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This document is a compilation of various studies and reviews on the effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the treatment of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) in stroke patients. The studies explore the use of TMS in combination with other therapies, such as traditional dysphagia therapy, repetitive TMS, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The findings suggest that TMS may have a positive impact on swallowing function and language recovery in post-stroke patients with dysphagia. However, the document also highlights the need for further research and cautions against relying solely on systematic reviews and meta-analyses for treatment decisions. This document discusses the evaluation of systematic reviews on the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for aphasia rehabilitation after a stroke. It references a set of evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of repetitive TMS and a study that developed and validated a prognostic model for swallowing recovery after an ischemic stroke. The document is published in Aphasiology and provides valuable information for researchers and individuals interested in the application of TMS for aphasia rehabilitation. [Extracted from the article]

Community Development as a journal has undergone streamlining, yet much work remains to improve the journal's relations with its many stakeholders around the world and within the field of community development. Community Development, in collaboration with the Community Development Society, must respond to the calls of communities. This article conveys the voice of the Community Development editorial team relative to these critical calls. We begin by sharing the significance of honoring and reconciling our past, while carrying forward lessons learned. We then turn to many of the challenges in the field posed as questions: What are we missing? Where are we stagnating? Where are we not challenging the assumptions? Where must we build bridges between theory, practice, and education? And, how do we strive against a "dark side" future? Ultimately, our intent is to critique the journal and the field, pushing the narrative toward a more engaged and interactive CD field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric sarcomas, rare malignancies of mesenchymal origin, pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In this review, we explore the role of radiomics in reshaping our understanding of pediatric sarcomas, emphasizing methodological considerations and applications such as diagnostics and predictive modeling. A systematic review conducted up to November 2023 identified 72 papers on radiomics analysis in pediatric sarcoma from PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 reports were included in this review. The studies, predominantly retrospective, focus on Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma, utilizing diverse imaging modalities, including CT, MRI, PET/CT, and PET/MRI. Manual segmentation is common, with a median of 35 features extracted. Radiomics Quality Score (RQS) and Methodological Radiomics Score (METRICS) assessments reveal a consistent emphasis on non-radiomic features, validation criteria, and improved methodological rigor in recent publications. Diagnostic applications dominate, with innovative studies exploring prognostic and treatment response aspects. Challenges include feature heterogeneity and sample size variations. The evolving landscape underscores the need for standardized methodologies. Despite challenges, the diagnostic and predictive potential of radiomics in pediatric oncology is evident, paving the way for precision medicine advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meta-analysis, as a fundamental aspect of evidence-based practice, synthesizes findings from multiple studies to draw comprehensive conclusions. A critical element of this synthesis is heterogeneity - the variability in outcomes, methodologies, and characteristics across studies. This review provides an in-depth exploration of heterogeneity in meta-analyses, highlighting its types, impact, and evolution over time. It emphasizes the significance of methodological rigor in detecting and managing heterogeneity, which is crucial for the credibility and utility of meta-analytic results. We delve into the methods for evaluating heterogeneity, including statistical tests like Cochran's Q test and the I2 statistic, and visual methods such as forest plots and funnel plots. The paper also discusses strategies for managing identified heterogeneity, such as subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis, and the importance of choosing the appropriate statistical model. Advanced developments in heterogeneity evaluation, driven by statistical, technological, and methodological innovations, are also examined. This includes Bayesian approaches, individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis, and automated tools for literature search and data extraction. The review includes case studies to demonstrate the application of these methods in various research contexts, underscoring the complexity and necessity of continuous advancements in handling heterogeneity. This paper serves as a comprehensive guide for researchers, contributing to the enhancement of meta-analytic practices and the quality of research findings across disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active learning is a popular approach to teaching and learning that has gained traction through research on STEM educational improvement. There have been numerous university- and national/international-level efforts focused on transitioning courses from the lecture method to active learning. However, despite these large-scale changes, the active learning literature has not been assessed on its methodological rigor to ensure instructional recommendations are rooted in rigorous research studies. The purpose of the present review was to determine areas of strengths and areas in need of improvement and to provide specific recommendations on how to continue or improve active learning research to strengthen the respective literature base and increase confidence in results. We assessed the articles included in the Freeman et al. (PNAS, 111:8410–8415, 2014) meta-analysis as well as a random sample of more recent active learning articles (2015–2022) on 12 internal validity controls (i.e., control procedure used to prevent a threat to the internal validity of a study). Results indicated that there were high percentages of articles that did not meet each internal validity control. In fact, no articles from the Freeman et al. meta-analysis and no sampled 2015–2022 articles met each of the 12 internal validity controls. Therefore, the active learning literature contains numerous internal validity control issues that need to be addressed if we are to determine the extent to which active learning interventions are effective and if there are any boundary conditions for when particular active learning interventions are or are not effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric sarcomas, rare malignancies of mesenchymal origin, pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In this review, we explore the role of radiomics in reshaping our understanding of pediatric sarcomas, emphasizing methodological considerations and applications such as diagnostics and predictive modeling. A systematic review conducted up to November 2023 identified 72 papers on radiomics analysis in pediatric sarcoma from PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 reports were included in this review. The studies, predominantly retrospective, focus on Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma, utilizing diverse imaging modalities, including CT, MRI, PET/CT, and PET/MRI. Manual segmentation is common, with a median of 35 features extracted. Radiomics Quality Score (RQS) and Methodological Radiomics Score (METRICS) assessments reveal a consistent emphasis on non-radiomic features, validation criteria, and improved methodological rigor in recent publications. Diagnostic applications dominate, with innovative studies exploring prognostic and treatment response aspects. Challenges include feature heterogeneity and sample size variations. The evolving landscape underscores the need for standardized methodologies. Despite challenges, the diagnostic and predictive potential of radiomics in pediatric oncology is evident, paving the way for precision medicine advancements.

The article titled "Methodological concerns in the published article in globalization and health: A critical evaluation" raises concerns about the methodology used in a recently published article in the journal Globalization and Health. The authors highlight several issues, including the lack of clarity in the study selection process, the use of Iranian databases for a global topic, and the inconsistency in keyword usage across different databases. They also note the absence of a dedicated section for data extraction and emphasize the importance of adhering to validated checklists and registering review protocols. The authors suggest that these steps can enhance the credibility and reliability of scoping reviews and support evidence-based decision-making. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information on phenomenology as a research methodology, focusing on understanding how individuals make meaning from their lived experiences using their own words. It discusses the uniqueness of phenomenological approaches for health science research, exploring its conceptual differences from quantitative research and presenting it as a compelling way to deeply explore individuals' perceptions of their reality.

Abstract Background The need to mitigate the volume of unplanned emergency department (ED) presentations is a priority for health systems globally. Current evidence on the incidence and risk factors associated with unplanned ED presentations is unclear because of substantial heterogeneity in methods reporting on this issue. The aim of this review was to examine the methodological approaches to measure the incidence of unplanned ED presentations by patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy in order to determine the strength of evidence and to inform future research. Methods An electronic search of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane was undertaken. Papers published in English language between 2000 and 2019, and papers that included patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy as the denominator during the study period were included. Studies were eligible if they were analytical observational studies. Data relating to the methods used to measure the incidence of ED presentations by patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy were extracted and assessed for methodological rigor. Findings are reported in accordance with the Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) guideline. Results Twenty-one articles met the inclusion criteria: 20 cohort studies, and one cross-sectional study. Overall risk of bias was moderate. There was substantial methodological and clinical heterogeneity in the papers included. Methodological rigor varied based on the description of methods such as the period of observation, loss to follow-up, reason for ED presentation and statistical methods to control for time varying events and potential confounders. Conclusions There is considerable diversity in the population and methods used in studies that measure the incidence of unplanned ED presentations by patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy. Recommendations to support the development of robust evidence include enrolling participants at diagnosis or initiation of treatment, providing adequate description of regular care to support patients who experience toxicities, reporting reasons for and characteristics of participants who are lost to follow-up throughout the study period, clearly defining the outcome including the observation and follow-up period, and reporting crude numbers of ED presentations and the number of at-risk days to account for variation in the length of treatment protocols.

The article explore what it means for a qualitative study to be trustworthy, how trustworthiness can be attained by researchers, and how lactation professionals can assess the studies they read for trustworthiness. Topics include aim of qualitative research is to understand meaning, and the data to be analyzed are words and observations.

The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast frameworks for evaluating methodological rigor in single case research. Specifically, research on high-probability requests to increase compliance in young children was evaluated. Ten studies were identified and were coded using 4 frameworks. These frameworks were the Council for Exceptional Children Standards for Evidence-based Practices, What Works Clearinghouse, Risk of Bias Assessment for Single Subject Experimental Designs, and Single Case Analysis and Review Framework. Significant differences were found across frameworks, both in the rating of rigor and the study effects. Implications for determining high-quality research and effective practices are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of reliability in conducting empirical research has been emphasized by construction engineering and management (CEM) scholars. Survey data commonly are used in empirical CEM studies. However, the use of such data in empirical analysis is susceptible to common method bias (CMB) issues, which can generate false correlations between dependent and explanatory variables, leading to spurious and unreliable results. To facilitate recent discussion about the rigorous application of research methodologies in CEM research, we provide a comprehensive overview of major CMB sources and examine articles published in the last 5 years to identify potential CMB issues in the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. We found that approximately 90% of articles that used survey data in the empirical analysis were likely to be affected by CMB. The major source is the common rater effect, followed by the item characteristics effect and the measurement context effect. Because only a handful of studies tested or controlled for CMB, we propose effective and targeted ex ante procedural controls and ex post statistical controls to mitigate its negative impact. This study sheds light on an important and pervasive methodological issue in empirical CEM studies, and provides guidelines for improving the reliability of future empirical research in the CEM field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue gathers empirical papers that develop and employ digital ethnographic methods to answer core sociological questions related to community, culture, urban life, violence, activism, professional identity, health, and sociality. Each paper, in its own right, offers key sociological insights, and as a collection, this special issue demonstrates the need to bring ethnographic methods to digital communities, interactions, practices, and tools. Both as a topic and a methodological approach, "the digital" points us to the need to update, rethink, and grow qualitative sociology. The exemplary papers comprising this special issue exhibit this curiosity and expansiveness, with lessons and implications for an interdisciplinary set of fields and research problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the trustworthiness of empirical research published in distance education (DE) journals, an area that has yet to be systematically explored. The review covers 238 empirical studies which were based on primary data and published in 2021 in eight DE journals listed in Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) or Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI). Findings suggest that they are fairly good in terms of clarity in context of study, purpose of study, and duration if a study involves an intervention or is otherwise length-sensitive, albeit the existence of small room for improvement. In contrast, a large proportion of the studies reviewed are less rigorous to different but considerable and even alarming degrees in terms of research approach and design, sampling strategies, source of data, researcher bias, ethical concerns, and limitations. Put specifically, less than one quarter of the sample studies adopted the qualitative approach while over 90% of the quantitative studies followed the survey and correlational designs, resulting in a staggering disproportion from the perspective of diversity in research approach and design. Over 60% of the sample studies did not spell out their sampling strategies and only about 20% of the specified sampling strategies were probabilistic in nature, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Over 90% employed questionnaires/scales/rubrics and/or interview protocols to collect data but over 70% of these two types of instruments were neither reviewed nor piloted before put to use with less than 50% available in full content, hence likely to undermine the value of the findings. Researcher bias, ethical concerns, and limitations were addressed in 10%, 50%, and 70% of the studies respectively. Implications for future research are also discussed in the light of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The need to mitigate the volume of unplanned emergency department (ED) presentations is a priority for health systems globally. Current evidence on the incidence and risk factors associated with unplanned ED presentations is unclear because of substantial heterogeneity in methods reporting on this issue. The aim of this review was to examine the methodological approaches to measure the incidence of unplanned ED presentations by patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy in order to determine the strength of evidence and to inform future research.Methods: An electronic search of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane was undertaken. Papers published in English language between 2000 and 2019, and papers that included patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy as the denominator during the study period were included. Studies were eligible if they were analytical observational studies. Data relating to the methods used to measure the incidence of ED presentations by patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy were extracted and assessed for methodological rigor. Findings are reported in accordance with the Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) guideline.Results: Twenty-one articles met the inclusion criteria: 20 cohort studies, and one cross-sectional study. Overall risk of bias was moderate. There was substantial methodological and clinical heterogeneity in the papers included. Methodological rigor varied based on the description of methods such as the period of observation, loss to follow-up, reason for ED presentation and statistical methods to control for time varying events and potential confounders.Conclusions: There is considerable diversity in the population and methods used in studies that measure the incidence of unplanned ED presentations by patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy. Recommendations to support the development of robust evidence include enrolling participants at diagnosis or initiation of treatment, providing adequate description of regular care to support patients who experience toxicities, reporting reasons for and characteristics of participants who are lost to follow-up throughout the study period, clearly defining the outcome including the observation and follow-up period, and reporting crude numbers of ED presentations and the number of at-risk days to account for variation in the length of treatment protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that 10 years have passed since the publication of the most recent synthesis of proficiency assessment standards, the present review revisits proficiency assessment practices in research on second language acquisition (SLA), with the goal of examining whether the way in which scholars measure and report proficiency has changed. Our sample included 500 studies from five major SLA‐related journals published between 2012 and 2019. The findings indicate that whereas over 90% of the studies assessed and reported second language proficiency in some way, only 42% of them did so with an independent measure. In line with previous surveys, the most popular assessment technique was institutional status, suggesting that relatively little change has taken place over time. Use or not of an independent measure of proficiency was also found to differ by certain study characteristics (e.g., learner population, research context), providing insight into areas of focus for future improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Postpartum depression (PPD) is a highly prevalent mental health problem that affects parental health with implications for child health in infancy, childhood, adolescence and beyond. The primary aim of this study was to critically appraise available systematic reviews describing interventions for PPD. The secondary aim was to evaluate the methodological quality of the included systematic reviews and their conclusions. Methods An electronic database search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from 2000 to 2020 was conducted to identify systematic reviews that examined an intervention for PPD. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews was utilized to independently score each included systematic review which was then critically appraised to better define the most effective therapeutic options for PPD. Results Of the 842 studies identified, 83 met the a priori criteria for inclusion. Based on the systematic reviews with the highest methodological quality, we found that use of antidepressants and telemedicine were the most effective treatments for PPD. Symptoms of PPD were also improved by traditional herbal medicine and aromatherapy. Current evidence for physical exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy in treating PPD remains equivocal. A significant, but weak relationship between AMSTAR score and journal impact factor was observed (p = 0.03, r = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.43) whilst no relationship was found between the number of total citations (p = 0.27, r = 0.12; 95% CI, − 0.09 to 0.34), or source of funding (p = 0.19). Conclusion Overall the systematic reviews on interventions for PPD are of low-moderate quality and are not improving over time. Antidepressants and telemedicine were the most effective therapeutic interventions for PPD treatment.

Purpose: Induction of labour has become more common over the last decade, together with an increase in the number of systematic reviews of the subject. However, with multiple systematic reviews it is necessary to evaluate the methodological rigor to ensure the reliability of conclusions and recommendations for clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to appraise the quality of systematic reviews that examined the efficacy and/or safety of labour induction methods.Methods: An electronic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from 2000 to 2020 was conducted. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) by two independent reviewers, in duplicate.Results: The search identified 387 publications, of which 48 studies (13%) met the a priori inclusion criteria. No significant relationships were found between study quality and number of citations, journal impact factor, or publication year.Conclusion: Methodological quality for systematic reviews on the induction of labour were ranked as moderate with no significant changes in quality over the past 2 decades. Publication characteristics are not significantly associated with methodological quality, indicating that healthcare professionals should critically appraise studies before applying them to practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of International Business Studies is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Generating theory from research settings requires researchers to adeptly engage with the social intricacies of the field. They need to develop a contextual understanding by gaining in‐depth insights into the setting, while retaining a critical distance from it. Researchers must practice this along the entire research journey, from site selection, through data collection and analyses, to theory development and explanation. However, contextual expertise has been assumed rather than actively considered as a critical component in organization and management studies. We lay out steps for understanding the nature of contextual expertise, offer systematic advice for research projects and outline methodological practices across the research process to choose, capture, comprehend, convey, and confirm contextual specificities. The growing social complexity of research settings renders the development of contextual expertise increasingly important for the generation of enriched and more diverse theory. It also has implications for organization and management studies as a scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a highly prevalent mental health problem that affects parental health with implications for child health in infancy, childhood, adolescence and beyond. The primary aim of this study was to critically appraise available systematic reviews describing interventions for PPD. The secondary aim was to evaluate the methodological quality of the included systematic reviews and their conclusions.Methods: An electronic database search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from 2000 to 2020 was conducted to identify systematic reviews that examined an intervention for PPD. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews was utilized to independently score each included systematic review which was then critically appraised to better define the most effective therapeutic options for PPD.Results: Of the 842 studies identified, 83 met the a priori criteria for inclusion. Based on the systematic reviews with the highest methodological quality, we found that use of antidepressants and telemedicine were the most effective treatments for PPD. Symptoms of PPD were also improved by traditional herbal medicine and aromatherapy. Current evidence for physical exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy in treating PPD remains equivocal. A significant, but weak relationship between AMSTAR score and journal impact factor was observed (p = 0.03, r = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.43) whilst no relationship was found between the number of total citations (p = 0.27, r = 0.12; 95% CI, - 0.09 to 0.34), or source of funding (p = 0.19).Conclusion: Overall the systematic reviews on interventions for PPD are of low-moderate quality and are not improving over time. Antidepressants and telemedicine were the most effective therapeutic interventions for PPD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of International Business Studies is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Despite advances in our understanding of the disease, significant therapeutic gaps remain for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Indeed, no cure exists yet for this devastating disease, and very few innovative therapies beyond the traditional pathways of endothelial dysfunction have reached late clinical trial phases in PAH. While there are inherent limitations to the currently available animal models of PAH, the delayed translation of innovative therapies to the clinic may also relate to flawed preclinical research methodologies. The present article discusses the limitations and flaws in the design of preclinical PH trials and discusses opportunities to create preclinical studies with improved predictive value in identifying key mechanisms involved in PAH development and progression and guiding early phase drug development in PAH patients. The implementation of rigorous study design will need support not only from researchers, peer reviewers, and editors, but also from academic institutions, funding agencies, and animal ethics authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the beginning of the 1950s, when communication research was at its peak, KRACAUER coined the term "qualitative content analysis." Today, the method is one of the most frequently used social research methods in Germany. Building on KRACAUER's line of argument, in this article I identify three fields for further development of the method: first, a more qualitative type of analysis following the formation of categories and the data coding process; second, a case orientation complementing category-based analysis, which is characteristic of qualitative research but has so far played a negligible role in qualitative content analysis; third, a stronger reference to the international methodological discussion where qualitative content analysis remains a little known method. In addition, I further reflect on methodological considerations, concluding by focusing on standards and quality criteria and advocating for the continued development of methodological rigor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance and need for empirical investigations in the field of school library research is indisputable. In 2014, the American Association of School Librarians announced an urgent call for causal research designs to determine what actions and activities of the school library program "positively impact student learning" (p. 4). Despite this request, the methodological design of school library research remains weak. In this paper, we describe two methodological issues, publication bias, and its corollary the "file drawer effect," which have been identified by researchers throughout the scientific community as serious threats to scientific integrity. As there have been no discussions yet concerning these issues within the school library research community, the authors explore these threats within the context of school library research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review the methodological rigor of empirical quantitative studies that have investigated the training and organizational performance relationship. Through a content analysis of 217 studies published in quality journals, we demonstrate significant validity threats (internal, external construct, and statistical conclusion validity) that raise questions about the methodological rigor of the field. Our findings suggest that the time is appropriate for a renewed methodological endeavor to understanding the relationship between training and organizational performance. We make specific recommendations to enhance methodological rigor and generate research findings that will enhance operationalization of theory, help researchers to make inferences about causality, and inform the decision‐making of Human Resource Development (HRD) practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some conservationists believe that free‐ranging cats pose an enormous risk to biodiversity and public health and therefore should be eliminated from the landscape by any means necessary. They further claim that those who question the science or ethics behind their arguments are science deniers (merchants of doubt) seeking to mislead the public. As much as we share a commitment to conservation of biodiversity and wild nature, we believe these ideas are wrong and fuel an unwarranted moral panic over cats. Those who question the ecological or epidemiological status of cats are not science deniers, and it is a false analogy to compare them with corporate and right‐wing special interests that perpetrate disinformation campaigns over issues, such as smoking and climate change. There are good conservation and public‐health reasons and evidence to be skeptical that free‐ranging cats constitute a disaster for biodiversity and human health in all circumstances. Further, there are significant and largely unaddressed ethical and policy issues (e.g., the ethics and efficacy of lethal management) relative to how people ought to value and coexist with cats and native wildlife. Society is better served by a collaborative approach to produce better scientific and ethical knowledge about free‐ranging cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasis is key to cancer mortality. Understanding its biology is vital for developing strategies to prevent and treat metastasis. Phenotypic assays to either study metastasis or evaluate anti-metastatic drugs are widely used in preclinical research. This technical note discusses the adherence of reporting essential experimental and methodological parameters in chemotactic invasion assays in vitro and spontaneous metastasis assays in vivo. Following the analysis of 130 recent (< 5 years) research papers, several shortcomings in reporting were identified. Therefore, we strongly argue to increase experimental rigor which should result in a significant improvement with respect to reproducibility of preclinical metastasis research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In education, the term “gamification” refers to of the use of game-design elements and gaming experiences in the learning processes to enhance learners’ motivation and engagement. Despite researchers’ efforts to evaluate the impact of gamification in educational settings, several methodological drawbacks are still present. Indeed, the number of studies with high methodological rigor is reduced and, consequently, so are the reliability of results. In this work, we identified the key concepts explaining the methodological issues in the use of gamification in learning and education, and we exploited the controverses identified in the extant literature. Our final goal was to set up a checklist protocol that will facilitate the design of more rigorous studies in the gamified-learning framework. The checklist suggests potential moderators explaining the link between gamification, learning, and education identified by recent reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses: study design, theory foundations, personalization, motivation and engagement, game elements, game design, and learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reflexivity can be helpful in developing the methodological rigor necessary to attaining trustworthy qualitative study results. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate strategies of critical reflexive thinking during a qualitative enquiry rooted in a mixed-methods study. Methods: Guided by the questions of Rolfe and colleagues from 2001 ("what," "so what," and "now what"), we applied reflexive thinking to all aspects of the investigation. Results: Critical reflexive thinking strongly supported our efforts to establish methodological rigor and helped reveal shortcomings. Discussion: Effective strategical use of reflexive thinking takes concerted effort. Both time and space are essential to applying reflexive thinking throughout the qualitative research process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite positive effects of and established empirical evidence for tablet-based interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is not known whether such findings can be applicable to maintenance and generalization effects of those interventions.Aims: This systematic review evaluated peer-reviewed single-case experimental design (SCED) studies concerning evidence of generalization and maintenance effects of tablet-based interventions for individuals with ASD.Methods: To evaluate the methodological rigor of the literature in terms of generalization and maintenance effects, the authors adopted four of the basic design standards developed by What Works Clearinghouse (WWC; Kratochwill et al., 2010/2014). In addition, the authors used Tau-U effect size measure and attempted to calculate effect sizes differentiated by the type of generalization and maintenance teaching strategies.Results: A total of 21 studies assessed generalization and/or maintenance effects. In the first evaluation of evidence of generalization and maintenance effects, it was found that more than half of the studies included in this review collected interobserver agreement (IOA) on at least 20% of sessions across all generalization and maintenance conditions and met the minimum quality thresholds of IOA. Meanwhile, less than one third of the studies included more than three data points in each generalization and maintenance condition. With regard to maintenance of effects, about half of the reviewed studies did not report the latency to the maintenance measure, which may hamper the assessment of the clinical and practical significance of the effect of the tablet-based intervention. In the second evaluation, the omnibus Tau-U effect size for baseline to generalization comparisons resulted in a moderate effect. For the contrasts between intervention and generalization comparisons resulted in a small effect. The omnibus Tau-U effect size for baseline and maintenance comparisons resulted in a strong effect. For the contrasts between intervention to maintenance comparisons, the omnibus Tau-U effect size resulted in a small effect.Conclusions and Implication: Findings in this review suggest that efforts should be made to establish a system for appraising generalization and maintenance procedures in SCED studies. In addition, future studies should investigate if tablet-based interventions are truly effective in creating sustainable behavioral change in individuals with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this address, the incoming associate editor describes his early experience with the Patient Experience Journal (PXJ) and issues a call to action to the PXJ community. In the call to action, the PXJ community is asked to build upon our collective history of scholastic and practical excellence. The combination of practical relevance and methodological rigor in our contributions will help to ensure a future in which patient experience is paramount in health service delivery conversations. In addition, gaps in the patient experience literature and emergent opportunities for theoretical and practical contributions are recommended.

Recibido 19 de mayo de 2011 • Aceptado 26 de agosto de 2011 • Corregido 27 de setiembre de 2011 Resumen. En el presente ensayo se desarrolla la importancia del rigor metodológico en una evaluación curricular. Se parte de que para su valoración, por parte de los interesados, es exigido que el evaluador muestre el rigor con el que se ha realizado el proceso, de tal manera que sea posible evidenciar elementos que la hacen válida, confiable y creíble. Para ello, se sustenta el rigor de la evaluación con base en la articulación de aspectos significativos, valorativos, teóricos, metodológicos, de participación de los actores y de ética. Estos permiten delimitar y desarrollar el objeto por evaluar. Por lo tanto, cada uno de estos aspectos forman parte esencial del camino a seguir en un proceso evaluativo. Abstract. This essay develops the importance of the methodological rigor in a curricular evaluation. The assessment of the curricular evaluation by the interested parties has to show the assessor’s rigor with which the process has been realized, in this way it is possible to demonstrate elements that make the evaluation valid, reliable and creditable. The rigor of the evaluation is sustained with the articulation of aspects that are significant, assessable, theoretical, and methodological, of participation of the actors and of ethics which allow delimiting and developing the object to be evaluated. Therefore, each of these aspects is an essential part of the way to continue in an evaluative process.

Purpose: To present a systematic review of single-case experimental treatment studies for childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Method: A search of 9 databases was used to find peer-reviewed treatment articles from 1970 to 2012 of all levels of evidence with published communication outcomes for children with CAS. Improvement rate differences (IRDs) were calculated for articles with replicated (n > 1), statistically compared treatment and generalization evidence. Results: Forty-two articles representing Phase I and II single-case experimental designs (SCEDs; n = 23) or case series or description studies (n = 19) were analyzed. Six articles showed high CAS diagnosis confidence. Of the 13 approaches within the 23 SCED articles, treatments were primarily for speech motor skills (n = 6), linguistic skills (n = 5), or augmentative and alternative communication (n = 2). Most participants responded positively to treatment, but only 7 of 13 approaches in SCED studies reported maintenance and/or generalization of treatment effects. Three approaches had preponderant evidence (Smith, 1981). IRD effect sizes were calculated for Integral Stimulation/Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing, Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment, and Integrated Phonological Awareness Intervention. Conclusions: At least 3 treatments have sufficient evidence for Phase III trials and interim clinical practice. In the future, efficacy needs to be established via maintenance and generalization measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rigor in research is normally conceived of as the means by which integrity and competence are confirmed (Tobin & Begley, 2004).1 That is, a way of demonstrating the legitimacy or soundness of the research process. Without rigor, it is argued, there is a danger that research may become fictional journalism and therefore worthless as contributing to knowledge (Morse, Barrett, Mayan, Olson, & Spiers, 2002).

Evidence-based research relevant to social work practice has grown dramatically. This article describes a method that was implemented to teach master's and doctoral social work students how to synthesize and evaluate evidence-based interventions for social work–related problems and populations. The method includes eight steps: conceptualize the problem and define the research question(s); conduct a systematic search; define study inclusion and exclusion criteria; identify and categorize types of interventions and outcomes; rate the studies' methodological rigor; determine outcome attainment; combine outcome attainment and study rigor, and compare the evidence across studies. Two examples are presented of the implementation of this approach along with a discussion of the challenges and limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]