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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
681

Empowerment or exploitation: A qualitative analysis of online feminist communities’ discussions of deepfake pornography

Brieger, Alexandra Rose January 2024 (has links)
This thesis serves to provide insight into the textually constructed identities that online feminist groups create when discussing deepfake pornography, as well as positions that feminist users embody in regards to their ability to change dominant uses of deepfake pornography. Deepfakes, powered by artificial intelligence and deep learning, involve taking individuals’ faces and placing them on images and videos for various purposes and includes but is not limited to pornography. Much is known regarding the potential ramifications of deepfake technology in general, however, little is known concerning social groups and their perceptions of deepfake pornography. Additionally, there is no data in connection with feminist perspectives of deepfakes in online communities. In order to interpret the empirical data, this thesis employs various theoretical concepts in connection with technofeminism (Wajcman, 2004) in order to understand participants’ perceptions and attitudes towards deepfakes. It also utilizes moral foundations theory (Graham et al., 2013) to unpack moral concerns that communities may have regarding deepfake pornography.  Based on a discourse analysis of three Reddit feminist communities: r/PornIsMisogyny, r/fourthwavewomen, and r/TwoXChromosomes, this thesis finds that through their discussions, feminist communities construct a multitude of identities in relation to deepfake pornography, all of which are directly tied to their sense of moral principles. These identities contrast victims and perpetrators, as well as hold identities of governments and parents accountable for the spread of deepfake pornography. Additionally, many feminist users express vigilante justice and criminalization as potential catalysts for change, which is reflected in social constructionism, while other users express feelings of hopelessness and exhibit alternative positions more consistent with technological determinism. Thus, this emphasizes that collaborative efforts from governments, those in power, as well as private citizens are needed to address challenges that deepfake pornography poses to society as a whole.
682

Exploring the resilience of nurses providing mental health care to involuntary mental health care users / Rudo Juliet Ramalisa

Ramalisa, Rudo Juliet January 2014 (has links)
Providing mental health care to involuntary mental health care users (MHCUs) is challenging and an ethical adversity nurses often have to deal with. The literature, in general, indicates that nurses might possess coping and resiliency in the work environment where they are often faced with adversities. However there is a paucity of information regarding the resilience of nurses providing mental health care (MHC) to involuntary MHCUs. Therefore the research objectives explored the resilience of nurses using the Connor-Davidson scale (CD-RISC), to explore and describe how nurses cope and strengthen their resilience in providing MHC to involuntary MHCUs and to formulate guidelines to strengthen the resilience of these nurses to provide quality nursing care in the work environment where MHCUs are often involuntarily admitted. To achieve these objectives, the research followed both a qualitative and quantitative approach and an exploratory and descriptive design which was contextual in nature. A convenience sampling method was used to achieve a sample size of 28 participants, who were handed questionnaires to complete, containing demographical information, the CD-RISC and a narrative. A response rate of 85.7% was reached. Quantitative data was analysed by using the SPSS programme while data from narratives, for the qualitative data, were grouped and themed. The results in the first phase indicated that resiliency was high amongst participants, as the mean score of the CD-RISC was 79.9 out of a total score of 100; whilst only one participant scored below 50. The mean for the highest scores was on item 25 (pride in your achievements) (3.8) and item 10 (best effort no matter what) (3.6) and two critical aspects which scored low were item 18 (make unpopular or difficult decisions) and item 19 (can handle unpopular feelings) (2.3) amongst participants. Interestingly, the majority of participants (66.7%) do not have training in psychiatric nursing. In the second phase, two themes were identified from the questions. The first theme “Coping mechanisms” identified four methods to cope with involuntary MHCUs. These subthemes are “support system”, “knowledge, skills and experience”, “nurse-patient relationship” and “spirituality and selfcare”. The second theme “Resilience strategies” brought forth five subthemes as follows: “support”, “trained staff”, “security measures and safety”, “teamwork” and “in-service training and education”. Conclusions suggest that nurses are resilient to provide MHC for involuntary MHCUs. Furthermore, they take pride in their achievements and have passion for their work. On the contrary, they find it difficult to make unpopular decisions which affect others and to handle unpleasant feelings. This is indicative of internal conflict and difficulty in being assertive. Nurses take pride in their achievements and want to give nursing care that’s in the best interest of the MHCUs whilst they feel that they might not always be able to do so due to the involuntary nature of the MHCUs admission and treatment. Recommendations for nursing practice, namely guidelines to strengthen the resilience of nurses providing mental health care to involuntary MHCUs could be developed from the research findings. Facilitating assertiveness and a supportive environment might strengthen resilience and should be addressed by management and supervisors. Recommendations for nursing education and further research were also formulated. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015
683

Exploring the resilience of nurses providing mental health care to involuntary mental health care users / Rudo Juliet Ramalisa

Ramalisa, Rudo Juliet January 2014 (has links)
Providing mental health care to involuntary mental health care users (MHCUs) is challenging and an ethical adversity nurses often have to deal with. The literature, in general, indicates that nurses might possess coping and resiliency in the work environment where they are often faced with adversities. However there is a paucity of information regarding the resilience of nurses providing mental health care (MHC) to involuntary MHCUs. Therefore the research objectives explored the resilience of nurses using the Connor-Davidson scale (CD-RISC), to explore and describe how nurses cope and strengthen their resilience in providing MHC to involuntary MHCUs and to formulate guidelines to strengthen the resilience of these nurses to provide quality nursing care in the work environment where MHCUs are often involuntarily admitted. To achieve these objectives, the research followed both a qualitative and quantitative approach and an exploratory and descriptive design which was contextual in nature. A convenience sampling method was used to achieve a sample size of 28 participants, who were handed questionnaires to complete, containing demographical information, the CD-RISC and a narrative. A response rate of 85.7% was reached. Quantitative data was analysed by using the SPSS programme while data from narratives, for the qualitative data, were grouped and themed. The results in the first phase indicated that resiliency was high amongst participants, as the mean score of the CD-RISC was 79.9 out of a total score of 100; whilst only one participant scored below 50. The mean for the highest scores was on item 25 (pride in your achievements) (3.8) and item 10 (best effort no matter what) (3.6) and two critical aspects which scored low were item 18 (make unpopular or difficult decisions) and item 19 (can handle unpopular feelings) (2.3) amongst participants. Interestingly, the majority of participants (66.7%) do not have training in psychiatric nursing. In the second phase, two themes were identified from the questions. The first theme “Coping mechanisms” identified four methods to cope with involuntary MHCUs. These subthemes are “support system”, “knowledge, skills and experience”, “nurse-patient relationship” and “spirituality and selfcare”. The second theme “Resilience strategies” brought forth five subthemes as follows: “support”, “trained staff”, “security measures and safety”, “teamwork” and “in-service training and education”. Conclusions suggest that nurses are resilient to provide MHC for involuntary MHCUs. Furthermore, they take pride in their achievements and have passion for their work. On the contrary, they find it difficult to make unpopular decisions which affect others and to handle unpleasant feelings. This is indicative of internal conflict and difficulty in being assertive. Nurses take pride in their achievements and want to give nursing care that’s in the best interest of the MHCUs whilst they feel that they might not always be able to do so due to the involuntary nature of the MHCUs admission and treatment. Recommendations for nursing practice, namely guidelines to strengthen the resilience of nurses providing mental health care to involuntary MHCUs could be developed from the research findings. Facilitating assertiveness and a supportive environment might strengthen resilience and should be addressed by management and supervisors. Recommendations for nursing education and further research were also formulated. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015
684

Developing a service quality model for an academic library : a case study of the North-West University - Vaal Triangle Campus Library

Pretorius, Hendrina Francina 03 1900 (has links)
The shifting focus in the role of academic libraries entail a better understanding, awareness and responsiveness to the needs of the library users. In an environment of change and an age of accountability academic libraries have to determine and demonstrate the impact their resources and services are having on their institutional mission. Service quality is not based exclusively on the perception of the librarians, but also dependent on the perception of users. Only customers judge quality; all other judgments are essentially irrelevant" (Zeithaml, Parasuraman, Berry 1999). The reason of this study was to assess quality in the library and to determine the perceptions of the Vaal Triangle Campus Library users as they relate to quality service and to develop a model to improve service quality. The aim was to determine library users' minimum expectations for services, their desired level of service and then to identify the extent of service they currently perceive on three dimensions of service quality: affect of service, library as place and access to information. A triangulation, mixed method research methodology was employed in this study. Data was collected using focus group as well as individual interviews and the LibQUAL questionnaire. Purposive sampling was used to determine participants for the interviews while a total market survey was employed for the questionnaire respondents. Findings indicate that there is a gap between the users' expectations and perception of service quality. The results indicate that there are variations within the different user groups regarding the expectations and perceptions of service quality at the Vaal Triangle Campus library. In view of the findings, the study concluded by developing a service quality model based on Deming's PDCA cycle, the ISO model and the Hoshin Kanri process / Information Science / M. Inf.
685

"Det ska inte vara lätt att knarka" : En studie om sprututbyte och svensk narkotikapolitik.

Andersson, Johanna, Nilsson, Emely January 2010 (has links)
The drug treatment staff attitude towards needle exchange is what investigates in this study. The aim of this study is to see what’s affecting the standpoints in the needle exchange issue and also to investigate if the needle exchange is compatible with Swedish drug policy. The study has a qualitative approach and it’s based on eight semi-structured interviews with drug treatment staff. To analyze the empirical material we’ve used Berger and Luckmanns social construction theory, the theoretical concept profession socialization and the four ethical principles: autonomy principle, goodness maximization principle, harm minimization principle and the principle of justice. The result of this study shows that drug treatment staffs are negative to needle exchange efficacy. They don’t believe that needle exchange is compatible with Swedish drug policy which strives for a drug free society. The drug treatment staffs are worried about that harm reduction interventions, such as needle exchange, will lead to a liberalized drug policy and that drug use will be legitimized. They fear that the drug policy will be weakened with harm reduction. The results illustrate that there are numerous factors that influence staff attitudes towards needle exchange, these are profession socialization, workplace, organization, context, the current drug policy as well as knowledgeable of the needle exchange. Keywords: Needle exchange, Injection drug users, Drug treatment staff, Harm reduction and Swedish drug policy.
686

Utilization of electronic library resources in South African Universities of Technology.

Motaung, Tshepo. January 2015 (has links)
M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Having tools and resources that would enhance the performance of the learners would be of huge assistance to learners and their institutions. The increasing use of internet and technology has enhanced and transformed the conventional library resources into electronic resources. Utilizing electronic library resources helps learners to acquire information anytime and anywhere. Institutions that support the use of e-resources save significant amounts of money because the printing of materials are reduced. As a result, the use of e-resources by learners enhances their learning and their performance gets improved. The major objective of this study was to conceptualize a framework that will assist in successful electronic resources utilization. This was encouraged by the fact that the determinants of effective utilization of electronic resources are still not clearly expressed.
687

Shared mental models as a cultural phenomenon : fact or fiction? Using the card-sorting method to investigate the shared mental models of web users

Vorster, Lize 03 1900 (has links)
Assignment (MPhil (Afrikaans and Dutch))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, the mental models of the target audience of the FACT web site (official Stellenbosch University HIV/Aids web site) were investigated and compared with the structure of the web site (representing the mental model of the expert). The target audience were divided into six groups representing three different race groups (white, coloured and black) and the two sexes (male and female).
688

A novel methodology for e-learning space design in HEI campuses

Dare, Fadeke Taiye January 2011 (has links)
The Higher Education Institution and the Construction Industry are yet to define the most appropriate and effective design parameters for E-learning spaces. Those which exist, focus mainly on cost, budget and timely delivery i.e. the process only not the product. An effective approach to E-learning space design is needed to address the problems of space efficiency, effectiveness, quality, innovativeness, performance and client satisfaction. This study aimed to develop a novel methodology for e-learning space design, by investigating: the impact of e-learning on facilities and design; the impact of e-learning on the design of future spaces; the impact of blended learning on space design; designing for the learn anytime, anywhere paradigm; security issues of e-learning and e-learning space design, the levels of design risk in an e-learning infrastructure and inclusive design issues. A Grounded theory approach was used during initial desk studies, synchronized with a three part forum and pilot survey of 33participants. From this process, two hypotheses emerged; firstly, e-learning space design could affect users‘ learning outcomes and secondly that; user‘s learning requirements were different and varied. To investigate further, site based analyses of 11 HEI‘s, 10 interviews and subsequently a questionnaire survey was administered. Users‘ and stakeholders requirements and good examples of e-learning space design were identified. Data were analysed using a mixed-method research design approach. Three main constructs, Space design, Technology and the E-learning Space Design research focus (ELSD focus), emerged as significant components in the development of a novel framework for the design of e-learning spaces. The relationship between the components is such that the design of spaces with consideration of the ELSD research focus would ensure the effective identification, interpretation and delivery of users‘ requirement while maximising the benefits of the adoption of appropriate technology within HEI facilities. This was therefore proposed as the realistic framework/model for future design of E- learning Spaces in HEI campuses. The framework was adapted into a conceptual design guide to provide guidance for future space design. It is expected the study will support the HEI sector globally as it moves towards achieving best practice solutions to future E-learning space design in HEI campuses.
689

社群導向系統的使用者需求擷取之研究 / A Study of User Requirement Elicitation for the Design of Community-Oriented Systems

唐日新, Tang, Jih-Hsin Unknown Date (has links)
在傳統資訊系統開發過程中,需求分析通常被視為非常關鍵的步驟。但在Web-based的資訊系統開發中,需求分析卻很少被提及。這篇論文提要主要強調傳統資訊系統與Web資訊系統的差異,並提出一個社群導向系統的需求擷取架構。這個架構將需求擷取分成三個階段:初步分析、關鍵使用者需求分析以及一般使用者的反應。目前Web的開發技術以及社群設計的方法,通常只做初步分析,在系統開發過程中並不直接蒐集使用者的需求。本文提出的三階段架構強調關鍵使用者的重要性,並建議採用社會網路分析作為辦識關鍵使用者的工具。 關鍵使用者區分為資訊、溝通、交易以及娛樂四大類別。初步預試這四種不同類別的關鍵使用者是否會產生較多該類別的資訊需求,以及是否產生較多的需求總數。結果發現只有資訊的關鍵使用者產生較多的資訊需求以及總需求,而其他類別的關鍵使用者與產生需求數量上的關係都不顯著。而另一項有趣的發現是:20%資訊關鍵使用者可以產生大約80%的需求總數,與Pareto規則的預測相似。資訊關鍵使用者的意見是否可以代表全體的意見,預試的結果顯示80%以上的需求重要性評估,關鍵使用者與全體的意見沒有顯著差異。 實地研究採用則探究兩個線上社群,一為關係導向社群,另一則為興趣社群,用以探索使用者角色,涉入程度以及需求知覺間的關係。多變量共變數分析的結果顯示:去除涉入程度的影響後,使用者角色會顯著影響使用者對於需求的知覺,雖然影響的方式以及程度並不相同。高涉入的使用者對於需求的敏銳度,普遍比低涉入者需求要高,並不因為需求種類而有所不同,最後並討論管理的意涵以及日後的研究方向。 / Although the requirement analysis is generally considered a critical stage in traditional information systems development (ISD), but it does not get enough attention in most Web-based information systems development (WISD) or the emerging community-oriented design. The thesis highlighted the difference between ISD and WISD, and proposed a three-stage model of user requirements elicitation for community-oriented design. This model divides the requirements definition in three stages: initial analysis, key user requirements elicitation, and regular user responses. Most current WIS and community design methodologies consider only initial analysis or attempt to build common system architecture, and neglect actual users’ requirements. Key user input is emphasized in this model, and social network analysis (SNA) is proposed as a tool for identifying key users. The pilot study empirically tested the relationship between the number of key users and that of elicited requirements. The study applied SNA to identify key users (defined as their influence) in “information”, “purchase”, “communication” or “entertainment” networks, and then elicited their requirements of two WIS. The preliminary results demonstrated that the number of key users in “information” dimension was significantly correlated with the numbers of elicited “information” requirements and overall requirements. However, the number of key users in “purchase”, “communication” and “entertainment” dimension had no significant relationships with the number of the elicited requirements. The requirements collected from 20 percent of “key users” accounted for approximate 80 percent of total requirements, similar to the results predicted by Pareto’s rule. In addition, the representativeness of requirements from key users opinions was also tested. Two online communities were designed to explore the relationship between user roles, user involvement and users’ perception towards requirements. And the MANCOVA results showed that user role (with user involvement as a blocking variable) has a major impact on an individual’s perception towards requirements, though the difference varies in a certain way. User involvement has also a determining effect on a user’s perception toward each type of requirements. Managerial implications were also discussed.
690

Intégration des activités de preuve dans le processus de développement de logiciels pour les systèmes embarqués

Raji, Amine 26 March 2012 (has links) (PDF)
En dépit de l'efficacité des méthodes formelles, en particulier les techniques d'analyse de modèles (model checking), à identifier les violations des exigences dans les modèles de conception, leur utilisation au sein des processus de développement industriel demeure limitée. Ceci est dû principalement à la complexité des modèles manipulés au cours de ces processus (explosion combinatoire) et à la difficulté de produire des représentations formelles afin d'exploiter les outils de vérification existants. Fort de ce constat, mes travaux de thèse contribuent au développement d'un volet méthodologique définissant les activités conduisant à l'obtention des artefacts formels. Ceux-ci sont générés directement à partir des exigences et des modèles de conception manipulés par les ingénieurs dans leurs activités de modélisation. Nos propositions s'appuient sur les travaux d'exploitation des contextes pour réduire la complexité de la vérification formelle, en particulier le langage CDL. Pour cela, nous avons proposé une extension des cas d'utilisation, afin de permettre la description des scénarios d'interaction entre le système et son environnement directement dans le corps des cas d'utilisation. Aussi, nous avons proposé un langage de spécification des exigences basé sur le langage naturel contrôlé pour la formalisation des exigences. Cette formalisation est opérée par transformations de modèle générant des propriétés CDL formalisées directement des exigences textuelles des cahiers des charges ainsi que les contextes CDL à partir des cas d'utilisations étendus. L'approche proposée a été instanciée sur un cas d'étude industriel de taille et de complexité réelles développées par notre partenaire industriel.

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