A Review of Qualitative Research Groups in Web 2.0 Social Networking Communities: Prepare to Be Amused, Inspired, and Even Blown Away

The presence of qualitative research groups on Web 2.0 social networking applications, like Facebook, has continued to grow. These groups are self organizing systems of people interested in particular aspects of qualitative research. Many of these qualitative research groups have companion internet websites and some also have companion YouTube channels, creating a very strong cyber presence. While visitors to these groups are encouraged to evaluate their quality for themselves, in general, the groups provide accessibility and good information for practitioners, students, and teachers of qualitative research alike. Most importantly, a number of these online qualitative research groups can serve as incubators for innovation for both the group members and visitors to the groups

Short Text Messages to Motivate HIV Testing Among Men Who have Sex with Men: A Qualitative Study in Lima, Peru

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify features and content that short message service (SMS) should have in order to motivate HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Lima, Peru. Methods: From October, 2010 to February, 2011, we conducted focus groups at two stages; six focus groups were conducted to explore and identify SMS content and features and two additional focus groups were conducted to tailor SMS content. The text messages were elaborated within the theoretical framework of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model and the Social Support Theory. Results: A total of 62 individuals participated in the focus groups. The mean age of participants was 28 years (range 18-39). We identified important features and content items needed for the successful delivery of text messages, including: a) the use of neutral and coded language; b) appropriate frequency and time of delivery; c) avoiding mass and repetitive messages; and d) use of short, concise and creative messages. Although in Peru receiving text messages is usually a free service, it is important to remind participants that receiving messages will be free of charge. Conclusion: Text messages can be used to promote HIV testing among Peruvian MSM. It is important to consider adequate frequency, message content and cost when delivering messages to promote HIV testing in this population

Public health, conflict and human rights: toward a collaborative research agenda

Although epidemiology is increasingly contributing to policy debates on issues of conflict and human rights, its potential is still underutilized. As a result, this article calls for greater collaboration between public health researchers, conflict analysts and human rights monitors, with special emphasis on retrospective, population-based surveys. The article surveys relevant recent public health research, explains why collaboration is useful, and outlines possible future research scenarios, including those pertaining to the indirect and long-term consequences of conflict; human rights and security in conflict prone areas; and the link between human rights, conflict, and International Humanitarian Law

NATURALISM AND ITS INADVERTENT DEFENDERS

The interpretive turn in the social sciences, although much discussed, has effectively stalled and even begun to backslide. With the publication of Interpretive Social Science: An Anti-Naturalist Approach, we provide a systema- tic defense of interpretive inquiry intended to help reinvigorate this mode of study across the human sciences. This defense, unfortunately, needs to be deployed not only against social scientists who unwittingly adopt naturalistic philosophical assumptions, but against interpretivist fellow travelers such as Michel Foucault, who occasionally do the same thing; and even against interpretivists who assume that their philosophical position is secured by using only qualitative methods, and that quantitative methods are inherently unsuitable to interpretivist purposes

Good Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility and Fraud Detection of Financial Statements

Purpose: The aim of this research is to serve an overview of how corporate social responsibility (CSR), good corporate governance (GCG), and financial statement fraud detection work together to reduce fraudulent financial statements.   Theoretical framework: Cressey (1953) showed that there are three main reasons for fraud as it is known today, they are pressures faced by perpetrators, opportunities owned by perpetrators, rationalization behind the perpetrators.   Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative content analysis is the research method used in publication of scientific articles.   Findings: The attained findings reached a conclusion that financial statement fraud can be decreased by good governance, social responsibility and financial statement fraud detection.  Additionally, efforts at prevention and detection must be supported by ethical values and a corporate culture that minimizes the use of false financial statements. Overall, generalizations may be made about the functions of governance, social responsibility, and fraud detection in financial statements.   Research, Practical & Social implications: Some regions are able to implement a good governance system so that it is effective in handling fraud that occurs, and some have not shown this. Research shows that the elements of governance that are tested through quantitative research still give varying results. The system for the category of good corporate governance does not always give positive results.   Originality/value: This article is a contribution to the academic literature that helps us comprehend studies on the importance of corporate social responsibility and how to identify financial statement fraud in order to decrease and steer clear of it

How Do We Like to Learn Qualitative Data Analysis Software?

The learning of Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) can represent a great challenge and obstacle to the adoption of these tools in support of research. Thus, it seems imperative that CAQDAS developers devise strategies and tools that stimulate and support researchers in the learning process of their applications. To this end, this study focuses on the learning preferences of CAQDAS users. A focus group was conducted with experienced CAQDAS users and an online questionnaire was administered to 232 users from 29 different countries and representing a diversity of 26 CAQDAS. The obtained data allow to infer that the users privilege the learning in context of training, but, when it comes to self-learning, they tend to opt for interactive tools and to resort to tutorial videos. These results seem to indicate that users are looking for solutions that provide them with a learning experience that is more adapted to their style and in the shortest time possible

Front-line practitioners versus received theories of crime and terrorism

This paper provides an analytical summary of the findings of a research project into the activities, the causes of, and responses to, organized crime and terrorism. Based on the views of front-line practitioners such as social workers, teachers, law enforcers and other experts, the paper examines their needs, interpretations, uncertainties and perspectives. It then compares these views with those emerging from previous analyses and research, highlighting the assonances and dissonances that typically crowd these areas of investigation

Fostering active network management through SMEs’practises

Managing the electricity network through ‘smart grid’ systems is a key strategy to address challenges of energy security, low carbon transitions and the replacement of ageing infrastructure networks in the UK. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have a significant role in shaping patterns of energy consumption. Understanding how their activities interrelate with changes in electricity systems is critical for active network management. A significant challenge for the transformation of electricity systems involves comprehending the complexity that stems from the variety of commercial activities and diversity of social and organizational practises among SMEs that interact with material infrastructures. We engage with SMEs to consider how smart grid interventions ‘fit’ into everyday operational activities. Drawing on analysis of empirical data on electricity use, smart metre data, surveys, interviews and ‘energy tours’ with SMEs to understand lighting, space heating and cooling, refrigeration and IT use, this paper argues for experimenting with the use of practise theory as a framework for bringing together technical and social aspects of energy use in SMEs. This approach reveals that material circumstances and temporal factors shape current energy demand among SMEs, with ‘connectedness’ an emergent factor

Exploring experiences of Intensive Interaction used with people with learning disabilities and/or autism

This portfolio has three parts:Part one is a systematic literature review, that aimed to explore staff experience of the implementation of Intensive Interaction within their places of work with people with learning disabilities and/or autism. Nine research papers were analysed using thematic synthesis. Three higher-order themes were generated: ‘Personal Doubt, Discordance & Discomfort,’ ‘A Turning Point’ and ‘Needing Implementation at All Levels.’ The strength of the empirical evidence is evaluated, and findings are discussed in terms of their implications for future research and clinical practice.Part two is an empirical paper, which explores mothers’ experiences of Intensive Interaction. Six participants were interviewed. Results were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings suggest that Intensive Interaction was experienced as a beneficial approach and helped some mothers to feel connected with their child. It was also perceived to challenge assumptions and stigma related to people with learning disabilities and/or autism and it is important that the approach is accessible. Clinical and research implications are discussed.Part 3 consists of a set of appendices relating to both the systematic literature review and the empirical paper. Also contained within these appendices are a reflective statement and an epistemological statement, which consider the researcher’s experience of conducting the research and the philosophical position and assumptions underlying the research

Gender stereotypes in children\u27s television commercials and the effects on consumer purchasing behavior

This research presents an exploratory investigation on the extent of gender stereotypes portrayed in children\u27s television commercials and the effects on consumer purchasing behavior. The author conducted two studies including a content analysis of viewing 75 children\u27s television commercials, 25 boy, 25 girl, 25 neutral, and documenting evidence of roles, traits, activities, products, speaking parts and settings. Qualitative focus groups were then conducted to correlate the documented gender stereotypes with purchasing behaviors among children between the ages of 6--12. Major findings for this research revealed that there are many gender stereotypes in children\u27s television commercials including the issue that male characters pitch more neutral products than female characters. Findings also revealed that gender stereotypes in commercials influence responsive behavior among boys and girls very differently