Peer Reviewers Research Articles

The Journal of Orthopaedic Research extends gratitude and recognition to the many scientists who contributed as peer reviewers between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024. Their efforts greatly improved not only individual manuscripts but the quality of the journal and overall research in the field of orthopaedics. They include.

The Journal of Orthopaedic Research extends gratitude and recognition to the many scientists who contributed as peer reviewers between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024. Their efforts greatly improved not only individual manuscripts but the quality of the journal and overall research in the field of orthopaedics. They include.

University Dropout: A Systematic Review of the Main Determinant Factors(2020-2024).

This research is a systematic review aimed at synthesizing scientific evidence on the causes of university dropout, focusing on the subcategories of vocational guidance, academic performance, socioeconomic status, and institutional aspects between 2020 and June 2024. Only articles addressing university dropout were considered, analyzing dimensions such as vocational guidance, academic performance, socioeconomic status, and institutional aspects. Articles published in indexed scientific journals with double-blind, double-blind peer, or open reviews between 2020 and June 2024 were included. The main databases used were Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. To assess the risk of bias in qualitative studies, the criteria from the article "Validity criteria for qualitative research: three epistemological strands for the same purpose" were used. For quantitative studies, the criteria from the article "Evaluating survey research in articles published in Library Science journals" were followed. For mixed-method studies, both sets of criteria were combined. A total of 23 studies were included: 15 quantitative (65.22%), 3 qualitative (13.04%), and 5 mixed-method (21.74%). All studies (100%) addressed the subcategories of socioeconomic status and institutional aspects. Regarding the academic performance subcategory, 86% of the studies addressed it, while the vocational guidance subcategory was covered by 73.91% of the studies. Vocational guidance, academic performance, socioeconomic status, and institutional aspects are crucial for reducing university dropout. Providing adequate professional guidance, academic support, financial assistance, and strong institutional support is fundamental to improving student retention and academic success.

Editorial: Reality Checking Some Publishing Myths, and Thanking CORR's Peer Reviewers.

Editorial: Reality Checking Some Publishing Myths, and Thanking CORR's Peer Reviewers.

Thank You to Our Peer Reviewers

Thank You to Our Peer Reviewers

Enhancing Automated Peer Code Reviews in Software Engineering Education with Context-Aware Generative AI

This study investigates the enhancement of peer code reviews in software engineering education through the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) with contextual awareness. Previous implementations of GenAI, such as ChatGPT, lacked detailed context about the educational content and assessment goals, limiting their effectiveness. Our work-in-progress research addresses this gap by providing GenAI with additional static and dynamic contextual information, including project overviews, pull-request descriptions, and comments. In a controlled study involving 26 students from a 12-week software engineering course, we compared the efficacy of the original GenAI system with a context-enhanced version. Results demonstrated that the context-aware GenAI provided more accurate and useful feedback, as perceived by the students. These findings suggest that incorporating contextual information improves the quality of automated peer reviews, offering a promising tool for educators to enhance student learning and engagement in code review activities.

Patient, financial and environmental impacts of a Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes (MOCH) service on polypharmacy following structured medication reviews

Abstract Introduction An NHS community trust was commissioned in February 2023 to deliver a MOCH service to about 15,000 care home residents across an Integrated Care System (ICS). Pharmacists in the MOCH service undertake Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) to reduce inappropriate polypharmacy, working closely with care homes, General Practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacies. Pharmacy technicians undertake medication reviews to reduce low clinical value medicines. A patient-centred approach means medicines are stopped or changed following shared-decision making with the resident, carer or family. Aim To find out the impact of the MOCH service on reducing inappropriate polypharmacy, reducing medicines-related harm for residents, and to report financial savings and the environmental impact through reduction of CO2 emissions. Methods This service evaluation was approved by the Trust. No ethics approval was required. Quarterly and 6- monthly data sets covering one week reported by the MOCH service in the financial year 2023/2024 were used. These data sets were extrapolated to a full year. This service reported the number of medicines stopped, started and changed over one week of each quarter for SMRs and, pharmacy technicians reported every six months. Cost savings were calculated using the drug tariff based on continued use of medicines for one year. Pharmacists reported reduction in harm from medicines every six months based on a health interventions risk assessment scoring tool, assessing how many residents had potentially avoided moderate to serious harm following a SMR. The carbon savings were calculated based on financial savings from medicines stopped or changed using the DEFRA SIC 2020 Greenhouse Gases emission factor 0.621(kgCO2e/£) for pharmaceuticals1. Results In the first year the MOCH service completed SMRs for 11,363 residents (75% of care home residents in the ICS). Around 20,000 medicines for residents were stopped (one to two medicines per resident). Pharmacists predicted moderate to high-risk harm from medicines was reduced in approximately 4,200 residents. The cost savings from medicines stopped or changed was approximately £2.8 million, which translated to carbon savings of 1,773,340 kgCO2e, the equivalent of removing 644 cars from the road for one year. Discussion and Conclusion Reducing inappropriate polypharmacy resulted in a reduction of treatment burden, potential harm to residents2 and financial savings. Social impacts include reducing workload for care homes, GPs and community pharmacies, ultimately increasing the capacity of this stretched workforce (less dispensing, reduced risk of error, shorter medicine rounds and more time for residents). The environmental impact goes beyond carbon savings from pharmaceuticals to include reduction in workload, consumables, delivery and cost of waste disposal and prevention of hospital admissions.3 The limitations of this evaluation are that data collected over one week and then extrapolated may not be representative of all the other weeks in terms of cost savings and reduction of harm to residents, however MOCH pharmacists undertake peer reviews of reduction in harms to mitigate this. Costs incurred in making the financial savings were excluded. As the demographic of older people rises in the next 20 years a medication review is increasingly important to residents, the health economy, workforce, and our environment.

Using Textual Analysis to Examine Student Engagement in Online Undergraduate Science Education

This study investigates the relationship between student engagement and peer review performance in an online data science course. Employing a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed quantitative data on peer review metrics (word count, sentiment, and complexity) and qualitative insights from student comments from 2019 to 2021. Our findings indicate a positive correlation between higher student grades and more detailed, positive peer reviews, as measured by word count, sentiment, and keyword matches. While the overall changes in engagement metrics were not statistically significant, trends suggest increased engagement over time. These findings contribute to a growing body of research on the effectiveness of peer review in online learning environments and highlight its potential to foster student development in data science. Future research should address limitations such as sample size and explore broader applications across diverse online courses. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.

You scratch my back, and I scratch yours: Autocratic reciprocity in the politics of naming and shaming

What drives some authoritarian states to engage in more naming and shaming of human rights violations than others? The Universal Periodic Review is a unique process requiring all UN members to participate in peer review on human rights issues. It has already finished its third cycle with active participation from all members since 2008. Although both democracies and authoritarian regimes have engaged in peer reviews on human rights issues, few studies explore the influence of different regimes on naming and shaming behavior on human rights issues. In this paper, we argue that authoritarian states use the peer review process as a means of legitimation. We expect authoritarian states to be more lenient towards other authoritarian regimes to increase their legitimacy, while democracies are likely to be impartial to shame human rights abusers. This paper examines how the relational politics of naming and shaming behaviors on human rights issues change as a function of political regimes. We test our expectations using a large-N sample of dyads. We compare the peer reviews of the Universal Periodic Review between 2008 and 2020 with different dyads of democracies and authoritarian regimes.

A Secure Auditable Remote Registry Pattern for IoT Systems

In software engineering, pattern papers serve the purpose of providing a description of a generalized, reusable solution to recurring design problems, based on practical experience and established best practices. This paper presents an architectural pattern for a Secure Auditable Registry service based on Message-Oriented Middleware to be used in large-scale IoT systems that must provide auditing capabilities to external entities. To prepare the pattern, the direct experience in applying the pattern solution in an industry-funded R&D project has been a key aspect because it has allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the problem and the solution, and it has contributed to the correctness and real-world applicability of the pattern as described. To further improve the quality of the paper, we have followed the commonly accepted practices in pattern development (including peer reviews) to ensure that the core aspects of the solution are correctly represented and that the description allows it to be applicable to similar problems in other domains, such as healthcare, autonomous devices, banking, food tracing or manufacturing to name a few. The work done in applying this pattern confirms that it solves a recurring problem for IoT systems, but also that it can be adopted in other domains, providing an effective solution in order to achieve enhancement of the auditability capabilities of the target systems. This pattern will be part of a pattern language (i.e., a family of related patterns) that we are developing for transitioning from legacy systems to IoT with an emphasis on security.

Thank You to Our Peer Reviewers

Thank You to Our Peer Reviewers

Methodological standards in the design and reporting of pilot and feasibility studies in emergency medicine literature: a systematic review

ObjectivePilot and feasibility studies are intended to ensure that subsequent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are feasible, economical and rigorous, especially in a challenging research environment such as emergency medicine (EM)....

The art of peer reviewing.

Peer review of submitted manuscripts refers to the process of sending out papers for evaluation by suitably qualified academics/practitioners working in the same area. After their assessments and recommendations have been addressed by submitting authors editors will decide on whether publication is warranted or not. Unfortunately, 'peer review' has achieved a high status in courts without a real understanding of the way that the system works. Given that it has been deemed: 'a flawed process, full of easily identified defects with little evidence that it works', greater understanding of the nature of peer review is required. The following paper provides an overview of its strengths and weaknesses.

Fundamental problems in the peer‐review process and stakeholders' perceptions of potential suggestions for improvement

AbstractAcademic papers are essential for researchers to communicate their work to their peers and industry experts. Quality research is published in prestigious scientific journals, and is considered as part of the hiring and promotion criteria at leading universities. Scientific journals conduct impartial and anonymous peer reviews of submitted manuscripts; however, individuals involved in this process may encounter issues related to the duration, impartiality, and transparency of these reviews. To explore these concerns, we created a questionnaire based on a comprehensive review of related literature and expert opinions, which was distributed to all stakeholders (authors, reviewers, and editors) who participated in the peer‐review process from a variety of countries and disciplines. Their opinions on the primary issues during the process and suggestions for improvement were collected. The data were then analysed based on various groups, such as gender, country of residence, and contribution type, using appropriate multivariate statistical techniques to determine the perceptions and experiences of participants in the peer‐review process. The results showed that unethical behaviour was not uncommon and that editors and experienced reviewers encountered it more frequently. Women and academics from Türkiye were more likely to experience ethical violations and perceived them as more ethically severe. Incentives and stakeholder involvement were seen as ways to enhance the quality and impartiality of peer review. The scale developed can serve as a useful tool for addressing difficulties in the peer‐review process and improving its effectiveness and performance.

10.K. Skills building seminar: Practical and methodological guidance for conducting online qualitative surveys in public health

Abstract Online qualitative surveys are surveys which prioritise qualitative (open text) questions in data collection. Researchers have stated that these types surveys have rich potential for qualitative researchers. They are able to collect rapid insights into new or emerging areas of health, and are an effective way of reaching populations who may not otherwise engage in qualitative interview studies or focus groups. Although these types of surveys are increasingly used by public health and health promotion researchers, there is very limited discussion in the research literature to guide researchers about the practical and methodological aspects of such surveys. This creates some challenges for qualitative researchers - as well as funders, and peer reviewers - in assessing the rigour and robustness of these studies. Using data from a range of online qualitative surveys that we have conducted with youth and adults relating to gambling, alcohol, climate change, and the commercial determinants of health, we describe the processes associated with developing, implementing, interpreting, and writing up online qualitative survey data. In this practical and interactive multimedia workshop and developing on the work of Braun, Clarke and colleagues, with a focus on Big Q interpretivist qualitative approaches. We will provide: 1. Practical examples, and lessons learned from our own studies about survey design, question development, the importance of rigorous piloting strategies, the use of novel techniques to prompt detailed responses from participants, and the decisions that are made about data cleaning. 2. Examples of the types of responses that can be expected in different types of surveys, and how decisions are made about the quality of responses to questions. 3. Guidance about how to analyse the volume of qualitative data that is generated from such surveys, including developing robust mechanisms to ensure trustworthiness of decision making and data interpretation. 4. Tips based on our role as journal editors about how to present qualitative survey data, and how to respond to challenging reviewer comments. Participants will be provided with a booklet containing survey templates, question examples, tips and examples of how to respond to reviewer comments. Key messages • Online qualitative surveys have rich potential for collecting insights about emerging public health issues. • This workshop will provide practical and methodological guidance for researchers who are interested in using these surveys. Speakers/Panelists Hannah Pitt Deakin University, Burwood, Australia Simone McCarthy Deakin University, Armadale, Australia Samantha Thomas Deakin University, Geelong, Australia

The Problem of Scale Contamination and Construct Validity in Mental Health, Social Science and Spirituality-Related Research

This article explores the pervasive issue of scale contamination and its impact on construct validity in mental health, social science, and spirituality-related research. Scale contamination occurs when measurement tools designed to assess one specific domain inadvertently incorporate elements from unrelated constructs, leading to confusion regarding what the scale is actually measuring. The blending of distinct psychological domains, such as depression, anxiety and well-being, undermines measurement precision, leading to skewed research conclusions and misguided clinical practices. The failure to detect or address contamination can perpetuate errors in treatment efficacy, particularly in areas such as mental health and spirituality, where precise measurement is crucial. This article emphasizes the importance of ensuring construct validity, which refers to the accurate measurement of specific concepts such as moral injury or posttraumatic stress disorder, and it highlights the risk of conflating distinct constructs. The widespread use of contaminated scales, often adopted without critical evaluation, poses a significant threat to the integrity of research outcomes. In order to address these challenges, this study advocates for rigorous scale development and validation processes, encouraging researchers, peer reviewers and journal editors to scrutinize the psychometric properties of scales. By ensuring that scales measure only the intended constructs, future research can produce more accurate and meaningful results, leading to improved clinical interventions and policy decisions.

Impact of Social Media Marketing on Consumers in Philippines

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of social media marketing on consumers in Philippines. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The impact of social media marketing on consumers in the Philippines reveals that platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter significantly influence purchasing behavior, especially among younger audiences. Studies show that Filipino consumers are highly engaged with brands on social media, where personalized content, influencer marketing, and customer interaction drive brand loyalty and product awareness. Social media also facilitates quicker decision-making, as consumers rely on peer reviews and recommendations before making purchases. However, challenges include issues with data privacy and the oversaturation of promotional content, which can lead to consumer fatigue. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Theory of planned behavior (TPB), uses and gratifications theory (UGT) & social influence theory may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of social media marketing on consumers in Philippines. Companies should invest in analytics tools to understand consumer preferences, enabling them to create more personalized and engaging content. Policymakers should develop regulations that ensure transparency in social media advertising and influencer endorsements, particularly in areas like disclosure of paid partnerships.

Dotcoms to watch: Addressing the scholarly publishing industry’s challenges through technology

This paper reports on the Dotcoms to Watch session at Academic Publishing in Europe (APE) 2024. Five out of the seven selected startups that gave a brief presentation in the session expand upon their talks and reflect on their participation. They are Clear Skies, Global Campus, Ludenso, Signals and Visual Abstract. The startups address challenges faced by the scholarly publishing industry and deal with research integrity, identifying and combating papermills, peer reviewer identification and matchmaking, and graphical abstracts.

Development of a Guided Inquiry-Scientific Laboratory (GISL) Based Health Chemistry Practicum Module

Chemistry practicum learning requires a comprehensive approach, which improves understanding of concepts and develops various essential skills needed in the professional and academic world. This research aims to develop a Guided Inquiry-Scientific Laboratory-based Health Chemistry module and conduct empirical feasibility tests. This module is designed with a guided inquiry approach integrated with scientific methods in laboratory activities. The practicum module was developed for second-grade vocational school students in health expertise with material covering colloids, hydrocarbons, polymers, biomolecules, and chemical separation. This development research uses the Borg and Gall model, which consists of planning, organizing, implementing, assessing, and analyzing data. This research was only carried out to the validation stage by material experts, media experts, peer reviewers, and reviewers (five Health Vocational School teachers). The assessment carried out by the reviewer includes eight assessment aspects with 30 assessment indicators. Data was collected through questionnaires, observations, and interviews. Data analysis was carried out descriptively, quantitatively, and qualitatively, guided by ideal assessment criteria to determine the quality of the practicum module. The research results show that the Guided Inquiry-Scientific Laboratory (GISL) based Health Chemistry practicum module that has been developed has a score of 132.52 with an ideal percentage of 88.3467% in the very good (SB) category. This indicates that this module is suitable for use in health chemistry practicum learning, and it is hoped that this research can be continued at the next stage.

Considerations of equity, diversity and inclusion in peer reviews conducted for Medical Education.

Considerations of equity, diversity and inclusion in peer reviews conducted for Medical Education.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and scholarly publishing ethics: A content analysis of journal policies

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have received significant attention since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022. People are experimenting with AI technologies in different aspects of daily life, including the use of AI tools in the scholarly writing process. Researchers and journal publishers are debating the impact of AI technologies on the quality and accountability of scholarly works. Indeed, scholarly journals play an important role in the dissemination of research and should be advising authors on the appropriate and acceptable use of AI technologies in scholarly publishing. Yet very few studies have examined how journals are providing AI-related guidance to authors. This work-in-progress (WIP) research explores how scholarly journals advise authors about the use of AI in the scholarly writing process by conducting a content analysis of journal policies. Specifically, the study sample was comprised of the top 20 journals, identified using journal metrics provided by Google Scholar in the following subject areas: STEM, humanities, literature & arts, social sciences, and library and information sciences. Policies from these 80 journals were collected from publicly available websites and then examined in August 2024 to assess how journals are currently providing AI-related guidance to authors. The guiding research questions and content analysis focused on the following aspects: 1) The presence or absence of AI in the journal policy; 2) Definition / examples of AI; 3) Guidance on the use of AI for authors; 4) Guidelines about AI for peer reviewers. In this WIP poster, preliminary findings from the content analysis are presented.