Methodological Topics Research Articles

Modeling tree form in forest stands of Pinus taeda L. in Southern of Brazil

Biometricians have been studying tree shapes since the 18th century in Europe, initially using shape quotients. With the advent of linear regression techniques, the field evolved toward the development of volumetric models, which incorporate the effects of tree shapes into the coefficients of the fitted equations. This study presents two methodological themes: the volumetric equivalence form factor (VEFF) based on Pollanschütz concept, and the rational form factor (RFF) derived from ratio estimation. Data from 159 trees were used to fit the RFF, revealing a strong correlation with the h/d variable, indicating that the slenderness index effectively expresses tree form. Five form factor models based on shape quotients were tested, producing reliable estimates with standard errors below 10% and no bias in residuals. Among the fitted volume models, Meyer, Meyer (Mod.), Näslund, Schumacher-Hall, and an additional form factor from the Dwight volume equation were selected for their accuracy and reliability. Other volume equations, such as Takata, Stoate, Dwight, and Péllico Netto and Behling, also showed good results. The second alternative solution for the RFF provided highly reliable estimates with minimal variation in the form factor among the sampled trees. The selected volume equations and their form factors, chosen based on statistical estimates and residual evaluation, are applicable to Pinus taeda L. stands in the Midwest of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Mobilising multilingual and multimodal resources for facilitating knowledge construction: implications for researching translanguaging and multimodality in CLIL classroom context

ABSTRACT The articles in this special issue of the Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development highlight three significant areas of research that have evolved in content and language integrated learning (CLIL) education: (1) the implementation of translanguaging pedagogy and the use of multimodal resources in scaffolding content and language in CLIL classrooms, (2) CLIL teachers’ awareness of the pedagogical philosophies of multilingualism and translanguaging, and (3) the role of multimodality in CLIL assessments. This commentary will begin with a discussion of the articles in this special issue and draw out key theoretical and methodological themes. This commentary will advance the field of CLIL education by critically reflecting on the implications of adopting translanguaging as a methodological framework in CLIL research, which enables teachers and researchers to achieve a greater understanding of the meaning-making processes in CLIL classrooms.

Pragmatic Comparative Research: Pragmatism as a Philosophy of Science for Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)

ABSTRACTQualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) is a set‐theoretic approach that enables accounting for causal complexity, incorporating features of qualitative and quantitative methods. Pioneered in sociology, it is increasingly used in comparative research to explain social phenomena in various disciplines. Despite its growing adoption, and because of its eclectic nature, some methodological themes have proven elusive. Its philosophy of science is one such issue. Philosophical pragmatism, which focuses on action, rather than the mind as rationalism or things as empiricism, is proposed to fill this void. Moving beyond the positivist‐interpretivist dichotomy, this paper argues that pragmatism's philosophical wagers support QCA's assumptions and practice. Moreover, pragmatism's implications in terms of practical consequences, provisionality of insights, plurality of method, and public participation provide fertile soil on which QCA‐based inquiry can sow, producing pragmatic comparative research.

Gerontologic Biostatistics and Data Science: Aging Research in the Era of Big Data.

Introduced in 2010, the sub-discipline of gerontologic biostatistics was conceptualized to address the specific challenges of analyzing data from clinical research studies involving older adults. Since then, the evolving technological landscape has led to a proliferation of advancements in biostatistics and other data sciences that have significantly influenced the practice of gerontologic research, including studies beyond the clinic. Data science is the field at the intersection of statistics and computer science, and although the term "data science" was not widely used in 2010, the field has quickly made palpable impacts on gerontologic research. In this Review in Depth, we describe multiple advancements of biostatistics and data science that have been particularly impactful. Moreover, we propose the sub-discipline of "gerontologic biostatistics and data science", or GBDS, which subsumes gerontologic biostatistics into a more encompassing practice. Prominent GBDS advancements that we discuss herein include cutting-edge methods in experimental design and causal inference, adaptations of machine learning, the rigorous quantification of deep phenotypic measurement, and analysis of high-dimensional -omics data. We additionally describe the need for integration of information from multiple studies and propose strategies to foster reproducibility, replicability, and open science. Lastly, we provide information on software resources for GBDS practitioners to apply these approaches to their own work and propose areas where further advancement is needed. The methodological topics reviewed here aim to enhance data-rich research on aging and foster the next generation of gerontologic researchers.

Methodological Challenges when Using Routinely Collected Health Data for Research: A scoping review.

Routinely collected health data (RCD) including electronic health records, disease registries, health administrative data and wearables data are not specifically collected for research purposes. Analysis of these data poses unique methodological challenges that must be addressed when conducting research, particularly as availability and use increase. This scoping review aimed to identify methodological challenges in research using RCD from existing literature (registered protocol: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/EBM4D). We searched 6 electronic databases, including medical, health economics, nursing and psychology research databases, between Jan 2015 and Jan 2023, combining multiple “RCD” and “research” search terms (e.g., epidemiologic, informatics, pharmaceutical research). After screening abstracts and full-texts, we doubly extracted methodological themes, categorizing them into different study stages. We screened more than 23,000 records and included 430 papers. Bias and confounding were the most common methodological issues identified, discussed in relation to both study design and data analysis. Data quality, including data accuracy, validation, completeness, timeliness and cleaning, also posed substantial challenges, particularly during data processing stage. Record linkage and conducting analyses using distributed health networks also pose unique methodological challenges. Heterogeneity, incorporating social determinants of health and statistical models that address methodological challenges are also described in the literature. External validity and reporting are important considerations for RCD research. Our review identified several methodological challenges facing researchers using RCD. These issues should be addressed to ensure methodologically sound research. These findings will inform the development of a standardized protocol template and accompanying educational platform aimed at enhancing methodological quality and transparency when conducting research using RCD.

Beyond methodology: unveiling multisited entrepreneurship

PurposeMultisited ethnography has primarily been portrayed as a challenge for the following field-worker, with the researcher taking the central role and neglecting research participants also experiencing a multisited nature of their work. The authors argue that literature on multisited ethnography merely discusses multisitedness as a methodological theme. In correspondence, the authors propose to think of multisitedness not just as a methodological theme but also as an empirical theme.Design/methodology/approach The authors contend etic and emic perspectives to address multisitedness empirically, which enables researchers to compare and contrast the multisited topic of inquiry in academic “outsider” terms with the etic analysis and considering the perspective of the research participants' multisited experiences using the emic perspective. To show the fruitfulness of discussing multisitedness using the complementary etic and emic analysis, the authors present the example of Mennonite entrepreneurial activities in Belize, a heterogeneous group of migrants that established themselves as successful traders and entrepreneurs.Findings Through an etic multisited ethnographic perspective, the authors compare and contrast four communities of Mennonites in terms of their entrepreneurial activities, technology and energy use. Through an emic perspective, the authors demonstrate how Mennonites, while preferring an in-group focus, navigate their multisited entrepreneurial activities, which require interaction with the outside world.Originality/value The authors highlight the value of combining etic–emic reflections to acknowledge and include the multisited nature of many social phenomena as experienced by the research participants.

Development of a Clinical Trial Methodology and Appraisal Curriculum for Hematology Fellows

Background: The past few decades have seen dramatic clinical advances in benign and malignant hematology. From genomically-targeted diagnostics and therapeutics to novel cellular and immune-based therapies, scientific concepts move to investigational products with astonishing speed. In parallel, clinical trials have become more complex, reflecting both the increasing complexity of the clinical landscape as well as improvements in trial design and standards. To effectively practice in this environment, hematology fellows need to develop a functional understanding of clinical trial methodology and appraisal. However, whereas there are many educational materials focused on content knowledge of hematology topics, there is a paucity of formal resources for better understanding trial methodology. We report the development of a longitudinal, multimodal clinical trial methodology curriculum for hematology fellows grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Methods: We developed a longitudinal clinical trial methodology curriculum for hematology fellows. The multimodal curriculum consists of both interactive didactic sessions as well as longitudinal integration of methodology teaching into the existing fellow-led journal club. Within the framework of SDT, the curriculum is designed to move fellows from stages of extrinsic motivation to understand and implement critical appraisal (e.g., avoidance of shame) to intrinsic motivation, i.e., integrating critical appraisal into one's professional identity and practice (Th.J. ten Cate et al., Medical Teacher 2011) Conceptually, this is effected by providing adequate content knowledge, a safe space to practice and explore difficult concepts, and serial reinforcement of both the cognitive and social nature of critical appraisal through fellow-led journal club. Progress will be assessed through the first 3 stages of the Kirkpatrick model: reaction, learning, behavior. Results: The concept, teaching modalities, assessment schema and theoretical underpinnings were developed through the ASH MEI program over the 2022-2023 academic year. Iterative review of the course content and modalities occurred through both ASH MEI small group meetings throughout the year, as well as with the directors of the UW Madison Hematology/Oncology fellowship program. Three of the didactics focus on content knowledge, starting with general methodology principles (e.g., validity) before focusing on the hematology-specific challenges of implementing and balancing these principles in therapeutic trials (e.g., enrollment criteria, endpoint selection, etc.) The final didactic is a guided review of a cooperative group trial protocol by clinical trialists from UW Madison, focusing on practical aspects of trial design and implementation. The journal club curriculum includes a methodology rubric trainees can apply during the development of their journal club presentation, as well as a one-on-one debrief session with faculty after their presentation to discuss challenges. Evaluations throughout the curriculum include pre/post survey of learners' comfort and identification with critical appraisal, as well as pre/post knowledge assessment with multiple choice test at beginning and end of curriculum. Conclusion: This curriculum is a proof-of-concept theory-based methodology curriculum for hematology/oncology fellows. The curriculum is being implemented in the first half of the 2023-24 academic year and will report out initial results by ASH 2023. If successful, this curriculum could potentially be expanded to a more extensive array of methodology topics within hematology/oncology and be applied on a larger scale.

Instruments and Parameters for Evaluating Upper Limb Motor Fatigability in Individuals with Neuromuscular Diseases: Systematic Review

Background. Neuromuscular diseases present a set of clinical and pathological disabilities that include muscle weakness and atrophy, perception of fatigue, fatigability, and contracture. Motor fatigability compromises the ability of the individual to generate muscle strength and perform their daily activities. Quantitative measures of strength and motor fatigability are important to determine the clinical progression of the disease and the response to the proposed treatments. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the equipment and protocols frequently used to assess upper limb motor fatigability in patients with neuromuscular disease. Methods. Information such as equipment used to induce motor fatigability, body segment or joint studied, movement analyzed, type of contraction, and protocol utilized for the test was analyzed. Joanna Briggs Scale and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessed the methodological quality of the studies. In addition, a checklist was prepared by the research group to assess the protocols presented in the referred studies. Results. The isokinetic and handgrip dynamometers were the most utilized equipment to induce motor fatigability. 83% of the studies had a design with low methodological rigor and half of them with high risk of bias. In the analysis of the protocols utilized to induce motor fatigability, one study was classified as regular and the other ones as good. Conclusion. The methodological topics to assess motor fatigability were incompletely described considering the electrophysiological and biomechanical approach. Although the motor fatigability in the upper limb was evaluated using isokinetic and handgrip equipment, the absence of a gold standard protocol still compromises the understanding of clinical progression and responses to the treatments in the neuromuscular diseases. This trial is registered with CRD42021206934.

Applying Active Learning in Undergraduate Research Methods

ABSTRACTThis article introduces a bundle of active learning activities for an introductory undergraduate course in research methods. In particular, the activities aim to help students develop core knowledge and skills that provide a foundation for reading and conducting quantitative and qualitative research. Active learning is a pedagogical practice with well-established benefits such as better student attitudes and improved content comprehension and application. I build on this conventional wisdom by applying a student-centred evaluation method, demonstrating that students perceive active learning as an effective complement to traditional lecturing and assignments for learning core methodological topics in political science.

Eberhard Kranzmayer's Deutschtum: On the Austrian Dialectologist's Pan-German Frame of Reference

Abstract: The present paper offers a close reading of Eberhard Kranzmayer's texts from 1925 to 1960 in an effort to isolate Kranzmayer's major methodological themes. One such theme is a pan-German (großdeutsch) framework, in which the unity of German with a single standard variety is maintained. It will be shown how Kranzmayer used this assumption, combined with his belief in the cultural dominance of all things German, to perform "linguistic land claims" for Germany before and during the war. While his post-war texts are identical in argument, with some democratic window-trimmings, any land claims are more muted and cultural similarity is now stressed. Kranzmayer's time as director of the Institut für Kärntner Landesforschung, 1942–45, will be reviewed in regard to his claim that a people is determined by a standard variety: a status that he granted the Friuli, but not the Slovenes (the Windisch) and, certainly and always, the Germans. It will be argued that such pan-German mindset necessarily influenced conceptions of a budding Standard Austrian German and that, today still, Germanistik is largely bound by the idea of a One Standard German Axiom, in striking similarity to the 1920s.

Prevalence and measurement of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) among children and adolescents in the U.S.: A scoping review

PurposeThe study objectives were to 1) examine what methodological approaches have been used to determine adverse childhood experiences (ACE) prevalence and 2) determine the prevalence of different ACEs. MethodsA scoping review was conducted on 2009–2020 articles focused on persons 17 years and younger, highlighting screening and surveillance of ACEs, and evaluating the psychometrics of ACE screening tools. ResultsA descriptive analysis categorized results of 27 articles into key methodological themes (i.e., study design, self vs. caregiver reporting, location/setting). Majority of the studies were cross-sectional (81.5%), self-reporting (74.1%) and focused on neglect, bullying/victimization and violence. There were 26 unique instruments used to assess ACEs. The prevalence for ACEs reported in the literature varied widely based on factors such as the type of ACEs examined, instrument, self vs. caregiver reporting, age group, and setting. ConclusionSynthesis of our findings highlights the need for standardization in ACE measurement as they contribute to variations in ACE prevalence estimations and understanding the overall burden ACEs have on a population. Recommendations for improving ACE measurement among U.S. children and adolescents were provided.

Liquid biopsy: A promising tool for driving strategies and predicting failures in patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) consists of a heterogeneous group of haematological disorders that covers undifferentiated B cell neoplasms originating from germinal centre B cells. The HL molecular characterization still represents an ongoing challenge due to the low fraction of tumour Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells mixed with a plethora of non-tumour haematological cells. In this scenario, next generation sequencing of liquid biopsy samples is emerging as a useful tool in HL patients' management. In this review, we aimed to overview the clinical and methodological topics regarding the implementation of molecular analysis in cHL, focusing on the role of liquid biopsy in diagnosis, follow-up, and response prediction.

Značaj pojma intersekcionalnosti za socijalnu patologiju: epistemološki i metodološki aspekti

The aim of the paper is to consider the importance of intersectionality as an innovative theoretical and methodological tool for conceptualizing the social differences in the field of social pathology. In order to realize the goal set, we first approach the definition of intersectionality and its delimitation in relation to related concepts, while clarifying our own understanding of the concept, which we base on material directions within the approach of diversity politics and critical race theory. Unlike modern sociological understandings, contemporary studies of social differences theoretically rely on more complex approaches, such as constructivist interactionism, phenomenology, post-Marxism, gender studies, postcolonial studies, and critical theories of society, which focus on identity and subjectivity. The materialistic aspect of the critical approach and issues related to policies of distribution are mostly neglected, amid the dominance of the postmodernist culture of thinking, which often manifests itself as imprecise and unfounded. The initial impulse for writing this paper is precisely the effort to reanimate that repressed, material dimension. Then, the paper shows the advantages of using the intersectional approach in the research of critical analysis of public policies and critical criminology, so that the focus in the final part of the paper is directed to specific methodological topics and problems in the study of which the concept of intersectionality has proven to be important and necessary.

Preparation procedures of food and beverage samples for oxygen bomb calorimetry: A scoping review and reporting checklist.

Standardised bomb calorimetry methods are essential to accurately quantify the gross energy within food and beverages, yet no accepted protocols exist. The objective of this review was to synthesise literature on food and beverage sample preparation methods used for conducting bomb calorimetry. This synthesis enhances our understanding of the extent to which methodological variances may currently affect estimates of the caloric values of dietary items. Five electronic databases were searched for peer reviewed literature on food and beverage energy measurement via bomb calorimetry. Data were extracted on seven identified methodological themes, including: (1) initial homogenisation, (2) sample dehydration, (3) post-dehydration homogenisation, (4) sample presentation, (5) sample weight, (6) sample frequency, and (7) equipment calibration. A tabular and narrative approach was used to synthesise the data. Studies that specifically explored the impact of any methodological variance on the energy derived from foods and/or beverages were also considered. In total, 71 documents describing food and beverage sample preparation techniques and processes used for bomb calorimetry were identified. Only 8% of studies described all seven identified sample preparation and calibration processes. The most frequent approaches used included: initial homogenisation - mixing or blending (n = 21); sample dehydration - freeze drying (n = 37); post-dehydration homogenisation - grinding (n = 24); sample presentation - pelletisation (n = 29); sample weight - 1g (n = 14); sample frequency - duplicate (n = 17); and equipment calibration - benzoic acid (n = 30). The majority of studies that have measured food and beverage energy via bomb calorimetry do not describe sample preparation and calibration methods in detail. The extent to which different sample preparation processes influence the energy derived from food and beverage items is yet to be fully elucidated. Use of a bomb calorimetry reporting checklist (described within) may assist with improving the methodological quality of bomb calorimetry studies.

Hafiz Ali Korcha’s Approach to Tafsir

Abstract At the beginning of the XX century one of the people who contributed the most to Albania’s religious issues was Hafiz Ali Korcha. He wrote various works in different fields, including the Tafsir science in which he clearly expressed his contemporary and progressive approach. He wrote a non-systematic interpretation of the meaning of the Qur'an, a commentary on the short suras, on the completeness of the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad, and an independent interpretation of the allegory of the Surah Yusuf. This article analyses Hafiz Ali Korcha’s approach to the science of tafsir based on the main topics of tafsir methodology. The article consists of two parts. The first part provides a description of his work in the science of tafsir. The second part addresses main themes of the methodology of tafsir. The article concludes that Hafiz Ali Korcha was a very good connoisseur of methodological issues. In his work, the author followed certain principles, especially leaning towards the modernist school leaded by Muhammad Abduh. Keywords: Tafsir, Ali Korcha, interpretive tafsir, israiliyât, modernist approach.

Pediatric Disaster Science: Pediatric Specific Considerations, A Global Imperative, A WADEM Opportunity

Introduction:Pediatric disaster science is critical to provide data and discovery to guide evidence-based preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery to best serve children, families and society. With the increasing frequency, severity and global scope of disasters, there is now an unprecedented imperative and opportunity to build a sustained pediatric disaster science workforce and infrastructure. The expertise, perspective and collaboration of the international, multidisciplinary community, including WADEM members, is integral to supporting effective, efficient, ethical, high quality pediatric disaster science and its implementation.Method:A landmark Pediatric Disaster Science Symposium was convened in-person/virtually by the US National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine in August 2022. Forty-eight pediatric disaster focused invited speakers, collectively representing government, non-governmental organizations, academia and community attended, and online. Attendees were polled during the two-day meeting to assign priority ratings to the topics discussed.Results:Symposium topics included the importance, history and scope of pediatric disaster science, and research across the disaster management cycle. Research considerations specific to children included medical and psychosocial vulnerabilities and manifestations; ethics and protections; protocol development and deployment; research tools; and data collection/integration. Scientific methodology topics addressed pediatric considerations for basic science, surveillance, clinical trials, applied sciences, community-engaged research, dissemination and implementation. Infrastructure needs described leveraging disaster centers, research networks, disaster response teams, government agencies and professional societies integratively across disciplines. Building a sustainable workforce, including training and engaging pediatric scientists with disaster-focused/disaster-relevant research, funding streams, regulation and advocacy were also discussed. Research priority ratings yielded preliminary data to inform pediatric disaster science priorities.Conclusion:The meeting provided insights that can further guide discussions among global disaster experts and scientists, including WADEM members, to prioritize, build and scale sustainable pediatric disaster science that yields evidence-based strategies, plans, resources, and actions that improve disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery for children, families and societies worldwide.

The Avignon Popes and their Chancery: Collected Essays, by Patrick Zutshi

Patrick Zutshi’s impact on the study of the medieval papacy has been profound. In the anglophone world, he has both brought the insights of Continental scholarship to our attention, while also being a major contributor to that same tradition of European scholarship. However, much of his work is diffused throughout the many articles and chapters he has written (not to mention the books and papers of others which would not have been possible without his informal advice). This collection—which brings together twenty essays, two previously unpublished—is welcome then, as both a gathering of articles, and as a testament to Zutshi’s years of study. As Zutshi explains in his preface, there is no monograph on the Avignon papal chancery. Nevertheless, the range of articles here satisfactorily fills the gap, as well as moving beyond the chancery to the papal penitentiary. The methodological theme running through the essays—as through Zutshi’s entire career—is the importance of Diplomatic (Diplomatics, in the US), one of those skills, like palaeography, of which medievalists tend to be particularly proud. ‘[L]iterary criticism that is based on a detailed examination of documentary records’ (in Leonard Boyle’s formulation, although even this might be too narrow to contain the vibrancy and breadth of what Diplomatic offers) is a vital tool in the historian’s toolbox. It is therefore—as Zutshi notes—something to be regretted that there is now so little Diplomatic teaching in UK universities.

Recent developments and applications of capillary and microchip electrophoresis in proteomics and peptidomics (mid-2018-2022).

This review gives a wide overview of recent advances and applications of capillary electrophoresis and microchip capillary electrophoresis methods in the fields of proteomics and peptidomics in the period from mid-2018 up to the end of 2022. The methodological topics covering sample preparation and concentration techniques, hyphenation of capillary electrophoresis methods with mass spectrometry, and multidimensional separations by on-line or off-line coupled different capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography techniques are described and new developments in both bottom-up and top-down approaches in proteomics are presented. In addition, various applications of capillary electrophoresis methods in proteomic and peptidomic studies are demonstrated. They include monitoring of protein posttranslational modifications and applications in biological and biochemical research, clinical peptidomics and proteomics, and food analysis.

Magic, metaphysics, and methods

Magic, metaphysics, and methods

Development of a video-based evidence synthesis knowledge translation resource: Drawing on a user-centred design approach.

We aimed to develop a video animation knowledge translation (KT) resource to explain the purpose, use and importance of evidence synthesis to the public regarding healthcare decision-making. We drew on a user-centred design approach to develop a spoken animated video (SAV) by conducting two cycles of idea generation, prototyping, user testing, analysis, and refinement. Six researchers identified the initial key messages of the SAV and informed the first draft of the storyboard and script. Seven members of the public provided input on this draft and the key messages through think-aloud interviews, which we used to develop an SAV prototype. Seven additional members of the public participated in think-aloud interviews while watching the video prototype. All members of the public also completed a questionnaire on perceived usefulness, desirability, clarity and credibility. We subsequently synthesised all data to develop the final SAV. Researchers identified the initial key messages as 1) the importance of evidence synthesis, 2) what an evidence synthesis is and 3) how evidence synthesis can impact healthcare decision-making. Members of the public rated the initial video prototype as 9/10 for usefulness, 8/10 for desirability, 8/10 for clarity and 9/10 for credibility. Using their guidance and feedback, we produced a three-and-a-half-minute video animation. The video was uploaded on YouTube, has since been translated into two languages, and viewed over 12,000 times to date. Drawing on user-centred design methods provided a structured and transparent approach to the development of our SAV. Involving members of the public enhanced the credibility and usefulness of the resource. Future work could explore involving the public from the outset to identify key messages in developing KT resources explaining methodological topics. This study describes the systematic development of a KT resource with limited resources and provides transferrable learnings for others wishing to do similar.