Interpretive Paradigm Research Articles

Socio-Economic Factors Impacting Education Attainment in Primary Schools in Katagum LGA, Bauchi State Nigeria

In recognizing education as a fundamental right, Nigeria has striven to eliminate barriers that impede access, ensuring that learners from diverse backgrounds can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society. This endeavor is grounded in the belief that education is not just a privilege but a powerful catalyst for personal growth, social progress, and global harmony. However, despite this, Nigeria has the highest number of children not enrolled in school even globally. This study explores socio economic factors affecting enrollment in primary schools in Katagum Local Government Area in Nigeria. The Human Capital Theory by economists Gary Becker and Theodore Schultz guided this study. A qualitative study, framed within an interpretivism paradigm, drawn on a phenomenology design was used. 29 participants were purposively sampled from the study’s population who are stakeholders of primary education including parents, teachers, head teachers and Education Secretary while the data were generated using interviews and focus group discussions and thematically analysed. Trustworthiness was ensured and ethical principles were adhered to. Findings revealed that the stakeholders perceived socio-economic factors affecting enrollment in primary schools as poverty, child labour, distance norms and location of the school, influx of Internally Displaced Persons, belief system and unemployment. It was envisioned that, strategies like abolishing of school fees, shifting socio-cultural norms, introduction of skills acquisition, school’s improvement projects and offering financial incentives to poor families would improve and sustain enrollment in primary schools.

Exploring views on praxis possibilities of multilingualism in university literacy pedagogies

Background: South African literacy-as-social-practice theoreticians, language-in-education experts, educational linguists, and language policies advocate multilingual pedagogies to acknowledge and cater to diverse multilingual learners’ literacy development. Universities purport multilingualism to provide for the multilingual norm, students’ literacy, and educational development, as scholarship shows that multilingualism benefits academia and literacy education. Yet, these universities remain locations for monolingual and epistemological biases. Concerns about such praxis pretensions in pluralistic literacy education and the failures in literacy-as-social-practice strategies have been raised. However, the perceptions of lecturers and students on their role in implementing desirable praxis in multilingual literacy education are under-researched.Objectives: This qualitative study explores lecturers’ and students’ perceptions and their impact on practising linguistic plurality in literacy for educational development schemes.Method: The research uses in-depth individual and focus-group interviews with four lecturers and four first-year undergraduate students at a selected linguistically diverse university. An interpretivist paradigm was applied consisting of participants’ subjective experiences as members of a higher education institution (HEI).Results: Findings reveal that lecturers have difficulty coping with multiple languages due to inadequate training and misconceptions about multilingualism, and monolingual pedagogy perceptions carried over from their institutions whose culture denies students’ linguistic plurality.Conclusion: The study demonstrates the importance of shifts in epistemological orientation and adequate training, focused on multilingualism, to develop versatile and agile lecturers equipped for multilingual universities.Contribution: This research contributes to understanding the complex implementation problems regarding multilingual literacy education and possible solutions. It postulates new ways of forging multilingual literacy practices to erase praxis morbidity.

Unveiling Cultural Heritage: Exploring the Perceived Online Destination Image of China’s Cultural Heritage Destination and Narrative Strategy in Travel Vlogs

ABSTRACT From the perspective of cultural heritage tourism, this study aimed to explore the narrative strategy utilized in travel vlogs and the perceived online destination image of Meishan City through travel vlogs. Grounded in an interpretivism paradigm, data was collected from WeChat Channels, and a five-element narrative analysis method was adopted to analyze six travel vlogs. The findings revealed that travel vlogs display the online destination image of Meishan City as an authentic cultural heritage destination. The study further identified a three-stage narrative strategy utilized in travel vlogs that effectively integrates intangible and tangible cultural heritage destination elements, including narrative enrichment, narrative ascendant, and narrative resonance. It further enhances the online destination image and highlights the significance of Chinese cultural heritage. This work provides valuable theoretical and practical implications for cultural heritage destination studies and marketing practice.

The Dynamics of Triangulation in Cervantes’s El amante liberal

This essay analyzes Miguel de Cervantes’s El amante liberal as a type of psychomachia that dramatizes the battle between two systems of interpersonal triangulation that change and mold the conduct and character of the protagonist Ricardo, and to a degree, of the other protagonist Leonisa. René Girard’s mimetic desire, which degrades and dehumanizes individuals, and St. Thomas Aquinas’s Christian friendship, which foments love and generosity, are inscribed in the story to explore the theme of identity and offer a Cervantine paradigm of reading and interpretation. This paradigm allows for ambiguity, hybridity, and changing interpretations.

Governmental student funding systems for higher education: an international perspective

The worldwide surge in demand for higher education (HE) aligns with an increasing need for effective student funding systems, particularly in countries where poverty poses a significant barrier to accessing HE. An international perspective on governmental student funding systems allows us to examine how other governments have implemented these systems to benefit their citizens. The aim of this article is thus to provide a global view of the functioning and challenges pertaining to student funding systems and to shed light on the policies in place in the international landscape. The realist systematic literature review methodology was deemed the most suitable for this study as various scholars have previously studied different facets of the topic. This study aligns with the interpretive research paradigm and qualitative methods. The desired information therefore already exists within the body of knowledge, although it has not yet been analyzed through this particular method. It is evident that both developing and developed countries experience challenges regarding student funding, both in the purpose thereof as well as in the implementation. This is a universal issue, and an in-depth literature review confirmed this phenomenon.

Exploring Design Principles for STEAM Learning Activities Development by Science and Technology Teachers

This study explored the design principles of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) learning activities developed by science and technology teachers for classroom practice. Through a qualitative approach, interpretive paradigm, and design-based research, 12 Bachelor of Education honours degree students were conveniently sampled. Data were collected by means of reflections and development of learning materials through the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model. The study followed the design-based research stages of needs analysis, development, testing, and reflection to produce design principles, and it was underpinned by the learning theory of constructionism. The findings showcase the design principles to include design thinking, finding solutions for learning problems, creativity, and innovation applied to instructional design. The study recommends the use of design thinking pedagogies in developing teacher knowledge on STEAM classroom practice.

Equitable Pedagogical Practices in Learning Mathematics at Secondary Schools in Nepal

The central focus of this study is to explore equitable pedagogical practices in learning mathematics in diversified learners’ mathematics classrooms. This study focused on investigating the challenges faced by mathematics teachers to conduct equitable pedagogical practices in learning mathematics in mathematics classrooms and exploring the possible ways to promote equitable pedagogical practices in learning mathematics. An interpretive critical theory paradigm was employed for collecting, analysing, and interpreting data in an iterative process. Qualitative narratives were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), and classroom observations of which five secondary-level mathematics teachers of Dhading were observed. Through multi-layered theme analysis and interpretation, the study produced five emergent challenges: linguistic issues, classroom diversity, the dominance of banking pedagogy, student absenteeism, school environment, and socioeconomic position. Moreover, the study showed eight different ways to promote equitable pedagogical practices in learning mathematics: providing additional support for marginalized students, using multi-methods of mathematics teaching, promoting peer and group work, individual treatment, motivational counseling, teaching mathematics relating to daily life, promoting collaborative learning and cooperative teaching, and promoting culturally responsive teaching.

Adopting Learner-Centred Pedagogy to Develop Business Studies Learners' Problem-Solving and Creative Thinking Skills in Selected Schools in South Africa

The need for problem-solving and creative thinking skills to be taught well in business studies classrooms can never be overemphasised due to the complexity of the problems and challenges faced by businesses in the 21st-century business environment. Teachers are, therefore, required to adopt pedagogies that would enable learners to acquire problem-solving and creative thinking skills to operate effectively in the new business environment. This study investigates business studies teachers' adoption of learner-centred pedagogy to nurture learners' problem-solving and creative thinking skills. This qualitative study is positioned within the interpretive paradigm. An exploratory case study was employed as a research design. Progressive Learning Theory was adopted as the lens of the study. Semi-structured interviews and classroom observations were used to collect data from six business studies teachers who were sampled purposefully from six secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. The raw data was analysed thematically. It was found that most teachers managed to adopt learner-centred pedagogy and learning activities that promoted the acquisition of problem-solving and creative thinking skills. The study concluded that business studies teachers are now embracing learner-centred pedagogy in their classrooms, and they understand the importance of teaching learners to equip them with skills that are demanded by the 21st-century business environment. Despite these findings, it is still recommended that workshops and short learning courses be offered to teachers to equip them with pedagogical skills that would help them to engrain and sustain learner-centred pedagogy in their instructional practices.

Adaptation of Migrated Upper Mustangi People in Pokhara, Nepal

The adaptation process of migrant people from the Upper Mustang to Pokhara found a social issue. The trend of permanent and seasonal shifting was prominently observed in this study. The individual and community-level adaptation process of the in-migrants in Pokhara, and multi-ethnic societal adjustment were considerable. This research concentrated on specific ethnics of the Himalaya region of Mustang district who migrated to Pokhara and adapted in hilly ecology. The study was trying to seek the pattern of migration from the Upper Mustang their circumstance and their adaptation in Pokhara. The study area of this research was covered the migrant population in Pokhara from Lomanthang and Lo Ghekar Damodar Kunda Rural Municipalities of Upper Mustang. This study was based on a qualitative research design with interpretative research paradigm. Six informants residing in Pokhara seasonally or permanently both rural municipalities were selected representatively. For the qualitative information in-depth interview was taken with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. Due to the climatic vulnerability, people from Upper Mustang were shifting in Pokhara permanently or seasonally for survival. The extreme cold, occasional summer rainfall, soil erosion and glacier outburst are major threats of the life security of migrants. Whereas, the common destination of migrants found Pokhara becaue favorable climate, life survival opportunities and historical legacy of socio-economic connection.

Emotional labour while working with families: Potential affordances for supporting early childhood educators’ wellbeing

Partnering with families is an explicit regulatory and role requirement for early childhood educators, yet the emotional labour involved is implicit and relatively unacknowledged. While research has found that complex work demands jeopardise educator wellbeing – resulting in unprecedented turnover and attrition in Australia and internationally – little research has investigated emotional labour and associated educator wellbeing in relation to partnering with families. This article argues that the limited research on educators’ emotional labour with families and its ensuing invisibility may pertain to both its positioning within social constructivist and interpretivist paradigms that render such work as naturally inherent and to conceptualisations of emotional labour theory that entrench this work in maternalistic discourses. The article positions emotional labour theory within a critical feminist lens and as a worthwhile line of inquiry to extend this body of research and disrupt maternalistic discourses that diminish educators’ skilful labour. The potential affordances pertaining to the illumination of this work as skilful for early childhood workforce policy are considered.

Analysis of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Impact of Carnival Activities on Village Sustainability

This research aims to find out whether the ESG concept can only be used in a company or can also be used to analyze an activity, where this activity can have an impact on society. By using an interpretive paradigm, this researcher tries to interpret the impact that occurs on carnival activities in terms of the ESG concept. Data was obtained using in-depth interviews with the organizing committee, activity participants and also local businesses involved in the activity who were key informants. The method used is a snowballing system where interview results are grouped and data reduction is carried out before being analyzed and conclusions drawn or verified. Triangulation was also carried out using different question techniques asked to ensure the validity of the data to key informants. By using triangulation techniques, researchers ensure that the data obtained is valid. The results of this research found that there are many impacts that occur in carnival activities which are reviewed with the ESG concept which can later be used as something for the sustainability of the village and can also be a reason in making decisions for the sustainability of the village and also for the sustainability of this activity. In other cases The impact resulting from the concept that has been applied to this activity can be seen from the environmental, social and environmental impacts of this activity also governance.

Analysis of Profit Quality and Esg: Investor Determinants in Decision Making

This research aims to interpret the concepts of ESG and earnings quality in terms of their influence on investor decisions. Using an interpretive paradigm, this researcher tries to interpret the meaning of ESG factors and earnings quality by researching social phenomena. Data was obtained using in-depth interviews with lecturers, students and general investors who were key informants. The method used is the snowbolling system. The interview results are grouped and data reduction is carried out before being analyzed and conclusions drawn or verified. Triangulation was also carried out using different question techniques asked to ensure the validity of the data to key informants. By using triangulation techniques, researchers ensure that the data obtained is valid. The results of this research found that ESG factors and earnings quality are interpreted in material terms, environmental and social responsibility and goodness or spirituality in the context of determining factors in investment decisions. Empirically, in a broader sense, ESG factors and earnings quality are not only interpreted as financial benefits but as a reflection of investor awareness of their positive impact on the environment and social and mutual benefits.

Integrated Waqf Farm: A Contemporary Model for Waqf Land Development

The important role of waqf is felt to have been greatly reduced recently, due to various problems faced in developing waqf land. The lack of nazhir competence, limited development capital, and management that is not yet professional are some of the many problems in waqf. Various approaches are needed to close this problem, such as changing the form of waqf, cooperation between lines, and other alternative innovations. This research aims to reveal contemporary innovation models in integrated agricultural waqf land development and analyze the benefits, opportunities, costs and risks using the analytic network process approach-Benefit, Opportunity, Cost and Risk (BOCR). This research design uses an interpretative paradigm with a qualitative approach in the form of a case study. Through content analysis, data obtained from interviews is then interpreted according to the research objectives. This research reveals that there are two types of innovation developed through the integration of agriculture in waqf development. �Bersamamu sadar ternak� is a livestock-based innovation, this innovation is the result of collaboration with farmers to produce sheep without costs being charged to partners. To strengthen the existence of tourism on this waqf land, "Kopi Bersamamu" is the next caf�-based innovation. Through BOCR analysis among waqf experts, "waqf land becomes productive" is the benefit element that is considered the most important with an average of 0.34. "Business development opportunities" is the most important element in the opportunity elements with a mean of 0.38. Meanwhile, "high costs for technology, management and maintenance" is considered the highest element in the cost aspect. Finally, "Shariah compliance risk" is the greatest risk in developing agricultural-based waqf land with an average of 0.45

Decolonizing the Teaching and Learning of Indigenous Nguni Music Instruments in Higher Institutions of Learning in South Africa

This is an ethnographic study which was carried out to determine appropriate and effective models, approaches, strategies and techniques, for the transmission of Indigenous African Music (IAM), as practised in the communities of Tsembeyi village in the Eastern Cape Province and Impunga Village in KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa to the institutions of higher learning. The research explored pedagogical intervention measures for transplanting the teaching and learning of indigenous Nguni music instruments at Walter Sisulu University. This enquiry is underpinned by the praxial and Ubuntu theories, which ensure that participants are practically involved in doing, making, and experiencing learning as a collective. The study adopted an interpretive paradigm entrenched in a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews and participant observation were administered to collect data from 13 preservice music teachers including the main researcher and 3 community music experts drawn from the amaXhosa and AmaZulu, who are part of the Nguni nation in the Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The thematic analysis revealed that the importance of engagement of the community in teaching and learning Nguni music instruments, underlying philosophical knowledge, and the understanding and approach to the construction and playing of IAM instruments. The authors argue for the possibility of breaking down the barriers of marginalization, and discrimination and celebrating human capabilities through the use of local resources and engagement of the community, thus, striking a meaningful and appropriate balance between the approaches that are used in traditional communities and institutions of higher learning. Keywords: Decolonization, Transmission, Curriculum, Indigenous African Music, and Nguni.

Enhancing entrepreneurial intention in secondary school

Purpose: The literature reveals that emerging markets experience high unemployment rates. However, tertiary institutions continue to chant out a large number of graduates, increasing the rate of unemployment. Regardless of the tertiary institutions introducing entrepreneurship education, graduates continue to seek employment instead of creating it. This study analyses the introduction of entrepreneurship education in secondary schools to create entrepreneurship intentions in students. Research Methodology: The researcher adopted an interpretative paradigm that advocates a qualitative approach. The study face-to-face interviewed 17 head teachers from secondary schools in the Mashonaland West Province. This study thematically deduces entrepreneurship teaching methods, entrepreneurship content, and entrepreneurship assessment methods as sub-concepts that, if implemented, lead to entrepreneurship intention. Results: The researcher established that entrepreneurship education leads to entrepreneurship intentions if introduced in secondary schools. However, it requires commitment from policy designers and implementers to achieve the intended goals. This study recommends the adoption of entrepreneurship education based on a funding model supported by stakeholders, including financial institutions and the government. Limitations: The study had a methodological limitation in that the sample size was small (17 head teachers). Contributions: This study contributes to educational policy changes through the introduction of entrepreneurship education and its curriculum. Novelty: This study analyzed the implementation of entrepreneurship education in secondary schools as a vehicle to solve the unemployment challenge.

Pushed or Pulled? Becoming Gig Workers in Sri Lanka

The gig economy is expanding with more workers joining digital labour platforms globally. Gig work has become popular in Sri Lanka as well, especially during the recent past. Since the gig economy is still a relatively new concept in Sri Lanka, the area is understudied. Hence, the objective of this research is to examine what motivates Sri Lankans to become digital workers. We use push-pull theory as the theoretical lens of the study. Based on qualitative research methodology under the interpretive research paradigm, 22 digital workers from various backgrounds were interviewed in person to identify their motives and experiences with web- based digital labour platforms. This study found four important reasons for Sri Lankans to choose digital work, 1) pursuit of passion 2) pursuit of money (earning in foreign currency, gaining financial independence and an additional source of income), 3) pursuit of agency and 4) pursuit of developmental opportunities. While the motivation for participants to join gig work was mainly identified as pull motivation, in some instances it was identified that the participants were also pushed to join gig work.

Digital nomads in destination marketing

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to determine the impact of digital nomads on destination marketing.Design/methodology/approachThe article was designed using a six-layer research onion. The research design was developed with an interpretive paradigm using an inductive multi-qualitative approach.FindingsAccording to the results obtained, it was found that digital nomads play an important role in destination marketing and are effective in creating intentions to visit destinations.Originality/valueThe study reveals a methodologically different approach to the theme by analysing multi-qualitative data. The theoretical contribution of the article is that it shows that digital nomads' YouTube video posts regarding destinations are more effective on other digital nomads and those who want to become digital nomads.

Coaching to support work-life balance of women in leadership positions

Orientation: Women leaders face significant challenges because of the multifaceted nature of their lives. They need support to maintain a healthy work-life balance.Research purpose: This study aimed to explore the role of leadership coaching to support women in leadership positions with work-life balance.Motivation for the study: Leadership coaching is an effective and powerful individual support and development intervention; however, the link between coaching and work-life balance for woman leaders has not been studied sufficiently.Research approach/design and method: Data were collected via in-depth interviews from (n = 10) women in leadership positions who experienced at least six leadership coaching sessions in the last 18 months. An interpretative phenomenological paradigm was utilised and thematic analysis was used to analyse collected data.Main findings: Coaching supported women leaders on four fronts: increased self-awareness, designing work-life balance strategies, coping with gender-specific challenges and highlights the importance of organisational commitment to the coaching and support processes.Practical/managerial implications: Coaches should ensure that coaching programmes integrate strategies and techniques to help women leaders manage emotional, labour and domestic responsibilities. Organisations should take steps to create an inclusive workplace that actively promotes the professional development and well-being of women leaders by recognising and addressing their challenges and providing support through coaching.Contribution/value-add: This study provides empirical evidence that leadership coaching is a viable strategy to support women leaders with work-life balance.

Making Sense of Cyberbullying: Stories of Men and Women at Work

This article explores how women and men appraise and interpret their experiences of cyberbullying at work and how they respond to such behaviours within a gendered cultural space, using the theory of sensemaking. Within the interpretive research paradigm, data was collected through in-depth, in-person interviews from 10 male and 25 female employees who had experienced cyberbullying. The findings indicated the similar and different ways that sense was made by men and women employees about their cyberbullying experiences. While making sense of cyberbullying experiences has been a very social endeavour for women, it has been a relatively private and individual process for men. Further, women had been more assertive and had relentlessly attempted to clear their image and regain their fractured identities as respectable women, while men mainly had been passive in trying to protect their fractured identities as good performers. Further, gender role stereotypes and gender scripts appeared to have influenced the sensemaking process and the participants’ reactions. This article contributes to the limited literature on cyberbullying at work and develops existing understandings of how men and women understand and react to cyberbullying experiences in a gendered cultural context.

EFL Learners’ Engagement And Its Academic Effects In Shadow Education: Phenomenological Study

In Indonesia, shadow education is becoming a promising educational business, which raises questions about the quality of the teaching at school and factors affecting such a phenomenon. The current phenomenological study aimed to find out kinds of engagement of ten Indonesian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Shadow Education (SE). It would also highlight academic effects of shadow education in Indonesia. Grounded in the interpretive paradigm, the study employed a qualitative approach to gain an in-depth and holistic picture of EFL learners’ lived experiences at shadow learning in Indonesia. Data were collected mainly through observation and interview. The data were analyzed by using coding and categorized into themes and categories in the meaning making and interpretation process. The study revealed that students were engaged beahiorally, emotionally and cognitively in SE. Dealing with the students' participation in SE, it was found that SE gave good effects for students' academics, such as giving satisfaction, helping them to understand English and prepare examination. Theoretically, study is expected to give understanding on how shadow education affects student engagement and its academic effects. Practically. This study informed teachers about good ELT practices in the SE to be adapted in their classroom .