Publikationer från Mälardalens högskola
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Evaluating the Adoption of System Composer to Enhance Modularity in Railway Traction Cooling Software
No full textModularity is a fundamental design principle in safety-critical systems, essential for ensuring reusability, maintainability, and adaptability of complex software architectures. However, achieving sustainable modularity in large-scale systems, such as Train Cooling Systems (TCS), requires more than intuitive design decisions. This thesis investigates how modularity can be improved through a parameter-driven evaluation using architectural metrics, while also evaluating the suitability of System Composer as a tool for supporting system design. The study focuses on exploring effective methods to measure and improve modularity within safety-critical software architectures, as well as evaluating the practical advantages and challenges of employing System Composer as a system design tool in this domain. To address the research objectives, expert interviews were conducted alongside a detailed architectural evaluation based on cohesion and coupling metrics, which provide objective insights into component interactions and responsibilities. Additionally, System Composer was evaluated through practical application and comparison with existing Simulink model. Findings indicate that cohesion and coupling metrics are valuable in guiding modularization efforts in complex systems. System Composer proves valuable for early-stage, high-level system design and concept verification. Although migrating existing models to this tool can be resource-intensive. Early adoption of System Composer is recommended for new safety-critical projects to enhance architectural clarity and traceability
English Outside of School : A study of students' and teachers' perceptions of the impact of extramural English on language development and teaching in grades 4-6
No full textDet engelska språket har fått en allt mer betydande plats i svenska elevers vardag genom deras användning av digitala medier, sociala plattformar och datorspel. Denna exponering sker ofta utanför skolans ramar och benämns som extramural engelska. Studien baseras på semistrukturerade intervjuer med tre engelsklärare samt fokusgruppsintervjuer med tio elever i årskurs 4–6, och analyseras tematiskt. Resultatet visar att elevernas fritidsaktiviteter bidrar till utvecklingen av ordförråd, muntlig kommunikationsförmåga och språklig motivation. Samtidigt framkommer att dessa erfarenheter inte alltid integreras i undervisningen. Lärarna bekräftar att eleverna ofta har ett språkligt försprång i vardagliga sammanhang, men lyfter samtidigt behovet av att ge stöd i utvecklingen av ett mer formellt språkbruk. Studien understryker vikten av att undervisningen relaterar till elevernas vardagserfarenheter, samtidigt som den erbjuder strategier för att växla mellan informella och formella språkliga register.
Fängslande tv-serie eller en skrämmande verklighet? : En diskurspsykologisk studie om medias nyhetsrapportering om incels genom TV-serien “Adolescence”
No full textSyftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka hur svensk nyhetsrapportering om Netflixserien “Adolescence” framställer incelidentiteten. Serien har fått stor uppmärksamhet globalt och väcker frågor om misogyni, radikalisering och ungdomars liv online. Uppsatsen utgår från en diskurspsykologisk ansats, där 30 svenska nyhetsartiklar analyseras med hjälp av analysverktygen tolkningsrepertoar och subjektsposition. Resultatet visar att nyhetsmediers framställning av incelidentiteten formas genom flera samverkande diskurser: Å ena sidan som ett samhällshot förknippat med kvinnohat och våld, å andra sidan som ett resultat av samhällets misslyckande att skydda individerna. Nyhetsrapporteringen tenderar vidare att både individualisera incelidentiteten, samtidigt som strukturella orsaker som bristande omsorg, skadliga förebilder och ett algoritmstyrt liv online lyfts fram. Studien visar därmed på komplexiteten i medias framställning av incelrörelsen och betonar vikten av att förstå fenomenet som mångsidigt och dynamiskt.
ENTREPRENEURIAL LEARNING IN PRIMARY SCHOOL : A study of strategies, challenges, and opportunities to promote entrepreneurial learning in a primary school in the Järva area, supported by experiences from similar schools
No full textThis study investigates how entrepreneurial learning is interpreted, understood, and implemented in a primary school in the Järva area of Sweden, with complementary insights from other schools in similar socio-economic and organizational contexts. Through qualitative interviews with teachers, school leaders, and students across these schools, the research explores pedagogical practices, challenges, and opportunities related to entrepreneurial learning. The aim is to develop a nuanced understanding of how entrepreneurial learning can be integrated into schools facing comparable conditions. The findings indicate that entrepreneurial learning significantly enhances students’ motivation, creativity, and problem-solving skills. However, successful implementation depends on clear leadership, sufficient resources, and a supportive school culture. The study highlights the importance of balancing structure and freedom in the learning process, as well as actively involving students in authentic, real-world projects. These insights contribute valuable knowledge for educators and policymakers seeking to foster innovation and inclusive learning environments in similar educational settings.Denna studie undersöker hur entreprenöriellt lärande tolkas, förstås och implementeras i en grundskola i Järvaområdet, samt kompletteras med perspektiv från flera andra skolor som verkar i liknande socioekonomiska och organisatoriska kontexter. Genom kvalitativa intervjuer med lärare, skolledare och elever vid dessa skolor analyseras pedagogiska arbetssätt, utmaningar och möjligheter kopplade till entreprenöriellt lärande. Syftet är att skapa en nyanserad bild av hur denna pedagogiska strategi kan integreras och utvecklas i skolor med jämförbara förutsättningar. Resultaten visar att entreprenöriellt lärande kan öka elevernas motivation, kreativitet och problemlösningsförmåga, men att framgång kräver tydligt ledarskap, tillräckliga resurser och en stödjande skolmiljö. Studien understryker vikten av att balansera struktur och frihet i lärprocessen samt att eleverna ges möjlighet att aktivt delta i autentiska projekt. Dessa insikter bidrar med värdefull kunskap för pedagoger och beslutsfattare som vill främja innovation och inkluderande lärmiljöer i liknande skolmiljöer
ETT HÅLLBART PERSPEKTIV PÅ KLÄDKONSUMTION - FÖR HÄLSAN OCH KLIMATET : En kvantitativ undersökning om gymnasieelevers klädkonsumtion i relation till sociala och miljömässiga faktorer
No full textABSTRACT Background: The clothing industry accounts for a significant share of global environmental emissions. One of the primary consumer groups of fast fashion is Generation Z. It is therefore important to understand the factors that influence this generation’s clothing purchase decisions, in order to promote sustainable conditions and good public health for future generations. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine high school students’ clothing consumption habits in relation to social and environmental factors, with a particular focus on fast fashion. Method: The study is based on a quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional design. Data were collected through paper-based questionnaires, completed by 102 high school students. To address the aim of the study, the data were analyzed using both descriptive and analytical methods. Results: The results show that a majority of the respondents (81.6%) report low consumption of fast fashion. Furthermore, only one statistically significant correlation was found between high school students' consumption of fast fashion and being influenced by others' opinions when purchasing clothes. Conclusion: The study shows that a majority of respondents report a lower level of fast fashion consumption than what has been indicated in previous research. Furthermore, there is a correlation between high school students’ consumption of fast fashion and being influenced by others’ opinions when buying clothes. Keywords: Clothing consumption, fast fashion, Generation Z, high school, public health, students, sustainable development
Hur påverkas läsförståelsen beroende på bearbetningsmetod? : En experimentell studie på elever i årskurs 5
No full textDigitalisering i skolan har varit en mycket omdiskuterad samhällsdebatt både nationellt och internationellt. Ett flertal studier visar att analoga metoder är att föredra framför digitala verktyg, men det finns även ett stort antal studier som visar att den digitala tekniken i skolan har stor betydelse för elever i språkliga och neuropsykiatriska sårbarheter. I denna studie undersöktes hur läsförståelse av text påverkades hos elever i åk 5 när de bearbetade en läst faktatext, antingen digitalt, analogt eller inte alls. Vi undersökte även hur svårt deltagarna uppfattade att det var att skriva av texten beroende på vilken betingelse de använde. Vi valde att genomföra en experimentell kvantitativ studie med mellanindividsdesign för att kunna besvara våra frågeställningar. Det innebar att alla deltagare läste faktatexten, och att en tredjedel av deltagarna skrev av texten på dator, en tredjedel skrev av samma faktatext med penna och papper och en tredjedel hamnade i en kontrollgrupp och skrev inte av texten alls efter att de hade läst den. Därefter fick deltagarna i alla tre grupperna svara på 6 läsförståelsefrågor. Det hittades en signifikant skillnad i antal rätta svar på frågorna mellan kontrollgruppen och de andra två grupperna, där kontrollgruppen fick ett signifikant sämre resultat än de övriga två grupperna. Det hittades ingen signifikant skillnad i poäng mellan den analoga och digitala gruppen. Det hittades heller ingen signifikant skillnad mellan grupperna hur deltagarna uppfattade svårigheten att skriva av text. Slutsatsen vi drar av vår studie är att text behöver bearbetas för att läsförståelsen ska få ett högre resultat. Det har dock inte någon betydelse om texten bearbetas analogt eller digitalt.
Emerging threats to energy security : a Delphi study
No full textEnergy systems around the world are undergoing immense transformations through many parallel developments. These changes across the energy landscape are introducing new security threats which require a degree of foresight to anticipate and subsequently mitigate the effects of. Therefore, through a systematic 3-round Delphi methodology, this study explores emerging threats to energy security from the political, economic, technological, socio-cultural, and environmental domains. Findings contribute with a broad picture of the emerging threat landscape in an increasingly renewable, integrated, and electrified post-modern energy system. Threats are ranked by the experts in terms of the most critical issues to non-issues, thereby offering insight for policy development. Political short-termism and tunnel vision and polarization are viewed as the most significant threats with a high degree of consensus amongst participating experts, followed by unambitious climate goals which increase environmental threats to energy security in the long-term. Based on these results, policy implications are derived throughout the reviewed domains to bolster long-term energy system resilience. Through its focus on Sweden, this study contributes with insights into the emerging context of countries at the forefront of energy transitions.IMRE
Exploring the Current and Future State of Warehouse Automation : A Pre-Study for Sustainable Warehouse Developments
No full textDate: June 2025 Level: Master Thesis in Product and Process Development, 30 ECT Institution: School of Innovation, Design, and Engineering, IDT, Mälardalen University Authors: André Kouki and Jesswilja Keriakes Title: Exploring the Current and Future State of Warehouse Automation. A Pre-Study for Sustainable Warehouse Developments Supervisor: Anna Granlund Keywords: Warehouse automation, warehouse digitalization, challenges, enablers, and collaborations Aim: The study explores the current state of warehouse digitalization and automation, identifying key challenges and enablers towards the future vision in warehousing companies. Research Questions: To what extent are different parts of warehouse operations automated and digitalized, and how are these initiatives managed? What are the key challenges related to automation and digitalization in warehouse operations? What are the key enablers for supporting warehouse automation and digitalization efforts? Method: The methodology is based on an inductive research approach grounded in qualitative empirical data collection through semi-structured interviews, and on-site observations. Interviews conducted with representatives from five companies and a reference group, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected empirical data. Conclusion: The study concludes that while many companies have begun implementing automation and digitalization solutions, with varying degrees of automation and digitalization many significant barriers remain. These include lack of internal competence, regulatory barriers, integration challenges, and resistance to change, among others. However, structured change management, industrial and academic collaborations, and continuous learning were the identified enablers for future advancement. A structured approach and continued development in these areas are necessary to achieve sustainable and effective warehouse digitalization and automation.
“Pen and paper are fucking boring” : Students' attitudes towards writing methods
No full textThis study examines elementary students’ attitudes toward different writing methods: handwriting with pen and paper, digital writing on computers and iPads, and whiteboard writing. The aim is to explore how these tools influence students’ motivation, learning, and preferences. Drawing on a sociocultural perspective, the study emphasizes how tools mediate learning and engagement. Data were collected through a survey answered by 154 students in grades 4–6. Results show that digital tools, are linked to higher motivation and ease of writing, while handwriting is often perceived as better for concentration and learning. Whiteboard writing is more appreciated by younger students, while older students show declining interest.
Evaluating Distributed Ledger Technologies in Small-Scale Environments
No full textBy enabling tamper-resistant and transparent record-keeping, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is redefining digital cooperation across a wide range of systems. While widely adopted in public, large-scale, low-trust environments such as cryptocurrencies, DLT’s potential in private, smaller and high-trust contexts remains largely unexplored. This thesis investigates the feasibility and performance of DLTs in a constrained, small-scale setting by developing a lightweight inventory management system for the Smart Room at Mälardalen University. To explore this, two complementary approaches were employed. First, a comparative theoretical analysis examined how the DLT platforms Hyperledger Fabric, IOTA, and Hedera behave in a conceptual two-node network. Second, a latency experiment measured transaction processing latency, assessing how transaction volume and ledger size impact system performance across two hardware configurations—a Raspberry Pi and a laptop. The comparative analysis revealed that while a two-node setup might be feasible, limitations in consensus mechanisms, fault tolerance and parallelism impact the practical viability of the platforms in such minimal deployments. The experiment demonstrated that while the laptop consistently outperformed the Raspberry Pi, the latter may still be a viable option for applications with limited demands. The results indicate that latency scales approximately linearly with transaction volume on both devices, albeit with a slower growth rate on the laptop. Additionally, performance remained stable with smaller ledger sizes but degraded significantly at 100000 previous transactions. By addressing these questions, the thesis expands current understanding beyond mainstream deployments, offering valuable insights into the applicability of DLTs in small-scale, resource-constrained systems