Critical Analysis Research Articles

Olympism and Chinese humanism: a critical analysis of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine China’s discourse on uniting all ethnic groups internally and conveying the human community to the world in the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics (BWO), reflecting the different Olympism of the East and the West and the intersection of Chinese humanism discourse to form the core concept of this study. In terms of research methods, this study took the opening ceremony of the BWO as the research object, collected the content of the opening ceremony of the 2022 BWO, media reports, and related academic research, and analyzed the discussion of the 2022 BWO at the opening ceremony. The results have shown that the BWO opening ceremony continues the Chinese humanism concept of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showing the connotation of people-oriented patriotism and emphasizing the ideal of a community with a shared future for humanity in the world. This study concludes that the BWO opening ceremony emphasizes Chinese tradition, culture, and patriotism. At the same time, the opening ceremony’s theme is set as the concept of “One World, One Family.” This discourse has formed a contrast between cosmopolitanism and patriotism, which not only shows the contradiction in the internal discourse of Chinese humanism but also shows the dialogue’s dilemma between the Asian value thinking advocated by Chinese humanism and the universal values of individualism and human rights emphasized by Western concepts.

Culturalism and Religious fundamentalism: Lexicalisation of counter-ideologies on same-sex sexualities in selected Nigerian newspapers

Against the backdrop of cultural conservatism and legal restrictions on same-sex relationships, this study examines how language use foregrounds cultural and religious ideologies surrounding same-sex sexualities as depicted in selected Nigerian newspapers. Drawing on Fairclough’s approach to critical discourse analysis (CDA), the study explores how language is used to construct, represent, and perpetuate specific ideologies regarding same-sex sexualities within the Nigerian context. A total of 50 opinion articles on same-sex sexualities were randomly sampled from five purposively selected Nigerian newspapers (Vanguard, The Punch, The Guardian, Nigerian Tribune and The Sun). The newspapers were selected based on their preponderant coverage of the discourses on same-sex sexualities between 2013 and 2015. Data were subjected to critical discourse analysis. Findings reveal that different lexical strategies, such as lexical relations, repetition, negative evaluative adjectives foreground pro- and anti-culturalist ideologies as well as religious fundamentalism and secularism. The study reveals the conflicting ideologies surrounding same-sex sexualities in the Nigerian context.

Performance evaluation and validation of OpenMC code for criticality analysis of an MTR-type research reactor

This paper assesses the performance of OpenMC, an open-source Monte Carlo code for particle transport, through criticality analysis of an MTR-type research reactor. The evaluation involves validation against experimental data from the NUR research reactor's first fresh fuel core and a code-to-code comparison with MCNP5, using a consistent methodology ensuring identical input conditions. Key parameters, including excess reactivity, control rod worths, shutdown margin, critical configurations, kinetics parameters, neutron flux, power distributions, and peaking factors, were examined. Results indicate good agreement between OpenMC simulations, experimental data, and MCNP5 results, with marginal differences well within acceptable ranges. Discrepancies with experimental data are below 5 %, considering measurement accuracy, while code-to-code comparisons reveal relative differences below 1 % in most cases. This study supports OpenMC's reliability for MTR reactor criticality analysis, affirming the validity of the developed NUR reactor model for future applications and highlighting the code's credibility and applicability in the nuclear reactor simulations.

Fostering empathy through critical literacy in early childhood education in Colombia

ABSTRACT In Colombia, some educational settings, particularly territories with high levels of educational inequality, uphold conventional teaching strategies where emotional education and critical thinking receive little attention. This study is rooted in our intention to contribute to peace education in early childhood educational environments by fostering critical thinking and empathy, a predictor of prosocial behavior in children. The aim of this study is, first, that young children develop empathy by recognizing situations of oppression and injustice in children’s literature using critical literacy practices; and second, to contribute to young children’s development of critical thinking. Utilizing Critical Discourse Analysis, we suggest that critical literacy practices enhance empathy and critical thinking in young children through three strategies: reading selected children’s literature aloud, responding through multimodal texts, and having an open dialogue about critical issues that affect children in local communities. This article contributes to the literature about literacy, empathy development, and peace education with young children.

Beyond victim and hero representations? A comparative analysis of UNHCR’s Instagram communication strategies for the Syrian and Ukrainian crises

Abstract The Ukrainian crisis has received substantial Global Northern policy support and favourable news coverage, contrasting sharply with Global Southern crises. Nevertheless, refugee organizations can influence public perceptions through social media. This study comparatively analyses UNHCR’s Instagram communication strategies for the Ukrainian and Syrian crises (2022–2023). Applying a multimodal critical discourse analysis on UNHCR’s Instagram posts (N = 90), we discern interacting humanitarian and post-humanitarian appeals, involving inter- and intra-group hierarchies of deservingness, expanding research on humanitarian communication. While UNHCR mainly represents forcibly displaced Ukrainians as victims and focuses on ‘ideal victims’, it mostly portrays forcibly displaced Syrians as empowered individuals, likely due to context-specific differences and partially countering news and policy narratives. Both humanitarian representations often intersect with post-humanitarian strategies, facilitated by Instagram affordances. This study thus contributes to the literature on humanitarian communication with comparative crisis-specific and platform-specific insights and causes. Moreover, it nuances the often-assumed importance of post-humanitarian imageries on social media.

Unveiling the Layers of Societal Oppression: A Critical Analysis of Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye”

Toni Morrison's novel "The Bluest Eye" intricately delves into the intersections of race, gender, identity, and beauty within the African American community. By following characters such as Pecola Breedlove, Pauline Breedlove, and Cholly Breedlove, Morrison skillfully navigates the intricate web of societal norms and their profound influence on individual psyche and community dynamics. This research article offers a thorough analysis of Morrison's examination of internalized racism, sexism, and the pursuit of self-definition amid oppressive societal standards

Journalistic Storytelling for Social Justice: A CDA of Global News Coverage of the Otodo Gbame Forced Evictions in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Despite the growing discourse on forced evictions around the world, very limited scholarship has explored the constitution, replication and/or transformation of a discourse of urban development and forced evictions in journalistic work. This study investigates the global news coverage of state-sanctioned forced evictions of Otodo Gbame community in Lagos, Nigeria—with specific attention to journalistic discursive construction of urban development and the reproduction of hierarchies of worth in journalistic work. Critical discourse analysis of 17 journalistic texts published online by national and foreign news media organisations during the Otodo Gbame forced evictions (November 2016–April 2017) revealed journalists positioned Otodo Gbame residents at the bottom of a hierarchical social order and as victims of an unfortunate circumstance without transforming that discourse into possibilities for social and environmental justice. Journalists prioritised institutional voices, used passive construction and detached expressive mode to downplay the social implications of state-sanctioned forced evictions, and reproduced hierarchies of worth in journalism and broader society. Considering journalism plays a crucial role in the social construction of reality, this study offers insights and directions for journalistic role expansion and the transformation of conceived journalistic roles into meaningful practice.

Discursive and photographic representations of migrants in the media: the case of Ceuta and Melilla

ABSTRACT The Spanish autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla have long been sites of undocumented migration to Spain. Owing to both anti-immigration attitudes often perpetuated in political discourse and the challenges involved in blocking migration in cities that are geographically separated from Spain’s mainland, this migratory context has been heavily debated in Spain. However, it is critical to examine attitudes towards migrant populations of different legal statuses, and particularly essential to look at widely disseminated discourse such as mass media, which has the power to be impactful in shaping popular opinions. In this study, I analyse such discourse, and examine how migrants are represented in Spanish media. Using critical discourse analysis (Fairclough 2003) and media framing (Littlejohn, Foss, and Oetzel [2021]. “The Medium.” In Theories of Human Communication, 151–154. Waveland Press), this study looks at 100 online news articles published over a 10-year period (2013–2022). Findings indicate that news outlets use both text and photos to dehumanise and criminalise migrant populations.

Fuzzy Soft Set Theory Applications in Medical Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Review and the Roadmap for Future Studies

This paper provides a literature review addressing the use of soft sets in medical diagnosis. Distinguishing itself from the existing literature, the study offers a comprehensive analysis of how fuzzy soft sets can be integrated into diagnostic processes, highlighting a novel fusion of fuzzy and soft sets in medical applications. Any soft set on a countably infinite universe can be regarded as a fuzzy set, recognizing the limitations of traditional diagnostic tools in dealing with vague and incomplete information, our research aims to utilize the flexibility and comprehensiveness of fuzzy soft sets to enhance decision-making accuracy in medical scenarios. The primary objective of this research is to present a thorough and critical analysis of fuzzy soft set theory in medical diagnosis, aiming to establish it as a fundamental approach in the field. By combining all of these results, we can generate a comprehensive picture of the connections between the many theories that account for fuzziness and imprecision, which helps to fill in the blanks left by recent surveys. The review will focus on identifying the main research trends in this field: the primary research topics that soft set theory addresses in medical applications, the community is currently facing and the major theoretical concepts used to study these topics. The primary objective of this review is to assist in the identifying of emerging research directions. Some of these trends are promising and will help shape a new role for soft set theory in the area of medical applications. The fusion of fuzzy and soft sets in medical applications represents a crucial and necessary stage in the research and diagnosis procedures. Key results include the study on development of algorithms and models that outperform traditional methods in accuracy and reliability.

A preliminary investigation of longitudinal associations between ethnic–racial identity and critical consciousness among Black and Latinx youth.

A preliminary investigation of longitudinal associations between ethnic–racial identity and critical consciousness among Black and Latinx youth.

Feeling a little uneasy: A comparative discourse analysis of White and BIPOC college students’ reflective writing about systemic racism

AbstractThis critical discourse analysis compares the ways in which White and BIPOC college students discuss their experiences of an educational intervention meant to promote better understanding of systemic racism. We analyzed reflective writing produced by 11 White psychology students from a private liberal arts college in the eastern United States and 17 BIPOC students from a Human Services program at a public university in the western United States. White students engaged in whiteness discourse that distanced themselves from the realities of systemic racism and/or relieved the cognitive dissonance associated with the self‐ and group‐image threat related to learning about systemic racism. In so doing, they unwittingly upheld white supremacy. BIPOC students, in contrast, engaged an antiracist discourse that employed critiques of the social systems that produce systemic racism and destabilized dominant colorblind narratives, often by drawing on lived experience. From the Critical Race Theory perspective that the centrality of lived experience is a legitimate lens through which to analyze racial subordination, we discuss the importance of attending to the action orientation and constructed nature of discourse in antiracist education.

Critical conscious leadership for decolonisation: a Black consciousness perspective of authentically transforming leadership

PurposeThis paper draws on African anti-colonial thought and Black consciousness to propose critical conscious leadership (CCL) as a decolonising leadership approach appropriate for pursuing emancipation, social justice and innovation in a new African university.Design/methodology/approachI utilised the method of critical discourse analysis to study Ihron Rensburg’s language as he reflected on his leadership at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). The study engaged with Rensburg’s writings and texts on his account of leading the merger and transformation of UJ. The primary text draws from his book “Serving Higher Purposes” (2020).FindingsThrough the construction of CCL, the paper proposes alternative tenets for leading transformation towards a new African university. CCL grounds a decolonised and pluriversal new African university’s character premised on a consciously revitalised alternative thinking that will carry the communitarian spirit of Africa in knowledge production, dissemination and consumption in humanising all and serving the greater good. And it operates within the dialectical tensions of the social and economic purpose of higher education (HE), African and global relevance, African and Western paradigms, excellent performance and attainment of social justice.Originality/valueThe proposed CCL offers an alternative leadership approach that responds to the call to “Dethrone the Empire” by centring Blackness in HE leadership, which is crucial for authentic transformation and decolonisation.

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner” placing attractiveness in dancing coupled with alternative masculinities and affective-sexual relationships in Dirty Dancing film

ABSTRACT The success and popularity of the film Dirty Dancing (1987) placed it at the center of research interest. Many articles have been published about it, including supposedly critical analyses interpreting it as classist and sexist (Giroux, 1989). However, none of these analyses present evidence about femininity and masculinity models and affective-sexual relationships developed in the film. In this paper, the main protagonist, Johnny, and his antagonist, Robbie, are analysed in the scenes in which they interact with the protagonist, Baby, and the secondary characters, Penny and Lisa. The results show that Robbie’s character corresponds mainly to a toxic model of masculinity while the protagonist Johnny’s character corresponds mainly to an alternative model of masculinity. The affective-sexual relationships they establish are also reported. In her relationship with Robbie, Penny has an unwanted pregnancy and is depicted by him. Conversely, Johnny introduces Baby in dancing, they start a relationship, and she evolves in the film in improving security and self-esteem. Dancing as an attractive key issue in the film is placed in this last relationship. Finally, the article discusses the possible role of the film in promoting the attractiveness of dance coupled with more egalitarian relationships and alternative models of masculinity.

The Qualitative Historical Origins of Mad Studies in Word and Deed, 1436–1914

Periodically from the 15th to early 20th centuries, mad people left written accounts of their experiences. Originally written by upper- and middle-class White authors who had both the money and literacy skills to record their thoughts, since the late 19th century, the diversity of mad people’s writings has increased to reflect more representative experiences regarding class, gender and, to a lesser extent, race and disability. The origins of what is now called “Mad Studies” can be found among writers discussed here, though long before such a field came to formally exist. From the 18th century, there were also individuals and organized groups who challenged abusive practices and attitudes toward mad people, whose efforts are precursors to recent activist histories. This article reflects on how Mad Studies is the direct beneficiary of centuries of critical analyses and activism by mad people long before contemporary times.

Refutation of the Prescription of Death Penalty for Apostasy in Musa Bigiev’s book <i>Qawaʼid fiqhiyyah</i>

The article examines the example of ijtihad by Musa Jarullah Bigiev (1875–1949), which consists of a critical analysis and refutation of the Shari‘a provision prescribing the death penalty for apostates who renounced Islam. The material is based on Bigiev’s comments to one of the rules of fiqh, collected and presented by him on the pages of the work “Qawa‘id fiqhiyyah” (Kazan, 1910). Bigiev calls one of Shari‘a goals “protection of life,” i. e. the protection of the rights of both humanity as a species and each individual. At the same time, he considers the “right to freedom” to be an innate and inalienable human right. As an integral part of this right, Bigiev considers the “right to freedom of religion” as a Shari‘a principle, which is designed to prevent reprisals against those who change their faith and, in light of this conclusion, raises the question of whether the practice of the death penalty for apostasy is consistent with Islam. In conclusion, the idea of the existence of two types of Muslim fundamentalism, essentially different from each other, is voiced.

The choice of methods for assessing the metabolic status of a patient in the intensive care unit

Adequate nutritional support for critically ill patients has always been (and still remains) one of the main, complex and not fully resolved problems of modern intensive care, which, unfortunately, often remains without due attention. In everyday practice, in order to adequately correct nutritional deficiency, the resuscitator must, first of all, correctly assess the trophological status of the patient. Currently, there exists a large selection of nutrients and different methods for assessing metabolic status. The paper presents a critical analysis of existing methods for assessing the nutritional status and algorithms for the personalized choice of each of them in a specific clinical situation in critically ill patients.

How to measure inequality of opportunity: The axial institutions index

The article presents a critical analysis of indices and indicators of gender equality and suggests a new comprehensive approach to measuring gender equality of opportunity within axial institutions, which are family, labor market, education, science, public and corporate governance. Whereas the main gender indices measure inequality of access to resources, the axial institutions index measures equality of opportunity using the concept of agency. The key innovations are as follows: the inclusion of the institution of family and the gender division of unpaid domestic work as the basis for gender inequality of opportunities; horizontal segregation in labor markets and in education by calculating the average gap in the share of women and men with different educational profile; inclusion of an institute of science, including academia decision-making, inclusion of an institute of corporate governance (along with the state one). As a result, the index of axial institutions is visualized in the form of a hexagon, which describes the specifics of the model of gender equality in Russia.

Advanced and sustainable manufacturing methods of polymer-based membranes for gas separation: a review

The fabrication of membranes for gas separation presents challenges that hinder their deployment as a truly sustainable technology. This review systematically explores the evolution and advancements in materials and manufacturing methods of polymer-based membranes, with a keen emphasis on sustainability and efficiency. The review delineates a broad spectrum of manufacturing techniques, ranging from traditional methods to cutting-edge approaches such as layer-by-layer assembly, and green synthesis, highlighting their implications for environmental sustainability, performance enhancement, scalability, and economic viability. Key findings indicate a significant shift towards greener solvents, bio-based polymers and processes that reduce waste and costs. Critical analysis uncovers a growing focus on understanding the life cycle of membranes and developing strategies for end-of-life such as recycling and the use of biodegradable materials, underscoring the commitment of the community to minimizing environmental footprints.

Human capital for the green economy

This study aims to assess the market availability of human capital for the needs of the green economy under the conditions of the changing labour market in Poland. It is a theoretical and analytical study based on desk research and critical analysis of available factual information. Based on an analysis of quantitative data describing the age structure and education of Poles from the perspective of three consecutive decades, a growing labour supply deficit was found. It also points to a possible shortage of competencies needed to green the economy. It was emphasised that, in view of the low effectiveness of the state's prevention policy aimed at preventing the growing demographic crisis, it would be necessary to supplement the shortage of workers from external resources, that is, labour migration. However, this may also be difficult because the labour markets in other European countries become increasingly competitive. Recommended solutions to foster labour market sustainability for the green economy may be to delay the exit of employees from the labour market, boost female economic activity, and make the education system more efficient.

Nigerian Land Resources and Conservation Strategies: A Critical Analysis of Economic and Non-Economic Issues

Land is an indispensable resource for all of man’s activities, and being an asset with zero elasticity in its physical supply requires adequate sustainability and conservation. Over the years, various strategies have been generated and adopted to ensure conservative management of land resources. This paper examines Nigerian land resources and conservation strategies, critically analyzing the economic and non-economic issues. Land resources conservation in Nigeria indulges economic issues from agriculture, urbanization and industrialization which affect the availability and accessibility of land for various uses, while the non-economic issues from cultural, social and environmental factors and policies are basically concerned with the determination and control of the use of land resources. These have to be considered with emanating challenges and surmounted to ensure land resources conservation for sustainability considering future generations. Policymakers, researchers and stakeholders in the environmental field have to work and operate in synergy, evaluating workable and favourable conservation strategies: balancing economic and non-economic land related issues to achieve overcoming emanating issues, thereby sustaining the goal of Land resources conservation in Nigeria.