Social Sciences Research Articles

Navigating inherent challenges of locally focused action research in graduate education

ABSTRACT Action research seeks to address pressing local issues through research and collaboration with community partners while also contributing to social science. Through cyclical processes of research, action, and reflection, action research provides not only a methodological framework for addressing social issues but also a potential pedagogical approach for training students. This article explores the challenges and benefits of integrating action research into graduate-level curricula, using graduate action research classes at Vanderbilt University and their multi-semester research on short-term rentals (e.g. Airbnbs and VRBOs) in Nashville, TN, as a case example. The article first outlines inherent challenges that arise when conducting action research, particularly in higher educational contexts. It then describes some distinctive features of the Vanderbilt courses that have enabled long-term engagement in action research projects. By examining the classes’ work on short-term rentals, the article illustrates how features like frequent offerings, opportunities for multiple semester enrollment, collaborative instruction, and a research ‘studio’ design can be helpful in addressing some of the perennial challenges of conducting and teaching action research in academic settings. The article concludes by discussing strategies for course design and instruction to navigate these challenges in order to realize the potential for simultaneously cultivating student learning and development while contributing to beneficial community impacts.

Grain fields in sea-landscapes.

Sea-level rise will increase salt intrusion and flood risk in low-lying lands. In the long run, these lands will change into seawater-influenced landscapes, as is already happening in several coastal areas around the globe. While conventional agriculture may no longer bear fruit in such sea-landscapes, the seagrass species Zostera marina, "sea-rice," potentially yields 3-7% of global rice production, with the added benefit of zero-carbon emissions. Culture of Z. marina does not require freshwater, fertilizer or pesticides. Development and implementation of seagrass mariculture will open new avenues for collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines such as agronomy, coastal engineering and social sciences. From the start, the domestication, engineering design and landscape planning should aim at the optimal balance between ecosystem goods (grains, straw and seafood) and services (coastal protection, carbon and nitrogen sequestration, filtering of pathogens and pollutants, and biodiversity) of this potential crop, while respecting and restoring the wild meadows.

The Laboratory as Pedagogy for Social Change: Innovation for Research and Education

This article develops an original pedagogical model, a Lab(oratory) for training and scientific practice in the field of Communication for Social Change. The proposal arises from the practical experiences achieved through the collaborative work of the Kaleidoscope Network, which is an international epistemic and practical community for the study of digital culture and human development. The case studies used by the Kaleidoscope Network are derived from over two decades of experience in Mexico. Despite their regional origin, the Lab proposal asserts its international significance, particularly within the realm of training and practice in social science in the Global South. First, the article offers a description of and reflection on the context of colonial hegemony, inequality and resource scarcity in public universities in the Global South. Second, the theoretical framework and central principles of the model are developed. Subsequently, through a literature review and analysis, the conceptual design of the proposal is built. Finally, the laboratory’s design is presented to readers for reflection, discussion and contribution, which, in summary, proposes a critical‒creative pedagogy embedded in science for social transformation that is open, ethical, humane and inclusive.

Gender Equality in HASS Workplaces: Do Leaders have the Gender Competence for Change?

Women working in Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) workplaces continue to face prevalent inequalities. Workplace leaders are widely recognised as key change agents to redressing these problems and creating respectful workplaces for all. However, there is scant research examining HASS workplace leaders’ role as potential change agents or their capability to lead change efforts. To address this issue, this paper uses a tripartite gender competence framework to examine HASS workplace leaders’ readiness to lead change efforts in creating equitable and safe workplaces, with a focus on music, law and social services fields. Data are generated through in-depth interviews with 20 workplace leaders from academia, public services and industry sectors. Findings suggest that while HASS workplace leaders demonstrate commitment to advance gender equality and diversity in their workplaces, there are key gaps in their understanding of the nature and characteristics of the problem which is often understood in a simplistic and narrow fashion. Findings also suggest that some leaders may lack the necessary know-how to play their role in leading change efforts towards gender equality.

Comparing ChatGPT and Dental Students' Performance in an Introduction to Dental Anatomy Examination: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This article compares the knowledge and interpretation ability of Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT), with undergraduate dental students by administering a dental anatomy multiple-choice question-based examination.This analytical cross-sectional study determined ChatGPT's justification for each response to evaluate its suitability as an e-learning tool. The frequency and percentage of students and ChatGPT were calculated to obtain the correct answers for a multiple-choice examination.The data analysis was performed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) by IBM (Version 20) and Microsoft Excel by Microsoft Corporation. The frequency and percentage of students and the ChatGPT were calculated for the correct answers. The p-value of the Shapiro-Wilk test was 0.001, therefore, the Kolmogorov test was applied to check the hypothesis for the distribution of the average ChatGPT explanation score given by the experts.The results revealed that students performed better in the introductory dental anatomy examination. The average score of students was 74.28%, while that of ChatGPT was 60%. A good agreement was observed between the experts regarding the grading of the explanation.ChatGPT possesses a foundational understanding of basic dental anatomy, sufficient to achieve a passing grade on an undergraduate examination, its performance exhibits limitations in accuracy and reliability, therefore, it cannot be recommended as a sole learning resource.

Examining the relationship between occupational health and safety practices and productivity levels in private health facilities in the central region of Ghana

IntroductionLiterature has established that offering protection for workers’ health and safety is one method of preserving an organization’s human resources and increase worker productivity. The purpose of this study was to examine occupational health and safety practices among selected private hospitals in the central region of Ghana and how it affects work productivity.MethodsThis study was a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study and structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 344 healthcare workers at sixteen (16) selected private health facilities in the Central Region of Ghana, through the convenience sampling technique. Data entry and analysis were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).ResultsA greater majority of the respondents exhibited positive perceptions and attitudes towards occupational health and safety protocols. The healthcare facilities of almost 6 out of every 10 sampled respondents had high compliance levels with occupational health and safety measures. Also, Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between OHS implementation and overall productivity (r(344) = 0.255, p < 0.018). This relationship remained significant after controlling for demographic variables through partial correlation analysis (r(344) = 0.272, p = 0.015), indicating a stable and consistent association. The most mentioned potential areas for improvement to optimize employee well-being and productivity were safety training, safety satisfaction and feedback and management safety commitment while the least mentioned were safety reporting, safety involvement and working environment.ConclusionThis study has demonstrated that the implementation of OHS measures has a positive and significant relationship with the overall productivity of healthcare workers in private health facilities in the Central Region of Ghana.

Virtual reality as a didactic tool for teaching history to early childhood teachers in training

Purpose This study aims to explore how virtual reality (VR) can enhance the teaching of history to trainee early childhood teachers, particularly by leveraging local cultural heritage. It evaluates the effectiveness of VR in developing historical understanding, technical usability and emotional engagement. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive-exploratory study conducted with 135 third-year students enrolled in the Didactics of Social Sciences subject. Participants experienced a VR visit to the “Aeneas Group” in a virtual museum, where they interacted with the exhibition and toured the site where it was originally located. Data were collected through pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods. Findings The results indicate significant improvements in students’ historical knowledge and technical skills. Emotional engagement was high, with participants reporting positive feelings such as curiosity and excitement. The VR experience successfully bridged theoretical knowledge and immersive learning, facilitating deeper understanding and motivation. Research limitations/implications This study relied on a convenience sample, limiting the generalizability of findings. Future research should replicate the intervention with diverse educational contexts and use VR for broader historical periods. Practical implications This research highlights the potential of VR to transform history education by providing interactive, emotionally engaging experiences. Educators are encouraged to integrate VR to enhance the accessibility and relevance of history instruction. Originality/value This study uses a custom-designed VR experience, based on high-fidelity scanned data from local heritage sites, illustrating how digital technology can bridge cultural heritage and education. It offers valuable insights for educators and curriculum designers seeking innovative approaches to promote historical thinking, engagement and active learning among future teachers.

The Value and Application of Marxist Methodology in Accounting

This paper explores the value and application of Marxist theory and social science methodology in the field of accounting. By analyzing the fundamental principles of Marxism and the research methods of social science, and integrating them with the characteristics of the accounting profession, the paper illustrates the theoretical insights and guidance that Marxist thought offers to accounting. It also examines how social science methodologies are applied in accounting research and practice. Finally, the paper highlights the broader significance of incorporating Marxist and social science approaches into accounting and outlines potential directions for future research.

ChatGPT’s Impact on Listening Comprehension: Perspectives from Vietnamese EFL University Learners

Research has shown that ChatGPT is a valuable educational tool for developing second language (L2) proficiency. While extensive literature highlights its positive influence on various linguistic skills, its impact on L2 listening skills remains underexplored. This study reports the findings of an investigation into Vietnamese EFL learners’ perceptions of ChatGPT’s role in improving L2 listening abilities. The study adopted an explanatory mixed method design by recruiting 245 undergraduates from three main disciplines at a private university: Business and Management, Technology and Data, and Social Sciences and Humanities. Data were collected through a questionnaire for the first phase, followed by semi-structured interviews with 11 participants. The findings revealed that only half of respondents believe that ChatGPT is beneficial for enhancing L2 listening skills. However, when asked about its effect on specific listening-related domains, students showed an acknowledgment of certain advantages. Specifically, ChatGPT is most effective in promoting vocabulary development, followed by grammar knowledge, and working memory. The least significant benefits are observed in improving pronunciation and motivation for listening. Moreover, gender has no significant role in shaping students’ views on ChatGPT’s benefits while its perceived usefulness varies notably across academic disciplines. Based on the findings, the study offers implications and recommendations for teachers and learners to maximize the potential of ChatGPT in L2 listening development.

Employee Ethics and Corporate Governance: Evaluating Internal Whistleblowing Mechanisms

Unethical incidents occurring across domestic and international organizational contexts have underscored the vital role of employee ethical behavior in enhancing the integrity and effectiveness of corporate governance. Despite global advancements in enacting protective legislation to encourage ethical conduct and safeguard whistleblowers, Taiwan's regulatory framework in this domain remains relatively underdeveloped. High-profile cases of workplace bullying and the growing prominence of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards have amplified public and institutional scrutiny of corporate ethical practices, reinforcing the urgency of strengthening ethical governance mechanisms. This study seeks to address existing gaps in the literature by developing a comprehensive conceptual framework that integrates insights from cognitive-behavioral theory, government-led governance evaluation mechanisms, and internationally recognized measurement instruments. By shifting the analytical lens from a traditionally legalistic focus to an interdisciplinary approach rooted in psychology and the social sciences, the research investigates the complex interplay between employee ethical behavior, the design and implementation of internal whistleblowing systems, and the effectiveness of protection mechanisms. It examines how these elements collectively contribute to the transparency, accountability, and overall ethical climate within organizations. Moreover, this study emphasizes the need for tailored approaches to governance assessment, recognizing that ethical behavior and whistleblowing dynamics may vary significantly across sectors. Such efforts would contribute to the development of more robust institutional frameworks and policy recommendations aimed at fostering a culture of ethical accountability and safeguarding moral conduct in organizational settings. JEL classification numbers: G34, G38, M41, M42, M54. Keywords: Employees' Ethical Behavior, Corporate Governance, Internal Whistleblowing System, Protection Mechanisms.

Too well to die; too ill to live: an update on the lifespan versus health span debate.

Since the dawn of human civilisation, the pursuit of immortality has been a perennial quest. Over the past century, unprecedented advancements in medical science, public health initiatives, and social policies have significantly increased the global human lifespan. The debate between lifespan (the total number of years a person lives) and health span (the period of life free from chronic disease or disability) has gained considerable attention in both scientific and public discourse, with global focus now gradually shifting from merely living longer to living better. With this increase, a critical question has emerged: are these additional years truly spent in good health? As the global elderly population projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050, this demographic shift is expected to place a substantial burden on health care systems, economic structures, and social frameworks. Emerging research in epigenetics, regenerative medicine, and lifestyle medicine suggests that preventive measures and personalised interventions can compress morbidity, promote healthier ageing trajectories, and ultimately increase health span. We review current lifespan and health span frameworks to foster dialogue among basic scientists, clinical specialists, social scientists, public health experts, and policymakers, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritises extending healthy, functional years of life over simply increasing lifespan.

Meaning Well, Feebly: Ethical Hypocrisy Limits Social Justice and Psychological Science

Ethical behavior should be evaluated on consistency and adequacy for obtaining the desired moral outcomes because the morality of a particular act is derived from general moral principles applicable to similar situations. Therefore, these ethical principles generally entail verbal–nonverbal and behavioral–behavioral consistency in all similar contexts. Morally inconsistent behavior can dilute the effects of morally consistent behaviors. Individuals act inconsistently because of self-deception, weak will, and social desirability, that is, appearing moral without the personal costs or benefits to others associated with actual moral behavior. This article specifically explores moral hypocrisy in acknowledgments and questionable research practices in psychological science.

The Opinions of Academics on the Usage of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Primary Schools

Within the scope of this research, it is aimed to obtain academician opinions on the use of artificial intelligence applications such as ChatGPT in the teaching-learning process and classroom applications in primary schools. In this research, the case study method, which is one of the qualitative research approaches, was used. The study group of the research consists of 10 academicians working in state and foundation universities. A semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers was used as a data collection tool. The data obtained were analyzed by content analysis method. The findings reveal that artificial intelligence tools make significant contributions to the teaching-learning process in areas such as measurement and evaluation and material preparation; to teachers in terms of saving time and understanding the curriculum; to professional development in terms of following the literature and improving field knowledge; and to students in areas such as increasing motivation and supporting individual learning. However, negative aspects such as ethical and security issues, weakening of higher-order thinking skills in students, and mislearning were also pointed out. In addition, it was stated that artificial intelligence tools can be used effectively in various classroom applications in social studies, Turkish, mathematics and science courses. The study emphasizes the importance of balanced and conscious integration of artificial intelligence in education.

Societal pessimism and trajectories of fertility expectations among Dutch non-parents

This study utilizes prospective data from the Dutch Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel to explore two research questions. First, can distinct trajectories of fertility expectations be identified among Dutch women and men in reproductive age (18 to 45/50) who do not have children? Second, do these trajectories differ in terms of self-reported societal pessimism at the start of that trajectory? We employed joint latent class analysis with Latent GOLD which allowed us to model the trajectories of fertility expectations while accounting for the fact that some of the respondents made the transition to parenthood during observation. The trajectories were estimated from entry into the panel until dropout, the end of the observation period (2022, or until reaching age 45 for women and 50 for men), or until the participant became a parent. For both women (n = 1,260) and men (n = 1,110), three similar classes emerged: 'committed to parenthood' (the largest class), 'uncertain' (24% of women and 22% of men), and 'early commitment to no expectation' (13.3% for women and 9.4% for men). In addition, a fourth class—'later arrivals to expectation of parenthood'—was identified among men. Bias-adjusted comparisons revealed significant differences only among women: those committed to parenthood exhibited the lowest levels of societal pessimism, while the 'uncertain' group reported the highest. These differences persisted even after adjusting for relevant control variables at the time when societal pessimism was captured, including depression levels, income satisfaction, partnership status, and education.

Determination of Familial Inheritance of Human External Ear Pattern Among the Urhobos in Delta State, Nigeria.

Aim: This study determined the familial inheritance of the external ear pattern among the Urhobos in Delta State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Multistage sampling was employed in this study. Entirety of 11 families were randomly selected from 9 towns. There was stratified sampling such that equal number of male and female subjects were selected. A total of 100 families (100 fathers, 100 mothers and 200 offspring) were examined. The subjects were examined physically and completed a questionnaire regarding gender and ethnicity. The morphological characteristics of the ear were studied in otoscans of persons within each family. The digital images were transferred into a computer by a universal serial bus (USB) cord. Computer assisted analyses of the ear images were done using AutoCAD software (version 2022). Data obtained was analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26.0. Ear morphology of the same side was matched between parents and offspring. Measurement of agreement was performed by kappa coefficient and gender association was sought by chi-square test. Value of agreement or association less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The external ear pattern (shape of the ear, shape of the tragus and shape of the helix) are substantially heritable from parents to offspring. A large likelihood ratio with a significant level of agreement (p&lt;0.05) is the finding for each trait. Conclusion: The research established baseline data on the external ear pattern among Urhobo subjects. The study highlights the heritability of the external ear pattern.

Lifestyle, Age, and Heart Disease Evidence from European Datasets

Background: This study examined the interplay between age, exercise, BMI, and cardiovascular health, addressing the growing global health concern of obesity and its link to heart disease. Methods: This research utilized data from an Italian dietary survey and the Dutch Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel. Statistical analyses included an ANOVA, linear regression, Mann–Whitney tests, regression with interaction terms, and stratified logistic regression to analyze the impact of age and exercise on BMI and cardiovascular risk. Results: This study revealed that BMI increased with age while exercise participation declined, particularly among women. Exercise consistently lowered BMI across all age groups, with no significant interaction between age and exercise. Additionally, age-related increases in cardiovascular risk factors were confirmed, with a higher susceptibility to heart disease in older age. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of maintaining physical activity to mitigate the risks of obesity and cardiovascular disease. The observed age-specific trends support the development of tailored prevention programs to promote healthier lifestyles across all age groups.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences of Self-Harm and Suicide in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Background: Over three-quarters of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and a better understanding of this behavior within these settings is crucial. Aim: To investigate stakeholders' knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of self-harm and suicide in LMICs. Method: A systematic search was conducted using British Nursing Index, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Social Sciences electronic databases from inception to March 2022, combined with hand-searching reference lists. The search was updated using the PubMed Similar Articles function in February 2024. Analysis followed a modified narrative synthesis approach. Results: One hundred and fifty-four articles met the inclusion criteria, of which 60 included relevant quantitative data. Attitudes toward suicide were often contradictory although, overall, were negative and suicide literacy was poor. Healthcare staff reported lacking training in this area. Willingness to seek help was linked to suicide literacy and attitudes toward suicide. Limitations: Heterogeneity of included studies. Conclusion: Tackling stigma and improving awareness of suicide and self-harm in LMICs are needed to facilitate suicide prevention. Training should include people with lived experience of suicide and self-harm. The complex and contradictory influences of age, gender, religious, and cultural beliefs and lived experience must be considered.

Predictive value of platelet to lymphocyte ratio for in-hospital outcome of patients admitted with diagnosis of exacerbation of COPD with type II respiratory failure

Introduction: Exacerbations of COPD are often associated with increased local and systemic inflammation. They tend to worsen the quality of life of sufferers and increase hospital admissions and mortality. Reliable and readily available biomarkers to identify the high-risk patients are necessary to facilitate early implementation of appropriate treatment strategies. Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted on 110 patients, aimed to study the predictive value of platelet to lymphocyte Ratio (P/L) at the time of admission for in-hospital outcome of patients admitted with a diagnosis of Exacerbation of COPD with Type II respiratory failure. Patients were followed up during their entire stay at the hospital and their blood tests, clinical course and outcome were recorded. The data obtained were recorded in an Excel sheet and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25. The work has been reported in line with the STROCSS criteria. Results: Among 110 patients, 11 (10%) died during hospitalization. Mean P/L at the time of admission was 214.56 ± 84.13 among the patients who eventually died at hospital and 152.53 ± 121.19 among those who were discharged (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Our study shows that the mean P/L at the time of admission was significantly higher in COPD patients with type II respiratory failure who died during hospitalization compared to those who were discharged. These findings suggest that the P/L could serve as potential prognostic biomarker for in-hospital mortality risk in COPD exacerbations.

The Value and Application of Marxist Theory and Social Science Methodology in Accounting

This paper explores the application value and practical significance of Marxist theory and social science methodology in accounting by analyzing the basic principles of Marxist theory and social science methodology, combined with the characteristics of accounting. It aims to provide new ideas and methods for accounting education and practice.

Czech political science and IR journals caught in a vicious circle

Abstract The text identifies the main issues that undermine the position of the Czech Political Science and International Relations journals. We argue that structural factors such as the delayed start of the discipline, lack of contact with the international environment, the transfer of inadequate theoretical and methodological knowledge has significantly affected the functioning and development of professional journals in the Czech Republic. The authoritarian regime limited the development of the social sciences, and Czech (Slovak) Political Science endured an extremely negative attitude from the authorities. Thus, journals in the field of Political Science and International Relations were founded without deeper insight into Western practice. Furthermore, their strive to move from the scientific periphery has also been limited by the lack of human capital and financial constraints. To close the gap, which persists even today, the authors came up with a series of recommendations, such as the language of publication, topic specialisation, insisting on scientific rigour, and emphasising communication with the academic community, both domestic and international. By discussing the practice and the meaning of ‘catching up with the West,’ the paper contributes to understanding hierarchies and dependencies between the global Political Science and International Relations core and CEE as a scientific semiperiphery.