scholarly journals THE NATURE OF SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHING SCIENCE

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 840-856
Author(s):  
Jongwon Park ◽  
Hye-Gyoung Yoon ◽  
Mijung Kim ◽  
Hunkoog Jho

Scientific evidence-based reasoning has been recognized as a form of reasoning that characterizes scientific thinking. This study questioned what scientific evidence means in the various types of scientific activities; that is, this study explored the nature of scientific evidence (NOSE). To do this, previous studies were examined to understand how scientific evidence was analyzed, evaluated, and utilized during the scientific activities of scientists or students in scientific or everyday situations. Through this process, seven statements were identified to describe the NOSE. This study explains these seven NOSE statements, constructs a process of scientific evidence-based reasoning as a structured form by reflecting these seven statements comprehensively, and discusses the practical implications for teaching science in schools. Finally, the limitations of this study are discussed, and possible directions for future studies are suggested. It is believed that the list of NOSE characteristics can provide a starting point for further elucidation and discussion of scientific evidence and helping students’ science learning in more authentic ways. Keywords: evidence evaluation, evidence-based reasoning, evidence-based response, idea-based response, scientific evidence

For many professional psychologists, assessment is viewed as a unique and defining feature of their expertise. Criteria for evaluating the scientific evidence supporting clinical instruments are presented in this chapter, including criteria for norms, reliability, validity, and clinical utility. These criteria are used by chapter authors in this volume in their condition-specific reviews of assessment instruments used for (a) diagnosis, (b) case conceptualization and treatment planning, and (c) treatment monitoring and treatment evaluation. Selecting and using scientifically sound instruments is a necessary starting point for evidence-based practice, but a remaining challenge is for professionals to integrate the resulting assessment data in a manner that is itself evidence-based.


2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Brigham ◽  
Kathryn Mueller ◽  
Douglas Van Zet ◽  
Debra J. Northrup ◽  
Edward B. Whitney ◽  
...  

Abstract [Continued from the January/February 2004 issue of The Guides Newsletter.] To understand discrepancies in reviewers’ ratings of impairments based on different editions of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides), users can usefully study the history of the revisions as successive editions attempted to provide a comprehensive, valid, reliable, unbiased, and evidence-based system. Some shortcomings of earlier editions have been addressed in the AMA Guides, Fifth Edition, but problems remain with each edition, largely because of the limited scientific evidence available. In the context of the history of the different editions of the AMA Guides and their development, the authors discuss and contextualize a number of key terms and principles including the following: definitions of impairment and normal; activities of daily living; maximum medical improvement; impairment percentages; conversion of regional impairments; combining impairments; pain and other subjective complaints; physician judgment; and causation analysis; finally, the authors note that impairment is not synonymous with disability or work interference. The AMA Guides, Fifth Edition, contrasts impairment evaluations and independent medical evaluations (this was not done in previous editions) and discusses impairment evaluations, rules for evaluations, and report standards. Upper extremity and lower extremity impairment evaluations are discussed in terms of clinical assessments and rating processes, analyzing important changes between editions and problematic areas (eg, complex regional pain syndrome).


Author(s):  
Ayda Hosseinkhani ◽  
Bijan Ziaeian ◽  
Kamran Hessami ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Zarshenas ◽  
Ali Kashkooe ◽  
...  

Background: Cough is one of the most common medical symptoms for which medical advice is sought. Although cough is a protective reflex responsible for clearing the airways from secretions and foreign bodies, it can be a troublesome symptom that causes discomfort to patients. Due to the increasing interest in herbal remedies in the both developed and developing countries, in the current study, we aimed to overview medicinal herbs containing essential oils used as antitussive agents according to the Traditional Persian Medicine [TPM] textbooks. We summarized the relevant scientific evidence on their possible pharmacological actions. Methods: To collect the evidence for treatment of cough or “seaal” [cough in ancient books] from TPM sources, five main medicinal Persian manuscripts were studied. The antitussive herbs were listed and their scientific names were identified and authenticated in accordance with botanical reference books. ScienceDirect and PubMed online databases were searched for related mechanisms of action of the reported medicinal plants. Results: The number of 49 herbs containing essential oils were recommended in TPM for the treatment of cough; 21 of them had at least one known mechanism of action for cough suppression in the scientific literature. According to this review, most of the cited medicinal plants were assessed for either nitric oxide inhibitory or antitussive/expectorant activities. Conclusion: In addition to advantageous effects of antitussive herbs noted by TPM, the present review highlighted some recent evidence-based data on these promising candidates that could be used as an outline for future research on their medicinal use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000464
Author(s):  
Tommaso Rossi ◽  
Mario R Romano ◽  
Danilo Iannetta ◽  
Vito Romano ◽  
Luca Gualdi ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo report the results of a global survey on cataract practice patterns related to preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care, surgical setting and personnel allocation.Methods and analysisAn online 28 questions survey was sent to 240 ophthalmologists asking to describe prevailing trends in their institutions across 38 countries and 5 continents. Questions inquired country, institution, surgical volume and setting, anaesthesia, preoperative and intraoperative examination and postsurgical care. Statistical analysis used crosstabs lambda statistics for non-parametric nominal variables. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results209/240 (87%) ophthalmologists responded: 38% representing public hospitals, 36% private practices and 26% academic sites; overall surgical volume was between 241 700 and 410 500 cataracts per year. There was a significant correlation between type of institution and surgical volume. Complete results available in online (https://freeonlinesurveys.com/r/W6BcLLxy).ConclusionCataract surgery related patterns of perioperative care showed significant difference among respondents, regardless to type of institution, surgical volume and country. Many evidence-based procedures are unevenly practiced around the world and some widespread and expensive habits lack solid scientific evidence while consuming enormous amount of resources both monetary and human. There is a need to reach consensus and share evidence-based practice patterns.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 251
Author(s):  
Maria Fraga-Corral ◽  
Paz Otero ◽  
Lucia Cassani ◽  
Javier Echave ◽  
Paula Garcia-Oliveira ◽  
...  

Tannins are polyphenolic compounds historically utilized in textile and adhesive industries, but also in traditional human and animal medicines or foodstuffs. Since 20th-century, advances in analytical chemistry have allowed disclosure of the chemical nature of these molecules. The chemical profile of extracts obtained from previously selected species was investigated to try to establish a bridge between traditional background and scientific data. The study of the chemical composition of these extracts has permitted us to correlate the presence of tannins and other related molecules with the effectiveness of their apparent uses. The revision of traditional knowledge paired with scientific evidence may provide a supporting background on their use and the basis for developing innovative pharmacology and food applications based on formulations using natural sources of tannins. This traditional-scientific approach can result useful due to the raising consumers’ demand for natural products in markets, to which tannin-rich extracts may pose an attractive alternative. Therefore, it is of interest to back traditional applications with accurate data while meeting consumer’s acceptance. In this review, several species known to contain high amounts of tannins have been selected as a starting point to establish a correlation between their alleged traditional use, tannins content and composition and potential bioaccessibility.


2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Nila S. Radhakrishnan ◽  
Mariam Mufti ◽  
Daniel Ortiz ◽  
Suzanne T. Maye ◽  
Jennifer Melara ◽  
...  

Patients admitted with COVID-19 can develop delirium due to predisposing factors, isolation, and the illness itself. Standard delirium prevention methods focus on interaction and stimulation. It can be challenging to deliver these methods of care in COVID settings where it is necessary to increase patient isolation. This paper presents a typical clinical vignette of representative patients in a tertiary care hospital and how a medical team modified an evidence-based delirium prevention model to deliver high-quality care to COVID-19 patients. The implemented model focuses on four areas of delirium-prevention: Mobility, Sleep, Cognitive Stimulation, and Nutrition. Future studies will be needed to track quantitative outcome measures.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faiza Khan ◽  
Michelle Callanan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the confusing use of terminology associated with tourism undertaken by Muslims and to identify key concerns associated with this type of tourism. Design/methodology/approach This is an exploratory study and adopts a critical review of literature following the evolutionary concept analysis method. Content analysis of popular UK media, UK-based tour operators’ websites and tourism strategies of destinations popular with Muslim tourists were conducted to examine the use of terminology. Findings There is no clear difference between the various terms (halal, Muslim friendly, Islamic, etc.) used. Overall, academia uses the term Islamic tourism, while the industry and media use various terms. Among destinations, however, there is no clear and consistent use of terminology. A key concern of Islamic tourism is the role of certification in assuring travellers and the lack of standardisation of halal certification. Research limitations/implications The paper is based on literature review and secondary data analysis. It lacks primary research. Practical implications This study highlights the need for consistent use of terminology across industry. Another implication is the issue surrounding halal certification of food and the importance of trust in the seller/service provide. Another trend that industry providers need to consider is the growth of the Muslim millennial traveller and the needs of this market segment. Originality/value The paper highlights the importance of studying the Muslim tourist market and provides a starting point for further research. It highlights several issues such as the need to develop a typology of Muslim tourists. Of particular interest is the concern whether halal values in danger of being commodified in the absence of a universal agreed criterion for halal certification.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 504-510
Author(s):  
Gunjan M. Sanjeev ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose The paper aims to profile the theme issue of Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes titled “How is the need for innovation being addressed by the Indian hospitality industry?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editor, contributors from the industry and academia and the theme issue outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editor to reflect on the rationale for their theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings It highlights recent innovations that have taken place in the Indian hospitality industry especially in the areas of customer service, cost competitiveness, culinary management, revenue management and technology. Practical implications As hotel sector investment in India intensifies, this theme issue will be of interest to hoteliers, policy makers, analysts and others interested in the role that innovation can play in helping to facilitate differentiation between competing hotel products and services. Originality/value There is limited literature available on industry innovations in the Indian context. All the papers in this theme issue were written after several cycles of interaction between academics and practitioners and so they incorporate real–time, relevant and contemporary data.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda Osman ◽  
Amanda J. Heath ◽  
Ragnar Löfstedt

Public regulators (such as European Food Safety Authority, European Medicines Agency, and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) are placing increasing demands on scientists to make uncertainties about their evidence transparent to the public. The stated goal is utilitarian, to inform and empower the public and ensure the accountability of policy and decision-making around the use of scientific evidence. However, it is questionable what constitutes uncertainty around the evidence on any given topic, and, while the goal is laudable, we argue the drive to increase transparency on uncertainty of the scientific process specifically does more harm than good, and may not serve the interests of those intended. While highlighting some of the practical implications of making uncertainties transparent using current guidelines, the aim is to discuss what could be done to make it worthwhile for both public and scientists.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim Gorssen ◽  
Roel Meyermans ◽  
Steven Janssens ◽  
Nadine Buys

Abstract Background Runs of homozygosity (ROH) have become the state-of-the-art method for analysis of inbreeding in animal populations. Moreover, ROH are suited to detect signatures of selection via ROH islands and are used in other applications, such as genomic prediction and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Currently, a vast amount of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data is available online, but most of these data have never been used for ROH analysis. Therefore, we performed a ROH analysis on large medium-density SNP datasets in eight animal species (cat, cattle, dog, goat, horse, pig, sheep and water buffalo; 442 different populations) and make these results publicly available. Results The results include an overview of ROH islands per population and a comparison of the incidence of these ROH islands among populations from the same species, which can assist researchers when studying other (livestock) populations or when looking for similar signatures of selection. We were able to confirm many known ROH islands, for example signatures of selection for the myostatin (MSTN) gene in sheep and horses. However, our results also included multiple other ROH islands, which are common to many populations and not identified to date (e.g. on chromosomes D4 and E2 in cats and on chromosome 6 in sheep). Conclusions We are confident that our repository of ROH islands is a valuable reference for future studies. The discovered ROH island regions represent a unique starting point for new studies or can be used as a reference for future studies. Furthermore, we encourage authors to add their population-specific ROH findings to our repository.


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