Formal Concept Research Articles

Concept lattice formalisms of Hébert’s “semic analysis” and “analysis by classification”

Abstract In this article we provide a mathematical frame to the generation of class taxonomies suggested by Hébert in his analysis of the poem <<Quelle affaire!>> (‘A Sorry Business!’) by Gilles Vigneault (b. 1928) as well as a formalization of the structure of semic isotopies in his reading of The golden ship by Émile Nelligan (1879–1941). We also examine the characteristics of inter- and intra-semic molecules at work within Réne Magritte’s painting La clef des songes. Our mathematical frame is Ganter and Wille’s extension of lattice theory called formal concept analysis, for which we explore various formalisms and constructs that allow us to reason on semic structures.

The Efficacy of Open Performance Review and Appraisal System on Teachers’ Work Performance in Tanzania. A Case of Selected schools of Vwawa, Iyula and Msangano Secondary Schools in Mbozi District

This study mainly sought to determine the effectiveness of the Open Performance Review and Appraisal System (OPRAS) on Teachers' work performance in the selected secondary schools of Vwawa, Iyula and Msangano in Mbozi district council. The study was also driven by the following main objective, which includes; how the practice of OPRAS has improved the work performance of secondary school teachers in Mbozi district council. A mixed research approach both qualitative and quantitative approach with 93 respondents was employed. Questionnaires and interviews were used to obtain data. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive statistics where inferences were presented in the form of frequencies and percentiles. Qualitative information was also analyzed through thematic and content analysis and presented in the form of concepts and narrations. Although Mbozi district has been effectively implementing OPRAS for the past 15 years, active data show that the district has a stable progression performance rate of 30.1 % since 2018 to date. The key variable that was tested was increased teacher commitment. Considerably, this has been established due to constant growth rates of indicators of performance against the performance of teachers from 2018 to 2023. The study recommended that the government should set and engage a realistic budget for training, and empowerment workshops and highly capacitate the Office of the public communications for the purpose of intensifying communication and feedback in public organizations including secondary schools

TEACHING ANGLES AND POLYGONS USING GEOGEBRA SOFTWARE

The objective of this paper is to describe a didactic-pedagogical sequence developed to teach angles and polygons to an 8th grade class of a public state school in Palmeira dos Índios, Alagoas, Brazil. The sequence is part of the Extension Project "Mathematics and Active Methods" and addresses some common difficulties in teaching geometry, such as the abstraction of formal concepts and the students' lack of understanding of the connection of these concepts to real situations. Studies indicate that the use of digital technologies facilitates the visualization and interaction with mathematical concepts, promoting more dynamic and meaningful learning. In view of this, the sequence, applied in four classes, involved activities contextualized to sports, using the GeoGebra software. The results show that, although some students still face difficulties, the interactive and contextualized approach improved engagement and understanding of formal mathematical concepts, especially geometric ones.

Health-preserving physical culture and wellness competences as an important condition for ensuring and spreading a high level of public health (methodological aspects)

WHO indicates that the purpose of actions aimed at strengthening public health protection is to ensure conditions under which people can remain healthy, able to strengthen health and well-being, and prevent deterioration of health. However, in the basic documents, there is no place for health-preserving physical culture and health-improving competencies of a person in the system of general efforts. The aim of the work is to reveal the need and place of health-preserving physical culture and wellness competencies of a person as a condition for ensuring and spreading a high level of public health in Ukraine. Material and methods. The study was organized at the Dnipro State Academy of Physical Culture and Sports, the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technology, the National Technical University “Dnipro Polytechnic” (all in Dnipro) and the Zaporizhzhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University. The used methods of theoretical research were: study and generalization of data from domestic and foreign official and literary sources, as well as abstraction, analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction. Results. Conceptual principles and didactic technology of physical education of a non-professional physical education (NpPhE), with an emphasis on strengthening the general cultural component of the educational component “Physical education” in higher education, aimed at eliminating existing shortcomings. Provided with pedagogical technology, NpPhE contributes to the formation of the building blocks of one’s own health. And the system of effective pedagogical mechanisms of NpPhE is significantly different from the provision of information about health, which is the subject of modern valeology. In this context, the development of conceptual directions of creative valeology is relevant, as a means of supporting a person’s creativity in a safe effect on health. Namely, the formation in institutions of higher education of the builders of their own health. Conclusions. A system of pedagogical mechanisms is proposed, which is significantly different from just providing information about human health as a benefit/harm of influences and actions, which is what valeology is focused on. This is a prerequisite for the formation and development of creative concepts of modern valeology based on the improvement of cultural and practical components of the educational component “Physical education” in the conditions of a higher education institution for specialists who take care of building their own health from specialties related to civilians. In conditions where the majority of their graduates are engaged not in physical, but intellectual work, the further implementation of approaches related to professional-applied physical training for professional activities is something that it is time to abandon.

The Impossible Biangle and the Possibility of Geometry

Abstract Kant repeatedly uses the biangle as an example of an impossible figure. In this paper, I offer an account of these passages and their significance for the possibility of geometry as a science. According to Kant, the constructibility of the biangle would signal the failure of geometry. Whereas Wolff derives the no-biangle proposition from the axiom that between two points there can be only one straight line, Kant gives it axiomatic status as a synthetic a priori principle possessing immediate certainty. Because we are unable to generate a schema for the biangle, the failure of the attempt to construct it is intuitively clear. The parallel between mathematical and empirical concepts is instructive because both involve the synthesis of disparate intuitions into a unity. We do not, strictly speaking, even possess a well-formed concept of the biangle, because its representation cannot fulfill certain basic requirements of concept formation.

Inner product reduction for fuzzy formal contexts

Formal concept analysis finds application across multiple domains, including knowledge representation, data mining, and decision analysis. Within this framework, the exploration of attribute reduction for fuzzy formal contexts represents a substantial area of research. We introduce a novel form of attribute reduction for fuzzy formal contexts named inner product reduction, and an algorithm for finding all inner product reducts is given by using the indiscernibility matrix, and a calculation example is given. Furthermore, for consistent fuzzy decision formal contexts, the definition and algorithm of inner product reduction are given. Finally, the concept and algorithm of inner product reduction are extended to general fuzzy decision formal contexts. Through experimental verification, the viability and efficacy of the inner product reduction algorithm for fuzzy formal contexts are verified.

Conceptualizing Parliamentary Diplomacy

Aim. The article reveals the conceptual foundations of parliamentary diplomacy.Methods. In order to fulfill the purpose, the author drew upon theoretical methodology namely modelling, chronological, comparative, complementary and parallel approaches.Results. The phases of development of parliamentary diplomacy are outlined. The theoretical model (institutional design) of parliamentary diplomacy is designed. The features of the international activities of representative authorities are outlined.Conclusions. First, the geopolitical processes of the second half of the 20th century have caused parliamentary diplomacy to transform into double legitimate diplomacy, a new form of soft power tool and independent holistic concept. Second, parliamentary diplomacy has acquired a complex body (model), including various dimensions, levels of institutionalization, tools, forms and formats of cooperation. Third, although parliamentary diplomacy has a number of advantages over cabinet diplomacy (greater flexibility, informality and less bias), the other side of its institutional features (reduced powers, limited resources and ideological colouring) may have a negative impact on applied outcomes.

Expert opinion elicitation for assisting deep learning based Lyme disease classifier with patient data

BackgroundDiagnosing erythema migrans (EM) skin lesion, the most common early symptom of Lyme disease, using deep learning techniques can be effective to prevent long-term complications. Existing works on deep learning based EM recognition only utilizes lesion image due to the lack of a dataset of Lyme disease related images with associated patient data. Doctors rely on patient information about the background of the skin lesion to confirm their diagnosis. To assist deep learning model with a probability score calculated from patient data, this study elicited opinions from fifteen expert doctors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first expert elicitation work to calculate Lyme disease probability from patient data. MethodsFor the elicitation process, a questionnaire with questions and possible answers related to EM was prepared. Doctors provided relative weights to different answers to the questions. We converted doctors' evaluations to probability scores using Gaussian mixture based density estimation. We exploited formal concept analysis and decision tree for elicited model validation and explanation. We also proposed an algorithm for combining independent probability estimates from multiple modalities, such as merging the EM probability score from a deep learning image classifier with the elicited score from patient data. ResultsWe successfully elicited opinions from fifteen expert doctors to create a model for obtaining EM probability scores from patient data. ConclusionsThe elicited probability score and the proposed algorithm can be utilized to make image based deep learning Lyme disease pre-scanners robust. The proposed elicitation and validation process is easy for doctors to follow and can help address related medical diagnosis problems where it is challenging to collect patient data.

Cyber risk management technology to strengthen the information security of the national economy

Purpose. Developing a technology for managing cyber risks based on their improved classification by the level of impact on the occurrence of an extreme situation. Methodology. To achieve the goal, general scientific and special methods of cognition were used in the study: dialectical and systemic approaches, analysis and synthesis, logical generalization and grouping, structural-logical method, iterative approach, modeling, method of formal representations of uncertainty. Findings. A cyber risk management technology has been developed, consisting of four main stages: analysis of cyber threats (context establishment; security audit; formation of scenario concepts); scenario modeling (threat decomposition; scenario formation; setting criteria; setting probability estimates of concepts (variables); building a network architecture; formation of a private threat model; scenario analysis); risk assessment; object classification. The proposed approach to cybersecurity risk management provides vulnerability detection and risk assessment (risk potential) and simplifies the development of management solutions to prevent events affecting cybersecurity. Originality. The proposed technology differs from the existing ones by focusing on identifying those vulnerabilities and cyber threats that, according to their improved classification by the level of impact on the occurrence of an extreme situation, can lead to serious disruptions in the functioning of critical information infrastructure of the national economy. Practical value. The practical significance of the study lies in the fact that the proposed cyber risk management technology is one of the tools for preventing the realization of risks in cyberspace and the basis for strengthening the information security of economic entities in particular and the national economy as a whole.

Addressing the Anthropocene from the Global South: integrating paleoecology, archaeology and traditional knowledge for COP engagement

The triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss necessitates more holistic, comprehensive, and integrated public policy approaches. Within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, this crisis highlights significant conflicts over forms of knowledge and conceptualization, affecting how international policies are formed. Indigenous knowledge systems have become increasingly acknowledged for their vital role in addressing the challenges of the Anthropocene. Conferences of the Parties institutions like the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change emphasize the critical, although not always recognized, importance of Indigenous territories, which contain eighty percent of the world’s biodiversity. Here, we show that research in paleoecology, archaeology and history demonstrates the long-term significance of traditional knowledge and Indigenous land management practices for contemporary ecosystem dynamics. Drawing from these varied studies and perspectives also reveal the socio-economic inequalities resulting from centuries of European colonialism. We showcase three case studies on; (i) pastoralism in eastern Africa, (ii) natural resource management in southeast Asia and (iii) adaptation to sea level rise in the Caribbean, which touch upon highly diverse human resilience strategies across space and time. Despite efforts at the COP28 to accelerate climate action and incorporate diverse knowledge systems, significant challenges remain. The need for a pluralistic knowledge, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, blending scientific language with artistic and narrative forms, is proposed as critical for fostering effective communication and developing more effective and equitable solutions for global environmental governance.

Свобода воли в синкретизме тувинской культуры

The article analyzes the problem of free will in the Tuvan culture, characterized by syncretism and traditionalism. It uncovers the worldview aspects of the Tuvan people, which reveal an organic unity with nature, thereby determining the range of alternative actions available. It is emphasized that individuals in traditional Tuvan culture operate through syncretic thinking, which occurs in the inseparable relationship not only between humans and nature but also between subject and object. The absence of metaphysical thinking in Tuvan culture is noted as a consequence of operating within a localized cognitive framework and the lack of necessity for supra-natural concepts within the cultural context. The dissolution of the individual in the surrounding space emerges as a natural phenomenon in the context of their livelihood within a specific culture that has arisen under certain conditions. Furthermore, the article delineates a unique understanding of human responsibility and the concept of personal freedom. This understanding does not create contradictions in the realization of one’s free will and the necessity for the development of nature. Additionally, the contours of the transformation of Tuvan culture and the formation of personality concepts influenced by European models are outlined. This analysis contributes to the broader discourse on the interplay between cultural context and the conception of free will, highlighting how deeply embedded traditional beliefs and practices shape the Tuvan understanding of individual agency within the world.

Do citizens’ perspectives matter? A comparison of formal planning and local preferences for the deployment of renewable energies

ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to analyse the extent to which the spatial planning guidelines for renewable energies address the local people’s perception of a sustainable energy transition. Using the example of the municipality of Tettnang in southern Germany, the study focuses on GIS-based visualisations to investigate the spatial intensity to which the overarching formal specifications on land use have been imprinted on the local contexts and what options for alternative spatial concepts are left for the local population to promote the expansion of wind turbines and photovoltaics. In a further step, the methods of participatory mapping and supplementary interviews are used to analyse which spatial perceptions of a spatially balanced energy transition prevail at the local level. The study sample indicates that the specifications of higher-level spatial planning for renewable energies are not so far away from the spatial ideas of the local population as theoretical concepts assume. Rather, a high degree of criterial congruence was found between the interviewees informal and the overarching formal spatial concepts.

Relationship between Vitality and Characteristics of Coping Strategies in Deviant Adolescents

Adolescence is important in the development and formation of a personality, and the family radically influences the development of a teenager; under the family influence, foundations of intentional behavior, ways of responding to stress, level of vitality and defense mechanisms are laid, and a general direction in the formation of moral concepts and relationships emerges. And all this happens against the background of contradictions in physiological and mental development, spiritual formation. The reasons for the use of psychoactive drugs are varied, and most often chemical dependence is determined by the combined action of various factors and conditions. The purpose of the research work was to study the relationship between family structure and characteristics of the adolescents’ response to stress in undergoing inpatient treatment due to the use of psychoactive substances. The study was conducted on the basis of the Novosibirsk Regional Clinical Narcological Dispensary (teenage department). The main group included 18 young men, age: from 15 to 18 years, with experience of using psychoactive substances from one year to three or more years - “teenage addicts”. The control group, “conditionally healthy”, denying the use of psychoactive substances, was represented by high school students of one of the gymnasiums, 15 young men of the same age group. The following methods were used: the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Scale (FACES-3) questionnaire; Plutchik, Kellerman, Conte questionnaire - Life Style Index (LSI) methodology; questionnaire “Methods of coping behavior” by R. Lazarus and S. Folkman and test of vitality (S. Muddy) adapted by D.A. Leontyev. Results. It was revealed that adolescent addicts differ from adolescents without addictive behavior in the following parameters: low level of family adaptation and family cohesion; Adolescents with addictive behavior differ in their style of responding to difficult life situations: they more often use defenses and coping, which serve the function of regulating negative emotional states associated with unmet needs for communication, self-affirmation, etc., while adolescents without addictive behavior use coping and defense, which main function is to resolve the situation; Adolescents with addictive behavior have a lower level of resilience than relatively healthy adolescents. The possibilities of psychotherapeutic influences are discussed.

Trend and determinants of unplanned pregnancy among expectant mothers in Ethiopia based on the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (2000–2016) data: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo investigate the trend and determinants of unplanned pregnancy among expectant women using the four Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data (2000–2016).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSecondary data analysis using EDHS data.ParticipantsThe number...

Специфика усвоения диалоговых навыков дошкольниками с расстройствами аутистического спектра

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objectives. </strong>The variability of disorders in the formation of dialog skills of preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) does not always depend on the level of intellectual development. In issues of speech development, it is important to take into account both the specifics of understanding the reversed speech at the level of interrogative statements, and the aspects of structuring and semantics of the answer proposed by the child with ASD himself. In order to study the specifics of mastering the basic conversational skills by children with ASD who have unimpaired intellect, a special pilot study was designed and conducted.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods. </strong>The peculiarities of understanding questions of various purposes and structures by students of the age of 5—7 years (group 1 — 51 children) with unimpaired intellect and ability of verbal communication were studied. Children of group 1 and preschoolers of group 2 of younger age (from 3 years 10 months to 5 years 2 months, a total of 28 participants) were presented with 48 questions, hierarchically organized based on ontogenetic patterns associated with the formation of cognitive concepts, which are accessible to a typically developing child by a certain age. The results obtained in both groups were compared.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results. </strong>Only 2.3% of the proposed 3,708 questions remained unanswered, and the number of correct (adequate) answers, depending on age, tended to increase (for example, preschoolers with ASD of 4 years gave 68% correct answers, preschoolers of 5 years — 73%). The study shows that, in terms of nature and specifics of dialog skills, students with ASD 5-7 years old have no significant differences from the typically developing preschoolers of a younger age group: the number and quality of correct answers from children with ASD at the age of 6 years is comparable with the number of correct answers from typically developing preschoolers of 4 years old.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusions. </strong>In the process of forming dialog skills in the structure of developmental education for children with ASD, the teacher should rely solely on the traditional spontaneous question-and-answer method, they should also consider the semantics and pragmatics of the proposed lexical material. The data obtained will be useful for special education teachers in selecting the content for speech development, taking into account the individual typological characteristics of children with ASD.</p>

Potential of elites in consolidation of public opinion in eastern and western approaches

The authors proceed from the classical understanding of the elite as a social group endowed with power and capable of influencing public opinion. The paper represents the examination of the role of elites – political, economic and social – in the formation of public ideas, values and political attitudes. The problem is conditioned, on the one hand, by the intensification of geopolitical confrontation and the formation of polar ideological concepts on both sides of the ocean, on the other hand – by the dynamic change in characteristics of media environment, which lead to increased centrifugal processes and polarization of public opinion on current events, values and ideology. The authors take into account the widely accepted hypothesis of relative homogeneity of elites (Huntington, Sklair) in the sense that cultural differences and stereotypes influence decision-making in this environment the least. This assumption became the starting point in choosing the topic, predetermined the search for possible points of contact in building a public dialogue, and, in general, served as the basis for a conceptual assessment of the ability of elites to resolve insurmountable contradictions between different segments of the political media space. The authors identified similarities and differences in the understanding of the social and political role of elites in the East and West and proposed possible routes for the development of dialogue. The study is based on the works of the classics of the theory of elites, as well as on modern research in the field of social communication and media.

Theoretical Dimension of Modern Designers’ Conceptual Forms of Creativity

The aim of the article is to identify key characteristics of artistic and design practices interaction; to define directions of conceptual design development based on the results of analysing scientific and theoretical foundations of conceptualism as a special form of the artists’ creativity in the 20th century. Results. It is demonstrated that the focus of modern designers on conceptual forms of creativity is explained by the fact that they contribute to forming unique authors’ projects of aesthetic and value content, innovative searches in the context of cultural and civilisational shifts. A conceptual costume of the beginning of the 21st century is a kind of mediator between art practices of conceptual art and design practices in the sphere of project culture, synthesising social and psychological aspects of fashion, social and symbolic functions of clothing. A conceptual design narrativises philosophical, artistic and technological aspects of design, enriching design products with an expressive metaphoricity. It is revealed that in modern art history a clear definition of the term system of the conceptual direction in design has not been formed till now. The research of this complex phenomenon, synthesised by fashion and artistic clothing design, requires a complex interdisciplinary approach. The conceptual costume is studied as an art-design object from the standpoint of global and local tendencies in the society development, which declare certain worldview values in the form of a visual metaphor. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the theoretical understanding of the conceptual costume grounds on the interaction of design with culture and art as a special space of its direct functioning, which makes it possible to form project conceptualism as a special methodology. Conclusions. The authors’ concepts in the costume are extrapolated in different ways: as visual quotations or metaphors; as a transformation of the art object idea into the form of the costume. Actually, they need in-depth and detailed studying.

ENSURING ECONOMIC SECURITY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

The article examines regional economic security. The authors determined that it is a certain value that is a general reflection of the state of various spheres of the state. It was determined that the mechanism for ensuring the economic security of the region should contribute to the strengthening of the security of the economy in various regions, the improvement of the regulation of economic growth by the state can help thanks to the preparation of regional and territorial planning documentation, the formation of a comprehensive concept of risk control, including the active monetary policy of the state. It was analyzed and determined in the study that a comprehensive analysis of regional economic security should be based on the concept of indicators that show the main aspects of the state of production, science, technology, investment, society, as well as the demographic situation in the region.

Green knowledge management: a bibliometric analysis, research trends and future directions

Purpose Green knowledge management (GKM) has become a critical factor for modern organizations, offering a multifaceted approach to enhancing business operations while promoting environmental sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature and explore how GKM helps companies reduce their ecological footprint by digitalizing processes and minimizing physical storage needs, thus aligning with growing expectations for corporate environmental responsibility. The necessity for conducting a GKM review is underscored by the increasing recognition of sustainability, environmental performance and as a critical component of organizational corporate success in the contemporary business landscape. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 994 papers related to GKM from 2005 until August 2024. Findings Over the 20 years of research on GKM, this bibliometric analysis drew the interlinked relationships between main theme of KM in the context of sustainable practices, processes, social and related theories. This study identifies green innovation, digital transformation, green and lean supply chains, leadership and technology tools. Future research can explore themes such as green and lean processes, barriers and enablers, role of leadership and ambidexterity in green supply chain integration using different theoretical lenses. Research limitations/implications Although the findings of this study are important to GKM research, there are a number of limitations to this investigation. The research database used exclusively was the Web of Science and Scopus, which contained the indexed papers. Future investigations may draw from various databases, such as EBSCO and Google Scholar. Additionally, the use of topic modelling and other artificial intelligence frameworks could enhance research analysis. Subsequently, research papers may expand their scope to encompass conference papers, books and book chapters, in addition to articles. Practical implications This review gives a holistic understanding of GKM practices across various sectors which not only enhances organizational performance but also contributes to broader environmental goals. This study offers an understanding on GKM on holistic approach that combines total quality management (TQM), absorptive capacity and collaborative frameworks to foster innovation and sustainability. Originality/value It is evident from the review that research in GKM is evolving gaining momentum. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the GKM literature, from its earliest forms of basic concepts aligned with the sustainability and progressing more into the concepts of GKM adoption for green innovation by highlighting multiple theories, factors and gaps in the studies.

Portfolio practices in the principal evaluation process: A qualitative case study

BackgroundThe portfolio is a vital component of the evaluation of principals and serves as a repository of evidence of achievements, skills, and capabilities. It facilitates the meticulous recording and documentation of experiences undertaken. Furthermore, the portfolio is instrumental in the refinement of conceptual ideas over time, while simultaneously offering a panoramic vista of a school's operational ethos and its alignment with professional benchmarks. ObjectiveThis study delves into the practices surrounding the principal portfolio and the formative and summative evaluation of principals by their evaluating supervisors. It aims to uncover principals’ perceptions regarding the obligatory nature of portfolios and other evaluative methodologies throughout both assessments. In light of the pivotal role that portfolios occupy in the realm of professional development and evaluation for school principals, the Abu Dhabi Education Council has mandated the compilation of principal portfolios within public schools. This mandate requires a detailed accounting of principals' proficiencies, achievements, and developmental trajectories. Markedly, this exploration stands as one of a scant number of inquiries probing the application of portfolios by school principals, with a particular focus on the context of the United Arab Emirates. It is poised to enrich the discourse on the utility of portfolios as instrumental tools for fostering leadership acumen and evaluative competency within the spheres of educator and principal preparation over the preceding two decades. The critical examination of these practices is vital for a nuanced understanding of their operational dynamics, the efficacy and challenges of e-portfolios, the array of opportunities they unveil, the identities of the involved stakeholders, and their ultimate objectives. MethodsThis study adopted a qualitative research approach to gather and analyze non-numerical data in the form of concepts, opinions, and experiences presented by principals and their supervisors within the Al-Ain School District (overseen by the Abu Dhabi Education Council). The cohort of participants comprised nine individuals endowed with extensive portfolio experience, six principals and three cluster managers. All worked in public educational institutions and were meticulously selected based on predefined criteria. This study relied on several data collection methods to obtain participants’ perspectives on their experiences with portfolio practices, including face-to-face interviews and documents from their portfolios. ResultsA thematic analysis of the participant data yielded five salient themes reflecting the experiences of the principals: (1) inconsistent expectations for portfolio evidence; (2) portfolios summoned in response to rising tensions at the summative evaluation; (3) portfolios promoting reflective practices in formative evaluation; (4) portfolios susceptible to manipulation or falsification; and (5) excessive time spent building and developing portfolios. In order to maximize the utility of portfolios, this result invites school principals to unleash the latent potential inherent in their actions by leveraging portfolios as mirrors for reflective leadership and ongoing self-assessment. ConclusionsThis research delineates both practical and theoretical ramifications for the application of professional portfolios. It elucidates the nature of evidence principals ought to incorporate within their portfolios. Furthermore, it endeavors to better inform principals of the evidence collection process, including what artifacts and documentation to gather and how to do so.