Design Research Methodology Research Articles

Towards a Resilient Model of Education: Factors that foster the use of e-Learning Among Primary School Teachers in Cameroon

The emergence of Coronavirus herein referred to as COVID-19 shut down schools globally for a while. The closure of schools negatively impacted educational systems that had not developed a resilient or alternative model of instructional delivery such as the Cameroon Ministry of Basic Education. Tentative measures were taken to ensure the continuous delivery of teaching while hoping to build a resilient model of education that can guarantee continuous learning in times of emergencies. With the desire to develop an e-learning platform, the following research question: What are the factors that will foster the use of e-Learning Among Primary School Teachers in Cameroon? To respond to the research question, survey research design methodology was employed targeting n = 378 primary school teachers. The collected data was analysed using Pearson r correlation to examine the direct relationship between two variables. The findings revealed a positive relationship between the variables: relative advantage; compatibility; trialability; observability and attitude towards behaviour intention to use the e-learning platform. The relationship between attitude and behaviour intention was the strongest. An indication that attitude is a strong predictor of behaviour intention. It was concluded that relative advantage, compatibility, trialability and observability were predictors of teachers’ attitude towards a behaviour intention to adopt the e-learning platform. On the other hand, the relationship between complexity and attitude was negative indicating that teachers perceive the e-learning platform as complex. It was recommended that teachers should be: thoroughly sensitised on the advantages of adopting the e-learning platform to innovate teaching and learning; and provided with the opportunity to experiment with the platform before it is finally rollout.

Development of the Adult Pandemic Attitude Scale (A-PAS).

This study aimed to develop an instrument for measuring the attitudes that reflect the characteristics of the pandemic (Adult Pandemic Attitude Scale (A-PAS)) and verifying its validity and reliability. This study used a methodological research design and was conducted with a development step and an evaluation step. The development step included development of preliminary items, content validity, face validity, and preliminary investigation. The evaluation step included item analysis, construct validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, criterion validity, factor naming, reliability, and completion of the final instrument. The A-PAS developed in this study consisted of a total of 20 items in five dimensions. The internal consistency of 20 items of the A-PAS, Cronbach’s α was 0.92 for 20 items, Cronbach’s α for each factor, a subscale of instrument, was 0.61~0.87 and Raykov’s p coefficient of each factor, which is a subscale of the tool, was found to be 0.60 to 0.88. Analysis of construct validity showed the results as follows: χ2 (p) = 134.05 (p < 0.001), RMSEA = 0.02, RMR = 0.02, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.99. The study findings suggest that the developed instrument can be utilized to measure the attitudes of adults toward pandemics, and reflect the reality of the pandemic situation. The outcomes can be used as valuable data for intervention, prevention activities, and policy preparation. The instrument will be applied in the event of a pandemic, such as COVID-19, and will be helpful in promoting the health of the people.

SemDaServ: A Systematic Approach for Semantic Data Specification of AI-Based Smart Service Systems

To develop smart services to successfully operate as a component of smart service systems (SSS), they need qualitatively and quantitatively sufficient data. This is especially true when using statistical methods from the field of artificial intelligence (AI): training data quality directly determines the quality of resulting AI models. However, AI model quality is only known when AI training can take place. Additionally, the creation of not yet available data sources (e.g., sensors) takes time. Therefore, systematic specification is needed alongside SSS development. Today, there is a lack of systematic support for specifying data relevant to smart services. This gap can be closed by realizing the systematic approach SemDaServ presented in this article. The research approach is based on Blessing’s Design Research Methodology (literature study, derivation of key factors, success criteria, solution functions, solution development, applicability evaluation). SemDaServ provides a three-step process and five accompanying artifacts. Using domain knowledge for data specification is critical and creates additional challenges. Therefore, the SemDaServ approach systematically captures and semantically formalizes domain knowledge in SysML-based models for information and data. The applicability evaluation in expert interviews and expert workshops has confirmed the suitability of SemDaServ for data specification in the context of SSS development. SemDaServ thus offers a systematic approach to specify the data requirements of smart services early on to aid development to continuous integration and continuous delivery scenarios.

Working across Boundaries in Urban Land Use and Services Planning—Building Public Sector Capabilities for Digitalisation

This article addresses the challenges and capability gaps confronted by public administrations concerning digital transformation and the use of novel tools in the context of land use, facilities and urban services planning. The present state of planning and management processes in Finland is introduced and reflected through experimental piloting conducted in two Finnish cities. Participatory action research and design research methodology was utilised to identify the main challenges as well as unravel the possibilities of digital transformation in the context of public services planning. The resulting analysis revealed the critical importance of facilitating integrative policies and coordination when working across knowledge boundaries between administrative domains. The paper contributes to a wider theoretical and conceptual understanding, as it discusses the advantages and feasibility of digital tools as boundary objects for cross-sectoral work in smart, people-centred urban governance. The authors see this direction of research as a fruitful ground for further investigations within the interdisciplinary urban planning research context.

RE-DEFINING NIGERIAS TAX SYSTEM AMIDST DIGITALISATION OF THEBUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Technology, internet and e-commerce have redefined business models and practices such that values are created in environments different from where profits are earned and taxes are subsequently paid. Suchpractices, which exacerbatebase erosion and profit shifting, negatively affect the collectible tax revenues by governments in several jurisdictions including Nigeria,making it difficult for them to meet their social contract obligations to their citizens.Using an expost facto research design and qualitative research methodology, this exploratory study assessed the capacity of the Nigerian government to address the challenges imposed on its tax system by the emerging digitalized economy. The study observed that the issue of taxation in digitalized economy has not received the desiredlegislative and governancepriority attention largely because of the dearth of knowledge about its complexities as well as the undue dependence on revenue from crude oil.The study therefore recommends that the revenue authorities should set up a think tank comprising chartered accountants, tax practitioners, information technology experts, academics and regulators to develop a comprehensive framework to address the issue from a national perspective while the ECOWAS Commission should be prodded and supported by its member-states to take on the issue at the sub-regional level as OECD is currently doing for its member-states in Europe, USA, Japan and Canada.

Challenges and Prospects of Entrepreneurship Development and Job Creation For Youth: A Case Study of Birgunj, Nepal

This research paper is focused on youth employment and entrepreneurship development in Nepal. The objectives of this research paper are to investigate the obstacles that young people encounter when setting-up their businesses and to assess the issues related to youth unemployment in Birgunj, Nepal. This study adopted a descriptive research design and quantitative research methodology. 62 sample sizes was randomly selected from a population of 124 young entrepreneurs from different Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and industries, who formally registered their businesses on Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BiCCI) at Birgunj, which promotes and develop entrepreneurship among youth in Birgunj.&#x0D; The findings were illustrated in tables, bars and pie charts, and the objectives of this study were met. The conclusion of this study revealed that most important obstacles that young entrepreneurs of Birgunj encounter while setting up their businesses, and subsequently operating their businesses include; financial constraint is the most critical bottleneck to start up a new business, lack of support structures, ineffective programs of Nepal government to support entrepreneurial development in Birgunj, high cost involvement and unclear business registration process, lack of business management skills, lack of business resources. The young entrepreneur is suffering from unfair competition. However, involvement of youth in entrepreneurial activities is also encouraging.

A Methodology approach for the comparison of cases in space syntax and morphology studies

The aim of this paper is examining a research design methodology approach. This methodology approach is mainly focusing on investigating the comparison of consistent cases within a research structure. The comparison is carried out through the 2D drawing layouts such as plans in the selected study. Although the main concern is examining the methodology covering the comparison of low-rise apartments’ domestic space plan layouts, the exemplar study is also introduced briefly within the paper for a better understanding of the introduced comparison structure and the part of the methodology scrutinized. Comparison of plan layouts related cases in space syntax and morphology studies is the starting point. Afterwards, the discussion on the selection of similar plan types (2D drawings) in meaning and sizes made the methodology introduced possible. Focusing on an architectural design related research study is a crucial part of this paper supporting the core discussion. For this reason, focusing on a former research based on architectural design related domestic space investigation with its context related to low-rise apartment plans’ in Istanbul was needed. Other than domestic space investigations, this approach may also be applied to similar investigations covering building design morphology and spatial syntax related researches focusing on the comparison of cases depending on a systematic selection. The selection of the analyzed cases in this design methodology approach is crucial with their similar extent of plan sizes and semantic coherence in relation with their use of spaces. Environment-Behavior Studies related research context is also crucial for this methodology approach. Behavioral circuits, behavior setting, and culture-ecology perspective within the building scale should be primarily discussed in order to use this paper’s methodological approach.

Critical review of the state of the art in multi-material fabrication via directed energy deposition

Directed energy deposition (DED) is an additive manufacturing technique that employs laser melting to permit for the free form manufacturing of components from many input materials from powder or wire form of feedstock. The nature of DED processes and advancements thereof has led to research that has been aimed at leveraging this additive manufacturing technology for the fabrication of high-value metallic alloys in addition to the exploration of multi-material composites and components – many of which are only possible to produce via DED. Herein, a critical review of the present body of research regarding DED of multi-materials is presented. Assessed are the developing research trends, design methodologies, common issues and challenges, as well as identification of the areas where further research should be directed.

Using Technology to Measure Older Adults' Social Networks for Health and Well-Being: A Scoping Review.

Background and ObjectivesSocial networks impact the health and well-being of older adults. Advancements in technology (e.g., digital devices and mHealth) enrich our ability to collect social networks and health data. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and map the use of technology in measuring older adults' social networks for health and social care.Research Design and MethodsJoanna Briggs Institute methodology was followed. PubMed (MEDLINE), Sociological s, SocINDEX, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for relevant articles. Conference abstracts and proceedings were searched via Conference Papers Index, the American Sociological Society, and The Gerontological Society of America. Studies published in English from January 2004 to March 2020 that aimed to improve health or social care for older adults and used technology to measure social networks were included. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers using an a priori extraction tool.ResultsThe majority of the 18 reviewed studies were pilot or simulation research conducted in Europe that focused on older adults living in the community. The various types of technologies used can be categorized as environment-based, person-based, and data-based.Discussion and ImplicationsTechnology facilitates objective and longitudinal data collection on the social interactions and activities of older adults. The use of technology to measure older adults' social networks, however, is primarily in an exploratory phase. Multidisciplinary collaborations are needed to overcome operational, analytical, and implementation challenges. Future studies should leverage technologies for addressing social isolation and care for older adults, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Industry X.0 and Sustainability through Lens of Industrial Engineering, Product Design Engineering and Business Engineering Perspectives

Industry X.0 orchestrates emerging, connected and smart technologies to digitally transform industry; as this term is coined by Accenture. Precisely, Industry X.0, according to Accenture, is defined as approach that uses advanced technologies to reinvent products and services from design and engineering to manufacturing and support, accelerating operational efficiency and enterprise-wide growth. The objective of this paper is to conduct balance research in term of theoretical and industrial perspectives within current and the most updated of real case implementation. The methodology in this paper orchestrates both research methodology and design methodology of quantitative approaches. The discussion lens of industrial engineering focuses on the transformation within manufacturing and production. Furthermore, the discussion lens of product design engineering refers to the transformation within design and product engineering. Subsequently, discussion lens of business engineering plays vital role on the transformation within innovation and growth; and support and services. In the arching synergy, the trilogy lens of industrial engineering, product design engineering and business engineering perspectives synergizes into sustainable transformation. Posterior to prior discussion of mentioned trilogy lens, this paper provides sustainable framework result to achieve the objective of this paper. Implicitly, this paper elaborates the significant discussion that relates Industry X.0 and Sustainability.

EMDR for Depression: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

The literature on the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for treating depression is heterogeneous due to research design, quality issues, and trials methodology. The current meta-analysis seeks to examine EMDR for depression with the aim of answering the aforementioned limitations. Thirty-nine studies were included for analysis after a review of the relevant literature. Univariate meta-regressions were run to examine dose-response and the effect of moderating variables. Subanalysis for primary and secondary depression showed a large, significant, and heterogeneous effect-size estimates, where EMDR significantly improved symptoms of depression in contrast to all control types. At post hoc, data were reexamined and a significant and large, yet heterogeneous, effect-size estimate emerged between the EMDR and control arm after the removal of two outliers [Hedges'g= 0.70, 95% CI =0.50–0.89,p-value &lt; .01,I2= 70%,K= 37]. This is the first meta-analysis examining for the effect of EMDR comparing to various control modalities on depression with dose-response. We found (a) that studies were balanced at onset in terms of depression severity, and (b) a large and significant effect of EMDR on depression at the end of trials. Additionally, the significance of the aggregate effect-size estimate at the end of trials was unchanged by the intake of psychotropic medications, reported demographic variables, or EMDR methodology.

Material-Driven Textile Design (MDTD): A Methodology for Designing Circular Material-Driven Fabrication and Finishing Processes in the Materials Science Laboratory

In the context of the circular economy, materials in scientific development present opportunities for material design processes that begin at a raw state, before being introduced into established processes and applications. The common separation of the scientific development of materials from design intervention results in a lack of methodological approaches enabling designers to inform new processes that respond to new material properties. This paper presents the results of a PhD investigation that led to the development and application of a Material-Driven Textile Design (MDTD) methodology for design research based in the materials science laboratory. It also presents the development of the fabrication of a textile composite with regenerated cellulose obtained from waste textiles, resulting from the MDTD methodology informing novel textile processes. The methods and practice which make up this methodology include distinct phases of exploration, translation and activation, and were developed via three design-led research residencies in materials science laboratories in Europe. The MDTD methodology proposes an approach to design research in a scientific setting that is decoupled from a specific product or application in order to lift disciplinary boundaries for the development of circular material-driven fabrication and finishing processes at the intersection of materials science and design.

The Circular Business Framework for Building, Developing and Steering Businesses in the Circular Economy

The need for a transition towards a circular economy (CE) is evident, as the current economic model is based on the exploitation of far more resources than the planet can replenish sustainably. A significant part of this economic transition is the inception of new, CE-oriented startups and business activities. While business model frameworks (BMF), such as the Business Model Canvas (BMC), were at the center of discussions about structuring business ideas in the beginning of the millennium, the conversation must now shift towards circular BMFs (CBMF). This paper follows the Design Research Methodology (DRM) for an empirical approach to devising a novel CBMF, including expert interviews as well as a first application of the framework with a startup. Throughout this process, a new and innovative tool called Circular Business Framework (CBF) was created and tested based on CE principles.

Internet-Based Entrepreneurial Ventures: An Empirical Investigation of Startup Business Strategies on Firm Performance from the MENA region

This study examines the possible impact of Generic Competitive Strategies, Cost Leadership, Differentiation, and Focus, on the financial and non-financial Performance of Internet-based entrepreneurial ventures in the MENA region. Descriptive analytical methodology and exploratory research design, consisting of qualitative then quantitative approaches, were utilized. After qualitative semi-structured interviews, a five-point Likert scale questionnaire was sent to Internet-based entrepreneurial ventures. SPSS was used to describe and analyse the data of 201 filtered and screened questionnaires. The results indicate that all of the examined generic competitive strategies have positive direct impacts on the performance of Internet-based entrepreneurial ventures. Differentiation strategies have the highest impact on the performance of Internet entrepreneurial ventures in MENA region, followed by Cost Leadership, then Focus strategies. This paper concludes with a discussion of the managerial implications of these findings, future research recommendations, and limitations of the study.

Translational cultural adaptation and psychometric study of the Persian version of pediatric inventory for parents.

BACKGROUND:Cancer, as a life-threatening disease in children, poses several challenges for parents. It is necessary to have a tool that can comprehensively examine the stressful events for parents of children with cancer. The aim this present study was done with the aim of study the Persian version of pediatric inventory for parents (PIP).MATERIALS AND METHODS:The study was a conducted based on methodological research design. Four hundred and fifteen parents of children with cancer referring to Alia Asghar Children's Hospital and Children's Medical Centre in Tehran answered the Persian version of PIP questionnaire in 2019. a confirmatory factor analysis was carried out using LISREL (software version 8.8) to test the construct validity of PIP. The two tools of parental stress scale and state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-Y) were used for concurrent validity purposes.RESULTS:The results showed that, the overall score of the questionnaire was higher than the average and related to emotional distress. The internal correlation coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) in both parts of the PIP was between 0.808 and 0.957 and acceptable. Concurrent validity analysis indicated positive and significant correlation of this tool in the difficulty section of the scale with both Parental Stress Scale and STAI-Y. The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the factor loads of all items except three items in the frequency section were more than 0.3 and were appropriate.CONCLUSION:The Persian version of PIP can be available to health and family experts as a valid and reliable tool to assess stressful events of parents of children with cancer.

Identifying Challenges Related to Industry 4.0 in Five Manufacturing Companies

The emergence of the 4th industrial revolution has resulted in significant improvement in the effectiveness of product and production development. Nowadays, research has been done focused on new technologies of integrated products and production platforms to support decision making in engineering processes. This means that there is the need to continuously explore different ways of integrating product and production platforms in industry. The aim of this paper is directed at finding the current state of practice in today´s industry with respect to their degree of automation. To make this achievable, a methodology based on the interactive research principles and the design research methodology is followed. As input data, six Swedish companies were interviewed in order to draw a picture of their challenges and needs for each lifecycle phase of selected products. The main contribution of this work is the identification of gaps in their product and production platforms as well as methods to address them. Struggling with understanding and adopting Industry 4.0, this paper also reviews the concepts and approaches related to digitalisation of product and production platforms. The results show that there are three application fields the companies have been facing: simulation and calculation, automation as well as data management. Within them, there are common aspects like lack of software tools, design and production automation, data migration and collection, or data handling in production. The findings of the study strongly suggest companies to adopt Industry 4.0 techniques to improve their product and production assets.

Factors for Joining Village Community Networks in Tanzania

Self-created social networks play key role in the development of communities across the globe. Self-created community networks serve as platforms for social networking among marginalized communities in Africa and the rest of the world. Although community members are motivated to network, social networks face some micro and macro structural challenges. Despite the challenges, community members continue to join and benefit from social networks. However, the reasons for them to join the networks, especially in the African context, are inadequately documented. Using a qualitative methodology and longitudinal research design, the article explores “push and pull” factors for joining a strand of self-created social network known as Village Community Networks (VCONEs). The findings suggest that challenges emanating from the neoliberal context push some community members to join VCONEs. The push prompts them to seek some protection against the negative forces of neoliberalism. VCONEs also pull women to access opportunities offered by the network. Noteworthy, VCONEs have managed to retain some autonomy from external agents such as local governments, donor and NGOs. The autonomy from external agencies makes VCONEs more sustainable than other strands of social networks.

Civil and political rights versus economic, social and cultural rights: Is there a hierarchy of human rights in Nigeria?

Whereas the United Nations, which is the chief custodian of international human rights law, has been consistent in its affirmation of the indivisibility and universality of human rights, human rights instruments seem to mean different things to different countries. The approach by some countries has resulted in a big gap between the promise and performance of socio-economic rights obligations by them. If this remains unchecked, citizens of developing countries, such as Nigeria, will remain denied their socio-economic rights, though recognised by law. This paper argued that human rights are indivisible and, in particular, that the provisions of Chapter II of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 are indeed justiciable. We used doctrinal methodology and content analysis research design because the paper focused on reviewing existing works and analysing human rights instruments to establish our claim. We concluded that Nigeri a is capable of significantly implementing all species of human rights and, in so doing, engender social development.

Teenovate - Using Participatory Action Research to Create a Sustainable Teen Program Designing Adolescent Online Safety Solutions

Interaction design approaches should adopt to the unique developmental tension between dependence and autonomy during adolescence. We have worked alongside adolescents (ages 13-17) to plan “Teenovate”, a new project-based participatory action research program for the design of adolescent online safety solutions. Teen members will form relationships with researchers and allied adult stakeholders to tackle prominent adolescent online safety challenges through innovative design-based solutions and prototypes. Teenovate intends to empower teens to be equal contributors by teaching research and participatory design methodology as well as keep teens invested by allowing them to control some of the program’s operation to facilitate more equitable engagement with their own communities. Thus, we see an opportunity to participate in this workshop to discuss methods that expand the role of adolescents beyond co-design in ways that best apply teens’ drive and potential to create their own solution to youth-centered problems.

Skills and Competences for Utilization of Web Storage Technology (WST) Platform for Academic Activities by Faculty Members in Faculty of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

This paper focused on Skills and Competences for utilization of Web Storage Technology (WST) Platform for academic activities by Faculty Members in Faculty of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Two objectives were identified for this paper, they are; to find out the WST Platform skills and competences possessed by the Faculty Members; and to identify the challenges encountered by Faculty Members in the utilization of WST Platforms for academic activities in Faculty of Education, A.B.U., Zaria. Quantitative research methodology and cross-sectional survey research design were adopted. This study comprised of 175 Faculty Members in the Faculty of Education, A. B.U., Zaria. It excluded the staff on sabbatical, secondment and on study leave. Total population sampling technique was adopted. Self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, percentage, mean and standard deviation) was used to analyze the data collected from the respondents. The study discovered that, basic knowledge of computer skills was the most common WST Platform skills and competences possessed by the Faculty Members. The most common challenge encountered by the Faculty Members in utilizing the WST Platforms for their academic activities was poor Internet connection. The researchers recommended that: the WST Platform service providers should put more efforts in providing training of different forms of WST Platform skills and competences. The management of A.B.U., Zaria, should also add more effort in providing strong network bandwidth for Faculty Members’ convenient utilization.