Making Up Instruments: Design Fiction for Value Discovery in Communities of Musical Practice

The design of a new technology entails the materialisation of values emerging from the specific community, culture and context in which that technology is created. Within the domain of musical interaction, HCI research often examines new digital tools and technologies which can carry unstated cultural assumptions. This paper takes a step back to present a value discovery exercise exploring the breadth of perspectives different communities might have in relation to the values inscribed in fictional technologies for musical interaction. We conducted a hands-on activity in which musicians active in different contexts were invited to envision not-yet-existent musical instruments. The activity revealed several sources of influence on participants’ artefacts, including cultural background, instrumental training, and prior experience with music technology. Our discussion highlights the importance of cultural awareness and value rationality for the design of interactive systems within and beyond the musical domain

Quality of life of Australian chronically-ill adults: patient and practice characteristics matter

BackgroundTo study health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a large sample of Australian chronically-ill patients and investigate the impact of characteristics of patients and their general practices on their HRQOL and to assess the construct validity of SF-12 in Australia.MethodsCross sectional study with 96 general practices and 7606 chronically-ill patients aged 18 years or more using standard SF-12 version 2. Factor analysis was used to confirm the hypothesized component structure of the SF-12 items. SF-12 physical component score (PCS-12) and mental component score (MCS-12) were derived using the standard US algorithm. Multilevel regression analysis (patients at level 1 and practices at level 2) was applied to relate PCS-12 and MCS-12 to patient and practice characteristics.ResultsThere were significant associations between lower PCS-12 or MCS-12 score and poorer general health (10.8 (regression coefficient) lower for PCS-12 and 7.3 lower for MCS-12), low socio-economic status (5.1 lower PCS-12 and 2.9 lower MCS-12 for unemployed, 0.8 lower PCS-12 and 1.7 lower MCS-12 for non-owner-occupiers, 1.0 lower PCS-12 for less well-educated) and having two or more chronic conditions (up to 2.7 lower PCS-12 and up to 1.5 lower MCS-12 than those having a single disease). Younger age was associated with lower MCS-12 (2.2 and 6.0 lower than middle age and older age respectively) but higher PCS-12 (4.7 and 7.6 higher than middle age and older age respectively). Satisfaction with quality of care (regression coefficient = 1.2) and patients who were married or cohabiting (regression coefficient = 0.6) was positively associated with MCS-12. Patients born in non-English-speaking countries were more likely to have a lower MCS-12 (1.5 lower) than those born in Australia. Employment had a stronger association with the quality of life of males than that of females. Those attending smaller practices had lower PCS-12 (1.0 lower) and MCS-12 (0.6 lower) than those attending larger practices. At the patient level (level 1) 42% and 21% of the variance respectively for PCS-12 and MCS-12 were explained by the patients and practice characteristics. At the practice level (level 2), 73% and 49% of the variance respectively for PCS-12 and MCS-12 were explained by patients and practice characteristics.ConclusionThe strong association between patient characteristics such as socio-economic status, age, and ethnicity and SF-12 physical and mental component summary scores underlines the importance of considering these factors in the management of chronically-ill patients in general practice. The SF-12 appears to be a valid measure for assessing HRQOL of Australian chronically-ill patients.Upali W. Jayasinghe, Judith Proudfoot, Christopher A. Barton, Cheryl Amoroso, Chris Holton, Gawaine Powell Davies, Justin Beilby and Mark F. Harri

The Discovery Power of Staying Open

Glaser (1978) emphasized three foundational pillars of GT that must be respected: emergence, constant comparison, and theoretical sampling. While many qualitative researchers who claim to employ GT will assert their use of constant comparison and theoretical sampling, there is much less clarity around claims to respecting GT’s emergent nature. Emergence necessitates that the researcher remains open to what is discovered empirically in the data “without first having them filtered through and squared with pre-existing hypotheses and biases” (Glaser, 1978, p. 3) or theoretical frameworks drawn from extant theory. In many qualitative studies, however, emergence is restricted to the analysis phase (e.g., Corley & Gioia, 2004) and with data collection framed through an initial review of the literature (e.g., Partington, 2000), articulation of specific research questions or interview protocols for “consistency” (Xiao, Dahya, & Lin, 2004, p. 43)

Rehumanising knowledge work through fluctuating support networks: a grounded theory

This study employs classic grounded theory methodology to produce a theory of rehumanising knowledge work through fluctuating support networks in the knowledge workplace. Data consisted of field notes and transcripts from personal interviews and focus groups. Participants were drawn from the public and private sectors and a variety of professional fields under the general rubric of knowledge work. Data were analysed using the full complement of procedures that comprise classic grounded theory methodology, including theoretical sensitivity, core emergence, constant comparison of empirical indicators to theoretical saturation and hand sorting of conceptual memos to achieve theoretical integration. The thesis explains the basic social structural process of fluctuating support networks through which knowledge workers self-organise to overcome dehumanised work environments, consequent of a rapidly changing workplace context. Such networks operate outside the formal organisation. They are epiphenomenal - self-emerging, self-organising, and self-sustaining. Participation is voluntary and intuitive. The core variable of the theory is the basic social psychological process of rehumanising. Through fluctuating support networks, knowledge workers rehumanise their work and work environments. Rehumanising gives meaning to work while sustaining energy and commitment. Rehumanising is characterised by authenticity, depth and meaning, recognition and respect, safety and healing and kindred sharing. Network relationships offer validation and support. Network members pursue shared interests and passions. Network activities are characterised by challenge, experimentation, creativity and learning, providing members with renewed energy and learning. The resultant sense of achievement builds confidence and passion for sustained network engagement. The contributions of the thesis to knowledge centre on the role of informal networks in the knowledge workplace and relate to theories of organisation, social networking, motivation and social learning. Knowledge of fluctuating support networks will enable managers to understand their functionality as psychological infrastructure for resolving workers’ concerns and needs in coping with change in the knowledge workplac

Grounded Theory as a General Research Methodology

Since its inception over forty years ago, grounded theory has achieved canonical status in the research world (Locke, 2001, p.1). Qualitative researchers, in particular, have embraced grounded theory although often without sufficient scholarship in the methodology (Partington, 2000, p.93; 2002, p.136). The embrace renders many researchers unable to perceive grounded theory as a general methodology and an alternative to the dominant qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. The result is methodological confusion and an often unconscious remodelling of the original methodology (Glaser, 2003). Given the various interpretations and approaches that have been popularised under the rubric of grounded theory, this paper addresses the important distinction between grounded theory as a general methodology and its popularisation as a qualitative research method. The paper begins with a brief overview of grounded theory’s origins and its philosophical foundations then continues by addressing the basic distinction between abstract conceptualisation as employed in classic grounded theory and the conceptual description approach as adopted by many qualitative researchers. The paper continues with a brief overview of the criteria for judging the quality of classic grounded theory and concludes by detailing its methodological principles

Rehumanising knowledge work through fluctuating support networks : a grounded theory

This study employs classic grounded theory methodology to produce a theory of rehumanising knowledge work through fluctuating support networks in the knowledge workplace. Data consisted of field notes and transcripts from personal interviews and focus groups. Participants were drawn from the public and private sectors and a variety of professional fields under the general rubric of knowledge work. Data were analysed using the full complement of procedures that comprise classic grounded theory methodology, including theoretical sensitivity, core emergence, constant comparison of empirical indicators to theoretical saturation and hand sorting of conceptual memos to achieve theoretical integration. The thesis explains the basic social structural process of fluctuating support networks through which knowledge workers self-organise to overcome dehumanised work environments, consequent of a rapidly changing workplace context. Such networks operate outside the formal organisation. They are epiphenomenal - self-emerging, self-organising, and self-sustaining. Participation is voluntary and intuitive. The core variable of the theory is the basic social psychological process of rehumanising. Through fluctuating support networks, knowledge workers rehumanise their work and work environments. Rehumanising gives meaning to work while sustaining energy and commitment. Rehumanising is characterised by authenticity, depth and meaning, recognition and respect, safety and healing and kindred sharing. Network relationships offer validation and support. Network members pursue shared interests and passions. Network activities are characterised by challenge, experimentation, creativity and learning, providing members with renewed energy and learning. The resultant sense of achievement builds confidence and passion for sustained network engagement. The contributions of the thesis to knowledge centre on the role of informal networks in the knowledge workplace and relate to theories of organisation, social networking, motivation and social learning. Knowledge of fluctuating support networks will enable managers to understand their functionality as psychological infrastructure for resolving workers’ concerns and needs in coping with change in the knowledge workplaceEThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Rehumanising knowledge work through fluctuating support networks : a grounded theory

This study employs classic grounded theory methodology to produce a theory of rehumanising knowledge work through fluctuating support networks in the knowledge workplace. Data consisted of field notes and transcripts from personal interviews and focus groups. Participants were drawn from the public and private sectors and a variety of professional fields under the general rubric of knowledge work. Data were analysed using the full complement of procedures that comprise classic grounded theory methodology, including theoretical sensitivity, core emergence, constant comparison of empirical indicators to theoretical saturation and hand sorting of conceptual memos to achieve theoretical integration. The thesis explains the basic social structural process of fluctuating support networks through which knowledge workers self-organise to overcome dehumanised work environments, consequent of a rapidly changing workplace context. Such networks operate outside the formal organisation. They are epiphenomenal - self-emerging, self-organising, and self-sustaining. Participation is voluntary and intuitive. The core variable of the theory is the basic social psychological process of rehumanising. Through fluctuating support networks, knowledge workers rehumanise their work and work environments. Rehumanising gives meaning to work while sustaining energy and commitment. Rehumanising is characterised by authenticity, depth and meaning, recognition and respect, safety and healing and kindred sharing. Network relationships offer validation and support. Network members pursue shared interests and passions. Network activities are characterised by challenge, experimentation, creativity and learning, providing members with renewed energy and learning. The resultant sense of achievement builds confidence and passion for sustained network engagement. The contributions of the thesis to knowledge centre on the role of informal networks in the knowledge workplace and relate to theories of organisation, social networking, motivation and social learning. Knowledge of fluctuating support networks will enable managers to understand their functionality as psychological infrastructure for resolving workers’ concerns and needs in coping with change in the knowledge workplaceEThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo