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More Tools For The Synthesist’S Toolbag In Harris Cooper’S Research Synthesis And Meta-Analysis: A Step-By-Step Approach (4th Ed.), Carla Hansen Dec 2009

More Tools For The Synthesist’S Toolbag In Harris Cooper’S Research Synthesis And Meta-Analysis: A Step-By-Step Approach (4th Ed.), Carla Hansen

The Qualitative Report

The need for research synthesis grows along with the volume of contemporary published scholarship. Reporting such synthesis warrants rigorous guidelines for preparing these important, information-rich documents that make statements concerning the state of knowledge about a topic, gaps in knowledge, or the aggregation or integration of primary research. Cooper’s revised and expanded fourth edition of Research Synthesis and Meta­Analysis: A Step-by-Step Approach (2010) provides these needed guidelines with special attention given to the threats to validity at all steps of the research synthesis process.


Considering "Objective" Possibilities In Autoethnography: A Critique Of Heewon Chang’S Autoethnography As Method1, Sue Butler Dec 2009

Considering "Objective" Possibilities In Autoethnography: A Critique Of Heewon Chang’S Autoethnography As Method1, Sue Butler

The Qualitative Report

Autoethnography is a qualitative research methodology that emphasizes a more personal, almost intimate level of study. It renders the researcher-participant opportunities to explore past and present experiences while gaining self-awareness of his or her interactions and their socio-cultural effects. In the book Autoethnography as Method Heewon Chang presents this research methodology in an easy to follow text and illustration, while advocating an objective approach to data collection and analysis. However, Chang’s theoretical positions seem to shift back and forth between this objective point-of-view and a subjective perspective throughout the text causing ambiguity and contradiction of ideas and approaches.


An Autoethnographic Book Review, Sally St. George Dec 2009

An Autoethnographic Book Review, Sally St. George

The Qualitative Report

Sharing some personal experiences and tying it to some larger social discourses regarding learning and the academy, I praise Heewon Chang, the author of Autoethnography as Method, for the practical and clear way she presents her method for writing autoethnographies


Neophyte Qualitative Researcher Finding His Voice Through Qualitative Journeys, Matthew K. Robison Dec 2009

Neophyte Qualitative Researcher Finding His Voice Through Qualitative Journeys, Matthew K. Robison

The Qualitative Report

If you are looking for a book written about the qualitative research experience, you can find it in Victor Minichiello and Jeffery A. Kottler’s (2010c) edited volume Qualitative Journeys: Student and Mentor Experiences with Research. For a neophyte qualitative researcher who is finding his voice as a budding qualitative scholar, this book serves as an inspiration. This easy-to-read book gives a firsthand look at what other new, and oftentimes struggling, qualitative researchers experienced as they began their research journeys. Overall, the book builds a sense of excitement and interest in the qualitative paradigm; and, after reading it, I am energized …


Older People With Complex Health Needs Desire For Change: A Qualitative Study, Diane Jorgensen, David R. Thoman, Matthew Parsons Dec 2009

Older People With Complex Health Needs Desire For Change: A Qualitative Study, Diane Jorgensen, David R. Thoman, Matthew Parsons

The Qualitative Report

As a sub study of another study we examined older people with complex health and disability support needs' desire for change. The aim was to compare this across different ages, residence, and gender. Semi-structured interviews were held with 129 participants and the data were analyzed using a General Inductive Approach. Six themes emerged, Health, No Change, Personal Changes, Family, Housing, and Services. The two most popular themes were a desire for health changes and to have no change. Health professionals might note that older people in their 80s with significant health and disability impairments have a decrease in both the …


Gaining Balance: Toward A Grounded Theory Of The Decision-Making Processes Of Applicants For Adoption Of Children With And Without Disabilities, Philip Burge, Margaret Jamieson Dec 2009

Gaining Balance: Toward A Grounded Theory Of The Decision-Making Processes Of Applicants For Adoption Of Children With And Without Disabilities, Philip Burge, Margaret Jamieson

The Qualitative Report

A grounded theory is presented of the decision-making processes among applicants when considering available children with and without disabilities for domestic public adoption. Using grounded theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1998), data from 15 adoption applicants were analyzed followed the traditional three coding phases. The central category of Adoption Decision Making is labeled Gaining Balance and was the underpinning concept to all categories and sub-categories (i.e., in parentheses) of the theory: Commitment (e.g., motivation, financial considerations), Persistence (e.g., coping with emotions, counteracting pessimism), and Evaluation (e.g., assessments of personal abilities and resources, assessments of knowledge of potential adoptees' needs). The …


Safety Rituals: How Women Cope With The Fear Of Sexual Violence, Luciana C. Silva, David W. Wright Dec 2009

Safety Rituals: How Women Cope With The Fear Of Sexual Violence, Luciana C. Silva, David W. Wright

The Qualitative Report

In this study we focus on how women's fear of sexual violence shapes their views on sexual assault and influences their use of safety strategies as well as how those safety strategies may restrict their use of time and space. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 5 participants who also journaled for one week on the topic of sexual violence. Data were analyzed through an inductive analysis approach. These women think about sexual violence as a widespread problem that affects them disproportionately more than it affects men; they engage in precautionary behaviors in a ritualistic manner; and their fear of sexual …


Weekend Warriors: Autonomy-Connection, Openness-Closedness, And Coping Strategies Of Marital Partners In Nonresidential Stepfamilies, Becky L. Degreeff, Ann Burnett Dec 2009

Weekend Warriors: Autonomy-Connection, Openness-Closedness, And Coping Strategies Of Marital Partners In Nonresidential Stepfamilies, Becky L. Degreeff, Ann Burnett

The Qualitative Report

The purpose of this study was to examine the classic and unique relationship tensions marital partners of non-residential stepfamilies experience. Grounded in relational dialectical theory, transcripts from interviews of five non-residential stepfamily couples were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to search for and identify autonomy-connection and openness-closedness dialectical tensions and coping strategies utilized by the participants. These relational dialectical tensions were illustrated in every interview. Tensions were present not only between the relationship partners, but also in regard to the non-residential children. Participants utilized a variety of coping strategies to deal with the relationship tensions experienced in their marriage within …


The Process Of Conducting Qualitative Grounded Theory Research For A Doctoral Thesis: Experiences And Reflections, Sophie Soklaridis Dec 2009

The Process Of Conducting Qualitative Grounded Theory Research For A Doctoral Thesis: Experiences And Reflections, Sophie Soklaridis

The Qualitative Report

In this article, the author offers her experiences as an example of the application of a grounded theory approach in qualitative research. She describes, in detail, her experiences of the process of collecting, analyzing, and storing data for her doctoral thesis. She focuses on the special challenges of employing a qualitative methodology to developing a conceptual framework. The substantive area in which the study took place was at a hospital-based occupational health clinic for professional artists. Various stakeholders involved in the clinic participated in in-depth individual interviews and focus groups to explore how the concept of integrative health care (IHC) …


Elements Of Engagement For Successful Learning, Amy Schweinle, Marcy F. Reisetter, Valerie Stokes Dec 2009

Elements Of Engagement For Successful Learning, Amy Schweinle, Marcy F. Reisetter, Valerie Stokes

The Qualitative Report

In this research we sought to understand student practices, beliefs, and behaviors that led to positive engagement on campus. More specifically, we studied student engagement as a function of the individual within the contexts of classroom and university environment using a basic interpretive approach. First year students from a medium-sized, public, Midwestern university participated in interviews on engagement, the classroom, university, and community contexts. Results suggest that both personality and a sense of self influence students' levels of engagement. Students who had identified life goals and who sought related activities and relationships made greater use of university resources and felt …


Using Literary Ethnography As A Form Of Qualitative Document Synthesis To Explore The Maltreatment Of Vulnerable Populations: An Examination Of Verbal Neglect And Abuse In Nursing Homes, Jason S. Ulsperger Dec 2009

Using Literary Ethnography As A Form Of Qualitative Document Synthesis To Explore The Maltreatment Of Vulnerable Populations: An Examination Of Verbal Neglect And Abuse In Nursing Homes, Jason S. Ulsperger

The Qualitative Report

Studying vulnerable populations can be highly problematic. This is especially true when they are located in institutional settings. When gatekeepers block access and a researcher wants to examine a delicate topic, one ethical, feasible way to paint an interpretive picture of everyday life involves the use of a literary ethnography. With data on the verbal neglect and abuse of elders in United States nursing homes, this paper details the six-stages of a literary ethnography. It includes a discussion of identifying sources, reading and interpreting the documents, identifying textual themes, classifying themes, developing a set of analytic constructs, and re-reading documents …


Discovering Emerging Research In A Qualitative Study Of Esl Academic Writing, Jim Hu Dec 2009

Discovering Emerging Research In A Qualitative Study Of Esl Academic Writing, Jim Hu

The Qualitative Report

This article focuses on the complexities of the qualitative methodology employed in my doctoral study of the academic writing experiences and perceptions of Chinese graduate students in sciences and engineering at the University of British Columbia. In particular, I explain the emerging nature of the study by relating how and why I repeatedly revised the research questions, modified the research locations, re-selected the participants, adjusted the data collection methods, and amended the data analysis coding system. The study concludes that research designs should be elastic to accommodate the dynamic and emerging nature of qualitative studies.


Psychosocial Factors Influencing Promotion Of Male Circumcision For Hiv Prevention In A Non-Circumcising Community In Rural Western Kenya, Alfredo F. X. O. Obure, Erick O. Nyambedha, Boniface O. Oindo, Hezborn M. N. Kodero Dec 2009

Psychosocial Factors Influencing Promotion Of Male Circumcision For Hiv Prevention In A Non-Circumcising Community In Rural Western Kenya, Alfredo F. X. O. Obure, Erick O. Nyambedha, Boniface O. Oindo, Hezborn M. N. Kodero

The Qualitative Report

Male circumcision (MC) is now recommended as an additional HIV preventive measure, yet little is known about factors that may influence its adoption, especially in non-circumcising communities with generalized HIV pandemic. This qualitative study explored factors influencing MC adoption in rural western Kenya. Twenty-four sex specific focus group discussions were conducted with a purposive sample of Luo men and women (15-34 years). Perceived barriers to circumcision were pain and healing complications, actual and opportunity costs, behavioral disinhibition, discrimination, cultural identity, and reduced sexual satisfaction; perceived facilitators were hygiene, HIV/STI risk reduction, ease in condom use, cultural integration, and sexual satisfaction. …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Art Of Occupational Therapy, Shelley Williams, Margo Paterson Dec 2009

A Phenomenological Study Of The Art Of Occupational Therapy, Shelley Williams, Margo Paterson

The Qualitative Report

If research evidence is to guide practice, the literature must reflect the art as well as the science of Occupational Therapy practice. The purpose of this research was to provide insight into the phenomenon of professional artistry and its meaning to Occupational Therapists. A phenomenological approach was used to collect data from three Occupational Therapists using in-depth interviews. Moustakas's method was employed to analyze the data. Interview data described practitioners' views of professional artistry of Occupational Therapy practice, how it developed, and how it was manifested in different roles. Analysis demonstrated that professional artistry formed the very heart of Occupational …


China’S Foreign Investment And Assistance: Implications For Cambodia’S Development And Democratization, Kheang Un Dec 2009

China’S Foreign Investment And Assistance: Implications For Cambodia’S Development And Democratization, Kheang Un

Peace and Conflict Studies

With a strong economy and newly acquired confidence following three decades of rapid economic expansion, China has pursued an outward looking policy based upon foreign direct investment, development assistance and trade targeting particularly the developing world. Such expansion has drawn concerns over its impact on human rights, democratization and the environment. This paper assesses these concerns by examining Sino-Cambodia relations over the past sixteen years. It concludes that while trade, development assistance, and investment have had positive effects on Cambodia’s economic development, concerns that these engagements have derailed deeper democratization in Cambodia are not deterministic. Cambodia’s authoritarian trajectory is less …


Front Matter, Peace And Conflict Studies Dec 2009

Front Matter, Peace And Conflict Studies

Peace and Conflict Studies

No abstract provided.


Volume 16, Number 2 (Winter 2009), Peace And Conflict Studies Dec 2009

Volume 16, Number 2 (Winter 2009), Peace And Conflict Studies

Peace and Conflict Studies

No abstract provided.


China’S Evolving “Double-Track” Socio-Legal System In Conflict Resolution, Jieli Li Dec 2009

China’S Evolving “Double-Track” Socio-Legal System In Conflict Resolution, Jieli Li

Peace and Conflict Studies

Contemporary China's sociolegal control system is built upon a unique organizational arrangement which differs not only from other countries in the world but also from its own past. The very core of this organizational arrangement is what I define as a “double-track” socio-legality with laws and codified regulation mainly concentrated on economic and commercial sectors with the ruling party focusing its administrative control on political and ideological sectors. This institutional context is critical to understanding the nature of social control mechanism in China. The fact is that with all the laws and regulations promulgated in recent years, the newly developed …


Labor Law Reforms: China’S Response To Challenges Of Globalization, Yunqiu Zhang Dec 2009

Labor Law Reforms: China’S Response To Challenges Of Globalization, Yunqiu Zhang

Peace and Conflict Studies

The post-Mao years witnessed vigorous labor law reform efforts in China, which can be partly understood in terms of globalization, economic and legal. In the economic globalization, China was increasingly integrated into the world economic system and exposed to international pressures to reform its traditional labor system and follow internationally-accepted labor rules. In other words, the economic globalization created the need for labor law reforms in China. In the legal globalization, China was apparently the recipient or borrower of foreign legal ideas including ideas about labor legislation. These ideas inspired the Chinese to build a new legal system concerning labor.


Military Modernization And Peaceful Rising: A Harmonious Transition Of The Pla Into The Future, Xiaobing Li Dec 2009

Military Modernization And Peaceful Rising: A Harmonious Transition Of The Pla Into The Future, Xiaobing Li

Peace and Conflict Studies

This article seeks to elucidate the recent changes to the Chinese military by examining the new characteristics of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its newly adopted approaches for modernization between 2003 and 2008. It includes diachronic discussions to explore various social and political factors for the changes, domestic and international constraints on the implementation of military modernization, and the outcomes of these endeavors. The main findings indicate that the Chinese military has changed its main feature as two important transitions have emerged: first, the PLA has been transformed from a manpower intensive army to a technology oriented force; and …


Triumph After Catastrophe: Church, State And Society In Post-Boxer China, 1900-1937, Patrick Fuliang Shan Dec 2009

Triumph After Catastrophe: Church, State And Society In Post-Boxer China, 1900-1937, Patrick Fuliang Shan

Peace and Conflict Studies

The Boxer Rebellion of 1900, originally a regional anti-Christian and anti-foreign movement in Western Shandong, turned to be a sensational international event, prompting eight great powers to dispatch a large number of troops for its suppression. Ironically, soon after the catastrophe, Christianity entered into a golden age as the number of Chinese converts skyrocketed while the religion enjoyed an unprecedented growth. It was only temporarily halted by the Japanese invasion in 1937. This paper probes the complicated relationship among church, state and society during this historical era. It tries to figure out factors leading to the booming enterprise as it …


An Emerging South-South Coalition Strategy: China, Africa And Latin America, Tricia Gray Dec 2009

An Emerging South-South Coalition Strategy: China, Africa And Latin America, Tricia Gray

Peace and Conflict Studies

Concomitant with the astronomical rise of China in international politics, there has been an increased frequency and intensity of foreign relations between Global South states. This research attempts to, first, illuminate these largely overlooked foreign policy activities, and, second, to evaluate the implications of the trends. A South-South strategy is based on improving the position of developing countries in multilateral organizations, struggling against international marginalization, enhancing economic and technical cooperation, and challenging hegemonism and imperialism. This study concludes that a South-South coalition framework is a useful model for understanding Global South states’ foreign policy behavior and for addressing future conflicts.


Back Matter, Peace And Conflict Studies Dec 2009

Back Matter, Peace And Conflict Studies

Peace and Conflict Studies

No abstract provided.


Comprehensive Yet "Passionate"— Discovering Qualitative Methods: Field Research, Interviews, And Analysis (2nd Ed.) By Carol A. B. Warren And Tracy Xavia Karner, Angela Yehl Nov 2009

Comprehensive Yet "Passionate"— Discovering Qualitative Methods: Field Research, Interviews, And Analysis (2nd Ed.) By Carol A. B. Warren And Tracy Xavia Karner, Angela Yehl

The Qualitative Report

Warren and Karner’s (2010) second edition of Discovering Qualitative Methods provides the novice and/or student sociology researcher with a solid foundation in the historical and theoretical underpinnings of qualitative research as it is applied to the social sciences. Once the reader is grounded in the history and principles of qualitative research the book evolves into a rich, informative, "how-to" guide for those undertaking the complexities of contemporary qualitative research, including fieldwork, qualitative interviews, and collection of visual/textual and internet data.


A Review Of Action Research In Teaching And Learning: A Practical Guide To Conducting Pedagogical Research In Universities, Johanna Tunon Nov 2009

A Review Of Action Research In Teaching And Learning: A Practical Guide To Conducting Pedagogical Research In Universities, Johanna Tunon

The Qualitative Report

Action Research in Teaching and Learning: A Practical Guide to Conducting Pedagogical Research in Universities by Lynn S. Norton provides a useful resource for those in higher education interested in using action research. Action research takes place when educational practitioners reflect on their approach to education and test pedagogical theories with research that is then presented for consideration within the institution and in the wider academic arena. After making a case for the use of action research as an important part of the scholarship of teaching and learning that should take place in higher education, the author discusses the steps …


Exploring Sheila Keegan’S World Of Commercial Qualitative Research, Ronald J. Chenail Nov 2009

Exploring Sheila Keegan’S World Of Commercial Qualitative Research, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

The world of commercial qualitative research reflects an emergent and exciting area of contemporary qualitative research which might not be all that familiar to academic qualitative researchers. Traditionally mentored in an oral and experiential fashion, the next generation of market qualitative researchers are benefiting from new books such as Sheila Keegan’s Qualitative Research: Good Decision Making through Understanding People, Cultures and Markets to learn how to address their clients’ needs for gaining insights into their customers’ perspectives. Academic-oriented qualitative researchers can also benefit from Keegan’s insights into this similar but different realm of qualitative inquiry


Forty Years In The Making: Harry Wolcott Shares His Expertise In Writing Up Qualitative Research, Gary M. Bowler Jr. Nov 2009

Forty Years In The Making: Harry Wolcott Shares His Expertise In Writing Up Qualitative Research, Gary M. Bowler Jr.

The Qualitative Report

Harry Wolcott’s major focus in the third edition of Writing Up Qualitative Research is on writing what has come to be known as qualitative or descriptive or naturalistic research. To this end Wolcott draws upon the experiences from his life in the field of qualitative inquiry from over the past 40 years to offer suggestions on every aspect of the writing process from the beginning to end of a qualitative research project. Wolcott discusses how to jump start the writing process by providing guidance ranging from when and how to begin, how to keep the writing process going, what to …


Online Interviewing: It’S Not As Simple As Point And Click, Robin Cooper Oct 2009

Online Interviewing: It’S Not As Simple As Point And Click, Robin Cooper

The Qualitative Report

In Online Interviewing, Nalita James and Hugh Busher offer a thoughtful discussion of epistemological, methodological, and ethical considerations related to qualitative research in the online environment. They describe several forms of online interviews, as well as benefits and challenges associated with this form of research. The authors include practical tips for online researchers and examples from studies that employed online research methods.


Decoding Coding Via The Coding Manual For Qualitative Researchers By Johnny Saldaña, Robin Cooper Oct 2009

Decoding Coding Via The Coding Manual For Qualitative Researchers By Johnny Saldaña, Robin Cooper

The Qualitative Report

The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers by Johnny Saldaña is a valuable resource for novice and experienced qualitative researchers alike, offering a clear, comprehensive explanation of codes and coding methods and the role they play in qualitative research. This explanation includes a discussion of writing analytic memos and a detailed list of First Cycle and Second Cycle coding methods. The book also includes useful appendices with samples of data and exercises for readers to practice coding.


Soup To Nuts In Doing Qualitative Research: A Comprehensive Guide By David Silverman And Amir Marvasti, Diana Riviera Oct 2009

Soup To Nuts In Doing Qualitative Research: A Comprehensive Guide By David Silverman And Amir Marvasti, Diana Riviera

The Qualitative Report

Doing Qualitative Research: A Comprehensive Guide by David Silverman and Amir Marvasti is a masterpiece for any graduate student looking for guidance in research and dissertation process. The authors provide extensive information on the entire research and dissertation procedure as well as offer tips to conquer the qualifying exam and the rewards and challenges to publishing post dissertation.