Mixed Methods Research Research Articles

The specter of global ByteDance: platforms, regulatory arbitrage, and politics

ABSTRACT Historically, capital has employed varied methods, both discursive and material, to bypass regulatory frictions. Regulatory arbitrage is one such corporate tactic; it leverages more favorable regulatory regimes in one jurisdiction or category to avoid stricter regulation in another, thus reducing regulatory costs. While regulatory arbitrage underpins much of the gig economy’s development, it has received scant attention in critical studies of digital media. Using mixed methods of documentary research and expert interviews, this article examines the regulatory arbitrage strategy that the Chinese social media giant ByteDance deploys in its global expansion and sheds light on the intricate tech politics occurring between the firm and national regulators. Rather than interpreting ByteDance’s global foray through the prevailing geopolitical lens, which often posits a simplistic, antagonistic framework, this article demonstrates how the firm manages and adapts its structure to exploit more lenient regulatory regimes outside of China, such as that in the US. This allows ByteDance to reach deeper into the global market and avoid potential breaches of China’s internal political economic control. Consequently, the article emphasizes the cunning, resilient nature of capital and the complexity and intricacies in global flows of capital, characteristics often overlooked in an increasingly geopolitically charged world, and it considers their implications for platform governance.

Building College Education Management in the New Era: Theoretical Discussion and Model Construction Based on New Quality Productivity

This study analyses the use of new quality productivity theory in higher education management and develops a framework called the "multi-dimensional collaborative innovation management model" to tackle the challenges of globalisation and information technology. This concept combines the three dimensions of scientific and technological innovation, management innovation, and system innovation to promote effective resource allocation, improve educational quality and efficiency, and increase the education system's adaptability. This study uses mixed-methods research to verify the model's effectiveness in practical educational management as well as to present fresh theoretical perspectives and practical tactics for cultivating high-qualified talents who will satisfy the needs of future society.

An inquiry on the psychological well-being of the university students during emergency remote teaching: application of the EMPATHICS model

The current study investigated university students’ well-being during Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) via EMPATHICS framework in the aftermath of an earthquake that struck the Eastern part of Türkiye. The study had a mixed-methods research design, where quantitative data were analyzed through descriptives of the participants’ overall happiness indices, and qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis of those of narrations. Gathered through convenience sampling, the participants were constituted by 18 university students recruited from the department of Foreign Language Education at a state university in Türkiye. The results scrutinized that the participants did not exhibit elevated levels of well-being within the context of ERT. Additionally, the dimensions of the EMPHATICS framework were elaborated in detail to reveal their psychological well-being during ERT, which could also provide pedagogical implications for student well-being and suggestions for further research.

The Mediating Role of Behavioural Intentions on the Relationship between Eco-Friendly Perceptions and Behaviour of Guests in Eco-Rated Camps at the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

The study sought to establish the mediating role of behavioural intentions on the relationship between eco-friendly perceptions and behaviour of guests in eco-rated camps at the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya. The approach of the study was guided by Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and a pragmatic philosophical position with an embedded mixed methods research design. Based on the visitor arrivals to the MMNR, 208, 620 visitors were targeted for the study from which 399 were selected using clustered, stratified and proportionate random sampling techniques. Data was collected using questionnaire survey method and analysed with the help of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) based on the Partial Least Squares technique (PLS). Based on the 272 questionnaires that were returned, the results indicated that, behavioural intentions had partial mediation effect on the relationship between perceived behavioural consequences (40.8%) and perceived behavioural control (30.6%) on eco-friendly behaviour. However behavioural intentions did not have significant mediation effect on perceived subjective norms. The findings underscored the importance of understanding behavioural and control beliefs of hotel guests. Moreover, this study singled out some socio-demographic characteristics of guests which could have an indirectly link to subjective norms and proposed addition of religion, place of origin, travel companionship and monthly expenditure to the TPB. Future researches could deepen understanding of socio-demographic characteristics and their indirect link to subjective norms in different regions as well as investigating eco-friendly behaviour of guests in eco-rated hospitality facilities in Kenyan urban areas

Participation in Critical Dialogues With Illustrative Images Increases Knowledge About COVID-19 Prevention: A Mixed Methods Longitudinal Approach

This intervention study uses community-based participatory research (CBPR) and longitudinal design to examine changes in COVID-19 prevention knowledge over time (3 time points) among racially minoritized participants ( n = 38). The intervention comprised critical dialogues alongside an illustration used to engage participants in conversations about socioeconomic conditions affecting acquisition of COVID-19 knowledge. Quantitative data showed that COVID-19 prevention knowledge was higher for participants who completed the intervention. Qualitative data were used to illustrate the context under which participants experienced COVID-19 pandemic, how they received COVID-19 prevention information, and how they engaged in decision-making around COVID-19 protective behaviors. Contributions to mixed method research: The combination of CBPR, repeated measures, and critical dialogues (with and art form) in intervention research.

Planning for tourism under uncertainty: lessons from Macao, China (2002–2022)

ABSTRACT Drawing on the perspective of governance and planning uncertainties mentioned in Abbott 's 2005 and 2009 articles, namely, “Understanding and managing the unknown: The nature of uncertainty in planning” and “Planning for complex metropolitan regions: A better future or a more certain one?” , and several urban planning theories, this study examined the types of planning uncertainty that Macao (China), experienced from 2002 to 2020, and the planning approaches it adopted to tackle the uncertainties. A mixed research method was adopted. Fifteen qualitative face-to-face interviews with key informants were conducted, and secondary sources of data, such as government plans, reports, and statistics, were also reviewed. Results indicated that environmental, casual, value, organisational, and chance uncertainties emerged at three different stages of Macao's tourism development. To deal with these uncertainties, a variety of planning approaches were adopted, including guided flexible planning, comprehensive planning, communicative planning, and adaptive learning. This study contributed a novel perspective to examine tourism planning uncertainties over time. It emphasised the importance of a flexible planning approach in tackling uncertainties of growing complexity. The findings also shed light on how planners can strengthen their capacity for tackling uncertainty.

Code-switching as a pedagogical practice for senior phase teachers teaching content subjects in OR-Tambo district

Background: The notion that teaching content subjects in schools utilising code-switching as a pedagogical approach contributes positively to academic achievements is well documented.Aim: This article demonstrates the effectiveness of code-switching as a pedagogical practice for senior-phase teachers teaching content subjects in some selected schools of the OR-Tambo education district.Setting: The study was conducted in three semi-rural schools in the Eastern Cape province.Methods: The study utilised a mixed-method research approach in three public schools. Participants were purposefully selected. Thematic content analysis was used to interpret the results.Results: The findings of this study indicated that teachers’ frequent use of code-switching during the senior phase teaching of the English language is a norm in a classroom. At the same time, learners were frustrated to learn the content subjects in English. Moreover, poor learner academic background affects their academic performance in the content subjects. The study reveals a notable lack of pedagogic support for teachers from officials in the Department of Education as well as a sizable component of the school administration team.Conclusion: The use of code-switching is a useful tool to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning in senior-phase lessons.Contribution: The study recommends that teachers and learners be encouraged to use code-switching, especially when dealing with difficult material to be taught in English. The study recommends that the Department of Education conduct extensive workshops on professional growth. This all-encompassing strategy might seek to strengthen the senior phase classroom, creating a lively and encouraging atmosphere for teachers and learners alike.

Matrilineal Succession in Cameroon: Seed of Social Ills and Underdevelopment

This research on matrilineal succession in Cameroon aims at showing how matrilineal succession in Cameroon causes socio-economic backwardness. The mixed method of research was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Results from the study shows that the rationale for practising matrilineal succession by some tribes in Cameroon was to promote consanguineous succession. However, this type of succession brought untold sufferings to the people who practised it. Most widows were abandoned by the successors who mostly deprived them of the wealth left behind by their husbands. This has brought great sufferings to widows and their children. In addition, matrilineal succession discourages many men from saving, investing in businesses and acquiring real estate as they know that upon their death, their wives and children will not benefit from their wealth.

Child life specialist services, practice, and utilization across health care: a scoping review.

The objective of this review was to map the available evidence regarding the scope of child life specialist services, practice, and utilization. Child life specialists are members of multidisciplinary health care system teams who prioritize the developmental needs of pediatric patients to support and improve patient and family health care experiences. Evidence of the effectiveness of child life specialist services and the utilization of those services is often incorporated in multidisciplinary research reports and thus overlooked. All quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research study reports and systematic reviews investigating child life specialist services, practice, and utilization in health care systems were included. This review was guided by the JBI methodology for scoping reviews and a published a priori protocol. CINAHL (EBSCOhost), MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and PsycINFO (APA) were searched for evidence published from January 1980 to August 2022. Research publications about child life specialist services, practice, and utilization have increased dramatically over the past decade with more than 50% of studies published in the last 5 years. Although the first authors of the majority of the research publications were physicians, these multidisciplinary author teams depicted child life specialist services in a variety of roles, including co-investigators, interventionists, and research subjects. The 105 full-text publications reviewed were from 10 countries and occurred across a wide scope of health care settings and medical subspecialties, but primarily in hospitals and health centers, and to a lesser extent, in ambulatory clinics and communities. A wide variety of child life specialist services were described across these settings. The concept of child life services began in 1922 and emerged as the child life specialist services specialty in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. Mapping the research can help delineate the barriers and facilitators to these services in health care systems. This scoping review provides evidence of the global diffusion of child life specialist services across health care system settings with recent increases in research publications involving child life specialist services.

Influence of Principals’ Promotion of Professional Development of Teachers on Learners’ Academic Performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Kisii County, Kenya

Effective professional development should take cognisance of the needs of teachers, learners and school context. It has been established by research studies that divergent and overlapping policies as well as dysfunctional schooling cultures have frustrated impact of professional development of teachers on good quality learning outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the Influence of Principals’ promotion of teachers’ professional development on learners’ academic performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E.) in Public Schools in Kisii County, Kenya The objective of this study was to: explore the influence of Principals’ promotion of professional development of teachers on learners’ academic performance in K.C.S.E.in Kisii County. This study was anchored on Karl Ludwig von Bertalanffy General Systems Theory. Mixed method research design of explanatory sequential type with a prioritized quantitative approach in phase one followed by qualitative approach in phase two was applied in the study. The target population was 4,691 participants which included: 340 Principals, 1360 Heads of Departments (H.O.Ds) and 2,991 teachers. A sample of 451 respondents participated in the study. The researcher used proportionate stratified random sampling technique to select 85 schools, 114 H.O.Ds and 252 teachers. Census sampling to select national and special schools while 85 Principals of the selected schools were purposefully sampled. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Content validity, Criterion validity, Construct validity and Face validity, of the research instruments were ensured through evaluation by the University supervisors and other experts while internal consistency reliability was estimated by using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient formula which yielded alpha coefficient of over 0.7 which was considered adequate. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 29 while qualitative data were analysed thematically and presented using word verbatim from the respondents and integrated with the findings of phase one. Descriptive statistics were presented in tables and graphs while inferential statistics were presented in terms of Pearson’s correlation coefficients, Anova and Regression coefficients. The study found out a weak positive insignificant influence between promotion of professional development of teachers (r=.011, p≤.05; 2 tailed) and learners’ academic performance in K.C.S.E. Therefore, the null hypothesis were upheld. These results were supported by Principals’ interviews which indicated that professional development programmes are not context specific. It is hoped that the findings of this study would provide information that would form a base for corrective measures towards the unexpected low academic performance in the study locale. The study recommended that further research should be done on influence of principals’ leadership skills development on academic performance in K.C.S.E.

Banditry Implications on Socio-Economic Development in Baringo South Sub-County, Kenya

Banditry incidents affect people in various ways like displacement from homes, cause poor health, disrupt education, increase poverty, and create unfavourable business environment. At Baringo South Sub-County in Kenya, many lives have been lost and several injured in banditry incidents. National and County governments have invested in measures to enhance security and contain livestock theft, but challenges still exist. In this study, purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used. The sample size was 364 residents. Mixed research methods of quantitative and qualitative were used in the study, with instruments for data collection being closed-ended question questionnaires and open-ended structured interview schedules. The study found that banditry negatively affects the average income levels of locals through its outstanding effects on aspects such as poverty, destruction of business activities, displacements from homes, creating an unfavorable climate for investors, unemployment, and professionals’ avoidance of banditry-prone areas due to insecurity. Further, the findings of this study demonstrated that banditry has notable implications on literacy levels through its serious impact on the closure of schools, instilling fear in learners and teachers besides being one of the causes of school dropouts.

A Concurrent Analysis of Drug Relapse Risk, Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy, and Aftercare Experiences among Aftercare Program Clients

The cases of drug use and abuse have predominantly increased globally. This issue has become the most significant challenge among mental health professionals, the national government, and the general population. With the absence of substantial research about drug relapse and avoidance in the Philippines, this mixed-method research seeks to find out the relationship between drug relapse risk and drug avoidance self-efficacy among substance users who participated in the aftercare program. This study employed a concurrent mixed method design, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. In the quantitative phase, the Advance Warning of Relapse (AWARE) Questionnaire and Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES) were administered to 66 participants from the Aftercare Program (ACP) at the Department of Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Eastern Visayas. The aim was to establish a correlation between the risk of drug relapse and drug avoidance self-efficacy. In the qualitative phase, interviews were conducted with five participants who met the study's inclusion criteria. Purposive sampling was used to select these participants. Quantitative findings revealed that ACP clients had low drug relapse risk and high drug avoidance self-efficacy. Moreover, Pearson product-moment correlation shows an inverse relationship between lower drug relapse risk and high drug avoidance self-efficacy, and vice-versa. However, the correlation between these variables is weak, indicating that drug avoidance self-efficacy is not a strong predictor of relapse risk in aftercare program clients. Similarly, qualitative results exposed the client’s experiences in the After Care Program. Six themes emerge from their experiences, such as their various reasons for taking the drugs, the effects of substance use, their effective coping mechanisms, the treatment of their communities, their accomplishment of recovery goals, and overcoming challenges in their recovery. The study suggests that individuals who participate in the aftercare programs are trying their best to recover and increase their self-efficacy to avoid using drugs. This strong self-efficacy, in combination with various factors such as family support, the acceptance of the community, and continued reminders of the consequences of substance abuse, decreased their vulnerability to use drugs in high-risk situations. The findings will increase the awareness of Filipinos in the prevention and treatment of substance use among their loved ones, relatives, and friends. Likewise, the findings recommend improving the aftercare program to increase its effectiveness and efficiency in preventing relapse among individuals in recovery.

The effect of blended learning on 21st-Century skills and academic success in education of physical education teachers: A mixed method research

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of the teaching intervention with blended learning model on the 21st century skills, academic achievement levels and permanent learning of pre-service physical education teachers. For this purpose, the nested design was preferred among the mixed method research designs, case study approach was chosen for the qualitative dimension of the research, and quasi-experimental design method was preferred for the quantitative dimension. As regards the experimental intervention process, the experiment lasted for 12 weeks with the voluntary participation of 85 pre-service teachers who formed the control and comparison groups. As a result of the research, it is seen that blended learning affects the academic success and permanent learning levels of pre-service physical education teachers whereas it has no effect on the 21st century skills. Quantitative and qualitative findings are consistent with each other.

The Mixed Methods Treasure Hunt: Reflecting on the Legacy of Dr. Michael D. Fetters in Teaching Mixed Methods Research

This article aims to elevate the appreciation of Dr Michael D. Fetters’s contributions to mixed methods pedagogy by highlighting his innovative teaching methods called the “mixed methods treasure hunt.” Utilizing Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, this paper provides a detailed examination of how Fetters’s legacy can be adapted and extended to Japan and beyond. It explores the efficacy of the mixed methods treasure hunt as a pedagogical tool, offering promising solutions for mixed methods research education. This paper contributes to the field by providing a practical methodology that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application and enhances learning opportunities, especially for mixed methods learners in the East Asian cultural context, thereby broadening the applicability and impact of Fetters’s legacy.

Social Group Work Practice in Coping with Problematic Technology Use in Adolescents: A Mixed Method Research

Problematic technology use is a growing concern among adolescents, with those aged 12-18 being particularly vulnerable. This study aims to investigate the technology usage habits of students, assess their addiction levels, and mitigate any problematic patterns. Conducted at a pilot high school in Ankara, Türkiye, the research involved 630 students aged 14-17. Quantitative data collection utilized the Personal Information Form, Technology Addiction Scale, and Technological Addiction Scale. Qualitative data collection included selecting 10 students for group social work sessions. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS, while NVIVO was used for qualitative analysis. The study identified high, medium, and low levels of technology addiction among students, highlighting psycho-social difficulties such as social exclusion, impaired functionality, difficulty in controlling technology use, and deprivation. Applying a cognitive-behavioral approach, group social work sessions in the form of psycho-educational groups proved effective in addressing problematic technology use in adolescents. The findings were contextualized within existing literature, with recommendations for future research including the inclusion of control groups and exploration of different therapeutic approaches in group studies.

Influence of Higher Education E-Service Quality on E-Learning Student Satisfaction; As Moderated By Digital Literacy: A Mixed Method Research Approach

Introduction: This paper explores the impact of college e-service quality on student satisfaction in the context of the innovative practice of "Internet + Education" in order to research whether there is any difference in students' perception of college e-service quality under the influence of different levels of digital literacy. The research object of this paper is students of universities in Kunming, and the SERVQUAL model is extended. Among them, the independent variables are the five dimensions of e-service quality. The dependent variable is online education student satisfaction. The moderating variable is digital literacy. This research is based on relevant service theories. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is used. The results of the research show that the impact of service quality on college students' e-learning satisfaction is different under different levels of digital literacy. Objective: The research objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of the quality of e-services in higher education on student satisfaction in order to research whether there are differences in students' perceptions of the quality of e-services in higher education under the influence of different levels of digital literacy. Theoretical Framework: This research was expanded with the SERVQUAL model and followed the exploratory sequential mixed methods process of scientific investigation, from the initial selection of variables to the final discussion of recommendations and countermeasures. Method: In this study, the scientific survey process of exploratory sequential mixed methods was used to research the satisfaction of college students with online education based on the theory of digital literacy and service quality, using college students in Kunming, China, as the target of the survey, and a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Results and Discussion: The results of the analysis showed that the independent variable: the five factors of e-services (the higher, the higher the satisfaction of students. And under the moderating variable, digital literacy moderated all the other factors, only the relationship between responsibility and e-learning student satisfaction had no significant moderating effect. [synthesize the main results of the research]. In the discussion section, these results will be correlated according to the theoretical framework, highlighting the identified effects and relationships. This section also considers possible limitations of the research. Research Implications: 1. theoretical significance: by constructing a comprehensive theoretical model, this research aims to provide new insights into the field of e-learning. It not only helps to understand the impact of E-learning platform design and service quality, but also emphasizes digital literacy as an important moderating variable. 2. Practical significance: The research results will provide value to educational technology developers and educational policy makers, helping them to optimize e-learning platforms to enhance user experience and learning outcomes. Originality/Value: This research expands the SERVQUAL model by taking online education as the background, combining the actual situation of online education in China, and taking digital literacy as the variable. It allows colleges and universities to break through the original traditional education model. And lifelong learning and personalized learning are the focus of the reform of continuing education in colleges and universities. The results of this research will promote colleges and universities to continuously improve the quality of online education and provide reference for schools and teachers to carry out online education and continuing education.

The Relationship between Teachers’ Motivation, Professional Development, and Mobile Technology Integration in Language Learning

This study investigates the significance of professional development and teacher motivation in the effective utilization of mobile technology in language instruction. It explores how these variables have a significant impact on the adoption and utilization of technological tools in language teaching. The study investigates the relationship between teachers’ motivation and the importance of comprehensive professional development programs that encompass pedagogical approaches and proficiency in mobile technology. The study followed a mixed-method research design with a sample of (n = 200) teachers and students. The results underscore the importance of a synergistic connection between professional development, technological integration, and teacher motivation to enhance language learning in digital learning environments. The study recommends that through targeted professional development and motivational tactics, curriculum designers and educators can optimize language instruction.

Training attitudes of primary school foreign language teachers

Abstract Schooling practices founded upon the principles of Instructed Second Language Acquisition (ISLA) do not appear to have attained widespread adoption among teachers, consequently hindering the implementation of didactic measures that foster foreign language acquisition. These measures are closely entwined with the classroom climate, wherein the fundamental element often hinges upon the attitude of the teacher. For the most part, foreign language teachers are better equipped to embrace this attitude after having personally experienced it as learners themselves. To explore this matter further, the present study adopts a mixed-methods research design to gather insights from participants (n = 74) who attended the Didactics of Foreign Language in Primary Education – German course within the Bachelor Degree in Primary Education at the University of Cádiz (Spain) during the last nine editions; that is, from 2014/15 to 2022/23. The research findings reveal a near-unanimous consensus among all participants, regardless of nationality, teaching experience, or age, on the influential role of a classroom climate in shaping their teaching attitude. Based on the results, pre-service foreign language teachers must be allowed to acquaint themselves with effective didactic measures, together with a well-defined classroom climate wherein the significance of teaching attitude is accordingly recognized as one of the most influential factors in motivating learners.

Exploring arts-health ecologies in the very remote Barkly Region of Australia.

This article explores links between arts, health, and wellbeing for diverse First Nations and non-Indigenous peoples living in the very remote Barkly Region of the Northern Territory in Australia. The article stems from a major 3-year study of the Barkly arts sector conducted in partnership with Barkly Regional Arts and Regional Development Australia Northern Territory. Key findings relate to an arts-health ecology evident in the region, the interdependence between artists' own health and their arts activity, the value of arts spaces as places of safety and refuge, and the potential of the arts to promote cultural and intercultural healing and development. We discuss these findings in the context of relevant literature and make suggestions for future arts-health and wellbeing related research, policy and practice in rural and remote contexts. This study employed an ecological mixed-methods research design, including quantitative and qualitative survey and interview data collection as well as collaborative, data-driven thematic analysis. The ecological approach was used to map a variety of creative practices through a broad range of art forms. Commercial, amateur and subsidised art and creative practices were included in this study and represented the multicultural population of the Barkly Region (both First Nations and non-Indigenous peoples). Arts and creativity in the region were recognized as a complex ecology that saw individuals, businesses, organisations and government working in different ways to sustain culture and contribute to social and economic development. Research participants from diverse cultural backgrounds recognised health and wellbeing benefits of arts and creative activity. Arts participation and engagement were reported to have intrinsic individual health and wellbeing effects such as mental health and mindfulness, emotional regulation, enjoyment, and relief of physical and emotional pain and stress alongside promoting spiritual connection to self, culture and community. The study indicates that the arts can also shape powerful determinants of health and wellbeing such as employment, poverty, racism, social inclusion, and natural and built environments. Barkly arts-health ecology featured extensive involvement from health and human service and arts organisations, which provided a strong foundation for inclusive, healing and holistic regional development. This study has outlined how arts and creative activity contribute to holistic regional development in the Barkly desert region, an area with a high percentage of First Nations peoples. Arts and creative activity were reported to have intrinsic health and wellbeing effects for individuals, which included mental health and mindfulness, emotional regulation, enjoyment, and relief of physical and emotional pain and stress as well as promoting spiritual connection to self, others and environment. Arts activities were also seen to shape powerful determinants of health and wellbeing such as employment, poverty, racism, social inclusion, and natural and built environments.

Conceptualizing Integration in Mixed Methods Research

Integration lies at the heart of mixed methods research, but it has primarily been considered from a practical rather than a conceptual or theoretical perspective. In this paper, I develop a contextually situated, parsimonious conceptual model of the substantive dimensions that constitute integration. I conclude that integration between heterogeneous components in mixed methods research is constituted by interdependence that is connected, transactional, transformative, coherent, and dynamic. This conceptual model is presented here in the expectation that it will prompt researchers to think more deeply about the phenomena they study and the integration of the methods they use to study those phenomena.