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This article reflects on the study of consumer-related emerging topics in the Journal of Consumer Research (JCR) and looks ahead to consider what the next generation of emergent issues might be that capture consumer researchers' attention and interest. Drawing on conversations with eminent scholars who have made major contributions to JCR by introducing emerging topics to our literature, the author (i) provides a commentary of past approaches to researching novel emerging topics, (ii) suggests some domains from which new emerging topics for consumer research can be sourced, such as new digital technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence) and major societal challenges (e.g. climate change, sustainability, and health), and (iii) offers guidance on how to approach research on important emerging topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many methods exist for engaging experts in interactive groups to explore, clarify, and/or decide on various issues. In an investigation of four possible future scenarios concerning transportation and land use in California, we developed a novel “hybrid policy Delphi” method for use with a panel of 18 experts. We applied it to explore the policies and practices that would likely lead to each of the four scenarios and the consequences that would result from them. Through our process, panel members discussed and reflected on the scenarios in multiple ways. The scenario they considered most desirable they also deemed least likely to occur, and they foresaw the likely trajectory of California transportation and land use leading to less desirable scenarios. Our mix of discussion and questionnaires traded the benefit of anonymity for the benefit of exploratory, interactive discussion. In addition, our use of surveys before and after meetings allowed us to track changes in panel opinion on a central question and discuss the survey results at meetings, at the cost of greater administrative effort. We discuss the results of this hybrid policy Delphi approach, reflect on how it worked, and conclude with a discussion of limitations and future directions.

Social media has changed how sport organizations and individuals in the sport industry communicate and conduct business. The increase in the number, complexity, and capabilities of platforms provides ample opportunities and data for researchers to employ quantitative research methods. In this article, we provide an overview of the state of scholarship by conducting a scoping review of sport social media research published between 2010 and 2022 with a focus on articles based on quantitative data. We then critically discuss four areas that present opportunities for improvement—scope, theory, data collection, and data analysis. Based on these four areas, we introduce the social media research framework to guide future social media research in sport. Within the social media research framework, we outline three focal areas of research—people, spaces, and technologies—and suggest examining these areas simultaneously, rather than in isolation, as well as their intersections in the sport industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ACADEMIC ABSTRACT: In the wake of the replication crisis, social and personality psychologists have increased attention to power analysis and the adequacy of sample sizes. In this article, we analyze current controversies in this area, including choosing effect sizes, why and whether power analyses should be conducted on already-collected data, how to mitigate the negative effects of sample size criteria on specific kinds of research, and which power criterion to use. For novel research questions, we advocate that researchers base sample sizes on effects that are likely to be cost-effective for other people to implement (in applied settings) or to study (in basic research settings), given the limitations of interest-based minimums or field-wide effect sizes. We discuss two alternatives to power analysis, precision analysis and sequential analysis, and end with recommendations for improving the practices of researchers, reviewers, and journal editors in social-personality psychology. PUBLIC ABSTRACT: Recently, social-personality psychology has been criticized for basing some of its conclusions on studies with low numbers of participants. As a result, power analysis, a mathematical way to ensure that a study has enough participants to reliably "detect" a given size of psychological effect, has become popular. This article describes power analysis and discusses some controversies about it, including how researchers should derive assumptions about effect size, and how the requirements of power analysis can be applied without harming research on hard-to-reach and marginalized communities. For novel research questions, we advocate that researchers base sample sizes on effects that are likely to be cost-effective for other people to implement (in applied settings) or to study (in basic research settings). We discuss two alternatives to power analysis, precision analysis and sequential analysis, and end with recommendations for improving the practices of researchers, reviewers, and journal editors in social-personality psychology.

With the introduction of in-class group-based virtual reality (VR), multiple students can interact in a single shared "metaverse". One geography-focused group VR option is the Wooorld app, available on various Meta Quest unit models. To evaluate the feasibility of group VR in a higher education geography lecture classroom, a pilot study was run for two days with a small, upper-level Urban Geography class at Arkansas Tech University in spring 2023. Using multiple wireless Meta Quest 2 headsets, the class collectively used the Wooorld app to visit 3D-rendered global downtowns. Inside the app, students saw each other's avatars and manipulated the viewing area for the rest of the class. Students completed pre/post-experience surveys, and the data suggest strong student enthusiasm for shared VR, and for Wooorld. However, some technical and physical space issues arose. While this pilot study aimed to evaluate the potential of classroom group VR via the Wooorld app, this study also considers the possibility of using group VR in future geography lecture classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing focus on collecting more diverse demographic data from research participants but standard methodological approaches still hinder such efforts. This paper addresses the need for methodological improvements by advocating for the inclusion of self-written diversity statements in demographic surveys as a form of epistemic justice. Using examples from a large qualitative research study, I demonstrate the depth and richness of data that can be obtained through self-written diversity statements. In particular, I highlight the benefits of combining open-ended demographic questions and self-written diversity statements into holistic introductory stories to help capture the complexity of participants' intersectional identities. Therefore, I argue that using such an approach gives participants the agency to choose how they are represented in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While the value of art therapy is well-established and arts are increasingly leveraged to promote health and wellbeing more broadly, little is known about the impacts of non-clinical arts programs. In this preliminary investigation, we sought to fill this gap by exploring diverse stakeholders' perspectives on the impacts of non-clinical arts programming on Veterans receiving care at the Veterans Health Administration (VA). Design: Semi-structured qualitative interviews with Veterans, VA staff, and community partners. Setting: Interviewees were recruited from 7 VA medical centers that have recently implemented non-clinical arts programming to promote Veterans' health and wellbeing, some of them in partnership with community organizations. Participants: 33 individuals were interviewed, including 9 Veterans, 14 VA staff, and 10 community partners involved in non-clinical arts program implementation. Method: Interview transcripts were analyzed using iterative rounds of qualitative content analysis. Results: The following impacts on Veterans were described: (1) mental health improvements, (2) renewed sense of purpose; (3) increased social connectedness, (4) improved self-esteem, and (5) self-driven engagement in art activities. Conclusion: Non-clinical arts programming was perceived by diverse stakeholders to offer important benefits for Veterans' health and well-being. Offering non-clinical arts programming inside and outside healthcare facilities' walls is a promising direction for the field of public health undergoing a shift towards holistic approaches to improving individual and population health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Responding to the continuing separation of participants and researchers in LIS participatory research, a new methodology is proposed: action partnership research design (APRD). It is asserted that APRD can mitigate or remove the hierarchical structures often inherent in the research process, thus allowing for equal contribution from all. Design/methodology/approach: Building on the bonded design (BD) methodology and informed by a scoping literature review conducted by the same authors, APRD is a human-centered research approach with the goal of empowering and valuing community partnerships. APRD originates from research investigating the use of participatory design methods to foster collaboration between two potentially disparate groups, firstly with adult researchers/designers and elementary school children, and secondly with university faculty and IT professionals. Findings: To achieve this goal, in addition to BD techniques, APRD draws inspiration from elements of indigenous and decolonization research methodologies, particularly those with an emphasis on destabilizing power hierarchies and involving research participants as full partners. Originality/value: APRD, which emerged from findings from previous participatory design studies, especially those of BD, is based on the premise of partnership, recognizing that each member of a design team, whether researcher or participant/user, has unique expertise to contribute. By considering participants/users as full research partners, APRD aims to flatten the hierarchies exhibited in some LIS participatory research methodologies, where participants are treated more like research subjects than partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To demonstrate how post-publication peer reviews—using journal article reporting standards—could improve the design and write-up of kinesiology research, the authors performed a post-publication peer review on one systematic literature review published in 2020. Two raters (1st & 2nd authors) critically appraised the case article between April and May 2021. The latest Journal Article Reporting Standards by the American Psychological Association relevant to the review were used: i.e., Table 1 (quantitative research standards) and Table 9 (research synthesis standards). A standard fully met was deemed satisfactory. Per Krippendorff’s alpha-coefficient, inter-rater agreement was moderate for Table 1 (k-alpha = .57, raw-agreement = 72.2%) and poor for Table 9 (k-alpha = .09, raw-agreement = 53.6%). A 100% consensus was reached on all discrepancies. Results suggest the case article’s Abstract, Methods, and Discussion sections required clarification or more detail. Per Table 9 standards, four sections were largely incomplete: i.e., Abstract (100%- incomplete), Introduction (66%-incomplete), Methods (75%-incomplete), and Discussion (66%-incomplete). Case article strengths included tabular summary of studies analyzed in the systematic review and a cautionary comment about the review’s generalizability. The article’s write-up gave detail to help the reader understand the scope of the study and decisions made by the authors. However, adequate detail was not provided to assess the credibility of all claims made in the article. This could affect readers’ ability to obtain critical and nuanced understanding of the article’s topics. The results of this critique should encourage (continuing) education on journal article reporting standards for diverse stakeholders (e.g., authors, reviewers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores strategies for generating and evaluating novel research ideas. Researchers can identify promising ideas by systematically exposing themselves to new, practitioner‐relevant information and by contrasting emerging facts with existing theories. Additionally, by identifying the necessary conditions that are required for an idea to become a viable research project, researchers can quickly discard low‐prospect ideas, freeing up mental space and time to evaluate new research opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the role of intrinsic speed capabilities, which refer to the ability to execute investment projects faster than competitors, in the attractiveness and selection of alliance partners. We predict that intrinsically faster firms have a higher likelihood of being selected as alliance partners due to the potential of accelerating the realization of future revenue streams of an alliance project as well as of preempting slower competitors. We also expect that intrinsic speed capabilities substitute for deficiencies in alliance experience and firm innovativeness. Using data on construction projects in the global Liquefied Natural Gas industry, we find empirical support for our theoretical expectations. Our results suggest that firm speed plays an important role in alliance partner selection and has the potential to facilitate the generation of future growth options for firms due to greater partner attractiveness in the market for alliance partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers are divided on whether shareholder agreements (SAs) improve or hurt firm value. We offer family firms as a context where SAs add value and explain why; SAs limit "superprincipal" agency conflicts between family owners and other family members. A panel of French firms and a second study of French Initial Public Offerings show shareholders value SAs more in family than in nonfamily firms. Among family firms, SAs add greater value when weak governance undermines family owners' resistance to other family members' demands. Our study helps reconcile competing theory about SAs and distinguishes superprincipal conflicts from other family-firm agency problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing scholarly attention surrounding the marginalization of qualitative research in Criminology, research has yet to examine how criminologists view the legitimacy, value, and contribution of qualitative and quantitative methods. Using a sample of 340 qualitative and quantitative criminologists and a mixed methods approach, we find that qualitative participants reported feeling less valued in the field than their quantitative counterparts, while the majority of all participants believed that our journals are not equally receptive to both methods. Not only do our findings contribute to the ongoing methodological debate in the field, but they also have policy implications for graduate programs, senior scholars, and journal editors – all of which play a significant role in promoting methodological diversity and the (re)production of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim Design Methods Results Conclusion Implications for the Profession and Patient Care To discuss a reserves‐based model of Health, recently developed in the literature, defining Health and moving from conceptual considerations to methods of measuring Health, applicable to nursing practice and research.Discursive paper.A discursive paper critically synthesising a reserves‐based model of Health for conceptualising and operationalising Health, with reference to key Health theories from nursing science and social epidemiology.In the reserves‐based model of Health, Health was defined as the ability to maintain/restore physical, socioemotional, cognitive and physiological health reserves in order to adapt and self‐manage to life's challenges. Health was measured by the sum of indicators of deterioration of health reserves.The reserves‐based model of Health defining Health through the prism of adaptation reinforces the holistic vision of Health, appropriate to nursing practice, based on the interconnectedness of the whole person and the whole system.This reserves‐based model of Health is likely to modify nursing practices. Nursing diagnosis of patient adaptation could be implemented, in order to offer support care adapted to the patient's capacity to adapt, enabling health promotion strategies to be developed. Nursing research on health reserves is a future promising direction to act on individuals' capacity to adapt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black Lives Matter is a global movement that has gained support from an increasingly diverse racial and ethnic demographic. Universities seek ways to provide an opportunity to increase the quantity and strength of the Black perspective. Using research methods, a fundamental social science course, this paper demonstrates that it is possible to view methods as a course where we can adequately reflect on conversations about race and other social inequities. Research methods does not have to only be about skills but can also convey perspective. Moreover, it highlights the possibilities of shifting any course away from the dominant perspective and centering Blackness in classroom conversation. This paper intends to continue the conversation of social justice teaching and stimulate discussion around lifting Black voices throughout the university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There are several ways to include "disability" in research studies, which can be confusing or overwhelming for researchers, community members, and students. The aim of this paper is to share conceptualizations of disability and how to ask about "disability" in research studies. The paper provides a general introduction and brief analysis of the methodological approaches which can be used. Methods: We used reviews of the literature and extensive discussions to identify key articles, books, websites, and reports that provide guidance and examples of asking about disability in research. Results: Four primary approaches to asking study participants about disability were identified. For each of these, we provide background information, key points about the ways to use the approach including tools that have been developed, and example studies. A comparison table provides a high-level overview of similarities and differences in approaches. Other approaches and tools were also identified and are briefly described. Conclusion: Researchers involved in disability and rehabilitation research should be aware that there is not one best or singular way to ask about disability when conducting research. The approach or approaches chosen for a particular study need to match the purpose of the study. It is important that researchers take time to carefully consider their options and choose the best fit for their study. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: There are several different ways to ask about disability and functioning when conducting research that aims to include a disability component or focus. Researchers need to carefully select the best option(s) for their study. Whenever possible, researchers should use more than one approach and should allow for more than one type of disability or impairment to be selected. Researchers often require training to understand how to include disability in research. Allow adequate time and resources for training research team members so that the tools are implemented correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion Recruiting older adults into clinical trials can be particularly challenging. Our objective was to determine if targeted web‐based advertising is an effective recruitment strategy.We compared the recruitment rates of traditional and targeted web‐based methods for three representative clinical trials involving older adults. All studies utilized traditional recruitment methods initially, but shifted toward primarily targeted web‐based advertising after experiencing slow recruitment rates.We found that web‐based advertising reached more individuals compared to traditional methods. Compared to traditional methods, web‐based methods also had at least twice the rate of expressed interest, completion of telephone and in‐person screening, eligibility, and enrollment. Additionally, the proportion of individuals excluded after the telephone screening did not differ according to whether targeted web‐based advertising (STAMINA: 51%; Berries and Steps: 62%; ISTIM: 20%) or traditional methods (STAMINA: 48%; Berries and Steps: 69%; ISTIM: 23%) were used within each study. Those recruited using web‐based advertisements tended to be younger compared to traditional methods, but were similar in racial distribution and education.Targeted web‐based advertisements may be more effective in recruiting older adults for clinical trials at a faster rate than traditional recruitment methods, but need further evaluation of compatible study designs, potential population bias, and cost‐effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an abundance of outcomes research for clinical hypnosis showing promising results. Nonetheless, hypnosis is still underutilized in clinical care. For a behavioral intervention to enter mainstream clinical care, efficacy needs to be demonstrated with exceptionally high quality of evidence, and its reporting needs to be complete and sufficiently clear to enable replication and clinical use. The present article provides best practice guidelines formulated by the Task Force for Establishing Efficacy Standards for Clinical Hypnosis for conducting and reporting clinical hypnosis research.The recommendations are presented in two tiers. Tier I recommendations include essential best practices, such as a call for the use of detailed research and intervention manuals, plans for and reporting of participant-education about hypnosis, the use of hypnotizability scales with good psychometric properties, and clear reporting of the hypnotizability measurement. Tier I also includes the sharing of intervention manuals, the reporting of the induction procedure, the labeling of the intervention for participants, and the definition of hypnosis used. Tier II includes preferred recommendations, calling for measurement of adherence to home practice, measurement of hypnotizability using scales with both subjective and behavioral measures of responsiveness, and the involvement of participants from the full hypnotizability spectrum. Tier II also includes the assessment of variables related to proposed mechanisms of action, the reporting of participants prior hypnosis experiences, and the relationship of expectancies and treatment outcomes.This list of recommendations will be useful for researchers, reviewers, and journal editors alike when conducting, reporting, or evaluating studies involving clinical hypnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Aims Methods Results Conclusions Gender‐based violence is a worldwide health and social problem with negative short‐ and long‐term health impacts. Sexual and gender minority people experience more gender‐based violence and significant barriers to support. These populations are often not included in, or are actively excluded from, gender‐based violence research, and sexual orientation and gender are generally poorly measured and reported. One recommendation put forth to improve the evidence base with regard to sexual and gender diversity is higher standards of research and reporting by academic journals. Given the leading role of nurse researchers in this area of women's health, this is a topic of particular importance for nursing research and education.We examined the sexual and gender diversity‐related guidance provided by academic violence journals to authors, editors and peer‐reviewers.We conducted a descriptive document analysis. Two researchers independently searched for, and coded, guidance related to sexual and gender diversity from 16 websites of academic journals focused on violence research.While most journals included some mention of diversity or inclusion, only about half provided in‐depth guidance for authors, editors and/or peer‐reviewers. Guidance related to gender was more common than guidance for sexual diversity. The journals gave varied prominence to diversity‐related guidance, and it was often difficult to locate.To reflect the spectrum of lived experiences of gender and sexuality, publishers must actively direct authors, editors and reviewers to include, measure and report these experiences. This has not yet been fully achieved in the important area of gender‐based violence research, and is of direct concern to nurse researchers who contribute significantly to this body of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim Design Methods Results Conclusion Implications Impact Reporting Method Patient or Public Contribution To utilise natural language processing (NLP) to analyse interviews about the impact of COVID‐19 in underserved communities and to compare it to traditional thematic analysis in a small subset of interviews.NLP and thematic analysis were used together to comprehensively examine the interview data.Fifty transcribed interviews with purposively sampled adults living in underserved communities in the United States, conducted from June 2021 to May 2022, were analysed to explore the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on social activities, mental and emotional stress and physical and spiritual well‐being. NLP includes several stages: data extraction, preprocessing, processing using word embeddings and topic modelling and visualisation. This was compared to thematic analysis in a random sample of 10 interviews.Six themes emerged from thematic analysis: The New Normal, Juxtaposition of Emotions, Ripple Effects on Health, Brutal yet Elusive Reality, Evolving Connections and Journey of Spirituality and Self‐Realisation. With NLP, four clusters of similar context words for each approach were analysed visually and numerically. The frequency‐based word embedding approach was most interpretable and well aligned with the thematic analysis.The NLP results complemented the thematic analysis and offered new insights regarding the passage of time, the interconnectedness of impacts and the semantic connections among words. This research highlights the interdependence of pandemic impacts, simultaneously positive and negative effects and deeply individual COVID‐19 experiences in underserved communities.The iterative integration of NLP and thematic analysis was efficient and effective, facilitating the analysis of many transcripts and expanding nursing research methodology.While thematic analysis provided richer, more detailed themes, NLP captured new elements and combinations of words, making it a promising tool in qualitative analysis.Not applicable.No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous reviews of experience-based codesign (EBCD) projects have shown non-participant observations (NPOs) are omitted or unreported in the majority of studies, despite academics' insistence of their value. We undertook Stage 1 of an EBCD project using a Case Study Research approach to organise the inquiry. NPOs were used as the first object (frame of analysis) of the case subject, exploring and understanding the experience of users and providers of ED care. 162 hours of NPOs were conducted by six research team members across three hospital Emergency Departments (EDs), representing a local nested case. The four principles of EBCD were used to guide the inquiry, providing rich understanding and description of the context, and valuable insights into critical issues. Summarised NPO narratives allowed the research team to familiarise themselves with the different physical environments, workflows, and processes, as well as think more deeply about work and interactions. Conducted within complex healthcare settings, this example demonstrates the value of observing Work-As-Done and has advanced knowledge of institutional logic that will be critical in considering realistic and sustainable change initiatives. Commitment to intentional design and well-reported research methods for exploring and understanding lived experience can satisfy academic audiences of the study integrity and provide comprehensive information for those undertaking accelerated EBCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article aims to describe the different steps on how to design, develop and conduct quantitative and qualitative Spirituality and Health (S/H) studies from a Brazilian perspective, discussing definitions and instruments, and proposing a "how-to guide" for those interested in this field of research. A narrative review of the literature has been conducted by experts in the field of S/H aiming to develop a "how-to-guide". Spirituality is a very complex concept that has several challenges in the current scientific literature, including the lack of consensus in the definitions, the numerous dimensions assessed, the diverse instruments for measurement, the criticisms from other scholars, the great diversity of religious and cultural traditions and the growing number of "spiritual but not religious" individuals. This review supports that S/H studies may follow the high scientific standards, using consolidated research procedures and solid methods for both qualitative and quantitative research. Some peculiarities of the research methods for this field are discussed. S/H research is still under development, and there are several future directions for S/H studies, aiming to minimize previous criticisms and generating stronger evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systematic review or systematic literature review (SLR) methodologies are a powerful tool for evidence‐based decision making. The method originated in the medical sciences but has since been adopted by other disciplines, including engineering education (EE). Purpose: We aimed to answer two research questions: (i) To what extent is the SLR research method being applied in EE? (ii) How closely are SLRs published in EE following established reporting guidelines for the methodology? Scope/Method: We searched Inspec, Compendex, and ERIC for engineering‐related SLRs and meta‐analyses (MAs). We included English language papers that contained an explicit SLR search, or where it appeared the methodology was intended by the author(s). We completed a data extraction process for 21 descriptive and quality‐related items, including engineering discipline, which allowed us to identify the EE studies analyzed in this article. Results: This sub‐analysis presents the results of 276 EE‐related reviews. We found the use of SLR/MA methods is growing in EE, with 93% of papers published during 2015–2022. However, we found that authors are not generally following established guidelines for reporting their methods and findings. Conclusions: Not following the best practices for conducting and reporting SLRs can result in the presentation of incorrect summaries and analyses due to missed evidence. Including search experts (e.g., librarians) trained in conducting SLRs can improve review quality. There is also an opportunity for EE‐related publishers to recruit experts trained in conducting SLRs as peer reviewers to participate in evaluating submitted reviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines theoretical and methodological issues raised when Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) is used to investigate knowledge-building practices in online and face-to-face teaching environments where English is the medium of instruction (EMI) in non-Anglophone higher education (HE) contexts. The article introduces two dimensions of LCT, Semantics and Autonomy, and demonstrates how "translation devices" were adapted and developed in two studies to analyze lecturers' knowledge-building practices within HE EMI contexts. It then delves into the theoretical and methodological challenges encountered when employing LCT in interdisciplinary studies, alongside other frameworks such as multimodal conversation analysis. Data extracts from the two studies are employed to illustrate the challenges faced and the methodological innovations developed. Methodological implications and potential new directions for the use of LCT in similar problem-situations are discussed, with an emphasis on technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflective essays have become common in higher education, especially for modules and programmes focused on the development of practical skills. This paper analyses the efficacy of reflective essays specifically for social research methods education and training. In order to do so, a thematic analysis of qualitative survey data from undergraduate students taking a compulsory second-year social research methods module was undertaken. Overall, I contend that while the process of reflecting itself has clear benefits, and students themselves generally perceive the act of reflecting as being personally beneficial, the requirement to write up into an essay for submission has more mixed results. Further, while previous studies have suggested that reflective essays are confidence-building exercises, this research suggests that while this was the case for some students who completed the assignment, others found the process more discouraging. The paper concludes by suggesting several potential improvements that could be made to reflective essays in order to mitigate these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Hypothesis testing is integral to health research and is commonly completed through frequentist statistics focused on computing p values. p Values have been long criticized for offering limited information about the relationship of variables and strength of evidence concerning the plausibility, presence and certainty of associations among variables. Bayesian statistics is a potential alternative for inference‐making. Despite emerging discussion on Bayesian statistics across various disciplines, the uptake of Bayesian statistics in health research is still limited. Aim: To offer a primer on Bayesian statistics and Bayes factors for health researchers to gain preliminary knowledge of its use, application and interpretation in health research. Methods: Theoretical and empirical literature on Bayesian statistics and methods were used to develop this methodological primer. Conclusions: Using Bayesian statistics in health research without a careful and complete understanding of its underlying philosophy and differences from frequentist testing, estimation and interpretation methods can result in similar ritualistic use as done for p values. Implications: Health researchers should supplement frequentists statistics with Bayesian statistics when analysing research data. The overreliance on p values for clinical decisions making should be avoided. Bayes factors offer a more intuitive measure of assessing the strength of evidence for null and alternative hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused massive losses for the global economy. Scholars have used different methods to study the transmission mode and influencing factors of the virus to find effective methods to provide people with a healthy built environment. However, these studies arrived at different or even contradictory conclusions. This review presents the main research methodologies utilized in this field, summarizes the main investigation methods, and critically discusses their related conclusions. Data statistical analysis, sample collection, simulation models, and replication transmission scenarios are the main research methods. The summarized conclusion for prevention from all reviewed papers are: adequate ventilation and proper location of return air vents, proper use of personal protective equipment, as well as the reasonable and strict enforcement of policies are the main methods for reducing the transmission. Recommendations including standardized databases, causation clarification, rigorous experiment design, improved simulation accuracy and verification are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial progress in adolescent health research has been made over recent decades, but important knowledge gaps remain. Informed by targeted reviews of the literature, expert consultation, and authors' collective experiences, we propose future directions in adolescent health research. We identified five key principles on how future research must be approached alongside what technical investments are required to act on them. Principles: 1. Research with adolescents must be decolonizing in practice , dismantling systems of oppression, exploitation, and cultural dominance; 2. Research must recognize socio-political, structural, and commercial determinants of adolescent health ; 3. Research must be developmentally and contextually appropriate, reflecting adolescents' evolving capacities and increasingly complex and intersecting determinants of health; 4. Research must be strengths-based – moving away from problematizing adolescents and/or their behaviours toward focusing on their strengths as levers for change; and 5. Research must be built on a foundation of respectful partnerships as a right , and because adolescents have unique knowledge and skills to contribute. Technical investments: 1. Sampling techniques and approaches that provide equity of opportunity for all to participate; 2. High-quality descriptive studies from all nations to understand adolescents' ever-evolving contexts, needs and assets; 3. Investment in what works within each context and for whom through trials and robust assessments/evaluations; and 4. Implementation science research strategies. Adolescent health research will require reorientation and innovation in both how we approach research and what technical investments are required to improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents now and into the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits of open educational practices that invite students to collaborate and interactively create knowledge are well known. Despite this, it remains underutilized for teaching in research methods classrooms. This article presents a framework for using open pedagogy in undergraduate research methods courses. Drawing upon the knowledge authors acquired from the Open Educational Practices certificate program, this article outlines the development and application of a renewable assignment for research methods, and provides a critical reflection of the students' experiences. The assignment tasks students with creating an open educational resource that addresses a gap in the existing textbook. Students are asked to identify research methods in other disciplines or look for diverse representations of knowledge acquisition by a community to which they belong. The authors find that this renewable assignment helped students think critically about the potential limitations of the research methods covered in textbooks. Additionally, having students create content that will be used in future iterations of the class increased their level of enthusiasm and excitement for learning. Furthermore, this article discusses how the creation of a renewable assignment in an institutional setting with large minority student representation advanced various aspects of social justice. Particularly, how the assignment and students' experiences in the creation of knowledge addressed redistributive (having free access to resources), recognitive (views from diverse socio-cultural groups), and representational (self-determination of marginalized peoples) justice. The article concludes with a discussion on the ways to build on the success of this pilot project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some in our discipline have recently voiced the opinion that political science is a data science. What follows from this argument is that we as instructors are training the next generation of data scientists, especially professionals and researchers who will work with big data. This paper explores the implications for political science education, arguing that we are uniquely suited to make students critical consumers of big data—a goal we can achieve by creating dialogue with work in critical data studies. I offer three suggestions about how to integrate lessons from critical data studies in the classroom. These include ideas about diversifying the research methods curriculum, using data work for service learning, and modeling best practices in our own engagement with students. Though the discussion in this piece is theoretical, the takeaways include a call to action to create more meaningful dialogue with critical data studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, the rule of law was largely overlooked by sociologists and other social scientists. However, recent years have seen an increasing number of empirical studies of the rule of law. I survey that diverse literature and identify three generations of empirical research, each based on a different approach: (a) the rule of law in action, (b) the rule of law index, and (c) the living rule of law. These studies give us a detailed, but often sobering, view of the rule of law in the real world. I critically review the emerging field and discuss challenges for future research. Developing a more coherent social science of the rule of law is important because it helps us to understand that the rule of law is defined not only by formal institutions and legal documents but also by the place of law in people's everyday lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mixed methods research—methodologies that synthesize qualitative and quantitative approaches in the design, collection, analysis, and dissemination of research related to a specific topic or aim—is increasingly common, offering innovative empirical insight into families and relationships. We first elaborate on our definition of mixed methods research, emphasizing that there is significant heterogeneity within mixed methods approaches to studying families and relationships. Second, we discuss benefits of mixed methods projects within family and relationship research, including theory building and innovation. Third, we provide practical suggestions for designing and implementing a mixed methods project, highlighting useful resources for researchers as they develop research questions, plan designs, collect and analyze data, and disseminate findings. We emphasize the unique opportunities from abductive analytic approaches for mixed methods researchers and point to the need for reflexivity. Fourth, we consider common obstacles associated with disseminating mixed methods research and explain why family researchers need "mixed methods literacy" regardless of their research paradigm. Finally, we identify key areas of future growth for mixed methods researchers. We advocate that understanding mixed methods research has practical benefits, even for researchers not using these approaches. To cohesively build—and critique—our knowledge of families and relationships, family and relationship researchers across paradigms should be familiar with the basic tenets, strengths, and limitations of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the frequent causes of low back pain is intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), which is followed by discogenic pain. Some significant risk factors that have been linked to the onset and progression of IDD include age, mechanical imbalance, changes in nutrition and inflammation. According to recent studies, five types of animal models are established for producing IDD: the spontaneous models, the puncture models, the biomechanical models, the chemical models and the hybrid models. These models are crucial in studying and understanding IDD's natural history and identifying potential treatment targets for IDD. In our study, we'll talk about the technical aspects of these models, the time between model establishment and the apparition of observable degradation, and their potential in various research. Each animal model should be compared to the human natural IDD pathogenesis to guide future research efforts in this area. By improving knowledge and appropriate application of various animal models, we seek to raise awareness of this illness and further translational research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construct of game experience encompasses two distinct dimensions: experience within a video game and experience with a video game. For the purposes of this study, the authors focused on prior experience with video games. The construct of prior video gaming experience has been typically defined in terms of time spent playing and operationalized in two distinctly different ways: 1) an estimate of overall time spent playing video games (e.g., single-item measure); or 2) a cumulative estimate of time spent playing split by video game genre (e.g., multiple-item measure). Despite these extant measurement perspectives, a search of the literature did not reveal a rationale for the disparate granularity with which the prior video game experience construct is captured. However, these variations in approach to measuring prior video game experience may impact the findings of game-based research. This study was conceptualized to begin a methodological conversation centering on how construct operationalization could influence study outcomes. A common scale adaptation process was applied to examine whether prior gaming experience measured by a single-item compared to a multiple-item instrument impacted the predicted likelihood of game-based outcomes. Results demonstrated that while both overall and genre-based measures of prior video game experience measures are tenable in game-based research, genre-based measures appear to yield more clarity for both task-specific and outcome-based research questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]