In recent years, the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in education has become a widely discussed issue. This paper starts with a brief examination of the relationship of political changes to the rapid educational reforms in recent years, including the school-level implementation of ICT. Specifically, the implementation of ICT in Hong Kong primary schools is investigated. Primary data are collected from school heads and teachers while secondary data are collected from the scholarly literature. In addition, supplementary data were collected for comparison from several areas in the UK. A number of research questions are proposed for the study, including the potential benefits and shortcomings of ICT in education, the difficulties of ICT implementation, and the relative cost effectiveness of ICT. Quantitative and qualitative methods emerged from the different research paradigms of positivism and interpretivism. Both are discussed in the research design chapter. A mixed-method approach was selected for the entire research project. Under this approach, quantitative data were collected through survey techniques and qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviewing. These two data collection processes were undertaken independently. The design and application of data collection for both categories of data are discussed at length. Eventually, 681 questionnaires and 17 interviews were analysed. The findings were consolidated and triangulated when possible, and are discussed in the concluding chapter. Throughout the study, responses to several important issues, including workload, time, professional development and school organisation, have been elicited from the participants. Finally, some recommendations are made that attempt to optimise the use of ICT in education. Further research areas are also proposed. In sum, the research suggests that ICT is a 2-sided tool. On one hand, ICT can provide numerous benefits to teaching and learning. On the other hand, stakeholders must be aware of its potential negative side effects. Moreover, ICT should be treated as only one of many instructional media, and it should be used carefully. Over-reliance on ICT should be avoided.

The communication of anthropogenic climate change presents many challenges, for communicators, scientists, policymakers and publics alike. Particularly difficult is the issue of uncertainty, which can include ambiguity around the phenomenon of climate change, the possible impacts of this, and the timeframe within which such impacts will be seen. Previous research has established that audiences are often averse to uncertainty, and will disregard or ignore messages that contain it. This raises a theoretical and practical question of how best to manage uncertainty in climate change communication in order to maintain audience engagement. This question was the focus of this PhD research. Specifically, the aim of this thesis was to explore the process of climate change communication from the perspectives of the scientists, communicators, and the recipient. I achieved this research goal by utilising a mixed methods design. I firstly interviewed the originators (i.e., scientists) and professional communicators of climate change information to explore the process from their side (Chapter 2). This revealed a number of themes connecting to the different ways scientists and communicators understand the process of communication (e.g., as information exchange versus relationship building), the challenges of climate change communication and uncertainty in particular, and the (appropriate) role of scientists when communicating with the public about climate change. Next, in a series of studies I experimentally explored how audiences respond to variations in the informational content of climate change messages (such as the level of uncertainty) and the role of different communicative styles in further shaping audience engagement (Chapter 3). Broadly, the results of these studies suggest that while uncertainty can undermine audience engagement with climate change communications, the negative effects of uncertainty are buffered when the communicator is perceived to be high in morality and/ or when they use an open communication style. Interestingly, these effects of communication style were particularly evident among women, whereas men tended to react against this. Together, these studies show how relational factors (e.g., communication styles and perceptions of communication sources) can moderate the impact of informational content on audience responses. Finally, I ended this programme of research by looking in more detail at how audiences perceive a real scientific organisation engaged in climate change communication and the bases of their beliefs about organisation competence and morality (Chapter 4). This study combined qualitative and quantitative data to delve deeper into some of the insights gained in the experimental work, and to reconnect this to the real-world organisation context I began with. This study again showed how perceptions of communicator morality moderate responses to uncertainty, but also provide useful insights into the different origins of perceptions of morality and competence. Chapter 5 concludes by summarising the research presented in this thesis, discussing its strengths, limitations and ways forward. Here, I also consider the theoretical, methodological and practical implications of the thesis’ research findings. Briefly, it is argued that addressing the scientific uncertainties of climate change may not necessarily mean altering the form of information itself. Rather, modifying the language peripheral to the information that contains uncertainty, attending to the ways in which audiences perceive the sources of uncertainty, and considering variations amongst publics, may help to engage in effective communication around the complex issue of climate change.

O intuito deste estudo foi o de realizar uma pesquisa qualiquantitativa, documental e exploratória sobre a produção científica nacional no tema \"pescado: alimento para consumo humano\" compreendendo o período entre 2002 e 2012. Os trabalhos foram classificados em duas grandes áreas: Saúde Pública, e Processamento do Pescado. Objetivou-se identificar a participação das regiões brasileiras; o pescado mais estudado; as entidades que mais pesquisam sobre o tema (públicas ou privadas); os aspectos em que a pesquisa sobre o tema contribui para o desenvolvimento do setor, e os principais avanços identificados nesse período de estudo. O estudo concluiu que houve um aumento do número de trabalhos produzidos no tema \"pescado: alimento para consumo humano\", entre 2002 a 2012; as pesquisas desenvolvidas vem contribuindo com um grande número de trabalhos voltados à Saúde Pública, sendo que estes apresentaram principalmente pesquisas de análises microbiológicas e físico-químicas; as instituições públicas foram as que mais apresentaram pesquisas dentro do período estudado; a região que mais realizou estudos foi a Sudeste; o pescado mais estudado foi origem marinha e a espécie de pescado mais encontrada nos estudos foi a tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus); o maior número de trabalhos foi apresentado no Congresso de Higienistas de Alimentos, seguido pelo SIMCOPE e base Capes, respectivamente. Os trabalhos, no geral, foram muito semelhantes e voltados à Saúde Pública, porém o SIMCOPE demonstrou maior número de trabalhos referentes ao Processamento do Pescado. A criação do Ministério da Pesca e Aquicultura gerou um aumento de investimento, por parte do governo no setor, incentivando a produção de peixes de cativeiro, como a tilápia. / The purpose of this study was to create a qualitative, quantitative, documentary and exploratory research on scientific productions with the theme \" fish : food for human consumption.\" published between 2002 and 2012 These studies were classified into two areas: Public Health, and Fish Processing. This study aimed to identify the participation of Brazilian regions; the most studied fish; entities with more research on the topic (public or private); aspects in which research on the subject contributes to the sector development, and major advances. The study concluded that the studies on this theme are increasing ; most of the of research were related to public health , and these studies had mainly microbiological and physico- chemical analysis; public institutions were the most productive researching on this theme within the study period; the region that most studies were conducted was the Southeast; the most studied fish and seafood species of fish was tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus); the largest number of papers were presented at the Congress of Food Hygienists, followed by Capes SIMCOPE and base, respectively. The work, in general, were very similar and focused on public health, but SIMCOPE demonstrated a greater number of jobs related to fish processing. The creation of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has generated increased investment by the government in the sector, encouraging the production of captive fish, such as tilapia.

O intuito deste estudo foi o de realizar uma pesquisa qualiquantitativa, documental e exploratória sobre a produção científica nacional no tema \"pescado: alimento para consumo humano\" compreendendo o período entre 2002 e 2012. Os trabalhos foram classificados em duas grandes áreas: Saúde Pública, e Processamento do Pescado. Objetivou-se identificar a participação das regiões brasileiras; o pescado mais estudado; as entidades que mais pesquisam sobre o tema (públicas ou privadas); os aspectos em que a pesquisa sobre o tema contribui para o desenvolvimento do setor, e os principais avanços identificados nesse período de estudo. O estudo concluiu que houve um aumento do número de trabalhos produzidos no tema \"pescado: alimento para consumo humano\", entre 2002 a 2012; as pesquisas desenvolvidas vem contribuindo com um grande número de trabalhos voltados à Saúde Pública, sendo que estes apresentaram principalmente pesquisas de análises microbiológicas e físico-químicas; as instituições públicas foram as que mais apresentaram pesquisas dentro do período estudado; a região que mais realizou estudos foi a Sudeste; o pescado mais estudado foi origem marinha e a espécie de pescado mais encontrada nos estudos foi a tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus); o maior número de trabalhos foi apresentado no Congresso de Higienistas de Alimentos, seguido pelo SIMCOPE e base Capes, respectivamente. Os trabalhos, no geral, foram muito semelhantes e voltados à Saúde Pública, porém o SIMCOPE demonstrou maior número de trabalhos referentes ao Processamento do Pescado. A criação do Ministério da Pesca e Aquicultura gerou um aumento de investimento, por parte do governo no setor, incentivando a produção de peixes de cativeiro, como a tilápia. / The purpose of this study was to create a qualitative, quantitative, documentary and exploratory research on scientific productions with the theme \" fish : food for human consumption.\" published between 2002 and 2012 These studies were classified into two areas: Public Health, and Fish Processing. This study aimed to identify the participation of Brazilian regions; the most studied fish; entities with more research on the topic (public or private); aspects in which research on the subject contributes to the sector development, and major advances. The study concluded that the studies on this theme are increasing ; most of the of research were related to public health , and these studies had mainly microbiological and physico- chemical analysis; public institutions were the most productive researching on this theme within the study period; the region that most studies were conducted was the Southeast; the most studied fish and seafood species of fish was tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus); the largest number of papers were presented at the Congress of Food Hygienists, followed by Capes SIMCOPE and base, respectively. The work, in general, were very similar and focused on public health, but SIMCOPE demonstrated a greater number of jobs related to fish processing. The creation of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has generated increased investment by the government in the sector, encouraging the production of captive fish, such as tilapia.

Through the lens of identity process theory, the present thesis explores: (i) the qualitative nature of British national and ethnic attachments and their respective outcomes for identity processes among British South Asians (BSA); and (ii) the impact of media representations for identification and identity processes. In study I, 20 first generation South Asians (FGSA) were interviewed regarding identity, national and ethnic group memberships and inter-ethnic relations. The results revealed that (i) social representations of the ethnic 'homeland' could accentuate national attachment, but that both national and ethnic identities could have positive outcomes for identity processes in distinct social contexts; (ii) the phenomenological importance of 'special moments' and family identity can shape and accentuate national identification; (iii) ethnic and national identities are strategically 'managed' in order to achieve psychological coherence. In study II, 20 second generation South Asians (SGSA) were interviewed regarding similar issues. The results revealed that (i) SGSAs' awareness of the hardship faced by FGSA in the early stages of migration could induce disidentification with Britishness and accentuate identification with the ethnic group; (ii) the Press may be regarded as excluding BSA from Britishness; (iii) SGSA may manifest hybridised identities to enhance psychological coherence. In study III, a sample of 50 tabloid articles regarding BSA was analysed qualitatively. The results revealed that (i) BSA are constructed as 'deviating' from self-aspects of Britishness; (ii) BSA may be represented in terms of a hybridised threat to the ethno-national ingroup. Study IV investigated some of the findings of the previous studies quantitatively. The questionnaire was administered to 215 BSA. A series of statistical analyses confirmed (i) the impact of negative media representations of one's ethnic group for identity processes; (ii) the accentuation of ethnic identity and attenuation of British national identity as a result of exposure to negative media representations; (iii) a weaker national attachment among British Pakistanis than British Indians. It is argued that levels of British national and ethnic identities will likely fluctuate in accordance with social and temporal context and that BSA will make strategic use of both identities in order to optimise identity processes.

This master´s thesis aims to analyse the perception of online advertising by the Czech online population and its subsequent segmentation to provide recommendations on how to efficiently use online advertising tools in the Czech internet environment. The thesis is divided into three parts - theoretical, methodological and practical. The theoretical part describes the online advertising environment as such, defines the basic concepts and describes research methods used in the thesis. The methodological part delves deeper into these methods and justifies the reasons behind using them. Finally, the practical part offers detailed insights into the perception of online advertising through in-depth semi-structured interviews that have been further elaborated on and verified using the author´s own questionnaire-based quantitative research, representing the entire Czech online population. The obtained data is used to uncover segments in the Czech online population by means of factor and cluster analyses, after which the profiles of the segments are characterised using the contingency tables. Building on the findings, the final chapter provides recommendations on how best to use different types of online advertising and how to address the individual segments in the most efficient way.

Health of Migrants in Czechia - Political and Regional Perspective Abstract The submitted thesis analyses an access to and use of health care among migrants from Ukraine and Vietnam in Czechia in the regional and political context. The analysis is based both on data collection of research of the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague in 2013 and further information that were gathered by author of the thesis in the course of survey questions focused on experts (doctors, representatives of medical and non-profit organizations as well as on representatives of health insurance companies and the ministries). There were used methods of qualitative and quantitative research in the analytical part of the thesis. There were also identified key factors that influence an access of migrants to their own health condition and also to the health care that were further interpreted in the regional context. The thesis reveals differences in access to the health of migrants in different regions within Czechia. The thesis conclusions are compared with the health policy standards in Czechia. Key words: health care, health condition, health policy, qualitative and quantitative research, migrants from Ukraine and Vietnam, Czechia

Research questions: This research was focused on exploring the impact of communication technologies on rural populations in the Congo. In particular, this research posed two questions: 1. Do mobile phones produce development in rural areas of the Congo? 2. Do mobile phones improve the living conditions of people? The questions helped examine ways in which mobile phones were or were not engendering development among these populations. Methods: The research was undertaken using four methods: 1. Phenomenology, 2. Sen's capability approach, 3. Participatory method, and 4. Ecological method. Phenomenology aimed to cater to the experiences and meanings of mobile phone uses. Sen's capability approach allowed the interviews to be focused on the basic needs of the poor. Participatory method provided a greater participation of respondents in discussion groups, and ecological method helped achieve a higher inclusion of key players in the targeted area. Major findings: The major findings of this study included: 1. Much of the literature on mobile phones and development was not representative or inclusive of key players and their day-to-day lives. 2. Studies have tended to present snapshots or single-focused accounts of mobile phone and development. 3. Authors of mobile phone research have tended to see rural populations with an urban-led bias, leaving aside the actual characteristics of rural areas. 4. Mobile phones were not limited to a person and her properties, but rather mobile phones were owned and shared by the community. 5. Participants expressed a need for technical skills and means to be available to the community and their members. 6. Households were not separated, but rather they were connected to allow people take care of one another. 7. People were connected through collective solidarities in order to come to the aid of those with special needs. 8. Literature and mobile phone sponsors or companies were disseminating mobile phones with an extractive and commercial tendency, focused principally on fees of batteries, chargers, and prepaid cards. Major contributions: The major contributions of this research revolved around the focus on: 1. technology to enhance the needed technical skills among concerned populations. 2. shared ownership of mobile phones to cater to both users and non-users of mobile phones among concerned populations. 3. connected households to capitalize on the dynamics of family among concerned populations. 4. collective solidarities to accommodate the processes of aiding one another among concerned populations. 5. capabilities, from a commercial or extractive aspect to capabilities to enhance the capabilities of people to afford mobile phones fees. 6. capabilities, from a corporate or business aspect to capabilities to enhance the capabilities of people who did not and could not own a business. 7. human basic needs to enhance the capabilities of mobile phone users with regard to human basic needs. 8. outliers or the marginalized to attend to those left out among concerned populations. 9. mobile phone-centric libraries to enhance the storage and retrieval of needed information among concerned populations.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-01-21T11:08:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 naryllemariabacelarchaibzanolli.pdf: 1132095 bytes, checksum: 5fd9f15df27da6162b1b82df22f44357 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-01-25T18:43:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 naryllemariabacelarchaibzanolli.pdf: 1132095 bytes, checksum: 5fd9f15df27da6162b1b82df22f44357 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-25T18:43:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 naryllemariabacelarchaibzanolli.pdf: 1132095 bytes, checksum: 5fd9f15df27da6162b1b82df22f44357 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-27 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / A figura mental relacionada ao tamanho e forma do corpo, além dos sentimentos e das atitudes relacionados a essas características, é designada pelo termo imagem corporal. Apesar de singular e indivisível, a imagem corporal integra múltiplas dimensões, sendo vulnerável a processos dinâmicos internos e externos, estando em constante transformação. A insatisfação corporal está ligada à baixa autoestima e limitações no desempenho psicossocial, associando-se a quadros depressivos, além de estar relacionada aos distúrbios de comportamento alimentar como anorexia, bulimia e comer compulsivo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar os fatores associados à insatisfação corporal entre estudantes regularmente matriculados nas séries iniciais do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola pública do município de Juiz de Fora – MG e identificar as impressões quanto à imagem e insatisfação corporais daqueles com estado nutricional adequado. Foi realizado um estudo de delineamento transversal, de natureza quantitativa e qualitativa, descritivo, analítico e exploratório. A amostra foi constituída por escolares entre oito e doze anos regularmente matriculados no Ensino Fundamental I de uma escola pública de Juiz de Fora - MG. O instrumento utilizado para avaliar a insatisfação corporal foi uma escala de figuras de silhuetas, sendo os demais dados coletados por meio de questionários. A coleta dos dados qualitativos se deu por meio de grupo focal. Os dados quantitativos foram analisados através do pacote estatístico Statistical Software for Professional (STATA), versão 12.0. A medida de associação utilizada foi a Razão de Prevalência (RP), determinada através da regressão de Poisson com estimador de variância robusta. Foi considerado um nível de significância de 5% para a definição do modelo final. A análise do grupo focal foi realizada utilizando-se diretamente os conteúdos provenientes das discussões. Observou-se frequência de insatisfação corporal de 86,5% e sua associação significativa com o porcentagem de gordura corporal, duração da atividade física, escolaridade materna e trabalho materno. Os resultados obtidos através do método qualitativo demonstram a preocupação com o corpo, aparência e com a opinião das outras pessoas a respeito da imagem corporal, além do desejo em realizar alguma alteração corpórea. Também foram observadas a influência da família e da mídia sobre a imagem corporal. A infância e a adolescência são períodos em que se adquirem hábitos que poderão ser levados por toda a vida, além de representarem um público propenso a atitudes inadequadas. Assim, destaca-se a importância em se realizar pesquisas com estes indivíduos, especialmente relativas à imagem corporal, já que a insatisfação com o corpo traz pensamentos e sensações negativos, influenciando a saúde emocional, a qualidade de vida e o convívio social. / The mental picture related to the size and shape of the body, besides the feelings and attitudes related to these characteristics, is designated by the term body image. Although single and indivisible, the body image integrates multiple dimensions, being vulnerable to internal and external dynamic processes and being in constant transformation. Body dissatisfaction is linked to low self-esteem and limitations of the psychosocial performance. It is also associated with depression, as well as being related to eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating. The present study aimed to determine the factors associated to body dissatisfaction among students enrolled in the early grades of elementary school in a public school in the city of Juiz de Fora – MG, and identify the impressions on the body image and body dissatisfaction of those with adequate nutritional status. A cross design of quantitative and qualitative, descriptive, analytical and exploratory study was performed. The sample consisted of children between eight and twelve years, enrolled in the elementary school in a public school of Juiz de Fora - MG. The instrument used to assess body dissatisfaction was a body shape figures scale, and the remaining data was collected through questionnaires. The qualitative data was collected through the focus group method. The quantitative data was analyzed using the statistical package Statistical Software for Professional (STATA) version 12.0. The measure of association used was the prevalence ratio (PR), determined by the Poisson regression with robust variance estimator. It was considered a significance level of 5% for the definition of the final model. The analysis of the focus group was performed using the content of the discussions. It was observed a frequency of body dissatisfaction of 86.5% and significant association with body fat percentage, duration of physical activity, maternal education and maternal employment. The results obtained by the qualitative assay demonstrate the concern with the body appearance and the opinion of others about body image, besides the desire to perform some corporal change. The influence of family and media on body image was also observed. Childhood and adolescence are periods in which people acquire habits that may be taken for life, and they represent people prone to take inadequate attitudes. Thus, it is important to conduct research with these individuals, especially relating to body image, as body dissatisfaction brings negative thoughts and feelings, influencing emotional health, quality of life and social interaction.

In South Africa the Center for Child Youth and Family Studies is training practitioners yearly to work as play therapists from a gestalt approach. Once these practitioners successfully complete their training and qualify they could begin practicing play therapy from a gestalt approach. Each of these recently qualified play therapists is then responsible for organising and committing to their own supervision. Therapists who do not attend supervision risk stagnation and burn out due to a lack of positive interaction in relation to receiving knowledge and support from those more experienced in gestalt play therapy and from their peers. At present there is a perceived lack of supervision resources based on a gestalt approach particularly for those recently qualified play therapists working from a gestalt approach that are geographically distant from the areas where training takes place. This study sought to answer the question of what supervision resources are currently available to recently qualified play therapists working from a gestalt approach in South Africa. In order to answer this question combined quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. An internet survey questionnaire was completed by recently qualified play therapists working from a gestalt approach which formed part of the quantitative section of the research. Structured interviews were conducted via Skype with professionals experienced in the field of Gestalt therapy theory and supervision from a gestalt approach and this formed part of the qualitative section of the research. Overall the results from the merged data indicate a lack of supervisors qualified to give supervision based on a gestalt approach. This factor contributes to the overall lack of supervision resources based on a gestalt approach for recently qualified play therapists working from this approach. Geographical distance from supervision resources places financial and time constraints on recently qualified play therapists that prevent them from accessing supervision based on a gestalt approach. Despite this results indicate those recently qualified play therapists working from a gestalt approach are attempting to meet their responsibility and requirement for supervision. / Psychology / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)