Initial Exploratory Study Research Articles

Intellectual Capital: Revisiting an Analytical Model

The world’s economy is experiencing important changes brought on by diverse factors, namely technological advancements, the appearance and diffusion of personal computers, high-speed telecommunications, and the Internet. These technological changes have influenced the corporate environment, with recent decades denominated as the information economy, the digital economy, the economy of knowledge, a risk society, and the age of quality and innovation. To designate the key concept of the new economic era as “intellectual capital” implies a classification and evaluation effort in order to proceed with its generalization. In today’s world, the study of a model capable of adding explanatory diversity to intellectual capital is very relevant. We observed a true panoply of concepts in the analyzed models based on a literature review. The conceptual evolution during recent decades has motivated many investigations in this field, resulting from the phenomenon of globalization, growing technological innovation, and the observation of significant disparities between the market value and the accounting value of companies. This article describes an investigation carried out, presenting an explicative model of intellectual capital based on four distinct patterns, which are the aggregating factors of the existing conceptual diversity. We present the identification of a model with two axes, x (the type of knowledge, from tacit to explicit) and y (the capital of knowledge, from human to structural), which represents the conceptual diversity mirrored in four quadrants resulting from the research carried out with an initial exploratory study and two following studies with 45 and 72 specialists. In this article we analyze the Martins model, which proves to be essential for systematizing and mapping the dimensions that intellectual capital includes. This model can be used to identify the different aspects of intellectual capital in an organization and thus contribute to its understanding, optimization and good management.

Fiberoptic Bronchoscope Guided Assessment of Vocal Cord Function Using Bailey's Manoeuvre With an I-Gel Supraglottic Airway Device in Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery: An Initial Exploratory Prospective Study.

Fiberoptic Bronchoscope Guided Assessment of Vocal Cord Function Using Bailey's Manoeuvre With an I-Gel Supraglottic Airway Device in Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery: An Initial Exploratory Prospective Study.

Correlation-Based Predictions of Gas Solute Diffusivity in Ionic Liquid Solvents Based on Solvent-Accessible Surface Area.

In our prior study [Olowookere, F. V.; Turner, C. H. J. Phys. Chem. B 2023, 127(42), 9144-9154], we introduced a new scaling relationship to predict gas solute diffusion at challenging conditions, focusing on CO2 and SO2 diffusion in multivalent ionic liquid (IL) solvents. This work extends our initial exploratory study into a much broader array of systems, encompassing additional solutes (N2, CH4, C2H6, C3H8, C3H8O, and H2O) and a variety of different ionic liquid species ([Bzmim3]3+, [Bzmim4]4+, [BMIM]+, [EMIM]+, [HMIM]+, [NapO2]2-, [BzO3]3-, [BF4]-, [Tf2N]-, and [PF6]-). Our study demonstrates a remarkably robust logarithmic correlation between solute diffusion and solvent accessible surface area (SA) across 20 different additional systems. We perform comprehensive analyses of the underlying molecular phenomena responsible for this correlation, including solute lifetime distributions, void space dynamics, and Voronoi tessellation, in order to elucidate a stronger mechanistic understanding of this behavior. Our findings highlight a direct link between the solvent accessible SA and the size of the void domains. Overall, our scaling approach provides an efficient and reliable approach for predicting diffusion from analyses of short simulations at higher temperatures.

Emotional Overshadowing: Pleasant and Unpleasant Cues Overshadow Neutral Cues in Human Associative Learning.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42761-024-00270-0.

Mētis: a framework for understanding tactics of resistance

ABSTRACT Teachers’ negative experiences of high-stakes accountability have been documented extensively, but the ways in which teachers are able to engage in tactics of resistance in response are less well known. This is most especially true in terms of the subtle, covert forms of resistance which occur through the practice of teachers’ everyday working lives. This paper contributes through a novel exploratory application of ‘Mētis’, a framework for understanding tactics of resistance derived from the thought of Detienne and Vernant (1978). When Mētis is harnessed alongside de Certeau’s (1984) notion of the practice of everyday life, it provides an innovative means of exploring the complex, elusive and intricate ways in which teachers pursue tactics of resistance within a context of high-stakes accountability. By so doing, it demonstrates how teachers are able to evade or resist high-stakes accountability in order to pursue their own educational goals. Thus, the article also adds to an understanding of the gap between policy formulation and its enactment. This initial exploratory study contributes to the literature by offering a transferable conceptual approach which is recommended for broader use while identifying some important considerations which attend the empirical application of Mētis.

Exploring the uptake of advanced digital technologies in environmental assessment practice - Experiences from Austria and Germany

Environmental assessment (EA) evaluates the environmental impacts of proposed projects, plans or policies to inform decision making. While several studies have highlighted the potential and opportunities of digitalisation for EA, few have explored practitioners' perceptions using a mixed methods approach in order to discover concerns and risks identified by EA of novel technological approaches. In addition, this initial exploratory study examines the perception of benefits and contributions to quality and effectiveness of advanced digital approaches, such as the introduction of artificial intelligence, in EA practice. The research process was based on focus group discussions and exploratory interviews with EA consultants, environmental authorities, researchers, environmental associations and NGOs. Relevant technologies were identified from the existing scientific literature and their applicability, benefits and use were discussed in context of real-world experience made by the practitioner. It became evident that the majority of practitioners in the field of EA in Austria and Germany are not familiar with advanced digital approaches and tools. While other planning disciplines are exploiting the potential of advanced digital tools, EA practitioners still share concerns about data quality, security, legal uncertainties, but also skills and know-how. The study identifies a gap and a need for training and confidence building. It aims to contribute to the promotion of inter- & transdisciplinary exchange involving the wider EA community.

A Comparative Analysis of Student Perceptions of Recommendations for Engagement in Design Processes

Abstract Engineering designers are tasked with complex problems necessitating the use and development of various supports for navigating complexity. Prescriptive design process models are one such tool. However, little research has explored how engineering designers perceive these models' recommendations for engagement in design work. In this exploratory study, we analyzed data from individual semi-structured interviews with 18 mechanical engineering students to identify participant perceptions of design process models. As many design process model visualizations lack explicit attention to some social and contextual dimensions, we sought to compare perceptions among two models drawn from engineering texts and one model that was developed with the intent to emphasize social and contextual dimensions. We identified perceptions of the recommendations from the design process models related to starting and moving through a design process, gathering information, prototyping, evaluating or testing, and what they should consider. Participant perceptions across the three process models suggest different design process models make perceptions of certain recommendations more salient than others. However, participant perceptions also varied for the same process model. We suggest several implications for design education and training based on participant perceptions of the process models, particularly the importance of leveraging multiple design process models. The comprehensive descriptions of participant perceptions provide a foundation for further investigations bridging designers' perceptions to intent, behavior, and, ultimately, design outcomes.

Exploring Influence of Food-Related Social Media Content on Eating Habits of Undergraduate Students

Introduction: Social media has become a ubiquitous part of daily life. However, little is known about the influence of food-related social media content (FRSMC) on the eating habits of Malaysian undergraduates. This study explored FRSMC usage of undergraduates enrolled in a non-health program, its influence on eating habits, and how such social media content influences dietary behaviours. Method: This qualitative semi-structured interview study involved chemical engineering (CE) undergraduates at a university in Penang, Malaysia. The study was carried out from April 2021 to March 2022 during which ten participants were purposively selected. Based on precedent qualitative research sampling rule of thumb, this sample size of ten participants provided sufficient data saturation for an initial exploratory study. The interview sessions were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Results: According to study findings, in terms of usage, food advertising and promotions; cooking tutorials and food and nutrition information are the most appealing types of FRSMC. With regards to eating habits, FRSMC can lead to healthy and unhealthy food choices. The study identified several perceived challenges, namely unrealistic and untrustworthy content, difficult and repetitive content, and algorithm-driven deviations from healthy diets. The effectiveness of FRSMC can be enhanced by creating trustworthy and engaging content. Conclusion: The study highlights that social media engagement can have both positive and negative impact on food choices among undergraduates. Some FRSMC are perceived to encourage and motivate undergraduates to adopt healthier dietary habits. Future research could involve a larger sample, representative of diverse socio-demographic groups in Malaysia.

The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Quality of Life in Moroccan Adolescents

This study aims to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and quality of life among Moroccan adolescents. The sample consisted of 96 secondary school students, both male and female, aged between 12 and 16 years (M = 14.19, SD = 1.28). This research is particularly significant given the transitional and complex nature of this developmental stage, which involves significant organic, cognitive, and emotional changes. An initial exploratory study was conducted to assess the levels of emotional intelligence and quality of life among the participants, examine gender differences, and explore the relationship between these two variables. The BAR-ON Emotional Intelligence Scale (Parker et al., 2011) and the Quality-of-Life Scale (Bakas et al., 2012), both adapted for the Moroccan context, were utilized for data collection. The results indicated that adolescents in the sample exhibited an average level of emotional intelligence overall, with average scores in the intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions, and high scores in stress management and adaptability dimensions. Additionally, the quality of life among the respondents was found to be high. Statistically significant gender differences were observed in the adaptability dimension and overall quality of life. Furthermore, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between the overall emotional intelligence score, specifically the intrapersonal and stress management dimensions, and quality of life.

Scoring Methods for Progress Monitoring Using CBM in Early Writing

This initial exploratory study assessed the evidence of reliability, criterion validity, and growth of scores obtained from total correct word sequences (CWS), correct word sequences per response (CWSR), and a trait-based rubric used with a curriculum-based measure of writing (CBM-W) for progress monitoring. Participants were 26 writers with or at risk for a learning disability (LD) in grades 2-3. Participants were given the CBM-W task twice weekly over 6 weeks and were given the Spelling and Writing Samples subtests of the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement-III at pre- and posttest. Results indicated large inter-rater reliability coefficients but mixed alternate form reliability and validity evidence. CWS was the only metric to demonstrate significant growth (r = .60). CWS has the strongest evidence for use as a progress monitoring scoring metric for students at risk for LD, although information from CWSR and rubric scores could be instructionally useful.

INFLUENCE OF INTENTIONAL GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS ON THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF ASSOCIATIONS IN MOROCCO EXPLORATORY STUDY

Moroccan youth is currently in a situation of failure their supervision remains a crucial challenge for all actors including associations. Moreover, the 2011 constitution has allowed the recognition of the latter as a strategic actor by granting new missions. These important advances have challenged associations to improve their performance by integrating governance in an optimal way. This study examines the influence of intentional governance mechanisms on the overall performance of Moroccan associations, particularly those working in the youth field. The literature review focused on two aspects: the intentional mechanisms of governance and its organizational determinants, and the overall performance of associations and its dimensions. The epistemological choice that was made in the context of this research work is positivism adapted to a hypothetico-deductive reasoning. An initial exploratory qualitative study with Moroccan associative actors allowed us to frame the different variables in relation to the two concepts studied in the Moroccan context and to make them consistent in a conceptual model.

A Loss by Suicide: The Relationship Between Meaning-Making, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Complicated Grief.

Meaning making has been found useful in processing grief, yet individuals who have experienced a loss by suicide may have difficulty with post-loss adjustment due to the traumatic nature of their loss. Through quantitative study, this article acts as an initial exploratory study and examines the relationship between meaning-making, post-traumatic growth, and complicated grief symptoms in 81 college students from a large university in the United States who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide. The results of this study indicated that meaning-making serves as a mediator in the relationship with post-traumatic growth and complicated grief. This finding sheds light on the importance of meaning-making as a possible avenue of interventions for clinical use in bereavement from loss by suicide to treat grief symptoms and lead to post-traumatic growth.

Women's Experiences of Urinary Tract Infections and Impact on Life: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.

Despite high incidences of urinary tract infections (UTIs), little is known about how bothersome symptoms are and the effects on women's life and sexual activity, leaving a gap in our understanding of the physical and emotional effects of UTIs on women. This initial exploratory and descriptive study analyzes women's experiences of UTI and their perceived impact on quality of life. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with 23 women who had experienced at least 1 UTI, recruited from different settings-primary care, general gynecology clinics, urogynecology clinics, and online via social media. Data were analyzed thematically. Three themes described women's experiences of UTI: Women in all groups reported a wide range of physical symptoms and described the financial and psychological effects of UTIs. These effects seemed worse in women recruited via social media who also reported experiencing strong emotions and worries about close family members. Urinary tract infection support groups were considered useful, with women being grateful for consultations with alternative health practitioners and presuming safety of natural products. Having a UTI appeared to affect women in a variety of ways, ranging from having different physical symptoms to being psychologically affected by these symptoms, which affected their quality of life in different ways. This research contributes to the growing evidence on how UTIs affect women, specifically further expanding on the impact on women in a range of settings-in the community and different health care settings.

Are Healthcare Systems Failing Immigrants? Transnational Migration and Social Exclusion in the Workers’ Compensation Process in Québec

Background: The changing world of work, which increasingly depends on the use of temporary and atypical forms of employment, has had a disproportionate effect on the health and well-being of immigrants. When they have to find a health professional for the first time or report an accident at work, the journey through the maze of medical-administrative bureaucracy can be long and arduous. The aim of this article is to describe the analytical contribution of systems thinking by presenting three situations that illustrate the importance of connecting the individual, organizational, and societal levels, especially focusing on the interplay between these levels. Methods: The data analyzed in this article are taken from an initial qualitative exploratory study of a purposive sample of 40 individuals: (1) clinicians ( N = 15), (2) claims consultants and rehabilitation counselors ( N = 14), (3) employers ( N = 2), and (4) immigrant workers ( N = 9). Situations were analyzed using insights from grounded theory by identifying the interconnectedness of individual, organizational, and system-based factors that can have an impact on the return-to-work process. Results: By looking specifically at the context of occupational rehabilitation in contemporary Québec and the challenges faced by immigrant workers faced with multiple factors of precariousness, this article sets out to show how local healthcare systems are poorly equipped to respond to the new reality of transnational migration. Conclusion: Drawing from recent research in the area of systemic theory, this article posits that systems, which are poorly adapted to the new reality of transnational migration, have the unintended consequence of creating new forms of discrimination and social exclusion.

Towards understanding students’ sensemaking of test case design

Context:Software testing is the most used technique for quality assurance in industry. However, in computer science education software testing is still treated as a second-class citizen and students are unable to test their software well enough. One reason for this is that teaching the subject of software testing is difficult as it is a complex intellectual activity for which students need to allocate multiple cognitive resources at the same time. A myriad of primary and secondary studies have tried to solve this problem in education, however still with very limited results. Objective:Before we can design interventions to improve our pedagogical approaches, we need to gain more in-depth understanding and recognition of sensemaking as it is happening when students design test cases. Method:An initial exploratory study identified four different sensemaking approaches used by students while creating test models. In this paper we present a follow-up study with 50 students from a large university in Spain. The used methodology was based on the previous study with the improvements that originated from its evaluation. We asked the participants to create a test model based on a description of a test problem using a specialized web-based tool for modeling test cases. We measured how well these models fit the test problem, the sensemaking process that students went through when creating the models, and the students’ perception of the modeling task. The participants received no compensation for their efforts, and we scheduled the experiment during a regular class. Apart from the created models and their metadata, we also collected recordings of the students’ computer screens made during the experiment and used a questionnaire to study their perspectives on the assignment. All the collected textual, graphical, and video data was analyzed using an iterative inductive analysis process to allow new information about the different sensemaking approaches to emerge. Results:We gained better insights into the sensemaking processes of students while modeling test cases for a problem. The results enabled us to refine our previous findings, and we identified new sensemaking approaches. Conclusions:Based on these results, we can further investigate ways to influence the sensemaking process in education, the possible misconceptions that have a negative influence on it, and the desired mental model we want our students to have to design test cases.

Characterizing exact arithmetic abilities before formal schooling

Children appear to have some arithmetic abilities before formal instruction in school, but the extent of these abilities as well as the mechanisms underlying them are poorly understood. Over two studies, an initial exploratory study of preschool children in the U.S. (N = 207; Age = 2.89–4.30 years) and a pre-registered replication of preschool children in Italy (N = 130; Age = 3–6.33 years), we documented some basic behavioral signatures of exact arithmetic using a non-symbolic subtraction task. Furthermore, we investigated the underlying mechanisms by analyzing the relationship between individual differences in exact subtraction and assessments of other numerical and non-numerical abilities. Across both studies, children performed above chance on the exact non-symbolic arithmetic task, generally showing better performance on problems involving smaller quantities compared to those involving larger quantities. Furthermore, individual differences in non-verbal approximate numerical abilities and exact cardinal number knowledge were related to different aspects of subtraction performance. Specifically, non-verbal approximate numerical abilities were related to subtraction performance in older but not younger children. Across both studies we found evidence that cardinal number knowledge was related to performance on subtraction problems where the answer was zero (i.e., subtractive negation problems). Moreover, subtractive negation problems were only solved above chance by children who had a basic understanding of cardinality. Together these finding suggest that core non-verbal numerical abilities, as well as emerging knowledge of symbolic numbers provide a basis for some, albeit limited, exact arithmetic abilities before formal schooling.

An initial validation of the Clients’ Experience of Therapy Scale (CETS): assessing the quality of psychotherapy process and outcome from clients’ perspectives

ABSTRACT In studies of psychotherapy, researchers typically rely on symptom-focused measures to assess treatment success. However, good psychotherapy can engage clients in many other transformations–such as, improved relationships, insight, and emotional engagement. In line with research indicating that clients value a distinct set of therapeutic gains, our goal was to develop a measure that assesses the quality of psychotherapy as experienced by clients. Initial items were based upon results from an omnibus meta-analysis of the qualitative literature on clients’ experiences of therapy, lending both construct and face validity. In this initial study, exploratory (Study 1) and confirmatory (Study 2) factor analyses were conducted. The Clients’ Experiences of Therapy Scale (CETS) contains five subscales including 15 questions. It demonstrated strong test-retest reliability and inter-item consistency across diverse demographic groups and psychotherapy orientations. Comparisons with symptom measures suggested that the scale assesses related but distinct constructs. The CETS shows potential to predict client dropout from therapy, correctly classifying 80.0% of cases posthoc. When used in routine outcome monitoring, because the items assess the quality of psychotherapy in relation to in-session process and micro-outcomes, they can provide feedback to therapists, on specific in-session dynamics to change, discuss with clients, or refine in practice.

Characterizing History of Health Sciences Organizations at Academic Health Sciences Centers.

Questions of how to sustain interest in the history of medicine and broader health sciences (HOM/HS) in a changing institutional environment, and how to collaborate with stakeholders to offer activities to do so, are on the radar for many academic health sciences centers and their libraries. This essay is an initial exploratory study of non-curricular HOM/HS efforts at United States medical schools ranked in the top thirty in primary care or research. In 2019, we collected public information pertinent to any presence of an on-campus HOM/HS community and the group's structure, including funding, activities, and the library's involvement with the group. Seventeen of forty-five institutions in the sample presented information about an institutional HOM/HS group. All posted a mission statement. Their funding varied in nature; some collected fees from members, while others relied on university support. Half were student-led. Most groups hosted regular lecture series, with fifteen groups hosting at least one annually. Six groups sponsored publications or awards. These findings indicate that several institutions with active programs offer potential models and lessons for sustaining HOM/HS communities. Beyond providing a physical or digital space in which HOM/HS groups connect, libraries play an active role in fostering some of these communities.

Embracing Anisotropy – Opportunities and Challenges to the Functional Application of Advanced Manufacturing of Energetic Materials

Embracing Anisotropy – Opportunities and Challenges to the Functional Application of Advanced Manufacturing of Energetic Materials

Global Mindset and Adaptive Marketing Capabilities in the Internationalization of Mature Chinese SMEs: International Opportunity Perspective

Despite the centrality of international opportunity concept in international entrepreneurship field, SMEs’ internationalization literature has focused mainly on SMEs’ international performance with limited attention paid by researchers to understanding the factors influencing the identification of international opportunities especially among mature internationalized SMEs. To this end, the current study examined the impact of SMEs managers’ global mindset (GM) and adaptive marketing capabilities (AMCs) on international opportunity identification (IOI) among mature Chinese SMEs with emphasis on the moderating impact of export market dynamism (EMD). Initial exploratory study using interviews with five managers of exporting SMEs was conducted to figure the relevance of GM and AMC in explaining IOI; and the presence of EMD. Later, self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from founders/managers of 217 exporting SMEs. Findings showed that IOI is positively influenced by SME manager’s GM and AMCs. Despite the presence of EMD, it had no significant moderating impact on the relationship between GM and AMCs; and IOI. In the respondents’ characteristics analysis, it was revealed that no significant statistical impact of SME’s size, SME’s age, and SME manager’s international experience on IOI. This paper ends with drawing a set of implications and future research avenues.