Methodological Pluralism Research Articles

The Epistemological Profile of Legal Doctrinal Scholarship—A Reply to Geoffrey Samuel

This piece is a response to Geoffrey Samuel’s review article that deals with my 2021 monograph, Legal Doctrinal Scholarship. I aim to correct misrepresentations of my position, but I also seek possibilities of a more constructive engagement between Samuel’s diachronic analysis of the development of legal thought and my synchronic account of the character of legal scholarship. The first substantive section aims to set the record straight by explaining my account of legal doctrinal scholarship (as a normative and hermeneutic discipline) against the background of my thoroughly interpretive methodology. Then, I move on to addressing some of Samuel’s specific objections to my account—related to the idea of the rational reconstruction of the law, the scope of interdisciplinary engagement in academic research into law, and the ideological profile of legal doctrinal scholarship. Finally, I address why Samuel’s own account does not fit into the parameters of my own theoretical project. My methodology leaves room for a range of different approaches to legal scholarship—including Samuel’s historical jurisprudence. However, Samuel’s approach lacks the argumentative force he would need to exclude the possibility of providing legal doctrinal scholarship with a plausible epistemological justification within the methodological parameters of my account. I argue that, ultimately, our debate is about the implications of methodological pluralism: the conditions under which theoretical accounts with very different methodological assumptions may have a correcting influence on one another.
 Keywords: Samuel (Geoffrey); interpretivism; science; scholarship; normativity; rational reconstruction; interdisciplinary engagement; ideology; methodological pluralism.

Review: Pleading the Blood: Bill Gunn’s “Ganja & Hess,” by Christopher Sieving

Review: <i>Pleading the Blood: Bill Gunn’s “Ganja &amp; Hess,”</i> by Christopher Sieving

State-of-the-art review of porous polymer membrane formation characterization—How numerical and experimental approaches dovetail to drive innovation

Porous polymer membranes substantially contribute to an acceleration of sustainability transformation based on the energy efficient separation of liquid and gaseous mixtures. This rapid shift toward sustainable industrial processes leads to an increased demand for specifically tailored membranes. In order to predict membrane performance factors like permeability, selectivity and durability, the membrane formation process by film casting and phase inversion needs to be understood further. In recent years, computational models of the membrane formation process have been studied intensely. Their high spatial and temporal resolution allows a detailed quantitative description of phase inversion phenomena. New experimental techniques complement this development, as they provide quantitative data, e.g., on compositional changes of the polymer solution during membrane formation as well as the kinetic progression of the phase separation process. This state-of-the-art review compiles computational and experimental approaches that characterize the phase inversion process. We discuss how this methodological pluralism is necessary for improving the tailoring of membrane parameters, but that it is unlikely to be the way to the ultimate goal of a complete description of the evolution of the membrane structure from the initial demixing to the final solidification. Alternatively, we formulate an approach that includes a database of standardized and harmonized membrane performance data based on previously publicized data, as well as the application of artificial neural networks as a new powerful tool to link membrane production parameters to membrane performance.

Non-statistical, substantive generalization: lessons from Q methodology

ABSTRACT Considerations related to generalization of a study’s findings are often interconnected to researchers’ judgements regarding the ‘quality’ of the methodology and methodological pluralism. Too often, researchers consider generalization as only possible with respect to quantitative studies with large numbers of randomly selected participants (statistical generalization). Recently, Levitt suggests qualitative research can be generalized to phenomenon. Like others, she differentiates the type of generalization typically identified with quantitative research, which requires large samples and randomization so that findings can be generalized to the population, with the type of generalization that can be achieved with qualitative research. In turn, Levitt proposes the concept of qualitative generalization, an idea suggested by other researchers. However, her assertions about generalization in qualitative research resonate with the assertions of Thomas and Baas about generalizability in Q methodology. Q methodology offers a unique blend of qualitative and quantitative principles to study subjectivity and includes factor analysis. Yet Q findings are about developing theories, much like qualitative research. Q researchers may discuss substantive inference, connecting generalizations about phenomenon to a population, rather than statistical inference about a population. We discuss acceptance of two types of generalization within and their importance in relation to research equity.

The “New” in Science and Art

Conventionality and novelty — these two concepts came to occupy a prominent role in the philosophical discussions on both sciences and the arts in the second half of the twentieth century. These domains had established themselves as two autonomous and very different expressions of human creativity. Though they represent two ways of interpreting the world, the two cultures getting polarized to the extent of denying any imbrications is an unpleasant scenario. Discourses addressing the growing divorce between the sciences and the arts began to take shape in the 1950s. In the science world, methodological pluralism and a consequent multiplicity of truth(s) shattered the positivist view of scientific progress as an advancement towards a single, unchanging, worldview. With “progress” in science itself becoming a dubious concept, the status of science as a progressive discourse began to look like an exaggerated claim. The absence of ahistorical, atemporal truth foregrounds conventions as the decisive factor for the knowledge claims constituting the body of science, as exemplified by Thomas Kuhn’s idea of the paradigm. Around this time, when the conventionality of knowledge was coming to prominence, similar ideas emphasizing the conventionality of art appeared in philosophical discourse.

Analyzing spillovers from food, energy and water conservation behaviors using insights from systems perspective

AbstractSpillover effects are considered important in evaluating the impacts of food, energy and water (FEW) conservation behaviors for limiting global greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Failure to account for all possible spillovers, or indirect and unintended results of an intervention, not only obscures valuable information pertaining to the dynamic interactions across domains but also results in biased estimates. In this study, we first systematically reviewed articles that investigate the idea that the performance of one pro-environmental behavior influences the conduct of subsequent behaviors(s) from the FEW domains. From our review of 48 studies in the last decade, we note that a big part of the discussion on spillover concerns the nature and direction of causal relationships between individual FEW conservation behaviors. We identify a critical gap in the literature regarding the distinction between spillover effects caused by the interventions as distinct from those caused by the primary behaviors. Next, we conducted a quantitative meta-analysis of the reviewed empirical studies to find a modest but overall positive spillover effect. Finally, we reviewed the theoretical and methodological plurality in the FEW spillover literature using a systemic thinking lens to summarize what is already known and identify future challenges and research opportunities with significant policy implications.

Historical, Intra-scientific and Social Factors of the Scientific Leadership in Islamic Psychology

The relevance of the article is determined by the scientist’s need to reflect on science, its history and factors that change its appearance. Science and society today are so closely connected that the existence of one dialectically determines the existence of the other. On the one hand, the society creates a request, to which the science gives its answer, and the science sensitively captures any changes in the society, sometimes even anticipates them. The purpose of this article is to analyze the phenomenon of scientific leadership in Islamic Psychology as a branch of modern Psychological Science, which is the result of the relationship and mutual influence of historical, intra-scientific and social factors The achievement of this goal is determined by the objectives where the first is to observe the main stages of psychological problems evolution in the context of the history of Western and Islamic intellectual traditions, and the second is to review and analyze of intra-scientific and social factors of leadership in Islamic Psychology as a branch of modern Psychological Science.The material for writing the article was the theoretical primary sources and analytical scientific publications on the history, philosophy and methodology of science in general, as well as in the field of Psychology and Islamic Psychology as its branch. The general dialectical approach made it possible to consider the problem of the scientific leadership of Islamic Psychology in both historical and logical angles, and to present the history of the development of psychological problems in the mutual influence of intra-scientific (the change of scientific criteria, differentiation and integration of sciences, methodological pluralism, externalism, etc.) and social factors (dissemination of popular culture, virtualization of public relations, globalization, etc.) as a system. Comparative analysis made it possible to collate the historical and modern interaction of Islamic and Western intellectual traditions in the field of psychological problems.This study disclosed not only the reasons for scientific leadership and the growing popularity of Islamic Psychology, but also the influence of these trends on changing the image of modern science, its paradigm, which actualizes psychological research and practice in the field of religion and spirituality based on the methodological principles of multiculturalism and post-secularism.

The future of public sector accounting research. A polyphonic debate

PurposeThe purpose of this polyphonic paper is to report on interdisciplinary discussions on the state-of-the-art and future of public sector accounting research (PSAR). The authors hope to enliven the debates of the past and future developments in terms of context, themes, theories, methods and impacts in the field of PSAR by the exchanges they include here.Design/methodology/approachThis polyphonic paper adopts an interdisciplinary approach. It brings into conversation ideas, views and approaches of several scholars on the actual and future developments of PSAR in various contexts, and explores potential implications.FindingsThis paper has brought together scholars from a plurality of disciplines, research methods and geographical areas, showing at the same time several points of convergence on important future themes (such as accounting as a mean for public, accounting, hybridity and value pluralism) and enabling conditions (accounting capabilities, profession and digitalisation) for PSA scholarship and practice, and the richness of looking at them from a plurality of perspectives.Research limitations/implicationsExploring these past and future developments opens up the potential for interesting theoretical insights. A much greater theoretical and practical reconsideration of PSAR will be fostered by the exchanges included here.Originality/valueIn setting out a future research agenda, this paper fosters theoretical and methodological pluralism in the interdisciplinary research community interested in PSAR in various contexts. The discussion perspectives presented in this paper constitute not only a basis for further research in this relevant accounting area on the role, status and developments of PSAR but also creative potential for practitioners to be more reflective on their practices and also intended and united outcomes of such practices.

Проблема интеграции и формирования российско-кавказского социокультурного единства в конце XVIII – XX вв.: историографический аспект

The article contains a historiographical review of pre- revolutionary, Soviet and contemporary studies on various aspects of political, legal, economic and socio-cultural integration of the peoples of the North Caucasus into Russia at the end of the 18th – 20th centuries. The authors carry out a historiographical review of pre-revolutionary and Soviet studies, in which the problem of the formation of the Russian-Caucasian socio-cultural unity at the end of the 18th – 20th centuries is studied. The priority of problems in the pre-revolutionary period was determined by military- strategic tasks in the context of active policy of Russia in the Caucasus, the traditional social institutions, life and customs of the highlanders, their relationship with the imperial authorities were studied in order to integrate the region into the Russian socio-political, economic and cultural system and further modernization of North Caucasian societies. The Soviet period of the historiography of the problem is characterized by the dominance of the Marxist-Leninist methodology, the structuring of the main problems of the history of Russian-North Caucasian relations, the appearance of the first generalizing works on the history of the region, terminological searches in the study of the process of joining and development of the region by the Russian Empire. The authors carry out a historiographical review of modern research, in which the problem of the formation of the Russian-Caucasian sociocultural unity at the end of the 18th – 20th centuries is studied. The modern historiography of the integration and modernization processes in the North Caucasus is characterized by methodological pluralism, which opened up new opportunities for interpreting various social processes in the region in the last third of the 18th – early 20th centuries. The formation of new scientific schools of Caucasian studies was distinguished by different approaches to identifying key factors and processes in the history of the region, a number of authors proceeded from the idea of the independence of its development as part of the Russian state.

К вопросу о соотношении понятий "холдинг", "группа лиц" и "финансово-промышленная группа"

There is no general definition of the concept of “holding” in Russian legislation. There is no federal law that would regulate the activities of holdings, groups of individuals and financial and industrial groups. Purpose. The authors' aim is to analyze the existing forms of participation of organizations in business associations. Distinguish between the concepts of “holding”, “group of persons” and “financial and industrial group”. Methodology. As the methodological basis of the research, the general principles of scientific cognition (comprehensiveness, consistency, objectivity, methodological pluralism), the general philosophical method (dialectical), general scientific methods of cognition (comparison, ascent from the abstract to the particular), general logical methods (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, generalization, classification, abstraction), specially-legal methods (formal legal, method of interpretation of legal norms, dogmatic). Results. As a result of the conducted research, various forms of business associations were analyzed, it was revealed that a financial and industrial group is a private manifestation of a holding, and a holding is a private manifestation of a group of persons. It is noted that the adoption of the federal law “On Holdings” would allow for a clearer delineation of the analyzed concepts, which would contribute to the improvement of legislation in the field of legal relations under study. Conclusion. This article is of interest to the scientific community because it forms and systematizes the theoretical basis for further research on the problems of various forms of business associations.

ENSINOS DE CIÊNCIAS INSURGENTES: AMBIENTALIZANDO CIÊNCIAS E EDUCAÇÕES

ABSTRACT: The text corresponds to a critical review, whose first version substantiated analyzes and discussions related to field experiences produced in a qualitative research (SÁNCHEZ MOLANO, 2020) in school institutions in the periphery of a Latin American metropolis. Throughout the text, we will be accompanied by the Epistemologies of the South, whose main ideas give consistency to the argumentative thread, in relation to propositions about counter-hegemonic science, contemporary science, Latin American environmentalism and to the notion of ecology of knowledge, as well as to science teaching that can be anchored in those propositions. It advances in the understanding of the scientific practice from the postulates of epistemological pragmatism and methodological pluralism, which would be complementary to educational perspectives inspired by critical interculturality and insurgent environmental education. In the light of the foregoing, nomenclature revisions are proposed in the field of science teaching, more compatible with emancipatory perspectives projected from Latin America.

Понятие и виды гражданской деликтоспособности лиц с психическими расстройствами

The forecasts of psychiatrists about the number of people suffering from mental disorders in the world and in Russia are disappointing: the prevalence of mental illnesses will steadily increase. As the number of such individuals increases, the likelihood of them causing harm increases. There are no norms in Russian civil law that would allow giving an unambiguous answer about their ability to bear tort liability. In the scientific literature, the issues of delinquency of the mentally ill are controversial. Purpose. The author set a goal to analyze various scientific approaches to the concept, content and place of delinquency in the structure of legal personality; to distinguish between three types of delinquency of persons with mental disorders: incapacitated, limited legal capacity and persons unable to understand the meaning of their actions or manage them at the time of harm (capable). Methodology. The general principles of scientific knowledge (comprehensiveness, consistency, objectivity, methodological pluralism), the general philosophical method (dialectical), general scientific methods of cognition (comparison, ascent from the abstract to the particular), general logical methods (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction) are used as a methodological basis for the study, generalization, classification, abstraction), special-legal methods (formal-legal, method of interpreting the rules of law, dogmatic). Results. The author comes to the conclusion that not all persons with a mental disorder have the capacity to delict. Such ability is completely absent in persons recognized as incompetent. Those with limited legal capacity have it in full, the amount of compensation for harm cannot even be reduced due to their mental disorder. Capable tortfeasors are tortious, but can be released from liability. At the same time, all persons with a mental disorder have another element of legal capacity - the ability to create, through their innocent actions, obligations to compensate for the harm they have caused. Conclusion. This article is of interest to the scientific community, since it forms and systematizes the theoretical basis for further research on the legal status of persons with mental disorders in civil law.

Taking methodological pluralism seriously: considerations based on the work of Norbert Groeben.

Taking methodological pluralism seriously: considerations based on the work of Norbert Groeben.

Conceitualização e modelo da educação STEAM: o que é (e o que não é) essa abordagem educacional?

abstract: STEAM is a recent educational approach intending the interdisciplinary teaching of science, technology, engineering, arts/humanities, and mathematics. The literature reports conceptual confusion that frequently diverts STEAM practice and research to issues concerning particular activities or contexts. Therefore, we carried out a narrative review of articles indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) to elucidate STEAM education’s history, epistemology, and divergences. As a strategy, we first focused on documents that could offer a panoramic view of the object of study – literature reviews and articles about STEAM frameworks. Through them, we identified essential discussion points and further expanded the review. As a result, we articulated rationalities about why STEAM is not a mere evolution of STEM, a teaching methodology, or just a synonym for interdisciplinarity. Furthermore, we discussed the appropriateness of interdisciplinarity in STEAM – since it is strongly supported by the disciplines and their intersections – instead of pursuing transdisciplinarity, meaning knowledge remains undefined in a holistic whole. We differentiated STEAM disciplines (list of the five knowledge areas), STEAM activities (interdisciplinary teaching unity of at least two STEAM disciplines), and STEAM education (educational approach of interdisciplinarity between all five disciplines). Finally, we defined and proposed a framework for STEAM in a table format that stresses two necessary and sufficient conditions – interdisciplinarity and the five acronym areas. The framework permits envisioning the plurality of teaching methodologies and educational objectives consistent with STEAM.

Exploring the Methodological Plurality of Feminist Institutionalism for Institutional Gender Analysis

Exploring the Methodological Plurality of Feminist Institutionalism for Institutional Gender Analysis

Formation of Belarusian National Historiography in 1918—1928

The article reveals the development of the historiography of the history of Belarus as an independent scientific direction in 1918—1928. It notes the existence of two directions of national historiography: national-democratic and national-Marxist. The author analyzes the works which formed the conceptual vision of national history in Belarusian society. The article reveals the methodological approaches of the researchers to the knowledge of the past. The peculiarities of comprehension of the history of Belarus by representatives of professional and non-professional historiography are highlighted. Attention is paid to the problem of national-state narrative. The study is based on the historiographical sources which prove the presence of the formed Belarusian historiography in the scientific paradigm of the Belarusian SSR of the interwar period. It is concluded that the course of scientific cognition depends on the political situation in the republic. The process of eliminating the methodological pluralism in the historical science of Belarus is considered separately.

Methodological discourse in mediоlogy: Meaning and significance in the context of journalistic education

Introduction. The article discusses a discourse on the methodological foundations of mediоlogy, a characteristic feature of which is a wide variety of proposed approaches.The existing pluralism creates problems for choosing an educational strategy.Purpose setting. The objective of the study is to analyze whether the whole range of proposed approaches should be presented in the process of teaching methodological disciplines, or should we follow the path of choosing the most effective media methodology.Methodology and methods of the study The elements of discourse analysis and a systematic approach, in particular, the concepts of the systemic unity of logical and psychological and interdisciplinary synthesis, are used as methodological foundations. Results. The opinion is expressed that methodological pluralism has a serious consequence: it feeds epistemic skepticism, which manifests itself in the denial of the qualitative uniqueness of various ways of representing reality: reflection and imagination. It causes the misunderstanding of the specifics of journalistic creativity; the difference between fact and opinion is lost, as well as between, on the one hand, mythological and artistic, and between scientific and journalistic types of texts and discourses, on the other hand. As one of the means of counteracting this trend, it is proposed to clarify the meaning of the concept of «methodology». The importance of using the cognitive psychology concepts to describe the functionality of the methodology is pointed out. The article presents arguments that the methodological level has an immanent quality of polysemy, which contains a dual message: on the one hand, it gives a sense of intellectual support, on the other, the interpretation freedom and the possibility of creating an author’s version of mediоlogy. It is suggested that the methodological function has a non-verbalized cognitive complex, manifested in the motivation of research activities, cognitive style, predisposition of objectivity, etc.Conclusion. The analysis carried out in the article allows us to make the following generalizations: the main theme of methodological discourse in mediology is the distinction between two types of texts – imagination and display; as one of the means of conducting methodological discourse, the potential of cognitive psychology can be used; the appeal in the educational process to the methodological possibilities of cognitive psychology contributes to overcoming epistemological uncertainty.

Принцип материального единства мира в мире плюрализма

This paper dwells on the principle of material unity of the world in the aspects of substantial, substrate, attributive, and functional unity of the world and in the aspect of unity of the world’s natural process. A substantial connection of this principle with the development of science, primarily, natural sciences, is determined. A historical nature of philosophical interpretations of the principle of material unity of the world is identified and a comparison is drawn between the monistic expression of this principle based on classical scientific rationality and its interpretations based on non-classical scientific rationality. A conclusion is made about the impact of methodological pluralism of modern scientific cognition on various substantive aspects of the principle of material unity of the world. Points of contradiction are identified between the modern scientific methodologies and the philosophical content of the principle under study. In terms of the ideological significance of the principle of material unity of the world, the author points out complete exclusion of the ontological meaning of any religious views and ideas by the regulatory action of this principle. In the modern picture of worldview pluralism (dominated by religious and religious-like beliefs, value orientations and views) a worldview based on the principle of material unity of the world is elitist and is very poorly represented. In scientists’ worldview, orientation towards this principle explicitly (reflexively) or implicitly performs the function of an epistemological basis for extrapolating knowledge obtained in local areas of research to the entire subject area of the relevant sciences. Therefore, at least within the scientific community, the principle of material unity of the world retains its monistic significance, both in methodological and ideological terms.

СУЧАСНА ЗАРУБІЖНА КОНСТИТУЦІОНАЛІСТИКА: ІНСТИТУТ ПОРІВНЯЛЬНОГО ПУБЛІЧНОГО ПРАВА ТА МІЖНАРОДНОГО ПРАВА ІМЕНІ МАКСА ПЛАНКА (MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE FOR COMPARATIVE PUBLIK LAW AND INTERNATIONAL LAW)

The European vector of modern Ukrainian politics involves a broad and thorough acquaintance with the latest achievements of European and world legal thought. Domestic jurisprudence, which has been developing for many years in line with the orthodox Marxist methodology, overcomes not only ideological isolation, but also produces a new research culture based on the study and understanding of modern trends in foreign jurisprudence. It is necessary to emphasize that this process is only unfolding and is not always implemented in specific studies, in particular, dissertation studies, where the use of works by foreign authors on the studied issues is often absent, and, therefore, the latest methodological approaches and theoretical and doctrinal developments of the world's leading experts are not taken into account. As before, little information is published in domestic legal periodicals about foreign research centers and schools in various fields of law, activities of foreign legal scholars, academic publishing houses and authoritative periodicals. All this fully applies to our science of constitutional law, which encourages us to more actively cover the study of constitutional law in foreign countries, publishing activity and activities of scientific centers related to the problems of constitutional law. One of the internationally recognized centers of modern constitutional studies is the Max Planck Institute of Comparative Public Law and International Law (Heidelberg, Germany). His research in many respects sets the tone and determines the direction of modern constitutional and legal investigations. The article provides a detailed description of the work of the Institute, which is built on the principles of theoretical and methodological pluralism, individual projects are specifically directed to the use of different methodological approaches. It is noted that the research is conducted in two forms: 1) doctrinal and theoretical analysis - problem-oriented fundamental research that seeks to reveal the structures, development and regularities of constitutional and international law; 2) systematic analysis and comparison of legal norms in order to solve current legal problems or carry out reforms. The relatively low level of abstraction of such studies is explained by the need to provide specific recommendations to officials or practicing lawyers. The institute strives for broad relations with the public. It is noted that the Institute occupies a leading position in world constitutionalism in terms of the volume of research conducted, the wide coverage of topics and the depth of theoretical analysis. His achievements must be taken into account by the domestic science of constitutional law.

The scholarship of teaching and learning: Understanding the concept and its application in academic programs and emergency management.

For years, education has gone through transformation and incorporated innovation to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning. The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) is one such activity that transforms and innovates education to engineer effectiveness. SoTL is internationally accepted and applied in Education, Psychology, Management Science, Chemistry, History, English, Sociology, Communication Studies, Mathematics, Engineering, Medicine, and Interdisciplinary Programs with a growing interest in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS). In relation to the EMHS programs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) SoTL Special Interest Group members have participated in the American Educational Research Association annual meetings and then shared the relevance of the SoTL concept with the EM scholars, researchers, and practitioners at the FEMA Higher Education programs.1-4 Thus, the concept of SoTL cuts across academic barriers with methodological pluralism in educational practice. In addition, the success of SoTL has been driven with the publication of two edited volumes of Carnegie Scholars' works: (1) Opening Lines: Approaches to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning5 and (2) Disciplinary Styles in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Exploring Common Ground.6 However, even with these advances, there are some concerns about SoTL critiques. One such critique comes from Boshier who asserts that SoTL is a difficult academic concept to be accepted by the academic community.7 Criticisms -notwithstanding, there are many benefits due to SoTL. Its future is bright and encouraging as nations benefit from SoTL's educational transformative and innovative power.