Meaning-based Approach Research Articles

Contextual Meaning-Based Approach to Fine-Grained Online Product Review Analysis for Product Design

Contextual Meaning-Based Approach to Fine-Grained Online Product Review Analysis for Product Design

Proportional and Non-Proportional Situation: How to Make Sense of Them

<p style="text-align:justify">Teacher knowledge is one of the main factors in the quality of mathematics learning. Many mathematics teachers have difficulty using proportional reasoning. Proportional reasoning is one of the essential aspects of the middle school mathematics curriculum to develop students' mathematical thinking. Teachers should realize that developing proportional reasoning is not an easy task. In this study, we investigated how teachers give proportional reasoning about the concept of proportional and non-proportional situations, especially in making sense of them. The research subjects were mathematics teachers who had taught proportional-related material. Data was collected using task-based interviews outside the teacher's working hours. Data analysis and interpretation were completed using a framework meaning-based approach. The results of the data analysis showed that the teacher is careful in understanding information, is aware of multiple meanings, and knows key information in understanding the contextual structure of proportional and non-proportional situations. Furthermore, they are also able to identify additive and multiplication relationships, have flexibility in understanding proportional and non-proportional situations separately or collectively, and understand problem-solving systematics in detail.</p>

Predominant approaches in studies on health-related quality of life of young survivors of childhood or adolescent cancer: an integrative literature review.

To identify the predominant lines of research in the study of HRQOL in this population. An integrative literature review was carried out, involving a systematic search of primary articles indexed in the Scopus and PubMed databases. In the 48 publications selected, four main lines of research were identified: HRQOL in survivors in general; HRQOL in long-term survivors; the study of determinants of HRQOL; and the study of methodological aspects of HRQOL measurement. A quantitative approach using generic measurement instruments predominates, and the conceptual model of HRQOL based on function emphasizes the importance of physical, psychological, and social functionality and the impact of the disease and treatment on these aspects. incorporating a qualitative, meaning-based approach to the understanding of lived experiences from a subjective and holistic perspective is indispensable.

Enfoques predominantes en los estudios sobre calidad de vida relacionada a la salud de jóvenes sobrevivientes de cáncer en la infancia o adolescencia. Revisión integradora de la literatura científica

Abstract Survivors of childhood cancer constitute a growing population. The disease experienced, its treatment or the occurrence of late complications may affect survivors’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Understanding HRQOL is a challenge due to its conceptual complexity and the mode in which it is studied. Objective: To identify the predominant lines of research in the study of HRQOL in this population. Methods: An integrative literature review was carried out, involving a systematic search of primary articles indexed in the Scopus and PubMed databases. Results: In the 48 publications selected, four main lines of research were identified: HRQOL in survivors in general; HRQOL in long-term survivors; the study of determinants of HRQOL; and the study of methodological aspects of HRQOL measurement. A quantitative approach using generic measurement instruments predominates, and the conceptual model of HRQOL based on function emphasizes the importance of physical, psychological, and social functionality and the impact of the disease and treatment on these aspects. Conclusions: incorporating a qualitative, meaning-based approach to the understanding of lived experiences from a subjective and holistic perspective is indispensable.

The role of inferences in reading comprehension: A critical analysis

The central role attributed to inferences in reading comprehension can be traced back to the Construction-Integration (CI) model, and many of its theoretical assumptions are still shared by current models. This article analyses recent research in terms of how inferences have been conceived, how they relate to comprehension, and how the CI model’s theoretical legacy has been articulated. The main issues found are that the way inferences are currently conceived doesn’t satisfactorily distinguish them from ordinary comprehension and that a series of assumptions which plausibly apply to computational models have been often mistakenly attributed to interpersonal processes. This, added to the widespread usage of lab-created texts in experiments, hinders the faithful capturing of personal comprehension processes. Finally, we propose recommendations for future research based on conceptual clarity, metatheoretical awareness, and a meaning-based approach on language, so as to improve interresearcher communication, theoretical consistency, and ecological validity.

The value of a pragma-functional approach to intercultural conflict discourses

Abstract Systemic functional linguistics focuses on the study of language use within its registerial context of situation. The theory offers a meaning-based approach for the analysis of discourses in generic and culture-specific settings. When it comes to the analysis of conflict discourses across cultural boundaries, SFL may be integrated into a framework that relates language use to the notions of power and ideology and the dimensions of culture and history to provide a broader picture to inform future political decision-making. This paper presents a pragma-functional approach combining systemic functional linguistics, argumentation theory, critical theory and postcolonial insights. The analytical tool is illustrated with reference to the New Caledonian independence debate through the analysis of salient linguistic patterns and discursive moves in two open letters, published in April 1988 by Kanak independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou and former French President François Mitterrand.

Citizens’ Perceptions of Gambling Regulation Systems: A New Meaning-Based Approach

This study fills a gap in gambling research by inquiring into the ways in which people make sense of their country’s gambling policy as a comprehensive logic with interrelated facets. Nineteen focus group interviews were conducted with 88 persons in Helsinki, Finland. The interview protocol involved discussion stimuli and tasks. The study participants expressed the view that the public image and function of gambling provision involves a great deal of contradictory elements. Even though the existing monopoly system was given approval in terms of yielding funding to good causes, the interviewees were still critical of how the monopoly system worked when it comes to advertising, availability, and customer loyalty programs. A core dilemma identified was whether the system aims to prevent gambling-related problems or whether it does, in fact, promote gambling consumption. If skilfully executed, the study method can be fruitful for discerning core logical inconsistencies in the gambling regulation systems of other countries as well. Resume L’etude comble une lacune dans la recherche sur les jeux de hasard en s’interrogeant sur la maniere dont les gens percoivent la politique de jeu de leur pays en tant que modele logique complet avec facettes interdependantes. On a effectue dix-neuf entrevues dans des groupes de discussion regroupant 88 personnes a Helsinki, en Finlande. Le protocole d’entrevue comportait des points de discussion et des tâches. Les participants a l’etude ont exprime l’opinion voulant que l’image publique et la fonction de l’offre de jeu comprennent beaucoup d’elements contradictoires. Meme si le systeme de monopole existant avait l’approbation du public en raison du soutien financier apporte a de bonnes causes, les personnes interrogees etaient tout de meme critiques a l’egard du monopole et de son fonctionnement en ce qui concerne la publicite, l’offre et les programmes de fidelisation des clients. On a releve un important dilemme, a savoir si le systeme visait a prevenir les problemes de jeu ou s’il favorisait en fait la consommation de jeux. Habilement appliquee, la methode d’etude peut servir a demontrer les incoherences logiques fondamentales dans les systemes de reglementation de jeux de hasard d’autres pays egalement.

Citizens’ Perceptions of Gambling Regulation Systems: A New Meaning-Based Approach

This study fills a gap in gambling research by inquiring into the ways in which people make sense of their country’s gambling policy as a comprehensive logic with interrelated facets. Nineteen focus group interviews were conducted with 88 persons in Helsinki, Finland. The interview protocol involved discussion stimuli and tasks. The study participants expressed the view that the public image and function of gambling provision involves a great deal of contradictory elements. Even though the existing monopoly system was given approval in terms of yielding funding to good causes, the interviewees were still critical of how the monopoly system worked when it comes to advertising, availability, and customer loyalty programs. A core dilemma identified was whether the system aims to prevent gambling-related problems or whether it does, in fact, promote gambling consumption. If skilfully executed, the study method can be fruitful for discerning core logical inconsistencies in the gambling regulation systems of other countries as well.RésuméL’étude comble une lacune dans la recherche sur les jeux de hasard en s’interrogeant sur la manière dont les gens perçoivent la politique de jeu de leur pays en tant que modèle logique complet avec facettes interdépendantes. On a effectué dix-neuf entrevues dans des groupes de discussion regroupant 88 personnes à Helsinki, en Finlande. Le protocole d’entrevue comportait des points de discussion et des tâches. Les participants à l’étude ont exprimé l’opinion voulant que l’image publique et la fonction de l’offre de jeu comprennent beaucoup d’éléments contradictoires. Même si le système de monopole existant avait l’approbation du public en raison du soutien financier apporté à de bonnes causes, les personnes interrogées étaient tout de même critiques à l’égard du monopole et de son fonctionnement en ce qui concerne la publicité, l’offre et les programmes de fidélisation des clients. On a relevé un important dilemme, à savoir si le système visait à prévenir les problèmes de jeu ou s’il favorisait en fait la consommation de jeux. Habilement appliquée, la méthode d’étude peut servir à démontrer les incohérences logiques fondamentales dans les systèmes de réglementation de jeux de hasard d’autres pays également.

The Good News Bible: Is It Good News for the Jews? Methodological Observations on Translational Choices in GNB

In some cases the meaning-based approach used in the translation of the Good News Bible appears to support translational choices that strengthen or even introduce anti-Judaism in translation. There are instances where such translational choices are not required by the source text. It is possible, in the examples selected for discussion, to arrive at translations that follow the source text closely, are less anti-Jewish, and conform to the principles of a meaning-based approach. In principle, almost every translator of texts from the New Testament faces translational choices possibly introducing a note of anti-Judaism in translation. However, the meaning-based approach might disambiguate ambiguous passages in a way that introduces a stronger note of anti-Judaism (if compared to more formally equivalent translations), as one of the examples indicates.

Technology Development as a Normative Practice: A Meaning-Based Approach to Learning About Values in Engineering\u2014Damming as a Case Study

Engineering, as a complex and multidimensional practice of technology development, has long been a source of ethical concerns. These concerns have been approached from various perspectives. There are ongoing debates in the literature of the philosophy of engineering/technology about how to organize an optimized view of the values entailed in technology development processes. However, these debates deliver little in the way of a concrete rationale or framework that could comprehensively describe different types of engineering values and their multi-aspect interrelations in real engineering practices. Approaching engineering values from a meaning-based perspective, as in this paper, can be a reliable method of tackling such a controversial problem. This paper therefore proposes that technology development be considered a systemic normative practice and attempts to provide a comprehensive view of various built-in values, their different origins and features, and a way of prioritizing them in real engineering processes. Studying two cases of the Zayandeh Rood Dam and the Abbasi Dam will lead to practical insights into how to understand norms in technology development and incorporate them into engineering practice.

Meaning preservation in Example-based Machine Translation with structural semantics

The main tasks in Example-based Machine Translation (EBMT) comprise of source text decomposition, following with translation examples matching and selection, and finally adaptation and recombination of the target translation. As the natural language is ambiguous in nature, the preservation of source text’s meaning throughout these processes is complex and challenging. A structural semantics is introduced, as an attempt towards meaning-based approach to improve the EBMT system. The structural semantics is used to support deeper semantic similarity measurement and impose structural constraints in translation examples selection. A semantic compositional structure is derived from the structural semantics of the selected translation examples. This semantic compositional structure serves as a representation structure to preserve the consistency and integrity of the input sentence’s meaning structure throughout the recombination process. In this paper, an English to Malay EBMT system is presented to demonstrate the practical application of this structural semantics. Evaluation of the translation test results shows that the new translation framework based on the structural semantics has outperformed the previous EBMT framework.

Radical sensitivity is the key to understanding Chinese character acquisition in children

This study investigated Chinese children’s development of sensitivity to positional (orthographic), phonological, and semantic cues of radicals in encoding novel Chinese characters. A newly designed picture-novel character mapping task, along with nonverbal reasoning ability, vocabulary, and Chinese character recognition were administered to 198 kindergartners, 172 second graders and 165 fifth graders. Children’s strategies in using positional, phonological, and semantic cues of radicals varied across grades. The higher the children’s grade level, the more commonly children used semantic and positional cues of radicals. Regression analyses showed that the contribution of semantic radical awareness for explaining Chinese character reading increased as children’s grade increased, whereas the contribution of positional regularity awareness decreased. These findings suggest that learning Chinese characters involves a transition from a sound- and position-based approach to a meaning-based approach.

Using the Developmental Path of Cause to Bridge the Gap between AWE Scores and Writing Teachers’ Evaluations

Supported by artificial intelligence (AI), the most advanced Automatic Writing Evaluation (AWE) systems have gained increasing attention for their ability to provide immediate scoring and formative feedback, yet teachers have been hesitant to implement them into their classes because correlations between the grades they assign and the AWE scores have generally been low. This begs the question of where improvements in evaluation may need to be made, and what approaches are available to carry out this improvement. This mixed-method study involved 59 cause and effect essays collected from English language learners enrolled in six different sections of a college level academic writing course and utilized theory proposed by Slater and Mohan (2010) regarding the developmental path of cause. The study compared the results of raters who used this developmental path with the accuracy of AWE scores produced by Criterion, an AWE tool developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS), and the grades reported by teachers. Findings suggested that if Criterion is to be used successfully in the classroom, writing teachers need to take a meaning-based approach to their assessment, which would allow them and their students to understand more fully how language constructs cause and effect. Using the developmental path of cause as an analytical framework for assessment may then help teachers assign grades that are more in sync with AWE scores, which in turn can help students gain more trust in the scores they receive from both their teachers and Criterion.

A meaning-based approach to the study of complexity in L2 writing: The case of grammatical metaphor

This article argues for an alternative approach to complexity in L2 writing that foregrounds the link between aspects of linguistic complexity and its discourse-semantic function of constructing particular types of meanings in written texts. To illustrate a meaning- and form-integrating approach, the paper focuses on nominalizations as a linguistic form recently identified as a potentially significant indicator of complexity of advanced L2 writing. In line with the linguistic theory of meaning making, systemic functional linguistics (SFL), nominalizations are explored as realizations of grammatical metaphor (GM), a concept that helps capture the complexity of the semantic dimension of these linguistic forms. Furthermore, exploring nominalizations as GMs helps explain their discourse function as meeting the demands of more complex communicative tasks typical of advanced literacy contexts. Application of such conceptualization of complexity is illustrated by an analysis of an advanced L2 writing task that demonstrates precisely how nominalizations as GMs enable the L2 writer to meet the complexity of these demands through conceptual refiguration of experience and configuration or development of concepts in texts. The paper concludes with the implications of such an approach for L2 writing research, curriculum construction, and L2 writing pedagogy.

A Meaning-Based Approach to Humility: Relationship Affirmation Reduces Worldview Defense

Humans are notoriously resistant to changing their longstanding beliefs and often act defensively when they encounter individuals holding divergent beliefs. We introduce a meaning-based approach to humility (e.g., reduced defensiveness) with the claim that the desire for meaning motivates individuals to ardently defend their central beliefs. We propose that affirming meaning prior to encountering attitudinally-dissimilar individuals should reduce defensiveness (e.g., less negative attitudes toward those who challenge their beliefs). Christian undergraduates (N = 79) were randomly assigned to a relationship affirmation, self-affirmation, or neutral priming condition, and then received negative feedback from an ostensibly antireligious individual (i.e., outgroup member) after writing an essay explicating their beliefs about an important social or cultural topic. Relationship affirmation reduced defensiveness via more positive ratings of the individual who derogated their beliefs, providing initial evidence for our theoretical approach. Implications for a meaning-based approach to humility are discussed.

Jim and Bonnie's telephone conversation revisited: A meaning-based approach to talk in interactive events

This paper presents the analytic apparatus I have developed to uncover the underlying structure of conversation in American culture, the Verbal Flow Structure, by applying it to an unusually complex case, Jim and Bonnie's Telephone Conversation, previously partially investigated by Schegloff.

Linking Readers Theatre to CLIL in foreign language education

This article explores the potential of linking Readers Theatre (RT), a group reading aloud activity, with Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in foreign language education. Both RT and CLIL, independent of each other, have demonstrated affective and cognitive benefits for foreign language learners. Examples are provided of how subject matter texts, for example about history, can be adapted and created for RT in the foreign language classroom. Reference is made to positive experiences for both learners and teachers of the combination of RT and CLIL in lower secondary English classrooms in Norway. Finally, classroom implications are addressed, for example how the combination of RT and CLIL integrates different language skills, how combining the two allows for a focus on form within a meaning-based approach, and how group dynamics can aid the individual learner.

Writing to mean in middle school: Understanding how second language writers negotiate textually-rich content-area instruction

Drawing on theoretical perspectives and analytical tools that view writing as meaning-making, we examined student writing associated with an instructional intervention designed to expand the kinds of texts that second-language learners of English were asked to engage with, and produce, in social studies classrooms in a U.S. middle school. Exploring the writing of 40 students on one essay assignment, we documented what students could do with their developing linguistic resources to respond to a prompt that presented unanticipated challenges. Our findings illuminate the dialogic and multimodal process of meaning-making in school-aged second-language writers’ essays. We discuss implications of a meaning-based approach for expanding the textual repertoire of second-language writers in school settings, and for understanding how students navigate the associated challenges.

Incorporating concept-based pedagogy into K-8 online mathematics tutorials

One of the primary goals of contemporary K-8 mathematics education is to have children gain a conceptual understanding of mathematics. Teachers and learners of mathematics need to develop content knowledge that includes meaning and clarifies the why as well as how behind mathematical objects and processes into their knowledge processing. However, a preliminary review suggests that drill-based and calculational activities comprise most of online mathematical tutoring software, and only a small proportion a meaning-based (conceptual) approach. In this project, an online mathematics tutoring application is developed with an emphasis on concept-based tutorials. Furthermore, the online mathematics tutorials also incorporate various strategies for performing mathematical operations, which may help children better learn, understand, and retain arithmetic knowledge and skills.

Meaning- and ontology-based technologies for high-precision language an information-processing computational systems

The paper addresses the need for an ontology- and meaning-based approach for natural-language-understanding and information-processing computational systems. After a discussion of an oft-ignored form/content dichotomy that offers an explicit understanding of what meaning is and is not, a specific approach, the Ontological Semantic Technology, is introduced and several aspects of meaning representation are addressed in its terms, including how the 1977 Tenerife fatal aircrash could have been prevented with its help.