Research Process Research Articles

“Like Us, but Not Quite Us”: Researching Gender Politics in Autocratic Contexts

What challenges do researchers encounter in authentically engaging with the field site and academia when certain aspects of their true identities diverge from the established norms within those domains? Using the case of female political scientists who conduct research on gender politics in the Middle East and North Africa, I highlight the ethical, logistical, and epistemological challenges of carrying out research in a politically and socially closed context. Few studies have investigated how the research process and the knowledge it produces are affected by the intertwinement of authoritarianism and patriarchy, and by the researcher’s positionality within this context. This study fills this gap by drawing upon interviews with feminist political scientists who were born and raised in the region but are based in Western academic institutions to examine the impact of authoritarianism, patriarchy, and the researchers’ insider/outsider positionality on the research process. The analysis shows three key findings. First, researching gender politics is a contentious topic that places researchers on the radar of the state. For scholars who are originally from the region, the issue is compounded by the fact that they are sometimes viewed as traitors by the regime in their country of origin, which accuses them of tarnishing the image of the government and scrutinizing its gender policies. Second, within the wider society, the politics of representation also impose certain limitations and expectations on female scholars. Such limitations include gendered restrictions on their access and mobility in the field. Finally, feminist researchers share how the knowledge they produce, which centers social justice demands, is not always valued in the discipline of political science. The article contributes to this discipline by expanding our understanding of the interplay between identity politics, fieldwork practices, and knowledge production in complex political and social settings.

Field-Specific Student Participation in Research Processes

Field-Specific Student Participation in Research Processes

Opportunities with Multi-Layer Weave Structures in Woven E-Textile Design

Most textiles in day-to-day use are products of weaving. The versatility of this manufacturing technique, which readily supports a multi-layered structure, inclusion of several yarn types, malleability and other valuable characteristics, has attracted attention from HCI researchers intrigued by its potential to expand the interaction capabilities of e-textiles. Research nonetheless has barely scratched the surface of the wealth of weaving techniques and woven structures available. Therefore, a design-research project anchored in practice investigated how touch-sensitive e-textiles’ capabilities might be enriched via advanced multi-layer weaving techniques. The research process, which drew inspiration from literature both on textile design and on woven e-textiles, produced 25 distinct e-textile samples. Results from evaluating the structural properties, electrical capabilities and overall utility of each point to numerous unexplored opportunities from woven multi-layer e-textiles. Even holding potential for entirely new forms of interaction, these represent promising starting points for in-depth investigation.

Caregivers in implantable brain-computer interface research: a scoping review.

While the ethical significance of caregivers in neurological research has increasingly been recognized, the role of caregivers in brain-computer interface (BCI) research has received relatively less attention. This report investigates the extent to which caregivers are mentioned in publications describing implantable BCI (iBCI) research for individuals with motor dysfunction, communication impairment, and blindness. The scoping review was conducted in June 2024 using the PubMed and Web of Science bibliographic databases. The articles were systematically searched using query terms for caregivers, family members, and guardians, and the results were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. Our search yielded 315 unique studies, 78 of which were included in this scoping review. Thirty-four (43.6%) of the 78 articles mentioned the study participant's caregivers. We sorted these into 5 categories: Twenty-two (64.7%) of the 34 articles thanked caregivers in the acknowledgement section, 6 (17.6%) articles described the caregiver's role with regard to the consent process, 12 (35.3%) described the caregiver's role in the technical maintenance and upkeep of the BCI system or in other procedural aspects of the study, 9 (26.5%) discussed how the BCI enhanced participant communication and goal-directed behavior with the help of a caregiver, and 3 (8.8%) articles included general comments that did not fit into the other categories but still related to the importance of caregivers in the lives of the research participants. Caregivers were mentioned in less than half of BCI studies in this review. The studies that offered more robust discussions of caregivers provide valuable insight into the integral role that caregivers play in supporting the study participants and the research process. Attention to the role of caregivers in successful BCI research studies can help guide the responsible development of future BCI study protocols.

Analysis of the Implementation of Standard Precautions in Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI's) at Wampu Norita General Hospital

Standard precautions are needed to implement the IPC program in hospitals. Implementation of Standard Precautions can be carried out because it is driven by the PPI Committee or Team. The PPI Committee or Team is formed based on needs, workload, and type of health service facilities. The eleven components of standard precautions can be implemented in every health service, especially in Indonesia which is trying to reduce HAIs. HAIs are known as nosocomial infections that occur in hospital patients, where infection has not occurred while the patient has been hospitalized for more than 48 hours. The large risk of infection in hospitals encourages the need to reduce the risk of infection through the PPI Program. A descriptive qualitative research method was chosen to obtain meaning from a number of individuals and social groups. The qualitative research process includes asking questions, collecting data, analyzing data, and interpreting the meaning of the data. The sample in this study was 8 informants, including Hospital Leaders, heads of Hospital Quality, Nurses in charge of the field, Daily Executive Officers, and Executive Nurses in service units. The results show that the PPI policy has been implemented well which includes the PPI Structure and Team, Infection Surveillance Manual, Standard Precautions and implementation of Hand Hygiene and PPE, as well as the budget. Meanwhile, the condition of facilities and infrastructure is not optimal, such as hand hygiene facilities and use of PPE, collection of HAI infection surveillance data, and training. Conclusion: The Standard Precautions Implementation Policy already exists and is based on Minister of Health Regulation No. 27 of 2017. The results of the Hand Hygiene and PPE compliance audit do not match the Quality Profile, facilities, and infrastructure are not optimal, namely below 100%, and stock in the premises is still limited

Sodium carbonate pulping of oil palm empty fruit bunches for paperboard production

Abstract This study investigated the use of sodium carbonate pulping in oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) pulp production for paperboard manufacturing. The pulping varying the active alkali (AA) (4.5 %, 6.5 %, 8.5 %), NaOH fraction (F) (10 %, 20 %, 30 %), and cooking time (T) (30′, 60′, 90′). The performance was evaluated based on screened pulp yield, kappa number, and delignification selectivity. Furthermore, the functional groups, S/G ratio, and morphological structure of the optimum pulp were observed. The tensile and tear indices of the OPEFB pulp paperboard were also measured. The results suggest sodium carbonate pulping at a low chemical dose successfully produced OPEFB pulp. Based on the highest delignification selectivity value of 12.74, the most effective pulping conditions were achieved with AA-6.5 %, F-30 %, and T-90′. The optimum OPEFB pulp analysis revealed a decrease in lignin proportion with the dominant degradation of the syringyl unit. Thus, the fibers are easily separable during mechanical treatment. These characteristics influenced the paperboard, resulting high tensile and tear indices of 7.90–8.15 Nm g−1 and 15.09–16.25 mN m2 g−1, respectively. Overall, this study demonstrated the potential of sodium carbonate pulping to produce high-quality pulp and paperboard from OPEFBs, highlighting the thoroughness of the research process in the pulp and paper manufacturing field.

Organoleptic Characteristics of Food Bars with Substituted Tempeh and Tofu Waste as Snacks for Obese Adolescents

The nutritional issues among adolescents included both undernutrition and overnutrition. Undernutrition was generally caused by low energy intake from food compared to the energy burned by the body, while overnutrition occurred when energy intake exceeded energy expenditure. These nutritional problems also influence adolescents' body image. This research aimed to develop food bar products made from tempeh and tofu waste as snacks for obese adolescents. The research process began with the preparation stage of raw materials, including drying tofu waste. Subsequently, food bars were made using three formulas: F1 (60% dried tofu waste and 40% tempeh), F2 (70% dried tofu waste and 30% tempeh), and F3 (80% dried tofu waste and 20% tempeh). The third stage involved organoleptic testing with 30 untrained panelists, using a preference test for attributes of texture, color, aroma, and taste, with a hedonic scale ranging from 1 (dislike extremely) to 4 (like extremely). Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA and Duncan's Test with a confidence level of 95%. The results showed that the panelists preferred food bar product F3 based on texture, color, and aroma attributes, while, F1 received the highest rating. Overall, F3 was deemed the most favored. The conclusion of this study indicated that the recommended food bars as snacks for obese adolescents were F3 (80% dried tofu waste and 20% tempeh), with an average liking score of 3 (like).

Prerequisites of hybridization of university financing as a tool for ensuring sustainability and strategic development

Purpose. To assess the state of budget financing of Ukrainian HEIs, determine their funding structure, and identify prerequisites for developing hybrid financing as a tool for stability and strategic development. Methodology. Dynamic and structural analysis, the Hirschman-Herfindahl index (HHI(DI) and such methods as quantitative, arithmetic mean, limit values, graphic, visualization, and system methods were used in the research process. The practical testing of research hypotheses was carried out on the basis of a comprehensive approach to the financing of HEIs of Ukraine and a panel sample of 35 universities, which takes into account rating indicators, industry and regional aspects. Findings. Transformation processes at various levels are linked to trends such as reduced budget funding, structural changes, staff and student migration, decreased demand for additional services, and military factors, creating prerequisites for hybrid university funding. The article identifies conditions for hybrid financing, highlights negative trends in HEIs budget financing –including systemic underperformance and inflation impacts – and analyzes income diversification in Ukrainian universities using the HHI(DI). Limiting and average values were determined using the quantitative method, which made it possible to classify universities into sustainable (HHI(DI)  0.55) and risky (HHI(DI) > 0.55) ones; tendencies towards a slight diversification of universities’ incomes are revealed; a conceptual model is proposed of hybrid financing of universities to expand their financial autonomy, based on cooperation between university management, stakeholders, and staff core, with the aim of creating value propositions which satisfy the needs of stakeholders and generate cash flows; a new approach to the division of hybrid financing tools into three groups is proposed: passive or image-based, active-intellectual, and passive-innovative ones. This approach is innovative in the development of financial strategies for universities. Originality. New tools for making management decisions aimed at ensuring financial stability and developing financial strategies for universities are proposed. In particular, they include an original approach to the classification of universities into sustainable and risky ones based on the value of the HHI; the conceptual model of hybrid financing of universities, which promotes the expansion of their financial autonomy; the innovative approach to the division of hybrid financing instruments into three categories: passive or image-based, active-intellectual, passive-innovative. Practical value. The study’s results can be used to make management decisions on expanding financial autonomy of universities. The introduction of the conceptual model of hybrid financing will contribute to the diversification of income, increase in financing, as well as ensuring financial stability and strategic development of universities.

Research Competences Focused on Trainee Teachers in Early Childhood Education

This study deals with the research skills of trainee teachers at the early education level at the National University of Education and their valuable contribution to the teaching- learning process of educational research oriented towards the development of their curricular integration work (ICT). The objective is to diagnose the research skills of students in the fifth and seventh cycles of the Early Education course, with the aim of aligning what is learnt in the classroom in the subject of research with the implementation of the end-of-cycle research work known as the Project for the Integration of Knowledge (PIENSA). The methodology applied is framed in a qualitative study, of an interpretative nature, with the use of an interview with the students under study. The results obtained are analysed by means of a first level codification based on the categories of knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes and effective performance in the research process. The results show that research competences should be strengthened in a logical sequence in educational research that promotes continuous improvement and is adapted to the projects that are developed permanently in each cycle. Furthermore, the fact that there is a convergence of different criteria on the research competences developed prioritises the search for quality in research and the use of methods that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the objectives set.

Community Co-creation through knowledge (Co)Production: The engagement of universities in promoting rural revitalization in China

The global discourse on the role of universities in rural revitalization has gained significant attention. The proposition is to leverage university expertise and resources to support rural development, including knowledge (co)production, community co-creation, and volunteerism – a practice that essentially bridges local actors and their knowledge with external actors and their knowledge. As advocated by UN Habitat III, the collaboration between universities and rural communities is an initiative exemplified by China's “Jointly Create a Beautiful Environment and a Happy Life” to enhance the built environment. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the implementation and outcomes of the “Rural Four Small Gardens” projects, which serve as a vital community development initiative within the Hongtang Village in Fengqing County, Yunnan Province, China. The research discusses those processes, observing opportunities for knowledge (co)production across diverse stakeholders in line with neo-endogenous rural development thinking. By exploring the co-creation approach employed in these projects, we seek to unravel how academia and local communities collaborate to address multifaceted challenges in rural areas. We argue that: 1) The engagement of rural communities through collaborative planning workshops serves as the fundamental cornerstone for university paired-up assistance; 2) the co-creation model for improving rural settlement necessitates the collective efforts of multiple stakeholders; 3) university faculty and students play pivotal roles during the process of service learning, practice research, and knowledge (co)production with villagers; and 4) Knowledge (co)production entails a dynamic process of co-construction, co-governance, and resource sharing, exemplified by co-creation initiatives of home development, farmyard enhancement, and infrastructure projects. The research offers insights for global universities seeking to engage in similar paired-up assistance initiatives, underscores the significance of co-creation in rural development, and enlightens planning education in practice and service.

Real Time Recognition of Face Covered with Facemask using CNN for Application in Classroom Attendance System

Because each person has a different face identity, facial recognition relies on the distinctness of individual facial traits. However, the recent Covid-19 pandemic has substantially altered daily living, required the usage of facemasks while walking outside, including for educational activities such as attending lectures at schools and universities. Facemasks' widespread use presents a significant problem to facial recognition systems since they obscure a significant area of the face, limiting the availability of important facial clues. In response to this critical issue, this project aims to create a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture suitable for use in a classroom attendance system. The research process begins with the creation of a large training dataset that includes five different students with four different facial circumstances, including facemask covering. The best CNN design is determined through painstaking testing to enhance accuracy during both the training and validation phases. The empirical findings demonstrated that the finalized CNN architecture has a remarkable validation accuracy of up to 96.2%. The trained system demonstrated outstanding precision in recognizing persons during real-time recognition tests. This experiment highlights the CNN's ability to recognize students with high accuracy even while they are wearing facemasks, indicating its potential in solving the issues provided by the prevailing public health measures.

The evolution of marketing research in the context of digital transformation of society

Marketing research’s relevance in digital transformation is paramount for ensuring business process efficiency. The article aims to analyse the impact of new digital tools on marketing research, identify the main advantages of these methods, and develop recommendations for their optimisation. The methodology involves a comprehensive approach, which includes analysing the experience of international companies, assessing the market, and the practice of applying the latest technologies in marketing research. The results revealed that using big data and social media analytics increases the accuracy and efficiency of marketing campaigns. The article highlights the need to adapt digital approaches to market specifics and consumer needs. The study results indicate that the revenues of the marketing research industry significantly influenced global GDP from 2009 to 2022, with the most substantial impact observed in North America and the weakest in Latin America. The practical significance lies in integrating modern technologies into the marketing research process, which requires marketers to have high technological proficiency. The article outlines the role of data privacy, which demands a responsible approach to information from companies. Several recommended measures are provided to improve marketing research, implement personalised strategies, and enhance staff qualifications. The prospects for further research include developing comprehensive programs that enable the effective use of digital technologies in marketing research.

AI-Enhanced Qualitative Research: Insights from Adele Clarke’s Situational Analysis of TED Talks

This study explores the integration of ChatGPT-4 into the qualitative research process, focusing on the methodology of Situational Analysis by Adele Clarke and analysing TED Talks transcripts. Findings show ChatGPT's ability to process data quickly in initial coding, formulating broader categories reflecting Clarke's complexity of “situation,” recognising human and non-human elements, discourses, debates, and issues, temporal and spatial. In analysing data for different map types (situational, social worlds and arenas, positional), ChatGPT-4 “understands” their different analytical purposes, recognising different levels of abstraction and theoretical structuring. The research highlighted the challenges for generative AI in translating complex theoretical frameworks into situational maps and visual representations and underlined the importance of effective prompting strategies. Also, the study identified several roles for generative AI in qualitative research, including co-analyst, consultant and trainer, highlighting the central role of human researchers in decision making and interpretation.

Rancang Bangun Miniatur Plant Pusat Simulator Pompa Air Kotor Menggunakan Panel Kontrol Relay Kontaktor

Water pumps play an important role in the management of wastewater, particularly in maintaining environmental cleanliness and health. This research aims to design and create a miniature plant simulator for wastewater pumps using a relay contactor control panel. This miniature plant is designed to simulate the operation of the wastewater pump system automatically, replacing the often inefficient manual methods. The research process begins by determining the main components needed, such as a three-phase induction motor, contactors, thermal overload relays, and related sensors. Subsequently, the design and construction of the simulator and its control panel are carried out. Implementation includes testing the functionality of each component and the integrity of the overall system, including individual component testing and testing under system failure conditions. The research results show that the miniature plant simulator built functions well as expected. The automatic control system using relay contactors has proven effective in operating the water pump efficiently and safely. This miniature plant can be used not only as a learning tool but also as a prototype for developing larger and more complex wastewater pump control systems

Penelitian Tindakan Partisipatif Metode Par (Partisipatory Action Research) Tantangan dan Peluang dalam Pemberdayaan Komunitas

The PAR method is often used in community service activities. In PAR method research, the community is not just the object of research, but also researchers who have the same authority and power as other researchers, and are also recipients of research benefits. The people involved gain knowledge about solving the problems they face, while researchers receive research results and reports. This community involvement is the main superiority value of PAR. However, the large role of the community is prone to giving rise to conflicts of interest which can affect the objectivity of PAR research itself. The method used in this research is literature study with qualitative analysis. The results of this research show that the PAR methodology offers several benefits such as a democratic and fair research process that can provide experience and knowledge to the communities involved. The basic idea of ​​PAR is to educate people to think critically about the life problems they face. PAR challenges include; The process of building a common vision and understanding of the roles between the community involved and researchers, maintaining the objectivity of information about the problem topic, contextual factors that occur during research, the time that can be very long and large resources as well as the measurement and relevance of research results. The solution is intensive socialization and FGDs with research stakeholders and consistency and focus of all parties must be maintained.

Responsible innovation across societal sectors: a practice perspective on Quadruple Helix collaboration

ABSTRACT To address societal challenges, research and innovation approaches, involving a wide range of actors, are increasingly promoted by policy communities. This paper explores the practice of Quadruple Helix collaborations for responsible innovation and how these implement the theoretical ambition of including actors from different societal sectors in innovation, including actors from the fields of arts, media and civil society, which is conceptualized as the Fourth Helix in this concept. Referring to cross-sector collaboration literature and based on an empirical investigation, we explore which actors, representing the Fourth Helix, actually engage in innovation collaborations, how this engagement plays out in practice, and the institutional and systemic dynamics involved in output and value creation. We rely on data from three Social Labs in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, which constitute qualitative, change-oriented research processes, where we researched and engaged with actors from cases constituting- or aiming for a Quadruple Helix collaboration. This was accompanied by a desktop study including qualitative interviews of 51 further cases. We find that the actual engagement of actors from civil society is fragile and that forces beyond Quadruple Helix cases impact these quite firmly in some cases.

National biodiversity data infrastructures: ten essential functions for science, policy, and practice

Abstract Today, at the international level, powerful data portals are available to biodiversity researchers and policymakers, offering increasingly robust computing and network capacities and capable data services for internationally agreed-on standards. These accelerate individual and complex workflows to map data-driven research processes or even to make them possible for the first time. At the national level, however, and alongside these international developments, national infrastructures are needed to take on tasks that cannot be easily funded or addressed internationally. To avoid gaps, as well as redundancies in the research landscape, national tasks and responsibilities must be clearly defined to align efforts with core priorities. In the present article, we outline 10 essential functions of national biodiversity data infrastructures. They serve as key providers, facilitators, mediators, and platforms for effective biodiversity data management, integration, and analysis that require national efforts to foster biodiversity science, policy, and practice.

Low-Temperature NH3-SCR Technology for Industrial Application of Waste Incineration: An Overview of Research Progress

Selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides with NH3 (NH3-SCR) was investigated deeper and deeper with poisoning factors such as H2O, SO2, heavy metals, etc. In order to remove the reheating process before the SCR reactor, the application trend of NH3-SCR technology in the non-power industry is concentrated on the condition of low temperature even ultra-low temperature. The present study summarizes the research process of SO2 and H2O resistance of NH3-SCR catalysts under low temperatures related to the working conditions of municipal solid waste incineration plants. In detail, the effects of a high content of H2O and low concentration of SO2 are reviewed. Other factors such as heavy metals, alkali, or alkaline earth metals in the reaction system, synergistic removal of NOx, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are addressed. Finally, the catalytic performance of assembled monolithic catalysts and pilot-scale experiments are also analyzed for the possibility of industrial application. Hopefully, in view of the questions outlined in this study, valuable insights could be taken into consideration for the development of NH3-SCR in waste incineration.

Writing Workshops in a Research Methods Course

Background Students in research methods courses often engage in the research process and write about their findings in an APA Style report. This process can be intimidating and challenging for students. Objective The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the use of writing workshops in teaching students to write research reports. Method The Writing Workshop Model included pre-writing worksheets, in-class writing, peer review, and self-evaluation. This method was compared to a more Standard Model that included writing instruction and peer review. Results Students under the Writing Workshop Model had higher scores on the research report than those under the Standard Model. The pre-writing worksheets, in-class writing, and self-evaluation were rated higher than the peer review component of the Writing Workshop Model. Conclusions The Writing Workshop Model may be an effective way to provide support for students during the writing process, thereby enhancing the quality of APA Style research reports. Teaching Implications Instructors of psychology courses could consider incorporating writing workshop components such as pre-writing worksheets, self-evaluations, and in-class writing opportunities to support student writing. Although peer review may be helpful, it is generally unpopular among students.

La construcción del conocimiento a partir de los proyectos de investigación de cátedra

Research has always been a challenge and, in the social imaginary, it is a task carried out by expert professionals, with extensive mastery of theoretical and methodological issues. This means that research practice is presented as a utopia that is, sometimes, unachievable by those who do not have the aforementioned expertise, distancing it as an alternative for intervention and articulation between theory and the contributions provided by the context. In this work, it will be presented how, from the Career of Bachelor in Psychopedagogy of the Catholic University of Santiago del Estero and thanks to the proposal generated from the Prosecretariat of Research of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the research processes, tied to the chairs of the curriculum, made it possible for both teachers and advanced students to carry out processes of inquiry into reality, from a psychopedagogical position, and, at the same time, to develop complex competencies linked to the research.