Exploratory Inquiry Research Articles

Workplace stressors and their impact on the nurse managers role

Background: Nursing is one of the professions that is known to expose its members to stress. Additionally, nurse managers work in complex health care environments that expose them to a substantial amount of stress. Workplace stressors have a negative impact on the nurse managers’ performance. Objective: To explore workplace stressors and their impact on the nurse managers’ role. Methodology: The study followed a qualitative exploratory inquiry. Participants were nurse managers working in 11 public hospitals in Botswana. A total of 49 nurse managers participated in this study. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data through written narratives. Emerging themes were identified through the use of thematic analysis. Results: The study identified 6 themes that outlined workplace stressors as experienced by nurse managers as follows: shortage of resources; lack of managerial and leadership skills; lack of progression; lack of support from supervisors; staff indiscipline, and nature of work. Participants perceived that exposure to workplace stressors resulted in low morale, customer complaints, and compromised quality of care. Conclusions: The study revealed that nurse managers were exposed to various workplace stressors in the healthcare environment. It was identified that the stress impacted negatively on the quality of care delivered to patients.

Learning From Community-Based Efforts Toward Shared Responsibility for Climate and Environmental Justice

In this exploratory inquiry, the research team investigates community-based data practices in climate and environmental justice initiatives. We set out to learn from the long history and current activities of communities seeking to hold corporate and government actors responsible to enact care for the climate and environment (e.g., monitoring air quality and waterways affected by petrochemical industries). Through a critical intersectional care ethics lens, we follow how groups respond to harms to ecosystems and seek healing, positioning their epistemic authority as they work with data (e.g., Ottinger, 2023; Puig de la Bellacasa, 2017). This work draws insights from inquiries which have examined how communities engage with climate action and efforts toward environmental sustainability (e.g., dos Santos et al., 2024; Kaczmarek, 2023; Nathan, 2012). Through a poster reporting on preliminary research, we share early analyses highlighting communities’ labor of resisting corporate delay, denial, and other dis- and mal-information practices, which slow or block urgently needed action and truth-telling. Methods involve analysis of archival records created by and about communities affected by the Love Canal toxic waste crisis in Western New York. The project aims to appreciate differences and similarities in community-based data practices, identifying further possibilities for information professionals and libraries, archives, and museums to uphold these data practices and associated knowledge and memory work, research, and storytelling. In turn, the team proposes future work to trace the development of community-based practices with climate and environmental data over time.

“Doing reviews is an unpaid service”: Why female Chinese novice applied linguistics researchers choose to participate in the peer review process

AbstractThis article reports on an exploratory inquiry conducted with female Chinese novice researchers in the field of applied linguistics in relation to their experiences of serving as peer reviewers. Drawing on self‐determination theory, I analyzed and interpreted the accounts of reviewing that the participants shared through semi‐structured interviews. The analysis revealed that these female Chinese novice researchers were extrinsically motivated to review peers’ work for journals. They associated doing peer reviews with beneficial outcomes, such as career advancement, public recognition, and the approval of supervisors. Their accounts are also indicative of intrinsic motivation to review peers’ work, mediated by their interactions with colleagues and supervisors. In response to these findings, the study concludes that further research should be done to identify how novice researchers can be motivated to become more involved in the peer review process and knowledge construction.

Foster parents’ experiences with animal companions while fostering children and youth

Abstract This qualitative exploratory inquiry examined foster parents’ perspectives of the impact companion animals had on the children/youth in their care. Six foster parents were interviewed and six themes, including 12 subthemes, were uncovered: (1) provision of companionship (unconditional love); (2) strengthening of the foster home environment (environmental connection, increased feelings of safety); (3) teaching empathy (responsibility, compassion); (4) emotional regulation (grief, emotional support, calming presence); (5) benefits to foster parents (friendship, affection, emotional support, additional support); and (6) challenges. These findings have important implications for social work practice. Specific recommendations based on the findings are presented.

Anything goes for participant, patient and public involvement in youth mental health research

AbstractBackgroundParticipant and Public Involvement in youth mental health research aims at making research more responsive to the needs of youth struggling with mental health issues, their parents, and mental health professionals and other stakeholders. Do characteristics of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in youth mental health research align with transparency and replication prerequisites as necessary conditions for translation? Relatedly, the question is addressed whether co‐authorship should be assigned to youth involved in the study.MethodsHere we address these questions re‐visiting 50 PPI studies included in two recent systematic reviews of PPI on characteristics that are pertinent to questions about transparency, replicability, translatability, and co‐authorship in PPI research.ResultsAlmost two‐third of the studies on youth mental health incorporating PPI translate their results to policy or practice, mostly as recommendations but sometimes also by dissemination of (online) interventions. At the same time the authors of a substantial majority of the studies (70%) also suggest the need for further work on their results, for example, in randomized controlled trials to validate the outcome of their exploratory inquiry. Only a quarter of the studies using PPI met the conditions for replicability, thus a majority of the PPI studies suggest premature translation of results. Authorship to involved participants was assigned in 24% of the studies.Conclusions“Anything goes” for PPI in an exploratory stage to generate fruitful hypotheses. Translation of the findings of PPI studies however require a firm evidence base of replicated results. Radical merging of research and action in participatory action research seems incompatible with replicable and therefore translatable inquiry. Assigning co‐authorship to PPI representatives is often at odds with current guidelines for authorship. More evidence from randomized trials on the translational impact of PPI is needed before grant foundations should require PPI in grant proposals.

“You should care about marriage”: Vietnamese Women's experience of ambivalent sexism in the STEM workplace

Anecdotal evidence, commentary in the media, and research conducted by intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam indicate that sexism is commonly experienced by women in the Vietnamese workplace. However, few systematic studies to date have been conducted on the prevalence and types of sexism that Vietnamese women experience. This cross-sectional exploratory study seeks to inquire into women's experiences of sexism in the STEM field and its potential associations with mental health outcomes through the lens of ambivalent sexism theory, which categorizes sexism as benevolent and hostile. Vietnamese women employed in STEM (N = 148) completed online questionnaires assessing experiences of ambivalent sexism, perceived stress and perceived sexism, stress symptoms, depression, and anxiety. The results indicate that benevolent sexism is more common than hostile sexism and that younger women are more frequently targeted. Correlation and regression analyses indicate that benevolent and hostile sexism are positively correlated with women's mental health problems. The findings highlight that despite the gains made in workplace gender equality in Vietnam, sexism continues to pose a problem for women's career development in STEM as well as potential health and safety issues. The study concludes with measures that organizations can undertake to tackle the problem and recommendations for future research in Vietnam to build on this exploratory inquiry.

Amorphigrist Illustrations

These illustrations were created to accompany David Gruber’s essay “Amorphigrist Ontology: An Exploratory Inquiry.”

The potential role of occupational therapy in the treatment of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.

Most individuals with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) never receive treatment, and treatment needs far exceed the current capacity of mental health services. Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on enhancing function in daily activities, including eating and feeding. Given OT's rich history in mental health and pediatric feeding disorder treatment, we spotlight the potential role of OT in ARFID treatment, current knowledge, and opportunities for future research. Through a preliminary exploratory inquiry involving a review of current literature and clinical practice, we investigated OT's current involvement, knowledge, and interprofessional collaborative practice gaps in ARFID treatment. While many occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) engage in ARFID treatment, interventions lack rigorous evaluation, and there is limited evidence defining OT's distinct role in interprofessional ARFID treatment. OTPs are uniquely positioned to provide interventions for individuals with ARFID across the lifespan, though research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of OT interventions. Future research suggestions include standardizing OT approaches to ARFID treatment and conducting single-case experiments and randomized controlled trials to compare OT approaches with alternative methods. Recommendations to address practice gaps include enhancing ARFID education for OT students and practitioners and fostering a greater understanding of OT's role on the interprofessional team. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Individuals with ARFID face barriers to eating that impact their health and function. On a multidisciplinary team, OTPs can treat diverse client populations by identifying and addressing barriers to daily participation, such as physical impairments, trauma history, and environmental barriers. More research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of OT practices in ARFID treatment.

How ChatGPT Will Shape the Teaching Learning Landscape in Future?

ChatGPT quickly garnered over a million users within a week of its public launch on November 30, 2022, astounded the globe with its remarkable powers in managing exceedingly complex activities. The notable proficiency of ChatGPT in executing complex educational assignments has evoked a range of sentiments among educators, signaling a potential transformation in established educational practices. This exploratory inquiry consolidates recent scholarly works to discuss the potential benefits and downsides of ChatGPT in terms of increasing teaching and learning. Among the benefits are the facilitation of personalized and interactive learning and the generation of prompts for formative assessments, providing continuous feedback for instructional improvement. Conversely, the study underscores inherent limitations in ChatGPT, including the potential for generating inaccurate information, biases stemming from data training that might perpetuate existing prejudices, and concerns related to privacy. The research concludes with recommendations for optimizing the use of ChatGPT in educational contexts. Collaboration among policymakers, researchers, educators, and technology experts is encouraged to initiate dialogues on the safe and constructive utilization of these evolving generative AI tools to enhance education and support student learning.
 
 Received: 1 January 2024 / Accepted: 1 March 2024 / Published: 5 March 2024

‘친절한’ 일본 순사는 재현 가능한가? : OTT 드라마 리얼리티와 수용자 자원론에 관한 시론적 탐구

‘친절한’ 일본 순사는 재현 가능한가? : OTT 드라마 리얼리티와 수용자 자원론에 관한 시론적 탐구

Globalisation and current employment situation in South Africa: An exploratory enquiry

Globalisation is a broad concept that has continuously impacted various aspects of human endeavours. Globalisation has influenced the realignment of business strategies as well as impacted the availability of jobs in many countries. In modern organisations, managers must understand how current globalisation impacts employment situations. Since the dawn of contemporary globalisation in the early 1990s, several path breaking advances have emerged. These advances have also impacted the ways works are coordinated in the workplace. For instance, recently the use of independent contractors has increased as opposed to permanent appointed employees. As a matter of fact, globalisation has impacted employment situations in several ways. Hence, the current paper is an attempt to explore how globalisation has impacted employment situations in South Africa. The main finding of the paper revealed that there is a rising trend in job insecurity in most organisations owing to advanced sophisticated technologies and the utilisation of more atypical employment pattern in the form of casualisation.

Enculturating a Protective Professional Community—Processes of Teacher Retention in a Swedish Hard-to-Staff School

This study presented a positive deviant case: a Swedish hard-to-staff school which has had a low rate of teacher turnover over time. In line with the purpose of studying positive deviance in organisations, our exploratory inquiry was geared towards understanding how and why ‘at-risk’ teachers, i.e., teachers who teach in subjects which are known to have high levels of staffing difficulties in Sweden, stayed at this particular school. Using a modified grounded theory approach, our results suggested that teachers remained at the school due to being embedded in a protective professional community that was enculturated by different expressions of collegiality. Finally, these findings are discussed in relation to the theoretical concepts of teachers’ job embeddedness and social capital.

Exploring Women's Perception of High Metabolic Clothing

This study presents the first exploratory inquiry into women's perception of High Metabolic Clothing (HMC) that could aid in weight loss and/or muscle maintenance/gain. A mixed methods study was conducted combining an online survey ( n = 502) and interviews ( n = 30). A composite variable combining BMI and exercise engagement was used to group and compare participants for data analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis and content analysis guided by the FEA (functional, expressive, and aesthetic) Consumer Needs Model. Results revealed that 83.5% of survey respondents were interested in wearing HMC; high BMI non-exercisers were identified as the biggest market for HMC. Four future directions were identified for HMC to address a range of user needs. Clothing that resisted movement was perceived as acceptable providing HMC helped a wearer to achieve their goals and the design adhered to consumers’ aesthetic needs and societal clothing norms.

Banyuwangi Bamboo Puppets from an Ethnomathematics Perspective

Ethnomathematics denotes mathematical phenomena entrenched within cultural contexts. Bamboo puppetry emerges as an intriguing cultural enclave ripe for investigation, distinguished by unique material composition, crafting techniques, and character portrayal in contrast to conventional puppetry forms. An exploratory inquiry unfolded within the precincts of Gintangan village, Banyuwangi, facilitated by a selective triad of informants. Employing qualitative methodologies, data accrual entailed a blended approach integrating observational scrutiny and in-depth interviews. Insights gleaned from the investigation unveil that the craftsmanship of bamboo puppets entails a gamut of mathematical undertakings, encompassing enumeration, categorization, measurement, and strategic planning. Furthermore, the genesis of bamboo puppetry production intricately intertwines with ethnomathematical dimensions, elucidating the utilization of numerical operations, geometric principles, statistical analysis, and probability considerations. These findings portend the transformative potential to transmute into a bespoke educational resource for contextualized mathematics pedagogy, leveraging the craft of bamboo puppetry as a conduit for experiential learning.

The potentiality of nature to tug at our heartstrings: an exploratory inquiry into supportive affordances for emotion-focused family therapy in the outdoors

A wealth of studies demonstrate the associations between nature contact and well-being, and gradually, nature-based solutions are becoming more widespread in mental health care and recovery. While emotion-focused therapies generally show promising results, evidence of nature-based family therapy is still scarce. In a forthcoming clinical trial at Sørlandet hospital in Southern Norway, we will compare indoor and outdoor provision of emotion-focused multi-family therapy. The foundation of emotion-focused therapeutic work with families is a deep belief in the healing powers of families, where resources within the “ecosystem” of a given family can be reactivated and nudged towards establishing a greater sense of harmony and connectedness over time. According to a Gibsonian understanding of affordances, humans respond to possibilities and limitations within an environment, where affordances in the context of this article arise from a systemic interplay between nature, participating families and facilitators. In this exploratory inquiry, we are particularly interested in the myriad ways nature may influence four core principles in emotion-focused therapy, including (a) emotion awareness, (b) emotion regulation, (c) reflection on emotion, and (d) emotion transformation. In this perspective article, we propose hypotheses and working metaphors in relation to everything from emotions’ multiple purposes to the delineation of facilitators’ accepting, empathic and curious stance. First and foremost, we attempt to generate a preliminary account of nature’s potentiality to tug at our heartstrings and offer a supportive environment for the novel provision of emotion-focused family therapy in the outdoors.

Where is the life we have lost in living (beyond means)? An exploratory inquiry into the deceptive world of corruption and consumerism

Purpose The primary purpose of this exploratory paper is to propose a novel analytical framework for examining corruption from a behavioral perspective by highlighting multiple issues associated with consumerism. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the relationship between excessive consumption activities and corrupt acts, drawing upon existing literature on corruption, consumerism and consumption, as well as multiple reports and cases of corruption and money laundering in Indonesia. With regard to corruption networks, this paper analyses the associated behavioral patterns and social dynamics by using the Fraud Triangle and the Fraud Elements Triangle frameworks to examine the phenomenon of living beyond one’s means. This paper also addresses the notion of sacredness in the context of consumer activities and how such sacredness plays a role in causing otherwise honest individuals to engage in corrupt acts. Findings The author established that corruption represents a complex societal issue that extends across several dimensions of society, encompassing both horizontal and vertical aspects. Consequently, addressing this problem poses significant challenges. Excessive consumption has been identified as one of the various behavioral concerns that are implicated in the widespread occurrence of corruption in many nations. Individuals who partake in excessive consumption play a role in shaping ethical norms that serve to legitimize and rationalize immoral behavior, therefore fostering a society marked by corruption. The act of engaging in excessive consumption is also associated with cases of money laundering offenses that are connected to corruption and several other illicit activities. The lifestyle of corrupt individuals is one of the primary behavioral concerns associated with corruption, as “living beyond means” is the most common behavioral red flag among occupational fraud offenders worldwide. The phenomenon of consumerism may also shape the minds of individuals as if it were an “implicit religion” due to the fact that it may generate human experiences that elicit highly positive emotions and satisfy certain sacredness-associated characteristics. The pursuit of transcendental experiences through the acquisition and consumption of sacred consumption objects may heighten the incentive to commit fraudulent acts such as corruption. Research limitations/implications This self-funded exploratory study uses document analysis to examine the corruption phenomenon in Indonesia. Future studies will benefit from in-depth interviews with former offenders and investigators of corruption. Practical implications This exploratory study contributes to advancing corruption prevention strategies. It does this by introducing a novel analytical framework that allows for the examination of several behavioral issues associated with consumerism, which have the potential to foster the proliferation of corruption. Originality/value This exploratory study highlights the importance of comprehending the intricacies of consumerism, namely, its adverse effects on the proliferation of corruption.

Unveiling the obstacles encountered by women doctors in the Pakistani healthcare system: A qualitative investigation.

In Pakistan, women outnumber men in medical colleges with 80 percent enrollment, yet many fail to practice medicine following graduation. Pakistan Medical Council (PMC) states 50 percent of graduated women doctors either did not practice or left employment in a short period. Thus, the non-servicing women doctors are assumed as the one of the major causes for the overall doctors' shortage in the country. Addressing this enduring matter, this study aims to explore and understand the factors that discourage women doctors from practicing medicine in Pakistani hospitals. The study employed qualitative exploratory inquiry with an interpretive paradigm to attain a deeper understanding of the problem. 59-semi structured interviews were conducted by non-working women doctors across the entirety of Pakistan. The narratives were then analyzed by thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti 22. The findings have resulted in the three major themes, i.e., workplace challenges, socio-cultural obstructions, and familial restrictions that possibly obstruct women from practicing medicine in hospitals. The findings suggested that accepting traditional cultural values, including entrenched gender roles in society, deters women from practicing medicine. The prevailing patriarchal societal system includes stereotypes against working women; early marriages hinder women from practicing medicine. The prevailing societal system upholds the influence of in-laws and a husband for women doctor professional employment. As a result, severe work-life conflict was reported where most women doctors ended up in their profession in the middle of struggling between socially rooted gender roles as homemakers and their professional careers-furthermore, the study found various workplace issues that posit an additional burden on already struggling women doctors. Issues include poor recruitment and selection process, transfer constraints, excessive workload with inadequate salary, harassment, gender discrimination, unsafe work environment, and little support from the administration highly contribute to the shortage of women doctors in Pakistan.

Fuzzy logic controller-based enhancement for grid-connected large-scale PV systems

: In recent years, considerable scholarly attention has been directed toward photovoltaic (PV) power generation, driven by the imperative to ameliorate the ecological ramifications inherent in conventional electricity generators. The economic viability of PV generation is intrinsically contingent upon both the cost-efficiency of the cells employed and the quantum of energy that the arrays have the capacity to deliver over their operational lifespan. This scholarly exposition elucidates an exploratory inquiry into the intricate realm of modeling and simulating solar PV systems, conjoined with the distribution grid via the employment of a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC). The inquiry delves into the nuanced realm of the influence wielded by fluctuations in solar radiation upon the system's operational efficacy, concurrently proffering a novel energy storage framework engineered to counterbalance the power quality predicaments stemming from the intermittent nature of solar energy. The empirical manifestations gleaned from simulations evince the system's conceptual prowess, effectuating an amelioration in the comprehensive operational dexterity of the solar PV system, thereby embellishing energy capture efficiency and mollifying the perturbing power quality predicaments. A comparative investigation, encompassing varied conditions, substantiates the prowess of the proposed methodology vis-à-vis the fixed perturbation Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm. Empirical observations emanating from these investigations conspicuously affirm the feasibility and distinct advantages underpinning the purview of the proposed methodology.

Innovation in Green Building Projects: An Exploratory Inquiry

Green building (GB) projects, although being developed and operated for more than two decades, may still be regarded as innovative. To address the socio-environmental challenges of the built environment, GBs need to continuously innovate. A comprehensive account of the innovation frontiers and factors affecting GB project innovation is missing in previous studies. In this study, for an in-depth understanding of what makes these projects innovative and how to create an enabling environment for their innovation, semi-structured interviews with 45 GB experts from six regions were conducted. Innovation in GBs was found to be a function of the GB idea, constituent building technologies, potential performance, and the project development process. Key frontiers where innovation in GB projects is needed include environmental performance, health and well-being, and the resolution of mutually contradicting project aspirations. The study also identified some factors contributing to innovation in GBs, which are primarily related to support from the government, client, and project team; availability of time and budget; scalability of innovative solutions; and nature of the construction industry. A nexus between green certifications, sustainability, and innovation is also explained. The awareness and understanding of industry experts regarding GB project innovation will add to the theory of GB projects and green innovation, and will help stakeholders to create a more enabling environment for innovation.

Critical consciousness from a Palestinian feminist, decolonial perspective: A collective exploratory inquiry

To date, many studies have documented the devastating impact of the Israeli military occupation in Palestine, which deprives Palestinians of all basic and human rights. Yet, the interlocking oppressions that characterize the Israeli occupation—as those of other colonial systems—are mostly overlooked, with little attention being devoted in mainstream literature to the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexuality within the colonial project. With a perspective informed by intersectional feminist studies, decolonial approaches, and liberation psychology, we explored how women in Palestine resist and struggle against the colonial and patriarchal powers present in their lives and, in particular, the role of feminist critical consciousness in this process. Through 21 research-discussions with Palestinian and international but Palestine-experienced feminist activists and researchers, we explored how the concept of critical consciousness (CC) was perceived and encountered within their experiences in the Palestinian context. CC was explored in its two dimensions (critical reflection and critical action), and its liberating power was discussed. This study contributes to a growing body of literature on the relationship between CC and resistance, and their shared impacts on women's liberation and well-being within contexts of settler-colonialism. Implications for research, policies, and clinical practices are discussed.