Instrumental Case Research Articles

The German Development Bank as a policy entrepreneur for social health protection: a case study of the development and implementation of the ‘Sehat Sahulat Programme’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Background The German Development Bank (KfW) supported the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP) to design and implement its first social health protection (SHP) scheme, named the Sehat Sahulat Programme (SSP). We described the role of KfW in the evolution of SSP with a view to identifying transferrable lessons for international development agencies working on similar initiatives in socioeconomically comparable contexts. Methods We employed a qualitative instrumental case study design approach. First, we obtained and analysed key programme documents to describe the chronology of events and policy changes. We then undertook in-depth interviews to understand factors influencing policy changes. Finally, we carried out non-participant observations to understand how policy decisions were made and implemented. We employed maximum variation sampling to recruit participants and conducted a thematic analysis of data. Results SSP was described by GoKP officials as an innovative financing strategy and a flagship project of the government formed by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). First, programme officials reported that KfW was instrumental in both designing and financing SSP, which had plans to provide free health insurance to low-income families and raise revenue through paid enrollment of the wealthy (solidarity). Second, GoKP deviated from this model and covered the entire population of KP free of cost. Through SSP, GoKP envisaged service provision through private hospitals (subsidiarity). In the third year, GoKP included public sector hospitals in the programme. Although planned supplementary insurance products might result in inequitable utilisation, KfW continued supporting SSP and committed funding for piloting outpatient department services for two years, 2023 and 2024. Conclusions This in-depth case study has highlighted the potentially positive role of international development assistance in introducing innovative financing strategies to promote universal health coverage. However, development partners might have limited control over how things evolve.

Economic inequality and the long-term future

Why, if at all, should we object to economic inequality? Some central arguments – the argument from decreasing marginal utility for example – invoke instrumental reasons and object to inequality because of its effects. Such instrumental arguments, however, often concern only the static effects of inequality and neglect its intertemporal consequences. In this article, we address this striking gap and investigate income inequality's intertemporal consequences, including its potential effects on humanity's (very) long-term future. Following recent arguments around future generations and so-called longtermism, those effects might arguably matter more than inequality's short-term consequences. We assess whether we have instrumental reason to reduce economic inequality based on its intertemporal effects in the short, medium, and the very long term. We find a good short and medium-term instrumental case for lower economic inequality. We then argue, somewhat speculatively, that we have instrumental reasons for inequality reduction from a longtermist perspective too, primarily because greater inequality could increase existential risk. We thus have instrumental reasons to reduce inequality, regardless of which time-horizon we take. We then argue that from most consequentialist perspectives, this pro tanto reason also gives us all-things-considered reason. And even across most non-consequentialist views in philosophy, this argument gives us either an all-things-considered or at least weighty pro tanto reason against inequality.

Nonlinear time-domain soil-structure interaction analysis of a mid-rise building benchmarked against earthquake recordings: A case study of the BRI's annex building

Performing soil-structure interaction (SSI) analysis under strong shaking scenarios using the direct method is becoming more prevalent in engineering practice. However, given the pronounced nonlinearity in soil, structure, and foundation response, the robustness of current methodologies is open to question, and benchmarking these methodologies against instrumented case histories is needed to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the approach. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) Nonlinear (NL) Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) analysis methodology in the time-domain code LS-DYNA is benchmarked against the actual recordings for a mid-rise building. The well-instrumented Building Research Institute (BRI) Annex Building (ANX) in Tsukuba City northeast of Tokyo, Japan, which features an adjacent free-field geotechnical downhole array, is used for this case study. A Finite Element (FE) three-dimensional 3D SSI model of the site, including the BRI ANX building, that considers both material and geometric nonlinearities is first developed. Two events are applied to the model: the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake main shock (Mw9.1), referred to as the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), and the 2002 Southern Ibaraki Prefecture earthquake (Mw4.9), selected from the BRI strong motion network due to the relatively wide amplitudes recorded at the site. The former event induced maximum shear strains in the soil of 1.6%, while the latter event induced maximum shear strains of 0.08%. For both horizontal and vertical components of shakings, the predicted response of the structure and adjacent free-field downhole array are compared with the corresponding recordings. The results show that the structural response is significantly affected by the accuracy of the predicted free-field ground surface response, especially at the structural fundamental period as opposed to the site period. In addition, results indicate that the fixed-base and flexible-base structural models’ responses are substantially different, mainly attributed to the SSI effects that cannot be captured in the fixed-base model. Finally, a comprehensive discussion on the minimum amount of data required to adequately capture nonlinear structural response using the proposed SSI methodology is provided in this case study.

The 2022 Pacheco Silva lecture: The influence of residual loads on pile foundation behavior

Residual loads can affect the load transfer and the settlement-induced in-service loadings, although they do not alter the bearing capacity. When residual loads are present and not measured or evaluated, the settlement estimate is greater than predicted if these loads are known. Residual loads can be measured when the pile instrumentation is nullified before pile installation, in the case of displacement piles, or before the first loading in non-displacement piles, such as bored cast-in-place piles, continuous flight auger piles, and micro-piles. In the case of underpinning foundation and piled raft, when the loading transfer is shared by the original and new foundation, or by the piles and the raft, it is essential to know the stiffness of each foundation element to estimate the load partition. If residual loads are present, pile stiffness is greater than when not considered in the design. The paper revisits this theme of practical relevance. A historical review of the most relevant research involving pile residual load measurements, pile loading tests including the interpretation of residual loads locked at a pile toe, and a new procedure for residual loads prediction are provided. A comparison is made of the experimental residual loads observed in some of the instrumented cases and the values estimated with the suggested procedure. The development of residual loads at the pile toe as a function of the toe resistance to total capacity ratio is very similar to the variation of the soil density as a function of soil moisture content in soil compaction.

Educational Innovation with Alternative Credentials as a Driver of the Digital Transformation of the University: A Case Study in Latin America

The dynamics of change in the work environment are becoming more dizzying, given that adopting new technologies generates new knowledge and jobs. This research analyzed a case study of a Mexican university implementing alternative credentials. The method was instrumental case study research, with exploratory and descriptive categories, applying three instruments: documentary analysis of alternative credential programs, a questionnaire, and interviews with the experts involved in designing and delivering alternative credentials. In this case, the implementation of alternative credentials coincided with the reference frameworks of the European Union and the province of Ontario, Canada. Their frameworks mention the vision and institutional mission of alternative credentialing for the value offered, its definition, operation, award processes, accreditation, and quality. The case provides data for interested higher education institutions, such as why to do it, the strategy to follow, the added value offered, the elements that define it and its design, the assessment process and assignment, the timing of accreditation, and where it is recognized. This research contributes recommendations for defining and managing alternative credentials to serve as a reference for other universities interested in incorporating technology-supported educational innovations.

Definition and characteristic features of a ‘cultural flashpoint’: a case study of Exploring Masculinities, a controversial gender and education programme in Ireland

ABSTRACT The concept ‘cultural flashpoint’ (CF) has not been fully defined or described. The authors test this concept through the prism of a controversial gender-focused Irish school programme, Exploring Masculinities (EM). Adopting an instrumental case study methodology, they use media content analysis to develop a temporal trajectory of the CF, describe its shape, explicit and implied contentious themes, and its process. They identify characteristic features of a cultural flashpoint: (i) a focal issue, event and/or object; (ii) conflict; (iii) bounded time period; (iv) the involvement of exo- and multi-sectoral individuals and groups; (v) randomness, opaqueness and conflation among its expressions; and (vi) broadly cultural and not confined to its sector of origin. They offer a definition of a CF and suggest it as a conceptual device for identifying, analysing and understanding contestation about educational (and other) change occurring in the context of wider and more long-standing cultural, social and political movements.

Fidelity to the ACT SMART Toolkit: an instrumental case study of implementation strategy fidelity

BackgroundEvidence-based practices (EBPs) are shown to improve a variety of outcomes for autistic children. However, EBPs often are mis-implemented or not implemented in community-based settings where many autistic children receive usual care services. A blended implementation process and capacity-building implementation strategy, developed to facilitate the adoption and implementation of EBPs for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in community-based settings, is the Autism Community Toolkit: Systems to Measure and Adopt Research-based Treatments (ACT SMART Toolkit). Based on an adapted Exploration, Adoption decision, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) Framework, the multi-phased ACT SMART Toolkit is comprised of (a) implementation facilitation, (b) agency-based implementation teams, and (c) a web-based interface. In this instrumental case study, we developed and utilized a method to evaluate fidelity to the ACT SMART Toolkit. This study responds to the need for implementation strategy fidelity evaluation methods and may provide evidence supporting the use of the ACT SMART Toolkit.MethodsWe used an instrumental case study approach to assess fidelity to the ACT SMART Toolkit during its pilot study with six ASD community agencies located in southern California. We assessed adherence, dose, and implementation team responsiveness for each phase and activity of the toolkit at both an aggregate and individual agency level.ResultsOverall, we found that adherence, dose, and implementation team responsiveness to the ACT SMART Toolkit were high, with some variability by EPIS phase and specific activity as well as by ASD community agency. At the aggregate level, adherence and dose were rated notably lowest during the preparation phase of the toolkit, which is a more activity-intensive phase of the toolkit.ConclusionsThis evaluation of fidelity to the ACT SMART Toolkit, utilizing an instrumental case study design, demonstrated the potential for the strategy to be used with fidelity in ASD community-based agencies. Findings related to the variability of implementation strategy fidelity in the present study may also inform future adaptations to the toolkit and point to broader trends of how implementation strategy fidelity may vary by content and context.

Computational Thinking Workshop: A New Way to Learn and Teach Mathematics

In this digital era, technology has entered every aspect of our life, including educational system. Computational thinking (CT) and programming are a relatively recent part of certain school curricula. The idea of CT was originated in 1950s, and the first usage of the term CT was by Papert in 1980; the notion/concept was refreshed by Wing in 2006. CT is the focus of attention for many researchers, such as Gadanidis , Namukasa,  Kotsopoulos, Curzon, diSessa, Farris,  Sengupta and so on ; they argued that using CT tools, ideas and activities in mathematics pedagogies and curricula contributes to learning in creative and imaginative ways. In this paper, the ways that students interact with their peers during CT and mathematical thinking activities are investigated in the context of an instrumental case study of 10 elementary students. Observational, interview, and reflection data collected during two workshops were analyzed to determine the ways in which the activities impacted students’ interacting and understanding. Students engaged in three CT activities: symmetry app, Scratch program, and Sphero robot. As a result, CT activities allow students to learn mathematical concepts better, when they are working with CT ideas and activities. This study was limited in its sampling as it only focused on primary grades 3 - 6 in a private school. For future studies, the researchers suggest conducting a study that will include public schools and involve tools for teaching mathematics concepts.

Professional Development for Associated Faculty: A National Assessment of Available Resources.

Faculty development has been identified as an important initiative in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) education. However, little is known about opportunities available for associated faculty (AF). These unique educators who make notable contributions to physical therapist education often lack formal preparation for teaching. The purpose of this study was to explore AF development opportunities across physical therapist education programs nationally. Formal faculty development programs have been successful in medical and nursing education programs to enhance educator identity, skill, and retention in both core and clinical faculty. No evidence of faculty development programs for AF in physical therapy education was found in the literature. Participants were program directors or identified faculty development leads from CAPTE accredited and in-candidacy physical therapist education programs. Seventy participants completed an anonymous survey and 10 participated in semistructured interviews following the completion of the survey. A parallel, convergent, mixed methods approach was used to assess the national state of formal AF development opportunities. A survey was developed to assess development opportunities available to AF. Descriptive statistics and Chi square analyses were performed to analyze quantitative data. An instrumental collective case study further explored development opportunities. Deductive and inductive thematic analysis techniques were used to analyze qualitative data from interview transcripts. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were integrated in the data analysis. Survey data, aligned with interview outcomes, suggest that despite ideologic support for faculty development, low percentages of AF have access to formal development activities, and even fewer are receiving adequate breadth of educational content related to proficiency in their role. A lack of formal development opportunities exists for AF. Excellence in DPT education requires deeper development across all levels of faculty, including opportunities tailored specifically to the unique needs and role of AF.

Measuring radon concentrations in air at the progeny non-secular equilibrium time frame

The Nuclear Engineering Laboratory of NTUA (NEL-NTUA) regularly tests radon-in-air concentration measuring instruments. Most common instruments involve open ionization chambers, radon absorbing devices and grab sampling devices. Most types of such instruments do not provide a calibrated radon concentration as soon as the air sampling has ended, since there should exist an adequate time gap, within which sampled radon would reach secular equilibrium with some or most of its immediate progeny. This gap should be around 10-20 min for radon to equilibrate with the Po-218 nucleus, or it could be more than about 3 hours for radon to equilibrate with the Bi-214 / Po-214 progeny. However, if there could be organized calibration experiments at the progeny non-secular equilibrium state, there are some instrument cases, for which this time gap difficulty may be better understood and overcome. To this end, in this work, the Bateman differential equations for all gamma and alpha emitting radon daughters are solved for radon daughters activity at any given time between 0 min and 3 hours using a spreadsheet. This would allow for obtaining a calibration correction factor to be applied at any given time before equilibrium, resulting for radon concentration estimations without the limitations of waiting. Following this solution, the results were theoretically assessed in terms of applicability. Calibration experiments performed for ionization chambers, radon absorbents and Lucas Cells at various radon concentrations in air at the progeny non-secular equilibrium time frame corroborate the theoretical approach.

A Critical Discourse Analysis of a Female Vice-Presidential Candidate’s Acceptance Speech

This instrumental qualitative case study examined the acceptance speech of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the first female vice presidential candidate of a major political party in Ghana. The study aimed to identify the discourse elements and cohesive devices used in the speech and to evaluate how she conveyed her political ideology and gender identity. Specifically, the research question was: which discourse elements and cohesive devices were employed, and how were political ideology and gender identity manifested in the speech? The data consisted of an eight-page speech delivered on July 28, 2020, in Accra, containing 3,972 words. Fairclough's (2015) Three-Dimensional textual analysis model was used for data analysis, which includes description, presentation and interpretation, and explanation of social reasons. Results showed that Professor Opoku-Agyemang used discourse elements and cohesive devices such as 'however,' 'also,' and 'second' to highlight her academic and political expertise and present herself as a qualified vice presidential candidate. She aimed to inspire women and encourage them to aspire to any position, including becoming the president of Ghana. The study's findings contribute to existing literature and can inform future research on female political representation, exposing the approaches of a marginalized group and their use of speeches to gain recognition within Ghana’s political space and beyond.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF STEEL MANUFACTURING FIRM IN CENTRAL SULAWESI, INDONESIA: DSI STEEL INDONESIA

Dexin Steel Indonesia (DSI) is a China-Indonesia joint venture steel company with its headquartered is located at Jakarta and its manufacturing factory is located at Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park, Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi. Steel market in Indonesia is as fierce as ever, and DSI needs to be stand out among other competitors to thrive in the fierce market. In this qualitative study, the researchers inquired into the issues to explore DSI’s competitive advantage, by employing a single instrumental case study with interviews, observations, and field notes. There are 10 informants who were approached for this study consisting of 5 internal stakeholders and 5 external stakeholders. The findings evinced a mini-model theory that guides DSI in Indonesia to enhance its competitive advantages to be able to survive in the marketplace. The mini-model theory consists of Experienced and Skillful Leadership, Language Barrier, Supportive Parent Company, Commitment to Alliance Agreement, Cultural Awareness, Cost Management, Learning Agility, Advanced Technology and lastly Equipment and Customer Engagement. Finally, the researchers also suggest other possible avenues for further research.

Distance Education Experiences of Preschool Teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey

With the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been attempted to conduct distance education at all grades in the world. This study aims to examine the distance education processes of preschool teachers in Turkey. The instrumental case study was used in the research with ten female private kindergarten teachers selected using the snowball and convenience sampling method. Interviews were conducted with a semi-structured form on the Zoom platform. It was concluded that teachers experienced infrastructure and technical problems, increased workload in distance education, and had economic difficulties. During online education, teachers felt that they were monitored by parents and had privacy concerns. Teachers had problems in classroom management, experienced anxiety with increased screen time and could not adapt measurement and evaluation practices. The requirements for distance preschool education were divided into four categories: knowledge, interaction, physical space and material. The recommendations for limitations and future research are indicated in the study.

Texas Community College Students’ Perceptions of Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in a Learning Community at a Hispanic Serving Institution

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to better understand the perceptions and experiences of students in a learning community that incorporated culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP) into its curriculum. The field site of this instrumental case study was a community college learning community situated in a Hispanic Serving Institution in Texas. Data from interviews, focus groups, classroom observations, learning community events, and campus observations were collected and analyzed. Findings revealed a specific set of foci by students. While students discussed culturally relevant assignments, they did not highlight curricular elements usually associated with CSP. Instead, students emphasized familial aspects of the learning community, perceptions of validation by instructors, and aspects of instructors’ feedback. This study uncovers student participants’ perspectives regarding instruction, learning communities, and their college experiences.

Living the DReaM: The interrelations between statistical, scientific and nature of science uncertainty articulations through citizen science.

Responsible citizenship and sound decision-making in today's information age necessitate an appreciation of the role of uncertainty in the process of generating data-based scientific knowledge. The latter calls for coordinating between different types of uncertainties, related to three types of relevant reasoning: statistical, scientific, and nature of science uncertainties. This article examines separately the uncertainties that young students articulate as they engage in activities designed to concurrently foster all three types of reasoning, and also explores how these different types can interrelate. The context of Citizen Science is particularly suited for this goal, providing a unique pedagogical opportunity for learning scientific content by engaging learners in authentic scientific practices, including data analysis. Based on literature from the three fields of statistics, science and nature of science education, we offer an integrative framework, Deterministic Relativistic and Middle ground (DReaM), which consists of nine sub-categories of uncertainty articulations. We utilize it to analyze an instrumental case study of a pair of middle school students' (ages 13 and 14) participation in a pilot study of an interdisciplinary extended learning sequence, as part of the Radon Citizen Science Project. The results of an interpretative microgenetic analysis identified all nine DReaM uncertainty articulations sub-categories. These are illustrated in the Findings section with key scenes from the pair's participation. The discussion depicts how these sub-categories manifested in this particular case study and suggests interrelations between them in a more extended depiction of the DReaM framework. We conclude with the pedagogical implications of the extended framework.

Exploring the role of an IBT-based Informal teaching practice at an edutainment centre on pre-service English language teachers

The field experience in teacher education programs is limited to the formal teaching at assigned schools. However, there is a need for opportunities for pre-service teachers to practice teaching in other learning contexts. This multiple instrumental case study explored the role of an Inquiry-based Teaching-based informal teaching practice at an edutainment center on a group of 23 pre-service English language teachers. The data were collected through one-on-one semi-structured interviews, retrospective reflection papers and focus group interview. Findings showed that pre-service English language teachers gained valuable insights into different ways of managing the classroom and sustaining interaction with children. Furthermore, they increased their teacher awareness and became more autonomous teachers. The findings of this study have implications for teacher education program designers and teacher educators seeking to enhance the field experience of pre-service teachers.

Changing public attitudes toward the employment of formerly incarcerated people: The role of “human resources social advocacy”

AbstractThis registered report aims to evaluate the extent to which the human resources function can change public attitudes toward a controversial social issue. Focusing on the employment of formerly incarcerated people, we explore the novel concept of “human resources social advocacy” (HRSA), an interventionist approach through which HR might pro‐actively change and/or shape people's minds on social issues via the communication and conveyance of ideas related to HR matters of public interest. We seek to test the effectiveness of two HRSA interventions in reducing public stigma toward the employment of formerly incarcerated people. One makes a moral case (“Changing Hearts”) and the other makes an instrument case (“Changing Minds”) for including formerly incarcerated people in the labor market. We also explore which of the two interventions is more effective at achieving normative change. This research will have important implications for the “societal effects” of human resource management.

Youth development in municipal recreation policy: a case study of Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT Policy implementation in municipal organisations is shaped by various policy frameworks and institutional structures that ultimately impact programming and service provision. The importance of youth development within recreation in municipal organisations in Canada is evident, but little research has focused on manager-level perspectives of youth development in the sector and the institutional factors that shape policy implementation therein. This research fills that gap by examining how youth development and associated policies are understood by managers in municipal recreation organisations (MROs). We used an instrumental case study methodology to examine the Province of Ontario, Canada and explore how youth development is understood in MROs, and how these understandings impact the implementation of policy related to sport and recreation. We draw from institutional theory to provide insight into how municipal organisations implement policy related to youth development. Our findings demonstrate the influence of the education sector on municipal recreation programming, how youth development is understood to occur through municipal work experiences, and the processes of involving youth in politics of municipal organisations, operations, and decision-making. We offer scholars and recreation practitioners a better understanding of the role of youth development in MROs and how policy related to youth development, sport, and recreation is implemented.

The power of rap in music education: a study of undergraduate students’ original rap creations

AbstractAn undergraduate music class was examined that incorporated the creation of students’ individual original raps. Research was conducted to understand the value of studying rap and its impact upon students’ education. This instrumental case study utilised students’ individual raps as an art-based research component to address three research questions: 1.) How, if at all, does studying hip-hop through the creation of a rap provide a transformative experience and growth in students? 2.) How are student experiences reflected in the use of music composition through the creation of an original rap? and 3.) How does the process of creating an original rap provide insight into students’ experiences?

Effective Teams in Vocational Rehabilitation: An Exploration of Complexities and Practice in Aotearoa-New Zealand.

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) involves complex skills, and often inter-disciplinary teams need to work effectively to meet the needs of stakeholders. Research highlights important influences on effective teamwork, including funding systems, team structure, policies and procedures, and effects of professional hierarchies. This qualitative study aimed to explore these issues in-depth including how factors interact to produce problems and solutions. We focused on identifying challenges and opportunities for VR teams working in the Aotearoa-New Zealand context which may also be transferrable to other settings. Qualitative descriptive instrumental case study involving focus groups and interviews with two VR teams (n = 14). Teams worked in musculoskeletal injury and were geographically diverse. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Analysis constructed three overarching themes: Having the Power, Being Human, and VR is Not for Everyone. Achieving trusting relationships within the team was paramount. This was achieved through seeing everyone as equal, and as human. Equality within the team was particularly important for professionals that occupied different positions of power in a wider professional hierarchy. VR specialist skills (experience and postgraduate qualifications) were often under-recognised, leading them to have little power in VR decision making processes. VR professionals also experienced competing demands between client needs and business drivers. Findings offer detail of processes teams engage in to create effective team relationships and manage systemic factors to facilitate positive outcomes. Additionally, findings highlight opportunities in decision-making processes for VR medical certification that may increase job satisfaction and better utilize skills and expertise.