Development Of Theory Research Articles

The right to be rural: Farm community development and social services in Zimbabwe’s resettlement areas

ABSTRACT At a time when practitioners and scholars are crystallized around reconnoitering the outcomes of Zimbabwe’s fast track land reform, focus on farm community development and social services in the resettlements is paltry. These communities were envisaged to be enablers and guarantors of rural and national development. Applying a Transformative Social Policy approach and qualitative methodology, the article draws on nuanced insights from the resettlement areas with the principal aim of advancing pathways for improving farm community development. The study shows that fast track communities are characterized by multiple and enduring lacunae in social services particularly schools, clinics, potable water, shopping centers, accessible roads, and reliable transport. However, the farmers are responding in agentive and innovative ways to reduce the challenges. This study enriches community development theory, and informs policy-makers on pertinent aspects that should inform policy and practice in relation to social services and development in resettlement areas.

From MIsgivings to MIse-en-scène: The role of invariance in personality science

There are increasing vocal concerns about the application of measurement invariance testing arguing that it is overly strict and arbitrary. We argue that invariance is not just a procedural hurdle but a substantive tool that enhances the understanding of psychological constructs across diverse populations and has important implications for both theory testing and theory development. First, we outline the importance of how invariance, in a broad sense, plays a role at all the major steps within a research cycle, involving both theoretical and methodological concerns. Second, we suggest a list of points linked to these invariance concerns that can benefit research reports to improve reliability, validity, and fairness. We see invariance as a crucial part of scientific inquiry and an informative tool for empirical research. We agree with Funder and Gardiner’s point that “Data are data,” but would like to add that invariance inquiries and their implications help making sense of the data and the underlying world.

PERAN PSIKOLOGI PERKEMBANGAN DALAM DUNIA PENDIDIKAN ANAK USIA DINI DAN KAITANNYA DENGAN PENDIDIKAN KRISTEN

The role of developmental psychology is very important in early childhood education, because understanding the stages of child development helps educators in designing appropriate and effective curricula. This research examines this role by showing how the principles of developmental psychology can be applied in the context of early childhood education. Apart from that, this research examines the relationship between developmental psychology and Christian education, which emphasizes spiritual and moral values in the care and education of children. This research also examines the problems that occur in early childhood and looks at what factors cause these problems to occur and provide general treatment. By combining developmental theory and Christian education, this research aims to provide insight into the role of developmental psychology in early childhood education which supports children's cognitive and emotional development and shapes their character and morals in relation to Christian education. This research method uses a descriptive qualitative method, with data collection in the form of interview and observation techniques through several questions given, as well as observations made. It is hoped that the results of this research can become a practical guide for educators and parents in implementing educational strategies that are in accordance with child development values and Christian teachings.

Sublating Kant through Marx: Li Zehou’s Transformation of the Empirical to the Transcendental

AbstractIn this article, I aim to explore and demonstrate a specific mode of transcultural philosophical comparison by introducing an innovative theoretical model that I tentatively call the “method of sublation.” Through an illuminating case study centered around Li Zehou 李澤厚, a prominent figure credited with pioneering this method, its profound potential for generating creative innovation comes to light. Li Zehou skillfully combined Kant’s transcendental philosophy and Marx’s historical materialism, creating a unique synthesis that sublated traditional divides. This sublation elevates the empirical, seamlessly integrating it into the transcendental domain. The foundation of this paper lies in providing a concise yet comprehensive overview of the method’s theoretical underpinnings, closely followed by a meticulous dissection of its operational structure. A tangible application of the method is then vividly demonstrated through Li Zehou’s adept process of seamlessly sublating static Kantian a priori forms with the dynamic principles of Marxist social development theory, exemplifying the potency of this transformative approach in the realm of philosophy.

Synergetic Vectors of Development of Individual Forensic Theories in the context of Modern Criminal Proceedings (a Preliminary Aspect)

A rapidly developing society determines the need to adjust well-established approaches to understanding and regulating crime prevention mechanisms. It should be noted that the modern criminal policy of the state is on the verge of systemic changes. Balance of public and private interests; authority and independence of subjects of criminal proceedings; means of combating crime and social control; public and secret methods of exposing criminals; conflict and compromise; defense and prosecution; complex and simplified procedural forms of legal proceedings; inevitability of criminal prosecution and conciliation procedures; verbal and digital technologies in legal proceedings; professional skills and technical means — these are the few systemic formations, the content of which requires a modern rethinking with dew regard to prevailing realities of the functioning of society. And here the key supporting role in the formation of effective technologies for solving the problems of modern criminal proceedings, as a mechanism of complex systemic formations operating in the context of multifactorial law enforcement practice, belongs to criminalistic science. At the same time, an important tool in understanding and modeling promising vectors of the development of a system of private forensic theories is the synergetic approach, which significantly complements the wellestablished structural and systemic method in scientific knowledge. The use of the synergetics methodology makes it possible to identify not only the intrastructural connections of the system of forensic knowledge, but also to assess how such a system as a whole is affected by external (legal, ideological, etc.) factors. And the most important thing is to ensure the harmonious (regarding the changing realities of law enforcement practice) progressive development of individual private forensic theories.

How and Why Do Diaspora Give? A Conceptual Model to Understanding Diaspora Philanthropy

This article intends to contribute to further research on cross-border phenomenon in nonprofit and philanthropic studies by developing a conceptual model for diaspora philanthropy, the transfer of resources such as money, time, labor, and knowledge to countries of origin for the public good. The interdisciplinary opportunities for the topic of diaspora philanthropy can be considered a strength, but at times, they result in disparate studies and minimal consideration for larger questions and theory development. In this article, we hope to aggregate relevant research in order to remedy some of these challenges. An interdisciplinary approach allows us to chart macro, meso, and micro theories and empirical work that help to explain diaspora philanthropy. We ask: What are the (global) drivers that influence diaspora philanthropy (macro level)? What are the channels that allow for, or challenge, diaspora philanthropy (meso level)? And what are the individual motives of diaspora philanthropists (micro level)?

Low surface brightness dwarf galaxies and their globular cluster populations around the low-density environment of our closest S0 NGC 3115

Abstract Understanding faint dwarf galaxies is fundamental to the development of a robust theory of galaxy formation on small scales. Since the discovery of a population of ultra diffuse galaxies (UDGs) rich in globular clusters (GCs) in Coma, an increasing number of studies on low surface brightness dwarf galaxies (LSBds) have been published in recent years. The most massive LSBds have been observed predominantly in groups and clusters, with properties displaying dependence on the environment. In this work, we use deep DECam imaging to systematically identify LSBds and their GC populations around the low-density environment of NGC 3115. We carefully analyse the structure and morphology of 24 candidates, 18 of which are reported for the first time. Most candidates exhibit red colours suggesting a connection between their colour and distance to NGC 3115. We followed up with Gemini GMOS imaging 9 LSBds to properly identify their GC populations. We derive lower limits for the number of GCs associated with each galaxy. Our analysis reveals that they occur around of the same loci of Fornax LSB dwarf GC systems. The relationship between the number of GCs and total mass provides a tool in which, by counting the GCs in these galaxies, we estimate an upper limit for the total mass of these LSB dwarfs, obtaining the mean value of ∼3.3 × 1010 M⊙. Our results align with expectations for dwarf-sized galaxies, particularly regarding the distribution and specific frequency of their GC systems.

From center to outlying areas: Navigating built-up land dynamics along urban-rural gradients in Global South megaregions

Understanding the dynamics of built-up land amidst the urban-rural transformation process is crucial for balancing the benefits of urbanization against the challenges of uncontrolled expansion. Yet, how built-up land develops across different types of human settlements, particularly within emerging Global South megaregions (GSMs), is not well documented. Employing an urban-rural gradient (URG) approach, we investigate built-up land dynamics across six representative emerging GSMs spanning 1985–2020, contextualizing our findings within urbanization theory and sustainable development discourse. Our analysis reveals that urban center growth and peri-urbanization drive a substantial proportion of built-up land expansion (36.47% and 27.39%, respectively), in contrast to the minimal increases observed in rural clusters and semi-dense areas (2.48% and 2.44%, respectively). The predominant expansion mode is sprawling growth, notably evident in peripheral areas, while densifying growth is mainly confined to urban centers and mostly uninhabited areas. Sprawling shrinkage is observed in dense and semi-dense urban areas, as well as rural clusters. These nuanced dynamics illustrate the varied ways in which regional territories engage with and are shaped by the urbanization process. Through the lens of the URG analysis, our study enhances understanding of spatial transformations in the GSMs, offering informative insights for fostering sustainable cities and human settlements.

A motivation-based study to explain accommodation choice of senior tourists: Hotel or Airbnb

Senior tourists, traditionally known for using offline methods and staying in hotels, are increasingly using new technologies and opting for alternative accommodation forms. Based on the push and pull theory of motivation, the generational cohort and lifespan development theories, this study fills a gap in the literature and examines senior tourists’ choice between Airbnb and hotels. A random parameter binomial logit applied to data from six European countries finds that the same motivation can act differently in this decision choice process. Rather than assuming that a motivation has an exclusive effect on each accommodation type, we propose the notion of a “differential fulfillment paradigm” to reflect the idea that two accommodation types can relate to the same motivation with different approaches. While both hotels and Airbnb can fulfill a common motivation, they do so through distinct features or attributes, offering consumers diverse avenues to achieve their desired outcome.

Examining Transformational Giftedness Through the Lens of the Theory of Positive Disintegration: Where Do We Stand?

ABSTRACT The aim of the article is to present transformational giftedness (TG) in the context of the theory of personality development. TG refers to individuals who strive to make a positive difference in the world in order to create a better place to live. Robert Sternberg divided TG into the following categories: self-realized giftedness, other-realized giftedness, and full transforming giftedness. The Theory of Positive Disintegration (TPD), developed by Kazimierz Dąbrowski, is a hierarchical, five-level theory of personality development that also encompasses personal, emotional, and moral aspects. Each level has specific characteristics related to values, psychological transformations, and overexcitabilities, among other factors. Analyses have shown possible connections between different types of TG and developmental levels.

Demographic Consequences of Major Wars

This article investigates the demographic consequences of major wars and the determinants of post-war demographic recovery, analyzing severe conflicts from 1914 to 2010 in countries across various development levels and war types. Through an empirical evaluation of demographic recovery following major wars, this paper explores how several important factors, including political capacity, foreign aid, and human capital, influence recovery patterns in societies that have experienced these conflicts. The analysis suggests that populations tend to recover to pre-war levels within a generation, often exceeding them due to significant post-war baby booms. Political capacity appears to be associated with faster recovery, while the impact of foreign aid and human capital varies across different economic contexts. The research employs a large N time-series cross-section analysis, offering a comprehensive exploration of the dynamics involved in post-war demographic recovery. The results highlight the complex relationship between political, economic, and social factors, providing a valuable foundation for future research. By integrating insights from political demography, international relations, and population studies, these findings can guide the development of new theories and models to better understand the mechanisms of post-conflict recovery. Ultimately, this research aims to inform more effective strategies and policies for post-conflict reconstruction and development, promoting sustainable peace and stability in war-affected regions.

Informal carer involvement in the transition of medicines-related care for patients moving from hospital to home: a realist review protocol

IntroductionTransition of care for a patient between hospital and home can cause disruption to normal routines, increasing the risk of medicines-related harm. The transition from hospital to home is more...

Synergizing human insight and machine learning: A dual-lens approach to uncovering healthcare research and innovation outcomes

Many healthcare organisations have extensive documentation detailing the processes behind their various research and innovation projects. Analysing this data can provide valuable insights into why some projects succeed without major issues, others encounter and overcome problems, and some ultimately fail. This study introduces an approach that combines narrative interviews and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to identify patterns associated with innovation project outcomes. We analysed 618 documents from 67 projects provided by ZonMw, a major Dutch healthcare research funder, and conducted 32 narrative interviews across seven cases of healthcare innovation projects. By using narrative interviews to inform and pre-train a text embedding model, we demonstrate the potential to create a proxy for human judgement, allowing for a more natural identification of contextual patterns in project documentation. The findings indicate that successful projects are more likely to adopt a proactive approach to role changes and uncertainty (due to ambiguous laws and regulations) and to allow flexibility, which enhances stakeholder engagement, compared to failed projects. However, while we were able to conduct descriptive analysis to gain these insights, significant interpretation is still required to fully understand the findings. Our study makes two primary contributions: first, it offers a new approach for future research on the factors that determine project success or failure, closely aligning with Structuration Theory. Additionally, it suggests potential efficiency improvements in theory development by enabling multiple pattern configurations within Grounded Theory. Second, it offers practical strategies for organisations to more effectively capture and use contextual information in their project documentation for future success.

Measurement of small island characteristics using high resolution ECE and CER at DIII-D

Abstract The measurements using the high resolution electron cyclotron emission radiometry and the charge exchange and recombination spectroscopy are processed using analytic formulas to allow for the detection of islands as small as 1.9 cm. In contrast to large, saturated magnetic islands which are relatively well understood to be governed by the loss of bootstrap current inside the island, small islands are less well understood due to the difficulty of their accurate measurement in tokamaks. Here, ‘small’ islands are islands comparable in size to the ion banana width, which can be as small as 0.8 cm at DIII-D. The new measurement methods allow for the detection of small island widths when the predicted increase of mode frequency to match the Doppler shifted ion diamagnetic frequency is observed. Therefore, for the first time, the mode frequency increase can be unambiguously associated to the acceleration of the magnetic island propagation. Such association allows for a further development and validation of the much-debated theory of ion polarization currents, which is thought to govern the small island growth.

Inference on the eigenvalues of the normalized precision matrix

Recent developments in the spectral theory of Bayesian Networks has led to a need for a developed theory of estimation and inference on the eigenvalues of the normalized precision matrix, Ω. In this paper, working under conditions where n→∞ and p remains fixed, we provide multivariate normal asymptotic distributions of the sample eigenvalues of Ω under general conditions and under normal populations, a formula for second-order bias correction of these sample eigenvalues, and a Stein-type shrinkage estimator of the eigenvalues. Numerical simulations are performed which demonstrate under what generative conditions each estimation technique is most effective. When the largest eigenvalue of Ω is small the simulations show that the second order bias-corrected eigenvalue was considerably less biased than the sample eigenvalue, whereas the smallest eigenvalue was estimated with less bias using either the sample eigenvalue or the proposed shrinkage method.

The Comments on Ezra Pound

As one of the representatives of Western literary theories, Ezra Pound not only made outstanding contributions to the development of the Western translation theory, but also promoted the communication between Chinese and Western poetics. His translation practice is rich and far-reaching. He also proposes the creative translation method. For example, Pound’s translation of ancient Chinese poetry can show remarkable creativity. Therefore, after sorting out relevant materials, this paper gives a brief introduction to him, his translation theories and translation practices, and also concludes his translation thoughts and his immense influence on the translation field, aiming to provide case references for translators to study and enrich their understanding of the representative figures of the Western literary theory.

Integrating Research, Theory and Knowledge for Professional Development: A Narrative Inquiry

This personal narrative in qualitative research investigation delves into the impact of reflection on the personal and professional growth of educators. Critical reflection emerges as a pivotal concept that educators assimilate into their daily practices. Despite ongoing discussions about its essential nature, the role of critically reading and reflecting on theories and research in preparing teachers within South Asian pedagogy remains uncertain. This article adopts a cross-case study approach, incorporating a personal narrative from an educator to explore critical reflection in community development. The researcher critically analyzes two scholarly articles from distinct journals, grounded in the belief that theory and knowledge evolve through simultaneous research and reflection. The study’s findings underscore the importance of reflection in enhancing teachers’ awareness of personal and professional growth, contributing to advanced community knowledge. Improving professional knowledge through research is a key outcome, enabling educators to optimize theory and knowledge for locally relevant, high-quality scholarship.

Critical analysis of the subspecialty Stroke Medicine Curriculum: Social and political influences on its design and professionalism.

The curriculum comprises all learners' learning experiences that enable them to achieve specific learning outcomes. The Subspeciality Stroke Medicine Curriculum is designed to train doctors in Stroke Medicine as specialists capable of providing holistic healthcare in preventing, treating and rehabilitating stroke through achieving the desired competencies. This article discusses the influence of factors like the development of learning theory, the democratisation of social process, public demand for accountability and transparency, political imperatives, economic factors and professional standards set by professional bodies on curriculum design. The curriculum focuses on an outcome-based educational approach, workplace-based assessment with formative feedback to promote learning, summative evidence for knowledge, skills and attitudes and greater integration to make learning closer to actual practice. This outcome-based, integrated approach is approved by regulating bodies as positively impacting doctors' training and, consequently, the health of individual patients and society.

Vibroscope method for determination of cross-sectional area of glass and carbon fibres – Theory and further development

Accurate determination of cross-sectional area of glass and carbon fibres by the vibroscope method is examined. Complete derivations of the central frequency solutions are presented, to make these derivations accessible in modern scientific literature. The effect of non-zero bending stiffness is included. The influence of shape of fibre cross-sectional area is analysed. Only small deviations in cross-sectional areas are found due to fibre shape, allowing for the use of the vibroscope method for fibres with non-circular cross-sectional areas. Two correction factors are introduced for the effect of volume change and area change of a tensioned fibre, allowing determination of the cross-sectional area of the non-tensioned fibre. A model plot of the vibroscope equation is presented, showing the numerical effect of the corrections on the fibre cross-sectional area depending on the applied tension force. The relations shown by the model plot have implications for the experimental settings of the vibroscope method.

Factors Leading Young Christian Adults to Elope in the Anglican Church of Kenya, Taveta East Archdeaconry

This study sought to establish factors leading young Christian adults to the practice of eloping among youth in the Anglican Church, Taveta East Archdeaconry. It was guided by the Human Psychosocial Development Theory, Ecological Model Theory, and Moral Development Theory. It adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was eloping aged 20 - 40 years, 5 clergies, and 61 parents. The study used a purposive sampling method. The study’s sample size was 176. Face-to-face interviews were used for the clergy. Focus group discussions were used for the parents. The questionnaires' accuracy and reliability were verified by the inter-rater method. The analyses made use of the statistical package for social sciences version 28. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, mean, and percentages. Qualitative data was organized into themes for analysis. The study findings include; factors such as; peer influence, financial difficulties in a family, little guidance and counseling in church; parents’ support for eloping practice; phone; youth failing to embrace the Christian faith, which contribute to the practice of eloping among the Christian youth in Taveta East Archdeaconry. Language barrier posed a challenge to some respondents. Some were more conversant with Kiswahili than English prompting the translation of questionnaires from English to Kiswahili. Questionnaires require more time to reach the respondents, filling and returning them. This was solved by early communication to clergy and timely distribution. The number of respondents per focus group in some parishes was less than expected. This was solved by increasing the number of respondents in another station.