scholarly journals Essentially contested concepts as a tool in political studies: definition and criteria

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 17-26
Author(s):  
Maksym Yakovlyev
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
General Rule ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Essentially Contested Concepts ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Definition Of

A notion of "essentially contested concepts", introduced by a prominent British philosopher W. B. Gallie in 1956, still remains practically unknown or at least not sufficiently well researched in the Ukrainian political science. In order for this notion to be applied as a tool in empirical studies either using data on political processes in Ukraine or studying external processes from a Ukrainian perspective, it has to be defined and discussed. This article provides an original definition of essentially contested concepts as it was introduced by Gallie, and his seven original criteria for defining a given concept an essentially contested are presented and commented. As a great master of his mother tongue – the English language – W. B. Gallie used a plethora of opportunities provided to him by the richness of his language to put forward and advocate for his idea of essential contestability of some concepts. Consequently, a number of criteria for defining essentially contested concepts possess some unique qualities that may be lost once translated into another language – which is also the case with Ukrainian translation. This article points to a number of such instances, of which Ukrainian scholars should be aware, namely: the original component "contested" provided for a whole stream of discussion regarding the "contestedness" of some concepts as a genuine quality of phenomena that will inevitably become objects of constant disputes and contestations. Secondly, the criteria of "appraisiveness" and "diverse describability" are not easily translated and need to be taken care of when applying them as practical characteristics of concepts under study. This article lists the original criteria for the essentially contested concepts: appraisive character of such concepts, their internal complexity, diverse describability, openness, recognition of their contested essence by the contending parties, existence of an exemplar that anchors conceptual meaning of such a concept, and progressive contestation by means of which a better coherence of concept’s usage can be achieved. Moreover this article also pays attention to a number of additional nuances articulated by Gallie that are of great importance when dealing with essentially contested concepts: the lack of any quantitative scheme or general rule for deciding on the best concept in any contestation regarding the correct use of such a concept and the fact that the uses of essentially contested concepts are discussed and debated "aggressively and defensively" by the contesting parties. Despite the fact that Gallie didn’t pay any attention to the linguistic side of concept’s studies, this article shows that a search for an original meaning of any concept can be misleading – or even illusory. Using two examples of contested concepts – "populism" in the works of two German scholars J.W. Müller and B. Stegemann and the “virus of dictatorship” by the Dutch social psychologist F. Schaper, this article demonstrates that the essence of such concepts can be contested based on the ideological stances taken by the contesting parties, as well as because of the choice of terms and methodologies embodied into the discussion of the correct uses of such concepts. Finally, this article calls for further enquiries into the studies of the nature of modern discourses in which different concepts are debated and contested.

PP424 Piloting A Comprehensive Search For eHealth Definitions In The Grey Literature: Preliminary Results From A Systematic Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (S1) ◽  
pp. 36-36
Author(s):  
Zsombor Zrubka ◽  
Anita Burrell ◽  
Menna N Sharkawy ◽  
Colin M Pfeiffer ◽  
Manthan D Janodia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Academic Publications ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Google Search ◽  
Methodological Guidelines

IntroductionThe use of information technology within health systems has emerged over the years and the current pandemic has further catalyzed this development. As a result, various definitions of eHealth have emerged. Our objective was to provide an overview of definitions available on the internet to complement the traditional (“white”) literature search.MethodsWe adapted methodological guidelines from the Cochrane Handbook and management sciences to mirror the search in bibliographic databases. A comprehensive Google search was performed in July 2020 to retrieve uniform resource locators (URL's) of webpages containing terms for eHealth within four words of synonyms for the word “definition”. The DataScraper extension of the Google Chrome browser was used to collect all URL's. Webpages were eligible if they contained an original or adopted English-language definition of eHealth or contained a direct link to a definition or a document containing a definition. All document types were eligible. The analysis was performed 7 months after the data collection.ResultsOut of the 270 unique URL's, 37 (13.7%) were no longer accessible and 51 (18.9%) were links to academic publications (“white” literature). The language was not English for five webpages (1.9%) and 113 (41.9%) did not contain a definition of eHealth or other related terms. Other related terms were defined in 29 webpages (10.7%), among which “electronic health record” occurred most frequently (18/29, 62.1%). eHealth was defined in 35 (13.0%) webpages, out of which 45.7 percent (16/35) cited an existing source and 54.3 percent (19/35) provided an original definition.ConclusionsThe digital era raises both challenges and opportunities in conducting a grey literature search. We found that an augmented Google-based search can identify valuable references that traditional literature searches cannot detect. Term definitions (and their context) found in the grey versus bibliographic databases will be compared to assess their alignment with health economists perspectives.

Bistatic Polar Format Algorithm Based on Wavenumber Vector

2015 ◽  
Vol 742 ◽  
pp. 335-339
Author(s):  
Chun Dong Qi ◽  
Shan Wei Shi ◽  
Kai Nan Peng ◽  
Han Yue Huang ◽  
Jia Chen Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Target Position ◽  
Bp Algorithm ◽  
Synthetic Aperture ◽  
Position Vector ◽  
Simulation Experiments ◽  
Imaging Geometry ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Bistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar ◽  
Definition Of

The paper concentrates on bistatic polar format algorithm (PFA) for focusing the spotlight bistatic Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. Exploring the imaging geometry of spotlight mode, a wavenumber vector Kbis derived according to the original definition of wavenumber. The direction of the vector Kb corresponds to the path from the transmitter to the target in the scene to the receiver in the bistatic SAR configuration. Using the vector Kb, a point target position vector in the scene can be expressed as the same form as that of conventional monostatic spotlight SAR. Based on the vector Kb, the spotlight bistatic PFA is derived and is presented concisely. In the simulation experiments, the presented PFA and BP algorithm process the same area target respectively. The result of the experiments show the PFA mentioned in this paper is valid. The quality of the processing result achieved by the PFA is not worse than that by BP algorithm.

scholarly journals An Algorithmic Definition of the Axial Map

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alasdair Turner ◽  
Alan Penn ◽  
Bill Hillier
Keyword(s):  
Formal Language ◽  
Spatial Configuration ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Space Syntax ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Language Definition ◽  
Efficient Representation ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Analytical Power ◽  
Concise Description

The fewest-line axial map, often simply referred to as the ‘axial map’, is one of the primary tools of space syntax. Its natural language definition has allowed researchers to draw consistent maps that present a concise description of architectural space; it has been established that graph measures obtained from the map are useful for the analysis of pedestrian movement patterns and activities related to such movement: for example, the location of services or of crime. However, the definition has proved difficult to translate into formal language by mathematicians and algorithmic implementers alike. This has meant that space syntax has been criticised for a lack of rigour in the definition of one of its fundamental representations. Here we clarify the original definition of the fewest-line axial map and show that it can be implemented algorithmically. We show that the original definition leads to maps similar to those currently drawn by hand, and we demonstrate that the differences between the two may be accounted for in terms of the detail of the algorithm used. We propose that the analytical power of the axial map in empirical studies derives from the efficient representation of key properties of the spatial configuration that it captures.

scholarly journals CORRELATION AMONG GRAMMAR MASTERY AND VOCABULARY SIZE TOWARD TRANSLATION ABILITY ON REPORT TEXT

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 692
Author(s):  
Fuyudhatul Husna ◽  
Hesty Widiastuty ◽  
Aris Sugianto
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Numerical Data ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Source Language ◽  
Correlational Design ◽  
Crucial Problem ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
Report Text

The crucial problem of translating Indonesia to English language are the students’ lack of knowledge and mother tongue (source language) that two of them are grammar and vocabulary. The researcher focused to measure the correlation among grammar mastery and vocabulary size toward translation ability on report text at seventh semester students in State Islamic Institute of Palangka Raya that use quantitative method with a correlational design. The researcher’s instruments were three test which were grammar mastery, vocabulary size, and translation test that were tested to the 32 students’ translation class in academic year 2017/2018. The numerical data were analyzed by Pearson Product Moment that showed that: (1) the most students got “fail” (43.75%) grammar mastery, (2) the most students got “excellent”  (46.875%) vocabulary size, (3) the most students got “enough” (87.5%) translation ability. The significant correlation among three variables were proved by correlation coefficient 0.604 (strong category),  Fchange > Ftable = 8.349 > 3.33, and the contribution of grammar mastery and vocabulary size delivered 36.5%. Thus, it sums that students’ grammar mastery and vocabulary size correlate with the quality of students’ translation ability on report text at seventh semester students in academic year 2017/2018. Keywords:  Grammar Mastery, Vocabulary, Translation

scholarly journals CAPITALISING ON TRANSLATION MARKET DATA IN THE FIELD OF COMMERCIAL LAW

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 89-115
Author(s):  
Edyta WIĘCŁAWSKA
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
English Language ◽  
National Court ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Commercial Law ◽  
Search Criterion ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

The author presents data gathered in an online survey questionnaire (https://www.interankiety.pl/i/RGmj5rDv) which is a part of a broader research project related to the quality of translation of English language documents in the field of commercial law that are processed in the judicial registration proceedings in reference to the entities subject to registration at the Register of Entrepreneurs of the National Court Register (RP, KRS). The questions and hypotheses posed by the author relate to the relationship or comparison of nation-wide data concerning cases with foreign element in the context of the documents in translation on file in the National Court Register (source texts and their certified translations).The survey is the first stage of this project and has been ascribed a number of aims: allowing for a definition of the genre profile of the corpus texts; identifying the general sociologically conditioned tendencies in their structure; and – primarily – determining the practically feasible search criterion for compiling a design corpus for further quantitative and qualitative analysis of selected language structures (the ensuing stages of the said project). 

Democracy

2008 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-234
Author(s):  
Kristen Parris
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Cambridge University ◽  
Contemporary World ◽  
Working Definition ◽  
Charles Tilly ◽  
Accurate Definition ◽  
The Social ◽  
Essentially Contested Concepts ◽  
Definition Of

Democracy, Charles Tilly, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007, pp. xi, 227.The ideal of democracy is rarely challenged openly in the contemporary world, yet it remains one of the social science's essentially contested concepts. Despite a large and growing literature on the topic, there is little consensus on how we are to decide when a particular regime qualifies as a democracy or not. In his ambitious and forceful new book, Charles Tilly argues that this lack of a clear and accurate definition of democracy is of considerable consequence. Lucid explanations of democratization, political standing of regimes, related foreign policy decisions and the quality of people's lives are all at stake. Tilly devotes his first chapter to building a working definition of democracy before putting forward a cogent explanatory framework for understanding how and why democracies emerge and why they sometimes disappear and to demonstrate what difference it makes.

scholarly journals Comparison of Gurumukhi and Latin scripts in handwriting identification: A forensic perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 5-17
Author(s):  
Amanpreet Kaur ◽  
R. K. Garg ◽  
Meenakshi Mahajan
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
First Language ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Letter Form ◽  
Learning English

The present study has been carried out to study the possibility of handwriting comparison in cases where document under question is inscribed in different language and the available standards are in other language. The aspect is prevalent in the field of languages since people around the globe are being attracted to learn new languages, but their native language always has some impact on the next learned languages. Punjabi is the first language taught in the schools of Punjab and other languages afterward. Punjabi is the mother tongue of Punjab area and in contemporary times most of the population of Punjab leaning towards learning English language. For this study, 1200 samples in Punjabi and English from 100 individuals who studied English as well as Punjabi and using these languages on a daily basis were collected and analyzed. Class characteristics like alignment, slant, size, the arrangement of a piece of handwriting, connections, fluency line quality of handwriting along with the characters of letter form and formation were considered and the results were further analyzed statistically using Chi-square test. The results of the present study revealed the handwriting written in distinct scripts is similar and comparable with each other. Additionally, the study will help correlate a person’s handwriting with ethnicity, nationality, and region based on the characters present in the handwriting samples.

Wahrnehmung von städtischen Grünräumen und Lebensqualität | Perception of urban green spaces and quality of life

2003 ◽  
Vol 154 (10) ◽  
pp. 405-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Wild-Eck
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Considerable Impact ◽  
Definition Of

The perception of urban green spaces by the population, as well as their significance, is explored on the basis of empirical studies. It has been found that there is no clear and consistent definition of green spaces, which is a prerequisite before carrying out scientific studies. Urban green spaces have a considerable impact on the quality of life in cities. Accessibility and design of these spaces is an important factor with regard to tapping their full potential, or even only part of it. In particular,objective limitations on access and use, but also subjective barriers may reduce the potential. The relevance of urban green spaces is shown using examples from three different areas: quality of life, well-being, and public health.

Political metaphor, a matter of purposeful style

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carola Schoor
Keyword(s):  
Political Discourse ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Political Identity ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Definition Of

There are currently attempts to dovetail classical and conceptual metaphor to improve analyses of metaphor in political discourse, but the results, to date, are not robust or sufficiently comprehensive. In this article, I return to Aristotle’s original definition of metaphor in order to set up a framework for the analysis of political metaphors. I first designate the exact position of Aristotle’s theory within conceptual metaphor theory, in order to avoid a lack of coherence between classical and conceptual metaphor theory. In the combination of the two theories I am able to define three styles of purposeful political use of metaphor: reason-based, emotion-based and strategy-based usage of (conceptual) metaphor. These styles are significant, because using a political metaphor is performing a political speech-act, and an important purpose of that speech-act, besides persuasion, is establishing a political identity and style. Examples of the three metaphor purposes and styles show how they can be identified in political discourse. The framework can be used in further political analysis to assess what the role of rhetorical style is in political processes.

scholarly journals INTERVENTIONS TO ASSIST PARENTS IN ACCURATELY DOSING LIQUID MEDICATIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN: A SCOPING REVIEW

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. e9-e9
Author(s):  
Jun Feng (Alex) Pan ◽  
Katrina Hurley ◽  
Janet Curran ◽  
Eleanor Fitzpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
English Language ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Visual Aids ◽  
Dosing Error ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract BACKGROUND Parents’ inaccurate dosing of liquid medications for their children is common, resulting in treatment failure and potential adverse effects. Educational interventions delivered by health care professionals are a means to help parents properly administer liquid medications. OBJECTIVES This scoping review was conducted to identify and describe empirically researched educational interventions that prevent inaccurate dosing of liquid medications by parents of children less than 12 years old. DESIGN/METHODS We conducted a scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute Methodology for Scoping Reviews. With assistance from a library scientist, we searched PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science for English-language articles published before June 2017. We also looked at the reference lists of the included articles and subsequent articles that have cited them to identify additional studies (forward and backward searching). Two reviewers independently screened the retrieved titles and abstracts using predetermined criteria. Only quantitative, empirically designed studies that examined interventions delivered by health care professionals to help parents of children under 12 years old to accurately dose liquid medications were included. We appraised the quality of the included articles using the mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) and conducted a thematic analysis to identify trends and patterns. RESULTS Of the 180 abstracts identified in the search strategy, 9 studies met our inclusion criteria. We identified four main types of interventions: 1. use of visual aids (n=6); 2. use of advanced counselling strategies (n=2); 3. use of standardized measuring tools (n=3); and, 4. use of standardized units of measurement (n=2). Some studies evaluated more than one type of intervention. The overall quality of the included studies was moderate, with 11.1% (n=1) scoring 0.25, 33.3% (n=3) scoring 0.50, 55.6% (n=5) scoring 0.75, and none scoring 1.0. CONCLUSION Dosing accuracy of liquid medication for children by their parents is an important topic. More high quality studies conducted by a variety of research groups are needed to ensure the development and implementation of effective evidence-based educational interventions. There is a lack of standardization in the definition of a dosing error. Consensus regarding a standard definition would help studies be more comparable.

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