE institutions to develop a curriculum that attends to multiple strategies for developing student teachers’ strategic competence in EAC.

scholarly journals Mechanical Engineering Students Perceived Speaking and Listening Competence: A Self-Assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 214-216
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
English Language ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
English As Second Language ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Education Delivery

Speaking and listening are the four essential macro skills in English as Second Language (ESL) learning. In recent years, education evaluation has become a vital indicator in assessing the outcomes of the education delivery system. In this study, speaking and listening skills of students were assessed by using the Can-do scales. The scope of the study is confined to undergraduate and postgraduate mechanical engineering students with the aim to evaluate their capability in practicing their English language skills, particularly speaking and listening. The respondents are undergraduate and postgraduate students from Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM). A total of 39 respondents were involved in the survey conducted for this study. It is found that respondents have no difficulties if the conversation is regarding basic topics. Nevertheless, respondents have problems to speak when dealing with unfamiliar topics. The outcomes of this study can be utilised to improve students’ English communication skills. In addition, the teaching method can also be enhanced in order to enable students to communicate their subject matter that is engineering in both academic life and future career.

Sexual and reproductive health in the time of COVID-19 in Latvia, qualitative research interviews and focus group discussions, 2020 (in Latvian)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunta Lazdane ◽  
◽  
Dace Rezeberga ◽  
Ieva Briedite ◽  
Elizabete Pumpure ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

Qualitative research is focused on the influence of COVID-19 pandemic and restriction measures on sexual and reproductive health in Latvia. Results of the anonymous online survey (I-SHARE) of 1173 people living in Latvia age 18 and over were used as a background in finalization the interview and the focus group discussion protocols ensuring better understanding of the influencing factors. Protocols included 9 parts (0.Introduction. 1. COVID-19 general influence, 2. SRH, 3. Communication with health professionals, 4.Access to SRH services, 5.Communication with population incl. three target groups 5.1. Pregnant women, 5.2. People with suspected STIs, 5.3.Women, who require abortion, 6. HIV/COVID-19, 7. External support, 8. Conclusions and recommendations. Data include audiorecords in Latvian of: 1) 11 semi-structures interviews with policy makers including representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in sexual and reproductive health, information and health service provision. 2) 12 focus group discussions with pregnant women (1), women in postpartum period (3) and their partners (3), people living with HIV (1), health care providers involved in maternal health care and emergency health care for women (4) (2021-02-18) Subject: Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Keywords: Sexual and reproductive health, COVID-19, access to services, Latvia

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document