On the Relationship Between Method and the Object of Study When Studying Religion

Numen ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 61 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 131-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron David Warner
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cautionary Note ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Object Of Study ◽  
Contextual Study ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract If a discipline is defined by the object of its study, then the definition of the object of study has a priori paramount importance. Studies of the evolution of the study of religion show that researchers have been unable to escape their own socio-political contexts. I begin with a brief consideration of the evolution of superstition as a means to gain perspective on the evolution of the study of religion and definitions of religion and as a cautionary note to both the contextual study of religion and the cognitive-evolutionary (ce) study of religion. I then continue with an overview of our conference, “Researching Religion: Methodological Debates in Anthropology and the Study of Religion,” at Aarhus University, and the seven articles published in this special double issue of Numen. Taken together, they reflect and address an international rupture between the contextual and the ce study of religion, and point towards productive avenues for future research.

scholarly journals Cognitive Assessments in Hydration Research Involving Children: Methods and Considerations

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (Suppl. 3) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Westfall ◽  
Nicole E. Logan ◽  
Naiman A. Khan ◽  
Charles H. Hillman
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Research Interest ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Assessments ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Essential Nutrient ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

The effects of optimal and insufficient hydration on human health have received increasing investigation in recent years. Specifically, water is an essential nutrient for human health, and the importance of hydration on cognition has continued to attract research interest over the last decade. Despite this focus, children remain a relatively understudied population relative to the effects of hydration on cognition. Of those studies investigating children, findings have been inconsistent, resulting from utilizing a wide variety of cognitive domains and cognitive assessments, as well as varied hydration protocols. Here, our aim is to create a primer for assessing cognition during hydration research in children. Specifically, we review the definition of cognition and the domains of which it is composed, how cognition has been measured in both field- and laboratory-based assessments, results from neuroimaging methods, and the relationship between hydration and academic achievement in children. Lastly, future research considerations are discussed.

Subject of Economic Science

2015 ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
D. Egorov
Keyword(s):  
Human Behavior ◽  
Classical Theory ◽  
Adam Smith ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Economic Science ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Consciousness ◽  
Wealth Of Nations ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

Adam Smith defined economics as “the science of the nature and causes of the wealth of nations” (implicitly appealing – in reference to the “wealth” – to the “value”). Neo-classical theory views it as a science “which studies human behavior in terms of the relationship between the objectives and the limited funds that may have a different use of”. The main reason that turns the neo-classical theory (that serves as the now prevailing economic mainstream) into a tool for manipulation of the public consciousness is the lack of measure (elimination of the “value”). Even though the neo-classical definition of the subject of economics does not contain an explicit rejection of objective measures the reference to “human behavior” inevitably implies methodological subjectivism. This makes it necessary to adopt a principle of equilibrium: if you can not objectively (using a solid measurement) compare different states of the system, we can only postulate the existence of an equilibrium point to which the system tends. Neo-classical postulate of equilibrium can not explain the situation non-equilibrium. As a result, the neo-classical theory fails in matching microeconomics to macroeconomics. Moreover, a denial of the category “value” serves as a theoretical basis and an ideological prerequisite of now flourishing manipulative financial technologies. The author believes in the following two principal definitions: (1) economics is a science that studies the economic system, i.e. a system that creates and recombines value; (2) value is a measure of cost of the object. In our opinion, the value is the information cost measure. It should be added that a disclosure of the nature of this category is not an obligatory prerequisite of its introduction: methodologically, it is quite correct to postulate it a priori. The author concludes that the proposed definitions open the way not only to solve the problem of the measurement in economics, but also to address the issue of harmonizing macro- and microeconomics.

Consumerism

2014 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Ioanna Papasolomou
Keyword(s):  
Historical Development ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Compulsive Buying ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sustainable Marketing ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insight Into

This chapter reveals that the term ‘consumerism' encompasses a number of meanings which create confusion regarding the term. The discussion that follows, attempts to distinguish the different perspectives regarding the term by presenting its historical development and discussing the three definitions that have marked it. It explores the relationship between consumerism, marketing and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The growth of consumerism has led to the over-use of marketing which provided a flourishing ground for compulsive buying and consumption. There is evidence in the literature to suggest that in an era of increasing social problems and environmental challenges, there is a need for CSR and sustainable marketing. In fact, the second definition of consumerism is inextricably linked with CSR and societal marketing. The chapter is conceptual in nature and provides an in-depth review and discussion of some fundamental dimensions associated to consumerism based on the existent literature. The overarching aim is to provide an insight into the evolution and growth of consumerism based on the existent literature related to the topic. The discussion also focuses on exploring the relationship between marketing and consumerism shedding light onto compulsive buying, consumer attitudes and concerns on the micro consumerism issues, sustainable consumption and sustainable marketing. The chapter proceeds to raise some concerns related to the impact of the global economic crisis on consumerism by using as an example Cyprus based on the author's observations and thoughts. The chapter concludes with a list of suggestions to practitioners and directions for future research.

Standards of Afrocentric Education for School Leaders and Teachers

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chike Akua
Keyword(s):  
Multicultural Education ◽  
School Leaders ◽  
Educational Leaders ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Afrocentric Education ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Basic Standards ◽  
The Relationship

What is Afrocentric education (ACE)? What are the implications of ACE for school leaders and teachers? What is the relationship of ACE to multicultural education (MCE) and how does ACE differ from MCE? What are the standards that govern ACE’s philosophical foundation and practical application? This article provides a practical definition of ACE that can be understood by the community and the academy, the theoretical basis of ACE, its relationship to MCE, a synthesis of the research literature, and a framework of basic standards that educational leaders, teachers, and professors can employ for curriculum development, strategic planning, instructional leadership, instructional strategies, and transformation of school culture in PK-12 and higher education. This article also offers a definition of leadership and Afrocentric Educational Leadership to frame and inform future research.

scholarly journals The Role of Innovation in Small and Medium-Sized Family Firms: A Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 102-120
Author(s):  
Ondrej Zizlavsky ◽  
Nikola Janickova
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Firm Growth ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Value Drivers ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

This article builds on existing family business research conducted worldwide and embeds the research results in the Czech context to portray the Czech Republic as a critically important context for extending our knowledge on important family firms’ topics. In this article, we present a systematic review and integration of 69 articles published in peer-reviewed journals by Elsevier, Emerald, Wiley and others from 2015 to 2021 in order to answer two research questions: what is the role of innovation in SME family firms and what drives the innovation in family firms? Specifically, the content of the article discusses the new definition of family firm in the Czech Republic; the relationship between innovation and family firm growth; and some contextual factors that might affect the innovations in the Czech SME family firms: ability and willingness paradox, socioemotional wealth, and familiness. The insights of this review are used to develop suggestions for future research in setting the value of family firm where innovation can play an essential role as one of the core value drivers.

John Stuart Mill's Method In Principle and Practice: A Review of the Evidence

1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 369-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Hollander ◽  
Sandra Peart
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Political Economy ◽  
A Priori ◽  
A Posteriori ◽  
Actual Case ◽  
Apparent Position ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Sharp Criticism ◽  
The Relationship

Our concern is John Stuart Mill's methodological pronouncements, his actual practice, and the relationship between them. We argue that verification played a key role in Mill's method, both in principle and in practice. Our starting point is the celebrated declaration regarding verification in the essay On the Definition of Political Economy; and on the Method of Investigation Proper to It (1836/ 1967; hereafter Essay): “By the method à priori we mean … reasoning from an assumed hypothesis; which … is the essence of all science which admits of general reasoning at all. To verify the hypothesis itself à posteriori, that is, to examine whether the facts of any actual case are in accordance with it, is no part of the business of science at all, but of the application of science” (Mill 1836/1967, p. 325). The apparent position that the basic economic theory is impervious to predictive failure emerges also in a sharp criticism of the à posteriori method:

scholarly journals Role Ambiguity in Sport Teams

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 534-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Eys ◽  
Albert V. Carron ◽  
Mark R. Beauchamp ◽  
Steven R. Bray
Keyword(s):  
Role Ambiguity ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Future Research ◽  
First Year ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Sport Teams ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Individual

The general purpose of the present study was to examine the nature of role ambiguity in sport teams and to explore the construct validity of the operational definition of role ambiguity developed by Beauchamp, Bray, Eys, and Carron (2002). Role ambiguity was operationalized as a multidimensional construct (Scope of Responsibilities, Behavioral Responsibilities, Evaluation of Performance, and Consequences of Not Fulfilling Responsibilities) that occurs in two contexts, offense and defense. Consistent with the a priori hypothesis, perceptions of role ambiguity exhibited some degree of within-group consistency and group-level variability, but most of the variance in role ambiguity was seen at the individual level. Also, perceptions of role ambiguity decreased from early to late season. Finally, veteran athletes experienced less role ambiguity than first-year athletes at the beginning of the season, but not at the end. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Terrorism and Peacebuilding

2021 ◽  
pp. 367-380
Author(s):  
Ioannis Tellidis
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
The Political ◽  
Peace Studies ◽  
Political Implications ◽  
Critical Approaches ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter examines the relationship between terrorism studies and the practice(s) of counterterrorism, and peace studies and the practice(s) of peacebuilding. The chapter seeks to uncover the political implications of the conceptualizations of both “terrorism” and “peace” in order to evaluate how peace was sought (or not) to be built in terrorist conflicts. A brief chronology of long-established approaches in each field uncovers the basic deficiencies in approaches to these two concepts by both academics and practitioners, resulting in a shared definition of objectives: counterterrorism’s preoccupation with the annihilation of terrorists, and peacebuilding’s anxiety with domination and imposition; as a consequence, both of these fail to provide anything other than a victor’s peace. The emergence of more critical approaches in both fields has begun to rectify those understandings, but more daring epistemological and methodological steps need to be undertaken. The chapter concludes by identifying some of the obstacles and limitations facing these more recent approaches and tries to identify the scope of future research.

Payout differences between family and nonfamily listed firms: a socioemotional wealth perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manon Deslandes ◽  
Anne Fortin ◽  
Suzanne Landry
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Share Repurchases ◽  
Probit Regression ◽  
Socioemotional Wealth ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The objective of this study is to explain family firm payout decisions based on socioemotional wealth (SEW) considerations. Design/methodology/approach A sample of publicly listed Canadian companies is examined for the period from 2003 to 2008. Distinguishing family firms from nonfamily firms, a Probit regression is used to analyze the likelihood of making a payout. For payout firms, regressions are used to analyze the relationship between payout level (dividends and share repurchases) and payout mix and family firms. Findings Results indicate that family firms are more likely to make a payout than nonfamily firms. Among payout firms, the level of payout among payout firms is lower for family firms than for nonfamily firms and their portion of payout in the form of dividends is higher. Lone founder family firms have a lower likelihood of making payouts than other family firms. However, among payout firms, they pay out more than other family firms and have a smaller percentage of their total payout in dividends than other family firms. Research limitations/implications Results are impacted by the definition of what constitutes a family firm. Family ownership was used as a proxy for the underlying SEW considerations. Future research could involve interviews with family firm representatives to investigate the relative importance of SEW considerations in their payout decisions. Originality/value In providing an alternative theoretical framing of family firms’ payout policies, the study suggests that payout differences between family and nonfamily firms may be driven in part by SEW considerations.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review on the Elicitation and Enhancement of Vection Through Tactile Stimulation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Kooijman ◽  
Houshyar Asadi ◽  
Shady Mohamed ◽  
Saeid Nahavandi
Keyword(s):  
Motion Sickness ◽  
Tactile Stimulation ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Multimodal Interaction ◽  
Sensory Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Illusory Perception ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Self Motion

Vection is classically defined as the illusory perception of self-motion induced via visual stimuli. The utility of vection research lies in its potential to enhance simulation fidelity as measured through presence and reduce the probability that motion sickness symptoms occur through the identification of differences and similarities in physiological responses to vection and motion sickness. Recent studies have shown a multimodal interaction of various sensory systems in facilitating vection. Moreover, the utility of co-stimulating some of these sensory systems along with the presentation of visual stimuli have been reviewed. However, a review on the tactile mediation of vection appears to be missing from literature. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current methodologies, and utility of, tactile stimulation in vection research. We searched for articles through EBSCOHost, Scopus and Web of Science. Only studies were included wherein an experiment on the effect of tactile stimulation on human self-motion perception was detailed. Twenty-three studies were obtained and distilled in tabular form. The studies reviewed presented a strong variability in the a-priori definition of vection, methodological inhomogeneity, varying approaches to the assessment of subjective vection measures and a lack of objective measures. We discuss the need for more qualitative research to reduce methodological inhomogenities, recommend future research in tactile-mediated vection to investigate stimulation to the torso, and suggest further investigation into the utility of concurrently presenting different forms of tactile stimulation.

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