Brazilian Science Research Articles

Impacto multidimensional da pesquisa: desenvolvimento e teste de um modelo para avaliação

Abstract In recent decades, changes in science have been characterized by internationalization and the quest for impact. This article introduces the impact assessment process of 23 research projects of the Capes prInt Program aimed at internationalizing Brazilian science. This work developed an impact assessment model, applying it experimentally. The development was based on scientific texts on modes of production of scientific knowledge and impact assessment. The assessment revealed that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the projects have advanced in their internationalization goals. As for the impacts, those related to science and education predominated, with a significant number of projects also indicating impacts on public policies and organizational practices. The article adds to understanding modes of knowledge production and research impact measurement. Furthermore, it can be useful to directors of research institutions, research managers, and researchers interested in measuring the research impact on organizations and society.

A sad example of the destructive potential of Brazilian science denialism

No Brasil, nem mesmo médicos renomados deixaram de seguir a linha negacionista científica do governo Bolsonaro. Neste estudo são analisados um vídeo de rede social, amplamente difundido, e uma entrevista do Dr. Anthony Wong, professor da Universidade de São Paulo e médico do maior e mais importante hospital das clínicas do Brasil e uma referência na saúde pública do país. É discutido o discurso do médico, que indica o fim da pandemia no Brasil durante o verão (fim de 2020), adotando uma fala contrária ao isolamento social, a favor do uso da hidroxicloroquina e de outras ações sem comprovação científica. São abordados também outros trechos temerários da sua fala e do seu provável impacto na população brasileira, pois sua entrevista teve quase meio milhão de visualização na rede social, além de ter sido vinculado a uma das rádios mais populares do Brasil.

Analysis of citizen science in Brazil: A study of the projects registered in the Civis platform

Objective. In 2022, the Civis platform of the IBICT (Brazilian Institute for Information in Science and Technology) was created. It aimed to provide infrastructure and content for understanding and dissemintating the use of Citizen Science in Brazil. It also aimed to provide the basis for developing initiatives and methodologies in this area. This study analyses the implementation of citizen science in the context of open science. The study seeks to understand how the platform promotes the participation of society in various stages of the scientific process and not only in data collection.
 Research/Methodology/Approach. The citizen science projects available on Civis: Citizen Science Platform will be surveyed and analyzed. The data collected in October 2022 are subdivided into five main categories: (1) area, (2) data collection, (3) social participation, (4) open data, and (5) scope. These categories are relevant to understand the current stage of citizen science projects in the Brazilian scenario, including the most essential knowledge areas, data collection procedures, levels of openness and access to scientific data, and the territorial coverage of these projects.
 Results/Discussion. 24 citizen science projects were registered on the Civis platform, most of which are contributive. The primary area of emphasis is Biological Sciences and they use technological infrastructure for mobile data collection.
 Conclusions. Civis is a multidisciplinary platform to promote citizen science in Brazil. The registration of projects is voluntary, which may explain the low adhesion to the platform, besides its recent launch.
 Originality/Value. Civis is an essential first-approach tool that enables the understanding of citizen science in Brazil.

Measuring educational neglect using the Q method: A model based on the burden of disseminated tungiasis.

A paramount factor in the control of neglected tropical diseases from both medical and social aspects is education. New strategies must be constantly pursued to test and provide educational information related to diseases affecting vulnerable populations. We applied the Q method as a model to measure educational neglect based on the burden of disseminated tungiasis. Using a saturation method for sample size calculation, we recruited students and healthcare professionals to evaluate and classify 27 statements related to the prevention, control and treatment of tungiasis. After quantitative analysis, the Q method was applied based on the paired use of the centroid method and Varimax rotation, and 4 factors were extracted representing the main sets of viewpoints among the participants. We included 119 healthcare professionals with different academic degrees. Statements classified by specialists with a + agreement were also classified as a + agreement by most of the participants. However, we detected 5 important disagreements related to the topical treatment of tungiasis and control of the disease in the environment and animals. The Q method showed that almost no consensus was detected for four statements. The classification of each statement was not related to the participants' academic degree. There is significant educational neglect related to tungiasis prevention and treatment in healthcare sciences in Brazil. We conclude that the Q method may be an interesting strategy alone or associated with quantitative strategies for detecting educational limitations related to neglected diseases. In countries where neglected diseases are endemic, a detailed study evaluating the quality of education related to these diseases must be prioritized.

The experience of adults with visual disabilities in two Brazilian science museums: An exploratory and qualitative study

In this exploratory and qualitative study, we investigate the experience of two groups of adults with visual disabilities in two science museums in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Data collection was performed by recording their visits through a subjective camera placed on the head of one of the visitors. The analysis used three accessibility indicators and barriers as codes. The data reveals that: (a) physical accessibility—related to the internal architectural aspects—was well developed; although other elements of this indicator need improvement; (b) attitudinal accessibility was present, mostly due to the work and guidance of the museums’ educators; (c) communicational accessibility was rare in the museums, either due to a lack of diversified equipment, media or resources both for internal and external communication; (d) barriers do exist, mainly because one or more element is missing from the accessibility indicators. This study indicates that the two science museums offer accessibility strategies from the perspective of people with visual disabilities and can provide interactions, learning and science communication for this audience in different levels. However, some barriers in both institutions still need to be improved. Based on our data, results and discussions, museums and their professionals can be inspired, learn and plan an organizational change toward accessibility. Lastly, museums need to be able to learn from people with disabilities.

Interview with Renato Ortiz: Intersections between Sociology and Anthropology

A prominent figure in the social sciences in Brazil and Latin America, Renato Ortiz is invited in this interview to reflect on his intellectual and academic trajectory, whose (re) beginning goes back to France in the 1970s. Professor at the Campinas State University since 1988, he addresses here the main concepts and references that make up his vast work, situated at the intersections between sociology and anthropology. The conversation begins by addressing the issue of his university education and insertion in the Brazilian academic field and develops through the following topics: religion and popular culture, national identity and modernity, mundialization and globalization, the market of symbolic goods and the luxury universe. Finally, he focuses on the dilemma of intellectual work in the social sciences amidst the adversities of the present.

What Lula means for Brazilian science

At the end of October, Brazil held presidential elections. Left-leaning Luiz Inácio da Silva—better known as Lula— won with around 51% of the vote, unseating right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. Lula previously served two terms as president from 2003 to 2010. He rose to victory despite his reputation suffering significantly after a 19-month stint in prison for corruption. The charges were ultimately dismissed in 2021. What does this mean for science in Brazil? Lula is the only candidate who mentioned science during his campaign. During his acceptance speech, Lula confirmed that he is committed to putting the environment back at the top of the agenda and also vowed to combat the deforestation of the Amazon—the world’s largest tropical rain forest and home to a diversity of species not duplicated anywhere else on Earth. And he has a good track record. During his earlier presidencies, Lula took steps to protect the Amazon

Editorial: What a new president could mean for Brazilian science

Editorial: What a new president could mean for Brazilian science

Anatomical description of the brain wax models of Museu da Pharmacia de Ouro Preto.

In 1839, the Escola de Farmácia de Ouro Preto pioneered the teaching of pharmaceutical sciences in Brazil. At the end of the 19th century, the Escola de Farmácia possessed a French collection of anatomical models, some made of wax and paper-mâché. The models were a critical part of teaching anatomy, particularly in an era of paradigm changes about how the human brain works. The present study aimed to anatomically describe the brain models through a comparative analysis with the current anatomical description. Comparative analysis of the brain models with modern anatomical descriptions. In the individual analysis of the wax models, we verified excellent anatomical accuracy of the cortical and subcortical regions. Our results identified internal structures, like the basal ganglia and white matter. Compared with modern anatomical books and websites, the wax brain models have high scientific quality. The models of the present study gave students hands-on experience of human anatomy in the 19th century. Nowadays, the models are part of the memory of Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto and Museu da Pharmacia de Ouro Preto . The collection of wax models shows the appreciation of neuroanatomy teaching at the turn of the century concomitant with advances in neurology and anatomy around the world.

A study on the state of knowledge produced relative to technology and education of deaf students in Brazil from 1999 to 2018

This study is the result of a Masters Program research with the objective of presenting knowledge produced by Brazilian science on the education of the Deaf and its relations with the use of technology, as well as the paths, challenges and directions for what has still not been approached. In this sense, the main objective of this research is to reflect on the convergence between technology and the education of Deaf students through the analysis of dissertations and theses defended in the period from 1999 to 2018, available in the CAPES. To that effect, this investigation, predominantly qualitative, sought to collect data and information from the CAPES dissertations and theses database relative to research conducted on the convergence between areas of education of Deaf students and technology. The analysis and reflections made on the data collected revealed several trends, such as intensification of research relative to the investigative theme, based on the passing of the Brazilian Sign Language Act in 2002, the concentration of research projects in the Brazilian Southern and Southeastern regions, predominance of development of qualitative approach research, the arising and the importance of research developed by Deaf researchers.

O uso de situações didáticas Olímpicas (SDO) no ensino de Cinemática: uma proposta pedagógica para o componente de Física

In this article, we propose the use of Olympic didactic situations (SDO), such as those used in the National Science Olympiad (ONC), Brazilian Science Olympiad (OBC), among others, as an alternative for teaching kinematics, in the component of Physics, in Basic Education. Reflecting on the need to work with kinematics in a more attractive and challenging way, which arouses the interest of students. Questions from Brazilian Olympics tests were analyzed and those about kinematics were selected. They were resolved, trying to meet the most didactic way to be carried out with the students. We observed that there is a scarcity of works that report the use of SDO in Physics teaching. However, we believe that it is possible to associate Olympic problems with teaching the Physics component and especially kinematics. Thus, we propose the use of this pedagogical approach to make learning more attractive for students, given that these competitions are gaining more and more strength in the educational field, offering great opportunities for students who stand out.

Racism and health: the need for urgent action

Racism and health: the need for urgent action

Charlatan healer and messiah from Campos: the case of Professor Mozart, 1924-1939

In 1924, a new figure appeared on the pages of Brazilian newspapers: "Professor Mozart." In the 1920s and 1930s, Mozart Dias Teixeira practiced healing in several Brazilian cities, sparking controversy among certain segments of society. A threefold analysis of the case is presented: describing the man himself and the debate surrounding his healing methods; showing how the controversies inspired the production and circulation of art among the population; and discussing the issues of charlatanism and professional and religious freedom. The study intends to contribute to the historiography on spiritism, occultism, and psychic sciences in Brazil.

Entre a ciência e a política: Donald Pierson e a busca por uma sociologia científica no Brasil

Abstract This paper analyzes the political dimension embedded in the work of the American sociologist Donald Pierson in Brazil. A former student of Robert Park at the University of Chicago, Pierson played a major role in the institutionalization of the social sciences in Brazil from the 1930s through the 1950s. While Pierson’s intellectual ambitions were centered on an academic agenda and he defended a strict division between science and politics, we argue that a proper historical understanding of his endeavor can only be achieved through an analysis of his underlying assumptions about the nature of both science and society – assumptions that were rooted in a reformist, liberal-democratic understanding of the world. To bring to light these values, we examine two key moments in Pierson’s career: 1) his doctoral research on race relations in Bahia, done in the mid-1930s; 2) his efforts to promote the field of sociology in Brazil during the Good Neighbor Policy and World War II, when he was hired to teach at the São Paulo School of Sociology and Politics.

Rita de C�ssia dos Anjos: Never Settle for Things as They Are

The award-winning astrophysicist is using her visibility to call attention to inequalities in the Brazilian science community.

Gender Inequality and Science Education: Comparison with Brazilian Students in PISA and ENEM

Background: Natural sciences is considered a markedly masculine field of study. Despite the criticisms and changes observed in recent years, the effects on society of male science are still observed in school performance. Objectives: This study proposes to compare the performance inequality based on students’ gender in the contents of natural sciences in Brazil at the end of two learning cycles, lower secondary education (LSE) and upper secondary education or high school (USE). Design: The research was designed to identify the size of the effect on the performance of male and female groups in the International Student Assessment Program (PISA) and in the National High School Exam (ENEM) between 2009 and 2018. Setting and Participants: Public school students who, in the year in which the exam was taken, were in their final year of LSE or USE. Data collection and analysis: PISA performance data were collected from the PISA Data Explorer. From ENEM, they came directly from the database made available by INEP. We applied statistical significance tests to identify differences in performance in the natural sciences test of the two exams. Results: The PISA results indicate that there is no difference in the students’ performance based on gender. In contrast, the ENEM results indicate a difference of 0.3 standard deviations in favour of boys. Conclusions: The results point to an expansion of the gender-based differences in the contents of natural sciences during the EM.

Bibliometric measures in social sciences and humanities from different sources based on Brazilian data

The objective of this paper was to determine what type of information is available for journal article production from different sources, especially for Brazilian researchers in the areas of humanities (H) and social sciences (SS), and Letters, Literature and Arts (LLA). This paper looks at the various dimensions of the SS, H, and LLA impact using data from four databases (InCites based on Web of Science/Carivate Analytics, SciVal based on Scopus/Elsevier, Scielo and Redalyc). The four databases show low overlap. A large proportion of Brazilian papers in Incites and Scival are published in a low percentage of journals in these databases, with a high percentage of journals having a few papers each. SS, H and LLA have fewer papers per journal, fewer authors per paper and LLA cite fewer papers than the other areas of knowledge. They also take longer to accumulate citations, and the behaviour of citations in Scielo differs from those in Incites and SciVal. The largest number of downloads of Brazilian papers from Redalyc is from the USA. Different databases show different citation patterns and impacts. The quantity and quality of production of Brazilian science in SSH areas are improving and can show high-impact research and prominence worldwide. Nevertheless, relevant themes for Brazil may not have the same importance internationally. Therefore, evaluation in these areas should not be limited to international databases. Recognising these differences does not imply negative conclusions regarding the international insertion of Brazilian human and social sciences.

Brazil Developing Current Research Information Systems (BrCRIS) as data sources for studies of research

Objective. BrCris/IBICT is presented as a scientific and technological recommender system based on a collaborative information filter, enabling users to receive recommendations fitting their profile. The BrCris/IBICT is inspired by PTCRIS Project and LA Referencia and is designed to store, manage and exchange contextual metadata for research activity financed by Government Agencies. Therefore, it intends to present the BrCris/IBICT, which has as its central objective the construction and monitoring, through the interoperability of Brazilian science and technology data, in a single system, with capillary articles in specificities.
 Design/Methodology/Approach. The proposal and data modeling started in 2015 and matured as a handy tool in 2021. With semantic questions asked and all data finally certified, your recommendation systems proved to be an evolutionary process demonstrating the acquired know-how. The current research had an explanatory, descriptive approach for exploring, analyzing, and treating the data obtained in the tool in an explanatory way.
 Results/Discussion. As the main results, we can highlight that though the spectrum of recommendations is infinite, BrCris/IBICT presents four models to recommend relevant contents: scientific production, theses and dissertations; patents and innovation; and scientific editors. The future will prove how successful the interactions are, but the certifications will be continuous.
 Conclusions. BrCris, even though it is in the conclusion phase, already has an extensive consolidated dataset, representing consistent graphics on the dashboard, which may help the scientific community when it becomes publicly available.

Decolonizing Brazil through Science Fiction: Bacurau and Brazilian Empowerment

The objective of this article is to present an overview of the changes in Brazilian science fiction throughout the past decades, which culminated in the international and national success of the film Bacurau and the emergence of the new subgenres amazofuturismo and sertãopunk in continuation of Causo’s tupinipunk. These subgenres are bringing to the plate topics such as nationalism, decolonization, racism, social justice, and globalization, while using pop formulas and, thus, engaging an audience that is finding in those titles an opportunity to address the current political scenario. This paper suggests that Bacurau, amazofuturismo, and sertãopunk are new manifestations that are paving the way for contemporary Brazilian artists, who are seeking to overcome what Rodrigues’ called “the mongrel complex”, by updating certain proposals already made by tupinipunk in the 1990s. As the country celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Modern Art Week, this article proposes that contemporary Brazilian science fiction is echoing contemporary humanities agenda topics, such as decoloniality and politics of recognition, in response to the past four years of Jair Bolsonaro’s government.

Funding Policy Research under ‘Distasteful Regimes’: The Ford Foundation and the Social Sciences in Brazil, 1964–71

AbstractThe Ford Foundation's involvement with the social sciences in Brazil coincided with the early years of the military regime that ruled the country between 1964 and 1985. The paper studies how changed political circumstances in the United States and abroad induced the Foundation to gradually abandon the technocratic approach that had governed its overseas programme since the 1950s, thus introducing a critical shift in its policies toward the developing world. A grant proposal to the University of Brasília, which had been subject to repeated military interventions since 1964, highlighted the ethical dilemmas raised by the goal of fostering policy-relevant research in an authoritarian political context. Relying on a pragmatic decision-making framework that converted ethical and ideological considerations into cost–benefit exercises, the Foundation finally moved away from the maxims of modernisation theory to embrace new strategic priorities like human rights, democracy and intellectual pluralism.