title: Focus groups as sites of influential interaction: Building communicative self-efficacy and effecting attitudinal change in discussing controversial topics

authors: Zorn, Theodore E.

subjects: focus groups

abstract: Although most focus group theorists consider interaction to be a defining feature of focus groups, the influence that occurs through this interaction has been under-theorized. We argue that two important forms of influence may occur: influence on people's beliefs about the substantive issues under discussion and influence on self-efficacy beliefs. As a result of such influence, focus groups provide a learning context that may facilitate empowerment of participants through the development of communicative self-efficacy as they struggle over constructing and sharing understandings of controversial issues. As part of a larger research project on dialogues about science, we present a case study that puts qualitatively analyzed transcripts of interaction and quantitative self-report measures into empirical conversation. The case study demonstrated that focus group participants were influenced in two important ways: participation and interaction led to increased participant confidence and motivation towards participating in public dialogues and to the construction, modification, and contestation of attitudes toward science, scientists, and biotechnology. Findings suggest that scholars should rethink their rationales for and use of the focus group as just a method of data collection and reconsider and explore alternative ways of presenting focus group results.

text: Focus groups as sites of influential interaction: Building communicative self-efficacy and effecting attitudinal change in discussing controversial topics Although most focus group theorists consider interaction to be a defining feature of focus groups, the influence that occurs through this interaction has been under-theorized. We argue that two important forms of influence may occur: influence on people's beliefs about the substantive issues under discussion and influence on self-efficacy beliefs. As a result of such influence, focus groups provide a learning context that may facilitate empowerment of participants through the development of communicative self-efficacy as they struggle over constructing and sharing understandings of controversial issues. As part of a larger research project on dialogues about science, we present a case study that puts qualitatively analyzed transcripts of interaction and quantitative self-report measures into empirical conversation. The case study demonstrated that focus group participants were influenced in two important ways: participation and interaction led to increased participant confidence and motivation towards participating in public dialogues and to the construction, modification, and contestation of attitudes toward science, scientists, and biotechnology. Findings suggest that scholars should rethink their rationales for and use of the focus group as just a method of data collection and reconsider and explore alternative ways of presenting focus group results.

year: 2006

title: Spectroscopy of OSSO and other sulfur compounds thought to be present in the Venus atmosphere.

authors: Frandsen, Benjamin N.

subjects: Kinetic parameters

abstract: The spectroscopy of cis-OSSO and trans-OSSO is explored and put into the context of the Venusian atmosphere, along with other sulfur compounds potentially present there, namely, S₂O, C₁-S₂O₂, trigonal-S₂O₂, and S₃. UV-vis spectra were calculated using the nuclear ensemble approach. The calculated OSSO spectra are shown to match well with the 320-400 nm near-UV absorption previously measured on Venus, and we discuss the challenges of assigning OSSO as the Venusian near-UV absorber. The largest source of uncertainty is getting accurate concentrations of sulfur monoxide (³SO) in the upper cloud layer of Venus (60-70 km altitude) since the ³SO self-reaction is what causes cis- and trans-OSSO to form. Additionally, we employed the matrix-isolation technique to trap OSSO formed by microwave discharging a gas mixture of argon and SO₂ and then depositing the mixture onto a cold window (6-12 K). Anharmonic vibrational transition frequencies and intensities were calculated at the coupled cluster level to corroborate the matrix-isolation FTIR spectra. The computationally calculated UV-vis and experimentally recorded IR spectra presented in this work aid future attempts at detecting these sulfur compounds in the Venusian atmosphere.

text: Spectroscopy of OSSO and other sulfur compounds thought to be present in the Venus atmosphere. The spectroscopy of cis-OSSO and trans-OSSO is explored and put into the context of the Venusian atmosphere, along with other sulfur compounds potentially present there, namely, S₂O, C₁-S₂O₂, trigonal-S₂O₂, and S₃. UV-vis spectra were calculated using the nuclear ensemble approach. The calculated OSSO spectra are shown to match well with the 320-400 nm near-UV absorption previously measured on Venus, and we discuss the challenges of assigning OSSO as the Venusian near-UV absorber. The largest source of uncertainty is getting accurate concentrations of sulfur monoxide (³SO) in the upper cloud layer of Venus (60-70 km altitude) since the ³SO self-reaction is what causes cis- and trans-OSSO to form. Additionally, we employed the matrix-isolation technique to trap OSSO formed by microwave discharging a gas mixture of argon and SO₂ and then depositing the mixture onto a cold window (6-12 K). Anharmonic vibrational transition frequencies and intensities were calculated at the coupled cluster level to corroborate the matrix-isolation FTIR spectra. The computationally calculated UV-vis and experimentally recorded IR spectra presented in this work aid future attempts at detecting these sulfur compounds in the Venusian atmosphere.

year: 2020

title: Telling “Us” in the “Days Destined to You: Response Life-Telling: Indigenous Oral Autobiography and the Performance of Relation

authors: Mahuika, Nepia

subjects: Arts & Humanities

abstract: This “tau-utuutu” (responsive) protocol feels familiar to me.² My turn to speak, to respond, to share in a conversation with Warren Cariou’s stimulating essay on “Life-Telling,” Indigenous autobiography, and Dovie Thomason. It reminds me of how life-telling, orality, and history, interweave and work in my tribal universe. At home, we take turns speaking. We inherit our words, we respond, carve, and weave new narratives—make them ours. Where I come from, lives are frequently “told,” sung, cried, carved, and performed, through tribal conversations, a chorus of textured tones, sometimes in a grand debate within which our personal and collective pasts, presents, and futures converge and diverge.³ I am glad, then, to be invited, to add my voice to this present discussion. It feels natural . . . normal . . . Native.

text: Telling “Us” in the “Days Destined to You: Response Life-Telling: Indigenous Oral Autobiography and the Performance of Relation This “tau-utuutu” (responsive) protocol feels familiar to me.² My turn to speak, to respond, to share in a conversation with Warren Cariou’s stimulating essay on “Life-Telling,” Indigenous autobiography, and Dovie Thomason. It reminds me of how life-telling, orality, and history, interweave and work in my tribal universe. At home, we take turns speaking. We inherit our words, we respond, carve, and weave new narratives—make them ours. Where I come from, lives are frequently “told,” sung, cried, carved, and performed, through tribal conversations, a chorus of textured tones, sometimes in a grand debate within which our personal and collective pasts, presents, and futures converge and diverge.³ I am glad, then, to be invited, to add my voice to this present discussion. It feels natural . . . normal . . . Native.

year: 2016