Qualitative and Quantitative Research Paradigms in Business Research: A Philosophical Reflection

This paper attempts to discuss quantitative and qualitative research methodologies within the broad field of business research. In the light of looking for possible similarities and differences between the two approaches, the study gives an overview of the historical development of both methods, the paradigms and interpretative frameworks, discusses major advantages and limitations and look at the new trend that combines both quantitative and qualitative data in a single research project in an effort to reconcile both methods. The main intention of this paper is not to extend the current and long-lasting debate regarding qualitative versus quantitative research, rather to describe and reflect on the philosophical stance guiding the two research methodologies from ontological, epistemological and methodological perspectives. The essence of this study is to enable professionals with little or no previous experience of the various research methodologies and falling in to the trap that one research is better than the other, gain a basic understanding of qualitative and quantitative research. The study concludes that, in addition to quantitative and qualitative research, mixed research also offers an exciting mode of conducting business research. Keywords: Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies, Business Research, Paradigm

Global analysis of the shadow Gierer-Meinhardt system with general linear boundary conditions in a random environment

The global analysis of the shadow Gierer-Meinhardt system with multiplicative white noise and general linear boundary conditions is investigated in this paper. For this reaction-diffusion system, we employ a fixed point argument to prove local existence and uniqueness. Our results on global existence are based on a priori estimates of solutions

An assessment of the Inventory Management Practices of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Northern Region of Ghana

The purpose of this study was to assess inventory management practices and its effect on the financial performance of SMEs in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design which allowed the collection of primary quantitative data through structured questionnaires. The target population was 1000 owner/ managers of SMEs. Stratified random sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 300 SMEs comprising 164 trading 26 manufacturing, 10 hairstyling, 62 dressmaking, and 38 carpentry enterprises. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that SME financial performance was positively related to efficiency of inventory management (EIM) at 1 per cent significance level. The study concluded that stock management practices have influence on the financial performance of SMEs, hence there was need for SME managers to embrace efficient stock management practices as a strategy to improve their financial performance and survive in the uncertain business environment. Keywords: Inventory Management Practices, Financial Performance, SME

Dual fear phenomenon in an eco-epidemiological model with prey aggregation

This study presents a thorough analysis of an eco-epidemiological model that integrates infectious diseases in prey, prey aggregation, and the dual fear effect induced by predators. We establish criteria for determining the existence of equilibrium points, which carry substantial biological significance. We establish the conditions for the occurrence of Hopf, saddle-node, and transcritical bifurcations by employing fear parameters as key bifurcation parameters. Furthermore, through numerical simulations, we demonstrate the occurrence of multiple zero-Hopf (ZH) and saddle-node transcritical (SNTC) bifurcations around the endemic steady states by varying specific key parameters across the two-parametric plane. We demonstrate that the introduction of predator-induced fear, which hinders the growth rate of susceptible prey, can lead to the finite time extinction of an initially stable susceptible prey population. Finally, we discuss management strategies aimed at regulating disease transmission, focusing on fear-based interventions and selective predation via predator attack rate on infectious prey

Ergonomics and Occupational Health Issues in Diagnostic Imaging: A Survey of the Situation at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

The practice of Radiology requires the performance of many labour-intensive tasks relating to the delivery of quality patient care. Poor working conditions could lead to increased adverse effects on the professional which, in turn may have deleterious effects on the work performance; hence the need to ensure effective working conditions. The study sought to assess the ergonomic situation of the various imaging units at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). The subjects were final year student radiographers, qualified diagnostic Radiographers, and Radiologists at the KBTH. A quantitative research design, using a descriptive survey, was conducted as the researcher sough to obtain information about what existed with respect to the conditions within the imaging departments. A response rate of 95% was achieved.  The majority of the respondents (87.3%) lacked training on workplace ergonomics.  Additionally, there were ergonomic injuries that existed among the participants and these affected their health. The ergonomic situations at most imaging units within KBTH were not up to standard and these affect the productivity and health of the professional in the form of musculoskeletal disorders, thus requiring attention. Key words: Ergonomics, Radiographers, Radiologists, Sonographers, Musculoskeletal injurie

Hypermetabolic Ipsilateral Supraclavicular and Axillary Lymphadenopathy: Optimal Time Point for Performing an 18F-FDG PET/CT after COVID-19 Vaccination.

BACKGROUND We aimed to evaluate the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV2) vaccine-related hypermetabolic lymphadenopathy (HLA) and evaluate which time point produces the least number of false-positive findings in an 18F-2-Fluor-2-desoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). METHODS For this retrospective, multi-center imaging study, patients with any form of SARS-CoV2 vaccination prior to an 18F-FDG-PET/CT were included between January 2021 and December 2021. Patients were divided into six groups according to the time point of vaccination prior to their 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging, e.g., group one (0-6 days) and group six (35-80 days). As the reference standards, the SUVmax of the mediastinal blood pool (MBP) and the SUVmax contralateral reference lymph node (RL) were determined. (A) The absolute SUVmax of HLA, (B) the ratio of SUVmaxHLA/SUVmax mediastinal blood pool (rHLA/MBP), (C) the ratio SUVmax HLA vs. SUVmax contralateral reference lymph node (rHLA/RL), (D) and the incidence of HLA defined as rHLA/MBP > 1.5 were assessed. RESULTS Group one (days 0-6) showed the highest incidence of HLA 16/23 (70%) and rHLA/MBP (2.58 ± 2.1). All three parameters for HLA reduced statistically significantly in the comparison of Groups 1-3 (days 0-20) versus Groups 4-6 (days 21-80) (p-values < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS If feasible, an FDG PET should be postponed by at least 3 weeks after SARS-CoV2 vaccination, especially if an accurate evaluation of axillary status is required