Research Interviews Research Articles

Weaving emotions: unraveling the emotional significance of Sri Lankan handloom artistry

PurposeThis paper examines the socio-emotional identities of handloom artisans in Sri Lanka as a novel technique for new product development.Design/methodology/approachQualitative research methods, including observational research and semi-structured interviews with 27 artisans from different handloom communities in Sri Lanka were conducted and analyzed in thematic approach.FindingsBy highlighting the maker of the craft through their socio-emotional identities in an artisan-oriented approach, this paper provides insight into new product development for handloom in alignment with up-and-coming trends. Ultimately, this can increase the demand for handloom and sustain the sector in both local and international fashion markets.Originality/valueThis research study is one of the first of its kind to propose a novel approach for artisan-oriented product development through the application of artisans’ socio-emotional identities.

Narrative of the Disaster

Society's understanding of “suffering” and disaster determines how it will be encountered. In the present study, we apply a constructivist approach and study the understanding of November 12, 2017 earthquake in Zahab at the context of the traumatic history of the region. Applying critical ethnography, oral history, field research and in-depth interviews, we found out that the event is understood in the continuation of a history of irrationality and injustice. Narrators share a common fear among marginalized groups: fear of betrayal, to be forgotten and to be ignored. There exists a vital need for creating collective narratives and identities, hearing them, recognizing them and establishing a meaningful relationship between them.

Yarışmacı Eğitim Yaklaşımının Öğrencilere Etkisine İlişkin Öğretmen Görüşleri

The purpose of this study is to determine teachers' opinions regarding the impact of competitive education approach - practices - on students' social and emotional development. Qualitative method was preferred in the research study and interview technique was used. Criterion sampling, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was used when determining the participants. The participants consist of 20 teachers who work in Sincan district of Ankara province in the 2022-2023 academic year, vary in terms of demographic characteristics, teach 12th grade students, and have worked for at least 5 years. In this study, a semi-structured interview form was created as a data collection tool to examine the social and emotional development of students in competitive education in terms of teachers' opinions, and was applied remotely via Google form. The answers given to the interview form in the study were analyzed with the content analysis method used in qualitative studies. The findings were coded and interpreted by creating themes. The classroom guidance program of the Ministry of National Education includes competencies in three development areas of students: academic, career and social and emotional. Social and emotional development area; It consists of ensuring personal safety, self-awareness, interpersonal skills, understanding and managing emotions, and decision-making competencies. As a result of our study, in which we discussed the effect of the competitive education approach, which is the purpose of our research, on the social and emotional development of students in the context of the social and emotional development competencies of the 12th grade guidance program, it can be said that the competitive education approach is insufficient to realize the social and emotional development of students at the desired level. While protecting personal security, self-awareness, interpersonal relations and decision-making skills show development in the social field, understanding and managing emotions show emotional development. At the end of the research, comparative practices that support emotional development can be determined by universities, and it can be recommended to provide consultancy services to the Ministry of Education and schools, to support the social development of students by school-family cooperation for each student, and to be supported by school administrators. Keywords: Competition, competitive education, social and emotional development, meritocracy

Communication Skills of Deaf Children

As social beings humans have a main need, namely communication, basically communication is a process, and the process must have an obstacle. Like the barriers experienced by deaf children, they experience barriers in their hearing as a result of which deaf people have difficulty speaking so that deaf children are not or less able to communicate verbally. Deaf children maximize their sense of sight as a way to complete the lack of hearing. The purpose and benefits of this study are to determine communication skills in deaf children, know how to socialize deaf children, and find out what are the obstacles in communicating deaf children. This study also aims to test whether there is an interaction between two independent variables that affect verbal and nonverbal communication skills in deaf children.deaf people often have communication problems as in students at SLB B-C Wijaya Kusumah, they still have difficulty in communicating even though generally deaf people use sign language alternatives. The results of our research found that the communication skills of deaf children in SLB B-C Wijaya Kusumah are still very low, this was obtained from the results of the researcher's interview with the class teacher concerned. There are only two children out of nine children who have comprehension in communicating using sign language, the rest still need special guidance in order to maximize their sense of sight as a way to perfect communication.

Nigeria’s Financial Sector Liberalization: An Implicit Cultural Policy for Art Market Development

This study adopted historical research and in-depth interviews with artists, dealers, art writers, and collectors in addressing two overarching questions, which are (1) How have state actions manifested as the impetus and impediments to art market development in Nigeria and (2) To what extent is Bourdieu’s artistic field model applicable to the Nigerian art world? As the boost in artistic production and consumption in Renaissance Italy was attributed to the wealth generated from banking by the Medici, the research also shows that the art market in Nigeria emerged as an upshot of the economic policy of financial deregulation, which manifested as an “implicit” cultural policy. The financial sector liberalization policy was aimed at addressing the economic depression that stemmed from the drastic global fall in crude oil prices in the 1980s. It stimulated the proliferation of banking and other financial services institutions in Nigeria, which engendered intense competition that lured operators into harnessing esthetics for competitive advantages. This bolstered art collection and patronage, underpinning the emergence of the contemporary art market in Nigeria with an auction segment that grew from about $250,000 in 1999 to over $5.5 million in 2017. Paradoxically, the research also revealed that inadequacies resulting from the lack of “explicit” state plans for the cultural sector constitute impediments to the optimization of the market’s potential. As a mark of power, high art and advanced taste have always been associated with elitism. Thus, the research also establishes a high degree of applicability of Bourdieu’s artistic field model in exploring the dynamics of power structures in the Nigerian art world.

Estimated Investment Need to Increase England’s Capacity to Diagnose Eligibility for an Alzheimer’s Treatment to G7 Average Capacity Levels

BackgroundAs disease-modifying Alzheimer’s (AD) treatments are becoming available, concerns have been raised that even high-income countries lack the diagnostic capacity to accurately identify eligible patients in a timely manner.ObjectivesWe analyze how much NHS England would have to invest in capacity for AD specialists, biomarker testing with PET scans or CSF testing and MRI scans to reach G7 average levels and estimate the effect on wait times in the diagnostic process.DesignDesk research and expert interviews for cost and capacity data. Markov model to estimate wait times.SettingNHS England.MeasurementsAD specialists, and PET and MRI scanners per capita in G7 countries and wait times in England under different investment scenarios.ResultsEngland has the lowest number of PET and MRI scanners and the second-lowest of AD specialists per capita among the G7 countries. An investment of GBP 14 billion over ten years would be needed to reach G7 average levels, of which 31%, 22%, 10%, 37% would be devoted to capacity for memory assessment services, PET scanning, CSF analysis, and MRI scanning, respectively. This investment would reduce estimated average wait times by around 87% between 2023 and 2032.ConclusionsThe NHS England has large gaps in diagnostic capacity for AD. Without substantial investments, AD patients in England would experience substantial wait times and avoidable disease progression.

Participatory budgeting in Hrubieszów, Poland, as an example of residents' sustainable participation in shaping public expenditure

The article contains a case study of residents' participation in the process of shaping the city's public expenditure through participatory budgeting. The analyzed data were collected as part of the National Science Center [anonymyzed]. The research methods and tools used in the study included desk research, CAWI, a survey and scenario interviews. The case of Hrubieszów is only a part of our research that deserves a closer look due to the pro-participatory attitude of the significant number of the city officials, social activists, and residents. There is also a certain level of enthusiasm, despite the fact that participatory budgeting arrived in this city relatively late - in 2017. Another interesting fact is that it is the smallest participatory budget among the twelve Polish cities thoroughly examined in our project. In this article we will present the functioning of this process both from the perspective of the local authorities and officials, as well as the project applicants and residents involved in the participatory budgeting process. In our analysis we are looking for local signs of readiness for cooperation which, in favorable conditions, focus on deliberative moments and are followed by a deliberative stance, constituting a basis for pro-participation activities.

Academic Interventions Promoting Learner’s Success in Secondary Schools under King Cetshwayo District, South Africa

Purpose: This study was a phenomenological study designed to make decisions using information from participants’ experiences. The purpose of the study was to develop a model which can be used to improve teaching and learning in rural secondary schools. Success oriented policies developed by SMT was studied. The contribution of efficient Students Representative Councils towards academic improvement in rural secondary schools was also studied.
 Methodology: The study is underpinned by qualitative approach, interprevist paradigm, and exploratory design. Participants for the study were chosen by purposive sampling. Four rural secondary schools in King Cetshwayo district (KCD) were selected for study. Two out of the four schools were well performing schools while the other two were underperforming schools. Performance was based on pass rate in the NCS examination. Principals, deputy principals, some HODs and some learners were selected as participants for that study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using research interview schedule tool.
 Findings: Data collected from participants’ response were analyzed per school and comparisons drawn between schools. Most participants appreciated academic interventions, although raised sentiments of some arriving very late. Study reveals that the performance did increase after those interventions.
 Unique Contribution to the theory, practice, and policy: Conclusions were drawn from the results. A model for academic improvement was developed using results obtained from the data analysis and underpinned by the theory of Concerned Base Adoption Model (CBAM). The model can be used by underperforming schools to improve learner success.

Health Sciences Faculty Attitude and Readiness Towards Simulation-Based Inter-Professional Education.

To explore attitude and readiness of health sciences faculty towards simulation-based inter-professional education (IPE). Qualitative case-study; critical realist paradigm as used. Place and Duration of the Study: Bahria University Health Sciences Campus from December 2022 to March 2023. Maximum variation purposive sampling technique was used for selecting the participants. A total of thirty-one participants were selected. Five faculty members from Nursing, five from Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), five Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLT), eight participants from medical, and eight from the dental faculty. Data were collected using individual semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussion. Duration of an individual interview was 30 minutes and that of the focus group discussion was 60 minutes. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Community of inquiry and community of practice theoretical framework were used for guiding the research design and interviews. Pattern matching technique was used for the data analysis. Atlas ti-9 was used for organising the data. Ten themes were identified after the analysis. teamwork, understanding roles and responsibilities, time constraint communication skills, curriculum integration, patient outcome, interprofessional boundaries, ethics in practice, faculty training, and visionary leadership. The faculty members valued interprofessional education but were reluctant to implement it due to the limited resources. There is a need of faculty development for implementation of simulation-based interprofessional education. There is insufficient research on simulation and interprofessional education in Pakistan because of which faculty members are unacquainted of its benefits. Interprofessional education, Simulation-based learning, Medical education.

What factors in the workplace enable success in antimicrobial stewardship in paediatric intensive care? An exploration of antimicrobial stewardship excellence through thematic analysis of appreciative inquiry interviews with healthcare staff

ObjectivesAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health problem. Efforts to mitigate AMR prioritise antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions. These interventions typically focus on deficiencies in practice and providing negative or...

An Exploration of Support for Clinical Education Partners.

Effective academic-clinical partnerships require a greater understanding of how academic programs can best support clinical education (CE) faculty. This study aimed to determine resources and support that clinical partners need. As the number of physical therapist (PT) programs, cohort sizes, and CE weeks have risen, so has demand for CE sites. Conversely, staffing reductions, increased administrative duties, and rising productivity expectations have decreased the time available for clinical instruction. To promote a successful CE experience, there must be a renewed understanding of CE faculty needs. Clinical education faculty affiliated with any of the 8 contributing programs from the Ohio-Kentucky Consortium participated in survey research (n = 24) and subsequent interview (n = 4) and focus group (n = 6) research. Constructivist grounded theory design was used to explore the needs of CE faculty. Academic and clinical partners developed the initial survey and used survey results to establish interview questions. The investigators iteratively assessed data saturation and clarity of results of coded survey, interview, and focus group data to determine whether the study's aims of identifying CE faculty needs had been met. The aggregated results yielded 5 main themes of Director of Clinical Education support for CE faculty needs: student readiness for CE experience; effective academic-clinical partner communication; collaborative management of exceptional students; judicious standardization of CE processes; and provision of CE faculty development resources. Clinical education faculty have noted challenges that affect their ability to mentor students. They want academic programs to be more collaborative and proactive with communication, resources, and support. Future research should address aids and barriers to proactive communication, resource provision, and academic-clinical partner collaboration.

Operational Earthquake Forecasting in Japan: A Study of Municipal Government Planning for an Earthquake Advisory or Warning in the Nankai Region

Abstract A team of social scientists from the United States and Japan has conducted a study exploring the extent to which municipal governments in Japan have developed plans for response to an operational earthquake forecast from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), indicating that seismic activity in the Nankai trough region has elevated the short-term probability that a major earthquake may occur. Employing both survey research and in-depth interviews, the team explored various aspects of the history and science behind the alerting system, guidance from the national government of Japan, and planning by local jurisdictions for a possible future Nankai trough major earthquake. The survey included questions regarding planning actions included in response plans for receipt of “special earthquake warning information” as well as questions regarding challenges in the planning process, expectations that an earthquake would follow the issuance of an alert, and whether planning would reduce the number of fatalities and injuries. We also conducted in-depth interviews that explored the scientific basis for the alerting system and asked working disaster managers in the Nankai region what they had done to plan and the reasons for not planning if plans had not been developed. We received 469 responses from a total of 736 jurisdictions that comprise the Nankai region—a response rate of 63.7%. We conducted a total of 17 in-depth interviews. In general, we found that a majority of jurisdictions have response plans for receipt of an alert from the JMA; however, the plans lacked a number of planning elements considered important from a disaster management perspective. In addition, many smaller jurisdictions lacked the staffing, resources, and guidance to form comprehensive response plans. Our report identifies both the strengths and weaknesses of existing plans, and outlines a program for improving planning in the region.

Cultural Transmission of Dazu Vocal Music in Chongqing

Dazu vocal music, a unique and cherished intangible cultural heritage, serves as the focal point of this research conducted in Chongqing, China. The study’s objective is to investigate the contribution of cultural transmission of Dazu vocal music in Chongqing through education and literacy. The research site, Dazu City, is the epicenter of this cultural treasure, encompassing various educational institutions from primary to tertiary levels that engage with this art form. Two key informants, comprising experienced instructors and cultural representatives, offer valuable insights into the educational initiatives and literacy practices supporting Dazu vocal music. Research tools, including observation and interview forms, are employed for data collection, culminating in a detailed analysis of the cultural transmission process. The study’s results underscore education’s pivotal role in preserving Dazu vocal music, fostering hands-on learning, and promoting cultural documentation, with literacy facilitating accessibility beyond oral traditions. These efforts positively impact the local community by enhancing cultural identity and pride. Despite challenges such as an aging practitioner population and shifting cultural dynamics, collaboration among stakeholders emerges as a promising strategy for ensuring the tradition’s continuity. In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of education and literacy in preserving intangible cultural heritage, offering insights applicable to similar endeavors worldwide.

PENERAPAN METODE STATISTICAL QUALITY CONTROL DAN FAULT TREE ANALYSIS PADA PROSES STERILISASI DI CV. PASIFIC HARVEST BANYUWANGI

The purpose of this research is to find out the application of Statistical Quality Control and Fault Tree Analysis methods to control the types of defects that occur during the sterilization process, find out the causes of their occurrence, and provide suggestions for improvement. The research methods used were research preparation (literature study), field observations, problem solving, interviews, data collection, data processing, and data analysis. Application of the Statistical Quality Control method to control the types of defects that occur by using the seven tools. While the application of the Fault Tree Analysis method is by making a fault tree and determining the minimum cut set then analyzing it quantitatively. The results of the fishbone diagram analysis found that there are 3 factors that cause defects in the sterilization process, namely machines, materials, and humans. Proposed improvements to reduce the level of defects that often occur, namely carrying out daily inspection and maintenance of the machine, the machine must be calibrated, carrying out more thorough checks on cans sent from suppliers, disciplining employees by holding briefings once a week, conducting training on how to handle them properly and correct every 3 months or 6 months to employees, the seamer operator monitors the time during the draining process to the seamer process, checks the seamer machine before using the production process so as not to hinder the can closing process, and performs temperature sensors on a monthly basisThe purpose of this research is to find out the application of Statistical Quality Control and Fault Tree Analysis methods to control the types of defects that occur during the sterilization process, find out the causes of their occurrence, and provide suggestions for improvement. The research methods used were research preparation (literature study), field observations, problem solving, interviews, data collection, data processing, and data analysis. Application of the Statistical Quality Control method to control the types of defects that occur by using the seven tools. While the application of the Fault Tree Analysis method is by making a fault tree and determining the minimum cut set then analyzing it quantitatively. The results of the fishbone diagram analysis found that there are 3 factors that cause defects in the sterilization process, namely machines, materials, and humans. Proposed improvements to reduce the level of defects that often occur, namely carrying out daily inspection and maintenance of the machine, the machine must be calibrated, carrying out more thorough checks on cans sent from suppliers, disciplining employees by holding briefings once a week, conducting training on how to handle them properly and correct every 3 months or 6 months to employees, the seamer operator monitors the time during the draining process to the seamer process, checks the seamer machine before using the production process so as not to hinder the can closing process, and performs temperature sensors on a monthly basis

“You turn the tap on, the water's there, and you just think everything's fine”: a mixed methods approach to understanding public perceptions of groundwater management in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

In Louisiana's Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District (CAGWCD), extensive groundwater withdrawals from the Southern Hills Aquifer System have begun to accelerate the infiltration of saltwater into the aquifer's freshwater sands. This accelerated saltwater intrusion has the potential to reduce the amount of groundwater available for public consumption and other industrial and agricultural uses throughout the region. In response to this threat, the Capital Area Ground Water Conservation Commission has begun development of a long-term strategic plan to achieve and maintain sustainable and resilient groundwater withdrawals from the aquifer system. The development of the strategic plan includes an assessment of public attitudes regarding groundwater and groundwater management in the CAGWCD. This paper presents the results of mixed methods public participatory research to evaluate current and historical views and attitudes around groundwater quality, quantity, and cost in the CAGWCD. The mixed methods approach used in this research employed a sequential explanatory design model consisting of two phases. The first phase involved the implementation of an internet-based survey, followed by a qualitative phase aimed at explaining and enhancing the quantitative results. The qualitative phase employed a combination of one-on-one interviews and focus groups. The research found that the primary governance obstacle that decision-makers may face in managing groundwater is a broad lack of public awareness of groundwater and groundwater issues in the CAGWCD. Despite the criticality of over-pumping and saltwater intrusion into the aquifer system, survey research and subsequent interviews and focus groups have shown that the public is largely unaware of these issues. This research also found a general lack of trust in both industry and government to manage groundwater issues and highlighted the need for groundwater management efforts to be led by unbiased, trusted institutions.

Developing Halal Industry in Indonesia using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM)

Halal industry has become a popular object and the latest trends in the world of international business. Not only in Indonesia but also Malaysia, Thailand even Europe began to glance at the potential and opportunities for halal industry. The phenomenon that began to develop halal industry in recent years is quite the attention of businesses and consumers themselves. Labeling "halal" or "sharia" on a product, not again become a form of obligation or obedience to a Muslim but has become the strength of a strong market, which not only as a guarantee of the products that are allowed for a Muslim but also a symbol of the global for quality assurance and a lifestyle choice. In previous studies, many researchers were interested in examining issues about the potential of halal industry, while very few researchers discuss the problems of the development of halal industry in Indonesia. Though research on the obstacles and development strategies of halal industry is needed to accelerate the development of halal industry in Indonesia. Based on this problem, which is taken from the study of literature, previous research and indepth interviews with academicians and practitioners, some issues in the development of the halal industry in Indonesia is divided into five aspects: 1) Policy, 2) Production, 3) Socialization, 4) Infrastructure, and 5) Human Resources.

AI in medical diagnosis: AI prediction & human judgment

AI has long been regarded as a panacea for decision-making and many other aspects of knowledge work; as something that will help humans get rid of their shortcomings. We believe that AI can be a useful asset to support decision-makers, but not that it should replace decision-makers. Decision-making uses algorithmic analysis, but it is not solely algorithmic analysis; it also involves other factors, many of which are very human, such as creativity, intuition, emotions, feelings, and value judgments. We have conducted semi-structured open-ended research interviews with 17 dermatologists to understand what they expect from an AI application to deliver to medical diagnosis. We have found four aggregate dimensions along which the thinking of dermatologists can be described: the ways in which our participants chose to interact with AI, responsibility, ‘explainability’, and the new way of thinking (mindset) needed for working with AI. We believe that our findings will help physicians who might consider using AI in their diagnosis to understand how to use AI beneficially. It will also be useful for AI vendors in improving their understanding of how medics want to use AI in diagnosis. Further research will be needed to examine if our findings have relevance in the wider medical field and beyond.

RESEARCH ON INFLUENCING FACTORS AND STRATEGIES OF UNIVERSITY INFORMATION LITERACY EDUCATION - TAKING UNIVERSITIES OF YUNNAN PROVINCE IN CHINA AS AN EXAMPLE

With the application of modern information technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence in real life, people's lives have become inseparable from information. Society needs more interdisciplinary talents who "understand both majors and information." Universities are an important position for personnel training, and research on university information literacy education has become a research focus. This study takes universities in Yunnan Province as an example, conducts research through the literature research method, interview method, and questionnaire survey method, takes 984 students from three universities in Yunnan Province as the survey object, and conducts a questionnaire survey on university information literacy education. Organize and analyze, explore the influencing factors of university information literacy education, analyze the problems existing in university information literacy education, and put forward targeted countermeasures and suggestions, hoping to attract the attention of universities in Yunnan Province, China, to university information literacy education.

Role of Aqidah and Moral Teachers in Instilling Sufi Values in Students at SMA Muhammadiyah 5 Yogyakarta

This article was based on the researcher's interview regarding the decline of moral quality at a high school in Yogyakarta (SMA Muhammadiyah 5), which urges the implementation of Sufism values. The objectives of this study are to investigate (1) the learning process of aqidah and morals in SMA Muhammadiyah 5 Yogyakarta, (2) the role of Aqidah and Morals teachers in instilling the values of Tasawuf (Sufism) in students at SMA Muhammadiyah 5 Yogyakarta, and (3) the supporting and inhibiting factors for the Aqidah and Morals teachers in instilling the Tasawuf values on students at SMA Muhammadiyah 5 Yogyakarta. The study was conducted with a qualitative approach for descriptive field research. The research subjects were the school's principal, Aqidah and Morals teachers, and two students. The data collection techniques used were interviews, observations, and documentation, while the data analysis methods used were data reduction, interpretation, and conclusion drawing. The study found that (1) each teacher has different teaching methods, yet always puts good value in every process, (2) the role of the Aqidah and Morals teachers in instilling the values of Tasawuf has been carried out by guiding, facilitating, motivating, and evaluating the students, and (3) the supporting factors are schools with Muhammadiyah identity, school's vision and mission, supporting activities, role of teachers and parents as role models, positive environment, and the support from agencies, and foundations. Meanwhile, the inhibiting factors are the heterogeneous state of students, limited teacher supervision, the student community, which is far from good values, and the educators' and students' low level of human resources.

What drives densification and sprawl in cities? A spatially explicit assessment for Vienna, between 1984 and 2018

The spatial arrangement of settlements constitutes a long-lasting legacy and shapes the prospects for transformations toward sustainability. Thus, understanding the drivers of changes in settlement patterns is essential. In this article, we present a spatially explicit, geostatistical analysis of settlement dynamics, and a qualitative investigation of its regulative, demographic, and economic drivers, using the example of Vienna, Austria between 1984 and 2018. Combining spatially explicit metrics of urban sprawl and cluster analysis, we analyzed high-resolution maps of buildings, population, and jobs to identify distinct settlement trajectories. Societal drivers of more or less sprawled settlement dynamics are analyzed with desk research and expert interviews. We distinguish five types of settlement dynamics: persistently dense areas with increasing use intensity, re-densification of dense areas, persistently sprawled areas, redensification of sprawled areas, and persistently isolated buildings. Urban renewal schemes have fostered the re-densification of dense areas in response to population growth and urban economic restructuring. The combination of urban renewal schemes and green space policies has successfully limited urban expansion. Challenges arise from the demand for single-family housing and corresponding zoning regulations. These factors solidify existing sprawled settlements, posing obstacles to the efficient re-densification of such areas crucial for sustainable urban development.