Methodological Discussion Research Articles

The concept of “document” in the epistemological system of knowledge: A methodological discourse in the philosophy of science

Transformational changes in the modern scientific environment are conditioned by the information and technological development of all branches, among which document science has undergone significant changes due to digitalisation and the development of e-documenting, which leads to changes in the object of research and the expansion of interdisciplinary tasks and indicates the transition of the philosophy of science to a new stage of development. In the process of objectifying the conceptual search of philosophers of science, there was an evolution from relatively simple systems in the classical period to complex systems in the non-classical period and to complex systems that self-develop. The purpose of this study is to clarify the epistemological essence of the concept of “document” through the methodological prism of the theories of the philosophy of science. In the research process, general scientific methods and special methods of philosophy, documentation science, archival science, information science, and social communication were used. The synergy of general scientific and specialised methods, along with philosophical methodology, allowed for a comprehensive exploration of the concept of “document” as a sociocultural phenomenon, analysis of the philosophical characteristics of the document, and identification of interdisciplinary connections. Emphasis has been placed on positivist achievements, which have contributed not only to the activation of the search for and establishment of the informativeness of documents and their quantitative increase but also to the theoretical study of carriers of information from the past. Such processes have enriched knowledge about documents, contributing to the expansion of their methodological and epistemological boundaries. It should be noted that the post-positivist stage has caused philosophical discussions between representatives of the “historical school” and “critical rationalism”. The structure-forming functions of scientific knowledge and the sociologisation of the examination of the scientific information space, based on the methodology of the philosophy of science, have led to the acquisition of modern characteristics by document science, the development of complex interdisciplinary connections that ensure the integrity of the study of the document phenomenon. Thanks to the methodology of the philosophy of science in the research, the ideas of the unity of scientific knowledge, the epistemological and philosophical methodological determinism of document science, and the integral significance of philosophy in constructing a holistic scientific picture of the world have been revealed. The conceptual and terminological toolkits and mechanisms for introducing the philosophical concepts of determinism, causality, space, and time into the documentary discourse have been defined. Such modern trends in the development of the philosophy of science and an interdisciplinary approach to the scientific and theoretical substantiation of document science issues will contribute to the development of the discussion on documentation science issues and will lead to the emergence of new theoretical and methodological developments in the field of social communications

Trust, nuance, and care: Advantages and challenges of repeat qualitative interviews

Most methodological discussions about the pros and cons of repeat interviews fall within qualitative longitudinal literature and are premised on project designs with relatively long intervals between encounters. Less attention has been paid to the practice and ethics of repeat interviewing as a stand-alone method, that does not follow participants long-term, but instead conducts several interviews over a short period of time. This article is based on interviews and research logs from a project in which over 350 incarcerated persons in Latin America were interviewed. We evaluate the advantages and shortcomings of repeat interviewing, in this case, three sessions with each participant with up to a week in between sessions. We find that repeat interviewing increases trust and rapport, contributes to nuanced data, generates reflexivity, and ensures more ethical research by making it easier for researchers to care for participants. Yet the method also has the disadvantages of demanding a significant investment of resources, the risk of losing participants, and on occasion, the emotional challenge of breaking strong bonds when researchers and participants part ways. We argue that the advantages of repeat interviews exceed the shortcomings, but ethical concerns added to the cost in time, energy, and money might at times proscribe the method.

A new way of designing places and experiences: Re-engineering DMOs considering tourism resilience – AIEST 2022 Consensus

The study aims to summarise the findings of the 71st conference of the Association Internationale D’Experts Scientifiques Du Tourisme ([AIEST] International Association of Scientific Experts in Tourism) 2022 Consensus held in Cologne, Germany. The experience-based interrelationships of sport, culture, and resilience in a destination ecosystem were assessed. Conference delegates evaluated new ways of designing places and experiences – intertwining sport, destination, and living spaces. Applying consensus discourse methodology, 27 research propositions at the crossroads of sport space, destination space, and living space were identified and summarised.

Beyond Factories and Laboratories: Reflecting the Relationships Between Archivists and Historians

Abstract In her influential article published in 2016, Alexandra Walsham, Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge, coined the metaphor that ‘Archives are the factories and laboratories of the historian’. Traditionally viewed as neutral storehouses of official records passively awaiting historians’ scrutiny, conceptions of archives have expanded in recent decades. Archives are now understood as complex social and cultural entities that actively participate in shaping understandings of the past. This paper examines shifting perspectives on the nature and functions of archives through a critical analysis of key debates. Specifically, this paper adopts a hermeneutic lens to critically engage Walsham’s metaphor and move beyond its potential limitations through situated analysis and interpretation. This paper explores how archives are actively implicated in knowledge construction through their contents, organisational frameworks, and interactions with historians. Recognising archives as fragmented, culturally contingent remnants that mediate engagement with the past, the paper calls for collaborative, reflective approaches between archivists and historians. The paper also acknowledges historians’ subjective interpretive roles while advocating consultation of archivists’ contextual expertise. Ultimately, it advances methodological discussions on writing history through a nuanced appreciation of archives as dynamic mediators within historical research, not transparent conduits neutrally supplying facts.

Experimental and computational approaches for membrane protein insertion and topology determination

Membrane proteins play pivotal roles in a wide array of cellular processes and constitute approximately a quarter of the protein-coding genes across all organisms. Despite their ubiquity and biological significance, our understanding of these proteins remains notably less comprehensive compared to their soluble counterparts. This disparity in knowledge can be attributed, in part, to the inherent challenges associated with employing specialized techniques for the investigation of membrane protein insertion and topology. This review will center on a discussion of molecular biology methodologies and computational prediction tools designed to elucidate the insertion and topology of helical membrane proteins.

Use behaviour of academic social networking sites in research communication: a structural equation model

PurposeThe current study seeks to investigate, why and how faculty members of Indian central universities are using academic social networking sites (ASNs) for research communication and information dissemination, as well as validate and update the results of previous scholarship in this area. To achieve this, the paper uses structural equation model (SEM).Design/methodology/approachA simple random sampling method was adopted. Online survey was conducted using a well-designed questionnaire circulated via email id among 3384 faculty members of Indian Central Universities. A SEM was designed and tested with International Business Machines (IBM) Amos. Apart from this, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 22 and Microsoft Excel 2010 were also used for data screening and analysis.FindingsThe study explores that most of the respondents are in favour of using the ASNs/tools for their professional activities. The study also found that a large chunk of the respondents used ASNs tools during day time. Apart from it, more number of faculty members used ASNs in research work than general purpose. No significant differences were found among the disciplines in use behaviour of ASNs in scholarly communication. Three hypotheses have been accepted while two were rejected in this study.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was confined to the twelve central universities, and only 312 valid responses were taken into consideration in this study.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates the faculty members’ use behaviour of ASNs in their research communication. The study also contributes new knowledge to methodological discussions as it is the first known study to employ SEM to interpret scholarly use of ASNs by faculty members of Indian central universities.

Shadowing School Principals – What Do We Learn (Anew)?

ABSTRACT Shadowing has been used for decades in educational leadership and management research. Yet, there appears to be little academic discussion of shadowing and its related forms or anal-yses of the method itself. This contribution attempts to further a reflection on shadowing by providing insights into its use as well as its pitfalls and merits. For this purpose, relevant stud-ies from 2017 until 2023 making use of shadowing were analyzed. The results indicate that although the use of shadowing in educational leadership research has increased, methodolog-ical discussion and reflection of the method has been only limited.

Beyond Numbers: Embracing the Depth of Qualitative Research in Criminology

This article advocates for the integral role of qualitative research in criminology, emphasizing its capability to delve into the nuanced and complex experiences of outliers, such as criminals and victims, whose behaviors and experiences significantly deviate from societal norms. It argues that traditional quantitative methods, while useful for identifying broad patterns and trends, often fall short in capturing the depth of human behavior and the intricacies of social problems. Qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews, ethnography, and case studies, are presented as essential tools for uncovering the motivations, emotions, and social contexts underlying criminal actions and the impact of crime. The article highlights the limitations of quantitative research in dealing with outliers and the dynamic nature of human behavior, underscoring the importance of qualitative approaches in providing a richer, more contextualized understanding of crime and victimization. Through a series of case studies and methodological discussions, it demonstrates how qualitative research enriches criminological inquiry, offering critical insights that are instrumental for theoretical advancement and the development of effective criminal justice policies. The conclusion calls for an integrated approach to criminological research that values the complementary strengths of both qualitative and quantitative methods, fostering a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of crime and its impacts on society.

Skin Penetrating Lipid Vesicles: Ethosomes in Drug Delivery and Cosmeceuticals

Ethosomes, or skin penetrating lipid vesicles, are proving to be effective delivery systems for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. This article thoroughly examines ethosomes, including their structure, formulation methods, characterization tactics, and skin penetration mechanisms. Ethosomes are able to deform and penetrate the stratum corneum thanks to their special lipid compositions and elasticity, which let them get around obstacles in transdermal drug administration and cosmeceutical application. The selection of lipids, surfactants, and active compounds for ethosome formulations, as well as the function of ethanol as a penetration enhancer, are covered in detail in the current article. The discussion of various production processes and characterization methodologies emphasizes the significance of size distribution, zeta potential, and encapsulation effectiveness. The review investigates the mechanisms through which ethosomes interact with the stratum corneum and other skin barriers and the variables affecting the effectiveness and depth of their transdermal administration. The applications of ethosomes in the delivery of both hydrophilic and lipophilic medicines and their promise in targeted and localized treatments highlight their adaptability. The clinical implications are discussed, illuminating preclinical and clinical research that highlight the improved efficacy and safety of formulations based on ethosomes. Ethosomes provide a platform for improving the distribution of active substances like vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides in the field of cosmeceuticals. Their uses encompass topical formulations for skin whitening, hydration, rejuvenation, and antiaging and skin care products. The paper also discusses future directions in ethosome research, such as customized medicine and combination medicines, as well as regulatory issues and difficulties with commercialization.

한국 대학 환경교육에 대한 비판적 고찰

Objectives This study critically examines the challenges of environmental education in higher education in order to discuss future directions of the environmental education system and strengthen its theoretical and practical basis.
 Methods By focusing on a case study of a liberal arts course, ‘Climate Change and the Anthropocene’, the learning process is analyzed following the progression of the curriculum. The students' environmental awareness and the potentiality of environmental action are observed.
 Results As a result of the study, the students strengthened their pre-existing awareness of the socioeconomic mechanism that structures climate change and reflected on their environmental behavior by connecting it to their daily lives. Regarding specific issues, they had various positions within a broad spectrum, showing the potential to continue with their own concerns and challenges as well as a tendency to conform to the norm, avoid exploring fundamental changes, and sustain the status quo.
 Conclusions The need to focus on theoretical and methodological discussions on how environmental education in higher education as well as primary and secondary education systems can be more coherent and efficient is emphasized.

Visualizing Voices: Exploring the Use of Architectural Visualization to Present Complex Qualitative Findings

In this paper, I discuss the promising use of visual architectural drawings to present findings of qualitative studies, particularly when dealing with a complex, multidimensional human experience. I examine an interdisciplinary integration between qualitative research and architecture that embraces visual elements. I propose using visual drawings borrowed from architecture as a tool to present deep meanings of human experience within a social phenomenon and make the findings visually transparent. The architectural drawings offer distinct views: one provides an overall view of the building, while the other exposes its hidden layers. I employ this visual means to highlight deep meanings obtained from two salient metaphors in the participants’ stories concerning normative identity conflict. This new practice of the importance of using visual means to present findings is consistent with contemporary discussions in sociology about how qualitative findings can be made more transparent and visible to diverse audiences. While this unique use of visual architecture means is still rare, I suggest that their implementation can contribute to innovation and contemporaneity in presenting qualitative findings. The insights of the present paper invite qualitative researchers to utilize visual interdisciplinary means to present findings that engage diverse audiences and enrich qualitative methodological discourse.

Russian Student Readiness for Professional Service: from Actual to Desired

The phenomenon of service comes into our area of interest when we are talking about the uniqueness of Russia’s social structure and the markers that define it. Service can be included in everyday life through professional activities, therefore we can consider the subject, focusing on its type. The goal of the research is to determine the meaning of professional service, its place in the modern world, as well as the development of methodological guidelines guiding the training session. Achieving the goal would be impossible without relying on the methodology of the social and philosophical analysis, value, activity, and psychological approaches.The following problems that structure the presentation of the material have been solved. 1. The origins of the idea of service and the ways of its development in Russian society are revealed. Retrospectively the transformation of the ministry is considered from the formation of Russian statehood to modernity. 2. The service strategy for any specialist activity is determined. It is argued that the ethics of every profession can be built around the idea of service. 3. The direction of the formation of students’ attitudes towards an acquired profession based on service is proposed. They are: awareness of the importance of labor; assessment of the work role as a goal; developed social responsibility; acceptance of service as one of life’s principles. 4. Meaningful guidelines are outlined in the discussion of possible difficulties, that may arise on the path of professional service. Such changes include: loss of motivation; loss of professionalism value; refusal of a lifelong professional trajectory. The research is exploratory in nature, but the results obtained turn out to be fruitful for the exchange of the first experience of conducting the course “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood”, and later, theoretical and methodological discussion with possible correction of educational material.

SOLVING EXAMPLES OF WHOLE AND FRACTIONAL PARTS OF A NUMBER

This paper presents a detailed examination of the concepts of whole and fractional parts of a number. By solving various examples, the study aims to provide a clear understanding of these mathematical entities and their practical applications. The investigation encompasses a literature analysis, discussion of methodologies, presentation of results, and conclusions drawn from the findings.

Identity pathology and mentalization deficits: An attempt to support clinical theory with data.

An extensive theoretical literature links identity pathology with deficits in mentalization, which is the ability to understand the internal mental states of self and others. However, only a few investigations have attempted to bridge theory and data by empirically testing the relation between mentalization and identity pathology, and none have done so with mentalization measured using a laboratory task. The current study investigated the association between mentalization deficits and identity pathology in a large, nonclinical sample. Participants (N = 305) completed a self-report measure assessing identity pathology and a laboratory task assessing mentalization ability. Whereas the existing theoretical literature would argue for a robust association between identity pathology and mentalization impairment, our results revealed essentially no association between identity pathology and mentalization impairment. Moreover, we found essentially no association between identity pathology and any of a number of specific mentalization deficits in our sample. Our findings failed to provide empirical support for the clinical and theoretical literature linking mentalization and identity pathology. Given our adequate statistical power to detect even relatively small associations, we offer these findings to advance theoretical and methodological discussion in this important area. We discuss the implications of these null findings, particularly attuned to the possibility that a link between mentalization impairment and identity pathology may be more complicated than hypothesized. We also consider that these results might be related to methodological features of our study (e.g., self-report and laboratory measures; the range of mentalization impairment in our sample). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Distance and closeness in translated global news coverage: bilingual representations of culture-bound themes from Bolivia to the world

ABSTRACT Global news agencies are major sources of information about events often happening far away from their international audiences; information that rapidly transcends geographic, cultural, and linguistic boundaries. There is a twofold purpose to the analysis in this study of bilingual feature stories dealing with the representation of faith in Bolivia, published by the news agencies Associated Press, Agencia EFE, and Reuters in Spanish and English. First, it implements an analytical framework to characterize bilingual news coverage by describing types of transcultural transfers, singling out the translation techniques applied, and bringing into focus how the culture-bound elements were rendered. Second, the contrastive textual analysis prompts a methodological discussion on the potential of studying translation distance and closeness in multilingual news production from a non-mainstream locale. Results point to close renditions that may not be considered a typical practice in news translation, yet are ostensibly purposeful both from a translational and from a journalistic perspective. Since journalism and translation coexist in multilingual newsrooms, where the latter often goes unacknowledged, this article ultimately attempts to reveal the role of translation in producing international news about distant realities, such as Bolivia, where cultural specificities are ubiquitous.

The Listening Guide: Illustrating an underused voice-centred methodology to foreground underrepresented research populations.

To highlight the value of utilizing the Listening Guide methodology for nursing research and provide an exemplar applying this methodology to explore a novel concept in an underrepresented group-inner strength in persons newly diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment along with their care partners. Methodology discussion paper. The exemplar study used the Listening Guide methods for data elicitation and analysis. Methods included adaptations for the study population and novice qualitative researchers. The Listening Guide methodology with adaptations enabled the research team to centre the voices of persons living with mild cognitive impairment, highlight an abstract phenomenon and attend to the influences of the sociopolitical context. Further, this methodology helped address common challenges emerging qualitative researchers encounter, including understanding methods of application, engaging reflexively and immersing in the data. The Listening Guide is a voice-centred qualitative methodology that is well suited to foreground the experiences of groups underrepresented in research and explore emerging phenomena. Nurses are central to striving for health equity. The Listening Guide methodology offers a valuable and accessible research tool to understand the experiences and needs of underrepresented groups and shape healthcare in response. The Listening Guide methodology can be broadly applied to research with persons with mild cognitive impairment, and other underrepresented groups, to explore other phenomena beyond inner strength and move the science forward in representing the perspectives of groups underrepresented by research. Persons living with cognitive impairment and their care partners participated in study conceptualization, interview guide development, methods development and dissemination plans.

Circularity of new composites from recycled high density polyethylene and leather waste for automotive bumpers. Testing performance and environmental impact

New composite materials (suitable for automotive bumpers), composed of recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) and leather buffing dust waste (BF) ranging from 20 to 50 wt%, were produced and investigated for mechanical properties. Optimal mechanical performance was achieved with composites containing 30 % wt BF. The environmental performance of automotive bumper production from both virgin and recycled HDPE reinforced with 30 % wt BF (HDPE-BF, rHDPE-BF) composites was compared to that of conventional polypropylene (PP) by performing a cradle to gate life cycle assessment.A component-based approach, instead of a comprehensive LCA assessment for the entire car was adopted using various functional units (FU) such as mass (FU1), volume (FU2), and volume of raw material fulfilling a specific impact strength requirement (FU3), thus enriching the paper with methodological discussions.The rHDPE-BF system provided better environmental performance compared to the virgin PP system, when considering both mass and volume-related functional units, mainly due to the avoidance of virgin polymer production. Even with the inclusion of the use phase in FU2 and a slightly higher density (+1.7 %) of composites than PP-based bumpers, the rHDPE system still provides better environmental performance (10 % less impact). The sensitivity analysis highlighted the significance of car type and final density of the bumper on the impact results. Finally, when using FU3, due to its higher impact strength, HDPE-BF system is clearly the best environmental alternative (50 % less impact) followed by rHDPE-BF system. In all cases, rising the content of recycled materials in the bumpers increases its circularity.The paper illustrates the importance of selecting a suitable functional unit, based on a specific application (i.e., automotive bumpers), to evaluate the environmental impact of new composite materials in comparison to traditional options. Expanding the assessment to encompass multiple functions provides a more accurate portrayal of reality but also introduces greater result uncertainty.

Letter to the Editor Regarding “Shared Objective Mentorship via Virtual Research and Education Initiatives for Medical Students and Residents in Neurosurgery: A Systematic Review and Methodological Discussion of the Neurosurgery Education and Research Virtual Group Experience”

Letter to the Editor Regarding “Shared Objective Mentorship via Virtual Research and Education Initiatives for Medical Students and Residents in Neurosurgery: A Systematic Review and Methodological Discussion of the Neurosurgery Education and Research Virtual Group Experience”

Shadowing and gendered fieldwork roles in the Brussels Bubble

This article contributes to wider methodological discussions about gender and undertaking fieldwork in and around European Union institutions, by focusing on shadowing as a particular ethnographic practice and the performance of gendered roles in fieldwork. The article is based on two ethnographic research projects and 16 shadowing placements, which were conducted in and around European Union institutions (2018–2020). As co-authors, we reflect on what our respective shadowing experiences reveal about gendered roles in fieldwork and how these are performed in the ‘Brussels Bubble’. We show how the fieldwork roles emerged at different stages of shadowing, how we performed them dynamically and what they reveal about gendered micropolitics in the ‘Brussels Bubble’. We call on researchers to be intentionally reflexive when doing shadowing as part of their fieldwork, to avoid uncritically performing the types of gendered roles that typically emerge within institutional settings and interpersonal relations.

The Social Network of Philip in Acts: A Dynamic Pioneering Missionary

This study seeks to explore, how Luke presents the narrative portrayal of Philip in Acts utilizing Social Network Analysis (SNA) and presents an interdisciplinary study combining methods from Theology, Social Sciences, and Computer Science. First, we provide a detailed methodological discussion that highlights the overlap between narrative criticism and SNA. Combining both, we present results in a mathematical computational social networks using exegetical methods. SNA presents different perspectives on one of those minor actors, which Luke presents in more detail, and his relation to the nascent Christian movement in Acts. This study shows that it is in the relational aspects and the crossing of social, cultural, and religious distances that are key to understanding Luke’s story of Philip’s ministry. In particular, he presents Philip as a dynamic pioneering missionary. These results also raise new questions for further research, and show new perspective on biblical texts