Gabriel graph-based connectivity and density for internal validity of clustering

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-238
Author(s):  
Fatima Boudane ◽  
Ali Berrichi
Keyword(s):  
Internal Validity ◽  
Gabriel Graph

Reversion Toward the Mean Independently of Regression Toward the Mean

Methodology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merton S. Krause
Keyword(s):  
Random Error ◽  
Evaluation Studies ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Intervention Evaluation ◽  
Population Mean ◽  
Experimental Intervention ◽  
Sample Data ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Regression Toward The Mean

There is another important artifactual contributor to the apparent improvement of persons subjected to an experimental intervention which may be mistaken for regression toward the mean. This is the phenomenon of random error and extreme selection, which does not at all involve the population regression of posttest on pretest scores but involves a quite different and independent reversion of subjects’ scores toward the population mean. These two independent threats to the internal validity of intervention evaluation studies, however, can be detected and differentiated on the sample data of such studies.

Internal Validity of the School-Climate Bullying Survey

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharmila Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Dewey G. Cornell ◽  
Timothy R. Konold
Keyword(s):  
School Climate ◽  
Internal Validity

Evidence-Based Social Sciences: A New Emerging Field

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-211
Author(s):  
Nazila Zarghi ◽  
Soheil Dastmalchian Khorasani
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Social Settings ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Academic Area ◽  
Different Levels

Abstract Evidence based social sciences, is one of the state-of- the-art area in this field. It is making decisions on the basis of conscientious, explicit and judicious use of the best available evidence from multiple sources. It also could be conducive to evidence based social work, i.e a kind of evidence based practice in some extent. In this new emerging field, the research findings help social workers in different levels of social sciences such as policy making, management, academic area, education, and social settings, etc.When using research in real setting, it is necessary to do critical appraisal, not only for trustingon internal validity or rigor methodology of the paper, but also for knowing in what extent research findings could be applied in real setting. Undoubtedly, the latter it is a kind of subjective judgment. As social sciences findings are highly context bound, it is necessary to pay more attention to this area. The present paper tries to introduce firstly evidence based social sciences and its importance and then propose criteria for critical appraisal of research findings for application in society.

Quality-of-Life Measurement in Advanced Cancer: Assessing the Individual

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 3603-3611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dympna Waldron ◽  
Ciaran A. O'Boyle ◽  
Michael Kearney ◽  
Michael Moriarty ◽  
Desmond Carney
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Incurable Cancer ◽  
Life Measurement ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Very High

PURPOSE: Despite the increasing importance of assessing quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced cancer, relatively little is known about individual patient's perceptions of the issues contributing to their QoL. The Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL) and the shorter SEIQoL–Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW) assess individualized QoL using a semistructured interview technique. Here we report findings from the first administration of the SEIQoL and SEIQoL-DW to patients with advanced incurable cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: QoL was assessed on a single occasion using the SEIQoL and SEIQoL-DW in 80 patients with advanced incurable cancer. RESULTS: All patients were able to complete the SEIQoL-DW, and 78% completed the SEIQoL. Of a possible score of 100, the median QoL global score was as follows: SEIQoL, 61 (range, 24 to 94); SEIQoL-DW, 60.5 (range, 6 to 95). Psychometric data for SEIQoL indicated very high levels of internal consistency (median r = .90) and internal validity (median R2 = 0.88). Patients' judgments of their QoL were unique to the individual. Family concerns were almost universally rated as more important than health, the difference being significant when measured using the SEIQoL-DW (P = .002). CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced incurable cancer were very good judges of their QoL, and many patients rated their QoL as good. Judgments were highly individual, with very high levels of consistency and validity. The primacy given to health in many QoL questionnaires may be questioned in this population. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to clinical assessment and advance directives.

scholarly journals Prediction of the requirement of open reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabil Alassaf
Keyword(s):  
Open Reduction ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Developmental Dysplasia ◽  
Estimation Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Noninvasive Treatment ◽  
Dysplasia Of The Hip ◽  
Logistic Regression Equation ◽  
Objective Tool

Objective Closed reduction (CR) is a noninvasive treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), and this treatment is confirmed intraoperatively. This study aimed to develop a preoperative estimation model of the probability of requiring open reduction (OR) for DDH. Methods The study design was cross-sectional by screening all patients younger than 2 years who had attempted CR between October 2012 and July 2016 by a single surgeon. Potential diagnostic determinants were sex, age, side, bilaterality, International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) grade, and acetabular index (AI). An intraoperative arthrogram was the reference standard. A logistic regression equation was built from a reduced model. Bootstrapping was performed for internal validity. Results A total of 164 hips in 104 patients who met the inclusion criteria were analysed. The prevalence of CR was 72.2%. Independent factors for OR were older age, higher IHDI grade, and lower AI. The probability of OR = 1/[1 + exp − (−2.753 + 0.112 × age (months) + 1.965 × IHDI grade III (0 or 1) + 3.515 × IHDI grade IV (0 or 1) − 0.058 × AI (degrees)]. The area under the curve was 0.79. Conclusion This equation is an objective tool that can be used to estimate the requirement for OR.

scholarly journals Appraising psychotherapy case studies in practice-based evidence: introducing Case Study Evaluation-tool (CaSE)

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Greta Kaluzeviciute
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Third Way ◽  
Study Evaluation ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Randomised Controlled

AbstractSystematic case studies are often placed at the low end of evidence-based practice (EBP) due to lack of critical appraisal. This paper seeks to attend to this research gap by introducing a novel Case Study Evaluation-tool (CaSE). First, issues around knowledge generation and validity are assessed in both EBP and practice-based evidence (PBE) paradigms. Although systematic case studies are more aligned with PBE paradigm, the paper argues for a complimentary, third way approach between the two paradigms and their ‘exemplary’ methodologies: case studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Second, the paper argues that all forms of research can produce ‘valid evidence’ but the validity itself needs to be assessed against each specific research method and purpose. Existing appraisal tools for qualitative research (JBI, CASP, ETQS) are shown to have limited relevance for the appraisal of systematic case studies through a comparative tool assessment. Third, the paper develops purpose-oriented evaluation criteria for systematic case studies through CaSE Checklist for Essential Components in Systematic Case Studies and CaSE Purpose-based Evaluative Framework for Systematic Case Studies. The checklist approach aids reviewers in assessing the presence or absence of essential case study components (internal validity). The framework approach aims to assess the effectiveness of each case against its set out research objectives and aims (external validity), based on different systematic case study purposes in psychotherapy. Finally, the paper demonstrates the application of the tool with a case example and notes further research trajectories for the development of CaSE tool.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment among Chinese People: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-91
Author(s):  
Yan Deng ◽  
Siqi Zhao ◽  
Guangwen Cheng ◽  
Jiajia Yang ◽  
Benchao Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Chinese Elderly ◽  
Pooled Prevalence

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) induced the majority number of dementia patients. The prevalence of MCI in China varied across studies with different screening tools and diagnostic criteria. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled MCI prevalence among the population aged 55 years and older in China. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, Wanfang, CQVIP, and CBMdisc were searched for studies on prevalence of MCI among Chinese elderly between January 1, 1980, and February 10, 2020. The quality assessment was conducted via external validity, internal validity, and informativity, the pooled prevalence was calculated through the random-effect model, and the homogeneity was evaluated by Cochran’s <i>Q</i> test and <i>I</i><sup>2</sup>. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Fifty-three studies with 123,766 subjects were included. The pooled prevalence of MCI among Chinese elderly was 15.4% (95% CI: 13.5–17.4%). Subgroup analyses indicated that the prevalence calculated with different screening tools was 20.2% (95% CI: 15.1–25.9%) for Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and 13.0% (95% CI: 10.7–15.5%) for Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). According to different diagnostic criteria, the prevalence was 14.8% (95% CI: 12.2–17.6%) for Petersen criteria, 15.0% (95% CI: 12.7–17.5%) for DSM-IV, and 21.2% (95% CI: 17.5–25.2%) for Chinese Expert Consensus on Cognitive Impairment (CECCI). Besides, women, older adults, illiterate people, rural residents, and those who lived with unhealthy lifestyles and morbidity showed higher prevalence. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The prevalence of MCI in China was 15.4%, which varied by demographics, lifestyles, morbidity, screening tools, and diagnostic criteria. In further studies, screening tools and diagnosis criteria should be considered when estimating MCI prevalence.

scholarly journals The quality of intervention reporting in trials of therapeutic exercise for hip osteoarthritis: a secondary analysis of a systematic review

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise C. Burgess ◽  
Thomas W. Wainwright ◽  
Khara A. James ◽  
Johan von Heideken ◽  
Maura D. Iversen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Hip Osteoarthritis ◽  
Therapeutic Exercise ◽  
Quality Of Reporting ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Intervention Reporting

Abstract Background Therapeutic exercise is recommended as a core treatment for hip osteoarthritis (HOA). Whilst it is widely accepted that exercise can improve pain and disability, optimal type and dose of exercise are yet to be agreed upon. This may, in part, be attributed to the wide variation and inadequate reporting of interventions within the literature. This study evaluates the quality of intervention reporting among trials of therapeutic exercise in HOA. Methods Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were sourced in a systematic review, completed in August 2020. Two raters independently used the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) and Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) to evaluate intervention reporting. Correlations between quality assessment scores and CERT and TIDieR scores evaluated the relationship between internal validity and external applicability. The year of publication was compared to the quality of reporting scores. Results Fourteen RCTs were included in the analysis. On average, studies were awarded 9.43 ± 1.95 out of 12 points for the TIDieR checklist (range 4–12) and 13.57 ± 4.01 out of 19 points for the CERT (range 5–19). Pearson’s correlation coefficient suggested that the quality of reporting had improved over time and that there was a fair, positive relationship between internal validity and external applicability. Discussion Whilst the quality of intervention reporting is improving, many RCTs of therapeutic exercise in HOA lack the detail necessary to allow accurate evaluation and replication. Researchers are encouraged to utilise the standardised reporting guidelines to increase the translation of effective interventions into clinical practice.

scholarly journals Multitasking behaviors and provider outcomes in emergency department physicians: two consecutive, observational and multi-source studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Augenstein ◽  
Anna Schneider ◽  
Markus Wehler ◽  
Matthias Weigl
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Work Stress ◽  
Situation Awareness ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Patient Acuity ◽  
Stress Study ◽  
Competing Demands ◽  
Source Studies ◽  
Sharing Time ◽  
Provider Outcomes

Abstract Background Multitasking is a key skill for emergency department (ED) providers. Yet, potentially beneficial or debilitating effects for provider functioning and cognition are underexplored. We therefore aimed to investigate the role of multitasking for ED physicians’ work stress and situation awareness (SA). Methods Two consecutive, multi-source studies utilizing standardized expert observations in combination with physicians’ self-reports on stress and SA were set out in an academic ED. To control for ED workload, measures of patient acuity, patient counts, and ED staff on duty were included. Regression analyses estimated associations between observed proportion of time spent in multitasking with matched ED physicians’ reports on stress (study 1) and SA (study 2). Results ED physicians engaged between 18.7% (study 1) and 13.0% (study 2) of their worktime in multitasking. Self-reported as well as expert-observed multitasking were significantly associated. This confirms the internal validity of our observational approach. After controlling for ED workload, we found that physicians who engaged more frequently in multitasking perceived higher work stress (Beta = .02, 95%CI .001–.03; p = .01). In study 2, ED physicians with more frequent multitasking behaviors reported higher SA (B = .08, 95%CI .02–.14; p = .009). Conclusions Multitasking is often unavoidable in ED care. Our findings suggest that ED physicians’ multitasking increases stress experiences, yet, may facilitate professional’s experiences of situation awareness. Our results warrant further investigation into potentially ambivalent effects of ED providers’ multitasking in effectively sharing time between competing demands while maintaining performance and safety.

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