Methodological Proposal Research Articles

Semiotic protocols for cultural trend analysis in strategic communication: Brand cases from the telecommunications sector

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic strongly influenced daily practices, and this manifested in social interactions, communications and consumption. This work addresses the relations between branding and cultural trends in strategic communication and advertising in different contexts of the pandemic. First, we reviewed the concepts of branding and cultural trends. From there, it was necessary to develop a methodological proposal to articulate a connotative semiotic analysis with the semiotic square and a cultural trend mapping. The analysis was carried out through an independent and comparative reading of two-time phases: confinement (2020) and end of constraints (2022). Three telecommunications brands in Portugal act as case studies in a random and probabilistic sample of two audiovisual texts from Christmas campaigns each. Finally, a theoretical-operational triangulation is obtained between branding, cultural trends and semiotic analysis in promoting local brands that redefine spaces, social relations, and identity expression during and after the COVID-19 pandemic confinements.

A methodological proposal for conlang evaluation

Abstract Intentional language creation is a mainstay of the modern world, having gained widespread notoriety in popular television shows and films, and even finding a home in academia in the form of undergraduate courses on invented languages. In this paper, we argue that constructed languages deserve more careful consideration than they currently receive either inside or outside academia. We provide guidelines for developing evaluative criteria to be used with constructed languages of various types and ask readers, whether academics or not, to consider the role they play as audience and critics in the unfolding of a new art form: the art of language invention.

Students’ reading comprehension: an educational case about a methodological proposal in education

Introduction: The intention of this article is to show the experience of an eclectic proposal implementation in first grade students. Objective: To deeply know how in elementary school students are beginning to work on an ability that will become very important during their learning process, which will be the reading skill in a second language. Method: As they are developing this skill through the use of reproductive skills, in this study it is proposed to use an alternative methodology to this language development, which will be an eclectic methodological proposal with a qualitative approach, in order to take advantage of this skill acquisition process to begin growing reading comprehension and second language learning as well. Results: It could be demonstrated that an eclectic methodological proposal could help students to improve their reading comprehension. Conclusion: Teachers can feel confident about using eclectic methodologies in the classroom as it can become a success along the learning sessions.

Will the US Survive the Frog? Time and History in the Pandemic and Decline

Abstract This essay examines two books, Jed Esty’s The Future of Decline: Anglo-American Culture at its Limits (2022) and an edited collection, The Long 2020 (2022), in terms of their respective geometries of history, or the ways in which they extrapolate possible futures for the US from contemporary material conditions. It considers the decline of US global hegemony and the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic insofar as they puncture the nationalist fantasies of US exceptionalism. It also makes a case for steering between the alternatives of apocalypse and redemption in favor of a historical materialist reckoning with US socioeconomic decline. Learning from crisis and decline, the essay argues, doesn’t have to mean surrendering radical political or utopian impulses. It can also mean recasting social hope as the collective reclaiming of freedom from exceptionalism. Finally, the essay makes a methodological proposal for bringing together existential and structural approaches to history (or new materialist and Marxist modes of analysis) in literary and cultural studies, as well as critical theory.

Modelagem de um Repositório de Conhecimento

An academic knowledge base (AKB) can be considered a system that, based on a set of specific information stored and organized, aims to provide knowledge, experience, and information relevant to a given knowledge domain. Thus, the elements that make up a BCA are diverse and may include databases, systems, and knowledge repositories (KR). A K-R stores knowledge in a structured way, containing information based on experience: lessons learned, best practices, directories of expertise, involving the search, selection, explanation, codification, evaluation, and dissemination of experience, with potential provision for a BC. This article presents the processes and methodological flow for creating an RC that integrates an AKB and is implemented in an ongoing project, applying the Design Science Research (DSR) method. As a result, there is a methodological proposal in the academic context, a problem centered on meaningful learning, artifacts that consider the input, processing, and output of learning objects, state of the art and theoretical framework that includes technologies and methods for modeling the proposal, and theoretical conjuncts that consider contributions related to access and dissemination of learning objects. In future work, the proposed modeling will be implemented in the AKB.

Conservation of Concrete of Cultural Relevance in Friezes and Murals by Picasso and Nesjar in Barcelona: Preliminary Studies

ABSTRACT This paper describes the methodology used for the study and diagnosis of the sgraffitos in concrete by Pablo Picasso and Karl Nesjar. In 1958, architect Xavier Busquets won a competition to construct the new headquarters of the Architects’ Association of Catalonia in Barcelona (Spain), right in the heart of the city of Barcelona. The project included five elements of white concrete with sgraffitos created by sandblasting. These included three friezes as a base of the façade and an envelope for the function room, and two murals inside the building as a covering of the “foyer”. Recently, it was determined that a diagnostic study of the state of conservation of these elements was needed as a step prior to their restoration. Based on studies undertaken from various disciplinary perspectives using the latest technologies, a methodological proposal has been defined for the full study and future intervention in these architectural elements, which are also works of art. The methodology could serve to address new challenges related to diagnosis and intervention in heritage elements made from concrete. Consequently, it will be increasingly important to establish criteria and procedures that enable damage or deterioration to be identified to determine future interventions that respect the material and the work of art.

Methodological proposals for developing trustworthy recommendations of integrative Chinese-Western medicine

BackgroundTo refine the methods of developing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for integrative Chinese-Western medicine (ICWM), promoting the formation of trustworthy, implementable recommendations that integrate the strengths of Chinese and Western medicine. MethodsUsing a nominal group technique (NGT) approach, a multidisciplinary expert panel was established. The panel identified key methodological issues in ICWM-CPG development through literature review and iterative discussions, and formulated methodological proposals to address these issues. The final set of proposals was achieved through consensus among the panel members. ResultsThe collaborative effort resulted in the identification of five pivotal methodological issues and the subsequent establishment of 22 specific recommendations. These encompass strict adherence to renowned standards, such as those proposed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Guidelines International Network (G-I-N), the employment of methodologies like the GRADE approach and RIGHT statement, the strategic constitution of a balanced development group, the adept identification of ICWM-focused clinical inquiries, the nuanced integration of diverse evidence sources, and the detailed crafting of transparent, implementable recommendations. ConclusionsThis study concentrates on the most crucial and prevalent methodological issues in ICWM-CPG development, proposing a series of recommendations. These suggestions result from a multidisciplinary expert consensus, aiming to provide methodological guidance for ICWM-CPG developers, building upon the current foundational methodologies.

Social isolation, social networks between the elderly and COVID-19

The present work seeks to answer the following question: "How did the Covid-19 union impact the social networks of the elderly in the Federal District?". The theoretical methodological proposal to be adopted in this study is a mixed approach, of the transversal type and with data analysis of the concomitant triangulation type. Among the 19 elderly people studied, there was a lot of suffering regarding the loss of the routine of contact with these networks during the Covid-19 union, especially when it comes to family networks.

Contemporary advertising and Peircean semiotics: a methodological proposal

Este artigo pretende apresentar a contribuição da semiótica de Charles Sanders Peirce para um entendimento mais amplo e menos superficial da publicidade atual, compreendendo-a como uma modalidade de linguagem que permeia ininterruptamente a vida e o mundo. Entendemos que o legado teórico-metodológico de Peirce cresce em relevância para refletir as transformações por que passa a comunicação publicitária na contemporaneidade, tanto no seu plano expressivo, quanto nas suas lógicas mais profundas. Para isso, propomos uma metodologia de análise semiótica publicitária que vai além de esmiuçar elementos constituintes de uma peça específica, incorporando a referencialidade cada vez mais expandida da publicidade e sua surpreendente potência de geração de sentido.

The theory of social representations and the theory of mediations: a methodological proposal to draw both theories closer to each other

The article sumarizes research whose purpose was to bring together the theory of social representations, from Serge Moscovici, and the theory of mediations, from Jesús Martín-Barbero, with a view to studies in the field of Communication. A theoretical and methodological discussion is presented, based on a discussion of the main references of both theories. trying to point out points of tangency that allow the approximation of the theories. It results in a diagram as a methodological protocol suggestion for future studies.

Non-invasive methodology for the ecotoxicological sampling of anatids in urban and peri-urban areas

Urban waterbirds serve as crucial bioindicators for evaluating environmental pollution in urban areas, necessitating a focus on tailored non-invasive ecotoxicological biomonitoring methods. This paper adopts a multidisciplinary perspective to underscore the pivotal role of biomonitoring in gauging environmental quality and identifying threats. Emphasizing the versatility and ease of sampling urban birds, we highlight their correlation with human exposure to pollutants, alongside the significant role of wetlands, particularly Ramsar sites, in conservation endeavors and as habitats for migratory birds. Additionally, the paper delves into the relevance of urban birds in monitoring pollutants, showcasing their efficacy in reflecting urbanization or pollution gradients. Proposed non-invasive biomonitoring techniques, including feather and feces analysis, offer practical means to assess heavy metal, microplastics, and other pollutant concentrations without harming the avian species. A comprehensive methodology proposal for waterbird sampling, encompassing pre-sampling activities, basic and specialized laboratory characterization, and data collection in a Central Mexican Ramsar site, is detailed as examples and experiences into these considerations. Concluding insights underscore the impact of emerging pollutants, such as microplastics, on waterbird health and nutritional status, advocating for multivariate statistical analysis to elucidate correlations between morphological characteristics, elemental composition, and pollutant presence.

Reflective equilibrium in practice and model selection: a methodological proposal from a survey experiment on the theories of distributive justice

In political philosophy, reflective equilibrium is a standard method used to systematically reconcile intuitive judgments with theoretical principles. In this paper, we propose that survey experiments and a model selection method—i.e., the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC)-based model selection method—can be viewed together as a methodological means of satisfying the epistemic desiderata implicit in reflective equilibrium. To show this, we conduct a survey experiment on two theories of distributive justice, prioritarianism and sufficientarianism. Our experimental test case and AIC-based model selection method demonstrate that the refined sufficientarian principle, a widely accepted principle of distributive justice, is no more plausible than the prioritarian principle. This tells us that some changes of certain intuitions revolving around sufficientarianism should be examined (separately) based on the findings of the survey experiment and AIC model selection. This shows the potential of our approach—both practically and methodologically—as a novel way of applying reflective equilibrium in political philosophy.

Pricing decision in a newsvendor model with partial backorders under normal probability distribution for the demand

This paper presents a newsvendor model with backorders for customers who are willing to wait to be served. Demand follows a normal probability distribution, with the particularity that the expected value depends on the sale price and the variation coefficient is fixed. Three parameters are considered to characterize this dependence on the expected demand and the sale price: the population size of potential customers, the unit production cost of the item and an elasticity parameter with an isoelastic type. Backorders and lost sales are combined with a fixed proportion for the backorders. The quantities to be determined are the sale price and the order quantity. The goal is the maximization of the expected profit. The optimal solution is obtained in a closed form if there are no lost sales. In the case of a mixture of partial backordering and lost sales, a methodological proposal based on a numerical algorithm is given. The study reveals that the maximum expected profit and the optimal quantities to be determined are highly influenced by the unit purchasing cost and the degree of dependence of the demand concerning the sale price. Other parameters, such as the proportion of backorders and the variation coefficient of demand, are less influential. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the model, and a sensitivity analysis of the optimal solution regarding the nine initial parameters is presented. Some managerial insights deduced from the obtained results are also proposed.

Image to Excel Conversion: A Methodology Proposal

Image to Excel Conversion: A Methodology Proposal

Digital Content for Libraries considering Extended Reality, Physical Interaction Disabilities, Universal Design for Learning and User-Centered Design: A Systematic Review

A systematic review of Digital Content for Libraries, Extended Reality, Physical Interaction Disabilities, Universal Design for Learning and User-Centered Design is presented to find the basis for a software development methodology that covers these characteristics. A protocol oriented to studies in software engineering is used, which consists of the following stages: 1. Defining research questions, 2. Conducting the search for articles, 3. Selecting inclusion and exclusion criteria, 4. Keywords for abstracts, and 5. Data extraction and mapping process. This review is performed through search engines such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, IEEE Xplore, and ACE Library and is limited to publications between 2016 and 2021. Results show an incremental trend in Extended Reality articles but low scientific productivity in Digital Content for Libraries, demonstrating the availability of services that consider the previously exposed topics. Finally, the article defines elements aiming to a future methodological proposal for the construction of Digital Content for Libraries and Extended Reality.

On the transformation of values into prices of production apropos of Moseley’s Money and Totality

Mosely’s book provides a vantage point for a critical analysis of the ‘transformation problem’, as it questions the dominant conceptions that reduce the methodological debate to a matter of constructing systems of equations; at the same time, it shares with them the reduction of the methodological question to a matter of interpreting Marx’s texts. Moseley interprets ‘Capital’ as a logical representation composed of a macro theory and a micro theory. The article starts by showing how this approach mutilates the organic unity between social capital and individual capitals. Consequently, focus is placed on Moseley’s presupposition of values as if they were given in prices of production to explain the determination of these same prices, as well as on his exclusion of gold’s exchangeability as a product of capital from the transformation process. The article extends the methodological analysis to the above-mentioned prevailing conceptions and their ideological basis. Next, it shows how they coincide with Moseley’s in the logical inconsistency of assuming that the value of total variable capital and total surplus value appear unchanged in prices of production, although the organic compositions of the spheres that produce their material content differ from the social average. At this point, the real issue is brought forward: it is not about interpreting Marx’s texts in search of a ‘given’ or an ‘invariance postulate’ to construct a model that satisfies them; the point is to follow Marx’s methodological proposal to reproduce by way of thought the concrete determinations that make values take the complete form of prices of production of a certain magnitude. Finally, the article follows this path to demonstrate how, even if the value contents of total variable capital and total surplus value remain quantitatively unchanged, the prices of production in which they necessarily take form will quantitatively differ from those value contents.

Nature-Based Solution Integration to Enhance Urban Geomorphological Mapping: A Methodological Approach

This study conducted an extensive literature review spanning from 1950 to 2023, exploring the methodologies in urban geomorphology and urban geoheritage assessment, and the possibility of applying Nature-Based Solutions (NbSs) in order to enhance geomorphological maps. The methodology proposed here is based on a two-step approach: (i) a bibliographic review and methodological investigation and (ii) methodological proposal in order to enhance the traditional geomorphological and geoheritage maps with NbS to reduce the geomorphological risk in urban areas. This paper aims to introduce a methodological framework and illustrated its practical application to provide researchers and practitioners with a clear understanding of its implementation in real-world scenarios. The proposed methodology was applied in the north and northeastern parts of Milan, Italy. The implementation of the proposed methodology demonstrated its effectiveness in urban contexts and its potential for further modification and extension to various urban environments in the future.

Ways to Increase the Efficiency of Investment Activities of Insurance Companies in Uzbekistan

This article aims to develop scientific and methodological proposals and practical recommendations to improve the methodology for assessing the effectiveness of investment activities of insurance organizations. The work uses scientific methods for studying the processes of economic reality - systematic analysis, generalization, grouping, observation, logical and comparative methods of analysis, abstract logical thinking, comparative analysis, mathematical modeling, econometric analysis, actuarial calculations, etc. Based on the systematization of information on investment activities, investment policies, and experience of insurance companies in developed countries, the use of statistical and mathematical methods of data processing, diversification of the financial and investment activities of insurance companies, recommendations, and indicators used to assess the effectiveness of insurance companies have been developed, identified and classified into individual areas, external and internal factors influencing the financial stability of insurance organizations, the possibilities of increasing the amount of profit they receive are substantiated, proposals are given to improve the methodology for managing the investment portfolio of insurance companies, and prospects for the development of modern options for investment activities are identified. The effective organization of the mechanism for monitoring the financial stability of insurance companies allows for minimizing the level of missed opportunities in achieving the company’s strategic goals based on econometric forecasting of financial stability and assessment of financial risks. In order to strengthen the role of insurance companies in increasing the investment potential of the country Uzbekistan, it is proposed to develop the securities market, the market for government, corporate, and municipal bonds.

Ground-truthing as Critical Race Feminista Methodology: toward an embodied and community-centered GIS in educational inquiry

This article extends the methodological proposal of “ground-truthing” in Critical Race Spatial Analysis (CRSA) to consider GIS as Critical Race Feminista Methodology (CRFM). Traditionally, GIS technicians are sent into the field to verify remote-sensing data via “ground-truthing.” This process was repurposed in CRSA to “ground” mapmaking in the spatial wisdom of Communities of Color to examine “color-lines” and their everyday impact. Missing in this initial (re)conceptualization was the theoretical and methodological sensitivity to examine spatiality in these experiences—the more intimate aspects of space that center on identity and knowledge of place. The authors engage CRFM to extend ground-truthing to capture structural and embodied experiences in socio-spatial relationships by redefining technical GIS approaches key to ground-truthing—projection, layers, scale, and visualization. They conclude with implications for the ongoing practice of GIS, particularly the merits of ground-truthing as CRFM in educational research.

ANALYSIS OF VISUAL IMPACT BY NEW BUILDING HEIGHT THROUGH UAVS AND PHOTOGRAMMETRY

Visual impact is defined as the modification of a visual resource of the landscape, generating an effect on the perception of potential observers. This effect is evaluated using the value of the landscape that has not been altered or destroyed (visual quality of the landscape), as is the case with building projects that generate visible changes in residential areas. Numerous authors have developed methodologies to evaluate visual intrusion; however, deficiencies exist, such as the predominance of subjectivity in procedures and the lack of evaluations for buildings. Therefore, this paper proposes a methodology to evaluate and quantify the visual impact of a new building in a high population density environment. This research is divided into a description of the basic methodology, the proposal of the methodology to capture and process photographs and information, and the application of a case study of a high-rise building in a sector of Valparaíso, Chile. The main contribution of this work is the delivery of a methodological proposal that allows the evaluation and quantification of the visual quality before and after the new structure to complement structural and urban design.