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1
Kourtidis, Dimitrios. "Investors' trading activity : a behavioural perspective." Thesis, Glasgow Caledonian University, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.570725.
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Research studies (such as Kiyilar and Acar, 2009) have supported that investors act in irrational ways in some of their investment decisions, and financial models have failed to explain the real investors' behaviour. Investors' trading activity is influenced by personality traits and psychological biases (overconfidence, risk tolerance, self-monitoring, and social influence) and is also affected by mood. The aim of the thesis is to confirm these assumptions by developing and testing a model (using SEM analysis) which would incorporate and examine all of them simultaneously, as it actually happens in real life. The research population includes 345 Greek investors, including individuals' as w~rt' 'as professional' investors who work in various investment companies located all over the country. The data collection included two surveys. The first survey investigated psychological biases and personality traits to find if they correlate with stock trading performance, whereas the second survey examined the psychological predisposition to find whether mood affects stock trading performance. The results have verified that these psychological biases, personality traits and mood, influence investors' trading performance, frequency and volume, providing a complete research model. Another objective of this study was to understand the profile of Greek investors and test if there are differences among them as far as stock trading behaviour (performance, volume and frequency) is concerned. Cluster analysis (three-cluster solution) identified three investors' profiles, the low, moderate and high investor profile, and revealed that high profile investors (with the higher scores on the psychological biases and personality traits) trade high volumes of stocks, make transactions more frequently and earn higher stock profits compared to investors belonging to the other two profiles. A comparative analysis between professionals and individuals has shown that professional investors have higher performance than individuals as far as stock trading is concerned. The results have also shown that professional investors score high on the psychological biases and personality traits examined. The second stage of the study has required iterative data using questions that depict psychological predisposition in a dynamic way. The cluster analysis of 1 Non-professionals 2 Portfolio analysts and stockbrokers 1 the second data set has identified and compared different mood status highlighting differences among groups as far as their mood status and their stock trading performance is concerned. This study has provided evidence supporting the significance of some subjective factors, such as personality traits, psychological biases and emotions in investors' trading activity. The findings have shown that investors who have specific characteristics such as overconfidence, high self-monitoring, risk intolerance, positive mood and sociability are probably better on stock trading performance. ~'A This thesis could enable individual investors and inv;stment advisors, to construct a framework of the profile that contributes to high stock trading performance (a stock trading performance guide). Therefore, investors could possibly ensure the stock trading performance, to the extent that this depends on their profile. Moreover, the study contributes to the field providing a complete and verified research model concerning investors' trading behaviour. Additionally, a contribution of this study is the extensive literature review in the field of behavioural finance which provides a better understanding of behavioural factors and a framework for academics, researchers, individual and professional investors. Keywords: Behavioural Finance; Trading Behaviour; Trading Activity; Model Analysis. JEL Classification: C30, D14, Gll, 016
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Karpatschof, Benny. "Human activity : contributions to the anthropological sciences from a perspective of activity theory /." Copenhagen : Dansk psykologisk forlag, 2000. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb37716657t.
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Yu, Minna. "Analyst activity and corporate governance a global perspective /." [Kent, Ohio] : Kent State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=kent1184946221.
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Mytton, Oliver. "A population perspective on physical activity and health." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2017. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/264414.
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Regular physical activity reduces the risk of many chronic diseases. Consequently, the promotion of it and particular types (e.g. walking and cycling for travel), have become a priority for governments seeking to improve health and constrain rising demand on health services. Despite this many uncertainties persist. The aim of this thesis is to address two particular areas of uncertainty: a) the association of walking and cycling for travel with indices of health and well-being; b) and the extent to which increases in physical activity will reduce need for health and social care. The first part of my thesis consists of three studies that describe the health benefits associated with walking and cycling to work among working age adults. The first is a longitudinal study of the associations between maintenance of active commuting with sickness absence and well-being using the Commuting and Health in Cambridge dataset. The second, using the same dataset, describes the longitudinal associations between maintenance of active commuting and self-reported body mass index. Building on this, the third study using a large cohort study (the Fenland Study) with detailed characterisation of diet and physical activity (including objective measurement) describes the baseline associations between active commuting and objective measures of adiposity. The second part of my thesis describes the development of a combined microsimulation multi-state life table model that is used to characterise the effects of a population ‘shift’ in physical activity on the burden of six major diseases at the population-level. Specifically, it seeks to better describe the effect of increases in physical activity on healthcare need considering not just the effect of physical activity on disease incidence but also the effect on healthcare need arising from consequent survival to an older age (at which disease incidence is higher), and contrasts this with a method that does not make allowance for increased survival. The findings of this thesis provide evidence of the importance of walking or cycling to work in maintaining or improving the health and well-being of working age adults. It suggests that increases in physical activity, even after allowance for increased survival, are likely to reduce need for healthcare, although the reductions in need are less than might be assumed when allowance is not made for increased survival. Taken together this work provides a stronger empirical basis to inform public health practice. A stronger ‘health case’ for active travel can be made. The benefits of which should be communicated to individuals choosing how to travel as well as policy makers and others who can influence the determinants of active travel. It also provides a more realistic and nuanced understanding of how increases in physical activity may affect future healthcare need.
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YU, MINNA. "ANALYST ACTIVITY AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1184946221.
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Virtaluoto, J. (Jenni). "Technical communication as an activity system: a practitioner’s perspective." Doctoral thesis, Oulun yliopisto, 2015. http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9789526209371.
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Abstract The quality of technical communication, for example the user guides created for various high-technology products, is often criticized. The information is not available when it would be needed, or it is not presented in a way suitable for our purposes. However, in the increasingly technology-based society of today, we are expected to operate a range of technical devices and software programs daily, at work and at home. The current re-structuring of the IT industry in Finland, on the other hand, has affected technical communication profoundly: cost pressures and outsourcing have led to narrow job descriptions, job losses and diminished wellbeing at work. Companies do not seem to appreciate the impact of high-quality technical communication on user experience. The work environments of technical communicators are also challenging: their background is typically in the Humanities, but they work with highly technical products. In many cases, they have learned the needed skills independently and in practice; very few experienced technical communicators have training in the field. In this study, some of the central contradictions in the technical communication activity are explored by applying activity theory on autoethnographic interview data. This study provides new information about technical communication as a profession, but the issues it raises are not limited to technical communication only: the restructuring of the IT sector is a phenomenon affecting a variety of fields. The aim of this dissertation is twofold: 1) to investigate and describe the current status of the field in Finland, and 2) to suggest solutions to some of the problems we are facing using the tools offered by activity theory<br>Tiivistelmä Teknisen viestinnän, esimerkiksi erilaisten teknisten järjestelmien käyttöohjekirjojen, maine ei ole kovin hyvä. Tietoa ei ole tarjolla kun sitä tarvitaan, tai se esitetään tavalla joka ei vastaa toiveitamme. Nykypäivän tietoyhteiskunnassa pärjääminen kuitenkin vaatii tietoteknisiä perustaitoja niin kotona, koulussa kuin töissäkin. Suomessa tällä hetkellä käynnissä oleva IT-alan murros taas on vaikuttanut suuresti teknisen viestinnän ammattikuntaan: kustannuspaineet ja ulkoistukset ovat johtaneet työnkuvan kapenemiseen, työpaikkojen menetyksiin ja työviihtyvyyden vähenemiseen. Yrityksissä ei nähdä laadukkaan teknisen viestinnän merkitystä käyttäjäkokemukselle. Teknisten viestijöiden työolosuhteet ovat myös haastavat: he ovat usein humanistitaustaisia henkilöitä, jotka työskentelevät vaativien teknisten tuotteiden parissa. He ovat tyypillisesti opetelleet vaaditut tekniset taidot omatoimisesti työn ohessa, ja hyvin harvalla pidempään alalla olleella on teknisen viestinnän koulutusta tukenaan. Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan teknisen viestinnän keskeisiä ristiriitoja tulkitsemalla autoetnografista haastatteluaineistoa toiminnan teorian kautta. Tutkimus luo uutta tietoa teknisestä viestinnästä ammattikuntana, mutta esiin nostetut ongelmat eivät liity pelkästään tekniseen viestintään: IT-sektorilla käynnissä oleva rakennemuutos vaikuttaa useisiin aloihin. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena on 1) selvittää alan nykytilanne Suomessa ja 2) tarjota ratkaisuehdotuksia alan haasteisiin toiminnan teorian tarjoamien työkalujen avulla
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Ndenge, Kinsley. "Secondary school perceptions of eContent design: an activity theory perspective." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25480.
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This research investigates how Secondary School science learners in Cameroon perceive the design of electronic content (eContent). Perception plays an important role in how learners use eContent; hence the perception of how eContent is designed could affect how learners learn using this digital content. Online learning and the use of digital learning materials has emerged as a hallmark of the information age to connect and engage users in the learning process. Learners are moving from the use of paper to the use of digital channels for learning, therefore perception of design becomes very important. Without good perception of how learning material is designed, the teaching process would be an uphill task and this could greatly hinder the academic performance of learners, leading to high failure rates. Apart from how learning material is designed, perception is also a product of the socio-cultural environments hence how learners perceive eContent, might be affected by the setting within which it is designed. In this study, a group of Cameroonian learners‟ use of eContent that was designed in a social- cultural context different from their own is studied. The primary research question is aimed at investigating how the learners‟ perception of eContent affects its use. The researcher uses Cultural Historical activity theory (CHAT) as a theoretical framework to understand how students perceive the activity mediated by eContent. By identifying the factors in an activity system that affect learners‟ perception using activity theory, specific recommendations will be made to educators on what to change in the system to foster positive perceptions hence achieve meaningful learning mediated by eContent.
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Öberg-Tuleus, Marianne, and Lázaro Moreno Herrera. "Working life education as an activity system : on experiences and challenges from a cultural historical activity perspective." 名古屋大学大学院教育発達科学研究科 技術・職業教育学研究室, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2237/14358.
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Sun, Jun. "User readiness to interact with information systems - a human activity perspective." Texas A&M University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/4316.
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This study focuses on how and why people become ready to interact with certain
information systems (IS) based on their previous experiences with the same and/or
similar systems. User-system interaction can be regarded as a mediated and collaborative
human activity between a user and a system with the motive of transforming raw
information into useful outcome. Using Activity Theory as a paradigm, this study
conceptualizes a user-system interaction model that specifies the mediating relationships
involved.
Based on the user-system interaction model, this study proposes a psychological
construct, Information System Interaction Readiness (ISIR), that indicates how an
individual is prepared and willing to interact with a system within a user context. This
construct advances a developmental view of how previous IS experiences may affect
user future behavior. Compared with other constructs as predictors of user behavior,
such as computer self-efficacy and intention to use, ISIR takes how IS user behavior is
mediated into account. To operationalize and measure the ISIR construct, this study develops a
measurement instrument for ISIR using the technique of facet analysis and the semantic
differential scale type. To explore how user experiences with a system lead to the
formation of ISIR, this study identifies the psychological antecedents of ISIR. This
enables the discussion of how general IS capabilities, including interactivity,
personalization and context-awareness, may affect ISIR through these antecedents.
Because ISIR is a user-, system- and context-specific construct, this study also
identifies and discusses the personal and situational factors that may affect ISIR. Putting
all these relationships together results in a research framework of ISIR. To validate the
ISIR measurement instrument and test the ISIR research framework, several laboratory
studies were conducted. The results indicated that the ISIR instrument was valid and the
ISIR framework was sound. Finally, the contributions and limitations of this study are
discussed.
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Lagerros, Ylva Trolle. "Physical activity from the epidemiological perspective - measurement issues and health effects /." Stockholm, 2006. http://diss.kib.ki.se/2006/91-7140-681-6/.
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Thomason, Jonathan E. "Students' and Teachers' Perspective of Purposes for Engaging in Physical Activity." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1994. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc278029/.
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Purposes for engaging in physical activities were examined from the perspective of university students enrolled in physical activity classes and kinesiology faculty. Data was collected from 473 students and 20 faculty members. Both groups completed the Personal Purposes and Meanings in Movement Inventory (PPMMI). Independent t-tests were conducted for each of the twenty-two purpose statements to determine differences between faculty and students in the rating of purposes. Students attending individual sport activity classes rated self-knowledge, transcendence, object projection/reception, awareness, competition, neuromuscular efficiency, movement appreciation, and muscular strength significantly lower (p<.01) than the faculty. Students attending team sport activities rated self-knowledge, transcendence, participation, object projection/reception, teamwork, awareness, competition, leadership, and expression significantly (pc.01) lower than the faculty. Students attending fitness activity classes rated self-knowledge, competition, leadership, transcendence, participation, teamwork, circulo-respiratory efficiency, and personal integration significantly (p<.01) lower than faculty.
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Blain, Peter J., and N/A. "A Computer Model of Creativity Based on Perceptual Activity Theory." Griffith University. School of Information and Communication Technology, 2007. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20070823.171325.
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Perception and mental imagery are often thought of as processes that generate internal representations, but proponents of perceptual activity theory say they are better thought of as guided exploratory activities. The omission of internal representations in the perceptual activity account has led some to see it as computationally implausible. This thesis clarifies perceptual activity theory from a computational perspective, and tests its viability using a computer model called PABLO. The computer model operates in the Letter Spirit domain, which is a framework for creating stylistic variations on the lowercase letters of the Roman alphabet. PABLO is unlike other computer models of perception and mental imagery because it does not use data-structures to represent percepts and mental images. Mental contents are instead modelled in terms of the exploratory activity in which perceptual activity theory says they consist. PABLO also models the flexibility of imagery, and simulates how it can be harnessed and exploited by the system to generate a creative product. PABLO is a first attempt at an implementation of perceptual activity theory, but the results suggest that the theory is computationally viable, and that it has advantages over other theories of mental imagery in the context of creativity.
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McChesney, Ian R. "Modelling multi-party activity in the software process - a socio-linguistic perspective." Thesis, University of Ulster, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.245808.
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Agyenim-Boateng, E. (Endurance). "Cornerstones of the activity-based costing system:a literature review of professional perspective." Master's thesis, University of Oulu, 2017. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:oulu-201710042938.
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This study is based on the cornerstones which forms the components of Activity-based costing. These cornerstones work together to bring about the successes that firms reap after implementing the ABC system. Firms exist mainly to gain profit by providing goods and services that will satisfy customers by delivering them with the value they demand. The cost system used by firms is therefore an essential decision to be made by the firm in question. Activity-based costing has been accepted and implemented by numerous firms who speaks so highly of it. But one will want to probe more into the system to understand the main elements that combine to form the system. This gave way to the main objective of this study to uncover and compile the cornerstones of the ABC system which has been compiled by practitioners in professional literature.
The study uncovered eight cornerstones of the ABC system which work hand in hand to achieve the aims and goals of the organizational cost system. Some of the cornerstones are basic to the survival of the cost system but nevertheless, they still work in cooperation with the others to ensure a smooth running of the system.
The results also established the link that exists between the cornerstones and how the correlate which each other in the process of spreading overhead costs to cost objects.
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Chen, Chun-Ming. "Understanding and changing physical activity behaviour in university students : an ecological perspective." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2008. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/8112.
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Studies have highlighted the prevalence of sedentary behaviours in the university student population and have noted the significant potential for the promotion of physical activity in educational settings for young adults. Following the epidemiological procedure and ecological approach, the main purpose of this thesis focused on the university student population to review the previous research results by a systematic review method (first study), to compare the differences between UK and Taiwanese participants' and relevant effective variables by using a quantitative study method (second study), to have a deeper understanding of the Taiwanese university students' physical activity behaviours by using a qualitative study method (third study), then to evaluate the efficiency of designed interventions in university settings (fourth study). The whole thesis applied the ecological approach to classify the survey variables' effect to university students' physical activity behaviours. A total of 55 published papers were reviewed and majority of studies were conducted in the US using a cross-sectional design. Finding variables consistently related to university students physical activity level were female gender(-), attitude self-efficacy perceived barrier (-), family support (+), physical activity and sport history (+). These survey variables were more consistent in the literature and corresponded to previous adults' study. Some survey variables linked to university student were also found in the literature but still need more studies for this target population to come to a robust conclusion. Seven days recall design measurement and stage of changes survey for physical activity levels were more identified and have been more frequent using in the reviewed papers. Also, more studies on different ethnicity, environmental variables and intervention with different methodology such as qualitative study method are needed to enrich the knowledge of university's students' physical activity behaviours.
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Villaron, Charlène. "Activité physique adaptée et cancer : effets psychologiques et physiologiques de programmes d'activité physique pendant un traitement et analyse des déterminants pouvant influencer la participation." Thesis, Aix-Marseille, 2016. http://www.theses.fr/2016AIXM4092/document.
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Fatigue, diminution des capacités physiques, diminution de la qualité de vie … sont les conséquences directes d’un cancer et des traitements associés. Lutter contre la diminution de la qualité de vie des patients est désormais une priorité en matière de lutte contre le cancer. L’activité physique adaptée a démontré son efficacité pour des patients en cours de traitement anti-cancéreux. Cette thèse a été réalisée à l’Institut des Sciences du Mouvement. Dans le cadre d’une collaboration avec l’Institut Paoli Calmettes, l’objet de ce travail était de contribuer au développement des connaissances dans le domaine de l’activité physique adaptée en oncologie. Le programme de recherche de cette thèse était organisé en 5 études, rassemblant 262 sujets. Les principaux résultats ont montré que l’activité physique adaptée était bénéfique pour des populations très spécifiques (étude 1) ; d’autre part nous avons montré que l’activité physique pilotée à distance via de nouvelles technologies pouvait être une réelle alternative aux programmes supervisés (étude 3). Par ailleurs, une autre étude (étude 2) a mis en évidence une participation des patients très limitée à ces programmes. Nous avons montré pour la première fois dans la littérature que la perspective temporelle est une variable à prendre en compte dans la promotion de l’activité physique chez ces patients (étude 4) ainsi que la personnalité, l’âge et le lieu de prise en charge (étude 5). Cette thèse apporte donc de nouveaux éclairages tant sur le plan des connaissances scientifiques que sur des propositions thérapeutiques afin de développer et d’améliorer la prise en charge en activité physique des patients pendant un cancer<br>Fatigue, decrease of physical capacity, decrease of quality of life ... are direct consequences of cancer and related treatments. Contend against the decline of patients’ quality of life is now a priority in the fight against cancer ( “Plan Cancer 2014-2019”). Adapted physical activity has proven effective for patients undergoing cancer treatment. This thesis, described as "action-research", was conducted at the Institut of Movement Sciences (CNRS UMR 7287 AMU). As part of collaboration with the Institut Paoli Calmettes, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer in the PACA region, the objective of this work was to contribute to knowledge development in the field of adapted physical activity in oncology. This research’s program was organized in 5 studies, collecting 262 subjects. Firstly, the main results illustrated that adapted physical activity is beneficial for very specific populations (Study 1); secondly we demonstrated that physical activity remotely managed via new technologies could be a real alternative to supervised programs (Study 3). Furthermore, an additional study (Study 2) revealed a very limited involvement of patients in these programs. For the first time in literature, we revealed that the time perspective is a variable to be considered in the promotion of physical activity for patients (Study 4) as well as personality, age and type of hospital (Study 5). This thesis sheds new light both in terms of the contribution of scientific knowledge and on therapeutic proposals in order to develop and improve supportive physical activity for patients suffering from cancer
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Brunet, Jennifer. "Social physique anxiety and physical activity among adolescents : a self-determination theory perspective." Thesis, McGill University, 2007. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=112327.
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This study examined the relationships between social physique anxiety (SPA) and physical activity and sedentary behaviours among older adolescents. The research was grounded in self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985). Three hundred and eighty one males and females completed scientifically-supported questionnaires. Multivariate and univariate analyses of variance revealed that male adolescents reported lower SPA and higher competence, relatedness, self-determined motivation, and physical activity levels compared to females. Regression analyses supported the integration of SPA in SDT, and the main tenets of SDT were maintained. Specifically, the basic psychological needs were important correlates of motivation, and motivation was a positive correlate of PA behaviour and a negative, albeit weak, correlate of sedentary behaviour. Collectively, these findings suggest that SPA experiences can be understood within a motivational framework that explains the functional role played by SPA on health behaviour.
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Johnson, Michel J. "Acute and chronic responses to varying modes of activity, a strength training perspective." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape9/PQDD_0006/MQ44696.pdf.
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Ishutkina, Mariya A. (Mariya Aleksandrovna). "Analysis of the interaction between air transportation and economic activity : a worldwide perspective." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/49882.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2009.<br>This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.<br>Includes bibliographical references (p. 303-313).<br>Air transportation usage and economic activity are interdependent. Air transportation provides employment and enables certain economic activities which are dependent on the availability of air transportation services. The economy, in turn, drives the demand for air transportation services resulting in the feedback relationship between the two. The objective of this work is to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between air transportation and economic activity. More specifically, this work seeks to (1) develop a feedback model to describe the relationship between air transportation and economic activity and (2) identify factors which stimulate or suppress air transportation development. To achieve these objectives this work uses an exploratory research method which combines literature review, aggregate data and case study analyses. First, this work uses data at the individual country level to identify different types of growth patterns between air transportation passengers and GDP for 139 countries. This analysis is then used to identify twenty-two representative countries which span a range of possible interaction behaviors, geographies and income categories. The case study analysis at the individual country level is performed to describe the air transportation impact for each individual economy. These findings help develop a feedback model which describes the relationship between air transportation and economic activity.<br>(cont.) Specifically, the analysis is used to describe (1) how air transportation flows of passengers and cargo enable the flows of goods, services, knowledge, tourism, investment, remittances and labor among economies and (2) how air transportation flows can affect the country's factor, demand and business conditions. The feedback model is then extended to perform quantitative analysis of the evolution of the enabling impact of air transportation in a particular economy. Specifically, a quantitative system dynamics model is developed to describe the interaction between the demand for leisure travel and the resulting enabling impact of tourism on Jamaica's economy. Case study analysis is also used to identify factors which may stimulate or suppress air transportation system development. The factors are identified both from the air transportation supply and demand sides. The following supply side change factors are identified: changes in the regulatory framework, infrastructure capability, vehicle capability and airline strategy. The air transportation demand is found to be directly affected by exogenous demand shocks, economic downturns, political and economic sanctions, and the development of other transportation modes. The analysis also identifies the following change factors which affect the demand indirectly by changing the country's economic attributes: economic liberalization, institutional and political reforms, supporting infrastructure investment, exchange rate fluctuations, political and macroeconomic stability, growing consumer demand, and changes in management practices.<br>(cont.) This analysis of stimulating and suppressing factors helps to describe the role of government intervention in changing air transportation system development and its impact on economic activity. The results of this work can help guide further development efforts, investment and policy decisions pertaining to air transportation usage especially in developing economies.<br>by Mariya A. Ishutkina.<br>Ph.D.
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Futerman, Rael Glen. "Design for collaboration in South Africa : an activity theory perspective on participatory design." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2268.
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Thesis (DTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.<br>Participatory Design (PD) is increasingly being used as a methodology by local
government, private designers and design researchers in the Western Cape, South
Africa, to democratise the design of product service systems (PSS). Activity theory,
specifically Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) offers PD researchers and
practitioners involved in the collaborative design and development of socio-technical
PSS’s an interpretive lens through which to a) identify existing and potential
contradictions and tensions within and between work activity systems for design
interventions, and b) provide designers with a conceptual model of investigation. In
the last decade participatory development studies have interrogated public
participation and approaches to the involvement of civil society in their own
development, essentially embracing a shift from passive participation to active
participation. PD and participatory development share a number of beliefs,
methodologies and goals. This thesis explores the potential of CHAT in contributing
to the extension of PD practices, beyond a workplace focus and into the sociotechnical
development of communities at large. Legacy projects and activities - those aimed at extending the impact of emergent design and innovation - arising out of Cape Town’s designation as World Design Capital 2014 often require community-based participatory design (CbPD) and the development of socio-technical PSS through holistic approaches, centred around participant needs, activities and aspirations. This approach can contribute to social capital and more active citizenry. The research presented in this thesis draws from an in-depth CbPD project based in an informal settlement in Cape Town, South Africa. The project focussed on solid waste management (SWM) work and life activities and resulted in co-designed PSS solutions. Based in a quad-helix partnership between local government, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, private designers and the community members themselves, this project a) tested CHAT in the fields of CbPD and PSS design, identifying tensions and contradictions as opportunities for design intervention and, b) produced conceptual and process models, which blend CHAT and service design, for further testing in the design of socio-technical PSS. The overall result is a homegrown methodology for CbPD
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Hansson, Hampus, and Martin Gyllström. "Automated Recognition of Human Activity : A Practical Perspective of the State of Research." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Fakulteten för teknik och samhälle (TS), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-43459.
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The rapid development of sensor technology in smartphone and wearable devices has led research to the area of human activity recognition (HAR). As a phase in HAR, applying classification models to collected sensor data is well-researched, and many of the different models can recognize activities successfully. Furthermore, some methods give successful results only using one or two sensors. The use of HAR within pain management is also an existing research field, but applying HAR to the pain treatment strategy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is not well-documented. The relevance of HAR in this context is that ACT:s core ideas are based on the perspective that daily life activities are connected to pain. In this thesis, state-of-the-art examples for sensor-based HAR applicable to ACT are provided through a literature review. Based on these findings, the practical use is assessed in order to provide a perspective to the current state of research.
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Jackson, Joseph, and Pierre Tevström. "The role of time perspective in the relationship between physical activity and depression." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för psykologi, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-171054.
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The present study aimed to examine the role of time perspective (TP) in the relationship between physical activity (PA) and depression. The sample consisted of 456 older adults (60- 90 years) from the Betula prospective cohort study. Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and TP was measured using the Swedish Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (S-ZTPI). PA was measured using two separate single items relating to weekly level of PA and perception of PA level compared to others the same age. Hierarchic regression analyses revealed that both PA variables were significantly predicted by the same TP subscales; positively by Present Hedonistic and negatively by Past Negative and Present Fatalistic. Present Hedonistic was a significant moderator in the relationship between PA and depression. The findings of the present study highlight the importance of considering TP in the context of PA and depression. Implications are discussed and future research directions are offered in relation to mindfulness and the recall of affective responses to exercise.<br>Denna studie syftade till att undersöka hur tidsperspektiv (TP) påverkar förhållandet mellan fysisk aktivitet (PA) och depression. Urvalet bestod av 456 äldre vuxna (60-90 år) från Betulastudien. Depression mättes med hjälp av Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) och TP undersöktes med Swedish Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (S-ZTPI). PA uppskattades genom två separata frågor, en om veckovis PA-nivå och en om uppfattningen av PA-nivå jämfört med andra i samma ålder. Hierarkiska regressionsanalyser visade att båda PA-variabler predicerades signifikant av samma TPsubskalor; positivt av Present Hedonistic och negativt för Past Negative och Present Fatalistic. Present Hedonistic var en signifikant moderator i förhållandet mellan PA och depression. Studiens resultat belyser vikten av att ta hänsyn till TP i samband med PA och depression. Implikationer diskuteras och förslag till framtida forskning presenteras i relation till mindfulness och minnen av affektiva responser från PA.
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Gagnesjö, Sara. "A Countryside Perspective of Queer : - queering the city/countryside divide." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Tema Genus, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-110749.
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This thesis contributes with a countryside perspective to queer research by highlighting the countryside as a context where queer lives are lived. In the thesis I problematize the city/countryside divide with a view of the concept of queer as dependent on space and time. The empirical materials are generated through a workshop on queerness, gathering people living within a countryside context; the materials consist of a discussion and written responses to questions on queerness and the city/countryside binary. Theoretically and methodologically, the thesis is inspired by the notion of agential realism (Barad 2007) and situated knowledge, (Haraway 1988); the use of creative writing, inspired by Richardson (1994 and 2000), has also been central to the development of the thesis. The analysis is carried out within themes focusing on conditions for queerness within city/countryside experienced by people situated in the countryside. The analysis shows how space, time, contexts and intersections are entangled and queering the city/countryside divide.
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Deleandro, Megan K. ""We can do it!" Understanding Sexual Satisfaction: A Feminist Perspective." Xavier University Psychology / OhioLINK, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xupsy1621079365353122.
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O'Grady, Susan. "Symbolic work with clay as a technique with a difficult to reach patient: a Jungian perspective." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2007. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_5934_1223642323.
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<p>This thesis explored the potential of clay work and its symbolic representations as a means to facilitate the integration and individuation of the self in psychotherapy, using a Jungian theoretical framework. A case study methodology was used, to explore a long standing pattern of environmental failure and trauma in a 16 year old female. The Edward's clay work method was utilized to guide the use of the clay work and the discussion and exploration thereof. Central to the study was the importance of a search for meaning given to each clay piece, which was achieved through a dialectical interaction and mutual exploration between therapist and client.</p>
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Westerståhl, Maria. "Physical activity and fitness among adolescents in Sweden with a 20-year trend perspective /." Stockholm, 2003. http://diss.kib.ki.se/2003/91-7349-636-7/.
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Mtika, Peter David Galimoto. "Teaching practice as a component of teacher education in Malawi : an activity theory perspective." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2008. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/10526/.
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This qualitative research is an exploration of the experiences of student teachers during teaching practice as a component of initial teacher education in Malawi. The research was necessitated by a general lack of knowledge about secondary school teacher education in Malawi and the view that teaching practice is one of the major components of concern for professional learning among student teachers. An activity theory perspective provided a theoretical and conceptual lens of understanding teaching practice. The elements within activity theory which were of particular significance related to tools/artefacts, subjects, objects and outcomes in teaching practice; rules/norms within an activity system of teaching practice; perceptions of individuals about teacher education and a teaching activity; pedagogical actions and understanding during teaching practice; the community relationships in school systems where student teachers carried out teaching practice; division of tasks; activity settings; tensions/contradictions, as well as innovations within the activity of teaching practice (Engestrom, 1999). The participants in the study were drawn mainly from student teachers on a three-year teacher education programme at one of the teacher education institutions in Malawi. The results from the study showed that the student teachers had different perceptions for teaching as well as differing goals for joining a secondary school teacher education programme; that student teachers had varied experiences during teaching practice and the varied experiences influenced learning to teach in various ways. The shortage of material resources impeded some activities that student teachers could carry out. The findings showed that some pedagogical tools that student teachers had learned in college were not always easily used in the schools. The community relationships between student teachers and teachers in the schools affected professional development in some way. The supervision component of teaching practice also generated mixed experiences from student teachers. The study participants proposed innovations aimed at resolving some of the tensions and contradictions faced during teaching practice. The innovations related to facilitative supervision, holistic assessment, changing the time and duration of teaching practice as well as student teachers' placements. The enriched understanding of the experiences of the student teachers makes significant contribution to knowledge within teacher education in Malawi.
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Yan, Fang Alice. "Environmental influences on physical activity and obesity in African American adolescents-a multilevel perspective." College Park, Md.: University of Maryland, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1903/9151.
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Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2009.<br>Thesis research directed by: Dept. of Public and Community Health. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.
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Farren, Gene L. "Factors Related to Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines in College Students: a Social Cognitive Perspective." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2014. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc500163/.
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Engaging in regular physical activity is important for maintaining and improving health. Unfortunately, most college students fail to meet the recommendations for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines (PAGs). Psychosocial factors described within the social cognitive theory are related to the acquisition and retention of physical activity behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the relations of gender, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and social support with college students meeting aerobic, muscle-strengthening and both PAGs. Participants (N = 396) completed online questionnaires assessing their physical activity behaviors, exercise self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and social support. Self-reported physical activity was classified as meeting / not meeting PAGs. Using gender, exercise self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and social support as predictors, separate logistic regressions were used to examine their relations with the three PAG classifications. Analyses revealed that being male and level of social support increased the odds of meeting muscle-strengthening PAGs, but students’ level of self-efficacy and outcome expectations increased the odds of meeting all three PAG classifications. These findings indicate that interventions designed to increase self-efficacy and outcome expectancy may be beneficial for increasing college students’ physical activity for meeting the PAGs. Promotion of muscle-strengthening activities targeted at young women is also warranted.
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Elliott, Anne. "A multi-method investigation into physical activity in middle-age through a lifecourse perspective." Thesis, Middlesex University, 2017. http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/22163/.
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This thesis began with practitioner observations in a specialist personal training practice, where anecdotal themes were noted from middle-aged clients (45-65 years old). Sedentary, exercise-averse individuals reported poor experiences of physical education in secondary school, whereas active clients gave a different narrative. These themes suggested differing life course trajectories that could result in ‘corporeal dissociation’ (CD), a term, defined here to describe a state of physical detachment that might result in adult inactivity. ‘Lives lived’ were investigated through a lifecourse theoretical perspective, within a pragmatic paradigm. Methodological Bricolage employed both qualitative and quantitative multi-methods to look at the research questions from differing perspectives. In Study 1, 10 practitioners were interviewed qualitatively to see if the original observations were replicated in other practices within the same geographical area. Data was analysed using content and emergent thematic analysis and it was found to be so. In Study 2, 800 middle-aged men and women across England completed a quantitative online survey that covered 63 experiences, grouped thematically, between the ages of 11-16: ‘home’, ‘about me’, ‘school’, ‘friends and leisure activities’. Data was statistically analysed using Principal Component Analysis followed by ANOVA and 16 significant dispositions and experiences centred around PE emerged as signifiers of corporeal dissociation in middle age. Study 3 took a sample of 8 men and 8 women from Study 2. It used narrative inquiry and established lifecourse themes of activity and inactivity that link adolescence and middle-age, with the individual’s relationship with their PE teacher being the biggest signifier and influence on later physical activity. Results show that corporeal dissociation can be found in practice and its origins in PE experience identified. Tentative life path signifiers have been determined and have been mapped between school and middle age. The outcome of the study is an understanding and definition of corporeal dissociation and a scalable tool for the practitioner to identify corporeal dissociation in new clients to help aid initial exercise adherence by prescribing suitable exercise programming.
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Bokhari, Irminger Sabina. "A study of students' perspective on the teaching-learning activity in a digital society." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Fakulteten för lärande och samhälle (LS), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-35644.
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This case study looks at upper-secondary school students’ opinions about the use of digital and non-digital tools in the classroom. One of schools’ most important aims is to prepare students for a well-adapted citizenship. In a world of digitalisation, schools are also implementing more and more digital tools in teaching situations and many students in Sweden have access to a computer each at school. This paper investigates how students feel about note-taking using paper and pen or computer, what they feel is important for their futures and what preferences they have when it comes to the use of digital media in their lessons. A focus group interview (n=7) was carried out. From the themes found through the interview, a questionnaire was constructed and answered by 66 students. The results show that students are divided in their preferences for taking notes by hand or by computer. Students see the benefits and limitations of both methods. They generally find it easier and faster to type on the computer, but are concerned about the distractions that the computer offers. They feel that hand-writing is more time-consuming but that it is better for remembering the material. Overall, they find that hand-writing is better for learning (better now) but that being dexterous using the computer is important for their future (better in the future). It is important that teachers foster both skills so that students get a balanced education.
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Ellinas, Christos. "An examination of inter-connectivity within organisational activity using complex networks : a risk perspective." Thesis, University of Bristol, 2016. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.723440.
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Jubileus, Mandy Theresa. "Assessment of platinum mine tailings storage facilities : an ecotoxicological perspective / Mandy T. Jubileus." Thesis, North-West University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/3729.
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South Africa is one of the most important mining countries in the world, hosting the world's largest reserves of platinum group metals (PGMs). Even though mining is clearly an important activity in South Africa, contributing approximately US$ 7.4 billion annually to the countries' gross domestic product (GDP), the costs to the environment are not insignificant. One of the most severe environmental aspects associated with mining is the storage of mineral waste on tailings storage facilities due to their impacts on air quality, ground water quality, aesthetics and land use. It is also unknown whether the environmental effects of tailings storage facilities increase or decrease over time. The aim of this study was to determine the ecotoxicity of platinum tailings storage facilities of different ages by means of soil physical and chemical analysis, earthworm ecotoxicological studies, dehydrogenase activity and soil mesofauna studies. Samples were obtained from three platinum tailings storage facilities of different ages of which two were already rehabilitated while the third was still operational at the time this study was performed. The latter was used as a negative control for the purpose of the study. Soil samples were physically and chemically analysed. Earthworm ecotoxicological studies were conducted to determine changes in biomass, reproduction, mortality, neutral red retention times and tissue metal concentrations. Dehydrogenase activity was determined before the introduction of earthworms and manure, after introductions of manure and after introductions of earthworms and manure. Soil mesofauna were extracted and identified in order to determine species richness, diversity, abundance and functional grouping. Soil chemical analysis indicated that concentrations of certain heavy metals, especially chrome (Cr), present in platinum tailings materials could have a potential effect on microorganisms, microbial processes and earthworms. Earthworm ecotoxicological results indicated that earthworms that bioaccumulated higher levels of heavy metals showed poor hatchability of cocoons. Dehydrogenase activity indicated that earthworms play a significant role in increasing the number and biomass of soil microbes because significant increases in dehydrogenase activity were noticed after the addition of earthworms to platinum tailings materials. Results from the earthworm ecotoxicological studies, dehydrogenase activity, and soil mesofauna composition indicated that environmental impacts of tailings storage facilities did not increase with age, but is more likely to be an indication of the rehabilitation measures administered to the different tailings storage facilities.<br>Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.
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Britto, Joseph J. "A study of young people's use of ICT in domestic environments : an activity theory perspective." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2007. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/3601/.
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This study examines the learning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills by young people in domestic environments. The theoretical framework is based on Cultural Historical Activity Theory (Cole, 1996; Engeström, 1987; Nardi, 1996) and it is used to examine the ICT activities occurring in young people's homes. The study is about both the exploration of home ICT use and the 'exploratory tools' used as well; it is an experiment, therefore, in the practical application of Activity Theory. The thesis uses Activity Theory to examine how a group of individuals engage with ICT; it also uses this theoretical perspective to inform the interview questions and the subsequent formulation of a framework for data analysis. The primary focus is on the interactions, contexts and opportunities for learning afforded by the home environment. The thesis explores the claims that 'young people learn ICT in their homes'. The interviews suggest that young people engage in a very wide range of 'exotic' tasks and activities and that the skills necessary to undertake these are 'picked up' as and when required. Activity Theory is used to help clarify the complex interactions involved in learning in these contexts. An analysis of the interviews reinforces the view that home-based ICT is very different to school-based ICT. Young people overcome the problems and pitfalls encountered during their everyday engagement with ICT by accessing a variety of artefactual resources resulting from other Activity Systems. The study also looks at how the affordances of the young people's environment can offer a range of learning opportunities. The interviews also suggest that in these contexts, young people will learn only if there is a perceived need and establishes that due to the nature of the technology currently in use, a certain level of technical expertise seems to be an important prerequisite.
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Madyarov, Irshat. "Contradictions in a Distance Content-Based English as a Foreign Language Course: Activity Theoretical Perspective." [Tampa, Fla] : University of South Florida, 2008. http://purl.fcla.edu/usf/dc/et/SFE0002672.
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Rodgers, E. "Critical barriers and success factors to Irish University spin out activity from a founder perspective." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.492501.
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The aim of this research study is to provide an understanding of the success factors and barriers impacting university spin-out activity in Ireland. The role of universities has evolved over recent years to include a remit of entrepreneurial activities in addition to their traditional roles of teaching and research. Many governments recognise the important role their local universities can play in helping to build a knowledge economy by producing commercial outputs from educational investment, in the form of technology transfer and university spin-out activity. In addition, changes in government funding of universities over recent years has forced universities to seek new sources of revenue. Thus, commercialisation activities can potentially provide this additional revenue stream required by many universities. Despite this increased emphasis by government on universities to promote spin-out activity there have been limited research studies which examine this activity outside the United States and those studies which do exist predominantly employ quantitative methods. Thus, this research study, employing qualitative methods, explores university spin-out activity across four universities in Ireland. The study examines university spin-out activity from the unique perspective of the individual academic founder through a social constructionist approach, using semi-structured interviews. The findings from the case study analysis of the universities are grounded in literature relating to technology transfer and the 'triple-helix' model of university-industrygovernment relations. Supplied by The British Library - 'The world's knowledge' 1:1 'II The barriers and success factors impacting spin-out activity are analysed from the experiences and perceptions of the academic founders of these spin-out companies. This study makes important contributions to the emerging literature in the area of university spin-out activity and provides an understanding of the barriers to university spin-out activity, providing a foundation from which to reduce these barriers and aiding future policy development.
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Jankelowitz, Lauren. "An entrepreneurship-as-practice perspective on the development and growth of social enterprise in South Africa." Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/79763.
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Within the third sector, scarce resources make it difficult for social enterprises to survive financially, become more innovative and entrepreneurial, and generally grow and develop to scale. Although there is no agreement on the definition, the extant literature tends to frame social enterprise as critical for addressing challenging social problems. Social enterprise involves some degree of profit-making, while maintaining a strong focus on social mission. The latest literature points to social enterprise as an example of a hybrid organisational form that has the potential to act as a solution to complex social problems. However, the literature also highlights the considerable tensions inherent in hybridity, as well as the substantive mission-drift that inevitably occurs. The current body of knowledge does not describe how social enterprise growth and development occurs, nor does it adequately illustrate how social enterprise hybrids can continue to meet their important social missions while generating sufficient operating income to sustain themselves. Additionally, there is a dominant view that non-profit social enterprises may face difficulties in surviving as hybrids due to the risk of mission-drift. An in-depth study of non-profit social enterprises that had already reached scale was undertaken to address this. By doing so, a contribution was made to the development of the social entrepreneurship and social enterprise fields. The theory on social enterprise ideal-types was deepened. In addition, this study provides a framework for social enterprise growth and development within this organising context. Strategy-as-practice (SaP) core concepts as influencers within an entrepreneurship-as-practice (EaP) theoretical framework, contained by a social practice theory theoretical lens. The result was a focus on daily business management and strategic development practices. Additionally, contextualisation – as the link between the micro-context in each organisation and macro environment – was studied as the context for this growth and development.<br>Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2020.<br>Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)<br>DPhil<br>Unrestricted
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Reyns, Bradford W. "Being Pursued Online: Extent and Nature of Cyberstalking Victimization from a Lifestyle/Routine Activities Perspective." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1273840781.
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Mozafari, Parivash. "The perspectives of EFL teachers on the integration of ICT into their teaching practices in the context of Iranian schools : an activity theory perspective." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2016. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/79078/.
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Underpinned by a socio-cultural epistemology and utilising an interpretivist qualitative paradigm, this study aims to explore Iranian EFL teachers' perspectives on the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) into their teaching. Data collection was carried out during October-December 2013 held with 9 Iranian EFL teachers - five males, four females- from across 6 schools in Tehran. The focus was on the individual and contextual factors that had influenced and shaped the perceptions and practices of these teachers. Data was collected based on a total of 36 face-to-face individual semi-structured interviews that were guided by 27 observations of classroom practices. Thematic analysis of the data indicated that ICT uptake by participants was seriously hampered by several interacting and interrelated areas that influenced participants' perspectives and practices. These include inadequate technological infrastructures (in and out of schools' settings), poor or lack of technical support, teachers' insufficient expertise and self-efficacy related to technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) as a result of inadequate continual professional development (CPD), nature of the national curriculum, assessment system, shortage of time, rules and regulations, and other human and contextual factors that will be discussed holistically as an activity system in this paper.
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Booth, Dawn Karen. "Exploring the Washback of the TOEIC in South Korea: A sociocultural perspective on student test activity." Thesis, University of Auckland, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2292/19379.
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Previous research clearly demonstrates the powerful relationship that exists between language testing, teaching and learning (Alderson & Wall, 1993; Bailey, 1996; Cheng & Curtis, 2004; Hughes, 1989; Messick, 1996). However, researchers still wrestle with the multivariate nature of washback, and questions remain as to what factors are involved and under which conditions beneficial washback is most likely to occur (Cheng, 2008). Set within a large Korean university, this study aimed to better understand how certain factors and conditions may work together to contribute to the washback of the TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) on student learning. To provide a thick description of the context, the study first explored student perspectives on the TOEIC through focus group methodology. The aim of the second phase of research was to document the actions and beliefs of thirteen students (English and non-English majors) while preparing for the TOEIC over a period of two to seven months. Data was triangulated through semi-structured journals and multiple interviews, quantitatively analysed through descriptive statistics, and qualitatively analysed through a multi-level procedure of coding grounded in Activity Theory (Engestrom, 1987; Lantolf, 2000, 2006; Leont'ev, 1978, 1981; Vygotsky, 1978). The results provide further evidence of the high stakes status of the TOEIC for university students and support a view of washback as a complex system involving a range of factors that may mediate the influence that a test has on learning (Alderson & Wall, 1993; Cheng & Curtis, 2004, Messick, 1996; Shih, 2007). Of these factors, the results highlight the important contribution of situated learner goals and actions, and the influence of learner histories, cultural and social associations, attributes, conceptualisations, and agency in directing the washback effect of a test. In light of these findings, this study posits a revised model of washback on learners and learning. It represents a shift in the direction of washback research toward a more socially situated view of how a test and test-taker, embedded in powerful sociocultural, historical, political, and economic contexts may influence the processes and outcomes of student learning in situ.
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Park, Jonghwi. "Designing a well-formed activity system for an ICT- supported constructivist learning environment: A CHAT perspective." Thesis, McGill University, 2009. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=40716.
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Much educational research has suggested that information and communication technologies (ICTs) promote constructivist classroom. In contrast, most teachers in actual classrooms continue to struggle with the pedagogical and practical challenges in using ICTs to facilitate student knowledge construction and collaboration. This dissertation presents a new approach to overcome problems with ICT integration in K-12 school education. The study examined a Grade 7 teacher’s constructivist instructional practices in a technology-rich mathematics classroom through a lens of cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) and consisted of two phases: contradiction analysis and on-site intervention. Findings from the contradiction analysis indicated that it was not ICTs per-se that made contradictions in the ICT-supported constructivist activity; rather it was the changed nature of the class activity system due to the introduction of ICTs that called for systemic adjustment of classroom practices as a whole. Based on the identified contradictions, on-site intervention was designed and implemented. It focused on transforming an ill-formed activity system of the current instructional practices of the participant teacher into a well-formed one, where all the interwoven components and mediators, such as rules of interaction, division of labor, and the use of tools, adequately support activities that members carry out. Results indicated that the intervention and the modified unit played a large role in resolving the identified contradictions in the participant teacher’s instructional practices and restructuring his existing pure-discovery mode of instruction into new practices, a guided discovery mode of instruction. The intervened instructional practices helped students establish a more effective division of labor, which led to more successful learning outcomes than those prior to the intervention. A new role of researchers is suggested to lessen a gap between theory and practice<br>Une grande part de la recherche en éducation semble indiquer que les technologies de la communication et de l’information (TIC) encouragent l’essor de la salle de classe constructiviste. En revanche, la plupart des professeurs sur le terrain font toujours face à des défis pédagogiques et pratiques lorsqu’ils utilisent les TIC pour faciliter la collaboration et la construction du savoir des étudiants. Cette dissertation présente une nouvelle approche visant à surmonter les problèmes d’intégration des TIC dans l’éducation scolaire de la maternelle à la 12ème année. De la perspective de la théorie culturelle-historique de l'activité, cette étude examine les méthodes d’enseignement constructivistes d’un professeur de 7ème année dans une classe de mathématiques riche en technologies. L’étude comporte deux phases : l’analyse des contradictions et l’intervention sur le terrain. Les résultats de l’analyse des contradictions ont indiqué que ce n’était pas les TIC en tant que telles qui généraient des contradictions dans une activité constructiviste soutenu par les TIC. Plutôt, c’est le changement de nature du système d’activité en classe dû à l’introduction des TIC qui exige des changements systémiques dans les pratiques d’enseignement. L’intervention sur le terrain a été conçue et mise en application à partir des contradictions identifiées. Elle visait à transformer un système d’activité mal conçu issu des méthodes d’enseignement habituelles du professeur participant en un système bien conçu, où tous les constituants et les médiateurs entrecroisés, comme les règles d’interaction, la division des tâches et l’utilisation des outils, appuyaient adéquatement les activités des membres. Les résultats ont indiqué que l’intervention et l’unité modifiée ont joué un rôle important dans la résolution des contradictions identifiées dans les méthodes d’enseignement du professe
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Boggero, Ian Andres. "RELATIONSHIPS AMONG PAIN THRESHOLD, SELF-REGULATION, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING, AND AUTONOMIC ACTIVITY: A GENERAL INHIBITORY SYSTEM PERSPECTIVE." UKnowledge, 2013. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/psychology_etds/27.
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Chronic pain patients have poorer pain inhibition, self-regulatory ability, executive functioning and autonomic inhibition than those without pain, supporting the view that suppressing pain is mentally taxing. In the current study, an alternate explanation was proposed; namely, that pain inhibition, self-regulation, executive functions, and heart rate variability (HRV) are all controlled by the same general inhibitory system. To test this hypothesis, participants came into the laboratory for three sessions. At the first session, individual differences in pain thresholds, self-regulatory strength, executive functioning, and HRV were measured. At the second and third sessions, self-regulatory persistence and within-session changes in pain thresholds were measured under conditions of high and low self-regulatory fatigue. Results revealed that those low in inhibitory strength, operationalized as the aggregate of pain inhibition, self-regulation, executive functioning, and HRV, became more sensitive to pain under conditions of self-regulatory fatigue, whereas no significant changes in pain threshold were found for those high in inhibitory strength. Additional analyses revealed that high baseline pain threshold marginally protected against the effects of self-regulatory fatigue. The findings provide some support for a general inhibitory system and suggest that physiological inhibition of pain and autonomic activity may be influenced by phasic self-regulatory fatigue.
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Daniel, Yousif, and Yousif Mariam. "Activity Based Costing: Is It Still Relevant? : A Qualitative Study of seven companies from the benefit perspective." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Handelshögskolan vid Umeå universitet (USBE), 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-55152.
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Gulley, Tauna. "The Influence of Time Perspective on Physical Activity Intentions and Behaviors Among Adolescents Residing in Central Appalachia." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2011. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1357.
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Obesity and inactivity are prevalent among central Appalachian adolescents. Appalachian residents have been labeled "fatalistic," a time perspective unsupportive of health-promoting behaviors such as regular participation in physical activity. The theory of planned behavior has been used extensively to explain the physical activity behaviors of adolescents. Constructs within the theory of planned behavior include attitudes toward the behavior, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention to perform the behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine the time perspective of central Appalachian adolescents and examine the relationship between time perspective and the constructs within the theory of planned behavior. A descriptive, correlational design was used to examine time perspective and the physical activity behaviors of a convenience sample of 185 central Appalachian adolescents. Data collection occurred in school. Results indicate central Appalachian adolescents are hedonistic with positive attitudes toward the past. Females were more future-oriented than males. Future oriented students were more likely to plan to attend college. Constructs within the theory of planned behavior were moderate predictors of physical activity that lasted long enough or was intense enough to produce sweat.
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Timol, Ridwana. "The relationship between elevated night-time Glucocorticoid activity and dreaming: a perspective on sleep-dependent memory consolidation." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/27382.
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Background. The consolidation of episodic memory is particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in glucocorticoid levels, both during wakefulness and during sleep. Corticosteroid exposure is associated with changes in endogenous glucocorticoid activity, sleep disruption, episodic memory impairment, and reduced hippocampal volume. This dissertation had two primary aims. The first was to explore the relationship between corticosteroid exposure and sleep-dependent memory processes, including dreaming, with special focus on associations between corticosteroid exposure and (a) night-time glucocorticoid activity and (b) sleep organization. The second was to explore the neuroanatomical foundation for these relationships in young adults with asthma. To achieve these aims, I conducted three studies. Methods. Study 1 (N = 68) used a cross-sectional, matched-sample, quasiexperimental design to compare night-time salivary cortisol levels, memory performance preand post-sleep, sleep organization (measured using polysomnography), and dreaming in groups of asthmatics and non-asthmatics with varying degrees of corticosteroid exposure. Study 2 (N = 23) used a double-blind, randomized placebo-control true experimental design to test, in healthy young adults, the effects of a single 25 mg dose of prednisone on the same outcome measures. Study 3 (N = 19) used a quasi-experimental design to compare hippocampal volume of moderate-to-high corticosteroid-exposed asthmatics with that of matched healthy controls. That study also examined the relationship between (a) night-time cortisol levels and hippocampal volume, (b) night-time cortisol levels and declarative memory performance, (c) hippocampal volume and declarative memory performance. All participants were English-speaking university students, aged 18-39 years. Results. Studies 1 and 2 showed that, relative to healthy controls, night-time glucocorticoid activity was elevated and sleep organization was disrupted in corticosteroidexposed individuals. Furthermore, there were significant inverse associations between glucocorticoid activity and (a) the organization of slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep, (b) performance on both declarative and procedural memory tasks, and (c) the episodic memory content of dreams. There were significant positive associations between (a) the proportions and the organization of SWS and REM sleep and performance on measures of both declarative and procedural memory, and (b) the organization of REM sleep and the episodic content of dreams. Study 3 data analyses detected significantly smaller hippocampal volume in asthmatics relative to controls. Severity of asthma was inversely related to left hippocampal volume, but corticosteroid exposure alone was not. Furthermore, a smaller hippocampus was associated with better memory performance among healthy controls, but not among asthmatics. Conclusions. The association between the organization of SWS and REM sleep and performance on measures of both declarative and procedural memory lends support to the sequential hypothesis of sleep-dependent memory processing. The current findings also suggest that glucocorticoid activity is associated with (a) dream content, (b) the organization of SWS and REM sleep, and (c) post-sleep memory performance after sleep, and that these relationships may intersect. Although asthmatics did not display memory deficits or aberrant dreaming patterns, their hippocampal volume data, patterns of night-time cortisol, and sleep disruptions suggest further investigation is warranted into the implications of subtle HPA-axis dysfunction and consequent atypical brain development on cognitive function and quality of life in asthmatics, whether exposed to corticosteroid treatment or otherwise.
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Williams, Kimberly Denise. "a geospatial bioarchaeological perspective on behavior, lifestyle, and activity patterns in the eastern woodlands of North America." The Ohio State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1117548340.
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El, bouragui Khira. "Rôle de la prise de perspective et de la flexibilité cognitive dans les déficits empathiques : application à la dépression sous-clinique." Thesis, Reims, 2019. http://www.theses.fr/2019REIML006.
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La prise de perspective (PP) renvoie à la capacité de comprendre le point de vue psychologique d’autrui. Elle constitue une notion complexe, impliquant différents processus, comme la capacité de prendre conscience de soi et d’autrui, d’inhiber son point de vue, de passer d’un point de vue à un autre ou d’endosser la perspective d’autrui. Ces étapes mobilisent la conscience de soi (CS), la distinction soi-autrui (DSA) et la flexibilité cognitive (FC).Notre recherche vise à évaluer comment des déficits dans chacune de ces sphères pourraient sous-tendre une altération des capacités de PP. Pour ce faire, trois protocoles originaux sont utilisés : ils s’attachent à clarifier les liens entre la PP et les autres composantes empathiques à l’aide de mesures physiologiques, à évaluer les déficits des composantes évoquées dans la dépression sous-clinique et à tester l’effet de deux programmes d’entraînements (CF, PP) sur la symptomatologie dépressive.Les résultats montrent une implication de la PP comme processus transversal des réponses empathiques et son lien avec les composantes automatiques de l’empathie. Ils soutiennent l’existence d’un pattern de déficits en CS, DSA, FC et PP semblables à ceux mis en évidence dans les niveaux cliniques de dépression. Enfin, l’efficacité d’un entraînement à la CF sur les capacités de PP ajoute un argument au lien causal unissant les deux concepts. Nos résultats contribuent à mieux comprendre la dynamique commandant à une chaîne de déficits inter-reliés pour mieux prévenir la maladie chez les personnes à risques<br>Perspective-taking (PT) refers to the ability to understand the psychological point of view of others. It is a complex notion involving the ability to become aware of oneself and others, to inhibit one's point of view, to move from one point of view to another and to adopt the perspective of others. These various stages mobilize self-consciousness (CS), self-other distinction (SOD) and cognitive flexibility (CF).Our research aims to evaluate how deficits in each of these spheres could underlie an alteration of perspective-taking abilities. To do so, it uses three original protocols aimed at clarifying the links between PT and the other empathic components by using physiological measures, evaluating the deficits of the processes mentioned in subclinical depression and to test the effect of two training programs (CF, PT) on depressive symptomatology.The results show PT involvement as a transversal process of empathic responses and its connection to the automatic components of empathy. They also support the existence of a pattern of deficits in CS, SOD, FC and PT similar to those found in clinical depression levels. Finally, the effectiveness of PT training on PT capabilities adds an argument to the causal link between these two concepts. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics driving a chain of interrelated deficits to better prevent the emergence of depression among people at risk
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Eriksson, Bergström Sofia. "Rum, barn och pedagoger : Om möjligheter och begränsningar i förskolans fysiska miljö." Doctoral thesis, Umeå universitet, Pedagogiska institutionen, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-67667.
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In this thesis the relationship between the physical environment of preschool, children and preschool teachers is studied. Children participate in preschool from an early age and thus are expected to find themselves within an institutional framework (Eilard & Tallberg Broman, 2011) early in life. Today preschool as an institution can be seen as a place where childhood to a great extent is spent and created (Halldén, 2007e). The physical environment of preschool can consequently be regarded as a structure within which childhood is institutionalized (Kampmann, 2004). In general the thesis deals with how children are shaped by and shape the physical environment that they spend so much time in during early childhood. The purpose is clarified in the following questions: How does the physical environment of preschool structure and organise the activities of chil-dren? What activities are created in relation to the possibilities and limitations of the physical environment? In what way can the relationship between the invitations of the physical environment, the child’s scope for action, and preschool teachers be seen? To understand the empirical material in the thesis the concept of affordance (J.J.Gibson, 1986) and the activity theory (Leontiev, 1986; Engeström, 1987) has been used. The empirical evidence in the thesis is based on both video observations and interviews. The study was designed as a multiple case study (Stake, 1995), and three preschool classes each formed a case. The study was inspired by ethnography. The significance of seeing the environment as a set of affordances (J.J.Gibson, 1986) is that it, to a greater degree, can lead to children being allowed to discover the invitations to action there are and as a result freedom to act and negotiations can be created in both inside and outside environments. Through this way of thinking a free zone is created in an institutionalised childhood where children through their agency handle and redesign that which was intended to regulate and give structure. As a counterbalance to the institutionalisation of childhood this study contribute to an understanding of children’s individual and collective activities as a free zone in an otherwise controlled and regulated milieu. The contribution of this thesis consists of the study of the physical environment and the importance of the material in forming the child.
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Jin, Li. "Computer-mediated peer response in a level-IV ESL academic writing class : a cultural historical activity theoretical perspective." [Tampa, Fla.] : University of South Florida, 2007. http://purl.fcla.edu/usf/dc/et/SFE0002033.
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Okumu, Tito Oyana. "The role of ICTs' in field supervision of undergraduate students at Makerere University: an activity theory system perspective." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14010.
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This research investigates how Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools mediate in field supervision of undergraduate students. The research used Activity Theory systems to show that good supervisory practices lead to expansive learning. The study conducted over a two year period of eight weeks each, focussed on nine supervisors, students and administrators in the international programme (summer for the Western Countries) is organised by the College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-Security of Makerere University. The students undertake field attachment and are supervised using various ICT tools. The research used qualitative methods and was grounded in Activity Theory. Data was collected through interviews, their participation and discussion in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) and the social media network (Facebook & Diigo) and through various feedback reports either from the supervisors or from the students to collect as much information as possible so as to understand the role ICT plays in this process. The research found that while ICT tools mediate in field supervision of undergraduate students through aggregation of multiple experiences and by providing a virtual proximity in the supervisory process. It also found that there are barriers in its usage which need to be addressed when doing so. These included; internet access and availability as key, power outages, and technical knowhow were also mentioned. The research further found that lack of adequate ICT tools to be used in the field, skills and at times failure to credit the source of content hindered its effectiveness. This inevitably creates lack of consistence in the way they are used. The research, therefore, concludes that there is need for a holistic approach to address the problem of barriers and usage so as to have a comprehensive implementation plan for the use of ICT in the supervisory process. This will assist supervisors in integrating them in their practice.