Collaborative Approach Research Articles

Blurred lines of participation: nexus analytical tools for reflecting on the roles of researchers and participants in change-oriented research projects

Abstract This article discusses nexus analysis (NA) as a research strategy that provides specific tools for reflecting on the roles of researchers and participants in participatory research. While many research traditions use participatory methods and problematise what it means to participate in research, thus far the potential of nexus analytical concepts as tools to mediate such a reflection has not been discussed explicitly. In order to illustrate how NA promotes such reflections, we draw on four linguistic projects in multilingual settings that deal with (1) preservice teachers’ learning to design for language learning in hybrid environments on a university course, (2) plurilingual and collaborative teaching approaches to writing in language classrooms in secondary schools, (3) language socialisation of migrant mothers, and (4) family language policy in single-parent families. With this article, we demonstrate how the nexus analytical conceptual tools of ‘zone of identification’, ‘historical body’ and ‘interaction order’ facilitate reflection upon the researcher’s participatory engagement in various stages of the research process. We show that the lines between the roles of researchers and participants are blurry, in particular in research projects that focus on introducing social change. Additionally, we highlight the importance of reflecting on power relations between researchers and participants and how control over project direction and decisions can impact the representation and involvement of community members.

CRIME-Q—a unifying tool for critical appraisal of methodological (technical) quality, quality of reporting and risk of bias in animal research

BackgroundSystematic reviews within the field of animal research are becoming more common. However, in animal translational research, issues related to methodological quality and quality of reporting continue to arise, potentially leading to underestimation or overestimation of the effects of interventions or prevent studies from being replicated. The various tools and checklists available to ensure good-quality studies and proper reporting include both unique and/or overlapping items and/or simply lack necessary elements or are too situational to certain conditions or diseases. Currently, there is no tool available, which covers all aspects of animal models, from bench-top activities to animal facilities, hence a new tool is needed. This tool should be designed to be able to assess all kinds of animal studies such as old, new, low quality, high quality, interventional and noninterventional on. It should do this on multiple levels through items on quality of reporting, methodological (technical) quality, and risk of bias, for use in assessing the overall quality of studies involving animal research.MethodsDuring a systematic review of meningioma models in animals, we developed a novel unifying tool that can assess all types of animal studies from multiple perspectives. The tool was inspired by the Collaborative Approach to Meta Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADES) checklist, the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines, and SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool, while also incorporating unique items. We used the interrater agreement percentage and Cohen’s kappa index to test the interrater agreement between two independent reviewers for the items in the tool.ResultsThere was high interrater agreement across all items (92.9%, 95% CI 91.0–94.8). Cohen’s kappa index showed quality of reporting had the best mean index of 0.86 (95%-CI 0.78–0.94), methodological quality had a mean index of 0.83 (95%-CI 0.78–0.94) and finally the items from SYRCLE’s risk of bias had a mean kappa index of 0.68 (95%-CI 0.57–0.79).ConclusionsThe Critical Appraisal of Methodological (technical) Quality, Quality of Reporting and Risk of Bias in Animal Research (CRIME-Q) tool unifies a broad spectrum of information (both unique items and items inspired by other methods) about the quality of reporting and methodological (technical) quality, and contains items from SYRCLE’s risk of bias. The tool is intended for use in assessing overall study quality across multiple domains and items and is not, unlike other tools, restricted to any particular model or study design (whether interventional or noninterventional). It is also easy to apply when designing and conducting animal experiments to ensure proper reporting and design in terms of replicability, transparency, and validity.

Dampak Ekonomi Digital Terhadap Pertumbuhan Umkm Di Era Industri 4.0

Digital transformation driven by the Industrial Revolution 4.0 has changed the way MSMEs in Indonesia operate and compete in the market. The application of technologies such as e-commerce, big data, and analytics enables MSMEs to improve operational efficiency as well as expand their market reach. This research discusses the impact of the digital economy on MSME growth, as well as the challenges faced, such as a lack of digital literacy and limited infrastructure in rural areas. On the other hand, the Indonesian government has been working to encourage digital transformation through programs such as the National Movement for MSMEs to Go Digital, which provides access to training and technology support. In addition, collaboration between the public and private sectors plays an important role in accelerating technology adoption by MSMEs. The findings show that while the digitalization of MSMEs offers great opportunities to improve productivity and competitiveness, the adoption of these technologies is still constrained by various internal and external factors. Therefore, a holistic and collaborative approach is needed to support MSMEs in the digital transformation process. With comprehensive support, MSMEs are expected to contribute more significantly to the national economy and open up access to global markets. This conclusion shows the importance of a sustainable strategy to facilitate and support the adoption of digitalization in the MSME sector in Indonesia in order to realize inclusive and sustainable economic development.

Co-designing a physical activity intervention for low-income mothers of preschool-aged children with community leaders: a qualitative study

BackgroundYoung children from low-income families experience disparities in school readiness that impact short and long-term health. Family physical activity co-participation is an interactive activity that may promote positive health and academic outcomes. The purpose of this study is to describe the process and outcomes of engaging with community leaders to co-design the Families Moving Together intervention for low-income mothers and their preschool-aged children.MethodsFive action planning sessions were conducted with community leaders, experts in physical activity, early learning, or engaging low-income families (i.e., families receiving housing assistance). The PRACTical planning for Implementation and Scale-up (PRACTIS) guide provided a framework for each session to address implementation and sustainability barriers and facilitators. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Framework Analysis method with inductive and deductive coding.ResultsAction planning participants (N = 19) were aged 50 ± 13.4 years, mostly female (89%), and worked across several community organizations serving low-income mothers and children in an urban city in central Kentucky. Three core themes were identified from analyzing the transcripts. First, participants held shared values, such as respect and equity, that informed the intervention design process. Second, these core values provided a foundation for creating collaborative and sustainable solutions to achieve outcomes. Finally, participants described program design elements to remove barriers and increase facilitators. Through the action planning process, participants co-designed the core components of Families Moving Together, which included leading free family movement programs in the community and engaging trusted community members to deliver the intervention. The goal of this 6-month community-level intervention is to increase school readiness and health by engaging families in physical activity together.ConclusionsCommunity experts and the research team used the PRACTIS guide to co-design strategies to increase physical activity and school readiness that they perceived would enhance the likelihood of implementation and sustainability in the community. Participants underscored the importance of the co-design process that centers community representation and collaborative approaches to create, implement, and sustain programs in the local community. Researchers and community leaders serving low-income mothers and children in other settings may be able to replicate the action planning process to facilitate equitable health outcomes.

Touching at a distance: the elaboration of communicative functions from the perspective of the interactants

Touch is an inherent part of human social interactions and the diversity of its functions has been highlighted in numerous works. Given the varied roles of touch, with technology-mediated communication being a big part of our everyday lives, research has been interested in enabling and enhancing distant social interactions with mediated touch over networks. Due to the complexity of the sense of touch and technological limitations, multimodal devices have been developed and investigated. In this article, we explore the use of mediated visual touch in distant social interaction. Adopting an interactionist and collaborative approach to human communication, we focus on the communicative functions of distant touch behaviours which interactants co-elaborate throughout their mediated interactions. For this purpose, we conducted an exploratory study placing five romantically involved couples in interaction, where each discussed shared biographical events via a video call, using mediated touch devices (producing vibration and coloured lights). Their interactions were recorded, and excerpts were presented to participants in interviews using a collective confrontation technique (participants are confronted with a recording of their activity and encouraged to comment on it). This technique allows a better understanding of the participants’ points of view on their use of the touch devices in context. Through analysis of the interviews, our results highlight: (1) a variety of visual-touch functions with a redistribution of functions mostly supported by other modalities of communication in face-to-face interactions, such as illustrating aspects of the ongoing conversation; (2) the visual-touch characteristics as well as the verbal, paraverbal and non-verbal indicators of the interactional context considered by the participants to make sense of the stimuli and; (3) the multifactorial and dynamic aspects of the co-elaboration process of the visual-touch functions, reaffirming the role of interactional context, combined with cultural and biographical knowledge, in the meaning making.

Trends and Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease-Related Mortality among Adults with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms in the United States

Abstract Aims We aimed to perform a retrospective cohort study using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention`s (CDC's) Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) database to analyze the trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) from 1999-2020. Methods and Results We analyzed the death certificate data from the CDC WONDER database from 1999 to 2020 for CVD with co-morbid myeloproliferative disorders in the US population. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed per 1 million population by standardizing crude mortality rates to the 2000 US census population. To assess annual national mortality trends, we employed the Joinpoint regression model, calculating the annual percent change (APC) in AAMR and corresponding 95% CIs. A total of 15,269 deaths related to CVD occurred in patients with co-morbid myeloproliferative neoplasms from 1999-2020. Overall, there was a decreasing trend in CVD-related AAMRs throughout these years. Males contributed to 51% of total deaths and their AAMR was persistently higher than women throughout the study. Non-Hispanic (NH) Whites had the highest overall AAMR, followed by NH Blacks, NH American Indians or Alaska Natives, Hispanics or Latinos, and NH Asian or Pacific Islanders. Conclusion Our findings indicate a significant decline with notable gender, racial/ethnic, and regional differences in CVD-related mortality among patients with MPN over the past two decades. We emphasize the importance of a collaborative approach between oncologists and cardiologists in managing these patients, highlighting the potential benefits of integrating cardio-oncology services to enhance patient outcomes.

Concepts for a Semantically Accessible Materials Data Space: Overview over Specific Implementations in Materials Science

This article describes advancements in the ongoing digital transformation in materials science and engineering. It is driven by domain‐specific successes and the development of specialized digital data spaces. There is an evident and increasing need for standardization across various subdomains to support science data exchange across entities. The MaterialDigital Initiative, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, takes on a key role in this context, fostering collaborative efforts to establish a unified materials data space. The implementation of digital workflows and Semantic Web technologies, such as ontologies and knowledge graphs, facilitates the semantic integration of heterogeneous data and tools at multiple scales. Central to this effort is the prototyping of a knowledge graph that employs application ontologies tailored to specific data domains, thereby enhancing semantic interoperability. The collaborative approach of the Initiative's community provides significant support infrastructure for understanding and implementing standardized data structures, enhancing the efficiency of data‐driven processes in materials development and discovery. Insights and methodologies developed via the MaterialDigital Initiative emphasize the transformative potential of ontology‐based approaches in materials science, paving the way toward simplified integration into a unified, consolidated data space of high value.

Bawaslu's Strategy in Increasing Community Participation: Preventive Efforts in Supervision and Prevention of Violations in the 2024 Regional Election in Surabaya

This study aims to analyze the strategy of the Surabaya City Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) in increasing public participation as a preventive effort in supervising the 2024 Pilkada. Bawaslu uses a collaborative governance approach that involves non-government actors in decision-making and utilizes digital technology through the Sigaplapor platform to facilitate reporting of election violations. The use of social media and training for volunteer supervisors are also part of this strategy. The results of the study show that public participation through a collaborative approach and digital technology has succeeded in strengthening election supervision. However, there are still challenges in the form of limited digital literacy and resistance from certain political actors. This policy requires increasing digital literacy, strengthening cooperation with law enforcement, and increasing digital security to ensure the sustainability of inclusive, transparent, and accountable election supervision.

Leveraging Partnerships for Microcredential Design in Digital Health: Key success factors

Aim: This paper describes the collaborative approaches used to design microcredentials in digital health and cybersecurity. The project was initiated to design and deliver educational products to address specific skills shortages and align outcomes with Australian and International skills and professional competency frameworks. Approach: The co-design process was guided by a proven model for educational design, involving interdisciplinary teams and emphasising rapid prototyping to ensure industry relevance and on time delivery. Partnerships with industry and professional associations were built to develop and deploy the microcredentials within a six-month timeframe. Main Findings and Conclusion: Key success factors included trust, mutual respect, and effective communication among partners. The co-design process highlighted the benefits of collaboration, the importance of alignment with competency frameworks, and the lessons learned in creating educational products that satisfy learner, academic and industry needs. The paper concludes that co-designing microcredentials with industry and professional associations is an effective approach to delivering educational products that address workforce skills and professional knowledge gaps.

The service-learning strategy "MicroMundo" helps to stimulate the practical training of future secondary education teachers

The “MicroMundo” project is an innovative educational initiative designed to address the issue of antibiotic resistance through a collaborative and service-learning approach focused on detection of antibiotic-producing bacteria. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, MicroMundo was adapted by integrating university students enrolled in the “Master’s in Teacher Training for Secondary Education” (SWITAs) which mentored high school students (SWISs) through the laboratory research experience. Evaluation of the project through surveys highlighted strong satisfaction among participants, with 100% of university students valuing the teaching experience and 80% reporting gains in essential skills such as planning and communication. Pre-university students also highly valued this experience, reporting an increase in motivation despite the challenging circumstances, and noting that it sparked their interest in the field of science. This hands-on approach reinforces the need for practical, research-based experiences and emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about critical health challenges, particularly in contexts beyond the scientific field.

Demon Possession, Theology, and Mental Health

Beliefs that human distress may be caused by demon possession have a long history and are very common around the world. They have been the subject of research across multiple academic disciplines and are a topic of theological as well as medical and scientific controversy. It is proposed that the theological diversity of perspectives may helpfully be represented as a spectrum of views ranging from theological realism to theological purity, with a middle ground of theological complexity. The range of interdisciplinary perspectives may also be represented using a spectrum model, incorporating anthropology, psychiatry, psychology and theology. This approach emphasises a practical, collaborative, and inter-professional approach to deliverance ministry within the Christian tradition.

A collaborative approach to advancing research and training in Public Health Data Science—challenges, opportunities, and lessons learnt

The unprecedented availability of increasingly complex, voluminous, and multi-dimensional data as well as the emergence of data science as an evolving field provide ideal opportunities to address the multi-faceted public health challenges faced by low and middle income countries (LMIC), especially those in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a severe lack of well-trained data scientists and home-grown educational programs to enable context-specific training. The lack of human capacity and resources for public health data analysis as well as the dire need to use modern technology for better understanding and possible intervention cannot be dealt with currently available educational programs and computing infrastructure, demanding a great deal of collaboration and investments within Africa and with the Global North This paper describes processes undertaken to establish sustainable research training programs and to train a new generation of data scientists with knowledge, mentoring, professional skills, and research immersion. The goal is to position them for rigorous, biomedically grounded and ethically conscious Public Health Data Science practice with a focus on Ethiopia and Kenya. The programs are realized through partnership among Columbia University (CU, USA), Addis Ababa University (AAU, Ethiopia), and the University of Nairobi (UoN, Kenya). In this paper, we describe the collaborative project named “Advancing Public Health Research in Eastern Africa through Data Science Training (APHREA-DST)” delving on its conceptualization, implementation framework and activities undertaken. We adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches to understand the needs of the stakeholders for such educational and training programs. Through harmonized online surveys and stakeholder engagements via focus group discussions in Ethiopia and Kenya, a curriculum was developed for a masters degree program in Public Health Data Science (PHDS). Moreover, the engagement with local projects in both countries as well as active collaboration with other data science related projects in Africa under DSI-Africa consortium benefited the project to start the M. Sc. program successfully. So far, the launching of the graduate program in both countries and the two-cycle experience sharing program done at Columbia University as well as the numerous MoUs signed between partners for data sharing and internships are the major successes of the project. In this paper, we discuss in detail the challenges faced as well as the existing opportunities and lessons learnt this far in implementing this tripartite collaborative teaching and research project.

Donor Relation and Income Diversification Strategies of a Diocese in the Philippines

Religious organizations, particularly in the Philippines, face financial challenges and require effective resource mobilization strategies to ensure sustainability. This study investigates donor relations and income diversification strategies within a Philippine diocese, examining funding policies, relationship management, donor influence, and income generation to address financial sustainability challenges faced by religious organizations. It analyzes these strategies through a descriptive-comparative design, utilizing data from 128 clergy and Parish Pastoral Council members. Findings reveal significant differences in perceptions between these groups regarding donor relations and income diversification, highlighting the need for collaborative approaches to financial management. This research contributes to understanding resource mobilization in religious organizations and offers practical insights for enhancing financial stability and autonomy.

Informing Vaccine Messaging and Community Outreach: Experience in Chicago with a Community-Based Participatory Approach.

In response to disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake in urban environments, we ascertained whether a community-engaged evaluation could rapidly determine why unvaccinated Chicago residents were hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The assessment used a mixed-methods approach, grounded in community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles. Interviews were conducted by community partners between April and May 2022 in Chicago, in-person and via phone. A purposive sample of Chicagoans (n = 456), who were: (1) adults (≥18years); (2) living in priority areas in Chicago heavily impacted by COVID-19; (3) who spoke English or Spanish; and (4) had not received the COVID-19 vaccine. A transdisciplinary academic-community team co-developed an assessment tool. Members of Chicago's Community Health Response Corps (CHRC) (N = 115) interviewed participants, using a 46-item survey in Qualtrics. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative software, including Dedoose for coding and SAS for descriptive statistics. Over half of all respondents were not concerned about getting COVID-19. Respondents voiced concerns about side effects (36%), vaccine safety (27%), and trust in governmental institutions, given historical events involving unethical research. Participants also reported other social needs (e.g., food or housing insecurity) that made COVID-19 a lower priority. The collaborative research approach highlighted issues of trust, concerns about side effects and vaccine safety, issues that have informed vaccine messaging.

NAFLD to MAFLD: collaboration, not confusion - rethinking the naming of fatty liver disease

The recent shift from “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” (NAFLD) and “metabolic associated fatty liver disease” (MAFLD) to “metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease” (MASLD) has raised questions about its scientific basis and impact on patient understanding. This renaming may create confusion rather than clarity. A collaborative approach involving healthcare professionals, researchers, and patients to establish terminology that balances scientific accuracy with accessibility is needed. Effective disease naming should be accurate, unique, consistent, objective, and accessible - qualities essential for clear communication in healthcare. Disease name is more than scientific correctness because naming conventions for public use, especially anything related to health, must be a matter of convenience, ethics, and cultural and social acceptance. Education and straightforward communication should take precedence over renaming, helping patients and healthcare providers fully understand the complexities and implications of liver disease for treatment. After all, from a scientific and public health perspective, MAFLD has clear advantages over MASLD.

Enhancing Drug Recommender System for Peptic Ulcer Treatment

Drug Recommender Systems (DRS) streamline prescription process and contribute to better healthcare. Hence, this study developed a DRS that recommends appropriate drug(s) for the treatment of an ailment using Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) as a case study. Patients’ and drug data were elicited from MIMIC-IV and Drugs.com, respectively. These data were analysed and used in the design of the DRS model, which was based on the hybrid recommendation approach (combining the clustering algorithm, the Collaborative Filtering approach (CF), and the Knowledge-Based Filtering approach (KBF)). The factors that were considered in recommending appropriate drugs were age, gender, body weight, allergies, and drug interactions. The model designed was implemented in Python programming language with the Flask framework for web development and Visual Studio Code as the Integrated Development Environment. The performance of the system was evaluated using Precision, Recall, Accuracy, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and usability test. The evaluation was carried out in two phases. Firstly, the CF component was evaluated by splitting the dataset from MIMIV-IV into a 70% (60,018) training set and a 30% (25,722) test set. This resulted in a precision score of 85.48%, a recall score of 85.58%, and a RMSE score of 0.74. Secondly, the KBF component was evaluated using 30 different cases. The evaluation for this was computed manually by comparing the recommendation results from the system with those of an expert. This resulted in a precision of 77%, a recall of 83%, an accuracy of 81% and an RMSE of 0.24. The results from the usability test showed a high percentage of performance of the system. The addition of the KBF reduced the error rate between actual recommendations and predicted recommendations. So, the system had a high ability to recommend appropriate drug(s) for PUD.

Exploring the Impact of Collaborative Learning on Student Motivation and Academic Achievement in Higher Education

Collaborative learning has emerged as an effective educational strategy that fosters student interaction and enhances learning outcomes. This paper examines how collaborative learning approaches, such as group projects, peer feedback, and cooperative tasks, influence student motivation and academic performance in higher education. The study reviews key theories and empirical evidence supporting the positive impact of collaborative learning on student engagement and achievement. It also highlights the challenges of implementing collaborative learning in diverse academic environments, such as issues related to group dynamics and individual accountability. The paper concludes by offering practical recommendations for educators seeking to integrate collaborative learning methods into their teaching practices to improve student outcomes.

Fluorinated Pyrimidine Bridged Buried Interface for Stable and Efficient Wide‐Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells

AbstractThe buried interface of wide‐bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is crucial for effective charge transfer and device stability. In this study, 2,4‐diamino‐6‐fluoropyrimidine (DMFP) is incorporated into the perovskite layer to form a molecular bridge at the buried interface between the perovskite and MeO‐4PACZ. DMFP treatment reduces the agglomeration of MeO‐4PACZ, resulting in denser and more uniform self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) by inducing favorable crystal orientation. In addition, the strong chemical interaction between DMFP and perovskite films significantly reduces defect state density and promotes the growth of high‐quality perovskite grains. Moreover, DMFP treatment effectively modulates the energy levels of perovskites, facilitating interfacial charge extraction. As a result, WBG PSCs treated with DMFP demonstrate a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.96%, with an enhanced short‐circuit current density (JSC) of 21.60 mA cm−2 and a high open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.23 V. The prepared WBG PSCs retain 95.5% of their initial efficiency after 1500 h of aging at a relative humidity of ≈30% in air, indicating excellent humidity stability. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the perovskite buried interface and proposes a collaborative approach for developing high‐performance WBG PSCs.

Strategies for Sustainable Growth and Decent Work in the Platform Economy

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) is imperative for promoting global prosperity and social equity. This article explores the multifaceted challenges and opportunities associated with fostering sustainable, inclusive, and enduring economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all—particularly in the context of platform economies and temporary employment. By synthesizing recent literature and integrating economic and labour market theories, we examine how technological advancements influence economic productivity and job creation. We also address ethical concerns and potential inequalities arising from these technologies if not managed responsibly. Strategies such as upskilling initiatives, portable benefits, worker cooperatives, and ethical AI development are discussed as means to mitigate these challenges. The article underscores the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach involving policymakers, platform operators, and stakeholders to achieve the objectives of SDG 8.

Strategic Intelligence as a Tool Against Organized Crime. A Literature Review

Objective: The objective of the study is to analyze and describe through scientific literature the application of strategic intelligence as a tool against organized crime. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on theories that link the bioactive compounds of Rubus spp. with the reduction of cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins in model organisms, based on previous studies on hyperlipidemia and its treatment with natural antioxidants. Method: This study was based on a systematic literature review published between 2018 and 2024 in the Scopus and Scielo databases. We identified 38 relevant articles that included qualitative, quantitative and mixed methodologies Results and Discussion: The findings underscore that strategic intelligence, by identifying patterns and anticipating threats, strengthens the fight against criminal networks by coordinating interagency efforts and improving resource allocation.. Research Implications: It is concluded that an effective response to organized crime requires multidimensional and collaborative approaches that combine prevention, international cooperation and technological adaptation to dismantle criminal networks and mitigate their impact on society. Originality/Value: This study makes it possible to address complex problems such as corruption, the integration of crime into the economy and violence.