Mixed Methodological Approach Research Articles

Security in Turkish Politics: An Analysis of the Political Discourse of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

The goal of this paper is to investigate two presidential terms in Türkiye in order to compare the place of security in the political discourse of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in particular, and in Turkish politics at this time in general. The mixed methodological approach has been taken in the article. The MAXQDA software program has been used to collect and analyse data from more than 850 of President Erdoğan’s speeches. The key research questions are as follows: how important are the security issues in the political rhetoric of the President? Are there any differences in this regard between Erdoğan’s fi rst and second presidency? Did the state of emergency and introduction of the presidential system make any difference in this regard? What are the reasons for the place of security, as identified in the analysis, in Turkish political discourse and politics?

Reframing the Selection of Hydraulic Turbines Integrating Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy VIKOR Multi-Criteria Methods

Before selecting a proper hydraulic turbine for power generation, conflicting factors frequently emerge from the wide range of available technology alternatives. The preliminary selection of hydraulic turbines (PSHT) has been usually carried out by overlooking and/or overshadowing downstream and upstream processes. The development of a new conceptual framework that allows for including more parameters into the decision-making process at company levels is still required to avoid the danger of engaging in a one-dimensional approach, which would not only result in a reduced and simplistic vision of the choice but would also overlook the trade-offs between individual aspects and the possible unintended side-effects. This paper aims to provide empirical evidence for the PSHT by proposing a well-thought-out framework based on a mixed methodology approach (analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy-VIKOR multi-criteria methods) and focused on small hydropower projects. A total of 16 criteria are proposed and divided into 4 main categories—(i) turbine performance, (ii) turbine and generator costs, (iii) other equipment costs, and (iv) civil costs. Findings reported here reveal a specific alignment between investors’ preferences and experts’ judgments with real market practices. The 16 proposed criteria can be further considered to support the decision-making process for PSHT in different head and flow conditions.

Addressing women’s climate change awareness in Sindh, Pakistan: an empirical study of rural and urban women

ABSTRACT Understanding climate change through knowledge and researching its level of awareness are critical for building resilience in vulnerable populations. Climate change comprehension is not a gender-neutral construct. The purpose of this paper is to investigate women’s perceptions of climate change in both rural and urban Sindh, Pakistan, as it is one of the ten most vulnerable countries to climate change. This study also looks into the sources of local women’s climate change awareness and knowledge. The study employed a mixed methodology approach, with 400 women from urban and rural areas polled for quantitative data and subject/field experts interviewed to validate the findings using informed opinion. According to the study’s findings, women in Sindh, Pakistan, are aware of climate change, but their sources of awareness are secondary, and their knowledge is based on personal experience. Therefore, the study recommends robust government initiatives to raise climate change awareness among women across the country.

Teaching Learning Methods and Students’ Moral Behaviour

This study sets out to examine the relationship between teaching methods and students’ moral behaviour in secondary schools. The improvement of students’ moral behaviour in Cameroon is an ongoing process. The study deals with students’ moral behaviour which has dropped in the past five years and is increasingly gaining grounds in Cameroon. There has been a constant increase of violence, juvenile crimes, aggressiveness, cheating in exams, disrespect, irresponsibility just to name but a few deviant students’ behaviour. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of teaching methods on students’ moral behaviour. The research applied a mixed methodological approach which is a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches at different stages in the research process. Teaching learning methods was measured using Element Based Curriculum Development Model Questionnaire scale adopted from Aslan and Gunay (2016). The students’ moral behaviour was assessed using Understanding the Moral Values of Young People and their character development questionnaire sub scale by Beng (2018). The semi structure interview guide was adopted from Askell-Williams (2001) focusing on achievement goals (Pintrich, 2000). The validity and reliability of these research instruments were assessed and determined. The review of related literature was focused on teaching methods and student’s moral behavior with models and theories. The samples were 100 students, 50 with disciplinary problems and 50 without disciplinary problems, 7 discipline masters and 7 citizenship teachers selected for the research through the simple random sampling techniques. Data collected from the respondents was analyzed using descriptive statistics, stepwise multiple regression analysis and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The research findings indicated a significantly positive relationship between teaching methods and students moral behaviour. If teaching methods is improved by 10%, students moral behaviour will be improved by 0.19% .Students’ moral behaviour should be developed through teaching learning methods and the integration of moral education in all lessons in the school curriculum. Keywords: curriculum development, moral behaviour, and violence. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-29-05 Publication date: October 31 st 2022

SOUTH AFRICA’S STRUCTURAL UNEMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUTH: AN ANALYSIS OF THE EXPANDED PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME MODEL

This paper presents an analysis of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), one of the key South African government policy initiatives that are meant to ease the burden of poverty or unemployment on the poor and unskilled. Historically, such programmes have been used as a relief during short-term crises. Of late, countries have adopted them for long-term structural challenges. In South Africa the programme is meant to protect women and youth. This paper uses a mixed methodology approach to determine the active participation of women and youth in the EPWP and their chances of transitioning into the labour market. The study also solicited the views of the EPWP participants (active and former) and officials to get information which is not captured in the programme’s official reports. The analytical procedure involved document analysis, focusing on EPWP reports from phases One (1) to Three (3) of the programme. The study makes two propositions: the need for public private partnerships to solve the country’s unemployment challenge because independent policies for government or markets are inadequate; a new programme design which separates job seekers from social protection beneficiaries. In its current form, the EPWP is designed as a lower tier poverty trap.

Assessing Factors Contributing to Unsafe Abortion Practice among Women of Reproductive Age

The aim of the study was to investigate the factors contributing to unsafe abortion practices among women of reproductive age. Being a case study, this study used a mixed methodology approach which embraces the best of both qualitative and quantitative approaches, as this approach provides the researcher with both “breadth and depth in” obtaining a holistic understanding of social phenomena. The target population of this study comprised adolescent girls, that is, girls and women aged between 18 years and 25 years who are either in school or have dropped out after falling pregnant. This study used both qualitative and quantitative methods and relied on both quantitative and qualitative techniques of data analysis. The results indicate that reforming laws that regulate a highly stigmatized action takes time and may follow years of using multidisciplinary strategies to highlight the public health consequences and costs of unsafe abortion. Zambia is similar to other countries in the region with restrictive abortion laws in that many countries spell out the grounds for when abortion is not punishable in national penal codes. The recommendations are that the government should lift the most egregious barriers to legal services, such as requirements that multiple physicians authorize abortions and that only physicians can provide them. All healthcare professionals who provide abortion must be trained in WHO-recommended techniques, and the use of dilation and curettage must be discontinued. This invasive method should be completely replaced by either medication abortion or vacuum aspiration. Keywords: Abortion, Government, Health, Medical, NGOs.

Factors influencing generation of domestic solid wastes in Kisii Town, Kenya

Domestic solid waste management (DSW) has been a critical problem in many urban centres in developing countries, including in middle sized towns. This paper investigates the factors influencing the generation of domestic solid waste in residential estates of Kisii town. The specific objective of the study included: to investigate the factors influencing the generation of DSW in residential estates in Kisii town. A mixed methodology approach was taken into consideration. A data sample of 110 households was obtained using the multi stage stratified sampling method from a target population of 20,000 households. Data collection methods of the sampled size involved the use of questionnaires to the householders and direct interviews to county officers in charge of DSW and observation integrated with photography. Data analysis was carried out using methods such as use of tables, use of graphs through SPSS, and other descriptive statistics such as the use of the measures of central tendency were taken into consideration. The results found that various factors including the size of the family 83.7% and the level of income 9.7% influenced the generation of domestic solid waste in the residential areas. In conclusion various factors influence the generation of DSW and the major one is family size. It is therefore recommended that, residents should be sensitized to purchase and cook what they can consume to reduce the excesses which surmount to DSW especially food remains.

Colombian university journalism as a virtual stage for transitions toward acts of memory and peace

This article is concerned with narrating the research-creation experience that emerged from the CAPAZ project (Analytical Center for University Productions in the Framework of Conflict). It aims to account for the emergence of the transmedia web platform “RUTAS: University Peace Stories in Colombia,” based on the analysis of the media representations produced by the national opinion sector of university journalism that are concerned with peace narratives from 2000 to 2021. A mixed methodological approach and an experimental scheme with Big Data techniques derived from an automated lexicometric analysis led to the implementation of a strategy for creating pedagogical narratives that categorized the results obtained. Thus, RUTAS was born as an exercise involving the deployment of knowledge and creative skills around the notions of design as a possibility and hypermediality as a scenario of digital and interactive stories, housed in virtual, cultural, and open platforms that would give rise to multiple representations and media appropriations in the field of communication and education.

Demographics, dwelling type and residents’ satisfaction at Zabdah affordable housing project, Jordan

PurposeThis paper aims to study the Zabdah housing project residents’ satisfaction on both dwelling and neighborhood levels. In addition, the determinants of residents’ satisfaction are studied.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methodology approach was used, merging quantitative and qualitative methods. The questionnaire was developed and filled out through structured interviews. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used to understand the residents’ satisfaction levels. In addition, the chi-square test of independence was used to determine whether demographics and dwelling type were related to residents’ satisfaction.FindingsIt was found that the residents’ satisfaction level with Zabdah housing was moderate on both dwelling and neighborhood levels. On the dwelling level, the tiny dwelling areas were a fundamental problem. On the neighborhood level, good neighborhood services were crucial to the success of this project, while the lack of green spaces negatively affected the quality of life of its residents. In addition, the number of family members and dwelling types were critical determinants of residents’ satisfaction.Practical implicationsThe findings can be developed into guidelines to govern the creation of better affordable residential environments. Furthermore, the successful dwelling typologies in this project can be modified to be adopted in the future.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to explore the relationship of demographics and dwelling type with residents’ satisfaction in affordable housing in Jordan.

Parental Involvement and School Performance: Comparison of Fifth and Sixth Graders in Two Primary Schools at Glo-djigbe in Benin

Parent involvement is theoretically known to contribute to children’s educational success; consequently, the lack of or poor parent involvement may potentially cause school failure. The current research aims at testing this proposition by comparing two primary schools that serve the same area of Glo-Djigbé in Abomey-Calavi municipality: Ste Marcelline Catholic school, where parent involvement is part of the school culture, and Glo-Djigbé/A public primary, consonant with poor parent involvement. A mixed methodological approach consisted of the use of a questionnaire, semi-directed interview, and direct observation, enabling the comparison of the practices of occurring parent involvement and the school performance of fifth and sixth graders in both schools; altogether, a sample of 124 different stakeholders took part in the research. As a result, the school with higher parent involvement (95%) got total success for all their candidates in the CEP national exam, constantly in five successive years, whereas the second school with poor parent involvement tried to obtain 73% of its candidates to pass within the same period. Though the positive effect of parent involvement

E-Textiles: A Soft Touch Barometer for Female Students to Self-Manage Their Stress

The surge in student anxiety and stress in universities continues to escalate, and with over 50% of young people now going to university, and finite university support resources available, finding complementary ways to support student wellbeing is essential. Enabling students to recognise, understand and manage their in-the moment stress can empower them to take some control over their own mental health. This paper focuses on female students. It adopts a mixed methodology approach of experiential learning informed by themes of social and technology acceptance. Overlapping methodologies including “what if…?” scenarios around wellbeing are posed to inspire textile-based concepts as an intervention. The research presents novel approaches and proposes five early design concepts to consider the monitoring, management and prevention of female student stress through the design of crafted, wearer-centred e-textiles. The research is underpinned by both quantitative and qualitative data generated at two female student focus groups. The interactive textile outcomes and playful narratives encouraged student discussion and illuminated wider debate around female student mental health issues. The findings revealed that students are receptive to taking greater responsibility for their own mental wellbeing and open to exploring new paradigms of self-management of stress. The research outcomes built new interdisciplinary knowledge in design practice by exploring the intersections between fashion and textiles, science, technology and wellbeing.

Adaption and Satisfaction Level of Housing Environments During Coronavirus Curfew in Jordan

The global epidemic, evidenced the design gap formed in architecture where COVID-19 changed the way people live, induced designers to see how the epidemic affects people's daily habits in the built environment in the long-term life within a new framework e and vision of redesigning houses with the below perspective. This paper aims to discuss the design gap in pre-epidemic house design and how COVID-19 affects the relative parameters, focusing lost and unused spaces. Hence the suggestion stems from the need for providing solutions to the various crises that occur in the world, in order to contribute to a new urban life. The impact on houses that reflects the way of live in the community focusing on the mid-size apartments redesigning and creating new single spaces that combine several services for people needs during the pandemic COVID-19 lockdowns or self-isolation. This research is based on data collected during coronavirus curfew to analyze the satisfaction and adaptation of the housing environments design at psychological and physical levels in Jordan. Mixed-methodological approach is used for gathering information as well as getting a deeper understanding regarding the quality of housing environment from two perspectives: dwellers’ and housing designers’ perspective. The used methods are questionnaire that executed by using an online survey application and focus group executed via online meeting because of the COVID-19 lockdown. The data analysis showed that the architects’ role in both academic and professional fields should collaborate to raise awareness regarding the importance of creating high quality environments beside giving value to aesthetics. As well, focusing on humanistic aspects through adopting design approach derived from adaptability and flexibility to meet the dwellers’ needs in different situations such as a COVID-19 lockdown.

Fiscal Federalism and Public Spending: Implications of Revenue Deficits on Expenditure Patterns of Government in Nigeria

Fiscal decentralization has become fashionable regardless of the levels of development and civilization of societies. Nations are turning to devolution to improve the performance of their public sectors. Fiscal federalism is concerned with the allocation of government resources, tax-raising powers, and spending powers to the various tiers of government. Despite the existing fiscal arrangement in the country, backed by the constitution, revenue deficits continue to impede government performance at all levels. The study aims to assess the impact of fiscal federalism on the structure of public spending in Nigeria. Friedman's theory of public expenditure was used as the theoretical underpinning of the study. The study adopted a mixed methodological approach to carry out the investigation. Documentary sources were used for data collection, while data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings of the study revealed that revenue yields had continued to dwindle in Nigeria at both national and sub-national levels between 2011 and 2021. The decline in government revenue yields was factored in by the fall in global oil prices and the lethargic nature of the non-oil sector. The study also established that the consequence of the feeble revenue base was that resultant government spending was directed more towards financing recurrent expenditure at the detriment of capital expenditure, thus crippling the drive to spur economic development. The study recommends that it is critical for the government to: Obliterate the present monolithic oil economy by emphasizing economic diversification to boost the financial base of the country and Prioritize public spending in favor of capital expenditure to propel economic growth and development.

Farmers' Strategies In Dealing with The Low Selling Price Of Fresh Fruit Bunches In Indragiri Hilir Regency

This study aims to identify the strategies adopted by farmers in Indragiri Regency in response to the low prices for fresh fruit bunches (FFB). The data used are primary data obtained from direct interviews with respondents and secondary data obtained from the literature and institutions related to the topic. This research employs a mixed methodological approach. Data analysis involves collecting data and analyzing quantitative data in the first stage, then collecting data and analyzing qualitative data in the second stage, and finally analyzing the overall data and drawing conclusions from the analysis of the data. Data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing are the methods of analysis.The results revealed the following adaptation strategies: (1) an active strategy, becoming an oil palm farm laborer and opening a side business; (2) a passive strategy, utilizing home yards to grow horticultural crops, borrowing money from tauke, and borrowing / borrowing daily necessities from the shop / shop.

Assessment of COVID-19 vaccination-related medical waste management practices in Bangladesh.

The COVID-19 pandemic forces people to be vaccinated as early as possible. The COVID-19 vaccination program certainly raised the medical waste volume all over the world, including in Bangladesh. Numerous recent reports showed a fragile medical waste management system in Bangladesh; during the pandemic, the situation became worse. In addition, the nation-wide ongoing COVID-19 vaccination processes have been posing an extra burden to the existing biomedical waste management in the country. Failing to proper management of this waste might be a threat to human and environmental health. Therefore, the study investigated the current COVID-19 vaccine waste management practices in Bangladesh and made a comparison to the proposed standard operating procedures of international organizations and vaccine waste management practices of two other countries (USA and India). The study was carried out through a mixed methodological approach such as qualitative and quantitative, including a questionnaire survey in 15 Upazila of 4 Districts (Dhaka, Narayanganj, Manikganj, and Gazipur) of Bangladesh. The article focused on a nation-wide legitimate COVID-19 vaccination waste estimation, strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat (SWOT) analysis and drivers, pressure, state, impact, and response (DPSIR) framework analysis to identify the present state of medical waste management in the study area. The study found an excellent segregation system (100%) but very poor waste handling (35.5%) along with very poor syringes and sharps disposal method (open burning without buried 46.6%) and poor vials disposal method (without disinfection/open dump 52%) of vaccine waste. It is estimated that about 58 and 257.85 tonnes of syringes (with needles and packaging) and vaccine vials (Sinopharm 2 doses) waste have been generated since the mass-vaccination program started. Upon SWOT analysis, good separation techniques, poor waste management (ex-situ), enough space for management, and environmental and human health concerns were mostly identified as a strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat, respectively. Finally, a DPSIR framework was prepared for vaccine waste generation and its consequences in the studied area. This study will be useful to prepare a suitable vaccination waste management system in Bangladesh.

A Mixed Approach for Aggressive Political Discourse Analysis on Twitter.

Political tensions have grown throughout Europe since the beginning of the new century. The consecutive crises led to the rise of different social movements in several countries, in which the political status quo changed. These changes included an increment of the different tensions underlying politics, as has been reported after many other political and economical crises during the twentieth century. This article proposes the study of the political discourse, and its underlying tension, during Madrid’s elections (Spain) in May 2021 by using a mixed approach. To demonstrate if an aggressive tone is used during the campaign, a mixed methodology approach is applied: quantitative computational techniques, related to natural language processing, are used to conduct a first general analysis of the information screened; then, these methods are used for detecting specific trends that can be later filtered and analyzed using a qualitative approach (content analysis), which is also conducted to extract insights about the information found. The main outcomes of this study show that the electoral campaign is not as negative as perceived by the citizens and that there was no relationship between the tone of the discourse and its dissemination. The analysis confirms that the most ideologically extreme parties tend to have a more aggressive language than the moderate ones. The content analysis carried out using our methodology showed that Twitter is used as a sentiment thermometer more than as a way of communicating concrete politics.

Decolonizing conservation? Indigenous resurgence and buffalo restoration in the American West

There has been a recent surge of interest in “decolonizing” conservation and natural resource management fields. Most of this scholarship, however, speaks to colonialism on a global scale and does not address conservation within modern settler colonial states such as the United States and Canada. This project focuses on the reintroduction of buffalo (bison) in the American West as an example of how even conservation efforts that purport to include, value, and share Indigenous perspectives can ultimately uphold settler colonial relations of power. Using an Indigenous mixed-methodology approach, it interrogates the discursive construction of buffalo as “America's great conservation success story” and highlights the ways in which conservation has historically worked to support colonial projects of Indigenous erasure and dispossession. Some contemporary buffalo restoration projects seek to include Indigenous people as stakeholders and/or collaborators with unique cultural interests in buffalo, but these efforts do not always embody the material shift in power relations that Indigenous scholars have identified as a key component of decolonization. For Indigenous people, buffalo are more than a keystone species with cultural import; they are relatives whose well-being is deeply entwined with our own. For landscape-scale buffalo restoration projects to engage in decolonization, they must seek to not only repair the harm done to tribal nations through buffalo eradication but also work to support Indigenous resurgence by transforming structures of power.

Assessment of Cooperativeness Amongst Police Officers and Other Security Agencies in Dealing with Criminal Emergencies in Kakamega County, Kenya

Inter and intra-agency cooperation among police officers and with other security agencies in dealing with crime is paramount for an effective emergency response operation and lacking it would mean that individual security agencies and agents run the misgiving of making security matters an individualized affair. Today, particularly in Kakamega County, the manner in which National Police Service responds to criminal emergencies attracts a lot of criticism, casting serious doubts on their preparedness to handle criminal emergencies. Security emergency response operations have erroneously been reduced to individual good will enterprise with very little collaborative approach. It is on this mishap that this study endeavored to investigate the cooperation of Police Officers amongst themselves and with other Security agencies in dealing with criminal emergencies in Kakamega County. M utual Aid theory and partnerships theory were employed in the study. It was a cross-sectional study with mixed methodology approach. The study sample was 168 respondents. Stratified random sampling technique and Purposive Sampling were used to determine the respondents. Interview schedules and questionnaires were used in data collection. Data for the study was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 for windows. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically through verbatim and quantitative data was analyzed using ANOVA linear regression model. Study findings established a statistically significant and positive relationship between cooperation among police officers and other security agencies for effective response to criminal emergencies in affected areas within the County. In light of the findings, the study recommended for a multi-agency coordinated approach that involves police officers and the public in the management of criminal emergencies. Key Words: Criminal Emergency Response, Police cooperation, National Police Service, Security Agencies. DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/12-6-08 Publication date: August 31 st 2022

Determinants of Selection of Halal Tourism Destination: A Case Study of the UAE

The purpose of this study is to explore the factors influencing tourists’ selection of the UAE as their halal tourism destination. The study focuses on tourists who visited the UAE between January 2019 and February 2020, with special emphasis on tourists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). A mixed methodology approach is used to achieve the study’s objectives: a quantitative survey to collect data from 600 respondents, and in-depth interviews with 10 interviewees to obtain richer and more meaningful information about the respondents’ experiences and perceptions about the different halal tourism dimensions. Research findings revealed that cities’ security and safety measures, family entertainment activities, halal food diversity and international restaurant chains serving halal food are the most important factors influencing tourists to choose the UAE as one of the best halal tourism destinations. Overall, our respondents were highly satisfied with their halal tourism experience in the UAE. This is the first study that explores the determinants of tourists’ selection of the UAE as their next/best halal tourism destination, taking into consideration that Dubai is among the most visited cities in the world. Moreover, this study provides new theoretical and practical contribution to halal tourism. The findings could help tourism operators in the UAE to further develop halal tourism and to explore the opportunities it offers the country. The findings also have significant contribution to the tourism literature and to the practitioners and policy makers as well, since they provide important insights on the main factors that influence tourists’ selection of the UAE as their halal tourism destination. This can in turn help promote the UAE as valuable halal tourism destination regionally and internationally. This study also sheds light on new opportunities for the UAE to become the most attractive halal tourism destination. The findings will help practitioners to better understand halal tourism, in order to develop marketing strategies to attract Muslim tourists and encourage repeat experience.

The Determinants of the Environmental Performance of EU Financial Institutions: An Empirical Study with a GLM Model

Within the last few decades, the issue of the environmental performance of European financial institutions has become a significant feature of their strategic plans. Financial institutions can contribute through their own activities and investments, and also through their relationship with economic sectors and consumers, in decreasing environmental footprint. The purpose of this research is to investigate the determinants that affect the environmental performance of European financial institutions. Financial markets have been selected as the main research field for this study, as it presents an opportunity for environmental policy and is useful in view of the need for a wider range of policy instruments. Moreover, on a more practical level, financial institutions can interact with the environment in several ways, such as investors, innovators, valuers, powerful stakeholders, and polluters. The study is based on a mixed methodology approach, which integrates: (i) bibliometric analysis based on R package and (ii) panel data analysis with the assistance of a generalized linear model (GLM). Findings show that socioeconomic, governance, and technology factors positively affect the environmental performance of European financial institutions. Moreover, the incorporation of alternative energy sources, such as renewable energy in the corporate function, is a requirement for greening the financial institutions. The above can guide financial institutions to develop the appropriate strategies for decreasing their environmental footprint, improving their operational efficiency, and becoming more attractive and competitive in the market.