Qualitative Research Paradigm Research Articles

Using Mixed Methods Research in Children with Type 1 Diabetes: a Methodological Review.

Many factors influence disease management and glycemic levels in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, these concepts are hard to examine in children using only a qualitative or quantitative research paradigm. Mixed methods research (MMR) offers creative and unique ways to study complex research questions in children and their families. A focused, methodological literature review revealed 20 empirical mixed methods research (MMR) studies that included children with T1D and/or their parents/caregivers. These studies were examined and synthesized to elicit themes and trends in MMR. Main themes that emerged included disease management, evaluation of interventions, and support. There were multiple inconsistencies between studies when reporting MMR definitions, rationales, and design. Limited studies use MMR approaches to examine concepts related to children with T1D. Findings from future MMR studies, especially ones that use child-report, may illuminate ways to improve disease management and lead to better glycemic levels and health outcomes.

A Q Study of Mainland Chinese English Language Learners’ Epistemic Beliefs

This study explored epistemic beliefs held by Mainland Chinese learners of English. Studies that investigate language learners’ personal epistemologies, which include beliefs about the nature of knowledge and the process of knowing, are scarce. For the most part, such studies are quantitative. This paper employed Q methodology, an approach that blends quantitative and qualitative research paradigms, to present a more systematic analysis of and deeper insights into the language learners’ subjective opinions. The participants were 20 undergraduate students who learned English in a university in China. They sorted 42 statements pertaining to language-related epistemic beliefs on a grid ranging from -5 (most disagree) to +5 (most agree). During the factor analytic procedure similar Q-sorts formed three factors, each representing a unique set of epistemic beliefs shared by the students. The qualitative interpretation of these factors revealed the following viewpoints: firstly, learning the English language requires time, effort and perseverance; secondly, learning English requires critical thinking; thirdly, it requires talent and hard work. Pedagogical implications of these findings are discussed.

Determination of Nursing Sensitive Indicators for Intensive Care Units in Turkey: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Assessment of the quality of health services continues to be one of the top research areas from past to present. The development of nursing-sensitive indicators is one of the critical elements in assessing the quality of nursing care. This study aims to determine the nursing-sensitive indicators for intensive care unit (ICU)s.
 Methods: This research was conducted between May 2017 and October 2017 using a descriptive qualitative research phenomenological design. The research was assessed by the qualitative research paradigm based on Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). Ethics committee approval of the study and written permissions from the selected hospitals were obtained. The research was performed with in-depth face-to-face interviews with 12 participants from three different hospitals and nursing education institutions through a semi-structured interview form. During the interviews, voice recordings were taken with prior permission, and the recordings obtained were deciphered word by word and evaluated with content analysis.
 Results: As a result of the research, four main themes were created; the patient-focused outcome indicators, the nurse-focused outcome indicators, the nursing-focused process/intervention indicators, and the organizational-focused structural indicators. Under these main themes, nursing-sensitive indicators have been determined.
 Conclusion: Nosocomial infections and pressure ulcers were the two-leading nursing-sensitive indicators. This research suggests developing policies and procedures for forming a national database specific to nursing, including nursing-sensitive indicators.

Livelihood access and challenges of coastal communities: insights from Ghana

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to contribute to the discourse on livelihood access and challenges of fisherfolks and farmers within coastal communities in Ghana. Insights from such studies can help to create win-win outcomes between communities and oil companies and give the latter social license to operate. Also, it will help to identify the existing knowledge gaps that still need to be filled and contribute to the overall management of Ghana’s oil resources. It will further contribute to the government’s livelihood diversification programs in oil-producing communities.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed the use of qualitative research paradigm to collect primary data in oil- and gas-producing communities in the Western Region of Ghana. Specifically, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted among diverse stakeholders.FindingsFindings from the study show that several people and households along the coast of Ghana’s Western Region depend on the fishing industry as their livelihoods. However, fisherfolks are facing several challenges due to oil production. For instance, the quantity of fish harvest has reduced drastically since oil production started in 2010. Farming activities have also been adversely affected. The study has unearthed that the existing social and economic infrastructure are very limited to support the development of the coastal communities in Ghana’s Western Region. The study suggests that to deal with some of the challenges faced by coastal communities, livelihood diversification programs should be introduced.Research limitations/implicationsNot every community within the oil and gas areas in the Western Region was covered. Future work will address this limitation.Practical implicationsThe study has revealed that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies need to expedite the process of conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of communities and capture them in their medium-term development plans.Social implicationsThe corporate social responsibility programs will create win-win outcomes between oil companies and communities.Originality/valueThe study is an original piece of work with data collected from the field. The study will contribute to the efficient management of natural resources in Ghana and other developing countries.

Investigating ‘A’ Level Biology Teachers’ Content Knowledge on Biodiversity in Midlands Urban: A Case of Four Selected Teachers

<p style="text-align: justify;">This paper reports on part of an ongoing large-scale research on the need to improve science teaching and learning through investigating the Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) of biology teachers for the topic Biodiversity. Six factors have been seen to affect teacher PCK, i.e., content knowledge, knowledge of students, science teaching orientations, knowledge of assessment, knowledge of instructional strategies and knowledge of the curriculum. This research aimed to examine the teacher’s level of content knowledge (CK). A qualitative research paradigm was adopted, and a case study research design used. The case (unit of analysis) was Biology teacher CK, and the subjects were the four teacher participants purposively selected. Lesson observations, teacher interviews and learner questionnaires were used to collect data on teacher CK. A content knowledge analytical framework consisting of five constructs was designed and used to analyse the teacher CK and data triangulated with data collected from interviews and questionnaires. This research revealed that ‘A’ level Biology teachers’ CK vary from teacher to teacher depending on several factors which include teacher identity, planning, workshopping, and motivation among others. Of the four Biology teacher participants, two had adequate CK and the other two exhibited inadequate CK. Inadequate CK was attributed to lack of planning, non-exposure to workshops and lack of teacher motivation. Consequently, this research recommends supervision of teachers from school level to national level, a series of teacher workshops on the demands of the competence-based curriculum and constructive teacher identity as well as introduce factors that enhance teacher motivation. Further research on the content knowledge of Biology teachers in other learning areas is recommended.</p>

Vulnerable yet Viable: Stakeholders' Role in Small-Scale Fishermen Governance towards Viable Life

This research aimed at identifying stakeholders' participation in the appropriate strategy of small-scale fishermen governance in the waters of Karang Jeruk Conservation Area in facing vulnerability along with actor typology and analyzing the strategy of how small-scale fishermen survive with their vulnerability based on stakeholder. This research used a qualitative research paradigm. The data were collected using an in-depth interview method and were analyzed using stakeholder analysis with MACTOR (Matrix of Alliances and Conflicts Tactics, Objectives and Recommendations) to identify the stakeholders' power, relationship and actor alliance pattern and using ATLAS.ti to identify small-scale fisherman governance strategies by stakeholders. The research results show that most actors were the key players and had low divergence. Small-scale fishermen's governance strategy requires facilities, infrastructure, institution preparation, and community empowerment. Such development needs various parties' involvement, including the regulator, executor, supporting institution, target and community as the main actors.

GENDER-WISE ANALYSIS OF PSYCHOSOCIAL EXPERIENCES OF UNIVERSITY TEACHERS WORKING ONLINE DURING COVID-19

In Pakistan, a novel disease COVID-19 was transpired in 2019 that has been affected unexpectedly to everyone in different fields of life. The aim of this research was to explore gender differences in psycho-social challenges of university teachers during COVID-19. Likewise, other major aspects, educational sector had to shift its pedagogy from traditional learning to e-learning. This was a challenging and threatening to human life around the globe especially in the learning community. The main objective of the study is to explore experiences of teachers to develop an understanding of their work life challenges during pandemic, lockdown and online teaching. Considering the research goal, the data has been collected through in-depth interviews under the qualitative research paradigm. Twenty university faculty were interviewed, ten male teachers and ten female teachers from five private and five public institutes respectively. The data was analyzed through thematic analysis under the seven major themes i.e. Work Family conflict, Psychological issues, Social constraints, Technical issues, Uncertainty about Future, Gender roles, & Discipline wise challenges. The findings of the study showed that male and female teachers both faced work pressure and stress in professional lives during COVID. Female teachers in addition with their professional work were performing extra duties regarding household work, with less or in some cases zero domestic help. This study also showed that the common psychological effect of COVID-19 was stressful to meet job demands and accompanying fear of exposure to disease both in male and female teachers. However, fewer ratio of male and female teachers was affected socially, the only trouble was missing out on social gatherings which were put aside due to one’s own safety. Keywords: COVID, Work family conflict, Psychological issues, Social constraints, Technical issues, Gender roles, & Discipline.

Efficacy of Teacing Grammar Communicatively at University Level: A Case Study

Teaching grammar effectively at the university level requires expertise and a practice-based approach, but the predominantly traditional method in grammar teaching is still being exercised by language teachers. To bring about an effective teaching plan, the method of teaching grammar needs to be changed from the traditional approach to the practical one. The study highlights the effectiveness of teaching grammar communicatively. For this purpose, the researchers chose the qualitative research paradigm. The data was collected through observations, note-taking, and semi-structured interviews. Purpose sampling was used for this study and the data were analyzed using ‘Interpretive Approach’. Action research approach was used in this study; hence the study was divided into two phases: reconnaissance and intervention. The former phase was aimed at investigating the problems ESL students faced while learning grammar at the university level; whereas the latter phase was aimed at analyzing the efficacy of communicative grammar teaching at the university level through AR. In the light of the findings, the study resulted in promising results. Furthermore, it is suggested that similar studies need to be conducted in future to modify grammar teaching and make it interesting and effective through the communicative way of teaching at the university level.

The General Will of Rousseau in P.B. Shelley’s To a Sky-Lark

This article explores Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophical concept of “the general will” in P. B. Shelley’s poem “To a Sky-Lark”. The concept of “the general will” is a stage of uniting oneself with the will of all while enjoying personal will at the same time. It is the consensus of the will of all, and remains as the only way to be free from the narrow tutelage of this world. It is the perfect and ideal stage with the celebration of harmony. Similarly, the poem “To a Sky-Lark” unveils and expounds the intensity of the skylark as the source of happiness and bliss that spreads the fragrance of natural freedom. Its melody and song have the power to unite the whole human being at one point in the singularity of happiness by discarding personal will and desires. Likewise, the poem radiates the genial ideals of democracy, harmony, and solidarity. Shelley’s skylark and its melody weave the will of the whole humanity to liberate it from the constructed bondages and limitations. In this regard, the skylark becomes the emblem of “the general will” as projected by Rousseau. This study applies the paradigm of qualitative research and textual interpretation method with the theoretical lens of Rousseau’s “the general will” to explore its ideations in the poem.

교육 ODA 경험에 대한 한국 교사들의 내러티브

Objectives This paper analyzes the meaning of Korean teachers who led online training for Azerbaijani teachers as an educational official development assistance (ODA) project of KOICA to strengthen learner-centered education competency. In other words, by examining how Korean teachers' experiences of participating in educational ODA projects are interpreted and meaningful to them, it was intended to suggest implications for educational ODA in Korean society, which is ultimately expanding its role as a donor country.
 Methods To this end, a total of three group interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview method with 12 Korean teachers who took the roles of instructors, coaches, and supervisors, and led the Azerbaijani teacher training program. The interview results were analyzed by topic according to the qualitative research paradigm.
 Results The results of the Korean teachers' experiences of teacher training for Azerbaijan teachers can be summarized as follows: 1) Education ODA as a ‘contact zone’ 2) Confirmation and improvement of self-efficacy 3) Education ODA as an opportunity of ‘lifelong learning’ as a teacher 4) Creation of aspirations for international teacher professional learning community. In particular, Korean teachers showed the development of cooperative interaction between donor and recipient countries and a sense of community solidarity while understanding the situation, educational environment and culture of Azerbaijani teachers and accepting their trials and errors.
 Conclusions Based on the results of the study, the implications and future tasks for Korean society, which is expanding and deepening its role as a donor country in educational ODA quantitatively and qualitatively, were discussed in relation to teacher competency reinforcement. In particular, through the experience of Korean teachers who took on multifaceted roles such as training planning to strengthen learner-centered educational capabilities of Azerbaijani teachers, as instructors, coaches, and supervisors, implications related to the perception, attitude, and practice of teachers in donor countries in educational ODA were analyzed. discussed.

Concepts of Family Support in Stuttering: A Multicultural Perspective

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify how people who stutter (PWS) from racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds describe and perceive the types of stuttering support they received from their family members. Method: A qualitative research paradigm was adopted for data collection and analysis procedures. A group of 36 participants from racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds were asked to respond to an online survey about their perceptions of family support. Data were investigated using thematic analysis procedures. Results: The data gave rise to 12 major themes. Types of familial support that were perceived as positive included families being patient, offering support in general, listening empathetically, seeking outside resources, and providing varying degrees of attention to their family member's stuttering. Familial support that participants described as negative included families passing judgment, teasing, and punishing their family member who stutters. Participants also negatively perceived family members telling them to slow down, finishing their sentences, and not openly discussing their stuttering. Instances of participants experiencing no positive or no negative forms of stuttering support from their families were also reported. Conclusions: Two primary types of stuttering support captured in the findings of this study were conversation-based and reaction-based support, both of which represented family members' actions that were perceived as positive and negative by participants. Clinical implications include the need for culturally appropriate client–parent education and for the consideration of individuals' preferences for stuttering support.

Three steps to open science for qualitative research in psychology

AbstractPrinciples and applications of open science (also referred to as open research or open scholarship) in psychology have emerged in response to growing concerns about the replicability, transparency, reproducibility, and robustness of psychological research alongside global moves to open science in many fields. Our objective in this paper is to inform ways of collectively constructing open science practices and systems that are appropriate to, and get the best out of, the full range of qualitative and mixed‐method approaches used in psychology. We achieve this by describing three areas of open research practice (contributorship, pre‐registration, and open data) and explore how and why qualitative researchers might consider engaging with these in ways that are compatible with a qualitative research paradigm. We argue it is crucial that open research practices do not (even inadvertently) exclude qualitative research, and that qualitative researchers reflect on how we can meaningfully engage with open science in psychology.

A Cultural Responses to Entrepreneurial Activities in Pashtun Society of Pakistan

Entrepreneurship is playing a vital role in national socioeconomic development. Entrepreneurial endeavors are significantly influenced by culture. In this study, the cultural barriers to entrepreneurship in Pashtun tribal society are examined. The tribal society of the Pashtuns was used as a case study. To carry out this study, a qualitative research paradigm was employed. In-depth interviews were conducted with those involved in business activities. Respondents to the study were selected through a purposive sampling technique. The thematic analysis method was employed to investigate the social barrier to entrepreneurship in Pashtun tribal society. The results showed that, in contrast to the formation, business is not a socially respectable job in a tribal setting. Individuals in Pashtun society were reluctant to create businesses because of the negative attitudes certain people had regarding specific entrepreneurial endeavors. The information shows that Pakhtunwali, or Pashtun culture's moral code, hinders entrepreneurship in Pashtun society. It has hampered the process of socioeconomic development and people are reluctant to start entrepreneurial activities in Pashtun Society. The government must encourage young people to start their businesses and identify Pashtun society's cultural hubs that encourage commerce.

Quadruple Helix Model in Building Communalism and Social Resilience in Handling Poverty in Rural Communities

Poverty is a major problem in a country's development policy. Various strategies were implemented in an effort to reduce poverty, including utilizing economic resources ement of social resources as a new form of actor involvement in the quadruple helix model in handling local poverty problems. This method is a qualitative research paradigm is an approach used in the process of collecting data related to the involvement of social resources in social security to reduce local poverty rates. Data were analyzed interactively and triangulation was used to obtain validity. This article is the result of research on poverty management in rural communities. The high poverty gap between urban and rural communities encourages this research to be carried out. The multidimensional causes of poverty encourage a paradigm shift in handling, namely by involving multi actors through the quadruple helix model to build communalism and social resilience. The results of this study indicate that the social spirit generated from social institutions can be used as the glue for communalism in poverty reduction, so that it becomes a helix in government efforts to reduce poverty. Social togetherness as a form of solidarity from community groups present in the behavior and actions of groups is a social resource that is capable of creating community social resilience so that it can move togetherness in handling local poverty problems. to stimulate the income of poor groups of people. A structural approach is taken by the government in carrying out a poverty alleviation strategy. This study describes the involvement of social resources as a new form of actor involvement in the quadruple helix model in handling local poverty problems. This method is a qualitative research paradigm is an approach used in the process of collecting data related to the involvement of social resources in social security to reduce local poverty rates. Data were analyzed interactively and triangulation was used to obtain validity. This article is the result of research on poverty management in rural communities. The high poverty gap between urban and rural communities encourages this research to be carried out. The multidimensional causes of poverty encourage a paradigm shift in handling, namely by involving multi actors through the quadruple helix model to build communalism and social resilience. The results of this study indicate that the social spirit generated from social institutions can be used as the glue for communalism in poverty reduction, so that it becomes a helix in government efforts to reduce poverty. Social togetherness as a form of solidarity from community groups present in the behavior and actions of groups is a social resource that is capable of creating community social resilience so that it can move togetherness in handling local poverty problems.

Towards more qualitative research paradigms in nascent entrepreneurship research

Towards more qualitative research paradigms in nascent entrepreneurship research

Higher Education Policy and Objectives Based on Development Plans

As a country prioritizing development and economic growth, Türkiye needs to set policies and targets for the development of human capital. To be able to do this, it is necessary to start with the analysis of the higher education (HE) policies and objectives in the development plans that have been prepared since the beginning of the planned development period. Aiming to determine HE policies and objectives on the basis of development plans, this study is expected to contribute to the field by guiding HE policymakers and quality system practitioners in Türkiye. Focusing on the HE policies and objectives in 11 development plans prepared in Türkiye from 1963 to 2019, the study was designed as a document review, following the qualitative research paradigm. The data obtained in the research were analyzed by applying the content analysis technique. During the analysis of the data, first of all, the development plans were subjected to content analysis, and the results related to the HE policies and targets were then identified and interpreted. The research revealed five themes related to the policies and objectives in the development plans (development of HE, support in HE, planning in HE, cooperation in HE, and financing of HE). Some policies and targets in the development plans were found to recur frequently. It was also observed that the dominant philosophical paradigm of the period was followed in the preparation of the plans, with no paradigmatic blindness. Based on the findings, decision-makers are suggested to adhere to the policies and objectives determined in the development plans, and researchers are suggested o conduct research by analyzing the development plans and the National Education Council decisions together.

Lethal Hegemony over Subaltern Tribes: Textual Analysis of Jamil Ahmad’s The Wandering Falcon

The present study aspires to explore the downtrodden condition of subaltern people in the novel The Wandering Falcon by Jamil Ahmad which was published in 2011. This paper aims to manifest the hostility of hegemony over the tribes alongside the Pakistan-Afghan border. The objective of the study is to elucidate the manipulative and hegemonic actions of the government over Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Textual analysis of the novel explicates the sovereignty of local elites perverting the lawful proceedings in tribes. It further divulges the lethal atrocities being committed on subordinate groups effectuated by unjust verdicts. A qualitative research paradigm has been used for the study which is descriptive in nature. The present study is theoretically framed on Antonio Gramsci’s postulates on hegemony. Robert Young’s tenets on subaltern studies also support the present study.

EXAMINING THE BACKWASH EFFECT OF TASK-BASED LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT ON READING SKILLS OF EFL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

This study primarily focused the EFL undergraduate students at a public university in Pakistan. In this study, task-based language assessment (TBLA) was used to assess reading skills because it is one of the most assessed language skills in Pakistan. Reading is an academic skill. Supposedly, students should have good reading skills at higher education. Thus, there are three courses taught specifically focusing on English language at higher education and reading is a prime focus in all three of them. However, the reading test items are criticized for testing rather the writing skills instead of reading. Thus, a Task-based Language Assessment (TBLA) was used to check its backwash effect. TBLA has not been adopted in the local context yet, specifically in a reading context. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the backwash effect of TBLA on reading skills. In this study, action research design was followed within the qualitative research paradigm. Sample was drawn using convenient sampling. The participants were 12 undergraduate students. Students’ reading journals, exit slips and teacher’s diary were used as data collection instruments. The findings revealed that TBLA has a positive backwash effect on both teaching and learning in the EFL context. Further pedagogical implications are proposed in the study.

Perception of Graduating Students towards their Professional Settlement

This research article aimed at unraveling the perceptions, aspirations, and efforts of the graduating students towards professionalism development and enabling a sense of professional placement in them. The researcher adopted a qualitative research paradigm and narrative inquiry method. The information was generated from four purposively selected graduating students representing diverse fields via in-depth interviews and group discussions. The findings revealed that the academic leadership was unable to promote a sense of professionalism development in the graduating students due to the lack of sufficient effort in skilling them. Their own attempts were also found insufficient due to various causes including lack of sufficient career awareness, limited professional opportunities, and adverse working environment in the nation.

Unsustainable supply chain of sustainable food companies

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the sustainable food companies within the scope of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). It also aims to reveal what are the challenges food companies face in their sustainable supply chains. In addition, it is aimed to show which points should be focused on in sustainable supply chain management. Methodology - For this purpose, sustainability pages on the corporate website of 30 food companies operating in Turkey were analyzed with content analysis by adopting a qualitative research paradigm and an interpretive framework. While analyzing the contents, first of all, it was investigated at which dimensions the food companies attach importance to in the Triple Bottom Line approach. Secondly, the elements that food companies pay attention to while they integrate the supply chain into their sustainability practices were examined. Lastly, it was analyzed in which dimension of the sustainable supply chain management the food companies are located. Findings - The findings of the study indicated that 23 of the food companies were found to be sustainable businesses according to the Triple Bottom Line approach. However, it was demonstrated that the same companies could not provide sustainability in supply chain management. In this sense, it was understood that one of the biggest reasons for this is that companies ignore the concept of “risk management”. Conclusion - As a result, the points that food companies have difficulty in sustainable supply chain management have been revealed. With this study, practical contributions were provided to the companies in terms of enabling them to evaluate themselves on this issue. In addition to this, the study also contributes to the field by building on the studies investigating sustainable supply chain management and providing a different perspective with the investigation of the issue from a TBL approach