Design Research Methodology Research Articles

Development of Procedures in Designing Blended Learning Integrated Soft Skills in Higher Education

Blended learning is a teaching approach that combines face-to-face and online learning, requiring instructors to design instruction that considers the combination and timing of both types of learning. The integration of these approaches aims to achieve learning goals. Thus, there is a need for a guide to assist instructors in designing valid, practical, and effective blended learning experiences. This study follows an Educational Design Research (EDR) methodology, which includes preliminary research, a prototyping phase, and an assessment phase, following the Plomp model. The research instruments used in this study include validation sheets, implementation assessment sheets completed by subjects, and participant response questionnaires. The data were analyzed using techniques to assess validity, practicality, and effectiveness. The analysis results indicate that all instruments fall within the valid category. The evaluation of practicality based on participant response questionnaires yielded an overall score of 80%, indicating practicality. The evaluation of effectiveness for the assessment of the design created by the subjects showed excellent results. Participant responses were positive, and the data on the impact of the design structure on new knowledge and skills indicated that participants effectively applied the acquired knowledge and skills. Therefore, the soft skills-oriented blended learning design in higher education has met the criteria of validity, practicality, and effectiveness.

Involvement of Stakeholders in Establishment of Infrastructure Projects in Schools

Headteachers’ involvement of stakeholders is crucial in enabling them to develop and implement infrastructure projects in public primary schools. This formed the basis of the proposed study to assess headteachers’ planning skills and their influence on the implementation of infrastructure projects in public primary schools in Kisii South Sub-county, Kisii County, Kenya. Using the mixed methodology and concurrent triangulation research design, the study target population of 773 consisted of 59 headteachers and 714 teachers in public primary schools in Kisii South Sub-county. Yamane’s Formula was used to determine a sample size of 264 respondents. Through stratified random sampling, the population was categorized into wards with Kisii South Sub-county. The study then used purposive sampling to select two primary headteachers from each ward. 31 teachers were selected from each of the zones using simple random sampling. Qualitative data was collected from headteachers using interviews, while quantitative data was collected from the teachers using questionnaires. Qualitative data was categorized according to various themes, analyzed thematically, and presented using verbatims. On the other hand, the quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and means. This was accompanied by correlation analysis to examine the degree of association between the independent variables and the dependent variablehe study findings are hoped to assist the headteachers in improving their planning skills by bringing forth quality educational concerns and useful recommendations. The Ministry of Education may benefit from this study in evaluating and strengthening the processes of implementation of projects in primary schools.

Influence of school leadership culture on students’ academic performance in mixed public secondary schools in Gucha region Kisii county

A study in social science rekindles a link between organizational culture and its effectiveness. Effective school has also come up with many attributes that were evident in schools that seem to contribute to academic achievement. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of school culture and its influence on students’ academic performance at KCSE level. The objectives of this study were; to examine the influence of school leadership on students’ academic performance and to assess the influence of school routines on students’ academic performance in mixed public secondary schools in Gucha region Kisii County. The study was guided by Edgar Schein’s organizational culture theory and Effective schools’ theory. Mixed methodology and concurrent triangulation research design guided the study. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected, analyzed and results merged for discussions and conclusions. The target population included 37 principals, 650 teachers and 15,865 students yielding 16, 552 participants. Purposeful sampling raised 17 principals, 150 teachers were randomly selected and 300 students sampled through stratified random sampling. 467 respondents were sampled for study. Questionnaires were given to teachers and students, interview guide was used by the researcher and interview guide was used by the researcher when interviewing the principals. The instruments were piloted on 10% of the sample size. Validity of the instruments was ascertained through expert judgment and reliability was attained through test re-test and calculated using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 24 and Cronbach alpha technique. Internal consistency of 0.7 was obtained. Credibility of the instruments was ascertained through data triangulation to ensure that findings were dependable at every step, well-articulated and detailed. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and presented in narrative form while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Linear regression was carried out and findings presented using tables and graphs. The study concluded that influence of school routines on students’ academic performance, leading by example had a strong positive correlation of .539**indicating that strengthening school culture help in improving academic performance Gucha region, Kisii County. The study recommended that leaders of secondary schools should lead by example and promote a positive performance culture in schools.

Influence of Monitoring and Evaluation on Road Development Projects Mombasa County, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of Monitoring and Evaluation on road development projects in Kenya. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design and mixed method methodology to enable wider comprehension of the problem. The objective of this was to assess the level of stakeholder engagement on the performance of road development projects in Mombasa County, Kenya. The study utilized stakeholder theory mainly to address the shortcoming within project management. The target population was 40 county government officials, 20 National government officials, 60 community representatives and four project managers. A sample size of 124 was selected using the stratified random sampling technique. Theprimary data was collected using structured survey questionnaires to examine the independent and the dependent variables and their relationship to each other. The reliability and validity of the research instruments were tested by carrying out a pilot study. During re-testing the Cronbach Alpha (α) above 0.7 is acceptable for internal consistency. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The study findings determined that the stakeholder was responsible for knowing what was happening during the project implementation. The study concluded that the road development project, in its entirety, accepted stakeholder involvement in the planning, assessment, and analyzing efficiency and effectiveness of the project.The study recommends that stakeholder mapping is imperative for proper identification and categorization.

“UDL is a way of thinking”; theorizing UDL teacher knowledge, beliefs, and practices

Using design research methodology, we explored changes in experienced educators’ beliefs, knowledge, and practices related to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) following a professional development course for in-service teachers and teacher leaders on UDL and design thinking. Data included analysis of focus groups 9 months after the summer professional development course. Findings indicated shifts in educators’ beliefs about UDL, moving from conceptions of UDL as a static, inflexible framework to a “way of thinking” – moment-to-moment responsiveness to students’ access needs. Another finding was the importance of empathy interviews as a practice to learn about students and build relationships. Participants stressed the importance of questioning one’s own deficit thinking about students with disabilities. We call for more investigations into teacher knowledge, beliefs, and practices on UDL.

Enhancing Students' Combinatorial Thinking for Graceful Coloring Problem: A STEM-Based, Research-Informed Approach in ATM Placement

Combinatorial generalization thinking, a component of higher-order thinking skills, encompasses perception (pattern identification), expressions (pattern illustration), symbolic expressions (pattern formulation), and manipulation (combinatorial results application). Implementing a research-based learning (RBL) model with a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) approach can effectively transform students' learning processes, promoting experiential learning through the integration of STEM elements. This study employs a mixed-method research design, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies, to evaluate the impact of this RBL-STEM model on students' ability to solve graceful coloring problems, hence developing their combinatorial thinking skills. Two distinct classes, one experimental and one control, were analyzed for statistical homogeneity, normality, and independent t-test comparisons. Results indicated a significant post-test t-score difference between the two groups. Consequently, we conclude that the RBL model with a STEM approach significantly enhances students' combinatorial generalization thinking skills in solving graceful coloring problems. As this research provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of a STEM-based RBL model, educators, and curriculum developers are encouraged to incorporate this approach into their instructional strategies for enhancing combinatorial thinking skills. Future research should consider various contexts and diverse student populations to further validate and generalize these findings.

Effects of Availability and Access to Safe Drinking Water on Students’ Academic Performance in Secondary Schools in Muhoroni Sub-County, Kenya

Access to improved sanitation is an important component of human health and wellbeing. Minimum requirements for safe WASH in schools are not provided in most rural schools in Kenya. The current paper investigated the effects of availability and access to safe drinking water on students’ academic performance in secondary school in Muhoroni Sub-County, Kenya. Descriptive research design and mixed methodology was used. The target population was 2354 form three students and 23 teachers. Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination formula was used to obtain a sample size of 331 respondents. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. Validity was determined by consulting research supervisors while reliability was determined through the use of Cronbach Alpha. Quantitative data were analysed by SPSS (version 25) and the findings presented using frequencies and percentages while qualitative data were thematically classified and arranged before they were reported in narrations and quotations. The study found that 65.4% of the learners reported that they were using safe drinking water in their schools. In addition, 63.3% of the study participants reported that their schools had reliable, sufficient and clean water supply. The study concluded that availability of safe drinking water at schools reduces the likelihood of water-related illnesses, such as diarrhea or other waterborne diseases. In addition, availability to sanitation facilities influence students’ academic performance among secondary school students. This study will give the current WASH scenario of schools in the study area that can help concerned authorities abide by WASH guidelines to improve the school’s WASH situation.

Attention to Diversity in Bilingual Education: Stakeholder Perceptions in a Bilingual Region

This study aims at showcasing educational stakeholders’ perspectives on catering for diversity in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) settings in Spain, specifically in the Valencian Region. This research, which is part of the ADiBE Project (Attention to Diversity in Bilingual Education), begins by depicting the main principles of CLIL and its deployment in Spain and the Valencian Community. Then, after framing the different studies conducted under the acronym ADiBE, the article presents the objectives, research design, sample, variables, instruments, procedure and statistical methodology of this study. Finally, the results are outlined in three steps: descriptive, within-cohort and across-cohort results in the five sections which have been canvassed: linguistic aspects, methodology and groupings, materials and resources, evaluation and teacher training and coordination. Consequently, this paper carves out a clear picture of how CLIL is being implemented in the Valencian Community, a traditionally bilingual region which is increasingly becoming multilingual.

Impact of Activity Based Costing System on Financial Performance of SMEs: A Case of Lester Trading Private Limited

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of activity based costing system on financial performance of SMEs. It was observed that high escalating operating costs is a serious cause of concern in most SMEs in Zimbabwe. In order to establish the impact of activity based costing system on financial performance of SMEs, the study would like at the benefits of using activity based costing system, the effects of activity based costing system on cost control, the problems faced with use of activity based costing system and the cost drivers of activity based costing system. Methodology: A descriptive design research methodology was adopted to gather data through use of questionnaires from a population of 15 employees. Data analysis was undertaken by use of SPSS to determine correlations and tables, pie charts and graphs facilitated data presentation. Findings: From the findings, activity based costing system had negative effects on the cost control reduction concluding that there was an insignificant relationship. Originality value: training of employees is important to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills and applying an effective ABC system.

HVLV ENGINEERING WITH MODULE SYSTEM(S), ETO AND LEAN DESIGN – STUDY ON PRACTITIONER INFORMATION NEEDS

AbstractThis research elaborates the engineering design of high value low volume (HVLV) artefacts (aka Capital goods, investment goods). Our goal is to describe what information needs the practitioners have when doing sales engineering and engineering in HVLV projects. The research approach uses Design Research Methodology with four company cases.Our findings are that engineering design of HVLV artefacts reuses several module systems, module libraries, technology catalogues, engineering-to-order and variety of design support systems, configurators, design guidelines, parametric models and lean-based design reasoning patterns etc. This poses major challenges for the engineers; how to use all relevant information and how to find it from different IT-systems.This study indicates that in HVLV context such engineering strategy is required, which guides and drives tactical and operational engineering decisions not only within a project delivery but across project deliveries. Operative and tactical engineering is done during the delivery project and value capture is not achieved in full potential if the engineering strategy is neglected or overruled. This is challenge for current modularisation and ETO-methods and tools.

Influence of Settlement Activities on Sustainable Households’ Livelihoods of the Inhabitants in Mount Elgon Forest, Bungoma County, Kenya

Mount Elgon Forest has declined primarily due to anthropogenic activities. The aim of this paper was to investigate the influence of settlement activities on sustainable household’s livelihoods of inhabitants in Mount Elgon Forest, Bungoma County, Kenya. This study used cross-sectional research design and mixed methodology. The target population was 12842 household heads, 4 ward administrators, 12 chiefs, 1 Kenya Forest service personnel and 1 NEMA official. A sample of 373 household heads, 4 ward administrators, 12 chiefs, 1 Kenya Forest Service Personnel and 1 NEMA official took part in the study. Questionnaires, interview guides and Focus Group Discussions were used to collect data. Validity was determined by consulting supervisors while reliability was ascertained through piloting and use of Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, Standard deviation and Pearson Correlation analysis. Qualitative data was thematically classified and arranged before being reported in narrations and quotations. Analyzed data was presented using tables and figures. The study found a significant positive correlation between settlement activities and sustainable households’ livelihoods (r = .614; p = .000). It was recommended that there was a need to devise ways of reducing population density and land fragmentation leading to reduced dependency on forest products. The findings of the study will be crucial to professional bodies and institutions such as Kenya Forest service, Kenya wildlife service and NEMA in relooking at the approaches that enhance livelihoods among forest users and thus come up with strategies for effective management of forests improving on sustainable livelihoods.

Leveraging Number Lines and Unit Fractions to Build Student Understanding: Insights from a Mixed Methods Study

Fractions remain a challenging area of school mathematics at every stage of education, with impacts that extend far beyond the school years. For this study, researchers engaged in classroom-based design research over a 6-year period to investigate effective strategies for teaching fractions with Canadian students. Participants included 86 teachers (representing 12 collaborative research teams spread across 8 school boards) and over 2000 students from Grades 3–10. Quantitative analyses revealed significant pre-post gains in students’ fraction knowledge. Qualitative findings revealed some best practices in fractions instruction, including the importance of focusing on unit fractions and number lines to facilitate student sense-making. These findings lead to a detailed discussion of the benefits of (1) focusing on unit fractions as a central construct that allows students to meaningfully work with fractions and make connections across ideas of increasing complexity; (2) leveraging powerful representations as objects-to-think-with that combine concrete and abstract thinking about fractions; and (3) using a design research methodology in the context of collaborative work with teachers.

Psychometric Properties of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Purpose: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a major public health problem worldwide and it leads to increase in morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) in Turkish patients with Chronic liver disease (CLD).
 Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the methodological research design. Using a convenience sampling method 235 patients with CLD in a university hospital, located in southern Turkey. The instrument’s psychometric properties were examined to determine factor analysis, criterion-related validity, internal consistency, interrater reliability.
 Results: The patients average age was 55.48±12.02 years. Viral hepatitis was the most common etiology of CLD (53.6%). The total sample had a mean CLDQ score of 4.73±1.12. 
 The factor analysis revealed that the scale consists of six sub-dimensions. No item was removed from the original scale. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found as 0.95. 
 Conclusion: Valid and reliable measurement tools are needed to evaluate health related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with liver disease. Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measurement instrument.

Online Privacy Fatigue: A Scoping Review and Research Agenda

Online users are responsible for protecting their online privacy themselves: the mantra is custodiat te (protect yourself). Even so, there is a great deal of evidence pointing to the fact that online users generally do not act to preserve the privacy of their personal information, consequently disclosing more than they ought to and unwisely divulging sensitive information. Such self-disclosure has many negative consequences, including the invasion of privacy and identity theft. This often points to a need for more knowledge and awareness but does not explain why even knowledgeable users fail to preserve their privacy. One explanation for this phenomenon may be attributed to online privacy fatigue. Given the importance of online privacy and the lack of integrative online privacy fatigue research, this scoping review aims to provide researchers with an understanding of online privacy fatigue, its antecedents and outcomes, as well as a critical analysis of the methodological approaches used. A scoping review based on the PRISMA-ScR checklist was conducted. Only empirical studies focusing on online privacy were included, with nontechnological studies being excluded. All studies had to be written in English. A search strategy encompassing six electronic databases resulted in eighteen eligible studies, and a backward search of the references resulted in an additional five publications. Of the 23 studies, the majority were quantitative (74%), with fewer than half being theory driven (48%). Privacy fatigue was mainly conceptualized as a loss of control (74% of studies). Five categories of privacy fatigue antecedents were identified: privacy risk, privacy control and management, knowledge and information, individual differences, and privacy policy characteristics. This study highlights the need for greater attention to be paid to the methodological design and theoretical underpinning of future research. Quantitative studies should carefully consider the use of CB-SEM or PLS-SEM, should aim to increase the sample size, and should improve on analytical rigor. In addition, to ensure that the field matures, future studies should be underpinned by established theoretical frameworks. This review reveals a notable absence of privacy fatigue research when modeling the influence of privacy threats and invasions and their relationship with privacy burnout, privacy resignation, and increased self-disclosure. In addition, this review provides insight into theoretical and practical research recommendations that future privacy fatigue researchers should consider going forward.

EMOTIONAL DESIGN: A REVIEW OF THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS, METHODOLOGIES, AND APPLICATIONS

Purpose: This article reviews the theoretical foundations, methodologies, and applications of emotional design, a concept that emphasizes the importance of creating an emotional connection between users and products. The article provides an overview of the three levels of emotional design - visceral, behavioral, and reflective - and their underlying principles. Research methods: Deep and comprehensive review of literature from multidiscipline field of studies related to emotional design conducted with retrospective reasoning. The article then provides an overview of various applications of emotional design in product design and visual communication design, including digital interfaces, automotive design, and healthcare. The article concludes by discussing the future directions of emotional design research and its potential impact on the design industry. Findings: Emotional design is a promising approach to product design and visual communication design that can enhance the user experience by creating an emotional connection between users and products. The three levels of emotional design and various research methodologies can be used to measure emotional responses to design. Implications: Emotional design has been applied in various industries, and its potential impact on the design industry is significant. Future research in emotional design can explore the interplay between the different levels of emotional design and its impact on user behavior and product success.

An integrated safety framework for the diamond mines: A case study from Namibia

The Integrated Diamond Safety Maturity Framework is a novel, innovative approach to safety maturity that embraces four Cs, viz. Culture, Competence, Cultivate and Connectedness (4Cs) in a single framework, underpinned by corporate values. As a novel people engagement approach, this framework allows for considering the complexity found in the dynamic reciprocal relationships between these 4Cs and how these enable people to be the strongest link in safety. This safety framework was, for the first time, applied to a Namibian marine diamond recovery company to enhance the safety of its workers at the frontline and support the mines’ safety maturity journey.The objective of this paper is to examine the extent to which the application of the Integrated Diamond Safety Maturity Framework has assisted to enhance the safety of frontline workers as well as support growth in safety maturity. For this purpose, a longitudinal research design methodology was applied to determine changes in safety maturity. Data triangulation was used. It included qualitative safety climate assessments where the whole employee population participated in semi-structured interviews as well as document analysis, which entailed reviewing the leading and lagging data that was collected by the company.The main findings of the study indicated that the application of the 4Cs approach can significantly shift an organisation towards Inherent maturity where people are ready to respond to the next risk.The most advanced area was found to be the culture of leadership, in which many more employees took responsibility for and were accountable for their safety and that of their work teams. The selected lagging and leading indicators also showed improvements, which implied that the number of serious injuries was reduced, with fatalities eliminated.The entire undertaking brings to light new field-based knowledge on how the implementation of the Integrated Diamond Safety Maturity Framework can significantly shift an organisation towards improved safety maturity. Further research is underway as new insights are revealed about the value of the Integrated Diamond Safety Maturity Framework and the role of leadership in eliminating fatalities.

Development, Content Validity and Reliability of Upper Extremity Functional Skill Measure in C5-C7 Spinal Cord Injury.

A methodological research design. To create an objective measure for assessing hand functions in C5-C7 spinal cord injury (SCI) and estimation of its content validity and internal consistency reliability. This study was executed in three phases. Phase 1 included a thoroughreview of the literature, semi-structured in-depth interviews of participants with tetraplegiaand interviews of caregivers of SCI individualsand healthcare workers dealing with SCI to understand the hand functions of individuals with C5-C7 SCI. Phase 2 consisted of the development of the tool. The content validity ratio (CVR) method and the opinion of the expert validated the content of the upper extremity functional skill measure (UEFSM). Phase 3 included a quantitative evaluation of the tool which was done on a targeted group of 30 subjects with C5-C7 SCI. Through the review of the literature and in-depth interview of the participants, 11 items were developed under four content areas: grasp, grip, pinch and gross movement. Items with a minimum CVRof 0.56 were retained at a significance level of p = 0.05resulting in a 10-item toolfor assessing the hand function of individuals with C5-C7 SCI categorized under four subscales. Pilot testing on 10 subjects reveals an average time of 2 minutes and 25 seconds to complete the task. The Cronbach's alpha was found to be 0.878. UEFSM is a 10-item tool with good content validity and internal consistency reliability for the assessment of hand functions in individuals with C5-C7 SCI.

A REVISIT OF VIETNAM-INDIA CULTURAL DIPLOMACY ACTIVITIES (2016–2021) AND ITS PROSPECTS

This article traces the evolution of Vietnam-India cultural relations between 2016 and 2021. The methodology of qualitative research design, data collection, and thematic and textual analysis are used to shed light on the rise of Vietnam’s and India’s cultural diplomacy. The article describes the substantial development in Vietnam-India cultural diplomacy between 2016 and 2021 with clear evidence of cultural events. Based on the closely examined process of India-Vietnam cultural relations and the national policies of Vietnam and India, the author provides an outlook for these bilateral cultural ties in the future.

THE ROLE OF THE TRADITIONAL AFRICAN FAMILY SETTING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN NIGERIA (MSMES): THE CASE OF BAYELSA STATE MEDIUM SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

The study was commissioned to determine the role of traditional African family settings in the performance of Bayelsa's micro, small, and medium enterprises. Indeed, to some extent, micro, small, and medium enterprises have played a crucial role in driving the economic and industrial transformation of Nigeria. In other words, MSMEs are the lifeblood of any economy, and hence hindering factors ought to be taken care of to experience sustainable growth and development of the economy. Of course, traditions and customs somewhat play a significant role in the success and dearth of any business, and MSMEs are not immune from the interference and the constant challenges associated with traditional African family settings. The African family settings in most parts have contributed to the success and collapse of MSMEs. To this end, the study applied a descriptive survey research design methodology to scrutinize and give analytical views on existing works of literature and concepts surrounding the role of traditional African family settings as well as the performance of micro, small, and medium enterprises in Nigeria. After a thorough analysis, it is very clear that there is budding and enormous potential and opportunities for MSMEs in Nigeria and, as such, they can be seen to be the engines of growth, wealth creation, industrialization, or employment generation that are geared towards the reduction of poverty. Also found were the features of African family settings and challenges, which are quite extraordinary and uniform across the African regions. Nonetheless, there is some uniqueness to these African family settings that are familiar and evident in the Nigerian context. Interestingly, after giving an analytical point of view with regards to African family settings and challenges, it is significantly clear that African family settings and challenges are very instrumental in determining whether an entrepreneurial venture is successful or not. It recommends that promoters of MSMEs should ensure the availability of managerial capacity and acumen to manage the role of the traditional African family settings as regards the performance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

The impact of depression in the Brazilian private healthcare system: patient journey and economic burden study associating claim database and expert’s opinion approach

Objective: The study aimed to describe the profile and economic burden of patients with depression from the perspective of the Brazilian Private Healthcare System (PHS). Methods: A two-step methodological quantitative-qualitative research design was performed: retrospective descriptive analysis of the Orizon database of patients with at least one claim of depression (F33, F38, or F39) in PHS (2013-2019) and experienced physicians perspective from an expert meeting. Results: 1,802 patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria counted BRL 74,978 million across the 4-year period. Over this period, nearly 60% of patients had a medical appointment (6.6 appointments per patient, on average), 61% had a psychologist, 9.8% had a psychiatrist appointment, and an average of 115.2 exams and 8.7 emergency visits per patient were performed. According to the experts, the economic impact of depression is more significant when considering the indirect costs related to productivity loss and impairment in occupational and interpersonal functioning. Conclusion: Identifying and diagnosing patients with depression and their real burden is challenging; even with significant costs identified in the claim database analyses in the Brazilian PHS, the real impact must be higher if indirect costs are considered. The depressive disorder should be prioritized in the Brazilian PHS to establish more adequate health policies.