Interview Questions Research Articles

"I've never personally discussed the cost of anything:" Adolescent and Young Adult Patients with Cancer Experiences and Preferences for Cost-of-Care Conversations.

Purpose: Cancer organizations recommend cost-of-care (CoC) information be provided to patients with cancer by their care teams. Little is known about the CoC conversation experiences and preferences of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. Methods: Eligible participants were 18-39 years old, diagnosed with cancer, and insured. Recruitment occurred at two cancer centers in Utah from October 2019 to March 2020. Data were collected via survey and semistructured telephone interviews, which were recorded and transcribed. Interview questions pertained to willingness, perceived usefulness, and past experiences with CoC conversations with their cancer care team. Interviews were analyzed by applying two rounds of thematic content analysis. Summary statistics were calculated for demographics, health insurance literacy, and financial toxicity. Results: Among 24 participants, half were aged 18-25 and half were aged 26-39 at interview and survey, with many currently receiving treatment (62.5%). Four qualitative themes emerged concerning CoC conversations (1) past experiences, (2) willingness, (3) usefulness, and (4) preferred provider. In interviews, most AYAs shared interest in discussing CoC, but previous CoC conversations were infrequent. Most AYAs who had previous CoC conversation experiences brought up the topic themselves. Interview data revealed that preferred individuals to lead CoC conversations were often social workers (25.0%), nurses (20.8%), or oncologists (20.8%), while others wanted any provider knowledgeable in financial matters (20.8%). Conclusions: AYA patients are willing to have CoC conversations; however, they infrequently occur. Future work may include interventions that guide clinicians in initiating in-depth CoC discussions with AYAs.

Assessment of the triple-bottom line for development and management of human settlements: Case study of ward 12, uMlalazi local municipality, South Africa

The global adoption of sustainable development practices is gaining momentum, with an increasing emphasis on balancing the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainability. This study aims to assess the current state of these pillars within the uMlalazi Local Municipality, South Africa, and evaluate the initiatives in place to address related challenges. The purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of how effectively these three pillars are being addressed in the context of local governance. Using qualitative research methods, the study gathered data from a sample of five key informants, including three local government officials, one councillor, and one chief information officer from the local police. Data was collected through open-ended interview questions, with responses recorded, transcribed, and analysed for thematic content. The findings reveal significant gaps in the municipality’s approach to sustainability, including the absence of formalized trading areas, limited community input in planning and decision-making, high crime rates, and persistent unemployment. These issues were found to be interlinked with other challenges, such as inefficiencies in solid waste management. Additionally, the study confirms that the three pillars of sustainability are not treated equally, with economic and social aspects often receiving less attention compared to environmental concerns. This highlights the need for the municipality to focus on formalizing trading areas, encouraging local economic growth, and enhancing public participation in governance. By implementing incentives for greater community involvement and addressing the imbalances between the sustainability pillars, uMlalazi can make significant progress toward achieving more sustainable development.

Voice Recordings from Short Mobile Sessions versus Clinical Interviews for Mental Illness Screening: A Comparative Study with Deep Transfer Learning

The prevalence of mental illness symptoms is increasing. While questionnaires are traditionally used, prior research applied machine learning to clinical interview recordings conducted by a virtual agent for depression screening. In this research, we compare their screening ability with brief mobile voice recordings. The latter reduces completion time while increasing access to screening. We collected 546 mobile voice recordings in response to four clinical interview questions from over 200 crowd-sourced adults reporting English fluency. We also collected responses to traditional screening questionnaires to use as labels in the classifiers. We extract textual transcripts from these voice recordings, facilitating both unimodal and multimodal classification. We compose acoustic and language representation models into deep learning architectures fine-tuned for mental illness screening. In our study, we compare the mental illness screening ability of four questions from mobile voice recordings and complete clinical interviews. When screening for depression, the brief mobile voice responses to individual questions proved as good or better for half of the interview questions. Overall, we achieved AUC of 0.76 for depression, 0.76 for anxiety, and 0.81 for suicidal ideation screening using our mobile voice recordings. Our findings can help guide the development of efficient and effective mental illness screening technologies.

Anti-Politics Behaviour among Young Malaysian Chinese

Objective: The study investigated the anti-politics behaviour of Chinese youth in Malaysia. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 Chinese participants aged 18 to 40 in Malaysia. They were from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The interview questions included frequency of reading newspapers, and having political conversations with friends, parents and educators. They were also asked about their interest in political speeches, and political involvement. Thematic analysis was conducted for the 85,000-word interview transcript. Results: The interview results revealed that the participants read newspaper articles and social media postings to confirm their pre-existing opinions on political issues. All the participants read Chinese newspapers because they were Chinese-educated, but only three participants were politically informed. The agents of political socialisation were their parents rather than peers and educators. Only one-third of the young Chinese participants read political news, and engaged in political conversations. They were likely to vote, hope for change, and believe that politics is a force for food. On the other hand, two-thirds of the participants were not interested in politics. The anti-politics behaviour was due to the politicians’ negative behaviour and observations of dirty tactics in politics. Most of the participants exhibited non-participation without democracy, and there were few participants in the political participation category, whether negative evaluation or positive evaluation. Conclusion: The study indicates that information black-out contributed to apathy of Chinese youth towards political participation and the disengagement may limit Chinese representation in the political structures of Malaysia in the future.

How do people with Parkinson’s disease perceive challenges in handling cutlery? – A mixed study

Aim: Investigate the experiences, challenges, and difficulties faced by people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) when using standard cutlery during meals and explore their preferences for features in assistive cutlery. Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods, narrative, and descriptive approach using phenomenological methodology. Data were collected in two phases: Phase 1 focused on understanding participants’ experiences and difficulties through phone or video interviews, while Phase 2 involved home visits to evaluate their preferences for cutlery features. Structured interviews with open- and closed-ended questions were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Analyst triangulation was employed to ensure reliability. Results: Phase one included 41 participants, while phase two included 15. Most participants reported difficulties using standard cutlery, citing challenges such as spills and reduced grip stability. Despite these difficulties, few had prior experience with assistive devices. Barriers to using adaptive cutlery included lack of awareness, limited access, cost, and concerns about its appearance. Some participants reported feeling embarrassed, which led them to avoid dining with others. Suggestions for improving regular cutlery focused on increasing the depth of forks and spoons to minimize spills. Most participants expressed a preference for cutlery with textured handles, deeper bowls, and medium size and weight. Conclusion: People with PD experience difficulties using regular cutlery, and few are aware of or use assistive devices. Participants expressed a desire for improvements in cutlery design that could improve their dining experience. Textured handles, medium size and weight, and deeper bowls were the most popular preferences among participants.These design improvements have the potential to enhance the dining experience and promote greater social participation among individuals with PD.

Growing grit: Perseverance and passion in nursing education.

Grit, or a person's "perseverance and passion for long-term goals," is a noted character trait for success. This qualitative descriptive study explored the experiences and challenges faced by nursing students, focusing on how these experiences shaped their educational journeys and exploring the role of perseverance and passion in nursing education and its potential for student success in a nursing education program. Purposive sampling was utilized to select study participants from higher education institutions in Southeastern Pennsylvania. To guide the interview, an interview protocol was developed which included a comparison table of the open-ended interview and probing questions and the Grit-S scale, an 8-item self-evaluation tool that quantifies perseverance of effort (perseverance) and consistency of interest (passion). Data were collected via semistructured virtual interview. Data were managed with ATLAS.ti 9 used in coding and analyzing transcripts and creating data visualization. The data analysis identified four themes: managing goals, confronting challenges, emerging interests, and experiencing supportive relationships. The study identified student perceptions of the factors that impacted their perseverance for long-term goals and their passion for nursing, assisting in their success. Recognizing the crucial role played by perseverance and passion in a student's success empowers nursing programs and faculty to consider implementing strategies to nurture interest and support students as they pursue their long-term objectives. The results of this study supported the interplay of perseverance and passion. Recommendations for nursing education include fostering supportive relationships and student-centered instructional techniques as well as organizing seminars or similar programs during the first year of their curriculum to grow perseverance and inspire passion.

Concussion characteristics in children and adolescents with ADHD: Exploring symptom burden and recovery trajectories

Concussions are a significant health concern for pediatric populations as children and adolescents engage in sports and recreational activities that increase their likelihood of sustaining brain injuries. Physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms resulting from concussion overlap with other diagnoses, particularly mimicking many symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to investigate and compare concussion characteristics, including symptom burden and recovery timeline, among pediatric patients with and without ADHD who have been diagnosed with a concussion. A retrospective chart review of 316 patients aged 6-18 years seen in a specialty concussion clinic in the Northwest United States was conducted. Patients with ADHD were selected, and patients without a positive developmental history were selected as an age-matched control group. Data from initial phone interviews and the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire were recorded into Epic EHR. Variables included demographics, concussion details, and symptom severity. Younger patients with ADHD had a longer time to their first visit, but ADHD did not significantly impact overall recovery time. Adolescents with ADHD and concussion were more likely to have diagnoses of depression and anxiety than adolescents without ADHD who had a concussion. The findings highlight the complexity of outcomes following concussion in children and adolescents. Although ADHD was associated with delayed care-seeking and higher rates of depression and anxiety diagnoses, an ADHD diagnosis did not significantly affect concussion symptom burden, as measured by the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire, or recovery timeline.

Distinctively black names and mechanisms of discrimination: Evidence from the early 20th century.

What were the effects of having a distinctively African American-sounding name on educational attainment, occupation, income, marital status, and longevity in early 20th century America? How did those effects differ for people based on their phenotypical race/ethnicity? The findings of contemporary research have shown racialized names to be related to negative outcomes such as job interview callbacks, birth outcomes, and teacher expectations. Furthermore, previous research has shown that the consequences of race-specific names explain as much as 10% of the historical between-race mortality gap (Cook et al., 2016). Theoretically, we argue, names should have been less of a mechanism for racial discrimination in earlier eras of American history. Using a sibling comparison design and linked administrative records, we hypothesize that there was little racial discrimination based on people's names in early 20th century America. We find that men with more African American-sounding names do no worse (or better) with respect to education, wages, occupation, or longevity than their brothers with less African American-sounding names; this finding holds for white and black men. This does not imply the absence of race-based discrimination in early 20th century America. Instead, it implies that people in this era discriminated based on something other than names and the race implied by those names.

Perceptions and Attitudes of People With Cancer and Diabetes Towards Patient Guidelines: A Mixed Methods Study.

To explore patients' perceptions and attitudes towards patient guidelines (PGs) and to identify specific factors related to PG content, design, presentation, and management that may influence patients' use or adoption of PGs. An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Initial semi-structured interviews were conducted with a diverse group of individuals, including people with diabetes or oncology, and clinicians. These interviews were analysed through directed content analysis. Findings from the qualitative study were used to develop a questionnaire. The questionnaire was circulated to patients with diabetes and cancer and asked them to report their awareness, attitudes, and the PG-related factors influencing their use and adoption of PGs. In total, 25 participants were interviewed qualitatively, and 400 participated in the quantitative survey. Analysis of interviews yielded three themes: perception of PGs, attitude towards PGs, and key PG attributes influencing patients' use or adoption of PG. Qualitative findings indicated limited awareness of PGs, supported quantitatively by only 26.5% of patients being aware of PGs. Attitudes varied, with 73.0% expressing an overall positive attitude towards PG, but only 17.3% preferred PGs for evidence-based answers and 32.3% favoured them for decision support, citing concerns that general recommendations may not meet individual needs. Participants suggested tailoring recommendations based on subgroups considering age, comorbidity, and weight, explaining why treatments work or don't work in different populations. Eight PG attributes influencing their use or adoption were found: accessibility, identifiability, attractiveness, credibility, usability, timeliness, relevance and simplicity. Lack of credibility was the most frequently mentioned hindrance, with 34.8% identifying unverifiable information as a barrier. Further qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed that medical staff were trusted sources for conveying PGs to patients. This study underscores the necessity for PGs to acknowledge individual differences and provide recommendations that are more tailored considering age, comorbidities, weight, and other factors influencing decision-making, ensuring that they address patients' specific needs and support informed decision-making. Additionally, there was a significant need to improve the dissemination of PGs, using medical staff as key channels to improve patients' use or adoption of PGs. In this study, patients were actively involved in several stages. During the development of the interview guide, feedback from two patients, alongside one patient guidelines (PGs) developer and three clinicians, was incorporated to ensure the guide's relevance and comprehensiveness. Patients' insights were integral to refining the interview questions, ensuring they were appropriate and effective. Additionally, the survey questionnaire was pre-tested among 20 patients using the Think-Aloud method, which led to significant revisions for better comprehension and response quality. These steps highlight the essential role of patients in shaping the data collection instruments and enhancing the overall quality and relevance of the study.

Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Chat GPT for Effective English Language Learning among Thai Students in Higher Education

The study aimed to (i) explore the effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models like Chat GPT to facilitate English language learning among Thai students in Higher education and (ii) compare the English Language Learning effectiveness among Thai Students after implementing artificial intelligence (AI) like Chat GPT to facilitate English language learning. The participants were Thai students aged 19-20 from first-year pre-service teachers in Bangkok. A total of 120 students participated, 60 in the control and 60 in the experimental group. The selection of participants was done through stratified random sampling to ensure a diverse representation of pre-service teachers with varying levels of English proficiency. We utilized a mixed-methods approach that combined qualitative and quantitative data: Standardized English tests, Chat GPT, focus group interviews, and field notes. The research instruments were (i) Standardized English Tests, (ii) Chat GPT, (iii) Focus Group interview questions, and (iv) Field Notes Form. The research findings strongly advocated integrating AI tools like Chat GPT in educational settings to facilitate more effective language learning. The study demonstrates that students who interacted with AI improved their language skills. A paired sample t-test revealed that this difference between control and experimental groups was statistically significant (p .001). Feedback from the focus group interviews indicated that students in the experimental group. After implementing artificial intelligence (AI) like Chat GPT, the AI-based learning experience increased engagement, personalization, real-time feedback, attitude change, and learning motivation. They reported that the real-time feedback and interactive exercises offered by Chat GPT helped them understand and apply language concepts more effectively. Lastly, the attitude changes because the students had high motivation, strong self-confidence, and a positive attitude shift.

Understanding the lived experiences of people living with epilepsy: Oral history assessment in the Shai Osudoku and Ningo Prampram districts, Ghana.

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological condition globally, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, it is one of the top five causes of premature death and disability, impacting children's neurological development and learning outcomes. Although 25% of epilepsy cases are preventable, many go undiagnosed and untreated. People with epilepsy face social stigma and rejection, hindering their ability to seek healthcare, employment, and social interactions, which worsens their self-esteem and social integration. The study aims to address the critical gaps in understanding and supporting people living with epilepsy (PLWE), through recording and analysing their experiences, and seeks to inform policy and practice, finally contributing to improve healthcare delivery, reduce stigma, and enhance support systems for PLWE. A qualitative research design was employed for the study. Oral histories (OHs) were conducted with ten PLWE. These interviews encourage interviewees to focus on the life stories and experiences that mean the most to them and can be shared in their own words The interview questions were constructed in English and conducted in English, Twi, Ga and Dangme. The residents of Shai Osudoku and Ningo Prampram hold robust religious convictions and engage in profound spiritual practices as is the case throughout Ghana. When faced with health challenges, the PLWE and their caregivers often seek assistance from faith-based spiritual healers, including pastors or religious leaders, as their initial source of support and healing. These healers provide care by offering prayers, spiritual counselling, and incorporating various religious rituals into their healing practices. It was revealed that many PLWE, caregivers and community members perceived epilepsy differently. Some perceived it as a spiritual or demonic disease. Whilst others attributed to curse and disease of witches, idols, or gods. However, the healthcare practitioners perceived epilepsy as a medical condition. Also, it was found that individuals faced challenges, such as stigma and discrimination. It is recommended that public education on epilepsy be intensified. Furthermore, there is the need to ensure that PLWE have access to improved healthcare to increase their quality of life.

Exploring the acceptability of a risk prediction tool for cardiometabolic risk (gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy) for use in early pregnancy: A qualitative study.

The acceptability of providing women with personalised cardiometabolic risk information using risk prediction tools early in pregnancy is not well understood. To explore women's and healthcare professionals' perspectives of the acceptability of a prognostic, composite risk prediction tool for cardiometabolic risk (gestational diabetes and/or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy) for use in early pregnancy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the acceptability of cardiometabolic risk prediction tools, preferences for risk communication and considerations for implementation into antenatal care. The Theoretical Framework of Acceptability informed interview questions. Transcripts were thematically analysed. Women ≤24 weeks' gestation (n = 13) and healthcare professionals (n = 8), including midwives (n = 2), general practitioners (n = 2), obstetricians (n = 2), an endocrinologist (n = 1) and cardiologist (n = 1) participated. Participants indicated that providing personalised risk information is only appropriate when preventative measures can be initiated to mitigate risks. Differentiating the risk for each condition (single risk outputs) was often preferred to composite risk outputs to enable targeted monitoring and management. Defining conditions and risks to mother/baby, visually depicting personalised risk scores, and providing clear, patient-centred clinical management plans were recommended. Supportive clinical policy changes, staff engagement/training, and integration into electronic health records were suggested to facilitate uptake into routine antenatal care. Women and healthcare professionals suggested that early pregnancy cardiometabolic risk prediction tools may be acceptable when preventative interventions are available to reduce risks. Risk prediction tools with integrated patient-centred education materials may promote timely access and engagement with preventative interventions to optimise women's current and future health.

Investigating processes to support and improve informed financial consent in Australian cancer services: an implementation process mapping study and analysis

ObjectivesThrough implementation process mapping and thematic analysis, this study aimed to understand existing pathways of established informed financial consent (IFC) processes to develop general recommendations for implementing IFC in various cancer care settings.DesignImplementation science-based process mapping qualitative study. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) informed the development of interview questions and a process map outlining a normative process or workflow for patient consults was used during the interviews.SettingAustralian cancer care provider health services.ParticipantsAustralian healthcare professionals who provide services to cancer patients and indicated having an IFC process or activities in their service were approached through existing networks to participate in a semistructured interview.ResultsTen healthcare professionals who regularly worked with cancer patients were interviewed. IFC processes varied by professional specialty (ie, general practice, surgery, radiation oncology and medical oncology) and healthcare settings (eg, public and private). An aggregated process map that highlights the key components of IFC processes discussed was created and includes strategies such as centralised points of contact, consolidated information delivery, reiteration of information by others or at various time-points and the use of follow-up appointments to revisit the financial impact of treatment. Interview themes identified barriers and facilitators such as training, resources and templates that to support or hinder IFC in accordance with CFIR domains.ConclusionsThe themes and aggregated process map provide timely recommendations for healthcare professionals who provide services to cancer patients to facilitate IFC with their patients prior to treatment or as treatment changes. These practical actions will assist healthcare professionals and services providing cancer care to integrate IFC practices and processes into their routine patient interactions. Further work should identify implementation strategies to integrate and scale-up these evidence-based IFC processes and practices across the healthcare system.

Phenomenological Description of the Experiences of Teenagers With Critically Ill Parents.

Critical illness not only threatens the life of the patient but also may profoundly impact the lives of their loved ones. For teenagers with a critically ill parent, these impacts may have significant, developmentally impactful effects. A descriptive understanding of these effects may advance scholarly understanding of the challenges these teenagers face. In this study, we sought to understand this overlooked population, i.e., teenagers with a critically ill parent, using a descriptive analysis of their experiences. Individual and group interviews were conducted with the participants (n = 9). Interviewers presented standardized semistructured interview questions to all of the participants. The questions explored situational, emotional, relational, and dynamic phenomena related to the experience of having a critically ill parent. Themes describing the participants' lived experiences related to having a parent with a critical illness were examined using a three coding framework. Four themes emerged, including parental health interference on teenagers-fallout, worsening, and interference; emotional experience and how emotions were processed-emotions, cognitive strategies, and behavioral strategies; relationships with others-sharing feelings, company, and relationships; and information and secrecy-learning, secrecy, and history. All of the teenagers in this study were found to suffer from both situational and emotional interference. Parentification, use of selective distraction as an emotion regulation skill, and reliance on support from others were also observed. These results shed light on the overall experience of teenagers who have a critically ill parent. The fallout effects of a parent's health can encompass situational, logistical, emotional, and relationship aspects. Importantly, attention must be paid to how teenagers cope with the emotions experienced during a parent's critical illness. This framework may inform how to more effectively support teenagers through strategies such as providing peer support opportunities.

Changing Outcomes for Job Candidates with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Benefits of Neurodiversity Training and ASD Disclosure.

Job interviews are often an integral component of the hiring process, but for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), job interviews can pose an unfair barrier to employment. Although employers may perceive candidates with ASD as qualified, they tend to reject those candidates in interviews because of atypical social interactions. This is true in situations in which evaluators are naïve to candidates' ASD diagnosis and have no training about neurodiversity. The present study explored whether diagnostic disclosure and/or increased ASD knowledge can reduce bias against ASD candidates. We included three conditions: Disclosure-Only, Training-Only, and Training + Disclosure. In all conditions, participants watched mock job interviews of candidates with and without ASD, rated each candidate on several social dimensions, and indicated how likely they were to hire each candidate. In the Disclosure-Only condition, participants were informed prior to each video whether each interviewee had ASD. In the Training-Only condition, participants first completed a neurodiversity training session before watching and evaluating the interviews. The Training + Disclosure condition combined these interventions. In the Disclosure-Only and Training-Only conditions, candidates with ASD were rated less favorably on social dimensions and were less likely to be hired relative to neurotypical (NT) candidates. In the Training + Disclosure condition, ASD candidates were equally likely to be hired as NT candidates, despite receiving less favorable ratings on some social dimensions. Combining knowledge of ASD with diagnostic disclosure improves hiring outcomes for individuals with ASD.

Possibilities for Better Educating Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Nepal: A Constructivist Outlook

The study is primarily concerned with finding possibilities for providing better education to students with intellectual disabilities studying in the special schools of Nepal. This is qualitative research carried out in an interpretive paradigm followed by a descriptive research design. Three special schools for students with intellectual disabilities from three separate districts of Kathmandu Valley were taken as samples by purposive sampling method. Three head teachers from these schools were automatically selected and six teachers from purposive sampling. Two experts were selected by using the convenience sampling method. Thus, 11 respondents took part in the study. Interview questions were prepared, validated by the experts’ review, and administered to the respondents to gather data. A Document study was also carried out to collate information. Thus, obtained data from these sources were triangulated to ensure the reliability of the study. Study results depicted that there are immense possibilities to provide better education catering to the prevailing challenges of teaching students with intellectual disabilities. Possibilities are high when guiding documents are prepared, qualified teachers are recruited, there are several special education experts, critical masses take their roles in the society, home-school collaboration is adequately practiced, providing inclusive education or introducing inclusive special education settings in the schools.

Shared Use to Promote Physical Activity and Healthy Eating in Rural South Carolina United Methodist Churches: Opportunities and Pastor Beliefs.

Access to facilities that could promote physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE) is limited in rural areas. Shared use agreements with churches may be a promising strategy for enhancing rural community access to facilities. The goals of this qualitative study were to (a) examine rural pastors' views on the role of faith-based organizations in improving PA and HE in rural communities; (b) describe the availability of church facilities that could be used for PA and HE; (c) understand pastors' opinions on shared use of church facilities for community health promotion. A purposeful sampling strategy was used to recruit pastors in rural South Carolina. Thirteen United Methodist Church (UMC) pastors (46% female; 54% predominantly African American congregations) participated in phone interviews. Interviews were transcribed and coded using grounded theory and analyzed with NVIVO. Most pastors reported that their churches had a kitchen (88%), classrooms (82%), and open field space (71%). Nine churches (53%) said they had shared use agreements in place although only two agreements (12%) were related to PA promotion and none related to HE activities. Most pastors did not have concerns about shared use, and many believed that sharing the church's space with the community was an important aspect of outreach. These results demonstrate that rural churches have facilities to support shared use agreements for PA and HE activities and that pastors are open to sharing church space. Future studies should engage rural churches in establishing shared use agreements for health promotion.

Investigating the impacts of culturally relevant engineering design (CRED) on students’ perception and engagement in k-12 stem classroom

This study highlights effective strategies for enhancing student interest and participation in STEM education through culturally relevant approaches. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were engaged for this study. A survey was created and sent online to a group of grade 8 to 12 STEM students who completed the study. The interview questions were made and sent to 6 teachers. The qualitative data was taken and analyzed using descriptive findings and quantitative data was taken and analyzed via the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software to find relationships between culturally relevant engineering design (CRED) and students' perceptions and engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) classrooms. Our findings reveal a significant positive correlation between students' perceptions of culturally relevant engineering design and their engagement in STEM learning activities. Specifically, students who perceive culturally relevant engineering design positively demonstrate higher levels of engagement in STEM learning.

읽기 이해 구술평가에 대한 중·고등학교 국어교사의 인식 조사

Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore directions for diverse reading assessments by analyzing Korean language teachers' perceptions of oral assessment for reading comprehension. Methods For this, individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 Korean language teachers across the nation. The interview questions were categorized into five areas: teachers' perceptions of Korean language as sessments, perceptions of reading assessments in the Korean language curriculum, practical application of oral assessment for reading comprehension, differences between oral assessment for reading comprehension and other assessments, and measures to promote oral assessment for reading comprehension. The interview con sisted of 15 questions in total. Results First, teachers recognized the goal of Korean language assessments as the confirmation and improve ment of communication skills, and they tended to organize their assessment plans according to the school's rec ommendations for written and performance assessments. Second, when conducting reading assessments, teachers often combined written assessments with performance assessments, and their satisfaction with read ing assessments varied depending on the chosen assessment methods and their level of control over the process. Third, teachers who attempted oral assessment for reading comprehension conducted it confidently based on their own assessment philosophy, and there were differences in perspectives between teachers who had im plemented the oral assessment for reading comprehension and those who had not. Fourth, oral assessment for reading comprehension can compensate for the shortcomings of written and other performance assessments. Fifth, to promote oral assessment for reading comprehension, it is necessary to create a suitable environment and provide practical training for teachers. Conclusions Based on Korean language teachers' perceptions, oral assessment for reading comprehension can be used as an alternative to written or descriptive assessments in the Korean language reading curriculum. It is necessary to raise awareness and create an appropriate environment for the utilization of oral assessment for reading comprehension.

Pre-Service Teachers' Understanding on Designing English Learning Materials Using Portfolio

The success of the teaching and learning process depends mainly on well-designed and efficient resources. Thus, teachers' ability to design suitable and effective learning materials is pivotal in making the process successful. Even before becoming real teachers, they are compulsorily responsible for understanding material design. This study aimed to assess the participants’ understanding of designing earning materials using the portfolio assessment as a component of the learning process. Through the qualitative approach, 13 participants were involved. They are students—preservice teachers—who are still studying at the English Department, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Aceh, Indonesia. The instruments used were initial interviews, questionnaires, and triangulation interviews to enhance the primary data. In data collection, participants were asked interview questions to assess their understanding and perception of suitable instructional materials. They had 15 minutes to complete questionnaires and were interviewed again for 10 minutes. The data analysis then went on using interactive analysis. The results show that, on average, 11 out of 13 participants did not understand designing good learning materials. Then, regarding their agreement on the effectiveness of the portfolio, they mostly agree on this statement. In conclusion, portfolio assessment is worth trying to enhance the preservice ability in designing good and effective learning materials for language teaching and learning.