scholarly journals Nature of Our Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosie Twomey ◽  
Vanessa Yingling ◽  
Joe Warne ◽  
Christoph Schneider ◽  
Christopher McCrum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Result ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Significance Testing ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Poor Reporting

Scientists rely upon an accurate scientific literature in order to build and test new theories about the natural world. In the past decade, observational studies of the scientific literature have indicated that numerous questionable research practices and poor reporting practices may be hindering scientific progress. In particular, 3 recent studies have indicated an implausibly high rate of studies with positive (i.e., hypothesis confirming) results. In sports medicine, a field closely related to kinesiology, studies that tested a hypothesis indicated support for their primary hypothesis ~70% of the time. However, a study of journals that cover the entire field of kinesiology has yet to be completed, and the quality of other reporting practices, such as clinical trial registration, has not been evaluated. In this study we retrospectively evaluated 300 original research articles from the flagship journals of North America (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise), Europe (European Journal of Sport Science), and Australia (Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport). The hypothesis testing rate (~64%) and positive result rate (~81%) were much lower than what has been reported in other fields (e.g., psychology), and there was only weak evidence for our hypothesis that the positive result rate exceeded 80%. However, the positive result rate is still considered unreasonably high. Additionally, most studies did not report trial registration, and rarely included accessible data indicating rather poor reporting practices. The majority of studies relied upon significance testing (~92%), but it was more concerning that a majority of studies (~82%) without a stated hypothesis still relied upon significance testing. Overall, the positive result rate in kinesiology is unacceptably high, despite being lower than other fields such as psychology, and most published manuscripts demonstrated subpar reporting practices

Scientific progress is like doing a puzzle, not building a wall

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexa M. Tullett ◽  
Simine Vazire
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Jigsaw Puzzle ◽  
Replication Research

AbstractWe contest the “building a wall” analogy of scientific progress. We argue that this analogy unfairly privileges original research (which is perceived as laying bricks and, therefore, constructive) over replication research (which is perceived as testing and removing bricks and, therefore, destructive). We propose an alternative analogy for scientific progress: solving a jigsaw puzzle.

Scientific progress is like doing a puzzle, not building a wall

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexa Mary Tullett ◽  
Simine Vazire
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Jigsaw Puzzle ◽  
Replication Research

We contest the “building a wall” analogy of scientific progress. We argue that this analogy unfairly privileges original research (which is perceived as laying bricks, and therefore constructive) over replication research (which is perceived as testing and removing bricks, and therefore destructive). We propose an alternative analogy for scientific progress: solving a jigsaw puzzle.

scholarly journals Standing on the shoulders of Giants: a citation analysis of the paediatric congenital heart disease literature

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Sew ◽  
Nigel E. Drury
Keyword(s):  
Citation Analysis ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Citation Count ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
The United States ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Prolific Author ◽  
Journal Citation Reports ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: The citation history of a published article reflects its impact on the literature over time. We conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to identify the most cited papers on CHD in children. Methods: One-hundred and ninety journals listed in Journal Citation Reports were accessed via Web of Science. Publications with 250 or more citations were identified from Science Citation Index Expanded (1900–2020), and those relating to structural CHD in children were reviewed. Articles were ranked by citation count and the 100 most cited were analysed. Results: The number of citations ranged from 2522 to 309 (median 431, IQR 356–518), with 35 published since 2000. All were written in English, most originated from the United States (74%), and were published in cardiovascular journals, with Circulation (28%) the most frequent. There were 86 original research articles, including 50 case series, 14 cohort studies, and 10 clinical trials. The most cited paper was by Hoffman JI and Kaplan S on the incidence of CHD. Thirteen authors had 4 or more publications in the top 100, all of whom had worked in Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, or Dallas, and the most prolific author was Newburger JW (9 articles). Conclusions: Citation analysis provides a historical perspective on scientific progress by assessing the impact of individual articles. Our study highlights the dominant position of US-based researchers and journals in this field. Most of the highly cited articles remain case series, with few randomised controlled trials in CHD appearing in recent years.

scholarly journals On the Potential Mismatch between the Function of the Bayes Factor and Researchers’ Expectations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsz Keung Wong ◽  
Henk Kiers ◽  
Jorge Tendeiro
Keyword(s):  
Null Hypothesis ◽  
Bayes Factor ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Significance Testing ◽  
Null Hypothesis Significance Testing ◽  
Posterior Odds ◽  
Statistical Tool ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Insight Into

The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a potential mismatch between the usability of a statistical tool and psychology researchers’ expectation of it. Bayesian statistics is often promoted as an ideal substitute for frequentists statistics since it coincides better with researchers’ expectations and needs. A particular incidence of this is the proposal of replacing Null Hypothesis Significance Testing (NHST) by Null Hypothesis Bayesian Testing (NHBT) using the Bayes factor. In this paper, it is studied to what extent the usability and expectations of NHBT match well. First, a study of the reporting practices in 73 psychological publications was carried out. It was found that eight Questionable Reporting and Interpreting Practices (QRIPs) occur more than once among the practitioners when doing NHBT. Specifically, our analysis provides insight into possible mismatches and their occurrence frequencies. A follow-up survey study has been conducted to assess such mismatches. The sample (N = 108) consisted of psychology researchers, experts in methodology (and/or statistics), and applied researchers in fields other than psychology. The data show that discrepancies exist among the participants. Interpreting the Bayes Factor as posterior odds and not acknowledging the notion of relative evidence in the Bayes Factor are arguably the most concerning ones. The results of the paper suggest that a shift of statistical paradigm cannot solve the problem of misinterpretation altogether if the users are not well acquainted with the tools.

scholarly journals Health benefits induced by adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle components diet and physical activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-30
Author(s):  
Cécil J. W. Meulenberg
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Form Complex ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
The Mediterranean

The purpose of this overview is to present the evidence that adherence to Mediterranean lifestyle components is beneficial for functional and cognitive health. Although Mediterranean diet is the principal component of this lifestyle, other components, like physical activity and socializing, form complex interactions and together they complete into the Mediterranean lifestyle. Individual components and their interactions have not been studied thoroughly, however, there is an increasing attention for these matters through scientific literature in original research, reviews and meta-analysis. This paper considers the recent knowledge and trends related to defining the indicators concerning these lifestyle components, as well as summarizes the health benefits induced by adherence to them and explains why Mediterranean lifestyle components are important for health.

The archival turn in classical social psychology: Some recent reports

2020 ◽  
pp. 095935432092036
Author(s):  
Augustine Brannigan
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Original Research ◽  
University Archives

Preservation of the research records of classical experiments in university archives has opened a new avenue of investigation for students of social psychology. In many cases, the records afford the observer with access to materials to explain the actual progress of the research as it transpired originally and permit the observer to assess the fidelity as well as the inconsistencies between what was accomplished and what was subsequently published in the scientific literature. This archival turn in psychological research can provide a fresh understanding of the significance of the original research exposing both its value and its apparent weaknesses. In this essay, I explore archival reassessments of the work of Milgram, Zimbardo, and Sherif.

scholarly journals Accountability and Reporting in the Fight against Corruption: Preliminary Evidences from the Italian Setting

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Rosanna Spanò ◽  
Luca Ferri ◽  
Clelia Fiondella ◽  
Marco Maffei
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Research Question ◽  
National Context ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Poor Reporting ◽  
Degree Of Heterogeneity ◽  
Regional Governments

This paper aims to explain how Italian Regional Governments reacted to the introduction of the Anti-Corruption Plans in order to understand the degree of thoroughness. To answer the research question 20 Anti-Corruption Plans prepared by Italian Regional Governments for the years 2013-2016. The plans were examined using a meaning-oriented content analysis. This analysis allows us to detect the degree of compliance with the National Anticorruption Plan (NAP). Also we investigated the characteristics of the information, as well as the degree of thoroughness of the reports. Our findings highlight the existence of high degree of heterogeneity in the Anti corruption plans that characterises the national context. Also, our findings reveal the existence of a wide presence of regions employing poor reporting practices.

scholarly journals Controversy: A Crucial Ingredient for Scientific Progress

Eos ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Williams
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Scientific Publishing ◽  
Fast Resolution ◽  
Crucial Ingredient

Heated debates are inevitable whenever different theories compete to explain the natural world, but scientific publishing facilitates a fast resolution.

scholarly journals Dealing with tuberculosis: factors of the tuberculosis medication adherence among marginalized communities: a scoping literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 2544
Author(s):  
Shamema Nasrin ◽  
N. M. Rabiul Awal Chowdhury
Keyword(s):  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Flow Diagram ◽  
Research Review ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
Scoping Literature Review

Marginalized communities have a prolonged experience of Tuberculosis (TB) with high prevalence. The rationalization behind the high rate is often indicted due to low medication adherence and its cultural and economic aspects. This scoping literature review assessed the influencing factors of patient TB medicine adherence, examined the conceptualization of factors, and determined the gaps related to TB medicine adherence presented in the empirical studies. Three electronic databases had been searched for selecting relevant studies published from 2000 to 2020 March. Studies associated with original research, review, classical and comparative articles on infectious TB in marginalized communities were considered under selection criteria. Finally, thirty articles met the inclusion criteria throughout the Prisma flow diagram; charting table and study characteristics have formed; results were discussed based on the study findings. Indigenous people, ethnic minorities, migrant communities, homeless, prisoners, alcohol and drug users, foreign-born, the working class, sex workers, and immune-compromised individuals suffer more from TB than the mainstream population. The concept of TB medication adherence has been illustrated as a socio-cultural and economic problem, personal beliefs, and the TB recipient's practices regarding illness and health-seeking behaviors. Most of the studies focused on the subjectified experiences of people because the 'recipient's/ patient's perspectives' on medicine adherence were being viewed by outsider’s approach. Few studies recommend prospective learning from the recipient's point of view; examine and conceptualize the political-economic factors for intensifying medication adherence. These records may use further to perform and estimate programs for better health consequences.

scholarly journals Implementing YouthCHAT – Evaluation and Development of An Implementation Framework

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Martel ◽  
Margot Darragh ◽  
Felicity Goodyear-Smith
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
National Level ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Normalisation Process Theory ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Digital Tool ◽  
Implementation Framework

Abstract Background Northland, New Zealand has a generally socioeconomically deprived population with a high proportion of indigenous Māori. Māori youth suffer a high rate of mental ill-health, substance misuse, and other risky behaviours. While evidence demonstrates that early detection and management of these issues leads to long-term positive health outcomes, implementation of systematic screening and intervention is challenging. This study aimed to implement YouthCHAT, a self-administered digital tool screening young people for mental health concerns and risky health behaviours, into youth services in Northland using an iterative process of implementation, evaluation, and modification, and to create a framework for national-level rollout and implementation.Methods Normalisation Process Theory and a Māori research approach informed the implementation and its evaluation. Data sources included end-user focus groups, staff surveys, field notes, and informal communications with key stakeholders. Number of YouthCHAT screens completed measured intervention uptake.Results: Ongoing staff and youth feedback led to changes in YouthCHAT which increased acceptability. Facilitating two-way communication between providers and management, providing accessible training, and improved e-health record integration assisted uptake. Contextual factors, such as establishing a bicultural co-design approach and programming remote functionality during COVID-19 lockdown, were important factors in YouthCHAT’s ultimate acceptability and implementation. Other impediments such as staff redeployed during meningococcal and measles epidemics merely required patience. An implementation framework for YouthCHAT was developed which addresses tool acceptance and uptake, requiring ongoing effective communication and coordination, and iterative evaluation.Conclusions Failure to launch may be due to the interplay between the intervention, its users, contextual factors, and wider organisational aspects. Interventions may need to be tailored to a specific context to meet the needs of users, and address organisational and system barriers. Ultimately there will only be uptake where providers see this as worthwhile. Perception that its effective use will reduce their workload serves as a valuable incentive. The participatory research and bicultural Māori approaches employed in this project eventually led to YouthCHAT’s successful implementation in Northland. Full ownership of the Northland YouthCHAT version was transferred to local stakeholders on project completion. An iterative and evaluative strategy is recommended for future implementation. While derived for a specific population, the principles are generic, and our framework should be generalisable to other settings.Trial registration Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000299202p, 16-02-2018; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374532

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