Methodological Problems In Research Research Articles

Tracking conceptual and semantic processing in the comprehension and production of text and discourse.

Current research on text and discourse processing has focussed on the nature of conceptual and semantic representation and processing, and the relationship between conceptual knowledge and the structure and processing of text or discourse. It is now generally recognized that discourse comprehension involves the construction of a conceptual by a listener or reader, that is, a conceptual representation that is appropriate to the content and context of a text or discourse. These constructive processes are based on: (a) propositional information that is encoded in the sentences that comprise a discourse, (b) an individual's prior conceptual knowledge, and (c) other information that is available within the situation within which the text or discourse occurs.Current psychological models of discourse production view discourse processing as a process of translating conceptual knowledge structures into rhetorical discourse structures that are appropriate to a communicative situation and setting. One important component of such translation is the construction of a conceptual situation model to be communicated to a listener or reader. A second is the construction of a propositional text base to specify precisely the semantic content to be expressed through segments of text or discourse. A third is to define a discourse organization that appropriately guides the reader in constructing a conceptual situation model from the text.Discourse, then, is currently viewed as a reflection of complex, multi-layered cognitive processes that involve constructing and operating simultaneously on linguistic, propositional, semantic, and conceptual knowledge representations. While theories of discourse representation and processing have progressed, research and assessment methods have had difficulty keeping up with these theoretical developments. The problem is to advance the development of methods that can enable use to track an individual's conceptual and semantic processing of discourse during reading or other discourse tasks, that is, obtain data on line that reflect the processes that an individual uses to construct a conceptual situation model in comprehending, producing, or using discourse for specific purposes within situations. This is analogous to the methodological problem in research on problem solving in which what is desired is to track the individual's problem solving processes within situations. This is analogous to the methodological problem in research on problem solving in which what is desired is to track the individual's problem solving processes and representations of problem states in real time. In research on problem solving, the solution has been to employ models of procedural knowledge and of problem states to analyze verbal protocols obtained from subject solving problems in a particular domain. Protocol analysis provides a methodology that can be used for monitoring knowledge and cognitive processing in solving problems in particular domains.In research on text comprehension, recall protocols have long been used as an off-line source of information about the conceptual and semantic representations and processing of subjects in comprehending texts. …

Conceptual and methodological problems in research on the quality of life in clinical medicine

This introductory paper discusses three issues: theory, validity of measurement and benefits of assessment. It is argued that the conceptual entity ‘quality of life’ remains ill-defined, although researchers commonly agree on its multi-dimensional nature. The selectivity of dimensions under study is illustrated by referring to recent work on the quality of life in cancer and in cardiovascular disease. Despite conceptual weaknesses, promising developments are apparent in research methodology. The issue is discussed with special reference to the convergent and discriminant validity of some widely used research methods. Improvements in therapy and patient-physician relationships are considered among the major benefits of assessing the quality of life in clinical practice. In conclusion, this field of research, if based on appropriate theory, opens important opportunities for cross-fertilization between advanced medicine and the social sciences.

Uwagi do problemu określenia wieku płodów i noworodków

The determination of the exact moment of conception is burdened with an error, and; the moment of birth does not indicate to the same degree of development of the newborns. These facts as well as the specificity of the material on which the investigation of fetal growth is based result in numerous methodological problems in research on ontogenesis of the prenatal period.

Methodological problems of research into the ageing process among Indian residents in old-age homes in Durban

Research among old-age home residents in South Africa is fragmentary. This article explores several methodological problems associated with the existing theoretical orientations regarding the problems of the elderly. The article focuses on problems related to research among the residents of Indian old-age homes in Durban. After a schematic literature survey on the problem, background is given regarding the theoretical schemata examining and analysing the ageing process and the problems facing the elderly. This is followed by an examination of the historical background and structural and organizational settings of the existing Indian old-age homes in Durban. Finally an attempt is made to determine the various research procedures that can be employed in examining and analysing the applications of the various theories to the Indian old-age home residents in Durban. S. Afr. J. Sociol. 1986, 17(2): 43–48

Methodological problems of research into the ageing process among Indian residents in old-age homes in Durban

Research among old-age home residents in South Africa is fragmentary. This article explores several methodological problems associated with the existing theoretical orientations regarding the problems of the elderly. The article focuses on problems related to research among the residents of Indian old-age homes in Durban. After a schematic literature survey on the problem, background is given regarding the theoretical schemata examining and analysing the ageing process and the problems facing the elderly. This is followed by an examination of the historical background and structural and organizational settings of the existing Indian old-age homes in Durban. Finally an attempt is made to determine the various research procedures that can be employed in examining and analysing the applications of the various theories to the Indian old-age home residents in Durban. S. Afr. J. Sociol. 1986, 17(2): 43–48

Intrauterine exposure to environmental toxins: The significance of subtle behavioral effects

Abstract Recently, there has been an increase in interest in subtle effects associated with exposure to environmental toxins. One methodological problem in research in this area involves assessment of degree of contamination when exposure occurs at low and moderate levels. A second problem lies in determining the clinical or practical significance of subtle toxic effects when they are observed. Both these issues are illustrated by the case of polychlorinated bi‐phenyls (PCBs), a family of environmental toxins found in moderate concentrations in humans who consume Lake Michigan sports fish. Two hundred forty‐two newborns whose mothers had consumed these fish and 71 newborns whose mothers had abstained were examined in the immediate post‐partum period. Degree of exposure was measured by both maternal contaminated fish consumption and cord serum PCB level. An examination of the data suggests that, at the levels of exposure found in this sample, a maternal report may in some instances be more sensitive and re...

THE CONCEPTUAL DISTINCTIONS ARE IMPORTANT.

A recent comparative analysis of the constructs of reticence, shyness, communication apprehension, and unwillingness to communicate concluded that there are no important distinctions among these terms. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that there are important conceptual distinctions among these and related constructs. Some of these terms refer to subjective, affective responses, and comprise specific instances of the umbrella construct of social anxiety. Others refer to patterns of overt, social-communicative behaviors. The failure to distinguish between anxiety and behavior results in conceptual confusion, measurement and methodological problems in research, and in unfocused, nonspecific treatments for communication difficulties. Recommendations for the amelioration of conceptual and methodological problems in the area are presented.

Selected methodological problems in research in child abuse: a developmental perspective.

It is apparent from extensive literature reviews that only a few authors have attempted to enhance the quality of their research in the area of child abuse. Despite the refinements made by these authors there are still gross weaknesses apparent in much of the research. These deficits are clearly linked to the problems encountered in doing research in childhood psychopathology in general where there is fragmentation both on an empirical and theoretical level. The aim of this paper is to represent some of the many issues which have to be taken into account when conducting research into childhood psychopathology in general and child abuse in particular and when making comparative evaluations of the research. Amongst the issues discussed are: the purpose of the research; naturalistic v. experimental continuum; techniques of data collection; expectations of subjects; experimental bias; individual v. group observation; sampling issues viz definition of abuse; age at which assault occurred; time lapse investigation and last known incidence of abuse; definition of subject sample; demographic variables; technical issues and behavioural research, e.g. specificity v. generality of behaviour; unit of use and time sampling.

The Two-Party System in the United States of America: Historically and Today: (Some Methodological Problems of Research)

It is difficult to conceive of the history of the United States without such a component as the two-party system, which has exercised an enormous influence on all aspects of the political process in the United States. The flexibility of this institution, resting upon the greatest economic potential in the capitalist world, has thus far enabled the ruling circles of the United States to withstand numerous sociopolitical crises and to adapt themselves to conditions of exacerbation of class struggle and to the constantly deepening general crisis of capitalism. V. I. Lenin called the two-party system one of the most powerful means of preventing the rise of an independent workers', i.e., truly socialist, party. (1)

Common methodological problems in research on the addictions.

Common methodological problems in research on the addictions.

Common methodological problems in research on the addictions.

Common methodological problems in research on the addictions.

Methodological problems of research about attitude-behavior consistency

Research about the consistency between attitudes and attituderelated behavior has a long history, perhaps starting with the classic study by Lapiere (1934) which showed that there was no relation between attitudes toward Chinese and the behavior of restaurant managers toward a Chinese couple. More recent research has emphasized a series of methodological problems which might explain why the controversy is still very much alive after more than forty years of research and debate. This trend is present in the writings of Calder and Ross (1973), Campbell (1963) Erlich (1969), Dillehay (1973) Fishbein (1967), Fishbein and Ajzen (1974, 1975), Kelman (1974), Liska (1975), McGuire (1968), Scott (1969) and Wicker (1969, 197 1). In this paper we will attempt to organise the various conceptual and methodological problems into a coherent framework. This framework will allow us to generate some interesting new perspectives for analysing sources of attitude-behavior inconsistency. The study of attitude-behavior consistency is basically the study of the relationship between two variables. Low correlation between the two variables can sometimes be attributed to choices one has to make in deciding how to measure or conceptualise each variable. In the case of the attitude-behavior consistency issue, it is apparent that much attention has been paid to the measurement of attitudes, but measurement of behavior, on the other hand, has been considered to be self-evident. Besides attributing it to decisions about how to measure each variable, one can also attribute low degree of association between variables to a failure to meet assumptions which are commonly required for a valid interpretation of various measures of association. Finally, lack of attitude behavior correlation can be attributed to intervening variables

Depressive disorders from a transcultural perspective

This paper reviews the literature on cultural variations in prevalence and manifestations of depressive disorders and the cultural elements and psychopathological hypotheses proposed to account for such variations. It evaluates conceptual issues and methodological problems of research in this field and indicates some requirements for future research. It concludes that there is insufficient evidence to support a prevalent view that depressive illness in primitive and certain other non-Western cultures has outstanding deviant features.

George Moha, M.D. and Jeanne L. Brand, Ph.D. (Eds.). Psychiatry and its history: Methodological problems in research. Springfield, III.: Charles C. Thomas, 1970, 304 pp. $9.00

George Moha, M.D. and Jeanne L. Brand, Ph.D. (Eds.). Psychiatry and its history: Methodological problems in research. Springfield, III.: Charles C. Thomas, 1970, 304 pp. $9.00

Reactions to Frustration in Negro and White Children

A major methodological problem in research on the Negro personality is to clarify the complex role of race-of-interviewer (experimenter) bias on the perfonnance of Negro subjects (Ss)'. In spite of the relative paucity of research in this area, the results of several studies have suggested that in a variety of situations, adult Negroes or whites will respond differently in the presence of a white experimenter (E) than they will with a Negro E. When, for example, a digit symbol test was described as a measure of motor coordination, Negro Ss scored higher with a white E. When however, the same task was presented in the context of an intellectual evaluation, the presence of a white tester yielded a marked impairment in Negro performance.2 The authors explain their results within the context of motivation theory. They assume that under motor instructions, motivation level with a Negro E is too low for efficient performance, while with a white E, activation is optimal. However, under intelligence test instructions, the incre-

Verbalism and the blind: a critical review of the concept and the literature.

The present paper presents current theorizing in psycholinguistics which points up the inadequacy of the notion that verbalisms (nonsensory based words) are meaningless and detrimental to conceptual thinking in the blind. The failure to acknowledge the word-word nature of meaning is cited as the significant flaw in the development of the verbalism construct. A review of the literature indicates some of the methodological problems in research on verbalism. Suggestions for future research on the phenomenon are presented.

Social Differentiation in Selected Lebanese Villages

IF the villages of the Arab Middle East are perfectly flat and oriented toward maintaining that condition, it may be hypothesized that they will be relatively impermeable to progressive influences, internal or external. If, on the other hand, there are groups which are changing their ways, defying the cake of custom, economizing in number of children, making capital investments, repressing emotional release through immediate consumption,' if, in short, there is anything in the nature of an emerging opportunistic middle class in these villages, its existence can be revealed through studies of the social structure. This paper reports the results of an investigation into social differentiation and stratification in the Southern Beqa'a Valley of Lebanon.2 Of special concern here are the methodological problems of research in underdeveloped non-census areas, as well as discovering the existence of differentiation within the homogeneous appearing peasant population in such societies. approach is entirely classificatory.3 To the casual observer the only stratification apparent is that between a very few large landowners who rarely reside in the villages and the multitude of village-dwelling peasants. Familial and religious homogeneity lend to this appearance. Islamic sanction of inter-cousin marriages and village endogamy 4 among other factors ensure patrilineal solidarity. In this agrarian, non-specialized society there is practically no threat to the primacy of the family in the area of statusconferring by any interest group development or identification. On the other hand, the existence of social differentiation based on a fairly elaborate division of labor in Lebanese villages cannot be denied. Literacy, health conditions, quality of gardens, evidence of housing repairs, degree of seclusion of women, care of sewage disposal, educational participation, patterns of deference and aggressiveness in personal interaction-these are a few of the bases * Expanded version of paper read at the annual meeting of the American Sociological September, 1955. Special acknowledgment is made to John H. Provinse, Director of the Social Research Center of American University at Cairo for his helpful criticisms, and to Charles W. Churchill of the School of Public Health, American University of Beirut for his able statistical advice. 1 George A. Theodorson, Acceptance of Industrialization and Its Attendant Consequences for the Social Patterns of Non-Western Societies, Amerncan Sociological Review, 18 (October, 1953), pp. 477-484. 2 Department of Sociology at the American University of Beirut (A.U.B.) conducted an extensive survey of an homogenous rural area of Lebanon during 1954. methodological and the initial content report is available in Lincoln Armstrong, Beqa'a Socio-Economic Survey: Methodological Report (Mimeographed), Department of Sociology, A.U.B., Beirut, Lebanon, 1954. Appreciation is here expressed for the co-operation extended by the A.U.B. Economic Research Institute, the Ministries of National Economy and Social Affairs of Lebanon, the Social Research Center of the American University at Cairo, and the United States Operations Mission to Lebanon whose grant to the Department of Sociology made this study possible. 3 Paul K. Hatt, Stratification in the Mass Society, American Sociological Review, 15 (April, 1950), pp. 216-222. 4 John Gulick, The Lebanese Village, American Anthropologist, 55 (August, 1953), pp. 367-372..

Logical status and methodological problems of research in clinical psychiatry.

(1951). Logical Status and Methodological Problems of Research in Clinical Psychiatry. Psychiatry: Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 327-330.