A methodological assessment of Rizzo and Whitman´s critique of behavioral paternalism

Aim/Purpose: This study sought to understand the views of both teachers and students on the usage of humanoid robots as teaching assistants in a specifically Arab context. Background: Social robots have in recent times penetrated the educational space. Although prevalent in Asia and some Western regions, the uptake, perception and acceptance of educational robots in the Arab or Emirati region is not known. Methodology: A total of 20 children and 5 teachers were randomly selected to comprise the sample for this study, which was a qualitative exploration executed using focus groups after an NAO robot (pronounced now) was deployed in their school for a day of revision sessions. Contribution: Where other papers on this topic have largely been based in other countries, this paper, to our knowledge, is the first to examine the potential for the integration of educational robots in the Arab context. Findings: The students were generally appreciative of the incorporation of humanoid robots as co-teachers, whereas the teachers were more circumspect, expressing some concerns and noting a desire to better streamline the process of bringing robots to the classroom. Recommendations for Practitioners: We found that the malleability of the robot’s voice played a pivotal role in the acceptability of the robot, and that generally students did well in smaller groups with the robot; teachers expressed concern that the children would become easily distracted should too many children be privy to one robot. Recommendation for Researchers: Our results provide valuable recommendations for researchers in the area. We believe, there needs to be continued efforts in devising suitable methodological assessment tools to evaluate student and teacher attitudes in the classroom particularly in the Arab world. We also advise researchers to focus on providing adaptive behavior in the context of educational robots. There are different distinct areas that need further clarifications and study based on our review. Impact on Society: On a wider scale, the findings of this paper have a huge implication for the educational technology as the integration of robotics in education is one of the emerging trends in the area, particularly in the UAE. This study allows to answer questions related to attitudes and perceptions of both teachers and students toward educational robots in the UAE. Future Research: Possible avenues of research in the area include focusing on the adaptive and natural behavior of robots in disciplines other than Mathematics as a means of successfully integrating robots in the classroom.

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Сonceptual assessment of the implementation of the principles of inclusive rural areas development with the participation of agroholding integrated formations

Ekonomika APK ◽

10.32317/2221-1055.202103097 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 317 (3) ◽

pp. 97-111

Author(s):

Oleksandr Shpykuliak ◽

Mykola Ihnatenko ◽

Andrii Shvets

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Inclusive Development ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Future Research ◽

Socially Responsible ◽

Responsible Management ◽

Analysis And Synthesis ◽

Methodological Assessment

The purpose of the article is to make conceptual assessments of the implementation of the principles of inclusive rural areas development with the participation of agroholding integrated formations. Research methods. In the course of the research a number of general scientific and special methods were used, in particular: system-structural analysis and synthesis as the main methodological tool (in the analysis of directions of social responsibility and inclusive development of agroholding integrated formations); monographic (in determining the essence and methodological assessment of the role of agroholding integrated formations as integrated structures in the inclusive development of Ukraine's economy); extrapolations (with substantiation of potential and possibilities of strengthening of inclusive orientation in development of agroholding integrated formations for the future). Research results. The methodological context of inclusiveness in the effects of management in the agricultural sector of the economy in the formation of the concept of sustainability is outlined. Institutional and organizational-economic characteristics are revealed and priority roles of agroholding integrated formations in realization of principles of inclusive development of rural territories are identified. The emphasis on the direction of development of agroholding integrated formations on realization of projects of socially responsible management which will consider features of development of rural territories is defined as effective and methodically expedient. Scientific novelty. The methodological context of inclusiveness in the effects of management in the agricultural sector of the economy in the formation of the concept of sustainability is outlined. Institutional and organizational-economic characteristics are revealed and priority roles of agroholding integrated formations in realization of principles of inclusive development of rural territories are identified. The emphasis on the direction of development of agroholding integrated formations on realization of projects of socially responsible management which will consider features of development of rural territories is defined as effective and methodically expedient. Practical significance. Methodological substantiation of organizational and economic characteristics and conceptualization of the role of agroholding integrated formations in the implementation of the principles of inclusive rural areas development with proof of the need for stimulating involvement of this type of structures in the implementation of socially responsible management with projection to achieve sustainability through inclusiveness. Tabl.: 2. Refs.: 50.

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Thinking Back on Where We're Going: A Methodological Assessment of Five Decades of Research in Negotiation Behavior

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.400840 ◽

2003 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Steven Mestdagh ◽

Marc Buelens

Keyword(s):

Negotiation Behavior ◽

Methodological Assessment

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Economic Impacts on Human Health Resulting from the Use of Mercury in the Illegal Gold Mining in the Brazilian Amazon: A Methodological Assessment

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182211869 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (22) ◽

pp. 11869

Author(s):

Leonardo Barcellos de Bakker ◽

Pedro Gasparinetti ◽

Júlia Mello de Queiroz ◽

Ana Claudia Santiago de Vasconcellos

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Gold Mining ◽

Economic Value ◽

Brazilian Amazon ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Small Scale ◽

Environmental Damage ◽

Statistical Life ◽

Life Years ◽

Methodological Assessment

Artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Amazon results in the dumping of tons of mercury into the environment annually. Despite consensus on the impacts of mercury on human health, there are still unknowns regarding: (i) the extent to which mercury from ASGM can be dispersed in the environment until it becomes toxic to humans; and (ii) the economic value of losses caused by contamination becomes evident. The main objective of this study is to propose a methodology to evaluate the impacts of ASGM on human health in different contexts in the Brazilian Amazon. We connect several points in the literature based on hypotheses regarding mercury dispersion in water, its transformation into methylmercury, and absorption by fish and humans. This methodology can be used as a tool to estimate the extent of environmental damage caused by artisanal gold mining, the severity of damage to the health of individuals contaminated by mercury and, consequently, can contribute to the application of fines to environmental violators. The consequences of contamination are evaluated by dose-response functions relating to mercury concentrations in hair and the development of the following health outcomes: (i) mild mental retardation, (ii) acute myocardial infarction, and (iii) hypertension. From disability-adjusted life years and statistical life value, we found that the economic losses range from 100,000 to 400,000 USD per kilogram of gold extracted. A case study of the Yanomami indigenous land shows that the impacts of mercury from illegal gold mining in 2020 totaled 69 million USD, which could be used by local authorities to compensate the Yanomami people.

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Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Primary Headache: Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

Life ◽

10.3390/life12010098 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 98

Author(s):

Andréa Oliver Gomes ◽

Ana Luiza Cabrera Martimbianco ◽

Aldo Brugnera Junior ◽

Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini Horliana ◽

Tamiris da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Adjuvant Treatment ◽

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Primary Headache ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Sham Treatment ◽

Methodological Assessment ◽

Grade Approach

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of photobiomodulation as an adjuvant treatment for primary headache. A systematic review of randomized clinical trials was performed. For such, electronic searches were performed in the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, LILACS, PEDro, PsycInfo, Clinicaltrials.gov., and WHO/ICTRP databases, with no restrictions imposed regarding language or year of publication. We included studies that assessed any photobiomodulation therapy as an adjuvant treatment for primary headache compared to sham treatment, no treatment, or another intervention. The methodological assessment was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The certainty of the evidence was classified using the GRADE approach. Four randomized clinical trials were included. Most of the included studies had an overall high risk of bias. Compared to sham treatment, photobiomodulation had a clinically important effect on pain in individuals with primary headache. Despite the benefits reported for other outcomes, the estimates were imprecise, and the certainty of the evidence was graded as low. These findings are considered insufficient to support the use of photobiomodulation in the treatment of primary headache. Randomized clinical trials, with higher methodological quality, are needed to enhance the reliability of the estimated effects.

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