Scientific Activities Research Articles

EXPERIENCE IN ORGANIZING STUDENT RESEARCH CLUB FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

The relevance of this article is underscored by recent legislative changes in Ukraine, including the “Higher Education Law” and the “Law on Scientific and Technical Activity”, which have increased focus on integrating research into the educational framework of higher education institutions. These laws emphasize the need for a symbiotic relationship between higher education and scientific research, particularly in the training of medical students. They mandate new standards for the structure and objectives of scientific research activities within these institutions, encouraging the development of clear research agendas, updated educational resources to foster relevant competencies, and environments that support effective research endeavors. Cultivating a research-oriented professional requires concerted effort starting from the very beginning of a student’s academic journey. Broadening the engagement of medical students in Student Research Club activities is essential. Through participation in Student Research Club, students gain proficiency in navigating scholarly sources, acquire fundamental research skills, learn to apply theoretical knowledge in clinical contexts, and develop the ability to bridge theory with practice. Encouraging medical students to participate in professional competitions, conferences, and symposia at various levels is of great importance as well. Such activities hone public speaking skills, teach students how to engage and retain an audience, and prepare future healthcare professionals to be confident and persuasive communicators. Professional mentorship is vital for Student Research Club members. Faculty involvement, the guidance of Student Research Club advisors, scientific mentors, and leadership from the Student Research Club team are all critical to cultivating the research skills of emerging medical scientists. This article outlines the strategies implemented by the Department of Human Anatomy, Clinical Anatomy, and Operative Surgery at Dnipro State Medical University to engage early undergraduate students in scientific research.

Teachers’ Teaching Competence in Sport Dance Classes in a Chinese Cultural Activity Center: Basis for a New Pedagogical Framework Model

This paper explores the significance of teaching satisfaction within the realm of sports dance education, focusing on the learning environment of the Shijiazhuang Youth Science and Technology Culture Activity Center. With the rapid modernization of China's education system, there is an increasing emphasis on the integration of cultural knowledge and physical education. Sports dance, having been introduced to China in 1984, has gained popularity among teenagers for its blend of gentleman culture and competitive sports. Despite its deep mass foundation and widespread interest, the current quality of sports dance training in China is uneven, with a notable lack of professional teachers. This study aims to identify the factors influencing students' satisfaction with their sports dance teachers' instruction, and in doing so, enhance the overall learning experience and teaching effectiveness. By analyzing the teaching satisfaction survey of sports dance students, the paper reveals the main issues affecting the learning process and proposes suggestions to address these concerns, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the sports dance community and the professional growth of its educators. The study underscores the pivotal role of teachers in shaping students' competencies and attitudes, not only in dance but also in fostering a comprehensive educational experience that aligns with the progressive expectations of modern society.

The Essence and Structure of the Concept “Professional Education of Students” Through Social Networks and Digital Media Platforms

The article is devoted to the disclosure of the concept of professional education in the era of digitalization, the importance of media platforms and social networks in preparing students for successful professional activity. Professional education is the basis of the educational process, which plays an important role in the development of society. It concerns not only students’ professional competencies, but also their personal qualities necessary for sustainable development in the conditions of modern economy and social environment. The concept of professional education concerns individuals and has significant implications both at the level of the country and in the global community. The main aspects of the social benefits of professional education are its contribution to the development of the economy, social stability, reduction of social constraints, the possibility for each person to achieve success in professional activities, the formation of civic responsibility and social solidarity. Thus, professional education contributes to the emergence of professionals who can adapt to the changing conditions of the labor market caused by new technologies, innovation and automation. Countries that pay attention to professional education have higher rates of competitiveness on the world stage and ensure stable economic development. Professional education helps to shape social norms and values and to adapt to the challenges of the digital age. Innovations contribute to cultural and economic growth, and professional education helps to develop these qualities in students. The article discusses the objectivity of lecturers’ and students’ interest in media platforms and social networks as new forms of professional education, training and expansion of educational space. The objective regularity and interest of researchers in studying this topic are highlighted.Materials and methods of research. The basis of the study is formed by domestic and foreign, scientific and research, philosophical and pedagogical literature, normative-legal acts, laws and regulations of the Russian Federation in the field of education and upbringing of youth. In the study of sources and materials on this topic, the methods of theoretical analysis were used. The analysis of conceptual and theoretical apparatus, comparison, generalization, synthesis, sample surveys were carried out. The experience of work on professional education in the system of higher education was studied and generalized. A review of published research papers and articles on the topic of professional education using media platforms was made in order to analyze the existing approaches, identify the main trends and determine the prospects for further research.Results. As a result of the study, the fundamental philosophical ideas of upbringing are considered. The aspect of formation of the concepts of “education” and “professional education” is studied; definitions of these terms and their interrelation in civil and moral formation of personality are given. The role of professional education in the training of students as future specialists is reflected. The role of social media in the context of the educational process is highlighted. The experience of social media researchers in professional education and educational process is studied and analyzed, and the rating of these concepts is compiled.Conclusion. The conducted analysis and conclusions of the research in the field of professional education can be used in pedagogical and scientific activities on the problem under consideration. The general and distinctive features of the concepts of “education” and “professional education” are deduced. The relevance of professional education through digital platforms is shown. The research prospects on this topic and social usefulness of professional education through social networks and media platforms within the country and the entire world community are proved.

The influence of emotions on science teaching: a case study with three early childhood education teachers

Teaching science in early childhood education (ECE) is crucial for fostering essential scientific thinking skills, which are vital for young learners’ development and formative trajectories. While this educational level presents exciting opportunities for integrating science teaching, it also poses challenges related to teachers ́ cognitive, pedagogical, and emotional constraints. Recognizing the pivotal role of teachers’ emotions in shaping their practices, we aim to specifically examine the influence of teachers’ emotions on science teaching in ECE, an area that remains underresearched. We conducted a multiple case study involving three ECE teachers in La Plata, Argentina, who demonstrated a strong interest in improving their pedagogical practices despite acknowledging their difficulties and insecurities in teaching science. We explored their emotions and how they relate to science lesson planning and implementation through surveys, in-depth interviews, and observations. Data collection was designed in three stages: pre-active, interactive, and post-active teaching. First, we surveyed the range of negative and positive emotions that teachers experienced toward sciences, rooted in their personal and formative prior experiences, and examined how these emotions influenced their planning (pre-active stage). Subsequently, we investigated the emotions associated with science teaching in the interactive stage and recorded classroom observations to document how they implemented their plans. Finally, we conducted in-depth interviews with the teachers while they watched the recorded class videos, allowing them to reflect on their decision-making and implementation characteristics (post-active stage). Our findings reveal a dichotomy: negative emotions derived from past experiences reduce engagement, while positive emotions enhance motivation and enrich the learning environment. Negative emotions arising from the implementation of science activities in real classroom contexts may lead to canceled classes, whereas positive emotions foster persistence and optimism. We discuss the significance of emotional awareness in teaching practices, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing negative emotions through teacher training and professional development programs. This approach can enhance teacher confidence and satisfaction, ultimately contributing to improved early childhood science education.

Marketing support to commercialize innovations in Russian universities

Modern trends in the changing role of universities in the country’s economic development set new challenges for higher education. The article discusses the main directions of marketing support for universities’ innovative activities and ways to improve the mechanisms for marketing tools formation to commercialize innovations. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to institutionalize the transfer of knowledge by creating an appropriate innovation infrastructure in universities and scientific organizations to commercialize the results of scientific and technical activities. Departments should become an important element of the university’s innovation infrastructure engaged in innovation marketing – activities for the commercialization of innovations based on marketing approaches. The article, based on SWOT analysis and SPACE matrix of strategic position and action assessment identifies the main problems of innovations commercialization in Russian universities and justifies prospective directions of using marketing approaches, methods and tools for promoting new products on the market. It is concluded that the main thing in determining promising areas of scientific research and technical and technological work is to study and forecast the needs of the market to determine the degree of its usefulness for the buyer and the consumer. The adoption of technology by the market and the consumer is the main result of innovations commercialization.

Enhancing science achievement through inquiry activities: the critical role of perceived teacher support

ABSTRACT In science education, scientific inquiry is crucial for developing inquiry skills and constructing scientific knowledge. However, the impact of scientific inquiry activities on student achievement continues to be debated. A number of counterintuitive findings highlight the need to explore the underlying factors influencing the effectiveness of inquiry-based learning. This study employed hierarchical linear models (HLM) to investigate the role of students’ perceived school teacher support in moderating the relationship between inquiry-based science activities and science achievement. The sample used in this study was drawn from Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Guangdong in mainland China (B-S-J-G-China). These four provinces participated in the 2015 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) as a collective group. The dataset comprised 9,592 students (4,543 females and 5,049 males) from 261 schools. Results revealed a negative correlation between inquiry-based activities and science achievement, indicating that a higher frequency of inquiry-based activities was associated with lower science achievement. However, this association was positively and significantly moderated by the extent of school teacher support. These findings highlight the pivotal role of students’ perceived school teacher support in enhancing the effectiveness of inquiry-based practices and shed light on optimising inquiry-based educational strategies. This suggests that the effective implementation of inquiry-based activities requires the backing of supportive teachers, with broader implications for curriculum design and teacher development in science education.

Современные перспективные тренды профессиональной подготовки сотрудников уголовно-исполнительной системы в условиях цифровизации образования

The article examines the current promising trends in the professional training of employees of the penitentiary system. The conducted express review of modern aspects of professional training of employees of the penal enforcement system allows us to identify the following trends: the use of distance learning technologies, along with traditional training, and a competent combined version of their use and "necessary castling" in the textbook of academic disciplines; regular interactive interaction of subjects of the educational process through an electronic information and educational environment; the use of multimedia technologies as additional learning tools in modern education; additional classes with students on digital hygiene in interaction with various information systems and software products; the use of electronic textbooks, audio-visual aids and interactive courses as alternatives to traditional textbooks, teaching aids in printed form; the use of webinars as an effective form of interactive classes with students; the possibility of developing cognitive processes (attention, memory, thinking, etc.) in students through the use of intelligence simulators - on the example of professional training of psychologists of law enforcement agencies; personalized training. The relevance and discussion of relatively new concepts in modern education, psychology and pedagogy, which are designated as "digital engagement" and "digital professionalism", is noted. Today, the digital transformation of scientific and educational activities sets guidelines for the key areas of development of modern Russian education, taking into account the values for both students (students, cadets, employees of the penal correction system) and the state as a whole.

An enlightened reactionary

The article is devoted to the characteristics of the life, views, state and scientific activities of Count D.A. Tolstoy and their coverage in the latest monograph by I.E.Barykina.

Monitoring materialities: Anthropocene landscapes of environing technologies in the High North

An increased interest in Arctic regions as places of data generation to inform climate models, reports, and policies on environmental change has created a distinct kind of landscape, transformed by the material legacy of short and long-term monitoring and other scientific activities. Drawing from fieldwork in four key areas for environmental monitoring in the High North of Norway, Sweden, and Greenland, we investigate the intentional and unintentional materialities of environing technologies and other anthropogenic impacts that form a particular kind of Anthropocene landscape related to knowing global environmental change. We conclude that such distinctive monitoring landscapes contribute to work investigating shifting conceptualisations of heritage and the emergence of unintentional landscapes in the Anthropocene, and suggest that as co-creators of the global environment, they provide an interesting insight into the material legacies of natural scientific knowledge production.

METHOD OF DETERMINING THE PARAMETER OF QUALITATIVE EVALUATION OF A WEB FORUM

Context. The development of new types of virtual environments is an urgent task of informatisation of modern education, since such services allow enhancing the quality of educational services and contribute to a deeper assimilation of new knowledge by students. A web application proposed in this paper has been built using modern approaches to creating web pages using the .NET programming language, Bootstrap and ASP.NET MVC frameworks, Azure cloud solutions and Azure SQL databases, which has enabled the simplification of software development by distributing functions between the application modules and provided the flexibility, performance, and security necessary to work with relational data. The effectiveness of the application in the educational process has been experimentally tested using the method of determining the qualitative evaluation of the web forum usefulness parameter, which was developed by introducing an informative parameter of the discussion quality based on the h-index (sometimes called the Hirsch index or Hirsch number). Objective. To build a mathematical model of a web forum and develop a method of determining the qualitative evaluation of the parameter of usefulness of discussions in the created web application, which would allow improving the quality of educational and scientific activities in a higher education institution. Method. A method of determining the parameter of qualitative evaluation of a web forum using the h-index has been developed, which enabled analysing the interest in covering the trends of discussion on the forum pages and planning on its basis further work of the forum as a tool of a virtual learning environment. Results. Based on the analysis of the results of the implementation of the web application in the educational process of the Department of Information Technologies Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, the user activity of posts has been analysed and the effectiveness of discussions of the proposed topics on the forum pages has been determined using the introduced activity parameter. Conclusions. A mathematical model of a web forum has been built, and the application has been implemented using modern approaches to software development using an optimised MVC architecture, which enabled simplification of creating a service by distributing responsibilities between the application modules and facilitating testing and technical support of the service. The scientific novelty of the study is the development of a method of evaluating the usefulness of discussions in a web forum by introducing a new informative quality parameter, the use of which allowed broadening the scope of existing limitations in quantitative analytics of discussions and feedbacks in popular services. Experimental studies carried out on the basis of a higher education institution have confirmed the effectiveness of the method application to improve the quality of educational services. The practical significance of the obtained results is the development of a software product as a tool of the virtual learning environment of a higher education institution.

Indicators of absorptive capacity. Conceptual framework and estimates for 25 countries and 24 UK sectors

The paper develops a conceptual and operationalization framework for absorptive capacity (ACAP) leading to empirical indicators useful for the development of innovation policy. Applications are presented for 25 European countries and 24 UK sectors. For the country study, four dimensions are developed. Two in relations to embodiment of knowledge and two to acquisition. On the former, one dimension captures embodiment in assets and scientific activities and one in human resources both on the supply and demand side. Two dimensions capture acquisition of knowledge via social linkages and via physical and digital connectivity. Several variables contribute to each of these dimensions. ACAP values are arrived at by combining all dimensions. The sector study is developed along similar lines. It has two components related to large and medium-sized enterprises. The results show: clear strengths and weaknesses in ACAP by country and sector; and, in the sector study, more sector- than enterprise-size specificity.

Stoichiometry understanding of upper secondary students through active science learning

The goals of the study were as follows: i) to design an active science learning activity on stoichiometry for grade 10 students, ii) to evaluate the academic achievement of grade 10 students after receiving an active science learning activity on stoichiometry, and iii) to investigate the perspectives of grade 10 students regarding an active science learning activity on stoichiometry. The research utilized a sample group consisting of 41 students who were enrolled in the tenth grade during the second semester of the academic year 2022. The research tools provided participants with active science learning lessons. A test of the kids’ academic prowess as well as their thoughts on the use of hands-on scientific learning activities will be administered. The mean, the standard deviation, and a one-sample t-test were the types of statistics that were utilized in the investigation. The following is an outline of what the research found: i) the appropriateness of the active science learning activities was judged to be the highest level, ii) the academic achievement of grade 10 students after receiving the active science learning activities on stoichiometry had an average score that was higher than the criteria of 70% with a statistical significance at the .05 level; and iii) the opinions of students on the implementation of active science learning activities on stoichiometry were in the agree level.

Challenges of scientific societies activities: anesthesia and intensive care medicine. A scoping review.

Challenges of scientific societies activities: anesthesia and intensive care medicine. A scoping review.

Comprehensive carbon footprint of Earth, environmental and space science laboratories: Implications for sustainable scientific practice

To limit global warming below 2°C, a drastic overall reduction from current green-house gas emissions is needed. Scientists should also participate in this effort in their professional activity and especially Earth scientists, on the grounds of maintaining credibility and leading by example. The strategies and measures to reach a low-carbon scientific activity require detailed estimates of the current footprint of laboratories. Here, we present the footprint of six laboratories in Earth, environmental and space sciences, with a comprehensive scope also including international research infrastructures. We propose a novel method to attribute a part of the footprint of any research infrastructure to the laboratory using it. Our results highlight that most laboratories have annual footprints reaching 10–20 tonnes CO2equivalent per person (tCO2e p-1), dominated by infrastructures and specifically satellites in three cases (with footprints up to 11 tCO2e p-1), while air-travels and purchases remain within the top three sources in all cases (2–4 tCO2e p-1 each). Consequently, footprints related to commuting and laboratory functioning, about 2 tCO2e p-1 or less, are relatively modest compared to infrastructures, purchases and air-travels. Thus, reduction measures ignoring infrastructures may not be able to achieve reductions larger than 20 to 35% even with flight quotas and a substantial reduction of purchases. Finally, we also discuss how a deeper transformation of scientific practices, away from competitive, grant-based and innovation-oriented current practices, could make Earth and environmental sciences more sustainable and at the forefront of rapid and drastic changes in the whole society toward environment and climate preservation.

Revealing the closeness of publication ties in scientific cooperation taking into account scientific productivity based on the Time-Weighted PageRank Method with Citation Intensity

The object of this study is the processes related to the assessment of the closeness of publication ties among scientists and taking into account their productivity related to scientific activity. This is necessary to increase the efficiency of management of research projects. To this end, the PR, TWPR, TWPR-CI methods for calculating scientific productivity estimates of scientists were described. In particular, the TWPR-CI method gives preference to those scientists whose works were more intensively published and cited during the last period of time, which is important for the formation of the composition of the executors of scientific research projects. The method for calculating the closeness of publication ties among scientists or average asymmetric tie strength was also described. The verification of dependence between the evaluation of the closeness of publication ties among scientists and their scientific productivity was carried out based on the analysis of the citation network of scientific publications and the network of scientific cooperation. The networks are built on the basis of the open access Citation Network Dataset (ver. 14). The dataset contains information on more than 5 million scientific publications and more than 36 million citations to them. The correlation analysis revealed the presence of a weak inverse relationship between these estimates. However, the weakness of the connection allows us to state that for this case there is no established correlation between the assessment of scientific productivity and the assessment of the closeness of publication ties. That is, the hypothesis that the weak connection between scientists makes it possible to increase the productivity and innovativeness of their publications was not confirmed. The results allow for a systematic approach to the process of evaluation and planning of the results of research projects, as well as the formation of the composition of their executors

From fiscal-military state to laissez-faire science: liberal government and the nineteenth-century market of scientific activity

AbstractIn nineteenth-century Britain, the role of the state in the cultivation of scientific activity was controversial. After the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, successive governments rolled back the apparatus of the ‘fiscal-military state’, characterized by high taxation and government spending. What followed was a moment of self-avowedly laissez-faire, liberal governance in which contemporaries placed great emphasis on the value of minimal government intervention in market activity. This not only concerned the nation’s social and economic life, but its scientific culture. Leading political and scientific figures frequently promoted science as something best advanced if left to individuals. Yet by the 1900s, the British state was increasingly engaged in financing and organizing large-scale scientific research. The twentieth century would see governments around the world expand their scientific and technological investment, epitomized by the American concept of ‘Big Science’. This article analyses the relationship between the British government and scientific activity during the nineteenth century and argues that, far from a simple matter of minimal intervention, the state was always highly active in the market of science.

Increasing the collaboration of data science stakeholders with a knowledge management system

PurposeThis paper presents the design and implementation of collaborative data science framework (CoDS), a knowledge management system for consolidating data science activities in an enterprise.Design/methodology/approachThe development of the CoDS framework is grounded on the design science research methodology for information systems research. In our case study, we first designed the initial framework for CoDS based on a systematic literature review. Then, we collected the expert opinions of eight data scientists to validate the need for generic content for such a knowledge management system. In the second iteration, a portfolio prototype is developed by the same data scientists as a part of our technical action research. Finally, a survey is conducted with 57 data analyst candidates in the last iteration.FindingsUsing the CoDS portfolio strengthened the communication among data scientists and stakeholders to improve development and scaling activities. It eased the reuse or modification of existing analytical solutions in other company processes.Practical implicationsThe CoDS presents a platform on which business details, data-related knowledge, modeling procedures and deployment steps are shared for (1) mediating and scaling ongoing projects, (2) enriching knowledge transfer among stakeholders, (3) facilitating ideation of new products and (4) supporting the onboarding of new employees and developers.Originality/valueThis study proposes a novel structure and a roadmap for creating a data science knowledge management system for the collaboration of all stakeholders in an enterprise.

Bibliometric Analysis of Reference Materials and Certified Reference Materials Applied to Geochemistry

The use of reference materials (RMs) and certified reference materials (CRMs) is essential to guarantee the reliability of measurement procedures ‐ a major factor motivating the efforts of the geoanalytical community. This work quantifies trends and patterns in the scientific literature concerning RMs and CRMs in geochemistry for specific timespans, with the aim of evaluating historical developments, research fields, geographic shifts of research centres, and current trends. The Scopus database was surveyed for peer‐reviewed full‐texts (14,201 documents), which were subsequently exploited for statistical description, bibliometric mapping and cluster analysis. Mineral exploration and trace element geochemistry stimulated early research, whereas environmental subjects have grown in importance mainly since the year 2000. International standardisation was coincident with an increase of publications covering CRMs and geochemistry, and is thought to reflect the impact of ISO guidelines in this scientific activity. Other factors include investments in research facilities, creation of specialised geoanalytical journals and organisation of international meetings. The analysis shows that RMs are typically used for petrogenetic research topics, whereas CRMs are equally important for environmental sciences, chemistry and geosciences. Environmental sciences are mostly concerned with anthropogenic contamination of ecosystems by heavy metals, whereas geological interest is mainly driven by isotope geochemistry. Scientific frontiers in geoanalytical research comprise microanalytical methodologies, unconventional isotopes, rare earth elements and environmental monitoring. New trends in CRM applications also include biogeochemistry and radionuclides.

Scientific publications and large language models: will neural network understand Russian science?

The impact of artificial intelligence technologies, neural networks, and chatbots on science and education has induced widespread discussion in the academic community. It is no longer possible to contain the use of neural networks such as ChatGPT for writing texts, including scientific texts. The present study is done in a qualitative approach. The aim of the study is to analyze the application of large language models on the example of ChatGPT in the scientific publishing activities of Russian scientists. The practice of using chatbots does not always satisfy the user and the scientific community as a whole. On the one hand, the user is confronted with the lack of the requested information. On the other hand, the scientific community, and especially editors and readers of scientific journals, question the feasibility of neural networks due to the shortcomings of large language models that have been widely disputed in scientific publications. This study shows that there is another reason to distrust neural networks. Incompleteness and opacity of the information produced by artificial intelligence is related to the texts on which neural networks are trained. For Russian science, this problem poses a serious threat, since popular artificial intelligence companies use mostly English-language texts to teach their neural nets. The author puts forward the opinion that the social and humanitarian knowledge produced in modern Russia remains outside the scope of texts used for training neural networks. This point of view is supported by research by Russian scientists on Arctic governance. The data is absent in the English-language texts of ChatGPT but reflected in Russian-language publications.

Toward the Madrid Code: nomenclatural proposals of Ukrainian botanists

The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants is the document that regulates the nomenclature of taxa belonging to these groups of organisms, and thus it is crucially important for maintaining stability of scientific names applied to them. Stable, universal, and properly regulated nomenclature is a solid basis of biological taxonomy and all fields of science and other human activities depending on knowledge of living and fossil organisms. The Code is governed by the users represented by members of the Nomenclature Section of an International Botanical Congress. The Nomenclature Section has a power to modify the Code by voting and taking actions on formal proposals to amend the Code that are submitted by the users before the Congress. In this article, information is provided on the nomenclatural proposals by Ukrainian botanists (and one mycologist), or with participation of Ukrainian botanists, submitted to the XX International Botanical Congress (XX IBC) held in Madrid in July 2024. In total, nine Ukrainian scientists from Kyiv (M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine) and Lviv (Institute of Ecology of the Carpathians of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv) have submitted 29 proposals to amend the Code, or 6.7% of the total number of proposals to amend the Code submitted to the XX IBC. These proposals were either single authored, or co-authored by Ukrainian authors and/or authors from other countries. Some of the accepted (3), accepted as amended (2), and rejected proposals are considered and briefly discussed. The participation and contribution of Ukrainian scientists in the process of amending the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants are emphasized.