The diploma thesis tries to do a critical evaluation of potential benefits and risks and limits of Internet psychological counseling. The theoretical part of the thesis describes the the issue of online help from general definition of counselling, through various approaches to definitions of Internet counselling. This part also deals with the history of the online form of help, including the context of development abroad and any differences or specifics in the Czech Republic. Attention is also given to various forms of online psychological help with emphasis on application in our environment. Finally the text introduces potential opportunities and risks of this form of counselling. Empirical part of the diploma thesis focuses on issues of online psychological counseling by a combined research design. The research part of the thesis tries to map the possibilities and limits of web psychological counselling from the perspective of the client. The focus of qualitative research is the analysis of interviews with online counseling clients, supplemented with analysis of chat conversations and case studies. Qualitative results are enriched by quantitatively conceived research. Keywords: counselling, intervention, phone intervention, face to face counselling, online counselling, communication in the cyber...

Investeringsmötet mellan analytiker och fondförvaltare har tidigare fått alldeles för lite ögon på sig. Att analytiker medverkar på investeringsmöten med fondförvaltare kan ses som paradoxalt eftersom det finns mängder av information att erhålla från andra håll. Denna information kan med en första anblick ses som mer lättillgänglig, detaljerad och omfattande. Således syftar denna studie på att skapa förståelse för varför analytiker väljer att medverka i investeringsmöten med fondförvaltare och hur deras medverkan kan påverka investeringsunderlaget. Det empiriska underlaget bestod av kvalitativa intervjuer med sju analytiker från finansiella institutioner samt en deltagande observation av ett investeringsmöte. Utifrån studien kan tre slutsatser dras i form av anledningar till varför en analytiker väljer att medverka och dess betydelse för investeringsunderlaget. Den första slutsatsen är att träffas face-to-face innebär att analytikerna erhåller mer information jämfört med andra informationskällor.Den andra slutsatsen är att analytikerna erhåller mer beslutsavgörande information som de inte kan erhålla till lika stor grad från andra håll. Den sista slutsatsen är att analytikerna kan säkerställa tidigare erhållen information och även sammanväva information från flera olika källor när de skapar sitt investeringsunderlag. / The investment meeting between analysts and fund managers has previouslyreceived too little attention. That analysts participate in investment meetings with fund managers can be seen as paradoxical as there are lots of information to be obtained elsewhere. At first this information can be seen as more accessible, detailed and comprehensive. Thus, this study aims to create an understanding of why analysts choose to participate in investment meetings with fund managers and how their participation can affect their investment base. The empirical data consists of qualitative interviews with seven analysts from financial institutions and a participatory observation of an investment meeting. Based on this study, three conclusions can be drawn in the form of reasons why analysts chooseto participate and its consequencefor the investment base. The first conclusion is that meeting face-to-face means that the analystsreceive more information compared to other information sources. The second conclusion is that analysts receive more decision-making information that they cannot obtain to the same extent from other sources. The last conclusion is that analysts can ensure that previously obtained information is correct and also interweave information from several different sources when they create their investment base.

Although there is significant research surrounding online foreign language education, there are still questions on whether the outcomes are comparable to those obtained in the traditional face-to-face classroom. This study examined four classes, two online and two face-to-face, where students took the second course of a 6-level program of English as a Second Language at El Bosque University in Colombia. The International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) was administered to students before classes started in order to establish a baseline, and then again after the courses finished. This test evaluates English language proficiency per skill: speaking, listening, reading, writing and also presents an overall proficiency score and level. Variables such as socioeconomic strata, students’ age, instructors, previous experience with online courses, course completion, student satisfaction and attendance and time on course were also examined. Because not all online students completed all content of the course within the timeframe given, special attention was given to this variable. Results indicate that when comparing the scores of only the online students who completed all the content of the course with those of their face-to-face counterparts, there are no statistically significant differences in the outcomes of any of the four skills nor there is a difference in the overall scores; however this brings up the issue of time investment as it seems to vary based upon instructional method. A qualitative component was used to support the findings in this study. This component included instructors’ interviews, an end-of-course qualitative survey and class observations.

The dissertation deals with the experimental research that examines the effectiveness of the ESP e-learning course of Business English in comparison with the method of face-to-face instruction. The literature review has revealed the absence of scientific research in the field of our investigation. It has justified why our proposed research study should be conducted and led us to the rationale for our research. The main objective of this dissertation was to find out whether the e-learning method was as effective as the face-to-face instruction, i.e., whether there were no statistically significant differences between the results of the students who completed the e-learning course (experimental group) and those who completed the face-to-face course (control group). Simultaneously, we examined whether there were any statistically significant differences in the results of the students at the beginning of the course and at the end of the course within individual groups, i.e., whether the students improved their skills and vocabulary. The supplementary objective was to find out the students' opinions on the effectiveness of e- learning depending on the frequencies of their responses and on their qualitative signs. The practical outcome is the ESP e-learning course for the subject of Business English in...

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T12:31:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Katia Perez.pdf: 1252060 bytes, checksum: 206ad077341f3b413fa28fc6381ba825 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-04-20 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The organizational grapevine has been studied since the World War II in the United States. In Brazil, this communication process has gained prominence in late 1970 with the labor movements looking for democratic forms of communication during the military regime. The formal face-to-face communication began to be practiced in organizations in the mid-1990s with the arrival of new models of international business management. Based on the study of both grapevine and formal face-to-face communication, by bibliographic research and in-depth interviews with academics and professionals from different fields of knowledge, it was possible to describe their histories, attributes and roles in organizations nowadays, and how these two forms of face-to-face communication (formal and informal) interact with each other, according to personal or organizational interests.(AU) / A rádio-peão é estudada nos Estados Unidos desde o período pós II Guerra Mundial. No Brasil, este processo comunicacional ganhou relevância no final da década de 1970 com os movimentos operários que buscavam formas democráticas de diálogo, durante o regime militar. Já a comunicação formal face a face começou a ser praticada nas organizações brasileiras em meados dos anos 1990, com a chegada de novos modelos internacionais de gestão empresarial. Ao estudar estes dois formatos de comunicação, através de pesquisas bibliográfica e documental e entrevistas semi-abertas com acadêmicos e profissionais de mercado de diferentes áreas de conhecimento e atuação, foi possível um aprofundamento acerca de suas histórias, atributos e papéis desempenhados hoje, nas organizações, além de como essas formas de comunicação face a face (formal e informal) interagem entre si, de acordo com interesses pessoais ou organizacionais.(AU)

The purpose of this case study was to compare the pedagogical and affective efficiency and efficacy of creative prose fiction writing workshops taught via asynchronous computer-mediated online distance education with creative prose fiction writing workshops taught face-to-face in order to better understand their operational pedagogy and correlative affective features to determine if workshops are transferable to a computer-mediated delivery system in order to aid administrative decision-makers regarding the possible pedagogical usefulness of expanding their existing writing program to offer an optional-residency creative writing program in concert with their current high residency program. Qualitative data were collected through non-participatory virtual observation of two computer-mediated workshops and in person at a face-to-face mediated workshop. Both workshops used the traditional social constructivist workshop approach which is widely considered to be the gold standard method by the majority of creative writing programs based on its long-standing success as a pedagogical method. In addition to observing the respective workshops, one-on-one interviews were conducted with three creative writing program administrators and three creative writing instructors, one of whom was also a former program administrator. Creative writing students participating in the three observed workshops were also interviewed one-on-one. Findings revealed that from a pedagogical perspective both the computer-mediated and the face-to-face mediated workshops are pedagogically efficient and effective using a social constructivist model when workshop teachers demonstrate a strong teaching presence focused on honing novice writers’ ability and desire to write. Additionally, the researcher concluded a robust teaching presence is imperative in order to establish and maintain a strong social presence between students and between students and the instructor, as both components are critical for learner autonomy in a social constructivist teaching and learning community. However, teaching presence alone cannot guarantee a strong affective social presence as differences between students’ and/or between students’ and an instructor’s social, cultural, educational, and historical ontogenies can lead to unresolved conflicts that increase psychological distance in the teaching and learning community. Additionally, while pedagogically equivalent, computer-mediated workshops have important time management and potentially affective advantages compared to the face-to-face mediated workshop that help ensure establishment and maintenance of social presence.

As novas demandas de públicos solicitam relacionamentos contíguos com gestores, dirigentes e representantes formais das organizações nas relações entre elas e as comunidades participantes de sua rede de relacionamentos. A pesquisa conduzida neste estudo projeta indicativos sobre modos e usos da oralidade na comunicação com empregados e delineia um elenco de posturas verificadas entre gestores que adotam a oralidade como estratégia relacional com suas equipes. Busca identificar e dimensionar o emprego de postulados da oralidade para compreender em que grau lhes pode ser conferido um caráter estratégico quando se trata de atingir resultados e agilizar processos de comunicação com público interno. O corpus empírico foi constituído no ambiente da comunicação interna de uma empresa pública, Embrapa Soja, na unidade localizada em Londrina-PR, uma das 47 unidades de pesquisa da estatal Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa. Uma pluralidade de métodos foi adotada como estratégia de pesquisa e orientou os procedimentos de coleta e análise de dados que também foram extraídos e tratados de modo fenomenológico, qualitativo e quantitativo. Quatro eixos temáticos foram estabelecidos com base na fundamentação desse método: comunicação interna, comunicação oral, uso do diálogo e comunicação face a face. A oralidade revelou-se marcante na prática de trabalho dos sujeitos entrevistados, está absorvida em todas as formas de comunicação interna e promove integração entre funcionários e administração. Pelos fortes indicativos de sua influência nos resultados do grupo e seu impacto positivo no relacionamento com o público externo, pode-se afirmar a presença desse componente na cultura organizacional e seu alto teor de contribuição como elemento de gestão estratégica. / New demands on publics require closer relationships with managers, directors and formal representatives of organizations to their connection between themselves and the communities participating in their networking. The research conducted in this study raised indications as to how oral speech is used in the communication with employees and reveals the conducts verified among administrators who adopt oral speech as relational strategy when dealing with their teams. It aims to identify and evaluate the utilization of oral speech postulates in order to understand the degree to which they can be strategically considered when it comes to achieving results and speeding communication processes with the internal public. Data were gathered in the internal communication environment of a public enterprise, the Embrapa Soja, in its unit located in Londrina-PR, one of the 47 research units of the state owned Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa. Miscellaneous procedures were used in the research orientation, with data collection and analysis being treated through phenomenological principles, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Four thematic axes were established within the selected method: internal communication, oral communication, use of dialogue, and face-to-face communication. Oral speech showed prominent in the work practices of the interviewees, it is absorbed in all internal communication actions and fosters integration among employees and administration. Through the strong evidence of its participation in group results and its positive impact on the relationship with external publics, the firm presence of this component in the organizational culture can be stated as well as the high contribution it can provide as element of strategic management.

<p>Purpose/aim: The purpose is to get increased knowledge about how the communication had developed from the first contact online to the first meeting in real life and even after when it had turned into a real relationship. I also wanted to know why the eight women I interviewed experienced that the Internet is a good venue to meet and develop a real relationship at and if there existed any differences between those four women who were a bit older and those four women who were young.</p><p>Material/method: When the purpose with this survey stood clear I decided to use interviews as the method to find out more about my subject. I decided to do eight interviews and I contacted eight women who all found their partners online that were willing to help me and answer my interview questions. I did six of the total eight interviews through MSN Messenger and the other two through the telephone.</p><p>Main results: I found out that three of the older women had used e-mail and telephone and sometimes SMS communication to find out more about their soon to be partner and after that decided to meet the other person in real life. One of the older women and all four of the younger ones had used a Community and Instant Messenger to communicate with their soon to be partner, they also used the telephone and SMS to communicate with each other but Instant Messenger was the medium that dominated in their wish to communicate. Those instant messenger communications were also a difference that I came to see between how the younger and older women communicated and the fact that three of the older women told me that they had used the Internet to search for a partner while one of the older women and all of the younger ones told me they didn’t search for anyone at all it just happened that they found someone and came to like that person.Keywords: Internet dating, instant messaging, Community, computer mediated communication, telephone communication, face to face communication.</p>

Purpose/aim: The purpose is to get increased knowledge about how the communication had developed from the first contact online to the first meeting in real life and even after when it had turned into a real relationship. I also wanted to know why the eight women I interviewed experienced that the Internet is a good venue to meet and develop a real relationship at and if there existed any differences between those four women who were a bit older and those four women who were young. Material/method: When the purpose with this survey stood clear I decided to use interviews as the method to find out more about my subject. I decided to do eight interviews and I contacted eight women who all found their partners online that were willing to help me and answer my interview questions. I did six of the total eight interviews through MSN Messenger and the other two through the telephone. Main results: I found out that three of the older women had used e-mail and telephone and sometimes SMS communication to find out more about their soon to be partner and after that decided to meet the other person in real life. One of the older women and all four of the younger ones had used a Community and Instant Messenger to communicate with their soon to be partner, they also used the telephone and SMS to communicate with each other but Instant Messenger was the medium that dominated in their wish to communicate. Those instant messenger communications were also a difference that I came to see between how the younger and older women communicated and the fact that three of the older women told me that they had used the Internet to search for a partner while one of the older women and all of the younger ones told me they didn’t search for anyone at all it just happened that they found someone and came to like that person.Keywords: Internet dating, instant messaging, Community, computer mediated communication, telephone communication, face to face communication.

Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka möjliga prediktorer för utfallet i KBT-behandling vid depression, face-to-face samt i kombination med stöd av en smartphoneapplikation. 88 deltagare randomiserades till smartphone- (n = 45) eller face-to-face-betingelsen (n = 43). Utfallsmåttet var förändring i Beck Depression Inventory-II mellan förocheftermätning, främst beräknat med residual gain scores. Samband mellan prediktorer och utfall undersöktes medkorrelationsanalyser. Regressionsanalyser med interaktionen mellan prediktor och behandlingsbetingelse genomfördes för att undersöka skillnader mellan betingelserna. Resultatet visade att högre initial depressionsnivå predicerade större förbättring för alla deltagare sammantaget samt för båda behandlingsbetingelserna. Att ha sysselsättning predicerade mindre förbättring för face-to-face-betingelsen. Vissa frågor gällande smartphoneanvändning visade sig betydelsefulla. Exempelvis var upplevelsen av att ha stor användning av sin smartphone relaterat till större förbättring för smartphonebetingelsen. Gällande allians var högre skattningar på Working Alliance Inventory-Short under behandlingsvecka tre relaterat till större förbättring för alla deltagaresammantaget samt för smartphonebetingelsen. Detta samband gällde även vid kontroll för skattning av förväntad allians. Kön, ålder, civilstånd, utbildningsnivå, stad, initial ångestnivå, samtidig ångestdiagnos, tidigare depressionsdiagnos, förväntad allians samt flera smartphonefrågor predicerade inte utfallet. Att många faktorer inte korrelerade med utfallet skulle kunna tyda på att detta behandlingsformat kan komma att passa en bred patientgrupp, men att det kan vara viktigt att ta hänsyn till betydelsen av allians samt individers smartphonevanor.