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Qualitative Research Interviewing

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... This is important because, as Christine Walley has argued, social class 'is about the trajectories of our lives -individually and collectively -that often play out in ways that we cannot influence, but sometimes in ways that we can' (Walley 2013, 10). The empirical material comprises a collection of 24 narrative interviews conducted according to the biographical narrative interpretive method (BNIM) (Wengraf 2001). The operational inclusion criteria employed in this study required the participants to have parents without higher education 7 and to meet at least one of two additional conditions: (1) their parents worked in popular class or rural jobs (e.g., welder, driver, mechanic, housewife, confectioner, childminder), or (2) their family was struggling economically. ...
... The interviewees were asked to tell their life stories, which led them to an academic career. What makes BNIM different from other approaches to interviews is the process of data analysis, which requires the additional stage of a 'research panel' (Wengraf 2001). In contrast to other popular biographical approaches it is an extremely lengthy procedure (two sessions, 3-4 hours each for every transcribed interview 8 ) in which 4-6 people analyse the transcript and try to formulate experiential hypotheses (What may the interviewee have felt?), interpretative hypotheses (What meaning does the interviewee attribute to this event-chunk?), ...
... Semi-structured interviews complemented desk research to collect insights from different perspectives and develop a detailed understanding of the case. Open-ended semi-structured questions (see Appendix 2) were formulated to gain information on the governance of BoscoInCittà by structuring the interviews as a natural conversation between the interviewer and the respondents (Wengraf 2001). In total, 8 key informants, with different job roles, from strategic to operational level, and backgrounds were selected following a 'convenience sampling strategy' (Gentles et al. 2015) and interviewed between February and August 2021, using different modalities -i.e. ...
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Although urban forest governance is gaining momentum in the literature, scholars have paid limited attention to assessing its functioning and performance. This article addresses this gap by adopting a governance capacity lens and providing an assessment framework tailored for local-level application. Using a mixed-methods approach, the framework is operationalized to investigate the governance of BoscoInCittà in Milan. Results show that actors collaboration is crucial for establishing effective governance arrangements that ensure the successful management of urban woodlands, tackle urbanization pressure, enhance ecological connections , and deliver forest benefits, even in the absence of parti-cipatory processes and comprehensive management and monitoring plans.
... It is also worth noting that our study relied on retrospective accounts from parents about their experiences with ECE settings during the 2021 to 2022 school year. While this is a common approach in qualitative research, it is important to acknowledge that retrospective accounts may be subject to biases and may not accurately reflect the experiences of parents (Wengraf, 2001). Specifically, participants' responses to their experience with the transition back to in-person learning and concerns they had about the transition reflect participants' recollection of that time and circumstance and may not be an accurate reflection of responses they would have provided if asked earlier in the school year or prior to the 2021 to 2022 school year beginning. ...
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Black mothers experienced heightened concern about their children returning to in-person learning following COVID-19 related remote learning. Guided by critical race theory and racial protectionism, we sought to deepen our understanding of Black mothers’ concerns and experiences related to their preschoolers’ return to in-person learning during the 2021 to 2022 academic school year. We conducted five focus groups. Eighteen Black mothers (mean age = 32.90 years) of children enrolled in prekindergarten in the recently ended school year participated in a focus group with an average of 4 participants per focus group. Using reflexive thematic analysis, researchers generated the following themes: children contracting COVID-19, classroom closures and instructional concerns, bullying from other students, and school shootings. Study findings provide insight into Black mothers’ protectionism and concerns about educational systems, emphasizing the need to address health and physical safety concerns in early childhood settings to reduce educational disparities.
... El uso de entrevistas semiestructuradas requiere un nivel de estudio previo en el área del tema de investigación (Wengraf, 2001), porque las preguntas de la entrevista pueden basarse en conocimientos previos (Kallio et al., 2016). Por lo anterior, para la estructuración de las entrevistas se diseñó un protocolo basado en Omar Sharifuddin bin Syed-Ikhsan y Rowland (2004) y Seba et al. (2012). ...
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Objetivo: identificar los beneficios y las dificultades experimentadas en la implementación de la herramienta de mapas de conocimiento en una organización del sector público colombiano. Diseño/metodología: el estudio se desarrolló bajo una metodología cualitativa de alcance descriptivo. Se empleó la estrategia de estudio de caso único y la herramienta de entrevista semiestructurada. Resultados: los resultados mostraron que los mapas de conocimiento han ayudado a estandarizar los procesos y a dar continuidad al desarrollo de estos, a identificar conocimientos críticos, a acelerar la curva de aprendizaje y a facilitar la transferencia de conocimiento. Por su parte, las dificultades se relacionan elevada rotación de personal, la falta de empoderamiento, los cambios periódicos del personal directivo y la falta de un equipo técnico sólido para acompañar el despliegue de los mapas de conocimiento. Conclusiones: los mapas de conocimiento son una herramienta valiosa en los procesos de gestión del conocimiento, principalmente en la identificación de conocimientos críticos para la operación. Sin embargo, condiciones propias de organizaciones del sector público, tales como la forma de administrar el talento humano y la alta rigidez administrativa, puede llevar a estas a enfrentar obstáculos que impidan implementar estrategias efectivas para la gestión del conocimiento. Originalidad: el estudio explora la implementación de los mapas de conocimiento en una organización pública, aspecto poco teorizado en este sector. En Colombia, las normativas en el área son relativamente recientes. Por consiguiente, estos resultados ofrecen a los responsables de la toma de decisiones una mejor comprensión de los aspectos clave que deben tenerse en cuenta a la hora de aplicar estas estrategias.
... Although the quantitative approach is suitable for researching large religious communities-for example, to examine the distribution of different religious beliefs and their intensity according to one of the agreed scales-the qualitative approach is suitable for researching small, unexplored social groups (Davie, 2007), of which the Adventist and Baptist churches in Montenegro are cases in point. We opted for semistructured interviews because they allowed for additional questions; as suggested in the literature, such an approach allows for clarifications that are helpful in obtaining the most accurate response (Halmi, 2005;Seidman, 2006;Wengraf, 2001). As well put by one study, 'to understand other persons' constructions of reality we would do well to ask them … in such a way that they can tell us in their terms (rather than those imposed rigidly and a priori by ourselves) and in a depth which addresses the rich context that is the substance of their meaning' (Jones, 1985, p. 46). ...
... Furthermore, semi-structured interviews permit the inclusion of grand tour questions (Spradley, 1979), where interviewees provide detailed insights on topics they are well-versed in Leech (2002). Although semi-structured interviews are planned in advance, they also allow for spontaneity and improvisation during the interview to ensure comprehensive data collection (Wengraf, 2001). ...
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This research examines the newsmaking practices followed by local journalists in the Colombian Caribbean Region when covering information related to local administrations. It also explores the practices of communication officials in the Office of the Mayor, focusing on how they inform both citizens and journalists in the region. The data collection method involved semi-structured interviews with sixteen press and television journalists from the Caribbean Region, as well as with three communication professionals in charge of local administrations in Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and Cartagena. Subsequently, a thematic analysis was performed to identify patterns in the transcripts of these interviews. The topics discussed with journalists included the number of people covering local news in the newsroom; sources of information; criteria for selecting published information, and the presence of censorship or self-censorship in reporting on local management. For the communications professionals in the Offices of the Mayor, the topics covered the mission of their office; criteria for publishing information; channels used for disseminating information to citizens and journalists; the significance of the Transparency and Access to Public Information Law for their office, and the budget allocated for media advertising. The results revealed that censorship and self-censorship occur among journalists when reporting on local administrations, particularly when scrutinizing their management. For those in charge of communication in the respective Offices of the Mayor, the directives from each are definitive in producing information. Both situations prevent citizens from receiving complete, transparent, and good quality information, which is detrimental to democracy.
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When analyzing food systems challenges, considering multiple different narratives might lead to solutions that are more innovative and grounded in the local context relative to considering just a single narrative. However, the relationship between narrative diversity and innovation in food systems is not fully understood. Understanding the structure of and interactions between different food systems narratives can help researchers to identify opportunities (e.g., policies, interventions, and institutions) that could facilitate food systems transformations. This paper explores how narratives about food systems converge and vary between different groups of actors in rural Colombia as well as the implications for the co-development of innovative solutions amongst these actors to address food system challenges. As a case study, we focus on an important national policy initiative in Colombia, A Ciencia Cierta, which connects public science and civil society to implement community-based innovations. We conducted 47 interviews with key stakeholders, including policymakers, facilitators, academics, community leaders, and community participants who had been part of the initiative in Colombia, and experts about narratives in food systems globally. We found that actors (both individuals and groups) possess multiple narratives about food systems which evolve over time and adjust according to varying circumstances. Our findings indicate that hybrid innovations enabled by diverse knowledge(s) provide alternative solutions to overcome challenges faced by actors in food systems. This paper generates theoretical and empirical contributions to the growing study of how epistemic plurality can enhance innovation pathways in food systems.
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The main objective of this article was to explore in depth the subjective experiences of higher education students in their mindfulness meditation practice, with a particular focus on the mental and emotional changes they perceive through their mindfulness practice in their daily academic life, as well as the specific challenges they encountered in the process. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology through semi-structured interviews in order to collect detailed personal narratives from students about their mindfulness meditation practice for thematic analysis. The study was conducted with nine higher education students who were undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as students in the gap year between their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and all participants had either short- or long-term experience of mindfulness meditation. Interviews centred on how students began their mindfulness practice, the impact of mindfulness on their daily lives, and the challenges they encountered in their mindfulness practice. The results of the study revealed that students experienced two main themes in mindfulness meditation: the benefits of mindfulness and the challenges of mindfulness practice. The study showed that mindfulness meditation has significant positive effects among higher education students, such as reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing present moment awareness, and promoting self-reflection and emotional regulation. However, despite the multiple benefits of mindfulness, students still face many challenges in their practice, such as difficulties in sustaining a long-term practice, interference from environmental factors, and negative emotions arising from meditation. These challenges suggest that effective integration of mindfulness practices in higher education settings still needs to be further explored. The study suggests that future mindfulness intervention programmes should be more personalised, taking into account the actual experiences and feelings of students in mindfulness practice, and designing mindfulness programmes that can meet the needs of different students. In addition, future research should further explore gender and ethnicity differences in mindfulness experiences to improve the applicability and effectiveness of mindfulness interventions for different student populations.
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The involuntary migration of Afghans has emerged as a pressing global concern, presenting a complex interplay of social, legal, and economic challenges. This mass exodus, fueled by the pursuit of safety and refuge, has strained social and economic infrastructures, necessitating a comprehensive sociological analysis. This study investigates the lived experiences of Afghan immigrants and explores their coping strategies for overwhelming situations in the host community (Peshawar, Pakistan). Drawing on an interdisciplinary approach, the study synthesizes insights from migration sociology, cultural studies, and immigrant’s studies to comprehensively understand this complex intersection. By adopting a mixed research design using both survey and semi-structured interviews, and integrating legal, economic, and social perspectives, our investigation unveils the sociological dimensions shaping livelihood challenges and social impacts. The finding revealed the challenging legal and administrative hurdles faced by Afghan immigrants, the economic disparities, the complex dynamics of social integration, and accommodation issues within the host community. Amidst these challenges, this study found coping strategies of Afghan immigrants, which they had on individual, family, and community level. This study transcends academic inquiry, inviting us to embrace a holistic understanding that guides us toward more equitable and inclusive societies. This study contributes to migration sociology, and offers practical insights for policymakers and practitioners engaged in the complexities of involuntary migration and community development. It indorses sociologically grounded implications that call for inclusive policy interventions, cultural bridge-building initiatives, and community-driven efforts for long-term resilience. Charting future territories, we advocate for longitudinal and comparative analyses, recognizing the uncharted realm of gendered experiences in involuntary migration.
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Despite welfare state expansion in liberal democracies during the 20th century, health inequalities between socio‐economic groups persist. Understanding individuals' lived experiences can inform policy for reducing unequal health outcomes in these lives. We build on Fundamental Cause Theory (FCT), which posits that low socio‐economic status is the fundamental cause of health problems in (later) life. We argue that this theory is incomplete in developing policy interventions to tackle unequal health outcomes, because it assumes the relationship between socio‐economic status and health to be linear and unidirectional. Based on our findings from biographic interviews of 15 disadvantaged individuals in the Netherlands, we propose a refinement of FCT by taking into account the complex life trajectories of individuals experiencing unequal health outcomes. Specifically, we argue that these individuals' trajectories can be broken down into at least five distinct patterns (ping‐pong, snowball, escalator, quicksand and lever) between socio‐economic and health issues. These patterns provide a theoretical addition to the existing FCT on the dynamics of life trajectories, the intensity with which problems develop and the importance of external factors. This helps not only to understand the emergence of health problems, but also to imagine more suitable policy responses.
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Okul öncesi eğitim çocuğunun olumlu kazanımları, ilerideki eğitim yaşantısına katkı sağlaması açısından tek yönlü düşünülmeyerek, eğitimin içerisine ailenin de dahil edilmesi, davranışların pekiştirilmesi yönünden son derece önemlidir. Bu araştırmanın amacı Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı’na bağlı bağımsız anaokullarında, ailelerin eğitim sürecine katılımları hakkında okul yöneticilerinin görüşlerini alarak yöneticiler açısından incelenmesidir. Çalışma grubunda 2023 – 2024 eğitim öğretim yılında Antalya ili Muratpaşa ve Konyaaltı ilçelerinde kamuya ait bağımsız anaokullarında görev yapan 10 okul müdürü oluşturmaktadır. Nitel araştırma yöntemi ile kurgulanan bu araştırmada veri toplamak amacıyla ilgili kavramsal çerçeveye ve uzman görüşlerine dayalı olarak araştırmacı tarafından geliştirilen yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılmıştır. Örneklem seçilirken ölçüt örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Bu aşamada tespit edilen 10 bağımsız anaokulu müdürü ile görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Verilerin toplanması sürecinde katılımcılarla birebir görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Veriler tematik içerik analiz yöntemi kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre okul yöneticilerinin aile katılımı hakkında düşünceleri görüşleri önerileri üzerine aile katılımının önemli olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Aile ile iletişimin güçlü olması, üçlü sac ayağı şeklinde düşünülerek birbirine destek verilmesi çocuk açısından önemli olduğu görülmektedir. Her ailenin katılımı sağlanarak kuruma olan güvenin arttırılması gerektiği kanıtlanmıştır.
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In this chapter, the spotlight falls on carrying out research into street gangs, specifically focusing on Hesketh’s (2018) study of Merseyside entitled “A critical exploration of why some individuals with similar backgrounds do or do not become involved in deviant street groups and the potential implications for their future life choices”.
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In a time where new research methods are constantly being developed and science is evolving, researchers must continually educate themselves on cutting-edge methods and best practices related to their field. The second of three volumes, this Handbook provides comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of a variety of issues important in developing, designing, and collecting data to produce high-quality research efforts. First, leading scholars from around the world provide an in depth explanation of various advanced methodological techniques. In section two, chapters cover general important methodological considerations across all types of data collection. In the third section, the chapters cover self-report and behavioral measures and their considerations for use. In the fourth section, various psychological measures are covered. The final section of the handbook covers issues that directly concern qualitative data collection approaches. Throughout the book, examples and real-world research efforts from dozens of different disciplines are discussed.
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This paper explores the international higher education (IHE) fever gripping China's middle-class families. Drawing on data gathered from 69 qualitative interviews with Chinese middle-class international students whose education is financially supported by their families, the paper points out that the desire for IHE is influenced by the pursuit of the “normative biography,” a term conceptualized by the authors to refer to the societal expectations that prescribe the specific life milestones and sequences that young middle-class adults should follow on their life trajectories. IHE is perceived as an important pathway to help such young adults meet these social expectations. Moreover, parental support for IHE is not only an educational investment but also assists offspring in conforming to the normative biography. This paper enriches the understanding of how educational practices are influenced by broader sociocultural contexts in contemporary China.
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Many Tribal Nations are working to build capacity to plan, scope, execute, and operate construction projects internally, yet they face a lack of resources designed to support their efforts to self-perform such projects. In a research study conducted by the authors, 22 pro- fessionals in the construction industry were interviewed to identify best practices and strategies for designing and building facilities on tribal lands. This paper presents a construction planning tool borne from these interviews, the Project Definition Rating Index for Tribal Building Projects (PDRI—Tribal Building Projects), which supports planning and executing projects on tribal land considering their unique features. The paper further explores the PDRI—Tribal Building Projects through the lens of the Diné (Navajo) philosophy of Sa’ąh Naagháí Bik’eh Hózhóón (SNBH), and the guiding principles of Nistáhákees (thinking), Nahat’á (planning), Iiná (living), and Sihasin (assurance/reflection). This paper contributes to the architectural engineering and construction planning bodies of knowledge by presenting a new tool to support planning and executing projects on Tribal lands, the PDRI—Tribal Building Projects, and its benefits, including the promotion of culturally responsive communication, ensuring capital projects meet the needs of the tribe, and building capacity for front-end planning in Tribal Na- tions. The paper also makes explicit connections between the Diné philosophy and the front-end planning process for tribal construction projects.
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O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a transição de carreira de trabalhadores na maturidade que tiveram suas carreiras corporativas interrompidas pela demissão. Participaram da pesquisa, de caráter qualitativo e exploratório, 21 profissionais, com idades entre 45 e 60 anos, que ocupavam cargos de gestão e foram desligados das organizações privadas em que trabalhavam. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas individuais, conduzidas segundo o método biográfico. Os resultados mostraram que a transição de carreira foi influenciada por fatores contextuais e individuais, incluindo condições do mercado de trabalho, ageísmo, duração da transição, situação financeira, suporte social e características pessoais. Com relação aos resultados da transição, foram identificados três grupos, denominados excluídos, precarizados e nostálgicos, em consonância com sua posição em relação ao mercado de trabalho formal. Apesar de terem seguido caminhos diferentes, todos se encontravam numa posição notadamente pior do que a anterior à demissão. De uma perspectiva teórica, esses resultados nos permitem questionar os modelos de carreira que reforçam o viés da agência individual, relativamente aos aspectos contextuais. De uma perspectiva aplicada, ao trazer evidências da vulnerabilidade de trabalhadores maduros, esperamos chamar a atenção para a necessidade de políticas públicas e práticas organizacionais voltadas à valorização desse grupo profissional.
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Colonialism--the policies and practices wherein a foreign body imposes its ways of life on local communities--has historically impacted how collectives perceive themselves in relation to others. One way colonialism has impacted how people see themselves is through nationalism, where nationalism is often understood through shared language, culture, religion, and geopolitical borders. The way colonialism has shaped people's experiences with nationalism has shaped historical conflicts between members of different nation-states for a long time. While recent social computing research has studied how colonially marginalized people can engage in discourse to decolonize or re-imagine and reclaim themselves and their communities on their own terms--what is less understood is how technology can better support decolonial discourses in an effort to re-imagine nationalism. To understand this phenomenon, this research draws on a semi-structured interview study with YouTubers who make videos about culturally Bengali people whose lives were upended as a product of colonization and are now dispersed across Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. This research seeks to understand people's motivations and strategies for engaging in video-mediated decolonial discourse in transnational contexts. We discuss how our work demonstrates the potential of the sociomateriality of decolonial discourse online and extends an invitation to foreground complexities of nationalism in social computing research.
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This study examines the family formation journeys of care lea-vers in China, focusing on how they plan, navigate, and face challenges during this process. Using convenience and snowball sampling, 19 participants (16 care leavers, 3 care stayers) were interviewed. Thematic analysis identified three family pathways: (i) acquaintance-matched, (ii) self-matched, and (iii) marriage "on the way". The findings reveal ongoing social exclusion and obstacles to family formation, particularly for male care leavers, due to financial pressures, discrimination, and trauma. The study highlights the need for targeted support and social change to improve outcomes for care leavers in China.
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The primary objective of this paper is to address the methodology employed in qualitative migration research. It involves a theoretical analysis of the methodological challenges associated with a case study design, necessitating the collection of accounts from multiple individuals participating in the studied process or event. The second aim is to empirically illustrate these considerations through a study focusing on the relationship between Polish hosts and Ukrainian guests (2022–23). The gathered empirical material indicates the effectiveness of applying the technique of cross stories (récits croisés) derived from biographical research, along with the ontological-epistemological difficulties encountered. The paper does not aim to offer a comprehensive analysis of the cohabitation phenomenon. Instead, it contributes to the field by explicitly citing significant portions of raw material and elucidating their context. Its impact on migration studies lies in demonstrating, from a methodological perspective, that the simultaneous examination of various viewpoints and definitions of situations allows researchers to leverage the full potential of qualitative research. Through cross stories, a more profound understanding of interviewees’ perspectives on the world emerges, enabling researchers, when necessary, to question common-sense meanings of certain categories and highlight gaps in biographical accounts.
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Based on a collaborative project with the Sex Workers' Freedom from Injustice Collective ( Veshya Anyay Mukti Parishad , otherwise known as “VAMP”) in Maharashtra, India, this article explores sex workers’ narratives on love, life, power and freedom. Sex workers’ own accounts of the joys and difficulties they face in their intimate lives, in and outside work, we suggest here, offer important insights into the way in which they navigate patriarchy and throw fresh light on the questions of power and choice that have been so much at the heart of the sex work/prostitution debate.
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Citizen science challenges the conventional notion of research as an exclusive domain of professional scientists, by fostering collaboration to actively engage members of the public in aspects of scientific research. It is widely used in the environmental area, where citizens contribute to greater understanding of the natural world. Citizen involvement can range from participants simply being data collectors for science research right through to some projects seeing citizens as collaborators and co-designers with their science partners. Whatever form citizen science takes, the endeavour allows participants to directly contribute to scientific advancement while simultaneously gaining knowledge and appreciation for the research process. However, as citizen science’s roots lie in Eurocentric ideals of Western science, it raises concerns about how well citizen science programmes resonate with culturally diverse and historically marginalised communities. This thesis therefore examines how citizen science might be inclusive of, and relevant to contexts which include Māori as participants, and to contexts where citizen science investigation has particular cultural relevance such as when working with taonga species. The research explored two cases that involved communities engaging in environmental research. The first case considered the context of Kauri Rescue, a citizen science project framed through a western science lens, which sees citizens collaborating with scientists to refine a treatment solution for kauri dieback, a disease devastating kauri - a taonga species, with considerable cultural significance. The other case considered the context of a Māori community of the North Hokianga in the Far North region of Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa NZ), undertaking environmental research guided by Te Ao Māori values. These two cases enabled the research to explore community engagement through two different cultural lenses. To investigate the first case, the research applied a mixed methods approach involving an online survey and semi-structured interviews, to examine participants’ motivation for engagement and experiences of a citizen science project framed by Western science. To investigate the second case in the North Hokianga, a narrative ethnographic method was utilised through wānanga to understand how Te Ao Māori values could inform the practice of citizen science when working with Māori communities. The thesis reveals the significance of recognising and accommodating the diverse motivations and value systems of participants in environmental citizen science initiatives to cultivate sustained participant engagement and ensure project longevity. This thesis further found that while place attachment and values are intrinsic in the foundation of cultural identity for Māori, they are also of vital importance to Pākehā engaged in environmental citizen science initiatives. When working in Aotearoa NZ, citizen science projects must consider how to intertwine these values into the core structure of their initiatives to ensure their enduring viability and alignment with participant communities. This exploration of people’s experiences of engaging in environmental research through different cultural contexts, has enabled the research to inform how citizen science in Aotearoa NZ could be shaped by Māori values and therefore responsive to a more diverse Aotearoa NZ. Furthermore, it contributes to wider discussions in Aotearoa NZ about decolonising science.
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This study aimed to identify the factors that may prevent an early response to a drowning episode and the lifeguard perceptions about the critical signs possessed by a drowning victim. Study 1: The level of lifeguard surveillance (n=29) was video recorded prior-, during- and after two simulated drowning episodes that occurred in 7 Polish aquatic facilities. Study 2: A survey assessed the lifeguards’ perceptions about the critical signs they would expect from a drowning victim to be alerted (n=236) and the criterion χ2 was used. Results: The sampled lifeguards were not able to perform effective surveillance of bathing pools because they were unable to identify the simulated victims due to failure in maintaining an organized scanning strategy and because they were placed at the shallow side instead of being spread around the pool. Water safety organizations need to undertake major updates in their manuals and education. Aquatic facilities need to introduce daily operating procedures that would involve weekly staff training, frequent lifeguard rotations, application of various models and continuous professional development. Finally, the aquatic facilities patrons should not depend their safety only on lifeguards.
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Focus on the interconnection of interpersonal violence, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma and justice‐involvement has increased interest internationally among policymakers and practitioners working within criminal justice contexts for ‘trauma‐informed’ approaches and interventions which facilitate recovery. This article discusses limitations of employing these concepts to make sense of the lives of criminal‐justice involved people. Drawing on UK‐based research using interviews and collage‐workshops to gather autobiographical narratives of 16 repeatedly‐criminalised men, a case vignette is presented to show the institutional and structural contexts of interpersonal violence, and the critical role of the criminal justice system (CJS) in obscuring and perpetuating violence. This raises doubt about the CJS's capacity to respond to trauma. The contribution of this article is to integrate theoretical conceptualisations of violence and empirical findings to critique the possibility of trauma‐informed practice (TIP) within a criminal justice context.
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Teacher preparation has the insurmountable task of preparing candidates for classrooms with constantly changing demographics and demands. Whether it is contemporary pedagogical practices or understanding the needs of a multilingual/multicultural student body, TESOL teacher preparation programs (TPP) are trusted by accrediting bodies to produce classroom‐ready teachers. In the United States, state departments of education produce teacher standards that are implemented in TPP curricula, which are then acknowledged through accreditation. This relationship marks these TESOL teacher standards as policy (Johnson, 2013), and this study serves as an exemplar for mapping the implementation process, starting with the language policy funnel (Johnson & Johnson, 2015) and then expanding it using Social Systems Theory (Luhmann, 2012). The new system model highlights two breakdown points in the implementation process, which question the teacher standards/curriculum alignment in a Midwestern TESOL TPP. The findings offer insight into the complexity of TESOL TPP, the disconnect between TPPs and real‐world classrooms, and policy implementation research in educational contexts.
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This book explores the resistance by students to autocratic rule over Chile, the first essential step of which was re-establishing their right to free assembly. This was followed by the creation of loose opposition networks, which then unified into single movements. The basic units of opposition, the cultural workshops and participation committees at the University of Chile and the democratic committees in Santiago’s state schools, shared a preference for consensual, participatory democracy. Within their inclusive forums, they incorporated cells of clandestine party-political activists. The underground parties worked together within the democratic forums that the students had established. The party structures delivered expertise, resources and focus through hierarchical efficiency; the social movements delivered critical mass, safety in numbers, anonymity and democratic credibility.
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This article is based on research about language, terminology and representation in relation to institutions in Ireland formerly known as ‘Mother and Baby Homes’. Learning from this research informs tangible and conceptual steps towards greater epistemic justice practices for social work. The concept of epistemic justice is used to explore how critical attention to language, terminology and testimony can contribute to promoting rights, countering stigma, recognising diversity and actively challenging misrepresentation, mis-framing and misrecognition. Based on a sample of research findings that demonstrate epistemic injustice, the main themes discussed are identity (motherhood, childhood), places (institutions) and processes (adoption). In the discussion, we draw from participant’s recommendations to outline how social work can provide enhanced leadership in relation to the use of language, terminology and representation and consider this in the context of current research relating to epistemic justice. Given the centrality of language, terminology and representation to social work, there is a significant opportunity within an international context to build on existing knowledge within the profession as well as amongst other professionals, organisations and wider society. To inform this improved ‘knowing and doing’, a number of conceptual and tangible steps to encourage epistemically just practices within social work are identified.
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Although research has shown that parenting an adolescent with a visual impairment may present unique challenges, a few studies have examined how parents negotiate such challenges and the meanings they derive from their parenting experiences. Using a constructivist narrative inquiry approach, this study explored how four parents of adolescents with visual impairments storied their psychosocial and occupational experiences of childrearing. A holistic-content analysis and thematic analysis of participants’ narrative accounts was conducted, resulting in the identification of the following five themes: (1) Grief, Uncertainty, and Frustration During the Early Years; (2) Identity as An Advocate; (3) Enabling Independence and Planning for the Future; (4) Navigating Challenges in Getting Required Support: Frustrations and Successes; and (5) Changed Perceptions Within the Context of Societal Misunderstanding. Findings of this study address a gap in the current body of literature by highlighting the complexity of parents’ experiences along the journey of raising an adolescent with a visual impairment. These complexities are important to address in low vision rehabilitation practice to best support parents and youth, and further research is required to inform such practice.
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Background: As the use of the term urban resilience has gathered momentum, its meaning has diverged from a clear academic concept toward fuzzy and increasingly vague definitions that seek to address the normative dimensions of resilience for whom, of what, and for when. While the academic discourse is putting forward theoretical advances in the conceptualization of resilience, there is growing concern that, in practice, the term is being co-opted as a mechanism for implementing policies that support business as usual. Methods: This paper identifies current urban resilience knowledge-implementation gaps and how they occur. It does so through a systematic literature review and 21 semi-structured interviews with mid-career urban resilience professionals (researchers, practitioners, policymakers). Results and conclusions: The findings point to five types of gaps: definitional, epistemic, multiscalar, methodological, and values gaps. Because the increased concern for how urban resilience knowledge production systems operate and the operationalization barriers they create are a relatively recent issue, there is a pressing need not only to identify them but to explore how they can be addressed. The paper concludes by putting forward potential next steps to address the identified gaps through transdisciplinarity: fostering skills and capabilities for systemic approaches at individual, team, and organizational levels and facilitating inter- and intra-organizational learning through communities of practice.
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Digital initiatives may have helped to maintain active social networks during restrictive, social distancing measures of the COVID‐19 pandemic. To examine how and under which circumstances digital initiatives can contribute to social cohesion, semistructured interviews with 35 stakeholders of local communities and clubs were conducted. The thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews identified four main themes, characterizing conditions under which digital initiatives successfully contributed to social cohesion. First, preexisting digital routines need to be considered. Information and communications technology (ICT) routines, even if limited, need to be extended for digital initiatives to be successfully integrated into communities. Second, acquiring ICT skills are not a technical but a social problem. Members with limited prior knowledge relied heavily on strong ties to improve their ICT skills to become part of digital networks. Third, social media fatigue is particularly prevalent in those with limited prior ICT experience. Importantly, individual withdrawal from digital networks, resulting from SMF, had a knock‐on effect on others. Finally, communities that were not engaging with ICT dissipated. As such, ICT may contribute to social capital by maintaining social engagement in social networks, particularly if providing additional benefits to the community.
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This article builds on methodological literature addressing ways in which qualitative research interviewing can utilise principles derived from psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy, focussing on the sharing of interpretations and formulations with research participants. We review the accounts of different researchers who have considered the sharing of formulations and more formalised quasi-dynamic interpretative comments in this type of psychoanalytically informed interview research. Via this review and considering our experience as practitioner researchers, we suggest that careful reflection is required. The notion of interpretative work in psychoanalytic psychotherapy is potentially easily misapprehended because the term interpretation can refer to a range of (at times, very different) practices. Moreover, the terms of reference for dialogue in research and psychotherapy are fundamentally different for those engaged in them; an interpretation or feedback will not likely be received in the same fashion in a research interview as it would be in a psychotherapy session. Therefore, would-be research participants should be informed about the type of interview being used, with questions asked about their expectations. Furthermore, they should be encouraged to speak about what they may anticipate will be related to them of findings/analyses.
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Depression is a cause of disability globally and affects not only the person living with the condition, but the whole family. How people construct meaning to ‘live well’ and make sense of the reality of living with a person diagnosed with depression were explored through narrative inquiry and stories. The purpose of this article is to justify the use of narrative inquiry methodology to explore how people make meaning and find ways to live well and live with a family member who lives with depression. An interpretivist epistemological perspective, with the ontological principles of critical realism, and a social constructionist approach were chosen to guide the methodological framework. This was because how people construct the stories about their experiences will influence how those stories are told and what meaning is given to them. Eight people who live with a family member diagnosed with depression told their stories for this study. A realist approach to data analysis was taken, transcribed data were re-storied with redundancies removed, and member checked for accuracy. Using McCormack’s and Chases’ Lenses, the data revealed the strengths and challenges individuals faced when living with a family member with depression. Narrative Inquiry was an appropriate methodology to reveal how participants made sense of and constructed meaning about living well when living with a family member who lives with depression. Through the cyclical nature of depressive illness, participants navigated the fluctuations and uncertainties to find ways to live well and live with their family member. The research has the potential to adopt aspects of a family strengths-based and family systems approach into clinical practice, which would be valuable in supporting families living with depression and other mental health conditions.
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Several studies argue that journalism can facilitate and shape democratic backsliding when news organizations are captured by business and political elites. Under these conditions, journalists will likely fail to hold political actors to account and provide information essential for public deliberation. Gradually, news outlets devolve to provide unfair representations based on private interests instead of news coverage guided by public interest. However, research still lacks a systematic and detailed analysis of practices in news production that could be capable of damaging democracy. Not only is evidence very scarce, but it is also limited to the content analysis of news outputs and editorials. Using forty semistructured interviews and three case studies, this research investigates how journalists from the most influential outlets in Brazil covered key political events within a period of constant decline in the quality of democracy (2016–2021). Then, I build on the results to propose a new typology of de-democratizing journalistic practices: soft steering (recommendations pretending concern with standards, including partisan interpretations of balance), hard steering (direct orders, including internal censorship or entirely pre-defined stories), and anticipatory steering (reporters and editors act on their own based on perceptions and previous instructions). Moreover, this research offers evidence that de-democratizing journalistic practices can be internalized by news practitioners and, over time, replace democratic norms. Finally, it suggests a dynamic relationship between censorship and self-censorship in which control not only inhibits actions but also compels journalists to perform in specific ways.
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With the internet being the backbone of e-commerce, the number of e-Health solutions is becoming more prevalent around the world. However, they are not always developed in accordance with the needs of individuals with disabilities. In the past years, the challenge of inclusiveness gained significant attention, with differences among social groups and geographical regions being at the forefront of the debate. Thus, this study chose to focus on visually impaired young adults in Romania and their experience with e-Health solutions. Using the Value Proposition Canvas framework created by Osterwalder and Pigneur (2004), the study attempts to address the jobs, pains, and gains of this specific target group, with a focus on the social aspects. Qualitative research is carried out and 8 semi-structured interviews with visually impaired people are conducted. The overall results indicate dissatisfaction with the healthcare system and the medical services. Although the concept of e-Health is still developing in Romania, most participants appeared to have some experience with it, which overall was deemed unsatisfactory. The data gathered shows that this particular social group wants to carry out fundamental tasks like scheduling appointments, renewing prescriptions, and gaining access to reliable information. It was indicated that proximity to medical facilities, documents inaccessibility and interaction with medical staff are the biggest challenges. Participants experienced different treatment, either positive or negative, which affects their sense of self-sufficiency and level of independence. Solutions such as ePrescriptions, digital forms and personnel training are proposed for further research as they can address functional, social, and emotional problems of visually impaired people. Overall, this study contends that the design of a value proposition in the healthcare industry is directly influenced by the pains, gains, and jobs of the user. As Romania has limited resources, it is important to thoroughly consider consumer needs in order to design a viable value proposition.
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Older adults with bipolar disorder experience distinct challenges compared to younger age groups with bipolar disorder. They potentially require adaptations to the care they receive. This study aimed to explore experiences of care and changing care needs in older adults with bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder (aged ≥60) were recruited through three NHS Trusts in the North West of England, charity organisations, a confidential university participant database, and social media. Participants completed single time-point biographical narrative interviews, which were analysed using narrative analysis. Sixteen participants' accounts led to the creation of four themes: (1) 'Navigating the disruption caused by diagnosis'; (2) 'The removal of services that provided hope'; (3) 'Later life: We are on our own now'; and (4) 'Changing care needs in later life: We still need support'. The care needs of older adults with bipolar disorder appear to change over time, and services often fail to offer adequate, tailored care for this group at present. Current support requires adaptation to be effective and appropriate and to enable this group to age well in later life.
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This chapter contextualises global scholarly contributions from biographic, narrative researchers, illuminating the richness of life pathways, decision-making and individual and collective responses to COVID-19 restrictions, namely social distancing, mask wearing and mass vaccination programmes. Significantly, this volume elucidates rich narrative data from social scientific researchers in six continents, revealing the diversity of citizen’s reactions to the global COVID-19 pandemic and governmental policy responses, with regards to everyday routines, including transformations to work, education and online learning, gendered division of labour among academic mothers, time usage, and methodological innovations and developments including ‘smellwalks’, creative approaches like life writing, Photo Voice, ethnography and online interviewing. Importantly, in this book, we also map the state of the art extant biographic, narrative research on lives lived during COVID-19, further revealing the importance of storytelling, memory, emotions and the significance of biographic, narrative methods for the planning and implementation of policies in advance of possible future pandemics and global catastrophes. The book engages with the meanings of societal transformations and salient methodological questions which are nuanced, multi-layered and highly complex in chapters in the three principal sections of the book which are delineated as follows (1) Transformations to everyday life: routines, practices and new life trajectories (2) the impacts of COVID-19 in educational and work spheres and (3) Methodological practices and innovations during a global pandemic. Significantly, in the remainder of this chapter, we illuminate ways that this book both contributes to and extends existing biographic and narrative research; how it adds to new transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary research agendas on COVID-19 and post COVID-19 imaginaries with biographic narrative methods at their core.
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Persons with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) often experience limitations in their quality of life (QoL). Some studies have shown positive effects of speech and language therapy on QoL in persons with PPA. However, there is still a lack of evidence for disorder-specific approaches for this important therapeutic goal. The biographic-narrative approach (narraktiv) has been shown to significantly improve QoL in persons with post-stroke aphasia. In the planned study, the biographic-narrative approach will be adapted for persons with PPA (Cope PPA), and its efficacy will be investigated. First, a focus group interview with five persons with PPA will be conducted to identify the wishes and needs of participants. Based on the results, the narraktiv manual according to Corsten et al. (2015) will be revised. Second, an efficacy study will be conducted according to the new Cope PPA manual with 24 persons with PPA in a waiting group control design. The primary outcome, QoL, will be assessed using questionnaires (Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39) and semistructured interviews. Depressive symptoms, life satisfaction and cognitive/communicative functioning will also be assessed. If Cope PPA proves efficacy, this study may help to improve the treatment of persons with PPA.
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Professional learning community (PLC) has drawn global attention in the field of adult learning. This study applies paradox theory to examine how a group of Chinese school teachers transform their teaching practices in a self‐organized PLC without school policy support. The researchers applied the biographic‐narrative‐interpretive method (BNIM) to conduct 19 one‐on‐one interviews with eight teachers who were members of the PLC. The results showed that teachers who perceived their experiences through a paradoxical lens had a longer commitment to the PLC. The findings also revealed that the headteacher and school principal's informal leadership practices empowered teachers to navigate barriers caused by oppositional forces. The study offers insights into how a teacher‐driven PLC can be sustained in a hierarchical organization and suggests a three‐step iteration emphasizing the criticalness of learning‐by‐implementation.
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This study was conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the integration of Afghan immigrants in Iran. Employing a multi-grounded theory approach, data were collected through fieldwork involving 45 participants. The data underwent analysis using inductive coding, conceptual refinement, the construction of categorical structures, and theory condensation. The analysis yielded 21 categories, which were further organized into 6 overarching categories. These categories encompass conditions of origin, conditions of destination, political factors, social agency, immigrant characteristics, and structural and individual consequences. The findings of this research reveal that the integration of Afghan immigrants in Iran operates as an intricate integration ecosystem. In theories of integration, the significance of individual characteristics and the host society’s background as pivotal factors in immigrant integration is highlighted. In these theories, the interplay between immigrant characteristics and the host society’s context is also recognized as a crucial element in the integration process.
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This study explores the employment experiences of care leavers in China, addressing a gap in understanding their transition into the workforce. Through qualitative interviews with 19 participants, five distinct work pathways were identified: (i) placement approach –typical, (ii) placement approach – typical plus, (iii) self-job-searching approach – typical, (iv) self-job-searching approach – typical plus,and (v) self-job-searching approach – typical ‘on the way.’ The findings highlight care leavers’ proactive roles in navigating their employment journeys, yet also reveal challenges such as educational setbacks, insufficient work skills, lack of support, and societal discrimination, particularly against those with physical impairments. Enhanced support systems are essential.
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In the contemporary global context, the challenge of integrating immigrants into host societies has gained prominence. This paper delves into the perceptions and experiences of Afghan immigrants in Iran regarding immigration policies and laws. Employing a constructivist grounded theory methodology, the study aims to uncover participants' interpretations and the meanings attributed to immigration policies and laws. Grounded theory analysis, involving initial, focused, and theoretical coding, was employed to collect data. The results reveal that current immigration laws and policies in Iran have led to economic disparities, limited educational opportunities, social isolation, and identity challenges for Afghan immigrants. Iran's integration policies lean towards exclusion. Consequently, Afghan immigrants experience a weakened sense of belonging in the country. Therefore, our study suggests the importance of implementing integration theories and policies instead of those promoting disintegration. Such policies not only hinder immigrants' assimilation but also impede the overall progress of the host nation, thus undermining social cohesion.
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