Review Of Journal Articles Research Articles

The methodological integrity of critical qualitative research: Principles to support design and research review.

This article articulates principles and practices that support methodological integrity in relation to critical qualitative research. We begin by describing 2 changes that have occurred in psychological methods over the last 15 years. (a) Building on foundational work advocating for epistemological pluralism, guidelines on how to design, review, and report qualitative and mixed methods have been advanced to support methodological integrity in keeping with a diversity of researchers' aims and approaches. (b) There has been an increased use of critical epistemological perspectives and critical methods. In light of these changes, the current article puts forward principles to support critical qualitative researchers when considering methodological rigor and when formulating rationales to support their methods in the journal article review process. Illustrating the principles with an example of critical research, the article describes common problems and issues in the research design process that can be considered in order to strengthen the returns of critical studies. Recommendations are made for editors and reviewers on how to conduct reviews of critical qualitative research, and pressing concerns for publishing critical qualitative research are detailed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Mapping the research on pedagogies with international students in the UK: a systematic literature review

ABSTRACT International students are a key demographic in UK higher education, yet there is limited literature dedicated to pedagogies for and with international students. We undertook a systematic literature review of journal articles from 2013 to 2019 which presented empirical evidence on specific pedagogic practices relating to international students in the UK. We identified 49 articles matching our selection criteria and analysed their aims, methods, findings and discursive framings of international students. Our findings show a dispersed literature, with wide ranging practices and conclusions, prohibiting an effective evidence based synthesis. International students continue to be subtly framed as in deficit or passive, rarely as partners or knowledge agents. We propose future research can be more methodologically ambitious, offer richer pedagogic detail to facilitate transferability and replication of teaching practices, and build in positive framings of international students.

Energy efficiency financing strategies and obstacles for residential public buildings in the Balkan region

The energy efficiency represents an international and multi-faceted phenomenon. It is especially important in the countries belonging to the Balkan’s region of the Southeastern Europe (SE). The research problem addressed in this paper focuses on the improvements in the inherent energy inefficiency by the means of quality financing of investment arrangements. This paper utilizes detailed literature review of multi-faceted sources, journal articles, private and government publications. Furthermore, the obstacles to attracting viable sources of private financing shall also be researched and addressed. Semi- developed and still developing Balkan countries have been experiencing severe lack of diversified financial instruments. The financial risks, energy poverty and low incomes, lack of appropriate understanding of the market and the absence of the appropriate regulatory framework have been identified as the major obstacles to attracting viable private financing. There are several issues impacting the attraction of private financing arrangements. These barriers could be summed up as the lack of appropriate regulatory framework, deficiencies in the proper market understanding, inherent presence of energy poverty and low incomes, multitude of financial risks, lack of skilled human resources, the presence of the so-called split incentives and fragmentation issues in common decision-making process. The so-called multiple benefits approach (MBA) to energy efficiency investments tend to widen the energy efficiency perspectives beyond the traditional measures of reducing energy demand and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This approach looks into multiple spheres by assessing multitude of different benefits to stakeholders. In conclusion, the big disparity in size and variety or financial supporting instruments between the EU members and non-member states must be addressed and reduced.

Energy efficiency financing strategies and obstacles for residential public buildings in the Balkan region

The energy efficiency represents an international and multi-faceted phenomenon. It is especially important in the countries belonging to the Balkan’s region of the Southeastern Europe (SE). The research problem addressed in this paper focuses on the improvements in the inherent energy inefficiency by the means of quality financing of investment arrangements. This paper utilizes detailed literature review of multi-faceted sources, journal articles, private and government publications. Furthermore, the obstacles to attracting viable sources of private financing shall also be researched and addressed. Semi- developed and still developing Balkan countries have been experiencing severe lack of diversified financial instruments. The financial risks, energy poverty and low incomes, lack of appropriate understanding of the market and the absence of the appropriate regulatory framework have been identified as the major obstacles to attracting viable private financing. There are several issues impacting the attraction of private financing arrangements. These barriers could be summed up as the lack of appropriate regulatory framework, deficiencies in the proper market understanding, inherent presence of energy poverty and low incomes, multitude of financial risks, lack of skilled human resources, the presence of the so-called split incentives and fragmentation issues in common decision-making process. The so-called multiple benefits approach (MBA) to energy efficiency investments tend to widen the energy efficiency perspectives beyond the traditional measures of reducing energy demand and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This approach looks into multiple spheres by assessing multitude of different benefits to stakeholders. In conclusion, the big disparity in size and variety or financial supporting instruments between the EU members and non-member states must be addressed and reduced.

Exploring the empirical literature on mass shooting: A mixed-method systematic review of peer-reviewed journal articles

Abstract Due to the devastating impact on victims and society, scholars have started to pay more attention to the phenomenon of mass shootings (MS) in the United States. While the extant literature has given us important insights, disparities in conceptualizations, operationalizations, and methods of identifying and collecting data on these incidents have made it difficult for researchers and audiences to come to a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of offenders, causes and consequences. Using a mixed-method systematic review, this study seeks to assess the state of scholarly research in journal articles regarding MS in the United States. Using SCOPUS as the search database, a total of 73 peer-reviewed journal articles on MS within the United States published between 1999 and 2018 were included in this study. This study finds the number of articles published on MS has increased dramatically between 1999 and 2018. Also, most of the MS studies tend to rely heavily on open-source data using the different definitions of MS. We further examined and discussed theoretical frameworks, methodology, and policy suggestions used in each study. Based on the findings of this study, we suggested implications for future research.

Status of the Journal of Wildlife Management, 2020; the Times They are A‐Changing

Status of the <i>Journal of Wildlife Management</i>, 2020; the Times They are A‐Changing

The Embodiment of “English-only” in Social Work Education and Practice in the United States

ABSTRACT Despite a strong commitment to strengths-based language and cultural diversity, social work education and practice in the United States (U.S.) continues to embody a monolingual, assimilationist assumption. This article examines the embodiment of “English-only” in U.S. social work education and practice through a review of professional journal articles and professional standards. While the context is primarily the U.S., this article is likely to be of relevance to other international contexts where English is the dominant language of social work practice. It recommends that social work programs develop language practices at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of their curriculum that embody a multilingual ideology consistent with a profession that espouses cultural humility. IMPLICATIONS Social work education and practice in the U.S. continues to embody English-only ideology. This assumption of monolingualism undermines the profession’s commitment to cultural humility and to challenging historically rooted systems of oppression. Both undergraduate and graduate social work programs can develop ways to study and transform language practices at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of their curriculum.

Separate and Unequal: A Sample of Disparities in Five American Unincorporated Territories

Recent natural disasters affecting the five populated unincorporated territories of the U.S. (Puerto Rico; Guam; American Samoa; U.S. Virgin Islands; and Northern Mariana Islands) have shed light on the inequities they encounter vis-à-vis the states of the union and Washington DC. In 2017, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were devastated by two hurricanes (Irma and Maria). In 2018, American Samoa, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands were impacted by a cyclone (Gita), typhoon (Mangkhut), and a super typhoon (Yutu). These natural disasters have increased the interest of scholars in American overseas possessions in the Atlantic and Pacific. A review of journal publications and newspaper articles shows that the inequities faced by these locations are rarely studied comprehensively, as a group instead of individually. This article will focus on three specific areas in which the federal government discriminates against the group (with an emphasis on Puerto Rico): political representation, emergency management and welfare assistance. A subfield of study within American public administration is recommended: Unincorporation Studies. The development of this subfield would contribute to a better understanding of the discrimination based on location that these territories encounter as an integral part of America’s 21st Century Civil Rights Movement.

COVID-19 and human rights: a new inseparable relationship

The COVID-19 pandemic is arguably the most severe pandemic of the last century and has completely transformed how people go about their lives. With a high infection rate and no known cure yet, different countries have had to adopt extraordinary measures to curtail the spread of the virus. In particular, multiple countries have imposed lockdowns. The lockdowns have inadvertently interfered with human rights previously enjoyed by people, such as freedom of movement and the right to food, water and sanitation.We conducted an exploratory, non-systemic review of peer-reviewed journal articles, published between 2015 and 2020. The explored databases included: Ebscohost, Google Scholar, Wiley, JAMA, Elsevier, Oxford, CDC and Medline/PubMed.Our review of the literature highlighted the importance of states adopting a human-rights-centric approach in their responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. Three main thematic dimensions of various nations’ responses to the Covid-19 were constructed to represent this review. The three are human rights, gender inequality and social stigma.Some of the reactions to the Covid-19 pandemic have brought about the infringement of human rights. While some of the measures are justified, there is a need to ensure that human rights are protected to prevent states of the world abusing executive orders and emergency powers. This need set aside, crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, usually affect men and women differently. Such crises may even exacerbate the existing gender inequalities in society. Therefore, this calls for governments to devise measures to protect vulnerable populations such as women and children during the pandemic.

The Evolution of City-as-a-Platform: Smart Urban Development Governance with Collective Knowledge-Based Platform Urbanism

Since the advent of the second digital revolution, the exponential advancement of technology is shaping a world with new social, economic, political, technological, and legal circumstances. The consequential disruptions force governments and societies to seek ways for their cities to become more humane, ethical, inclusive, intelligent, and sustainable. In recent years, the concept of City-as-a-Platform was coined with the hope of providing an innovative approach for addressing the aforementioned disruptions. Today, this concept is rapidly gaining popularity, as more and more platform thinking applications become available to the city context—so-called platform urbanism. These platforms used for identifying and addressing various urbanization problems with the assistance of open data, participatory innovation opportunity, and collective knowledge. With these developments in mind, this study aims to tackle the question of “How can platform urbanism support local governance efforts in the development of smarter cities?” Through an integrative review of journal articles published during the last decade, the evolution of City-as-a-Platform was analyzed. The findings revealed the prospects and constraints for the realization of transformative and disruptive impacts on the government and society through the platform urbanism, along with disclosing the opportunities and challenges for smarter urban development governance with collective knowledge through platform urbanism.

Adopting Building Information Modeling (BIM) for the Development of Smart Buildings: A Review of Enabling Applications and Challenges

The construction industry is undergoing a digital revolution due to the emergence of new technologies. A significant trend is that construction projects have been transformed and upgraded to the digital and smart mode in the whole life cycle. As a critical technology for the construction industry’s innovative development, building information modeling (BIM) is widely adopted in building design, construction, and operation. BIM has gained much interest in the research field of smart buildings in recent years. However, the dimensions of BIM and smart building applications have not been explored thoroughly so far. With an in‐depth review of related journal articles published from 1996 to July 2020 on the BIM applications for smart buildings, this paper provides a comprehensive understanding and critical thinking about the nexus of BIM and smart buildings. This paper proposes a framework with three dimensions for the nexus of BIM application in smart buildings, including BIM attributes, project phases, and smart attributes. According to the three dimensions, this paper elaborates on (1) the advantages of BIM for achieving various smartness; (2) applications of BIM in multiple phases of smart buildings; and (3) smart building functions that be achieved with BIM. Based on the analysis of the literature in three dimensions, this paper presents the cross‐analysis of the nexus of BIM and smart buildings. Lastly, this paper proposes the critical insights and implications about the research gaps and research trends: (1) enhancing the interoperability of BIM software; (2) further exploring the role of BIM in the operation and refurbishment phase of smart buildings; (3) paying attention to BIM technology in the field of transportation infrastructure; (4) clarifying the economic benefits of BIM projects; and (5) integrating BIM and other technologies.

Patients With Refractory Bipolar Depression May Benefit From ECT

Patients With Refractory Bipolar Depression May Benefit From ECT

Evidence-Based Research in Nursing Science: A Reproducible Framework.

While current clinical research generally employs complex computational methods to analyze large amounts of data, reproducible research is a growing movement within the scientific community. This methodology paper consists of five sections discussing the definitions of replicability, reproducibility, and reproducible research, the current status of reproducible research in nursing science, the introduction of a reproducible framework, and the challenges and recommendations for reproducible research. To ensure the data preprocessing process and data analysis of an original study at the minimum standard, it is necessary for the study's data investigative cycle to be transparent. Most arguments for reproducible research were driven by a critical review of journal articles and conference proceedings. The suggested methodological framework capturing how scientific research generates is expected to contribute to guiding nurse scientists to conduct reproducible research. To generate high-quality scientific evidence for evidence-based practice, the reproducible framework should be integrated into nursing research.

Lateral epicondylitis: Current concepts.

Lateral epicondylitis, more commonly referred to as 'tennis elbow', is a common condition seen in general practice. Iteffects approximately 4-7 per 1000 individuals. Despite this, the aetiology and pathophysiology remain poorly understood. Often presenting as lateral elbow pain, the differential diagnosis includes entrapment syndromes, cervical radiculopathy, osseous pathology and inflammatory conditions. Though in 90% of cases the condition is self-limiting, persistent symptoms can bedifficult to manage. In this article, a review of recent English-language journal articles explores current concepts related to lateral epicondylitis and examines the evidence behind the recommendation for the use of non-operative and operative treatment modalities. Lateral epicondylitis is an enthesopathy associated with the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle. Aclinical history and examination is usually sufficient to make a diagnosis. Maudsley's and Cozen's clinical tests have a high sensitivity in diagnosing lateral epicondylitis. The available evidence supports the use of non-operative treatment modalities in managing this condition. When comparing the different operative treatments described, there appears to be no significant advantage ofintervention over the natural history oflateral epicondylitis.

Infectious diseases surveillance in the context of climate change: assessment of public health surveillance capacity in Nepal

The changing dynamics of infectious disease transmission under the influence of global environmental change, urbanization, population growth and increasing trends of travel and migration are challenging the conventional approach of disease surveillance, highlighting a need for inter-sectoral participation and interdisciplinary collaboration.A qualitative exploratory study design will be adopted to assess the capacity of the public health surveillance system in Nepal to examine impacts of climate change on infectious diseases transmission. A scoping review of related scientific journal articles and pertinent documents was carried out to identify major elements relevant to climate change and infectious disease surveillance. An evaluation framework was then designed, which will be utilized to analyse interview transcripts of epidemiologists, surveillance officers, infectious disease experts and policy makers from the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Nepal.We identified 10 major documents, including 6 peer reviewed articles, 2 surveillance guidelines (issued by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation) and 2 conference proceedings describing major themes and components relevant to public health surveillance (environmental health surveillance and disease surveillance). However, we did not identify any literature that provides a comprehensive framework for infectious disease surveillance in consideration with changing climate. Hence, we took pragmatic approach incorporating the concepts of environmental health surveillance and disease surveillance- in addition to policies relevant to climate change and human health- to propose a comprehensive framework of infectious disease surveillance in a changing climate. We are now using this framework to evaluate the capacity of infectious disease surveillance systems in Nepal in the context of climate change. Findings from our qualitative study will be presented.We propose a comprehensive framework for infectious disease surveillance in the context of climate change, which can be utilized for evaluation of infectious disease surveillance capacity in the context of changing climate.

Psychological and Behavioral Treatment of Female Orgasmic Disorder.

Female orgasmic disorder (FOD) is defined as the absence, delay, infrequency, or marked diminishment in intensity of orgasm in at least 75% of sexual experiences, persisting for at least 6months and causing distress, has specified subtypes, and affects up to 28% of women in the United States and up to 46% in countries across Asia. Orgasmic difficulties are relatively common and create distress for a substantial number of women, though efficacious treatments exist. This article provides a review of psychological treatment of FOD. A literature search was conducted using PsycINFO to identify research reporting methods and outcomes of psychological treatment of FOD in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. Search terms were female orgasmic disorder, anorgasmia, female sexual dysfunction, and orgasm. This search was supplemented with hand-searching references of review articles and journal articles. Psychological treatment has been shown to be effective in helping women with FOD to gain or regain the ability to have orgasms, with higher success rates overall of treating lifelong or generalized vs acquired or situational FOD. Of the variety of treatment approaches that have been tested, the most consistent support emerges for directed masturbation, sensate focus, and psychotherapy. Approaches with little evidence for efficacy as a primary mode of treatment include systematic desensitization, bibliotherapy, and coital alignment technique training. While existing research provides a solid foundation of knowledge, treatment of FOD has seen little innovation since the 1980s. Future research should aim for broader understanding of etiologies of all types of FOD, understanding reasons for lack of treatment success for women who have not improved with treatment, and identifying ways of tailoring FOD treatment and success rates for multicultural and community populations. Erica Marchand. Psychological and Behavioral Treatment of Female Orgasmic Disorder. Sex Med Rev 2021;9:194-211.

Public Journalism Without the Public: Problematizing the Public Sphere and Press Credibility in Academic Journals, 1991–2018

A review of public journalism journal articles from 1991 through 2018 revealed significant gaps in (a) conceptualizing the public sphere, and (b) ascertaining the credibility of public journalism efforts. These gaps have implications for a press that is becoming increasingly challenged in an era of self-curated news selection and polarization. This work offers conclusions regarding how journalistic engagement efforts can better consider audience perspectives and thereby examine more sustainable footings for a citizen-engaged press.

Evaluation of medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Bersama lucens (Hochst.) Szyszyl.

Bersama lucens (Hochst.) Szyszyl is a shrub or small tree with its different parts used traditionally to treat various diseases. Bersama lucens has been recorded in Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa. The main aim of this review is to provide an overview and critical analysis of the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of B. lucens. The information presented in this study was gathered using various databases such as PubMed, Taylor and Francis imprints, Springer, NCBI, Google scholar and Science direct, and review of books, journal articles and other scientific publications kept in the University library. The bark and root infusion or decoction of B. lucens are mainly used as a blood purifier, lice repellent and protective charm, and traditional medicine for stomach problems, leprosy, stroke, sexually transmitted infections, headache, infertility, nervous disorders, impotence and menstrual pain. The biological activities exhibited by B. lucens extracts include antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities. Documentation of the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of B. lucens is vital as this information provides baseline data required for future research and development of health-promoting and pharmaceutical products. Future research should focus on detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological screening, in vivo studies and clinical trials involving the crude extracts and phytochemical compounds isolated from the species.

Empirical research studies of practicing engineers: a mapping review of journal articles 2000–2018

ABSTRACT Empirical research on practicing engineers can inform engineering education as it provides evidence for what engineering students ought to learn. Whilst there has been a growing interest and scholarship in this area, there has not been any systematic attempt to map the empirical research on practicing engineers and develop an agenda for research on engineering practice. To address this gap, we conducted a mapping review of empirical research studies of practicing engineers. We limited our search to studies published in peer-reviewed journal articles since 2000 and identified 187 papers. We used inductive content analysis to categorise the papers intofive research themes: 1) learning in the workplace, 2) competencies and attributes needed for practice, 3) activities undertaken by engineers, 4) diversity, and 5) engineers’ identity. For each theme, we report common findings and gaps that can inform future research.

Toward standardizing the clinical testing protocols of point-of-care devices for obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis.

In recent years, point-of-care (POC) devices, especially smart wearables, have been introduced to provide a cost-effective, comfortable, and accessible alternative to polysomnography (PSG)-the current gold standard-for the monitoring, screening, and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Thorough validation and human subject testing are essential steps in the translation of these device technologies to the market. However, every device development group tests their device in their own way. No standard guidelines exist for assessing the performance of these POC devices. The purpose of this paper is to critically distill the key aspects of the various protocols reported in the literature and present a protocol that unifies the best practices for testing wearable and other POC devices for OSA. A limited review and graphical descriptive analytics of literature-including journal articles, web sources, and clinical manuscripts by authoritative agencies in sleep medicine-are performed to glean the testing and validation methods employed for POC devices, specifically for OSA. The analysis suggests that the extent of heterogeneity of the demographics, the performance metrics, subject survey, hypotheses, and statistical analyses need to be carefully considered in a systematic protocol for testing POC devices for OSA. We provide a systematic method and list specific recommendations to extensively assess various performance criteria for human subject testing of POC devices. A rating scale of 1-3 is provided to encourage studies to put a focus on addressing the key elements of a testing protocol.