Study on the Impacts of Emergency on Economic, Environmental and Social Areas Using Mixed Methods Research

Mixed methods research methodology appears to be a suitable approach for researching complex phenomena such as emergencies. Researchers study the impacts on different areas such as economy, society, or environment, mostly in separate studies. To better understand the reality of emergencies, it is necessary to study the problem in the broadest possible context. So, examining those impacts in one single study is a challenge. The objective of this article is to process a comprehensive assessment of an emergency that has the potential to establish the basis of a robust tool for public managers to support their decision-making, using mixed methods research methodology. The crisis is an explosion of an ammunition storage site in the Czech Republic - the former satellite country of the Soviet Union. The sub-methods used in mixed methods research are analysis of data, interviews, questionnaire surveys, and field research. The main findings include that in the economic area, growth of public budget expenditures was found; in the environmental area, primary and inducted impacts have been proved. Survey also confirms that the emergency reduced the personal sense of security and trust in public institutions in the affected community. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2022-06-01-07 Full Text: PDF

How AI chatbots have reshaped the frontline interface in China: examining the role of sales–service ambidexterity and the personalization–privacy paradox

PurposeThis study serves two purposes: (1) to evaluate the effects of organizational ambidexterity by examining how the balanced and the combined sales–service configurations of chatbots differ in their abilities to enhance customer experience and patronage and (2) to apply information boundary theory to assess the contingent role that chatbot sales–service ambidexterity can play in adapting to customers' personalization–privacy paradox.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey of artificial intelligence chatbots users was conducted, and a mixed-methods research design involving response surface analysis and polynomial regression was adopted to address the research aim.FindingsThe results of polynomial regressions on survey data from 507 online customers indicated that as the benefits of personalization decreased and the risk to privacy increased, the inherently negative (positive) effects of imbalanced (combined) chatbots' sales–service ambidexterity had an increasing (decreasing) influence on customer experience. Furthermore, customer experience fully mediated the association of chatbots' sales–service ambidexterity with customer patronage.Originality/valueFirst, this study enriches the literature on frontline ambidexterity and extends it to the setting of human–machine interaction. Second, the study contributes to the literature on the personalization–privacy paradox by demonstrating the importance of frontline ambidexterity for adapting to customer concerns. Third, the study examines the conduit between artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots' ambidexterity and sales performance, thereby helping to reconcile the previously inconsistent evidence regarding this relationship.

Identification of Reproductive Health Monitoring Indicators in Iran

Introduction As a result of recent demographic changes, Iran has revised its reproductive health programs. To respond to the essential need for monitoring the new programs and policies, this study aimed to identify tailored, appropriate, and measurable RH indicators in the Iranian context, using available evidence and international indicators.Method This is an applied mixed-methods research, which was conducted in four phases: Identification of goals of RH policies and programs, scoping review of the RH indicators in the literature, developing and ranking the identified indicators, and finalization of indicators. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the textual data of the documents and policies. We analyzed the studies in the scoping review by narrative synthesis. The final indicators were selected through the consensus of experts, with a cut-off point of 75%. Result We identified 689 indicators through document analysis and scoping review. After three round of screening, a total of 37 RH indicators were finalized. The first five indicators with the highest score were: total fertility rate, population under 15 years, total population, population aged 65 years and older, and age-specific fertility rate.Conclusion: The nature and number of indicators for monitoring and evaluation of reproductive health programs might vary at different organizational levels; hence the need to develop specific indicators for each level is pivotal. In addition, the need for collection, processing and dissemination of reliable data for evaluation of these programs is essential.

Village health workers as health diplomats: negotiating health and study participation in a malaria elimination trial in The Gambia

Background Although many success stories exist of Village Health Workers (VHWs) improving primary health care, critiques remain about the medicalisation of their roles in disease-specific interventions. VHWs are placed at the bottom of the health system hierarchy as cheap and low-skilled volunteers, irrespective of their highly valued social and political status within communities. In this paper, we shed light on the political role VHWs play and investigate how this shapes their social and medical roles, including their influence on community participation. Method The study was carried out within the context of a malaria elimination trial implemented in rural villages in the North Bank of The Gambia between 2016 and 2018. The trial aimed to reduce malaria prevalence by treating malaria index cases and their potentially asymptomatic compound members, in which VHWs took an active role advocating their community and the intervention, mobilising the population, and distributing antimalarial drugs. Mixed-methods research was used to collect and analyse data through qualitative interviews, group discussions, observations, and quantitative surveys. Results and discussion We explored the emic logic of participation in a malaria elimination trial and found that VHWs played a pivotal role in representing their community and negotiating with the Medical Research Council to bring benefits (e.g. biomedical care service) to the community. We highlight this representative role of VHWs as ‘health diplomats’, valued and appreciated by community members, and potentially increasing community participation in the trial. We argue that VHWs aspire to be politically present and be part of the key decision-makers in the community through their health diplomat role. Conclusion It is thus likely that in the context of rural Gambia, supporting VHWs beyond medical roles, in their social and political roles, would contribute to the improved performance of VHWs and to enhanced community participation in activities the community perceive as beneficial.

Role of In-service teacher training as a tool for the student’s performance in selected public secondary schools in Kisoro District

In-service training is very important in the life of a learner and general performance of the school. Student achievement is linked to numerous factors, but quality teachers are one of the most important components of student success. If school teachers do not have the tools they need to teach students effectively, their students will not get quality education. The major purpose of the study was to assess the role of teacher In-service training as a tool for the student’s performance in selected public schools in Kisoro district. The study applied a mixed methods research design which involved both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect and analyze data. Quantitative data were collected using questionnaire while qualitative data, in-depth interviews. Study sample included the district inspector of schools and District Education Officer and 238 teachers in Kisoro district. It also positively contributes to teacher’s performance. Importantly also, in-service teacher training according to the findings motivates teachers for better results. To teach effectively, teachers need access to ongoing teacher professional development. This professional development enables teachers to improve their own education through seminars, workshops, and classes among others. The study therefore recommends that teachers should frequently be afforded study leaves or time off to do training. During this period, the school can hire part-time teachers so that normal learning is not disrupted. It’s important to appreciate that continual professional development gives teacher’s time to learn and implement new strategies.

The moderating effect of gender on the contribution of social enterprises to social transformation in Kiambu County, Kenya

This study sought to establish the moderating effect of social entrepreneurs’ gender on the contribution of social enterprises to social transformation in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey design guided by mixed methods research on 322 sampled social enterprises drawn from a target population of 1944 social enterprises distributed across the 12 sub-counties of Kiambu County. Data were collected using survey questionnaires and interview guide instruments. A simple random sampling technique was used to get the proportionate sample for each stratum. In data analysis, both descriptive statistics (mean, percentages, standard deviation and frequencies) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression analysis) were applied. The findings showed the influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable being explained by R of 0.568. The findings also revealed that social entrepreneurs’ gender was likely to have an effect on the relationship between social entrepreneurship and social transformation of R2 = 0.322. By the estimates of the F-test, social entrepreneurship was found to predict social transformation by F (3, 281) = 77.330, p<.05.

Mixed Methods Research Design

This chapter introduces the various design choices researchers need to decide on prior to conducting the study. The chapter starts with a detailed description of what research design is, followed by an explanation of descriptive, explanatory, or exploratory research questions. This determines what type of data will be collected. The major strategic implementation methods for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods are then discussed. The three strategies for mixed methods research—parallel convergent, sequential, and embedded design—are presented in detail along with the rationale for their use. Finally, in the last section, the strands or sequencing of the data collection phase of the study are explained.

Online Research Practice and Integrated Perspectives of Inquiry

The authors reconstruct the system of advantages and limits of e-mail data collection and web survey technique in social research; for this purpose, they examine in detail a set of studies that stimulate multiple reflections, both with reference to the overall value of survey research and on the role of the web for social sciences. The subject of all selected research designs is a complex social problem that involves the internet, both focus for observation and tool for research: voting intentions, social effects of the pandemic, the quality of university life, technology addiction. In each research experience, for different reasons—above all due to the lack of a single, self-sufficient data collection mode—, the authors favor the integration of research strategies: 1) mixed-modes of data collection, 2) follow-up panel web survey, 3) mixed methods research, 4) introduction of a preliminary pilot study, 5) multilevel survey.