Research Research Articles

Navigating the future of brand experience: insights from bibliometric analysis

Purpose This study aims to consolidate the fragmented knowledge on brand experience within marketing literature, evaluating its historical development, current state and prospective future. It seeks to offer a comprehensive understanding of the construct’s academic and practical contributions over the years, identify key topics and propose a research agenda for the field. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a bibliometric analysis, the authors conduct a detailed examination of the literature on brand experience. Performance analysis and science mapping techniques are used to evaluate 774 articles related to brand experience published from 1981 to 2023 and indexed in the Scopus database. Findings The bibliometric analysis reveals a significant expansion in the body of knowledge surrounding brand experience, highlighting its evolution over the past four decades. Key thematic areas and the intellectual structure of brand experience research are identified, evidencing both the growth and the diversification of the field. The study synthesizes these insights into a coherent research agenda, pinpointing emerging areas ripe for future investigation. Originality/value By systematically synthesizing longitudinal contributions to brand experience and using a bibliometric approach for analysis, this study provides a novel perspective on the topic. It not only maps the historical trajectory and current landscape of brand experience research but also sets the direction for future scholarly endeavors, marking a unique contribution to both academic research and practical application in marketing.

Blurred lines of participation: nexus analytical tools for reflecting on the roles of researchers and participants in change-oriented research projects

Abstract This article discusses nexus analysis (NA) as a research strategy that provides specific tools for reflecting on the roles of researchers and participants in participatory research. While many research traditions use participatory methods and problematise what it means to participate in research, thus far the potential of nexus analytical concepts as tools to mediate such a reflection has not been discussed explicitly. In order to illustrate how NA promotes such reflections, we draw on four linguistic projects in multilingual settings that deal with (1) preservice teachers’ learning to design for language learning in hybrid environments on a university course, (2) plurilingual and collaborative teaching approaches to writing in language classrooms in secondary schools, (3) language socialisation of migrant mothers, and (4) family language policy in single-parent families. With this article, we demonstrate how the nexus analytical conceptual tools of ‘zone of identification’, ‘historical body’ and ‘interaction order’ facilitate reflection upon the researcher’s participatory engagement in various stages of the research process. We show that the lines between the roles of researchers and participants are blurry, in particular in research projects that focus on introducing social change. Additionally, we highlight the importance of reflecting on power relations between researchers and participants and how control over project direction and decisions can impact the representation and involvement of community members.

An introduction to conducting responsible and reproducible agricultural research

Abstract This article aims to provide researchers with introductory guidance to good practices in the design, conduct and reporting of agricultural research. This narrative review considers issues related to research co-design, ethics and integrity, equity, diversity and inclusion, reproducibility and (meta)data reporting. Aspects for researchers to consider are highlighted, and relevant resources are identified, including academic papers and research funder guidance.

Professional Digital Counselling for Eating Disorders in Germany: Results of the DigiBEssst Project Survey on the Perspectives and Experiences of Health Professionals, Individuals With Eating Disorders, and Carers.

The research project DigiBEssst examines existing digital counselling services for individuals with eating disorders (ED) and carers in Germany. It highlights their experiences with digital counselling as well as those of the expert counsellors involved, aiming to derive quality criteria for digital counselling in ED. A mixed-methods design was adopted. Analysing the websites of 181 professional counselling centers, the research team identified 86 counselling centers for ED that offered online counselling. Initially, 29 centres participated in an online survey. Subsequently, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals (n=15), individuals with ED (n=13), and carers (n=10). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and structured content analysis. Less than half of the German counselling facilities offered online counselling. The participants emphasised the need for a specific concept, counsellors' profound expertise in ED and online counselling, sustainable funding, sufficient personnel and time resources, and secure platforms to ensure data protection and quality management. Access to professional services requires informative, user-friendly websites, and social media presence. The identified prerequisites and quality criteria for professional online counselling developed in this project can provide recommendations for the conceptualisation of digital counselling services.

Exploring the subjective experience of researchers and co-researchers with lived experience of psychosis high risk states: a qualitative analysis within a participatory research process

BackgroundThe involvement and engagement of people with lived experience is considered increasingly important in health research. A growing corpus of literature on the involvement of people with lived experience of mental health conditions, including people at psychosis high risk states, can be found. This study aims to explore the subjective experience of researchers and co-researchers with lived experience of psychosis high risk states who were involved in a participatory research project.MethodsIn this study with a combined participatory and qualitative research approach, we used a reflexive thematic analysis approach to systematically analyse open reflection reports from researchers and co-researchers with lived experience of psychosis high risk states, who took part in a participatory research project (VOICE). All participants (n = 12) were asked to anonymously write reflection reports on their subjective experience of participatory research. There were no formal or content-related instructions for writing the reflection reports. Reflection reports provided by eight participants were qualitatively analysed.ResultsThree themes were identified from the analysis of the reflection reports. First “When uncertainty becomes a unifying element – reflecting on expectations and roles”. Second “Fostering community growth: creating an environment for collaborative teamwork as well as new and creative directions”. Third “Exploring personal and scientific achievements of the project”. At the outset of the research project, the researchers’ focus was on expectations and reflections on their role within the project, accompanied by a feeling of uncertainty. Subsequently, a sense of community developed within a favourable study framework. Finally, attention focused on research project outcomes and personal achievements within the project.ConclusionThe analysis of the anonymous reflection reports on a participatory research project indicates that there was a positive collaboration between participants with and without lived experience of psychosis high risk states, wherein they were able to interact on an equal footing. Participants reported an experience of equal cooperation and gained relevant personal insights from project participation. Although we do not have clear evidence of experiences of power imbalances or perceived hierarchies based on the analysed reports, these cannot be ruled out and have to be addressed in future research.

Activating Academic Voice: Explorations of the Media Landscape

This essay examines the role of voice-centred media practices in promoting public engagement and enhancing academic research in a media environment dominated by platform capitalism. It argues that developing academic researchers’ media literacy is essential to their understanding of how communication spaces are created and managed. Through the ‘Let’s Read the “Terms of Service” Out Loud!’ workshop, participants explored the often-overlooked implications of digital media and platform use. This activity raises awareness of the personal data exchange inherent in platform capitalism. The essay also introduces the telephonoscope, an experimental medium that combines digital apps with classic black dial phones, enabling participants to engage in personal storytelling. These media practices offer alternative methods for engaging with media platforms, fostering reflection on their societal impact. Integrating media theory into research and embracing voice-based storytelling practices can bridge the gap between academic researchers and the public, creating more profound insights into digital media.

Researchers’ Practice and Perception of Research Ethics and the Role of Institutional Support: Insights From a pan-European Researcher Survey

AbstractResearch Ethics is a key element of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). In spite of an increased interest in this topic there is little empirical evidence about scientists’ practice and perception of Research Ethics. Drawing on a large-scale survey among 4,180 European researchers we present unique insights into Research Ethics activities, researchers’ motivation for ethical behavior, the perceived barriers and benefits as well as the role of institutional support. According to the survey results, most researchers consider ethical issues in their research projects and see it as part of good research practice or are convinced that research must be ethical. Perceived benefits of Research Ethics are higher quality of scientific outputs, higher social relevance of research, increased societal impact and a changed approach to risk. Barriers to ethics activities are particularly seen in the absence of institutional support and incentives. With regard to institutional support, we show that offers and infrastructures of Research Performing Organisations for Research Ethics are not well known among the employed researchers in general. Through a regression analysis about the influence of institutional support on Research Ethics we see at the same time that the provision of an Ethics team that researchers can address and the existence of a policy for designing ethical values and principles into research practice have a positive influence on researchers to engage in Research Ethics activities. The results underlines the importance of low-threshold services and personal contacts for researchers with ethical questions.

Perceiving Etruscan Art: AI and Visual Perception

This research project is aimed at exploring the cognitive and emotional processes involved in perceiving Etruscan artifacts. The case study is the Sarcophagus of the Spouses at the National Etruscan Museum in Rome, one of the most important masterpieces in pre-Roman art. The study utilized AI and eye-tracking technology to analyze how viewers engaged with the Etruscan Sarcophagus of the Spouses, revealing key patterns of visual attention and engagement. OpenAI, ChatGPT-4 (accessed on 12 October 2024) was used in conjunction with Colab–Python in order to elaborate all the spreadsheets and data arising from the eye-tracking recording. The results showed that viewers primarily focused on the central figures, especially on their faces and hands, indicating a high level of interest in the human elements of the artifact. The longer fixation duration on these features suggest that viewers find them particularly engaging, which is likely due to their detailed craftsmanship and symbolic significance. The eye-tracking data also highlighted specific gaze patterns, such as diagonal scanning across the sarcophagus, which reflects the composition’s ability to guide viewer attention strategically. The results indicate that viewer focus centers on human elements, especially on faces and hands, suggesting that these features hold both esthetic and symbolic significance.

Engagement in research: doctoral students’ reasons for not engaging in research activities in universities in Cameroon

ABSTRACT Due to the fact that doctoral education is a research-based learning and socialization experience, all doctoral students are expected to engage in research activities. This study focused on determining factors doctoral students perceived to be hindering their engagement in research activities to propose appropriate recommendations for improvement. An exploratory case study research design was used based on a qualitative methodology. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data. The data collected was analyzed thematically. The study offers several contributions to theory and practice. The study extends the understanding and applicability of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory by using it to identify the factors hindering doctoral students from engaging in research activities in Cameroonian universities. This study found that factors doctoral students perceive to be hindering their engagement in research activities include inadequate financial assistance, lack of extrinsic motivation to engage in research, inadequate research facilities, lack of support from research supervisors and inadequate research method expertise. Implications are given to enhance doctoral students’ engagement in research.

Creating affordances for families with young children: Experiences of music education in social work

The current research examines the possibilities of music education in supporting the well-being of families living in demanding life situations. The context for the study is Family Sound Hammock, a 3-year research and development project that took place in the metropolitan area of Finland from 2020 to 2023. The project aimed at systematically supporting the well-being of families especially by strengthening their capacities for interaction in and through music education activities. This phenomenological-hermeneutic research focusses on the affordances emerging in family music activities, asking the following: What kinds of affordances can be recognised in and through music activities as part of family social work? The findings are presented in three categories: (1) Experiential environment of music education practice, (2) Social interaction and (3) Experiences of consistency that each highlight the potential of music education for redirecting agency, participation and inclusion of parents and children. The findings emphasise the professional facilitation of an inviting and safe musico-pedagogical environment applying pedagogical sensitivity.

Nutrient Stability in NASA Spaceflight Experiment Rodent Food Bars

The Nutrient-upgraded Rodent Food Bar (NuRFB) is the standard diet for mice in NASA’s Rodent Research Project aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Given the nature of spaceflight and the lengthy production process of the food bars, a shelf-life assessment was conducted to evaluate nutritional stability over time (ranging from 0 to 27 months) and under different storage conditions (refrigerated, ambient, and refrigerated + ambient), where ambient is 22–23 °C. Lipid oxidation markers and fat- and water-soluble vitamins were assessed under various time and temperature conditions using AOAC International methods. Vitamin D levels showed a minor decrease, and riboflavin fluctuated slightly over time, but all vitamin levels remained above National Research Council (NRC) minimum requirements. Food bars stored at 4 °C showed significantly higher thiamine levels than the bars that underwent some degree of ambient temperature storage, but all met the NRC guidelines. Minimal lipid oxidation was observed for up to 18 months, and no mold or yeast growth occurred despite the high moisture content of the bars. This study confirms that NuRFBs maintain stable vitamin and lipid oxidation indices, ensuring adequate nutrition for rodents during spaceflight.

Correlation between Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement among Students of a Selected Nursing College in Mangaluru

Abstract Background/Objectives People with high self-esteem see themselves as capable, active individuals who can make changes through hard work and higher goals that lead to learning new things. The results in the classroom that demonstrate how successfully a student has fulfilled their learning objectives are referred to as academic achievement. It could allude to achieving major academic achievements, such as receiving a bachelor's degree. In their capacity as health advocates and qualified health care practitioners, nursing students are essential to the public health movement. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether academic achievement and self-esteem are related. Methods The study used a correlational descriptive design. The study sample comprised 197 nursing students from a certain college. The technique of proportionate stratified sampling was employed to choose the students. A checklist of academic achievements, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and a baseline proforma were used to collect data. Results Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. The findings of the analysis indicated that there was a marginally favorable correlation between academic success and self-esteem among nursing students. The resulting “r” value (0.158) was statistically significant at the 0.05 level of significance. Consequently, the research hypothesis was accepted, and the null hypothesis was rejected. Conclusion The research project found a weakly positive correlation between academic achievement and self-esteem. The resulting “r” value (0.158) was statistically significant at the 0.05 level of significance. There was a weakly positive correlation between academic achievement and self-esteem among nursing students.

TP53 Mutation Is the Only Robust Mutational Biomarker for Outcome Found in a Consecutive Clinical Cohort of Real-Word Patients With Primary Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) taxonomy has moved in the direction of a molecular classification, but further clinical experience is needed. We present high-risk gene mutations, which predict outcome in an exploratory study of a consecutive real-world cohort of patients with primary LBCL treated with R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like therapy. The study was a Registry Study Research Project. Sixty-one patients with LBCL, who had a diagnostic tumor sample successfully examined with a 59-gene next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel as a part of routine clinical work, were included in an otherwise unselected cohort. Data were extracted from patient files and pathology reports. Mutations in NOTCH2 (HR 9.69; 95% CI [2.46-38.11]; p = 0.0012), PRDM1 (HR 3.54; 95% CI [1.03-12.22]; p = 0.045), and TP53 (HR 5.89; 95% CI [1.71-20.32]; p = 0.005) were significantly associated with inferior survival in patients with primary LBCL treated with intention to cure with at least three series of R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like therapy. Neither MYD88 (HR 0.66; 95% CI (0.17-2.49), p = 0.54) nor CD79B (HR 0.84;95% CI (0.18-3.88), p = 0.82) mutations were associated with inferior survival. With a targeted gene panel and NGS methodology feasible in daily diagnostic routine, we identified high-risk gene mutations with a significant prognostic impact of which TP53 mutations were reproducible across validation cohorts.

Co-creation of a qualitative fertility research study to understand waiting time experiences through patient engagement

BackgroundInfertility affects an estimated 8 to 12% of the global population and approximately one in six heterosexual couples in Canada. To access fertility services in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, individuals with an infertility diagnosis wait for extended periods, and this waiting period has been associated with psychological distress. However, this experience of waiting has not been well studied, and several gaps in fertility research exist. The inclusion of persons with lived experience of infertility in the creation of studies related to infertility may improve research outcomes and create patient empowerment.AimTo collaboratively develop a qualitative research project focused on understanding the waiting experiences of patients seeking fertility services in Newfoundland and Labrador, utilizing patient engagement initiatives and involving individuals with infertility experiences.MethodsThree patient partners who represented individuals awaiting fertility services were recruited to be research team members. Patient partners were eligible to participate as research team members if they identified as either female or non-binary (to effectively represent the female and non-binary target population in the co-produced qualitative study) and had lived experience waiting for fertility services in the province. The research team developed a detailed patient engagement plan following the International Association for Public Participation framework (IAP2). Data from research team discussion groups were documented using a meeting minutes template. Two questionnaires from the Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool were employed to assess patient partners’ impact and satisfaction with the research process.ResultsPatient partner involvement and input helped the co-creation process by refocusing the qualitative study’s research aim to empower patients. To accomplish the new research aim, the patient partners refined the study’s methodology through adjustments to the research design, protocol, interview guide, and participant criteria of the upcoming qualitative study. The PPEET analysis demonstrated high satisfaction with engagement and a high perceived value of patient contributions in the co-creation of the research study. In turn, the PPEET results indicated that patient partners had a comprehensive understanding of their roles for engagement and were satisfied with their involvement in the various research activities.ConclusionsIn conclusion, using patient engagement to co-create a qualitative fertility study to understand patients’ experiences while waiting for fertility services resulted in significant changes to the proposed methodology and research priorities and helped address knowledge gaps in existing fertility research. Most importantly, the patient engagement approach helped foster an inclusive and empowering environment for patient partners to contribute to fertility research.

An Inherent Decoupled Triple-Active Bridge Converter for All-Electric Aircraft DC Power Systems

This paper focuses on a power conditioning system for an all-electric aircraft (AEA) powered by a single battery pack. The research project aims to identify a multi-port DC/DC converter topology that adequately supplies the two DC buses connected to the propulsion system and auxiliary equipment, respectively. To achieve this, a triple-active bridge (TAB) in its inherently decoupled configuration has been investigated, prototyped, and experimentally verified. The TAB voltage control system was designed, simulated, and experimentally validated. Specifically, start-up, steady-state and step-load performances were evaluated by the simulation study and then experimentally validated on a scaled prototype. The results assess the feasibility of using an inherently decoupled TAB as a power conditioning system for interconnecting the AEA battery pack with the electric propulsion and auxiliary systems. In particular, the developed TAB configuration secures the decoupled power transfer between the two output ports providing at the same time good dynamic performance in terms of voltage control during step-load variation.

Studying Radiation-Induced Degradation of Reinforced Concrete Structures: Review and Numerical Analysis of Reinforcement Corrosion Processes in Concrete

This study addresses the operational degradation of reinforced concrete structures of buildings and facilities where radioactive materials and waste are handled, if degradation is caused by the joint effect of ionizing radiation from materials (substances) handled and factors affecting the overall aging of concrete, reinforcement bars, and their combination. The research focuses on gamma radiation and its physical, chemical, and mechanical effects, triggering corrosion processes in reinforcement bars during the operation of reinforced concrete structures. Changes in the structural behavior of existing and newly built facilities, where radioactive materials and waste (with a focus on highly and moderately radioactive waste) are handled, must be predictable during the extended period of operation. Prognostication methods and assessment models must be accessible to various specialists, including design engineers. Available software packages and numerical analysis tools are used to devise these methods and models. This research project demonstrates the numerical modeling of electrochemical corrosion triggered by oxygen diffusion in concrete. The COMSOL Multiphysics software package was used to develop a model of a reinforced concrete wall segment. This model was used to analyze and prognosticate electrochemical processes in a structure during its future operation. Results of numerical modeling show that corrosion-triggered changes in the original diameter of reinforcement do not exceed tenths (11.2–12.4%) for the predicted service life of 100 years. Studies should be continued in this direction because such factors as radiolysis, carbonization, radiation heating, and changes in the aggregate can have an adverse effect on structures during their operation.

Contextualizing Redacted City Name

This excerpt from the case context section of an autoethnographic, critical action research project about a contemporary art exhibition in redacted city and state name details relevant Indigenous, settler-colonial, and cultural histories, defining the “place” in which the case study is located. By contextualizing the research within both settler-colonial relations and local exhibitionary history, this investigation aims to generate and sustain connections with ongoing community conversations about the legacies of colonialism and Indigenous futures.

Claiming Relevance for Social Science and the Humanities: Relevance Expressions Across Methodological Divides

AbstractThis article addresses the issue of how Social Science and Humanities (SSH) researchers frame and argue relevance, where there are no explicit expectations to do so. It uses research project reports submitted to a Swedish research council, to distil and further analyze ‘relevance expressions’. These expressions illustrate some methodological differences along the lines of the long-standing distinction between nomothetic (generalization oriented) and idiographic (case /description oriented). We extracted relevance claims from a database of project abstracts and reports from the following fields: History, Linguistics, Political Science and Psychology. We interrogated these statements for possible differences with respect to how relevance is expressed. The study finds differences in the way that nomothetic and idiographic expressions imply, argue or derive support for relevance, and that these may be somewhat associated with fields, although with certain qualifications. Importantly, relevance expressions can be viewed as epistemic operations that occur in degrees of concretization, broadly or narrowly formulated, and in different levels of everyday and technical expressions. A key insight is that relevance in SSH appears to be closely associated with the way subjects relate to the empirical. This ultimately lends support for the application of the nomothetic/idiographic as a conceptual, albeit not exhaustive, analytical approach to understanding the relevance of SSH.

Dose-related effects of intraduodenal quinine on plasma glucose, glucoregulatory hormones and gastric emptying of a nutrient drink, and energy intake, in men with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, randomised, crossover study.

Quinine, when administered intraduodenally to activate bitter-taste receptors, in a dose of 600 mg, stimulates glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and insulin, slows gastric emptying and lowers postprandial glucose in healthy people, with consequent implications for the management of type 2 diabetes; the effect of quinine on energy intake is uncertain. We have investigated the dose-related effects of quinine on postprandial blood glucose levels and energy intake in people with type 2 diabetes. Male participants with type 2 diabetes (age: 68±5 years; HbA1c: 49.0±5.0 mmol/mol [6.7±0.4%], BMI: 30±1 kg/m2) received in two study parts (A and B, n=12 each), on three separate occasions each, in randomised, crossover fashion, control, or 300 mg (QHCl-300) or 600 mg (QHCl-600) quinine hydrochloride, intraduodenally 30 min before a nutrient drink (2092 kJ, 74 g carbohydrate) (part A) or a standardised buffet-lunch (part B). Both the participants and investigators performing the study procedures were blinded to the treatments. In part A, plasma glucose, GLP-1, C-peptide and glucagon were measured at baseline, for 30 min after quinine alone and for 3 h post drink. Gastric emptying of the drink was measured with a 13C-acetate breath test. In part B, energy intake from the buffet-lunch was quantified. Quinine alone had no effect. Post drink, both quinine doses reduced peak plasma glucose markedly (QHCl-600 by 2.8±0.6 mmol/l) and slowed gastric emptying (all p<0.05; n=12, except for gastric emptying, n=11). QHCl-600, but not QHCl-300, stimulated plasma GLP-1 and C-peptide modestly (both p<0.05). Quinine did not affect energy intake. In type 2 diabetes, acute intraduodenal administration of quinine markedly reduces the plasma glucose response to oral carbohydrate, but does not affect energy intake. These findings support the potential use of quinine to reduce postprandial blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes. anzctr.org.au ACTRN12620000972921/ACTRN12621000218897 FUNDING: The study was funded by a Diabetes Australia Research Project Grant.

Semantic Orchestration and Exploitation of Material Data: A Dataspace Solution Demonstrated on Steel and Copper Applications

In materials science and manufacturing, vast amounts of heterogeneous data (e.g., measurement and simulation logs, process data, publications) serve as the bedrock of valuable knowledge for various engineering applications. However, efficiently storing and managing this diverse data pose challenges due to limited standardization and integration across different organizational units. Addressing these challenges is essential to fully unlock the potential of data‐driven approaches. This article introduces novel, comprehensive semantic methodology tailored to materials engineering and realized as a technology stack named Dataspace Management System (DSMS), which powers dataspace solutions that leverage the knowledge encoded in heterogeneous data sources to support data‐driven insights and to derive new knowledge. At its core, DSMS offers a distinctive knowledge management approach tuned to meet the specific requirements of the materials science and manufacturing domain, all while adhering to the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) principles. DSMS provides functionalities for data integration, linkage, exploration, visualization, processing, data sharing, and services (e.g., consulting) to support engineers in decision‐making, design, and optimization. An architectural overview is presented, outlining core concepts and their technological implementation. In addition, the applicability of these concepts to common data processing tasks is demonstrated through use cases from the StahlDigital and KupferDigital research projects within Germany's MaterialDigital initiative.