scholarly journals Importance of Theory in Learning Analytics in Formal and Workplace Settings

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane Dawson ◽  
Negin Mirriahi ◽  
Dragan Gasevic
Keyword(s):  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Formal Learning ◽  
Theoretical Assumptions

This issue is a call for researchers and practitioners to reflect on progress to date and understand the criticality of theory – how it facilitates interpretation of findings but also how it can also restrict and confine our thinking through the assumptions many theoretical models bring. As education paradigms further shift and juxtapose informal and formal learning settings there is a need to re-visit any underlying theoretical assumptions.

scholarly journals Research with Simulated Data

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnon Hershkovitz ◽  
Simon Knight ◽  
Jelena Jovanovic ◽  
Shane Dawson ◽  
Dragan Gasevic
Keyword(s):  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Special Section ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Theoretical Assumptions

This first issue of the Journal of Learning Analytics in 2017 features a special section of invited papers from the recent Learning Analytics and Knowledge conference (LAK'16). The theme of the conference, and this special section, relates to the need for Learning Analytics research to challenge our methodological and theoretical assumptions and build new interdisciplinary connections to further our thinking.

scholarly journals Rozważania o narracji budowanej wokół argumentu: „w świetle archeologii”.

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 351-379
Author(s):  
Michał Sołtysiak
Keyword(s):  
Historical Archaeology ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Narrative Style ◽  
Theoretical Assumptions

“In the light of archaeology…” means a statement or conclusion based on archaeological sources, its practice and theoretical models used in it. But the range of possibilities and persuasiveness of all such statements is very wide. A typical lack of contemporary historiographic literature is the writer’s failure to define his own research attitude. Researchers also rarely want to confront their own subjectivity and define their views before they start presenting their explanations for the topic under study. This applies to both the research attitude, evaluation and purposefulness of the sources used, the scope of using the achievements and workshop of anthropology, and the issue of the narrative nature of archaeological writing itself. The aim of this article is to discuss the need for a more substantive attention to theoretical assumptions in archaeological writing, especially in the aspect of creating a historiographic narrative in historical archaeology. While attention is put on belonging to a given theoretical trend, the issues of narrative, persuasive procedures and noticing the narrative style that is chosen are less frequently analyzed. These are very significant characteristics of a given text, as they are directly directed to the reader, i.e., the person to whom our research and conclusions are presented. This text is, in accordance with the above considerations, also a commentary on the existing state and an attempt to draw attention to the need for the most conscious approach to one’s own scientific workshop.

Testing Ethnological Theories on Prehistoric Kinship

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley E. Ensor
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Social Organization ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Kinship Analysis ◽  
Anthropological Theory ◽  
Theoretical Assumptions ◽  
High Level ◽  
Kinship Terminology ◽  
Political Economic

Although not a new topic, there is a growing trend in ethnology to interpret changing kinship terminology, social organization, and marriage practices deep into prehistory. These efforts are largely guided by phylogenetic, neoevolutionary, and historical particularist theoretical models using 19th to 20th century ethnographically recorded kin terminology. However, the “high-level” theoretical models and their assumptions are untestable without data dating to prehistory. Archeological kinship analysis based on cross-cultural “mid-level” factual correspondence between social organization and patterns in material culture, which is not biased by any given “high-level” theory, can empirically test the ethnological models and assumptions. Archeological case studies on the Chontal Maya and Hohokam illustrate problems in phylogenetic, neoevolutionary, and historical particularist theoretical assumptions. Instead, the results are consistent with contemporary anthropological theory emphasizing practice and agency within historically contingent political economic social contexts.

A socio-relational framework of sex differences in the expression of emotion

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 375-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Miguel Vigil
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Expressed Emotion ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Social Partner ◽  
Expression Of Emotion ◽  
Theoretical Assumptions ◽  
Development Literature ◽  
Relational Framework ◽  
Adaptive Nature

AbstractDespite a staggering body of research demonstrating sex differences in expressed emotion, very few theoretical models (evolutionary or non-evolutionary) offer a critical examination of the adaptive nature of such differences. From the perspective of a socio-relational framework, emotive behaviors evolved to promote the attraction and aversion of different types of relationships by advertising the two most parsimonious properties of reciprocity potential, or perceived attractiveness as a prospective social partner. These are the individual's (a) perceived capacity or ability to provide expedient resources, or to inflict immediate harm onto others, and their (b) perceived trustworthiness or probability of actually reciprocating altruism (Vigil 2007). Depending on the unique social demands and relational constraints that each sex evolved, individuals should be sensitive to advertise “capacity” and “trustworthiness” cues through selective displays of dominant versus submissive and masculine versus feminine emotive behaviors, respectively. In this article, I introduce the basic theoretical assumptions and hypotheses of the framework, and show how the models provide a solid scaffold with which to begin to interpret common sex differences in the emotional development literature. I conclude by describing how the framework can be used to predict condition-based and situation-based variation in affect and other forms of expressive behaviors.

Symptom Descriptions in Psychopathology: How Well Are They Working for Us?

2021 ◽  
pp. 216770262096921
Author(s):  
Carolyn E. Wilshire ◽  
Tony Ward ◽  
Samuel Clack
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Network Modeling ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Causal Explanations ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Theoretical Progress ◽  
Theoretical Assumptions ◽  
Symptom Formation

In this article, we examine how symptoms are conceptualized in theories of psychopathology. We identify five questions that need to be asked about symptoms, including what kind of constructs they are, how we should describe them, and what causal explanations they support. We then examine how three different theoretical frameworks address these questions: the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the symptom-network-modeling approach, and the Cambridge model of symptom formation. We show that the assumptions these frameworks make affect the kinds of theoretical models they support and the research approaches they advocate. When symptoms are viewed as empirical observations, the focus of inquiry is directed elsewhere. However, when symptoms are understood as complex constructs in their own right, that are themselves built on certain theoretical assumptions, then understanding them becomes crucial to theoretical progress. We conclude by calling for greater focus on research that unpacks the constructs underlying symptoms.

scholarly journals A new mathematical model to explore microbial processes and their constraints in phytoplankton colonies and sinking marine aggregates

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. eaat1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasrollah Moradi ◽  
Bo Liu ◽  
Morten Iversen ◽  
Marcel M. Kuypers ◽  
Helle Ploug ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Microbial Processes ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Concentration Gradients ◽  
Constant Concentration ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Theoretical Assumptions ◽  
Marine Aggregates

N2-fixing colonies of cyanobacteria and aggregates of phytoplankton and detritus sinking hundreds of meters per day are instrumental for the ocean’s sequestration of CO2from the atmosphere. Understanding of small-scale microbial processes associated with phytoplankton colonies and aggregates is therefore crucial for understanding large-scale biogeochemical processes in the ocean. Phytoplankton colonies and sinking aggregates are characterized by steep concentration gradients of gases and nutrients in their interior. Here, we present a mechanistic mathematical model designed to perform modeling of small-scale fluxes and evaluate the physical, chemical, and biological constraints of processes that co-occur in phytoplankton colonies and sinking porous aggregates. The model accurately reproduced empirical measurements of O2concentrations and fluxes measured in sinking aggregates. Common theoretical assumptions of either constant concentration or constant flux over the entire surface did not apply to sinking aggregates. Consequently, previous theoretical models overestimate O2flux in these aggregates by as high as 15-fold.

Analytical Electron Microscopy of Surface-Modified Ceramics

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 276-279
Author(s):  
P. S. Sklad
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Analytical Electron Microscopy ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Ceramic Materials ◽  
Solute Concentration ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Analytical Electron ◽  
Implantation Techniques ◽  
Lattice Damage ◽  
Surface Modified

Over the past several years, it has become increasingly evident that materials for proposed advanced energy systems will be required to operate at high temperatures and in aggressive environments. These constraints make structural ceramics attractive materials for these systems. However it is well known that the condition of the specimen surface of ceramic materials is often critical in controlling properties such as fracture toughness, oxidation resistance, and wear resistance. Ion implantation techniques offer the potential of overcoming some of the surface related limitations.While the effects of implantation on surface sensitive properties may be measured indpendently, it is important to understand the microstructural evolution leading to these changes. Analytical electron microscopy provides a useful tool for characterizing the microstructures produced in terms of solute concentration profiles, second phase formation, lattice damage, crystallinity of the implanted layer, and annealing behavior. Such analyses allow correlations to be made with theoretical models, property measurements, and results of complimentary techniques.

On the Relationship Between General Auditory Sensitivity and Speech Perception: An Examination of Pitch and Lexical Tone Perception in 4- to 6-Year-Old Children

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 487-498
Author(s):  
Puisan Wong ◽  
Man Wai Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Auditory Sensitivity ◽  
Pitch Discrimination ◽  
Lexical Tone ◽  
Perceptual Training ◽  
Lexical Tones ◽  
Tone Perception ◽  
Tone Discrimination

Purpose Theoretical models and substantial research have proposed that general auditory sensitivity is a developmental foundation for speech perception and language acquisition. Nonetheless, controversies exist about the effectiveness of general auditory training in improving speech and language skills. This research investigated the relationships among general auditory sensitivity, phonemic speech perception, and word-level speech perception via the examination of pitch and lexical tone perception in children. Method Forty-eight typically developing 4- to 6-year-old Cantonese-speaking children were tested on the discrimination of the pitch patterns of lexical tones in synthetic stimuli, discrimination of naturally produced lexical tones, and identification of lexical tone in familiar words. Results The findings revealed that accurate lexical tone discrimination and identification did not necessarily entail the accurate discrimination of nonlinguistic stimuli that followed the pitch levels and pitch shapes of lexical tones. Although pitch discrimination and tone discrimination abilities were strongly correlated, accuracy in pitch discrimination was lower than that in tone discrimination, and nonspeech pitch discrimination ability did not precede linguistic tone discrimination in the developmental trajectory. Conclusions Contradicting the theoretical models, the findings of this study suggest that general auditory sensitivity and speech perception may not be causally or hierarchically related. The finding that accuracy in pitch discrimination is lower than that in tone discrimination suggests that comparable nonlinguistic auditory perceptual ability may not be necessary for accurate speech perception and language learning. The results cast doubt on the use of nonlinguistic auditory perceptual training to improve children's speech, language, and literacy abilities.

Behavioral and emotional differences between children of divorce and children from intact families: Clinical significance and mediating processes *This study is part of a dissertation () supported from the German research community.

2002 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Schick
Keyword(s):  
Self Esteem ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Children Of Divorce ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Intact Families ◽  
Divorce Adjustment ◽  
Theoretical Assumptions ◽  
German Research ◽  
Clinically Significant

The following study is based on a sample of 241 9-13-year-old children (66 children from divorced parents, 175 children from non divorced parents). They were examined for differences regarding anxiety, self-esteem, different areas of competence, and degree of behavior problems. With a focus on the children’s experiences, the clinically significant differences were examined. Clinically significant differences, revealing more negative outcomes for the children of divorce, were only found for social anxiety and unstable performance. The frequency of clinical significant differences was independent of the length of time the parents had been separated. The perceived destructiveness of conflict between the parents one of four facets of interparental conflict in this study functioned as a central mediator of the statistically significant group differences. The children’s perception of the father’s social support was a less reliable indicator of variance. Further studies should try to make underlying theoretical assumptions about the effects of divorce more explicit, to distinguish clearly between mediating variables, and to investigate them with respect to specific divorce adjustment indicators.

Positive Arousal Enhances the Consolidation of Item Memory

2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Wang
Keyword(s):  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Memory Consolidation ◽  
Source Memory ◽  
Emotional Arousal ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Memory Test ◽  
Learning Phase ◽  
Item Memory ◽  
Memory Tests ◽  
Immediate Memory

Emotional arousal induced after learning has been shown to modulate memory consolidation. However, it is unclear whether the effect of postlearning arousal can extend to different aspects of memory. This study examined the effect of postlearning positive arousal on both item memory and source memory. Participants learned a list of neutral words and took an immediate memory test. Then they watched a positive or a neutral videoclip and took delayed memory tests after either 25 minutes or 1 week had elapsed after the learning phase. In both delay conditions, positive arousal enhanced consolidation of item memory as measured by overall recognition. Furthermore, positive arousal enhanced consolidation of familiarity but not recollection. However, positive arousal appeared to have no effect on consolidation of source memory. These findings have implications for building theoretical models of the effect of emotional arousal on consolidation of episodic memory and for applying postlearning emotional arousal as a technique of memory intervention.

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