Introduction to the Special Issue: Innovations and Current Challenges in Experimental Methods

AbstractThis article provides an introduction for the collection of methodologically oriented papers comprising this Special Issue. We define the concept of epistemicity as used in descriptive linguistics and discuss notions related to it – some well-established, some more recent – such as evidentiality, egophoricity, epistemic authority and engagement. We give a preliminary overview of the different types of epistemic marking attested in the languages of the world and discuss the recent developments in the field of epistemic research focussing on methodologies for investigating epistemic marking. In the second part of the paper, we focus on the more practical side of epistemic fieldwork; the types of data that can be used in documenting linguistic expressions of epistemicity and best practices for data collection. We discuss the experimental methods that are used in the description of epistemic systems, both those developed for this particular purpose and those adapted from other types of linguistic research. We provide a critical evaluation of those materials and stimuli and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we introduce the contributions to the Special Issue, discussing the languages studied by the authors of the contributions and the fieldwork methods they used in their research.

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EDITORIAL: AN INTRODUCTION TO FRACTALS IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Fractals ◽

10.1142/s0218348x21020011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (02) ◽

pp. 2102001

Author(s):

LEI WANG ◽

SHENGWEN TANG

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Property ◽

Fractal Theory ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Experimental Methods ◽

Special Issue ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Shrinkage Behavior ◽

Issue Section

In recent years, the application of fractal theory in construction materials has drawn tremendous attention worldwide. This special issue section containing seven papers publishes the recent advances in the investigation and application of fractal-based approaches implemented in construction materials. The topics covered in this introduction mainly include: (1) the fractal characterization of construction materials from nano- to micro-scales; (2) combining fractals methods with other theoretical, numerical and/or experimental methods to evaluate or predict the macroscopic behavior of construction materials; (3) the relationship of fractal dimension with the macro-properties (i.e. mechanical property, shrinkage behavior, permeability, frost resistance, abrasion resistance, etc.) of construction materials.

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