Study Methodology Research Articles

Motivated leadership and mutual learning: a case study of promoting sustainable food consumption in an early childhood education centre in Aotearoa New Zealand

ABSTRACT Food system transformation is urgently needed; although dominant food and sustainability discourses tend to focus on powerful stakeholders like governments and industries. We sought to understand how localised; community-based initiatives promote food system change; and how this is experienced by the people they are meant to involve or benefit. We conducted a reflexive qualitative case study with a community-oriented early childhood centre in Aotearoa New Zealand that developed an increasingly sustainable programme. This included providing plant-based food; a garden-to-table and nature-oriented pedagogical focus; and well-embedded low waste practices. We engaged with the community of school leaders; staff; and whānau to explore their processes; their experiences of changes made; and their challenges. Our case study methodology involved semi-structured interviews; group discussions; document analysis; and a reflexive thematic analysis. We identified two main themes; including (1) the importance of leadership for initiating and sustaining change; (2) experiences of changes were linked to relationships and shared learning. These findings contribute to understanding the complexities involved in shifting to sustainable food practices at a local; community-focused level; these might benefit other communities or the stakeholders working to better support them.

Effectiveness of Retraction 30 over Gross Stretch For Relieving Pectoralis Minor Tightness Among College Students

Background: The Pectoralis minor muscle originates from different 3 ribs and converges into one attachment point. Pectoralis minor shortening can contribute to many syndromes and impairments, especially at the shoulder. Some of them are impingement of the soft tissues, adhesive capsulitis etc. The prevalence of pectoralis minor tightness is very high in college-going students. The gross stretch is the stretching procedure that increases the length of the pectoralis minor muscle. This shoulder position produces tension in the muscle insertion in a posterior direction in conjunction with the scapular motion that is performed at flexion and elevation in the scapular plane, thereby lengthening the muscle. Retraction 30 is stretching with scapular retraction at 30 degrees of shoulder flexion; the flexion angle at 30 degrees can lengthen the muscle along the muscle fiber direction in the coronal plane. 30 degrees of flexion is considered to be more comfortable than a higher angle of flexion, as well as the angle is closest to the line of force Objectives of the study: To compare the effectiveness of gross stretch and retraction 30 in relieving pectoralis minor muscle tightness which can be co-operated in further treatment protocols. Study Design: Comparative Study Methodology: Two group pre–test–post–test design was used with purposive sampling. Selected subjects were allocated to two groups. Fourty subjects (20 males and 20 females) who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited for the study. The independent variables are gross stretch and retraction 30 whereas the dependent variables were PMI (pectoralis minor index), pectoralis minor length test and Cervical Curvature. Result: This study results imply that retraction 30 is better when compared to gross stretch for correcting pectoralis minor tightness. Hence should be included as an inevitable part of stretching treatment. Practicing clinicians should continue to use evidence-based decisions when treating pectoralis minor tightness.

Strategies for engaging students in sustainability initiatives and fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility towards sustainable development

This study investigated successful strategies for engaging students in sustainable initiatives and encouraging a sense of accountability and ownership for sustainable development. Using a qualitative study methodology, eighty-three (83) administrators and lecturers from ten (10) Ugandan higher institutions participated in in-depth interviews. The data revealed eight major themes: awareness and education, practical engagement and hands-on activities, integration into the curriculum, student leadership and ownership, community and collaboration, recognition and reward, personal relevance and connection, and long-term impact and legacy. These results are consistent with international best practices in sustainability education, highlighting the necessity of an all-encompassing strategy incorporating knowledge dissemination with practical experience and active student involvement. Nonetheless, by offering context-specific insights pertinent to developing nations like Uganda, where such strategies have not received enough attention, our study attempts to address the literature gap. The findings highlight the importance of institutional support and offer practical suggestions for university administrators, educators, and policymakers who want to increase student involvement in sustainability projects. This study adds to the expanding body of information on sustainability education and provides a useful framework for using higher education to promote a sustainable future.

Community-led urban transformation project as transdisciplinary approach: Case of Senboku Hottokenai Network Project

This study examined the community-led urban transformation project as a transdisciplinary approach in Senboku New Town (Senboku-NT). The research method employed a combination of case study and action research methodologies. In Senboku-NT, the population declined from approximately 170,000 to 115,000, and older adults account for 37.1% of the total population. The demographic change made it difficult for older people to live in Senboku-NT. Due to regional problems, local communities began to explore community-led urban transformation projects. The “Senboku Hottokenai Network Project” is a project in which vacant building stocks were gradually transformed into neighborhood healthcare facilities, including supportive housing for older people, a group home for people with disabilities, and a community restaurant. The urban transformations of the Senboku Hottokenai Network Project may have triggered those in the entire Senboku NT. Our main conclusions indicate the effectiveness of community-led urban transformation projects in old New Towns. The results of this study shed new light on the importance of community-led co-creation among multiple stakeholders as transdisciplinary projects toward the Healthy New Town. Our insight provides the need to implement a new movement program to extend the urban transformation project for the Healthy New Town to other old New Towns in East Asia.

Quantum Variational Autoencoders for Predictive Analytics in High Frequency Trading Enhancing Market Anomaly Detection

High-frequency trading (HFT) markets, characterized by high and frequent price fluctuations, necessitate the use of anomaly detection mechanisms to monitor the market and ensure the efficacy of the trading system. This paper aims to discuss the possibility of improving predictive analytics in HFT using quantum computing with the help of the Quantum Variational Autoencoder (QL-VAE). As a result, we propose a new direction for further research on quantum VAEs in HFT that involves their direct comparison with classical VAEs. The application of quantum models for mastering the intensive data flow of HFT is conditioned by the advantages of quantum computation in comparison to classical ones, which are more suitable for handling multidimensional data arrangements and intricate topologies. Our detailed study methodology involved examining various aspects of HFT data, such as order book features and stock price characteristics. We normalized all the data and reduced some of its dimensions. We established quantum VAEs using Pennylane, and configured the classical VAEs using TensorFlow. When it comes to market anomalies, the results of the comparative analysis showed higher accuracy, recall, and F1 rate in quantum VAEs compared to classical models when it comes to the analysis of market anomalies. Therefore, the quantum model's ability to handle high-dimensional data makes it a better fit for HFT than classical methods. These studies suggest that quantum VAEs could significantly improve anomaly detection in the financial market.

Online Pedagogical Training during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Responses, Challenges, and Contributions

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the widespread closure of educational systems, prompting a shift to online learning methods for instructors and students in higher education institutions. This study explores how pedagogical instructors supported accessibility to online pedagogical training during this crisis. This qualitative investigation employed a case study methodology, focusing on the high school training program at a multicultural college of education in Israel. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six pedagogical instructors to explore their roles as educators, their oversight of pedagogical training, the implementation of didactic workshops and practical work, and their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic across technological, pedagogical, and emotional dimensions. Findings underscore the critical role of pedagogical instructors during the shift to remote learning. They facilitated communication using digital tools among pre-service teachers, coaching professors, and students, akin to conducting an orchestra with multiple participants. Amid widening educational, technical, and social disparities among students, pedagogical instructors and their pre-service teachers played a pivotal role in curriculum adaptation and crisis management within the school setting.

Digitalisation in food supply chains to build resilience from disruptive events: a combined dynamic capabilities and knowledge-based view

Purpose Building resilience in food supply chains is considered vital to tackle disruptions and ensure the availability of food. This study aims to empirically explore how firms operating in food supply chains can develop dynamic capabilities and use digital technologies to address disruption. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study methodology was adopted to understand how the firms built resilience by developing dynamic capabilities. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with four case companies to gather data across various functional areas (sourcing, operations and logistics). Findings Results show that knowledge management is a key antecedent to developing dynamic capabilities. The development of such dynamic capabilities − sensing, seizing and transforming, along with the adoption of digital technologies enabled firms to address the disruptions and, hence, build resilience. Resilience is demonstrated in the form of maintaining or improving performance outcomes such as profit, waste reduction, food quality, lead time, efficiency and customer satisfaction. Originality/value This is one of the earliest empirical studies that provide insights into how firms operating in food supply chains have built resilience by developing dynamic capabilities through knowledge management practices and, which required the implementation of digital technologies. The study extends dynamic capability theory with the knowledge-based view and develops a novel framework along with a pathway to build resilience.

Sustainable Development Challenges in Shanxi's Coal Industry: A case study of Datong Coal Mine Group

The purpose of this study is to investigate the sustainable development challenges faced by coal resource-based areas, focusing specifically on Shanxi Province in China. The study aims to understand the long-term impacts of extensive coal mining on the ecological environment, safety incidents, and the local economic system. It seeks to draw lessons from case studies of coal enterprises to identify innovative measures for companies in transition and development, with the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable practices that address livelihood issues and contribute to the modernization process. The research employs a qualitative case study methodology, using Datong Coal Mine Group in Shanxi Province as a representative example. This approach enables an in-depth analysis of the specific challenges related to coal mining in the region. The findings highlight the significant ecological and safety challenges posed by widespread coal mining practices in Shanxi Province, including environmental degradation, ground subsidence, and recurring safety incidents. The study suggests a need for innovative measures to transition towards more sustainable and diversified economic activities. The research provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, industry leaders, and communities in similar resource-dependent regions to adapt to the demands of modernization and sustainability.

How Polycentric Governance Affects Nature Conservation in Practice: The Case of Two Coastal Protected Areas in Suriname

This article focuses on the interactions between multi-level decision-making centers – local, national, international – in migratory species conservation in Suriname. Such multi-level interactions are crucial for transboundary conservation practices, but they have been researched very little by the scientific community so far, and not on Suriname at all. Moreover, although multi-level decision-making may differ per situation, it always poses governance and management challenges. To understand these, two Suriname case studies are analyzed in-depth: migratory shorebirds in the Bigi Pan Multiple Use Management Area and marine turtles in the Galibi Nature Reserve. A polycentric governance framework is used as an analytical lens, while a qualitative case study methodology is applied. The results of the analysis show that polycentric structures for the conservation of migratory species are currently only moderately in place and heavily dependent on donor finance. Yet, such vertical interactions are crucial for building connections – particularly among international NGOs, national governments and local communities – to achieve effective and legitimate conservation outcomes, irrespective of the presence or absence of donors. This paper, therefore, draws the following three key lessons for polycentric conservation efforts in the global South: (1) structural funding and alternative sources of income to donor money are crucial for transboundary conservation, (2) effective cooperation will require robust institution-building for enduring collective action, particularly at the local level, and (3) decision-making centers at all levels should be truly committed to a social-ecological approach of conservation, since a sole focus on biodiversity will not lead to legitimate results.

Patients’ knowledge of the indications for their medications – a scoping review

BackgroundInadequate medication knowledge may contribute to inappropriate medication use and treatment harms. We aimed to map and synthesise the existing evidence on patients’ knowledge of the indications for their medications.MethodWe searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsychInfo and the Cochrane Library for studies that assessed patients’ knowledge of the indications for their medications from inception to June 16, 2022. A pair of reviewers independently screened and extracted data on study characteristics, aims, and methods used to assess and report patients’ knowledge of the indications for their medications.ResultsWe included 99 studies conducted in 33 countries, published between 1979 and 2021, with 42,377 participants in total (median 126 participants [Interquartile range: 63–338]). Studies were observational (n = 77), experimental (n = 18), or qualitative interviews (n = 4). The exact question used to assess knowledge of the indications was reported in 27 studies and was phrased in 25 different ways. Knowledge of the indications was reported as a proportion of either 1) all participants (n = 65) or 2) the total number of medications used by all patients (n = 13). Sixteen studies used both reporting methods, while five only reported a proportion without specifying the denominator. Fourteen studies in various populations reported the number of participants with correct knowledge of all their medications, ranging from 19% (long-term psychiatric in-patients) to 87% (general practice patients).ConclusionWe did not identify any established scientific standard for assessing patients’ knowledge of the indications for their medications. The wide range of study methodologies and reporting styles observed call for a methodological consensus in this research field. Estimates of correct knowledge varied widely between studies, but whether this was due to differences in study populations or study methodology could not be determined. Furthermore, we did not identify any study investigating whether participants’ knowledge of the indications for their medications was associated with the quality, e.g. appropriateness, of their treatment.

Patient-reported outcomes in cancer survivorship: insights from two decades of population-based PROFILES registry research.

When the field of cancer survivorship research was in its infancy, the PROFILES registry was set up in 2004 to monitor patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in survivors and a normative population. This scoping review aims to summarize lessons learned from developing a population-based PRO registry, focusing on study methodologies, data collection shifts, data utilization, multidisciplinary collaboration, societal impact, and data sharing. A systematic computerized literature search through PubMed was performed to collect all publications using data from the PROFILES registry between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2023. The PROFILES registry's research today encompassed 249 papers from 35 studies. Key insights include the importance of multi-hospital collaboration, which enhances participant inclusion and result generalizability. Optimizing response rates and patient inclusion is achieved through proactive data collection methods such as inclusion by health care professionals, and using both web-based and paper questionnaires. Longitudinal studies, despite their intensive data collection efforts, provide critical insights into the consequences of cancer and its treatment on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from diagnosis through survivorship. Combining PRO data with comprehensive clinical registry data ensures reliable datasets, crucial for drawing meaningful conclusions. The shift towards multidisciplinary collaboration, open-access publishing, and data sharing all contribute to accessible and impactful research. This review highlights key insights from the PROFILES registry, emphasizing multi-hospital collaboration, proactive data collection, and the integration of PROs with clinical data. These lessons can guide future research on cancer survivorship, improving methodologies to enhance survivorship care and quality of life through multidisciplinary collaboration and data sharing.

Crystal violet removal from waste water by sulfonated poly (glycidyl methacrylate) nano-adsorbent: optimization by response surface methodology, isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics studies

Crystal violet removal from waste water by sulfonated poly (glycidyl methacrylate) nano-adsorbent: optimization by response surface methodology, isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics studies

AN ECLECTIC APPROACH TO ARABIC LANGUAGE EDUCATION: IMPLEMENTING KITAB AL-AMTSILAH AT-TASHRIFIYAH IN MODERN INDONESIAN PESANTRENS

The importance of effective Arabic language learning methods is increasingly recognized in Indonesia, particularly within modern pesantren. This study aims to explore how the al-Amṡilah at-Taṣrȋfiyyah book facilitates Arabic language acquisition in these educational settings. Employing a qualitative approach, this research utilizes a case study methodology, collecting primary data through interviews with three teachers and three students from Pesantren al-Amien Prenduan and Pesantren Darussalam Gontor. The findings reveal that modern pesantren implement various learning methods, including game-based learning, lingual-based learning, and eclectic-based learning. Specifically, the eclectic method integrates game-based learning with grammar instruction, where teachers provide explanations of Sharaf grammar after students complete reading and memorizing activities. This study concludes that these innovative teaching strategies enhance the effectiveness of Arabic language learning in pesantren environments. The implications of this research suggest that incorporating the eclectic method through the al-Amṡilah at-Taṣrȋfiyyah book can lead to more engaging and effective Arabic language instruction, ultimately benefiting both educators and students. Recommendations for further improving Arabic language teaching methodologies are provided to encourage ongoing development in this critical area of study.

Justice-centered best practices for accessibility to public buildings in a tier II city: Insights from a Delphi expert consensus

Background Despite beneficial progress in policies, awareness and advocacy, accessibility gaps exist in public buildings in India. Challenges achieving full inclusivity still exist, due to a lack of clear guidance for implementing accessible solutions. Retrofitting older buildings, particularly in developing tier II cities is a major challenge. The authors of this paper aimed to address this issue using a four-round Delphi method to generate a Justice-Centered Best Practices (JCBPs) for accessibility provisions for individuals with mobility disabilities. Methods Conducted in Udupi, the study involved experts including administrators, policy implementers, auditors, advocates, healthcare professionals, individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. In the first round, a 117-item list was generated through triangulation of three methods. In subsequent rounds, experts rated each item using a 5-point Likert scale on feasibility, affordability and priority. Responses were considered valid if the agreement reached ≥80% on the total score. The prioritised list of JCBPs was finalised at a consensus meeting. Results Out of forty-eight experts who began the study, 16 participated in the final meeting. The Wilcoxon signed rank test (p value>0.05) of expert ranking indicated that the scoring of items remained consistent between the two rounds. A machine learning decision tree analysis identified items securing ≥ 80% agreement as the most reliable decision with an accuracy=71.43%. The McNemar’s Test p value=0.79 confirmed consistency of expert scoring on the items with high agreement rates. Conclusion Finally, 33 built and non-built environment items scored highest rank. Stakeholder engagement, use of low-cost technology solutions, coordination between public administrations, funding, good governance practice, awareness, and advocacy were few of the solutions that can help ensure accessibility is in place for individuals with mobility disabilities. The study methodology and findings create a robust foundation for evidence-based JCBPs for accessibility provisions for individuals with mobility disabilities.

Board Games and Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition: A Mixed-Methods Study on the Efficacy of the EntreComp Framework in Higher Education

The landscape of higher education has witnessed a paradigmatic shift towards methodologies that are more interactive and engaging. The integration of gamification and board games as active learning methodologies in higher education, as well as the instruction in entrepreneurial competencies, has garnered significant interest for its potential to engage and motivate students, thereby enhancing learning outcomes. Gamification, characterized by the incorporation of game design elements into non-game contexts, offers a captivating and novel learning experience that fosters intrinsic motivation and active participation among students. One of the main ways of applying gamification is through board games, providing hands-on opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios. A critical aspect of this educational innovation is its contribution to the instruction of entrepreneurial competencies, a domain gaining traction within higher educational settings. The European Entrepreneurship Competence Framework (EntreComp) stands at the forefront of this educational endeavor, offering a comprehensive blueprint for cultivating entrepreneurial skills and mindsets. This study is anchored in the context described above, with a focused aim to delineate which entrepreneurial competencies, as outlined by the EntreComp framework, are most effectively developed through these novel educational interventions. To facilitate this investigation, the "Game It Away!" project was initiated, encompassing three pilot studies. These pilots innovatively employed board games as the medium through which participants could acquire and hone their entrepreneurial skills. A key component of the learning process within these pilots was the maintenance of a learning journal by the students. This journal, filled with various reflective questions, provided a structured mechanism for participants to document and reflect upon their learning journey throughout the project. In this way, by using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, it is possible to verify the evolution of certain competences. The integration of gamification and board games within educational settings, particularly through the lens of the "Game It Away!" project, represents a pioneering approach to fostering entrepreneurial competencies among students. This study, leveraging both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, has illuminated the substantial potential of these innovative pedagogical strategies to revolutionize the teaching and acquisition of entrepreneurial skills as outlined by the EntreComp framework.

Effects of organizational climate on employee job satisfaction and psychological well-being: the role of technological influence in Chinese higher education

BackgroundIn the Chinese education sector, educators’ job satisfaction (JoS) is considered critical to educational quality and student outcomes. One critical area of inquiry is the organizational climate (OC) and its impact on JoS, and psychological well-being (PW), with technological influence (TI) moderating effect.PurposeThe current study has tried to look at the exact relationship among OC, PW, and JoS for educators working in the Chinese higher education setting. It also discusses the moderating role of TI on OC and JoS.Design/methodologyThis study uses a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, grounded in post-positivism assumptions. Data collection involved sampling 690 respondents in the Chinese higher education setting via WeChat.FindingsThe study methodology part included a pre-test, translation validation, demographic characteristics of participants, and results that showed a significant positive influence on JoS for PW and OC. The study also confirms the positive effect of PW on JoS. Moreover, the mediating role of PW within the OC–JoS link is also supported. Furthermore, TI positively moderates the OC–JoS relationship, thus it implies a supportive role of technology in enhancing the educators’ satisfaction. The model indicated that OC, PW, and TI explain 72.4% of the variation in JoS.ConclusionIn this respect, the findings offer some practical insights for educational institutions and policymakers to facilitate enhancement strategies for OC, thus recognizing its influence on JoS and the well-being of educators. Understanding how technology can play a moderating role presents the strategic occasion to utilize technological tools for a more satisfying work environment.

Career trajectories in retail and wholesale –turnover, retention, and labor status

ABSTRACT This study evaluates career trajectories in the retail and wholesale sectors, focusing on individual attributes and the underlying factors influencing diverse career outcomes. Employing quantitative (sequence analysis and logit estimations) and qualitative (interview study) methodologies, we examine the pre-pandemic era to systematically map prevalent career trajectories in retail and wholesale. We identify personal traits associated with each career outcome, examine the reasons behind these trajectories, and explore strategies businesses can implement to retain their workforce. Our findings indicate that retail and wholesale sector employees typically experience either a prolonged career or a transient one, where initial jobs serve as a springboard to other industries or higher education. In retail, the likelihood of industry switching is lower among males, older individuals, those without children, and individuals with less education. In wholesale, a similar trend is observed, albeit without notable gender disparities. A key factor for employee turnover is the absence of skills development opportunities.

Development and benchmarking of multilingual code clone detector

The diversity of programming languages is growing, making the language extensibility of code clone detectors crucial. However, this is challenging for most existing clone detection detectors because the source code handler needs modifications, which requires specialist-level knowledge of the targeted language and is time-consuming. Multilingual code clone detectors make it easier to add new language support by providing syntax information of the target language only. To address the shortcomings of existing multilingual detectors for language scalability and detection performance, we propose a multilingual code block extraction method based on ANTLR parser generation, and implement a multilingual code clone detector (MSCCD), which supports the most significant number of languages currently available and has the ability to detect Type-3 code clones. We follow the methodology of previous studies to evaluate the detection performance of the Java language. Compared to ten state-of-the-art detectors, MSCCD performs at an average level while it also supports a significantly larger number of languages. Furthermore, we propose the first multilingual syntactic code clone evaluation benchmark based on the CodeNet database. Our results reveal that even when applying the same detection approach, performance can vary markedly depending on the language of the source code under investigation. Overall, MSCCD is the most balanced one among the evaluated tools when considering detection performance and language extensibility.

Az európai uniós szankciók eseményhatás-elemzéssel történő vizsgálata

This study examines the impact of the European Union’s sanctions against Russia and the news about them on gas prices. Using the event study methodology, we primarily seek to answer whether the different types of news related to sanctions (any mention of the sanctions package, announcements of its content or adoption) impacted gas prices significantly and in differing ways. The 24 selected events were analysed using three different model variants (market model, GARCH, EGARCH) and four different (3-, 5-, 10-, and 15-day) window lengths. Our results confirmed our hypothesis that the mere mention of sanctions has an upward effect on gas prices, similar to the other two types of news.

Sound insulation characterisation of innovative natural ventilated façade in the context of living lab installations

Building acoustic standards like EN 14351 and ISO 10140 regulate the measurement of sound insulation of transparent elements, with indications of the test sample dimensions, test conditions, and criterions of adaptations of the results to different on-site conditions. However, given the research on innovative transparent building envelope including internal ventilation as double skin facades, these methodologies present limitations related to the characterization of the high variability of operating conditions in real in-field conditions. To this aim the acoustic performance could be explored with more flexible methods inside the multi-domain context of Living Labs, which present an opportunity for multiple characterizations and testing costs reduction. This work investigates the possibility of using the sound-intensity probe method to evaluate the airborne sound insulation of a transparent building element with internal ventilation. For this purpose, a comparative measurement campaign has been performed on the same building element installed in two Living Labs. The results show good compatibility between the different measurements and scales supporting the application of this methodology for comparative studies in the perspective of innovative building components measurements, and the application in Living Labs.