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Comparing metaphor elicitation models: From online surveys to classroom intervention
Get PDFMetaphor has increasingly been recognized as an effective investigative tool, especially in educational research, because it allows for insight into implicit beliefs, values and assumptions about the world around us. This article discusses methodological issues involved in ‘getting at’ students’ metaphors, the first step in metaphor analysis in educational research. Our focus is on techniques of eliciting metaphor, where respondents are overtly prompted to produce a metaphor about a particular issue. We discuss different elicitation techniques in four studies: study 1 without any scaffolding, just a prompt for eliciting metaphor; study 2 with minimal scaffolding in the form of a definition of metaphor and illustrative examples; study 3 with a brief classroom intervention before elicitation; and study 4 with a longer intervention over an entire semester. We gained the most thorough results in study 4, which also arguably provided the most valuable learning experience for the respondents. This came at a price however — a great investment of time over the course of a semester. In the event that no classroom time may be set aside for work with metaphor, the non-interventional approach of study 2 offers an acceptable alternative. Even a few explanatory lines about metaphor prove helpful in eliciting metaphor.Comparing metaphor elicitation models: From online surveys to classroom interventionacceptedVersio
Associations between digital health literacy and health system navigating abilities among Norwegian adolescents: validating the HLS19-DIGI scale using Rasch modeling
Get PDFBackground
Despite increasing global attention to health literacy and adolescents’ digital health information seeking, no unidimensional instruments measuring digital health literacy (DHL) in adolescents have reportedly been validated using Rasch modeling. Moreover, the evidence of adolescents’ abilities to navigate the health system (NAV-HL) in light of their DHL proficiency is still scarce. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of a DHL instrument (HLS19-DIGI scale) in order to investigate DHL in adolescents and young adults aged 16–25 and associations with abilities to navigate the health system.
Methods
A population-based cross-sectional survey among 890 Norwegian adolescents was conducted during April–October 2020 using computer-assisted telephone interviewing. Rasch modeling, independent samples t-test, chi-square test, and binary regression models were used to analyze the data.
Results
The HLS19-DIGI scale was sufficiently unidimensional, whereas no differential item functioning or disordered response categories were observed. However, relatively poor targeting was revealed indicating too many easy items for the target population. Yet, a high proportion (54%) of low DHL proficiency in adolescents was observed, as well as DHL was positively associated with the abilities to navigate the health system.
Conclusions
The HLS19-DIGI scale is considered a sufficiently unidimensional and valid instrument for measuring DHL in adolescents, which may be a useful tool for health authorities, public health workers, and health service providers. While DHL affects adolescents’ abilities to navigate the health system, future research should measure and examine their ability to utilize digital health services, separately.publishedVersio
Detecting ecological signatures of long-term human activity across an elevational gradient in the Šumava Mountains, Central Europe
Get PDFCentral European mountains, including the Šumava Mountains located along the Czechia/Germany border, have a long and rich anthropogenic history. Yet, documenting prehistoric human impact in Central European mountain environments remains a challenge because of the need to disentangle climate and human-caused responses in terrestrial systems. Here, we present the first reconstructed water table depths (WTDs) from two sites, Pěkná and Blatenská slať, located in the Šumava Mountains. We compare these local WTD records with new and published pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs), plant macrofossils, geochemistry and archeological records to investigate how changes in local hydrology and human activities impacted forest succession and fire activity throughout the Holocene across an elevational gradient. Using a generalized additive model, our results suggest that changes in forest succession and fire activity have been primarily caused by climate throughout the Holocene. However, humans have been utilizing mountain environments and their resources continuously since ∼4600 cal yr BP, thus playing a secondary role in modifying forest succession to increase resources beneficial to both humans and grazers. Over the last 1000 years, we provide evidence of directly observed human-caused modifications to the landscape. These results contribute to a growing body of literature illustrating human activities and landscape modifications in Central European mountains.publishedVersio
Carcass provisioning and intra-guild risk avoidance between two sympatric large carnivores
Get PDFApex carnivores that rely primarily on predation play a central but complex role within scavenging ecology by potentially suppressing intra-guild competitors, but also facilitating them by providing a reliable supply of carrion. We investigated the competitive relationship between sympatric wolves (Canis lupus) and wolverines (Gulo gulo) in Norway across three seasons. We deployed remote cameras at fresh wolf kills (n = 29) and built Bayesian generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) to explore the use of fresh wolf-killed prey by sympatric wolves and wolverines. Our results showed that wolves facilitated wolverines by providing scavenging opportunities. Biomass available from wolf kills was influenced by seasonal wolf prey preference and group size. Wolverines visited 100% of wolf kills in fall and winter, whereas only 18% in summer. We found that in winter, wolverines visited wolf kills 3.6 and 6.7 times more often than single wolves and wolf groups revisited their kills, and spent 10 and 25 times as much time at carcasses compared to single wolves and groups of wolves. Thus, wolverines played an important role in the depletion of wolf-killed prey, with potential effects on the scavenging behavior of other guild members. Understanding how globally threatened top predators may function as key species in scavenging processes is important to conservation as this may have community-wide cascading effects and support important ecosystem functions and services.publishedVersio
Fra Alfabetrock til ABC-metodikk og «Svartboka» : (Hvordan) kan denne metodikken være en strategi for å øke undervisernes repertoar og kjennskap til bruk av studentaktive undervisningsformer?
Get PDFIntern FoU-rapport nr. 3, Seksjon for Universitet/høgskolepedagogikk og kvalite
Hvordan påvirkes ungdommers oppfatninger, holdninger og atferd av rusrelatert eksponert innhold på sosiale medier?
Get PDFSammendrag
Denne masteroppgaven tar for seg en kompleks problemstilling om på hvilke sosiale medier ungdommer blir eksponert for rusrelatert innhold på, og hvordan denne eksponeringen påvirker deres oppfatninger, holdninger og atferd knyttet til rusmidler. Studien viser til en sammenheng mellom bruk av sosiale medier og økt rusmiddelbruk blant unge i Norge, og peker på sosiale medier som en påvirkningsfaktor i normaliseringen og positive fremstillinger av rusmidler.
Forskningens formål er å øke bevisstheten, forståelsen samt kunnskap om hvordan eksponering for rusrelatert innhold på sosiale medier påvirker ungdommer. En anonym spørreundersøkelse ble på bakgrunn av dette gjennomført blant unge på videregående skoler for å kartlegge deres bruk av sosiale medier, eksponering for rusrelatert innhold, samt deres reaksjoner og holdninger til rusmidler. Hypotesene var at flertallet av ungdommer blir eksponert for rusrelatert innhold på sosiale medier, og at dette påvirker deres oppfatninger, holdninger og atferd. Studien bekrefter at sosiale medier er en integrert del av hverdagen, med plattformer som Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram og YouTube som de mest brukte. Mange unge bruker flere timer daglig på sosialemedier, og flere rapporterer at de selv føler at de bruker for mye tid på sosiale medier.
En stor andel av respondentene hadde sett rusrelatert innhold, særlig på TikTok og Snapchat. Reaksjonene var blandede, med følelser av nysgjerrighet og interesse, samtidig som at noen følte avsky. Nesten halvparten av respondentene hadde personlig erfaring med rusmidler, og da ofte i sosiale sammenhenger. Eksponeringen for rusmidler hadde gitt mange en mer positiv holdning til å prøve rusmidler. Venner og sosiale medier ble identifisert som viktige påvirkningsfaktorer. De fleste var klar over de negative konsekvensene av rusmiddelbruk,
noe som påvirket deres valg. Studien konkluderer med at sosiale medier har en betydelig innflytelse på unges oppfatninger,
holdninger og atferd knyttet til rusmidler.
Det anbefales at sosiale medieplattformer begrenser eksponeringen av rusrelatert innhold blant mindreårige, og at det økes fokus på forebyggende tiltak i hjem og skole for å styrke ungdommens motstandskraft mot rusmidler. Denne oppgaven bidrar til en dypere forståelse av hvordan sosiale medier påvirker unges holdninger til rusmidler, og understreker behovet for en helhetlig tilnærming som involverer teknologiindustrien, foreldre, skoler og samfunnet.Summary
This master's thesis addresses a complex issue regarding which social media platforms young people are exposed to drug-related content on, and how this exposure affects their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors related to drugs. The study highlights a correlation between the use of social media and increased substance use among youth in Norway, identifying social media as a contributing factor in the normalization and positive portrayal of drugs.
The research aims to raise awareness, understanding, and knowledge of how exposure to drug-related content on social media influences young people. An anonymous survey was conducted among high school students to map their social media usage, exposure to drug-related content, and their reactions and attitudes toward drugs.
The hypotheses were that the majority of young people are exposed to drug-related content on social media, and that this exposure influences their perceptions, attitudes, and behavior. The study confirms that social media is an integral part of daily life, with platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube being the most used. Many young people spend several hours daily on social media, and several reported that they felt they spent too much time on it. A significant portion of respondents had seen drug-related content, especially on TikTok and Snapchat. The reactions were mixed, with feelings of curiosity and interest, while some felt disgust. Nearly half of the respondents had personal experience with drugs, often in social settings. Exposure to drugs had led many to develop a more positive attitude toward trying drugs. Friends and social media were identified as important influencing factors. Most were aware of the negative consequences of drug use, which impacted their choices.
The study concludes that social media significantly influences young people's perceptions, attitudes, and behavior regarding drugs. It is recommended that social media platforms limit the exposure of drug-related content to minors and that preventive measures in homes and schools be emphasized to strengthen young people's resilience against drug use. This thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of how social media impacts young people's attitudes toward drugs and emphasizes the need for a holistic approach involving the tech industry, parents, schools, and society
The presence of the pathogen Fusobacterium necrophorum in semi-domesticated reindeer – increased impact associated with intensified feeding
Get PDFReindeer (Rangifer tarandus) hold a significant cultural and historical importance in Norway, particularly within the Sami community, and continue to play a significant role in the country’s landscape and economy. This study aimed to assess the presence and prevalence of Fusobacterium necrophorum, a bacterium linked to necrobacillosis, a disease affecting semi-domesticated reindeer populations in Norway. Furthermore, the study aimed to evaluate the relationship between intensified feeding practices and F. necrophorum presence. We analyzed 129 fecal samples from female reindeer, aged two years or younger, across three semi-domesticated reindeer herds with differing management practices located in Tana, Mo i Rana, and Røros. Through quantitative PCR (qPCR), one positive case of F. necrophorum was detected, a result that diverges from previous studies suggesting its common presence in semi-domesticated reindeer gastrointestinal tracts. The findings raise questions about the bacterium’s prevalence in semi-domesticated reindeer and whether it is less prevalent in their gastrointestinal tract than previously assumed. Furthermore, the relationship between F. necrophorum and intensified feeding practices remains inconclusive due to limited findings and needs further research.
Keywords: Feeding practices, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Norway, Rangifer tarandus, Semi-domesticated reindee
Sosial tilhørighet og psykisk helse - slik de unge ser det. - En studie av ungdommers opplevelser
Get PDFBakgrunn:
Sosial tilhørighet er selve grunnpilaren for psykisk helse hos ungdom. I ungdomstiden blir identitet skapt, og det å føle tilhørighet og å oppnå meningsfulle relasjoner har stor betydning for livskvalitet og psykisk helse hos de unge. Globalt ser vi en økning i psykiske utfordringer hos ungdom, hvor sosial ekskludering, mobbing og mangel på sosial støtte ser ut til å være sentrale bidragsgivende faktorer. Dersom det ikke arbeides strukturert med helsefremmende- og forebyggende arbeid på dette feltet, kan det få store helsemessige konsekvenser for ungdommene, både i nåtid og i fremtiden.
Mål:
Målet med denne studien er å få innsikt og kunnskap på et dypere nivå, når det gjelder ungdommers egne opplevelser og erfaringer knyttet til sosial tilhørighet og psykisk helse. I et folkehelseperspektiv er det relevant å få frem denne kunnskapen når det skal arbeides med og utvikle helsefremmende tiltak. Det finnes lite kvalitativ forskning som direkte belyser ungdommenes erfaringer og opplevelser på dette området.
Metode:
Det er benyttet en kvalitativ, eksplorerende forskningstilnærming i denne studien. For datainnsamling er dybdeintervjuer valgt som metode, og det ble utført seks semistrukturerte intervjuer over en periode på åtte uker. Av disse seks ungdommene var fire jenter og to var gutter, og de var i alderen 16-19 år, bosatt hovedsakelig i bygder på Østlandet.
Resultat og konklusjon:
På bakgrunn av datamaterialet ble det utviklet to hovedtemaer; å høre til, og å ikke høre til. Bak de to hovedtemaene ligger hva som fremstår som et komplekst samspill av opplevelser, erfaringer, følelser og refleksjoner.
Dersom ungdommer får muligheten til å være sammen med jevnaldrende og likesinnede, kan det bidra til relasjons- og nettverksbygging, som videre kan ha implikasjoner på deres livskvalitet og psykiske helse. Det bør være fokus på helsedeterminantene som former ungdommene, og tilhørighet og sosial støtte bør fremmes i utvikling av helsefremmende- og forebyggende tiltak. En tverrsektoriell tilnærming med tiltak på både struktur- og individnivå ser altså ut til å kunne utgjøre den grunnmuren som kan styrke ungdommene i nåtid og fremtid.Background:
Social belonging is the very foundation of mental health in young people. During adolescence, identity is created, and to feel a sense of belonging and achieving meaningful relationships is of great importance for the quality of life and mental health of adolescents. Globally, we see an increase in mental challenges among young people, where social exclusion, bullying and lack of social support appear to be central contributing factors. Lack of structured work on health promotion and prevention in this field can entail major health consequences for adolescents, both now and in the future.
Aim:
The aim of this study is to gain insight and knowledge on a deeper level, when it comes to young people's own experiences and experiences related to social belonging and mental health. From a public health perspective, it is relevant to obtain this knowledge when working with and developing health promotion measures. There is little qualitative research that directly sheds light on young people's experiences in this area.
Methods:
A qualitative, exploratory research approach has been used in this study. For data collection, in-depth interviews have been chosen as the method, and six semi-structured interviews were carried out over a period of eight weeks. Of these six young people, four were girls and two were boys, and they were aged 16-19, living mainly in rural districts in Eastern Norway.
Results and conclusion:
Based on the data material, two main themes were developed; to belong, and to not belong. Behind these simple themes lies what appears to be a complex interplay of experiences, feelings and reflections.
If young people get the opportunity to be with peers and like-minded people, it can contribute to relationship and network building, which can further have implications for their quality of life and mental health. In the development of health promotion and preventive measures, there should be focus on the health determinants that shape young people. Furthermore, belonging and social support should be promoted. A cross-sectoral approach with measures at both structural and individual level appears to be able to form the foundation that can strengthen young people in the present and future
Robert K. Merton and Innovation-related Topics: Three Theoretical Ideas
Get PDFAs in other disciplines, such as organization science, sociology, and economics, there are good reasons for scholars in innovation and entrepreneurship research to revisit the classics within and outside their own research fields. Robert K. Merton (1910–2003) is not usually explicitly connected to innovation research, but to fields such as the sociology of science and knowledge. However, his scholarly productions include texts relevant to innovation and entrepreneurship. In 1935, he published on invention and innovation in American industry, and in 1938, he put forward the idea of innovation as deviant behavior or nonconformist adaptive behavior (Merton 1938a). In 1945, he began writing about the concept of serendipity, which he later discussed several times. This paper discusses how theoretical insights from Merton may inspire entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation research. The discussion is framed around Merton’s innovation-related ideas and their relevance today, based on 20–25 Merton publications from 1934 to 2004 drawn from his larger scholarly production. The paper extracts three main examples of Merton’s theoretical ideas and insights. The first is his interest in simultaneous independent discoveries (Merton 1961a; 1961b), which has later been seen as a zeitgeist perspective on (scientific) creativity. The second is his view of innovation as deviant behavior and an adaptive response (Merton 1938), which is relevant to, among others, discussion of the dark side of innovation. The third is his interest in the idea of serendipity in scientific discovery (Merton 1945; 1948a), which is relevant today in relation to entrepreneurial opportunity and accidental innovation.publishedVersio
Experiences of migrant parents of children with special health and welfare needs in Nordic countries: a scoping review
Get PDFStudy aim: The objective of this scoping review was to explore and summarise emerging themes in existing studies on personal experiences of migrant parents of children with special health and welfare needs and their interaction with health and welfare services in the Nordic countries. Methods: A comprehensive and systematic search for relevant articles in electronic databases was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science between 2 April 2023 and 31 May 2023. The scoping review followed identified guidelines in conducting scoping reviews. Out of the initial 1836 study results, 62 studies were read and assessed as full text and a total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Using thematic analysis, three key thematic categories were identified: (a) Initial responses to having a child with health and welfare challenges; (b) encountering the Nordic health and welfare services; (c) implications on social inclusion. The challenges to participation faced by migrants threatened their wellbeing, impacted their relationships and influenced their coping strategies and opportunities for social inclusion. Conclusions: The Nordic countries have accessible, affordable and well-equipped infrastructure for health and welfare services compared with the home countries of most migrants. Future research is necessary to explore alternative strategies and spaces to promote participation and involvement of migrant parents of children with special health and welfare needs to inform public health and welfare services development and research.publishedVersio