Application Of Research Findings Research Articles

The Importance of the Social Sciences in Reducing Tail Biting Prevalence in Pigs.

Simple SummaryTail lesions are a major welfare concern within pig farming. Tail lesions result from biting and chewing of the tail of one pig by another and can indicate boredom and frustration within the herd. While extensive research has been carried out to understand and eliminate tail biting in pigs, findings from scientific studies have often not been applied in practice. This may be due, in part, to a failure to consider the role of farmer behaviour in improving animal welfare. If farmer behaviour does not change, it is unlikely that tail lesion prevalence will change from current levels. In this paper, the shortcomings of traditional behaviour change theories were discussed and a guide for designing human behaviour change interventions for pig farmers was provided. It is essential that collaborations between social scientists and animal welfare scientists occur if research findings are to be put into practice on farms.Tail biting in pigs has been recognised as a welfare problem for several decades, being referred to in scientific literature as far back as the 1940s. Today, animal welfare scientists have a solid understanding of the aetiology of tail biting. Despite this, there has been a major failure in applying research findings on commercial farms. Consequently, tail biting remains a significant problem in modern intensive pig farming. Of all farming industry stakeholders, farmers have the greatest influence over the welfare of their animals. Despite this, little animal welfare research has focused on changing farmer behaviour. Understanding the reasons why farmers act or fail to act to improve animal welfare is key if research findings are to be translated into practical on-farm change. Adopting the principles of behavioural science, this review discussed theory-based methods of identifying barriers to effective tail biting management. A guide was provided for designing behaviour change interventions for farmers using The Behaviour Change Wheel, a systematic framework that links the source of behaviour to suitable interventions. It was concluded that the social sciences are of great importance to ensuring that theory is put into practice.

How Mixed-Effects Modeling Can Advance Our Understanding of Learning and Memory and Improve Clinical and Educational Practice.

Purpose A key goal of researchers, clinicians, and educators within the fields of speech, language, and hearing sciences is to support the learning and memory of others. To do so, they consider factors relevant to the individual, the material to be learned, and the training strategy that can maximize learning and retention. Statistical methods typically used within these fields are inadequate for identifying the complex relationships between these factors and are ill equipped to account for variability across individuals when identifying these relationships. Specifically, traditional statistical methods are often inadequate for answering questions about special populations because samples drawn from these populations are usually small, highly variable, and skewed in distribution. Mixed-effects modeling provides advantages over traditional statistical techniques to answer complex questions while taking into account these common characteristics of special populations. Method and Results Through 2 examples, I illustrate advantages of mixed-effects modeling in answering questions about learning and memory and in supporting better translation of research to practice. I also demonstrate key similarities and differences between analysis of variance, regression analyses, and mixed-effects modeling. Finally, I explain 3 additional advantages of using mixed-effects modeling to understand the processes of learning and memory: the means to account for missing data, assess the contribution of variations in delay intervals, and model nonlinear relationships between factors. Conclusions Through mixed-effects modeling, researchers can disseminate accurate information about learning and memory to clinicians and educators. In turn, through enhanced statistical literacy, clinicians and educators can apply research findings to practice with confidence. Overall, mixed-effects modeling is a powerful tool to improve the outcomes of the individuals that researchers and practitioners serve within the fields of speech, language, and hearing sciences.

Barriers to implementation of evidence-based practice in physiotherapy

Background: Patient and clinician relationship plays a pivotal role in the progress of treatment. Evidence based practice is the key methodology which integrates the best research evidence, clinical expertise and patient need for a better outcome. To evaluate the factors that influence the application of evidence based physiotherapy in public and private sectors of Karachi, Pakistan.
 Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to December 2017 in major physiotherapy clinics and rehabilitation centers of Karachi covering major government, semi-government and private sectors. Data was collected from 75 practicing physiotherapists through convenience sampling technique and were asked to fill self-administered close-ended questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS Version 16 and chi-square test applied.
 Result: Lack of availability of resources to access information was noted to be the biggest practitioner barrier while disinterest in evidence based practice (EBP) was considered as the least important. Among various organizational barriers, lack of time provided by management and lack of support among physiotherapists were stated to be the biggest barriers. Perception of evidence based physiotherapy was noted to be generally positive among the physiotherapists. Graduates with experience of 1-5 years were found to be keener to refine their EBP skills and were more likely to agree that EBP integration with practical knowledge improved prognosis. Almost 70% well experienced (10 years +) physiotherapists were reported to have access to research publications whereas 80.4% fresh experienced said they were confident of their capability to search relevant research.
 Conclusion: Individuals and organizations should work to rectify the identified barriers from this study and express learning in a way that helps them in applying research findings to ordinary patients in ordinary clinical settings.

Loess geohazards research in China: Advances and challenges for mega engineering projects

Loess is a meta-stable, cemented assemblage of mainly silt and clay-sized particles of low plasticity. When dry it behaves like a brittle material, but when wetted up the fabric rapidly collapses. Unique geomorphological features include extensive surface erosion, soil piping (loess ‘karst’), catastrophic landslides, and widespread collapse (hydro-consolidation). The Chinese Loess Plateau is a more or less continuous drape of thick loess covering some 440,000 km2. It is one of China's regions that is most prone to geohazards. This paper reviews advances in the research related to loess geohazards, drawing particular attention to the need to apply research findings to recent, very large (mega-)construction projects in loess terrain such as the Mountain Excavation and City Construction in Yan'an levelling 78 km2 for urban expansion, the Lanzhou New District creating 246 km2 of new level ground for construction, and large engineered interventions in the landscape for gully control and land reclamation such as those in Shaanxi and Gansu generating agricultural land covering an area of some 8000 km2. These projects are in response to increasing pressures to facilitate expansion of urban centres, their interconnecting infrastructures and their agricultural support systems. It is argued that, where proper application of scientific knowledge for engineering control (e.g. densification, drainage) of these new landscapes is absent, these projects could generate a substantial, and costly geohazard legacy for future generations.

Applying Research Findings from Theoretical Linguistics to Teaching of English As a Foreign Language:

Applying Research Findings from Theoretical Linguistics to Teaching of English As a Foreign Language:

Using Applied Science for Effective Watershed Restoration and Coho Salmon Recovery in Coastal Oregon Streams

Coos Bay, located on the southern Oregon Coast, is the largest estuary between the Columbia River and San Francisco Bay. Palouse and Larson Creeks in the northern section of Coos Bay are the two most productive streams for coho salmon. Such productivity occurs despite the pressure salmon habitats have experienced through a long history of anthropogenic alterations, and continue to face from the region’s robust industrial economy, including recreational and commercial fisheries, agricultural production, and forestry. Restoration efforts since the 1980s have helped mitigate environmental impacts, but the turn of the century brought a new era of coordinated research, monitoring, and restoration. Forming a multi-stakeholder partnership with the goal of restoring salmon runs, the local nonprofitnon-profit Coos Watershed Association and its partners worked together to learn about the strategies that coho use to survive in these altered landscapes and apply research findings to restore habitats. Specifically, they examined the most appropriate habitat restoration strategies for various life histories of coho salmon, while working within social and political constraints. As a result, these efforts over the past 35 years have led to a better understanding of salmon populations in Palouse and Larson Creeks and an effective restoration program that continues till today.

A unifying theoretical framework for clinical psychology

Clinical psychology lacks a theoretical framework through which to interpret and apply research findings. This comment explains the theoretical framework of ethology, a discipline that is extinct in the United States. Ethologists, Lorenze and Tinbergen developed behavioral systems theory as a means to place the proximal causes of behaviors within the context of adaptive goals. This comment asserts there are four adaptive goals that motivate human social behavior: attachment/affiliation, caregiving, dominance and sex. Tinbergen developed the 4 questions of ethology as a complete explanation for behavior. The articles in this volume are discussed in terms of behavioral systems theory and the 4 questions of ethology.

Climate change impacts and forest adaptation in the Asia\u2013Pacific region: from regional experts\u2019 perspectives

Expert opinions have been used in a variety of fields to identify relevant issues and courses of action. This study surveys experts in forestry and climate change from the Asia–Pacific region to gauge their perspectives on the impacts of climate change and on the challenges faced by forest adaptation in the region, and explores recommendations and initiatives for adapting forests to climate change. There was consensus regarding the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems and on economic sectors such as agriculture and forestry. Respondents also indicated a lack of public awareness and policy and legislation as challenges to addressing climate change. However, the results indicate differences in opinion between regions on the negative impacts of climate change and in satisfaction with actions taken to address climate change, highlighting the need for locally specific policies and research. The study presents specific recommendations to address issues of most concern, based on subregion and professional affiliation throughout the Asia–Pacific region. The results can be used to improve policy and forest management throughout the region. This research will also provide valuable suggestions on how to apply research findings and management recommendations outside of the AP region. The conclusions should be communicated relative to the level of the research and the target audience, ensuring that scientific findings and management recommendations are effectively communicated to ensure successful implementation of forest adaptation strategies.

Strategies to assist uptake of pelvic floor muscle training for people with urinary incontinence: A clinician viewpoint.

The experiences and information needs of clinicians who use pelvic floor muscle training to manage urinary incontinence were explored. Qualitative methods were used to conduct thematic analysis of data collected from clinician focus groups and interviews. Participants were registered physiotherapists and continence nurses in Melbourne, Australia. Recruitment was through a combination of purposive and "snowball" sampling and continued until data adequacy was reached. Twenty-eight physiotherapists and one continence nurse participated in seven focus groups and one interview. The main finding communicated by the participants was that pelvic floor muscle training requires comprehensive descriptions of program details in order for clinicians to implement evidence-based interventions. The following themes were identified: (1) pelvic floor muscle training tailored to the needs of each individual is essential; (2) training-specific cues and verbal prompts assist patients to learn and engage with exercises; and (3) clinicians can benefit from research summaries and reports that provide explicit and comprehensive descriptions and decision rules about intervention content and progression. The data indicated that some clinicians can have difficulty interpreting and applying research findings because it is not always well reported. Clinicians who use pelvic floor muscle training to treat urinary incontinence advised can benefit from accessing explicit details of interventions tested in research and reported as effective. They viewed tailoring therapy to individual goals and the use of verbal prompts and visualization cues as important engagement strategies for effective exercise performance. Explicit reporting could be facilitated by using an exercise guideline template, such as the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT).

Session 207 - Research Award Session: Behavioral Symptoms in Dementia: Etiology, Intervention, and Future Directions

Abstract: Behavioral symptoms manifested by persons with dementia are often indicative of their discontent, and impact both them and their caregivers by increasing burden on caregivers and often resulting in restrictive or inappropriate care. Understanding the etiologies of behavioral symptoms and the principles of person-centered care can prevent many such behaviors and assist in treating others. Three major theoretical frameworks have guided the understanding of the etiology of behavioral symptoms: Behavioral theory, Lower Environmental Stress Threshold, and the unmet needs model. Each theory has specific implications for care. For proper preventive care, several principles need to be clarified. These pertain to the relationship between type of behavior manifested and type of underlying need, the continous nature of human needs, and the tailoring necessary for optimizing interventions. The common needs pertain to relief from pain and discomfort, need for social contacts to counter loneliness, and the need for engagement to counter boredom. The Comprehensive Process Model of Engagement highlights the factors affecting engagement in persons with dementia. This model has been extended to describe the factors impacting group activities. The presentation will illustrate research findings that support principles of care and prevention of behavioral symptoms, the actual delivery of care, as well as the structural and care requirements needed to achieve good care. Acknowledgement of the diversity among persons with dementia and caregivers, the need for assuring dignity of both, support of caregivers in applying research findings, flexibilty in care processes, and collaboration among formal and informal caregivers as well as within the interdisciplinary team are some of the ingredients necessary for improving quality of care of persons with dementia.

Students as Researchers, Collaborators, & End-users: Informing Campus Design

Students in undergraduate design programs often lack opportunity to conduct original research and apply their findings to project solutions. Consequently, they struggle with identifying and framing a design problem, understanding the importance of research-based design, and how to appropriately apply research findings to the needs and desires of project stakeholders. In interior design, this unawareness can lead to design solutions that appeal to the eye, but lack defensible rationale and often do not solve the design problem, or meet user needs. Exposure to research methods and collaborations with practitioners may change how students approach design problems by fostering an empathetic understanding of the human experience.This design case describes a project design at two universities where 72 sophomore and junior students collaborated with furniture manufacturer Herman Miller, Inc. to generate original research before applying their findings to the redesign of informal learning spaces in their campus libraries. Constructivist Learning and Backward Instructional Design, guided the design of the project. The result of this engagement, exposed students to research methods and research integration strategies, who outwardly demonstrated more confidence in making decisions during the design process. While the long-term implications from this type of engagement are not yet evident, encouraging students to ground their design ideas on evidence they have gathered, and their analysis of it, may not only shape their future decision making, but potentially lead to more appropriate client solutions and provide students with coveted job opportunities in positions where evidence-based design is highly valued.

Revisiting Wildland Fire Fuel Quantification Methods: The Challenge of Understanding a Dynamic, Biotic Entity

Wildland fires are a function of properties of the fuels that sustain them. These fuels are themselves a function of vegetation, and share the complexity and dynamics of natural systems. Worldwide, the requirement for solutions to the threat of fire to human values has resulted in the development of systems for predicting fire behaviour. To date, regional differences in vegetation and independent fire model development has resulted a variety of approaches being used to describe, measure and map fuels. As a result, widely different systems have been adopted, resulting in incompatibilities that pose challenges to applying research findings and fire models outside their development domains. As combustion is a fundamental process, the same relationships between fuel and fire behaviour occur universally. Consequently, there is potential for developing novel fuel assessment methods that are more broadly applicable and allow fire research to be leveraged worldwide. Such a movement would require broad cooperation between researchers and would most likely necessitate a focus on universal properties of fuel. However, to truly understand fuel dynamics, the complex biotic nature of fuel would also need to remain a consideration—particularly when looking to understand the effects of altered fire regimes or changing climate.

Knowledge translation: bridging the disability research-to-practice gap

ABSTRACTApplied disability research aims to influence practice yet research results often do not reach, or take a long time to filter through to, those who use and those who deliver services. There are no data for disability related research but it is estimated that it takes on average 17 years for health research to be translated into practice and only about 14% of all research ever makes its way into day-to-day practice. Consequently, service users and providers may find it challenging to apply research findings in their day-to-day lives and work. The emerging field of knowledge translation challenges researchers to think beyond traditional ways of producing and disseminating research to increase research integrity, uptake, and applicability. This article uses examples from two research projects to illustrate the authors’ application of a knowledge translation framework, the Knowledge to Action Process, along with a detailed knowledge translation plan. Knowledge translation is emerging in the disability field as an important approach in ensuring that research agendas and results are led by, and communicated in partnership with those with most to gain – people with disabilities, their support networks, and practitioners. Best practice in knowledge translation indicates an integrated approach underpinned by a recognised conceptual framework and a sound plan that identifies the aims, stakeholders, main messages, and strategies, and includes evaluation measures. Using a knowledge translation framework and plan may assist the uptake of research evidence in the applied disability sector.

Applying Research Findings to Enhance Pre-Practicum Ethics Training

Professions have a social obligation to ensure that their members’ professional behavior is morally appropriate. The psychology profession in most jurisdictions delegates the responsibility of ensuring that psychologists entering the profession are ethically competent to pre-practicum training programs. Educators responsible for teaching the ethics courses in these programs often base them on Rest’s (1984, 1994) theory that does not take into account a vast amount of contemporary psychological and neuroscientific research data on moral decision making. My aim with this article is therefore to summarize the psychological and neuroscience research findings relevant to moral decision making and consider how educators who teach ethics courses can apply them in developing ethics courses grounded in research.

Post‐operative reflux – a surgeon's perspective

SummaryPost‐operative ileus (POI) is a well‐recognised complication of colic surgery that accounts for a high proportion of post‐operative deaths. Although much has been written about the pathophysiology and management of POI in horses, most studies seem to apply research findings to the clinical case without full regard for the clinical evidence. Although much attention has focused recently on the role of inflammation, this narrow focus might explain our failure to make important advances in managing horses with this complication. This commentary is offered to redirect our current thinking about POI away from an approach that predominantly emphasises a functional disorder and medical management, to one that addresses surgical prevention.

A cross-sectional survey on nursing students' attitude towards research

Background: Nursing research promotes optimum care for patients through evidence-based nursing practice. Students' attitude towards research motivates them to engage in research, develop research skills and apply research findings in clinical settings to promote positive patient outcome. Aim: The aim of this study is to analyse the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards research component in order to discover implications for the best practices in teaching/learning process. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional investigation was carried out with purposively selected n = 186, level 5–8 students at the College of Nursing-A, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Al-Ahsa from 2016 to 2107. With informed, voluntary consent, data on students' attitudes towards research were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 32 items on a Likert scale of strongly agree (4) to strongly disagree (1) with the scores ranging from 32 to 128. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. Results: The overall attitude towards research was positive with a mean score (68.4 ± 6.580). Most of the students (78%) regarded that research is useful for the nursing profession. Positive attitude towards research was demonstrated by 68% of the nursing students, 61% reported that research plays an important role in professional and personal life, whereas the highest proportion of students (71%) perceived research as a difficult, complicated, stressful subject and 64% reported statistical difficulty. Conclusion: Although many of the students have a favourable attitude towards the research process and acknowledge its usefulness and benefit to the nursing profession, many of them perceived their research course as stressful. Most of them reported having negative feelings and anxiety towards the research process. Incorporating research course(s) into the curriculum at the pre-university level and having a statistical expert from the research centre teach learning strategies, would yield more positive experiences for students.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward evidence-based dentistry among dentists of Bengaluru city

Introduction: In these challenging times, practice of dentistry is becoming more complex. Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) strengthen the profession by identifying knowledge gaps, confidence in clinical decision making and encourage to formulate clear questions regarding the evidence needed. It closes the gap between clinical research and real-world practice and provides tools to interpret and apply research findings. Aim: This study aims to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dentists toward the concept of EBD. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a representative sample of 300 dentists in dental colleges and private practices of Bengaluru city using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was computed. The frequency for each domain of knowledge, attitude, and practice was calculated after giving weight age for each option. For statistical analysis, t-test was used. P

The Population Burden of Cancer: Research Driven by the Catchment Area of a Cancer Center.

Cancer centers, particularly those supported by the National Cancer Institute, are charged with reducing the cancer burden in their catchment area. However, methods to define both the catchment area and the cancer burden are diverse and range in complexity often based on data availability, staff resources, or confusion about what is required. This article presents a review of the current literature identifying 4 studies that have defined various aspects of the cancer burden in a defined geographical area and highlights examples of how some cancer centers and other health institutions have defined their catchment area and characterized the cancer burden within it. We then present a detailed case study of an approach applied by the University of California, San Francisco, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center to define its catchment area and its population cancer burden. We cite examples of how the Cancer Center research portfolio addresses the defined cancer burden. Our case study outlines a systematic approach to using publicly available data, such as cancer registry data, that are accessible by all cancer centers. By identifying gaps and formulating future research directions based on the needs of the population within the catchment area, epidemiologic studies and other types of cancer research can be directed to the population served. This review can help guide cancer centers in developing an approach to defining their own catchment area as mandated and applying research findings to this defined population.

Research Designs and Special Education Research: Different Designs Address Different Questions

The aim of this article is to provide practitioners and other nonresearchers a basic understanding of research designs to aid in appropriately interpreting and applying research findings in special education. Research design provides the blueprint for conducting a research study and shapes what kind of knowledge is generated by the study. We discuss the purpose of, types of questions addressed by, and different types of studies associated with four research designs commonly used in special education—descriptive, relational, experimental, and qualitative designs, as well as briefly review an example study using each research design. The take–away message of this article is that different research designs address different types of questions. Therefore, it is important that research consumers know what type of questions each research design addresses and interpret and apply research findings accordingly.

The hidden perks of grad school.

When I was in grad school, I couldn't wait to get out. The learning curve was distressingly steep, everyone seemed to know more than I did, and I was scraping by at just above the poverty line. That's why, after successfully convincing the university that I could graduate without being a total embarrassment, I was thrilled to take a job with a small nongovernmental organization that provides outdoor environmental education and habitat restoration activities to the local community. Just 1 year in the rat race, however, has given me a new perspective. I'm just far enough removed from graduate school to look back fondly on many of the experiences I had and to truly appreciate some of the lessons I learned. ![Figure][1] ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT NEUBECKER > “I took for granted the fact that I could get my hands on just about any paper.” Easy access to peer-reviewed literature is one of the biggest perks of grad school. Mining this resource was a crucial part of my first semester, when my adviser was on sabbatical and decided (wisely) that I should hold off on beginning my research until she returned. Instead, she gave me a reading list and told me to learn my way around the lab and help the other graduate students with their research so that we could hit the ground running when she got back. This freedom to read and explore was particularly important for me because I was a business major in college and lacked much of the scientific background that the rest of my graduate school cohort had. I was determined to show that I belonged in my program, so I made a goal of reading three papers a day to catch up. By the time my adviser returned, I had read more than 100 papers and gained the knowledge and confidence I needed to design and carry out my master's research. I took for granted the fact that I could get my hands on just about any paper I wanted. If you leave academia, there's a good chance that your access to the literature will be limited. If you have friends who are still in grad school, you can usually trade drinks for PDFs, but it's not as easy as logging on with an institutional subscription. So, if you're in school and you aren't already an avid reader, my advice is to start now. A second privilege of being a graduate student is having the time to read in the first place. I left academia partly because I wanted to work on applying research findings to make a difference in the world. The thing I didn't acknowledge, though, is the basic principle of scarcity (I never said I was a good business major): The more time you spend implementing research, the less time you have to consume and digest new research in your field. These days, I squeeze in most of my reading on evenings and weekends. It's difficult to find time during the workday to read primary literature when you're also responsible for advancing projects with lofty deliverables and tight deadlines, often on a tight budget. In academia, in contrast, many advisers value students who dedicate time to reading the literature. I wish I had more fully appreciated the culture of curiosity that academia fosters while I was part of it. There are many perks to working outside academia, including, in my case, the incredibly rewarding and satisfying opportunity to work on projects that apply scientific knowledge to real-world problems. And there are things about grad school that I'm happy to have left behind: I despised grading papers and resented living in near poverty, and I still fundamentally disagree with the publish-or-perish mentality that drives most academics. But there are also things unique to higher education that are pretty amazing. And although graduate school can seem endless at times, in hindsight, the time between your orientation and your thesis defense will feel like a blur. So, to those of you still in grad school, my advice is to appreciate what you have while you have it because, for better or worse, it won't last forever. [1]: pending:yes