Barn, ungdomar och genusperspektiv
Magisteruppsatsers utgångspunkter och problemval
AngelägenhetBarn och ungdomarFörutsägbarhetGenusperspektivMagisteruppsatserMotivProblemvalUtgångspunkter
A quantitative and qualitative study of all LIS Master theses applying a gender perspective on children-centred issues previously published at the Swedish School of Library and Information Studies. Two hypotheses were investigated: 1) studies with explicit gender perspective express strongest urgency; 2) study results confirm predeclared assumptions. A content analysis of all theses, and closer thematic analysis of ten, form the main question: Is there a risk that the theses? similarities in terms of urgency and confirmation create predictable conclusions? The theses? motivations behind the choices of research problems are explored in the content analysis. Two categories of motivation can be identified: 1) personal; 2) generally applicable. The strength of each motive was rated and the procedure duplicated to improve rating integrity. High data agreement was generally obtained. The close thematic analysis of ten theses explores three given themes: 1) preconceived assumptions; 2) intended contribution of knowledge; 3) confirmation of initial assumptions. Principally, the hypotheses were confirmed. The theses demonstrate high internal resemblance within both categories of explicit and implicit gender perspective. Notably, the explicitly gender-themed theses motivate their choice of research problems using firmly grounded arguments which are highly personal, expressing urgency. Predeclared assumptions are also often confirmed. The implicitly gender-themed theses express less urgency, often satisfied to claim the subject to be interesting and having undergone little previous research. In conclusion, the similarities in expression may increase the risk of the theses being disregarded due to perceived predictability.