scholarly journals Understanding the benefits and burdens associated with a Malaria Human Infection Study in Kenya: Experiences of study volunteers and other stakeholders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Primus Che Chi ◽  
Esther Awuor Owino ◽  
Irene Jao ◽  
Fredrick Olewe ◽  
Bernhards Ogutu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Observation Study ◽  
Resource Setting ◽  
Study Staff ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
Infection Study

Abstract Background Human infection studies that involve deliberately infecting healthy volunteers with a pathogen raise important ethical issues, including the need to ensure that benefits and burdens are understood and appropriately accounted for. Building on earlier work, we embedded social science research within an ongoing malaria human infection study in coastal Kenya to understand the study benefits and burdens experienced by study stakeholders in this low-resource setting and assess the wider implications for future research planning and policy. Methods Data were collected using qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews (44), focus group discussions (10) and non-participation observation. Study participants were purposively selected (key informant or maximal diversity sampling), including volunteers in the human infection study, study staff, community representatives and local administrative authorities. Data were collected during and up to 18 months following study residency, from sites in Coastal and Western Kenya. Voice recordings of interviews and discussions were transcribed, translated and analysed using Framework Analysis, combining data- and theory-driven perspectives. Findings Physical, psychological, economic and social forms of benefits and burdens were experienced across study stages. Important benefits for volunteers included the study compensation, access to health checks, good residential living conditions, new learning opportunities, developing friendships and satisfaction at contributing towards a new malaria vaccine. Burdens primarily affected study volunteers, including experiences of discomfort and ill-health; fear and anxiety around aspects of the trial process, particularly deliberate infection and the implications of prolonged residency; anxieties about early residency exit and interpersonal conflict. These issues had important implications for volunteers’ families, study staff and the research institution’s reputation more widely. Conclusion Developing ethically and scientifically strong HIS relies on grounded accounts of volunteers, study staff and the wider community, understood in the socioeconomic, political and cultural context where studies are implemented. Recognition of the diverse, and sometimes perverse, nature of potential benefits and burdens in a given context, and who this might implicate, is critical to this process. Prior and on-going stakeholder engagement is core to developing these insights, which can be importantly expanded and underlined through embedded forms of social science research.

scholarly journals Understanding the benefits and burdens associated with a Malaria Human Infection Study in Kenya: Experiences of study volunteers and other stakeholders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Primus Che Chi ◽  
Esther Awuor Owino ◽  
Irene Jao ◽  
Fredrick Olewe ◽  
Bernhards Ogutu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Observation Study ◽  
Resource Setting ◽  
Study Staff ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
Infection Study

Abstract Background Human infection studies that involve deliberately infecting healthy volunteers with a pathogen raise important ethical issues, including the need to ensure that benefits and burdens are understood and appropriately accounted for. Building on earlier work, we embedded social science research within an ongoing malaria human infection study in coastal Kenya to understand the study benefits and burdens experienced by study stakeholders in this low-resource setting and assess the wider implications for future research planning and policy. Methods Data were collected using qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews (44), focus group discussions (10) and non-participation observation. Study participants were purposively selected (key informant or maximal diversity sampling), including volunteers in the human infection study, study staff, community representatives and local administrative authorities. Data were collected during and up to 18 months following study residency, from sites in Coastal and Western Kenya. Voice recordings of interviews and discussions were transcribed, translated and analysed using Framework Analysis, combining data- and theory-driven perspectives.Findings Physical, psychological, economic and social forms of benefits and burdens were experienced across study stages. Important benefits for volunteers included the study compensation, access to health checks, good residential living conditions, new learning opportunities, developing friendships and satisfaction at contributing towards a new malaria vaccine. Burdens primarily affected study volunteers, including experiences of discomfort and ill-health; fear and anxiety around aspects of the trial process, particularly deliberate infection and the implications of prolonged residency; anxieties about early residency exit and interpersonal conflict. These issues had important implications for volunteers’ families, study staff and the research institution’s reputation more widely.Conclusion Developing ethically and scientifically strong HIS relies on grounded accounts of volunteers, study staff and the wider community, understood in the socioeconomic, political and cultural context where studies are implemented. Recognition of the diverse, and sometimes perverse, nature of potential benefits and burdens in a given context, and who this might implicate, is critical to this process. Prior and on-going stakeholder engagement is core to developing these insights, which can be importantly expanded and underlined through embedded forms of social science research.

scholarly journals Understanding the benefits and burdens associated with a malaria human infection study in Kenya: experiences of study volunteers and other stakeholders

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Primus Che Chi ◽  
Esther Awuor Owino ◽  
Irene Jao ◽  
Fredrick Olewe ◽  
Bernhards Ogutu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Observation Study ◽  
Resource Setting ◽  
Study Staff ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
Infection Study

Abstract Background Human infection studies (HIS) that involve deliberately infecting healthy volunteers with a pathogen raise important ethical issues, including the need to ensure that benefits and burdens are understood and appropriately accounted for. Building on earlier work, we embedded social science research within an ongoing malaria human infection study in coastal Kenya to understand the study benefits and burdens experienced by study stakeholders in this low-resource setting and assess the wider implications for future research planning and policy. Methods Data were collected using qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews (44), focus group discussions (10) and non-participation observation. Study participants were purposively selected (key informant or maximal diversity sampling), including volunteers in the human infection study, study staff, community representatives and local administrative authorities. Data were collected during and up to 18 months following study residency, from sites in Coastal and Western Kenya. Voice recordings of interviews and discussions were transcribed, translated, and analysed using framework analysis, combining data- and theory-driven perspectives. Findings Physical, psychological, economic and social forms of benefits and burdens were experienced across study stages. Important benefits for volunteers included the study compensation, access to health checks, good residential living conditions, new learning opportunities, developing friendships and satisfaction at contributing towards a new malaria vaccine. Burdens primarily affected study volunteers, including experiences of discomfort and ill health; fear and anxiety around aspects of the trial process, particularly deliberate infection and the implications of prolonged residency; anxieties about early residency exit; and interpersonal conflict. These issues had important implications for volunteers’ families, study staff and the research institution’s reputation more widely. Conclusion Developing ethically and scientifically strong HIS relies on grounded accounts of volunteers, study staff and the wider community, understood in the socioeconomic, political and cultural context where studies are implemented. Recognition of the diverse, and sometimes perverse, nature of potential benefits and burdens in a given context, and who this might implicate, is critical to this process. Prior and ongoing stakeholder engagement is core to developing these insights.

“Criminalization Creep”: A Brief Discussion of the Criminalization of HIV/AIDS Non-disclosure in Canada

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Dej ◽  
Jennifer M. Kilty
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Research Note ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Canadian Law ◽  
Criminalization Of Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

AbstractThis research note begins by situating some of the major areas of inquiry within social-science research on the criminalization of HIV/AIDS non-disclosure. The evolution of the use of this criminal justice measure in the attempt to regulate HIV/AIDS transmission illustrates what has been termed “criminalization creep,” whereby steadily increasing numbers of people are charged with increasingly severe crimes. We outline some of the key and precedent-setting cases in Canadian law in order to explore the problematic of criminalization and suggest avenues for future research on this subject.

Assessing the Correspondence between Experimental Results Obtained in the Lab and Field: A Review of Recent Social Science Research

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Coppock ◽  
Donald P. Green
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Treatment Effect Heterogeneity ◽  
Effect Heterogeneity

A small but growing social science literature examines the correspondence between experimental results obtained in lab and field settings. This article reviews this literature and reanalyzes a set of recent experiments carried out in parallel in both the lab and field. Using a standardized format that calls attention to both the experimental estimates and the statistical uncertainty surrounding them, the study analyzes the overall pattern of lab-field correspondence, which is found to be quite strong (Spearman'sρ= 0.73). Recognizing that this correlation may be distorted by the ad hoc manner in which lab-field comparisons are constructed (as well as the selective manner in which results are reported and published), the article concludes by suggesting directions for future research, stressing in particular the need for more systematic investigation of treatment effect heterogeneity.

scholarly journals Social science research on Indigenous wildfire management in the 21st century and future research needs

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Christianson
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Wildfire Management ◽  
Year 2000

This article reviews social science research on Indigenous wildfire management in Australia, Canada and the United States after the year 2000 and explores future research needs in the field. In these three countries, social science research exploring contemporary Indigenous wildfire management has been limited although there have been interesting findings about how Indigenous culture and knowledge influences fire management. Research with Indigenous communities may be limited not because of a lack of interest by social scientists, but rather by obstacles to doing research with Indigenous communities, such as ethical and time concerns. Research needs on Indigenous wildfire management are presented, centred on the four pillars of emergency management (preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery).

Integrating social science research into wildland fire management

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Czaja ◽  
Stuart P. Cottrell
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Fire Management ◽  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
National Forest ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wildland Fire Management

Purpose – Social science research is used to support the formulation of natural resource management decisions with accurate and timely information. Due to risk and potential impacts, this is important in wildland fire management. The purpose of this paper is to identify the respondent perceptions of a natural disturbance agent's impact on fire management in Colorado and Wyoming. Design/methodology/approach – The research methodology included a self-administered questionnaire completed by a random sample of respondents in three study locations adjacent to national forests. A quantitative analysis was conducted to identify attitudes about fuels management (prescribed fire) and beliefs about fire and fire management. Findings – Respondents viewed prescribed fire favorably and they understand the natural role of fire on the landscape. While results suggest respondents support management of forest conditions to decrease the effects of a wildfire, they do not feel that individuals have a right to expect their home to be protected from fire by land managers, nor do they agree with restricting home building near national forest land. Research limitations/implications – Future research should continue the longitudinal assessment of attitudes toward prescribed fires, incorporating respondent distance to the national forest or identifying respondents living within the wildland-urban interface. Originality/value – This paper illustrates how applied, social science research can meet the needs of agencies and public officials. Results of this paper have been presented to state and federal forestry officials, and members of an executive-level task force in Colorado studying wildfire insurance and forest health.

Social science research related to wildfire management: an overview of recent findings and future research needs

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah McCaffrey ◽  
Eric Toman ◽  
Melanie Stidham ◽  
Bruce Shindler
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Human Dimensions ◽  
Fire Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Science Program ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Fire Science

As with other aspects of natural-resource management, the approach to managing wildland fires has evolved over time as scientific understanding has advanced and the broader context surrounding management decisions has changed. Prior to 2000 the primary focus of most fire research was on the physical and ecological aspects of fire; social science research was limited to a small number of studies. However, as more people moved into fire-prone areas interest grew in understanding relevant social dynamics. This growing interest was supported by increased funding for fire research overall with the creation of the Joint Fire Science Program in 1998 and the National Fire Plan in 2000. In subsequent years, a significant body of research has developed on the human dimensions of wildland fire covering diverse topics including: attitudes towards pre-fire mitigation, social acceptability of fire and fuels management, community preparedness, public response during fires, citizen–agency communications and post-fire recovery. This paper reports on two aspects of a Joint Fire Science Program project intended to take stock of the key social science lessons provided to date: a basic review of findings in the non-economic fire social science literature and identification of future research needs.

scholarly journals Computational social science for nonprofit studies: Developing a toolbox and database for the field

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Ma ◽  
Islam Akef Ebeid ◽  
Arjen de Wit ◽  
Meiying Xu ◽  
Yongzheng Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Computational Social Science ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Concept Representation ◽  
Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Empirical Social Science ◽  
Philanthropic Studies ◽  
Computationally Intensive

How can computational social science (CSS) methods be applied in nonprofit and philanthropic studies? This paper summarizes and explains a range of relevant CSS methods, and highlights key applications in our field. Based on a typical design of empirical social science research, we define CSS as a set of computationally intensive empirical methods for data organization, concept representation, data analysis, and visualization. What makes the computational methods “social” is that the purpose of using these methods is to serve empirical social science research, such that theorization can have a solid ground. We illustrate the promise of CSS in our field by using it to construct the largest and most comprehensive database of scholarly references in our field so far, the Knowledge Infrastructure of Nonprofit and Philanthropic Studies (KINPS). Furthermore, we show that through the application of CSS in the analyses of the KINPS, our field’s knowledge and knowledge producing activities can be advanced, which is a core requisite for the development of our field as a discipline. We conclude the article with cautions for using CSS and suggestions for future research directions implementing CSS and the KINPS.

Sexual Harassment in Healthcare: A Psychological Perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Kabat-Farr ◽  
Ellen Crumley
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Perspective ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Coping Process ◽  
Standard Response

Social science research shows that sexual harassment is still occurring in the modern workplace, including in healthcare settings. This article discusses sexual harassment in healthcare from a psychological perspective, identifying unique contextual factors in nursing that may influence harassment experiences, such as sexual harassment to protect status, the healthcare hierarchy, and the challenges of reporting. We highlight the faults of using official reporting of harassment as the “gold standard” response and explain the range of responses victims may take as part of their coping process. Also included are recommendations for improving organizational cultures to address sexual harassment, and implications for future research.

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