Social Science Studies Research Articles

Community preferred drug delivery approaches for pilot roll-out of a potential novel paediatric schistosomiasis treatment option in two endemic counties of Kenya: A mixed methods study.

Treating preschool age children (PSAC) for schistosomiasis has remained a challenge due to lack of a pediatric formulation. In response to this unmet need, the Paediatric Praziquantel Consortium has developed a potential novel paediatric treatment option. In advance to its roll-out to follow regulatory response, we conducted a social science study to gather information on preferred drug delivery approaches to inform implementation. A cross-sectional study was conducted in eight villages in two purposively selected Kenyan counties. A questionnaire was administered on 690 parents/guardians of PSAC at household level. Preferred drug delivery approaches were analyzed using frequencies and proportions. We conducted key informant interviews with 17 opinion leaders and 28 healthcare workers, and 12 focus group discussions with parents/guardians of PSAC and 7 with community health volunteers (CHVs). Thematic analysis was performed on the qualitative data. Majority of the 690 respondents were women 594 (86.1%) with a mean age of 34.1 (SD = 11.3, min-max = 18-86). Community-based mass drug administration (cMDA) was the most preferred drug delivery method by 598 participants (86.7%), followed by health facility/fixed points by 398 participants (57.7%). Similarly, in the qualitative data participants indicated they prefer cMDA since the CHVs who would distribute the medication are familiar with households with PSAC and are trusted to explain the drug effects. Health facilities/fixed points were the second most preferred drug delivery approach, but some health workers we interviewed expressed concern about potential understaffing and overcrowding of facilities. Appropriate timing of the drug distribution, not to interfere with farming activities, was considered critical, irrespective of the approach used. All profiles of study participants preferred cMDA over the other delivery approaches due to the convenience of receiving drugs at home and providing explanations about the new drug. For positive outcomes, adequate planning, proper timings and community involvement are highly recommended.

The Importance of Ethical Values in Explicit Music in English from a Parental Perspective

Given the significant influence of the English language in most Spanish educational centres in Spain as well as on main top popular music charts in this country, and considering the current crisis of ethical values on a global level, the aim of this study was to primarily assess the level of parental concern related to explicit language in songs in the English language and relate its connection with own ethical values. The instrument used to collect data was a Likert-scale based questionnaire (with 5 response-options) following the hypotheses of this study (Behaviour and emotions of minors; Level of English and understanding of the language, explicit music broadcasted globally and modification of ethical values if in a foreign language), which were defined through the structural equation model (SEM-PLS), a method recommended for studies in social sciences. A total of 160 responses were collected from parents/tutors claiming they had a lower-intermediate level of the English language and with children/students who were enrolled in different bilingual schools in Extremadura (Spain). Results actually revealed a relaxed attitude towards ethical values compromised by explicit language, should these be in a foreign language, therefore evidencing a different personal ranking of values in a foreign language.

Unveiling the landscape of social media marketing in social science studies: A bibliometric analysis using VosViewer and Biblioshiny

In recent years, social media marketing has evolved into a ubiquitous phenomenon, influencing the dynamics of business-consumer relationships and becoming an indispensable facet of modern marketing strategies. This positive trend led to a growing number of publications in the field of social media marketing, especially in social science studies. Thus, it is impeccable for the researcher to study this particular matter. The objective of this study is to identify the pattern of past research on social media marketing in social science studies, specifically its research status and the most up-to-date (emerging) topics in this field. This research offers a visual analysis of 1747 research articles listed in the Scopus database in the years 2009–2023. The bibliometric analysis using VosViewer and Biblioshiny presents the current research status, including annual scientific production, most cited articles, most cited authors, most active source title, co-authorship analysis, co-occurrence analysis and co-citation analysis on social media marketing in social science studies. The outcomes of this study are expected to benefit researchers specializing in consumer behaviour by offering them insights into the current research landscape and serving as a valuable reference for future investigations.

Development of Characterized Digital Comics for Junior High School Students in Social Studies Learning

This study is aimed at developing the material for social science study at Junior High School by using characterized digital comics. The study uses a research and development model popularized by Borg and Gall. The types of data used in this research are qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data was obtained based on criticism and suggestions for improvement from validators. Quantitative data was obtained based on the results of filling out a questionnaire in the form of objective product assessment scores. The instruments used for data collection were open and closed questionnaires. Based on the results of data analysis from media experts, a feasibility value was obtained from media experts 149 a maximum value of 152 so that a percentage of 98% was obtained, from material experts a feasibility value was obtained of 112 from a maximum value of 114 so that a percentage of 98% was obtained, and the results of scale group trials limited (10 students) obtained a score of 890 out of a total of 1000 so that a percentage of 89% was obtained. This shows that the digital comic with characters being developed is classified as "very valid" and can be implemented. In brief, the results of developing digital comics with characters are appropriate and can be recommended to be used in social science studies at junior high schools.

Types and Development Stages of Migrant Entrepreneurship in Russia

The study of migrant entrepreneurship in Russia is a relatively recent and complex social phenomenon. Its uniqueness stems from the surge in international migration, primarily from former regions of the Soviet Union, coinciding with significant socio-economic transformations, specifically the shift from the Soviet centrally planned economy to a market economy. This context partly explains the limited empirical research and the absence of a comprehensive theoretical foundation for such studies in Russian social science. Seeking to fill this gap, this article provides a brief overview of migrant entrepreneurship approaches, methods, empirical evidence, and findings. The research compares the data on migrants from Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan who started their businesses since the 1990s. The study includes 58 in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted between 2017 and 2019, supplemented by a questionnaire survey of Kyrgyz entrepreneurs (a sample of 200 persons), and an analysis of the Kyrgyz business platform, Tabarman, on social networks. The comprehensive analysis of the mutual influence of structural, group, and personal characteristics of migrants reveals ideal types and developmental stages in Kyrgyz and Azerbaijani migrant entrepreneurship in Russia across different post-Soviet periods. This article enhances our understanding of the complex dynamics of migrant entrepreneurship in the evolving socio-economic landscape of post-Soviet Russia.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Social Science Studies, Vol. 11, No. 6

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 11, Number 6Bo Li, Miami University, USAJibrin Ubale Yahaya, National Open University of Nigeria NOUN, NigeriaMei-Ling Lin, National Open University, TaiwanRachita Shrivastava Roy, Department of Higher Education,Chhatisgarh-India, IndiaSana Ali, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, PakistanShyue Chuan CHONG, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, Malaysia James YoungEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://ijsss.redfame.com

A STUDY IN THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON COMMUNICATIVE BEHAVIOR IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE

As technology and big data algorithms advance, more social media emerge and grow popular, attracting many individuals. Almost everyone relies on social media platforms like Weibo, WeChat, TikTok, and others for communication and socializing, but young people rarely realize how much their communication habits have changed. In our daily lives, communication is vital, and the means of communication are constantly linked to results, therefore they should be given more attention. Some difficulties caused by this new communication have been found. Thus, fixing them appears crucial. This study aims To investigate the improvement of communicative behavior using social media. By exploring how social media change the way of communication from different angles, this research aims to provide valuable insights for educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers seeking to distinguish the advantage and disadvantage brought by social media among people and raise some possible solutions to make full use of this type of platform. The result showed the effective communication, social interaction, and conflict management are the main aspects of communication behavior improvement using social media. This research contributes to both industry and academia by updating theoretical knowledge of the how the use of social media can improve the communication effectiveness to All Walks of Life in social science studies.

Studi Kajian Ilmu Sosial sebagai Upaya Meningkatkan Pemahaman Multikultural Siswa Jurusan IPS MAN 2 Kota Kediri

The purpose of this research is to describe the school's strategy for teaching social studies subjects through Social Studies Studies (SKIS). Multicultural Education is an effort to integrate into one multicultural understanding of the many diversity in Indonesia. An education based on instilling multicultural values will help students in each school understand the richness of culture and appreciate differences in every respect, starting from differences in ethnicity, religion, race, ethnicity, and so on. This research method uses a descriptive qualitative method. Sources of data obtained from observation, interview, and, documentation. The informants in this study were the deputy head of the curriculum, the social studies teacher, and several students majoring in social studies. The results of the study show that the multicultural education strategy is carried out not only through social studies subjects but also using the Social Science Study Study (SKIS) strategy. Implementation of the SKIS method by visiting several historical tourist attractions related to social studies including the Trowulan Mojokerto Temple, an area of the Hindu community in Banyuwangi, along with historical sites that contain culture. The influence of SKIS activities makes students happy and able to understand directly based on experience with objects of the nation's cultures.

Scalar dissonances, knowledge-making, sense of urgency, and social narratives about the future. Contours of the climate change debate in Latin America

ABSTRACT This article aims to situate climate change by examining three scalar dissonances between “global” and “local” knowledge-making and policy action. The three dissonances – the knowledge production and policy meaning-making nexus, the politics of urgency, and the politics of building socio-climatic future pathways – engage deeply with the emergent literature that deals with climate change from the perspective of Human Geography Studies and the Social Studies of Science and Technology (STS). By posing guiding questions and through examples primarily from Latin American countries, this paper lays out a research agenda that advances geographical sensitivity, allowing us to better understand the “other” geographies of climate science production, circulation, and information use. Furthermore, it highlights the unresolved political and interdisciplinary tensions in accommodating global narratives in regions of the Global South.

A Bibliographic Review of Illusion of Knowledge in the Financial Field

People tend to believe that more information will improve the accuracy of predicting outcomes in highly uncertain situations. This behaviour, known as ‘illusion of knowledge,’ is related to overconfidence in multiple areas of study, and attracts scientific attention. The aim of this research is to determine the academic evolution of the illusion of knowledge within the financial field. For this purpose, two different methodologies have been used to generate a more solid contribution. The first part is based on the ReSiste-CSH bibliographic framework raised for the study of social sciences, and the second part uses the Bibliometrix software to measure the performance of the subject over time. The Web of Science academic database was used as a reference source for the period 1987–2021, resulting in a sample of 1,202 papers in highly impactful academic journals. The results show a positive evolution over time in the number of publications, as well as a geographical concentration in journals of the Q1 category from the United States and the United Kingdom, together with a close relationship with areas of study such as psychology, business and economics, among others. JEL Code: G41

Entangled collectives: riverine people, landscapes, and emerged infrastructures on a climate change background

ABSTRACT This article seeks to discuss the associations elaborated by riverine interlocutors between infrastructures and the landscape in which they occur, within the context of climate change in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. Here, we debate the relational character of infrastructures, and how they act as important markers of river seasonality, landscape, people’s existence, and practices from the perspective of the accessed riverine people. This paper’s discussion is supported by qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and field notes from two riverine communities in the Amazonas state: Tumbira and Lago do Catalão. Inspired by authors who dialogue with Social Studies of Science and Technology and discuss infrastructures, their effects, their relational and ontological character, we seek to identify entanglements of landscape and infrastructure, and their implications in the practices and ways of living of riverine Amazonian people. Elements such as gas pipelines, power transmission lines, hydroelectric plants, cargo ships, and highways emerge, affect, and are affected in these entangled landscapes in the eyes of the riverine people. They merge with other entanglements such as the rivers and creeks that perform the riverine landscape and life. Thus, they induce reflections on such relationships and the affectations permeated by fears, wishes, and (dis)trust of their operation.

Social relations, cognitive health disparities and COVID‐19 stress

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence and incidence of COVID‐19 was higher among racial/ethnic minority groups in the U.S. (APM Research Lab, 2020), but stressor types, resilience, and impacts on cognitive health are unknown. Economic and socioemotional stress each affect health and contribute to racial/ethnic health disparities (Sternthal, et al., 2011). Further, changes in stress and social relations influence cognitive decline (Dickinson et al., 2011; VonDras et al., 2005). However, it is unclear if associations are similar across racial/ethnic groups.MethodParticipants in the recently completed U.S. based Detroit Area Wellness Network COVID‐19 Supplement (DAWN‐CS) project (N = 606) were recruited from a longitudinal cohort study (i.e., Social Relations Study; Antonucci & Akiyama, 1994), supplemented by address‐based and respondent‐driven sampling to obtain a racially/ethnically balanced sample of Middle Eastern/Arab (MENA), Black, and White older adults (aged 65+). Eligible persons (aged 65+) within screened households were selected with probability to allow appropriate inference to the target population. Inclusion criteria for DAWN‐CS were: age 65+, fluency in English or Arabic, and identifying as MENA, Black, or White. Participants were administered psychosocial questionnaires and cognitive measures via telephone. Global cognition was a latent variable indicated by episodic memory, language, attention, and working memory tests.ResultOlder adults who saw their network members more frequently during the COVID‐19 pandemic reported more economic stress and demonstrated worse cognitive health. Within‐group analyses showed unique patterns: only among Black older adults was there an association between more contact frequency and higher economic stress. Further, the association between economic stress and worse cognitive health was evident among MENA and White older adults, but not Black older adults. Pandemic‐related socioemotional stress (e.g., conflict with family and friends) did not vary by race/ethnicity and was not associated with contact frequency during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Further analyses examine whether social relations buffered the effects of pandemic‐related economic stress on cognitive health.ConclusionIncluding underrepresented populations in the study of social relations, stress and cognitive health advances science and addresses societal health in its entirety. Strengths of this study include its racially/ethnically balanced sample, which improved the power and validity of racial/ethnic group comparisons.

From Invasive to Iconic

Abstract Recent years have seen a shift in the social scientific study of introduced species. Social scientists have shown that popular interpretations vary beyond the critical, invasive frameworks and include more celebratory or welcoming responses. Yet this research has taken the form of case studies. This has limited comparative inquiry. In response, this article develops a typology of sociocultural responses to introduced species by nonspecialists. The article then discusses major forms of collective meaning-making that go into creating these different cultural types.

Exploring the usage and Developments of the Collection of the Ceylon Room at the Library in University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Presently, being one of the largest universities in Sri Lanka in terms of student number, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) is a leading higher education institution with diverse courses, research and inventions. The main library of USJ exceeds fifteen thousand members in its user community, including 862 permanent academic staff. The Ceylon Room (CR) Collection is considered one of the most valuable collections in the library of USJ. CR Collection consists of various printed materials significant to Sri Lankan literature. The first objective is to assist the user community in their academic endeavors and to observe the Ceylon Room usage and development needs. The other objective of this study was to find out whether the users are satisfied with the existing CR Collection. Data was gathered from the library usage records, structured interviews and through questionnaires distributed among students and academics who visited the Ceylon Room from May to August 2021. The purposive sampling method was applied, and the sample for this study was taken from three faculties out of ten faculties of the university which directly have access to the main library, i.e., Humanities and Social Sciences, Applied Sciences and Management Studies and Commerce. The available library statistics were used as primary data obtained from the records in the CR collection from 2015 to 2019. Results revealed that, most students and academic staff were satisfied with the CR Collection, and the satisfaction rates were 80% and 53%, respectively. The highest usage of the CR Collection by students is from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) (78%), and the least usage of the CR Collection is from the students of the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS) (1%). Most of the academic staff of FHSS (65%) have indicated that they used the CR Collection during 2015-2019. During that period, the least number of academic staff members that have used the Ceylon Room belonged to the FAS, which is 6%. Results showed that academic staff and students of FHSS using the existing CR Collection are 65%. Therefore, the library should give more attention to the faculties of the Applied Sciences and Management Studies and Commerce to make their students and academic staff aware of the availability and new additions of the CR Collection. Furthermore, the collection should be continuously re-evaluated to meet user requirements to support their academic activities.

How to Mediate the Healthy and Sustainable Development of Live Streaming Shopping

At the end of 2019, "COVID-19" pandemic broke out suddenly, which made people's lifestyle change greatly. With the spread of the epidemic, offline activities are limited, and people's shopping style has also changed, move from offline shopping to online shopping suddenly. With consumers' aesthetic exhaustion in the original shopping mall, live streaming shopping, as a new shopping mode, has entered more people's field of vision and was quickly accepted by the public. With the rapid development of Internet technology, live streaming shopping has been developing extremely fast. More and more people are pouring into live streaming shopping, and more and more consumers are gradually recognizing and participating in this new shopping mode. However, how to mediate the healthy and sustainable development of live streaming shopping remains unclear and deserves further investigation. During the research process, the researchers conducted an in-depth paper review. This technique is ideal for estimating how to mediate the healthy and sustainable development of live streaming shopping has been widely employed in many social-science studies on customer behaviors analysis. Research found that the important factor affecting live shopping was consumers' keen on high quality and low-price products. Products with low prices and excellent products attracted most attention. In terms of how to mediate the healthy and sustainable development of live streaming shopping, specific solutions are put forward, manufacturers should provide high-quality products; improve relevant laws and policies; increase supervision on tax paying and livestreamer should strengthen rational guidance to consumers and guide rational consumption, so that livestreaming shopping can develop healthily, stably and orderly.

I-RAT: A discussion support system to rapidly assess economic and environmental impacts of different sugarcane irrigation practices

Water pollution and climate change are among the greatest threats to the iconic Great Barrier Reef (GBR). To improve the GBR’s long-term outlook, making improvements on these fronts is required. Owing to the complex interactions between soils, climate, and farm management, a tool is needed to guide agricultural land managers about which management practice changes are more likely to deliver improved water quality and climate resilience outcomes whilst maintaining profitability. Using concepts drawn from social studies of science and technology, a ‘discussion’ support system (DSS) named Irrigation Rapid Assessment Tool (i-RAT) was developed through participatory processes designed to enhance co-learning from the development of this DSS. i-RAT is a rapid assessment-visualisation tool in an interactive web application (https://i-rat.net) to visualise the impacts of changed irrigation practices for sugarcane farmers and extension staff. Specifically, i-RAT compares these impacts regarding farm economics, water quality, productivity, carbon and nitrogen cycles, and greenhouse gas emission. The core of i-RAT is the sugarcane module from the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) modelling platform. i-RAT was first developed for the Burdekin sugarcane growing region in Queensland (Australia’s largest sugarcane producing region). Various soil types and management scenarios representing farming practices in the Burdekin region were used for simulations (1971–2021) to generate a datacube. In this paper, we describe how fundamental learnings about more (drought) resilient farming systems and more sustainable irrigation practices can be extracted from i-RAT. Details of the participatory approach with research and industry partners that informed the design and function of i-RAT and how APSIM was set up and parameterised are described. A ‘what-if’ analysis demonstrated the i-RAT features and application.

Engaged and Reflexive Sociology for Environmental Health1

The article examines my environmental health work for nearly four decades with many environmental activists and organizations, as well as scientists and government officials. I discuss how I have merged research and advocacy, while mentoring many students and colleagues on how to do that. I discuss my efforts to conduct transdisciplinary work that crosses social sciences, environmental health science, environmental justice, social movement studies, and science and technology studies, while centering that work on community‐based participatory research. I examine my ability to do the practical work of serving public health and the broader social good, while also developing theoretical and analytical concepts along the way. I discuss the importance of continually being reflective about these many areas of work, both personal reflexivity and reflexive, evaluative discussions with collaborators.

Nature based solutions for flood risks: What insights do the social representations of experts provide?

In the context of intensification of flood risks, Nature Based Solutions constitute an interesting approach to conciliate population’s protection and biodiversity. While this recently emerging concept has been the subject of studies in social sciences, there is no work yet with a social representation approach. In this work, we propose to study Nature Based Solutions for flood risk management through the prism of social representations and how they frame the implementation of Nature Based Solutions projects in the field (obstacles and levers). We interviewed 19 flood experts who can be divided into two groups regarding Nature Based Solutions: theorists and practitioners. We studied their discourses using two types of analyses: a lexicometric analysis of the similarities and a thematic analysis. The results showed that Nature Based Solution is a social representation object in its complexity, the polarisation it creates and its technicality. The two groups of participants have different representations. The practitioners may consider the Nature Based Solutions as "greenwashing" since they are presented as new and innovative, while the theorists contrast their Nature Based Solutions’ vision with a "grey" vision influenced by French civil engineering culture and a need to control ecosystems. Both groups agree that Nature Based Solutions thinking is about "leaving more room for nature", which echoes Dunlap’s New Environmental Paradigm. Moreover, the results suggest that the expression “Nature Based Solutions” is not well suited to all actors. We encourage using the expression “vegetal engineering” which may provide an opportunity to reconnect with the techniques applied in the field. It also enhances the value of ancestral knowledge, which allows the general public to better connect with the concept.

Theory development in a globalized world: Bridging “Doing as the Romans Do” with “Understanding Why the Romans Do It”

AbstractThe dialectic between micro and macro theoretical perspectives remains a cornerstone in the study of business and social science. As globalization intensifies, these perspectives offer unique but sometimes conflicting views, with macro theories providing panoramic insights and micro theories zooming into nuanced contexts. The dominance of Western‐centric etic theories, though beneficial historically, faces challenges in the evolving tapestry of our interconnected world. Firms today grapple with intricate landscapes influenced by varied cultural, political, and social factors, necessitating more context‐sensitive tools. This article delves into the merits and limitations of both perspectives, advocating for the symbiotic use of micro and macro theories to navigate the complexities of today's globalized business environment. By nurturing both theoretical paradigms, we pave the way for a richer, more holistic understanding of modern‐day challenges and opportunities.

Stigma Warna Kulit terhadap Standar Kecantikan di Kalangan Mahasiswa Prodi Tadris IPS UIN Mataram Tahun 2023

Currently, beauty standards are still being discussed among the public. The emergence of stigma or the view that beaty must have white skin, tall, thin body, sharp nose, and so on. This emerging stigma then encourages society, specially women, to then compete to have white skin. The emergence of views about the standard of beaty must be white, this appears inseparable from the influence of social media on the internet. Because at this time the internet has been transformed as a need that must be met. On the internet, specially social media such us Instagram, Facebook, you-tube, and so on, it is shown how many beauty standards are currently emerging. That why society becomes indoctrinated to be able to get the predicate of beauty as everyone longs for. In this study, we wanted to find out whether the stigma regarding beauty standards, as we have mentioned above, also occurs among students of social sciences study program at this time. Our research uses descriptive qualitative methods which will describe social situations, events or events that are happening.