Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / Ulwaluko is a Xhosa word that refers to male circumcision, an initiation ritual performed to transform boys into men. The ritual is supposed to instill good moral and social values. Research has demonstrated that, the practice of Ulwaluko has undergone many changes primarily because of urbanization, acculturation and the emergence of back-door circumcision schools amongst other things. This has culminated in instances of moral decline such as criminal activity, drug abuse, risky sexual behaviour and inhumane behaviour among some of the initiates. There has been a recent upsurge in research on Ulwaluko in South Africa. However, lacking in this body of scholarship is a focus on how Ulwaluko constructs masculinities. This served as the motivation for my study. Given the above, my study explored the role of Ulwaluko in the construction of masculinity in men at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Hegemonic masculinity (Connell, 1994; Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005) was used as a theoretical framework conceptualizing this study. The study utilised a qualitative framework and data was collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Seven participants aged from 19 to 32, consented to be part of the study. These were recruited using purposive sampling. The ethical considerations of the study adhered to the guidelines stipulated by UWC. Data was transcribed, and analysed using thematic decomposition analysis. The findings of this study indicate that Ulwaluko constructs masculinity in hegemonic ways. Through hegemony it establishes, maintains and retains control over young men, boys and women. It constructs an idealised masculine identity that is morally upright, faced with ritual challenges and burdened by a prescriptive set of masculine role expectations. This study also shows the self-reflexive, critical and imaginative engagement by men as they negotiated Ulwaluko‟s ideal masculinity. Such contestations resulted in the creation of rival masculinities. It also demonstrates how subject position(s) impact understandings and constructions of masculinities. This study provided a richer and more nuanced contextual understanding of the psychosocial realities of men who underwent Ulwaluko

The presented diploma thesis focuses on the awareness of homeless people about available social services that could help improve their current life situation. The main goal of this work is to find out what social services for the homeless these people know, which of them they have used, what is their experience with them and whether these services can lead to a return to the majority society in their opinion or whether they only help the homeless to survive. This is a case study that took place in the capital city of Prague. Data were collected in the form of semi- structured in-depth interviews directly with homeless people. A total of 29 interviews took place. The diploma thesis first describes the definition of homelessness in the theoretical part, possible causes of homelessness and the social system of the Czech Republic. In the methodological part of the work, I describe the target population, the technique of selecting informants, the method of data collection, the advantages and disadvantages of semi-structured interviews, the method of data processing and analysis, and the ethics of research. This is followed by a presentation of the results, their analysis, answering research questions, discussion of the methods used, reflection on the shortcomings of my own work, and recommendations...

According to U.S. Small Business Association, the failure rates for small businesses in 2014 were as high as 50% to 80% within the first 5 years of establishment. Failure rates were especially high among restaurant businesses. The purpose of this study was to explore the strategies that small business owners needed to sustain their businesses beyond the first 5 years. Guided by entrepreneurship theory as the conceptual framework, a case study was conducted with semistructured interviews of 3 successful Thai restaurant owners in Salt Lake City, Utah. Member checking and methodological triangulation with field notes, interview data, company websites, customer comments, and government documents help ensure theoretical saturation and trustworthiness of interpretations. Using precoded themes for the data analysis, the 7 themes from this study were entrepreneur characteristics, education and management skills, marketing strategies and competitive advantages, social networks and human relationships, technology and innovation, government supports and social responsibility, and financial planning. Two key results indicated the strategies that were needed for small business owners were entrepreneur management skills and government support for small businesses. These findings may influence positive social change by improving small business owner efficiency and sustainability, increasing higher business income, providing a better quality of living for employees and the well-being of the community, and benefiting the U.S. economy.

Zhang, Ziwen (2022). Ett specialpedagogiskt arbetssätt för att skapa motivation.Speciallärarprogrammet i Matematikutveckling, Institutionen för skolutveckling ochledarskap, Lärande och samhället, Malmö universitet, 90 hp. Förväntat kunskapsbidragDetta arbete förväntas ge kunskap om hur gymnasielärare kan arbeta för att skapamotivation att lära sig matematik hos elever i matematiksvårigheter. Syfte och frågeställningDenna studie avser att undersöka om hur fem gymnasielärare uppfattar begreppetmotivation och hur de utformar specialundervisning med målet att skapa motivation hoselever i matematiksvårigheter. Frågeställningar som behandlas i denna studie är: 1. Hur uppfattas begreppet motivation av lärarna?2. Vilka möjligheter/ svårigheter upplever lärarna i derasmotivationsarbete?3. Vilka motivationsstrategier anses vara framgångsrika? MetodDatainsamling sker i form av kvalitativa intervjustudie av fem gymnasielärare som harspecialundervisningsgrupper. ResultatStudien visar att elevens motivation till att internalisera och utföra kulturellt värderandeaktiviteter är nära förknippade med att tillfredsställa individens tre grundläggandepsykologiska behov, autonomibehov, samhörighetsbehov och kompetensbehov. Genom attläraren aktivt jobba med att förstärka elev-lärar relation, främja meningsfullhet och skapasammanhang och koppling har vi bättre förutsättningar för att väcka elevernas intresse ochengagemang som bland annat är en viktig faktor för stimulans av den inre motivation. Keywords: Mathematics, Motivational work, Remedial teaching, Semistructured interviews

This is a qualitative actions research study of pre school teachers’ reflections about their choices and actions. The qualitative actions research study is combined with semistructured interviews, mind map-conversations and a videocamera in order to bring awareness about the pedagogs actions. The theory i use to analys the results is poststructural discourse. The aim is to understand and investigate how and if teachers in preschool change their analyses and reflections practice, during their action research process. Another purpose, during this process, is to understand how the pre school teachers reflect and value their knowledge in the context of their profession and practice. The questions i aim to answer are:1. In which ways does the action research process change the pre school teachers reflectionspractice?2. How do the pre school teachers reflect upon and value their knowledge about their profession within their practice?The conclusion is that action research, semistructured interviews, mind map- conversations and the observered material from the videocamera led the preschool teachers to develop at their own pace, and from their own problemed based questions and thoughts. They go from a structure view on the pedagogical practice to a subjective self evaluation view, where change is possible and their own knowledge about their profession becomes visible.

Bakgrund: På en operation finns det en risk för att exponeras för blodsmittor när operationssjuksköterskor handhar vassa föremål samt kan utsättas för blodstänk. Blodburna sjukdomar som hiv, hepatit B och C sprids via smittat blod som kommer i kontakt med skadad hud eller slemhinnor. Stick- eller skärskador samt blodstänk är vanligast. Patienter med en blodsmitta kan uppleva ett stigma på grund av sin sjukdom. Vårdpersonal ska behandla alla lika och får inte diskriminera patienter.  Motiv: Operationssjuksköterskor arbetar i en miljö där det finns en risk för exponering av blodsmittor, det är därför av värde att undersöka operationssjuksköterskors erfarenheterrelaterade till blodsmitta. Syfte: Att belysa operationssjuksköterskors erfarenheter relaterade till blodsmitta.  Metod: Individuella semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med operationssjuksköterskor (n=8). Insamlade data analyserades enligt kvalitativ innehållsanalys Resultat:  Analysen resulterade i tre olika kategorier: “Att uppleva risk”, “Att känna sig trygg” samt “Att ständigt utvecklas”.   Konklusion: Med erfarenhet blir specialistsjuksköterskan inom operation mer trygg i arbetet med en patient med känd blodsmitta. Tillgänglighet till information och bra rutiner är en central del då det annars kan skapa osäkerhet då operationssjuksköterskans arbete är i ständig utveckling och nya rutiner tillkommer. Det finns en risk att patienter inte vågar berätta för risk av stigmatisering och diskriminering och det är inte säkert att alla bärare av blodsmitta har testats. Alla patienter ska därför ses som potentiella smittbärare. / Background: During surgery there is a risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens due to the handlings of sharp objects and exposure from blood splash. Blood-borne pathogens like HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C spread when contaminated blood comes in contact with damaged skin, mucous membranes or by an injury with a contaminated instrument. Sharps-injuries and blood-splash are the most common forms of exposure in the operating theatre. Patients with a blood-borne infection can feel stigmatized due to their illness. Health care personnel must provide equal care, and not discriminate against patients Motive: Theatre nurses work in an environment where there is risk of exposure of blood-borne pathogens, it is therefore of value to examine theatre nurses' experiences related to blood-borne pathogensAim: To shed light on operating theatre nurses' experiences related to blood-borne pathogens. Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with operating theatre nurses (n=8). Collected data were analyzed according to qualitative content analysis. Result: The analysis resulted in three different categories: "Experiencing risk", "Feeling safe" and "Constantly developing". Conclusion: The theatre nurse gains confidence in working with patients with known blood-borne pathogens with experience. Availability of information and good routines are important factors as it can otherwise create uncertainty due to the constantly developing nature of the operating theatre nurse's work, and the adding of new routines. There is a risk that patients avoid disclosure of infection in fear of stigmatization and discrimination, and not all carriers of blood-borne pathogens have been tested and diagnosed.  Therefore, all patients should be seen as potential carriers.

The industry that shows the strongest growth and development online is the foodindusty. The prognosis shows that this development will only continue to increase. One problem with the online grocery shopping lies in the fact that consumers find it difficult to differentiate the product packaging. Consumers also find it more difficult to evaluate the product traits online versus in physical stores. Companies must therefore start thinking about designing packaging that should also fit digitally. Companies who do not adapt to the new digital landscape run the risk of losing customers, see the margins fall and being out- competed by other companies who have come further in this work. This study therefore aims to analyze which communicative elements on the digital packaging that consumers consider ease their purchasing decisions when shopping for groceries online. This is to be able to create direct communication on the digital packaging which in turn can lead to purchases. In order to examine this, theories in visual communication and consumer purchasing behavior have been analyzed as secondary data together with primary data in the form of three focus groups and fifteen semi-structured interviews. The interview answers have then been analyzed and set against previous theories. This led to the following conclusions: The communicative elements on the digital packaging that consumers consider eases their purchasing decisions when shopping for groceries online are: Consumers want to be able to easily see the brand's logotype and quantity/volume must be clearly stated. It is also important to have an image presenting the packaging's content, clearly state what the product is and labels, especially in the form of eco-labels and origin. / Den bransch som visar på den starkaste tillväxten och utvecklingen online är livsmedelshandeln. Prognosen visar att denna utveckling bara kommer fortsätta öka. En problematik med handeln av livsmedel online ligger i att konsumenter nästan inte ser någon skillnad på förpackningarna. Konsumenter har även svårare att utvärdera produktegenskaper online kontra fysisk butik. Företag måste därmed börja tänka på att designa förpackningar som även ska passa digitalt. Företag som inte anpassar sig till det nya digitala landskapet riskerar förlora kunder, se marginalerna falla och bli utkonkurrerade av andra aktörer som kommit längre i detta arbete. Denna studie syftar därmed till att undersöka vilka kommunikativa element på digitala förpackningar som konsumenter anser underlättar deras köpbeslut när de handlar livsmedel online. Detta för att kunna skapa en tydlig kommunikation på digitala förpackningar som i sin tur ska kunna leda till köp. För att undersöka detta har författarna analyserat teorier inom visuell kommunikation och konsumentköpbeteende som sekundärdata tillsammans med primärdata i form av tre fokusgrupper samt femton semistrukturerade intervjuer. Intervjusvaren har sedan analyserats och ställts mot tidigare teorier. Våra slutsatser är följande: De kommunikativa element på digitala förpackningar som konsumenter anser underlättar deras köpbeslut när de handlar livsmedel online är: Att lätt kunna se varumärkets logotyp och att mängd/volym tydligt framgår. Det är också viktigt med en bild som förmedlar förpackningens innehåll, vad det är för produkt och märkningar, framförallt i form av miljömärkningar och ursprung.

Em todo o mundo, existe uma crescente competição pelo uso de água entre os diversos setores da sociedade. A agricultura é uma grande consumidora do total de água doce disponível. Neste contexto, é desejável uma realocação dos recursos hídricos usados na agricultura para outros setores, tais como o abastecimento público. Desde que realizada de forma controlada, a irrigação com efluentes de estação de tratamento de esgoto (EETE) é altamente atrativa, pois além de possibilitar a liberação de recursos hídricos de melhor qualidade para outras atividades humanas, serve como uma forma de tratamento complementar do efluente, fornecendo ainda água e nutrientes essenciais aos cultivos agrícolas. No entanto, o uso sustentável dos EETEs na agricultura depende não apenas dos aspectos químicos, físicos e biológicos do sistema soloplanta- água, como também de aspectos sócio-econômicos. Assim, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar os efeitos da irrigação com EETE no agrossistema, avaliando a aceitação da prática pelo proprietário rural e mapeando as áreas potencialmente irrigáveis com efluente no município de Lins. Dos 15 proprietários entrevistados, todos se mostraram favoráveis à prática e destinariam, ao menos uma parte da propriedade, para irrigação com o EETE. O fato do resíduo (efluente) originar-se do tratamento de esgoto urbano não influenciou a percepção dos agricultores quanto ao potencial de aproveitamento agrícola do efluente. O principal fator determinante da maior ou menor aceitação da prática diz respeito aos possíveis ganhos econômicos envolvidos (maior produtividade e menor despesa com fertilizantes minerais). Para os proprietários, o maior empecilho à adoção generalizada da prática corresponde aos custos envolvidos no transporte do efluente até as propriedades. Da área total do município de Lins, 73,42% estão cultivados com pastagens e cana-de-açúcar. Considerando-se as instruções técnicas utilizadas para a definição das áreas apropriadas para irrigação com efluente, existe no município um potencial de 112,9 km2 de áreas aptas, ou seja, 19,82% da área total do município passível de receber EETE via irrigação por aspersão. A inexistência de bases legais que regulamentem o uso deste subproduto, se apresenta como o principal fator limitante para a irrigação de culturas no município de Lins. / Worldwide, there is an increasing competition for the use of water between different sectors of society. The agriculture is a major consumer of the total fresh water available. In this context, it is desirable a reallocation of water resources used in agriculture to other sectors, such as public supply. Since done in a controlled way, irrigation with effluent from sewage treatment plants (TSE) is highly attractive, enabling the release of better water quality sources for other human activities, serving as a complementary treatment of the effluent, also providing water and essential nutrients to agricultural crops. However, the sustainable agricultural use of TSE depends not only of chemical, physical and biological aspects of the soil-plant-water system, but also of socioeconomic aspects. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of TSE irrigation in the agrosystem, evaluating the acceptance of the practice by the rural owners and mapping the potentially effluent irrigable areas in the city of Lins. Of the 15 rural owners interviewed, all were in favor of the practice and could reserve, at least a part of the property, for the irrigation with TSE. The fact that the waste (effluent) originates from the treatment of urban sewage has not influenced the perception of farmers about the potential agricultural use of the effluent. The main determining factor of greater or lesser acceptance of the practice relates to the possible economic gains involved (greater productivity and lower expenses with mineral fertilizers). For the rural owners, the biggest drawback to a widespread adoption of the practice corresponds to the costs involved in transporting the sewage to the properties. Of the total area of the municipal district of Lins, 73.42% are cultivated with grassland grass and sugarcane. Considering the technical instructions employed to define the suitable areas for effluent irrigation, there is a local potential of 112.9 km2 of suitable areas, or 19.82% of the total area of the municipality may receive STE via sprinkler irrigation. The lack of legal basis regulating the use of this byproduct represents the main restriction for the crops irrigation in the municipality of Lins.

Em todo o mundo, existe uma crescente competição pelo uso de água entre os diversos setores da sociedade. A agricultura é uma grande consumidora do total de água doce disponível. Neste contexto, é desejável uma realocação dos recursos hídricos usados na agricultura para outros setores, tais como o abastecimento público. Desde que realizada de forma controlada, a irrigação com efluentes de estação de tratamento de esgoto (EETE) é altamente atrativa, pois além de possibilitar a liberação de recursos hídricos de melhor qualidade para outras atividades humanas, serve como uma forma de tratamento complementar do efluente, fornecendo ainda água e nutrientes essenciais aos cultivos agrícolas. No entanto, o uso sustentável dos EETEs na agricultura depende não apenas dos aspectos químicos, físicos e biológicos do sistema soloplanta- água, como também de aspectos sócio-econômicos. Assim, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar os efeitos da irrigação com EETE no agrossistema, avaliando a aceitação da prática pelo proprietário rural e mapeando as áreas potencialmente irrigáveis com efluente no município de Lins. Dos 15 proprietários entrevistados, todos se mostraram favoráveis à prática e destinariam, ao menos uma parte da propriedade, para irrigação com o EETE. O fato do resíduo (efluente) originar-se do tratamento de esgoto urbano não influenciou a percepção dos agricultores quanto ao potencial de aproveitamento agrícola do efluente. O principal fator determinante da maior ou menor aceitação da prática diz respeito aos possíveis ganhos econômicos envolvidos (maior produtividade e menor despesa com fertilizantes minerais). Para os proprietários, o maior empecilho à adoção generalizada da prática corresponde aos custos envolvidos no transporte do efluente até as propriedades. Da área total do município de Lins, 73,42% estão cultivados com pastagens e cana-de-açúcar. Considerando-se as instruções técnicas utilizadas para a definição das áreas apropriadas para irrigação com efluente, existe no município um potencial de 112,9 km2 de áreas aptas, ou seja, 19,82% da área total do município passível de receber EETE via irrigação por aspersão. A inexistência de bases legais que regulamentem o uso deste subproduto, se apresenta como o principal fator limitante para a irrigação de culturas no município de Lins. / Worldwide, there is an increasing competition for the use of water between different sectors of society. The agriculture is a major consumer of the total fresh water available. In this context, it is desirable a reallocation of water resources used in agriculture to other sectors, such as public supply. Since done in a controlled way, irrigation with effluent from sewage treatment plants (TSE) is highly attractive, enabling the release of better water quality sources for other human activities, serving as a complementary treatment of the effluent, also providing water and essential nutrients to agricultural crops. However, the sustainable agricultural use of TSE depends not only of chemical, physical and biological aspects of the soil-plant-water system, but also of socioeconomic aspects. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of TSE irrigation in the agrosystem, evaluating the acceptance of the practice by the rural owners and mapping the potentially effluent irrigable areas in the city of Lins. Of the 15 rural owners interviewed, all were in favor of the practice and could reserve, at least a part of the property, for the irrigation with TSE. The fact that the waste (effluent) originates from the treatment of urban sewage has not influenced the perception of farmers about the potential agricultural use of the effluent. The main determining factor of greater or lesser acceptance of the practice relates to the possible economic gains involved (greater productivity and lower expenses with mineral fertilizers). For the rural owners, the biggest drawback to a widespread adoption of the practice corresponds to the costs involved in transporting the sewage to the properties. Of the total area of the municipal district of Lins, 73.42% are cultivated with grassland grass and sugarcane. Considering the technical instructions employed to define the suitable areas for effluent irrigation, there is a local potential of 112.9 km2 of suitable areas, or 19.82% of the total area of the municipality may receive STE via sprinkler irrigation. The lack of legal basis regulating the use of this byproduct represents the main restriction for the crops irrigation in the municipality of Lins.

The diploma thesis deals with the motivation of university students to study the teaching of biology. The aim of this thesis was to find which factors influenced the students when deciding the field of their studies. Student motivation was examined using a qualitative method of semi-structured interviews. The research group consisted of 11 university students of the master's degree program of the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Education at Charles University in the teaching fields combined with biology. The research results show that the primary interest in biology was evident in respondents already during their early childhood or later at an elementary school. In relation to biology, the respondents were influenced by the family and the teachers at either primary or secondary schools. The thesis presents extrinsic and intrinsic motives for the study of biology. The choice of teaching was affected the most by the interest in working with children and the expectation of creative work in the future, even though the respondents were aware of the low financial valuation, the time and psychological demands of the profession. The biology teachers also opted for the possibility of further subject developing and supporting interest in biology interest among pupils. The thesis also contains a...