Interpretive Qualitative Research Research Articles

Panna Addams: współczesna tożsamość „z pogranicza”. O postawie głównej bohaterki serialu Wednesday

The article is a part of qualitative interpretive research conducted as part of a doctoral thesis addressing the portrayal of femininity in contemporary selected film fairytales. The aim of the analysis was to present fairy tale heroines as an audiovisual representation of expectations, norms, and values stemming from gender and inscribed in the prevailing socio-cultural order. The qualitative interpretation of the active stance of the main character in the popular series Wednesday serves as an exe mplification of cultural contestation between the traditional understanding of femininity and its androgynous redefinition, not constrained by widely accepted social norms.

EXPLORING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS: THE CASE OF KNOWLEDGE FOR TEACHING EARLY ALGEBRA

Understanding how to constitute and develop opportunities for primary teachers teach early algebra to younger children is still an important research gap. In this paper, we bring results of a research program developed in Brazil over the past five years. We aim to discuss how professional learning opportunities emerged when teachers collectively planned, discussed, and analyzed lessons involving different meanings of the equality symbol and the development of functional thinking. Developed from the perspective of a qualitative-interpretative research, data analyzed consists of curriculum documents, protocols for the resolution of formative tasks, audios and videos collected during teacher education processes for in-service teachers. The results highlight that professional learning tasks, combined with the actions of teacher educators during collective discussions, favored in-service teachers to differentiate and understand the students’ reasoning. Some implications for teacher education as well as the professional development of primary teachers are discussed, especially regarding early algebra thinking, because teachers do not normally have the opportunity to study these contents on their own experiences in school.

PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS' PRACTICUM IN GRADE R: INSIGHTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Since 1994, South Africa has prioritized quality education by ensuring that young learners are taught by qualified teachers. A notable shift has been the inclusion of qualified teachers in Reception year classes. This study investigates the experiences of Level 3 and 4 Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase student teachers during their practicum in Reception year classrooms and the perspectives of university lecturers who assessed them. Using an experiential learning theoretical framework and a qualitative interpretive research design, data were collected through open-ended questions posed to student teachers. Findings indicate that student teachers had positive experiences, but university lecturers noted that lessons were often teacher-centred, lacking play or inquiry-based methods. Lecturers also highlighted that the Foundation Phase teacher education programme did not adequately support Reception Year teacher development, citing time constraints and insufficient physical space for practical activities. The study recommends re-evaluating the inclusion of Reception year training in the B. Ed Foundation Phase programme and developing an assessment tool to evaluate Grade R student teachers' planning and presentation skills.

Reflecting on Online Learning Experiences of Secondary School Teachers and Students during COVID-19

This paper examines the experiences of secondary-level students’ learning and teachers’ teaching strategies via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. The government formally announced the closure of physical classrooms to mitigate the outbreak of the coronavirus. This study utilised a qualitative interpretive research design and conducted online semi-structured interviews with the participants, observed their online classes and conducted documentary analysis. The findings of this study indicate that online learning in urban areas provided a flexible and alternative mode to physical classrooms. However, students and teachers faced challenges, such as irregular power supply, poor internet connection, expensive mobile data, lack of digital devices and limited ICT skills among teachers when it came to managing and delivering online classes. Additionally, the study highlights the inability of rural students to access online learning during lockdown. The efficacy of teachers in developing ICT and e-pedagogy skills played a crucial role in sustaining online learning. To ensure equal opportunities for quality education among students from marginalised and disadvantaged communities, it is recommended to equip schools, teachers, and students with the minimum ICT infrastructure and to provide subsidies on computers and internet access.

Echoes of dysfunction: a thematic exploration of toxic leadership in higher education

PurposeNumerous studies have examined effective or positive leadership styles and their effects on employees and organizational outcomes. In recent years, toxic leadership has drawn the attention of several organizations, and toxic managers undoubtedly harm an organization’s social, economic and individual quality of life. This study aims to examine academicians’ perceptions of toxic leadership behavior exhibited by their immediate leaders in the higher education sector.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative interpretive phenomenological research design was used, and data was analyzed using Clarke & Braun’s thematic analysis method. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with 26 teachers from the technical education sector within higher education who had five years or more of experience in the higher education sector.FindingsFive themes emerged from the teacher's narratives based on the research questions that were framed with the help of expert opinions and a thorough literature review (“frequency of occurrences,” “outward behavior,” “repercussions,” “coping strategies” and “support mechanisms”). Using the NVIVO 14.0 software, auto-coded themes were generated and corroborated with the findings. The triangulation of outcomes reveals toxic behaviors exhibited by the leaders in universities and colleges, which conforms with the toxic leadership literature.Originality/valueThis study advances the understanding of the harmful or toxic side of leadership, specifically in the higher education sector. This work advances earlier studies in the field by examining teachers’ perceptions of toxic leadership behavior exhibited by their leaders in the higher education sector. The study continues by highlighting areas of toxic leadership research that are yet to be explored in academic literature and are still to be studied.

Bridging the theory-practice divide: Reflections of school-based student teachers

Background: Teacher education programmes often prioritise theory over practical experience, leaving students struggling to connect classroom learning with real-world application. Addressing this gap, a proposed model integrates online coursework with mentored practice-based experiences through full-time placements in selected schools.Aim: The study delves into the experiences of first-year school-based student teachers (SBST) enrolled in a full-time undergraduate online programme aimed at bridging the theory-practice divide.Setting: First-year student teachers in the 2021 and 2022 cohorts (N = 30) placed full time in selected schools participated in the study.Methods: Using an interpretive qualitative research design, data were collected via focus group interviews with first-year student cohorts. Data was analysed using the cultural-historical activity theory combined with the constant comparative method.Results: Two primary findings emerged. Firstly, SBSTs faced difficulties balancing academic requirements between the school and the programme. Secondly, the varying degrees of support from stakeholders within both the programme and school environment influenced the quality and meaningfulness of SBSTs’ learning experiences.Conclusion: The convergence of university and school activity systems revealed tensions and contradictions yet also presented opportunities for expanded learning when coursework and classroom practices aligned. Despite criticisms of universities being overly theoretical, the research indicates that SBSTs prioritise practical experience in school settings, potentially overshadowing the significance of theoretical knowledge.Contribution: This study contributes to knowledge of the challenges faced by student teachers and highlights the need to address these contradictions through open dialogue within teacher education programmes.

Vacation Into Staycation Covid-19 Pandemic and Connotative Analysis of Staycation

Objective: To do the connotative analysis of the word Staycation from its origin till tourism trend of 2020 due to Covid-19 using Roland Barthes’ semiotic theory. Theoretical Framework: Roland Barthes’ semiotic theory of reading signs and their interpretation based on different cultures. Method: This study has adapted descriptive qualitative method and interpretative research design with content analysis technique to examine trends in related texts and to provide an insight into it. Results and conclusion: The results determine that the connotative meanings of word staycation are changed in two different scenarios. The literal (denotative) meaning of staycation stayed same, hence it has changed its connotative meaning depending upon its use in two individual time slots or the different contexts in which it is being used. Research implications: The connotative analysis of staycation under the perspective of Covid-19 and its impacts on tourism industry which has changed the connotative meaning of this word, will provide an insight that how and why different cultures, time frames and social scenarios change the connotations of words. Originality/Value: Overall, this research considers how words or signs change their meanings over time regarding changed circumstances and cultures.

Post-Colonial Ecocritical Dynamics in Ghosh's The Hungry Tide

The dynamics of ecological systems of the bioregion i.e., the Sundarbans of the Bay of Bengal dominates the novel 'The Hungry Tide' by Amitav Ghosh. Here, I analyze how the text destabilizes and subverts the Universalist claim of Western superiority based on false dichotomy between nature and culture by applying postcolonial eco-critical insights. The basic tenet of postcolonial ecocriticism is that social injustice is embedded in the injustice of nature and it sees equity in both by rejecting Universalist claims of Eurocentrism which sees nature and local communities as resources. To prove the claim, the researcher has gone through theoretical critical insight of Graham Huggan and Helen Tiffin who talk about postcolonial ecocriticism. Besides, the researcher also used the eco-critical insight as per the need of the paper. The qualitative interpretative research is based on the textual analysis of the primary text applying the postcolonial eco-critical insights. The paper concludes that social inequality and injustice in nature must be eradicated so as to liberate both.

La trata de personas y su implicancia con la función preventiva del delito en Ayacucho, Perú

The objective of this study is to understand human trafficking in its various forms and its relationship with the preventive function of crime in Ayacucho, Peru, during the year 2023. The methodology employed was descriptive and interpretive qualitative research, based on information collection through interviews conducted with 10 lawyers specialized in the subject. The results obtained indicate that, in Ayacucho, human trafficking occurs without distinction of gender or age. Victims can be both women and men, from different age groups. It is observed that adolescent girls are mainly subjected to sexual exploitation, while adult women and men are victims of labor exploitation, and children are forced into begging. In this context, it has been found that the effective implementation of the preventive function established in the Penal Code regarding the crime of human trafficking in Ayacucho is mostly limited to the theoretical-normative realm, lacking concrete pragmatic actions.

Experiences of experts in intelligence measurement of South African school learners

This qualitative research study emerged from the essential need for reliable and valid intelligence test instruments for South African school learners, who are characterised as a diverse population with their variety in culture, ethnicity, and language, as well as having unequal socio-economic and educational backgrounds. The aim of this research study was to use a qualitative interpretive description research design to explore and describe the experiences of both experts in intelligence test development and/or adaptation as well as psychologists and psychometrists who have administered intelligence tests to South African school learners in various contexts. Twelve psychologists and/or psychometrists were interviewed, of which six were also experts in test development and/or adaptation, which yielded four themes after thematic analysis, namely, utilised intelligence measurements in the current South African school learner context are less relevant; the South African education system is a major issue specifically within lower socio-economic status (SES) contexts; it does not seem feasible to design or adapt suitable intelligence measures that are valid and reliable in the current South African school learner context; and key informants’ recommendations from their experiences.Contribution: This research study contributes to the understanding of the measurement of intelligence of South African school learners in diverse contexts. Findings of this research study can guide the strategic process to design an intelligence instrument suitable for a South African population of school learners, informing fair assessment practices for multiethnic equalisation.

Analysis of Work Motivation in Improving Employee Performance at the Makassar City Transportation Service

This research aims to determine the analysis of work motivation in improving employee performance at the Makassar City Transportation Service. The type of research used is interpretive qualitative research. This research was carried out at the Makassar City Transportation Service using 3 informants. The data collection techniques used in this research are observation, interviews and documentation. The research results show that work motivation plays an important role in improving employee performance, this is mainly related to fulfilling the need for a sense of security and providing rewards for employee performance achievements.

What priorities for change are we missing in inclusion? Symphony of voices with participatory interviews

AbstractAn interpretative qualitative research project has been carried out in north‐west Spain (Galicia) with the aim of identifying the priorities which, in the opinion of the different agents involved, constitute the major demands of inclusion for an inclusive social and educational transformation. The data collection technique used was the open interview, through which 44 participants, belonging to different groups (headteachers, teacher‐tutors, specialists, counsellors, families, students, associations and politicians), expressed their experiences in relation to the subject of the study. Content analysis was carried out, through a double coding process combining the deductive and inductive approach, supported by the professional software MAXQDA22. The results reveal three main priorities as the main demands of inclusion in order to move towards inclusive social and educational change: (1) reaching collective agreements, (2) creating micro support networks and (3) strengthening teacher commitment.

Non-Formal Islamic Education Sustainability Construction: Study on the Tahfiz House of Daarul Quran

This research aims to interpret sustainability concepts and practices in Islamic education management in the non-formal spectrum by using interpretive qualitative research methods with content analysis as a tool to describe sustainability in this house (rumah this). This research shows that sustainability is a concept defined as the organization's founder and management's efforts to ensure that the educational program for memorizing Al-Qur’an continues to run and meets the expectations of the various parties involved. By providing scholarships to realize the motto “semua bisa jadi santri (Everyone can be a Santri). This aligns with the SDG's principle of "Education for all". In practice, sustainability is an organizational transformation effort carried out by the founders and management of the organization in the form of establishing a subsidiary organization that specifically manages tahfiz houses as the education center in memorizing Al-Qur’an. The organization's transformation is establishing a partnership based on trust so that the educational goal of SDG's "no one left behind" can be achieved.

“Navigating chaos”: Urban, Rural, and Remote Patient Experiences in Accessing Healthcare with Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Perspectives of Living with Chronic Low Back Pain

ABSTRACT Background Healthcare access for chronic low back pain is complex and should consider not only the health system, but patient care seeking experiences as well. People who live in rural and remote communities and/or identify as being Indigenous may often encounter additional barriers to accessing care for chronic low back pain; thus, these contexts must be considered to fully understand barriers and facilitators. Aims The aim of this study was to understand care-seeking experiences of people living with chronic back pain in Saskatchewan and determine unique experiences facing urban, rural, remote, and/or Indigenous peoples. Methods Thirty-three participants with chronic low back pain completed a preliminary survey followed by individual semistructured interviews. Participants were categorized as urban, rural, or remote including Indigenous status. A qualitative interpretive research approach with inductive thematic analysis was employed. Results Three overarching themes were identified with the following subthemes: (1) healthcare access challenges: challenges to accessing care, challenges within the health system, and challenges leading to self-directed management/coping strategies; (2) healthcare access facilitators: funded care, participant education and knowledge, patient–provider communication, and care closer to home; and (3) participant recommendations for improved care provision: coordination of care, integrative and holistic care, and patient-centered care and support. Rural and remote participants highlighted travel as a main barrier. Indigenous participant experiences emphasized communication with healthcare providers and past experiences influencing desire to access care. Conclusion Participants identified a range of challenges and facilitators as well as recommendations for improving access to care for chronic low back pain, with unique barriers for rural, remote, and Indigenous participants.

Investigating indigenous knowledge awareness among South African science teachers for developing a guideline

AbstractThis research article explores the development of preliminary guidelines for the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) into science classrooms. The study addresses the need for such guidelines to enhance learning outcomes in STEM. Grounded in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, the research investigates science teachers’ familiarity with IKS, their beliefs about its relevance, and their proposed strategies for its effective incorporation into science education. The study employed an interpretive qualitative research approach, conducting two independent case studies with a total of five teachers from primary and secondary schools in Hazyview, Mpumalanga. Through surveys and interviews, teachers’ perspectives were explored. A combination of inductive and deductive thematic analysis was used. The findings reveal varied levels of familiarity among teachers, differing perceptions of IKS relevance, and few proposed strategies for IKS integration. Additionally, preliminary guidelines were developed to bridge a gap between cultural knowledge and scientific understanding. These guidelines aim to empower teachers to transition from the familiar (IKS) to the unfamiliar (Western science), fostering a more culturally responsive science education environment. The study acknowledges the limitations of a small sample size, emphasizing the depth of qualitative awareness over generalizability. The proposed guidelines offer a foundation for further research and practical implementation, contributing to the advancement of inclusive and culturally relevant science education.

Perceptions on English as a Medium of Instruction in Community School in Nepal

English as a medium of instruction (EMI) is a model of teaching in which non-English subjects are taught through the medium of English. It has become popular more than a decade and it has increased its tendency rapidly within Nepal and in global context. This study aims at exploring the perceptions of policy maker, head teachers, teachers, students and parents on the use of English as the medium of instruction particularly focusing on its effectiveness in the community schools in Nepal. Having seen the broader picture, I have conducted the qualitative interpretative research adopting narrative inquiry design to explore the ground reality of EMI implementation and its effectiveness. For this, I have selected altogether eight participants from policy to practice level who have observed and experienced the EMI. The entire research study is connected to the theory of neo-liberalism. This interpretive data reveals that the EMI has created a lot of tension to both the teachers and the students. The research findings suggest that the EMI is adopted without any planning and analyzing the teachers' readiness. The intervention of EMI at community schools has been a great challenge not only from the perspectives of instructional difficulties but also found much more challenges in terms of language to all the students and teachers.

Including learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Voices of mainstream teachers

The global shift toward inclusive education is in pursuit of creating a more equal and just society. This has lead schools worldwide to experience an increase in the number of learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) entering the general classroom. At the first level of contact, teachers play an important role in the implementation of inclusive education; it is therefore crucial to acknowledge their experiences. Their voices need to be heard since their experiences can contribute to doing justice to the existing policies on inclusive education. In search of teachers' subjective experiences, we framed this interpretive qualitative phenomenological research study in a social constructivist paradigm. Participants were purposefully selected from an international school in Cape Town, South Africa. We collected data through an online open-ended questionnaire, followed by an in-person focus group discussion at the school. The findings indicated that while teachers are in favour of inclusion, they experience many challenges that result in a policy-implementation gap.

The resolution of unilateral claims and maritime features by other countries on Indonesia’s sovereign rights in the North Natuna Sea through the PAC to strengthen the maritime fulcrum in Indonesia

Maritime zones in bordering countries often meet and overlap, leading to disputes such as contested areas, overlapping areas, excessive claims, and unilateral claims. Indonesia, as a non-claimant country, faces a unilateral claim dispute affecting its sovereign right in the North Natuna Sea due to China having made unilateral claims to sovereignty and control of the Traditional Fishing Ground area, which contradicts the UNCLOS. This paper presents research on the settlement strategy, using a qualitative method and interpretative research philosophy. The results suggest that Indonesia can take PCA steps to resolve the issue, as it cannot take ICJ or ITLOS steps due to Indonesia’s non-participation in the delimitation dispute but the country affected by unilateral claims from China and the need for agreement between parties. The appropriate step is to seek clarification and a decision from the PCA to resolve this issue. The advantage of opting for the PCA Step is that the absence of the State in the tribunal does not preclude the continuation of arbitral proceedings, allowing for effective and efficient completion without requiring consent from the other party. This research highlights the importance of addressing maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

Healthcare Provider Perspectives on Access to Healthcare for Chronic Low Back Pain Across Urban, Rural, and Remote Settings

Introduction: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in improving access to care for patients with CLBP, but they face numerous challenges in doing so. This study focuses on healthcare provider perspectives of CLBP healthcare access. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 healthcare providers across a variety of disciplines who care for people with CLBP across Saskatchewan, Canada. A qualitative interpretive research approach with inductive thematic analysis was employed. Results: Years of experience ranged from 1 to >20 years. Participants represented 11 disciplines across urban, rural, and/or remote settings. Four overarching themes were identified: (1) Challenges for healthcare providers; (2) Anticipating and recognizing barriers and consequences for patients; (3) Facilitators for healthcare providers and patients; (4) Recommendations on improving accessibility to healthcare. Several barriers were identified for healthcare providers to provide optimal, evidence-based care across Saskatchewan, including patient complexity and past experiences, access to resources and coordinating care. Healthcare providers recognized barriers for patients, which ultimately influenced healthcare provider decisions and care provision. Coordinated care and funding were identified as facilitators that support healthcare provider recommendations of multidisciplinary care and improving provider education to enhance provision of care for chronic low back pain. Conclusion: Future care models should build on these identified factors, while considering clinical and community-specific contexts.

Exploring the Relationship between Critical Thinking and Shona Culture during Teaching and Learning of Young Learners 3-8 Year Olds.

This paper seeks to explore the relationship between critical thinking in young learners and culture. The paper reports on some of the findings of a larger study. The participants were (25) teachers of the (3-8) year olds in five Zimbabwean primary schools and the learners they were teaching approximately (1000) learners. This qualitative interpretive research study was framed within the ambits of social constructivism. Data for this paper was done through video recording teachers teaching Mathematics, interviewing the teachers and observation of learners in the (3-8) year age range engaged in mathematical activities. Interpretation of data from interviews and observations was done through linking related issues or identifying similarities in the responses given by the twenty-five teachers or observed from their teaching or learner activities. Excerpts drawn from responses or observations made are presented verbatim under the different themes that emerged from the issues raised. Findings of this research study indicated that the development of critical thinking in young learners during teaching and learning is greatly influenced by their cultural backgrounds.