In a context of increasing political polarization, ideological bias poses a challenge to evidence-based reasoning and the evaluation of factual information. However, its systematic study is hindered by the lack of reliable and valid measurement tools and by the frequent conflation of ideological bias with ideological stance. Addressing this gap, we introduce the Ideological Bias Expression (IBE) scale, a novel measure grounded in signal detection theory that disentangles discrimination accuracy from ideological bias in individuals' evaluations of evidence. Across two studies using German samples (NStudy1 = 446; NStudy2 = 1,359), we provide initial validation of the IBE scale across two distinct political issue domains (climate change/energy & domestic security/migration). Results indicate that the IBE scale is an effective tool for assessing individual differences in biased evidence evaluation, providing a foundation for future research on its determinants and potential interventions to promote more evidence-based public discourse. Using the scale, we find evidence that ideological bias is empirically distinct from knowledge-related factors, including formal education and political knowledge, indicating that such bias cannot be reduced to deficits in knowledge or reasoning alone. Moderate coherence across two issue domains also suggests that biased evidence evaluation is not purely issue-specific. Finally, in the German political context, ideological bias appears to reflect a combination of social identity dynamics and value-based cognition rather than partisan alignment alone.
Technical communication is the process of conveying complex information to a varied audience, including both technical and non-technical individuals. It aims to make information usable and accessible. The dissertation provides an in-depth examination of technical communication's evolution in China, with a focus on enhancing user experience with technical documentation.The dissertation is organized into seven chapters, beginning with the current state of technical communication in China, followed by three parts covering five research studies on various aspects of technical documentation, including the roles of technical communicators who create technical documentation, the design and evaluation of developer documentation, and the application of emotional design in user manuals. It concludes by summarizing key findings, discussing theoretical and practical implications, and suggesting future research directions.This dissertation aims to answer five research questions. The first focuses on the state of the art of TC in China. The other four questions explore specific angles on TC in a Chinese context. The five research questions are:• RQ1. What is the development of technical communication as a professional discipline in China?• RQ2. What are the learning habits, information journey, and expectations of Chinese developers regarding developer documentation?• RQ3. What are key factors influencing the effectiveness of searching and finding technical documentation?• RQ4. What are effective strategies for evaluating performance and user experience of developer documentation?• RQ5. What is the impact of emotional design on user experience and effectiveness in technical documentation?
Abstract. The volunteers from PKBM SMP Firdaus Kota Bandung engage in interpersonal communication to provide guidance to the community in meeting the needs of students. Hence, it is crucial to give consideration to the motivation of volunteers in teaching students through interpersonal communication, which is an important aspect of managing PKBM. The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between open communication, increased self-confidence, self-concept formation, mutual acceptance and support in interpersonal communication among PKBM volunteers, and student learning motivation in the form of cognitive drive, self-esteem drive, and affiliation needs in SMP Firdaus Kota Bandung. The correlational research method is used to explore the relationship between variable X and variable Y, with the aim of studying the extent to which a factor correlates with variation in other factors. All students of SMP Firdaus Kota Bandung comprise the population for this research, consisting of 65 students. Sampling is done using total sampling technique, and data is collected through questionnaire dissemination, interviews, observations, and literature studies. The findings indicate a robust correlation between interpersonal communication (X) and student learning motivation (Y) in SMP Firdaus Kota Bandung. This is supported by the important role of volunteers in academic activities that use interpersonal communication, where they create openness and self-confidence built by volunteers, encourage and build student self-concepts, and support and accept one another during the process of education and instruction to make students more enthusiastic about learning and achieving academic goals. Abstrak. Pihak relawan dari PKBM SMP Firdaus Kota Bandung melakukan komunikasi antarpribadi agar lebih mudah memberikan petunjuk perihal pembelajaran kepada masyarakat dalam memenuhi kebutuhan siswa. Maka, penting untuk memperhatikan motivasi relawan dalam mengajarkan siswa dengan cara berkomunikasi antarpribadi sebagai salah satu aspek penting dalam pengelolaan PKBM. Penelitan ini dimaksudkan untuk menguji hubungan antara komunikasi yang terbuka, peningkatan kepercayaan diri, pembentukan konsep diri, saling menerima dan mendukung satu sama lain dalam komunikasi antarpribadi di antara relawan PKBM dengan motivasi belajar siswa berupa dorongan kognitif, dorongan harga diri, dan kebutuhan afiliasi di SMP Firdaus Kota Bandung. Metode penelitian korelasional digunakan untuk mengeksplorasi keterkaitan antara variabel X dan variabel Y dengan maksud tujuan mempelajari sejauh mana suatu faktor memiliki korelasi dengan variasi pada faktor lainnya. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa SMP Firdaus Kota Bandung, yang terdiri dari 65 siswa. Pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik total sampel, dan data dikumpulkan melalui teknik penyebaran kuisioner, wawancara, observasi, dan studi kepustakaan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat hubungan yang kuat antarakomunikasi antarpribadi (X) dan motivasi belajar siswa SMP Firdaus Kota Bandung (Y). Hal tersebut dilandasi oleh peran penting relawan dalam aktivtias akademik yang menggunakan komunikasi antarpribadi, di mana mereka menciptakan keterbukaan dan kepercayaan diri yang dibangun oleh relawan, mendorong dan membangun konsep diri siswa, serta saling mendukung dan menerima dalam proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran agar siswa lebih bersemangat dalam belajar dan mencapai tujuan akademik.
Background: Chronic low back pain causes discomfort and disturbance in the mechanoreceptor and proprioception centers. Exercises improve muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, and ability to perform life activities. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) involves stretching, resisted movements which improves muscle disharmony, atrophy, and joint movement limitation. Lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) develop the awareness of muscle contraction and control from simple to complex patterns. Both exercises are effective individually in chronic low back pain patients. This study was conducted to find out which technique is better. Objectives: The objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of PNF versus LSE program in chronic low back pain patients. Study Design: A Randomized study was conducted. Methods: A prospective, interventional study was conducted on patients with mechanical low back pain of more than 3 months, in both males and females, of age 20–45 years. Patients having systemic illness, central or peripheral neurologic signs, and specific causes of low back pain were excluded. Individuals having systemic illness and psychiatric illness were also excluded from the study. Twenty-two patients were selected and divided into two groups. Patients were assessed on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), modified Schober's test, Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODI), Roland and Morris Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Patients in the PNF Group received concentric and eccentric contractions of agonist and antagonist muscles, patterns such as chopping, lifting, bilateral leg, and trunk lateral flexion. LSE Group received core strengthening exercises. Both group received 3 treatment sessions per week for 4 weeks, each session lasting for 45 min. Results: PNF group showed significant improvement in pain on VAS (P = 0.003; 95% confidence interval [CI[, 2.15–3.01), in disability on ODI (P = 0.001, 95% CI, 12.09–20.1), and in lumbar flexibility Modified Schober's test (P = 0.000, 95% CI, 5.15–5.93) On RMDQ, there was no statistically significant difference between PNF and LSE groups (P = 0.061, 95% CI, 6.87–8.97). Conclusion: There was a significant improvement seen in the pain and disability which was assessed on VAS and ODI in the PNF group over LSE. Hence, PNF exercises can be incorporated with LSE in the treatment of LBP.
