Economic crisis, immigrant women and changing availability of intimate partner violence services: a qualitative study of professionals' perceptions in Spain

Introduction: Since 2008, Spain has been in the throes of an economic crisis. This recession particularly affects the living conditions of vulnerable populations, and has also led to a reversal in social policies and a reduction in resources. In this context, the aim of this study was to explore intimate partner violence (IPV) service providers’ perceptions of the impact of the current economic crisis on these resources in Spain and on their capacity to respond to immigrant women’s needs experiencing IPV. Methods: A qualitative study was performed based on 43 semi-structured in-depth interviews to social workers, psychologists, intercultural mediators, judges, lawyers, police officers and health professionals from different services dealing with IPV (both, public and NGO’s) and cities in Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Alicante) in 2011. Transcripts were imported into qualitative analysis software (Atlas.ti), and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: We identified four categories related to the perceived impact of the current economic crisis: a) “Immigrant women have it harder now”, b) “IPV and immigration resources are the first in line for cuts”, c) “ Fewer staff means a less effective service” and d) “Equality and IPV policies are no longer a government priority”. A cross-cutting theme emerged from these categories: immigrant women are triply affected; by IPV, by the crisis, and by structural violence. Conclusion: The professionals interviewed felt that present resources in Spain are insufficient to meet the needs of immigrant women, and that the situation might worsen in the future.

Expectativas que poseen los docentes universitarios de carreras de Pedagogía en relación al uso de las TIC

Este artículo presenta un estudio cualitativo realizado en la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad Católica del Maule (Chile), en relación a las expectativas de los académicos en torno a la integración de las TIC en educación. Se expone el diseño metodológico basado en el análisis de contenido y la codificación abierta de la teoría fundamentada, y en el cual se ha utilizado el programa de análisis cualitativo ATLAS.ti (CQDAS). En general, los académicos poseen altas expectativas respecto a los efectos que se producen al utilizar las TIC respecto a diversos aspectos.

Do students confuse dimensionality and “directionality”?

The aim of this research is to understand the way in which students struggle with the distinction between dimensionality and “directionality” and if this type of potential confusion could be a factor affecting students’ tendency toward improper linear reasoning in the context of the relations between length and area of geometrical figures. 131 9th grade students were confronted with a multiple-choice test consisting of six problems related to the perimeter or the area of an enlarged geometrical figure, then some interviews were carried out to obtain qualitative data in relation to students’ reasoning. Results indicate that more than one fifth of the students’ answers could be characterized as based on directional thinking, suggesting that students struggled with the distinction between dimensionality and “directionality”. A single arrow showing one direction (image provided to the students) seemed to strengthen the tendency toward improper linear reasoning for the area problems. Two arrows showing two directions helped students to see a quadratic relation for the area problems.

Evaluation of the Implementation of CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) Methodology in the Didactics of the English Language in Preschool Education Course Taught in the Preschool Education Teacher Undergraduate Program at the University of Alicante

Although it is known that the Spanish current Educative System promotes using the Communicate Approach to teach foreign languages in schools, other recently designed approaches are also used to help students improve their skills when communicating in a foreign language. One of these approaches is Content and Language Integrated Learning, also known as CLIL, which is used to teach content courses using the English language as the language of instruction. This approach improves the students’ skills in English as the same time as they learn content from other areas. The goal of this thesis is to present a research project carried out at the University of Alicante during the academic year 2011-2012. With this research we obtained results that provide quantitative and qualitative data which explains how the use of the CLIL methodology affects the English level of students in the “Didactics of the English Language in Preschool Education” course in Preschool Education Teacher Undergraduate Program as students acquire the contents of the course.

Associative Behaviours and Political Participation of EU migrants

Civic culture is structured on a network of interpersonal associations with different degrees of formalization. According to theories on civic and political action, certain agents, such as associations, play a key role in setting targets, socializing or coordinating sociopolitical actions, among other functions. Associations strengthen the political and civic system of societies. Likewise, they are a vehicle for individuals’ integration, which is particularly important in the case of immigrants. For these, associations are both a vehicle for integration and an instrument for political participation. This article explores the use and purpose of associations according to immigrants from Romania, Poland, the United Kingdom and Germany living in Spain.