Critical Synthesis Of Research Research Articles

Can the equitable roll out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure be achieved?

Equitable and sufficient charging infrastructure is required for transport decarbonization to reach its goals. Despite increased electric vehicle infrastructure roll out rates, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding the charging market. For example, studies have evidenced disparities in electric vehicle charging placement, however, predictable as the market caters for early adopters. While there is an emerging discourse surrounding social equity in charging infrastructure, this is scattered across interdisciplinary research covering broader aspects of electric vehicle infrastructure provision with a lack of studies consolidating issues. This study aims to synthesize evidence on social equity in various aspects of electric vehicle charging infrastructure provision and set an agenda for centering social equity in the debate. Findings of this critical synthesis of research have helped to draw out the complexities involved in the equitable roll out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which are interlinked with an array of other dimensions including the affordability of electric vehicle purchase. Research into solutions and best practice has shown examples of local target setting, monetary incentives (grants, loans and rebates for electric vehicle purchase and charging infrastructure and smart energy tariffs) and other policy incentives (increased public overnight charging, electric car-clubs, extended battery warranties for second-hand vehicles) that can or have been employed to redress the balance. The outcomes could be utilized when developing and implementing electric vehicle strategies to support uptake across all people. Policy implications and further study suggested could ensure that communities and individuals are not locked out of the benefits of investment.

The Emergence of Precarious Employment as a Determinant of Health in Europe and the Relevance of Contextual Factors: A Critical Research Synthesis.

Precarious employment as a determinant of health remains on the rise in Europe, in contrast to the European Pillar of Social Rights. Research in epidemiology, public health, and occupational health research has debated the health impacts of precarious employment. A number of studies have concluded that precarious employment contributes to poor health. More recent research has focused on the contextual influences of the association between precarious employment and health. Accordingly, we argue that the welfare state and the specific institutional arrangements on the national level determine and mediate the extent of the association between precarious employment and health. This research synthesis: (a) debates explanations for the rise of precarious employment in Europe, (b) illustrates how precarious employment has risen in Europe since the 1980s, (c) indicates empirical findings of the association between precarious employment and health in Europe, (d) discusses how research explains between-country differences of the association between precarious employment and health, and (e) presents empirical findings on the contextual determinants of the association between precarious employment and health in Europe.

The Third-Person Effect 40 Years After Davison Penned It: What We Know and Where We Should Traverse

ABSTRACT Forty years ago in 1983, W. Phillips Davison coined the term “third-person effect,” generating a robust outpouring of research. This paper places the third-person effect in the contemporary age, one vastly different from the era in which Davison conceptualized perceptions of media effects. The article first describes the historical, sociological climate in which Davison operated, noting how the concept congealed with the intellectual zeitgeist of the 1980s. The paper then provides a critical synthesis of research on the self-other perceptual disparity and the behavioral corollary, focusing on early studies, moderators, mediators, and meta-analytic findings. After describing problems and complexities in third-person research, we ponder implications for the very different media and political psychological climate of 2023. We propose four specific research questions and four testable propositions, building on classic and contemporary theory and research.

The Role of Welfare State Characteristics for Health and Inequalities in Health from a Cross-National Perspective: A Critical Research Synthesis

Research in public health, epidemiology, and medical sociology has debated the health impacts of income inequality. A common hypothesis is that socioeconomic contexts in neighborhoods, regions, or entire nation states shape individuals’ health and inequalities in health. Several reviews have concluded that the distribution of income within a society contributes to poor health. More recent research has focused on welfare state arrangements and their relevance to cross-national variations in health and inequalities in health. We argue that the welfare state determines and mediates the extent of inequalities in health through healthcare, social policy and public health. Many studies have been published in the last decade that have tried to examine the role played by these influences on health and health inequalities. This review will (1) summarize the extant research on the association between welfare state factors and health outcomes, (2) discuss how research theorizes the role of welfare state characteristics for between- and within-country differences in health, (3) present different approaches to empirically investigate the association between welfare state, health and inequalities in health, and (4) provide methodological considerations in this field of research.

The effects of written corrective feedback

This paper presents a critical synthesis of research on written corrective feedback (WCF) and its effects on second language (L2) learning over the past four decades. WCF is an essential component of L2 teaching. However, whether WCF helps has been an issue of considerable debate in the literature. While many researchers have stressed its importance, some others have expressed doubt concerning its effectiveness. The controversy over the effectiveness of WCF was heightened when Truscott argued in 1996 that error correction is ineffective and harmful and others who strongly countered his argument that feedback is effective (e.g. Chandler 2003; Ferris 1999). This article provides an in-depth synthesis and analysis of this area of research, examining key issues and findings as well as the various contentions and concerns raised regarding the effects of WCF. The article concludes with implications for future research and with insights about how to move forwards.

Motivation to learn languages other than English: A critical research synthesis

The primary purpose of this investigation was to put forward critical research synthesis as a qualitative alternative to meta‐analysis in second language acquisition using as a case example studies published from 2005 to 2018 applying the L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS) to learners of languages other than English (LOTEs). Since L2MSS research is methodologically diverse and meta‐analysis necessarily excludes literature that cannot be subjected to its parameters, a qualitative synthetic approach with the systematicity and transparency of meta‐analysis is warranted. This study synthesizes 30 L2MSS studies on LOTEs in three world regions—Europe, Inner Circle English‐speaking countries, and Asia—and examines substantive and methodological features of the literature, including (1) the diversity of languages and educational contexts, (2) common issues of interest and findings in each world region, and (3) the strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative L2MSS studies. Suggestions for improving the diversity and quality of research on motivation to learn LOTEs are offered.

High Variability [Pronunciation] Training (HVPT)

AbstractThis article is a critical research synthesis of 32 studies that used the High Variability Phonetic Training (HVPT) technique to teach learners to better perceive and produce L2 sounds. Taken together, the studies surveyed provide compelling evidence that HVPT is a very effective pronunciation training tool, and that resulting improvement is long-lasting. The analysis of this research also helps to explain why very few teachers have heard of this empirically-driven approach to pronunciation instruction: HVPT studies are largely published in technically oriented journals; few are accessible to language teachers. A variety of obstacles to the widespread use of HVPT are discussed, and some possible solutions are provided.

OpenMEE: Intuitive, open‐source software for meta‐analysis in ecology and evolutionary biology

Summary Meta‐analysis and meta‐regression are statistical methods for synthesizing and modelling the results of different studies, and are critical research synthesis tools in ecology and evolutionary biology (E&E). However, many E&E researchers carry out meta‐analyses using software that is limited in its statistical functionality and is not easily updatable. It is likely that these software limitations have slowed the uptake of new methods in E&E and limited the scope and quality of inferences from research syntheses. We developed OpenMEE: Open Meta‐analyst for Ecology and Evolution to address the need for advanced, easy‐to‐use software for meta‐analysis and meta‐regression. OpenMEE has a cross‐platform, easy‐to‐use graphical user interface (GUI) that gives E&E researchers access to the diverse and advanced statistical functionalities offered in R, without requiring knowledge of R programming. OpenMEE offers a suite of advanced meta‐analysis and meta‐regression methods for synthesizing continuous and categorical data, including meta‐regression with multiple covariates and their interactions, phylogenetic analyses, and simple missing data imputation. OpenMEE also supports data importing and exporting, exploratory data analysis, graphing of data, and summary table generation. As intuitive, open‐source, free software for advanced methods in meta‐analysis, OpenMEE meets the current and pressing needs of the E&E community for teaching meta‐analysis and conducting high‐quality syntheses. Because OpenMEE's statistical components are written in R, new methods and packages can be rapidly incorporated into the software. To fully realize the potential of OpenMEE, we encourage community development with an aim to advance the capabilities of meta‐analyses in E&E.

More Crop Per Drop - Revisiting a research paradigm: results and synthesis of IWMI's research 1996-2005

This volume is an analytical summary and a critical synthesis of research at the International Water Management Institute over the past decade under its evolving research paradigm known popularly as ‘more crop per drop’. The research synthesized here covers the full range of issues falling in the larger canvas of water-food-health-environment interface. Besides its immediate role in sharing knowledge with the research, donor, and policy communities, this volume also has a larger purpose of promoting a new way of looking at the water issues within the broader development context of food, livelihood, health and environmental challenges. More crop per drop: Revisiting a research paradigm contrasts the acquired wisdom and fresh thinking on some of the most challenging water issues of our times. It describes new tools, approaches, and methodologies and also illustrates them with practical application both from a global perspective and within the local and regional contexts of Asia and Africa. Since this volume brings together all major research works of IWMI, including an almost exhaustive list of citations, in one single set of pages, it is very valuable not only as a reference material for researchers and students but also as a policy tool for decision-makers and development agencies. This title belongs to WERF Research Report Series ISBN: 9781843391128 (Print) ISBN: 9781780402284 (eBook)

Musculoskeletal safety for older adults in the workplace: review of current best practice evidence.

Age-associated physical musculoskeletal alterations increase elder adults' (age 55 and older) risk for injury. Research has demonstrated that on-the-job injuries result in increased absenteeism, and fatalities are more common for the elder adult population. Older adults aged above 65 years comprise the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, growing from 40.2 million in 2010 to 88.5 million projected by 2050; this population shift will generate challenges for occupational health nurses providing care for older workers. A paucity of evidence-based "best practices" exists in which occupational health nurses can assess the physical status of older workers, evaluate their risk for age-related musculoskeletal injuries, and educate these workers on injury prevention. This article provides a critical synthesis of research on age-related physical and cognitive changes and their impact on safety, providing "best practice" evidence for occupational health nurses to examine and apply.

Does the patient-centred medical home work? A critical synthesis of research on patient-centred medical homes and patient-related outcomes

Health-care systems in the USA and most of western Europe face challenges in the coordination and integration of care for patients, particularly those with chronic conditions. In response to these problems, interest in the patient-centred medical home (PCMH) model has increased significantly in recent years in the USA, with PCMH implementation underway in a wide variety of practice settings across the country. Despite this enthusiasm, there have been relatively few attempts to examine the empirical evidence on the effects of PCMH on quality and access-related outcomes for patients. This article reviews findings from empirical evaluations of the effects of PCMH on patient-related outcomes and critically examines methodological and conceptual issues in the growing body of PCMH literature. The results of this review suggest that published evaluations are predominantly weighted towards findings that indicate that PCMH is associated with a wide range of positive patient outcomes. However, methodological and measurement issues present in much of this research should be considered when evaluating these findings. The article concludes with recommendations for future PCMH evaluation.

Effects of Electrical Stimulation, Exercise Training and Motor Skills Training on Strength of Children with Meningomyelocele: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT.This systematic review provides a critical synthesis of research regarding the effects of electrical stimulation, exercise training, and motor skills training on muscle strength in children with meningomyelocele. Nine databases were searched using terms related to meningomyelocele and physical therapy interventions. Of 298 potentially relevant citations, six met the inclusion criteria. Each was rated using the systematic review guidelines of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. Two studies examined changes in quadriceps muscle torque following electrical stimulation, three investigated upper extremity exercise training, and one evaluated quadriceps strength after motor skills training. Although the limited evidence suggests improvements in strength when using these interventions, much of the evidence is of low methodological quality and all studies were published more than 10 years ago. Further research is needed regarding various strength-training interventions for children with meningomyelocele and the relationship between increased strength and improved activity and participation.

Women in Computer-Related Majors: A Critical Synthesis of Research and Theory From 1994 to 2005

In this article, the authors review, critique, and synthesize the emerging research literature from 1994 to 2005 on women’s enrollment and persistence in computer-related majors. A thorough examination of 44 empirical studies in scholarly journals reveals that this literature primarily relies on exploratory and descriptive analyses, individualized measures, and implicit theoretical frameworks. Findings are grouped by four themes: (a) enrollment patterns, (b) gender differences in self-confidence and performance, (c) gender differences in computer use, and (d) academic environments. An explicit gender theory of women in computing is needed to reconceptualize diverse women’s experiences and to direct future research on women’s enrollment and persistence patterns in computer fields.

Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians

This Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians contains highlights from the Clinical Practice Guideline on Management of Cancer Pain, which was developed by a private‐sector panel of health care providers and consumers. Selected aspects of evaluating and managing pain in adults with cancer pain are presented. Topics covered include initial assessment, pharmacologic treatment, administration of medications, side effects of medications, adjuvant medications, cognitive‐behavioral interventions, and discussion of other more invasive palliative techniques, A flowchart is included that shows the sequence of events in evaluating and managing cancer pain, as well as drug dosing tables and forms to assist the clinician and patient to adequately describe and assess pain.The Clinical Practice Guideline, a critical synthesis of research and knowledge in the field, is designed to help any clinician working with cancer patients in any setting. The Guideline presents a thorough discussion of ways to manage procedure‐induced pain and invasive modalities of pain control therapy, for use when simpler methods do not control pain. It also devotes considerable attention to pain control in special populations, including patients with concurrent medical and substance abuse problems, those with psychiatric problems related to pain and cancer, and members of minority and ethnic groups. Because pain problems in patients with HIV/AIDS are often assessed and treated using the same approaches as those used for cancer pain, HIV/AIDS pain is described as well. Practitioners should review the Clinical Practice Guideline carefully to become familiar with the various options for management of cancer pain and then use the Quick Reference Guide to help them remember the major points in managing cancer pain.

Recent empirical studies of the pedagogical effects of interactive video instruction in “soft skill” areas

THE USE OF INTERACTIVE VIDEO INSTRUCTION (IVI) is expanding rapidly in educational institutions and in military and corporate training. Recent empirical research has identified significant advantages for IVI over traditional teaching methods in selected areas of instruction. This critical synthesis of research focuses on pedagogical applications in “soft skill” areas and identifies significant advantages for IVI over traditional teaching methods in soft skill instruction.

HOW AND WHAT DO CHILDREN LEARN FROM TELEVISION?

The paper provides a review and critical synthesis of research and theory dealing with the processes involved in children's learning from television. It asks how and what children learn from television, and at what ages television is a more or less powerful teacher. The focus is on assessing evidence that television can play a positive teaching role. It is suggested that a threshold model may be more appropriate than a linear model for evaluating television's impact on viewers. It is concluded that television can play a positive role in children's learning, but given typical North American media diets and current television content, the opposite has been true for most children.