## 3 Methodology
### Qualitative Data Processing  
Responses in the second and third sections of the questionnaire are recorded using a six-level Likert scale (i.e., (1) very dissatisfied, (2) dissatisfied, (3) slightly dissatisfied, (4) slightly satisfied, (5) satisfied, and (6) very satisfied). To reflect the trend of participants' answers, the scale was expanded to include 11 levels:  
(6) very satisfied, (5) satisfied, (4) slightly satisfied, (3) slightly dissatisfied, (2) dissatisfied, (1) very dissatisfied, (2) dissatisfied, (3) slightly dissatisfied, (4) slightly satisfied, (5) satisfied, and (6) very satisfied.  
The expanded Likert scale can be interpreted either from left to middle, showing a transition from very satisfied (6) to very dissatisfied (1), or from middle to right, showing a transition from very dissatisfied (1) to very satisfied (6). The former interpretation indicates a move toward a more negative opinion, while the latter indicates a move toward a more positive opinion.  
Using the approach outlined by [PERSON] et al. [39], qualitative data were converted into quantitative data. This technique depicts the responses for each main topic within a circle of radius \(1/\sqrt{\pi}\), segmented into \(k\) slices (where \(k\) corresponds to the number of statements for the topic under analysis), with each axis mark representing a response option. This approach facilitates drawing parallels between knowledge representation and thermodynamics, analogous to the degradation of the energy process. To demonstrate the core principles of the proposed methodology, the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics are referenced, considering that a system evolves over time. The First Law, also called the Law of Energy Conservation, states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant. The Second Law pertains to entropy, which quantifies the disorder within a system and its evolution. In this context, a data item is assumed to be in an entropic state, where its energy can be divided and utilized for degradation, but not for destruction, encompassing the following:  
* Exergy (EX), also termed usable energy or available work, denotes the fraction of energy that can be expended by a system;
* Vagueness (VA), which pertains to energy values that may or may not have been expended; and
* Energy (AN) signifies an energy potential that has not been consumed, making it available, which includes all energy, excluding exergy and vagueness [45].  
This methodology will be thoroughly explained and applied to a specific case in Section 4.3.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline
**Socio-Demographic Characteristics** & **Class** & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Frequency**} \\  & **Class** & **N** & **\%** \\ \hline Gender & Female & 153 & 37.1 \\  & Male & 259 & 62.9 \\ \hline  & \textless{}25 & 22 & 5.3 \\ Age (years old) & [25; 45] & 114 & 27.7 \\  & [46; 65] & 168 & 40.8 \\  & \textgreater{}65 & 108 & 26.2 \\ \hline  & Basic education & 153 & 37.1 \\ Academic qualifications & Secondary education & 144 & 35.0 \\  & High education & 89 & 21.6 \\  & Post-Graduate education & 26 & 6.3 \\ \hline  & Student & 11 & 2.7 \\ Employment status & Employed & 183 & 44.4 \\  & Unemployed & 41 & 10.0 \\  & Retired & 177 & 42.9 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 2: Breakdown of participants by gender, age group, academic qualification, and employment status.