Interpretive Research Research Articles

Methodology Matters: Emplotting Interpretivism in Contemporary Political Science and International Studies

Abstract The visibility and adoption of interpretive research approaches in the post-Perestroika period have increased in the United States, yet common knowledge within political science (PS) and international studies (IS) departments still signals their marginality. This paper stems from the observation that interpretive scholars often share autobiographical narratives or “journey stories” describing how they came to embrace interpretive research despite socio-institutional obstacles. Based on semi-structured interviews and participant observation, it asks: What do the journey stories of both new and established scholars engaged in interpretivism reveal about the sociology of PS and IS academies? Our findings reveal a widespread perception that interpretivism is gaining a foothold in the United States while intimating the spread of neopositivist hegemony, to some degree, to academies abroad. We show how scholars make use of the label “interpretivism” and identify key diffusion pathways responsible for interpretivism’s wider recognition today. In addition, we find that despite shared assumptions of neopositivist hegemony, our interlocutors pursue interpretive research because it provides them with epistemological and experiential congruence. Their journey stories, we argue, point toward an evolving methodological landscape in PS and IS, which in turn shapes what forms of knowledge production are considered legitimate and valuable.

Character of Ecological People in the Quran

The harmonious relationship between humans and their environment can be likened to a mutually beneficial relationship. This perspective views humans as an inseparable element of their environment, with an emphasis on the human obligation to care for and ensure the survival of nature. In return, nature will provide benefits to fulfil human needs. This research aims to actualise ecological verses in human life and produce the proposition of theological insanity from the perspective of the Quran. The following research method is a qualitative approach focusing on library research. As a guide and reference, it uses library data sources. When viewed from the method of analysis, it can be classified as descriptive research that describes information based on events and facts and relates it to explanations from related sources according to the topic of this research. In analysing Quranic interpretation, the following includes thematic or maudhûi interpretation research, with steps, namely collecting Quranic verses related to humans, the environment and nature. Furthermore, it provides interpretation and understanding of the verses in question through the application of various contemporary interpretation sources combined with other sources. This research produces a proposition of ecological human character in the Quran, which includes Khalifah, Hikmah, and Mizan. Thus, three things are interrelated to create the character of the rahmatan li al 'alamin people.

Towards a Reflective Stance of Honor and Dignity – An Inquiry into the Use of Force by Analyzing the US Navy’s Crossing the Line Ritual

ABSTRACT In this article, I examine the meaning of the use of force for military professionals by analyzing the US Navy’s Crossing the Line ceremony. Ambiguity surrounds the initiation ritual for crossing the equator onboard naval warships, especially as it comes to its form prior to the late 1990s. All the while, the US Navy has maintained that the ceremony is part of a long tradition for teaching the values of honor, commitment and courage. Inspired by Max van Manen’s approach to phenomenological writing ([1984]. “Practicing Phenomenological Writing.” Phenomenology + Pedagogy 2 (1): 36–69; [2016]. Writing in the Dark: Phenomenological Studies in Interpretive Inquiry. London: Routledge), I explicate the idea that the ceremony, in its former form, did indeed teach the value of honor, but through inversion, acting out the worst possible behavior imaginable for military professionals in the form of a black mass, while the ceremony in its current form teaches the value of individual dignity as a professional obligation. The inquiry concludes with a reflective stance of honor and dignity as moral principles for enabling and constraining the use of force. Derived from the experience of a particular military practice, the stance also has general significance, helping navigate the line between thoughtlessness and thoughtful actions within a social framework, not unlike the just war tradition.

Panna Addams: współczesna tożsamość „z pogranicza”. O postawie głównej bohaterki serialu Wednesday

The article is a part of qualitative interpretive research conducted as part of a doctoral thesis addressing the portrayal of femininity in contemporary selected film fairytales. The aim of the analysis was to present fairy tale heroines as an audiovisual representation of expectations, norms, and values stemming from gender and inscribed in the prevailing socio-cultural order. The qualitative interpretation of the active stance of the main character in the popular series Wednesday serves as an exe mplification of cultural contestation between the traditional understanding of femininity and its androgynous redefinition, not constrained by widely accepted social norms.

Effects of adverse childhood experiences on university students' ability to lead healthy lives: an exploratory qualitative study in Lahore, Pakistan.

Adverse Childhood Experiences are a significant global public health concern as these experiences have adverse effects on all the health determinants. The interpretive phenomenological research design was used to explore the implications of adverse childhood experiences on the adult life of university students. An interpretive thematic analysis method was employed to analyze this study. Five major themes emerged after a comprehensive review of the information obtained from the interviews with the ten selected participants. These were (1) Chronic health struggles (2) Mental health disorders (3) Emotional and social difficulties (4) Paranoia and distrust and (5) Academic and professional under-performance. This study concludes that adverse childhood experiences have long-lasting negative effects on university students' health and behaviour, preventing them from leading healthy lives and excelling academically and professionally.

Interpretable reduced-order optimization research for improving indoor environmental quality in buildings based on dimensional analysis and surrogate-based optimization

Implementing large-scale optimization designs and identifying optimal design variables in fields such as architectural engineering is crucial for improving indoor environmental quality. However, the high-dimensional nonlinear characteristics complicate the understanding of the optimization process and increase the difficulty of finding optimal solutions. This study proposes an interpretable reduced-order optimization (ROO) method based on dimensional analysis, which integrates numerous variables into a single reduced-order coefficient through a power form. The goal is to develop a reduced-order and approximately one-dimensional nonlinear relationship during the optimization process and to reveal the mechanisms of single-objective and multi-objective optimization, thereby enhancing the interpretability of the optimization process. The reliability of the ROO is validated through single-objective optimization of building thermal bridges and multi-objective optimization of squirrel cage fans. The study shows that the power in the reduced-order coefficient can be used to determine the sensitivity and impact of design variables on optimization targets. The nonlinear relationship between the composite structural parameters of the building thermal bridge and the total heat flux can be reduced to an approximately one-dimensional linear relationship, significantly reducing the total heat flux of the thermal bridge by 10.3 %. The ROO accurately describes the aerodynamic performance of the fan and its high-dimensional nonlinear relationship with eight design variables, eliminating optimization conflicts among multiple operating conditions and significantly enhancing the aerodynamic performance. The ROO method proposed in this study offers a new approach to making the optimization process more interpretable, playing a crucial role in optimization design and revealing optimization mechanisms in engineering applications.

Towards the development and enhancement of Open and Distance Learning policies in Africa: A step by step guide to the game

Purpose: This study sought to explain and understand possible steps for developing and enhancing open and distance learning (ODL) policies in Malawi. Methodology: It thus deployed descriptive and interpretive phenomenological research as advanced by Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger to deeply understand policies, practices and perceptions within higher education institutions (HEIs) in Malawi. It was assumed that human experiences can best be understood through ones immersion into documents, conversations and lived-experiences of the research subjects. Accordingly, we used document analyses, observations and systematic conversations followed by practical activities to enhance the available draft-ODL policies at the selected HEIs. Findings: The study established that many academics had inadequate knowledge on policy formulation using paradigmatic and marginalized philosophical theories. It was also established when policy-makers combine different theories to inform their policies, they gain more advantages than they would have otherwise done. Since education is usually confronted by complex issues, such theoretical amalgamation has paid dividends. While this study inherently took an eccentric approach to research by reconciling Husserl and Heidegger’s contradictions, it also infused some elements of empiricism and conceptual ideals ushering in a mixed methodology that culminated into a transformative paradigm. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Since research is about discovering new knowledge, this study garnered its uniqueness and credibility through such methodical surprises; the approaches that transcended mere theoretical analyses to yielding a tangible ODL policy product. We acknowledge our methodological limitations although such limitations cannot lender our findings invalid. We therefore recommend researchers to try this approach, and share with us their findings.

Improving community vitality: spiritually informed entrepreneurial actions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to depict how entrepreneurs improve community vitality in the economic, social and environmental dimensions. The paper joins the conversation of business spirituality as the study participants were Sri Lankan Buddhist entrepreneurs from the emerging venture context (i.e. from enterprises which are less than 1–10 years old). The aim of the paper is to introduce spiritually informed entrepreneurial actions, thus contributing to a better understanding of entrepreneurial impact on communities. Design/methodology/approach The paper involves a qualitative, interpretivist research design. Data was collected by conducting 28 semi-structured interviews with 18 Sri Lankan Buddhist entrepreneurs. Research participants were selected from diverse business sectors. The research applied inductive thematic analysis for structuring and interpreting data. Findings For Sri Lankan Buddhist entrepreneurs, improving community vitality is an essential altruistic goal of their business agenda. During the operations of their ventures, this altruistic goal is translated into altruistic actions that improve the economic, social and environmental vitalities of communities. Research findings highlight that in the case of Sri Lankan Buddhist entrepreneurs, altruistic actions are informed by compassion, which is a fundamental value in the Buddhist religion. Drawing on the findings, an integrated model of community vitality, which describes the role of compassion and the mechanisms of entrepreneurial actions in a Buddhist setting was developed inductively. Originality/value Studying entrepreneurial actions to focus on the motivations behind improving community vitality is a new research topic. The paper provides valuable knowledge on business spirituality regarding the compassionate motivations of Buddhist entrepreneurs. The integrated model of community vitality, which describes the mechanisms of entrepreneurial actions to improve community vitality in a Buddhist setting could be an essential compass not only to entrepreneurs but also research scholars in the field of business spirituality.

Considering Participant Observation Methods for Nursing Qualitative Research

Observation is used as a research technique and the selection of the appropriate type depends on the research question and the paradigm underlying each study. The degree of participation and involvement of a nurse researcher varies according to the nature of the setting and the research question. The objective is to reflect on the experience in applying observational techniques in nursing qualitative research. We report on the experience of using 14 observations of interactions between nurse-child-parents in a nursing appointment in a healthcare center. This data collection allowed identification of advantages and limitations in the nurse-child-parent interaction processes, in a healthcare center. We argue that advantages of observation can include overcoming the divergence between what participants say and what they do; capturing the emotional dimension cultivated within the natural environment; flexibility and non-intrusiveness if the researcher gives time to develop a relationship with the participants. Doing observations requires significant time in the natural context, through sustained presence, building trust, and becoming integrated into the context before the research begins. In interpretive and naturalistic qualitative research observational techniques continue to offer a method that can be used alone or conjugated with other data collection techniques.

Interpretability research of deep learning: A literature survey

Deep learning (DL) has been widely used in various fields. However, its black-box nature limits people's understanding and trust in its decision-making process. Therefore, it becomes crucial to research the DL interpretability, which can elucidate the model's decision-making processes and behaviors. This review provides an overview of the current status of interpretability research. First, the DL's typical models, principles, and applications are introduced. Then, the definition and significance of interpretability are clarified. Subsequently, some typical interpretability algorithms are introduced into four groups: active, passive, supplementary, and integrated explanations. After that, several evaluation indicators for interpretability are briefly described, and the relationship between interpretability and model performance is explored. Next, the specific applications of some interpretability methods/models in actual scenarios are introduced. Finally, the interpretability research challenges and future development directions are discussed.

A review of deep learning approaches for multimodal image segmentation of liver cancer.

This review examines the recent developments in deep learning (DL) techniques applied to multimodal fusion image segmentation for liver cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a highly dangerous malignant tumor that requires accurate image segmentation for effective treatment and disease monitoring. Multimodal image fusion has the potential to offer more comprehensive information and more precise segmentation, and DL techniques have achieved remarkable progress in this domain. This paper starts with an introduction to liver cancer, then explains the preprocessing and fusion methods for multimodal images, then explores the application of DL methods in this area. Various DL architectures such as convolutional neural networks (CNN) and U-Net are discussed and their benefits in multimodal image fusion segmentation. Furthermore, various evaluation metrics and datasets currently used to measure the performance of segmentation models are reviewed. While reviewing the progress, the challenges of current research, such as data imbalance, model generalization, and model interpretability, are emphasized and future research directions are suggested. The application of DL in multimodal image segmentation for liver cancer is transforming the field of medical imaging and is expected to further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of clinical decision making. This review provides useful insights and guidance for medical practitioners.

Законодательный уровень правового регулирования в субъектах федеративных государств (сравнительно-правовой контекст)

Relevance. The normative prescriptions formed in the subjects of federal states, including in the subjects of the Russian Federation, acquiring a legislative form in accordance with their constitutions, under the conditions of the right granted to these subjects to carry out “their own legal regulation” (Part 4 of Article 76 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), form a fundamentally new — their own level of legislative regulation in the regions, which is noticeable It also modernizes the role of federal legislation in the system of regulatory regulators of public relations. Widely practiced in the subjects of the Russian Federation and other federal states, the principle of its own legislative regulation brings its positive results. Goal. In a comparative legal context, to substantiate that, thanks to the legislative form of legal regulation formed by the subjects of the federation in a single legal space, favorable conditions are created for the implementation of the constitutional principle of equality in specific relations, which, in turn, contributes to strengthening the unity of the Russian federal state. Methods. The obtained conclusions are based on dialectical, logical, systemic, sociological, as well as comparative legal, formal legal, legal interpretation, statistics and other research methods. Results. The distinctive features, meaning, content, positive role and practical significance of their own legislative regulation in the subjects of federal states are revealed. Arguments are presented confirming that the own legislative regulation in the subjects of the Russian Federation, carried out in the form of specifying federal laws and supplementing them with new content, contributes to strengthening the integrity of the federal state and its sovereignty and as such acts as a key link in the system of regulatory regulators in the regions. The results obtained are new and have practical significance. In this aspect, legal regulation in the subjects of the Russian Federation has not been considered in the scientific literature.

The Ancient Tantric in Balinese Contemporary Art

In recent years, artists from various cultures have increasingly drawn on the spiritual and philosophical principles of ancient tantra. This article explores the influence of ancient tantric traditions on contemporary Balinese arts. It employed an innovative art-based research methodology utilizing qualitative, interpretive, and practice-based research methods. These included observation, interviews, and document analysis while integrating theoretical frameworks, symbolic perspectives, and theo-aesthetic considerations. The research reveals how artists transform and reinterpret tantric themes in their work, highlighting the complex relationship between modern expressions and ancient inspirations. Balinese art, as the study shows, achieves beauty by blending opposites, such as masculine and feminine qualities, through the concept of lanang-wadon. By examining this topic, the research provides valuable insights into the evolving relationship between spirituality, creativity, and cultural exchange in Bali and the interconnected world. This study underscores the dynamic interplay between ancient traditions and contemporary artistic practices, showcasing a unique fusion that enriches both the art and its cultural context.

Queer tourism geographies and placemaking: beyond homonormativity

Queer spaces emerge as a response to the restrictive nature of homonormativity, which compels queer individuals to conform to dominant cis-heteronormativities. This underscores the need for in-depth knowledge about queer spaces, particularly those that extend beyond the experiences of gay men. This study explores how lesbian and queer women as mobile transnationals create space for themselves in Copenhagen, a city recognised as the world’s most gay-friendly place. It employs an interpretivist research paradigm utilizing a critical feminist and queer geography lens. Findings from observations and interviews reveal the absence of a specific lesbian space in Copenhagen; instead, numerous queer spaces are characterised by fluidity, safety, community and their welcoming approach towards LGBTQIA+ travellers. Lesbian and queer women do not become visible through physical spaces but through the strong networks they have created for themselves. A queer space offers a sense of safety within a public setting for the community that gathers there. Additionally, lesbian and queer women actively reshape and conquer existing cis-heteronormative spaces through material and immaterial practices such as exclusive online community spaces or through hosting queer events in spaces such as churches. The study addresses the absence of feminist and queer perspectives in a discourse on sustainable tourism geographies. It provides policymakers with insights and recommendations for creating inclusive, queer-friendly spaces.

Distribution Personalization and Content Decentralization on Brand Recall

Structural equation modeling examines the impact of distribution personalization and content decentralization on brand recall among Gen-Z consumers to analyze the causal relationship between these factors. The research used Covariance Based–Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM) and Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) based on review of related literature. The 385 samples were Gen Z (age 12 to 27 as of year 2024 randomly from Region III, Philippines, comprising the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac. Questionnaires with rating scales were used as research tools. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to analyze model fit, reliability, and validity. A structural model and path analysis were used to examine the links. Causal relationships were analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings indicated that the model had a reasonable fit with empirical data and exhibited acceptable reliability and validity. The results demonstrate that distribution personalization has a direct positive effect on Gen Z’s ability to recall a brand. In addition, content decentralization acted as a partial mediator or indirect effect on the relationship between distribution personalization and Gen Z brand recall. Based on these results, sellers of clothing brands reliant on short-form video ads may consider employing advanced data analytics technologies to acquire insights into the preferences, behavior, and demographics of the audience and personalize video content to specific audience segments like Gen Z. Furthermore, it is advisable to optimize distribution channels, incorporate user-generated content into distribution strategies, and emphasize usercentric storytelling to create favorable associations with the brand. Future research should be qualitative or mixed methods to obtain a richer qualitative interpretation, and cohort or longitudinal research should be conducted to study these effects eventually.

Navigating Challenges Resilience of Women Entrepreneurs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

This research paper examines how women entrepreneurs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa navigate the entrepreneurial ecosystem and social support structures. Grounded in an interpretivist research philosophy, the study delves into the subjective experiences of women entrepreneurs, highlighting their roles in fostering economic stability within their communities. A hybrid inductive and deductive research approach, combined with a multiple case study method, was employed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 purposively sampled women entrepreneurs. The analysis, using a hybrid thematic approach, identified key themes related to the resilience of women entrepreneurs in the face of social and financial challenges, social advocacy, and economic independence. The findings illustrate how these women overcome socio-cultural barriers and limited institutional support, leveraging their entrepreneurial ventures to create inclusive spaces and advocate for gender equality.

PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS' PRACTICUM IN GRADE R: INSIGHTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Since 1994, South Africa has prioritized quality education by ensuring that young learners are taught by qualified teachers. A notable shift has been the inclusion of qualified teachers in Reception year classes. This study investigates the experiences of Level 3 and 4 Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase student teachers during their practicum in Reception year classrooms and the perspectives of university lecturers who assessed them. Using an experiential learning theoretical framework and a qualitative interpretive research design, data were collected through open-ended questions posed to student teachers. Findings indicate that student teachers had positive experiences, but university lecturers noted that lessons were often teacher-centred, lacking play or inquiry-based methods. Lecturers also highlighted that the Foundation Phase teacher education programme did not adequately support Reception Year teacher development, citing time constraints and insufficient physical space for practical activities. The study recommends re-evaluating the inclusion of Reception year training in the B. Ed Foundation Phase programme and developing an assessment tool to evaluate Grade R student teachers' planning and presentation skills.

Pastor Nevers Mumba’s Quest to Actualize the Declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation through “Zambia Shall Be Saved” Campaign, 1993–2021

Abstract This article is grounded in the findings from qualitative and interpretivist research based on secondary and primary data. Two analytic frameworks have been used to make sense of the data. The first is Stephen Ellis and Gerrie ter Haar’s hypothesis that politics in sub-Saharan African societies cannot be fully understood without reference to religious ideas therein; and the second is the notion of African Political Theology which, according to Emmanuel Katongole, means going beyond addressing realities of violence, civil unrest, poverty, tribalism, and corruption, but deploying the story of salvation in Jesus as a concrete social, material, political, and economic reality in the African social imaginary for the construction of modern Africa. The article argues that through “Zambia Shall be Saved” orations from 1993 to date, Pastor Nevers Mumba has been calling for actualizing the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation (henceforth referred to as “Declaration”) made by President Frederick Chiluba in 1991. Katongole’s understanding of African Political Theology provides an invaluable lens for conceptualizing Mumba’s “Zambia Shall be Saved” discourse. The Declaration remains a topical issue among Zambian and international analysts and the significance of this particular article lies in the fact that it relates Mumba’s cry of “Zambia Shall be Saved” to the new conversation on “Actualizing the Declaration” coined by the government of the republic of Zambia in 2016. Overall, the article seeks to contribute to an ongoing discourse on Zambia’s Christian nationhood.

Power Outage Perils: Assessing the Impact of load-Shedding on SMEs in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, South Africa.

This qualitative case study delves into the profound impact of load-shedding, the deliberate and temporary interruption of electricity supply, on small and medium (SMEs) in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) of South Africa. The study, conducted within an interpretive research paradigm and a qualitative methodology, provides a nuanced understanding of how institutional forces shape SMEs' behavior, decision-making, and overall functioning in the face of energy disruptions. The persistent power cuts due to load-shedding have had a substantial toll on the survival of SMEs in the EMLM, with businesses across diverse sectors, including hospitality, beauty, manufacturing, retail, and services, struggling to maintain operations. The study brings to light the multifaceted challenges SMEs face, such as disruptions to daily activities, equipment damage, and significant financial losses. It also presents a concerning trend of layoffs by SMEs in the region, contradicting the National Development Plan’s (NDP) employment creation goals. The findings provide valuable insight for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, underlining the urgent need for collaborative efforts to develop tailored programs, promote alternative energy sources, and advocate for policies that prioritize the energy needs of SMEs. The study acknowledges limitations related to geographical specificity, temporary constraints, and data source reliance and recommends further research to extend the geographical scope, conduct longitudinal analyses, and incorporate diverse data collection methods. By addressing these limitations, further studies can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the broader challenges and potential solutions faced by SMEs amid energy-related crises.

The everyday female entrepreneur and the pursuit of emancipation

PurposeThis study takes an “entrepreneurship as emancipation” perspective to study entrepreneurs defined as “others” on multiple categories: women entrepreneurs whose ventures are necessity-based, bootstrapped and located in economically impoverished areas (neighborhoods) in two Latin-American countries: Chile and Peru.Design/methodology/approachThe study takes an interpretivist research approach and analyses inductively interviews with women entrepreneurs.FindingsThe findings reveal how everyday practices in pursuit of emancipation – while conducted within the existing patriarchal social structure – push the boundaries and contribute to changes in the social system via a variety of outcomes such as intergenerational social mobility, personal fulfilment and strengthening the communities in which the women entrepreneurs operate. Furthermore, while the authors find that in the particular Latin-American context under study, entrepreneuring activities become an emancipatory possibility for the everyday women entrepreneurs, they also highlight a “dark side” of their emancipatory projects.Originality/valueThe study contributes to recent critical studies in entrepreneurship by demonstrating the diversity and importance of the “mundane” activities undertaken by “necessity-based” entrepreneurs, and the significant – yet underappreciated – reach of their ventures’ impact on issues well beyond economic considerations.