Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Social Statistics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 30 of 114

Full-Text Articles in Social Statistics

Aids Related Stigma In Social Relations: A Qualitative Study In Turkey, Aytul Kasapoglu, Elif Kus Saillard, Nilay Kaya, Feryal Turan Nov 2011

Aids Related Stigma In Social Relations: A Qualitative Study In Turkey, Aytul Kasapoglu, Elif Kus Saillard, Nilay Kaya, Feryal Turan

The Qualitative Report

The actual number of HIV/AIDS cases in Turkey is higher than the number of cases reported, and People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) may refrain from acknowledging their sickness or seeking help because of the stigma associated with HIV and fear of discrimination from their close friends, workmates, and even their families. In this paper we aim to explore HIV-positive people's relationships with significant others such as family members, friends, sexual partners, employers and health professionals in order to present the patients' perceptions about stigma and attitudes that lead to pro-social or anti-social behavior towards them. We carried out a qualitative …


Does Recreational Reading In Native Language Influence Foreign Language Learning Process?, Selami Aydin Nov 2011

Does Recreational Reading In Native Language Influence Foreign Language Learning Process?, Selami Aydin

The Qualitative Report

Limited studies have been conducted on the effects on recreational reading in native language on foreign language learning, whereas no findings exist on the effects of recreational reading in Turkish as a native language (L1) on English as a foreign language (EFL) learning. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of recreational reading in L1 on the process of learning EFL. The sample group consists of 70 learners and a background questionnaire, interviews, oral presentations, classroom discussions, essay papers, and responses to examination questions were used for data collection. The results indicated that recreational reading in L1 has some …


Voicing The Less Heard: A Review Of Focus Group Methodology: Principles And Practice, Derya Kulavuz-Onal Nov 2011

Voicing The Less Heard: A Review Of Focus Group Methodology: Principles And Practice, Derya Kulavuz-Onal

The Qualitative Report

Focus Group Methodology: Principles and Practice is a powerful text in not only equipping novice researchers with all the stages of designing a focus group, but also facilitating their understanding of the philosophies and in-depth principles of focus group methodology. Although the text seems to have specifically aimed at researchers in health and social sciences, beginning qualitative researchers in other fields, such as educational sciences, can also gain valuable insights. The text also provides detailed accounts of previous research where focus groups have been used as well as an intensive discussion of more specific topics such as focus groups with …


A Review Of Qualitative Research In Counseling And Psychotherapy, Nozomu Ozaki Nov 2011

A Review Of Qualitative Research In Counseling And Psychotherapy, Nozomu Ozaki

The Qualitative Report

In reviewing Qualitative Research in Counseling and Psychotherapy (McLeod, 2011), I encountered with this text a backdrop of a grand tour question, "How well has the author contextualized qualitative inquiry in the realm of counseling and psychotherapy theory and practice?" I found McLeod (2011) constantly embedding qualitative methodology and plethora of methods into counseling and psychotherapy field by pointing out the relationship between research and practice of counseling and psychotherapy and giving detailed account on philosophical foundations and actual practice of qualitative methods while zigzagging among multiple levels of contexts. At the same time, McLeod maintained his pluralistic position on …


Who Wants To Be A Physical Education Teacher? A Case Study Of A Non-Traditional Undergraduate Student In A Physical Education Teacher Education Program, Scott Ronspies Nov 2011

Who Wants To Be A Physical Education Teacher? A Case Study Of A Non-Traditional Undergraduate Student In A Physical Education Teacher Education Program, Scott Ronspies

The Qualitative Report

Forty percent of undergraduate students are non-traditional students. The purpose of this study was to identify what attracted the participant to physical education, identify what situational/social factors facilitated the career choice, and the beliefs of the participant about what it meant to be a physical educator. The study consisted of one male non-traditional student. Artifacts, observation, and interview methods were employed to gain an understanding of why the participant wanted to become a physical educator and what were the beliefs of the participant about physical education teaching or teachers. Findings indicated the participant was attracted to physical education by his …


Appraising Qualitative Research Reports: A Developmental Approach, Robin Cooper Nov 2011

Appraising Qualitative Research Reports: A Developmental Approach, Robin Cooper

The Qualitative Report

In this paper, the author discusses the development of an appraisal instrument designed for evaluating submissions to The Qualitative Report-the TQR Rubric. Following a description of the context of TQR, she explains what led to the development of the TQR Rubric and describes its components. She concludes by presenting the plan of implementation of the rubric and a discussion of how the TQR Rubric's elements relate to notions of quality presented in the literature.


Contextualizing The Perceived Barriers Of Adult Learners In An Accelerated Undergraduate Degree Program, David Deggs Nov 2011

Contextualizing The Perceived Barriers Of Adult Learners In An Accelerated Undergraduate Degree Program, David Deggs

The Qualitative Report

Research has consistently suggested that colleges and universities should review academic programs and support services in order to make modifications to meet the needs of adult learners. However, one could argue that colleges and universities cannot be successful in meeting adult learners' needs without understanding the barriers they experience. This study utilized phenomenology to examine the perceived barriers of adult learners in an accelerated undergraduate degree program in the mid-South. Analysis of data collected from adult learners identified three types of barriers: (a). intrapersonal, (b). career and job-related barriers, and (c). academic-related. The results of this study suggested that barriers …


More About "Research In Ambiguous, Conflictual, And Changing Contexts": Studying Ethnic Populations In China, Xi'an To Urumqi, Linda Dorsten, Yuhui Li Nov 2011

More About "Research In Ambiguous, Conflictual, And Changing Contexts": Studying Ethnic Populations In China, Xi'an To Urumqi, Linda Dorsten, Yuhui Li

The Qualitative Report

A recent article in this journal discusses ways to manage uncertainty when the research field abruptly and significantly changes on researchers working inside their own society (Kacen & Chaitin, 2006). Our essay extends this discussion by asking: How do researchers manage ambiguous, conflictual, and rapidly changing events when they engage in study outside their own society? We describe three aspects of our data collection experience that coincidentally began one week before the Urumqi city, Xinjiang, China, riots of 2009 in which over 200 people were reported as killed and several thousand injured: (a). our original research agenda and the uncertain …


Grounded Theory Methodology: Positivism, Hermeneutics, And Pragmatism, Lars-Johan Age Nov 2011

Grounded Theory Methodology: Positivism, Hermeneutics, And Pragmatism, Lars-Johan Age

The Qualitative Report

Glaserian grounded theory methodology, which has been widely adopted as a scientific methodology in recent decades, has been variously characterised as "hermeneutic" and "positivist." This commentary therefore takes a different approach to characterising grounded theory by undertaking a comprehensive analysis of: (a) the philosophical paradigms of positivism, hermeneutics, and pragmatism; and (b) the general philosophical questions of the aims of science and the issue of choosing a scientific methodology. The commentary then seeks to position grounded theory methodology in terms of these philosophical perspectives. The study concludes that grounded theory methodology contains elements of positivism, hermeneutics, and pragmatism. In coming …


Ten Steps For Conceptualizing And Conducting Qualitative Research Studies In A Pragmatically Curious Manner, Ronald J. Chenail Nov 2011

Ten Steps For Conceptualizing And Conducting Qualitative Research Studies In A Pragmatically Curious Manner, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

In a world of methodological pluralism and mixed-methods, qualitative researchers can take a pathway of pragmatic curiosity by exploring their research interests and the possible design and methodology choices to create studies that not only allow them to pursue their investigative curiosities, but also result in coherent and effective systems of procedural choices. Ten steps are offered for researchers to conceive and conduct qualitative research projects that are both responsive to research goals and objectives and defendable to criteria of quality and critics of utility.


Delphi In Criminal Justice Policy: A Case Study On Judgmental Forecasting, Kim Loyens, Jeroen Maesschalck, Geert Bouckaert Nov 2011

Delphi In Criminal Justice Policy: A Case Study On Judgmental Forecasting, Kim Loyens, Jeroen Maesschalck, Geert Bouckaert

The Qualitative Report

This article provides an in-depth case study analysis of a pilot project organized by the section "Strategic Analysis" of the Belgian Federal Police. Using the Delphi method, which is a judgmental forecasting technique, a panel of experts was questioned about future developments of crime, based on their expertise in criminal or social trends. The results demonstrate how police authorities could implement judgmental forecasting methods like Delphi methodology for the anticipation of future criminal trends, and how this technique, applied under specific conditions, can complement current crime analysis techniques. This article will not focus on criminal trends that were forecasted in …


From Tactics To Praxis: Learning Feminist Pedagogy Through Methodology, Laura L. Janik-Marusov, Lauren M. Sardi, Dina Giovanelli, Rita Offiaeli, Deric Shannon Nov 2011

From Tactics To Praxis: Learning Feminist Pedagogy Through Methodology, Laura L. Janik-Marusov, Lauren M. Sardi, Dina Giovanelli, Rita Offiaeli, Deric Shannon

The Qualitative Report

Through a self-reflexive and ongoing process, in this paper we chronicle how we as graduate students learned about feminist pedagogy through methodology. Primarily, we noted dilemmas in feminist methodology that became central dilemmas for us in our roles as feminist research guides within a combined graduate and undergraduate feminist methodologies course. As we became aware of these specific dilemmas, not only did we attempt to apply them to the research we were conducting for an institutional ethnographic research project on campus safety, but we also found them to be central pedagogical concerns in ways that were both unique and similar …


Methodological Gravitism, Muhammad Zaman Nov 2011

Methodological Gravitism, Muhammad Zaman

The Qualitative Report

In this paper the author presents the case of the exchange marriage system to delineate a model of methodological gravitism. Such a model is not a deviation from or alteration to the existing qualitative research approaches. I have adopted culturally specific methodology to investigate spouse selection in line with the Grounded Theory Method. This approach, indeed, suggests the unification of methodological individualism, collectivism, and the social positioning of the actor to study the complex and intricately intertwined networks of relatedness.


Understanding The Evolving Roles Of Improvement-Oriented High School Teachers In Gilgit-Baltistan, Takbir Ali Nov 2011

Understanding The Evolving Roles Of Improvement-Oriented High School Teachers In Gilgit-Baltistan, Takbir Ali

The Qualitative Report

In this paper the author presents a framework for understanding how improvement-oriented high school teachers' accounts of change experiences portray their evolving roles as change agents in school reform. The data on which this paper is based come from a one-year long in-depth study (doctoral thesis research project) in which the author set out to investigate how improvement-oriented teachers pursue important changes in the realm of classroom, school and community; how the teachers-initiated changes can be characterized; and how the teachers' roles evolve with their change practices. The researcher employed qualitative case study methodology, using in-depth interviews, classroom observations, post-observation …


Working Together More Than Alone: Students' Evolving Perceptions Of Self And Community Within A Four-Year Educational Administration Doctoral Cohort, Lance Ford, Courtney Vaughn Nov 2011

Working Together More Than Alone: Students' Evolving Perceptions Of Self And Community Within A Four-Year Educational Administration Doctoral Cohort, Lance Ford, Courtney Vaughn

The Qualitative Report

School administrators rarely have the opportunity to confer and share their challenges with colleagues. To address this problem in 2005 the Educational Administration Department (EAD) at Central University (a Midwestern PhD granting institution located in a thriving city of about 100,00 people) created a virtual/local doctoral cohort for 14 school leaders living and working in two states. Three years into the course of study we conducted a year long inquiry that asked, "How did students' self-perceptions evolve within a cohort context, and how did these changes advance or retard professional learning community (PLC) growth?" Our interviews had a phenomenological focus …


Competing Cultural Worldviews In The United States: A Phenomenological Examination Of The Essential Core Elements Of Transnationalism And Transculturalism, Mark P. Orbe, Darlene K. Drummond Nov 2011

Competing Cultural Worldviews In The United States: A Phenomenological Examination Of The Essential Core Elements Of Transnationalism And Transculturalism, Mark P. Orbe, Darlene K. Drummond

The Qualitative Report

The objective of this study was to explore inductively the complex ways in which everyday discourse reflects larger - and often competing - cultural worldviews. A phenomenological framework was used to analyze transcripts generated through 13 focus group discussions involving 100 individuals. This particular analysis highlights how individuals who adopted a transnational worldview worked to transform cultural divisions through criticism of existing labels that failed to capture the multicultural nature of their identifies. Alternatively, individuals who adopted a transcultural worldview worked to transcend traditional cultural divisions through a rejection of traditional labels that worked against one unified social identity. The …


Ophthalmology For The Myopic Methodologist: A Review Of Five Ways Of Doing Qualitative Analysis, Carl Root Nov 2011

Ophthalmology For The Myopic Methodologist: A Review Of Five Ways Of Doing Qualitative Analysis, Carl Root

The Qualitative Report

In Five Ways of Doing Qualitative Analysis, Frederick J. Wertz, Kathy Charmaz, Linda M. McMullen, Ruthellen Josselson, and Rosemarie Anderson provide students and researchers with both a broad knowledge base and specific examples of each of their preferred methods of analysis. The authors apply their respective expertise of phenomenological psychology, grounded theory, discourse analysis, narrative research, and intuitive inquiry to sixth author Emalinda McSpadden's narrative of responding to an unfortunate situation. The result is a comprehensive comparison of each method emphasizing unique strengths and weaknesses in each approach as well as the reflexivity required of researchers utilizing such analyses.


Mind The Gap: Unexpected Pitfalls In Doing Classroom Research, Amanda A. Baker, Joseph J. Lee Sep 2011

Mind The Gap: Unexpected Pitfalls In Doing Classroom Research, Amanda A. Baker, Joseph J. Lee

The Qualitative Report

Inherent in classroom research are the inevitable, and often unanticipated, challenges experienced by researchers. This article moves beyond the main issues highlighted in the literature and identifies some of the problems the authors encountered when conducting two common methodological procedures, classroom observations and stimulated recall interviews (SRIs), as part of our dissertation research investigations. The paper first surveys what the literature describes as the main areas of concern with these two procedures. It then pulls away from these resources to explore actual difficulties we experienced that we believe are inadequately addressed in the literature. Using illustrations from our dissertation projects, …


Exercising The Mind: A Review Of Stretching Exercises For Qualitative Researchers, Kristen Chorba Sep 2011

Exercising The Mind: A Review Of Stretching Exercises For Qualitative Researchers, Kristen Chorba

The Qualitative Report

In this third version of Stretching Exercises for Qualitative Researchers, Janesick (2011) continues to refine and expand upon ways in which qualitative researchers-both new to the field and experienced-can extend and hone a number of skills essential to being an effective researcher. This book will be helpful to those wishing to learn more about and practice the art of qualitative research. Janesick combines valuable information and practical exercises in this text, which will assist in the development of skills essential to qualitative research, including interviewing, observing, journaling, narrating, analyzing, interpreting, and collaborating. This new edition includes a discussion on using …


Participatory And Action-Oriented Dissertations: The Challenges And Importance Of Community-Engaged Graduate Research, Emily Van Der Meulen Sep 2011

Participatory And Action-Oriented Dissertations: The Challenges And Importance Of Community-Engaged Graduate Research, Emily Van Der Meulen

The Qualitative Report

Graduate students commonly experience isolation and estrangement when conducting their final research projects, which can contribute to difficulties in completion. A creative and socially beneficial way to offset academic isolation is for graduate students to engage in participatory and action-oriented research projects with local communities. Facilitating a research study with a local partner can be a richly rewarding experience. This article argues that students who enjoy working in collaborative environments and want their final research projects to lead to beneficial social change can find fulfillment in action research (AR) methodologies. Critiqued by some for its lack of tangible and practical …


Stigmatization Of Overweight Patients By Nurses, Eileen Creel, Ken Tillman Sep 2011

Stigmatization Of Overweight Patients By Nurses, Eileen Creel, Ken Tillman

The Qualitative Report

The focus of this research study was the exploration of the phenomenon of stigmatization of obese persons by nurses. The philosophical tradition of Phenomenology based on Heidegger's view of the person guided the researchers in uncovering the meaning of stigmatization for eight chronically ill individuals with a body mass index greater than 30. Stigmatization by nurses for this group of medically obese women meant being exposed to unintentional harm, presuppositions, and reluctant care. Perceptions of stigma were manifested in shame, marginalization, and anxiety in seeking health care. Nursing care could advance positive outcomes when including non-discriminatory care related to weight …


Conversations On Method: Deconstructing Policy Through The Researcher Reflective Journal, Ruth C. Slotnick, Valerie J. Janesick Sep 2011

Conversations On Method: Deconstructing Policy Through The Researcher Reflective Journal, Ruth C. Slotnick, Valerie J. Janesick

The Qualitative Report

In this article the authors argue that the researcher reflective journal is a critical interpretive tool for conducting educational policy analysis. The idea for this research grew from the experiences of a doctoral candidate (Ruth) in pursuit of a policy focused dissertation and a series of on-going conversations with her qualitative methodologist (Valerie). The structure of the paper takes a dialogue form on the topic of policy analysis and the various uses of the journal, including found data poetry and photographic representations of the self as a research instrument, which may expand the findings and increase options for data presentation. …


Case Closed: An Earnest Review Of Ganon's Case Study As Research Method, Brian T. Gearity Sep 2011

Case Closed: An Earnest Review Of Ganon's Case Study As Research Method, Brian T. Gearity

The Qualitative Report

Gagnon's (2011) text is the most recent contribution to the growing corpus of knowledge on case study research. As a whole, the text contains all of the typical parts one would expect in an introductory text on case study research. The text begins with a brief discussion of paradigms and epistemologies and then gives way to issues of reliability and validity. Next, the reader is taken through a "step-by-step" approach to case study research with chapters on data collection, analysis, interpretation and writing reports. Drawing upon his own experiences using case study method, Gagnon identifies enduring concerns and provides several …


Winning The Phd Game: Evocative Playing Of Snakes And Ladders, Carolyn Dickie Sep 2011

Winning The Phd Game: Evocative Playing Of Snakes And Ladders, Carolyn Dickie

The Qualitative Report

The purpose of this paper is to describe a qualitative approach to developing an understanding of the lived experiences of PhD students. Rather than relying on textbook reports and theories about studying a higher degree by research, by allowing the students' voices to be heard, explicit and conscious research can be used to generate appropriate responses to the needs of students as they progress through the PhD process. Thematic analysis focuses on identified themes and patterns of research-learner behaviours.


School Counselor And School Psychologist Perceptions Of Accountability Policy: Lessons From Virginia, Ryan Richard Ruff Sep 2011

School Counselor And School Psychologist Perceptions Of Accountability Policy: Lessons From Virginia, Ryan Richard Ruff

The Qualitative Report

This paper is concerned with the professional efficacy of school counselors and school psychologists that operate under the umbrella of accountability reforms. Research questions addressed counselor and psychologist job roles and responsibilities, as well as their personal perspectives on the impact of accountability reforms on both the classroom context and student socio-emotional development. Interviews were conducted with counselors and psychologists of varying professional experience and school level, with analysis following analytic induction. Results indicate that the efficacy of student support personnel has been negatively impacted by accountability reforms, but schools that maintain a positive culture dedicated to excellence minimize that …


Evolutionary Theory Of Mate Selection And Partners Of Trans People: A Qualitative Study Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Amanda Forde Sep 2011

Evolutionary Theory Of Mate Selection And Partners Of Trans People: A Qualitative Study Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Amanda Forde

The Qualitative Report

Despite much research into mate selection, non-heterosexual populations are often only included for comparison purposes, while trans people and their partners are overlooked. This study attempts to address this using qualitative methodology to explore the mate selection of the partners of trans people. Six participants were recruited from online communities and interviewed via instant messaging, the results were then analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The author organised the results into four themes. Theme one: Identities/relationships which defy categorisation, Theme Two: Attractive traits and mate selection, Theme Three: Impact of past romantic relationships, other relationships and life changes and Theme Four: …


Qualitative Research From Start To Finish: A Book Review, Linnea L. Rademaker Sep 2011

Qualitative Research From Start To Finish: A Book Review, Linnea L. Rademaker

The Qualitative Report

I reviewed Yin's (2011) recent publication entitled Qualitative Research from Start to Finish, with a particular eye to the benefits for the seasoned researcher, as well as significant aspects that are appropriate for the beginning and intermediate graduate student. A unique element of the book is the inclusion of a discussion of worldviews at the end of the book. Additionally, the adaptive focus of the book might be helpful for both novice and seasoned researchers.


The Unfocused Focus Group: Benefit Or Bane?, Nancy K. Franz Sep 2011

The Unfocused Focus Group: Benefit Or Bane?, Nancy K. Franz

The Qualitative Report

Facilitating successful focus groups requires both science and art. One element that can fully challenge focus group facilitators includes how to handle the unfocused focus group. This article describes "unfocus" and the benefits and disadvantages of unfocus in focus groups. Lessons learned from and approaches taken on this journey are shared to enhance focus group facilitation best practices.


A Definition Of Gender Role Conflict Among Black Professional Fathers, Ora Robinson Sep 2011

A Definition Of Gender Role Conflict Among Black Professional Fathers, Ora Robinson

The Qualitative Report

There is very little literature that depicts the parental role of Black professional fathers positively or that samples Black participants from the upper economic strata. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into how Black professional fathers experience or perceive gender role conflict and identify clinical implications. Grounded in phenomenological methodology and gender role conflict theory, the framework is based on gender role devaluations, gender role restrictions, and gender role violations (O'Neil, Good, & Holmes, 1995). The emerging experiences found in this project were (a) a conflict between the Black and White races and (b) conflict with parental …


Till Death Do Us Part: Lived Experiences Of Hiv-Positive Married African American Women, Lorece V. Edwards, Shalon M. Irving, Anita S. Hawkins Sep 2011

Till Death Do Us Part: Lived Experiences Of Hiv-Positive Married African American Women, Lorece V. Edwards, Shalon M. Irving, Anita S. Hawkins

The Qualitative Report

HIV/AIDS disease continues to be an escalating health problem, particularly among women. However, African American women are among the leading demographic groups for HIV prevalence in the United States. The typical woman with HIV/AIDS is young, in her late twenties, economically challenged, and of childbearing age. Participants were recruited from an HIV/AIDS outpatient clinic to explore their perceptions of social support, life experiences and marriage. Data were collected through tape-recorded interviews using a semi-structured guide and journaling. Participants reported that most of their time was spent providing care for their husbands who were HIV-positive. Very often their health and well-being …