Contemporary Issues in Black Philosophy

Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) are frequently exposed to potential drug‐drug interactions (pDDIs). However, reported frequencies of pDDIs in the ICU vary widely between studies. This can be partly explained by significant variation in their methodological approach. Insight into methodological choices affecting pDDI frequency would allow for improved comparison and synthesis of reported pDDI frequencies. This study aimed to evaluate the association between methodological choices and pDDI frequency and formulate reporting recommendations for pDDI frequency studies in the ICU. The MEDLINE database was searched to identify papers reporting pDDI frequency in ICU patients. For each paper, the pDDI frequency and methodological choices such as pDDI definition and pDDI knowledge base were extracted, and the risk of bias was assessed. Each paper was categorized as reporting a low, medium, or high pDDI frequency. We sought associations between methodological choices and pDDI frequency group. Based on this comparison, reporting recommendations were formulated. Analysis of methodological choices showed significant heterogeneity between studies, and 65% of the studies had a medium to high risk of bias. High risk of bias, small sample size, and use of drug prescriptions instead of administrations were related to a higher pDDI frequency. The findings of this review may support researchers in designing a reliable methodology assessing pDDI frequency in ICU patients. The reporting recommendations may contribute to standardization, comparison, and synthesis of pDDI frequency studies, ultimately improving knowledge about pDDIs in and outside the ICU setting.

Investigating Interdisciplinary Practice: Methodological Challenges (Introduction)

Analyzing social wrongs

There has been relatively little concern with methodological issues within the study of religion. In this article the author considers the need for a continuing clarification of how diverse methodological approaches relate to the study of religion in general, and what is more, of certain aspects of the role of the researcher in particular. A main difference between the methodological approaches as referred to in this article — and illustrated by reference to minority studies -is in the closeness of the researcher to his field. One could perhaps state that while the researcher draws nearer to his field in soft approaches the theories remain further away from the empirical data (i.e. in that one creates greater vistas) while the opposite is true for those that work with hard data designs, that meta-theories are almost excluded (as pure speculation) due to the strict demands for operationalization, as the (effect of the) researcher is to a greater extend likewise excluded from the picture. Though in both cases the choices made must naturally be made explicit as must the researcher relate to a qualified discussion between experts who have some kind of relationship to the kind of empirical material or theoretical thinking that is at issue in the particular project.

The methodological choices and framework to assess environmental impacts in life cycle assessment are still under discussion. Despite intensive developments worldwide, few attempts have been made hitherto to systematically present the role of different factors of characterisation models in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). The aim of this study is to show how European average and country-dependent characterisation factors for acidifying and eutrophying emissions differ when using (a) acidifying and eutrophying potentials alone, (b) depositions from an atmospheric dispersion model or (c) critical loads in conjunction with those depositions. Furthermore, in the latter case, the contributions of emissions, an atmospheric transport model and critical loads to changes in characterisation factors of NO2 are studied. In addition, the new characterisation factors based on the accumulated exceedance (AE) method are presented using updated emissions, a new atmospheric transport model and the latest critical loads. In this study, characterisation factors for acidifying and eutrophying emissions are calculated by three different methods. In the ‘no fate’ (NF) methods, acidifying and eutrophying potentials alone are considered as characterisation factors. In the ‘only above terrestrial environment’ (OT) approach, characterisation factors are based on the deposition of the acidifying or eutrophying substances to terrestrial land surfaces. The third method is the so-called AE method in which critical loads are used in conjunction with depositions. The results of the methods are compared both at the European and the country level using weighted mean, weighted standard deviation, minimum and maximum values. To illustrate the sensitivity of the AE method, changes in European emissions, employed atmospheric dispersion model and the critical loads database are conducted step-by-step, and the differences between the results are analysed. For European average characterisation factors, the three characterisation methods of acidification produce results in which the contributions of NH3, NO2 and SO2 to the acidification indicator do not differ much within each method when 1 kg of each acidifying substance is emitted. However, the NF methods cannot describe any spatial aspects of environmental problems. Both OT and AE methods show that the spatial aspects play an important role in the characterisation factors. The AE method results in greater differentiations between country-dependent characterisation factors than does the OT method. In addition, the results of the AE and OT methods differ from each other for individual countries. A major shortcoming of the OT approach is that it does not consider the sensitivity of the ecosystems onto which the pollutants are deposited, whereas the AE approach does. In the case of the AE method, a new atmospheric dispersion model, new information on emissions and critical loads have a different influence on the characterisation factors, depending on the country. The results of statistics show that the change in the atmospheric dispersion model has a greatest influence on the results, since ecosystem-specific depositions are taken into account for the first time. The simple NF methods can be used in a first approximation to assess the impacts of acidification and terrestrial eutrophication in cases where we do not know where the emissions occur. The OT approach is a more advanced method compared with the NF method, but its capability to describe spatial aspects is limited. The AE factors are truly impact-oriented characterisation factors and the information used here represents the current best knowledge about the assessment practice of acidification and terrestrial eutrophication in Europe. The key message of this study is that there is no shortcut to achieving advanced characterisation of acidification and terrestrial eutrophication: an advanced methodology cannot develop without atmospheric dispersion models and information on ecosystem sensitivity.

This paper presents the methodological approach and research methods chosen to explore psychosocial aspects of participation in early anti-cancer drug trials from the perspective of those actually involved. The paper describes how an appropriate methodology, or principles of reasoning behind the choice of research methods, emerged. The choice of methodology was based on three elements: first, an understanding of the competing philosophies about how research can be approached and conducted; second, the author's view of the subject area; and third, a consideration of previous research approaches which have investigated psychosocial aspects of cancer clinical trials. A qualitative methodology situated within an interpretative paradigm was eventually chosen as the most appropriate means of exploring trial participants' experiences and the aim and objectives of the research were developed within this methodological framework.

Fruto da pesquisa feita no Mestrado Profissional em Filosofia (PROF-FILO), Núcleo da Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), o artigo tem por objetivo apresentar a parte teórico-filosófica e os resultados da ação educativo-filosófica que aconteceu na Escola Estadual Professora Calpúrnia Caldas de Amorim (EECCAM). Utilizamos como aporte teórico principal O mestre ignorante de J. Rancière. Apesar de considerar a experiência docente do pesquisador e as perspectivas pedagógicas (HOFFMANN, 2009; 2010; LUCKESI, 2010; 2011), a abordagem filosófica do tema exigiu direcionar a pesquisa para uma questão inicial “O que é a Filosofia?”, pois as escolhas didáticas, metodológicas, os conteúdos e as abordagens no ensino-aprendizagem da Filosofia decorrem e devem estar ligadas às possíveis e subjetivas respostas que o/a professor/a de Filosofia dá a essa questão inicial (BOAVIDA, 1996; CERLETTI, 2003; 2009; TOMAZETTI, 2014). As metodologias utilizadas na pesquisa foram a bibliográfica, com análise da obra principal e de obras secundárias e, para a ação educativo-filosófica, a qualitativa, com pesquisa-ação como abordagem (LAVILLE, 1999; SEVERINO, 2007; GHEDIN; FRANCO, 2011; MINAYO, 2012). Foi possível constatar, na ação educativa-filosófica, que mais do que compreender as ideias contidas em O mestre ignorante, os/as participantes puderam aprender sobre o ensino, a aprendizagem e a avaliação da Filosofia no nível médio; puderam também aprender sobre os papéis dos/as professores/as e alunos/as, principais personagens da ação educativa; e, acima de tudo, a ação educativa-filosófica possibilitou aos/às participantes da pesquisa, cada um à sua medida, reconhecer alguns aspectos de suas próprias capacidades intelectuais.

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to highlight the significance of advancing research methodologies in logistics, operations and supply chain management. It seeks to expand the scope of research questions and explore areas previously constrained by traditional methodological approaches, thereby enhancing the exploration of complex, real-world business issues.Design/methodology/approachThis commentary introduces and discusses the special issue on “Advances in Research Methodologies for Logistics and Supply Chain Management,” exploring methodological innovations, diversity and their potential to address complex business and disciplinary challenges. The commentary assesses a broad spectrum of methodologies, ranging from traditional qualitative and quantitative approaches to overlooked methods such as qualitative comparative analysis, netnography, design science, Bayesian networks, machine learning and repertory grid technique. This diverse methodological approach enables a comprehensive examination of emerging and ongoing challenges in the supply chain. In the final summary section, we highlight additional areas of research method innovation not covered in this special issue, offering a broader perspective on future directions for methodological advancements in SCM research.FindingsThe findings suggest that integrating less explored methodologies from various disciplines encourages a richer, multi-level analysis of the supply chain management landscape. This integration facilitates a deeper understanding of emerging challenges, such as geopolitical issues, global supply chain disruptions and the integration of new technologies. Additionally, the exploration of ‘white space' in research methodologies indicates significant potential for discovering new insights that bridge practical problems with theoretical contributions.Originality/valueThe value of this methodological diversity extends beyond academic enrichment. It catalyzes the generation of innovative insights crucial for business practitioners, policymakers, consultants and academics. By adopting varied research designs and methodologies, the research note can offer a broader spectrum of analytical perspectives, crucial for uncovering nuanced insights into complex, cross-cultural and relationship-based dynamics in supply chain research.

Case research has commanded respect in the information systems (IS) discipline for at least a decade. Notwithstanding the relevance and potential value of case studies, this methodological approach was once considered to be one of the least systematic. Toward the end of the 1980s, the issue of whether IS case research was rigorously conducted was first raised. Researchers from our field (e.g., Benbasat et al. 1987; Lee 1989) and from other disciplines (e.g., Eisenhardt 1989; Yin 1994) called for more rigor in case research and, through their recommendations, contributed to the advancement of the case study methodology. Considering these contributions, the present study seeks to determine the extent to which the field of IS has advanced in its operational use of case study method. Precisely, it investigates the level of methodological rigor in positivist IS case research conducted over the past decade. To fulfill this objective, we identified and coded 183 case articles from seven major IS journals. Evaluation attributes or criteria considered in the present review focus on three main areas, namely, design issues, data collection, and data analysis. While the level of methodological rigor has experienced modest progress with respect to some specific attributes, the overall assessed rigor is somewhat equivocal and there are still significant areas for improvement. One of the keys is to include better documentation particularly regarding issues related to the data collection and analysis processes.

Case research has commanded respect in the information systems (IS) discipline for at least a decade. Notwithstanding the relevance and potential value of case studies, this methodological approach was once considered to be one of the least systematic. Toward the end of the 1980s, the issue of whether IS case research was rigorously conducted was first raised. Researchers from our field (e.g., Benbasat et al. 1987; Lee 1989) and from other disciplines (e.g., Eisenhardt 1989; Yin 1994) called for more rigor in case research and, through their recommendations, contributed to the advancement of the case study methodology. Considering these contributions, the present study seeks to determine the extent to which the field of IS has advanced in its operational use of case study method. Precisely, it investigates the level of methodological rigor in positivist IS case research conducted over the past decade. To fulfill this objective, we identified and coded 183 case articles from seven major IS journals. Evaluation attributes or criteria considered in the present review focus on three main areas, namely, design issues, data collection, and data analysis. While the level of methodological rigor has experienced modest progress with respect to some specific attributes, the overall assessed rigor is somewhat equivocal and there are still significant areas for improvement. One of the keys is to include better documentation particularly regarding issues related to the data collection and analysis processes.

Despite major advances in environmental security research, non-experimental observations typically rely on methods that retrieve or validate specific linkages, rather than uncovering broader causal mechanisms underlying environmentally driven armed conflict. This article demonstrates how recent advances in causal methodology can be applied to more comprehensively retrieve and validate a network of such linkages. By retrieving a more integrated causal structure of pathways from environmental variables to conflict activity, we offer a novel methodological perspective on how causal relationships among environmental, demographic, agricultural and armed conflict variables can be identified, and how associated causal hypotheses can be tested. To uncover these pathways and infer causal effects of natural conditions on conflict activity, we apply this methodology to non-experimental observations of armed conflict across Iraqi subdistricts. Our findings support the hypotheses that latent energy and soil moisture indirectly cause conflict activity. While confirming that armed conflict is positively mediated by population density, the results do not support the hypothesis that wheat production negatively mediates conflict. Finally, we discuss our methodological approach, clarify its limitations, propose future research directions, and consider the implications for evidence-based policy interventions.

Recent years have seen significant advances in systems development methodologies. Structured systems analysis and design approaches have been complemented and often substituted by a variety of new approaches such as prototyping, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design methodologies (OOADM), and Rapid Application Development (RAD), among others. System development methodologies and methods have always reflected the available toolsets, e.g., Fourth Generation languages and CASE tools, which enabled rapid application development. Organizational focus has also shifted over the years from Transaction systems to decision support and competitive intelligence. The frequent, expensive occurrences of implementation failures are a stark reminder of the need for appropriate methodological approaches to implementing BI systems. This chapter examines the peculiar methodological needs of BI systems and contrasts those systems with earlier transactional and reporting systems. Based on this comparison and analysis, a methodological framework and approach is proposed for effectively developing and implementing BI information systems.

Using e-diaries to investigate ADHD – State-of-the-art and the promising feature of just-in-time-adaptive interventions

Ensuring just and effective implementation of the GBF requires understanding not only the agreed targets and indicators, but also how the monitoring architecture that operationalises them has taken shape. This work presents an empirically grounded account of how this architecture was assembled between 2023 and 2025 and identifies key attention points for experts and practitioners engaged in biodiversity governance.The analysis combines a four week multi-sited ethnography at COP16 (Cali, 2024; Rome, 2025), with virtual ethnography from 35 online gatherings on biodiversity metrics, finance, and reporting (e.g. UNEP-FI, TNFD, SBTN). This is complemented by 22 semi-structured interviews with negotiators, multilateral experts, natural and social scientists, Indigenous representatives, NGOs and financial actors, as well as document analysis of CBD texts, indicator guidance, SEEA and TNFD materials, national biodiversity strategies, and reports from major organisations developing biodiversity metrics. Analytically, the study focuses on moments where categories, standards and methodological choices were negotiated or recalibrated, revealing how the monitoring system is stabilised in practice.Findings show that although the Monitoring Framework indicators are agreed, their implementation depends on broader decisions: which methodologies become defaults, which data sources are prioritised, how information is validated, and which expert communities shape technical guidance. These choices tend to favour globally standardised biophysical metrics, making it difficult for relational, cultural or territorial dimensions - central to many Indigenous Peoples, local communities and their epistemic allies - to be integrated in practice. The frequently invoked idea of a “common language” supports coordination but also narrows the range of perspectives considered legitimate, creating an impression of consensus that masks important differences in how nature is understood and governed.This diagnosis allows us to propose areas of attention: making fuller use of existing flexibilities in reporting to incorporate social, governance and IPLC-relevant information; designing guidance, capacity-building and, validation processes that examine underlying methodological assumptions and support plurality; and fostering interdisciplinary and cross-actor spaces where experts and diverse knowledge holders can review how monitoring tools shape what becomes visible and actionable. These steps can enhance justice, credibility and effectiveness within the GBF’s existing monitoring architecture.

Revisiting knowledge on ESG/CSR and financial performance: A bibliometric and systematic review of moderating variables