Basic Principles Of Research Research Articles

Membongkar Rahasia Penelitian: Metode Sederhana dan Mudah Dilakukan

Research is one of the means to achieve change, growth and development. This article covers aspects of research methodology, discusses the basic principles of research, and the steps needed to make research with simple and easy-to-conduct methods. This webinar aims to educate, introduce and popularize simple but effective research methods, so that they can encourage social change in research practice. In the implementation of the webinar, information was obtained based on the results of questions and answers, presentations of resource persons who are experts in the field of research and various relevant literature sources. The indicators that became the subject of discussion in the webinar included information on how to carry out research by determining methods, data collection techniques, data analysis techniques, writing research reports and ethics in research. During the research process, AI tools such as Quillbot, Turnitin, Mendeley, and ChatGPT can be used to facilitate and support researchers. These tools can help with tasks such as generating ideas and suggestions, organizing and analyzing data, checking for plagiarism, and generating text and summaries. By using these tools, researchers can save time and effort, improve research quality, and productivity. The research process can be further improved by using simple methods and techniques based on literature reviews, online surveys, and virtual-based interviews.

Implementing a research methods curriculum for first year hematology oncology fellows.

9034 Background: The Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is an ACGME accredited, three-year academic training program. Fellows are expected to participate in at least one mentored research project during their second and third years of training. The program, however, did not provide formal training in research methods. Here, we provide the results of implementing a research methods curriculum for first year fellows to fulfill that educational need and to facilitate engagement in research projects throughout their fellowship training. Methods: We developed a structured curriculum composed of 10 didactic sessions covering the fundamental concepts of epidemiology and biostatistics. Based on the core competencies of research methods, learning objectives integrated concepts of 1) study design; 2) identifying bias and confounding; 3) exploratory data analysis, statistical inference, hypothesis testing; and results interpretation; and 4) critical appraisal of research evidence. The course was designed to promote self-directed learning and build on individual experiences and interests. One-on-one meetings between curriculum faculty and fellows facilitated identification of fellow research interests and pairing with mentors with aligned expertise. The didactic sessions were evaluated using a 21 question pre- and post- knowledge assessment. Fellows also self-rated on a 10-point scale their level of confidence performing research related activities. Following the course, fellows were expected to complete at least i) one research project, present it at a scientific meeting and submit for publication in peer-reviewed journal; and/or ii) one research proposal grant application. Results: To date, 13 first-year fellows across three cohorts have participated in the course, two of which have been completed, and the third will conclude in March 2024. Complete pre- and post- assessment scores were available for 8 fellows. Mean score difference was statistically significant comparing pre- to post- knowledge scores (3.79 points (SD= 4.43), paired t-test p-value=0.02). Self- ratings improved across all components on average from 3.7 pre- to 6.5 post-course (p<0.001). The largest change in self-ratings were in understanding study design concepts, basic principles of research and critical appraisal, followed by interpreting statistical outputs. All fellows are leading at least one mentored research project and 7 out of 8 fellows have presented abstracts at national meetings including the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology. Conclusions: Implementing a dedicated research methods curriculum to clinical fellows is feasible, and improved learner knowledge, skills, and engagement in research activities. Research methods principles can be effectively incorporated into the first year of clinical fellowship training.

МИФОЭПИЧЕСКИЕ ОСНОВЫ АДЫГСКОГО НОВОГО ГОДА

The article considers the traditional spring holiday “Alternation of heads of years” (Ilesyshye zablek1ygu) on March 21–23 among the Adygs (Circassians) people, dedicated to Shyuzeresh the patron saint of abundance and horsemen. The aim of the work is to study the mythoepic basis of the traditional holidays associated with the spring and winter solstices. Based on this goal, the tasks of identifying representations of sacred processes designed to create favorable conditions for the preparation and start of spring field work and seasonal agricultural completion of the year are solved. The relevance of the research topic is due to the insufficient knowledge of the calendar holidays of the Adygs, in this case, associated with the vernal equinox and winter solstice. The theoretical basis of the mythological rituals requires in-depth study, since the process of reanimation of folk festivals is one of the important components of the self-identification of the Adyghe. Travel essays by missionaries, the research activities of the Adyghe enlighteners of the 19th century Sultan Khan Giray, Shora Nogmov, Adil Giray Keshev, folklorists Askarbiy Shortanov, Mukhtar Meretukov, Adam Gutov, Aslan Tsipinov and other scholars served as the methodological basis of this work and determined the basic principles of research: the comparative-historical, historical-typological, and comparative analyses. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that it describes for the first time the rituals of the spring festival, symbolizing the onset of the Adyghe New Year, and the time of spring plowing, which began on the third day after the onset of the holiday “Alternating heads of Years”, as well as the winter solstice holiday. The result of the study was the conclusion that the worldview and worldview of the ancient Adyghe was at a high level for its time and evolved along with the process of progressive development of the Adyghe society. It is established that a historical and cultural excursion into the past about the existence of the New Year among the Adyghe (Circassians) and the winter solstice holiday makes it possible to know the depth of the processes of the mythoepic consciousness of the people. The theoretical and practical value of the work is seen in the possibility of using the results of the research in theoretical disciplines and practical research on folklore, epic studies, the study of the mythoepical basis of the Adyghe worldview, as well as in the educational process of educational institutions.

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly.

Motivational and Active Salience in Ethnopsycholinguistic Studies of Values

The article is devoted to the problem of the role of speech activity in the formation and transformation of culture. To solve this problem, the author substantiates the need to determine the principles of functioning of speech activity as a social phenomenon. Based on a comparison of the conceptual provisions of activity theories, psychological and sociological, the author determines the specificity of speech activity as social (self-regulatory); compares the principles of studying the “life-world” in sociology and the “image of the world” in psychology as the implementation of a “life program”; defines the basic principles of ethnopsycholinguistic research of the “image of the world” as a regulating mechanism of human and society activity; argues for the introduction of the category of motivational and active salience into the ethnopsycholinguistic study of values. Understanding the “image of the world” as a situation of correlating activity with reality allows us to determine the principles of organization and functioning of speech activity as social or self-regulatory. Based on the role of speech activity in the formation and functioning of the “image of the world,” interdisciplinary problems of the essence and conditions for the formation of personality and society are solved. To do this, it is proposed to introduce the category of motivational and functional significance, established on the basis of the data of an associative experiment, into the modeling of the structure and content of the actual psychological meaning (meaning) of values as an attitude towards action in a certain direction. A special role is given to the interpretation of emotional speech actions, considered as a manifestation of attitude to the conditions of activity; as well as the “effective” component, the content of which is associated with understanding the situation from the point of view of methods (operations) of action. The fundamentally interdisciplinary nature of the object of study - speech action as a social one - makes it possible to use the proposed model in the study of various aspects of cognition (psychological, sociological, cultural, political science, etc.) and thereby offers a verbal methodology for studying interdisciplinary problems of cognition.

Ab. No. 90 Design and Validation of Tool to Assess Application of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) in Physiotherapy Academicians Using Modified E-Delphi Method: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Student’s involvement in research activity is mandatory for physiotherapy undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD courses. Due to current advancement in science and technology, research has increased manifold in physiotherapy profession which strongly manifests the need of adapting GCP guidelines to develop and publish good quality research which can significantly contribute towards social needs. Various tools are available in research community to assess application of GCP guidelines in clinical and drug trials but there is no specific tool available to assess use of GCP guidelines in physiotherapy field. In physiotherapy institutes, academicians are pillars of research that will identify thrust areas of research. One of the major roles of academicians is to sensitize their students, the future researcher community about predatory journals, unethical research and publishing practices. As a physiotherapist, all of us have knowledge of research ethics and practices but sometimes we fail to apply it in real research scenario. Thus there is a need to design and develop a tool to assess application of GCP guidelines in practical situation and not merely testing theoretical knowledge. Methods: Cross sectional study carried out on physiotherapy academicians all over India included through snow ball sampling method. A questionnaire based on 4 basic ethical principles of research on human participants (ICMR 2017) was formulated. Validation was carried out by Delphi panel members like content experts, journal editor, researcher, epidemiologist, physiotherapist and experts from various fields. Controlled feedback provided to all panel members till consensus is achieved. The validated questionnaire was distributed to physiotherapy academicians via Google form. Each item will be analyzed using factor analysis to reach an agreement level. Results: Awaited. Conclusion: Awaited. Implications: This assessment tool will help to create awareness about practical ethics over theoretical knowledge in physiotherapy research and practice.

The use of GNSS technology in smartphones to collect sensitive data on human mobility practices: Ethical challenges and potential solutions.

The advent of mobile smartphones and similar technology has opened new opportunities for studying human mobility within psychology and companion disciplines such as human geography, demography, and sociology. This article examines how such research raises novel ethical concerns. To do so, we outline two research projects: one based in Northern Ireland (The Belfast Mobility Project) and the other in Chile (The Norm-Contact Mobility Project), drawing concrete examples of the ethical challenges encountered throughout both projects, which used global navigational satellite systems as a tool for data collection. We discuss new threats to participant confidentiality and anonymity, problems of "unanticipated" data collection and exploitation, emerging difficulties in achieving properly informed consent, and concerns regarding the representation of vulnerable populations with limited access to smartphones and a legitimate fear of surveillance. We also reflect on the different measures we took to tackle these challenges and discuss the importance of implementing wider changes in the protocols associated with basic ethical research principles. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

BASICS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AS A MANDATORY COMPONENT IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN PHILOLOGY

The article is devoted to an overview of the tasks of the discipline “Fundamentals of scientific research” as a mandatory component of educational programs in philology. The main tasks of the course “Fundamentals of scientific research” in the field of higher education are familiarization with the basic concepts and principles of scientific research. The course aims to familiarize students with the basic concepts and principles of scientific research, such as formulating a research question, developing a hypothesis, choosing research methods, collecting and analyzing data, etc. This will help students understand the process of conducting scientific research and be able to apply it; studying the methodology of scientific research. The course also aims to introduce students to basic methodological approaches to scientific research, such as qualitative and quantitative approaches, experimental and correlational research, and others. This will help students choose the most appropriate methodological approach for their research; development of scientific writing and presentation skills. The course is aimed at developing scientific writing skills, including writing scientific articles, reports and presentations. Students will learn the formatting and design of scientific works, as well as study the current rules of citation and reference to literary sources; study of ethical aspects of scientific research. The course aims to familiarize students with the ethical aspects of scientific research, such as maintaining confidentiality, respecting the rights of research participants, avoiding plagiarism and data fabrication. This will help students understand the importance of ethical standards in scientific activity and adhere to them. Academic integrity is the basis of trust in scientific research and the scientific community as a whole. Studying this topic helps to ensure the quality and reliability of scientific publications, which in turn increases the credibility of science and helps attract funding and support for further research.

Energy monitoring and control in EU member states: legislative trends and institutional framework

In most EU member states, there are numerous legislative initiatives and reforms in the energy sector, which are significantly interconnected and complementary, an appropriate institutional basis has also been created, that is, bodies and organizations that ensure the implementation of energy policy, among which energy monitoring, energy control (supervision), implementation of the rules and principles of the functioning of competitive energy markets are distinguished. The aim of the work is to reveal the essence, legislative framework and institutional mechanisms of energy monitoring and control in the EU member states in order to take into account the relevant experience on the way to improve the mentioned instruments in Ukraine. The methodological basis of the research is a set of approaches, methods, principles of knowledge of concepts, ideas, hypotheses, students, laws, the use of which allows to obtain true knowledge about energy policy, energy monitoring and control. Their multifaceted study presupposes the application of the following basic principles of research: complexity, systematicity, historicism, objectivity, argumentation, determinism, etc. To achieve the goal, the use of dialectical, comparative-legal, historical, hermeneutic, synergistic, formal-logical, formal-legal, semantic and semiotic, model, prognostic and other methods became expedient.Results. Unlike most EU member states, in Ukraine, numerous bodies implement state energy supervision, monitoring and control. According to the legislation of the EU member states, the concept of “energy supervision” is practically not used, except in Finland and partly in the Czech Republic. National regulators of energy markets are characterized mainly by energy monitoring, control, and management. They are established in special laws, including the French Energy Code, the Finnish Energy Agency Act, which refer to relevant EU directives and regulations. The peculiarity of Germany is the regulation of energy markets and energy supervision by various institutions, which to some extent is not consistent with EU energy legislation.Conclusions. The general purpose of the functions of energy supervision is to ensure the functioning of energy equipment and energy markets for the implementation of the national energy policy in accordance with EU strategic acts, the observance of consumer rights regarding the choice of a profitable supplier, which will guarantee uninterrupted energy supply and competition in the energy sector. This leads to the continuation of reforms in the energy sector, improvement of national legislation, including issues of energy monitoring and control, energy efficiency, guarantees of energy security, sustainable energy development etc.

Computer modeling and software research of car and engine parts

Problem. The development of automotive technology for various purposes and the improvement of existing car models, requires a fast and flexible design process. Spatial models of details and nodes are the starting points for design, and the necessary design documentation is performed on their basis. When manufacturing parts on CNC machines, it is necessary to quickly obtain a control program that will increase the accuracy of the product by ensuring the optimal trajectory of the mutual movement of the part and the tool. Therefore, the creation of a comprehensive methodology for the design of car parts, their basic inspection and obtaining design documentation is an important technical task. Goal. The main goal of the work is to determine the rational sequence and basic principles of computer-aided design, research and manufacturing of car and engine parts, and the development of mathematical spatial models of surfaces in order to optimize control programs for CNC machines. Methodology. The approaches adopted in the work for solving the set goal are based on general design principles. The methods of conducting static and dynamic calculations, as well as spatial mathematical modeling of the processes of manufacturing parts were also used. Results. A comprehensive methodology for designing parts of engines and cars has been developed. The main principles of creating spatial models have been determined in order to achieve their flexibility and simple editing. Methods of automating the development of drawings and design documentation are described. The software options for the primary verification of static strength and frequency analysis are considered. A calculation program has been developed for constructing transient and amplitude-phase-frequency characteristics. The mathematical spatial modeling of typical surfaces of the camshaft is provided with the aim of further research and optimization of the development of a control program for processing on a CNC machine tool. Originality. The defined basic principles of designing parts of engines and cars provide an opportunity to create a flexible spatial model and more fully automate the process of drawing up technical documentation. The developed mathematical spatial models of the supporting and working surfaces of the camshaft make it possible to write a control program with the determination of the optimal trajectory of the mutual movement of the part and the tool. Practical value. The obtained results can be recommended when designing car parts and assemblies.

Precognition at the Boundaries

The rigorous scientific study of precognition, the human ability to accurately predict future events that are not already predictable based on information about the past or from the five senses, spans the last 90 years. This review describes different types of precognition, underscores the basic principles of precognition research, and discusses the evidence for and potential mechanisms of two very different forms of precognition: 1) mostly unconscious precognition with short lead times (e.g., presentiment) and 2) mostly conscious precognition with longer lead times (e.g., precognitive remote viewing). I describe two potential models to explain each of these forms of precognition, along with ideas for empirical tests of each one.

Plagiarism in Biomedical Research

The author analyzes the problem of plagiarism in biomedical research. The subject of the study is plagiarism in biomedical research. The specifics of biomedical research are considered, the main international documents regulating the conduct of biomedical research on humans and the basic principles of such research are given. The features of plagiarism in scientific research are revealed, its concept and varieties are considered. The specifics of the work of anti-plagiarism systems and the associated difficulties are analyzed. Plagiarism in biomedical research is a serious violation of research and publication ethics, which, if intentionally committed, leads to discrediting of science and scientists and the illegality of research activities. According to the results of the study, the following results were obtained. The use of borrowings undermines the authenticity of scientific papers and journals publishing them, threatens the unity of the scientific process and the attitude of society towards science, violates the literary rights of the authors of original texts and the property rights of copyright holders. Plagiarism can cause material, reputational and moral harm to authors such as: public disclosure of data, loss of funding for ongoing research, difficulties in the professional growth of the authors of the article or the complete completion of research work, and in some cases is a crime and leads to litigation.

Equity in Global Health Research.

Equity in Global Health Research.

Claude-Charles De Peyssonnel as a Researcher of the Crimean Past

The article examines the views on the history, archaeology, and historical geography of the Crimean Peninsula of Claude-Charles de Peyssonnel, a famous French diplomat, traveller, and writer of the second half of the eighteenth century. The Russian and Ukrainian scholarships use the treatises by the former consul to research the Crimean Khanate, the peoples of the Northern Caucasus, and even the Zaporozhian Cossacks, while de Peyssonnel’s historical studies are left aside from the analysis. It has been stated that the Frenchman’s works present one of the first attempts in the Modern Pe- riod to investigate the antiquities of the Crimean Peninsula. De Peyssonnel showed his knowledge of ancient and mediaeval written sources, contemporary cartography and scholarship, as well as the knowledge he got during his diplomatic service at the court of the Crimean Khan. He was particularly interested in the ancient topography of the Crimean Peninsula. Despite his vast knowledge, erudition, and practical wit, the Frenchman’s reflections may not always be called “academic” in the modern sense, for the basic methods and principles of current historical and linguistic research were not yet discovered in his age. Nevertheless, the Frenchman mapped many cities, towns, and settlements, which names he learned from ancient and mediaeval writers. De Peysson- nel’s memoires influenced the next generation of travellers and “armchair” researchers, whose works appeared after the annexation of the Crimea by Russia in 1783, particular- ly influential encyclopaedic travelogues published by Matthew Guthrie, Ebenezer Hen- derson, and Frédéric Dubois de Montpereux in the first half of the nineteenth century.

Реалізація системного підходу при визначенні ефективності функціонування складних регіональних транспортних систем

The basic principles of research of efficiency of difficult regional transport systems in modern conditions of functioning are resulted. It was found that the basis for the study of such transport systems are the principles of their behavior, which allows to establish the important moments of their work, depending on the level of their complexity.The classification dependence of the principles of behavior of complex regional transport systems is schematically presented. It was found that they are able to organize their behavior on the basis of rational choice of alternative solutions from a set of choice of solutions, which determines the implementation of their inductive behavior. A number of assumptions have been made that the organization of the behavior of the regional transport system is based on the previous stages of its operation, which in the future may not differ significantly from the past. With a large memory buffer and predicting the future of situations based on retrospective analysis, the regional transport system is able to anticipate future steps and plan their future behavior. The concept of reflection on the organization of the behavior of complex regional transport systems is applied and the principles of such behavior are given.The methodological levels of research on the efficiency of regional transport systems are clarified, their scheme is given and the essence is considered. It is analyzed that the systems approach combines research at different methodological levels. It was found that the studied regional transport system is represented in the form of some integrity, consisting of certain structural elements and considered in terms of metasystem, its goals, which are aimed at achieving all functional activities.Systematic studies of the efficiency of transport systems are shown, depending on the degree of generalization of the factors taken into account, can be divided into generalized and detailed, and depending on the objectives of the analysis to distinguish conceptual and operational levels of research. The tree of decomposition of indicators of efficiency of transport systems is given that provides content and rational interrelation of all other stages of research.

Ландшафты Средневековья: Фернан Бродель о проблеме кочевничества в средневековом мире Средиземноморья

The scientific heritage of Fernand Braudel, the outstanding French scientist and the recognized leader of the second generation of the historical school “Annales”, continues to be of great historiographical interest. However, not all aspects of his research have been adequately evaluated. The authors of this study examine the conceptual approaches of F. Braudel to the history of interaction between man and nature in the Mediterranean and adjacent regions through the problem of nomadism. The method of considering this issue corresponds to the basic principles of historiographic research: Identifying the author’s substantive position by analyzing his works, characterizing the source base and methods of criticizing the sources used. Braudel’s nomadism is not only a phenomenon of the steppes of Central Asia, the pastures of the Iranian Highlands, the sands of the Sahara, but an organic part of the life of the developing societies of the Iberian Peninsula, Provence, Apennines, Balkans, Asia Minor. F. Braudel was faced with the task of covering in its entirety the numerous problems associated with driving livestock to grazing and with the nomadic way of life, that is, with the regular movement of human masses and herds of livestock. Braudel revives the model of the nomadic life of the Balkans, Anatolia and North Africa. Here, in his opinion, different types of society, different types of economic management, different civilizations and ways of life collide. Braudel agrees with the identification of several types of seasonal movement of livestock. According to F. Braudel, seasonal movements of livestock are associated with a variety of factors: physical, social, historical. Nomadism, Braudel believes, has a more ancient origin than distant-pasture animal husbandry. Nomadic herders were gradually and consistently driven out of the inner plains and lowlands and were driven back to the mountainous outskirts and peripheral plains. An overabundance of empty spaces dooms, from the perspective of F. Braudel, society and economy to perpetual motion. He considered the pendulum movement of the steppe nomads to the sea, and then back from the sea to the desert to be one of the essential factors in the history of the Mediterranean. Nomadism, with its harsh closed “culture” speaks, according to F. Braudel, of obvious determinism.

Residence area

All academic disciplines include research, and students in research programmes should have a solid understanding about basic research principles. Owing to generate perfect research graduate, postgraduate teachers must guarantee that students gain the ability to do research using the recognised procedures connected with specific educational sub-disciplines. Many factors may affect the research attitude of the college students. A deep probe on the location of the specific factors leads to recommend appropriate strategies to improve the research attitude further. This study attempts to gain a better knowledge of the general research attitude of prospective teacher educators with respect to their residence area as an influencing factor. For this 640 sample were randomly selected from 27 different colleges in Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Erode, Namakkal, and Salem districts of Tamilnadu. The findings revealed that residence area is an influencing factor of prospective teacher educators. The sample had an average level of research attitude. The higher education institutions should improve the research attitude of prospective teacher educators through teaching and training in research. This training should help them to successfully integrate research attitudes with growth plans in the educational process.

Residence area

All academic disciplines include research, and students in research programmes should have a solid understanding about basic research principles. Owing to generate perfect research graduate, postgraduate teachers must guarantee that students gain the ability to do research using the recognised procedures connected with specific educational sub-disciplines. Many factors may affect the research attitude of the college students. A deep probe on the location of the specific factors leads to recommend appropriate strategies to improve the research attitude further. This study attempts to gain a better knowledge of the general research attitude of prospective teacher educators with respect to their residence area as an influencing factor. For this 640 sample were randomly selected from 27 different colleges in Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Erode, Namakkal, and Salem districts of Tamilnadu. The findings revealed that residence area is an influencing factor of prospective teacher educators. The sample had an average level of research attitude. The higher education institutions should improve the research attitude of prospective teacher educators through teaching and training in research. This training should help them to successfully integrate research attitudes with growth plans in the educational process.

Вероятность получения Индией статуса основного союзника США вне НАТО

Introduction. Allied relations between India and United States were based during Barack Obama administration and were further developed with Donald Trump coming to power. The interplay that has intensified between states in recent years can contribute to the creation of a new geopolitical space – the Indo-Pacific region. Trade in arms and military equipment is the catalyst for cooperation and the major non-NATO ally status can create all favorable conditions for thus cooperation. United States and India rapprochement, caused, in particular, by geopolitical situation in the Asia-Pacific and the change of power in United States, has led to the emergence of discussions in the American political society about assigning India major non-NATO ally status. Seventeen states in various regions of the world already own this status. The methodological basis of the study was made up of the basic research principles of modern humanities: general scientific methods of cognition, comparison, complex analysis and synthesis. Analysis. The legal framework for cooperation between India and the United States in the military-technical area is formed by agreements on technology transfer, organization of joint development and production of weapons: Defense Cooperation Framework Agreement (2005), Arms and Military Technologies Trade Initiative (2012), Updated framework agreement (2015), Memorandum on material and technical exchange (2016), etc. On the basis of these agreements, a number of projects were successfully implemented. Despite the successes achieved in the development of military-technical cooperation, interaction is complicated by the difference in procedural approaches. As one of the ways to remove bureaucratic barriers, inconsistency in the transfer of technology, joint development and production of weapons systems was considered “major non-NATO ally status”. It could become an alternative to the allied security treaty and an addition to the previously concluded agreements. The proposal to grant India major non-NATO ally status was first received from congressmen led by Republican Joe Wilson. Authors recommended to expand bilateral defense and security cooperation to advance U.S. interests in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. Despite their efforts, bill did not receive enough votes. In 2019, similar bills were introduced to grant India as MNNA, which have not been implemented yet. Results. There are agreements that have already been implemented in bilateral cooperation. However, the challenge of building the Indo-Pacific region requires the use of all the tools that U.S. has in its arsenal. One of these tools is status. This study has shown that in the foreseeable future India is unlikely to join major non-NATO allies group because its policy has no place for American interests.

From Learning Plot to Main Field: Scaling-Out Soil Health Innovations in Malawi

Farmer-centred approaches are applied to engage smallholder farmers in agricultural research and development with the purpose of identifying and scaling out context specific innovations. Understanding the underlying processes that influence the decision of smallholder farmers to scale-out innovations is, therefore, paramount to effective farmer-led research and development programmes. This study analysed how smallholder farmers in rural Malawi were involved in evaluating soil health management options as well as how they scaled-out the lessons from the learning plots to their main farms. Data were collected through observations and face-to-face interviews in 109 learning plots and 197 main fields managed by farmers who participated in interventions that applied farmer-centred approaches. The findings reveal that farmers’ capacity to engage in systematic experimentation depended on their knowledge of basic research principles and their social capital (bridging and bonding). Farmers observing and interacting in the learning plots formed different perceptions about the performance of the tested options. The variations in the perceptions were associated with biophysical (plot characteristics) and socioeconomic factors (time of planting). Likewise, variations were observed in the way farmers scaled-out the tested options. Whilst some farmers integrated many different options (>3), others applied few options in their main fields (<3). The majority of farmers adapted the options to suit their contexts. Farmers’ decision to scale-out options was associated with their perceived benefits of the options, gender, and wealth status. The study findings have implications for research and development programmes that use farmer-centred approaches to push for adoption of blanket recommendations.