Interpretive Methodology Research Articles

Creating Social Value: Unveiling Stakeholder Commitments Dynamics in Malaysian Social Enterprise

Social enterprise represents a convergence of profit-driven organisational structures committed to fostering social impacts, such as expanding employment opportunities or supporting single parents in income generation. This study delves into the depth of stakeholder commitment towards social enterprise initiatives in Malaysia. Employing an interpretative case study methodology, the research utilises multifaceted approaches, including interviews, on-site visits, program observation, and financial statement analysis focusing on a social enterprise entity, Rose Sdn. Bhd. (RSB). The thematic analysis serves as the lens through which commitment dynamics within the social enterprises are explored, drawing upon the dimensions of affective, normative, and continuance commitment within the organisational commitment framework. The research highlights the profound commitment of RSB’s founder to its establishment, driven by personal experiences that instill a profound sense of purpose. The study underscores the pivotal role of the work environment and income opportunities in fostering continual commitment among employees. The conducive atmosphere within RSB fosters dedication and a sense of belonging among its workforce, enhancing the organisation's sustainability and social impact. By creating a genuine and supportive learning environment, trainers strengthen the bonds between individuals and the organisation, reinforcing their commitment to its objectives. The sincerity of trainers is pivotal in nurturing normative commitment among program participants. Additionally, this research emphasises the critical importance of stakeholder commitment in driving the success and sustainability of social enterprises. Close stakeholder engagement emerges as a core strategy for ensuring the sustainability and efficacy of social enterprise initiatives. By exploring commitment dynamics within social enterprise contexts, this study significantly enriches theoretical understanding in the field.

Unsupervised Anomaly Detection via Nonlinear Manifold Learning

Abstract Anomalies are samples that significantly deviate from the rest of the data and their detection plays a major role in building machine learning models that can be reliably used in applications such as data-driven design and novelty detection. The majority of existing anomaly detection methods either are exclusively developed for (semi) supervised settings, or provide poor performance in unsupervised applications where there are no training data with labeled anomalous samples. To bridge this research gap, we introduce a robust, efficient, and interpretable methodology based on nonlinear manifold learning to detect anomalies in unsupervised settings. The essence of our approach is to learn a low-dimensional and interpretable latent representation (aka manifold) for all the data points such that normal samples are automatically clustered together and hence can be easily and robustly identified. We learn this low-dimensional manifold by designing a learning algorithm that leverages either a latent map Gaussian process (LMGP) or a deep autoencoder (AE). Our LMGP-based approach, in particular, provides a probabilistic perspective on the learning task and is ideal for high-dimensional applications with scarce data. We demonstrate the superior performance of our approach over existing technologies via multiple analytic examples and real-world datasets.

Utilising Tshivenḓa Scientific Language Register for Teaching Electric Circuits

Teaching physical sciences in English as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) has presented numerous challenges, particularly for learners who are not proficient in the language. The South African government is increasingly considering the use of indigenous languages as the medium of instruction for subjects such as physical sciences, sparking debates regarding the effectiveness of indigenous languages in teaching and learning. This study aimed to explore stakeholders' perceptions regarding the use of Tshivenḓa scientific language for the concept of electricity. Utilizing qualitative interpretative case study methodology, the researcher conducted interviews with two grade 10 teachers, three parents, and two groups of grade 10 learners from selected schools to investigate their views on using Tshivenḓa scientific language register to teach physical sciences. The findings indicate that stakeholders view the adoption of scientific language registers in Tshivenḓa as a positive initiative. They believe it will provide learners who struggle to understand physical sciences when taught in English with an opportunity to learn effectively in a language they are familiar with. Therefore, the study recommends expanding the development of scientific registers in Tshivenḓa to cover other topics in physical sciences.

Perspectives of Young People with Neuromuscular Diseases Regarding Their Choice of Educational Programs and Possibilities to Complete Program Requirements

Young people with impaired functioning and/or disability do not receive as much education or as high an education as fully functioning young people, thus limiting their job opportunities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate perspectives of young people with neuromuscular diseases regarding their choice of educational programs and possibilities to complete program requirements to gain knowledge for use in future counselling and the development of a national questionnaire survey. The design for this study was qualitative using the interpretive description methodology and Anthony Giddens’ theory on modernity and self-identity. Data were generated through two focus group interviews with seven people between 18 and 30 years of age. Beginning and completing an education was influenced by the creation of identity: the importance of experiencing demands and expectations, the meaning of social relations when learning, and the consequences of accessibility for educational opportunities. The participants’ sense of self-identity was built by testing boundaries and developing images through social relations with peers, parents, and teachers. How they acted and behaved in the social arena of school and education influenced their choices and chances of completing educational programs.

Strategic Analysis from a consulting context for the Super Kinder School Institution

In the current dynamic, managers of educational institutions such as Super Kinder School seek correct decisions to enhance internal efficiency and meet organizational objectives. A strategic analysis was carried out applying the interpretivist methodology through a case design and an interview with the director of the institution. This qualitative approach has given rise to strategic matrices such as Porter's Five Forces, EFE, EFI, IE, SWOT, PEYEA, MPCE, MIC MAC, complemented by the Balanced Scorecard tool. Strategies focused on market growth, product and service development, and market penetration were identified, seeking to improve internal processes and promote the growth of Super Kinder School. The consultancy is aimed at addressing essential activities for the continuous development of Super Kinder School, requiring a deep understanding of the institution, its achievements and educational service

Strategic Analysis from a consulting context for the Super Kinder School Institution

In the current dynamic, managers of educational institutions such as Super Kinder School seek correct decisions to enhance internal efficiency and meet organizational objectives. A strategic analysis was carried out applying the interpretivist methodology through a case design and an interview with the director of the institution. This qualitative approach has given rise to strategic matrices such as Porter's Five Forces, EFE, EFI, IE, SWOT, PEYEA, MPCE, MIC MAC, complemented by the Balanced Scorecard tool. Strategies focused on market growth, product and service development, and market penetration were identified, seeking to improve internal processes and promote the growth of Super Kinder School. The consultancy is aimed at addressing essential activities for the continuous development of Super Kinder School, requiring a deep understanding of the institution, its achievements and educational service

Fostering community resilience through the lived experience of terrorist incidents

PurposeUnderstanding community resilience and collective efficacy is essential in terrorist-ridden areas. This study aims to investigate the role of communities in fostering collective resilience in response to violent acts of terrorism. It utilizes social capital and collective efficacy theories to explore the complicated relationship between community resilience and self-efficacy in terrorist-ridden areas.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed an interpretive methodology and conducted thematic data analysis. It documented insights and lessons learned from the diverse perspectives of community stakeholders through semi-structured interviews with 21 participants residing in Quetta, Pakistan. Interviews took place in March and April 2023.FindingsThe study demonstrates that community resilience contributes significantly to violent acts of terrorism. After carefully going through data exploration, four intriguing themes appear. The first theme pertained to participants experiencing stress due to terrorism incidents, highlighting the frequency of such stressful events. The second theme examined the escalating backdrop of terrorism, which perpetually looms, prompting communities to fortify their resilience against this persistent threat. The third theme, community resilience during terrorist violence and active participation, revealing active participation in activities aimed at enhancing community quality of life. The fourth theme emphasized the challenges associated with community engagement in resilience-building efforts.Originality/valueThis study advances the understanding of community resilience in terrorist-ridden areas. In addition, it furthers discourse and provides ways for the implementation of strategies aimed at strengthening community resilience following terrorist incidents.

Mapping Translation & Interpretation Courses Using Student Digital Portfolio Development

Faculty are consistently challenged by the ongoing task of establishing a chronological and coherent order to course content that students can follow without confusion while ensuring thorough coverage of learning outcomes. This article advocates for the innovative use of websites as digital tools to streamline student navigation through course material. By immersing students in fundamental translation and interpretation methodologies, these online platforms transform into dynamic workspaces, fostering practical skills essential for future professional endeavors. Website creation acts as a bridge, seamlessly integrating academic teachings on principles, techniques, and processes of translation and interpretation with practical aspects of professional readiness. Through this integration, students gain invaluable insights into market dynamics, client acquisition strategies, pricing methodologies, and ethical considerations crucial in the translation and interpretation industry. Several theoretical frameworks, including constructivism, experiential learning, social constructivism, and connectivism, support the use of website portfolio development as a teaching tool. By aligning website portfolio development with these frameworks, educators tap into the potential of digital tools to enrich student learning, increase engagement, and prepare them for the complexities of the modern world. Consequently, the utilization of websites as educational tools enhances student engagement and comprehension and promotes a strong foundation for success in the ever-evolving field of translation and interpretation. This article concludes with a sample website developed by a student to provide faculty with a framework that they can use to implement a website portfolio into their translation courses.

A Machine Learning (ML) based Forecasting Model for Covid-19 Patients

This research paper introduces a Machine Learning (ML) based forecasting model for COVID-19 cases, to investigate the performance of the Machine Learning algorithms and develop a new procedure to improve prediction efficiency. Utilizing the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Linear Regression (LR), K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and the proposed approach, the study considers the COVID-19 data to forecast case numbers. The study contextualizes its findings through a systematic methodology of dataset compilation, algorithm interpretation, and framework development. It uses measures such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) to evaluate the predictive performance. The trend in COVID-19 data and predictions from different algorithms is shown through graphical illustrations. The same goes for the proposed framework predictions. This study demonstrates that the proposed LR approach and the framework outperform previous MLP, KNN, and SVM models, suggesting the relevance of explainable and robust modeling solutions for COVID-19 risk assessment. Our suggested framework, which particularly outperforms individual algorithms by averaging out their results after combining them, reduces prediction errors significantly. Discussion of implications of forecasts for interventions, resource allocation, and policy decisions is done, with the need for accurate forecasting in the pandemic response highlighted. Further research works can be expected to improve the framework, incorporate new machine learning (ML) techniques, and deploy real-time adaptive modeling systems. Collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and healthcare practitioners is crucial for the adoption of research results into practice and the promotion of evidence-based decision-making in the context of outbreak response and preparedness. Generally, this study shows the progress of the field of epidemiological forecasting as well as provides information that is important in fighting COVID-19 and future epidemics.

Coping with uncertainty in a sociocultural context: the case of Arab preservice teachers in a teacher-education college in Israel

ABSTRACT The present study examined how Arab students, as a minority group in a teacher-education college in Israel, coped with uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. The insights gained can inform how educators support Arab students during other challenging times, such as periods of political instability. The study aimed to enhance understanding of participants’ experiences, increase sensitivity to diversity, and improve the inclusion of Arab students in the college. A qualitative interpretive phenomenological methodology analyzed students’ written reflective tasks as part of an Arabic-speaking course. Two main themes emerged: a) Arab students’ perceptions and experiences during the COVID-19 crisis and b) their strategies for coping with challenges. The findings showed that students were able to express feelings in writing, contradicting previous research indicating difficulty expressing personal emotions among Arab populations. The findings may encourage reviewing practices to promote the inclusion of various sociocultural groups in teacher education.

INNOVATIONS IN THE LEXICOGRAPHICAL PROCESSING OF ONYM LEXICON

The aim of the article is to analyze the innovativeness of the lexicographical interpretation of the corpus of proper names used in literary texts on Hutsul themes, in the appendix to the two-volume dictionary "Hutsul Dialect Lexicon and Phraseology in Ukrainian Literary Language" — "Onym Lexicon". The object of the study is the appendix "Onym Lexicon" to the two-volume dictionary "Hutsul Dialect Lexicon and Phraseology in Ukrainian Literary Language". The subject of the research is the innovativeness of the aforementioned appendix "Onym Lexicon". The main method of the research was the analytical-descriptive method. The result of the study is the identification and substantiation of the innovativeness of the lexicographical interpretation of the corpus of onyms in the format of the "Onym Lexicon" dictionary, created as an appendix to the two-volume dictionary "Hutsul Dialect Lexicon and Phraseology in Ukrainian Literary Language". This approach to the study of proper names through the prism of literary language has proven to be quite effective. It complements the methodology of dictionary interpretation of proper names with new theoretical and practical developments. A formula for the interpretation of each type of onym has been developed, taking into account the nominative-significative nature of each. At the same time, the results of this approach contain valuable information that is important for modeling and analyzing the regional-dialectal worldview through the prism of literary language. For example, oikonyms, and their prevalence in literary texts, indicate the significance and priority of certain settlements in the life of the Hutsuls. They record key centers of economic, historical-political, cultural-artistic, and religious spheres of the highlanders. Anthroponyms contain information about the connections of the Hutsuls with other peoples. Oronyms, from an informative point of view, are linguistic units that convey the harsh living and farming conditions of mountain dwellers and their love for their native land. Hagionyms and eortonyms contain information about the religiosity and piety of the Hutsuls. Other onyms also carry important information about the regional-dialectal worldview of the Hutsuls. The Hutsul linguistic worldview in its literary version would be impoverished and incomplete without the knowledge and information expressed by proper names. We see the prospects for further research on this topic in deepening the study of the possibilities of the "Onym Lexicon" dictionary-appendix for scientific understanding of the literary onomasticon and for modeling the regional-dialectal worldview of the Hutsuls.

Social Educators’ initial and in-service training: community projects as promoters of professional development

ABSTRACT Promoting social justice, fighting against social inequalities, and minimizing the risks and dangers faced by society’s most vulnerable groups are the aims of socio-educational intervention actions promoted by Social Educators in community projects. Using a qualitative and interpretative case study research methodology, this study sought to understand, from the perspective of Social Educators (n = 13) who graduated from a university in the north of Portugal between 2018 and 2022, how and if the experience of working in a community project during initial and in-service training enriches and/or alters their work. The results showed that the participation of Social Educators in community projects deconstructs an excessively individualistic view of intervention, with Social Educators highlighting the social and educational conditions that shape the target audiences in an action that is required to be holistic and legitimized by the members of the communities in which they operate.

Fragmentation in the European and Inter-American Human Rights Courts Regarding the Scope of Religious Autonomy: An Analysis of the Use of Sources and Methodologies

ABSTRACT Fragmentation in International Human Rights Law (IHRL) may affect the universality of human rights norms and their legitimacy. This article analyses a recent case of contradiction between the European and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) regarding employment contracts of religious education teachers and the scope of religious autonomy. These courts reached contradictory conclusions on key substantive issues because they used different ways of framing the issue at stake, and different legal sources and interpretative methodologies. The analysis reveals that while the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) relied on the use of comparative law, a test of proportionality, and the margin of appreciation, the IACHR relied mainly on American domestic law and the opinions of two expert witnesses. In this case, the IACHR could learn from the approach of the ECHR to develop a more rigorous legal methodology in order to keep the coherence of the international legal system.

Bleeding beyond binaries: a critical interpretive review of trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming experiences with menstruation

While some barriers for managing menstruation have been mitigated for cisgender women, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people still struggle to navigate menstruation in a gendered society. With an increasing number of young people identifying outside of the gender binary, there is an immediate need to identify and address the barriers to managing menstruation. This review sets out to explore how trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people experience and navigate menstruation. Using critical interpretive synthesis methodology, nine pieces of literature including peer-reviewed journal articles, graduate theses, a book chapter, and a conference poster presentation were reviewed using thematic analysis. Four primary themes were identified: (1) menstruation is strongly gendered; (2) there exists inadequate trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming education and healthcare training; (3) the gendering of public toilets/washrooms poses a barrier to the management of menstruation; and (4) there exists a lack of diverse participants and attention to intersectional menstruation concerns. A set of recommendations, specific to a variety of stakeholders is provided, and implications for future research are discussed.

Early ctDNA kinetics as a dynamic biomarker of cancer treatment response.

Circulating tumor DNA assays are promising tools for the prediction of cancer treatment response. Here, we build a framework for the design of ctDNA biomarkers of therapy response that incorporate variations in ctDNA dynamics driven by specific treatment mechanisms. We develop mathematical models of ctDNA kinetics driven by tumor response to several therapy classes, and utilize them to simulate randomized virtual patient cohorts to test candidate biomarkers. Using this approach, we propose specific biomarkers, based on ctDNA longitudinal features, for targeted therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. We evaluate and demonstrate the efficacy of these biomarkers in predicting treatment response within a randomized virtual patient cohort dataset. These biomarkers are based on novel proposals for ctDNA sampling protocols, consisting of frequent sampling within a compact time window surrounding therapy initiation - which we hypothesize to hold valuable prognostic information on longer-term treatment response. This study highlights a need for tailoring ctDNA sampling protocols and interpretation methodology to specific biological mechanisms of therapy response, and it provides a novel modeling and simulation framework for doing so. In addition, it highlights the potential of ctDNA assays for making early, rapid predictions of treatment response within the first days or weeks of treatment, and generates hypotheses for further clinical testing.

Techné of Rock Engravings—the Timna Case Study

Traditionally, rock engravings were studied through their visual characteristics. They have been analyzed with comparative and interpretative methodologies of iconography and iconology. However, there has been a recent shift towards identifying production processes, allowing reconstruction of operational characteristics through various methods. Nevertheless, the studies of the technological aspects typically focus on the operational and the mechanical, often omitting the visuality of the outcome. In the current paper, we are using ArchCUT3-D software for computational analysis of 3-D data acquired from various rock engravings located in Timna Park, southern Israel. We show how micro-morphological evidence, extracted from the engraved lines, can decode technical trends and variabilities in a technique’s particular implementation. Then, we conduct a focused examination of one group of engraved figures in order to establish a link between execution techniques and visual considerations. Based on our results and the following discussion, we suggest the term Techné to indicate the choice of technique that goes beyond the instrumental or purely operative perspectives. We highlight the intentional choice, which designs the visual rhetoric of the engraved marks and suggests cultural concepts that contrived the procedural processes.

IDENTITY POLITICS IN PROGRESS: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF SYAFII MAARIF’S IDEAS

In Indonesia’s political landscape, there is a current tension between identity politics and populist ideologies. Identity politics is a broad term used to describe political movements and actions related to religious identities and institutions, particularly in an Islamic setting. However, it raises concern about how we will investigate identity politics as part of a contextual, constituent-based approach to politics. The current study investigates Syafii Maarif’s political views. By employing a social hermeneutic approach and interpretive methodologies, this thought is elaborated in this study. The investigation reveals three primary elements of identity politics based on Maarif’s analysis: 1) ethnicity, 2) religion, and 3) political ideology. According to Maarif, any political activity that has these three characteristics is intrinsically saturated with identity politics. As a result, Muslim politics are often limited and narrowly defined. To address this constraint, the findings of this study advocate the actualization of the notion of identity politics to make space for populist politics. While religion, ethnicity, and political ideology coexist, a populist approach is still relevant in Islamic politics, persuasion methods, and specific constituency-based political connections.

TAFSIR MASA TABIIN: MENELUSURI PUSAT STUDI DAN MENYELAMI PEMAHAMAN MUJAHID BIN JUBAIR

This paper seeks to explore the tabi’ tabi’in interpretation methodology, namely by reading it from a constructivism perspective with an analysis of intertextuality data, the writer can identify the existence of Ibn Abi Hatim interpretation which only uses the interpretation of bi al-ma’tsur as a source of interpretation, which is based on an explanation of the Prophet’s hadith, the opinions of friends, tabi’in, and the stories of israiliyyat. While the effort in explaining al-Qur’an, the method carried by Ibn Abi Hatim is the method of ijmali, which is interpreting verses of the Qur'an in a concise, concise, and not lengthy language. also used the muqaran method by quoting and comparing the opinions of friends and the tabi’in. For his interpretation style, the interpretation of Ibn Abi Hatim did not reach a certain scientific discipline style, only limited to the interpretation of geographical and traditionalist locations, namely interpreting the al-Qur’an by tending to use narrations from the hadiths of the Prophet, friends, and tabi’in.

METODOLOGI TAFSIR MAUDHÛ’Î IMAM AL-SYÂFI’Î

Muhammad ibn Idrîs Al-Syâfi’î or popularity known as Imam Al-Syâfi’î is an absolute independent mujtahid who masters various sciences which are the tools of ijtihad which become the basis for a mujtahid in carrying out ijtihad and formulating his own principles of legal research, including the science of interpretation even though he is not popular as a scholar who has works of interpretation. Now a work of commentary appears which collects various interpretations and interpretation of Imam Al-Syâfi’î on some of the letters and verses of the Al-Qur’an excavated from his various works. Namely the book of Tafsîr Al-Imâm Al-Syâfi’î which was collected by Ahmad ibn Mushthafâ Al-Farrân, which was identified as the first academic work to study the interpretation of Imam Al-Syâfi’î as a whole based on the systematics of the letters of the Al-Qur’an; derived from the dissertation work in the doctoral program. This article uses a qualitative research method of literature study which is descriptive-qualitative in nature with data collection techniques using library sources and documentary literature studies using descriptive-interpretative data analysis techniques with content analysis. In addition to introducing the book Tafsîr Al-Imâm Al-Syâfi’î by Ahmad ibn Mushthafâ Al-Farrân, this article also attempts to examine the maudhû’î interpretation methodology of Imam Al-Syâfi’î and his interpretation.

Constructing Memories of the Northeast and Calling Forth the Spirit of the Times: A Symptomatic Reading of "The Long Season"

As an interpretive methodology, Althusser's concept of "symptomatic reading" provides an epistemological approach for deciphering the elusive meanings behind cinematic works. Building upon this framework, this paper examines the popular short drama "The Long Season," a hit in mainland China in 2023. The study aims to decode the "silent discourse" that the director intends to convey behind the overt narrative presented in the story. "The Long Season" achieves a re-articulation of "new Northeastern memory" and evokes the contemporary consciousness of "truth, goodness, and beauty" through its genre-blending of suspense and comedy, innovative storytelling from a paternal perspective, and the tragic displacement within its plot structure.