Cultural Research Research Articles

Development of education in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

The Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, settled within the borders of Azerbaijan, embarks on a transformational journey in the field of education and science. Amidst its scenic landscapes and personal cultural heritage, NAR is steadfast in its commitment to developing human capital, enabling intellectual curiosity and flourishing a culture of innovation. These years can be achieved as a result of scientific research and discoveries in building a strong educational infrastructure in the region, expanding access to educational decision making. The development of education and science in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is Development of education in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republicthe focus of the state to develop people, create innovation capitals and contribute to socio-economic progress. Along with efforts to strengthen NAR education, it has also given importance to the development of a culture of scientific research and innovation. Through strategic investments, research ties and international relations, the region has become a center for advanced research and technological research. From breakthroughs in agricultural science to advances in renewable energy, Nakhchivan's scientific legacy continues to push the frontiers of knowledge, fueling progress and prosperity in the region and beyond. In the article, NAR will be researched for education and science development.

Embracing Mixed Methods Research in Special Education

This introduction to the special issue on mixed methods research examines guest editor perspectives on the research culture in special education and the broader ecosystem of education research. Articles included in the special issue are used to illustrate how core methodological features and application of a flexible metaparadigm enables mixed methods research to enhance the quality and depth of research findings. Given that the researcher’s role as the instrument is pronounced in mixed methods research, we argue for reflexivity and explicit reporting of how researcher backgrounds shape the questions they ask, methods they use to answer them, and lenses through which they interpret findings. We encourage our colleagues to consider how the integration of numerical and textual data can enable us to ask questions that challenge traditional dichotomies, capture the complexities of human experiences, and generate more nuanced interpretations of findings that acknowledge the inherent limitations of relying on a single methodology or paradigm.

Exploring Open Science practices at a national and research library in Central Europe

The paradigm of Open Science (OS) is increasingly pivotal in contemporary scholarly research, promoting transparency, accessibility, and collaboration. This study, conducted as part of an Erasmus+ internship by a trainee at the National Széchényi Library of Hungary (OSZK) assesses the level of Open Science awareness among its researchers and contributes to the formulation of an Open Science-compliant Data Management Plan policy. By examining researchers' perspectives and current practices, the survey identifies some gaps and areas for improvement in data management and sharing. These insights are instrumental in developing strategic initiatives to enhance Open Science practices within the OSZK researchers. Furthermore, the findings have prompted the Office for GLAM Standards at NSL to develop a specialized Open Science course for OSZK researchers. This study not only supports the advancement of a more open and collaborative research culture within Hungary but also aligns with global efforts to democratize scientific knowledge.

Preclinical research (on rare diseases): we need to talk about health equity.

There is a thriving, worldwide, biomedical research community working to understand the molecular bases of diseases of all types, continuously driving improved diagnostics and therapies. Developments in genetics and experimental medicine are yielding novel genetic therapies that were hardly dreamt of 40 years ago. But along with these scientific achievements, there exist challenges in ensuring that 21st century medical interventions are accessible to all who need them. This perspective will discuss how preclinical research, with a focus on rare diseases, can better contribute to healthcare ecosystems that are oriented towards greater health equity. This contribution may require changes to the prevailing scientific research culture that will need support from relevant institutions and the wider community.

Research capacity and culture: a survey of Australian Orthopaedic Association members

BackgroundStrong research capacity and culture (RCC) within professional groups predict engagement in high-quality research and the integration of evidence into practice. However, factors affecting RCC participation and development are currently unknown in Australian Orthopaedic Surgeons.Study designCross-sectional survey.MethodsAll Australian Orthopaedic Association members were invited to complete the individual domain of the validated Research Capacity and Culture tool.ResultsOne hundred and sixty-three Australian Orthopaedic Association members (9%) provided survey answers. Survey findings indicated that AOA members scored moderate or high for most RCC domains (14 out of 15). Barriers to the completion of research included a lack of time, other work roles taking priority, and a lack of funds for research.ConclusionThe Australian Orthopaedic Association members surveyed in this study demonstrated adequate research skills and experience, although reported they could benefit from additional support securing funding and navigating specific research tasks. Increasing future collaboration with academic institutions and clinician-researcher roles may enhance the output of high-quality orthopaedic research in Australia.

Examining the “unearthly archives”: Spiritualism, Psychical Research, and Psychometric Material Culture in the US and Britain

Abstract This article examines the intersection of material culture and the occult by exploring the practice of psychometry, drawing parallels between this esoteric mode of object interpretation and more conventional approaches. Coined by physician Joseph Rodes Buchanan in the 1840s, psychometry—meaning “soul or mind measurement”—is the ability of “sensitive” individuals, often women, to read an object’s electrical vibration and glean information about its history, as well as that of its owner, living or deceased. Adopted by spiritualists and psychical researchers in the United States and Britain, psychometry mediated between humans and objects, and humans and their own mortality, in the decades spanning the turn of the twentieth century. Drawing on material culture studies, consumer studies, and histories of spiritualism and psychical research, I contextualize and compare firsthand accounts of psychometric readings with more traditional approaches to object-based inquiry to contend that psychometry is a mode of affective design historical practice, a speculative design history that relies on senses other than vision, and knowledge more intuitive than rational.

Careers and research culture

Careers and research culture

A day in the life of a researcher developer

Natasha Rhys works as a Research Staff Development & Engagement Consultant in the Centre for Research Staff Development at King’s College London. She was previously a researcher, successfully completing postdoctoral projects and a fellowship at the University of Oxford and King’s College London. Natasha later changed her career path and went into researcher development, initially as a self-employed consultant. She now works at King’s, coordinating initiatives that support research staff development and a more positive research culture.

Innovating Against Odds: A Medical Student's Research Journey in a Resource-Constrained Environment

"You need not know the R in Research to embark on the journey; a strong motivation is enough to set things in motion and let the journey unfold naturally." In this article, I share my journey as a medical student starting research in a Resource-Constrained Environment. I talk about the learning curve, milestones, setbacks, and presenting my research work. I've created a simple guide for fellow students in similar situations to do impactful research. Beyond studies, the shared journey with my research partner formed a lasting bond, showing how teamwork fosters understanding and innovation. I also discuss institutional barriers, especially the toxic research culture not talked about much. I stress the importance of raising awareness about these challenges for medical students and the need for a supportive and ethical research environment. It's crucial to create a space where aspiring researchers can thrive without unethical practices, emphasizing the value of knowledge pursuit over personal ambitions.

Social work research culture in Australian university settings

Social work research culture in Australian university settings

Fostering Participatory Action Research in Higher Degree Research Settings Through a Transdisciplinary Peer-Mentoring Collaborative

AbstractIn this paper we take inspiration from Levin’s (2003) provocation “can universities ever become a greenhouse for education in action research?” His assertion that creating action research learning opportunities within universities is possible becomes particularly relevant in the context of a changing Higher Degree Research (HDR) landscape, notably in Australia. The increasing emphasis on industry-focused doctorates and the demand for post-doctoral career pathways beyond academia necessitates a deeper understanding of supporting engaged and impact-oriented research training. To address these challenges, we present a reflexive discussion centred around the HDR Participatory Action Research (PAR) Collaborative—a year-long peer-learning initiative designed to cultivate a community of practice on transdisciplinary participatory research among graduate researchers at the University of Technology Sydney. This was conducted as a participatory action research project, with a systems-thinking orientation. We articulate lessons learned around the blockers and enablers for training HDR candidates engaged in participatory research to tackle wicked problems and ways to enhance HDR researcher development in this area, including the prototyping of new peer learning and mentoring approaches. By aligning with Levin’s emphasis on practical and useful knowledge, we highlight the importance of curriculum design for synchronous and asynchronous hybrid delivery, collective peer learning practices, and transdisciplinary orientations to research as crucial factors for success in action research programs within the academic context. By addressing the evolving needs of HDR training and research cultures, our study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on holistic and integrative research approaches and ways to support them within higher education.

A scoping review on what constitutes a good research culture

Background The crisis in research culture is well documented, covering issues such as a tendency for quantity over quality, unhealthy competitive environments, and assessment based on publications, journal prestige and funding. In response, research institutions need to assess their own practices to promote and advocate for change in the current research ecosystem. The purpose of the scoping review was to explore ‘What does the evidence say about the ‘problem’ with ‘poor’ research culture, what are the benefits of ‘good’ research culture, and what does ‘good’ look like?’ Aims To examine the peer-reviewed and grey literature to explore the interplay between research culture, open research, career paths, recognition and rewards, and equality, diversity, and inclusion, as part of a larger programme of activity for a research institution. Methods A scoping review was undertaken. Six databases were searched along with grey literature. Eligible literature had relevance to academic research institutions, addressed research culture, and were published between January 2017 to May 2022. Evidence was mapped and themed to specific categories. The search strategy, screening and analysis took place between April-May 2022. Results 1666 titles and abstracts, and 924 full text articles were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 253 articles met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. A purposive sampling of relevant websites was drawn from to complement the review, resulting in 102 records included in the review. Key areas for consideration were identified across the four themes of job security, wellbeing and equality of opportunity, teamwork and interdisciplinary, and research quality and accountability. Conclusions There are opportunities for research institutions to improve their own practice, however institutional solutions cannot act in isolation. Research institutions and research funders need to work together to build a more sustainable and inclusive research culture that is diverse in nature and supports individuals’ well-being, career progression and performance.

Assessment of the Psychometric Properties of the Hospital's Culture of Nursing Research Scale Among Nurses.

Background and Purpose: The "Hospital's Culture of Nursing Research Scale" (HCNRS) is a critical assessment tool in health care research. It was created in response to the rising acknowledgment of nursing research's critical role in improving patient care outcomes. This study aimed to develop the HCNRS to assess the nurses' perceptions of the hospital's culture of nursing research. Methods: This study utilized the instrument development design in developing the HCNRS. The study was conducted in Astana, Kazakhstan, from May to September 2023. The study followed three major stages of scale development: "item development," "scale development," and "scale evaluation." "Principal component analysis" (PCA; n = 387) and "confirmatory factor analysis" (CFA; n = 362) were performed in this study. Cronbach's coefficient α was computed for reliability. Results: The PCA on the 32-item HCNRS revealed five factors with an eigenvalue of above 1, contributing 66.0% of the model's total variance. The CFA revealed the following findings supporting the five subscales of the HCNRS-R: χ 2 /df = 2.65, root mean square error of approximation = .068 (90% CI [0.063, 0.072]), comparative fit index = 0.92, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.91, and standardized root mean square residual = .04. Based on the items that loaded in each factor, the subscales were labeled "Research Ethics, Integrity, and Supportive Culture," "Nursing Research Institutionalization," "Hospital's Financial Support and Incentives for Research Initiatives," "Nursing Research Engagement and Innovation," and "Nursing Research Integration and Career Support." The computed Cronbach's coefficient α of the entire scale was .963. For its subscales, the Cronbach's coefficient α ranged from .833 to .953. Conclusions: The study developed a five-factor HCNRS to evaluate the multifaceted aspects of nursing research culture in hospital settings. Health care institutions can utilize this scale to identify areas for improvement in research culture and implement strategies to foster research ethics, integrity, and innovation. This tool can also be used by hospital leaders, policymakers, and nurse researchers seeking to evaluate the research culture within their health care organizations.

Investigating the links between questionable research practices, scientific norms and organisational culture

BackgroundThis study investigates the determinants of engagement in questionable research practices (QRPs), focusing on both individual-level factors (such as scholarly field, commitment to scientific norms, gender, contract type, and career stage) and institution-level factors (including industry type, researchers' perceptions of their research culture, and awareness of institutional policies on research integrity).MethodsUsing a multi-level modelling approach, we analyse data from an international survey of researchers working across disciplinary fields to estimate the effect of these factors on QRP engagement.ResultsOur findings indicate that contract type, career stage, academic field, adherence to scientific norms and gender significantly predict QRP engagement. At the institution level, factors such as being outside of a collegial culture and experiencing harmful publication pressure, and the presence of safeguards against integrity breaches have small associations. Only a minimal amount of variance in QRP engagement is attributable to differences between institutions and countries.ConclusionsWe discuss the implications of these findings for developing effective interventions to reduce QRPs, highlighting the importance of addressing both individual and institutional factors in efforts to foster research integrity.

Undergraduate journals and conferences: Pathways to understanding the economics profession

The Issues in Political Economy (IPE) journal and related conference sessions were established in the early 1990s as outlets for undergraduates to present and publish peer-reviewed research in economics. By providing opportunities to attend and present at professional conferences, referee papers, and edit journal issues, IPE reflects authentic practices within the profession. In this article, the authors describe the benefits that accrue to students who participate in the public dissemination of research, explain how IPE operates, offer some descriptive evidence of its success over the years, and conclude by describing how several departments have leveraged IPE to complement their curricula and build sustainable cultures of undergraduate research at their institutions.

'Oevaru' 2023: Ocean currents and the journey of an inaugural mental health conference in the Maldives.

This paper describes an important mental health initiative in Maldives - the inaugural national mental health research conference. Amid socio-cultural challenges in the background of climate change, amplified by COVID-19, mental health issues in Maldives surged. National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH), acknowledging data gaps, has prioritized evidence-based care since 2019 with a vision of building a research culture. Oevaru 2023, Maldives' inaugural mental health research conference, was convened by NCMH and held on October 15-16, 2023, addressing holistic care, prevention, innovation, and investment in mental health as sub-themes. Pre-conference sessions provided skill-building, followed by workshops on specialized topics. Oevaru featured keynotes, expert talks, panel discussions, and poster presentations, including a hybrid session with the Creating Futures Conference. It culminated in a white paper, emphasizing research-driven strategies for a resilient mental health system in Maldives.

Evaluating What Works in the Classroom: Best Practice and Future Opportunities

ABSTRACTDespite a high level of interest and investment in “gold standard” evaluations of interventions in education, the gap between teaching practice and the latest research on learning appears wider than ever; likewise, persistent attainment gaps between certain groups remain. This report summarizes the presentations and discussion from a roundtable event that brought together representatives from educational practice, research, and policy to explore challenges and solutions in relation to establishing “what works” in different educational contexts. The commentary addresses issues surrounding (a) who is involved and when, (b) a need for methodological innovation, (c) communication, and (d) understanding and use of evidence by educators and policymakers. Suggestions for best practice in relation to addressing these issues using national and international examples are presented. Identified recommendations related to facilitating a research culture within the teaching profession, the promotion of data sharing and communication, and conducting realistic evaluations. Outstanding questions are highlighted.

Integration and Promotion: Integrating Sustainability Research into Computer Science Teaching through Serious Games Assignments

“Serious Games” is a final-year 20 credit point module, undertaken as the default optional module for students on Undergraduate courses entitled BSc Computing and BSc Computer Science (Games Technology) at Nottingham Trent University, UK. The module focuses on developing students’ critical evaluation skills, enhancing their ability to design and implement solutions for a real-world design brief, working with clients and making final products accessible to a broad target audience. Historically this was achieved through engagement with a single client, often via a wider research project or local educational establishment of some sort. More recently, the module has retained two client project briefs, which the students are then empowered to choose between. With each client brief the module team has sought to add extra value for the students. For the previous two academic years, the module team has partnered with Green Academy, a strategic team within the University whose priorities include stimulating pedagogical innovation and practice sharing within the area of sustainability and pioneering a shared understanding of sustainability education. The resulting partnership has introduced a brief for students which combines vital industry skills with sustainability literacy. Working with and alongside the students who are undertaking the module, the module has developed Serious Games on a diverse range of local and global sustainability issues and has exposed students to university research culture and our sustainability research specialisms. It has also necessitated that students engage with and contextualise the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the UNESCO ESD competencies which they are tasked with integrating into their design solutions. The long-term intent of this partnership is for these design decisions to be utilised in the Green Academy’s ongoing strategy to further enhance the University’s pedagogical framework and sustainability education offer, and to improve the provision of Serious Games for use by clients outside the University. This report is a synoptic overview of the module design and insights from the two-year partnership as well as how these observations have been leveraged to improve the design and delivery of the module for future clients and students.

Cultural distance, gender and praise in peer review

ABSTRACT Background: Understanding review comments holds significant importance within the realm of scientific discourse. This study aims to conduct an empirical analysis of factors associated with praise in peer review.Methods: The study involved manual labeling of “praise” in 952 review comments drawn from 301 articles published in the British Medical Journal, followed by regression analysis.Results: The study reveals that authors tend to receive longer praise when they share a cultural proximity with the reviewers. Additionally, it is observed that female reviewers are more inclined to provide praiseConclusions: In summary, these discoveries contribute valuable insights for the development of a constructive peer review process and the establishment of a more inclusive research culture.

A qualitative study exploring graduated medical residents’ research experiences, barriers to publication and strategies to improve publication rates from medical residents

BackgroundIn Kenya, postgraduate medical residents must complete a research dissertation for their Master of Medicine studies. However, the subsequent publication rate is lower than in higher-income settings, limiting the availability of population-specific data. This study explored residents’ experiences with research, reasons for the low publication rate, and strategies to improve publication rates.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with 9 faculty members and non-academic support staff, as well as 18 Master of Medicine graduates who had successfully completed their research projects, to investigate their experiences with conducting, supervising, and publishing research. The interview data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The study also explored strategies to improve publication rates.ResultsThe graduates (former medical residents) described difficult research journeys – from concept development to final submission of dissertation – which discouraged them from seeking publication. Many faculty and staff lacked time or sufficient expertise to successfully guide residents to publication. Departmental research culture, faculty expertise as supervisors and prioritisation of clinical work over research and lack of dedicated research time impacted both residents’ and faculty capacity for research. Strategies to improve publication rates focused on developing faculty research expertise, more protected research time, and a more structured approach to teaching research methodology, including academic writing skills.ConclusionsResidents in low- and middle-income countries such as Kenya encounter systemic and personal challenges to successful publication of research. The ease or difficulty of a resident’s research journey influences their attitudes to subsequent publication. Strategies to improve publication rates can improve the dissemination of relevant research data in such settings.