scholarly journals Superb Supervision: A pilot study on training supervisors to convey responsible research practices onto their PhD students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamarinde Laura Haven ◽  
Lex Bouter ◽  
Louise Mennen ◽  
Joeri K. Tijdink
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Interpersonal Skills ◽  
Research Integrity ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Pilot Training ◽  
Research Practices ◽  
Research Supervision ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Responsible Research

Background: One way to strengthen research integrity, is through supervision. According to previous research, a supervisor should be well versed in responsible research practices (RRPs) and possess the necessary interpersonal skills to convey RRPs. Therefore, we developed a pilot training programme for PhD supervisors that combined RRPs and interpersonal skills and evaluated participants’ perceptions. Our aim was to assess: 1) perceptions regarding supervision skills before and after the pilot training and 2) participants’ views on combining RRPs and interpersonal skills in the program.Methods: We developed a 3-day pilot training based on our investigations regarding the research climate for integrity in Amsterdam. Before and after the pilot, we sent the Research Supervision Quality Evaluation survey to the participating PhD supervisors and their PhD candidates. We gathered feedback on the training topics through daily evaluations. The pilot study was concluded with a focus group interview where participants discussed the quality of the training, deliberated over the combination of training in interpersonal skills and RRPs and discussed whether such training should become compulsory.Results: Twenty-one PhD supervisors participated in the pilot training of whom 95% had a biomedical background. Before the pilot, 20 supervisors and 23 PhD candidates completed the survey. 11 supervisors and 11 PhD candidates completed the final survey. Both supervisors and PhD candidates were more positive about the supervisor’s interpersonal skills and the ability to foster RRPs after the training. Participants were enthusiastic about the training’s dual focus. They believed that making the training compulsory would be undesirable but supported other ways of incentivising participation.Discussion: Participants appreciated the combination of RRPs and interpersonal skills. Their self-perceptions regarding supervision skills echo this positive view. The results highlight the potential of dedicated RRPs training programmes for supervisors. However, they should be interpreted with caution, as they regard a small sample of volunteering PhD supervisors, underscoring the need for larger scale programs to foster responsible supervision that are evaluated using rigorous designs.

scholarly journals Path2Integrity Learning Cards: First Year Experiences of an Educational Programme to Foster Research Integrity

Edukacja ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-66
Author(s):  
Julia Priess-Buchheit ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Research Integrity ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Educational Programme ◽  
First Year ◽  
Research Practices ◽  
Citizen Education ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Dialogical Approach ◽  
Responsible Research

This article outlines the experience gained in the first twelve (12) months of the Path2Integrity (P2I) learning programme, an initiative designed to promote reliable research results and responsible research practices with all students, not only those destined to be researchers. Path2Integrity learning cards are student-centred instructions with a dialogical approach, using role-playing and storytelling aimed at fostering a culture of research integrity. This report shows that feedback gathered in this first year of the P2I programme supported the following three actions. First, the feedback informed distinctions between the different contexts of research education and citizen education. Second, a handbook was prepared to accompany the learning cards. And finally, students will be asked in the future to reflect on the competencies each learning card features. A review of the feedback and actions will be followed by an overview of the implications for the programme itself and for research integrity education in general.

scholarly journals Explaining variance in perceived research misbehavior - Results from a survey among academic researchers in Amsterdam

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamarinde Laura Haven ◽  
Joeri K. Tijdink ◽  
Brian C Martinson ◽  
Lex Bouter ◽  
Frans J. Oort
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Research Integrity ◽  
Climate Factors ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
Research Practices ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Research Climate ◽  
Academic Organization ◽  
Responsible Research

Breaches of research integrity have sparked interest in the factors that may help explain when research misbehavior is more likely to occur. Often three clusters of factors are distinguished: individual factors, climate factors and publication factors. Our research question is: to what extent can individual, climate and publication factors explain the variance in frequently perceived research misbehaviors? We used validated measurement instruments for these three clusters of factors to survey academic researchers in Amsterdam. Results showed that individual, climate and publication factors combined explain 32% of variance in perceived frequency of research misbehavior. The cluster accounting for the greatest percentage of explained variance was the research climate (23%). The research climate factors included in our study concern perceptions of specific dimensions of the academic organization, such as the existence of research-related norms and socialization activities into responsible research practices within a department, and the quality of resources an institute has available to support researchers in their work. Our results underscore the important role of the research climate in fostering responsible research practices and suggest that the frequency of research misbehaviors might be lowered by putting more emphasis on the socialization into ethical departmental norms and creating an open departmental atmosphere.

scholarly journals Prevalence of responsible research practices and their potential explanatory factors: a survey among academic researchers in The Netherlands

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gowri Gopalakrishna ◽  
Jelte M. Wicherts ◽  
Gerko Vink ◽  
Ineke Stoop ◽  
Olmo Van den Akker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Research Integrity ◽  
Academic Rank ◽  
Research Practices ◽  
Arts And Humanities ◽  
Explanatory Factors ◽  
Scientific Norm ◽  
Publication Pressure ◽  
Funding Pressure ◽  
Responsible Research

BackgroundWhile substantial attention has been paid to research misbehaviors, responsible research practices (RRPs) and their potential explanatory factors have not been studied extensively.Methods The National Survey on Research Integrity (NSRI) is an online survey targeting all disciplines and academic ranks in The Netherlands. Data was collected on 11 RRPs and 12 explanatory factor scales. Results were controlled for explanatory factor scales, academic rank, disciplinary field, gender, doing empirical research and if respondents belonged to a NSRI supporting institution or not.Results6,813 respondents completed the survey. The RRPs with the highest prevalence were avoiding plagiarism (99%), disclosing conflicts of interest (96.5%) and checking for errors before publication (94.3%). Preregistration of study protocols (42.8%), making accessible underlying data and syntaxes (47.2%), and keeping comprehensive research records (56.3%) had the lowest prevalence. Arts and humanities scholars, PhD candidates and junior researchers were associated with a lower RRP mean (-0.51 and -0.31 respectively) as was publication pressure (-0.05; 95% CI -0.08, -0.02). Mentoring (0.15; 95% CI 0.12, 0.17), scientific norm subscription (0.13; 95% CI 0.1, 0.15) and funding pressure (0.13; 95% CI0.10, 0.17) were significantly associated with a higher RRP mean.ConclusionsWe found publication pressure to affect RRPs negatively. Mentoring, scientific norm subscription and funding pressure may help foster RRPs. Arts and humanities scholars, PhD candidates and junior researchers need more efforts to raise awareness on RRPs. Further research on these groups is warranted in order to understand research integrity challenges that may be unique to them.

An Assessment of a Microcounseling Model for Nurse Training in Facilitative Interpersonal Skills

1982 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.F. Spruce ◽  
F.J.A. Snyders
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Skills ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Psychiatric Nurses ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nurse Training ◽  
Therapeutic Milieu ◽  
Maximum Contact ◽  
Methodological Difficulties

Many large psychiatric hospitals, being overcrowded and understaffed, lack a healthy treatment atmosphere. The need for maximizing every staff member's potential cannot thus be overemphasized. Although psychiatric nursing staff have maximum contact with patients, they frequently lack training in interpersonal skills. The aim of the study was to tentatively assess the feasibility of implementing a brief counselling training programme for psychiatric nurses in a hospital context. A set of skills, conducive to the establishment of a therapeutic milieu, was selected. A number of available programmes were assessed in terms of their suitability for training these specific skills, and a microcounseling programme was chosen and implemented. A small sample of nurses was drawn, and no control group was utilized. An own-control, time-series design was used, and methodological difficulties relating to implementation and assessment are discussed. Significant trainee gains were demonstrated, although methodological shortcomings allowed only tentative conclusions. The value of a more rigorous design and extensive process analyses is stressed.

Mindfulness and its impacts on managers: A pilot study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Aboubacar Garba Konte
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Interpersonal Skills ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Organizational Environment ◽  
Workplace Performance ◽  
Managerial Practices ◽  
Managerial Training ◽  
Before And After

BACKGROUND: Nowadays most companies look for innovations in managerial training in order to develop among their employees some qualities such as motivation, commitment, creativity, autonomy or the ability to adapt to change and manage intensive pressure. Mindfulness is drawing the attention of a growing number of companies. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to explore how mindfulness can be a tool that helps managers not only to develop their capacities but also to better cope with stress and contribute to great workplace performance. METHOD: 13 managers went through MBSR training and their managerial practices were evaluated after the training. Data were collected during individual semi-directive qualitative interviews before and after the training of the managers. RESULTS: The results indicate that organizations may reap considerable benefits from training their managers in programs that support the practice of mindfulness in the workplace. The MBSR training generated significant impacts on two major skills that managers have identified: the ability to supervise a team of employees with all that this implies in terms of interpersonal skills and the ability to organize and prioritize their activities. Also, the research methodology sheds light on the innovative nature of mindfulness in a favorable organizational environment.

Participant Reactions to Suicide-Focused Research

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 367-374
Author(s):  
Sarah P. Carter ◽  
Brooke A. Ammerman ◽  
Heather M. Gebhardt ◽  
Jonathan Buchholz ◽  
Mark A. Reger
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Psychiatric Inpatient ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Inpatient Unit ◽  
Online Laboratory ◽  
Psychiatric Inpatient Unit ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Participant Reactions

Abstract. Background: Concerns exist regarding the perceived risks of conducting suicide-focused research among an acutely distressed population. Aims: The current study assessed changes in participant distress before and after participation in a suicide-focused research study conducted on a psychiatric inpatient unit. Method: Participants included 37 veterans who were receiving treatment on a psychiatric inpatient unit and completed a survey-based research study focused on suicide-related behaviors and experiences. Results: Participants reported no significant changes in self-reported distress. The majority of participants reported unchanged or decreased distress. Reviews of electronic medical records revealed no behavioral dysregulation and minimal use of as-needed medications or changes in mood following participation. Limitations: The study's small sample size and veteran population may limit generalizability. Conclusion: Findings add to research conducted across a variety of settings (i.e., outpatient, online, laboratory), indicating that participating in suicide-focused research is not significantly associated with increased distress or suicide risk.

A pilot study on the effect of ulipristal acetate on myoma angiogenesis, measured by 2D ultrasound and VEGF serum levels

2020 ◽  
pp. 19-29
Author(s):  
Patricia Diaz Ortega ◽  
Manuel García Manero
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Power Doppler ◽  
Uterine Fibroids ◽  
Premenopausal Women ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Ulipristal Acetate ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Angiogenesis Process ◽  
2D Ultrasound ◽  
Average Size

Introduction: Symptomatic uterine fibroids can cause symptoms that can be disabling. There are many treatments, including ulipristal acetate, whose role in reducing symptoms and decreasing the size of the fibroid is well known. With this preliminary study, we also try to evaluate the correlation between myoma vascularization measured by ultrasound (Power Doppler 2D) and serum VEGF levels, before and after treatment with ulipristal acetate; in patients diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids. Materials and Methods: A preliminary, prospective observational pilot study was designed. Twenty-four premenopausal women, diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids, were included and all of them completed the study. Four cycles of ulipristal acetate were administered according to the dose and indications specified in the data sheet. In order to assess the influence of this treatment on the angiogenesis process of the fibroids, measurements of VEGF serum levels were made and their vascularization was assessed by means of 2D power doppler ultrasound; at the beginning and the end of treatment. In addition, several determinations of the same parameters were made throughout the successive visits. Endpoints were defined as the decrease in VEGF levels from previous levels, the decrease in myoma vascularization on ultrasound, and the reduction in myoma size. Result: 24 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled (n=24). The average size of myomas was reduced from 45,08 ? 24,02mm to 29?16,96mm after treatment. The average VEGF serum level significantly decreased after the first treatment cycle (from 147,17 ? 153,51 pg/ml to 102,04 ? 186,08pg/ml). Vascularization of myomas after treatment with ulipristal acetate was analyzed, and a significantly decrease was achieved in 83,3% of cases. Conclusion: There is a correlation between myoma vascularization and treatment with Ulipristal acetate. SPRMs may provide effective treatment for women with symptomatic fibroids by two ways: supports selective progesterone receptor modulators and reduced angiogenesis. Keywords: Angiogenesis; Ulipristal Acetate; Uterine fibroids; VEGF

scholarly journals The Symbiotic Mutualism between Co-Creation and Entrepreneurship

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6285
Author(s):  
Sandra Misiak-Kwit ◽  
Małgorzata Wiścicka-Fernando ◽  
Kelaniyage Shihan Dilruk Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Symbiotic Mutualism

In this manuscript, the authors aim to explore firstly the association between entrepreneurial mindset and co-creation experience, secondly the association between co-creation experience and entrepreneurial intentions, and thirdly the association between entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial intentions within the sustainability context. In this paper, the authors present the results of the pilot study. Primary data were collected from 500 university students from China, Georgia, Poland, Romania, and Sri Lanka by using a convenient sampling technique, and a literature review was the primary method of the concept development. The authors selected the above-mentioned countries to collect primary data by using a convenient sampling technique based on accessibility; they also visited all analysed countries in order to conduct the pilot survey personally. Descriptive statistics and the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were applied as primary statistical methods. The findings reveal that there is a very strong association between co-creation experience and entrepreneurial intentions, a very weak negative association between entrepreneurial mindset and co-creation experience, and, surprisingly, a weak association between entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial intentions. The added value of the conducted pilot research involves filling in a gap regarding the relationship between experience and the subjective norm. In the presented pilot research, co-creation experience was compared with not only entrepreneurial mindset but with entrepreneurial intentions as well. An additional value of this exploratory research is compiling an international comparison. The main contribution of this pilot study is examining the symbiotic mutualism between co-creation and entrepreneurship. Among many platforms of associations, the following can be differentiated: creativity, innovativeness, openness, engagement, awareness, motivation, trust (level of social capital), and recognizing the significance of social and sustainable development objectives. Due to the small sample size, the results cannot be generalised. Results refer only to the respondents. However, the findings of the pilot study are the basis for further research studies on symbiotic mutualism between entrepreneurship and co-creation.

scholarly journals Blinding in electric current stimulation in subacute neglect patients with current densities of 0.8 A/m2: a cross-over pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Gorsler ◽  
Ulrike Grittner ◽  
Nadine Külzow ◽  
Torsten Rackoll
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Attentional Deficits ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Current Densities ◽  
Improve Standard

Abstract Objective Neglect after stroke is a disabling disorder and its rehabilitation is a major challenge. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) seems to be a promising adjuvant technique to improve standard care neglect therapy. Since electric fields are influenced by age-related factors, higher current densities are probably needed for effective treatment in aged stroke patients. Validation of treatment efficacy requires sham-controlled experiments, but increased current densities might comprise blinding. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted to test sham adequacy when using current density of 0.8 A/m2. Whether especially neglect patients who mainly suffer from perceptual and attentional deficits are able to differentiate beyond chance active from sham tDCS was investigated in a randomized cross-over design (active/sham stimulation) in 12 early subacute patients with left-sided hemineglect. Stimulation (0.8 A/m2) was performed simultaneous to standard care neglect therapy. Results Odds ratio of correct guessing an atDCS condition compared to wrongly judge an atDCS condition as sham was 10.00 (95%CI 0.65–154.40, p = 0.099). However, given the small sample size and high OR, although likely somewhat overestimated, results require careful interpretation and blinding success in neglect studies with current densities of 0.8 A/m2 should be further confirmed.

scholarly journals THU0642-HPR EVOLUTION OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF RA PATIENTS AFTER EDUCATION PATIENT SESSION TEACHING METHOTREXATE SELF-INJECTION A PROSPECTIVE PILOT STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 566.1-566
Author(s):  
S. Afilal ◽  
H. Rkain ◽  
B. Berchane ◽  
J. Moulay Berkchi ◽  
S. Fellous ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Median Duration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Education Session ◽  
Prospective Pilot Study ◽  
Mean Delay ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
Before And After

Background:Methotrexate is a gold standard for treatment of RA. In our context, RA patients prefer to be injected by paramedics rather than self-injecting. This can be explained by patients’ bad perceptions of self-injection or lack of information. Appropriate self-injection education can therefore be an important element in overcoming these obstacles and improving disease self-management.Objectives:Compare the RA patients’ perceptions on methotrexate self-injection before and after a patient education session.Methods:Prospective pilot study that included 27 consecutive patients (81.5% female, mean age 44.4 years, illiteracy rate 40.7%) with RA (median duration of progression of 4 years, mean delay in referral for specialist of 6 months, median duration of methotrexate use of 1 year). The patients benefited from an individual patient education session to learn how to self-inject with methotrexate subcutaneously. The patient education session was supervised by a nurse and a rheumatologist with a control a week later. Perceptions of the reluctance to self-inject and the difficulties encountered by patients were assessed before the patient education session, after the 1st and 2nd self-injection of methotrexate using a 10 mm visual analog scale. Patients also reported their level of satisfaction (10 mm VAS) after the 1st and 2nd self-injection.Results:The mean duration of patient education session is 13 min.Table I compares the evolution of the degrees of reluctance to self-injection, the difficulties encountered, and the satisfaction experienced by the patients.Table 1.Evolution of RA patients’ perceptions on the methotrexate self-injection. (N = 27)BeforeAfter the 1stself-injectionAfter the 2end self-injectionpVAS reluctance (0-10mm)6,5 ± 3,62,2 ± 2,91,0 ± 2,3<0,0001VAS difficulty (0-10mm)7,5 ± 2,62,5 ± 2,71,0 ± 1,9<0,0001VAS satisfaction (0-10mm)-8,9 ± 1,89,5 ± 1,50,002Conclusion:This study suggests the effectiveness of a methotrexate self-injection patient education session in RA patients. It also highlights the value of patient education in rheumatologic care. A large-scale study is necessary to better interpret and complete these preliminary results from this pilot study.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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