Qualitative Modelling for Bridging Expert-Knowledge and the Social-Ecological Dynamics of an East African Savanna

Sub-Saharan social-ecological systems are undergoing changes in environmental conditions, including modifications in rainfall pattern and biodiversity loss. Consequences of such changes depend on complex causal chains which call for integrated management strategies whose efficiency could benefit from ecosystem dynamic modelling. However, ecosystem models often require lots of quantitative information for estimating parameters, which is often unavailable. Alternatively, qualitative modelling frameworks have proved useful for explaining ecosystem response to perturbations, while requiring fewer information and providing more general predictions. However, current qualitative methods have some shortcomings which may limit their utility for specific issues. In this paper, we propose the Ecological Discrete-Event Network (EDEN), an innovative qualitative dynamic modelling framework based on "if-then" rules which generates many alternative event sequences (trajectories). Based on expert knowledge, observations and literature, we use this framework to assess the effect of permanent changes in surface water and herbivores diversity on vegetation and socio-economic transitions in an East African savanna. Results show that water availability drives changes in vegetation and socio-economic transitions, while herbivore functional groups had highly contrasted effects depending on the group. This first use of EDEN in a savanna context is promising for bridging expert knowledge and ecosystem modelling.

Enhancing design method training with insights from educational research–improving and evaluating a training course for a qualitative modelling method

This study presents an approach for identification and elimination of challenges in modelling in embodiment design. These challenges can be caused either by the modelling method or the corresponding training course. To investigate the efficacy of a modelling method, first challenges of the corresponding training course need to be addressed. The study is conducted at a training course of the modelling method of the Contact and Channel Approach. A situation analysis of the training course is conducted in three application with 45 participants. Based on the findings, the training course is improved through application of insights from educational research that correspond to the identified challenges. A concluding evaluation takes place with 20 participants. The improvement of the training course takes place based on identification of challenges in the four areas of didactic elements, content structure, visualization and practical modelling in evaluations. Modularization is needed for purposeful training of different target groups. An issue regarding the practical modelling indicates a clearer view on the efficacy of the modelling method. Article highlights Identification of challenges in a training course for qualitative modelling in embodiment design through free text evaluation in three applications. Clustering of the evaluation results enabled identification of suitable findings from educational research to eliminate challenges in the training course. Conflicts of objectives regarding content and time can be addressed by modularization, however, this increases the effort needed for investigations.

A guideline for modelling relations of embodiment and function in agile development

In current product development, the increased usage of agile approaches from software development is observable. With these approaches, improved responsiveness of developer teams to the dynamics of today's markets is desired. However, the gain of technical knowledge in these approaches has so far received little support, leading to difficulties in implementation in engineering design projects that deal with physical product aspects. This contribution aims to provide a guideline to gain technical knowledge about physical products in agile processes through the usage of qualitative modelling of embodiment function relations. This guideline is developed by integrating and adapting the Contact and Channel approach into the agile approach Agile Systems Design. It aims at aiding the evolutionary and iterative development in rapid cycles through fractal modelling of qualitative technical knowledge. The guideline is applied in two development projects. It shows potential to support developer teams by providing different aspects of the Contact and Channel approach in different phases of agile projects, depending on the tackled task.

QUALITATIVE MODELLING IN EMBODIMENT DESIGN - INVESTIGATING THE CONTACT AND CHANNEL APPROACH THROUGH ANALYSIS OF PROJECTS

Purposeful qualitative modelling of embodiment function relations is a challenge in embodiment design. This contribution investigates the applicability and usefulness of the Contact and Channel Approach as a qualitative modelling approach in a survey study. From 23 development and research projects, advantages and challenges regarding applicability and usefulness are identified. A further result is that many different models are used additionally to the Contact and Channel Approach. Based on the findings, research potential for optimization and development of links to other models emerges.

Qualitative modelling of accompaniment’s postures in training spatio-temporal analysis

This is a qualitative study that aims at exploring textual data in a coherent set of journal articles on the theme of educational and training support. This textual study allowed us to identify four different postures in all our analyses. Firstly, the time allocated to accompaniment: moving from permanent to periodicals. In the second place, it is about the space where the exchanges between the person being accompanied and the accompanier take place: from proximity to distance in exchanges. On the theoretical level, the aim of this article is to propose a qualitative model through four postures of accompaniment in training and education. On a practical level, it also aims at clarifying the specificities of these four postures, the typical tools of their exercises, the expected effects and the conditions of their application and, finally, the limits of their adoption in different contexts. The relevance of this work is the prescription of a progressive approach on a set of characteristics specific to each of the four postures observed. This progressive continuum obeys an evolutionary dynamic going from the most caring posture for the person being supported to the most empowering for him. Keywords: Accompaniment, distance, space-time, modelling, postures, proximity.

Some reflections before the Beginning of the Research Project on Modern Natural and Technological Challenges in Russia

The article represents an attempt of qualitative modelling of the organization and the process of work on the research project titled the ‘Volunteering in the Critical Situations as a Response to Natural and Technological Challenges in Russia’ taking into account the main impediments and difficulties generated by the inside and outside forces. Such attempt seems necessary because we launch this project in very uncertain conditions such as the transition period of Russia toward the Forth scientific and technological revolution (hereafter the STR-4), the prevalence of mono-disciplinary mode of the research and teaching as well as by a very waste territory of Russia with highly dispersed habitat, especially in the North, Siberia and the Far East. Only the triad as the ‘scientific knowledge—teaching—experience in situ’ could offer to the rescuers and volunteers a necessary knowledge and social experience, and our project have to be organized in a right way. Therefore, I suggest to launch the work on the project ‘from the end’ i.e. from the anticipated results of it in the form of one or several hypotheses related to the final results of the project. Such mode of collaboration of the project’s participants allows us to avoid a widespread mistake when the theoretical model of subject in question begins to contradict with the results of the following field-research.