Telephone interviewing: semi-structured interviews

Telephone interviewing: semi-structured interview

A Case Study of EFL Teachers’ Perceptions and Practices in Written Corrective Feedback

Based on a mixed-method approach, this interpretive exploratory case study aimed to identify English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ perceptions and practices in Written Corrective Feedback (WCF) in the Saudi context. The study analysed quantitative data gathered from an anonymous custom designed 15-question online survey and qualitative data from an open-ended question (at the end of the online survey) and semi-structured interviews. Participants were one hundred and eighty-four English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers (n =184) who responded to the online survey (113 females and 71 males) and 7 participants who responded to the semi-structured interview (5 males and 2 females). The study findings indicated no significant differences between male and female teachers in considering “time” as the main factor in following a particular strategy for written corrective feedback (93%). The results from the semi-structured interviews highlighted the need for further research in written corrective feedback in the Saudi context to address serious issues related to the teachers’ work-load. Some recommendations were identified for further research in written corrective feedback

Structuring the unstructured data: the use of content analysis

Content analysis is a research technique used to organise large amounts of textual data into standardised formats which allows arriving at suggestions/conclusions. Content analysis can be carried out quantitatively by counting the words or qualitatively by coding. The former approach refers to counting the frequency of the keywords and the later refers to identifying similar themes or concepts from the data set. This paper discusses the use of conceptual content analysis by using computerised software to analyse data gathered from semi-structured interviews. The context of the research within which content analysis is used is to identify the influence of performance measurement towards construction research activities. The paper first explains the research methodology pertaining to this study by reasoning out the selection of case study research approach coupled with semi-structured interviews. The paper then discusses how the information gathered from semi-structured interviews is fed into the computerised software to identify and generate main concepts of the study

DEveloping a Complex Intervention for DEteriorating Patients using Theoretical Modelling (DECIDE study): study protocol

AIM: To develop a theory-based complex intervention (targeting nursing staff), to enhance enablers and overcome barriers to enacting expected behaviour when monitoring patients and responding to abnormal vital signs that signal deterioration. DESIGN: A mixed method design including structured observations on hospital wards, field notes, brief, un-recorded interviews and semi-structured interviews to inform the development of an intervention to enhance practice. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with nursing staff using a topic guide informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework. Semi-structured interviews will be transcribed verbatim and coded deductively into the 14 Theoretical Domains Framework domains and then inductively into 'belief statements'. Priority domains will be identified and mapped to appropriate behaviour change techniques. Intervention content and mode of delivery (how behaviour change techniques are operationalised) will be developed using nominal groups, during which participants (clinicians) will rank behaviour change techniques /mode of delivery combinations according to acceptability and feasibility. Findings will be synthesised to develop an intervention manual. DISCUSSION: Despite being a priority for clinicians, researchers and policymakers for two decades, 'sub-optimal care' of the deteriorating ward patient persists. Existing interventions have been largely educational (i.e., targeting assumed knowledge deficits) with limited evidence that they change staff behaviour. Staff behaviour when monitoring and responding to abnormal vital signs is likely influenced by a range of mediators that includes barriers and enablers. IMPACT: Systematically applying theory and evidence-based methods, will result in the specification of an intervention which is more likely to result in behaviour change and can be tested empirically in future research. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

'It’s about expecting the unexpected’: Live stand-up comedy from the audiences’ perspective

Copyright @ 2011 The Authors.A dearth of research exists that examines live stand-up comedy from the audiences’ perspective. This empirical article redresses this neglect by examining the appeal of live stand-up comedy to audiences and revealing their motivations for going to see live stand-up comedy. These interests are explored through an online survey and a series of semi-structured interviews with live stand-up comedy goers. The online survey uncovers the frequency of attending live stand-up comedy, the types of venues that stand-up comedy is seen in, the types of venues that audiences prefer to experience live stand-up comedy in, and the extent to which individuals attend live stand-up comedy alone or accompanied by others, and if so, who they attend with. The one-to-one semi-structured interviews extend the investigation by analysing the specific reasons why audiences attend live stand-up comedy. Five main themes emerge from the semi-structured interview data: respecting the stand-up comedian; expecting the unexpected; proximity and intimacy; opportunities for interaction; and sharing the comic experience. The article illustrates the differing ways in which audiences engage with live stand-up comedy at both the public and private level.Brunel University School of Social Science

A Pattern-Generating Tool for Use in Semi-Structured Interviews

This paper, the first in a pair, describes the development and use of a research tool designed to not only derive the “usual” research patterns from analysis and synthesis of data, but also to extend that research outcome into useful lessons and instructions for others to act on in the non-research world. Research is essentially about finding and explaining patterns to help us understand phenomena and to measure similarities and differences. Pattern also has other useful attributes – as tools, templates, and instructive advices – that tend not to be given as much attention in research. The tool discussed in this paper seeks an easy-to-use “close fit” between these two uses of pattern. It enabled maximum engagement by the research participants, in-depth exploration of the area between the abstract (theory) and the concrete (practice) of the issue at hand, and development of useful instructive advices for others to use. It comprises an original design that can be adapted for use in other research with similar aims. A second paper, in a subsequent edition of The Qualitative Report, describes the development of the subsequent “pattern language” of instructive advices

Poster: Researchers Say the Darndest Things: Using Semi-structured Interviews to Uncover the Unique Information Behaviors of Basic Sciences Researchers in an Academic Health Center

Laura discusses the work she and her colleagues did in a qualitative study of semi-structured interviews examining the unique, information-seeking characteristics of basic sciences researchers. The team\u27s ultimate goal was to then design a suite of library services that would better meet these researchers\u27 needs

The UK’s first professional symphony orchestra cooperative: social enterprise?

This conference paper reports the results of the first phase of a three phase longitudinal research study designed to examine the initiation and development of the UK‟s first professional symphony orchestra cooperative. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty six professional musicians from a "pool" of forty plus musicians. This "pool" of musicians provides the cooperative with a resource that can be drawn on to form an orchestra to rehearse for and perform concerts and recordings. Preliminary results reveal four themes that emerged from the semi-structured interview data. These themes were interpreted by the researchers as: "commitment", "democracy", "social mission" and "aesthetic aspirations". The themes are presented along with supporting quotations from the interview data that illustrate the characteristics of these four emergent themes. The implications of the themes are then discussed within the context of the prior literature reviewe

Changes in intergenerational eating patterns and the impact on childhood obesity

The objective of this study was to examine intergenerational eating patterns within two sets of families, those with an obese child and those with a normal weight child, and to assess the impact of intergenerational influences on children's eating. A qualitative study design was used, incorporating focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Sixteen focus groups took place and 27 semi-structured interviews were held with different generations. Focus groups were conducted in the community with grandparents, parents and children from different families. This was followed by semi-structured interviews, involving individuals from three generations within families with an obese child and within families with a normal weight child. An examination of intergenerational eating has shown that eating patterns have changed regardless of whether or not families have children who are obese. The grandparent's eating patterns were more structured, whereas the children's eating patterns were less so. There have been more changes, and eating is less structured, within those families with an obese child than those families with a normal weight child. It is recommended that approaches to tackling childhood obesity concentrate on the family setting and the ways in which professionals can support families to change eating practices. Future research should formally test the relationship between the concept 'structured eating' and the 'what' of eating, in order to determine whether there is a link between intergenerational eating patterns and childhood obesity. © The Author(s) 2010