scholarly journals The future of education equity policy in a COVID-19 world: a qualitative systematic review of lessons from education policymaking

2022 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Paul Cairney ◽  
Sean Kippin

Background: COVID-19 had a major global impact on education, prompting concerns about its unequal effects and some impetus to reboot equity strategies. Yet, policy processes exhibit major gaps between such expectations and outcomes, and similar inequalities endured for decades before the pandemic. Our objective is to establish how education researchers, drawing on policy concepts and theories, explain and seek to address this problem. Methods: A qualitative systematic review (2020-21), to identify peer reviewed research and commentary articles on education, equity, and policymaking, in specialist and general databases (ERIC, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane/ Social Systems Evidence). We did not apply additional quality measures. We used an immersive and inductive approach to identify key themes. We use these texts to produce a general narrative and explore how policy theory articles inform it. Results: 140 texts (109 articles included; 31 texts snowballed) provide a non-trivial reference to policymaking. Limiting inclusion to English-language produced a bias towards Global North articles. Our comparison with a review of health equity research highlights distinctive elements in education. First, education equity is ambiguous and contested, with no settled global definition or agenda (although some countries and international organisations have disproportionate influence). Second, researchers critique ‘neoliberal’ approaches that dominate policymaking at the expense of ‘social justice’. Third, more studies provide ‘bottom-up’ analysis of ‘implementation gaps’. Fourth, more studies relate inequity to ineffective policymaking to address marginalised groups. Conclusions: Few studies use policy theories to explain policymaking, but there is an education-specific literature performing a similar role. Compared to health research, there is more use of critical policy analysis to reflect on power and less focus on technical design issues. There is high certainty that current neoliberal policies are failing, but low certainty about how to challenge them successfully.

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Paul Cairney ◽  
Sean Kippin

Background: COVID-19 had a major global impact on education, prompting concerns about its unequal effects and some impetus to reboot equity strategies. Yet, policy processes exhibit major gaps between expectations and outcomes, and inequalities endured for decades before the pandemic. Our objective is to establish, from education research, how policymakers seek equitable outcomes. Our study emulates its partner review of ‘Health in All Policies’ (HiAP) to ask: How does education equity research use policy theory to understand policymaking? Methods: A qualitative systematic review (from 2020-21), to identify peer reviewed research and commentary articles on education, equity, and policymaking, in specialist and general databases (ERIC, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane/ Social Systems Evidence). We did not apply additional quality measures. We used an inductive approach to identify key themes. We use these texts to produce a general narrative and explore how relatively theory-informed articles enhance it. Results: 140 texts (109 articles included; 31 texts snowballed) provide a non-trivial reference to policymaking. Limiting inclusion to English-language produced a bias towards Global North articles. The comparison with HIAP highlights distinctive elements of education research. First, educational equity is ambiguous and contested, with no settled global definition or agenda (although countries like the US, and organisations like the World Bank, have disproportionate influence). Second, researchers critique the narrow equity definitions – focusing on performance – that dominate policymaking. Third, more studies provide ‘bottom-up’ analysis of ‘implementation gaps’. Fourth, more studies relate inequity to ineffective policymaking to address marginalised groups. Conclusions: Few studies use policy theories to explain policymaking, but there is an education-specific literature performing a similar task. Compared to HIAP research, there is more use of critical policy analysis to reflect on power and less focus on delivering top-down aims. Most studies criticise current educational equity aims and expect them to fail.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ra’d Almestahiri ◽  
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele ◽  
Joy Parkinson ◽  
Denni Arli

This study provides a qualitative systematic review of social marketing tobacco cessation programs identify the extent to which seven major components of social marketing are used in social marketing programs targeting tobacco cessation and to classify them according to social marketing stream: downstream midstream or upstream. Sixteen databases were examined to identify studies reporting the use of social marketing to address cigarette smoking cessation. Fourteen empirical studies were classified. Only one of 14 interventions used all seven of the major components of social marketing. The review identified that downstream ( n = 11) interventions remain the dominant focus in social marketing interventions targeting tobacco, despite calls for social marketers to move upstream during this time. The current review was restricted to studies that self-identified as social marketing and studies published in peer-reviewed journals in the English language which is limiting. This study included all empirical studies published from 2002 to January, 2016; however only using published studies may bias results. The results indicate that social marketing interventions targeting tobacco cessation can be successful even when some of seven distinguishing and mutually exclusive features of social marketing are applied. This article presents the first attempt to review the extent that social marketing principles are used in interventions targeting tobacco intake cessation and to classify social marketing interventions into social marketing streams.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-119
Author(s):  
Daviq Rizal ◽  
Resti Farikhah Z

The purpose of the research paper was to explore the use of Instagram as social media in learning English skills such as reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills. Using a qualitative systematic review, the researchers searched 24 journal articles on the use of Instagram in English language teaching and learning in Google Scholar for data saturation and analysis. This entailed reading and re-reading the manuscripts, followed by coding the data, with each pass enhancing and modifying the codes. The study showed that Instagram could be used as a teaching tool for English language learners and helpful in their English learning. Teachers should use the chance to make the most of this advancement and start using Instagram in the classroom. Because Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, students can practice writing about their daily activities and provide feedback on their classmates' writing. According to this study, using Instagram to teach students how to write descriptive writings is beneficial. Furthermore, the experimental students given Instagram media therapy outperformed control students. The results can be significant inputs for English language teachers to use Instagram in real classrooms. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Blake ◽  
Antonia Sawyer ◽  
Dennis Savaiano

Background/Objective: Substance use disorder is a significant yet treatable mental health disorder affecting approximately 20.3 million Americans in 2018. Its continued prevalence indicates the need for additional approaches to complement existing therapies. Physical activity is one potential nontraditional therapy that has been utilized. A qualitative systematic review was conducted to investigate the effects physical activity as a therapy adjunct for non-alcohol and non-tobacco substance use disorder treatment, evaluating effects on substance use and craving levels.   Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, English language papers in CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, and APA PsycArticles were searched with no date restrictions. In total, 387 abstracts were screened, of which 342 were excluded because they investigated irrelevant outcomes, analyzed solely alcohol or tobacco use disorder, were not primary research, or were duplicates. The remaining 45 citations were reviewed independently by two authors, and 17 were included in the final review. The included studies were graded using a quality criteria checklist based on the quality constructs and domains for research studies reported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.  Results: Of the 17 included studies, 9 reported favorable outcomes of physical activity on reducing substance use. Four of these articles were of positive quality, and 5 were of neutral quality. Additionally, 4 studies reported favorable outcomes of physical activity on reducing craving levels. All 4 of these studies were of neutral quality. No studies reported unfavorable outcomes.  Conclusion: The findings indicate that exercise may help to reduce substance use and cravings in those undergoing treatment for substance use disorder, but research on which forms of exercise improve treatment for specific substances is needed.  Impact and Implications: This study helps to clarify that further research is needed to optimize the effects of exercise as an adjunct treatment for substance use disorder. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 804-804
Author(s):  
Schola Matovu ◽  
Deborah Whitley ◽  
Heather Young

Abstract Caregiving can have adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Older grandparents who are primary caregivers for their grandchildren report multiple health conditions such as depression, anxiety, hypertension, cardiac disease and chronic fatigue, which are caused by or otherwise exacerbated by the caregiving demands. We conducted this qualitative systematic review to identify support needs that contribute to such poor health outcomes and as perceived by grandparent-caregivers for minor grandchildren. We searched relevant databases (PubMed, PyschINFO, CINAHL, and Social Work Abstracts) using terms such as: child rearing, parenting, child custody, grandparents, support needs, and caregiving. Studies were included for review if they were written in the English language; used only qualitative methods; and were published from January 1990 to January 2020. Included studies were critically appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Data were extracted from these studies and synthesized using meta-ethnography. Of the 2828 studies identified, 58 studies from 12 countries met all inclusion criteria for review. Three main themes emerged from the review: 1) grandparent-caregivers’ personal needs, and 2) grandchildren needs. Both themes were further divided into subthemes of health (mental & physical), financial, social (interpersonal, cultural and environmental factors and services). Findings from this review have potential to: 1) inform design of comprehensive interventions and screening needed to address perceived support needs; and 2) identify gaps in and barriers to available support resources for older grandparent-caregivers. Further research is needed on comprehensive assessment of support needs and risk for poor health outcomes among grandparent-caregivers.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt D Shulver ◽  
Nicholas A Badcock

We report the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the relationship between perceptual anchoring and dyslexia. Our goal was to assess the direction and degree of effect between perceptual anchoring and reading ability in typical and atypical (dyslexic) readers. We performed a literature search of experiments explicitly assessing perceptual anchoring and reading ability using PsycInfo (Ovid, 1860 to 2020), MEDLINE (Ovid, 1860 to 2019), EMBASE (Ovid, 1883 to 2019), and PubMed for all available years up to June (2020). Our eligibility criteria consisted of English-language articles and, at minimum, one experimental group identified as dyslexic - either by reading assessment at the time, or by previous diagnosis. We assessed for risk of bias using an adapted version of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Six studies were included in this review, but only five (n = 280 participants) were included in the meta-analysis (we were unable to access the necessary data for one study).The overall effect was negative, large and statistically significant; g = -0.87, 95% CI [-1.47, 0.27]: a negative effect size indicating less perceptual anchoring in dyslexic versus non-dyslexic groups. Visual assessment of funnel plot and Egger’s test suggest minimal bias but with significant heterogeneity; Q (4) = 9.70, PI (prediction interval) [-2.32, -0.58]. The primary limitation of the current review is the small number of included studies. We discuss methodological limitations, such as limited power, and how future research may redress these concerns. The variability of effect sizes appears consistent with the inherent variability within subtypes of dyslexia. This level of dispersion seems indicative of the how we define cut-off thresholds between typical reading and dyslexia populations, but also the methodological tools we use to investigate individual performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam Ahmed Saad ◽  
Mostafa Alfishawy ◽  
Mahmoud Nassar ◽  
Mahmoud Mohamed ◽  
Ignatius N Esene ◽  
...  

Introduction: Over 4.9 million cases of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been confirmed since the worldwide pandemic began. Since the emergence of COVID-19, a number of confirmed cases reported autoimmune manifestations. Herein, we reviewed the reported COVID-19 cases with associated autoimmune manifestations. Methods: We searched PubMed database using all available keyword for COVID-19. All related studies between January 1st, 2020 to May 22nd, 2020 were reviewed. Only studies published in English language were considered. Articles were screened based on titles and abstract. All reports of confirmed COVID-19 patients who have associated clinical evidence of autoimmune disease were selected. Results: Among 10006 articles, searches yielded, Thirty-two relevant articles for full-text assessment. Twenty studies meet the eligibility criteria. The twenty eligible articles reported 33 cases of confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis who developed an autoimmune disease after the onset of covid-19 symptoms. Ages of patients varied from a 6 months old infant to 89 years old female (Mean=53.9 years of 28 cases); five cases had no information regarding their age. The time between symptoms of viral illness and onset of autoimmune symptoms ranged from 2 days to 33 days (Mean of the 33 cases=9.8 days). Autoimmune diseases were one case of subacute thyroiditis (3%), two cases of Kawasaki Disease (6.1%), three cases of coagulopathy and antiphospholipid syndrome (9.1%), three cases of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (9.1%), eight cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (24.2%), and sixteen cases of Guillain–Barré syndrome (48.5%). Conclusions: COVID-19 has been implicated in the development in a range of autoimmune diseases which may shed a light on the association between autoimmune diseases and infections.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheeba Nadarajah ◽  
Susan Buchholz ◽  
Kristen Dickins

BACKGROUND Globally, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. Cardiovascular mortality can be decreased by participation in cardiac rehabilitation. Researchers are exploring the use of mHealth technology in cardiac rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review is to examine the effectiveness of randomized controlled trials that use a mHealth intervention as a part of an outpatient and/or home-based cardiac rehabilitation program on improving physical activity and physical fitness outcomes. METHODS For this systematic review, mHealth interventions were limited to text messaging, mobile apps, and use of a mobile phone network for data transmission, used to deliver cardiac rehabilitation program. Using six databases, the search strategy included published English language studies through 2016. Data was extracted independently by two reviewers, and then synthesized. RESULTS The initial search yielded 149 articles, of which 15 articles that represented nine studies met inclusion criteria. Articles were published from 2010 to 2016 and came from two continents. The majority (84%) of participants were male. Generally, the participant mean age was late 50s to early 60s. Text messaging was the most frequently used intervention. The results of the physical activity and physical fitness findings were mixed. Effect sizes for intervention as measured by the 6-minute walk test ranged from 0.46 to 0.58 and peak VO2 ranged from 0.03 to 1.35. CONCLUSIONS Globally, use of mHealth in outpatient and/or home-based cardiac rehabilitation is being studied with greater attention. However, these studies are limited by geography, gender, and age. Therefore, further research in the area of cardiac rehabilitation and mHealth is recommended, especially in developing countries, among women, and older adults.


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