Publikationer från Karlstads Universitet
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Intercultural approach from preschool teachers’ perspectives : A study with lifeworld phenomenological approach
No full textThe purpose of this study is to highlight preschool teachers´ experiences of an intercultural approach in their professional role. This was examined through two research questions: how do preschool teachers understand an intercultural approach and what experiences and dilemmas influence preschool teachers´ intercultural approach. To highlight preschool teachers' experiences and perceptions of an intercultural approach, a lifeworld phenomenological approach was employed. The empirical data were collected through semi-structured interviews, conducted both face-to-face and digitally, with ten preschool teachers working in areas characterized by different degrees of multiculturality. The results indicate that the application of an intercultural approach is multifaceted and largely dependent on preschool teachers' prior professional experiences as well as the degree of multiculturality in the area in which they work. Preschool teachers' experience of working in areas with a high degree of multiculturality describe that these experiences have contributed to a deeper understanding of the intercultural approach. The study further shows that both experience and the preschool curriculum are seen as insufficient in equipping preschool teachers with adequate interculturality competence. All informants express a desire for further develop their knowledge in this area. These findings address the aim and research questions of the study by demonstrating how the influence of professional experience, the composition of the child group and the understanding of intercultural concepts influence preschool teachers’ pedagogical practice
Delaktighet på papper eller i praktiken? : En kvalitativ studie om barns rättigheter med barnkonventionen som utgångspunkt
No full textConfirmation as Lived Religion : Young People's Experiences and the Role of Leaders in a Weakly Secular Sweden
No full textThis study investigates how confirmation practices shape young people’s understanding ofreligion, faith and communities, and how confirmands themselves experience this process withinthe church’s traditions in a secularized society. Using qualitative approach, the study draws oninterviews with confirmation leaders and survey responses from recent confirmands who are nowyoung leaders in the confirmation community. The findings show that confirmation is primarily experienced as a social and practical processrather than a purely educational one. Leaders emphasize trust and inclusion, while traditions suchas worship services, sacraments and more symbols are adapted to allow individual interpretation.Confirmand report that the sense of belonging and shared experiences is often more meaningfulthat theological instruction, although participation can foster curiosity, reflection, and for some, apersonal form of faith. The study is framed by the theoretical perspectives of lived religion and weak secularism. Livedreligion helps explain how religious understanding emerges through participation andexperience, rather than formal teaching, while weak secularism illustrates how religion canremain meaningful in young people’s lives without requiring long term commitment or identityformation. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of how confirmation practices function asspaces for social, spiritual and existential engagement in a secular context, where religion isexplored and negotiated by young people on their own terms
“We get to choose sometimes, but not always” : A Qualitative Interview Study on Students Experiences of Participation and Influence in Upper Secondary School for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
No full textParticipation and student influence are a central part of the school’s democratic mission. The purpose of this study is to examine how students in upper secondary special school experience and describe their sense of participation and opportunities for student influence during their time in school. Through semi-structured interviews with 18 students across two different schools, analyzed using thematic analysis, the findings reveal that the experience of participation is present but limited. Students are primarily given opportunities to influence practical and social matters, while decisions regarding the content and structure of teaching are made by staff. Participation is context-dependent and varies between schools, indicating that organizational structures and pedagogical approaches are crucial. Student influence is expressed through relationships with staff, feelings of safety, respect, and support, rather than through formal democratic structures. Being listened to, having responsibility for meaningful activities, and perceiving that one’s opinions matter emerge as key aspects. Promoting factors include secure relationships, clear structures, inclusive teaching, and practical activities linked to future life. Hindering factors include strong teacher control, limited choices, insufficient special education competence, and differences between schools. In conclusion, the study shows that genuine and meaningful participation requires more than formal structures it demands active work with relationships, pedagogy, and organizational design. To strengthen student influence, students should be given opportunities to affect not only practical aspects but also theoretical and overarching elements of teaching.Delaktighet och elevinflytande är en central del i skolans demokratiska uppdrag. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur elever i anpassad gymnasieskola, nationellt program erfar och beskriver upplevelsen av delaktighet och möjlighet till elevinflytande under sin skoltid. Det genomfördes semistrukturerade intervjuer med 18 gymnasieelever, fördelade på två olika skolor. Svaren har analyserats genom tematisk analys och tolkats med hjälp av Shiers nivåer av delaktighet. Det framkommer att upplevelsen av delaktighet är närvarande men begränsad. Eleverna ges främst möjlighet att påverka praktiska och sociala frågor, medan beslut om undervisningens innehåll och upplägg i stor utsträckning fattas av personal. Delaktigheten är situationsbunden och varierar mellan skolor, vilket visar att organisatoriska strukturer och pedagogiska arbetssätt är avgörande. Elevinflytande uttrycks främst genom relationer med personal, känslan av trygghet, respekt och stöd, snarare än genom formella demokratiska strukturer. Att bli lyssnad till, få ansvar i meningsfulla aktiviteter och uppleva att ens åsikter har betydelse framstår som centralt. Främjande faktorer är trygga relationer, tydliga strukturer, inkluderande undervisning och praktiska moment kopplade till framtida liv. Hindrande faktorer är stark lärarstyrning, begränsade valmöjligheter, bristande specialpedagogisk kompetens och skillnader mellan skolor. Sammanfattningsvis visar studien att verklig och meningsfull delaktighet kräver mer än formella strukturer – den förutsätter ett aktivt arbete med relationer, pedagogik och organisation. För att stärka elevinflytandet bör elever ges möjlighet att påverka även teoretiska och övergripande delar av undervisningen
Att (om)skriva vår kontakt med naturen : Naturskrivandet som ett processverktyg - En kvalitativ dagboksstudie
No full textAbstract People need to find new ways to connect with nature and improve their relationshipwith it. Nature writing as part of bibliotherapy/poetry therapy has been practiced to promotewell-being and human relationships, but its potential as an innovative nature-based activity inrebuilding human-nature relationships has not yet been explored. This study is based on aguided nature writing session held in two different places in Sweden with eight participants.Participants answered daily entries before, during and after their guided session. The analysisled to four themes in the process. First, participants became more aware of nature as theyallowed their senses to act freely. This was followed by deeper emotional connection not onlywith nature, but also with themselves and other people. The connection led to a desire to takeresponsibility and care for nature. Finally, the process provided new insights and someparticipants experienced a sense of transcendence. This study showed that guided naturewriting can awaken a longing for a deeper connection with nature, and some participantsexpressed that their relationship with nature improved. The results highlight that when peoplefind a new way to connect with nature, they become closer to nature, but also to themselvesand other people. Therefore, the study suggests that nature writing can be an innovative toolfor promoting sustainable development in the relationship between humans and nature. Keywords: human-nature relationships, nature writing, biblio/poetry therapy, dailyentries, thematic analysisSammanfattning Människor behöver hitta nya sätt att få kontakt med naturen och förbättra sin relationtill den. Naturskrivandet som en del av biblio/poesiterapi har praktiserats för att främjavälbefinnande och mänskliga relationer, men dess potential som en innovativ naturbaseradaktivitet för att återuppbygga relationer mellan människor och natur har ännu inte utforskats.Denna studie är baserad på en guidad naturskrivsession som hölls på två olika platser iSverige med åtta deltagare. Deltagarna svarade via dagboksanteckningar före, under och efterden guidade sessionen. Analysen ledde till fyra teman i processen. För det första blevdeltagarna mer medvetna om naturen när de lät sina sinnen agera fritt. Detta följdes avdjupare emotionell kontakt inte bara med naturen, utan också med sig själva och andramänniskor. Kopplingen ledde till en önskan att ta ansvar och ta hand om naturen. Slutligengav processen nya insikter och vissa deltagare upplevde en känsla av transcendens. Dennastudie visade att guidad naturskrivandet kan väcka en längtan efter en djupare kontakt mednaturen, och vissa deltagare uttryckte att deras relation till naturen förbättrades. Resultatetbelyser att när människor hittar ett nytt sätt att få kontakt med naturen, kommer de närmarenaturen, men också sig själva och andra människor. Därför föreslår studien attnaturskrivandet kan vara ett innovativt verktyg för att främja hållbar utveckling i relationenmellan människor och natur. Nyckelord: människas naturrelation, naturskrivandet, biblioterapi/poesiterapi,dagboksanteckningar, tematisk analy
Development of an AI System for Information Retrieval in Corporate Wiki via Mattermost : An AI System for Information Retrieval in Internal Documentation
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used today to help companies manage and find information in large volumes of documents. One rapidly growing area is so-called Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems, where the AI model can search the company’s own documents to provide more accurate and up-to-date answers to user questions. A common problem with such systems is that they often require information to be sent to cloud services, which can pose a risk for companies that want to keep their information secure. Additionally, updating the document that the system uses can be difficult, and using AI on acompany’s own servers can be technically challenging. In this thesis, we have developed an AI system based on RAG that can run locally on the company’s own computer without the need to send information to the cloud. The RAG-system uses a technique where the company’s internal documents are converted into a format that the AI can easily search, and when the user asks a question, the AI helps the system to find the relevant parts of the documents to formulate an answer. We have tested the system using documents from a company’s internal wiki and found that it works well for providing accurate answers, even to more complex questions that require the AI to connect information from multiple parts of the document. The system runs effectively on local hardware with a dedicated graphic card without the need to connect to cloud services. The results show that the system has great potential, with opportunities for further improvements and expansion
Imitering av Interaktioner med Användargränssnitt : En Datadriven Metod för Utvärdering av Användbarhet
No full textDigital health (DH) technologies such as mobile apps, wearable devices, and electronic health records have potential to improve healthcare outcomes by supporting efficient workflows, reducing stress for healthcare providers, and helping people manage chronic conditions more effectively. These benefits matter particularly for older adults, who often, in highly digitized societies like Sweden, depend on DH services frequently and under demanding circumstances. However, DH solutions can lose their value in practice when usability and accessibility are poor. Common problems, such as poor text readability, cluttered features, limited language support, and interactions that require speed or precision, can lead to errors and frustration, especially for older adults or those with reduced motor control. When such issues occur, DH can become less inclusive, which can limit adoption and reduce the real-world impact of otherwise well-intended services. This thesis investigates how usability and accessibility evaluation can be made more effective and efficient, with a focus on the practical challenges of involving key target user groups, especially older adults and people with impairments. The thesis builds on interviews with DH software professionals, which highlighted limited resources and inefficient evaluation as recurring obstacles. To study these challenges further, we conducted a systematic literature review of DH usability evaluation methods and tool support, an online survey with DH usability experts on current practices and efficiency threats, and empirical, data-driven studies that begin with field studies of older adults with shaky hands performing smartphone interaction tasks and progress toward design-time imitation of touch behavior during the design of UI prototypes. Across the studies, usability evaluation emerged as one of the key challenges in effective DH development. The survey results indicated that participant recruitment is often perceived difficult, the time and budget are often insufficient, together with gaps in knowledge about method selection and tool familiarity. The literature also showed that usability evaluation automation support is still limited and is mainly used for user performance tracking and to check compliance with accessibility guidelines. To address recruitment limitations, the thesis demonstrates how collected data on GUI interactions can be augmented with synthetic data generation approaches and then used to train imitation models of older adults’ tapping and gesture behaviors. This resulted in the User Interface Interactions Imitation (UI3) framework, which integrates “virtual older adult users” into design prototyping environment to simulate interaction patterns and surface potential usability and accessibility issues. The thesis contributes a consolidated evidence on where and why usability evaluation, from a research and expert perspective, often becomes inefficient in practice; an overview of the current limitations in test automation and why advanced tool support is still uncommon; and a data-driven, AI-based approach that can complement traditional usability testing through design-time imitation of older adults’ smartphone interactions in UI prototypes, enabling earlier identification of usability barriers.Olika former av Digital Hälsa (DH), såsom mobilappar, kroppsburen teknik, och elektroniska patientjournaler, har potential att förbättra vårdens resultat genom att stödja effektiva arbetsflöden, minska stress hos vårdpersonal och hjälpa människor att hantera kroniska sjukdomar mer effektivt. Dessa fördelar är särskilt viktiga för äldre personer, som i mycket digitaliserade samhällen som Sverige ofta är beroende av DH-tjänster och använder dem i krävande situationer. Samtidigt kan DH-tjänster förlora sitt värde i praktiken när användbarhet och tillgänglighet brister. Vanliga problem, exempelvis svårläst text, röriga gränssnitt, begränsat språkstöd samt interaktioner som kräver snabbhet eller precision, kan leda till fel och frustration, särskilt för äldre personer och för personer med nedsatt motorisk. När sådana hinder uppstår blir DH mindre inkluderande, vilket kan minska dess användning och försvaga den begränsa effekten av i övrigt välmenande tjänster. Denna avhandling undersöker hur utvärdering av användbarhet och tillgänglighet kan göras mer effektiv och ändamålsenlig, med fokus på de praktiska utmaningarna i att involvera centrala målgrupper, särskilt äldre personer och personer med funktionsnedsättningar. Avhandlingen baseras på intervjuer med professionella utvecklare inom DH, där begränsade resurser och ineffektiva utvärderingsprocesser lyfts fram som återkommande hinder. För att vidare undersöka dessa utmaningar genomför en systematisk litteraturöversikt av metoder för utvärdering av användbarhet av DH och tillhörande verktygsstöd, en webbaserad enkät med experter inom DH-användbarhet om nuvarande arbetsmetoder och effektivitetsrisker, samt empiriska, datadrivna studier som inleds med fältstudier där äldre personer med skakande händer utför interaktions uppgifter på en smartphone och som stegvis leder till imitation av beröringsbeteende vid framtagning av UI-prototyper. Sammantaget visar studierna att användbarhetsutvärdering är en av de centrala utmaningarna för effektiv utveckling av DH. Enkätsvaren indikerade att rekrytering av deltagare ofta upplevs som svårt, att tid och budget för utvärdering ofta är otillräckliga, samt att det finns kunskapsluckor kring metodval och verktygsanvändning. Litteraturen visar också att automatiseringsstöd för användbarhetsutvärdering fortfarande är begränsat och främst används för att logga användarprestanda samt kontrollera efterlevnad av riktlinjer för tillgänglighet. För att hantera rekryteringsbegränsningar visar avhandlingen hur insamlad data över GUI-interaktioner kan kompletteras med syntetisk datagenerering och därefter användas för att träna imitationsmodeller med äldre personers tryckbeteende och rörelsemönster. Detta resulterade i ramverket User Interface Interactions Imitation (UI3), som integrerar “virtuella äldre användare” i prototypverktyg för design för att simulera interaktionsmönster och synliggöra potentiella problem gällande användbarhet och tillgänglighet. Avhandlingen bidrar med samlad evidens för var och varför användbarhetsutvärdering, utifrån ett forsknings- och expertperspektiv, i praktiken ofta blir ineffektiv; en översikt över nuvarande begränsningar inom testautomatisering och varför avancerat verktygsstöd fortfarande är ovanligt; samt ett datadrivet, AI-baserat angreppssätt som kan komplettera traditionella användbarhetstester genom imitation av äldre personers smartphoneinteraktioner i UI-prototyper, vilket möjliggör tidigare identifiering av användbarhetsbrister.Digital health (DH) technologies, such as mobile apps, wearables, and electronic health records, have potential to improve health care by supporting efficient workflows and helping people manage chronic conditions. Older adults in highly digitized societies like Sweden often depend on such services under demanding circumstances. However, DH solutions can lose its value in practice when usability and accessibility are poor. Hard-to-read text, cluttered interfaces, limited language support, small touch targets, and speed- or precision-demanding interactions can lead to errors and frustration, especially for older adults or those with reduced motor control. This thesis investigates how DH usability and accessibility can be evaluated effectively and efficiently when recruiting and involving key user groups is difficult. It builds on interviews with DH software professionals and conducts a systematic literature review, a survey with usability experts, and empirical, data-driven studies that capture older adults’ smartphone interaction behaviors and progress toward design-time imitation of touch behavior in design prototypes. The studies show recurring challenges in recruitment, time, and budget, alongside gaps in method-selection knowledge and tool familiarity. Tool support remains limited; automation is mainly used for user performance tracking and accessibility guideline checks. To complement traditional testing under such limitations, the thesis demonstrates training imitation learning models of older adults’ touch behavior. This results in the User Interface Interactions Imitation (UI3) framework, which integrates virtual older adult users into Figma’s prototyping environment to simulate interaction patterns and surface potential usability and accessibility issues. The UI3 is intended as a complement, not a replacement, for evaluation with real users. It has potential to support earlier design decisions and enable repeatable evaluations.Digital health (DH) technologies like smartphone apps and EHRs can improve care by supporting efficient workflows and self-management. In highly digitalized societies like Sweden, older adults often depend on them, yet DH can lose its value when usability and accessibility are poor. Cluttered interfaces, small touch targets, and speed- or precision-demanding interactions can cause errors and frustration, especially for people with reduced motor control. This thesis investigates how DH usability and accessibility can be evaluated efficiently when recruiting key user groups is hard. It builds on interviews with DH software professionals, literature review, survey of usability experts, and empirical studies of older adults’ smartphone touch behavior. Results show recurring recruitment and resource challenges, alongside gaps in method-selection knowledge and tool familiarity; automation is mostly limited to performance tracking and accessibility guideline checks. The thesis trains imitation learning models, proposing and validating the User Interface Interactions Imitation (UI3) framework to complement usability evaluation process. Integrated into Figma’s prototyping environment, the UI3 simulates older-adult interaction patterns to surface issues early and enable repeatable evaluations.DHINO 2, Digital Health Innovatio
High-temperature additive manufacturing of Nd-Fe-B by powder bed fusion
No full textPowder bed fusion (PBF) is a promising but challenging method for the additive manufacturing (AM) of magnetic Nd-Fe-B alloys due to the material's inherent brittleness, oxidation sensitivity, and complex phase evolution. In this study, crack-free and dense near-net-shape parts were successfully produced via electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB) using a stress-reducing spot melting strategy. Identical gas-atomized powder (68.7Fe-19.2Nd-1.7B-1.9Ti-2.5Co-4.3Zr-1.4Pr) was also processed by laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB). While PBF-EB samples showed high density and mechanical integrity, the PBF-LB parts suffered from significant porosity and cracking despite preheating, indicating insufficient thermal stress management. Magnetic characterization revealed coercivities up to 9.3 kA/m (11.7 mT) and specific saturation magnetization values of 136 Am2/kg at 310 K for PBF-EB samples. In contrast, PBF-LB samples exhibited considerably higher but still low coercivity (127 kA/m; 0.16 T) compared to the powder state, attributed to oxidation, phase inhomogeneity, and structural discontinuities. PBF-EB samples remained largely unaffected by post-processing heat treatment up to 1050 degrees C, suggesting a stable near-equilibrium microstructure already formed during PBF processing. PBF-LB samples underwent a breakdown of the initial finely structured matrix, the emergence of soft magnetic alpha-Fe phases and consequently magnetic deterioration, highlighting the metastable nature of their as-built state. These findings emphasize that magnetic performance in AM of rare-earth (RE) lean Nd-Fe-B alloys is governed not only by thermal exposure but also by process-inherent solidification kinetics and oxidation sensitivity. By highlighting the critical importance of decoupling thermal effects and solidification dynamics in AM, a framework for future alloy and process design strategies aimed at achieving high-performance, binder-free permanent magnets is provided
Education and poverty : The case of street-children in urban areas of Pakistan
No full textThis paper investigates how educational services can serve as transformative mechanisms in addressing illiteracy and chronic poverty among street children in urban areas of Pakistan. Drawing on the Capability Approach and using Kleine's (2013) Choice Framework as an analytical lens, the study examines how free educational tuition delivered in informal park-based settings contributes to expanding children's substantive freedoms and empowerment. The research is grounded in a qualitative case study that combines semi-structured interviews with ethnographic observations, including participatory involvement by the researcher. The findings highlight two key contributions. First, the study demonstrates how free-of-cost and flexible educational services, coupled with strong mentorship roles, create the necessary conditions for capability expansion - removing barriers related to time, financial resources, and social constraints. Second, the analysis shows how such interventions influence both the intrinsic and instrumental dimensions of well-being, enabling children to re-enter formal education systems, build psychological resilience, and access improved socioeconomic opportunities. By capturing how agency and structure interact across the four dimensions of choice - existence, sense, use, and achievement - the paper offers a context-sensitive analysis of how educational services may create pathways that contribute to disrupting intergenerational poverty under specific structural conditions. The study contributes to both Transformative Service Research and development literature by offering a context-sensitive understanding of how education, when designed around real-life constraints, can promote social inclusion, structural change, and longterm empowerment in marginalized communities