Reaching the unreached: de-mystifying the role of ICT in the process of doctoral research

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become a necessary element of academic practice in higher education today. Under normal circumstances, PhD students from all disciplines have to use ICT in some form throughout the process of their research, including the preparation, fieldwork, analysis and writing phases of their studies. Nevertheless, there has been little research to date that explores PhD students’ first-hand experiences of using various ICT to support their research practices. This paper brings together the findings and the key points from a review of significant parts of the existing literature associated with the role played by ICT in the processes PhD students use in doctoral research. The review is based on 27 papers appearing in international peer-reviewed journals published from 2005 to 2014. The study seeks to address the under-researched area in the current literature of how ICT plays a role in the processes of doctoral research. While there are many contributions taking the ‘institutional’ or ‘teaching’ perspectives, papers focusing on ‘student’ perspective, or the viewpoint of engaging ICT in daily study routine, are relatively fewer. As far as research methodology is concerned, this review found that many of the papers that were examined were mostly based on perception data such as surveys or interviews, while actual practice data were rarely present. With their ready access to technologies, PhD students are well positioned to take advantage of a range of technologies in order to carry out their research efficiently (in terms of means to an end) and effectively (in terms of reaching goals within a task). This review reveals that in the literature, this important area is under-represented.

Formare competenze per gestire processi di Open Innovation. Uno studio di caso.

Per comprende più a fondo il problema che le aziende affrontare per formare le persone in grado di gestire processi di innovazione, in particolare di Open Innovation (OI), è stato realizzato nel 2021 uno studio di caso multiplo di un percorso di educazione non formale all’OI realizzato dalla società consortile ART-ER e rivolto ai dottorandi degli atenei emiliano-romagnoli. Nella seconda fase di tale percorso formativo, per rispondere alle sfide di OI lanciate dalle aziende, sono stati costituiti 4 tavoli di lavoro. A ciascun tavolo di lavoro hanno preso parte 3/4 dottorandi, due referenti aziendali, un consulente e un operatore di ART-ER. Il campione complessivo era costituito da 14 dottorandi; 8 referenti aziendali di quattro aziende; 4 membri di una società di consulenza e 4 operatori della società consortile ART-ER. Il seguente interrogativo di ricerca ha guidato l’indagine: l’interazione tra i soggetti coinvolti in ciascun tavolo di lavoro – considerato un singolo caso - si configura come una Comunità di Pratica in grado di favorire lo sviluppo di apprendimenti individuali funzionali a gestire i processi di OI attivati nelle imprese? I dati sono stati raccolti attraverso una ricerca documentale a tavolino, focus group, interviste semistrutturate e un questionario semistrutturato online. L’analisi dei dati è stata effettuata mediante un’analisi qualitativa del contenuto in più fasi con l’ausilio del software MAXQDA. I risultati dimostrano che in tre casi su quattro, i tavoli di lavoro si sono configurati come una Comunità di Pratica. In questi tre tavoli inoltre è emerso lo sviluppo di alcune aree di competenza funzionali alla gestione dei processi di OI. Nella conclusione sono state presentate alcune proposte per la riprogettazione delle future edizioni del percorso formativo.

Philosophy of quantum field theory: an introduction with interviews and comments

In this thesis, I address quantum theories and specifically quantum field theories in their interpretive aspects, with the aim of capturing some of the most controversial and challenging issues, also in relation to possible future developments of physics. To do so, I rely on and review some of the discussions carried on in philosophy of physics, highlighting methodologies and goals. This makes the thesis an introduction to these discussions. Based on these arguments, I built and conducted 7 face-to-face interviews with physics professors and an online survey (which received 88 responses from master's and PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in physics), with the aim of understanding how physicists make sense of concepts related to quantum theories and to find out what they can add to the discussion. Of the data collected, I report a qualitative analysis through three constructed themes.

A multi-perspective approach to performance anxiety in music students

AbstractPerforming publicly has become increasingly important in a variety of professions. This condition is associated with performance anxiety in almost all performers. Whereas some performers successfully cope with this anxiety, for others it represents a major problem and even threatens their career. Musicians and especially music students were shown to be particularly affected by performance anxiety.Therefore, the goal of this PhD thesis was to gain a better understanding of performance anxiety in university music students. More precisely, the first part of this thesis aimed at increasing knowledge on the occurrence, the experience, and the management of performance anxiety (Article 1). The second part aimed at investigating the hypothesis that there is an underlying hyperventilation problem in musicians with a high level of anxiety before a performance. This hypothesis was addressed in two ways: firstly, by investigating the association between the negative affective dimension of music performance anxiety (MPA) and self-perceived physiological symptoms that are known to co-occur with hyperventilation (Article 2) and secondly, by analyzing this association on the physiological level before a private (audience-free) and a public performance (Article 3). Article 4 places some key variables of Article 3 in a larger context by jointly analyzing the phases before, during, and after performing.The main results of the self-report data show (a) that stage fright is experienced as a problem by one-third of the surveyed students, (b) that the students express a considerable need for more help to better cope with it, and (c) that there is a positive association between negative feelings of MPA and the self-reported hyperventilation complaints before performing. This latter finding was confirmed on the physiological level in a tendency of particularly high performance-anxious musicians to hyperventilate. Furthermore, the psycho-physiological activation increased from a private to a public performance, and was higher during the performances than before or after them. The physiological activation was mainly independent of the MPA score. Finally, there was a low response coherence between the actual physiological activation and the self-reports on the instantaneous anxiety, tension, and perceived physiological activation.Given the high proportion of music students who consider stage fright as a problem and given the need for more help to better cope with it, a better understanding of this phenomenon and its inclusion in the educational process is fundamental to prevent future occupational problems. On the physiological level, breathing exercises might be a good means to decrease - but also to increase - the arousal associated with a public performance in order to meet an optimal level of arousal needed for a good performance.

Group mentoring for women starting a PhD: a "duty free zone" to build professional identity

Despite increasing numbers of women attaining higher level academic degrees, gender disparities remain among higher education and among university faculties. Some have posited that this may stem from inadequate academic identity development of women at the doctoral level. While existing gender differences may stem from multiple and variable origins, mentoring has been proposed as a viable means to promote academic identity development and address these gender gaps. This study used a qualitative, narrative case study design to evaluate "StartingDoc" a structured mentoring program launched among Swiss Universities aimed at promoting networking and academic identity development among female doctoral students. Herein we describe the 9 emergent themes which arose from the small-group mentoring program and suggest that such an approach is both feasible and beneficial for young female academics. Further work is needed to elucidate the most effective strategies for developing and retaining women in academia.

The evolution of recent research on Catalan literature through the production of PhD theses: a bibliometric and social network analysis

Introduction. This paper studies the situation of research on Catalan literature between 1976 and 2003 by carrying out a bibliometric and social network analysis of PhD theses defended in Spain. It has a dual aim: to present interesting results for the discipline and to demonstrate the methodological efficacy of scientometric tools in the humanities, a field in which they are often neglected due to the difficulty of gathering data. Method. The analysis was performed on 151 records obtained from the TESEO database of PhD theses. The quantitative estimates include the use of the UCINET and Pajek software packages. Authority control was performed on the records. Analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample and the distribution of responses to each question. Sex differences on key questions were analysed using the Chi-squared test. Results. The value of the figures obtained is demonstrated. The information obtained on the topic and the periods studied in the theses, and on the actors involved (doctoral students, thesis supervisors and members of defence committees), provide important insights into the mechanisms of humanities disciplines. The main research tendencies of Catalan literature are identified. It is observed that the composition of members of the thesis defence committees follows Lotka's Law. Conclusions. Bibliometric analysis and social network analysis may be especially useful in the humanities and in other fields which are lacking in scientometric data in comparison with the experimental sciences.

The Experience of (In)Accessibility at University: What Disabled Graduate Students Reveal

Although the number of disabled students entering graduate school has increased in recent years, research pertaining to graduate students with disabilities remains underdeveloped. The purpose of this generic qualitative study is to better understand the experiences of (in)accessibility from the perspectives of three graduate students who self-identify as disabled or as having a disability(s) at one mid-sized university in Southern Ontario. The theoretical orientation was shaped by a social model of disability. The study was focused around the following major research question: What have been the experiences of (in)accessibility for three graduate students who self-identify as disabled or as having a disability(s) at one mid-sized university in Southern Ontario? Subquestions were organized around subcategories, such as (a) experiences related to accessibility, (b) experiences related to inaccessibility, and (c) insights related to future recommendations to enhance accessibility. The study found that (in)accessibility at university was related to (a) specific places on campus, (b) specific people on campus, and (c) the culture of awareness. A variety of educational initiatives were recommended to foster accessible practices and to develop a more accepting and disability-friendly culture on campus. Based on these findings, the Trickledown Effect Model was proposed as a means for promoting accessibility at university.

Applying for PhDs - Some advice for Masters students

Detailed notes to support Masters students in applications to undertake PhD work. There are specific sections relating to NERC funding as well as UK, EU and non-EU citizens.

PhD Supervision up to 9 months

Information and guidance for students in the early stages of their PhD studies

The PhD in construction management

The PhD process is uncertain, idiosyncratic and vague. Research into the management of PhDs has proved very useful for supervisors and students. It is important for everyone involved in the process to be aware of what can be done to improve the likelihood of success for PhD studies. There are many ways of tackling a PhD and it is not possible to describe construction management as a generic type of study. Rather, construction management is a source of problems and data, whereas solutions and approaches need to be based within established academic disciplines. The clear definition of a research project is an essential prerequisite for success. Although PhDs are difficult, there are many things that can be done by departments, supervisors and students to ease the difficulties. In the long run, the development of an active and dynamic research community is dependent upon a steady flow of high quality PhDs. No-one benefits from an uncompleted or failed PhD.

An Examination of the factors that shape the subjectivities of female art students in Initial Teacher Training

The school subject of Art and the profession of the primary school teacher are gendered female and both are considered low status within the field of Education and other professional areas of society. A number of sociological studies have examined the impact of gendered socialisation and habitus on females’ career choices and various educational initiatives have been put in place over the years to encourage females to select subjects and/or pursue career paths normally associated with males. Yet Art and primary school teaching continue to be a popular choice with middle class girls. Based on a critical ethnographic study of female BAED Art students, who are training to be primary school teachers, this study is an examination of the many factors, historically and contemporaneously that have shaped and continue to shape the subjectivities of females and frame their aspirations and ambitions. Within this discourse significant aspects of the history of Art and Art Education that have contributed to and influenced the construction of the female artist, and their consequent impact on artistically talented females’ personal identity as artists, are also examined.

Developing Dramatic Movies to Teach Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Allied Health, Medical and Nursing Students

Many times a Hollywood movie has scenes that are useful to illustrate aspects of health care practice. However, it is often impractical to use an entire two-hour movie in class, and a clip or two really does not convey the dramatic picture that the complete movie reveals. [See PDF for complete abstract]

Formative Evaluation of the "Time Twisters": A Comic Book Based Obesity Prevention Curriculum for Elementary School Students

Introduction: Obesity is a public health problem, particularly in Hispanic children. Alternative media channels may offer the potential to motivate children to engage in health promoting behaviors. A comic book, “Time Twisters”, was developed to impact screen time use, physical activity, and dietary behavior for elementary school children and evaluated for acceptability and feasibility prior to implementation in a multi-component physical activity intervention. [See PDF for complete abstract]