The Use of Signs and Symbols in Communication Amongst the Vhavenda

2022 ◽  
pp. 384-399
Author(s):  
Justice Tshimangadzo Makhanikhe ◽  
Rendani Tshifhumulo ◽  
Pfarelo Eva Matshidze
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Local Municipality

Signs and symbols are also known to be an integral part of secret language that is expected only to be understood by the speakers of that language. Signs and symbols have been used by different African communities to transfer meaning since time immemorial, and Vhavenda communities are not immune to such phenomena. This means that the meaning of a sign and/or symbol is not necessarily readily or easily apparent to a non-speaker of the language. Non-speakers may struggle to understand what is conveyed by the speaker. This chapter seeks to explore the characteristics, types of signs and symbols used by the Vhavenda communities to communicate meaning. Data will be collected from elderly members of the Vhavenda communities within Thulamela local municipality. Fifteen elders will be engaged through face-to-face interviews as well as focus group discussions for data collection purposes. Data for this book chapter will then be analysed thematically.

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 Persepsi Ibu Terhadap Iklan Vaksin Measles Rubella (MR)

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Muslimah Muslimah ◽  
Dian Ayubi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Electronic Media ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Depth Interviews

Measles and Rubella (MR) is a disease that is highly contagious and usually occurs in children aged 9 months until the age of 15 years. One effort that can be done to reduce the incidence of the disease is through health promotion about the importance of immunization. Purpose the promotion was packaged in the form of advertisements on electronic media with the aim of building perceptions that the importance of immunization for public health. Methods this research was a qualitative study with a method of collecting in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The number of informants in this study was 19 mothers who had children aged 0.9 to 15 years in one of the Puskesmas work areas in Merangin District, Jambi Province. Before the data collection process, all informants were asked to see two MR immunization advertisements. Results that immunization advertisements are interesting and contain humor. Meanwhile, informants who did not give MR immunization to their children tended to be negative towards MR immunization advertisements and tended to ignore the effects that arose if they did not give immunizations to their children. The recommendation that MR immunization advertisements should avoid using the fear arousal method and use the pay off idea method in those ads

scholarly journals Investigating the Contributions of International Oil and Gas Firms to Local Development in Ghana: Dilemmas and Challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (28) ◽  
Author(s):  
Remy Nyukorong
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Priority Needs ◽  
Oil And Gas Firms

Ghana is relatively new to oil and gas extraction and there is little empirical knowledge about the key players in the oil and gas business, what they do to contribute to local socio-economic development, and the quandaries these firms struggle with while operating under difficult circumstances. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of international oil companies to local development in Ghana and to evaluate the challenges and dilemmas faced by these firms. The study adopted a qualitative, interpretive case study design that relied on face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions to gather primary data. Interview responses were analysed, compared, and categorised with the results of transcription of the focus group discussions, and later triangulated and interpreted to draw conclusions. The study revealed that most international oil companies in Ghana are transparent in reporting on their business activities and operations. Despite the efforts by these firms to support local development by funding developmental projects, paying taxes, and providing employment opportunities to local youth, international oil companies are still a target of criticism for unsatisfactory performance. Local populations would like to see extractive firms finance community infrastructural projects matching with local priority needs and focus more on impact rather than the quantity of money disbursed or the number of projects funded. International oil companies should change their engagement approach from a mere consultation to a realistic, democratic, and broad-based involvement of the publics. This study has enriched existing frameworks applied to evaluate business organisations’ contributions to local development.

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.

Assessing determinants of programmatic performance of community management of malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea in children in Africa: Protocol and data collection for a mixed-methods evaluation of iCCM (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliya Karim ◽  
Don de Savigny ◽  
Serge Ngaima ◽  
Daniel Mäusezahl ◽  
Daniel Cobos Muñoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Intervention Effectiveness ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Low And Middle Income

BACKGROUND Integrated community case management (iCCM) is a child health program designed to provide integrated, community-based care for pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea for children in hard-to-reach areas of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The foundation of the intervention is service-delivery by community health workers (CHWs) who depend on reliable provision of drugs and supplies, consistent supervision, comprehensive training, and community acceptance and participation to perform optimally. The effectiveness of the program may also depend on a number of other elements, including an enabling policy environment, financing mechanisms from the national to the local level, data transmission systems, and appropriate monitoring and evaluation. The extent to which these factors act upon each other to influence the effectiveness and viability of iCCM is both variable and challenging to assess, especially across different implementation contexts. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we describe a mixed-methods systems-based study protocol to assess the programmatic components of iCCM which are associated with intervention effectiveness, and report preliminary results of data collection. METHODS This protocol employs a mixed qualitative and quantitative study design based on a Systems Thinking approach within four iCCM programs in Malawi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger State, and Abia State, Nigeria. Routine monitoring data is collected to determine intervention effectiveness, namely testing, treatment and referral outcomes. Surveys with CHWs, supervisors, and caregivers are performed to collect quantitative data on their demographics, activities, and experiences within the program, and how these relate to the areas of intervention effectiveness. Focus group discussions are conducted with these stakeholders as well as local traditional leaders to contextualize this data. Key informant interviews are undertaken with national and district-level program stakeholders and officers knowledgeable in critical program processes. RESULTS We performed 3,836 surveys and 45 focus group discussions with CHWs, supervisors, and caregivers, and traditional leaders; 120 key informant interviews with district and national-level program managers, health officers, and ministry officials. Policy and program documents were additionally collected for review. CONCLUSIONS Evidence from this study will inform child health programs and practice in low- and middle-income settings, and future policy development within the iCCM intervention.

scholarly journals A Framework for Conducting Critical Dialectical Pluralist Focus Group Discussions Using Mixed Research Techniques

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie ◽  
Rebecca K. Frels
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Marginalized Populations ◽  
Data Collection Tool ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
New Type

<p>Although focus group discussions (FGDs) represent a popular data collection tool for researchers, they contain an extremely serious flaw: FGD researchers have ultimate power over all decisions made at every stage of the research process—from the conceptualization of the research, to the planning of the research study, to the implementation of the research study, to the dissemination of FGD findings. Yet, exercising 100% control over all decisions in FGD research can be detrimental for some participants, especially for under-represented, underserved, and marginalized populations. Thus, in this article, we introduce a new type of participant-directed FGD, which we call a <em>critical dialectical pluralist FGD</em>, wherein participants are maximally empowered to make decisions at every stage of the mixed research process. We outline the stages of critical dialectical pluralist FGDs and provide a real-life example of this approach.</p>

Consumption and Distribution of Iodized Salt in Subamia Village Tabanan District 2014

2016 ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Manik Ulan Dewi ◽  
K. Tresna Adhi ◽  
Dyah Pradnyaparamita Duarsa
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Iodized Salt ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
Iodine Deficiency Disorders ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
The Government ◽  
Salt Distribution

Background and purpose: Consumption of iodized salt is essential to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. One of the key success of iodized salt program is distribution. This study explored the consumption and logistical distribution patterns of iodized salt among housewives in Subamia Village Tabanan District.Methods: The study was a qualitative with data collection using two focus group discussions (FGD) of 6 active and 6 inactive cadres. Indepth interviews were conducted with two health staffs, two community leaders, one staff of Trade/Industrial Office at Tabanan District and one salt seller. Data was analysed using thematic method.Results: Respondents prefered uniodized salt because of several reasons including less bitter, tastier and cheaper than iodized salt. Moreover, the distribution of iodized salt regulated by the government was reported to be impeded the salt distribution, this resulted in the difficulty of villagers to access the iodized saltConclusion: Appetizing flavor, access and no local regulations on distribution of iodized salt is the cause of low consumption of iodized salt in Subamia Village Tabanan District.

Advantages and Challenges of Fostering Cognitive Integration Through Virtual Collaborative Learning: a Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanette Ignacio ◽  
Hui-Chen Chen ◽  
Tanushri Roy
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
First Year ◽  
Cognitive Integration ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Learning Session ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Face To Face

Abstract BackgroundThe drastic shift from face-to-face classes to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic has enabled educators to ensure the continuity of learning for health professions students in higher education. Collaborative learning, a pedagogy used to facilitate knowledge integration by helping students translate theory from basic sciences to clinical application and practice, has thus been transformed from a face-to-face to a virtual strategy to achieve the learning objectives of a multi-disciplinary and integrated module.ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe and evaluate, through focus group discussions, a virtual collaborative learning activity implemented to assist first year undergraduate nursing students to develop cognitive integration in a module consisting of pathophysiology, pharmacology and nursing practice.MethodsFourteen first year undergraduate students and four faculty involved in facilitating the virtual collaboration participated in the study. Focus group discussions were conducted to elicit the perceptions of students and staff on the virtual collaborative learning session conducted at the end of the semester.ResultsThree themes were generated from the thematic analysis of the students’ focus group scripts. These were: (1) achieving engagement and interaction, (2) supporting the collaborative process, and (3) considering practical nuances. The three themes were further subdivided into subthemes to highlight noteworthy elements captured during focus group discussions. Three themes also emerged from the focus group discussion scripts of faculty participants: (1) learning to effectively manage, (2) facing engagement constraints, and (3) achieving integration. These themes were further sectioned into salient subthemes.ConclusionThe virtual collaborative learning pedagogy is valuable in fostering cognitive integration. However, meticulous planning considering various variables prior to implementation is needed. With better planning directed at addressing the learners’ needs and the faculty’s capabilities and readiness for online learning pedagogies, and with a strong institutional support to help mitigate the identified constraints of virtual collaborative learning, students and faculty will benefit.

Disaster Risk in Underground Utility Development: A Matter of Perception

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-47
Author(s):  
Siti Hasliah Salleh ◽  
Nor Ashikin Mohamed Yusof ◽  
Zamri Mohamed ◽  
Shadiya Mohamad Saleh Baqutayan ◽  
Amirah ‘Aisya Badrul Hisham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
State Level ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Development Area ◽  
Potential Disaster

The risk of development (or disaster) depends on the nature of the development itself and the potential disaster in the development area. However, the risk of disasters is a matter of perception. It depends on how an individual or group of individuals see or assess the characteristics of a phenomenon. Even it is subjective; it is vital to understand what risks people consider to be acceptable, especially the local players involved in the development works. Therefore, this paper presents how the local players perceive disaster risk in underground utility development. These local players were the authorities at the federal and state level, industry players, and academicians. Series of focus group discussions were conducted for data collection purposes, and the data was analyzed narratively. One aspect is the perception of disaster risk occurrence; either the disaster affects the development or otherwise. In turn, this evidence-based information could be one of the essential feeders to policymakers and disaster managers on what disaster risk reduction programmes have a better chance of being accepted by the local players. The success of this kind of programme is essential for sustainable underground utility functions for the future.

Radio Communication for Forest Conservation in Tanzania: a SWOC Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-140
Author(s):  
Malima Zacharia ◽  
Michael Andindilile
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Forest Conservation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Radio Communication ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Key Informants

Abstract This study investigated the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges (SWOC) associated with the power of radio in communicating forests information to enhance community responsiveness to forest conservation in Tanzania. Data collection entailed the analysis of the content of a series of Urithi Wetu (Our Heritage) programme produced and aired by the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) radio, conducting interviews with key informants, administering questionnaires with citizens living adjacent to forests, and holding focus group discussions (FGDs) with the villagers in the study area. The study established that, to some extent, radio presents some opportunities for easy communication of forest conservation information in a bid to influence communities to take the intended conservation action. On the other hand, the study found that factors such as poor packaging of forest information, lack of participation of the rural-based citizens in the programmes, and poverty among community members limited the power of the radio to influence effectively citizens to conserve forests.

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