Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Unexpected Rewards Of Qualitative Research In Assessment: A Case Example, Penny Singh

The Qualitative Report

This paper reports on the inclusion of an oral component of assessment in science at two tertiary institutions in South Africa. The purpose of this paper is not to report on the results of the assessments conducted, but to focus on some of the unexpected rewards of conducting qualitative research in assessment. Using focus group discussions within a qualitative framework allowed me insights into the thoughts and experiences of the students and assessors, making the benefits of oral assessment apparent. These benefits included how assessment can be used as a learning opportunity, the advantages of homogeneous versus heterogeneous groups, and …

Teachers Who Left The Teaching Profession: A Qualitative Understanding, Lisa Gonzalez, Michelle Stallone Brown, John R. Slate

The Qualitative Report

In this study, the researchers investigated public school teacher attrition in the State of Texas. The study examined the problem by focusing on the predominant reasons teachers give for leaving the profession after working only one year as a teacher. Eight persons who had left the teaching profession after one year teaching were contacted and interviewed concerning their reasons for leaving. The three most influential factors found were lack of administrative support, difficulties with student discipline, and low salary levels. Study findings and implications for policy are discussed.

Madhubani Art: A Journey Of An Education Researcher Seeking Self-Development Answers Through Art And Self-Study, Kavita Mittapalli, Anastasia P. Samaras

The Qualitative Report

This study is situated within a self-study research methods course to scaffold doctoral students’ explorations of the intersections of their culture, and research interests using arts as a tool. Embracing the arts as a research method, the first author painted a self-portrait using the vibrant colors of Madhubani art which holds cultural significance to her. She utilized Blumer’s (1986) and Mead’s (1934) theory of symbolic interactionism to explain the process of her self-development as a researcher. Combining her self-portrait with an earlier research study proved valuable as a conduit for understanding and interpreting her work as a research methodologist. This …

First Love: A Case Study In Quantitative Appropriation Of Social Concepts, Diederik F. Janssen

The Qualitative Report

Peer love is a highly invested autobiographical marker, and its scientific ascent can be studied in terms of its literature’s motives, stated objectives, exclusions, and delimitations. In this article an overview of numeric and selected ethnographic data on the timing of “first love” is presented, to inform an assessment of the ontological underpinnings of milestone research common to quantitative sociology and developmental psychology. Complicating scientific normalization of love’s initiatory connotation, selected ethnographic observations on the timing and notion of early/first love in non-Western societies are presented. These observations facilitate a critique of love as a heterosocial, propaedeutic event, and hence, …

Using Technology To Enhance Qualitative Research With Hidden Populations, John Matthews, Elizabeth P. Cramer

The Qualitative Report

Advances in technology provide researchers with increased opportunities to locate and conduct research with populations that have historically been inaccessible. This manuscript de scribes the development of private, voluntary web-based groups, and the process for using web cameras to conduct individual web-based interviews as a method of data collection in qualitative research. Also contained within are detailed steps for utilizing each of these technological innovations as well an exploration of the ethical issues related to using technology to enhance the research experience with members of hidden populations, using the GLBT population as a referent group.

“Posing Off:” Performance And Body Language On The Jamaican Stage, Andrea Elizabeth Shaw-Nevins

CAHSS Faculty Presentations, Proceedings, Lectures, and Symposia

My paper will explore reggae dancehall album covers and the seductive yet dismissive ways in which bodies pose for the camera while concurrently seeming to ignore it. What accounts for this intrigue with the camera as well as an apparent repulsion towards it? Within the arena of national beauty politics, how do we account for those Caribbean bodies that are positioned for the global camera?

Types Of Knowledge, Forms Of Practice, Margaret Arnd-Caddigan, Richard Pozzuto

The Qualitative Report

This study was designed to explore the way that us e of theory influenced a social worker’s conceptualization of a simulated case. The participant in this case study was a woman employed in child welfare, who holds an MSW. She was chosen because her response in a larger study represented a deviant case. Data analysis included both thematic analysis and an analysis of a written report based on ideas taken from institutional ethnography. The authors use this case example to illustrate the ways that one’s understanding of theory may impact social work practice.

From The Outside Looking In: How An Awareness Of Difference Can Benefit The Qualitative Research Process, Claire Tinker, Natalie Armstron

The Qualitative Report

While much has been written on the problems that can arise when interviewing respondents from a different social group, less attention has been paid to its potential benefits for the research process. In this paper we argue that, by being conscious of one’s outsider status , an interviewer can use it as a tool through which to elicit detailed and comprehensive accounts from respondents, and ensure rigorous and critic al analysis of the data produced.

Midlife Metamorphosis, Patricia Evans

The Qualitative Report

The study was conducted in response to the need for an increased understanding of the aging experiences of women transitioning midlife. The purpose of the research was to explore the personal understanding of the changes that occur during the midlife period. A qualitative case study was implemented to ascertain how women of the Latter-day Saint (LDS) faith experience the midlife transition. The narratives of 10 LDS women ages 35 to 65 were obtained through personal interviews. The data were analyzed from a feminist, social constructionist, and narrative perspective using Chenail’s Qualitative Matrix as a formal coding system to guide the …

Ethical Challenges In Participant Observation: A Reflection On Ethnographic Fieldwork, Jun Li

The Qualitative Report

In this essay I reflect on the ethical challenges of ethnographic fieldwork I personally experienced in a female gambling study. By assuming a covert research role, I was able to observe natural occurrences of female gambling activities but unable to make peace with disturbing feelings of my research concealment. By making my study overt, I was able to fulfill ethical obligations as a researcher but unable to get female gamblers to speak their minds. I responded to such ethical dilemmas by adjusting the level of involvement, participating in female gambling culture as an insider and observing it as an outsider. …

A Qualitative Investigation Of Pre-Service English As A Foreign Language (Efl) Teacher Opinions, Leyla Tercanlioglu

The Qualitative Report

Pre-service English teacher education students’ perceptions of their education experience provide greater insight into developing an effective teaching strategy in English teacher education. The objectives for the study were: (1) to identify issues of interest or concern to the department and (2) to determine satisfaction levels concerning departmental issues. Data were drawn from focus group interviews involving 5 student- teachers in each of 5 groups. The findings showed that the English teacher education department students thought that the department was not fulfilling many of its purposes, although there were some strengths. Identifying what students think can help to open English …

“Taking Charge Of One’S Life”: A Model For Weight Management Success, Marlene Adams

The Qualitative Report

Obesity is a serious, prevalent, and refractory disorder that increases with age particularly in women who enroll in formal weight loss treatments. This study examined the processes used by obese postmenopausal women as they participated in a formal weight loss program. Using grounded theory, interviews were conducted with 14 women engaged in a formal weight loss study examining success with specific, targeted weight loss treatments based on one’s weight control self-efficacy typology. “Taking Charge of One’s Life” emerged as a model for weight management success, comprised of three phases: engaging, internalizing, and keeping one’s commitment. This study supports the unique, …

The Use Of Hermeneutics In A Mixed Methods Design, Claudia Von Zweck, Margo Paterson, Wendy Pentland

The Qualitative Report

Combining methods in a single study is becoming a more common practice because of the limitations of using only one approach to fully address all aspects of a research question. Hermeneutics in this paper is discussed in relation to a large national study that investigated issues influencing the ability of international graduates to work as occupational therapists in Canada. Using methods that reflect different ontological and epistemological beliefs was necessary to attain a comprehensive view of enablers and barriers that influence workforce integration. Hermeneutics proved to be a credible and flexible strategy for combining methods to create a deep understanding …

A Book Review Of Marilyn Lichtman’S Qualitative Research In Education: A User’S Guide, Karen Dawson, Sally St. George

The Qualitative Report

No abstract provided.

Using An Adversary Hearing To Evaluate The Effectiveness Of A Military Program, Richard L. Miller, Jeanne Butler

The Qualitative Report

This study describes the design and implementation of an adversary hearing used to evaluate professional development initiatives in a military environment. The adversary hearing model used in the evaluation was developed to meet the requirements of an environment that differs from other environments in which adversary hearings have been used. The evaluation was conducted to determine whether a professional development program of the U. S. Army, Europe, actually enhanced soldier development and demonstrated consideration by leaders for their followers. Several key issues relate d to program effectiveness were discovered in the process of the adversary hearing that were not evident …

Differences Between Male Perpetrators Of Child Homicide, Isabel Perez-Morina

Theses and Dissertations

The scientific study of child abuse and infanticide is a relatively young practice in the field of medicine, psychiatry and psychology, and although the role of parents in child homicide has been studied, minimal research has focused on the role of the male paramour, or the child's mother's boyfriend, as the perpetrator of child homicides. This study aimed to examine the differences between male paramours and biological fathers who kill children and hypothesized that biological fathers or step-fathers are significantly more likely than the child's mother's male paramour to kill their children due to relationship factors between the perpetrator and …

Survey Of Leadership Programs: Valued Characteristics Of Leadership Within The Deaf Community, Deborah Kamm-Larew, Marcia Lamkin

JADARA

This study surveyed leadership programs operating for and by the Deaf community through questionnaire and interview data. Three categories of leadership development were identified as currently operating in the United States for people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing: youth leadership programs, special interest mentoring groups, and formal leadership training programs focused on professional development and leadership skills. In addition, this study identified common leadership traits and training methods within these programs. Using a randomized list of leadership traits, valued characteristics were identified. The traits chosen most often were empowerment, advocacy, and decision making skills.

The Career Experiences Of Deaf Supervisors In Education And Social Service Professions: Choices, Mobility And Networking A Qualitative Study, Denise Kavin, Kim Brown-Kurz,

JADARA

In this qualitative study, the researchers interviewed eleven deaf and hard of hearing

professionals holding supervisory positions in educational and social service professions regarding factors that have affected their career experiences, specifically regarding choices, mobility, and networking. The respondents shared their experiences navigating the career ladder, including strategies used to move forward in the workplace such as networking and the use of technologies. Common threads such as tokenism and merit, communication access, and self-imposed limitations related to career choices, mobility, and networking were identified and discussed.

Is Speech Intelligibility Of Deaf And Hard Of Hearing People A Barrier For Occupational Competence?, Tova Most, Amatzia Weisel, Rachel Gali-Cinamon

JADARA

The goal of the study was to evaluate the relationships between Speech Intelligibility (SI) and Occupational Competence (OC) of young deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) adults. Thnty six young adults completed SI and 00 self-report questionnaires. The results indicated that occupations requiring less communication were considered to be more suitable than those requiring more communication. The level of prestige did not have a significant influence upon the ratings. SI was not found to be related to OC. The results suggest that D/HH young adults did not consider SI to be a barrier in the vocational domain.

Tidings, Volume 11, Number 2 - Winter 2007, Nova Southeastern University Libraries

Tidings: A publication of Nova Southeastern University Libraries

No abstract provided.

Journal Of The American Deafness And Rehabilitation Association Year 2007, Volume 40, Number 2 Complete

JADARA

Upload of old JADARA issue for digital access

The Effect Of Vicarious Learned Helplessness On Critical Thinking, Bridget Hennessey

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

This study was to determine if critical thinking was affected by vicarious learned helplessness. Learned helplessness is a psychological condition in which one continues to be hurt or damaged physically or mentally. The hypothesis was that people who were primed with thoughts or made to believe and think of themselves or others in an abusive relationship would score lower on critical thinking than those primed with thoughts of a healthy relationship. Thirty participants were randomly assigned into two groups; one group listened to an audio recording based on a healthy relationship and the other listened to an abusive relationship. Following …

Thank God For Aids: Persistent Stereotypes Of Homosexuals In U.S. Network Television, Micah Moreno

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

This paper explores the use of stereotypes to characterize homosexuals on network television in the United States. With a goal of raising reader awareness of network television’s over-reliance on stereotypes, I argue that the stereotypical depictions of homosexuals on network television has negative and sometimes even dangerous ramifications in contemporary U.S. culture. Many contend that the increasing number of gay and lesbian characters featured on network television is an indication of society’s emerging acceptance of homosexuality. However, this is a false assumption given that many of the shows cited as promoting equality are not meant to do that, but instead …

Influences Of Locus Of Control On Thinking About A Spinal Cord Injury, Sharon Rubin

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

In this study, the effect of locus of control on a visualization of a spinal-cord injury was investigated. Research has shown that locus of control plays an important role in determining the control one perceives to have over oneself and events. Life satisfaction is usually lowered because of negative behavior changes one goes through when experiencing a traumatic event, such as a spinal cord injury (Livneh, 2001). The research examined the hypothesis that those with an internal locus of control will be less upset following an intense visualization of a spinal-cord injury (SCI) compared to those with an external locus …

Making Meaning Of Graduate Students’ And Preservice Teachers’ E-Mail Communication In A Community Of Practice, Janet C. Richards, Susan V. Bennett, Kim T. Shea

The Qualitative Report

This inquiry examined graduate students ’ and preservice teachers’ e-mail communication as they made decisions about supporting the instructional needs of children at-risk in a community of practice summer literacy camp. The correspondence gradually evolved from impersonal to interpersonal communication over a ten-week time span, and influenced the preservice teachers’ responses. S even themes were identified in the graduate students’ messages that ranged from questioning and complaining to promoting collaboration. The study illuminates the developmental stages of interpersonal relationships and demonstrates the reciprocal nature of interactive dialogue through the medium of e-mail communication. Conclusions are that long-term e-mail exchanges can …

Minority Students’ Perspectives On Chemistry In An Alternative High School, Renee Peterson-Beeton

The Qualitative Report

Latinas/os form the largest minority group in the U.S. and they are growing more rapidly than any other ethnic group in this country. However, the number of Latinas/os in chemistry is not proportional to their population; they are noticeably absent from the physical science fields. Little research has explored the circumstances that Latino students encounter in high school chemistry. In this exploratory study, four Mexican American students and one Native American student were interviewed and observed in a physical science class at an alternative school that enrolled predominantly Latino students. Five underlying themes were found: negative perceptions of science, benefits …

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall, Brad Howey

The Qualitative Report

No abstract provided.

The Voice Transcription Technique: Use Of Voice Recognition Software To Transcribe Digital Interview Data In Qualitative Research, Jennifer L. Matheson

The Qualitative Report

Transcribing interview data is a time-consuming task that most qualitative researchers dislike. Transcribing is even more difficult for people with physical limitations because traditional transcribing requires manual dexterity and the ability to sit at a computer for long stretches of time. Researchers have begun to explore using an automated transcription process using digital recordings and voice recognition software (VRS). While VRS has improved in recent years, it is not yet available to the general public in a format that can recognize more than one recorded voice. This article outlines a strategy used to circumvent this problem and improve the speed …

Linguistic Research Strategies Versus Quantitative Research Strategies--Different Roles, Different Results, Joseph Yeager, Linda Sommer

The Qualitative Report

Selecting a statistical framework for a behavioral study has profoundly different results than does a linguistically framed research strategy. The linguistic strategy overcomes many limitations inherent in statistical strategies and offers more meaningful results. Inferential statistical studies often discuss how the findings “explain” the results of the study. Seldom mentioned is the fact that statistical explanations occur in terms of the framework of statistical methodology. Statistical explanations do not explain anything in terms of the actual behavior at issue and do not lead to subsequent interventions about the motivated choices for a target group. Linguistic strategies work especially well if …

Using Hermeneutic Phenomenology To Investigate How Experienced Practitioners Lear N To Communicate Clinical Reasoning, Rola Ajjawi, Joy Higgs

The Qualitative Report

This paper is primarily targeted at doctoral students and other researchers considering using hermeneutic phenomenology as a research strategy. We present interpretive paradigm research designed to investigate how experienced practitioners learn to communicate their clinical reasoning in professional practice. Twelve experienced physiotherapy practitioners participated in this research. Using hermeneutic phenomenology enabled access to a phenomenon that is often subconscious and provided a means of interpreting participants’ experiences of personal learning journeys. Within the philosophy underpinning hermeneutic phenomenology , researchers need to design a research strategy that flows directly from the research question and goals of the research project. This paper …