Group Discussion Participants Research Articles

Meanings Attributed to Letters in Functional Contexts by Primary School Students

This article describes part of the findings of a teaching experiment whose objective is to investigate the algebraic abilities of elementary students when they solve situations that involve a functional relationship. In particular, we focus on describing the use and meanings attributed to letters by third-year primary school students when faced with verbal problems related to the generalisation of a functional relationship. Drawing from the functional approach to early algebra and set in Spain, the study expands on earlier research conducted on primary school students’ use of letters in algebraic contexts. Their initial reactions to the use of letters to represent indeterminate quantities and how those reactions changed in the course of three sessions are described. Analyses of the students’ written answers together with their participation in group discussions yield qualitative data on how students associate the idea of variability with indeterminate quantities and use letters, numbers or both to represent that notion.

学生のグループディスカッションへの参加を促すシミュレーション：『シミュレーション教材「ひょうたん島問題」』に基づく授業実践から

学生のグループディスカッションへの参加を促すシミュレーション：『シミュレーション教材「ひょうたん島問題」』に基づく授業実践から

Community health volunteers and their role in health system strengthening in peri-urban areas: A qualitative study of Epworth, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT Background: Community health volunteers remain an increasingly important resource through which to address the global health workforce crisis, in pursuing health system strengthening in low and middle-income areas. The aim of this study was to provide more research attention on community health workers and their role in the pursuit of universal health coverage in resource-limited peri-urban areas, the focus of which was Epworth, Zimbabwe. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used for an exploratory qualitative study within which data were collected through a documentary search, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and non-participant observation. Data were transcribed into narratives that were then subjected to interpretive thematic analysis. Results: Two main categories of Community Health Volunteers, namely Community Health Workers/Village Health Workers and Peer Educators were reported by key informants and focus group discussion participants. Community Health Workers helped mitigate healthcare worker shortages by performing outreach work whilst Peer Educators did the same at clinics by helping onsite. Findings also revealed that health volunteers were a source of local knowledge, helped navigate the local physical terrain and cultural practices in facilitating the uptake of healthcare interventions in all parts of the community. Local health volunteers were also an important link between local clinics and the community and facilitated beneficial interaction in healthcare. Conclusions: Community health volunteers are an important resource in strengthening health systems in resource-limited peri-urban areas. The sustainability of local health voluntary work in peri-urban communities is however undermined by capacity constraints which in turn undermines progress towards universal health coverage in low-income peri-urban areas.

Effects of Public Expenditure Management Practices on Service Delivery in the Public Sector: The Case of District Assemblies in Ghana

This research analysed how the public expenditure management as practiced in the District Assemblies of Ghana affect service delivery. The research adopted a mixed-method research approach where qualitative and quantitative data were gathered using questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis. Multistage sampling was used to pick the respondents for the questionnaires, key interview informants and the participants in the focus group discussions. Thirty four out of 170 district assemblies which existed by 2008 were sampled. Participants in the study included 612 District Assembly (DA) officials, 1020 citizens, 28 national/regional officials and 20 participants in focus group discussions. Quantitative data, measured by using scaled-items, were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression while qualitative data were examined thematically. The study established that expenditure management practices had positive significant influence on service delivery. The study recommends that, the DAs should prioritize expenditures to key service delivery areas such as; those that enhance poverty reduction, improve on Human Capital index and strengthen Innovations practices. DAs should strengthen electronic, automation and appropriate technologies for better expenditure management and service delivery. There should be laws to ensure stiffer penalties and enforcement of sanctions on those involved in malpractices in public expenditure management practices, while persistent efforts are made to implement recommendations of Auditor General’s reports on DAs expenditures management practices.

The Thinking Frames Approach: a case study of inclusion using student‐generated multiple‐representations

Many teachers struggle to provide equitable opportunities for students with special educational needs (SEN) to learn science concepts in the inclusive classroom. This study examines the experience of teaching in an inclusive classroom using a conceptual change approach, the Thinking Frames Approach (TFA), incorporating the use of discrepant events, social construction of scientific conceptions followed by the production of multiple student‐generated representations of their understanding. An in‐depth case study is presented of the experience of Wayne, a student with complex SEN and the effect on his behaviour and science learning based on video/audio recordings of lessons, teacher journal entries, student artefacts, questionnaire results and interviews. It was found that there were positive effects for Wayne's learning using this approach including improved behaviour, greater feelings of self‐efficacy, increased participation in small group and class discussions and improved outcomes on the same assessment tasks as peers. It is suggested that the structured approach of the TFA, the communication of understanding in different modalities, particularly drawing, and the support of peers enabled Wayne to more deeply engage in construction of understanding and may provide teachers with an easy and effective approach to authentic inclusion where real conceptual gains are made by all students.

Barriers to infection prevention and control practice among Amhara region teaching hospitals in Ethiopia: Qualitative study

Healthcare workers have good perception towards infection prevention, but there has been a poor practice towards it. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore barriers to practice of infection prevention and control practice in teaching hospitals in Amhara region. A phenomenological approach used to explore the lived experience of healthcare workers and management staffs towards infection prevention practice and control. The data was collected from ten in-depth interviews and 23 focus group discussion participants, by face to face interview using open ended interview performed in safe and quiet places. Data was managed using OpenCode software version 4.03 and contents were analyzed thematically. Totally ten different barriers were identified, such as availability of facilities, shortage of material supply, lack of maintenance of facilities and equipment, high patient flow, experience, emergency situation, healthcare worker behaviour and healthcare worker’s information about infection prevention, low awareness of patients and visitors and overflow of families and visitors to the hospital. For effective infection prevention practice implementation, barriers should be considered via identifying specific organizational, healthcare worker, patients and visitors as targets.

The Experiences of Bangladeshi Muslim Community in Japan

The Clash of Civilizations is a famous theory of Samuel Huntington (1996) claims that Muslims do not undoubtedly integrate with the cultures of receiving country. The Islam has always been a misinterpret subject. Since the 9/ 11 attacks, People all around the world assume that all Muslims are extremist and will not hesitate to kill innocent people in the favor of their beloved God. Such people believe that Muslims have no place in modern world. In this situation, I found the article from the Japan Times titled “Can Japan show the West how to live peacefully with Islam? In this article, Nicolas Gating writes, “It has been striking to see Japan’s efforts to make this minority feel at home”. On the contrary, Japan is described a zero-immigrant country and Muslims migrants usually considered to be low from Western people. Recently, Japan has gradually become a dream country for migration to Bangladeshi Muslims The main focus of the study is to examine various experiences and identity construction among Bangladeshi Muslim migrants in Japan. This thesis is an ethnographic research, a qualitative study, conducted in numerous cities broken into several types: direct participation in many community events, interview, and focus group discussion. Bangladeshi Muslims between the yeas of 2015 to 2017. A total of 135 migrants participated to the study. The result is, Bangladeshi Muslim in Japan, are culturally, linguistically, and racially unique from the society of Japan. “Perfect” social adaptation is nearly impossible. Firstly, Bangladeshi Muslim group attempt to create tight knit autonomous communities operate in a modus vivendi structure for retention their root culture identity. Secondly, Bangladeshi make alliances with local citizens and other migrants groups developing business and opportunities. The construction of what I have termed multicultural symbiosis ties. Some elements of the diaspora are also visible in the Bangladeshi Muslim community in Japan.

AN ONLINE DISCUSSION FOR SUPPORTING STUDENTS IN PREPARATION FOR A TEST

This research examines classroom-based student participation in online discussion groups while preparing for a test, as well as the relation between the type of participation and student achievement. The online discussion groups were set up towards particular tests in a large-scale course, Introduction to Ecology, during the academic years of 2004 (N=99) and 2005 (N=72). They were intended to be a virtual meeting place for students to exchange information related to a question pool, when no face-to-face meetings with the teachers take place. The results indicate that a high percentage of the students who take the test (85%) participate in the discussion groups. Mixed results were found regarding the relations between the participation in the discussion and achievements. Based on the quantitative data and interviews with students we outline recommendations with regard to the effective use of discussion groups for supporting students in their preparation for tests.

Assessing Farmers' Perception towards the Effectiveness of Sustainable Land Management Practices in the Teleyayen Sub-Watershed of the Northeastern Highlands of Ethiopia

The main objective of sustainable land management practice is to integrate people’s coexistence with nature over the long-term, so that the provisioning of supporting services of ecosystems. Hence, understanding farmer’s perception on the effectiveness of sustainable land management is vital. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations. Independent-sample t-test, chi-square, percentage, mean and standard deviation were employed to analyze the data. The result of the study indicated that land tenure security problem (32.6%) is one of the major factors affecting farmers land management practices, followed by unaffordable price of fertilizer (27%), lack of assistance from development agents (15.8%), lack of credit access (14%), and negative perception towards land management practices (10.7%). Sixtyfive percent of the focus group discussion participants also reported that the sustainable land management practices conducted in their area is not effective because of farmers’ reluctance to participate in soil and water conservation practices, lack of incentives, poverty, and lack of awareness about the long-term benefits of such practices. Moreover, the chi-square results of gender of the household head (X2=8.716), land tenure security (X2=6.595), and educational status of the household head (X2=11.738), found to be significant in explaining the correlation between farmers’ perception and the effectiveness of sustainable land management practices. Therefore, exploring farmers’ perception towards the effectiveness of sustainable land management practices is helpful because it would improve the quality of the environment so that farmlands will remain productive for a long period of time. Keywords: Ethiopia; Farmers’ perception; Land degradation; Sustainable land management;

An analyses of the status of landfill classification systems in developing countries: Sub Saharan Africa landfill experiences

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management remains a challenge in developing countries due to increasing waste generation, high costs associated with waste management and the structure of the containment systems implemented. This study analyses the classification of landfilling systems by using documented cases reported mainly in publications in waste management in relation to non-engineered landfilling systems/approved dumpsites in Sub Saharan African (SSA) countries from 2000 to 2018. The work identifies an existing system for the classification of landfill sites and utilises this system to determine the situation of landfill sites in SSA countries. Each article was categorised according to the main landfilling management practice reported: Uncontrolled dumping, semi controlled facility, medium controlled facility, medium/high-engineered facility or high state-of the-art facility. Findings suggested that 80% of the documented cases of landfill sites assessed in SSA countries were classified as level 0 or 1. The structure of the containment and controlled regime were identified by the focus group discussion participants as important predictors of possible strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the landfill sites considered. The study represents the first identifiable and comprehensive academic evaluation of landfill site classification based on site operations reported in the available peer reviewed literature. The information provides insight on the status of landfill sites in SSA countries with respect to the landfilling management practice and a baseline for alternative corrective measures.

Willingness to pay for social health insurance and its determinants among public servants in Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia: a mixed methods study

BackgroundOwing to lack of adequate healthcare financing, access to at least the basic health services is still a problem in Ethiopia. With the intention of raising funds and ensuring universal health coverage, a mandatory health insurance scheme has been introduced. The Community Based Health Insurance has been implemented in all regions of the country, while implementation of social health insurance was delayed mainly due to resistance from public servants. This study was, therefore, aimed to assess willingness to pay for social health insurance and its determinant factors among public servants in Mekelle city, Northern Ethiopia.MethodsA concurrent mixed approach of cross-sectional study design using double bound dichotomous choice contingent valuation method and qualitative focus group discussions was employed. A total 384 public servants were recruited from randomly selected institutions and six focus group discussions (n = 36) were carried out with purposively selected respondents. Participants’ mean willingness to pay (WTP) and independent predictors of WTP were identified using an interval data logit model. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsFrom the 384 participants, 381 completed the interview, making a response rate of 99.2%. Among these respondents 85.3% preferred social health insurance and were willing to pay for the scheme. Their estimated mean WTP was 3.6% of their monthly salary. Lack of money to pay (42.6%) was the major stumbling block to enrolling in the scheme. Respondents’ WTP was significantly positively associated with their level of income but their WTP decreased with increasing age and educational status. On the other hand, a majority of focus group discussion participants were not willing to pay the 3% premium set by the government unless some preconditions were satisfied. The amount of premium contribution, benefit package and poor quality of health service were the major factors affecting their WTP.ConclusionThe majority of the public servants were willing to be part of the social health insurance scheme, with a mean WTP of 3.6% of their monthly salary. This was greater than the premium proposed by the government (3%). This can pave the way to start the scheme but attention should focus on improving the quality of health services.

Assessment of Patient’ Relatives Satisfaction Towards Health Service Delivery in Tertiary Health Facilities in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria

This study aims to assess satisfaction rate of patient’s relatives towards health service delivery in tertiary health facilities in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study design among patient’s relatives was carried out. Data collection was by mixed methods using a pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion Guide. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22.0 while qualitative data was analyzed thematically using ATLAS. ti software. Logistic regression was used to calculate the determinants of satisfaction of respondents with their corresponding odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and p-values recorded. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. A total number of 412 respondents (comprising 400 respondents and 12 Focus Group Discussion participants) were surveyed. The study showed a higher proportion 228 (57.0%) of respondents with dissatisfaction. The determinants of satisfaction of HSD were; sex (OR: 5.976 95% CI: 1.147-3.465), skill level (OR: 7.276 95% CI: 0.149-0.740) and being on NHIS (OR: 5.442 95% CI: 0.193-0.867). Thematic analysis of the FGD revealed that poor communication, high cost of service, lack of empathy demonstrated by some health workers and prolonged stay on admission were reasons for dissatisfaction. A higher proportion of the respondents had overall dissatisfaction with HSD and factors such as timeliness, cost of service and lack of empathy demonstrated by health care workers were identified as reasons for the dissatisfaction.

The Emerging Trade in Donkey Hide: An Opportunity or a Threat for Communities in Kenya?

Donkey hides are used in a form of Traditional Chinese medicine called ejiao, the demand for ejiao is currently so high the global donkey population is currently in decline. Africa’s donkey population is considered a key source for the trade, with Kenya being highlighted as being particularly affected. In Kenya donkeys play a vital contribution to people’s livelihoods; this study aimed to explore the potential impact of the donkey hide trade on small holder farmer’s livelihoods. The study was conducted in five counties in Kenya; data was collected using household survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. When household survey participants (n = 421) were asked if the number of donkeys in their herd had decreased within the last two years 34.2% (n = 144) reported a decrease, of those 43.8% (n = 63) reported the selling of donkeys as the primary cause of reduction in herd size. Increased money spent on the transportation of farm produce, water and firewood was the most frequently reported effect of the loss of donkeys (62.5%, n = 263). Some focus group discussion participants said that they had previously sold their donkeys to raise money for school fees, likewise 43% (n = 97) of focus group discussion participants said that they would sell their donkeys to pay medical bills. Results from the study suggest that small holder farmers are choosing to sell their donkeys for an instant boost in income, but long-term this is unlikely to be a sustainable livelihood option.

The Effects of Group Size and Time on the Formation of Online Communities: Evidence From Reddit

These studies examine the influence of group size and the passage of time on two characteristics of online communities: dispersion of participation in group discussions and active member turnover from month to month. We used multilevel analysis to examine the dynamics of user contributions to discussions on Reddit, a popular website that hosts large-group discussions, across 30 groups over 6 years. As groups grow in size, participation becomes more highly concentrated among fewer members while turnover decreases. As time passes, participation becomes more widely dispersed while group member turnover increases. An increase in group member turnover appears to be the result of both a maturation effect (as each group ages, turnover increases) as well as a cohort effect (groups formed at a later date have higher turnover than groups formed earlier). We can conclude from these results that as time progresses and groups become larger, they become less community-like, but in different ways.

Acceptance of an orange-fleshed sweet potato complementary food by infant caregivers in KwaZulu-Natal Province – a preliminary study

Background. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem that affects South African children and is a major contributor to the mortality of children under five years of age. VAD can result in visual impairment, diarrhoea and increased risk of severe measles and death. Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), a staple crop biofortified with provitamin A, has the potential to improve vitamin A intake in infants, especially when used as a complementary food. Objective. To assess the acceptance of an OFSP complementary food by infant caregivers. Methods. This study was conducted at the Newtown Community Health Centre, Inanda, in the eThekwini District of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Sixty-three infant caregivers assessed the acceptance of complementary foods made from OFSP and white-fleshed sweet potato (WFSP) (control), using a five-point hedonic rating test. In addition, ten caregivers participated in two focus group discussions, using pre-determined questions. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in the sensory attribute ratings of complementary foods made from WFSP and OFSP. The OFSP complementary food was well-accepted, especially its colour and soft texture. None of the focus group discussion participants had seen or tasted the OFSP before. Caregivers were willing to buy the OFSP, if it were available and cheaper than the WFSP. Conclusion. The complementary food made from the OFSP was highly acceptable to infant caregivers attending the Newtown Community Health Centre in KZN. It has the potential to be used in complementary feeding and to improve the vitamin A status of infants.

Women’s enactment of leadership in a heavily gender-marked Islamic context

PurposeDiverse cultural contexts with their distinct enactments of traditional gender inequity present unique constraints for female leaders. In Western contexts, the Christianity-inspired principle of equality of all humans remains a latent principle operative toward greater gender egalitarianism. This paper aims to examine female leaders within an Islamic context devoid of such espoused equality in which gender differences are enshrined in culture and law.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaires based on the Competing Value Framework were developed and completed by 145 leaders and 365 employees from UAE companies. The salient findings of these responses were explored in six subsequent focus group discussions.FindingsThe study reveals no difference in how women perform leadership, except in terms of brokering skills in which women are perceived as superior to their male counterparts. Focus group discussion participants ascribed this difference to the Islamic benevolent sexism dynamic of according women greater respect, which facilitates their access to higher management.Originality/valueThis pioneering perspective of female leaders in a context of overt and sanctioned cultural and legal gender disparity contributes to scholarship on female leadership through a non-Western lens.

Building interprofessional team effectiveness in a nurse-led rural health center

Abstract Background Interprofessional team care is a model that demonstrates positive effects on the triple aim of improving quality of care, improving health and reducing costs. Nurse-led practices are well suited for these models. Archer Family Health Care (AFHC) is a nurse-led practice that utilizes interprofessional team care. Purpose To describe interprofessional team training at AFHC and evaluate effects of training on perceived team functioning. Methods The AFHC team participated in TeamSTEPPS® guided trainings throughout the three year grant period. All staff and providers were included in the team trainings. Training consisted of participation in team retreats, training modules and focus group discussions on team functionality, goal setting and workflow analysis and revision. Standardized assessment of the team competencies was completed five times over three years using the TeamSTEPPS® Team Perceptions Questionnaire (T-TPQ), the Collaborative Practice Assessment Tool (CPAT), and the Team Competencies (TC) questionnaire. Results identified perceived strengths and weaknesses of interprofessional team and served to guide team training activities. Discussion Improvements occurred over time for several measures, including teamwork, team performance, communication, and decision-making. Conclusion Standardized evaluation of team competencies is a useful tool to enhance perceived functioning of a nurse-led interprofessional team. Results support the need for ongoing interprofessional team evaluation and training.

Neighbourhood social environment on physical activity among adults in Sri Lanka: a qualitative inquiry

Background: Adopting an active lifestyle is a complex behavioural process, which is influenced by various factors. Social environment characteristics are well recognized to influence health and physical activity (PA) behaviour. However, social environment appears to be the least studied area of PA. Objective: To assess the social environment and its association with PA in Sri Lanka Methods: A qualitative methodology was used. We conducted 6 focus group discussions among 58 adult residents, using a guide to facilitate the discussions and to collect the information. Purposive sampling was carried out to gather participants from areas differing in the level of urbanicity. Results: Majority of the participants in the focus group discussions were females (51.7%) and many had secondary level education. Healthy social interactions and networks and unity and respect for person in a community were seen to facilitate PA. Undesired behaviour in the community hindered youth and women in being active especially at recreational places (playing sport or exercising) and on the roads (walking for leisure and transport). Attitudes and beliefs were also identified. The reasons for these social attitudes were due to lack of proper knowledge, the socio-economic gap and lack of policies for social equality. Conclusions: Social environment is an important factor in promoting PA in Sri Lanka and needs to be addressed when planning to promote active living.

Dynamic Problem-Solving Processes in a Web-Based Cooperative Learning Environment for an Accounting Course

This study investigated the dynamic processes involved in problem solving in a web-based cooperative learning environment implemented for a university accounting course. 54 students were recruited in a 4-year hospitality management program. The messages of participants in group discussions were counted and categorized to investigate the dynamic processes of problem-solving employed by students. These dialogues and follow-up interviews revealed a number of interesting findings: (1) students felt that the web-based cooperative learning environment was similar to a social network; (2) peer-interaction in web-based cooperative learning is highly beneficial; (3) the course of study may influence the nature of problem-solving messages; (4) the teaching method could alter the cognitive level of problem-solving; (5) a co-working style was the most common approach employed in the web-based cooperative learning environment; (6) cooperative learning is becoming increasingly popular in education; (7) technological developments can be expected to boost the adoption of web-based cooperative learning.

Gender and leadership emergence: A meta‐analysis and explanatory model

AbstractResearch has shown that men tend to emerge as leaders more frequently than women. However, societal role expectations for both women and leaders have changed in the decades since the last empirical review of the gender gap in leader emergence (Eagly &amp; Karau, 1991). We leverage meta‐analytic evidence to demonstrate that the gender gap has decreased over time, but a contemporary gap remains. To understand why this gap in leader emergence occurs, we draw on social role theory to develop a Gender‐Agency/Communion‐Participation (GAP) Model—an integrative theoretical model that includes both trait and behavioral mechanisms. Specifically, we examine a sequence of effects: from gender to agentic and communal personality traits, from these traits to behavioral participation in group activities, and ultimately from participation to leader emergence. The model is tested using original meta‐analyses of the personality and behavioral mechanisms (coding 1,632 effect sizes total). Gender differences in leadership emergence are predominately explained by agentic traits (positive) and communal traits (negative), both directly and through the mechanism of participation in group discussions. In addition, several paths in the theoretical model are moderated by situational contingencies. Our study enhances knowledge of the mechanisms and boundary conditions underlying the gender gap in leader emergence.