<p> In the history of scientific visualization techniques there is a lack of social science practices and methodologies. The advent of modern computer graphics brought the use of visualizations into a whole new era, but even though the tools by which such modern visualizations are created become easier to access and use, the lack of social science researchers harvesting the benefits of such tools still remain. This ease of use, increase in power and accessibility plus the ever growing need within the natural sciences to augment the human senses has further complicated the relationship between scientific methodologies, validity, reliability and the use of visualization techniques. This relationship must be explored, demystified and understood in order to fully grasp the impact of visualization practices when incorporated into any given scientific method. Within the social sciences there is one example of a tradition that has since its conception carried within it a graphical notion and a visualization practice. Time geography, a theory/method from the field of human/cultural geography has at its core a set of visualization techniques that encapsulate the very framework of time geographical analysis. Since it has been an integral part of the method trough out its history, it provides the perfect example for the study of the relationship between graphical visualization techniques and methodological development. The essay uses time geography as a case to construct and try out a set of scientific and methodological perspectives on the use of modern visualization techniques in social science practices. It is not an attempt to critically deconstruct this relationship within time geography, rather it points to a possible approach to the study of visualization techniques and their impact/role in the development of social science practices.</p> / <p>Den vetenskapliga visualiserings historia visar en tydlig brist på exempel från samhällsvetenskapliga praktiker och metoder. Den moderna datorgrafikens utveckling har tagit den vetenskapliga visualiseringen till nya nivåer, men trots att verktygen för skapandet av moderna datorgrafiska visualiseringar blivit lättare att hantera och förfoga över lyser de samhällsvetenskapliga exemplen på adopterandet av dessa verktyg fortfarande med sin frånvaro. Vertygens ökande grad av användarvänlighet och kraft, samt de naturvetenskapliga traditionernas ständigt växande behov att gå bortom de mänskliga sinnenas begränsningar har gjort relationen mellan visualiseringstekniker och vetenskapliga metoder, dess reliabilitet och validitet ytterligare komplicerad. För atttill fullo förstå hur inkorporerandet av visuella praktiker och modeller påverkar en metods utveckling i övrigt måste denna relation utforskas och analyseras. Inom samhällsvetenskapen finns en tradition som sedan sin tillkomst burit med sig ett visuellt språk och en visualiseringspraktik. Tidsgeografin, en delvis kulturgeografisk tradition har i själva sitt kärnspråk en serie viusaliseringsmodeller vilka är central del av metodens analysverktyg. Tidsgeografin erbjuder därmed ett utmärkt exempel för studier av relationen mellan vetenskapliga visualiseringspraktiker och metodologisk utveckling. Uppsatsen använder tidsgeografins metod och historia som en fallstudie i ett försök att konstruera och pröva ett antal vetenskapsteoretiska och metodologiska perspektiv på användandet av vetenskaplig visualisering inom samhällsvetenskapen. Uppsatsen är inte ett försök att kritiskt dekonstruera tidsgeografin, snarare visar den på en möjlig väg att närma sig studiet av moderna visualiseringsteknikers påverkan/roll i samhällsvetenskaplig metodutveckling.</p>

<p>Although we live in a society abundant with images, the subject of illustrations in scientific communication seems to have become a blind spot. The study of scientific communication is an interdisciplinary field, where written and visual language is studied separately from one another. The aim of this master thesis is to break with tradition and look at the use of illustrations, their form and frequency, in a random selection of Swedish contemporary doctoral theses to make an attempt to explain why some scholars do not use illustrations as much as others. The found graphics are discussed in their faculty and departmental context, and the aspects of page design, electronic availability, and publishing tradition are also included in this discussion. By looking at some activities surrounding the author of a doctoral thesis, such as writers’s manuals, computer graphic tools, and the role of librarians, proof was found to support a genre and activity theory, as described by Charles Bazerman. This study presents an overview of illustrations occurring in dissertations in a way that was not done before, opening up for further studies about the form and function of scientific illustrations as important carriers of information.</p> / <p>Fastän vi lever i ett samhälle som är översvämmat av bilder verkar vetenskapliga illustrationer vara ett ämne som förblivit ett slags blind punkt. Studierna av vetenskaplig kommunikation är ett interdisciplinärt område där det skrivna och visuella språket behandlas var för sig. Målet med denna D-uppsats är att bryta detta mönster och att undersöka bruket av illustrationer i en tillfälligt utvald samling svenska moderna avhandlingar för att se om det går att förklara varför en del forskare använder färre bilder än andra. De funna illustrationerna diskuteras i deras fakultets- och institutionssammanhang, och aspekterna sidutseende, elektronisk tillgång och utgivningssätt lyfts fram. Genom att titta på en del aktiviteter som omger författaren till en dissertation, som t.ex. skrivhandledningar, verktyg för datorgrafik och bibliotekariens roll, kunde bevis hittas för den genre- och aktivitetsteori som beskrivits av Charles Bazerman. Studien presenterar en översikt av förekommande illustrationer i doktorsavhandlingar som inte gjorts förut och öppnar vägen för nya studier om vetenskapliga bilders utseende och funktion som viktiga informationsbärare.</p>

Although we live in a society abundant with images, the subject of illustrations in scientific communication seems to have become a blind spot. The study of scientific communication is an interdisciplinary field, where written and visual language is studied separately from one another. The aim of this master thesis is to break with tradition and look at the use of illustrations, their form and frequency, in a random selection of Swedish contemporary doctoral theses to make an attempt to explain why some scholars do not use illustrations as much as others. The found graphics are discussed in their faculty and departmental context, and the aspects of page design, electronic availability, and publishing tradition are also included in this discussion. By looking at some activities surrounding the author of a doctoral thesis, such as writers’s manuals, computer graphic tools, and the role of librarians, proof was found to support a genre and activity theory, as described by Charles Bazerman. This study presents an overview of illustrations occurring in dissertations in a way that was not done before, opening up for further studies about the form and function of scientific illustrations as important carriers of information. / Fastän vi lever i ett samhälle som är översvämmat av bilder verkar vetenskapliga illustrationer vara ett ämne som förblivit ett slags blind punkt. Studierna av vetenskaplig kommunikation är ett interdisciplinärt område där det skrivna och visuella språket behandlas var för sig. Målet med denna D-uppsats är att bryta detta mönster och att undersöka bruket av illustrationer i en tillfälligt utvald samling svenska moderna avhandlingar för att se om det går att förklara varför en del forskare använder färre bilder än andra. De funna illustrationerna diskuteras i deras fakultets- och institutionssammanhang, och aspekterna sidutseende, elektronisk tillgång och utgivningssätt lyfts fram. Genom att titta på en del aktiviteter som omger författaren till en dissertation, som t.ex. skrivhandledningar, verktyg för datorgrafik och bibliotekariens roll, kunde bevis hittas för den genre- och aktivitetsteori som beskrivits av Charles Bazerman. Studien presenterar en översikt av förekommande illustrationer i doktorsavhandlingar som inte gjorts förut och öppnar vägen för nya studier om vetenskapliga bilders utseende och funktion som viktiga informationsbärare.

Many Canadian children from minority status groups experience long-term academic complexities, influencing their sense of school belonging and engagement (Willms, 2003; Willms & Flanagan, 2007). Research demonstrates children with intersecting differences of race, ethnicity, language, and disability, and those in their middle years (10-13 years old), undergo heightened academic challenges (Blanchett, Klingner, & Harry, 2009; Cobbold, 2005). Within Toronto, one of the most diverse Canadian cities, this study explores the narratives of 6 middle years children with intersecting differences of race, ethnicity, language, and disabilities. The narratives highlight participants’ understandings of differences, learning, and inclusion. Specifically, what are marginalized children’s personal schooling experiences, and how may these insights support inclusive learning, teaching, and sense of belonging? Underpinned by conceptual lenses of (a) critical theory, from which stems critical pedagogy and critical multicultural education, and (b) the “new sociology of childhood” (Greene & Hogan, 2005), which includes social constructivist and participatory frames, this study employed qualitative narrative and critical discourse analysis research methods throughout 7 research sessions over a 4 month period. Accessing children’s multiple views, data collection included a “mosaic” (Clark & Moss, 2001) multi-method approach, such as semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions, writing activities, imaginative story games, photography, and drawings. The children’s narratives are re-presented as portrait narrative summaries within this paper. Surfacing findings include two predominant themes: (a) Participants’ conceptualizations of differences, race, ethnicity, language, culture, disability, and autism. Participants’ views relate to theories of denying differences, colour blindness, White discourse, and Othering; and (b) Interconnecting factors of inclusive and exclusive elements contributing to participants’ overall sense of school belonging. Additionally this theme highlights matters of meritocracy, individualization, and the “good” student. Underscoring both themes are notions of normalcy, and deficit and deficient-based discourses. Inviting student voice into educational conversations and research processes, this study demonstrates the importance of listening to voices of children with intersecting differences, as they may adeptly advance areas of inclusion and diversity.

Many Canadian children from minority status groups experience long-term academic complexities, influencing their sense of school belonging and engagement (Willms, 2003; Willms & Flanagan, 2007). Research demonstrates children with intersecting differences of race, ethnicity, language, and disability, and those in their middle years (10-13 years old), undergo heightened academic challenges (Blanchett, Klingner, & Harry, 2009; Cobbold, 2005). Within Toronto, one of the most diverse Canadian cities, this study explores the narratives of 6 middle years children with intersecting differences of race, ethnicity, language, and disabilities. The narratives highlight participants’ understandings of differences, learning, and inclusion. Specifically, what are marginalized children’s personal schooling experiences, and how may these insights support inclusive learning, teaching, and sense of belonging? Underpinned by conceptual lenses of (a) critical theory, from which stems critical pedagogy and critical multicultural education, and (b) the “new sociology of childhood” (Greene & Hogan, 2005), which includes social constructivist and participatory frames, this study employed qualitative narrative and critical discourse analysis research methods throughout 7 research sessions over a 4 month period. Accessing children’s multiple views, data collection included a “mosaic” (Clark & Moss, 2001) multi-method approach, such as semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions, writing activities, imaginative story games, photography, and drawings. The children’s narratives are re-presented as portrait narrative summaries within this paper. Surfacing findings include two predominant themes: (a) Participants’ conceptualizations of differences, race, ethnicity, language, culture, disability, and autism. Participants’ views relate to theories of denying differences, colour blindness, White discourse, and Othering; and (b) Interconnecting factors of inclusive and exclusive elements contributing to participants’ overall sense of school belonging. Additionally this theme highlights matters of meritocracy, individualization, and the “good” student. Underscoring both themes are notions of normalcy, and deficit and deficient-based discourses. Inviting student voice into educational conversations and research processes, this study demonstrates the importance of listening to voices of children with intersecting differences, as they may adeptly advance areas of inclusion and diversity.

Ce mémoire se veut un examen épistémologique de la thèse psychoévolutionniste de Leda Cosmides et John Tooby, principalement en ce qui concerne la modularité massive. Nous avons tâché de voir si la modularité massive permet de rendre compte des processus mentaux complexes en nous penchant plus particulièrement sur le cas des émotions. Nous explorons d'abord la thèse de Cosmides et Tooby en la distinguant d'avec d'autres conceptions comme l'écologie béhaviorale et en expliquant le rôle particulier que jouent les émotions au sein de la théorie. Nous analysons ensuite la thèse de la modularité massive et les différents arguments théoriques ou empiriques qui l'appuient, et évaluons finalement des critiques de la modularité émises par certains philosophes, dont David Buller. / In this thesis, we enquired about the philosophical and empirical foundations of the psycho-evolutionary model of Cosmides and Tooby, especially with regards their Massive Modularity Thesis (MMT). We wanted to determine whether the MMT can account for complex mental processes such as emotions. The thesis first gives a general explanation of evolutionary psychology (as opposed to behavioral ecology or sociobiology) then evaluates different lines of argument for MMT. We then turn to the philosophical criticism of MMT by David Buller.

This master thesis’ purpose is to examine how high school students comprehends of news. This will be done by conducting group interviews. By using theories regarding “first and second order concepts”, that originates from history teaching didactics, but using them in a social science context to separate substantive concepts from compound concepts. Furthermore, the study provides insight on how twelve high school students comprehension of three specific news items. Finally, the thesis examines what makes the students’ motivated to follow the news. The results show that the level of comprehension varies depending on which of the three news items the students discuss during the interviews. This might depend on the level of relevance the news has towards the students’ own interests, background or where the news originates from. In summary, this thesis gives a snapshot image of students comprehension and reactions to the news items and what motivates them to stay updated with the news. This result can be useful for any teacher using news as an instrument for achieving the knowledge requirements in the syllabus for social sciences in Swedish high-schools. / Denna studie ska undersöka hur gymnasielever förstår nyheter. Undersökningen kommer utföras genom fokusgruppsintervjuer. Vidare används teorier rörande första och andra gradens kunskaper ”first and second order concepts” hämtade från historiedidaktiken men applicerade i en samhällskunskapskontext, undersöka vilka kunskapsuttryck som eleverna visar i genom sina uttalanden. Vidare har även elevernas motivation till att följa nyheter undersökts. Resultatet visar att elevernas förståelse skilt sig beroende på vilka nyheter som har diskuterats. Med detta har även tecknen på första ordningens såväl andra ordningens kunskaper varierat. Detta kan bero på nyheternas relevans och närhet till eleverna. Avslutningsvis ger denna studie en ögonblicks bild av hur elever förstår sig på och talar om nyheter. Detta kan vara användbart för samhällskunskapslärare som i sin lärargärning vill använda nyheter som ett instrument för att uppnå målen i samhällskunskap.

The Swedish curriculum for the upper secondary school has been through a major change in the new corriculom that came in 2011 together with the new law concerning the Swedish schoolsystem (SFS 2010:800). The process behind these documents has been the main purpose and goal of this study. This has taken the form of a discourse analysis of all the material that led to the making of the current curriculum and the law concerning the Swedish school system. The discourse analysis looked after mechanisms of exclusion in both the process and the finished products of the two documents and also focused to see if there were any ethnocentric features present. The result shows that the curriculum together with the Swedish law concerning the school system is in a paradoxical relationship where Swedish teachers have to be inclusive in the pupils right to express different opinions, and at the same time be exclusive as only democratic values as is tradition in the west are to be accepted. At the same time there are some ethnocentric features present regarding how these democratic values should be thought, as it says it should follow western humanism and Christian ethics and values. These paradoxical and ethnocentric elements who are found within these documents show that some people may be excluded and that teachers may have to sacrifice either the students right to express themselves or their cultural differences or sacrifice the core values from whom the teachers are forced to abide to.

Islam, its texts and lived practice, finds growing importance within the global discourse on bioethics, as there is an increasing Muslim population and burgeoning interest in biomedical research and biotechnologies in the Muslim world. The aim of this thesis is to assess if and how Islam influences the ethical decision making of researchers, REC (researcher ethics committee) members, guideline developers and Islamic scholars in the biomedical research context. I began addressing this question by first reviewing the literature that has been published to explore the role that Islam plays in the literature on biomedical research ethics. There is evidence that some Muslim countries have developed "Islamic" guidelines. That is, guidelines with the explicit aim of setting out Islamic values and stating their relevance to the ethics of research. A review of research guidelines employed within countries with a significant Muslim population, was carried out, to investigate the role of Islam in such guidelines. The literature and guideline review revealed that although international guidelines have been adapted to incorporate Islamic views, studies have shown that the latter are of limited practical application within a "Muslim country" setting. An empirical study was carried out in two case study sites to assess the extent to which Islam influences ethical decision making within the context of biomedical research. 56 semi-structured interviews were carried out in Malaysia (38) and Iran (18) with researchers, REC members, guideline developers and Islamic scholars to understand whether Islam influences what they consider to be an ethico-legal problem, and if the latter emerges, then how such issues are addressed. The empirical study indicates five main conclusions. The first is that Islam and its institutional forms do impact ethical decision making in the day-to-day practice of biomedical research in countries with a Muslim population and/or in the research careers of Muslim researchers. Secondly, it shows that there are many distinctive mechanisms, such as the involvement of Islamic scholars, the process of ijtihad (independent reasoning) and the production of fatawah (legal edicts), by which Islam does identify and develop ethical views about biomedical matters. Thirdly, HIV/AIDS poses major challenges to the world of Islam as it does the rest of world. The epidemic raises issues that touch on cultural sensitivities that are important to Islamic societies and this study has shown that no simple or single response was observed to the ethical issues arising from HIV/AIDS. Fourthly, researchers face practical challenges when deliberating women's autonomy in contexts where Islam is appropriated within 'male dominated' contexts. The role and status of women is disputed in such contexts with views ranging from women needing their husband's permission to leave the home to men and women having equal freedoms. Finally, this study describes and analyses how the personal faith of researchers and their deep commitment to Islamic ethics and law influences their understanding of their legal and moral accountability and ethico-legal decision making. It shows that researchers adopt multiple roles and are required to balance numerous value systems and priorities and face moral anxiety and frustration when these different moral sources are in conflict. Overall, this study indicates that, in the countries studied, Islam does influence biomedical research ethics, and that this can be appreciated through the growing reference to Islam and its scriptural sources in biomedical research ethics literature, research ethics guidelines and the role of Islam in the day-to-day practice of biomedical researchers in the case study sites, that has been captured in the empirical study.

This thesis is about the phenomenon filter bubble and how it affects the participant democracy. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze how participant democracy is presented together with the filter bubbles in articles of filter bubbles. The questions that is answered inthis thesis is: In which way is filter bubble described in the Swedish newspapers “Dagens Nyheter” and “Svenska Dagbladet”? How is participant democracy presented in relation tofilter bubbles? The results show us that the Swedish newspapers DN and SvD is presenting the filter bubbles in their articles and has different arguments that goes within the participant democracy.