scholarly journals A pragmatic approach for producing theoretical syntheses in ecology

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261173
Author(s):  
Bruno Travassos-Britto ◽  
Renata Pardini ◽  
Charbel N. El-Hani ◽  
Paulo I. Prado
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Community ◽  
Ecological Theory ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Field Of Study ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Theoretical Synthesis ◽  
Neutral Models

It has been proposed that ecological theory develops in a pragmatic way. This implies that ecologists are free to decide what, from the knowledge available to them, they will use to build models and learn about phenomena. Because in fields that develop pragmatically knowledge generation is based on the decisions of individuals and not on a set of predefined axioms, the best way to produce theoretical synthesis in such fields is to assess what individuals are using to support scientific studies. Here, we present an approach for producing theoretical syntheses based on the propositions most frequently used to learn about a defined phenomenon. The approach consists of (i) defining a phenomenon of interest; (ii) defining a collective of scientists studying the phenomenon; (iii) surveying the scientific studies about the phenomenon published by this collective; (iv) identifying the most referred publications used in these studies; (v) identifying how the studies use the most referred publications to give support to their studies and learn about the phenomena; (vi) and from this, identifying general propositions on how the phenomenon is approached, viewed and described by the collective. We implemented the approach in a case study on the phenomenon of ecological succession, defining the collective as the scientists currently studying succession. We identified three propositions that synthesize the views of the defined collective about succession. The theoretical synthesis revealed that there is no clear division between “classical’’ and “contemporary’’ succession models, and that neutral models are being used to explain successional patterns alongside models based on niche assumptions. By implementing the pragmatic approach in a case study, we show that it can be successfully used to produce syntheses based on the actual activity of the scientific community studying the phenomenon. The connection between the resulting synthesis and research activity can be traced back through the methodological steps of the approach. This result can be used to understand how knowledge is being used in a field of study and can guide better informed decisions for future studies.

scholarly journals A pragmatic approach to make theoretical syntheses in ecology

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Travassos-Britto ◽  
Renata Pardini ◽  
Charbel El-Hani ◽  
Paulo I. Prado
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Community ◽  
Scientific Practice ◽  
Ecological Succession ◽  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Research Context ◽  
Theoretical Synthesis ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
The World ◽  
Neutral Models

AbstractIn domains that develop axiomatically, theoretical syntheses have the role to describe which are these axioms and how scientific practice should be guided by them. However ecology develops pragmatically, that is, scientists propose a new understanding of the world by exploring, modifying and co-opting previously proposed models, seldom referring to axioms. Therefore a synthesis in ecology cannot rely on the enunciation of axioms and need to be based on the actual activity of ecologists. Here we present an approach to make a theoretical synthesis based on how frequently scientists use some models to learn about the world. We argue that a domain of study can be delimited around a scientific community studying a phenomenon and that this community has a frequency of use of some models. We identify these models by assessing how the most referred publications are cited in the studies made by this community. We also present the results of the first implementation of the proposed approach to a case study with the phenomenon of ecological succession. We found that there is no clear division between “classical” and “contemporary” succession and that neutral models are now being used to explain succession. We conclude that the use of the proposed approach can be used to synthesize and understand theories that develop pragmatically and it allows for analyses of how theories change depending on the research context.

Research Support at University of Porto Libraries

2021 ◽  
pp. 121-141
Author(s):  
Augusto Ribeiro ◽  
Luís Miguel Costa ◽  
Palmira Fernandes Seixas
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Community ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The University ◽  
Bibliometric Studies

This case study describes the research support services provided by the libraries of the University of Porto (U.Porto). The university is composed of 14 teaching units (each with its faculty library), and each faculty has a wide range of research units. U.Porto has a high research activity, which compels libraries to keep pace with the evolving researcher needs, adapting and creating new services that respond to those requirements. From a global perspective, the overall mission of these libraries is to ensure and promote access to information resources made available by U.Porto to the academic and scientific community, both in physical and electronic supports. More specifically, this case will detail the services already provided in the context of research support, ranging from specialized training sessions in scientific publishing, reference management software, or search in bibliographic databases to the creation of thematic guides, support on the publication of scientific journals from within the university, and bibliometric studies.

Mismatch Between Education and Occupation: A Case Study of Pakistani Graduates.

2011 ◽  
Vol 50 (4II) ◽  
pp. 531-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shujaat Farooq
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Jel Classification ◽  
Formal Sector ◽  
Field Of Study ◽  
Keywords Education ◽  
Job Mismatch

In this study, an attempt has been made to estimate the incidences of job mismatch in Pakistan. The study has divided the job mismatch into three categories; education-job mismatch, qualification mismatch and field of study and job mismatch. Both the primary and secondary datasets have been used in which the formal sector employed graduates have been targeted. This study has measured the education-job mismatch by three approaches and found that about one-third of the graduates are facing education-job mismatch. In similar, more than one-fourth of the graduates are mismatched in qualification, about half of them are over-qualified and the half are under-qualified. The analysis also shows that 11.3 percent of the graduates have irrelevant and 13.8 percent have slightly relevant jobs to their studied field of disciplines. Our analysis shows that women are more likely than men to be mismatched in field of study. JEL classification: I23, I24, J21, J24 Keywords: Education and Inequality, Higher Education, Human Capital, Labour Market

Music Therapy Intervention with Autistic Children

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-95
Author(s):  
Zuzana Vlachová
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Case Study Design ◽  
Qualitative Empirical Research ◽  
The Social ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Therapy Interventions ◽  
Therapy Intervention

The paper presents a qualitative empirical research project, research design and research methods used in the preparation of a dissertation which deals with music therapy interventions in children with autism. The reason for examining this issue is a considerable lack of research activity in this area, and thus also a lack of relevant results on which clinical practice could rely. The results of future investigations should bring answers to the question of how children with autism receive and experience music therapy intervention and also what the effect of music therapy intervention in the social interaction of children is; research will be directed to a deeper understanding of this influence and its characteristics using the multiple case study design.

scholarly journals Appraising psychotherapy case studies in practice-based evidence: introducing Case Study Evaluation-tool (CaSE)

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Greta Kaluzeviciute
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Third Way ◽  
Study Evaluation ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Randomised Controlled

AbstractSystematic case studies are often placed at the low end of evidence-based practice (EBP) due to lack of critical appraisal. This paper seeks to attend to this research gap by introducing a novel Case Study Evaluation-tool (CaSE). First, issues around knowledge generation and validity are assessed in both EBP and practice-based evidence (PBE) paradigms. Although systematic case studies are more aligned with PBE paradigm, the paper argues for a complimentary, third way approach between the two paradigms and their ‘exemplary’ methodologies: case studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Second, the paper argues that all forms of research can produce ‘valid evidence’ but the validity itself needs to be assessed against each specific research method and purpose. Existing appraisal tools for qualitative research (JBI, CASP, ETQS) are shown to have limited relevance for the appraisal of systematic case studies through a comparative tool assessment. Third, the paper develops purpose-oriented evaluation criteria for systematic case studies through CaSE Checklist for Essential Components in Systematic Case Studies and CaSE Purpose-based Evaluative Framework for Systematic Case Studies. The checklist approach aids reviewers in assessing the presence or absence of essential case study components (internal validity). The framework approach aims to assess the effectiveness of each case against its set out research objectives and aims (external validity), based on different systematic case study purposes in psychotherapy. Finally, the paper demonstrates the application of the tool with a case example and notes further research trajectories for the development of CaSE tool.

scholarly journals ArcGIS Urban: an application for plan assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Soward ◽  
Jianling Li
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Spatial Context ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Planning Profession ◽  
Gis Tools ◽  
Comprehensive Plans ◽  
Near Future ◽  
The City

AbstractMost cities in the United States rely on zoning to address important planning-related issues within their jurisdictions. Planners often use GIS tools to analyze these issues in a spatial context. ESRI’s ArcGIS Urban software seeks to provide the planning profession with a GIS-based solution for various challenges, including zoning’s impacts on the built environment and housing capacity.This research explores the use of ArcGIS Urban for assessing the existing zoning and comprehensive plans in meeting the projected residential growth in the near future using the City of Arlington, Texas as a case study. The exploration provides examples and lessons for how ArcGIS Urban might be used by planners to accomplish their tasks and highlights the capabilities and limitations of ArcGIS Urban in its current stand. The paper is concluded with some suggestions for future studies.

scholarly journals The Potential of GRASP/GARRLiC Retrievals for Dust Aerosol Model Evaluation: Case Study during the PreTECT Campaign

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 873
Author(s):  
Dimitra Konsta ◽  
Alexandra Tsekeri ◽  
Stavros Solomos ◽  
Nikolaos Siomos ◽  
Anna Gialitaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Model Evaluation ◽  
Dust Concentration ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Concentration Profiles ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Aerosol Model ◽  
The North ◽  
Sun Photometer

We use the Generalized Retrieval of Aerosol Surface Properties algorithm (GRASP) to compare with dust concentration profiles derived from the NMME-DREAM model for a specific dust episode. The GRASP algorithm provides the possibility of deriving columnar and vertically-resolved aerosol properties from a combination of lidar and sun-photometer observations. Herein, we apply GRASP for analysis of a Saharan dust outburst observed during the “PREparatory: does dust TriboElectrification affect our ClimaTe” campaign (PreTECT) that took place at the North coast of Crete, at the Finokalia ACTRIS station. GRASP provides column-averaged and vertically resolved microphysical and optical properties of the particles. The retrieved dust concentration profiles are compared with modeled concentration profiles derived from the NMME-DREAM dust model. To strengthen the results, we use dust concentration profiles from the POlarization-LIdar PHOtometer Networking method (POLIPHON). A strong underestimation of the maximum dust concentration is observed from the NMME-DREAM model. The reported differences between the retrievals and the model indicate a high potential of the GRASP algorithm for future studies of dust model evaluation.

scholarly journals Virtual Geosite Communication through a WebGIS Platform: A Case Study from Santorini Island (Greece)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5466
Author(s):  
Federico Pasquaré Mariotto ◽  
Varvara Antoniou ◽  
Kyriaki Drymoni ◽  
Fabio Luca Bonali ◽  
Paraskevi Nomikou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Earth Science ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Geological Processes ◽  
3D Exploration ◽  
Effusive Eruptions ◽  
Lay Public

We document and show a state-of-the-art methodology that could allow geoheritage sites (geosites) to become accessible to scientific and non-scientific audiences through immersive and non-immersive virtual reality applications. This is achieved through a dedicated WebGIS platform, particularly handy in communicating geoscience during the COVID-19 era. For this application, we selected nine volcanic outcrops in Santorini, Greece. The latter are mainly associated with several geological processes (e.g., dyking, explosive, and effusive eruptions). In particular, they have been associated with the famous Late Bronze Age (LBA) eruption, which made them ideal for geoheritage popularization objectives since they combine scientific and educational purposes with geotourism applications. Initially, we transformed these stunning volcanological outcrops into geospatial models—the so called virtual outcrops (VOs) here defined as virtual geosites (VGs)—through UAV-based photogrammetry and 3D modeling. In the next step, we uploaded them on an online platform that is fully accessible for Earth science teaching and communication. The nine VGs are currently accessible on a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet. Each one includes a detailed description and plenty of annotations available for the viewers during 3D exploration. We hope this work will be regarded as a forward model application for Earth sciences' popularization and make geoheritage open to the scientific community and the lay public.

USING IDIOBLASTS TO GROUP LAURINOXYLON SPECIES: CASE STUDY FROM THE OLIGO-MIOCENE OF EUROPE

IAWA Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitra Mantzouka ◽  
Vasileios Karakitsios ◽  
Jakub Sakala ◽  
Elisabeth A. Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Wood ◽  
New Combination ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Axial Parenchyma ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Ray Parenchyma Cells ◽  
Type 3 ◽  
Of Greece

Several specimens of Lauraceae fossil wood from the Cenozoic of Greece (southern part of Lesbos), the Czech Republic (Kadaň-Zadní Vrch Hill and Jáchymov), and Hungary (Ipolytarnóc) were studied. When considering whether they belonged to the speciose fossil wood genus Laurinoxylon, we reviewed the literature and data from InsideWood on fossil and modern woods. As a result, we propose criteria for excluding a fossil Lauraceae wood from Laurinoxylon and list the species that should be excluded from this genus. The criteria (filters) proposed to exclude a genus from having relationships with Laurinoxylon are: A. Axial parenchyma features: A1. Marginal axial parenchyma, A2. Aliform to aliform-confluent paratracheal parenchyma. B. Ray features: B1. Rays higher than 1 mm, B2. Exclusively homocellular rays, B3. Rays more than 5 cells wide, B4. Rays storied. C. Porosity features: Ring-porous. D. Idioblasts: Absence of idioblasts. Based on the distribution of idioblasts, we recognize four groups in Laurinoxylon (Type 1 - with idioblasts associated only with ray parenchyma cells, Type 2a - with idioblasts associated with both ray and axial parenchyma, Type 2b - with idioblasts associated both with rays and present among the fibres, and Type 3 - with idioblasts associated with ray and axial parenchyma and also among the fibres) and list the extant genera with features of those groups. Such grouping helps with interpreting the relationships of fossil lauraceous woods with extant genera. We discuss the Oligocene–Miocene European species that belong to these Laurinoxylon groups, noting that some warrant reassignment to different genera or even families. Future studies are needed to determine whether new genera should be established to accommodate these species. We propose the new combination Cinnamomoxylon variabile (Privé-Gill & Pelletier) Mantzouka, Karakitsios, Sakala & Wheeler.

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