The purpose of this study was to conduct a qualitative inquiry into how parents at the Virginia Tech Child Development Laboratory School in Blacksburg, VA define and attempt to understand their school culture. This study was guided by the following points of inquiry: 1) to understand the ways the parents articulate their conceptualization of the lab school culture, 2) to examine how parents negotiate change in the school, 3) to identify any social, political, and/or historical factors that caused this transformation, and 4) to inform best practice in the school. Participant observation, interviews, a reflective journal, and thematic analysis were used to gain a deeper understanding of this topic. Particular attention focused on social, political, and historical factors that influenced parent understanding of the school culture. Analysis of the interviews conducted with 11 parents who currently have children enrolled in the school and entries from my personal research journal reveal the need for dialogue and careful listening of parents thoughts, beliefs, values, and goals related to the lab school in order to achieve a sense of shared understanding (Bruner, 1990) and intersubjectivity (Vygotsky, 1978) around this notion of our school culture. Suggestions for building a shared culture for learning and teaching involving all the protagonists-- children, parents, teachers, staff -- are discussed. Implications for future research on understanding school cultures are presented for consideration. / Master of Science

No / This paper explores the responses of 17 participants to using photo-elicitation as part of a project exploring their daily experiences of work-life balance. We explicitly asked participants about their experiences of using the method that involved taking photographs of their work-life balance experiences and interpreting these photographs through participation in semi- structured interviews. Participants took 108 photographs in total. We explore important methodological issues for researchers seeking to use these methods and explain that photograph-elicitation has much to offer management and organizational researchers. A major benefit of the method is the role of photographs as a ‘conversational technology’ in encouraging re-interpretation and reflection of experiences in a manner not always achieved when using other qualitative techniques.

Yes / Family carers of people with dementia have reported increased caring demands during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore seven family carers’ accounts of dementia caregiving one year into the COVID-19 pandemic in England in relation to carer resilience. Themes described the complex challenges of caring during the pandemic, with interviewees burned out and ‘caring beyond capacity’ due to unmet needs within the caring role, therein highlighting the limitations of building individual resilience only. Timely practical support for carers is essential to protect their well-being and to ward against the potential consequences of carer burnout. / Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) grant ES/V004964/1. Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) grant ES/L001853/2. Alzheimer’s Society, grant number 348, AS-PR2-16-001.

La méthode qualitative est en plein essor en médecine et particulièrement en psychiatrie, où la place du sujet, et ses représentations de la maladie et du soin sont centrales dans la prise en charge. Dans le champ de la santé de l'adolescent, de grands travaux permettent des avancées importantes dans la compréhension de la souffrance et les propositions de soins. Les méthodes qualitatives sont pourtant souvent critiquées de par leur contextualité et leur manque de pouvoir de généralisation. Une façon d'améliorer ces deux aspects consiste à appareiller les études traitant la même problématique de manière à en synthétiser les principaux résultats. Cet exercice de synthèse, notablement différent de celui de méta-analyse propre à la recherche quantitative, est réalisé depuis longtemps dans le champ des sciences humaines. Il s'agit de la métasynthèse, ou meta-ethnography. L'exercice de synthèse de la littérature est aujourd'hui de plus en plus codifié en recherche scientifique. Pourtant, certains points sont toujours en discussion - critères d'inclusion des études, critères de qualité des études-. De plus, aucune équipe psychiatrique ne s'est approprié l'outil de la métasynthèse pour l'adapter à la discipline. Ce travail décrit les étapes de la construction et de l'adaptation, à partir du corpus existant, d'une méthode rigoureuse, effective, simple à transposer et enseigner, permettant la métasynthèse de données de la littérature dans le domaine du soin psychique de l'adolescent. Il s'agit d'une part d'une réflexion théorique, épistémologique et méthodologique sur les métasynthèses et leur adaptation au champ de la clinique psychiatrique. Il s'agit d'autre part d'une construction pratique, réalisée à partir de métasynthèses effectuées sur des thématiques du soin psychique de l'adolescent. Les deux premiers articles sont deux travaux de métasynthèse. Le premier concerne l'obésité de l'adolescent. Les résultats obtenus mettent en lumière les limites de la méthode utilisée. Le deuxième article s'intéresse à la question des comportements suicidaires à l'adolescence. Les enseignements méthodologiques du premier article ont permis de perfectionner la méthode de métasynthèse. Enfin, le troisième article propose une description détaillée des étapes de la méthode construite. En discussion, nous proposons de resituer la méthode de la métasynthèse dans le contexte historique du niveau de preuve scientifique. Nous illustrons avec les articles les plus récents les liens toujours plus forts qui se construisent entre la méthode de la métasynthèse, aujourd'hui appelée Qualitative Evidence Synthesis, et la médecine fondée sur les preuves. La métasynthèse est une méthode moderne, qui montre tout son intérêt dans la recherche médicale. Notre méthode appliquée à la psychiatrie de l'adolescent est rigoureuse et fiable, et permet d'accroître la connaissance scientifique et d'améliorer la prise en charge des patients. / Qualitative research is expanding fast in medicine and especially in psychiatry, where the patient and his representations of illness and care are central to treatment. In the field of adolescent health, great work provides important advances in the understanding of suffering and care. Qualitative methods are however often criticized because of their contextuality and their lack of generalization power. One way to improve these aspects is to match studies addressing the same issue so as to synthesize the main results. From a long time, human sciences have taken hold of this exercise of synthesis, which is significantly different from meta-analysis of quantitative research. They have called this work metasynthesis or meta-ethnography. The literature synthesis exercise is now increasingly codified in scientific research. However, some points are still under discussion - For example, inclusion criteria for studies, study quality criteria -. Moreover, no metasynthesis exist in the field of psychiatric research. This work describes the stages of construction and adaptation of a simple, rigorous, efficient, easy to share and teach method, which enables to do qualitative data synthesis in the field of psychological care to adolescents. On the one hand, we propose a theoretical, epistemological and methodological reflection on metasyntheses and their adaptation to the field of psychiatric care. On the other hand, we describe a practical progression: our method is built from metasyntheses conducted on two themes of adolescent psychological care. The first two papers are both metasyntheses. The first one is about adolescent obesity. The results highlight the limitations of the method we used. The second article focuses on the issue of suicidal behavior in adolescence. The methodological lessons of the first article helped us to improve the meta-synthesis method. The third article provides a detailed description of each steps of the method. In discussion, we propose to situate the method of metasynthesis in the historical context of the scientific evidence. We illustrate with recent papers the increasingly strong links that exist between metasynthesis, now called Qualitative Evidence Synthesis, and Evidence-Based Medicine. The metasynthesis is a modern method. It shows its interest in medical research. Our method applied to adolescent psychiatry is rigorous and reliable, and can increase scientific knowledge and improve the care of patients.

Le Liban est l'un des pays les plus petits de la région. Le système politique multi confessionnel constitue la marque principale de la société libanaise. En fait, cette spécificité intervient dans tous les aspects de la société, y compris le secteur sportif. Suite à la guerre civile qui a éclaté dans le pays de 1975 jusqu'à 1990, cette distribution religieuse, et les communautés qui en résultent, sur une surface géographique restreinte, ont rapidement conduit à penser la nécessité d'avoir un gouvernement qui puisse établir une « harmonie nécessaire » entre les 18 différents groupes religieux qui sont représentées dans la majorité des partis politiques de l'après Taëf. Ce projet de thèse tend à examiner plutôt le sens «politics» dans le sport libanais ou plutôt de la «politisation du sport» (politics) au Liban et comment cette implication politique se répercutera sur l'essor sportif au Liban. A travers une méthodologie qualitative à type de Participation Observante, nous avons profité du fait de notre appartenance politique au parti AMAL pour examiner de près les différents acteurs de la vie sportive au Liban, en commençant par la structure légale des instances sportives telles qu'elles figurent dans les textes officiels. La constitution du corpus de connaissance sur lequel portera l'analyse fut des plus compliquée vu qu'il a été nécessaire de faire usage de mon appartenance politique afin d'accéder a posteriori, à certaines sources d'information. L'analyse inductive a permis de décomposer la manipulation qu'exercent les politiciens sur le sport au Liban, dont l'essor devient totalement dépendant des agendas des partis politiques / Lebanon is the smallest country in the Middle-East characterized by its multi confessional political system. This system impacts all the aspects of social activities including sports. After the eruption of the civil war from 1975 until 1990, the existence of multiple religious communities on a limited geographical area, led to rethink their redistribution within the Lebanese government in order to ensure equity between 18 different religious groups that represent the majority of political parties during the post Taef era. This PhD project aims to examine the essence of "political use of sports" within the Lebanese sport sector or the "politicization of sport" (politics) in Lebanon and how political involvement will affect sport activities in Lebanon. Through a qualitative methodological design more specifically a Participant Observation study, I took advantage of my political affiliation to AMAL party to examine closely the various actors in the Lebanese sport sector. The study began by examining the overall structure of Sports in Lebanon starting at it emergence in official texts mainly in the Lebanese constitution. Afterwards, I gathered a body of literature by the means of my political resources in order to analyze a posteriori the relevant information. Inductive analysis was used to extract chore meanings related to politicization of sport and to highlight political manipulation of sports in Lebanon. Growth of certain sport disciplines became sometimes totally dependent on political parties’ agendas

Background: Contemporary research has been studying what motivates employees in different working fields. In this study, Herzberg’s research is examined in order to take a closer look at the motivation of customer service employees. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how the employees of customer service are motivated to work by mainly relating this study’s results to Herzberg’s research. Method: The study method is a case study with qualitative research including semi-structured interviews and snowball sampling approach. Theoretical framework: The fundamental theoretical framework in this study consists of Herzberg’s two-factor motivation theory. Empirical material: The empirical material in this study consists of ten customer service employees. All the empirical data has been collected through face-to-face contact. Conclusion: The overall picture of the empirical material is that the customer service employees are motivated by these Herzberg factors: “Salary”, “Interpersonal relations”, “Policy and administration”, “Achievement”, “Recognition”, “The work itself”, “Responsibility”, “Advancement” and finally “Possibility of growth”.

Depuis les dix dernières années, la manifestation de diverses problématiques concernant la sexualisation des comportements chez les jeunes garçons et filles interpelle les parents, le personnel scolaire et les divers professionnels (Lamb & Brown, 2006). Ce phénomène, l'hypersexualisation, est en expansion en Amérique du Nord, touchant particulièrement les jeunes femmes, mais également les hommes (APA, 2007). À l'heure actuelle, les définitions existantes de ce phénomène sont surtout théoriques (non opérationnelles) et touchent principalement les enfants et les adolescents. Puisqu'au début de l'âge adulte, l'exploration identitaire, amoureuse et sexuelle sont davantage présentes (Arnett, 2000), cette période est particulièrement importante pour l'étude de l'hypersexualisation. Cette étude a donc pour objectif de fournir une définition conceptuelle de l'hypersexualisation spécifique aux jeunes adultes (18-30 ans). Afin de tenir compte de la perspective des acteurs eux-mêmes sur ce phénomène, la méthode qualitative a été privilégiée (Poupart et al., 1997). Six groupes de participants (cinq groupes de jeunes adultes ( n =23); un groupe d'intervenants (n =6)) ont participé à des entrevues de groupe (focus group) reposant sur un canevas d'entrevue semi-structurée. Les verbatim ont été retranscrits et codifiés à l'aide du logiciel d'analyse qualitative QDA Miner. L'analyse thématique en six étapes de Braun et Clarke (2006) a permis de générer une définition de l'hypersexualisation adulte reposant sur trois grands thèmes : 1) les messages sexuels omniprésents; 2) l' objectification sexuelle et 3) la relation à l'autre sexualisée. Dix sous-thèmes ont également émergé de l'analyse thématique (p. ex., surinvestissement de l'image sexualisée, désir de plaire, comportements de séduction). La définition qui en résulte a comme avantages de porter exclusivement sur les jeunes adultes, de s'adresser aux hommes et aux femmes et d'intégrer les composantes sociétale et individuelle du phénomène. La discussion met en lumière les différences entre cette définition et celles déjà formulées dans la documentation et propose des pistes de recherches futures.

Background Qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) has a long history in the social sciences, where its theoretical basis is well established. Qualitative longitudinal (QL) methods are gaining popularity in health care research for exploring the dynamic experience of illness. However, methodological development of QLR is limited within the health literature, and there are very few studies examining the experience of people with colorectal cancer (CRC). Moreover, such studies describe the experiences of those surviving CRC and the voices of those with advanced disease who are approaching the end of their lives remain largely unheard. Aim and objective This study explores the potential of QL interviewing to examine the experiences of those with advanced, metastatic, CRC. I investigate how QL interviews can be best utilised to explore the participants’ accounts of their experiences. I specifically examine the added value and costs of a flexible approach with regard to the frequency and timing of longitudinal interviews. Analytical approaches to QL data are examined to determine their overall value. Methods Sixteen patients with metastatic CRC and eight of their family carers participated in narrative interviews at three time points over the course of a year. The study was designed to include two groups of participants. The first, a routine interval group where interviews were carried out at regular intervals of six months; the second, a flexible interval group where there was an interview at baseline followed by monthly phone calls to track changes in the participants’ circumstances, with a view to conducting the interview as change was occurring. The data were analysed at each time point, and longitudinally using narrative and thematic techniques. Findings The QL design enabled a trusting relationship to evolve, such that private accounts of experience were disclosed. Thus, a nuanced and contextualised understanding of the experience of metastatic CRC materialised. Overall the accounts of CRC were characterised by uncertainty, yet at the same time death was a certainty. Over time, this dual narrative led to participants feeling themselves to be in an ambiguous and liminal state. Some participants described a loss of sense of self, yet others maintained their identity. The work that participants carried out to manage their sense of self changed, as they moved from a collective to an individual identity. In the flexible interval group, monthly telephone calls produced an even more profound research relationship and further enriched the accounts. However, early interviews were only conducted on two occasions and more ethical issues arose as a result of the increased contact. Conclusions By exploring the potential of QL methods, this study has developed the methodology for researching the experiences of those with serious illness. QL interviewing elicits a deep understanding of metastatic CRC that appreciates notions of temporality, process and change. Regular contact with participants between interviews can further enrich the accounts, and is a useful strategy for tracking changes given the unpredictable nature of advanced disease. This thesis showcases the cross-sectional and longitudinal opportunities that QL analysis presents; yet also highlights how longitudinal narrative analysis allows a story to unfold over time which reflects the beginning, the middle and for some the end of the illness experience. Although QL analysis is time consuming, and more contact can amplify ethical issues, the benefits outweigh the constraints.

Background: Evidence for the effectiveness of psychological treatments for sex offenders with learning disabilities is far from overwhelming. Qualitative studies can augment quantitative research by providing insight into the experiences of those who receive such treatment. There are a number of qualitative studies of the views of offenders but few that focus on the views of those with learning disabilities. Method: A systematic review was carried out of qualitative studies of the views of sex offenders, with and without learning disabilities, about their experiences of treatment. An empirical study, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, explored the views of men with mild learning disabilities about one particular group treatment. Results: The review identified that a supportive atmosphere, good therapeutic relationship, trust and positive peer interactions were highly valued. Some elements of treatment, such as offence disclosure, were seen as both difficult and helpful. In the empirical study, themes regarding offence disclosure and trust were also identified. In addition, treatment was characterised as being about giving and receiving advice. Participants struggled with some of the other concepts used in treatment but described gains including becoming a mentor and developing a sense of mastery. Most strikingly, participants described needing extensive time in treatment in order to gain benefit. Over time they moved from feeling anxious and angry about treatment to feeling positive, supported and trusting. Conclusion: Sex offenders with learning disabilities may need long-term treatment programmes in order to effect change. Treatment providers should be sensitive to offenders’ feelings of initial anxiety and anger.

Informal caregiving for aging Canadians plays a vital role in the health care system, and scholars have noted the urgency and primacy of studying this important contribution provided by a relatively invisible cadre of volunteers, family members and friends. Despite the recent attention caregiving has received in the scholarly literature, it is dominated by quantitative research. The purpose of this qualitative inquiry was to explore the lived experiences of female caregivers in terms of their perspectives on caregiving and their own personal health and wellness. A sample of seven female caregivers was obtained using a combination of both purposive and snowball sampling. Through semi-structured interviews participants were asked to describe their experiences as a caregiver. A primary theme “one day at a time” emerged from the data. Within this overarching narrative were three sub-themes: “Intensive care”, “Transitions”, and “Support” found to characterize their caregiving realities including both positive and negative aspects. Capturing a rich understanding of the lived experience of female caregivers, intentionally including and honouring their voices, can inform the design and implementation of health promoting policies, programs, and interventions, as well as identify avenues and approaches to future research. / Graduate