scholarly journals The Impact of Letter of Intent as Gatekeeping Encounters on Saudi Students Graduate Applications

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Maha Abdulwahed Alzahrani

This qualitative study examines the challenges faced by Saudi students in the process of applying to graduateprograms while studying in an anglophone country. Through the lens of gatekeeping scholarship, this study sought toshed light on the role of letter of intent on predicting the success of Saudi students with their graduate programsapplications. Writing a letter of intent in one of the main factors influencing students’ applications. Data collectedwas mainly through semi-structured interviews and analysis of the students’ letters of intent. In conclusion, theletters of intent were found to be one of the defining factors in successful graduate applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-17
Author(s):  
Houache Hassen ◽  
Noor Hayani Binti Abd Rahima ◽  
Mohamed Jalaldeen Mohamed Razi ◽  
Asadullah Shah

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are regarded as the engine of the growth of the world economy. They had recently experienced rapid growth and improved their business activities in terms of customers’ number and revenue expansion when they began to embrace e-commerce and started using it in their business. However, although there is a growing interest in e-commerce, its use is still insufficient in Algeria. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors that influence the adoption of e-commerce by SMEs in Algeria. This study adopts a qualitative methodology which involves in-depth, structured interviews to identify the factors that affect SMEs for the adoption of e-commerce in Algeria. The result of research found the main factors hindering the adoption of e-commerce by SMEs in Algeria are the e-payment methods, non-readiness of banks, lack of legal protection and lack in awareness of the benefits of e-commerce, as well as fear of risks. However, some other elements are less significant to influence the adoption of e-commerce. These research findings will give an addition in terms of bringing and giving a chance to the SMEs' leaders and the Algerian economic officials and a clear view of e-commerce practices. This can help them to design a strategy to remove barriers tactfully to its advantage.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolita Vveinhardt ◽  
Rita Bendaraviciene ◽  
Ingrida Vinickyte

Volunteering, the volunteer’s intercultural competence and emotional intelligence contribute to intercultural education and sustainability in various societies of today. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of emotional intelligence and intercultural competence on work productivity of volunteers. The first part of the article substantiates theoretical associations between emotional intelligence, intercultural competence and work productivity. Based on theoretical insights, empirical research methodology was prepared, which consisted of four categories divided into sub-categories that provided the structure of the question groups. The empirical research involved seven informants working in Lithuania, who welcomed volunteers from abroad. The research was conducted using the method of semi-structured interviews. The conclusions present a systematic perspective towards the role of emotional intelligence in the intercultural competence and work productivity of volunteers. In this context, emotional intelligence works as a mediating factor. The contributing role of volunteer-receiving organisations in the development of the volunteers’ emotional intelligence is also highlighted.


Multilingua ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 517-528
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Yuqin Wu

AbstractTranslation is an important means of enabling access to information in an emergency response. Increasingly, volunteer translators have been using social media platforms to self-organize and carry out urgent translation tasks that effectively complement official disaster relief efforts. However, the role of crowdsourced translations and the capacity of volunteer translators in reducing the impact of disasters remain underestimated and therefore understudied. Based on semi-structured interviews with five volunteer translators and online observation of their translation practices, this study investigates the role of a volunteer-driven crowdsourced translation effort in facilitating the donation and procurement of medical supplies between Wuhan and the world. By addressing the real challenges of urgent crisis communication in Wuhan in the early stages of the pandemic, this study draws attention to the need to integrate information and communication technologies with multilingual resources for disaster relief. In addition, it calls for the inclusion of multilingual logistics in national emergency preparation, response and recovery plans.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorien H. Braam ◽  
Sharath Srinivasan ◽  
Luke Church ◽  
Zakaria Sheikh ◽  
Freya L. Jephcott ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Authorities in Somalia responded with drastic measures after the first confirmed COVID-19 case in mid-March 2020, closing borders, schools, limiting travel and prohibiting most group functions. However, the impact of the pandemic in Somalia thereafter remained unclear. This study employs a novel remote qualitative research method in a conflict-affected setting to look at how some of the most at-risk internally displaced and host populations were impacted by COVID-19, what determined their responses, and how this affected their health and socio-economic vulnerability. Methods We conducted a remote qualitative study, using Katikati, a 1-to-1 conversation management and analysis platform using short message service (SMS) developed by Lark Systems with Africa’s Voices Foundation (AVF), for semi-structured interviews over three months with participants in Mogadishu and Baidoa. We recruited a gender balanced cohort across age groups, and used an analytical framework on the social determinants of health for a narrative analysis on major themes discussed, triangulating data with existing peer-reviewed and grey literature. Results The remote research approach demonstrated efficacy in sustaining trusted and meaningful conversations for gathering qualitative data from hard-to-reach conflict-affected communities. The major themes discussed by the 35 participants included health, livelihoods and education. Two participants contracted the disease, while others reported family or community members affected by COVID-19. Almost all participants faced a loss of income and/or education, primarily as a result of the strict public health measures. Some of those who were heavily affected economically but did not directly experienced disease, denied the pandemic. Religion played an important role in participants’ beliefs in protection against and salvation from the disease. As lockdowns were lifted in August 2020, many believed the pandemic to be over. Conclusions While the official COVID-19 burden has remained relatively low in Somalia, the impact to people’s daily lives, income and livelihoods due to public health responses, has been significant. Participants describe those ‘secondary’ outcomes as the main impact of the pandemic, serving as a stark reminder of the need to broaden the public health response beyond disease prevention to include social and economic interventions to decrease people’s vulnerability to future shocks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-203
Author(s):  
Tal Braverman-Uriel ◽  
Tal Litvak-Hirsch

The impact of sexuality on mental wellbeing in women in long-term relationships has only been partially investigated. Emphasis has been on quantitative research studies that do not capture the breadth of the field. The present study looked at how and to what extent women maintain sexual desire in long-term relationships, and how sexuality affects their mental wellbeing. The study used a qualitative narrative approach and included semi-structured interviews with approximately 20 Israeli women aged 40–55 from similar socioeconomic backgrounds and in longstanding, permanent relationships. The findings indicate significant development over the years in the perception of the role of sexuality and its impact on mental wellbeing. The path to good sexuality can and should follow women’s leadership and initiative. Such women have the desire to make an impact, willingness to make an effort, and even an actual ability to exert influence. The interviewees’ tools, strategies, insights and ways of coping can serve as models for other women seeking better sexuality in a long-term relationship.


Author(s):  
Valentina Gorchakova ◽  
Kenneth F. Hyde

Major international cultural exhibitions, often referred to as touring ‘blockbuster’ exhibitions (TBEs), are arguably among the most stimulating and engaging event experiences. The role of orchestrating an experience that is meaningful and memorable has captured the attention of scholars in the events literature over recent decades. The aims of this paper are to re-conceptualise major international cultural exhibitions as special events, present a framework of the experiences these exhibitions generate for visitors, and explore the roles such experiences play in visitor well-being. The study draws on the findings of qualitative research conducted in Australia and New Zealand. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of art galleries and museums in Melbourne, Canberra, Auckland, and Wellington involved in hosting ‘blockbuster’ exhibitions, as well as representatives of regional cultural, tourism, and events organisations. This paper presents a ‘3Es’ experience realms framework, which comprises the key experiences that a major cultural and arts event generates for visitors: entertainment, enrichment, and emotional engagement. The first realm of the 3Es framework, entertainment, has encountered scepticism in the museum field; however, research findings here corroborate the arguments of those scholars who hold that entertainment may help to engage visitors and facilitate education. Enrichment comprises the creation of a favourable environment for new knowledge to be processed, and the enhancement of knowledge. The third realm is an emotionally engaging experience that results from social interactions, activities, and contemplation of and learning about unique exhibits. The framework demonstrates an interplay of these three major experiential dimensions and visitors’ hedonic and eudaemonic well-being. Exhibition and event organisers can utilise this framework to plan the delivery of memorable experiences for visitors and explore the ways in which their event can be made enjoyable, enriching, and emotionally engaging.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raed Alotaibi ◽  
Luke Houghton ◽  
Kuldeep Sandhu

<p>In Saudi Arabia, Mobile government (m-government) is in its infancy. This study aims to explore potential factors influencing adoption of m-government services in Saudi Arabia to improve future implementation. The review of the relevant literature revealed a lack of research regarding the factors that may potentially influence the adoption m-government services in Saudi Arabia by using TAM model based on the perspective of experts in Yesser. To examine relationships between external factors and behavioural intention to use (BIU) in the TAM model, a qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with five experts from Yesser. Analysis demonstrated that the factors of trustworthiness, usage experience, awareness and security might influence the adoption of m-government services in Saudi Arabia. The results of the qualitative study also demonstrated that enjoyment does not influence the adoption of m-government services in Saudi Arabia. These findings may help decision makers in Saudi government to improve future implementation of m-government services.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Suzanne Marie Godin

This research paper is a qualitative study of how urban and rural children (6-8 years) experience the natural environment. The literature exploring how place of residence can influence environmental awareness and pro-environmental behaviour among children has been contradictory. This study attempted to explore this question in order to establish any differences between the two sample groups. Semi-structured interviews and drawing analyses were used to examine the children's view of the natural environment and their knowledge of environmentally responsible behaviours. The results indicate that the urban children were more knowledgeable of environmentally responsible behaviours and displayed higher levels of environmental advocacy. These findings support the use of area-specific environmental teaching strategies that may serve to promote environmental awareness and advocacy among children residing in any location.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (87) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Sidorenko ◽  
◽  
Natalia Grisenko ◽  

The article is devoted to the study of such an important psychological phenomenon as an attitude of women to their own motherhood. It is summarizes the study of the problem of motherhood in psychological science in general. The article analyzes the problem of the influence of the relationship with the mother in childhood on the formation of a woman's attitude to her own motherhood in adult age. It is illuminates views of foreign and national researchers on the study of this phenomenon, as well as the essence of different areas of research on this phenomenon. Based on the theoretical analysis of the literature on this topic, the concept of "motherhood", its content and psychological essence is studied. Cultural-historical, biological, physiological and psychological aspects to the study of motherhood are singled out. The main content of scientific views on the formation of the phenomenon of motherhood is generalized. The main factors influencing the development of a woman's maternal sphere and the formation of the attitude to one's own motherhood are analyzed and considered. The content of such basic concepts as "mother's image" and "maternal relations" is revealed. The psychological features of the formation of an adequate image of the mother in the theoretical analysis of the ontogenesis of the maternal sphere are analyzed. The article also reveals the dynamics of motherhood in ontogenesis. The types of maternal relations and their role in the life of a mature woman are determined, as well as the influence of these relations on the formation of a woman's attitude to her own motherhood. The influence of different types of relationships between women and their own mothers on the level of formation of their attitude to personal motherhood has been empirically studied. Two groups of women were studied, one group had a positive relationship with their own mother, and the other had a negative one. In the course of the research the differences between different types of maternal relations and the level of formation of a woman's personal attitude to motherhood are singled out.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zarni Htun ◽  
Yingxi Zhao ◽  
Hannah Gilbert ◽  
Chunling Lu

Abstract Background The Global Fund has been a major funding source for HIV/AIDS programs in Myanmar. In this qualitative study, we aim to understand the impact of Global Fund on national HIV/AIDS response in Myanmar during the era of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Methods We conducted individual in-depth interviews by recruiting key informants through purposive snowball sampling. The respondents were engaged in the national/subnational response to HIV/AIDS in Myanmar and worked for the United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society. Interview questions were organized around the role of Global Fund in strengthening national response to HIV/AIDS in the six building blocks of the Myanmar’s health system. Transcripts from the key informants were synthesized into specific themes through a deductive approach. Results We found that the Global Fund has provided substantial support to (1) finance the national HIV/AIDS response in Myanmar, and (2) strengthen leadership and governance at the central level through improving coordination and collaboration, including more stakeholders (e.g. civil society, NGOs) in decision making process, and catalyzing policy changes on scaling-up key interventions. Yet, its role remains limited in addressing new demands at the township level in terms of capacity building, staffing, and medical supply resulting from rapid scale-up of HIV interventions and decentralization of service delivery in the public sector. Conclusion There was a missed opportunity for Myanmar to capitalize on the use of the Global Fund’s funding to strengthen the health system. Deliberate planning is required to optimize the use of those scarce resources to provide universal coverage for HIV/AIDS.


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