Epistemological Research Research Articles

Disciplina de Sociologia no Colégio de Aplicação da UFV

Considerando a importância de estudar os sistemas educacionais e as dinâmicas institucionais e sociais no Brasil, o presente artigo busca analisar a construção da disciplina de sociologia no Colégio de Aplicação da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, a partir da sua inserção obrigatória na matriz curricular do ensino médio, e a possível relação dessa inclusão com a mobilização dos estudantes do CAp-COLUNI em torno de pautas por maior participação política e representação discente nos espaços institucionais. Com o objetivo inicial de delinear os caminhos a serem percorridos no projeto, foi feita uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a metodologia e epistemologia da pesquisa científica, seguida de um levantamento de dados relativos à obrigatoriedade da disciplina no ensino médio e à sua estruturação no Colégio de Aplicação, através de uma análise documental qualitativa, acompanhada da intepretação histórica dos documentos referentes às alterações nas matrizes curriculares e à participação dos alunos nos órgãos institucionais do Colégio. Destarte, observou-se o incremento das práticas políticas adotadas pelos estudantes no espaço escolar e o acréscimo de demandas específicas do corpo discente, apontando a necessidade da continuidade da pesquisa para consolidação e ampliação da análise sobre os efeitos da inclusão da sociologia no Colégio de Aplicação da UFV.

JÁ NÃO TE AMO: O QUE FAZEMOS AO CÃO?

Os animais têm uma nova centralidade na vida social, não sendo a Lei imune ao devir da sociedade. Num tempo em que o amor pelos animais parece incondicional, mas o casamento é a prazo, importa aquilatar sobre o destino do animal de companhia em caso de divórcio. A metodologia de pesquisa utilizada assenta na combinação de três eixos teórico-metodológicos, consubstanciando-se na (i) pesquisa dogmática, no que concerne ao recurso da doutrina, jurisprudência e legislação coeva, (ii) na pesquisa sócio-jurídica, procurando identificar e analisar as incoerências do sistema jurídico relacionando-o com outras ciências como a sociologia e a psicologia, inter alia, e na pesquisa epistemológica, alicerçada no estudo do sistema jurídico no seu todo e das normas jurídicas e dos conceitos jusfilosóficos que o compõem. Com este texto, pretende-se ensaiar soluções para o problema, oferecendo directrizes para o aplicador da lei, tendo por paradigma a realidade e a legislação portuguesa.

Kinsey, psychoanalysis and the theory of sexuality

Summary In this paper, I will take up questions about the historical epistemology of sex research and the theory of sexuality, and about the impact of Kinsey's epistemological break with sexology and the Freudian theory of sexuality — and of the damaging results for both Freudian theory and Kinsey's research program. The Kinsey Reports challenged the cognitive order of the field of research on sexuality in general and as a “discipline”. Such a state, according to Thomas Kuhn, often marks the start of a scientific revolution and leads to a process of rebuilding and the formulation of dramatically new theoretical and empirical approaches, thus issuing in a new dominant paradigm. This did not take place in the wake of the Kinsey Reports. Original psychoanalytic thinking about sexuality virtually stopped, and while Kinsey was seen as the successor of ‘empirical sexology’ a la Havelock Ellis, few if any of his analytical innovations (such as the measurable concept of sexual outlet, the ‘Kinsey’ interview, and the Kinsey scale) were adopted by his successors. The Kinsey approach not only failed to replace Freudian theory with any sophisticated theory of its own, but it also failed to establish a viable research tradition or a more robust empirical account of the individual's sexual behavior. The encounter between the Freudian paradigm and the Kinsey research program had severely damaged both sides. Neither side seemed to recognize that the basic incommensurability of the two approaches was the real scientific challenge.

Theses on Theory and History

Theses on Theory and History

RECENT WORK ON EPISTEMIC ENTITLEMENT

AbstractTyler Burge and Crispin Wright distinguish between justification and entitlement. For both entitlement is the new notion. For Burge, entitlement is warrant without reasons. Burge’s account of reasons is explained. For Wright, entitlement is a non-evidential right to claim knowledge of authenticity-conditions. Wright’s account is motivated by warrant transmission failure. Burge and Wright mean different things by entitlement; they do not share a common project. Burge’s use connects to mainstream epistemological inquiry into knowledge and warrant. Wright’s use connects to mainstream epistemology inquiry into skepticism and warrant transmission. Recent work from and about both is discussed. Among other results, it is shown that Burge’s distinction is not a version of the internalism vs. externalism distinction. For Burge, both justifications and entitlements are externalist.

Development and validation of a brief self-assessed wisdom scale

BackgroundThis longitudinal study aimed to develop a nine-item Brief Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale (BSAWS) derived from the original 40-item Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale (SAWS).MethodsThe psychometric properties of the shortened scale were evaluated based on a sample of 157 older adults. The factor structure and dimensionality of the original SAWS were examined using confirmatory factor analysis. Subsequent explorative factor analysis of the BSAWS supported the construct validity of the shortened scale.ResultsThe internal consistency, convergent validity and construct validity of the shortened scale were also evaluated and the results indicated that the BSAWS possesses good psychometric properties and is comparable with the full version.ConclusionsThis scale refinement may help researchers and practitioners conduct epistemological surveys or clinical research related to wisdom.

Narratives: the rhetoric of intentional action

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to clarify that narratives have a rhetorical dimension, whose study has to be considered an important part of rhetoric (this claim is not accepted by important scholars). The arguments are based on the properties that narratives are very persuasive and that they are implicitly involved in the three species of rhetoric (deliberative, judicial and celebrative) introduced by Aristotle in his Rhetoric. Second, narratives are strongly related to the concept of intentional action or human action that has a purpose, a mental project and the execution of the act, such it is defined in the classical paper by Alfred Schutz common-sense and scientific interpretation of human action (1953). This property relates narratives with phenomenology, epistemology of social sciences and management research and practice.Design/methodology/approachThis research is a theoretical work based on the study of central concepts of rhetoric, narratives, historiography and epistemology of social sciences and it uncovers the narrative aspects involved in intentional action. As a theoretical study, it does not include empirical studies, but it points out some kinds of management activities, such as creating projects and case studies.FindingsIt uncovers the relationships between rhetoric and narratives, and between narratives and intentional action. If offers a new conceptual frame that can be very productive.Originality/valueThis conceptual approach is new. It clarifies important misunderstandings about narrativity, facts, meanings and interpretations.

Towards the Tipping Point for FAIR Implementation

This article explores the global implementation of the FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific management and data stewardship, which provide that data should be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. The implementation of these principles is designed to lead to the stewardship of data as FAIR digital objects and the establishment of the Internet of FAIR Data and Services (IFDS). If implementation reaches a tipping point, IFDS has the potential to revolutionize how data is managed by making machine and human readable data discoverable for reuse. Accordingly, this article examines the expansion of the implementation of FAIR Guiding Principles, especially how and in which geographies (locations) and areas (topic domains) implementation is taking place. A literature review of academic articles published between 2016 and 2019 on the use of FAIR Guiding Principles is presented. The investigation also includes an analysis of the domains in the IFDS Implementation Networks (INs). Its uptake has been mainly in the Western hemisphere. The investigation found that implementation of FAIR Guiding Principles has taken firm hold in the domain of bio and natural sciences. To achieve a tipping point for FAIR implementation, it is now time to ensure the inclusion of non-European ascendants and of other scientific domains. Apart from equal opportunity and genuine global partnership issues, a permanent European bias poses challenges with regard to the representativeness and validity of data and could limit the potential of IFDS to reach across continental boundaries. The article concludes that, despite efforts to be inclusive, acceptance of the FAIR Guiding Principles and IFDS in different scientific communities is limited and there is a need to act now to prevent dampening of the momentum in the development and implementation of the IFDS. It is further concluded that policy entrepreneurs and the GO FAIR INs may contribute to making the FAIR Guiding Principles more flexible in including different research epistemologies, especially through its GO CHANGE pillar.

The personal motif in naturalistic case study research: developing “innerstandings” in woman’s compulsive behaviour

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this article is to show case study research focused on persons as a case and our personal engagement with the case can improve our innerstandings and understanding of person-centred care. Method: We present the methodology and epistemology of naturalistic case study research and illuminate this approach with the case study of Ellen, a young, Dutch, white-middle class woman with a compulsive disorder. We combine naturalistic case study research with the personal narratives of those involved in the research, including ourselves, and interpreted through a feminist and gender lens. Results: The case study research enhanced the personal and mutual understanding of all involved, including the researchers. Feminist and gender theory revealed the hidden personal motif for the choice of the case, and led to a re-viewing of the original story, offering a re-storying. Conclusion: We conclude that the personal motif as well as the use of our personal experiences to understand the case deserve more attention in case study research to address the complex interplay of social and intrapsychic dimensions, and develop more in-depth innerstandings for all engaged.

The American Roots of Social Epidemiology and its Transnational Circulation. From the African-American Hypertension Enigma to the WHO’s Recommendations

In 2008, the Commission on Social Determinants of Health at the World Health Organisation published a report demonstrating the existence of a socio-economic gradient for health. Though health inequalities had been apparent since at least the 19th century, the report introduced a bio-psycho-social aetiological model that was absent from 19th century social medicine, as well as from former WHO documents. To bio-psycho-social epidemiologists stress associated with social status is the main cause of morbidity and death. Here I begin by noting that the history social epidemiologists have written for their fi eld tends to inscribe their work in continuity with 19th century social medicine. This contributes towards minimizing the epistemological and contextual transformations that led bio-psycho-social epidemiology to initiate a profound transformation in international health policy. Adopting an epistemological and transnational perspective, I fi rstly argue that bio-psycho-social epidemiology emerged from René Dubos’ historical and epistemological critique of the foundation of 19th century social medicine. I secondly show how the political and epistemological research program elaborated by Dubos developed in the US context, which was characterized both by a growing concern for chronic diseases and for racial inequalities. Finally, I show that through its transnational circulation in the United Kingdom, bio-psycho-social epidemiology was “de-racialized”. This step was a prerequisite for its aetiological model to be integrated into international public health strategies and to transform them.

Параметри розвитку корпоративної стратегічної обліково-аналітичної системи підприємства

An analysis of the activities of Ukrainian enterprises indicates the lack of an integrated, well-formed on a single accounting principles, adequately transformed and clearly systematized information database for strategic management decisions. As a result, in many enterprises strategic accounting information is not generated at all, and only in certain cases management is provided with non-transparent and irrelevant information, the use of which in the process of managerial decision-making leads to the formation of strategies that are inadequate to the company's competitive advantages and existing environmental threats. The purpose of the article is to identify the problems of generating accounting information for the needs of strategic management, differentiating the main organizational and methodological vectors of development and structuring the construction of a corporate strategic accounting and analytical system of an enterprise. The logical, system-structural and epistemological research methods, induction, deduction, abstraction were applied by the author. Based on the results of the study, the enterprise’s strategies were classified from the perspective of building a system of accounting and analytical support for strategic management. The requirements for enterprise segmentation by differentiating strategic business units were justified. A model has been generated for generating and presenting accounting information for the needs of strategic management in the context of types of strategies. The management needs and possible ways to meet them in the context of building a system of accounting and analytical support for strategic management were considered. The corporate strategic accounting and analytical system of the enterprise was structured. The interaction of strategic accounting subsystems with other information systems as part of the corporate strategic accounting and analytical system was reflected. The main organizational and methodological directions of the development of the corporate strategic accounting and analytical system of the enterprise were determined.

Archaeogenetics in Popular Media: Contemporary Implications of Ancient DNA

If most academic debates surrounding the recent boom of ancient DNA (aDNA) so far have concerned conflicting research epistemologies, this article is a call for taking aspects of media and communication more seriously. Analyzing the fates of two recent research papers on Viking Age Scandinavia, we show how aDNA research is communicated, narrated and infused with meaning in the public sphere, particularly in relation to popular narratives and political debates. We observe significant interlacing of scientific, political and media discourses in and around the papers, and conclude that archaeogenetics is a highly mediatized scientific field.

Критика натурализма Э. Гуссерля и проблема жизненного мира

The paper features the term "lifeworld" coined in 1910 by E. Husserl. The research objective was to describe the ideological content of Husserl's phenomenology, which determined the content and categorical design (type) of phenomenological sociology. E. Husserl introduced a systematic concept of the "lifeworld" and used it as a basis for a branch of social science now referred to as "understanding sociology". In addition, Husserl’s socio-philosophical and epistemological research helped to resolve the "crisis" of science, which he himself discovered, and to recreate the trampled dignity of human subjectivity. The research generalizes and clarifies various scientific views on the criticism of E. Husserl's naturalism and the problem of "lifeworld". Its results can be used in courses of sociology, philosophy, and history.

Epistemology of Research on Radiation and Matter: a Structural View

AbstractThe modern understanding of radiation got its start in 1895 with X-rays discovered by Wilhelm Röntgen, followed in 1896 by Henri Becquerel’s discovery of radioactivity. The development of the study of radiation opened a vast field of research concerning various disciplines: chemistry, physics, biology, geology, sociology, ethics, etc. Additionally, new branches of knowledge were created, such as atomic and nuclear physics that enabled an in-depth knowledge of the matter. Moreover, during the historical evolution of this body of knowledge a wide variety of new technologies was emerging. This article seeks to analyze the characteristics of experimental research in radioactivity and microphysics, in particular the relationship experience-theory. It will also be emphasized that for more than two decades, since the discovery of radioactivity, experiments took place without the theory being able to follow experimental dynamics. Some aspects identified as structural features of scientific research in the area of radiation and matter will be addressed through historical examples. The inventiveness of experiments in parallel with the emergence of quantum mechanics, the formation of teams and their relationship with technology developed from the experiments, as well as the evolution of microphysics in the sense of “Big Science” will be the main structural characteristics here focused. The case study of research in radioactivity in Portugal that assumes a certain importance and has structural characteristics similar to those of Europe will be presented.

From Buzz to Burst\u2014Critical Remarks on the Term \u2018Life\u2019 and Its Ethical Implications in Synthetic Biology

In this paper, we examine the use of the term ‘life’ in the debates within and about synthetic biology. We review different positions within these debates, focusing on the historical background, the constructive epistemology of laboratory research and the pros and cons of metaphorical speech. We argue that ‘life’ is used as buzzword, as folk concept, and as theoretical concept in inhomogeneous ways. Extending beyond the review of the significant literature, we also argue that ‘life’ can be understood as a Burstword in two concrete senses. Firstly, terms such as life easily turn into fuzzy, foggy and buzzy clouds of nonsense, if their use is not appropriately reflected. In these cases, the semantic orientation is detonated. This is the Burstword I characteristic of the concept of ‘life’ that we reveal for its unclear terminological use. Secondly, and in contrast to Burstword I, we show that the concept of ‘life’ can be used in a methodologically controlled way. We call this kind of use Burstword II. Here the concept of ‘life’ fulfils the function of expanding an inadequately narrow disciplinary or conceptual focus in different discursive contexts. In this second sense, ‘life’ receives an important operational function, for instance as a transdisciplinary research principle. It turns out that the innovative function and paradigm-changing power of metaphorical speech belong here as well. Finally, we illustrate three ethically relevant examples that show how ‘life’ can be applied as Burstword II in the context of synthetic biology.

Does Awareness of Climate Change Lead to Worry? Exploring Community Perceptions Through Parallel Analysis in Rural Himalaya

Human dimensions of climate change (HDCC) research overwhelmingly presents community perspectives on climate change and its impacts through single epistemic frameworks. This limits the possible platforms that community voices can access within scientific scholarship. Many HDCC interdisciplinary collaborations pursue the goal of data triangulation and attempt to address complex social–ecological problems through analytical integration. This raises questions about the comparative validity of different epistemologies and often leads to unequal power sharing between the different disciplinary practitioners. Our research addresses both of these issues by operationalizing a plural epistemological framework that depends on parallel analysis. This framework consists of a quantitative approach, inspired by hazards theory and land-change science research, and a qualitative approach, from political ecology. We explored perceptions of climate change in rural households in Uttarakhand in the Indian Himalayan region. While the results reveal a high awareness of climate change within the community, most individuals and households do not consider the impacts of climate change to be a significant worry. The results for each approach complement each other. They provide the community with more than one platform to voice their experiences and reveal the complex relationships producing climate change knowledge in the region. Future research should attempt such parallel analysis in other locations to validate its utility in addressing issues of equity and marginalization between research epistemologies, as well as between experts and local communities.

Building on shaky foundations? Lack of falsification and knowledge contestation in IS theories, methods, and practices

ABSTRACTAmong the defining characteristics of a healthy research discipline is the ability to correct its knowledge if more recent evidence creates grounds for this. Studies that reveal errors in earlier theories demonstrate, in line with Karl Popper’s thinking, an approach called falsificationism. They complement approaches aimed at developing and expanding knowledge by generalising empirical observations or postulating new contributions and testing them. The paper presents an analysis that applies this categorisation to abstracts of research papers (N = 5,202) in the eight leading IS journals. Machine-learning-based classification determined that only 7.0% of the papers manifested any clear form of knowledge-contestation, such as falsification, in the approach or findings presented. In light of this, we call on IS researchers to increase the falsification and knowledge-contestation in their research, to nurture more valid theories, methods, and practices, thereby achieving greater societal impact. We present two suitable IS research designs accordingly: knowledge-contesting comparisons and knowledge-contesting replications. We also discuss how these designs, exemplifying opportunities to increase the number of knowledge-contesting studies in the field, can be applied in both positivist and interpretivist research epistemology.

Beyond mapping: a case for geospatial analytics in humanitarian health

The humanitarian sector is increasingly adopting geospatial data to support operations. However, the utilization of these data in the humanitarian health arena is predominantly in thematic map format, thereby limiting the full insight and utility of geospatial information.Geospatial analytics, in contrast, including pattern analysis, interpolation, and predictive modeling, have tremendous potential within the field of humanitarian health. This paper explores a variety of historical and contemporary geospatial applications in the public health and humanitarian fields and argues for greater integration of geospatial analysis into humanitarian health research and programming. From remote sensing to create sampling frames, to spatial interpolation for environmental exposure analysis, and multi-objective optimization algorithms for humanitarian logistics, spatial analysis has transformed epistemological paradigms, research methods and programming landscapes across diverse disciplines.The field of humanitarian health, which is inextricably bounded by geography and resource limitations, should leverage the unique capacities of spatial methods and strategically integrate geospatial analytics into research and programming not only to fortify the academic legitimacy and professionalization of the field but also to improve operational efficiency and mitigation strategies.

The Value of Social Science Research in Christian Education Programs

Departments of Christian Education often find themselves in liminal spaces at colleges and universities somewhere between the theology of the humanities and the education of the social sciences, often not educating students well in research epistemologies of either. This article argues for the importance of including social science research methodology as an integral part of any Christian Education program.

Research in Development Studies: Philosophy, Methods and Rigor

A better understanding of the role, epistemology and methodology of research are very important to generate evidence to strengthen development policies to improve development outcomes. This essay will discuss the philosophy and operationalisation of research in the development arena with the focus on the role of applied research, epistemological issues and boundary setting, the choice of research methods, and conceptualisation of rigour in development research.