Dalarna University College Electronic Archive
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A community’s practice : A case study of professional development among vocational and arts teachers
No full textWomen's experiences of participating in a digital continuity of care model designed for fear of birth in a rural setting
No full textBACKGROUND: Midwifery continuity models are highly recommended. Women with fear of birth living in rural areas might have difficulties accessing such care. Technology can play a role in enhancing contact with midwives during pregnancy and childbirth for these women. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate women's experiences of participating in a digital continuity of care model designed for pregnant women with fear of birth. METHODS: A qualitative interview design, employing interviews with 15 women participating in a midwifery continuity project directed towards women with fear of birth. The participants used e-health tools for communication with midwives during their pregnancy and childbirth. Reflexive thematic analysis was used. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in an overarching theme: 'A digital continuity model of midwifery care for women with fear of birth in a rural area is attractive'. The model created positive outcomes in terms of sustainability and use of resources. The women reported enhanced autonomy and reduced stress. Continuity of care fostered confidence and security throughout childbirth for the women, supported by a strong relationship with their midwives. The individualised care, which addressed mental health challenges and fears stemming from past childbirth experiences, led to positive outcomes. CONCLUSION: A model with continuity using digital e-health could be a solution to meet women's needs in rural areas during childbirth, who suffer from fear of birth or have mental health problems. Care models need to be tailored to regional conditions, considering factors such as midwifery availability and geographical challenges
Migration and Self-Continuity : The Narrated Self in Selected Works by Aleksandar Hemon
No full textThis thesis investigates the impact of migration on the sense of self. It does so through the lens of self-continuity, a psychological concept that focuses on maintaining a subjective and diachronic sense of connection to the self. The analysis focuses on the experiences of two protagonists from works by Aleksandar Hemon: Jozef Pronek, a refugee navigating the complexities of immigrant life in the United States, and Vladimir Brik, who returns to Bosnia after establishing himself in America. Through their narratives, the thesis explores the dislocation of the self and resulting mental health crises that arise from their migrations: Pronek’s forced displacement due to war and Brik’s voluntary return home, with the emphasison how their journeys impact their self-continuity. By applying psychological criticism to migration literature, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how migrant experiences shape personal narratives and wellbeing, demonstrating the protagonists’ use of autobiographical reasoning in creating a narrative identity and the recovery of self-continuit
Returning to the river : the salutogenic model as a theory to explore the relation between outdoor activities and health
No full textAn ongoing discussion is a debate about the benefits of outdoor activities for health, where a narrowness regarding the benefits as a matter of curing or preventing disease has been questioned. Hence, there is an urgent need to theorize further the relationship between outdoor activities and health with robust theoretical frameworks that can guide research and practice, taking different aspects of human-nature relations into account. In the paper, a critique of pathogenic perspectives of health is forwarded, as well as a critique of an anthropocentric human centeredness of health. Instead, a salutogenic model and the metaphor of the swimmer in the river is used to discuss the relation without being restricted to health as the absence of disease or to human health and wellbeing. In the paper, seven different relations, or salutogenic questions, are provided, moving from the swimmer in the foreground, to swimmers in the river to finally foregrounding the river
Neuroevolution gives rise to more focused information transfer compared to backpropagation in recurrent neural networks
No full textArtificial neural networks (ANNs) are one of the most promising tools in the quest to develop general artificial intelligence. Their design was inspired by how neurons in natural brains connect and process, the only other substrate to harbor intelligence. Compared to biological brains that are sparsely connected and that form sparsely distributed representations, ANNs instead process information by connecting all nodes of one layer to all nodes of the next. In addition, modern ANNs are trained with backpropagation, while their natural counterparts have been optimized by natural evolution over eons. We study whether the training method influences how information propagates through the brain by measuring the transfer entropy, that is, the information that is transferred from one group of neurons to another. We find that while the distribution of connection weights in optimized networks is largely unaffected by the training method, neuroevolution leads to networks in which information transfer is significantly more focused on small groups of neurons (compared to those trained by backpropagation) while also being more robust to perturbations of the weights. We conclude that the specific attributes of a training method (local vs. global) can significantly affect how information is processed and relayed through the brain, even when the overall performance is similar
The Complex Relationship between Teachers’ Instructional Practices and Students’ Reading Amount
No full textThe purpose of this study is to develop understanding of the relation be-tween instructional practices and students’ reading amount. As part of alarger mixed-methods study of reading practices across the curriculum inSwedish compulsory school, a selection of 14 classes from Grades 6 and 9were observed over a total of 59 lessons. The data generated were codedand analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The resultsreveal a great variation in teachers’ instructional practices which is shownto have both direct and more indirect consequences for students’ readingamount. By combining the results from quantitative and qualitative analy-ses in the light of Self-Determination Theory, the study shows that mostreading is done in classrooms where teachers manage to fulfill students’need for competence, relatedness, and autonomy while maintaining class-room structure and ensuring lesson time for reading. The findings are dis-cussed considering previous research on instructional practices in relationto students’ reading motivation and reading amount, adding to our under-standing of what makes students read in everyday classrooms. Limitationsof the study, directions for further research, and implications for practiceare also discussed
State and Non-State Information Influence in a Hybrid Media Environment : A qualitative comparative case study of Russian state operations and the non-state LVU Campaign
No full textThis qualitative comparative case study investigates two distinct types of disinformation campaigns targeting Sweden: a state-driven campaign with political motives (Russian information influence) and a non-state campaign with ideological drivers (the LVU campaign). Employing a qualitative content analysis of government reports, academic literature, and news articles, within a theoretical framework grounded in Chadwick's hybrid media system theory and Paul & Matthews' "Firehose of Falsehood" model, the study analyzes how disinformation spreads and gains traction. The research highlights how psychological mechanisms such as confirmation bias and heuristic thinking are exploited within a fragmented media landscape where algorithms prioritize engagement over truth, leading to rapid dissemination of false narratives. Findings indicate that both Russian and ideologically driven disinformation effectively leverage existing distrust and cultural divides, contributing to increased societal polarization and undermining public trust in democratic institutions. The study concludes that a robust psychological defense necessitates broad collaboration and proactive trust-building to strengthen societal resilience against multifaceted information threats.Denna kvalitativa jämförande fallstudie undersöker två distinkta typer av desinformationskampanjer riktade mot Sverige: en statligt driven med politiska motiv (rysk informationspåverkan) och en icke-statlig med ideologiska drivkrafter (LVU-kampanjen). Genom en kvalitativ innehållsanalys av myndighetsrapporter, akademisk litteratur och nyhetsartiklar, med en teoretisk ram förankrad i Chadwicks teori om det hybrida medielandskapet och Paul & Matthews "Firehose of Falsehood"-modell, analyseras hur desinformation sprids och får fäste. Studien belyser hur psykologiska mekanismer som bekräftelsebias och heuristiska tankemönster utnyttjas i ett fragmenterat medielandskap där algoritmer förstärker engagemang framför sanning, vilket leder till snabb spridning av falska narrativ. Resultaten indikerar att både rysk och ideologiskt driven desinformation effektivt utnyttjar befintlig misstro och kulturella klyftor, vilket bidrar till ökad samhällspolarisering och undergräver allmänhetens förtroende för demokratiska institutioner. Slutsatsen är att ett robust psykologiskt försvar kräver bred samverkan och proaktivt förtroendebyggande för att stärka samhällets motståndskraft mot mångfacetterade informationshot
Recruitment and Intersectionality : A Qualitative Study on Gender and Ethnic Discrimination
No full textThis qualitative study investigates how intersectional factors influence the recruitment procedure, with a particular focus on the employment of women from a different, non-white ethnic backgrounds. Although many organizations implement structured and value-based recruitment methods to promote diversity and inclusion, previous research shows that the outcomes are often limited. The study analyzes hiring manager perceptions of intersectionality and how inequality is reproduced within recruitment context. Using Kimberlé Crenshaw´s theory of intersectionality as the theoretical framework, interviews were conducted to highlight hiring manager perspectives. The results indicate that structural racism is a recurring theme, both in the empirical material and the theoretical analyses. The study also demonstrates how hegemonic feminism contributes to a segregated work environment, where white womendominated settings can create exclusionary practices toward marginalized groups. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the need for more studies focusing on women from marginalized groups, as their experiences often remain invisible within prevailing feminist research that primarily reflects the perspectives of white women.Denna kvalitativa studie undersöker hur intersektionella faktorer påverkar rekryteringsprocesser, med särskilt fokus på anställning av kvinnor med olika etnisk bakgrund. Trots att många organisationer tillämpar strukturerade och värdegrundsbaserade rekryteringsmetoder för att främja mångfald och inkludering, visar tidigare forskning att utfallet ofta är begränsat. Studien analyserar rekryterares uppfattningar om intersektionalitet och hur ojämlikhet reproduceras inom rekryteringssammanhang. Med Kimberlé Crenshaws teori om intersektionalitet som teoretiskt ramverk, har intervjuer genomförts för att belysa rekryterares perspektiv. Resultaten indikerar att strukturell rasism är ett återkommande inslag, både i det empiriska materialet och i de teoretiska analyserna. Studien visar även hur hegemonisk feminism bidrar till ett segregerat arbetsliv, där vita kvinnodominerade miljöer kan skapa exkluderande praktiker mot marginaliserade grupper. Vidare understryker forskningen behovet av fler studier som fokuserar på kvinnor från marginaliserade grupper, då deras erfarenheter ofta förblir osynliggjorda inom rådande feministisk forskning som främst utgår från vita kvinnors perspektiv
A West Indian dialogue : Crossing the mangrove and the conversation between Maryse Condé and Frantz Fanon
No full textThis analysis focuses on Maryse Condé's novel Traversée de la mangrove, published in 1989. The book marks the international author's return to her native island of Guadeloupe. The text will attempt to shed light on the filial link between this work and Frantz Fanon's Peau noire, masques blancs, published in 1952. This work, a thesis that was rejected at the time, marked Fanon's entry into the post-colonial literary world. The magnitude of this work is still observed today, and a large number of studies highlighting its teachings attempt to demonstrate its impact on the way we think about the colonial world. Maryse Condé never concealed her interest in this author, who seems to have inspired her throughout her literary adventure. The main goal of our study is therefore to observe and highlight various aspects common to the two works. In other words, we compare the texts and analyse the influences of Fanonian thought on Maryse Condé's writing. However, the analysis cannot dwell on all the issues targeted by the authors, so we concentrate on developing a line of reasoning dealing with alienation from identity and the troubled relationship with colonial history.L’analyse présente porte sur l’étude du roman de Maryse Condé, Traversée de la mangrove, publié en 1989. Ce livre signe le retour de l’auteure à dimension internationale sur son île d’origine, la Guadeloupe. Le texte tentera de mettre en lumière le lien filial qui existerait entre cette oeuvre et celle de Frantz Fanon, Peau noire, masques blancs, publiée, elle, en 1952. Cet ouvrage, thèse refusée à son époque, marque l’entrée de Fanon dans l’univers littéraire post-colonial. La magnitude de cet écrit est encore aujourd’hui observée et un bon nombre d’études mettant en valeur ses enseignements tentent à démontrer son impact sur la manière de penser le monde colonial. Maryse Condé ne cachera jamais son intérêt pour cet auteur qui semble l’avoir inspirée tout au long de son aventure littéraire. Le but principal de notre étude est donc d’observer et de mettre en avant divers aspects communs aux deux oeuvres. En d’autres mots, nous adossons les textes et analysons les influences de la pensée fanonienne dans l’écriture de Maryse Condé. Cependant l’analyse ne pourrait s’attarder sur tous les enjeux ciblés par les auteurs, aussi nous attachons-nous à développer un raisonnement traitant de l’aliénation identitaire et de la relation trouble à l’histoire coloniale
HÉLISENNE DE CRENNE: NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVES WITH A MESSAGE IN MIND : A STUDY OF THE REPRESENTATION OF MEN IN THE NOVEL LES ANGOISSES DOULOUREUSES QUI PROCÈDENT D'AMOUR (THE TORMENTS OF LOVE)
No full textL’objectif de ce mémoire est l’analyse d’un roman du XVIe siècle : Les Angoisses douloureuses qui procèdent d’amour, écrit par Hélisenne de Crenne. Par sa technique d’écriture, le changement de narrateur et donc de perspective, et sa vision ambigüe sur l’amour, ce roman semble contenir des messages subtils. Une tentative de comprendre l’objectif de l’auteure est faite à travers une étude comparative des différents protagonistes dans le roman, l’hypothèse étant qu’il s’agit du même personnage. L’analyse du roman, complétée par les résultats de recherches antérieures, nous montre qu’il est tout à fait possible que les trois protagonistes du roman soient en réalité le même personnage, et que le but de l’auteure soit un moyen d’atteindre les lecteurs et de les inviter subtilement à réfléchir sur la situation des femmes et leur émancipation.The objective of this essay is the analysis of a 16th-century novel: Les angoisses douloureuses qui procèdent d’amour, written by Hélisenne de Crenne. Through its writing technique, change of narrator and therefore change of perspective, and its ambiguous vision of love, this novel seems to contain subtle messages. An attempt to understand the author’s aim is made through a comparative study of the different protagonists in the novel, the hypothesis being that they are the same person. The analysis of the novel, together with results from previous studies, shows that it could be possible that the three protagonists of the novel are in reality the same person, and that the author’s aim would be a way to reach readers and subtly invite them to reflect on the situation of women and their emancipation