Combined Research Methods Research Articles

Symptom Experiences and Symptom Management among Persons with Lung Cancer in Bangladesh

Objective: Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers. Previous studies findings are not suitable to explain symptom experience and symptom management of Bangladeshi persons with lung cancer. This study was aimed to identify the symptom experiences and determines the management strategies among persons with lung cancer.
 Methods: A descriptive study design, using combined both quantitative and qualitative research methods, was chosen for this study. Convenient sampling was used to recruit 382 persons with lung cancer from two public and two private tertiary hospitals and 16 participants were invited for an in-depth interview in the qualitative part. Data collection was conducted from October 2015 to July 2016, using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory Lung Cancer (MDASI-LC) questionnaire and using a semistructured interview guide to explore their symptom management strategies. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative data by content analysis.
 Results: Pain was the most frequently reported physical symptom and the most severe one, followed by sleep disturbance and fatigue. Psychological symptoms such as sadness and distress were also frequent. Participants also reported other symptoms that interfered with daily living in terms of mood, general activity, work, enjoyment of life, walking and relationships with others. The symptom management consisted of three categories, which were taking modern medicine, adopting complementary therapies, and cultivating mind and body balance. Most of the participants addressed uses of more than one strategy.
 Conclusions: Participants experienced several physical and psychological symptoms that interfered with their lives. This finding will be beneficial for health care personnel regarding clinical practice to manage symptoms and further research may be conducted to obtain proper interventions to alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life.
 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(3) 2020 p.386-393

Corrupción, integración y regionalismo en las relaciones internacionales: una discusión de los sustentos de su necesidad causal


 
 
 
 Pocas dudas existen acerca de que la corrupción es el nodo final de una larga cadena de entidades que están vinculadas causalmente y, a la vez, es un fenómeno que puede perturbar de forma severa los procesos de integración regional, así como de regionalización. Esta creencia, altamente arraigada en la comunidad científica que estudia aquel fenómeno, ha dado lugar a que se publiquen numerosos estudios que no combinan métodos de investigación ni enfoques episte-mológicos que diluciden modelos causales robustos. Así, el presente artículo de revisión pretende someter a discusión los fundamentos de la necesidad causal subyacente a los estudios en relaciones internacionales de la corrupción en su relación con la integración y el regionalismo. Como principal conclusión, se señala la necesidad de un eclecticismo metodológico y epistemológico que permita explicar las relaciones causales como una posibilidad de ampliar el análisis de causalidad, a partir de conceptos que cuenten con unidades observables y no observables desde un mayor pluralismo metodológico.
 
 
 

Using research methods courses to teach students about sustainable development – a three-phase model for a transformative learning experience

PurposeLearning about sustainable development in dedicated curricula can be beneficial for students’ personal and professional development and societies alike. However, for various reasons the implementation of sustainable development modules in existing curricula can be difficult in many fields of study. This paper aims to propose an alternative route to give students the chance to learn about sustainable development without the need to change the structure of their study program.Design/methodology/approachThe current paper elaborates on the idea that many fields of study have mandatory courses on empirical research methods and these courses can function as a platform to teach applied empirical research methods in combination with education on sustainable development. A three-phase model is proposed to implement sustainable development topics in existing curricula, taking students’ current methodological competency level into account.FindingsThe proposed model provides a chance to combine education on sustainability with thorough training in scientific research methods. Example projects and evaluation results from an existing social science curriculum and its integration into a real-world laboratory on sustainable energy use illustrate the different phases and their goals.Originality/valueThe model offers the opportunity to implement education on sustainability into existing curricula without the need for difficult structural changes. It extends students’ learning on sustainability without impairing their learning of research methods. A discussion of the model’s limitations and boundary conditions helps to understand its potential use cases and challenges.

Collaborative technologies and knowledge management in psychiatric hospitals in South West Nigeria

This study examined the relationships among KM (knowledge creation, sharing), professional development, therapy team’s (TT’s) operation modes, interaction modes and collaborative technologies’ use determinants. A sample survey research design and mixed methods approach that combined quantitative research methods guided the study. Quantitative data was collected from 283 therapy team members in two psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria using a self-administered questionnaire. SPSS version 22 and SPSS (AMOS) version 23 were used to analyse the data. Knowledge creation and knowledge sharing impacted significantly on professional development. Therapy team members’ Intellectual capability, increased innovation, disciplinary specialisation and professional learning are dependent on their creation and sharing of knowledge. Disciplinary socialisation, transdisciplinary socialisation, collaboration and communication summarise their day-to-day operations. Collaboration and knowledge creation and sharing have a very strong relationship. Working together with colleagues is directly related with creation and sharing of both tacit and explicit knowledge. Learning by practical experience, brainstorming of ideas, sharing of clinical information and best practice of medical profession are positively impacted by collaboration. Documentation of such knowledge is needed to promote its sharing and safeguard knowledge loss in psychiatric hospitals.

Модель системы управления электрической плавильной печью с поддержанием сопротивления шлаковой ванны

The technique of modeling the control system of electric ore smelting furnaces with a closed arc and their investigation methods are considered. The study results made it possible to reveal qualitative and quantitative features and regularities of simultaneously occurring processes of energy distribution, heat and mass transfer, and localization of chemical and thermal processes in particular working space areas in which they are sharply nonlinear, with placing focus on the charge thermal conductivity and changes in current distribution between different working zone areas at high temperature gradients. It is shown that, as far as complex systems are concerned, the electrical and process modes of which are highly multifactorial and nonlinear in nature, whose parameters cannot be directly measured in full-scale measurements, it is advisable to use combined research methods that involve simulation models and full-scale experiments. For the cases when simulation models adequately reflect the real processes in an electric ore smelting furnace, the use of simulation models opens the possibility to obtain more reliable information about the values of the system parameters and their interactions, which is not available for field experiments. In particular, with regard to electric ore smelting furnaces with a closed arc, it is possible to divide the power released in the electric arc and in the crucible surrounding it. If their values are known, the production process can be conducted with better technical and economic indicators.

Формування в майбутніх лаборантів здатності до комбінування різних технологічних прийомів лабораторних досліджень

The article defines the main components of the formation of the ability to combine various technological methods of laboratory research as a special competence that has to be mastered by students of the speciality “Technologies of Medical Diagnostics and Treatment” in the process of training. The combination is presented as the implementation of an action or a series of actions aimed at transforming the existing set of objects into a system that meets the requirements of the task. Its scientific and theoretical, and practical blocks are revealed. It is noted that the scientific and theoretical block of combination consists of scientific approaches and principles, complex combined research methods, and the practical block embraces various methods, techniques and laboratory research technologies. Attention is drawn to the fact that in the process of training of future laboratory assistants it is important to form their understanding that when diagnosing certain diseases of the body one cannot be limited to only one method, but it is necessary to combine various methods and research techniques. The role of synchronous and asynchronous forms of organization of training in the formation of the ability of students of the speciality “Technologies of Medical Diagnostics and Treatment” to combine various laboratory research technological methods is indicated. Examples of combining various technological methods of laboratory research are given.

Advantages of Employment after Retirement – A Content Analysis Approach. What Is Academic Professional Experience Worth After Retirement Age?

This study is a pioneer study that examines the advantages of faculty employment after retirement age from the perspective of academic faculty. The economic-industrial literature suggests that prior experience is a major consideration in the industry, particularly in the process of selecting suppliers, and the weight given to occupational experience has an effect on other advantages as well. 108 questionnaires administered to senior faculty were collected in a case study of a single university. A combined research method including qualitative and statistical analyses was employed, with the aim of exploring the advantages of faculty employment at institutions of higher education after retirement age. The current research findings show that most of the faculty members claim that the experience accumulated by faculty who have passed the retirement age is their strongest advantage. Furthermore, professional-academic experience was found to correlate with other advantages, namely knowledge, international contacts, deeper familiarity with the global academic system, improved teaching capabilities, and improved ability to guide advanced studies. This, in addition to the advantages of personal-professional skills: more patience and greater research performance ability. The findings raise the practical question of the implications for the academic system in general and for the public academic system in particular. In other words, how does the public system of higher education translate the advantages of previous academic experience beyond retirement age? What are the benefits for colleagues, young faculty, the institutions – and the system of higher education in general, with regard to research, teaching, and contribution to the community?

Turbulent mixing enhancement of thermal cracking coil by Hollow Cross Disk internal

The Hollow Cross Disk (HCD) internal is designed to enhance the meso- and micro-mixing performance of thermal cracking process to suppress coking as well as optimize product distribution. Combined research methods of cracking experiment and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are used to investigate the strengthening effect of the novel internal. The naphtha cracking experiment result shows that HCD internal can improve the overall olefin yield by 0.95% and reduce the production of coke by 4.67% comparing with bare coil. Contrast CFD simulations of propane pyrolysis in industrial scale cracking coil are conducted to reveal the specific enhancing character of the designed internal. Comparing with bare coil (Case A), coil with HCD internal (Case B) can improve the Nu and Sh by 4.59% and 0.82% respectively, reducing the skin temperature of the cracking coil by 21.76k. As HCD internal can induce radial velocity component to enhance radial mixing in the coil wall vicinity, intensifying turbulence to accelerate fluid in the near wall region to reduce the average residence time, which is beneficial to relieve coking. In addition, the intensified turbulence leads the overall characteristic micro-mixing time of Case B reduced to 1.96% of the bare coil. The enhanced micro-mixing can improve the overall olefin yield by 2.97% as the molecular scale uniform reactive region is expanded by 0.58% for Case B.

The power of collaboration: Reflections on a collaborative approach to teaching research methods in public administration

The ability to engage with empirical research in a meaningful way is a vital skill for public administration (PA) students and graduates. Yet, while research methods are essential skills for PA students, it is widely acknowledged that teaching research methods in the context of social science programmes and PA in particular faces challenges. To address these challenges, namely negative perceptions of research methods in combination with misconceptions about the value of methodological knowledge and skills and the resulting lack of engagement, different approaches have been put forth. These comprise stronger links between the course content and research methods as well as the integration of hands-on experiences. This article presents a reflective analysis of a collaborative approach, which integrates hands-on experience while highlighting the value of methodological skills and knowledge for public sector organisations and linking research methods to students’ future careers.

The Implementation of Product Marketing Strategy of PT. Asuransi Umum Bumi Putera Muda 1967 at Dumai Branch

The purpose of this study was to see the implementation of the marketing strategy of PT. Asuransi Umum Bumi putera Muda 1967 at Dumai Branch. The theory used is according to Lovelock, namely: Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Physical Evidence and Process. This study uses a combined research method that is using descriptive methods with a quantitative approach. Types and sources of data in this study are primary data and secondary data. Data collection techniques used were questionnaires and interviews. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistical analysis techniques. One of the sampling techniques used in determining individual samples is purposive random sampling. The results of 97 respondents showed that respondents' attitudes about the Marketing Strategy variable based on the calculation of the total questionnaire score were in the Good category with a score of 7,985 with a percentage of 74.83%. Analysis of respondents' attitudes about Product Marketing Strategy Analysis at PT. Asuransi Umum Bumi putera Muda 1967 at Dumai Branch showed a positive attitude. The factors that influence the Product Marketing Strategy at PT. Asuransi Umum Bumi putera Muda 1967 at Dumai Branch is Lack of utilization of the use of brochures, Lack of socialization in following the expo and the many requirements in matters of claims and Lack of certainty of time in service.

The opportunities of epistemic pluralism for Cognitive Translation Studies

AbstractAs the object of study of Cognitive Translation Studies (CTS) expands to encompass social and cultural aspects of multilingual communicative events, scholars face the challenge of combining research methods and analytical perspectives to investigate cognitive phenomena. While plurality has been so far considered transitory, eventually converging on a unified theory of translation, I propose to adopt a functional assessment framework for competing models in order to endorse epistemic pluralism. The development of cognitive translatology as an emergent tradition combining multifarious approaches presents a new epistemological landscape in which epistemic pluralism can be embraced, fostered and practiced for the benefit of producing new knowledge. Far from being a relativist stance defending that all systems of knowledge are equally useful or appropriate, pluralism entails an assessment framework, which I introduce, so that we can improve our empirical designs and streamline our theoretical frameworks.

The Effect of Disrupting Changes on Senior Lecturers Performance

Rapid external changes without being followed by internal changes will have a negative impact on tertiary institutions. Internal change begins with the ability of senior lecturers because they are at the forefront in following changes. Organizational commitment is evidenced by the high quality of the lecturers’ work ability. This study utilized combined research methods or exploratory mix methods with data taken from forlap dikti and Sinta, and quantitative and qualitative analysis using WAI (Work Ability Index). Results of the study showed that the work ability of senior lecturers is lacking (0.1-1), while organizational commitment is still low as evidenced by the results of scientific journals during the past three years. The innovation of this study is the Emotional Work Community (EWC) as a concept model to improve lecturers' performance abilities that are lacking.

The Diversity and Geographic Distribution of Cultivable Bacillus-Like Bacteria Across Black Soils of Northeast China.

Bacillus-like species are gram-positive bacteria that are ubiquitous in soils. Many of Bacillus-like bacteria are demonstrated as beneficial microbes widely used in industry and agriculture. However, the knowledge related to their diversity and distribution patterns in soils is still rudimentary. In this study, we developed a combined research method of using culture-dependent and high-throughput sequencing to investigate the composition and diversity of cultivable Bacillus-like bacterial communities across 26 soil samples obtained from the black soil zone in northeast China. Nearly all bacterial 16S rDNA sequences were classified into the order Bacillales. Fifteen genera were detected, with Bacillus, Paenibacillus, and Brevibacillus being the three most abundant genera. Although more than 2,000 OTUs were obtained across all samples, 33 OTUs were confirmed as the abundant species with a relative abundance over 5% in at least one sample. Pairwise analysis showed that the diversity of Bacillus-like bacterial communities were significantly and positively correlated with soil total carbon contents and soil sampling latitudes, which suggests that a latitudinal gradient diversity of Bacillus-like bacterial communities exists in the black soil zone. The principal coordinates analysis revealed that the Bacillus-like bacterial communities were remarkably affected by soil sampling latitudes and soil total carbon content. In general, this study demonstrated that a distinct biogeographic distribution pattern of cultivable Bacillus-like bacterial communities existed in the black soil zone, which emphasizes that the strategy of local isolation and application of beneficial Bacillus-like strains is rather important in black soil agriculture development.

Experience of long-term transoceanic sailing: Cape Horn example

Unlike boating tourism, which emphasises ecological concerns, and cruise tourism, with its hedonistic focus, sailing tourism is characterised by a distinct experiential emphasis. The aim of this research was to determine whether or not the participants in an ocean crossing from New Zealand to the Falkland Islands around Cape Horn underwent experiences that can be characterised by the behavioural structure of each factor in the model of a spiritually healthy personality. A mixed research design combining research methods (questionnaires, interviews, and mind maps) was chosen. A sample consisted of 11–19 respondents, according to the research techniques: questionnaires were filled out by 18 respondents; mind maps by 19 individuals; and 11 participants were interviewed. An analysis of the data points to the diversity of the individual experiences of the participants, with the possible general characteristic that on such voyages what is unique is not the hedonistic pleasure, but rather a eudaimonic experiential structure, thus defining the spiritual dimension of this kind of tourism as a nonreligious pilgrimage. This conclusion can help develop the theoretical concept of sailing, boating and cruise tourism in quite a significant way.

Fieldnotes and situational analysis in environmental education research: experiments in new materialism

This article details the approach taken to a recent study in an environmental education context, with a focus on the writing and analysis of ethnographic fieldnotes. This approach drew upon aspects of new materialist theory and multi-species ethnography for the writing of fieldnotes, and Situational Analysis for their analysis. These approaches represent a ‘site of experimentation’ that arose through attempts to carry out research in a manner sensitive to new materialist theories, whilst operating within a time-bound, collaborative study. As well as highlighting potential synergies, this article also explores the constant tensions that arose when attempting to use existing qualitative research methods in combination with new materialist theories. It is not intended as a guide to conducting research in a ‘new materialist’ or ‘post-qualitative’ manner, but rather as an insight into the tensions, synergies and on-the-ground methodological struggles within this site of experimentation, and what was produced through the ‘research assemblage’ thereby created. The article aims to demonstrate the ways in which existing qualitative research methods were re-oriented through this approach, as well as the onward effects of these re-orientations on what then amounted to ‘the data’.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ДИНАМІКИ ЗОВНІШНЬОГО СЕРЕДОВИЩА ПІДПРИЄМСТВ МАШИНОБУДІВНОЇ ГАЛУЗІ В КОНТЕКСТІ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ЕКОНОМІЧНОЇ СТІЙКОСТІ

The development of Ukraine’s economy is followed by the transformation processes that create certain challenges for business entities in the machinery industry, since it is characterized by a long operational and financial cycles that triggers investment risks and hampers the reproduction processes as well as provides barriers to ensuring the relevant level of science and technology development in the sector. Apparently, the external environment tends to damper the product quality in the machinery manufacturing industry. The lack of relevant economic background to enhance the implementation of innovative means of production hinders both the process of supplying enterprises in other industries with their own means of production and their productive forces development. Economic stability of enterprises is critical for ensuring the effective functioning and development of industries in the national economy as well as for attaining current and perspective goals which are largely affected by the competition level within domestic and foreign markets. The paper focuses on studying the external business environment dynamics in the machinery industry to ensure its economic stability. The methodological framework of the paper covers the study of classical economics research, scholarly publications of scientists and specialists in enterprise management, along with application of combined research methods: analysis and synthesis, theoretical and logical generalization and modelling. The research findings on exploring the external environment effects on enterprise performance in the machinery sector have revealed the current reasons for the decline in their economic stability. Rationale is provided for the need to implement the mechanism of economic stability management in the machinery industry under the dynamic settings of the modern economy which is an important tool in building and managing the overall enterprise economic security strategy. The research results might have significant implications for further development of the theory and practice of economic security management in the area of enhancing the capacity of machinery industry enterprises.

Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Peserta Didik Melalui Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Search, Find, And Construct Together (SFCT) Pada Materi Matriks Kelas XI SMA Negeri 2 Malang

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were differences in critical thinking skills and to describe critical thinking skills among students taught using the Search learning model, Find, And Construct Together (SFCT) and conventional learning models. The research method used is a combination research method with sequential explanatory design. Quantitative data samples were students of class XI MIPA 1 and XI MIPA 2, this quantitative research was obtained by testing students' critical thinking skills. Analysis of the data used is the t test with the prerequisite test, namely the normality test and homogeneity test. Qualitative research subjects were 9 students. The nine students were selected based on high, medium and low critical thinking skills. While the collection of qualitative data is done by observation, interviews, and field notes. The results showed that (1) Based on the results of quantitative data analysis with hypothesis testing using SPSS 20 software, the Sig 2-tailed value was obtained = 0.009. Because the Sig value = 0.009 <0.025 then H0 is rejected. This means that it can be concluded that there are significant differences in critical thinking skills between students who are taught by the SFCT learning model and students who were taught using conventional models. (2) Based on qualitative data analysis obtained from interviews, it can be concluded that students like to be taught using the SFCT model and as many as 80.56% of students fulfill four indicators of critical thinking, while students are not happy to be taught using conventional models and only 63.86% students who fulfill the four indicators of critical thinking.

Research of migrations in Central and Southeast Europe: Introduction

This issue consists of eleven papers dedicated to migrations of individuals and/or communities in Southeast and Central Europe. The concept of its topic is interdisciplinary – it is comprised of papers which examine the migration phenomenon, combining research methods of ethnology and social anthropology, sociology, history and political science. Despite the immense diversity of migration types researched, a significant number of them is, in their different ways, directly or indirectly, connected to the war (the first six papers). Economic reasons are also at the core of many migrations, and can be, but not necessarily so,connected to the war and the crisis common in post-war regions. In addition, personal reasons represent a possible motive for initiating migration, as shown in several papers.Key words: migration, Southeast Europe, Central Europe, interdisciplinarity

Developing a Framework for Designing Educational Aids through Games Method in Order to Facilitate Teaching Mathematics for Elementary Students

The increasing technological advances in the present age reveal the need and necessity of primary teaching of mathematics more than before. Teaching mathematics should be done in order to increase the ability to gain scientific and technological literacy in students that this process begins from basic concepts such as the four main actions in mathematics. Therefore, several educational methods have been presented in this area in order to facilitate learning, which have been introduced and provided as educational aids and methods. Accordingly, this study, considering the age group of 7 to 9 years, as the most elementary age group in the country’s formal education to begin math learning, recommends designing of educational games in the form of a product as an effective way to improve quality of children’s education. Thus, this research used combined research method aiming at motivating and creating interest in students and also helping to the improvement of their learning level in math lesson. In the qualitative section, inductive analysis was used in order to obtain the framework, and in the quantitative section, library method was used in order for internal validation and the examination method of pre-test and post-test was used in order for external validation. Also, in order to obtain external validity of the recommended framework in learning the principles, it was implemented on 50 students in one of the schools in Tehran. Examining the effectiveness and external validation also showed that they can exercise math operations through a new method named game-teaching.

Technology Dealing with the Soft Soil Foundation

Soft foundation is one of the important factors affecting the quality of construction in the building construction, so in order to better improve the quality of construction, we must take corresponding measures to deal effectively with this problem, mainly discusses the profound advances in treatment of soft soil subgrade, this paper probes into the combination of the characteristics of the silt along the beach area of the soft foundation treatment technology progress. Aiming at the current development process of municipal beach road construction problems, based on the analysis of deep soft soil subgrade treatment methods, introduces the recent progress in the exploration of China’s tidal silt characteristics in rock and soil engineering, combined reinforcement technology research methods, the combination of the developed new technology of deep soft foundation treatment hope can be applied to practical engineering.