14,992 research outputs found
Capturing the essence of grounded theory: the importance of understanding commonalities and variants
This paper aims to capture the essence of grounded theory (GT) by setting out its commonalities and variants and, importantly, the implications of the latter for the implementation of the former, and for the truth claims and the contributions to knowledge that a GT study might make. Firstly, three ontological and epistemological variants of GT are outlined. Secondly, the commonalities of GT are set out as
eight core elements of GT methodology that are individually necessary, but only sufficient collectively, to define a GT study. These elements are: an iterative process; theoretical sampling; theoretical sensitivity; codes, memos and concepts; constant comparison; theoretical saturation; fit, work, relevance and modifiability; and substantive theory. Thirdly, the implications of the ontological and epistemological variants of GT for, firstly, the implementation of the core common elements of the methodology and, secondly, the truth claims and contributions to knowledge that might be made, are discussed. Finally, the paper concludes by arguing that published GT studies in sport, exercise and health research have not always explicitly demonstrated a full understand of the commonalities and variants of GT, and that researchers publishing GT studies must take responsibility for doing this
Extracting high fidelity quantum computer hardware from random systems
An overview of current status and prospects of the development of quantum
computer hardware based on inorganic crystals doped with rare-earth ions is
presented. Major parts of the experimental work in this area has been done in
two places, Canberra, Australia and Lund, Sweden, and the present description
follows more closely the Lund work. Techniques will be described that include
optimal filtering of the initially inhomogeneously broadened profile down to
well separated and narrow ensembles, as well as the use of advanced
pulse-shaping in order to achieve robust arbitrary single-qubit operations with
fidelities above 90%, as characterized by quantum state tomography. It is
expected that full scalability of these systems will require the ability to
determine the state of single rare-earth ions. It has been proposed that this
can be done using special readout ions doped into the crystal and an update is
given on the work to find and characterize such ions. Finally, a few aspects on
the possibilities for remote entanglement of ions in separate
rare-earth-ion-doped crystals are considered.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures. Written for The Proceedings of the
Nobelsymposium on qubits for future quantum computers, Gothenburg, May-0
Systematic review of grounded theory studies in physiotherapy
Aim: This systematic review aimed at appraising the methodological rigor of grounded theory research published in the field of physiotherapy to assess how the methodology is understood and applied. A secondary aim was to provide research implications drawn from the findings to guide future grounded theory methodology research. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, CINHAL, SPORT Discus, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science to identify studies in the field of physiotherapy that reported using grounded theory methodology and/or methods in the study title and/or abstract. The descriptive characteristics and methodological quality of eligible studies were examined using the assessment guidelines developed by Hutchison, Johnston and Breckon (2011). Findings: The review included sixty-eight studies conducted between 1998 and 2017. The findings showed that grounded theory methodology is becoming increasingly used by physiotherapy researchers. Thirty-six studies (53%) demonstrated a good understanding and appropriate application of grounded theory methodology. Thirty-two studies (47%) presented descriptive findings and were considered to be of poor methodological quality. Conclusions: There are several key tenets of grounded theory methodology that are integral to the iterative process of qualitative theorizing and need to be applied throughout all research practices including sampling, data collection and analysis
Restorative Justice-Informed Moral Acquaintance: Resolving the Dual Role Problem in Correctional and Forensic Practice
The issue of dual roles within forensic and correctional fields has typically been conceptualized as dissonanceâexperienced by practitionersâ when attempting to adhere to the conflicting ethical requirements associated with client well-being and community protection. In this paper, we argue that the dual role problem should be conceptualized more broadly; to incorporate the relationship between the offender and their victim. We also propose that Restorative Justice (RJ) is able to provide a preliminary ethical framework to deal with this common ethical oversight. Furthermore, we unite the RJ framework with that of Wardâs (2013) moral acquaintance model to provide a more powerful approachâRJ informed moral acquaintanceâaimed at addressing the ethical challenges faced by practitioners within forensic and correctional roles
Maximising transparency in a doctoral thesis: The complexities of writing about the use of QSR*NVIVO within a grounded theory study
This paper discusses the challenges of how to provide a transparent account of the use of the software programme QSR*NVIVO (QSR 2000) within a Grounded Theory framework (Glaser and Strauss 1967; Strauss and Corbin 1998). Psychology students are increasingly pursuing qualitative research projects such to the extent that the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) advise that students should have skill in the use of computer assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) (Economic and Social Research Council 2001). Unlike quantitative studies, rigid formulae do not exist for writing-up qualitative projects for doctoral theses. Most authors, however, agree that transparency is essential when communicating the findings of qualitative research. Sparkes (2001) recommends that evaluative criteria for qualitative research should be commensurable with the aims, objectives, and epistemological assumptions of the research project. Likewise, the use of CAQDAS should vary according to the research methodology followed, and thus researchers should include a discussion of how CAQDAS was used. This paper describes how the evolving process of coding data, writing memos, categorising, and theorising were integrated into the written thesis. The structure of the written document is described including considerations about restructuring and the difficulties of writing about an iterative process within a linear document
Computer simulations of two-dimensional melting with dipole-dipole interactions
We perform molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations of two-dimensional
melting with dipole-dipole interactions. Both static and dynamic behaviors are
examined. In the isotropic liquid phase, the bond orientational correlation
length 6 and susceptibility 6 are measured, and the data are fitted to the
theoretical ansatz. An algebraic decay is detected for both spatial and
temporal bond orientational correlation functions in an intermediate
temperature regime, and it provides an explicit evidence for the existence of
the hexatic phase. From the finite-size scaling analysis of the global bond
orientational order parameter, the disclination unbinding temperature Ti is
estimated. In addition, from dynamic Monte Carlo simulations of the positional
order parameter, we extract the critical exponents at the dislocation unbinding
temperature Tm. All the results are in agreement with those from experiments
and support the Kosterlitz-Thouless-Halperin-Nelson-Young (KTHNY) theory.Comment: 23 pages, 12figure
Peer mentorship and positive effects on student mentor and mentee retention and academic success
This study examined how the introduction of peer mentorship in an undergraduate health and social welfare programme at a large northern university affected student learning. Using an ethnographic case study approach, the study draws upon data collected from a small group of mentors and their mentees over a period of one academic year using interviews, reflective journals, assessment and course evaluation data.
Analysis of the data collected identified a number of key findings: peer mentorship improves assessment performance for both mentee and mentor; reduces stress and anxiety, enhances participation and engagement in the academic community, and adds value to student outcomes
YBaCuO/LaCaMnO bilayers: Interface coupling and electric transport properties
Heteroepitaxially grown bilayers of ferromagnetic LaCaMnO
(LCMO) on top of superconducting YBaCuO (YBCO) thin films were
investigated by focusing on electric transport properties as well as on
magnetism and orbital occupation at the interface. Transport measurements on
YBCO single layers and on YBCO/LCMO bilayers, with different YBCO thickness
and constant LCMO thickness \,nm, show a significant reduction of
the superconducting transition temperature only for \,nm,with
only a slightly stronger suppression in the bilayers, as compared to the
single layers. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements confirm
recently published data of an induced magnetic moment on the interfacial Cu by
the ferromagnetically ordered Mn ions, with antiparallel alignment between Cu
and Mn moments. However, we observe a significantely larger Cu moment than
previously reported, indicating stronger coupling between Cu and Mn at the
interface. This in turn could result in an interface with lower transparency,
and hence smaller spin diffusion length, that would explain our electric
transport data, i.e.smaller suppression. Moreover, linear dichroism
measurements did not show any evidence for orbital reconstruction at the
interface, indicating that a large change in orbital occupancies through
hybridization is not necessary to induce a measurable ferromagnetic moment on
the Cu atoms.Comment: 8 Figure
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