From Keyness to Distinctiveness – Triangulation and Evaluation in Computational Literary Studies

There is a set of statistical measures developed mostly in corpus and computational linguistics and information retrieval, known as keyness measures, which are generally expected to detect textual features that account for differences between two texts or groups of texts. These measures are based on the frequency, distribution, or dispersion of words (or other features). Searching for relevant differences or similarities between two text groups is also an activity that is characteristic of traditional literary studies, whenever two authors, two periods in the work of one author, two historical periods or two literary genres are to be compared. Therefore, applying quantitative procedures in order to search for differences seems to be promising in the field of computational literary studies as it allows to analyze large corpora and to base historical hypotheses on differences between authors, genres and periods on larger empirical evidence. However, applying quantitative procedures in order to answer questions relevant to literary studies in many cases raises methodological problems, which have been discussed on a more general level in the context of integrating or triangulating quantitative and qualitative methods in mixed methods research of the social sciences. This paper aims to solve these methodological issues concretely for the concept of distinctiveness and thus to lay the methodological foundation permitting to operationalize quantitative procedures in order to use them not only as rough exploratory tools, but in a hermeneutically meaningful way for research in literary studies. Based on a structural definition of potential candidate measures for analyzing distinctiveness in the first section, we offer a systematic description of the issue of integrating quantitative procedures into a hermeneutically meaningful understanding of distinctiveness by distinguishing its epistemological from the methodological perspective. The second section develops a systematic strategy to solve the methodological side of this issue based on a critical reconstruction of the widespread non-integrative strategy in research on keyness measures that can be traced back to Rudolf Carnap’s model of explication. We demonstrate that it is, in the first instance, mandatory to gain a comprehensive qualitative understanding of the actual task. We show that Carnap’s model of explication suffers from a shortcoming that consists in ignoring the need for a systematic comparison of what he calls the explicatum and the explicandum. Only if there is a method of systematic comparison, the next task, namely that of evaluation can be addressed, which verifies whether the output of a quantitative procedure corresponds to the qualitative expectation that must be clarified in advance. We claim that evaluation is necessary for integrating quantitative procedures to a qualitative understanding of distinctiveness. Our reconstruction shows that both steps are usually skipped in empirical research on keyness measures that are the most important point of reference for the development of a measure of distinctiveness. Evaluation, which in turn requires thorough explication and conceptual clarification, needs to be employed to verify this relation. In the third section we offer a qualitative clarification of the concept of distinctiveness by spanning a three-dimensional conceptual space. This flexible framework takes into account that there is no single and proper concept of distinctiveness but rather a field of possible meanings depending on research interest, theoretical framework, and access to the perceptibility or salience of textual features. Therefore, we shall, instead of stipulating any narrow and strict definition, take into account that each of these aspects – interest, theoretical framework, and access to perceptibility – represents one dimension of the heuristic space of possible uses of the concept of distinctiveness. The fourth section discusses two possible strategies of operationalization and evaluation that we consider to be complementary to the previously provided clarification, and that complete the task of establishing a candidate measure successfully as a measure of distinctiveness in a qualitatively ambitious sense. We demonstrate that two different general strategies are worth considering, depending on the respective notion of distinctiveness and the interest as elaborated in the third section. If the interest is merely taxonomic, classification tasks based on multi-class supervised machine learning are sufficient. If the interest is aesthetic, more complex and intricate evaluation strategies are required, which have to rely on a thorough conceptual clarification of the concept of distinctiveness, in particular on the idea of salience or perceptibility. The challenge here is to correlate perceivable complex features of texts such as plot, theme (aboutness), style, form, or roles and constellation of fictional characters with the unperceived frequency and distribution of word features that are calculated by candidate measures of distinctiveness. Existing research did not clarify, so far, how to correlate such complex features with individual word features. The paper concludes with a general reflection on the possibility of mixed methods research for computational literary studies in terms of explanatory power and exploratory use. As our strategy of combining explication and evaluation shows, integration should be understood as a strategy of combining two different perspectives on the object area: in our evaluation scenarios, that of empirical reader response and that of a specific quantitative procedure. This does not imply that measures of distinctiveness, which proved to reach explanatory power in one qualitative aspect, should be supposed to be successful in all fields of research. As long as evaluation is omitted, candidate measures of distinctiveness lack explanatory power and are limited to exploratory use. In contrast with a skepticism that has sometimes been expressed from literary scholars with regard to the relevance of computational literary studies on proper issues of the humanities, we believe that integrating computational methods into hermeneutic literary studies can be achieved in a way that reaches higher explanatory power than the usual exploratory use of keyness measures, but it can only be achieved individually for concrete tasks and not once and for all based on a general theoretical demonstration.

A MATLAB-based program for three-dimensional quantitative analysis of micronuclei reveals that neuroinflammation induces micronuclei formation in the brain

The micronucleus is known to be a biomarker for genomic instability, which is a hallmark of tumors and aging. Normally, micronuclei are produced by segregation errors and mechanical stresses arising from dividing or migrating cells, leading to activation of the innate immune response pathway. Although micronuclei often emerge in damaged tissues, the quantitative procedure for analyzing micronuclei accurately has been problematic. Here, we introduce a novel MATLAB-based program for quantifying micronuclei (CAMDi: calculating automatic micronuclei distinction) in vitro and in vivo. CAMDi is adaptable to various experimental imaging techniques and is useful for obtaining reproducible data. CAMDi enables us to measure the accurate size of micronuclei from the three-dimensional images. Using CAMDi, we revealed a novel link between the emergence of micronuclei and neuroinflammation. We found that inflammatory stimulation does not increase the number of micronuclei in primary neurons. On the other hand, the administration of lipopolysaccharide into mice slightly increases micronuclei formation in neurons of the hippocampus region. These findings demonstrate that neuronal micronuclei formations are induced by an inflammatory response in a non-cell-autonomous manner. We provide a novel tool, CAMDi, to quantify micronuclei and demonstrate that neuronal micronuclei are produced not only by the cell-autonomous process but also by the intercellular communication associated with neuroinflammation in vivo.

Innovation radar in hospitality: a new procedure to evaluate the innovation in hotels

Purpose This study aims to propose a new procedure called innovation radar in hospitality (IRH), which was specifically designed to measure the innovations in hotels. Design/methodology/approach Based on a systematic review, a structured questionnaire was developed with 31 questions. The questions covered 12 dimensions related to hospitality: offer, platform, solutions, customer, customer experience, value capture, processes, organization, supply chain, presence, network and brand. The developed IRH instrument allowed to identify five ordered stages of innovation in the hospitality industry: basic operational, advanced operational, basic innovator, intermediate innovator and advanced innovator. The IRH was tested in real environment in Brazilian Hotels. Findings The procedure proved to be stable and able to rank hotels by innovation. The IRH allocated hotels consistently into one of the five stages. By analyzing each survey hotel individually, the procedure showed no discrepancies between the individual rates and the allocated stage by IRH. Practical implications The IRH can be an automated and structured instrument to measure innovation by consumers, platforms, agencies, research studies and governments. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first structured and quantitative procedure to measure innovation in hotels. The radar was able to detect specific actions aimed at innovation that serve as a good prediction mechanism for innovation in the hospitality sector. In this context, the radar emerges as an important tool for innovation metrics in the tourism sector, offering analysis mechanisms and a way to evaluate and monitor companies.

The analysis of college students difficulty in acquiring static fluid concept

This research aimed at analyzing the difficulties experienced by college students in acquiring Static Fluid concept. This research employed descriptive quantitative procedure and involved 48 college students of Physics Education Department. The instrument of this research was 13 items of reasoned-multiple choices test. According to the results, although there was an improvement, most college students were difficult to understand certain concepts. This research revelaed some difficulties experienced by students on certain concept. The difficulties experienced by students are as follows: students failed to portray the forces that worked on certain object and as a result, they failed to determine the ratio of pressure. In addition, the students were difficult to determine the changing of water pressure on the closed vessel based on major concept of hydrostatics and Pascal’s Law.

A Quantitative Procedure for Multi-Object Investigation of Short and Simple Signatures

Multiple short and simple signatures have not previously been the subject of a separate study. Traditional approaches are usually insufficient for the analysis of such signatures. The author presents a methodology that will improve the effectiveness of handwriting examination of short and simple signatures, and help the court and the investigation to obtain convincing evidence to establish the material circumstances of the case. The premises and rationale, experimental data, and mathematical apparatus are described, along with the range and mode of application of the automated quantitative methodology for multi-object examination of short and simple signatures.

INVESTIGATING RURAL STUDENTS’ STRATEGIES IN ENGLISH LEARNING

Students’ strategies in learning English attract many EFL researchers’ attention. The objective of this study was to find out rural students’ strategies in English learning. The study was conducted in three different senior high schools in Teunom Sub-District of Aceh Jaya regency. The research used a quantitative method by employing survey design. The modified Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) questionnaire developed by Oxford was used as an instrument to obtain required data. The population of this survey was all classes in the three schools. Three classes of each school were randomly chosen from the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades. Therefore, 136 students of nine classes became the sample of this research. The collected data were analyzed through a quantitative procedure by using a statistical formula to find the percentage of each statement. The results showed that the students employed a variety of strategies in learning English. The most common strategy employed was metacognitive followed by social, affective, memory, cognitive, and compensation.

Spot-test identification and rapid quantitative sequential analys is of dipyrone

A qualitative spot-test and tandem quantitative analysis of dipyrone in the bulk drugand in pharmaceutical preparations is proposed. The formation of a reddish-violet color indicates a positive result. In sequence a quantitative procedure can be performed in the same flask. The quantitative results obtained were statistically compared with those obtained with the method indicated by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, using the Student’s t and the F tests. Considering the concentration in a 100 μL aliquot, the qualitative visual limit of detection is about 5×10-6 g; instrumental LOD ≅ 1.4×10-4 mol L-1 ; LOQ ≅ 4.5×10-4 mol L-1.

The Effectiveness of Games in English Language Learning at Elementary Level in Government Schools

Learning second language is a challenging task if the learning is concerned with the vocabulary, grammar, and other skills of L2. The teachers try hard to help and guide the learners to improve the learning process. Globally the same problem exists about the L2. Pakistan is country where L2 learning is difficult for both teachers and students. The results of this study show the same problem and the main reason are the traditional methodologies which are used for teaching. The researcher has selected educational games through the teachers of intermediate level of Sargodha, Pakistan in which they teach English as a subject. The hypotheses show that teaching through games can be more effective. Through quantitative procedure data has been collected from teachers who are teaching English at the elementary level. The research shows the process of using language games and the help which pupils may receive from games. The results of the research show that using games for language teaching are effective for learning vocabulary. However, games should be integrated with proper guideline because difficulties are shown in the research findings such as noise and disturbance in the classroom. It has resulted that language games are effective for learning L2 and teachers should need to integrate language games with other activities in the classroom because students are motivated and learn the language effectively.

Conjugated microporous polymers with azide groups: a new strategy for postsynthetic fluoride functionalization and effectively enhanced CO2 adsorption properties

The different azide group contents incorporated within the pores of the zinc–porphyrin CMPs were subjected to alkyne click conditions via a facile, one-step quantitative procedure, a route that can effectively enhance the CO2 sorption and the adsorption enthalpy of porous materials.

Tourist valorisation of medieval fortresses along the Danube river: From the Serbian perspective

The aim of the research is to determine the tourist value of the medieval fortresses of Belgrade, Smederevo and Golubac, which are located along the course of the Danube through Serbia, that is, to evaluate tourist attractiveness of all those occurrences, objects and spaces which define the tourist value of this kind of resource and heritage. Relying on the analysis of defined elements of the qualitative-quantitative procedure of tourist valorisation, the paper indicates the causes of a low level of tourist attractiveness and distinctiveness of the analysed monumental complexes, as well as the guidelines and activities which should be undertaken in order to rebuild and organise this kind of cultural heritage.