Qualitative Data

Political engagement among U.S. emerging adults aged 18 to 24 was examined via quantitative and qualitative data. The data analyzed are from the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR). The NSYR consists of three waves of a nationally representative (a) telephone survey (Wave 1 n = 4,161), (b) in-person interviews (Wave 3 n = 230) collected with adolescents and emerging adults, and (c) in the first wave, their parents ( n = 3,235). Third-wave interview transcripts are examined for descriptions of political engagement. Findings indicate that emerging adults are generally politically disengaged. Political engagement is disaggregated into six types based on levels of and motivations for political engagement. A number of hypotheses are examined for explanations of political involvement variance. Voluntary association participation, religious practices, political affiliation, and parental political engagement are found to be insufficient explanations. Results indicate that individual...

Knowledge about drug use and its association with HIV risk among men who have sex with men is limited. Although the HIV epidemic among this population in Vietnam is increasingly acknowledged, understanding the impact of drug use on the spread of HIV is largely lacking. Using qualitative data from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 93 drug users, 15 non-drug users and 9 community stakeholders, this analysis explores emerging patterns of drug use and risk factors for engaging in risk behaviours among drug-using men having sex with men, men selling sex and transgender individuals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Findings revealed that drug use is shifting from heroin to ecstasy and ice. Drug users reported unsafe sex associated with drug use and men selling sex were particularly at elevated risk because of using drugs as a tool for sex work and trading sex for drugs. These findings are guiding development of programmes addressing unmet HIV-prevention needs in Vietnam.

The Response Ability project for journalism education aims to support the responsible and accurate reporting of mental health issues via terti-ary curricula. The aim is to produce graduates in journalism and com-munications who are aware of, and able to respond to, issues relating to suicide and mental illness in their professional work. One of the many strategies to increase uptake of the Response Ability resources in Aus-tralian universities is the sponsorship of an award for mental health reporting as part of the Journalism Education Association of Austral-ia's annual Ossie Awards. Between 2005 and 2007, 22 Ossie Award entrants from seven campuses were interviewed to assess their methods of research and key learning outcomes. It is clear from the interviews that journalism academics generally take an active interest in support-ing journalism students to report on mental health and suicide. While students appear to have an awareness of the need to be sensitive when researching...

In this work, ab initio computations performed using the B3LYP hybrid density functional are applied to describe the full electronic Ž. character of polyaniline PAni in terms of its logical structural subunits andror its synthons. A complete description of bonding, redox states, and spectroscopic terms is obtained from this analysis, suggesting that structural and electronic properties of PAni are attributable X Ž X. to its synthons; aniline, p-phenylene diamine, and N, N-bis 4-aminophenyl-1,4-quinonediimine. Though previous modeling attempts with semi-empirical or simple Hartree-Fock methods have provided useful qualitatiÕe data, the ab initiorDFT approach used here has been shown to be quantitatiÕely accurate. The general approach to understanding properties of complex materials in terms of its smaller structural units and synthons will be generally useful for polymers and complex clusters.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the core constraints in financing of SMEs in Karachi that impede their growth and even undermine their liquidity and financial position. Literature review: The problems and constraints are faced by small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Karachi with regard to access to financing. Along with Karachi, the other cities and areas in Pakistan are facing alike problems. Methods: This study is exploratory in nature and includes quantitative and qualitative data. Data was collected through well designed questionnaire from a sample group of 500 respondents of SMEs in Karachi. In addition, one-on-one formal and informal interviews were also taken from various businessmen and bankers. Conceptual Model: A conceptual model/ framework were devised to test and ascertain the statistical validity of the study. It includes dependent variable SME financing, and independent variables, financing constraints, functional/ internal barriers, government support and incentives, and SMEs growth and development. Findings: The findings revealed that most people/ SMEs feel reluctant to borrow from banks and financial institutes because of stringent collateral requirements, high mark up, lengthy and convoluted documentary process, and to some extent malpractices at banks and financial institutions. The preference of the lending institutions is to finance the large-scale corporate sector. The results of the data analysis confirmed profound relation of dependent and independent variables and accepted the hypotheses. Conclusion: A substantial portion of SMEs possesses great potential of growth. There exists unending opportunities to tap, while banking and financial system in Karachi and Pakistan enjoys enough liquidity but SMEs are unable to enjoy financial leverage because of various financial constraints, lack of support by government institutions and policy makers, and internal weaknesses and flaws of SMEs in managing their businesses. Finally recommendations were lodged.

* Première version juillet 2006, version révisée janvier 2007. Les auteurs tiennent à remercier les deux référés anonymes de la revue pour leurs commentaires relatifs à la première version de cet article, ils demeurent toutefois responsables de toutes les imperfections éventuelles. L'article analyse les facteurs d'attractivité de la Tunisie par rapport aux investissements directs étrangers en considérant que la décision de localisation est le résultat non seulement de la stratégie de la firme, mais également des avantages offerts par les zones d'accueil. Les estimations économétriques réalisées sur des données qualitatives à travers un modèle logit permettent, d'une part, d'estimer la probabilité de réinvestissement en fonction des différents facteurs d'attractivité, et d'identifier, d'autre part, les enjeux que présentent les menaces de délocalisation des entreprises étrangères vers d'autres territoires potentiellement plus attractifs.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a critical analysis of the importance of service excellence in higher education.Design/methodology/approachThe research upon which this paper is based employed a phenomenological approach. This method was selected for its focus on respondent perceptions and experiences. Both structured and semi‐structured interviews were conducted to collect relevant data on service excellence. The focus of the research study was on achieving and implementing service excellence in higher education. Findings are analysed and results are grounded in relevant theories and the principle of service excellence.FindingsPreliminary results suggest that implementing service excellence establishes a direct link between a workforce and successful competitive strategies. In order to compete efficiently and effectively in their niche market, higher education institutions need to implement service excellence to ensure both internal and external customer satisfaction....

Trust is considered one of the most important factors for successfully managing software outsourcing relationships. However, there is lack of research into understanding the factors that are considered important in establishing and maintaining trust between clients and vendors. The goal of this research is to gain an understanding of software outsourcing vendors' perceptions of the importance of factors that are critical to the establishment and maintenance of trust in software outsourcing projects in Vietnam. We used a multiple case study design to guide our research and in-depth interviews to collect qualitative data from 12 Vietnamese software development practitioners drawn from 8 companies that have been developing software for Far Eastern, European, and American clients. Vendor companies identified that cultural understanding, creditability, capabilities, and personal visits are important factors in gaining the initial trust of a client, while cultural understanding, communication strategies, contract conformance, and timely delivery are vital factors in maintaining that trust.

With the recent rapid adoption of ICTs by rural SMEs those operating in peripheral areas should no longer be disadvantaged in the "knowledge economy" as they are now reported to have improved access to a wide variety of business information to assist with the increasingly complex business decisions they face. However, digital exclusion and poor connection with the 'knowledge economy' are identified by many as barriers to the

Is it age or IT: First steps toward understanding the net generation. Educating the net generation, 2(1-2), 20.Pearson. Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants part 1. On the horizon, 9(5), 1-6. Ringstaff, C., & Kelley, L. (2002). The learning return on our educational technology investment. Online report at: http://rtecexchange. edgateway. net/learningreturn. pdf.

The end of the apartheid era in South Africa ushered in a new institutional environment through changes to legislative frameworks in government departments. A key aspect of the transformation is the economic empowerment of the mainly historically disadvantaged groups in the country through procurement.

Can we retrieve objects from a database that are just close to a desired item? Can we control the retrieval process up to a given error? Can we define a semantic similarity between objects to be retrieved? The paper seeks for positive answers to these questions by using hierarchies. Sometimes, qualitative values can be arranged in a hierarchy, a tree with certain properties. Hierarchies allow the definitions of following constructs: the confusion conf(r, s) in using qualitative value r instead of the intended or correct value s (such as using 'umbrella' when 'raincoat' was intended); a predicate P that holds for object o within confusion , written P (o); the closeness of an object to a predicate (closeness of fit); how close or similar two objects are; predicate P (o), where the total (cumulative) error produced by object o is at most . These constructs are used in an extended SQL notation to retrieve, from a database, answers imperfectly fulfilling a predicate, up to a desired confusion (error). The extended SQL expression (a query) is automatically transformed to normal SQL, which then retrieves. It is shown how to extend any relational database for precision-controlled retrieval and updates. Examples are given.

Central Europe is an emerging market for seafood products, with rapidly developing opportunities for foreign direct investment and export. Although Poland in particular is widely regarded as a land of opportunity in the seafood business, surprisingly little effort has been made until now to gain a deeper understanding of the preferences, motives and usage patterns of Polish seafood consumers. The aim of the study was to fill this gap. Representative consumer samples from Poland (N = 1000) and four Western European countries (Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain; total N = 3800) were surveyed and compared in terms of the motivational structures underlying seafood consumption. In Poland, intentions to consume seafood in the near future were mainly determined by the perceived difficulty of preparing fish dishes (problems with bone handling and smells) and the degree to which consumers believed they had the necessary cooking skills. The preferences of consumers and their household members had a much weaker but still significant impact on intentions. In the comparison samples from Western Europe, motivational structures varied considerably. The highest degree of similarity with Poland was found in the Netherlands. Despite the variation between Western European countries, a common finding was a much higher consistency between intentions and actual consumption behavior as compared to Poland. The differences are discussed in terms of their implications for supply chain management, product supply, and the possibilities of generic promotion activities.

Despite the expanding literature on how reforms may affect health workers and which reactions they may provoke, little research has been conducted on the mechanisms of effect through which health sector reforms either promote or discourage health worker performance. This paper seeks to trace these mechanisms and examines the contextual framework of reform objectives in Uganda and Bangladesh, and health workers' responses to the changes in their working environments by taking a 'realistic evaluation' approach. The study findings were generated by triangulating both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis among policy technocrats, health managers and groups of health providers. Quantitative surveys were conducted with over 700 individual health workers in both Bangladesh and Uganda and supplemented with qualitative data obtained from focus group discussions and key interviews with professional cadres, health managers and key institutions involv...

Background Multidisciplinary tumour boards are an integral component of cancer care in many countries. In developing countries like Pakistan these boards are in phase of establishment. Doctors will have to be more involved in making these boards meaningful. Methods A questionnaire was designed to assess awareness of final year medical students towards tumor boards. By convenience sampling 3 medical colleges were chosen. An investigator went to medical colleges and obtained informed consent. Results Awareness of MDT tumour board meetings is variable among colleges with awareness ranging from 73% being aware to 70% being not aware. Around 87% replied that they are willing to attend these meetings and when asked how often, the most common answer was “monthly”. Conclusions Awareness of tumour board meetings is variable among final year medical students. Willingness to participate in boards after becoming doctors is high. Offering CME credit for attendance may facilitate participation. K...

The emergence of social media is enabling researchers to consider new data collection and triangulation strategies. Quantitative researchers have taken advantage of the emergence of the Internet as a medium to gather data. Meanwhile, interpretive researchers are only now being able to harness the potential that social media provide in generating more insight into collected data. Using a case of

El articulo presenta una investigacion sobre las competencias en la pedagogia musical y la creatividad docente en el contexto de un curso en Inglaterra para la formacion de profesores de musica de secundaria. Percepciones y actitudes sobre las competencias profesionales docentes son a su vez examinadas. Se han analizado datos cualitativos proceden-tes de multiples metodos de recogida: estudio de documentos, observaciones, cuestionarios y entrevistas. En los resul-tados se concluye que las habilidades mejor valoradas por los futuros docentes son las relacionadas con la interpreta-cion musical y las actitudes personales. Tanto los docentes en formacion como sus formadores reconocen como figura fundamental la desempenada por los tutores en los centros de practicas, quienes dan soporte y ejemplo a los alumnos en practicas. La relacion entre las competencias profesionales y la creatividad docente presenta cierta controversia, puesto que las competencias se valoran como demasiado restrict...

PurposeThis mixed‐method study aims to determine the extent to which the career paths of senior managers conform with the traditional versus protean elements described in the careers literature and whether these paths vary by gender.Design/methodology/approachA total of 15 senior managers (seven women and eight men) in a large public sector agency in Australia were interviewed about their career trajectories to date. Data were coded according to four major areas which characterise and distinguish between traditional and protean careers: development, orientation of the employee, definition of success, and organisational environment. A total of 81 managers (34 women and 47 men) from the same organisation were also surveyed. Variables of interest were those that could be triangulated with qualitative data such as the availability of career opportunities.FindingsResults suggest that, contrary to much existing literature which proposes that all careers have been fundamentally altered, th...

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Sampling in qualitative research is just as important as sampling in quantitative research, but it can be considered as one of the most indicative elements of the difference between the two approaches in terms of their logics guiding sampling. The purpose of this paper is to explore the specialized literature in order to present an overview on the topic of sampling in qualitative research through answering the following questions: What kind of sample is appropriate for qualitative research? What are the criteria for setting the limits of the sample to be analyzed? When is the sample selected? And what is its optimal size?.

Sampling in qualitative research is just as important as sampling in quantitative research, but it can be considered as one of the most indicative elements of the difference between the two approaches in terms of their logics guiding sampling. The purpose of this paper is to explore the specialized literature in order to present an overview on the topic of sampling in qualitative research through answering the following questions: What kind of sample is appropriate for qualitative research? What are the criteria for setting the limits of the sample to be analyzed? When is the sample selected? And what is its optimal size?.

Communication departments considering adapting or further implementing a convergence curriculum can benefit from exploring choices made at other universities. In this survey, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 110 AEJMC member programs as a means to explore course content, student assessment methods, lab space, software, and other technical considerations. A range of solutions was found to exist, but common curriculum choices, tools, and trends emerged.

We address how the Watson Women's Network (WWN), a community of technical women at IBM's T. J. Watson Research Center, provides business value and positive internal and external visibility for the IBM Corporation. The WWN is focused on reaching all women in technology at our New York sites in Yorktown and Hawthorne, providing them with opportunities to reach beyond their daily routines, connect with others, find solutions, identify mentors, and feel part of a bigger community. The network's mission is to encourage a workplace environment that advances women's professional effectiveness, individual growth, and recognition. Community activities leverage technical expertise, work/life experience, and technology in innovative ways to generate business impact to IBM, and to provide effective means for recruitment and retention. The WWN has grown from 170 members in 2005 to over 270 members in 2007, becoming the largest diversity-related affinity group at IBM Research. The WWN is a model community hosting nearly 50 events annually. A dynamic group of leadership catalysts organize activities including: i) community outreach; ii) professional networking; iii) technical vitality programs, through a wide spectrum of seminars, career discussion panels, and executive roundtables; and iv) work/life flexibility discussions. The WWN provides an environment that fosters mentoring relationships and international collaborations. Executive roundtables, in particular, provide an opportunity to hear about remarkable career paths, and facilitate intimate discussion on career advancement. Community outreach and professional networking events bring together women from multiple divisions. The positive feedback from these events confirms our success in fostering new crossdivisional technical collaborations. The network helps professional women position themselves as leaders both within IBM and in their professional community, thus positively impacting both their careers and IBM business. This presentation discusses the established methods and the lessons learned that may benefit other organizations, diversity groups, and professional networks.

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This paper presents partial results of a study that reflects on ten years of the annual International Conference on Electronic Publishing - ElPub. The rich content available in the proceedings of the nine previous conferences, plus the material available through 'pre-10th conference' provided the data from which a number of aspects were looked at. This includes data on authors, papers,

eBay for Charity provides mechanisms for embedding charitable fundraising and donations into the UK's largest online marketplace, with 18 million unique visitors each month. This paper explores some of our findings concerning the impact of charitable activity on the behaviour of those who participate, including buyers, sellers, and the charities themselves, and suggests ways these findings could be applied to other forms of online fundraising in the future.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of project based learning on computer student teachers and investigate self evaluation of students versus teacher evaluation as well. In this qualitative study, the participants were 55 junior student teachers (35 male, 20 female) at Ege University. The students were asked to respond ten semi-structured questions in a form. In order to fulfill the reliability of data analysis, two researchers seperately analysed the qualitative data, the percentage of agreement was 0.75. Moreover, the students' projects were evaluated by instructors and students themselves and the correlations among them were tested statistically.

The aim of this study was to explore modes of integration of quantitative and qualitative data to verify existence of psychological constructs. Data obtained with a Likerttype rating scale and with narrative accounts of significant life-events were compared and integrated via logical analysis to examine the psychological construct of self-consciousness. Undergraduates between 17 and 32 years of age (78 females and 23 males) participated. Psychometric analysis of the scale classified the subjects' focus of self-consciousness (public and private) into three levels: high, average or low. Independent judges evaluated self-consciousness profiles from the narrative accounts. Analysis verified the compatibility between self-consciousness scale measurements and self-consciousness profiles on narrative accounts. The results illustrate possibilities for and limitations of such comparisons, and also suggest criteria for comparing the same phenomenon in different contexts. Guidelines for choice of instrumentation in gathering data for research and practice are also presented.