def METHOD_NAME(self, chunk):
    """
    chunk is a plain list coming from the JSON data
    and be either extended or abbreviated
    based on the result of is_abbreviated(),
    gets sent to add_extended or add_abbreviated
    """
    # here we retrieve the static method through the class
    # this form outlines the fact that we're calling a static method
    # note that
    # self.is_abbreviated(chunk)
    # would work fine just as well
    if ShipDict.is_abbreviated(chunk):
        self.add_abbreviated(chunk)
    else:
        self.add_extended(chunk)