Criteria Decision Research Articles

Influence of packaging, husbandry, feeding practices, and price transparency on consumer segments preferences for milk in Germany: A conjoint and latent class analysis

Despite a slight decline in average consumption in recent years, milk remains a significant component of diets in Western countries, including Germany. Concurrently, there has been growing awareness of the impact of food choices on climate, environment, and animal welfare. This study examines how various attributes of milk—such as packaging, husbandry practices, feeding methods, price, and price transparency—affect consumer decisions, using fresh milk as a case study.We conducted a choice experiment with 250 participants, who selected from product alternatives varying in price, milk features, cow husbandry and feeding practices, packaging types, and labels. Contrary to previous studies, which identified price as a primary decision criterion, our findings indicate that price was secondary for most participants, except for a specific segment.Label influence was minimal, while packaging had a significant impact on consumer choices. Interestingly, most respondents preferred glass packaging, despite its potential environmental drawbacks, suggesting a need to explore whether this preference is based on misconceptions about its environmental benefits.The type of husbandry emerged as the most influential factor in consumer decisions. In terms of animal welfare, there was a strong preference for pasture milk, particularly for "Year-round grazing with mother-bonded calf rearing." This preference not only explains the marketing trend towards pasture milk but also presents an opportunity for sustainable farms to differentiate themselves and attract customers amidst a decline in pasture-based milk production.

Transition from hospital to nursing home: Discharge planners as a potential lever for quality improvements?

Public reporting is supposed to be helpful in differentiating between well and poorly performing nursing homes; however, hospital patients often have difficulties to deal with quality information. Discharge planners (DP) can support them in comparing quality and, by influencing patients' decision, lead to better provision of care in nursing homes. This study investigated the choice behavior of DP, their use of quality information and the potential to impact the decision-making of patients. A total of 70DP from German hospitals with ageriatric department participated in an online survey. They were asked about information preferences and tools used for nursing home searches. In addition, they assessed quality information items from the new German quality reporting on aLikert scale. To test their comprehension participants were given acase scenario of atypical patient, were shown nursing homes displayed based on amedical comparison portal navigator (AOK-Pflegenavigator) and were asked to select nursing homes in a3-round experiment. When looking for anursing home, DP primarily rely on internal nursing home directories (n = 62; 92.5%). The 3preferred criteria for decision are: distance to the family (n = 55; 28.80%), bed availability (n = 51; 26.7%) and wishes of patients/relatives (n = 41; 21.47%). The consent score for public reporting was 46.28% and the comprehension ratio was 82.24%. The DP do not advise hospital patients on the performance of nursing homes and rely on the decision-making of patients. This results in alack of impact on patients' decisions and consequently in aloss of potential for public reporting to lead to better care in nursing homes.

A readiness assessment model for human systems management digitalization in industrial organizations

ABSTRACT Human systems management (HSM) in organizations must invest in digitization to remain competitive. Even though there is no denying digitalization is essential for modern industrial organizations, the success of digitalization projects is rarely contingent on chance. HSM digitalization requires more than just technology. It also requires leadership, people, strategy, innovation, and process readiness. Organizations must select the most suitable digitalization project to initiate the transition and begin by increasing and monitoring readiness for a successful transition. A practical approach to a successful transition begins with increasing and monitoring readiness. The literature suggests a lack of analytical assessment models for HSM digitalization readiness in industrial organizations, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This research presents a framework with the general best-worst method (GBWM) to examine decision criteria and help organizations, particularly SMEs, choose the most effective digitalization strategy. A case study demonstrates the applicability and efficacy of the proposed method in assessing HSM digitalization readiness in SMEs.

A decision framework for Chinese-style cruise ship design based on informativeness weight method and group consensus reaching model

In recent years, the European cruise ship design style has failed to meet the cultural needs of Chinese users, leading to a growing demand for cruise ships incorporating Chinese elements. The richness and uniqueness of Chinese culture make most existing cruise ship design decision-making methods inapplicable for Chinese-style cruise ship design. This article introduces a decision-making framework for Chinese-style cruise ships to address this gap based on the informativeness weight method and the group consensus achievement model. This framework determines decision criteria based on the characteristics of Chinese-style cruise ships and Cultural Hierarchy Theory (CHT), and it employs trapezoidal fuzzy set theory to manage the fuzziness of the decision-making environment, resulting in decision matrices. Furthermore, a bilateral negotiation model for group consensus achievement is introduced to reach group consensus among decision-makers (DMs), adjust the decision matrix, and calculate the weight of each expert. The informativeness weight method is used to determine the weight of each criterion, and the TOPSIS method is applied to establish option scores and rankings. By analyzing three Chinese-style cruise ship design options, the paper validates the effectiveness of this decision-making method. A comparative analysis of the informativeness weight method and the bilateral negotiation consensus achievement model further demonstrates the superiority of this decision-making framework.

Research trends in criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) method: a visual analysis of bibliographic data using the Tableau software

Purpose Criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) is a multicriteria decision-making method that helps compute the weights of decision criteria by considering the contrast intensity and conflicting relationships inherent in each criterion. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis to provide quantitative insights into the research trends concerning the CRITIC method. Design/methodology/approach The study assembled bibliographic data from 220 CRITIC-based publications retrieved from the Scopus database. Subsequently, the gathered data were processed using Tableau software, using specific functions within the software to format them to suit the analysis requirements. Following data preparation, a visual analysis was then conducted based on five parameters that can characterize the research evolutions in CRITIC. These parameters include research productivity across years, dominant countries, dominant researchers, dominant publication outlets and popular research topics. Various visualization techniques, such as combined charts, geographical maps and word clouds, were used to draw conclusions for each parameter. Findings The study discovered a burgeoning trend in CRITIC research in recent years, particularly from 2019 onwards. The COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly contributed to this upward trend, prompting remarkable collaboration among researchers who used diverse decision-making methods, such as CRITIC, to provide data-driven solutions for addressing COVID-19 challenges. Additionally, the study identified China and Iran as the leading countries in CRITIC research, with notable researchers such as Xindong Peng and Mehdi Keshavarz-Ghorabaee predominantly affiliated with institutions in these countries. Keyword analysis indicated the application of CRITIC across various trending topics, including Industry 4.0 and environmental sustainability. Originality/value No bibliometric analyses have been conducted on the CRITIC method in the literature since its inception in 1995, leaving the scientific community clueless about its research trends. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study serves as the first bibliometric analysis, providing quantitative evidence on the research trends associated with the CRITIC method. By shedding light on these trends, this study enables the scientific community, including researchers and funding agencies, to make informed decisions regarding future research endeavors involving the CRITIC method.

A - 26 A Survey of Sports Concussion Specialists’Clinical Criteria to Determine Concussion Recovery

Abstract Purpose To identify criteria used by sports concussion specialists in determining recovery from sport-related concussion. We hypothesized differences in use of decision-making criteria among neuropsychologists, physicians, and certified athletic trainers (ATCs). Method 143 sports concussion specialists (neuropsychologists = 45, physicians = 41, and certified athletic trainers (ATCs) = 57) completed a survey rating the importance of specific criteria for determining concussion recovery in youth and adult athletes. Differences between specialist groups were examined with Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results There were significant differences in criteria ratings across specialist groups regarding youth and adults for “use of neurocognitive test scores,”“balance testing,”“physical examination,”“no symptom provocation with neurocognitive testing,”“athlete report of anxiety about return to sport,“and “family member’s report of recovery,“all p’s < 0.001. For youth and adults, physicians ranked “use of neurocognitive test scores”and “no symptom provocation with neurocognitive testing”as less important than other providers, while “physician examination”was ranked as more important. Neuropsychologists ranked “balance testing”and “athlete report of anxiety about return to sport”as less important than other providers; and ATCs ranked “family member’s report of recovery”as less important than other providers. Conclusions Our results advance understanding of multidisciplinary standards of care in determining recovery from sports concussion and suggest the importance of collaboration in establishing clinical criteria common to all sports concussion health care providers.

Enhancing residential energy access with optimized stand-alone hybrid solar-diesel-battery systems in Buea, Cameroon

This study examined the optimal size of an autonomous hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) for a residential application in Buea, located in the southwest region of Cameroon. Two hybrid systems, PV-Battery and PV-Battery-Diesel, have been evaluated in order to determine which was the better option. The goal of this research was to propose a dependable, low-cost power source as an alternative to the unreliable and highly unstable electricity grid in Buea. The decision criterion for the proposed HRES was the cost of energy (COE), while the system’s dependability constraint was the loss of power supply probability (LPSP). The crayfish optimization algorithm (COA) was used to optimize the component sizes of the proposed HRES, and the results were contrasted to those obtained from the whale optimization algorithm (WOA), sine cosine algorithm (SCA), and grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA). The MATLAB software was used to model the components, criteria, and constraints of this single-objective optimization problem. The results obtained after simulation for LPSP of less than 1% showed that the COA algorithm outperformed the other three techniques, regardless of the configuration. Indeed, the COE obtained using the COA algorithm was 0.06%, 0.12%, and 1% lower than the COE provided by the WOA, SCA, and GOA algorithms, respectively, for the PV-Battery configuration. Likewise, for the PV-Battery-Diesel configuration, the COE obtained using the COA algorithm was 0.065%, 0.13%, and 0.39% lower than the COE provided by the WOA, SCA, and GOA algorithms, respectively. A comparative analysis of the outcomes obtained for the two configurations indicated that the PV-Battery-Diesel configuration exhibited a COE that was 4.32% lower in comparison to the PV-Battery configuration. Finally, the impact of the LPSP reduction on the COE was assessed in the PV-Battery-Diesel configuration. The decrease in LPSP resulted in an increase in COE owing to the nominal capacity of the diesel generator.

Applying the WHO-INTEGRATE evidence-to-decision framework in the development of WHO guidelines on parenting interventions: step-by-step process and lessons learnt

BackgroundDevelopment of guidelines for public health, health system, and health policy interventions demands complex systems thinking to understand direct and indirect effects of interventions within dynamic systems. The WHO-INTEGRATE framework, an evidence-to-decision framework rooted in the norms and values of the World Health Organization (WHO), provides a structured method to assess complexities in guidelines systematically, such as the balance of an intervention’s health benefits and harms and their human rights and socio-cultural acceptability. This paper provides a worked example of the application of the WHO-INTEGRATE framework in developing the WHO guidelines on parenting interventions to prevent child maltreatment, and shares reflective insights regarding the value added, challenges encountered, and lessons learnt.MethodsThe methodological approach comprised describing the intended step-by-step application of the WHO-INTEGRATE framework and gaining reflective insights from introspective sessions within the core team guiding the development of the WHO guidelines on parenting interventions and a methodological workshop.ResultsThe WHO-INTEGRATE framework was used throughout the guideline development process. It facilitated reflective deliberation across a broad range of decision criteria and system-level aspects in the following steps: (1) scoping the guideline and defining stakeholder engagement, (2) prioritising WHO-INTEGRATE sub-criteria and guideline outcomes, (3) using research evidence to inform WHO-INTEGRATE criteria, and (4) developing and presenting recommendations informed by WHO-INTEGRATE criteria. Despite the value added, challenges, such as substantial time investment required, broad scope of prioritised sub-criteria, integration across diverse criteria, and sources of evidence and translation of insights into concise formats, were encountered.ConclusionsApplication of the WHO-INTEGRATE framework was crucial in the integration of effectiveness evidence with insights into implementation and broader implications of parenting interventions, extending beyond health benefits and harms considerations and fostering a whole-of-society-perspective. The evidence reviews for prioritised WHO-INTEGRATE sub-criteria were instrumental in guiding guideline development group discussions, informing recommendations and clarifying uncertainties. This experience offers important lessons for future guideline panels and guideline methodologists using the WHO-INTEGRATE framework.

Enhancing Decision-Making Processes in the Complex Landscape of the Taiwanese Electronics Manufacturing Industry through a Fuzzy MCDM Approach

This research proposes a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework for workforce recruitment in Taiwan’s electronics manufacturing companies, an area with limited research. First, a comprehensive review of existing literature and interviews with industry experts were conducted to compile a list of decision-making criteria and sub-criteria relevant to workforce selection in Taiwan’s electronics industry. The Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) was then applied to identify and retain the most critical criteria while eliminating the less important ones. Next, Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) was used to calculate the interdependencies among the identified factors. Finally, based on these relationships, the Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) was employed to calculate the relative importance weights of the criteria and sub-criteria. These weights were then used to rank the criteria, identifying the most important ones and aiding in decision-making. The findings indicate that the proposed method provides a structured and assessable model for making informed decisions in workforce recruitment, particularly in the challenging environment of Taiwan’s electronics manufacturing industry, which faces a shortage of skilled labor. The research presents three primary contributions: the development of a systematic criteria selection technique using FDM, the establishment of consistent criteria relations for decision-makers using ISM, and the proposal of an application model employing the FANP method to identify and rank appropriate criteria for hiring new employees. The study highlights work attitude, adaptability to the environment, and work ability as major criteria. It also emphasizes the importance of discipline compliance, a positive attitude, and adherence to health and safety protocols as the top sub-criteria for workforce selection.

Petroleum development projects. Concept selection, taxation and recovery rate

The paper models and discusses important dimensions when choosing development concept for petroleum projects, and the consequences it has for recovery rate and project economics. By means of case analysis, optimal concept selection is analysed from the perspective of oil companies and government, accounting for the difference in evaluation metrics. While government has emphasis on net present value, a key decision criterion for oil companies is breakeven price. There are two reasons why oil companies select development concepts that are suboptimal from a government perspective: 1) to attain a low breakeven price (capital rationing), a cheaper development concept is often chosen; and 2) conservative resource estimation is often applied. Underinvestment leads to low recovery rate. When oil companies are inclined to select suboptimal development concepts, it is optimal for government to combine cash flow tax and uplift. An uplift enhances marginal investment incentives and could also remedy the incentive for postponement inherent in the breakeven price decision criteria. Our topic, the effect of tax design on development concept and thus extraction ratio is generic, it applies also to the mining sector.

A machine learning decision criterion for reducing scan time for hyperspectral neutron computed tomography systems

We present the first machine learning-based autonomous hyperspectral neutron computed tomography experiment performed at the Spallation Neutron Source. Hyperspectral neutron computed tomography allows the characterization of samples by enabling the reconstruction of crystallographic information and elemental/isotopic composition of objects relevant to materials science. High quality reconstructions using traditional algorithms such as the filtered back projection require a high signal-to-noise ratio across a wide wavelength range combined with a large number of projections. This results in scan times of several days to acquire hundreds of hyperspectral projections, during which end users have minimal feedback. To address these challenges, a golden ratio scanning protocol combined with model-based image reconstruction algorithms have been proposed. This novel approach enables high quality real-time reconstructions from streaming experimental data, thus providing feedback to users, while requiring fewer yet a fixed number of projections compared to the filtered back projection method. In this paper, we propose a novel machine learning criterion that can terminate a streaming neutron tomography scan once sufficient information is obtained based on the current set of measurements. Our decision criterion uses a quality score which combines a reference-free image quality metric computed using a pre-trained deep neural network with a metric that measures differences between consecutive reconstructions. The results show that our method can reduce the measurement time by approximately a factor of five compared to a baseline method based on filtered back projection for the samples we studied while automatically terminating the scans.

History Chronicles: A Tribute to Peter Armitage

Peter Armitage CBE recently passed away (February 2024). He was a pio¬neer in medical statistics and was best known for his innovative developments in clinical trial design and analysis, especially the use of sequential analysis and optimal stopping decision criteria. Sequen¬tial analysis was originally devised as a tool for industrial quality control, and it was Armitage’s genius to recognize its importance for medical research. This column includes tributes and memories of Armitage’s life and accomplishments.

Eco-friendly mix design of slag-ash-based geopolymer concrete using explainable deep learning

Geopolymer concrete is a sustainable and eco-friendly substitute for traditional OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) based concrete, as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. With various supplementary cementitious materials, the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete should be accurately predicted. Recent studies have applied deep learning techniques to predict the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete yet its hidden decision-making criteria diminish the end-users’ trust in predictions. To bridge this gap, the authors first developed three deep learning models: an artificial neural network (ANN), a deep neural network (DNN), and a 1D convolution neural network (CNN) to predict the compressive strength of slag ash-based geopolymer concrete. The performance indices for accuracy revealed that the DNN model outperforms the other two models. Subsequently, Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) were used to explain the best-performed deep learning model, DNN, and its compressive strength predictions. SHAP exhibited how the importance of each feature and its relationship contributes to the compressive strength prediction of the DNN model. Finally, the authors developed a novel DNN-based open-source software interface to predict the mix design proportions for a given target compressive strength (using inverse modeling technique) for slag ash-based geopolymer concrete. Additionally, the software calculates the Global Warming Potential (kg CO2 equivalent) for each mix design to select the mix designs with low greenhouse emissions.

The Effectiveness of Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) in Improving Students’ Reading Comprehension

This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) in enhancing students’ reading comprehension. Pre-experimental research was applied in the form of one group pre-test/post-test design to understand the influence of CSR on the students’ reading comprehension. Study participants included 30 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in their second semester of study in the English Department of a West Java private university. This sampling was determined through purposive sampling. The data for the research question of this study was collected through two test instruments - a pre-test and a post-test - with each consisting of 50 questions in each test in the form of multiple choice and observation. Both tests contained questions based on the five indicators of Barrett's taxonomy: literal comprehension, reorganization, inferential comprehension, evaluation, and appreciation. The study applied a gain-score calculation in which the average N-gain score is 61.38. The results showed that the Sig. (2-tailed) value was 0.000 <0.05. Therefore, based on the decision-making criteria, it can be concluded that there is a significant difference between learning outcomes in the pre-test data and post-test data. This means that the implementation of CSR is quite effective in enhancing the students’ reading comprehension competence.

How debunking biases in research and development decisions could lead to more equitable healthcare?

Decades of research have demonstrated that a variety of cognitive biases can affect our judgment and ability to make rational decisions in personal and professional environments. The lengthy, risky, and costly nature of pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) makes it vulnerable to biased decision-making. Moreover, cognitive biases can play a role in regulatory and clinical decision-making, the latter impacting diagnostic and treatment decisions in the therapeutic use of medicines. These inherent and/or institutionalized biases (e.g., in assumptions, data, or decision-making practices) could conceivably contribute to health inequities. In this mini-review, we provide a broad perspective on how cognitive biases can affect pharmaceutical R&D, regulatory evaluation, and therapeutic decision-making. Example approaches to mitigate the effect of common biases in the development, approval, and use of new therapeutics, such as quantitative decision criteria, multidisciplinary reviews, regulatory and treatment guidelines, and evidence-based clinical decision support systems are illustrated. Mitigating the impact of cognitive biases could increase pharma R&D efficiency, change the perspective and prioritization of unmet medical needs, increase representativeness and quality of evidence generated through clinical trials and real-world research, leading to higher quality insights and more effective medication use, and as such could eventually contribute to more equitable healthcare.

Prototype of a web tool for psycho-pedagogical intervention and stimulation of children with ADHD

Digital tools for students with ADHD have been scarcely implemented in current education due to the challenges they pose. Therefore, rigorous research, from the perspective of web application development, will strengthen students' formative process. In the present study, a web platform prototype was developed to automate the process of psycho-pedagogical intervention in children aged 5 and 12 with ADHD, focused on evaluating how this tool contributes to the process of psycho-pedagogical stimulation. The prototype was developed using XP methodology divided into two general phases and semi-structured interview techniques and structured surveys to gather relevant information. The first general phase involved the construction of the prototype, which included applying the interviews to obtain the system requirements and the BPMN process model of the general pedagogical approach. Interface design, architecture design, and prototype development were also carried out. The second general phase evaluated the system through acceptance and load and stress tests. Finally, usability evaluation was conducted following ISO 25010 and ISO 25040 standards. The usability measure obtained was "good," defined according to decision criteria, allowing us to infer the impact of implementing web tools.

The Influence of Implementing Student Facilitator and Explaining (SFAE) Learning Model on Student Learning Outcomes Assisted by Dakonmatika Learning Media

Students' motivation to study mathematics was essential for improving their learning outcomes in the subject. Integrating the cooperative learning model of Student Facilitator and Explaining (SFAE) with the Dakonmatika learning media represents an innovative blend of group learning and the traditional Indonesian game of Dakon or Congklak. This research aims to determine the effect of using the SFAE learning model assisted by Dakonmatika media on students' mathematics learning outcomes. The study employs a quantitative method with a Quasi-Experimental design in the form of The Nonequivalent Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design. The subjects of this study were 54 students from Muhammadiyah 2 Elementary School in Sorong City, divided into two classes: an experimental class of 29 students and a control class of 25 students. The research findings indicated that, based on the previously described data analysis and discussion of the multiple linear regression test, a significance value of 0.019 < 0.05 was obtained. According to the decision-making criteria, H0 was rejected. Moreover, from the t-test table, the calculated value (2.477) was greater than the table value (2.05553), meaning that t_calculated > t_table. It implied that the application of the SFAE learning model with the assistance of Dakonmatika media has a significant impact on the mathematics learning outcomes of fifth-grade students at Muhammadiyah 2 Elementary School in Sorong City. The implication of this study was that the integration of the Student Facilitator And Explaining (SFAE) learning model with daconmatics media has great potential in improving the quality of mathematics learning in schools.

Health technology assessment for sexual reproductive health and rights benefits package design in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review of evidence-informed deliberative processes

Background Health technology assessment uses a multidisciplinary approach to support health benefits package design towards universal health coverage. The evidence-informed deliberative process framework has been used alongside Health technology assessment to enhance stakeholder participation and deliberations in health benefits package design. Applying the evidence-informed deliberative framework for Health assessment could support the morally diverse sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) benefits package design process. However, evidence on participation and deliberations for stakeholders in health technology assessment for SRHR benefits package design has not been curated in sub-Saharan Africa. This study synthesises literature to fill this gap. Methods This scoping review applies the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews, and deductive analysis following the evidence-informed deliberative processes framework. The search strategy uses the Guttmacher–Lancet Commission-proposed comprehensive definition of SRHR and the World Health Organisation’s universal health coverage compendium of SRHR interventions to generate search terms. Six databases and biographical hand searches were used to identify studies in Sub-Saharan Africa from 1994. Results A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Evidence for yearly public budgets and explicit SRHR health technology assessment processes was not found. In 12 of the studies reviewed, new advisory committees were set up specifically for health technology assessment for SRHR priority-setting and benefits package design. In all decision-making processes reviewed, the committee member roles, participation and deliberations processes, and stakeholder veto powers were not clearly defined. Patients, the public, and producers of health technology were often excluded in the health technology assessment for the SRHR benefits package design. Most health technology assessment processes identified at least one decision-making criterion but failed to use this in their selection and appraisal stages for SRHR benefits design. The identification, selection, and scoping stages in health technology assessment for SRHR were non-existent in most studies. In 11 of the 14 processes of the included studies, stakeholders were dissatisfied with the health policy recommendation from the appraisal process in health technology assessment. Perceived benefits for evidence-informed deliberative processes included increased stakeholder engagement and fairness in decision-making. Conclusion To support the integration of diverse social values in health technology assessment for fairer SRHR benefits package design, evidence from this review suggests the need to institutionalise health technology assessment, establish prioritisation decision criteria, involve all relevant stakeholders, and standardise the process and assessment methodological approaches.

On the relationship between subjective decision criteria and paranoid ideations.

Following the conjecture made by (Bliznashki and Hristova in Appetite 167:105645, 2021), we test the hypothesis that liberal subjective decision criteria exhibited during a task involving discrimination between random and systematically correlated patterns should be associated with elevated levels of paranoid ideations. Study 1 establishes the proposed association in the presence of several control measures while also demonstrating that the relationship in question is significantly moderated by subjects' working memory spans and tendencies to be overconfident in their judgments. Study 2 provides further evidence that these effects are indeed specific to tasks involving discrimination between random and systematic patterns and that the observed results are not due to some form of (anti) acquiescence bias or other general trends. Certain specifics of the correlation matrices involving cognitive measures significantly related to the paranoia continuum suggest that our results are consistent with the Entropic Brain Hypothesis. Finally, a simulation study employing a Neural Network demonstrates that increased entropy and liberal decision criteria might be connected to each other with said connection being amenable to an interpretation within the Bayesian paradigm.

Pengaruh Penggunaan Metode Discussion Group terhadap Motivasi dan Hasil Belajar Siswa pada Pembelajaran IPS Kelas VIII di MTs Darussalam Kademangan

This research is motivated by the low motivation and learning outcomes of students in Social Studies. This issue arises because the teaching process is heavily dominated by the teacher, resulting in low student motivation and learning outcomes. Therefore, a teaching method is needed that provides students with the opportunity to construct their own knowledge, one of which is the Discussion Group Method. This method is developed to train students in questioning and answering skills. The Discussion Group Method is very effective for involving students in reviewing the material that has been taught. The research approach used is a quantitative approach with an experimental research type. The population in this study consists of eighth grade students at MTs Darussalam Kademangan. The sample used is 52 students, selected using Purposive Sampling technique. Data collection techniques in the study include questionnaires and tests. To measure both variables, validity and reliability tests of the instruments were conducted, along with prerequisite tests using normality and homogeneity tests, and hypothesis testing using the t-test. The results of the study conducted at MTs Darussalam Kademangan from April 25 to 30, 2024, are as follows: (1) There is a significant influence of the Discussion Group Method on learning motivation. This is evidenced by the t-test results with a Sig. (2-tailed) value of 0.001. Based on the decision-making criteria of 0.001 < 0.05, Ho is rejected and Ha is accepted. (2) There is a significant influence of the Discussion Group Method on learning outcomes. This is evidenced by the t-test results with a Sig. (2-tailed) value of 0.000. Based on the decision-making criteria of 0.000 < 0.05, Ho is rejected and Ha is accepted. Keywords: Discussion Group Method, Learning Motivation, Learning Outcomes