This paper aims at exploring and discussing the possibilities of applying qualitative content analysis as a (text) interpretation method in case study research. First, case study research as a research strategy within qualitative social research is briefly presented. Then, a basic introduction to (qualitative) content analysis as an interpretation method for qualitative interviews and other data material is given. Finally the use of qualitative content analysis for developing case studies is examined and evaluated. The author argues in favor of both case study research as a research strategy and qualitative content analysis as a method of examination of data material and seeks to encourage the integration of qualitative content analysis into the data analysis in case study research.

The aim of this study is to seek increased sociological understanding of modern spirituality through an investigation of the spiritual teachings of the danish mystic Martinus and its followers. Seven interviews with followers of Martinus were conducted and analysed using qualitative content analysis. The analyze shows that the teachings of Martinus has resulted in a new life which can be understood in terms of its benefits and pleasures; the benefits being a sense of meaning, security and belonging and the pleasures being a sense of excitement, beauty and joy. Based on these results the study indicates that an aesthetic perspective can complement the more common instrumental perspective on spirituality to offer a more authentic and comprehensive understanding of why modern people becomes spiritual. The study ends with a final discussion on whether modern spirituality even can be sociologically understood and what this understanding would entail. Here I argue that genuine agnosticism is incompatible with the naturalistic premise of sociology and that the sociologist only can understand modern spirituality based on this premise, thus undermining the same spirituality that he or she wishes to understand.

The overall purpose of this thesis is two-fold; to illuminate the meaning of living with ‘impurity’ in terms of malodorous exuding ulcers, and the meaning of caring for people with ‘impure’ bodies in institutions and in people’s homes. The thesis comprises four papers based on studies using qualitative methods. To illuminate nursing care as narrated by 27 retired care providers in northern Sweden, seven audio recorded group dialogues were performed (I). The transcribed group dialogues were analysed using a hermeneutic approach. The findings formulated as cleanliness, order and clear conscience point to purity. By cleaning patients and their surroundings repeatedly, by preserving order in various ways and by keeping a clear conscience, nurses committed to preserving purity. This study opened up for questions concerning the meaning of ‘impurity’ and‘purity’ in nursing today leading to papers II-IV. Learning about ‘purity’ is possible through studying ‘impurity’. Audio recorded narrative interviews were performed to illuminate the meaning of living with malodorous exuding ulcers (II) and the meaning of caring for people with malodorous exuding ulcers (III). A phenomenological-hermeneutic method was used to analyse the nine transcribed interviews with patients (II) and 10 transcribed interviews with nurses (III). The comprehensive understanding of living with malodorous exuding ulcers (II) was formulated as being trapped in a debilitating process that slowly strikes one down. There is a longing for wholeness and purity. When finding consolation, i.e., encountering genuineness and feeling loved, regarded and respected as fully human despite ulcers, patients feel purified. The comprehensive understanding of caring for people with malodorous exuding ulcers (III) was formulated as being exposed to, and overwhelmed by suffering that is invading. One runs the risk of experiencing desolation when one cannot make the ulcers and malodour disappear and fails to protect patients from additional suffering. To illuminate nurses’ reflections on obstacles and possibilities providing care as desired by people with malodorous ulcers (IV), six nurses from a previous study (III) were interviewed. An illustration with findings from paper II was shown and participants were asked to reflect on obstacles and possibilities providing the care desired by patients. The 12 audio recorded transcribed interviews were analysed using qualitative content analyses. The interpretations were presented as one theme ‘striving to do ‘good’ and be good’. The sub-themes related to the obstacles were ‘experiencing clinical competence constraints’, ‘experiencing organisational constraints’, ‘experiencing ineffective communication’, ‘fearing failure’ and ‘experiencing powerlessness’. The sub themes related to possibilities were ‘spreading knowledge on ulcer treatments’, ‘considering wholeness’ and ‘creating clear channels of communication’. The meaning of living with ‘impurity’ in terms of malodorous exuding ulcers, and the meaning of caring for people with ‘impure’ bodies in institutions and in patients’ homes is interpreted as striving for purity. Patients experience impurity when feeling dirty, losing hope, and not being respected and regarded as fully human. Nurses experience impurity when failing to shield patients’ vulnerability and their own defencelessness, and when facing obstacles preventing them from providing good care and being good nurses. Both patients and nurses may experience purity through consolation. For nurses, mediating consolation presupposes being consoled by being recognised for their challenging work, being respected and included in multiprofessional teams supported by the health care organisation and the leaders. Then patients can become consoled, and feel restored and fully human again despite their contaminated body.

Palliative care is founded on a holistic attitude, with the goal to alleviate suffering when a cure is no longer possible. Palliative care affirms life and regards dying as a normal process, providing possibilities of a quality time for the patient and family. Studies show that an increasing number of people choose to live the final phase of their life in their own home. A requirement for end of life care is an effective team work, where the nurse is responsible for more advanced care, and the caregiver’s provides the immediate care. The purpose of this study was to gain insight of caregiver’s experiences with patients in end of life care. An interview was conducted with seven caregivers, where the material is processed by a content analysis with qualitative approach. The results showed that the caregivers were engaged in meeting with dying patients and their families. Three themes emerged: to prioritize, to give and receive support, and to care with dignity. The following conclusions were found; Time and continuity is an essential constituent of the care for patients in palliative care. Caregivers should be given time for support and reflection. Skilled personnel with education and good knowledge of palliative care are needed in the care of palliative patients and their families.

Introduction: HIV is a serious problem in Namibia, 13.1% of the adult population is HIV-positive or is a carrier of AIDS. This is one of the highest numbers in the world. HIV is passed from mother to child during pregnancy, during labour or through breast milk. 18.8 % of the pregnant mothers in Namibia who is in contact with the maternity welfare have HIV. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe nurses’ counseling to mothers to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV through breastfeeding. Method: Eight nurses working with PMTCT of HIV were interviewed in Namibia. The interviews were transcribed and a content analysis was made. 18 sub-categories and seven categories were found. Findings: It is important that nurses provide individual counseling, are supportive and motivate the mothers. Poverty is an obstacle for the mothers, stigmatization occurs and cultural differences can have influence on the mothers. It is also important that nurses are updated in counseling and PMTCT. Conclusion: Nurses should provide mothers with the correct information in a pedagogical way. Nurses need to be aware of obstacles for the mothers and their families to be able to meet their different demands. Men are not involved in PMTCT-counseling and nurses think that partner involvement would benefit PMTCT of HIV.

The mutual aid of Alcoholics Anonymous helps more people with alcohol-related problems than all forms of clinical treatment combined. Yet, efforts to understand AA’s action have been conducted, almost exclusively, from a clinical perspective. Thus far, the literature representing Alcoholics Anonymous from the perspective of its members is very limited. This study uses qualitative content analysis of the AA literature and a grounded theory approach to AA’s fellowship to provide an insider’s perspective of change processes associated with AA involvement. This understanding of the AA literature posits that Alcoholics Anonymous involvement results in life improvement, changes in spirituality, improved well-being, an acceptance of powerlessness over alcohol and a sense of fellowship. This understanding of AA’s fellowship posits that Alcoholics Anonymous involvement results in increased life meaning, reduced insecurity, loneliness, anxiety and shame.

Members of the workplace are at the heart of the organizational learning process. They play a major role by communicating their shared perceptions, distributing knowledge, and acting as human components of the broader organizational memory. Today, three generations cohabitate in the work environment, each of whom have their own distinct traits that influence how they perceive and enact learning. This thesis explores how Millennials experience organizational learning and its significance. By applying Crossan et al.’s (1999) 4I Framework, the process of intuiting, interpreting, integrating, and institutionalizing are considered from the standpoint of the Millennial generation. The methodology for this study includes semi-structured interviews and qualitative thematic analysis to better understand this relationship. This is based on 13 conversations with members all drawn from a single organization. The findings describe how Millennials see learning as fundamental as well as how they overcome the challenges they face and apply their knowledge.

Issues relating to individual legal certainty and security in Sweden, tensions between governmental actions to secure the collectives needs and violations of the individual’s privacy are explored. Due to the tensions between privacy and securitization, this will be achieved through the securitization framework of the Copenhagen school in international relations. A qualitative content analysis using archived files from the Swedish Data Inspection Board for the period of 2001 to 2014 is presented. Changes in discourses, diversions between the individual’s legal certainty and governmental action are noted. Needs for revision of old legal texts and rhetoric are highlighted.

The master thesis analyses the perception of Information Warfare and Russia among German politicians. By using the Qualitative Content Analysis by Schreier, speeches given in the German Bundestag relating to Information Warfare, and Russia were analyzed from January 2015 until December 2018. Using International Relations (IR) theories and political psychological approaches, a theoretical framework was developed in order to determine factors which have an impact on the perception of politicians. The thesis divides this perception into three categories - friend, partner, and threat. Each category is analyzed in depth resulting in support for two of the four hypotheses. The thesis demonstrates that it is not only the political orientation, but also economic interests which determine if a state and its warfare tactics are perceived as a danger. Moreover, the deductive part of the analysis reveals that Russia's behavior which can be perceived as aggressive, irrational, and power-seeking, also determines whether the regime is perceived as threatening. Information Warfare per se is no issue of concern in the Bundestag. However, information warfare tactics such as disinformation campaigns, the spread of fake news and propaganda, and Russia's meddling in western politics are perceived as a danger to...

The thesis analyses Turkey's and Russia's foreign relations with each other based on the theoretical premise that democratic peace can explain similar behaviour among authoritarian regimes as well. The thesis explores Russia's and Turkey's distinct forms or authoritarianism, before employing a detailed qualitative content analysis on official documents from Russia's and Turkey's presidents and foreign ministries. The readers will attain a broader understanding of democratic theory and the link between political regimes and peaceful relations. Keywords Democratic Theory; Russia; Turkey; Political Regime; Qualitative Content Analysis; MAXQDA