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"Q Methodology in Research on Political Decision Making" published on by Oxford University Press.

Abstract Drawing on the work of the latest generation of social philosophers institutionally or intellectually linked to the Frankfurt School, this article examines the critical-reconstructive-explanatory methodology that became a distinguishing feature of contemporary critical theory after its 'reconstructive turn'. The article aims to show how these recent developments can contribute to overcoming the various criticisms that continue to challenge Critical International Relations Theory (CIRT) from a methodological viewpoint, such as its normative and interpretative emphasis at the expense of the empirical dimension of analysis, its inability to provide a substantive explanation of the social pathologies and mechanisms of domination it criticises, its insulation from issues of pluralism and multiculturalism, the absence of debate with outside approaches, and the lack of clarity on how theory connects to practice. After discussing the main aspects of the contemporary critical theory methodology, the article ends with a brief illustration of this methodology using as a basis the critique of the liberal peacebuilding.

An evolutionary transformation of business environment, with change as a main characteristic, is taking place. Manufacturing companies, even those operating in relatively stable conditions with good market positions, are facing rapid and often unanticipated changes in their business environment. Agile manufacturing is proposed in response to the circumstances as a solution and is perceived as a vital characteristic that manufacturing companies need to have in order to maintain their competitive advantages in the new order of world business. Each company will respond in a specific and different way to the changing circumstances by deploying its own agile characteristics. Agility in manufacturing may be achieved through the implementation and integration of appropriate practices which provide the required abilities for a company to respond properly to changes. Based on this concept, a methodology for achieving agility in manufacturing organisations is developed. The methodology is applied in two manufacturing companies and data collected from the applications are used to validate the methodology. This paper provides a brief summary of the methodology and details its implementation and validation in the two case study companies. Practices are proposed to support the achievement of agility in the two organisations.

AbstractAbstract Management Information System (MIS) architecture reveals the nexus of information‐decision elements and has been described as an important planning tool of MIS development. In this paper, it is considered as a key design issue and a methodology (INFLOS) is presented for the same. Salient features of INFLOS have been discussed. The methodology proceeds in two phases. This paper is restricted to discuss only the first phase.

The investment of foreign exchange reserves or other asset portfolios requires an assessment of the credit quality of investment counterparties. Traditionally, foreign exchange reserve and asset managers have relied on credit rating agencies (CRAs) as the main source for credit assessments. The Financial Stability Board issued principles to reduce reliance on CRA ratings in standards, laws and regulations, in support of financial stability. Moreover, best practices in the asset management industry suggest that investors should understand the credit risks they are exposed to and, more broadly, that internal credit assessments be relied upon to inform investment decisions. In support of efforts by market participants to establish stronger internal credit assessment practices, as well as to solicit feedback, this paper provides a detailed technical description of the methodology developed to assign internal credit ratings to sovereigns, using publicly available data only. This methodology proposes three key innovations: (i) a quantitative approach to assess political risks, (ii) a framework to assess the government's potential contingent liabilities related to the banking sector, and (iii) a framework to determine the presence of asset price imbalances in the country. The methodology presented relies on fundamental credit analysis that produces a forward-looking and "through-the-cycle" assessment of the investment entity's capacity and willingness to pay its financial obligations, resulting in an opinion on the relative credit standing or likelihood of default. The methodology presented is currently used to assess eligibility and inform investment decisions in the management of Canada's foreign exchange reserves. The methodology is a key component of the joint Bank of Canada and Department of Finance Canada initiative to develop internal credit assessment capabilities.

The ethics of security, a sub-field of security studies, uses the same methods as the philosophy and logic of security, but emphasises its different aspects. Methods used in philosophy and logic are "a path to the truth", whereas methods used in ethics are "a path to the good". The aim of ethics is not cognition but actions that are proper and ethical. Nowadays, the ethics of security uses mainly three methods: the humanistic, inventive and intuitive method. The author discusses not only the above mentioned main methods, but also secondary methods used in the contemporary ethics of security: the heuristic, phenomenological, semantic, empirical, functionalist, actualistic, pragmatic, reductive, deductive and dialectic method. The contemporary methodology used in the ethics of security focuses on the attitude of man to man and directs the attention of general ethics to this aspect. However, the moral value of certain actions, as well as the methodology itself, are subject to change. Without noticing this phenomenon and being aware of it, it is impossible to face the contemporary challenges of the ethics of security nor to be an active security entity.

As we approach the twenty‐first century, manufacturing success and survival are becoming more and more difficult to ensure. This fact is rooted in the emergence of a new business era that embraces "change" as one of its major characteristics. The emphasis is now on adaptability to changes in the business environment and on addressing market and customer needs proactively. The emerging paradigm is agile manufacturing. Understanding and responding to changes, and taking advantage of changes through strategic utilisation of managerial and manufacturing methods and tools, are some of the pivotal concepts of agile manufacturing. This paper discusses these concepts and presents a methodology to assist manufacturing companies to achieve agility. Industrial questionnaire surveys and case studies are carried out to support and validate the methodology. Results and conclusions derived from the surveys and case studies in support of the methodology are reported.

One promise of the behavioral revolution was that metaphysical assumptions would be minimized, if not eliminated, in political research and theorizing. Nothing would be taken for granted. It is now obvious that this is not possible. Instead, the question is which metaphysical assumptions are most felicitous and persuasive in our search for knowledge about politics. This question does not have a single, uncomplicated answer. For those of us who teach research methodology, interesting and at times disillusioning developments have influenced thinking about research methodology during the last twenty years. Developments in modern logic, continental and neo- Marxist thought, philosophy of language, philosophy of science, and even literary criticism has upset previously held assumptions about behavioral political research and the nature of empirically based theory.

Abstract. AS the contradictory evidence gathered by other social scientists has continued to accumulate, two new twists have been added to the methodology of neoclassical economics. From Milton Friedman's positivism came the twist that "unrealistic" assumptions can be ignored, prediction is all that really matters. From the Austrian School's subjectivism came the twist that since economic theory is the a priori logic of subjective individual choice, the theory cannot be tested in the scientific sense at all. Neither qualitative historical evidence nor quantitative prediction can yield a scientific test of theory. At least Friedman's positivism allows for predictive testing, even though decisive tests are seldom found in social science. But Austrian subjectivism insulates economic theory completely from scientific testing. Neither methodology is conducive to scientific progress.

Elaborating Critical Thinking Skills in TEFL Methodology subject has become one of the 21st century trends, prioritized in the pedagogic process of language courses. Lecturers as facilitators, motivators, boosters, co-learners and inspirational model are the foundation of innovative creativity to adapt and modify comprehensively, and integrate them in their teaching projects contextually; while, the learners themselves play as the active target of learning agents. This modern TEFL Methodology critically makes use of either authentic texts or real texts that are also confronted by the need to approach texts critically. This was revealed in this research, focused on the learners' activities that enthusiastically engage critical thinking skills in their learning process. It runs actively, innovatively, creatively, dialogically, democratically and in a critical and interactive atmosphere. The importance of applying critical thinking skills in language learning process can empower learners to maximize the objective of TEFL Methodology learning target both oral and written in accordance with their social context. Learners enter in any task using the target language which contains the elements such as identification, investigation, analysis and problem solving then they must think critically. These kinds of communicative task are commonplace for they engage the learners in authentic communication settings. This is impressive and meaningful for the learners. Thus, recommending success in TEFL Methodology subject – as in life - requires effective use of language practically along with some measure of critical thinking.

The Debt Management Performance Assessment (DeMPA) is the World Bank's diagnostic tool for assessing performance using a comprehensive set of indicators that span the full range of government debt management (DM) functions. Launched in 2007, revised in 2015, the indicators have become an internationally recognized standard in the government DM field and can be applied in all developing countries. The DeMPA offers a sound diagnostic framework that allows a country's DM processes and institutions to be evaluated against sound international practice, identifying core strengths and weaknesses, and thereby helping strengthen capacity and institutions so that countries can manage their government debt effectively and sustainably. It will assist countries that want to undertake debt management reforms, helping to monitor progress with achieving government DM objectives consistent with international sound practice. The DeMPA is modeled on the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) indicators, however, it uses a more comprehensive set of indicators, spanning the full range of government debt management (DM) functions, to provide a detailed assessment of government DM. The DeMPA methodology consists of two parts: i) a description of the methodology and ii) an evaluation tool that summarizes key questions that should be assessed in the context of a DeMPA evaluation.

The Debt Management Performance Assessment (DeMPA) is the World Bank's diagnostic tool for assessing performance using a comprehensive set of indicators that span the full range of government debt management (DM) functions. Launched in 2007, revised in 2015, the indicators have become an internationally recognized standard in the government DM field and can be applied in all developing countries. The DeMPA offers a sound diagnostic framework that allows a country's DM processes and institutions to be evaluated against sound international practice, identifying core strengths and weaknesses, and thereby helping strengthen capacity and institutions so that countries can manage their government debt effectively and sustainably. It will assist countries that want to undertake debt management reforms, helping to monitor progress with achieving government DM objectives consistent with international sound practice. The DeMPA is modeled on the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) indicators, however, it uses a more comprehensive set of indicators, spanning the full range of government debt management (DM) functions, to provide a detailed assessment of government DM. The DeMPA methodology consists of two parts: i) a description of the methodology and ii) an evaluation tool that summarizes key questions that should be assessed in the context of a DeMPA evaluation.