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The present structure of polling units was created in 1996 by the defunct National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), which created 120,000 polling units and 8,809 wards (Registration Areas) to serve the purpose of registration center and voting exercise. Goal and Objectives: The aim of the study is to carryout mapping and spatial distribution of polling units to enhance voting progress in Akure North L.G.A of Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria. This is achieved through identifying and mapping of the existing polling units, performing spatial distribution and analysis, database creation and geocoding of the polling units. Methodology: Spatial coordinates of the existing polling units were acquired with the aid of Global Positioning System (GPS). These coordinates were plotted using ArcGIS 10.6 and geo-database was created. Queries were performed to examine the ownership of the polling unit's premises and also to determine polling units with over 500 registered voters. In addition, Geocoding was done to enhance a text-based description of the location of each polling unit. Nearest Neighbor Analysis (NNA) was applied to examine the kind of distribution of the polling units. The distribution pattern was determined using average nearest neighbor analysis. The result produce Z-score = - 8.843133 and P-value = 0.000000, the Nearest Neighbor Index (NNI) value is 0.551025 which describe the distribution of the polling units to be clustered. Results: The result shows that some polling units attributed to the study area are outside of the boundary, 63 of the polling unit's premises are privately owned while 43 are located in government facilities. It is hereby recommended that this study should be adopted to eradicate the barrier of identification and navigation to the polling units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context and background Conventional methods for measuring water point accessibility based on threshold demand or distance, result in uniform indices that may be inflated/deflated at different dwelling places within administrative units. Goal and Objectives: This study aims to increase the accuracy of estimated spatial accessibility of water points by adapting the Two-step Floating Catchment Area method which is based on both threshold demand and distance. Methodology: The two-step floating catchment area method was examined and its limitations were illustrated using the hypothetical scenario. Then, the twostep floating catchment area method was refined by introducing a demandbalancing factor in its first step and proposing weighted averaging instead of unweighted summing of supply-to-demand ratios in its second step. The conventional and refined two-step floating catchment area methods were implemented using QGIS 3.28 to quantify the spatial accessibility of water points in Dodoma City Council. The latter method was based on the disaggregated population at grids of 200 m by 200 m. Results: Regardless of threshold distance, the conventional method generated a uniform accessibility index for each Ward. Meanwhile, the refined floating catchment area method resulted in heterogeneous accessibility indices above zero within the threshold distance and zero beyond the threshold distance. The study further revealed the preservation of demand and supply by the refined two-step floating catchment area method in the hypothetical scenario and Dodoma City Council. Thus, accessibility indices estimated by the refined two-step floating catchment area might be more accurate, realistic and reliable for water supply professionals and decision-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context and background: This study argues that government schemes to serve petty traders in Tanzania remain unsustainable mostly due to poor consideration of the impact the socioeconomic linkage has on location determinants. Goal and Objectives: This research aimed to understand how the articulation of petty trading operations with larger traders, directly or indirectly, influences location decisions. Methodology: The core of this research was based on a case study approach that involved surveys of petty traders and interviews with large-scale traders at the Mwenge trading center, along with documents review. Results: Petty traders select locations that maximize functioning as an economic enterprise and moderate survival risks. That is, the location of the trade is selected based on social ties, but the petty traders' success depends on economic links established with larger traders, from whom they get their merchandise, and over which they have very little control. The implications of these findings are: the level of articulation that governs location decisions, drags down the sustainability of government schemes, and gives rise to serious damage to the urban fabric; and two, the analysis of backward linkages combined with other location determinants provides the background against which the petty trading spaces identification, planning and designing could be analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals' interests, motivations, and knowledge about the environment can affect their behavior toward the environment. This mixed-methods sequential explanatory research study examined the effect of argumentation-supported educational comics used in science lessons on the environmental interest, motivation, and academic achievement of 5th-grade students (N = 290) and explored their experiences. Quantitative data collected in a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design using validated survey scales indicated that from pretest to posttest, the scores of three variables of experimental groups 1 and 2 were higher than those of the control group. Qualitative findings from semi-structured interviews (N = 36) indicated that students stated that argumentation-supported educational comics attracted their attention and increased their motivation. Also, according to them, comics are very useful in expanding their environmental knowledge. Taken together, this research suggests that designing argumentation via educational comics can boost positive learning processes and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This perspective identifies harmful phrasing and frames in current clinician and researcher work relating to immigrant health and provides equity-centered alternatives. Recommendations are organized within two broad categories, one focused on shifting terminology toward more humanizing language and the second focused on changing frames around immigration discourse. With regards to shifting terminology, this includes: 1) avoiding language that conflates immigrants with criminality (i.e., "illegal"); 2) using person-first language (i.e., "person applying for asylum" or "detained person" rather than "asylum-seeker" or "detainee"); 3) avoiding comparisons to "native" populations to mean non-foreign-born populations, as this contributes to the erasure of Native Americans and indigenous people; 4) avoiding hyperbolic and stigmatizing "crisis" language about immigrants; and 5) understanding inherent limitations of terms like "refugee," "asylum seeker," "undocumented" that are legal not clinical terms. With regards to challenging dominant frames, recommendations include: 6) avoiding problematization of certain borders compared to others (i.e., U.S.-Mexico versus U.S.- Canada border) that contributes to selectively subjecting people to heightened surveillance; 7) recognizing the heterogeneity among immigrants, such as varying reasons for migration along a continuum of agency, ranging from voluntary to involuntary; 8) avoiding setting up a refugee vs. migrant dichotomy, such that only the former is worthy of sympathy; and 9) representing mistrust among immigrants as justified, instead shifting focus to clinicians, researchers, and healthcare systems who must build or rebuild trustworthiness. Ensuring inclusive and humanizing language use and frames is one critical dimension of striving for immigrant health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the interplays between logic and politics in the Polish School of Logic starting from 1914. The Polish School of Logic flourished between 1920 and 1939. Philosophically, it was influenced by Kazimierz Twardowski (1866–1938). For Twardowski logic is fundamental for every kind of human activity, professional and private and this means that every argument should be formulated and proceed by correct inferential rules. These rules involve semiotics, formal logic and methodology of science. The paper shows how this position was shared by Twardowski's students, including Jan Łukasiewicz, Stanisław Leśniewski, Kazimierz Ajdukiewicz and Tadeusz Kotrabiński, as well as by the next generation of logicians and philosophers and especially by Alfred Tarski. These authors considered logic, philosophy and science as completely neutral with respect to politics and ideology but they also considered logical skills as indispensable in political activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culturing kelps for commercial, conservation, and scientific purposes is becoming increasingly widespread. However, kelp aquaculture methods are typically designed for ocean‐based farms, and these methods may not be applicable for smaller scale cultivation efforts common in research and restoration. Growing kelps in closed, recirculating culture systems may address many of these constraints, yet closed system approaches have remained largely undescribed. Extensive declines of the bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana), an ecologically important canopy species in the Northeast Pacific, have received widespread attention and prompted numerous research and conservation initiatives. Here, we detail two approaches for cultivating N. luetkeana sporophytes in closed recirculating systems. Nereocystis luetkeana were reared as attached thalli in custom seaweed growth flumes and also free‐floating in tumble culture tanks. Careful control of stocking density, water motion, aeration, and nutrient levels allowed for rapid growth and normal morphogenesis of laboratory‐grown kelp. Culture systems reached up to 3 kg · m−3, and individual thalli attained lengths of up to 6 m before the trials were terminated. Our results demonstrate the potential of recirculating, closed culture systems to overcome limitations associated with traditional culture methods. Recirculating systems enable the precise control of culture conditions, improving biosecurity and facilitating cultivar development and other research. Kelps can be grown away from the ocean or outside their native ranges, and seasonal or annual species can be produced year‐round without seasonal constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Play is linked to healthy child development and is recognised in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. School breaktimes provide regular opportunities for children to play, and as such, they have been the context of a large and interdisciplinary body of research on play. Play research has diverse aims and cuts across many academic disciplines, resulting in a wide range of methods and measurement tools being used in research to capture children’s play. In this scoping review, 105 studies of play during school breaktimes were identified and we describe, synthesise and compare methods used to assess play during school breaktimes, bringing together methodologies from different fields for the first time. Specifically, we captured: the aspects of play that have been measured and described; established tools and coding schemes that have been used; what the measures of play have been used for; and what the quality of reporting of play measures has been. In this way, we anticipate that the review will facilitate future play research and support, where appropriate, more consistent use and transparent reporting of methods and measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic reviews are an essential tool in identifying knowledge gaps and synthesizing evidence from in vivo animal research to improve human health. The review process follows an explicit and systematic methodology to minimize bias, but is not immune to biases or methodological flaws. Pre-registering a systematic review protocol has several benefits, including avoiding unplanned duplication of reviews, reducing reporting biases, and providing structure throughout the review process. It also helps to align the opinions of review team members and can shield researchers from post-hoc critique. PROSPERO4animals is the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) for the preregistration of systematic review of animal studies. As administrators, here we provide 10 tips to facilitate pre-registration in PROSPERO4animals. These tips address common difficulties that both beginners and experienced researchers may face when pre-registering their systematic review protocols. This article aims to help authors write and register a detailed systematic review protocol on PROSPERO4animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-based primary care, such as general practice (GP) or urgent care, serves as the primary point of access to healthcare for most Australians and New Zealanders. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created significant and ongoing disruptions to primary care. Traditional research methods have contributed to gaps in understanding the experiences of primary care workers during the pandemic. This paper describes a novel research design and method that intended to capture the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary care workers in Australia and New Zealand. Recurrent, rapid cycle surveys were fielded from May 2020 through December 2021 in Australia, and May 2020 through February 2021 in New Zealand. Rapid survey development, fielding, triangulated analysis and dissemination of results allowed close to real-time communication of relevant issues among general practice workers, researchers and policy-makers. A conceptual model is presented to support longitudinal analysis of primary care worker experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand, and key learnings from applying this novel method are discussed. This paper will assist future research teams in development and execution of policy-relevant research in times of change and may inform further areas of interest for COVID-19 research in primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, advances in computational power and data availability combined with increased accessibility to pre-trained models have led to an exponential rise in machine learning (ML) publications. While ML may have the potential to transform healthcare, this sharp increase in ML research output without focus on methodological rigor and standard reporting guidelines has fueled a reproducibility crisis. In addition, the rapidly growing complexity of these models compromises their interpretability, which currently impedes their successful and widespread clinical adoption. In medicine, where failure of such models may have severe implications for patients' health, the high requirements for accuracy, robustness, and interpretability confront ML researchers with a unique set of challenges. In this review, we discuss the semantics of reproducibility and interpretability, as well as related issues and challenges, and outline possible solutions to counteracting the "black box". To foster reproducibility, standard reporting guidelines need to be further developed and data or code sharing encouraged. Editors and reviewers may equally play a critical role by establishing high methodological standards and thus preventing the dissemination of low-quality ML publications. To foster interpretable learning, the use of simpler models more suitable for medical data can inform the clinician how results are generated based on input data. Model-agnostic explanation tools, sensitivity analysis, and hidden layer representations constitute further promising approaches to increase interpretability. Balancing model performance and interpretability are important to ensure clinical applicability. We have now reached a critical moment for ML in medicine, where addressing these issues and implementing appropriate solutions will be vital for the future evolution of the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many issues and challenges face research design and research teams that want to become more inclusive, especially in large-scale research projects involving many stakeholders. This article explores an approach called Design-Based Research (DBR). DBR has been widely used in education for several years; it emphasizes collaboration with the community and takes the context of participants into consideration. DBR is transposable to other disciplines and is intended to be inclusive of the diverse stakeholders involved in a research project. For instance, in an ongoing research project about unconscious bias and inclusive behaviors, it takes into account all stakeholders' needs and involves them in all stages of the research, which is taking place in a real-world context rather than a laboratory. The aim of this article is to better understand how the DBR methodology enables the inclusion of historically marginalized groups and how it is applied in the field. This exploratory article will present an example of an ongoing research project using the DBR methodology to show how this approach can be more inclusive than experimental approaches. This exploration reveals the positive impact of DBR in implementing solutions that can help reduce inequalities and power relationships. It also reveals the complexity of conducting qualitative research in a social laboratory. In particular, it takes into account the specificity of each historically marginalized group, from an intersectional perspective, the difficulty of operating within a process where not everything is determined in advance, and the need for a researcher specializing in DBR. It is important to allow sufficient time and financial resources at each stage to recognize the involvement of community organizations. The tools and knowledge generated by this type of research project will be useful for other organizations and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the significant increase in cyber-attacks and attempts to gain unauthorised access to systems and information, Network Intrusion-Detection Systems (NIDSs) have become essential detection tools. Anomaly-based systems use machine learning techniques to distinguish between normal and anomalous traffic. They do this by using training datasets that have been previously gathered and labelled, allowing them to learn to detect anomalies in future data. However, such datasets can be accidentally or deliberately contaminated, compromising the performance of NIDS. This has been the case of the UGR'16 dataset, in which, during the labelling process, botnet-type attacks were not identified in the subset intended for training. This paper addresses the mislabelling problem of real network traffic datasets by introducing a novel methodology that (i) allows analysing the quality of a network traffic dataset by identifying possible hidden or unidentified anomalies and (ii) selects the ideal subset of data to optimise the performance of the anomaly detection model even in the presence of hidden attacks erroneously labelled as normal network traffic. To this end, a two-step process that makes incremental use of the training dataset is proposed. Experiments conducted on the contaminated UGR'16 dataset in conjunction with the state-of-the-art NIDS, Kitsune, conclude with the feasibility of the approach to reveal observations of hidden botnet-based attacks on this dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This review introduces different methods for estimating the age of vertebrates for professionals in related fields and evaluates the accuracy of each method. Firstly, the degree of damage to vertebrates at the time of sample collection is classified. Then, the sample types and their applications are introduced, the most commonly used methods are listed, and methodological recommendations regarding accuracy are presented. Finally, the methods that will be used for vertebrate age estimation in the future, taking into account the current level of research and requirements, are predicted. This review is essential for promoting animal conservation and guiding the successful implementation of conservation management plans. Age is a core metric in vertebrate management, and the correct estimation of the age of an individual plays a principal role in comprehending animal behavior, identifying genealogical information, and assessing the potential reproductive capacity of populations. Vertebrates have a vertebral column and a distinct head containing a developed brain; they have played an important role in the study of biological evolution. However, biological age estimations constantly exhibit large deviations due to the diversity of vertebrate taxon species, sample types, and determination methods. To systematically and comprehensively understand age estimation methods in different situations, we classify the degree of damage to vertebrates during sample collection, present the sample types and their applications, list commonly applied methods, present methodological recommendations based on the combination of accuracy and implementability, and, finally, predict future methods for vertebrate age assessments, taking into account the current level of research and requirements. Through comprehensive data gathering and compilation, this work serves as an introduction and summary for those who are eager to catch up on related fields and facilitates the rapid and accurate selection of an evaluation method for researchers engaged in related research. This is essential to promote animal conservation and guide the smooth implementation of conservation management plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dimorphism, the ability to switch between a 'yeast-like' and a hyphal growth form, is an important feature of certain fungi, including important plant and human pathogens. The switch to hyphal growth is often associated with virulence, pathogenicity, biofilm formation and stress resistance. Thus, the ability to accurately and efficiently measure fungal growth form is key to research into these fungi, especially for discovery of potential drug targets. To date, fungal growth form has been assessed microscopically, a process that is both labour intensive and costly. Results: Here, we unite quantification of the chitin in fungal cell walls and the DNA in nuclei to produce a methodology that allows fungal cell shape to be estimated by calculation of the ratio between cell wall quantity and number of nuclei present in a sample of fungus or infected host tissue. Using the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici as a test case, with confirmation in the distantly related Fusarium oxysporum, we demonstrate a close, linear relationship between the chitin:DNA ratio and the average polarity index (length/width) of fungal cells. We show the utility of the method for estimating growth form in infected wheat leaves, differentiating between the timing of germination in two different Z. tritici isolates using this ratio. We also show that the method is robust to the occurrence of thick-walled chlamydospores, which show a chitin:DNA ratio that is distinct from either 'yeast-like' blastospores or hyphae. Conclusions: The chitin:DNA ratio provides a simple methodology for determining fungal growth form in bulk tissue samples, reducing the need for labour-intensive microscopic studies requiring specific staining or GFP-tags to visualise the fungus within host tissues. It is applicable to a range of dimorphic fungi under various experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Realist evaluation methodology aims to understand social programmes by revealing what works, for whom, in what circumstances, and how and why. Realist evaluation starts with generating initial programme theories (IPTs), which are subsequently tested and refined systematically using a multi-methods approach. This article describes a case study of the utilisation of vignettes, or short hypothetical stories, as part of the teacher-learner cycles recommended within realist evaluation. First, we explore the methodological alignment between vignettes and realist evaluation. We then present a specific case example of the application of vignettes as a data collection tool and discuss the potential advantages and the challenges of using vignettes within realist evaluation. Finally, we offer recommendations for researchers who wish to employ vignettes as a powerful instrument that can be used to better explain IPTs to participants and, in turn, enrich their participation in theory refinement within the realist evaluation framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This systematic review aimed to investigate the relationship between retraction status and the methodology quality in the retracted non-Cochrane systematic review. Method: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched with keywords including systematic review, meta-analysis, and retraction or retracted as a type of publication until September 2023. There were no time or language restrictions. Non-Cochrane medical systematic review studies that were retracted were included in the present study. The data related to the retraction status of the articles were extracted from the retraction notice and Retraction Watch, and the quality of the methodology was evaluated with the AMSTAR-2 checklist by two independent researchers. Data were analyzed in the Excel 2019 and SPSS 21 software. Result: Of the 282 systematic reviews, the corresponding authors of 208 (73.75%) articles were from China. The average interval between publish and retraction of the article was about 23 months and about half of the non-Cochrane systematic reviews were retracted in the last 4 years. The most common reasons for retractions were fake peer reviews and unreliable data, respectively. Editors and publishers were the most retractors or requestors for retractions. More than 86% of the retracted non-Cochrane SRs were published in journals with an impact factor above two and had a critically low quality. Items 7, 9, and 13 among the critical items of the AMSTAR-2 checklist received the lowest scores. Discussion and conclusion: There was a significant relationship between the reasons of retraction and the quality of the methodology (P-value < 0.05). Plagiarism software and using the Cope guidelines may decrease the time of retraction. In some countries, strict rules for promoting researchers increase the risk of misconduct. To avoid scientific errors and improve the quality of systematic reviews/meta-analyses (SRs/MAs), it is better to create protocol registration and retraction guidelines in each journal for SRs/MAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Background Sources of Evidence Conclusion Implications for Nursing Practice Implications for Health Policy To identify current key areas for nursing research in Switzerland, we revised the Swiss Research Agenda for Nursing (SRAN) initially published in 2008.By developing a research agenda, nursing researchers internationally prioritize and cluster relevant topics within the research community. The process should be collaborative and systematic to provide credible information for decisionmakers in health care research, policy, and practice.After a participative, systematic, and critical evaluation within and outside of the Swiss Association for Nursing Science, the updated SRAN 2019–2029 defines four research priorities (new models of care, nursing care interventions, work and care environment, and quality of care and patient safety) and four transversal themes (organization of research, research methodologies, research in health care policy and public health perspectives).Adding to other national nursing research agendas, the categories are organized in a framework of key research priorities and transversal themes. They relate to the importance of global and local foci of research as well as challenges in health care services and policy systems. The agenda is an important prerequisite for enhancing the influence of nursing research in Switzerland and provides guidance for the next decade.The revised agenda ensures that research projects target key knowledge gaps and the discipline's core questions in respective countries.Nursing research should inform and influence health policy on all institutional and political levels. Therefore, the integration of public health perspectives in research is one of the most important new aspects of SRAN 2019–2029. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping review aims to identify and systematically review published mapping reviews to assess their commonality and heterogeneity and determine whether additional efforts should be made to standardise methodology and reporting. The following databases were searched; Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Campbell collaboration database, Social Science Abstracts, Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA). Following a pilot‐test on a random sample of 20 citations included within title and abstracts, two team members independently completed all screening. Ten articles were piloted at full‐text screening, and then each citation was reviewed independently by two team members. Discrepancies at both stages were resolved through discussion. Following a pilot‐test on a random sample of five relevant full‐text articles, one team member abstracted all the relevant data. Uncertainties in the data abstraction were resolved by another team member. A total of 335 articles were eligible for this scoping review and subsequently included. There was an increasing growth in the number of published mapping reviews over the years from 5 in 2010 to 73 in 2021. Moreover, there was a significant variability in reporting the included mapping reviews including their research question, priori protocol, methodology, data synthesis and reporting. This work has further highlighted the gaps in evidence synthesis methodologies. Further guidance developed by evidence synthesis organisations, such as JBI and Campbell, has the potential to clarify challenges experienced by researchers, given the magnitude of mapping reviews published every year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic shut‐down of in‐person research laboratories, remote data collection became mainstream in developmental psychology research. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of two remote data collection methods for studying sleep and motor development in infancy and the relationship between the two. We asked 1371 parents of infants aged 4–17 months who used the Nanit baby monitor to take the online Survey of Well‐being of Young Children (SWYC) about their infants' motor experience. Nanit uses auto‐videosomnography and computer vision algorithms to calculate and report summary statistics of infants' sleep. Nanit replicated all expected developmental trends in sleep, while the SWYC only replicated some, appearing to underestimate infants at the transition between motor milestones. However, we replicated some well‐established findings regarding the relationship between sleep and motor development using both measures, suggesting that both Nanit and the SWYC can feasibly be used for remote data collection, especially if some modifications were made to how researchers explained using the SWYC to caregivers. Researchers should consider alternatives to traditional research methods not only when in‐person participation is difficult or impossible, but also when large samples are needed and/or simple measurement tools are sufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments in generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) have revitalized academic discourse on algorithmic systems, particularly on their potential, ethical considerations, risks, and regulatory challenges. Extensive research has examined how algorithms affect communication processes, focusing on their influence on news organizations, journalistic practices, public-media dynamics, media literacy, and combating disinformation and filter bubbles. An emergent strand of research defines and measures the multidimensional concept of algorithmic literacy. However limited research exists on the intersection of algorithmic literacy and journalism. This gap is particularly concerning given the pivotal role of journalism in shaping public discourse, informing citizens, upholding democratic values and contrasting disinformation. Understanding how journalists perceive and engage with algorithms is essential, as these technologies significantly influence their professional tasks, including content production and distribution. In Portugal, where newcomer journalists work in precarious conditions and digital media transformation is rapidly evolving, understanding how journalists interact with and perceive algorithms is vital. Our study, through a multi-phased approach, aims to fill this gap questioning how can algorithmic literacy, encompassing cognitive, attitudinal and behavioural dimensions, be effectively assessed among professional journalists? The exploratory results present a validated methodological tool, instrument based on a multidimensional analytical framework and specifically designed to measure algorithmic literacy levels and to assess journalists' experiences. Critical discussion addresses the methodological procedures and preliminary findings from the pre-test, offering insights into Portuguese journalists' understanding, perceptions, and competencies regarding algorithmic systems. By shedding light on the cognitive, affective, and behavioural aspects of journalists' engagement with algorithms, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the algorithmic literacy among journalists, which is essential to sustain the quality of their work and for an effective counteraction against disinformation. It also opens avenues for similar studies in other geographical or professional contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When deciding whether to implement an intervention, decision-makers typically have questions on feasibility and acceptability and on factors affecting implementation. Descriptions of programme implementation and of policies and systems are rich sources of information for these questions. However, this information is often not based on empirical data collected using explicit methods. To use the information in unconventional source materials in syntheses or other decision support products, we need methods of assessing their strengths and limitations. This paper describes the development and content of the Assessing unConventional Evidence (ACE) tool, a new tool to assess the strengths and limitations of these sources. Methods: We developed the ACE tool in four stages: first, we examined existing tools to identify potentially relevant assessment criteria. Second, we drew on these criteria and team discussions to create a first draft of the tool. Third, we obtained feedback on the draft from potential users and methodologists, and through piloting the tool in evidence syntheses. Finally, we used this feedback to iteratively refine the assessment criteria and to improve our guidance for undertaking the assessment. Results: The tool is made up of 11 criteria including the purpose and context of the source; the completeness of the information presented; and the extent to which evidence is provided to support the findings made. Users are asked to indicate whether each of the criteria have been addressed. On the basis of their judgements for each criterion, users then make an overall assessment of the limitations of the source, ranging from no or very minor concerns to serious concerns. These assessments can then facilitate appropriate use of the evidence in decision support products. Conclusions: Through focussing on unconventional source materials, the ACE tool fills an important gap in the range of tools for assessing the strengths and limitations of policy-relevant evidence and supporting evidence-informed decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many decades, Virginia Woolf's reputation in the history of literary criticism has been as a heroic rebel and challenger to the dominant forms and institutions of literary criticism. This legacy has rightfully been celebrated. Yet this view tends to treat Woolf's idiosyncratic and whimsical writings in relation to and in opposition to the prevailing standards of academic criticism rather than as a serious, normatively coherent form of criticism in its own right. Thus, this essay takes up the hypothesis that Woolf's critical writing constitutes a methodologically coherent criticism, even while it understands the values of reading and literature in deeply different terms. Taking up Woolf's whimsical criticism offers an important alternative practice of criticism capable of mediating between professional and everyday forms of reading. Pursuing Woolf's criticism also allows the essay to unfold some of the values that subtend and continue to shape the hidden norms of literary criticism today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a proposal for organizing literature in a visual sieve based on a conceptual matrix based on the application of the Systematic Review of Literature methodology and integration of information within the three phases of the scientific method of research to manage a state of the art or state of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the architectural field, significant challenges arise in education with ethical and social connotations. In the context of Architecture and Communication degrees, AI emerges as an essential tool, especially in the initial stages of architectural design in exploring ideas and conceptualizing projects. This article addresses the complexity inherent in using AI in architecture, highlighting its fundamental contribution to improving visual representation through textual algorithms, and analyzes the relevance of communication as a scientific discipline. In this context, communication in architecture is directed towards advertising and the effective transmission of messages. The article presents a methodology focused on detecting didactic errors among architecture and communication students, thanks to multidisciplinary collaboration. In conclusion, it is highlighted that the appropriate use of AI can boost the generation of creative ideas, allowing students to direct them and complement them in technical aspects. This study highlights the importance of effectively integrating AI into academic training, highlighting its benefits in improving creativity and precision in architectural communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boarding schools are well-known institutions that have been extensively studied by historians. Yet, there are still many hidden histories associated with this type of schooling. This section presents a range of methods that might fruitfully be applied to under-utilised sources to gain new insights into the history of boarding schools for children outside "mainstream" histories. The introductory article provides an overview of the different ways in which boarding schools have been theorised as institutions. This is followed by three articles that explore how music and photographs as well as ego-documents can be used to further develop social and cultural historical approaches to obtain a broader understanding of the complexities of boarding school life. Overall, this dossier provides insight into how different sources and methodological innovations can help us uncover alternative or hidden histories of historical actors in boarding schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four elements are involved in the configuration of emblematic gestures or emblems: form, meaning, use, and their associated lexical units. These elements are intrinsically and dependently related in communication, but not univocally: for the same gesture, different verbal exponents can appear sharing the same meaning. The goal of this work is to determine a methodology that establishes the semantic core of these gestures in order to use it as a homogeneous and systematic name when referring to them in research, repertoires, and kinesic dictionaries. To do this, we propose a list of non-exclusive criteria consisting of the following: an analysis of the iconic relationship between meaning and form; a recognition and naming test in native speakers; an examination of gestural inventories; and an analysis of the different lexical units associated with each gesture, as well as their linguistic markedness, in dictionaries. This proposal is carried out to determine the semantic core of 25 Spanish emblems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, advances in computational power and data availability combined with increased accessibility to pre-trained models have led to an exponential rise in machine learning (ML) publications. While ML may have the potential to transform healthcare, this sharp increase in ML research output without focus on methodological rigor and standard reporting guidelines has fueled a reproducibility crisis. In addition, the rapidly growing complexity of these models compromises their interpretability, which currently impedes their successful and widespread clinical adoption. In medicine, where failure of such models may have severe implications for patients’ health, the high requirements for accuracy, robustness, and interpretability confront ML researchers with a unique set of challenges. In this review, we discuss the semantics of reproducibility and interpretability, as well as related issues and challenges, and outline possible solutions to counteracting the “black box”. To foster reproducibility, standard reporting guidelines need to be further developed and data or code sharing encouraged. Editors and reviewers may equally play a critical role by establishing high methodological standards and thus preventing the dissemination of low-quality ML publications. To foster interpretable learning, the use of simpler models more suitable for medical data can inform the clinician how results are generated based on input data. Model-agnostic explanation tools, sensitivity analysis, and hidden layer representations constitute further promising approaches to increase interpretability. Balancing model performance and interpretability are important to ensure clinical applicability. We have now reached a critical moment for ML in medicine, where addressing these issues and implementing appropriate solutions will be vital for the future evolution of the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilizes quantitative content analysis (QCA) and deductive qualitative approach (DQA) grounded in Ruiz's orientations of language planning to understand the landscape of bilingual educational research. This QCA included targeted counts from bilingual journal articles (n = 102) covering methodology, participants, region, and bilingual program. DQA used coding methods to infer whether programs maintained a positive or negative iteration of bilingualism. The QCA suggests that articles published are centered on qualitative methodologies, conducted in elementary dual-language classrooms, and concentrated in the northeastern and western US. The DQA demonstrates programs maintain a language-as-resource orientation. These findings provide important implications for researchers studying bilingual education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Work addresses methodological considerations relevant for psychoneuroimmunology. • Different forms of reductionism and notions of mechanism and system are discussed. • Several positions in medicine and science regarding the mind–body problem are covered. • Recommendations for more robust and interdisciplinary science are provided. In medicine and science, one is typically taught the main theories in a discipline or field along with standard models before receiving more instructions on how to apply certain methods. The aim of this work is not to address one method, but rather methodology, the study and evaluation of methods, by taking a philosophy of science detour. In this, a critique of biomedicine will be used as a starting point to address some positions regarding reductionism, specifying notions such as systems and mechanisms, as well as regarding the mind–body problem discussing psychosomatic medicine and psychoneuroimmunology. Some recommendations to make science more pluralistic, robust and translationally-relevant will then be made as a way to foster constructive debates on reductionism and the mind–body problem and, in turn, favor more interdisciplinary research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It is time for conservative contemplation, and avoidance of hype, in microbiome science. • There is increasing recognition of the importance of macroecology and functionality. • Microbiome modulation is challenging and complicated by confounding factors. • Alternative sequencing techniques and machine learning may help pave the way forward. • It is time to optimise methodological standardisation and cross-disciplinary cooperation. Microbiome science has been one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving research fields in the past two decades. Breakthroughs in technologies including DNA sequencing have meant that the trillions of microbes (particularly bacteria) inhabiting human biological niches (particularly the gut) can be profiled and analysed in exquisite detail. This microbiome profiling has profound impacts across many fields of research, especially biomedical science, with implications for how we understand and ultimately treat a wide range of human disorders. However, like many great scientific frontiers in human history, the pioneering nature of microbiome research comes with a multitude of challenges and potential pitfalls. These include the reproducibility and robustness of microbiome science, especially in its applications to human health outcomes. In this article, we address the enormous promise of microbiome science and its many challenges, proposing constructive solutions to enhance the reproducibility and robustness of research in this nascent field. The optimisation of microbiome science spans research design, implementation and analysis, and we discuss specific aspects such as the importance of ecological principals and functionality, challenges with microbiome-modulating therapies and the consideration of confounding, alternative options for microbiome sequencing, and the potential of machine learning and computational science to advance the field. The power of microbiome science promises to revolutionise our understanding of many diseases and provide new approaches to prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing literature suggests that passive recruitment techniques, such as those using signage, have been demonstrated to be an effective and reliable recruitment mechanism. The current evaluation examined the differences in participant-provided responses in a zoo exhibit between active and passive recruitment methods using a post facto analysis. Findings from this evaluation of data collected demonstrate that survey completion rates and most participant demographics remained consistent between the two recruitment methods. However, there was an observed difference in participant-provided responses when comparing the active and passive recruitment strategies. Passive recruitment strategies have the potential to reduce participant reactivity. Based on the findings of this evaluation, it is recommended that researchers employing passive techniques utilize signage that is disruptive to the visitor experience to draw attention, keep survey instruments easy to understand, and avoid conflicting with the overall visitor experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I argue for the need to nuance our understanding of insider/outsider relations and challenge self–other dynamics in the research process. Using my own research field experience to set up how Othering occurs, I engage with the rigidity of the insider/outsider dynamic and the inflexibility arising from how 'Western' knowledge production processes ask one to maintain objectivity and, therefore, replicate the power dynamics between the self and Other. The aim here is to unpack how this process related to my own position vis-à-vis the community researched, my positionality, and how this interacts with the practices required to ensure research rigidity in Western academia. Thus, this article argues that redefining the self in an 'either/or' form essentially speaks to Western questions of objectivity, cultural difference and homogeneity. This article is an attempt to problematise the Othering nature of the process of defining oneself in relation or contrast to research participants – a method that continues to define the entrenched binaries of a reality dominated by hierarchised opposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the process of selecting between the increasingly popular bi-factor model and the second-order factor model in measurement research. It is indicated that in certain settings widely used in empirical studies, the second-order model is nested in the bi-factor model and obtained from the latter after imposing appropriate parameter constraints. These restrictions can be directly tested within the framework of the latent variable modeling methodology employing widely circulated software. The outlined model selection procedure provides a readily applied means of choosing between the two models of growing interest to measurement scholars, and is illustrated using numerical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of research papers in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) report on primarily quantitative studies measuring the effectiveness of pedagogical interventions in relation to language learning outcomes. These studies are frequently referred to in the literature as experiments, although this designation is often incorrect because of the approach to sampling that has been used. This methodological discussion paper provides a broad overview of the current CALL literature, examining reported trends in the field that relate to experimental research and the recommendations made for improving practice. It finds that little attention is given to sampling, even in review articles. This indicates that sampling problems are widespread and that there may be limited awareness of the role of formal sampling procedures in experimental reasoning. The paper then reviews the roles of two key aspects of sampling in experiments: random selection of participants and random assignation of participants to control and experimental conditions. The corresponding differences between experimental and quasi-experimental studies are discussed, along with the implications for interpreting a study's results. Acknowledging that genuine experimental sampling procedures will not be possible for many CALL researchers, the final section of the paper presents practical recommendations for improved design, reporting, review, and interpretation of quasi-experimental studies in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study traces the evolution of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) by investigating published research articles (RAs) in four major CALL journals: ReCALL, Computer Assisted Language Learning, Language Learning & Technology, and CALICO Journal. All 2,397 RAs published over four decades (1983-2019) were included in the pool of data, and the Google Scholar citation metric was adopted to assess the impact of the papers. By selecting the top 15% of widely cited papers from each individual year, we minimized the time bias between years, enabling a balanced narration of the history of CALL through a representative dataset of 426 high-impact RAs. To identify the evolution of research trends, the contexts, methodologies, theoretical underpinnings and research foci of all 426 RAs were investigated using NVivo 12 and AntConc. The analysis of the data yielded encouraging results such as the upward trend in the number of publications and the international reach of CALL in the last two decades, the physical or virtual presence of language learners with diverse language profiles, and the growing tendency to triangulate methodology for increased complexity. However, long-standing issues such as the heavy reliance on traditional research contexts, poor reporting practices of basic demographic information, the large number of atheoretical papers and the concentration on a limited number of research foci continue to pose challenges in CALL research. Based on the findings, the paper suggests solutions for the controversies and addresses key issues for future research in CALL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To describe characteristics of applicant, tool, outcomes, regulatory responses and general learnings from European Medicines Agency (EMA) Qualification Procedures on patient‐reported outcomes (PROs), observer‐reported outcomes (ObsROs) and performance outcomes (PerfOs) finalized between January 2013 and December 2018. Methods: Descriptive analysis, and qualitative review of the regulatory outcomes of the study procedures. Results: Seventeen qualification programmes for PROs, 6 for ObsRO tools and 11 for PerfO tools were submitted by consortia, large and small/medium companies. Gastroenterology and neurology were the most frequent therapeutic areas. There was a high level of regulators' partial agreement (above 70%) with applicant's approaches with constructive input; EMA published Letters of Support for PRO (6), ObsRO (2) and PerfO (4) tools, and Qualification Opinions on PROs (2) and PerfOs (1). General issues related to Qualification Procedures on PROs raised by EU regulatorsincluded: population, appropriate studies to demonstrate ability to detect change, tool validation in interventional trials, anchoring, identification of the minimally important difference, item selection, weighting, and multiple domains. In addition, specific issues for ObsROs and PerfO tools validation are identified. Conclusions: Regulators discussed principles and challenges of validation tailored to specific setting in tool development, providing constructive feedback. Regulatory outputs supportive of further development were published in over one‐third of programs. We encourage applicants intending to use or develop novel PRO, ObsRO and PerfO tools that will generate evidence for regulatory submissions on medicines to consider Qualification procedures for novel methods to seek feedback on the development and validation of these tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the problem of formation of future teachers' readiness to innovative activity, the role of computer technologies as a method of formation of students' information skills in the learning process. Based on the stated and analyzed interpretations of the authors about the concept of "innovations in education", the research position to consider innovation as an important element of education support in a state of dynamic development, adequate to the demands of today's society as a phenomenon of collective or formed individual professional creative activity of a teacher was formulated. On the example of the course, in which a systematic theoretical, methodological and practice-oriented training of students is carried out, the experience of formation of readiness of future teachers to innovative activity is described, the leading forms of pedagogical activity are presented. According to the results of the study it is concluded that the formation of the future teacher's readiness for innovative activity contributes to the identification of the conceptual position of the specialty, the identification of development resources and innovation (including potential) and their critical evaluation, creating conditions for finding innovative solutions in education. This competence is an important part of the professionalism of the today's teacher. Also in the article the role of computer technologies as a method of formation of students' information skills in the learning process is studied; e-learning tools as a basic step of realization of digital pedagogical technologies, the structure of the author's system of preparation of university teacher to the application of e-learning tools in professional activity is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Given the increasing demand for palliative and end-of-life care, along with the introduction of costly new treatments, there is a pressing need for robust evidence on value. However, comprehensive guidance is missing on methods for conducting economic evaluations in this field. Aim: To identify and summarise existing information on methodological challenges and potential solutions/recommendations for economic evaluations of palliative and end-of-life care. Design: We conducted a systematic review of publications on methodological considerations for economic evaluations of adult palliative and end-of-life care as per our PROSPERO protocol CRD42020148160. Following initial searches, we conducted a two-stage screening process and quality appraisal. Information was thematically synthesised, coded, categorised into common themes and aligned with the items specified in the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards statement. Data sources: The databases Medline, Embase, HTADatabase, NHSEED and grey literature were searched between 1 January 1999 and 5 June 2023. Results: Out of the initial 6502 studies, 81 were deemed eligible. Identified challenges could be grouped into nine themes: ambiguous and inaccurate patient identification, restricted generalisability due to poor geographic transferability of evidence, narrow costing perspective applied, difficulties defining comparators, consequences of applied time horizon, ambiguity in the selection of outcomes, challenged outcome measurement, non-standardised measurement and valuation of costs as well as challenges regarding a reliable preference-based outcome valuation. Conclusion: Our review offers a comprehensive context-specific overview of methodological considerations for economic evaluations of palliative and end-of-life care. It also identifies the main knowledge gaps to help prioritise future methodological research specifically for this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to analyze the integration of qualitative-quantitative and quantitative-qualitative approaches in the methodological strategy. The study constitutes a theoretical nature essay, with a descriptive scope, which identifies the main categories used when referring to integration in the methodological strategy. To achieve this, an integrated analysis is carried out, establishing similarities and differences among each of these categories, to conclude with a proposal that identifies the potential of this type of approach in geographical studies. The complexity of the object of study in social sciences (affected by postmodern logics and linked to globalization) challenges the researcher to seek new flexible alternatives, but at the same time rigorous ones, that allow him to capture the essence of the reality under study. The article highlights the importance of incorporating combined approaches that enables a better understanding of the object of study, from a comprehensive viewpoint. Regarding the research techniques, the study applies a documentary analysis that articulates the systematization and analysis of reference studies in the area, which allowed developing a state of the question reconciling approaches from different fields of social sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A combination of physical and psychosocial risk factors put adolescents at risk for poor cardiometabolic health and chronic disease burden, often recognized as metabolic syndrome. The purposes of this study were to (1) identify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome risk among adolescents, utilizing the metabolic syndrome severity index, and (2) determine the relationship between metabolic syndrome risk and behavioral health, food insecurity, and physical inactivity among adolescents. Methods and Design: A cross‐sectional, descriptive, correlational design was deployed in an inner‐city high school in the Deep South. An 8‐month recruitment and enrollment period yielded a sample of 55 adolescents. A battery of measures included assessment of demographic data, anthropometric, cardiovascular, and psychosocial data. Utilizing these data elements, a progressive methodological approach was used to identify metabolic severity risk as a continuous variable for use in the adolescent population. Results: All participants identified as African American/Black. Among them, 71% (N = 39) were female and an average age of 16 (SD = 1.3) years old, with 67.3% (N = 37) of the sample at risk for metabolic syndrome. There was not a statistically significant relationship between metabolic syndrome severity score and behavioral health risk, food insecurity, and physical inactivity in this sample. Practice Implications: Future use of the continuous metabolic syndrome severity score may guide practice by utilizing longitudinal data to assess the trends of metabolic syndrome severity scores in relation to disease outcomes in adolescents. This may promote the identification of psychosocial and physical interrelationships with metabolic syndrome, thus improving overall health through the development of age‐appropriate interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This exploratory study aimed to identify the potential non-linear relationship between hemoglobin (Hgb) and cognition among cognitively normal older adults and how this relationship differs in terms of gender in generalized additive models (GAM). Methods: This is a secondary data analysis using Wave II (2010–2011) data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. A generalized additive model was used to understand the non-linear relationship between Hgb and cognition, and to identify critical Hgb point related to cognition. Results: While both genders had a non-linear association between Hgb and cognition, the degree of non-linearity was more pronounced in male older adults with EDF value close to 2. The inflection point of 15.10 g/dL for male older adults and inflection point of 11.72 g/dL for female older adults were obtained. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to validate these results and develop precision medicine approaches to integrate these results into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to identify the different types of social networks among young-old adults, and to examine the transitions in social networks as they become old-old adults. Methods: This is a secondary data analysis using the longitudinal data (N = 1092) from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify optimal number of classes and latent transition analysis was conducted to examine the transition probabilities. Results: Young-old adults in Class 1: family-oriented, social (close, external) transitioned into Class 2: family-oriented, non-social over time. In contrast, young-old adults in Class 2: family-oriented, non-social and Class 3: less family-oriented, social (close) were less likely to transition to another class. Conclusion: Older adults engaged in less social activities over time. Older adults should be encouraged to continue their social engagement with close social network of friends and relatives, and to maintain their relationship with family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foot and ankle weightbearing CT (WBCT) imaging has emerged over the past decade. However, a systematic review of diagnostic applications has not been conducted so far. A systematic literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines after Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registration. Studies analyzing diagnostic applications of WBCT were included. Main exclusion criteria were: cadaveric specimens and simulated WBCT. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) was used for quality assessment. A total of 78 studies were eligible for review. Diagnostic applications were identified in following anatomical area's: ankle (n = 14); hindfoot (n = 41); midfoot (n = 4); forefoot (n = 19). Diagnostic applications that could not be used on weightbearing radiographs (WBRX) were reported in 56/78 studies. The mean MINORS was 9.8/24 (range: 8–12). Diagnostic applications of WBCT were most frequent in the hindfoot, but other areas are on the rise. Post-processing of images was the main benefit compared to WBRX based on a moderate quality of the identified studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a feasibility study for an evaluation of a UK primary school‐based prevention programme that addresses multiple forms of abuse and neglect, identifying research design and ethical issues and exploring research practice. For this feasibility study, 194 children aged 6–11 years completed a baseline survey and 113 did so following the intervention. Eight focus groups were undertaken with 52 children and nine interviews with school staff. We highlight key considerations for conducting large‐scale mixed‐method research on sensitive topics with younger children, a focus that is largely absent from the extant research methods literature. The feasibility study showed that younger children can contribute their views on sensitive topics in ways that are measurable, replicable and reliable, contesting ideas that certain topics are too sensitive to explore with younger children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reflexively unpicks digital ethnographic methods employed during ongoing online fieldwork on 'digital deaths'. To do so, this research delves into the digital afterlife, exploring the fate of online traces and social media profiles after death, and how social media has changed our relationship with death and grieving. Anthropological studies of online death and grief faced new challenges even before COVID-19 moved research projects online. These include shared vulnerabilities and the ethnographer's position, online field sites, omnipresent online traces and posthumous personhood, and ethical algorithms and duty to the dead. By transparently detailing my research methods whilst conducting research with Facebook and Instagram users navigating loss, this article contributes an honest and extensive debate on processes, challenges, ethics, and research collaboration. Guided by visual and media anthropology, I advocate for a set of methods rooted in shared anthropology (Rouch 1995) which fosters ongoing dialogue with participants. Thus, this article offers a new perspective on digital death, rooted in collaborative storytelling and reflexive methodologies, facilitating discussions on a still-contentious subject in certain societies. Leveraging the benefits of digital ethnography's multi-sited nature, the research widens its geographical reach and comments on the sociocultural impacts of digital death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes that the paradigm of relationality, engaged methodologically, can be the basis of praxis that purposefully moves away from business-oriented notions of "best practices" and toward education research that meets the needs of Indigenous and Black communities currently designing futures within settler colonial states during climate catastrophe. In so doing, the paper considers what a critical Indigenous research paradigm requires of researchers, what a critical Black epistemology requires, and what we can learn by bringing the two together in a relational approach to qualitative research. Relationality is defined and placed in historical context. The author's positionality is engaged by exploring his relationship to relationality through examination of the confluence of Black and Indigenous epistemologies in the United States. Through auto-reflection on a qualitative study of land-based education, this paper analyzes research "openings" as an example of relational methodology praxis. The paper offers a critical analysis of specific, detailed methodological actions undertaken to practice relationality in order to create cracks in existing educational research methodologies through which relationality can take root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article details the efficacy of utilizing narrative research methods to construct the narratives of teachers and learn more about the essence of digital pedagogy and developing a repertoire of digitally-mediated teaching practices. First, narrative methods are justified by conceptualizing pedagogy dynamically and narratively as opposed to using knowledge-based terms. Next, the dialogic nature of pedagogy is disseminated, situating teaching with technologies within authoritative and internal discourses. Then, the value of depicting a teacher's life story in narrativizing and understanding digital pedagogical development is discussed. Sample narration from Aaron's larger study is provided to situate and exemplify these methodological insights. To conclude, recommendations for the use of narrative methods in future research on digital pedagogy are disseminated with respect for promoting equitable and transformative digital pedagogical design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a study of an action research project conducted in one of the biggest university departments for sociology in a Central Eastern European capital during the first half of the 2000s. The paper shows that researchers' images of society have a strong impact on social scientific methodology, scientific explanations and narratives. I offer an example of how realist approaches to science and technology studies can be used in a field study and discuss the benefits and limitations of such an endeavor, which I define as an interpretive and explanatory social scientific work. The analysis shows ways in which latent knowledge structures influenced the wording of a questionnaire used in the research, the types of data that were gathered, and how the data were interpreted. These knowledge structures include notions concerning local policy discussions, different social policy traditions, and images of a Roma minority struggling with the effects of structural poverty and prejudices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Age is a key factor when dealing with language and speech disorders, as it entails a progressive loss of neuroplasticity even in healthy individuals. Apart from this, ageing also affects our word‐retrieval abilities, and thus, our discursive skills, particularly in people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, descriptions and/or measures of communicative performance always need to be interpreted through the lens of variation across the lifespan. Aim: This paper's main objective is to create a general tutorial for researchers willing to start delving into discourse analysis, both in healthy and pathological ageing. Methods: An eight‐step tutorial on discourse analysis in the elderly is presented. Each of these steps starts with general recommendations and progresses to more specific topics that may be relevant when conducting this type of research. All of the steps have been extrapolated from an extensive literature review on discourse analysis. Main Contributions: This work presents an easy‐to‐follow, step‐by‐step tutorial on discourse analysis in the elderly. It is aimed at clinical researchers who are taking their first steps in discourse analysis.It may also be useful for those who are already familiar with the methodology but may be interested in reading a general overview on the topic. Moreover, it offers new insights into the following topics: types of research questions, advantages and disadvantages of the different research methodologies and ethical considerations for data production in clinical linguistics. Conclusions: Discourse analysis in the elderly is a highly complex issue that may require researching from different approaches and disciplines. This implies following a well‐planned and thorough process, which we have detailed through the following eight steps: (i) reviewing literature; (ii) formulating the research question; (iii) designing the study; (iv) producing data; (v) selecting technological tools for data treatment; (vi) transcribing the corpus; (vii) annotating the corpus and (viii) analysing and interpreting the results. What This Paper Adds: What is already known on the subject: Approaches in discourse analysis in elderly adults, and particularly, in people suffering from dementia have already been analysed by previous researchers and categorised into three main trends: the quantitative‐experimental approach, the qualitative‐naturalistic approach and an in‐between path, the quantitative‐naturalistic approach. Also, several handbooks on general discourse analysis have presented comprehensive revisions on potential resources and methodologies that can be applied to researching discourse in elderly populations. What this paper adds to existing knowledge: This paper takes these three main approaches and analyses how the most recent research on language in ageing and dementia fits into them. Furthermore, it reviews the advantages and disadvantages each of them may bring for beginners in the field of discourse analysis. Moreover, it adds some studies that may fit into a fourth approach: the qualitative‐experimental. This article also presents information about several of the main steps when analysing data from the pragmatic perspective: the formulation of the research question, data production and the transcription/annotation process. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: This work has been devised for linguists who may want to read a systematization of the steps for analysing discourse in elderly populations. It may also be of interest to specialists from different fields such as speech therapy, psychology, gerontology or neurology who desire to start applying methods from discourse analysis in their work and aim to have a comprehensive scope of the main research trends within the field of clinical pragmatics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]