Advances in science and computing technology have accelerated the development and dissemination of a wide range of big data platforms such as bioinformatics into the biomedical and life sciences environments. Bioinformatics brings the promise of enabling life scientists to easily and effectively access large and complex data sets in new ways, thus promoting scientific discoveries by for example generating, validating, and refining hypotheses based on in silico analysis (performed on computer). Meanwhile, life scientists still face challenges in working with big data sets such as difficulties in data extraction and analyses arising from distributed and heterogeneous databases, user interface inconsistencies and discrepancies in results. Moreover, the interdisciplinary nature of modern science adds to significant gaps in scientists' performance caused by limited proficiency levels with bioinformatics resources and a lack of common language across different disciplines. Although developers of bioinformatics platforms are slowly beginning to move away from function-oriented software engineering approaches and towards to user-centered design approaches, they rarely consider users' value, and expectations that embrace different user contexts. Further, there is an absence of research that specifically aims to support the broad range of users from multiple fields of study, including 'wet' (lab-based) and dry' (computational) research communities. Therefore, the ultimate goal of this research is to investigate life scientists' user experiences with knowledge resources and derive design implications for delivering consistent user experiences across different user classes in order to better support data-intensive research communities. To achieve this research goal, we used the theory of distributed cognition as a framework for representing the dynamic interactions among end users and knowledge resources within computer-supported and -mediated environments. To be specific, this research focused on how online bioinformatics resources can be improved in order to both mitigate performance differences among the diverse user classes and better support distributed cognitive activities in data-intensive interdisciplinary research environments. This research consists of three parts: (1) understanding user experience levels with current bioinformatics resources and key determinants to encourage distributed cognitive activities, especially knowledge networking, (2) gaining in-depth understanding of scientists' insight generation behavior and human performance associated with individual differences (i.e., research roles and cognitive styles), and (3) identifying in-context usefulness, and barriers to make better use of bioinformatics resources in real working research contexts and derive design considerations to satisfactorily support positive user experiences. To achieve our research goals, we used a mixed-methods research approach that combines both quantitative (Study 1 and 2) and qualitative (Study 3) methods. First, as a baseline for subsequent studies, we conducted an empirical survey to examine 1) user experience levels with current bioinformatics resources, 2) important criteria to adequately support user requirements, 3) levels of knowledge networking (i.e., knowledge sharing and use) and relationship to users' larger set of distributed cognitive activities, and, 4) key barriers and enablers of knowledge networking. We collected responses from 179 scientists and our findings revealed that lack of integration, inconsistent results and user interfaces across bioinformatics resources, and perceived steep learning curves are current limitations to productive user experiences. Performance-related factors such as speed and responsiveness of resources and ease of use ranked relatively high as important criteria for bioinformatics resources. Our research also confirmed that source credibility, fear of getting scooped, and certain motivation factors (i.e., reciprocal benefit, reputation, and altruism) have an influence on scientists' intention to engage in distributed cognitive activities. Second, we conducted a laboratory experiment with a sample of 16 scientists in the broad area of bench and application sciences. We elicited 1) behavior characteristics, 2) insight characteristics, 3) gaze characteristics, and 4) human errors in relation to individual differences (i.e., research roles such as bench and application scientists, cognitive styles such as field-independent and dependent people) to identify whether human performance gaps exist. Our results (1) confirmed significant differences with respect to insight generation behavior and human performance depending on research roles, and (2) identified some relationships between scientists' cognitive styles and human performance. Third, we collected a rich set of qualitative data from 6 scientists using a longitudinal diary study and a focus group session. The specific objective of this study was to identify in-context usefulness and barriers to using knowledge resources in a real work context to subsequently derive focused design implications. For this work, we examined 1) the types of distributed cognitive activities participants performed, 2) the challenges and alternative actions they faced, 3) important criteria that influenced tasks, and 4) values to support distributed cognitive activities. Based on the empirical findings of this study, we suggest design considerations to support scientists' distributed cognitive activities from user experience perspectives. Overall, this research provides insights and implications for user interface design in order to support data-intensive interdisciplinary communities. Given the importance of today's knowledge-based interdisciplinary society, our findings can also serve as an impetus for accelerating a collaborative culture of scientific discovery in online biomedical and life science research communities. The findings can contribute to the design of online bioinformatics resources to support diverse groups of professionals from different disciplinary backgrounds. Consequently, the implications of these findings can help user experience professionals and system developers working in biomedical and life sciences who seek ways to better support research communities from user experience perspectives. / Ph. D.

This dissertation employs a mixed methods research design to examine the travel behavior of immigrants (individuals with an immigration background) in Vienna, Austria. Almost half of the city´s population has an immigration background. This study aims to understand the motivations, perceptions and attitudes influencing the travel behavior of individuals with an immigration background. The two main dependent variables in the analysis throughout the dissertation are mode choice and the satisfaction with six aspects of public transit: costs, travel time, equipment, connectivity, waiting times and safety. The first part of the dissertation will present a quantitative analysis of two datasets, one provided by Statistik Austria, and one self-conducted survey, in which overall trends and predicting factors of travel behavior in Vienna will be presented. The second part of the dissertation offers a qualitative view on travel behavior. 21 semi-structured interviews have been conducted with individuals with and without an immigration background to further the understanding of the underlying factors leading to their travel behavior. The quantitative analysis has shown that individuals with an immigration background from Turkey or former Yugoslavia in general drive more and ride public transit less than individuals without an immigration background. This effect is especially prevalent for work-trips. Individuals with an immigration background from Turkey or former Yugoslavia are also less satisfied with the majority of the six aspects of public transit. The interviews have shown that the rationale between driving more for individuals with an immigration background from Turkey or former Yugoslavia do not stem from transportation or land-use related factors, but rather from political attitudes and viewing the car as a status symbol. Policies set out by the government, such as introducing a cheap annual pass compared with most other cities, are seen negatively as a push to make people give up their cars and use public transit exclusively. The interviews have also found that perceptions of public transit for individuals with an immigration background are greatly influenced by previous experiences regarding public transit in other countries. This dissertation fills a methodological and substantial gap. First, it employs mixed-methods research design using phenomenology in the qualitative analysis to capture the experiences of the interview participants in an accurate way. Substantially, this research has shown, that policies which aim at incentivizing individuals to switch to public transit by offering affordable annual passes do not reach some individuals with an immigration background due to government skepticism. Cities employing transportation policies should not view transportation as a mere technical realm, but rather as a construct filled with social, cultural, and economic aspects. / Doctor of Philosophy / Most large cities in the world have large immigrant populations. However, there is not much scholarly research on how these people travel within these cities in daily life. Additionally, the perceptions of immigrants and non-immigrants regarding public transit will be examined. In this dissertation, there will be four main research topics. First, through statistical analysis, the differences of travelling within the city between immigrants and non-immigrants is analyzed. Second, the reasons and motivations behind these travel patterns will be investigated through interviews with immigrants and non-immigrants. Third, the differences in the perceptions of public transit between immigrants and non-immigrants will be understood. Finally, the underlying reasons behind the perceptions of public transit will be investigated. In this study, I am using statistical analysis as well as interviews to address the four research topics. The statistical analysis has shown that Turkish or former Yugoslavian immigrants are more likely to drive regularly, particularly when travelling for work-related purposes, compared to non-immigrants. The interviews have showed that the reason behind this travel behavior lies in a skeptical attitude towards public transit, which has primarily political reasons. Additionally, these immigrants see the car as a high-status symbol representing economic success

Studiens syfte är att beskriva och analysera chefer och medarbetare syn på sina organisatoriska förutsättningar att etablera evidensbaserad praktik (EBP) i socialtjänsten. I uppsatsen läggs ett särskilt fokus på den organisatoriska förutsättningen strategiskt ledarskap och dess betydelse i en EBP-kontext. Frågeställningarna behandlar huruvida det finns en tydlig riktning kring hur verksamheten ska utvecklas, om konkreta förutsättningarna skapas för genomförandet, ifall kontinuerlig uppföljning och återkoppling ges på arbetet samt om det finns uthållighet i utvecklingsarbetet i organisationen. Skillnader i uppfattning mellan chefer och medarbetare undersöks. Empirin har hämtats från två barn- och ungdomsenheter i Stockholms stad i form av en enkätundersökning och fyra fokusgrupper. Materialet har analyserats utifrån tidigare forskning om ledarskap kopplat till implementering av EBP samt Scheins ramverk om organisationskultur och ledarskap. Resultaten från enkätundersökningen visar på statistiskt säkerställda skillnader i uppfattning mellan chefer och medarbetare: cheferna svarar genomgående i en mer positiv riktning än medarbetare. Resultaten från fokusgrupperna visar möjligheter att skapa tydlig riktning, flera likheter i uppfattning om konkreta förutsättningar samt möjligheter att utveckla arbetet med uppföljning och återkoppling. Faktorer som påverkar uthålligheten i organisationen lyfts fram. Sammanfattningsvis visar undersökningen att det strategiska ledarskapet ännu inte finns fullt ut i de undersökta organisationerna men viktiga steg har tagits för att skapa denna organisatoriska förutsättning. Resultat från undersökningen pekar också mot att man framöver bör arbeta mer systematiskt med att inkludera medarbetarna i arbetet med att etablera en evidensbaserad praktik. / The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze social work managers’ and employees’ views of the organizational prerequisites to establish evidence-based practice (EBP) in the social services. The thesis has a particular focus on the organizational preconditions of strategic leadership and its importance in an EBP context. The research questions reflect whether the strategy for development is clear, if conditions are established for implementation, if continuous evaluation is used and feedback given, and whether there is perseverance regarding the developmental work in the organization. Differences in the opinions between managers and employees are examined. The study has a mixed-methods approach. Empirical data were derived from two children and youth units in Stockholm city in the form of a survey and four focus groups. The material was analyzed based on previous research on leadership related to implementation of EBP and Schein's framework of organizational culture and leadership. The results from the survey show statistically significant differences in the opinions between managers and employees: managers consistently respond in a more positive direction compared to the employees. The results from the focus groups show opportunities to provide clear direction, several similarities in opinion about how to create concrete conditions for implementation, as well as possibilities to develop work on evaluation and feedback. These results further highlight factors related to sustainability for strategic leadership. To conclude, the investigations of present study find that the strategic leadership does not yet characterize these organizations, but important steps have been taken in developing this organizational condition. Moreover, the results indicate that future work would benefit from systematically involve employees in the developing efforts to establish an evidence-based practice.

This study is about the comparison of distance and conventional education programs at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. It is assessed in terms of access, delivery modes and output. The purpose is to investigate and to compare the impact of distance and conventional education on the performances of learners in a postgraduate degree program (B.Ed. (Hons) with specialization in Education Management, assessed in terms of access, delivery and output. It explored documents that were both at the macro (Government Policy documents) and macro (University’s / Faculty documents) with the aim of answering the main research question, with other identified sub-research questions that have been raised.: What is the comparison between the impact of distance and conventional education on the performances of learners in a postgraduate BEd (Hons) degree program with specialization in Education Management, when assessed in terms of access, delivery mode and output? A review of relevant literature exposed and compared the essence of both modes of delivery. Data were collected from identified key role players on the program, which included administrators, module coordinators, course presenters, and tutors, some of the students on the program, and some of those that had discontinued their studies with the university. These were done using one-on-one semi-structured and focus group interviews, telephone interviews and questionnaires in order to obtain qualitative and quantitative data. A sample of 127 distance education students, 45 conventional students, 6 module coordinators, 10 course presenters, 4 tutors, 4 administrators, 1 instructional designer and 10 students that had discontinued their studies participated in the investigation. The data collected were analysed through the use descriptive and inferential statistics, and tabulation for the quantitative data, while the computer assisted qualitative data analysis software [CAQDAS] (Atlas.ti) was employed for the analysis of the transcribed interviews. From the data obtained, it was confirmed that there is a myriad of possible factors that may be responsible for the divergences in the performances, throughput and output rates of enrolled students on the BEd (Hons) Education Management, Law and Policy at the University of Pretoria. It was further revealed that South Africa has identified distance education as a tool of redressing past inequalities in higher education, a process, which the university was involved in by starting relevant programs to this end. However, even though equal access is the focus of the country, but it appeared as if little is being said about financially supporting distance education as for instance, there was no financial assistance to distance education students on the program. Due to the incursion of the university into areas, where the impact of university education had not previously being felt, its choice of the mode of delivery was limited to the print, the first generation, which was expected to bring all students on the program at par since all would have access to it. However, despite the efforts made by the university, it was discovered that there existed some gaps between the qualities of the learning experiences, which students from both modes were exposed to. Examples of those identified were lack of designated counseling unit for distance education students, and inadequate number of administrative staff to meet the needs of the ever increasing number of distance education students. However, it appeared that there were no prominent discrepancies that could be found between the two modes, and one could assume that both modes were guided by a similar underpinning philosophy, which drove the ethos of the programs that impacted on the instructional design. It was also found that there were challenges faced by the academic staff involved in the program under investigation, who felt that there might be the need for the institution to demarcate between academe interested in distance education, and those that were not, and the need for the institution to review its stand on rewards and incentives systems for staff involved in distance education. It was believed by them that this would be the way out of the dearth of research presently facing the university on this delivery mode. The study suggests that quality issues especially in relation to an African setting should be looked into, since a large percentage of the students involved in the program were from the rural areas. Finally, the study identified various limitations, and made suggestions for further research, and recommendations for improvement and immediate action. / Thesis (PhD (Curriculum Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

The thesis investigates propaganda in the online news coverage about the media law proposal Lex TVN, committed to the Polish parliament in 2021. The mixed methods approach applied in the research is based on a novel analytical matrix combining the Propaganda Model theory (Herman & Chomsky, 1988) and modalities of propaganda techniques (Da San Martino et al., 2020). The main findings indicate that propaganda in the coverage about the Lex TVN is a cross-platform issue; that it occured in different forms, as: sources, critical content (flak) or expressions of ideological preferences; and that it was created using various propaganda techniques. Moreover, the analysis demonstrates that propaganda was used for several reasons: to attract attention of the readers; to increase the firm’s profit and popularity; to express the stance of the media brand towards the bill Lex TVN; and to criticize the current government. The study contributes to the field of Media and Communication Studies by using the novel analytical matrix that tests the applicability of the PM in a new geopolitical context, Poland, and adds to the academically unexplored research area of news propaganda in Polish media. Several topics for further studies are suggested: the analysis of propaganda in the news coverage published by the Polish state media brand TVPInfo; an investigation of the news reception in Poland and the ability of the Polish news readers to identify news propaganda; and lastly, studying potential positive effects of news propaganda in the Polish context.

No description available.

Background: Mixed-methods research (MMR) offers much to healthcare professions on clinical and research levels. Speech-language therapists and audiologists work in both educational and health settings where they deal with real-world problems. Through the nature of their work, they are confronted with multifaceted questions arising from their efforts to provide evidence-based services to individuals of all ages with communication disorders. MMR methods research is eminently suited to addressing such questions. Objective: The aim of this tutorial is to increase awareness of the value of MMR, especially for readers less familiar with this research approach. Method: A literature review was conducted to provide an overview of the key issues in MMR. The tutorial discusses the various issues to be considered in the critical appraisal of MMR, followed by an explanation of the process of conducting MMR. A critical review describes the strengths and challenges in MMR. Results: MMR is less commonly used or published in the fields of speech-language therapy and audiology. Conclusion: Researchers working in teams can draw on the strengths of different disciples and their research approaches. Such collaborative enterprises will contribute to capacity building. Researchers, SLTs and audiologists are encouraged to make use of MMR to address the complex research issues in the multicultural, multifaceted South African context. MMR makes an important contribution to the understanding of individuals with communication disorders, and in turn, researchers in the two disciplinary fields of speech-language therapy and audiology can contribute to the development of this research approach. MMR is well suited to the complexity of South African contexts and its populations, as it can provide multiple perspectives of a topic.

The overall aim of the present thesis was to investigate experiences of living with multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB), using methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization as an illustration, and to develop and validate a tool to describe healthcare personnel’s attitudes towards patients with MDRB. A further objective was to study MRSA-colonized persons’ and healthcare personnel’s experiences of patient-professional interactions and responsibilities for infection prevention. Four empirical studies were conducted. A total of 18 MRSA-colonized persons and 20 healthcare personnel were interviewed regarding their experiences, and a total of 726 RNs responded the MDRB Attitude Questionnaire. The findings revealed the difficulties associated with living with MRSA colonization, which was described as something uncertain, and as an indefinable threat that has to be managed in both everyday life and in contacts with healthcare. Interactions with healthcare personnel were described as unprofessional owing to personnel’s inappropriate behaviour and insufficient information provision. According to the personnel, achieving adequate patient-professional interactions required having knowledge and experiences of MRSA. They also experienced difficulties in providing tailored information to patients. The MRSA-colonized persons described their unwanted responsibility to inform healthcare personnel about the colonization, but also felt responsible for limiting the spread of infection to others. Furthermore, responsibility for infection control was regarded as shared between healthcare personnel and patients. The personnel described such responsibility as a natural part of their daily work, although it was not always easy to adhere to hygiene precautions. The MRSA-colonized persons felt that healthcare personnel have insufficient knowledge of the bacteria and of hygiene precautions. The MDRB Attitude Questionnaire showed that registered nurses do have knowledge deficiencies. The MDRB Attitude Questionnaire has adequate psychometric properties. In conclusion, MRSA colonization constitutes a psychological strain for carriers, and interactions with healthcare personnel resulted in feelings of stigmatization. The present thesis indicates that there is a need to improve healthcare personnel’s knowledge, behaviour and emotional response in relation to patients with MDRB, in order to ensure patient safety and address patients’ needs. The heads of department is responsible for such improvements, and the MDRB Attitude Questionnaire is useful in identifying areas in need for improvement.

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the potential use of Sandplay psychotherapy with an adolescent who presented with poor self-esteem. In conducting my research I assessed one adolescent’s selfesteem by means of quantitative and qualitative measures and identified potential aspects that might require intervention, related to self-esteem. After the initial assessment, Sandplay psychotherapy was implemented as intervention, after which the participant’s self-esteem was re-assessed, comparing the results with those obtained during the initial assessment (baseline data). For the purpose of my study, I fulfilled the role of researcher, involving an intern educational psychologist in assessing the participant and conducting the intervention, thereby fulfilling the role of therapist. I followed a triangulation mixed methods intervention research approach, primarily relying on the interpretivist paradigm yet being informed and elaborated upon by a post-positivist component. I studied a single clinical case situated within the context of psychotherapy outcome research. This enabled me to draw conclusions on how suitable and helpful Sandplay psychotherapy might be (or not) for an adolescent who presented with poor self-esteem. In collecting quantitative data, I employed the Self-Esteem Index (Brown&Alexander, 1991) both prior to and after the intervention had been completed. In support, a qualitative post-modern assessment was included in the form of the Rosebush technique (Oaklander, 1988). Other qualitative data collection and documentation measures include observations, semi-structured interviews (with the participant and her parents), photographs of the sand trays and a semi-structured reflection journal (of the participant), as well as reflection journals of the researcher and therapist. Based on the pre- and post-assessments I was able to compare results of the participant’s self-esteem before and after the Sandplay psychotherapy intervention had been completed. Subsequent to thematic qualitative data analysis and my comparison of the quantitative results I obtained, three main themes emerged. Firstly, the self-esteem of the participant seemed to have improved following the intervention, since her limited self-knowledge, feelings of inferiority and her uncertainty in unknown situations seemingly changed into age-appropriate self-knowledge, feelings of self-worth and facing the unknown. Secondly, she displayed changes in the emotional domain of development post-intervention. She seemed more content with her situation, reportedly feeling more safe and secure as opposed to feeling academically pressured, as was the case at the onset of my study, and having a positive future perspective. Thirdly, changes in her social domain of development occurred as she displayed age-appropriate skills, acted more assertively and felt more accepted and ready to establish relationships. Based on the findings of my study, I can conclude that it seems possible to facilitate the improvement of adolescents’ self-esteem by conducting Sandplay psychotherapy. Besides an improvement in terms of overall self-esteem, the participant in my study seemingly displayed improvement in the areas of relationships and social skills, as well as conflict resolution skills. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

In times of the pandemic, Facebook has become a virtual space that through e.g.“coronavirus support groups” (Harris, 2020), partially substitutes social interactions and allows its users to better cope with the isolation and social distancing. A public Facebook group “Lappis” established in 2006 is a space facilitating communication for the local community of the biggest student housing in Stockholm “Stora Lappkärrsberget”. Since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, Covid-related postings started to emerge in the group’s forum. The study examines Covid-related content in order to define the function of the group through describing the forms of communication around the pandemic, i.e. the themes, the scope and the ways the content is conveyed. In doing so, the model combining the uses and gratifications theory and the theory of affordances is applied, allowing to investigate the motivations and interactivity of the members through Facebook group affordances. In order to encompass the puzzle from multiple angles, an adaptive approach of mixed methods is used by combining: qualitative content analysis and survey. Key finding of the research is that the Covid-related content is a minor part of the content shared in the group, yet that it provokes extensive discussions among the members with both “aggressive” and “unaggressive” responses. Furthermore, it is argued that the group has potential to be a coronavirus support group (Harris, 2020) and a substitute for interpersonal communication (Papacharissi & Mendelson, 2011). Finally, the study identifies possibilities for future research in the further examination of local Facebook groups in the context of pandemic, in order to map the possible changes in Facebook affordances that would lead to higher reliability of those groups as spaces for sharing Covid-related content.