Measurement in the context of technoscientific research methodology

Technoscience is a result of integration of technology with empirical sciences, including not only physical sciences, but also life sciences, social sciences and cognitive sciences. Further development of technoscience is unthinkable without extensive use of measurement and mathematical modelling, being two interrelated operations used for acquisition and representation of knowledge. Measurement fundamentals must, therefore, belong to the core of methodological instruction of young researchers in the domain of technoscience. This paper provides an outline of a sought-for discipline-independent programme of such formation, including a conceptual analysis of the key elements of the scientific method, with particular emphasis on the dialectical relationship between measurement and mathematical modelling, on the role of measurement in scientific prediction and explanation, on the role of measurement in the context of discovery and in the context of justification, as well as on the role of measurement in mitigating uncertainty of scientific knowledge.

The Oxford Handbook of Methods for Public Scholarship

The Oxford Handbook of Methods for Public Scholarship presents the first comprehensive overview of research methods and practices for engaging in public scholarship. Public scholarship, which has been on the rise over the past 25 years, produces knowledge that is available outside of the academy, is useful to relevant stakeholders, and addresses publicly identified needs. By involving stakeholders in the entire process, and making the findings accessible, public scholars contribute to the democratization of research. The Oxford Handbook of Methods for Public Scholarship provides methodological instruction for engaging in public scholarship. The handbook features a who’s who of highly respected interdisciplinary contributors as well as emerging scholars. Chapters include robust examples from real world research in different fields and cultures, ample discussion of working with nonacademic stakeholders, coverage of traditional methods, coverage of emergent methods including those that draw on the arts, the internet, social media, and digital technologies, as well as coverage of key issues including writing, publicity, and funding.

COPPER IN THE SEDIMENTS IN SELECTED BANSKÁ ŠTIAVNICA WATER RESERVOIRS / MEĎ V SEDIMENTOCH VO VYBRANÝCH BANSKO-ŠTIAVNICKÝCH VODNÝCH NÁDRŽIACH

The aim of this paper was to analyze and evaluate sediments of selected water reservoirs Počúvadlo, Malá Richňava, Veľká Richňava, Windšachta, in order to determine the concentrations of copper in the monitored water reservoirs in the Banská Štiavnica region. The analyses of the sediment samples were carried out by flow electrochemistry and atomic absorption spectrometry. In the study area, the samples were collected from 2001 to 2010; we found the following concentrations of copper in the range from 1.66 mg.kg-1 to 14.0 mg.kg-1 Cu of dry matter. The copper concentrations in the sediments were well below the risk limit according to “The Methodological Instruction of the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic no. 549/98-2”. Based on the calculated dependency index, it is possible to assess the development of changes in the concentrations over the years as highly dynamic, and unsatisfactory for natural environment.