Adequate Explanation Research Articles

Regelfolgen und Normativität: Ansätze einer transzendentalen Semantik

Wittgenstein's discussion of rule-following can be considered as a part of his criticism of metaphysics: Naturalistic as well as non-naturalistic ontologies fail to present us an adequate explanation of the normative dimension of linguistic behavior. In this paper, we will reconstruct this criticism of metaphysics and show that thereby we gain an important philosophical insight: Wittgenstein's criticism implies that the normativity of language is not a phenomenon that stands in need for an explanation but rather – to the contrary – has to be considered as a primitive, non-reducible condition that we have to presuppose in order to show how linguistic meaning is possible at all. In this sense, the notion of rule-following gives rise to a transcendental semantics.

Creativity as an implementation of the idea of the integrity of the world

The article is devoted to the study of the areas of realization of creative activity, justification of the possibility of creativity as a process of creation of qualitatively new values, mechanisms of creativity, the main of which is intuition. One of the key questions, the answer to which determines the possibility of explaining creativity, is the choice of deterministic or irrational representation of the world. The author makes a reasoned choice in favor of a deterministic view of the world, within the framework of which intuition, and thus creativity, receive an adequate explanation. The research methodology in this article is based on the idea of creativity as a process manifested in the form of intuition, through which the mind reaches areas of world understanding inaccessible to reason based on reproductive thinking. As a result of the research conducted by the author, the key role of intuition in creativity has been established. Intuition, in its turn, is a consequence of isomorphism of forms and laws in different subject areas, at different levels of the universe. A generalization of the use of isomorphism in practice takes the form of the principle of similarity or analogy. The ability of human being to intuition is the result of his multisystem integration into many systems: physical and biological world, social and cultural environment, system of professional knowledge and relations, etc. The representation of the integrity of the world is an imperative of creativity. On the other hand, creativity is an indispensable tool for creating a holistic representation of the world. By virtue of its defining internal mechanisms, everything valuable that creativity gives birth to becomes a part of the holistic world. It can be stated that in the process of creativity the representation of its integrity is implanted (reproduced and used as a tool).

Pengaruh Iklim Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Guru Di SMP Negeri 3 Bantan

The aim of this research is to explore how the work environment affects the performance of teachers at SMP Negeri 3 Bantan. The motivation behind this study stems from the observation that some teachers are not fully optimizing their preparation for teaching. This deficiency becomes apparent in the classroom, where students are often tasked with notetaking without adequate explanation from the teacher. Furthermore, a portion of teachers lacks diversity in their teaching methods, resulting in a monotonous and uninspiring learning atmosphere. Additionally, many teachers demonstrate a lack of punctuality in their attendance, which disrupts the efficiency of the teaching process. Employing a quantitative approach, this study encompasses all teachers at SMP Negeri 3 Bantan, focusing on the interplay between work climate and teacher performance. The sample size consists of 20 individuals, with data collected through questionnaires, observations, and documentation. Analysis involves quantitative descriptive statistics and simple linear regression. Findings reveal a highly positive work climate at SMP Negeri 3 Bantan, with teacher performance also rated highly. Moreover, the study highlights the significant influence of the work climate on teacher performance, with 43.7% of performance variance attributed to this factor. The regression equation derived from the results indicates a positive relationship between work climate and teacher performance. Statistical tests confirm the rejection of the null hypothesis, affirming the acceptance of the alternative hypothesis.

ANN model for Call Options Pricing using S&P 100 Market Data

Stock options pricing is of key importance for markets and traders and is largely based on theoretical models like the Black-Scholes model. However, developments in machine learning open a novel, data-driven, perspective in contrast to the theoretical ones. This work explores the feasibility of artificial neural network model utilization for call option pricing, using the traditional Black-Scholes model as a benchmark. A multilayer perceptron model is trained to learn the Black-Scholes function and tested in real market call options data originating from thirty-five S&P 100 stocks. Findings demonstrate that artificial neural networks perform relatively well with market data and can be a valid data-driven approach for call option pricing, competitive to Black-Scholes. A unique contribution of this study is that testing data is not derived from the same distribution as training data, something common in existing works with similar models. Although further exploration and experimentation are required to reach the required robustness and become less ad hoc and data sensitive, datadriven pricing using artificial neural networks is a promising approach and can play a substantial role in option pricing.

Civic Literacies: From Talk to Action: Classroom Journals as a Scaffold for Civic Engagement

As the second piece of our year-long inquiry asking “What does it mean to prepare students for civic engagement?,” Tim O’Keefe shares how his second-and third-grade students learn to observe the world more closely and ask critical questions about those things that appear to lack adequate explanation or justice.

Multilingualism and the affected factors on second language learning

The current study aims to look at multilingualism and how to learn several languages, ands that age, gender, motivation, native language, memory attitude play in terms of language learning . This paper presents at the beginning an overview of the subject, covers the terms bilingualism , trilingualism , included adequate meanings and explanations for these terms and their various types, learning second language learning is also discussed. the question of whether studying languages at a young age is beneficial is addressed . the researcher used data from a survey conducted from various resources . The process of being a multilinguist is discussed and followed by the common ideologies that multilinguist embrace in general . The key factors that influence second language learning are presented by three groups , Individual distinctions , styles that they adopt , approaches that they employ, and pedagogical implications in language learning

The Re-emergence of Parang Sabil: A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis on Suicide Terrorism Phenomenon in the Philippine

Terrorists and the threat of terrorism know no pandemic, as the 2020 Jolo suicide bomber incident vividly demonstrates. One of the signs of the new age of Philippine terrorism is the emergence of suicide terrorism. However, the lack of adequate explanations for the phenomenon shows that suicide terrorism is still a poorly researched topic in Philippine terrorism studies. This paper aims to contribute to the literature by investigating the power dynamics, specifically looking at how the phenomenon is interpreted by scholars using the Foucauldian Discourse Analysis. This study presents several scholarly arguments, examines how these arguments are created, and looks into the implications of their understandings. We argue that scholars hold the power to interpret the phenomenon. Their interpretations are crucial in policymaking. The results reveal that the limited information available allowed for such a diverse range of hypotheses. Yet, despite the limitations, their initial interpretations are crucial in addressing the issue at this time. This highlights the importance of scholars in this setting. The truths revealed here may or may not have an impact on unique community conditions.

Уточнение термина «армяне-халкидониты»

The ethnic self-consciousness of the Armenian ethnos, which passed the peak of ethnogenesis at the end of the first millennium BC, was ensured by the common origin, language and territory, common historical memory, continuity of state-political formations, cultural traditions and customs. Armenia is one of the oldest Christian states, and the Christianisation of the country in the early 4th century introduced a new cementing component into the Armenian identity. Wars with Mazdean Iran and later with the Muslim world, the struggle for fatherland and the struggle for faith cemented ethno-cultural and ethno-political identity. Armenia was one of the first countries to enter the Universal Church of the Christian East. Armenians participated in three Ecumenical Councils: the Council of Nicaea (325), the Council of Constantinople (381) and the Council of Ephesus (431), but did not attend the Fourth Council of Chalcedon (451) because of the war with Iran. The acts of the Council of Chalcedon, which reached Armenia much later, divided Armenians into two confessional directions — supporters and opponents of the Chalcedonian oros; the latter suspected in it hidden Nestorianism and did not recognise the supremacy of the Patriarch of Constantinople, while their opponents accused them of heresy. The emergence of Armenian writing in the early 5th century and the phenomenon of the «Golden Age» — the unprecedented rise of Armenian literature after the invention of the alphabet — determined for centuries the ethnic identity of Armenians, the unity of which was most universally and concretely reflected in the ethnic term «Armenian» (հայ, hay, ἀρμένιος). That is why the designation of the supporters of the Chalcedonian oros as Armenians-«Romaeans» and Armenians-«Georgians» did not find an adequate explanation for a long time. The term «Chalcedonian Armenians» was introduced in the early XX century by N. Y. Marr, as a designation of Armenians, called in the sources of XI–XV centuries «Romans» or «Ivirs», depending on their belonging to the Greek or Georgian Church. This hypothesis posed an important problem in Orientalism, caused continuous discussions and, accordingly, initiated further research. In recent decades, various aspects of the problem of the Chalcedonian Armenians (political, social, administrative, theological, polemical, historiographical) have attracted the attention of researchers; however, there is a range of issues that are unexplored or controversial. The term «Chalcedonite Armenians» proposed by N. Y. Marr instead of «Armenians-Romeans» and «Armenians-Ivirs» remained the most debatable issue for a long time. The aim of this paper is to clarify the content of the term «Chalcedonian Armenians» and, accordingly, the use of double ethnonyms in medieval sources, which served the emergence of this term in Modern times, i.e. to study the chronology and authorship of these sources.

THE INFLUENCE OF COMPETENCY ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: (A LITERATURE REVIEW)

This article aims to elaborate our literature review regarding competency, employee performance, as well as the relation between competency and employee performance. We use literature review method to understand this relationship between both of them. We are not only describing the facts from the literature review, but also providing adequate understanding and explanation. The results of several previous theories and researches indicate that employee competency has an influence on employee performance. The results of these studies could be empirical evidences that organizations require employees who have a great competency at work. Organizations need competent employees to be able to overcome the challenges and the changes in their environment. Employees who have competency will be relatively easier to do their work and to evolve because basically they already have good skills to complete assigned tasks effectively, efficiently and competitively. Accordingly, organizations need to concern and improve employee competency. This can be done by competency mapping through training which is suitable with the job requirements thus employees have updated competency that are relevant to the job and the changes in the organization's environment. Competency mapping could increase employee productivity and employee performance as well as organization's efficiency, effectiveness and competitiveness as a whole.

Uncertainty-aware multi-criteria decision analysis for evaluation of explainable artificial intelligence methods: A use case from the healthcare domain

This study introduces a Z-numbers-based Weighted Sum Model (WSM) tailored to evaluate user satisfaction with explanations provided by Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) methods in the healthcare domain. Focusing on the interpretability of XAI, we measure how users perceive the adequacy of explanations through the lens of SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), Individual Conditional Expectation (ICE) plots, and Counterfactual Explanations (CFE). By conducting interviews with healthcare professionals, we integrate their qualitative feedback with quantitative analysis to assess the effectiveness of these methods. The results present a user-centric perspective on the clarity, relevance, and trustworthiness of the generated post-hoc explanations. This study advances the fields of information sciences and healthcare by offering a systematic approach for evaluating XAI, enhancing the transparency and reliability of AI in critical decision-making processes.

“Our children”: Moral panic associated with children and collective violence against the Jews in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War in Poland

AbstractBetween 1945 and 1946, Poland witnessed three large anti‐Jewish pogroms. The infamous Kielce pogrom of July 4, 1946, which claimed the lives of over 40 Holocaust survivors was preceded by outbursts of collective violence in Rzeszów and in Kraków. All three pogroms were perpetrated by police officers, soldiers of the Polish army, and civilians forming a pogrom mob, and all were preceded and inflamed by rumors about Jews kidnapping and harming Christian children. Studies of widespread antisemitism and the common belief in blood libel do not seem to offer an adequate explanation of how the people of Rzeszów, Kraków, and Kielce could have believed the rumors that Jews were abducting and murdering children. They explain even less what made possible the social mobilization leading toward mass violence against Holocaust survivors in Poland in the immediate aftermath of WWII. We address this issue by using the concept of moral panic as proposed by Erich Goode and Nachman Ben‐Yehuda and examining possible reasons why Polish society after the WWII seems to have been particularly attuned to the fate of children. We argue that in the early postwar years there was a moral panic in Poland associated with the vulnerability of children. It was propelled by wartime experience but also by omnipresent violence and hideous crimes committed against children in the wake of WWII. Although there was no fact‐based connection between these crimes and the Jews, many Polish Christians eagerly put the blame on “the Other,” that is, the Jews, and sought facts that could serve as confirmation of an old prejudice—the blood libel. Polish Christians who accepted the blood libel as truth could have found confirmation of their belief when Jewish relatives or Jewish organizations undertook to “recover”—through legal procedures, by payment, by subterfuge or by force—children who had been hidden in Christian families during the Holocaust.

Continuous Electrocardiographic Monitoring for 24 Hours Before Death in Patients with Terminal Cancer.

Purposeless physiological monitoring at the end-of-life is not recommended. However, studies on how families feel regarding the death of patients with terminal cancer without continuous electrocardiographic monitoring (CEM) are lacking. To explore the impact on the quality of care and the feelings and psychological distress experienced by families when CEM is not used during the 24 hours preceding a patient's death. In this multicenter cross-sectional, self-report questionnaires were distributed to 1087 bereaved families at Japanese specialized palliative care units in 2018. Out of 671 responses, 394 valid responses were analyzed. Families of nonmonitored patients (NM-group) accounted for 79.2%, while those with bedside electrocardiogram monitoring (MB-group) and remote nurse station monitoring (MC-group) comprised 11.9% and 8.9%, respectively. In the NM-group, 85.5% expressed satisfaction without CEM, which was more than 10% lower than other groups. While 14% in the NM-group desired patient monitoring, families who received adequate explanations about CEM had lower proportions compared to the MB-group (P = .021). Univariate analyses showed no significant differences in evaluations of the quality of care and families' psychological distress (mean scores of Overall Care Satisfaction, Care Evaluation Scale, Good Death Inventory, Brief Grief Questionnaires) across all groups. While the majority of NM-group were satisfied with their patient's care without CEM, the proportion of dissatisfied families was higher than in other groups. Although not using CEM is not a major hindrance to end-of-life care for patients with terminal cancer, providing sufficient explanations may be important for satisfactory care.

Kurangnya Pemahaman Tentang Konsep Dasar Ilmu Sosial Di Jenjang Sekolah Menengah

Lack of understanding of basic social science concepts at secondary school level is a serious challenge in developing students' knowledge and skills in society, nation and state. The basic concepts of social science, which include aspects such as social processes, social interaction, and social contact, are an important foundation in Social Sciences (IPS) in schools. The interdisciplinary approach to social studies covers various points of study, such as basic concepts of sociology, history, geography, economics, anthropology and political science. However, along with the complexity of the material, there are factors that cause students' lack of understanding of basic social science concepts at the secondary school level. Causative factors include teaching methods that are less effective, such as using only discussion methods without adequate explanation of the material.

What are the determinants of variation in caretaker satisfaction with sick child consultations? A cross-sectional analysis in five low-income and middle-income countries

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to explore determinants of variation in overall caretaker satisfaction with curative care for sick children under the age of 5 in five low-income and...

The effects of sex on extinction dynamics of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii depend on the rate of environmental change.

The continued existence of sex, despite many the costs it entails, still lacks an adequate explanation, as previous studies demonstrated that the effects of sex are environment-dependent: sex enhances the rate of adaptation in changing environments, but the benefits level off in benign conditions. To the best of our knowledge, the potential impact of different patterns of environmental change on the magnitude of these benefits received less attention in theoretical studies. In this paper, we begin to explore this issue by examining the effect of the rate of environmental deterioration (negatively correlated with population survival rate), on the benefits of sex. To investigate the interplay of sex and the rate of environmental deterioration, we carried out a long-term selection experiment with a unicellular alga (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii), by manipulating mode of reproduction (asexual, facultative or obligate sexual) and the rate of environmental deterioration (an increase of salt concentration). We monitored both the population size and extinction dynamics. The results revealed that the relative advantage of sex increased at the intermediate rate and plateaued at the highest rate of environmental deterioration. Obligate sexual populations had the slowest extinction rate under the intermediate rate of environmental deterioration, while facultative sexuality was favoured under the high rate-treatment. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to demonstrate that the interplay of sex and the rate of environmental deterioration affects the probability of survival, which indicates that mode of reproduction may be an important determinant of survival of the anthropogenic-induced environmental change.

Correlation Analysis of DNA UGT1A1 Gene Expression in Hyperbilirubinemia and Central Nervous System-Related Adverse Reactions Following Oral Dolutegravir Administration

Major pharmaceutical guidelines have identified Dolutegravir (DTG) as a critical medicine in the first-line treatment of HIV/AIDS. The goal of the study was to correlate DNA UGT1A1 gene expression in hyperbilirubinemia and central nervous system-related adverse reactions following oral Dolutegravir administration, using a NanoDrop-1000 spectrophotometer and rt-PCR. 52 seropositive patients were recruited using a standardized questionnaire having different components, including gender, demographic data, educational qualifications, when Highly Active-Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) was initiated, the nature of adverse or side effects experienced, modalities used to overcome such events, and other laboratory parameters were carefully collected. Informed consent was obtained from all potential participants after an adequate explanation of the study and possible areas they would be involved, as well as samples to be collected. Blood samples were collected via venous puncture from all participants, and the same was used to quantify the level of UGT1A1 expressed in each participant using the NanoDrop-1000 spectrophotometer and rt-PCR. The outcome was compared with the side effects or adverse events experienced by each participant using ANOVA. The NanoDrop-1000 spectrophotometric results showed adequate DNA yield from 0.65 (lowest) to 104.71 ng/µl (highest) at 260nm and 280nm, respectively. At 260nm, the absorbance ranges from 0.01 to 2.09, while at 280nm from -0.01 to 1.12, respectively. Some of these participants reported having some level of anxiety, consistent headache, insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, etc., which are clear neuropsychiatric symptoms, loss of appetite, dry throat, and anemia as adverse reactions due to HAART. There was a positive but mildly significant correlation between UGT1A1 gene expression and CNS-related adverse reactions and hyperbilirubinemia, with a p-value of 0.08.

Comparative analysis of anatomical characteristics and phenolic compounds of two highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivars with different rooting ability of semi-hardwood cuttings

There is no information on morphological, anatomical or phenolic concentration differences between blueberry cultivars that could be related to the differential rooting responses. In the present work, such differences were evaluated comparing the rooting zones of cuttings from two blueberry cultivars (‘Jewel’ and ‘Violeta’ with 4n and 2n ploidy level, respectively). The parameters were measured during 150 days of rooting (rooting day after cutting insertion; RAI) at 30-day interval after treatment with 3 g/L of IBA. Stem length, stem diameter and number of leaves and buds were measured and tissue sections from cuttings were stained to measure tissue thickness. Also, the total phenolic content (TPC) by Folin-Ciocalteu method and the phenolic profile by liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detection were also evaluated in rooting zones. ‘Jewel’ rooted earlier and in higher percentage than 'Violeta'. ANOVA showed that phenolic compounds, in a higher extent, and some morphological and anatomical parameters, in a lower extent, had a positive effect on rooting capacity. In both blueberry cultivars, the cuttings with the highest phenolic content presented an early rooting capacity. The multivariate analyses allowed us to corroborate these results. FiPLS selected common variables (coumaric acid and stem diameter) and specific variables depending on the cultivar (gallic acid, stem length and number of leaves for ‘Jewel’; and, vanillic acid, rutin, and cortex thickness for ‘Violeta’). PCA allowed to group the ‘Violeta’ samples (unrooted and rooted at 60, 90, 120 and 150 RAI) in compact homogeneous clusters with an adequate explanation rate (44.7 %). From all parameters, stem diameter seems to be inversely related, and cortex thickness and p-coumaric acid and rutin seems to be positively related to the earliest rooting day after insertion (RAI 60), while the largest the stem, the earlier the rooting. In future works, more cultivars and other parameters and phenolic compounds that can induce the rooting in cuttings, including their evolution over time, should be investigated.

‘Symptom-free’ when inflammatory bowel disease is in remission: Expectations raised by online resources

ObjectivesUp to 60% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience symptoms when in remission. Qualitative research suggests patients seldom feel they receive adequate explanations for these. This study explores how, and how often, ongoing symptoms during remission are represented on readily searchable patient websites. MethodsBing, Google, and Yahoo were searched for websites providing medical information about IBD. Thematic analysis was used to inductively explore themes around symptoms during quiescent IBD, followed by deductive content analysis to quantify core themes. ResultsResults indicated that remission is commonly defined as “few or no symptoms” and that there is limited information available on symptoms during remission. 55.6% of IBD websites provided a definition of remission based on symptom control only, while 44.4% also incorporated inflammatory control. The few websites that mentioned that symptoms may continue during remission (21.7%) related these to IBS. ConclusionsCurrent website information is predominantly biomedical and fails to adequately explain how symptoms may persist during remission and how IBS and IBD may be linked. Practice ImplicationsLack of explanatory models of symptoms in remission may lead to distress and increase anxiety about symptoms. Clearer explanations of these symptoms are needed.

FUNCTIONAL STATE OF THE PINEAL GLAND IN WOMEN WITH THREATENED ABORTION IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER – FURTHER PROSPECTS OF PREGNANCY

Melatonin is an important hormone for normal pregnancy development, but the infl uence of serotonin remains poorlyunderstood. Low melatonin production can lead to spontaneous abortion by stimulating progesterone secretion and inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. Melatonin has an eff ect on the induction and blocking of apoptosis of the villous cytotrophoblast and promotes the development of the syncytiotrophoblast. Analysis of the frequency of positive pregnancy showed a signifi cant impact on the course of pregnancy and childbirth, compliance with sleep and rest also contribute to a positive eff ect, but there is no general concept, which makes the subject relevant.The aim of the study. To evaluate the functional state of the pineal gland, in particular, the amount of melatonin and serotonin in the blood of pregnant women at 10-12 weeks of gestation with a threat of abortion, which was manifested by bloody discharge or formation of retrochorionic hematoma, and the consequences of pregnancy.Materials and methods. Two groups were formed: I main group – 40 pregnant women with a threat of abortion and formation of retrochorionic hematoma, II control group – 44 healthy pregnant women. Obstetric examination, enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay for determination of melatonin, serotonin, chorionic gonadotropin, and ultrasound were performed. Informed consent of pregnant women was obtained with adequate explanation of the purpose, objectives, methods and scope of laboratory and instrumental research methods. The study protocol was approved by the Commission on Biomedical Ethics of the Bukovinian State Medical University, 2015 (minutes of the Commission meeting No 2 from the 19.10.2023 year). The study was conducted in accordance with the basic provisions of GCP (1996), the Convention of the Council of Europe on Human Rights and Biomedicine (April 4, 1997), the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association for the Ethical Principles of Scientifi c Medical Research Involving Human Subjects (1964-2008), the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine 690 of September 23, 2009 (as amended by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine 523 of July 12, 2012). Statistical analysis was performed using generally accepted methods of variance statistics. Reliability was assessed by Student’s t-test. Diff erences were considered signifi cant if the signifi cance level was p≤0.05. We also performed correlation analysis in Microsoft Excel, using the method of squares (Pearson’s method) to determine the correlation coeffi cient. The work is a fragment of the research work of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UDC 618.1-053.34 + 618.1-0536 /.8]. –07-084-08 «Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the perinatal period and reproductive system of women and adolescent girls» (No. 201110Н, state registration number 0111U006499. The term of implementation is 02.2011-12.2015).Results of the study. According to the obtained results, retrochorionic hematoma up to 1 cm is detected three times more often than over 1 cm, while the level of melatonin is not signifi cantly lower, but with retrochorionic hematoma over 1 cm a signifi cant decrease is observed in cases of further normal pregnancy and childbirth. With further complications of pregnancy in retrochoroidal hematoma up to 1 cm, there is a signifi cant signifi cant decrease in melatonin (p ˂ 0.001), in contrast to retrochoroidal hematoma over 1 cm, where no signifi cant diff erence was found in the complicated course of pregnancy (p > 0.05). Serotonin levels were elevated in all subgroups regardless of hematoma size and subsequent pregnancy outcome. Conclusions. In case of threatened abortion in the fi rst trimester with formation of retrochorionic hematoma, the risk ofcomplicated pregnancy remains in 60.87 % of cases. Determination of pineal hormones revealed a signifi cant increase inserotonin with a simultaneous signifi cant decrease in melatonin, while maintaining a positive relationship between the hormones, indicating a disruption of melatonin synthesis in the central nervous system. This is confi rmed by the normal level of chorionic gonadotropin and the preservation of embryonic viability. Since the disruption of hormone formation in the pineal gland has been established, adherence to the recommendations for adequate rest may positively aff ect the further outcome of pregnancy and childbirth.

Best practices in reporting analyses of questionnaires as objective rating scales of variable measures.

The best practice model states that the highest quality of scientific information in a discipline should be used when addressing pertinent problems. The usefulness of any measure depends on the least allowable error, which implies that best practice approaches must be used during analyses of rating scales. However, modern theories of objective measurement in advanced statistics suggest there are some shortcomings in reports of questionnaire analyses. To highlight some common problems in questionnaire data and suggest techniques of constructing objective measures during rating scale analysis. Questionnaires are frequently used as rating scales of latent variables, such as knowledge, anxiety and outcomes of treatments. However, reports of the steps involved before generating the final 'measures' often fail to present known limitations and robust solutions to the problems common to questionnaire data. Most designers of questionnaires generate variable measures for either educational or clinical research purposes without providing adequate explanations of the steps taken to address inherent limitations that may worsen the error terms in the outcome measure. Cursory attention is given to the problems in questionnaire analysis as most users do not convincingly justify the measurement techniques they used before they present variable estimation. Reporting the techniques used to address data complexity by engaging objective measurement parameters ensures best practice and emphasises the credibility of the outcome measure. Among researchers, using the techniques outlined here will lead to standardisation of questionnaire analysis and elimination of avoidable errors in constructing variable measures, resulting in high-quality data suitable for parametric statistics. For clinicians, these methods will simplify the interpretation of numerical measures to equivalent indicators on Wright maps, thus avoiding inconsistencies and misinterpretations of variable measure.