Interpretive Approach Research Articles

Repertory Grid Technique and Honey’s Content Analysis: gathering and processing qualitative data

Purpose This study aims to demonstrate a rigorous approach to applying the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) and Honey’s Content Analysis (HCA) to obtain and process qualitative data through structured interviews. Design/methodology/approach An illustrative case study using the OpenRepGrid package from the open-source software R facilitates a deeper understanding of these techniques. The study subjects were employees of a corporate charter company. Findings The RGT enables the identification of key attributes as perceived by interviewees regarding the phenomenon, whereas HCA clarifies how these attributes impact the desired analysis outcome. The presented case study identified constructs related to the client–supplier relationship and their impact on service performance from the provider’s perspective. Research limitations/implications This study illustrates the use of qualitative methods based on an interpretative naturalistic approach to rigorously and systematically capture interviewees’ perspectives. Practical implications The combination of RGT and HCA can be a valuable tool for management studies by allowing controlled researcher interference in empirical investigations. In addition, the data-driven selection of constructs by interviewees can lead to the emergence of novel theories. Social implications Using diverse methodologies enables researchers to address complex managerial challenges that often surpass the capabilities of conventional analysis methods. Originality/value The proposed methodology offers a robust understanding of phenomena from the interviewees’ perspectives. Consequently, this study highlights the potential of these techniques for theoretical and empirical research in the field of administration.

Impact of organisational injustice on health and wellbeing of female police: A meta-ethnography

Abstract Background Female police officers face more bias, discriminatory treatment, and insufficient support compared to male officers, resulting in poorer health outcomes. This meta-ethnographic review investigates beyond individual responsibilities to explore the dimensions of policing, and their effects on the health and well-being of female police officers. Methods The study reviewed qualitative and mixed-method studies (2000-2022) on the health and well-being of female police officers. Ten databases were searched using keywords related to health, well-being, women, police, and qualitative study. Twenty-one papers were synthesised, analysed, and interpreted using a seven-phase inductive and interpretative meta-ethnographic approach. Results The data analysis unveiled a distinct outcome, indicating a strong correlation and significant impact of organisational injustice on the health and well-being of women in law enforcement. Our research findings imply that organisational injustice, including procedural, relational, distributive, and gendered injustice, notably affects the health and well-being of female officers, with mental health being frequently cited, followed by effects on social, workplace, and physical health. Furthermore, the consequences of these four types of organisational injustice, alongside related cultural, systemic, and structural risk factors, reach beyond the immediate health and well-being of individual female officers. They also hinder various aspects of their professional lives, such as career advancement and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, potentially exacerbating long-term health and well-being issues. Conclusions This review emphasizes addressing organisational injustice and related cultural, systemic, and structural determinants in policing for healthier work environments for female officers. Policy makers must scrutinize gender-neutral policies affecting women, enabling transformative action for safer, supportive, and healthier workplaces. Key messages • Organisational injustice in various forms, significantly impact health and wellbeing of female police officers, necessitating policy reforms. • Addressing organisational injustice embedded in seemingly gender-neutral policies and practices, is vital for ensuring equitable treatment and health promotion of female police officers.

Entrepreneurial well-being of expatriate entrepreneurs: self and world

PurposeThis paper explores the Entrepreneurial Well-Being (EWB) of expatriate entrepreneurs in China. Through the analysis of their contextualised lived experience across the entrepreneurial journey, the paper proposes a novel theorisation of EWB.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts an interpretivist approach of abductive reasoning to analyse the data from 50 in-depth interviews conducted with expatriate entrepreneurs in China. Expatriate entrepreneurs are confronted with enhanced challenges in their host country, leading to particular emotional engagement with the entrepreneurial journey.FindingsFindings show the importance of life situations, emotions and relatedness in the entrepreneurial process and the EWB of expatriate entrepreneurs. Theorising from their lived experiences, the paper presents EWB as a dynamic process. It further theorises this process as a constant, ongoing interaction and integration between the self and world, in an interplay of being and becoming. Such theorisation contributes first to advancements in the EWB literature, with a stronger emphasis on the entrepreneurial aspect. The paper also contributes to discussions on contextualised entrepreneurship by stressing the role of emotions and relatedness in the pursuit of EWB.Originality/valueEntrepreneurship is a global phenomenon, which is often presented as a suitable alternative career path for migrant and expatriate individuals. However, the importance of EWB for entrepreneurs requires further attention from policy-makers, support institutions and entrepreneurs themselves. By theorising EWB as a processual journey of being and becoming and the relation between the self and world, this paper opens avenues for innovative support policies and practices aiming at developing the full potential of individuals in entrepreneurship and promoting both the happiness index and the global index of society.

Banging My Head Against a Brick Wall! Enablers and Barriers to Nurse Practitioners Delivering Opioid Agonist Treatments in Regional/Rural Victoria, Australia.

The Victorian government's Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) workforce policy calls for greater recruitment of alcohol and other drugs nurse practitioners (AODNPs). However, frontline organisations in Victoria report several systemic barriers to their recruitment and retention. Additionally, there is scant Australian literature that examines the experiences of AODNP in opioid agonist treatment (OAT) provision in regional/rural areas. This research aims to address this gap by examining the AODNP workforce issues in delivering pharmacotherapy treatments in regional/rural areas of Victoria. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, we conducted qualitative, in-depth interviews with 11 OAT prescribing AODNP's working in regional or rural Victoria. We analysed transcripts using reflective thematic analysis and generated three themes: (1) Professional motivations and values, (2) Enablers to professional role and (3) Barriers to professional role. The findings suggest that AODNPs in regional/rural areas are a dedicated workforce who provide holistic and integrated care for OAT clients. AODNPs play an important role in reducing and providing timely and subsidised health care for OAT clients living in regional/rural locations. AODNPs face many systemic and organisational barriers. These include inadequate funding for AODNP positions to prescribe pharmacotherapy treatments, lack of understanding of the AODNP professional role at the executive/management level within organisations and irregular access to supervision, mentoring, training and education. Also, endemic stigma in the health system acts as a barrier in recruiting and supporting AODNP positions that focus on care for OAT clients.

Contemporary Interpretation Approach In The Culture Of Patriarchal Analysis In Surah An-Nisa Verse 34: Literature Review

This study examines the role of Qur'anic interpretation in promoting social welfare, focusing on the implementation of justice values in holy verses, especially in Surah An-Nisa verse 34. The method used is a literature study, which includes an in-depth analysis of various sources of literature related to gender and interpretation. The results show that traditional understandings of gender, which are often rooted in patriarchal societies, result in hierarchies that are detrimental to women. However, contemporary interpretations of this verse seek to challenge this view, offering a more inclusive perspective and emphasizing gender equality. This study concludes that a fairer interpretation approach can contribute positively to gender relations in Muslim society. These findings are expected to enrich academic discussions about gender in Islam and encourage the application of social justice principles in society

Perceptions of the implementation of credit rating agency regulation in South Africa

Background: Credit rating agencies (CRA) played a key role in the global financial crises of 2007/2008 which led to the introduction of CRA regulation.Aim: Using Giddens’ theory of modernity as a framework, this article analyses experts’ perceptions of the implementation of the CRA regulation in South Africa.Setting: This article focussed on experts’ perceptions of CRA regulation in South Africa.Method: This qualitative article was conducted using detailed interviews with South African experts in the investing and credit rating industries. Interviews were conducted in 2013 and 2023. An interpretive approach was adopted to analyse the data into themes, providing insight into the perceptions relating to the introduction of CRA regulation in South Africa.Results: While the introduction of CRA regulation in South Africa is a mechanism used to legitimise the capital system and encourage foreign investment, its applicability, considering the size of the country’s CRA market, is contentious. Credit rating agencies’ current business model is prone to conflicts of interest and no viable alternatives are available. Consequently, investors need to exercise judgement over their investment decisions instead of outsourcing their due diligence requirements to CRA without careful consideration.Conclusion: Credit rating agencies’ regulation in South Africa has further cemented CRA’s position in financial markets in line with global trends in this industry.Contribution: This article will allow policymakers, market participants and researchers to understand the perceptions of the CRA regulation in South Africa from a social constructivist perspective.

Mapping the critical factors of emerging technologies adoption intention in foodservice industry: a modified total interpretive structural modeling approach

ABSTRACT The advancement in technology is transforming the competitive ecosystem of the foodservice industry, thus enabling firms to enhance their intention to adopt emerging technologies. This transformation enables foodservice industry-based firms to focus on innovation and emerging technologies adoption within a rapidly changing business landscape. This study explores the critical factors of emerging technologies adoption intention in the foodservice industry and employs “modified total interpretive structural modeling” and “matrices impacts cruises multiplication applique classement” analysis to create a hierarchical model that establishes the relationship among identified factors impacting emerging technologies adoption intention. A five-level hierarchical model is developed. Findings of this study indicate that organizational characteristics and competitive pressure experienced by the foodservice industry are the driving factors that impact emerging technologies adoption intention. This paper helps to understand the dynamics between identified factors of technology adoption in the context of the foodservice industry using frameworks (“unified theory of acceptance and use of technology” and “technology acceptance model”). The proposed hierarchical model provides a structural framework that helps practitioners and researchers to understand the interrelation among critical factors of emerging technologies adoption intention in the rapidly evolving dynamic ecosystem of the foodservice industry.

OmicsFootPrint: a framework to integrate and interpret multi-omics data using circular images and deep neural networks.

The OmicsFootPrint framework addresses the need for advanced multi-omics data analysis methodologies by transforming data into intuitive two-dimensional circular images and facilitating the interpretation of complex diseases. Utilizing deep neural networks and incorporating the SHapley Additive exPlanations algorithm, the framework enhances model interpretability. Tested with The Cancer Genome Atlas data, OmicsFootPrint effectively classified lung and breast cancer subtypes, achieving high area under the curve (AUC) scores-0.98±0.02 for lung cancer subtype differentiation and 0.83±0.07 for breast cancer PAM50 subtypes, and successfully distinguished between invasive lobular and ductal carcinomas in breast cancer, showcasing its robustness. It also demonstrated notable performance in predicting drug responses in cancer cell lines, with a median AUC of 0.74, surpassing nine existing methods. Furthermore, its effectiveness persists even with reduced training sample sizes. OmicsFootPrint marks an enhancement in multi-omics research, offering a novel, efficient and interpretable approach that contributes to a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms.

Rearticulating Realism: Chains of Reference and Epistemic Success in the Sciences

In recent decades, the long-standing debate about the scientific status of the social sciences and their explanatory nature has been rearticulated through perspectivist, interpretivist, and mechanistic approaches. Whereas mechanistic approaches advocate for realism in sociological models, perspectivist and interpretivist perspectives challenge this by emphasizing the multiple interpretations and meaningful nature of social reality, as opposed to the natural sciences. Currently, the metatheoretical discussion centers on competing views regarding the relationship between theories and the objects they address. In contrast to this focus on theories, I propose a rearticulation of Hacking’s interventionist argument. I argue that all sciences share a common epistemic activity—the construction of chains of reference—which points to shared notions of success. This paves the way for realism through a practice-based argument that does not originate from ontological disputes, suggesting that our best theories are those literally embedded in scientific practice.

Policy interventions and urban characteristics in modeling electric vehicle charging infrastructure utilization

The surge in electric vehicles adoption necessitates understanding the impact of policy interventions on public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in urban areas. This research investigates the influence of pricing frameworks on the usage of public charging facilities by analyzing both behavioral and spatial attributes of these infrastructures. Utilizing open data from Palo Alto, United States, this study employs descriptive statistical methods and interpretable machine learning approaches to scrutinize the relationship between policy initiatives and charging behaviors. The analysis underscores the significance of spatial attributes on charging behaviors. Policy interventions yield noticeable alterations in charging metrics, with locations near commercial hubs showing higher utilization, while local and frequent users resist fee adjustments. The research emphasizes the necessity for customized strategies to optimize infrastructure development and management, offering a framework for policymakers and stakeholders in sustainable urban transportation. Future research should explore similar interventions in diverse urban settings using real-time data and advanced optimization techniques to better tailor policies to the unique characteristics of specific facilities.

24 Community provider perspectives on an autism learning health network: A qualitative study

Abstract Background Although autism is highly prevalent, no single care centre has a sufficient number of patients to produce generalizable knowledge; this slows the pace of quality improvement research. Learning health networks (LHNs) offer a promising solution to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare by integrating clinical and research data. The Autism Care Network (ACNet) is an LHN composed of 20 clinics across the United States and Canada dedicated to developing the most effective approach to care for children with autism. In Canada, the majority of autistic patients receive a majority of their ongoing care in the community. Therefore, to make meaningful improvements in the continuum of care for patients and their families, it is essential that the ACNet be extended to include community physicians. Objectives The primary objectives were to (1) understand the current data collection practices, learning needs, clinic capacity, areas of improvement, and overall interest of community physicians in participating in a LHN and (2) identify community physicians’ perspectives on the benefits and disadvantages of participating in a LHN and ways in which their engagement in a LHN can be supported. Design/Methods In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted participants who were purposively sampled from community providers who had previously participated in autism-focused educational programming. The interview guide was developed by the three ACNet sites based on experience with LHNs and working with community physicians. Data were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach with a social constructivist paradigm. Results Analysis of 29 interviews identified 5 primary themes: (1) “Navigating Administrative Challenges,” which highlighted the lack of time, resources, and administrative capacity in the community; (2) “Improving Data Collection Practices”, which emphasized the barriers to consistently collecting information from patients and families; (3) “Increasing Provider Confidence and Competence,” which explored the challenges of navigating the everchanging landscape of community autism care; (4) “Breaking Down Silos”, which focused on fragmented care and the lack of communication between allied health resources, diagnostic hubs, and community physicians; and (5) “Systemic and Societal Barriers to Achieving Best Practices,” which explored the systemic barriers that impact autism care for physicians and families. Conclusion This study provides an understanding of the experiences of community physicians regarding the challenges of community-based autism care. LHNs have the potential to address several of the issues highlighted by community physicians in autism care. Additionally, LHNs can play an important role in improving community care in fields beyond autism.

Implementing AI-Driven Bed Sensors: Perspectives from Interdisciplinary Teams in Geriatric Care.

Sleep is a crucial aspect of geriatric assessment for hospitalized older adults, and implementing AI-driven technology for sleep monitoring can significantly enhance the rehabilitation process. Sleepsense, an AI-driven sleep-tracking device, provides real-time data and insights, enabling healthcare professionals to tailor interventions and improve sleep quality. This study explores the perspectives of an interdisciplinary hospital team on implementing Sleepsense in geriatric hospital care. Using the interpretive description approach, we conducted focus groups with physicians, nurses, care aides, and an activity worker. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) informed our thematic analysis to identify barriers and facilitators to implementation. Among 27 healthcare staff, predominantly female (88.89%) and Asian (74.1%) and mostly aged 30-50 years, themes emerged that Sleepsense is perceived as a timesaving and data-driven tool that enhances patient monitoring and assessment. However, barriers such as resistance to change and concerns about trusting the device for patient comfort and safety were noted, while facilitators included training and staff engagement. The CFIR framework proved useful for analyzing implementation barriers and facilitators, suggesting future research should prioritize effective strategies for interdisciplinary team support to enhance innovation adoption and patient outcomes in rehabilitation settings.

Unveiling diagnostic information for type 2 diabetes through interpretable machine learning

The interpretability of disease prediction models is often crucial for their trustworthiness and usability among medical practitioners. Existing methods in interpretable artificial intelligence improve model transparency but fall short in identifying precise, disease-specific primal information. In this work, an interpretable deep learning-based algorithm called the data space landmark refiner was developed, which not only enhances both global interpretability and local interpretability but also reveals the intrinsic information of the data distribution. Using the proposed method, a type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnostic model with high interpretability was constructed on the basis of the electronic health records from two hospitals. Moreover, effective diagnostic information was directly derived from the model’s internal parameters, demonstrating strong alignment with current clinical knowledge. Compared with conventional interpretable machine learning approaches, the proposed method offered more precise and specific interpretability, increasing clinical practitioners’ trust in machine learning-supported diagnostic models.

A qualitative study revisiting the theoretical lens of brand image and developing the consumer brand image schema

Purpose Brand image remains a “nebulous” construct with very few frameworks dedicated to understanding the process of uncovering brand image. This is supported by explicit calls for greater clarity on how to examine brand image, particularly in different settings. Political branding is one setting that has received some attention, however, research has focused on “party” political brands and neglected “non-party” brands (independent candidates). Therefore, this study aims to examine how young citizens interpret independent non-party brands through the theoretical lens of brand image in the context of Guernsey and develop a systematic brand image framework that provides greater clarity to this topic area. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative interpretivist approach using focus group discussions was adopted to investigate the phenomenon from the perspective of young voters 18–24 years of age. Focus group discussions ceased upon reaching theoretical saturation and a six-staged thematic analytical strategy was adopted to analyse the findings. Findings This study revealed deep insight into the political brand image of non-party brands from the perspective of young voters in an under-explored context. More specifically, this study uncovered that Guernsey’s political brands were seen as “accessible”; however, there was little differentiation, identification and connection between young voters and politicians. Further, this study uncovered a series of opportunities for strategists such as the desire for a younger generational view and younger representation in the Guernsey Parliament and greater clarity, distinction and authenticity related to political brand image. Originality/value This study addresses explicit calls for further research on brand image with a distinct focus on non-party political brands. Further, this study concludes by presenting the “consumer brand image schema”; a systematic framework which can be used to uncover brand image within and beyond the setting of politics. Further, the framework operationalises the complex concept of brand image and provides a three-stage process to examine and develop brand image. This will enable strategists to develop targeted strategies and adopt appropriate tactics to manage brand image to ensure brands are differentiated and interpreted as authentic, relatable, engaging, accessible and identifiable.

Role of Parental Involvement in Student’s Academic Achievement: A Study of Students’ Perspective

Active involvement of parents in their children's academic pursuits is widely recognized as a pivotal element in their educational advancement. While there is substantial literature on parental engagement from the perspective of parents, there is a dearth of research regarding students' own perceptions and experiences of parental involvement. This study aims to address this gap by exploring students' experiences, perspectives, and opinions regarding parental involvement and its impact on their academic journeys. This research will utilize a qualitative research method to explore the nature of parental involvement and its consequences on students' academic accomplishments. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interview from ten respondents to find out their parent involvement in their academic achievement. Interpretative Phenomenological approach was combined with Thematic Analysis to analyze the collected data. By delving into the students' perspectives, the research seeks to provide insights into the nuanced nature of parental involvement and its resonance with students' academic experiences. Additionally, the study will explore the implications of the findings for fostering meaningful partnerships among stakeholders and empowering students towards academic success. Through this research, we aim to bridge the disparity between theoretical concepts and real-world experiences, providing valuable insights that can inform educational policies and practices. Ultimately, our goal is to provide parents, educators, and policy-makers with a deeper understanding of students' viewpoints on parental involvement, fostering collaborative efforts to support students' academic success and overall development.

On the Use of the Interpretive Approach in Qualitative Research: An Empirical Example

This paper presents a method of analysis and interpretation of the narrative data, based upon a study on experiencing warmth in the relationship between sisters, one of whom is a person with Down syndrome. The aim of the study was to describe and understand the meaning of the experiences in a sisterly relationship. Females aged 12–30 years, in four sibling groups, took part in the research. Two narrative interviews were conducted with each participant. The Family Relations Test (FRT), observational data, and a questionnaire for the parents on the sibling relationship were also used. The article describes in detail the data from one dyad. The results indicate that warmth is most often manifested through tenderness and closeness, and experiencing warmth is fostered by spending quality time together and enjoying it. The presence of the subject dimension—experiencing oneself as a person who is valued and close to the sister and the ability to decide—is also important. The high quality of the relationship is related to perceiving the sister with intellectual disabilities as an entity pursuing her aspirations rather than a person in need of protection and care. Simplicity of experiences, sincerity in communication, and simple language indicate attunement between the sisters. The results of this study supplement the outlook with the perspective of a person with a disability and the positive aspects of the relationship. This could have been difficult to obtain using quantitative methods.

A novel interpretable deep learning-based computational framework designed synthetic enhancers with broad cross-species activity.

Enhancers play a critical role in dynamically regulating spatial-temporal gene expression and establishing cell identity, underscoring the significance of designing them with specific properties for applications in biosynthetic engineering and gene therapy. Despite numerous high-throughput methods facilitating genome-wide enhancer identification, deciphering the sequence determinants of their activity remains challenging. Here, we present the DREAM (DNA cis-Regulatory Elements with controllable Activity design platforM) framework, a novel deep learning-based approach for synthetic enhancer design. Proficient in uncovering subtle and intricate patterns within extensive enhancer screening data, DREAM achieves cutting-edge sequence-based enhancer activity prediction and highlights critical sequence features implicating strong enhancer activity. Leveraging DREAM, we have engineered enhancers that surpass the potency of the strongest enhancer within the Drosophila genome by approximately 3.6-fold. Remarkably, these synthetic enhancers exhibited conserved functionality across species that have diverged more than billion years, indicating that DREAM was able to learn highly conserved enhancer regulatory grammar. Additionally, we designed silencers and cell line-specific enhancers using DREAM, demonstrating its versatility. Overall, our study not only introduces an interpretable approach for enhancer design but also lays out a general framework applicable to the design of other types of cis-regulatory elements.

How higher education teachers see their professional identity

An important dimension to understand the student learning process is the professional identity of teachers, which is conceptualized as a continuous process of construction and reconstruction. In this process, teachers define and assume their roles in a specific educational context that is characterized by tensions, adjustments, and transformations. This study focuses on understanding the professional identity of higher education teachers, a field characterized by constant evolution and demands. The personal characteristics of this identity are explored, including experiences and biographical representations, as well as its interrelationship with the institutional environment. Using a qualitative interpretive approach, six teachers recognized for their pedagogical innovation and educational commitment were interviewed. The results reveal outstanding motivation and responsibility in educational work, but also tensions between personal identity and the work context, reflected in the perception of low recognition and the importance of institutional leadership. The teachers show a critical and reflective view of their work, influenced by childhood experiences that impact their conceptions of educational justice and equity. To conclude, the common characteristics of professional identity in higher education highlight the need to integrate them into professional development. The article advocates for the design of more personalized training programs and the promotion of continuous learning among peers as key elements to strengthen this identity and improve pedagogical practice.

O atraso como condição da crítica

In this article, we present Paulo Arantes' new interpretative approach to the manuscripts of The German Ideology: the understanding that the fundamental problem of Dialectic – the mediation between the universal and the particular, or, the settling of accounts between the idea and the effective reality – persists precisely in Marx and Engels’ consideration of the political and economic backwardness of Vormärz Germany and in the way in which post-Hegelian philosophy expresses this backwardness. By emphasizing Stirner’s critique of universals as fundamental to the Marx and Engels’ critique of ideology, Arantes both differs from the history of the classical reception of these manuscripts, which centralizes the authors’ critique of Feuerbach, and anticipates the widespread position in recent bibliography on Marx and Engels, without resorting, however, to philological studies, as has been done in the literature surrounding the MEGA² project since the 1990s. With this, the text that is commonly seen as a departure from philosophy towards the so-called historical materialism can be read as a “determinate negation [to idealism] [...] whose materialism, it can be seen immediately, does not stop at reducing ideas to the literal matter that supports them” (Arantes, 1996, p. 369).

Local inconsistency detection using the Kullback–Leibler divergence measure

BackgroundThe standard approach to local inconsistency assessment typically relies on testing the conflict between the direct and indirect evidence in selected treatment comparisons. However, statistical tests for inconsistency have low power and are subject to misinterpreting a p-value above the significance threshold as evidence of consistency.MethodsWe propose a simple framework to interpret local inconsistency based on the average Kullback–Leibler divergence (KLD) from approximating the direct with the corresponding indirect estimate and vice versa. Our framework uses directly the mean and standard error (or posterior mean and standard deviation) of the direct and indirect estimates obtained from a local inconsistency method to calculate the average KLD measure for selected comparisons. The average KLD values are compared with a semi-objective threshold to judge the inconsistency as acceptably low or material. We exemplify our novel interpretation approach using three networks with multiple treatments and multi-arm studies.ResultsAlmost all selected comparisons in the networks were not associated with statistically significant inconsistency at a significance level of 5%. The proposed interpretation framework indicated 14%, 66%, and 75% of the selected comparisons with an acceptably low inconsistency in the corresponding networks. Overall, information loss was more notable when approximating the posterior density of the indirect estimates with that of the direct estimates, attributed to indirect estimates being more imprecise.ConclusionsUsing the concept of information loss between two distributions alongside a semi-objectively defined threshold helped distinguish target comparisons with acceptably low inconsistency from those with material inconsistency when statistical tests for inconsistency were inconclusive.