Formulation Of Research Questions Research Articles

BYOD Security Policy Model: A Systematic Literature Review

In education sector, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Security Policy (BYOD-SP) was established as earlier in 2015 in foreign universities with the purpose to safeguard campus’s network, system and confidential data and information. BYOD-SP is one of the strategic planning launched, aims to achieve maximum security for personally owned device through BYOD phenomenon. BYOD-SP acts as an official documentation that describes the detailed explanation of each component for the BYOD users to abide to all the components’ requirement in BYOD-SP. In BYOD practice in education field, BYOD-SP must meet the education agenda where BYOD-SP need to be tailored following education strategic plans and eliminate potential attacks that might cause the universities in loss if BYOD-SP is launched without having a robust model to refer of its components. Hence, it is crucial as this will welcome unauthorized parties to get access, gain and steal campus corporate data in BYOD environment. This study aims to identify what the necessary components that could assist top management and policy makers to formulate the comprehensive BYOD-SP in future and BYOD can be one of mobile computing that being accepted to be practiced in secured environment. Existing studies were executed in many research designs, where the review fulfilled the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and MetaAnalyses (PRISMA) publishing standard. Two common online databases, World of Science (WOS) and Scopus were utilized to observe articles for this study purposes where a total of 16 articles published from 2013-2022 were reviewed to answer the formulated research questions on BYOD-SP. This review includes a topic based on the thematic analysis which is the components in drafting BYOD-SP documentation. The findings from this study proved four main components to be emphasized in tailoring BYOD-SP which are Device, Process, People and Jurisdiction/Law. The research’s findings here may drive the organization to have a reference model of BYOD-SP components and come out with the sturdy BYOD-SP to be adhered by all individuals in education premises. The top management in the organization need to involve in the procedures in each component of BYOD-SP to alleviate the case of security breach in BYOD activities.

Narrative Inquiry: A Critical Examination of Its Theoretical Foundations and Methodological Applications

This review article offers an in-depth examination of narrative inquiry, a methodological approach dedicated to exploring individual stories to gain insights into their experiences. The article begins by introducing narrative inquiry, elucidating its origins, significance, and applicability across various disciplines. It then explores narrative inquiry as a research design, highlighting its capacity to facilitate an in-depth exploration of personal and social narratives. The review proceeds to outline the procedural steps involved in conducting narrative research, encompassing the formulation of research questions, data collection, and the interpretation of narrative data. Following this, the article details the methods for data analysis within narrative inquiry, emphasizing the critical roles of contextual and thematic analysis in revealing underlying meanings. The discussion concludes with an examination of ethical considerations pertinent to narrative inquiry, emphasizing the importance of maintaining confidentiality and privacy for participants. Through this comprehensive review, the article aims to furnish researchers and scholars with a robust understanding of narrative inquiry, including its methodological underpinnings and practical applications.

Mastering the Basics: A Guide to Research Methodology for Effective Writing and Publication

Mastering the basics of research methodology is essential for effective writing and publication, enabling researchers to produce valid, reliable, reproducible and worthy of peer review and validation. This guide offers a comprehensive guide to research methodology, focusing on essential topics such as literature reviews, data collection and analysis, and ethical considerations. It emphasizes the importance of a well-structured research design, offering practical strategies for formulating research questions, selecting appropriate methodologies, and interpreting findings. The article also explores the art of effective writing, highlighting techniques for organizing ideas, crafting compelling narratives and ensuring clarity and coherence. It addresses common challenges faced by writers, such as overcoming writer's block and maintaining objectivity, and guides the publication process, from manuscript preparation to peer review responses. The guide underscores the significance of research methodology in various fields and its role in advancing knowledge and informing decision-making. In conclusion, adhering to best practices can improve work quality and credibility and contribute to knowledge advancement

Ranking sports science and medicine interventions impacting team performance: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies in elite football

This study protocol describes a systematic method to identify, collect and rank sports science and medicine interventions most associated with optimising team performance in elite football in observational studies. While...

The Effect of Photobiomodulation on Third Molar Wound Recovery: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: This study addresses the limited body of literature concerning the impact of photobiomodulation on complications following mandibular third molar extractions. Methods: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of clinical studies that reported the use of photobiomodulation after mandibular third molar surgery was conducted based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) recommendations. The formulation of research questions followed the PICO model, and comprehensive strategies for record search and study selection were devised. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (The Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no CRD42024511892). Two independent reviewers consulted four databases during the literature search: MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, Clinicaltrial.gov, and Cochrane Library databases without imposing any date restrictions. A search on the grey literature was carried out too (OpenGrey). Duplicate articles were eliminated. Results: After the initial screening, 18 studies were retained to be screened by the reviewers. The full texts of the identified studies were scrutinized for original data, and their related references were manually retrieved and checked for additional relevant studies. The available studies exhibit considerable heterogeneity, exploring various factors related to postoperative outcomes. Our meta-analysis primarily focuses on three key aspects: the incidence of alveolar osteitis (AO), mucosa repair/alveolar pocket healing, and bone repair. The resultant CI of the VAS scale was 98 to 99%. Conclusions: This meta-analysis underscores the need for further research in this domain, highlighting the existing heterogeneity among studies and the importance of a nuanced understanding of photobiomodulation's multifaceted effects on postoperative complications.

Incorporating cross-linguistic and time-based dimensions to Critical Metaphor Analysis: a specialised hands-on analytical approach

ABSTRACT Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA) regards metaphor as a fundamental means of conceptualising the world, through which the ideology embedded in discourse can be unveiled. Drawing upon the methodologies of Critical Discourse Analysis and Corpus Linguistics, CMA comprises four principle stages: initially, contextual analysis for formulating research questions and selecting texts, followed by metaphor identification, interpretation, and explanation. This schematic four-stage CMA has found widespread applications in analyses of sensitive discourses, particularly political discourses. This study builds upon these schematic four stages, putting forward a more specialised, hands-on analytical approach that is well suited for a range of research objectives in translation and bi/multilingual settings where both cross-linguistic and time-based perspectives can be considered. To provide a step-by-step guide of this cross-linguistic and time-based analytical approach, this study presents two case studies of the Chinese newspaper Global Times’ Chinese-English bilingual COVID-19 reports in 2020. Specifically, metaphor translation and a time series analysis of the attitudinal intensity (strengthening, weakening, or keeping the negativity towards the pandemic unchanged) as manifested through the translation of WAR metaphors were explored. The study concludes by suggesting the application of this analytical approach to other types of metaphor correspondence and time-based analyses.

Practical approaches for engaging the public in a population-level data analysis project.

ObjectiveStewards of population-level data have an obligation to serve the public interest. As one such publicly funded data steward, our Public Advisory Council (PAC) co-led and determined the focus of an analysis project using population-level administrative health data. We describe our engagement strategies herein. ApproachThe 20-member PAC was involved in each stage of the project, from research question formulation to knowledge translation planning over 18 months, consisting of 12 meetings with both large and smaller groups. Our approach to engagement applied the International Association for Public Participation’s Framework as the foundation for an ‘empowerment’ level of engagement and adapted approaches from the James Lind Alliance and the ‘Plan-Do-Study-Act’ cycle. ResultsThe PAC chose to focus their analysis project on factors related to mental health and addiction service use. Four strategies were used and co-designed by members to foster engagement throughout: providing education and guidance, shared and guided brainstorming, building consensus, and responsiveness to feedback and evaluation. PAC members directed how and when these strategies were used, with challenges and lessons learned currently being co-developed into a publicly accessible report. ConclusionsOur work demonstrates the importance and value of public-driven research outputs and the feasibility of integrating public members in the work of data stewards. ImplicationsThe insights and practical strategies generated from this project will be used to guide effective engagement of the public for future analysis projects and to improve trust and social license for other initiatives using population-level data.

Health literacy program among the elderly with hypertension: a systematic review

Health literacy programs (HLP) have been recognized as key factors in promoting health and in changing caregiving behaviors for older adults with hypertension, which have resulted in quality of life and continued good health. This systematic review was conducted with the aim of summarizing the effects of Health literacy programs (HLP) among the elderly with hypertension. From January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022, the formulation of research questions was based on PICO and utilized a combination of the Boolean operators (AND or OR). The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach was used to choose the studies. The inclusion criteria, data extraction, and bias risk assessment screening were carried out independently by two reviewers. A total of eight papers were found to meet the criteria for review. The intervention exhibited notable variations both in terms of the quantity and the durations of the sessions. Nevertheless, the content remained predominantly similar, with a primary emphasis on health literacy. The studies, which had employed group-based interventions or had used a face-to-face individual approach, had been implemented in clinical settings or within communities. All the articles had used a combination of didactics and facilitation. However, the findings were not determined to be consistent across all studies. The patterns of enhancing HL among the elderly with hypertension are becoming increasingly important, and can, thereby, contribute to more efficiently controlling hypertension levels.

Barriers and facilitators of translating doctoral research findings into policy: The case of a selected health sciences school in a South African university

BackgroundAlthough the barriers and facilitators of translating health research into policy are generally well documented, not much has been reported for universities in low-and middle-income countries. We identified and analyzed barriers and facilitators of translating doctoral research findings into policy in a selected health sciences school in a South African university. MethodsThe study adopted a quantitative descriptive research design. We conveniently collected data through an online questionnaire administered to 47 PhD graduates, 11 PhD final year students and 21 PhD supervisors of the School of Nursing and Public Health. Descriptive statistics was performed, and data were summarized using percentages. ResultsMore than half (72.4 %) of the students reported not involving Department of Health during formulation of research questions for their projects and 62.1 % reported not directly sharing research findings with the Department of Health. 53.4 % of the students indicated that they attended Department of Health research days and only 39.7 % said they presented research findings at the meetings. Only 39.7 % of the students who shared their research results to the Department of Health received feedback. About 52.4 % of the academic supervisors believed the introduction of the quartile system as a measure of impact of publications may reduce policy impact. An individual PhD supervisor supervises an average of 6 PhD students at any given time. 85.7 % of PhD supervisors reported that they consider stakeholders needs/interests when assisting students to identify research topics. ConclusionThe study revealed the need for universities to make policymakers aware of available evidence, conduct research that is informed by the Department of Health's research agenda, involve the Department of Health in identifying research projects, and disseminate findings using platforms accessible to policymakers. Other key considerations are political will to utilize evidence, packaging evidence in a user-friendly manner and building the capacity of policymakers to use evidence.

Differences in characteristics of Central Giant Cell Granuloma with Ameloblastoma, Odontogenic Myxoma and Aneurysmal Bone Cyst through radiographic approach

Objectives: This study aims to determine the differences in the characteristics of Central Giant Cell Granuloma with Ameloblastoma, Odontogenic Myxoma, and Aneurysmal Bone Cyst through a radiographic approach so as to expand understanding of the characteristics of Central Giant Cell Granuloma with benign lesions of the oral cavity that have similar characteristics. Review: The data used in this study are research journals published on PubMed and Google Scholar search engines. Selecting keywords namely Radiology, Central Gaint Cell Granuloma, Differential Diagnosis by formulating research questions to provide an operational framework using the PICO framework (P: Patient, Population, or Problem; I: Intervention or Exposure; C: Comparison; Outcome). Data collection procedures were carried out through journal identification, then data reduction was carried out, namely selecting journals that were in accordance with the research concept, so that inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined and tested for eligibility and completeness of journals. Conclusion: In this literature review, it was found that Central Giant Cell Granuloma can be diagnosed in comparison with Ameloblastoma, Odontogenic Myxoma, and Aneurysmal Bone Cyst. A total of 41.6% compared with Ameloblastoma, so Ameloblastoma has a higher percentage. 19.4% compared with Odontogenic Myxoma and 38.8% compared with Aneurysmal Bone Cyst.

Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis Seafarer Supply and Demand

This study conducts a systematic assessment of the literature and does a bibliometric analysis to investigate the fluctuations in the availability and need for seafarers in the marine sector. The study examines a diverse selection of publications from several subfields within the seafarer workforce domain, analysing significant patterns, difficulties, and opportunities for enhancement. The study provides insights into the scholarly landscape of seafarer workforce research by analyzing highly cited articles, prolific authors, and influential journals. The findings highlight the significant impact of technological advancements, demographic shifts, regulatory changes, and economic factors on seafarer supply and demand dynamics. The systematic review and bibliometric analysis offer valuable information for policymakers, industry stakeholders, researchers, and academicians seeking to understand and address the complexities of the seafarer workforce. The initial review of articles obtained from the pilot search informed the formulation of research questions to understand the current state, trends, impactful studies, influential authors, and areas for future exploration within the seafarer workforce literature. Keywords related to seafarers and workforce were identified and refined through a three-step process to create an optimal set of search terms. This systematic literature review has provided valuable insights into various aspects of the seafarer workforce, including trends, challenges, and potential areas for future research. By employing a rigorous methodology and analyzing relevant literature, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on seafarer supply and demand dynamics, offering a foundation for informed decision-making and further exploration in this field.

Constructing theoretical frameworks in social science research

Theoretical frameworks generally serve as the intellectual scaffolding that underpins research processes in the social sciences, providing an analytical lens through which researchers make sense of complex social phenomena.This article is an exploration of the fundamental role of theoretical frameworks in social science research. Firstly, it sheds light on its ontological, epistemological and methodological design imperatives, beginning with an elucidation of the concept of theoretical frameworks within the realm of social science research. Secondly, the significance of integrating theoretical frameworks in the research process is analysed, with an emphasis on the fact that it enhances the rigour and clarity of scholarly inquiry by guiding researchers when formulating research questions and hypotheses and in the interpretation of research findings.It conducts a literature review following an abstract conceptual design in an interpretivist research paradigm.Steps are proposed that can be followed when constructing a theoretical framework, using the construct ‘poverty’ as example.Since social science research deals with intricate and multifaceted social phenomena, theoretical frameworks provide researchers with a structured lens through which they can make sense of this complexity, offering a systematic way to organise and analyse data and observations. They also ensure that the study is focussed and aligned with existing knowledge and relevant theories.Transdisciplinary contribution: The significance of inter-, multi- and transdisciplinarity in the construction of theoretical frameworks in social science research are expounded by accentuating the ways in which knowledge domains and methodologies of multiple disciplines create a comprehensive understanding of complex social phenomena.

Initiation of Cassava Callus Culture and Its Prospect for Starch Production: A Systematic Mapping Study

Mass propagation of cassava on several hectares of arable land due to increasing demand for its starch is not feasible due to land availability, pests and disease invasion, and long cultivation period. Plant cell culture technology is a promising solution despite the scarcity of cassava callus culture for starch production applications. Therefore, a systematic mapping study (SMS) was performed to identify the applications of cassava tissue culture and its prospects in starch production and investigate the important parameters for cassava callus culture initiation. The SMS began with formulating research questions (RQs), conducting searches on various databases, collecting and screening related articles, and extracting and mapping the selected articles. A total of 56 of 589 articles in the initial searching phase were chosen to be used as references to answer each RQ. The extracted data indicates that cassava tissue culture was mostly used for micropropagation, while starch production from its tissue culture is still limited. Basal medium and plant growth regulators influence cassava callus culture initiation most. The findings of the SMS offer a better understanding of cassava tissue culture and the prospects of producing cassava starch.

Premalignant Progression in the Lung: Knowledge Gaps and Novel Opportunities for Interception of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement.

Rationale: Despite significant advances in precision treatments and immunotherapy, lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. To reduce incidence and improve survival rates, a deeper understanding of lung premalignancy and the multistep process of tumorigenesis is essential, allowing timely and effective intervention before cancer development. Objectives: To summarize existing information, identify knowledge gaps, formulate research questions, prioritize potential research topics, and propose strategies for future investigations into the premalignant progression in the lung. Methods: An international multidisciplinary team of basic, translational, and clinical scientists reviewed available data to develop and refine research questions pertaining to the transformation of premalignant lung lesions to advanced lung cancer. Results: This research statement identifies significant gaps in knowledge and proposes potential research questions aimed at expanding our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the progression of premalignant lung lesions to lung cancer in an effort to explore potential innovative modalities to intercept lung cancer at its nascent stages. Conclusions: The identified gaps in knowledge about the biological mechanisms of premalignant progression in the lung, together with ongoing challenges in screening, detection, and early intervention, highlight the critical need to prioritize research in this domain. Such focused investigations are essential to devise effective preventive strategies that may ultimately decrease lung cancer incidence and improve patient outcomes.

Navigating techniques in job recommender systems on internship profile matching: a systematic review

PurposeThis review article is focused on the following research questions: RQ1: What are the methods used by authors to collect data in order to evaluate one's profile? RQ2: What are the classification algorithms and ranking metrics used to give suggestions to users? RQ3: How effective are these algorithms and metrics identified in RQ2?Design/methodology/approachThere are four major systematic review phases being carried out in this survey, namely the formulation of research questions, conducting the review, which includes the selection of articles and appraising evidence quality, data extraction and narrative data synthesis.FindingsCollecting from primary sources is more personalized and relevant. Embedded skill sets that have a considerable impact on one’s career aspirations could be mined from secondary sources. A hybrid recommender system helped mitigate the limitations of both. The effectiveness of the models depends not only rely on the filtering techniques used but also on the metrics used to measure similarity and the frequency of words or phrases used in a document.Research limitations/implicationsThe study benefits internship program coordinators of a university aiming to develop a recommender or matching system platform for their students. The content of the study may shed a light on how university decision-makers can explore options on what are the techniques or algorithms to be integrated. One of the advantages of internship or industrial training programs is that they would help students align them with their career goals. Research studies have discussed other RS filtering techniques apart from the three major filtering techniques.Practical implicationsThe outcome of the study, which is a recommendation system to match a student's profile with the knowledge and skills being sought by organizations, may help ease the challenges encountered by both parties. The study benefits internship coordinators of a university who are planning to create a recommendation system, an innovative project to be used in teaching and learning.Social implicationsInternship programs can help a student grow personally and professionally. A university student looking for internship opportunities can find it a daunting task to undertake, as there is a vast pool of opportunities offered in the market. The confidence levels needed to match their knowledge, skills and career goals with the job descriptions (JDs) could be challenging. The same holds with companies, as finding the right people for the right job is a tough endeavor. The main objective of conducting this study is to identify models implemented in recommendation systems to give and/or rank suggestions given to users.Originality/valueWhile surveys regarding recommender systems (RS) exist, there are gaps in the presentation of various data collection methods and the comparison of recommendation filtering techniques used for both primary and secondary sources of data. Most recommendation systems for internship programs are intended for European universities and not much for Southeast Asia. There are also a limited number of comparative studies or systematic review articles related to recommendation systems for internship programs offered in an Southeast Asian landscape. Systematic reviews on the usability of the proposed recommendation systems are also limited. The study presents reviews of articles, from data collection and techniques used to the usability of the proposed recommendation systems, which were presented in the articles being studied.

SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW: LEAN ERGONOMICS ANALYSIS IN SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Ergonomics has emerged as a significant workplace issue, negatively impacting finances due to worker absence and reduced productivity. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are particularly prone to occupational accidents, contributing to over 80% of such incidents. This review delves into the perspective of lean ergonomics within SMEs. The study followed a structured review protocol,formulating research questions and systematically searching the Scopus and WoS databases. The findings reveal several key points: (1) SMEs commonly implement ergonomics principles addressing awkward postures, repetitive movements, manual material handling, hand-wrist postures, excessive reach, grip strength, and prolonged standing; (2) Lean principles such as SMED, 5S, standardized work,TPM, VSM, and kanban positively impact ergonomics; (3) Various ergonomics assessment methods, including REBA, RULA, HFE, JSI, KIM, OCRA, and Shoaf’s model, are recommended for future research and practical application; (4) Ergonomics can underpin lean transformation efforts, with Lean Manufacturing (LM) contributing to reduced ergonomics risks. However, the review identified alimitation in the scope of databases used (WoS and Scopus), suggesting that expanding the range of databases and research keywords could improve future article searches. The study's primary focus serves as a reference point for future researchers and manufacturers interested in lean ergonomics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches to enhance worker safety and productivity through ergonomic and lean practices.

Unmanned smart hotel: applications and examples

PurposeIn the tourism sector, fully unmanned and partially unmanned hotel models serving customer segments from different income groups are increasing. Analyzing examples of unmanned hotels worldwide and their practices is crucial for understanding the automation systems used, the smart technologies employed, and the opportunities and challenges these hotels present, as well as for gaining insights into their impacts on the tourism sector.Design/methodology/approachThe data used in this research were obtained from secondary sources. One of the qualitative research methods, document analysis, was used for the analysis of these sources. The content analysis technique was used in the analysis of the data. A seven-stage systematic review process was used in the research. This seven-stage review process consists of the following stages: (1) determining the review objectives and formulating research questions; (2) identifying search terms and selection criteria; (3) conducting a search for unmanned hotel applications before clarifying exclusion and inclusion criteria; (4) evaluating the quality and relevance of unmanned hotel applications; (5) identifying content analysis review variables; (6) conducting content analysis; and (7) analyzing and reporting the findings.FindingsIn traditional hotel management, the innovations brought by digitalization and automation are transforming the guest experience and increasing operational efficiency. Unmanned smart hotels are equipped with various technological solutions, such as voice-controlled AI assistants, smart room control systems, AI-based concierge services, and robotic room service. These hotels are redefining roles and expectations within traditional hotel management, while simultaneously reducing costs and enhancing efficiency. Analyses indicate that unmanned smart hotels particularly appeal to specific customer segments, such as business travelers, and are becoming increasingly popular. These hotels offer advantages such as allowing guests to perform self-check-in, control their rooms, and receive necessary services via robots.Research limitations/implicationsThe universe of the research consists of all currently operating unmanned hotels worldwide. As a result of the research, 18 examples of unmanned smart hotels were identified. Hotels within the same chain with identical applications and processes were considered as a single example. Therefore, the research sample consists of 18 hotels.Originality/valueBy integrating these technological advancements, the hospitality and tourism industries can mitigate the impact of staff shortages, maintain high service standards, and improve operational efficiency. This approach allows businesses to adapt to changing workforce dynamics while continuing to deliver exceptional guest experiences. In conclusion, the significance and impact of unmanned smart hotels in the travel industry are growing. These hotels have the potential to shape the role of technology in the hospitality sector and influence future trends. Therefore, the adoption and development of unmanned smart hotels are important considerations for hotel operators and industry experts.

Managing Rapport on TripAdvisor: Correlation of Negative Reviews and Response Voices on Online Business Platforms

This study explores the impact of negative reviews and responses on rapport management, synthesizing current research on this topic. Employing formulated research questions and statistical methods like chi-square tests, this study systematically analyzed collected data both quantitatively and qualitatively. Results indicate significant differences in response voices—accommodative, formalistic, and defensive—among various interpersonal relationship management styles when addressing negative reviews. These findings emphasize the complexity of managing interpersonal relationships amidst criticism, offering theoretical insights and practical guidance for improving customer rapport management in industries like hospitality. By examining how different management voices respond to negative reviews, this study contributes a fresh perspective to enhancing customer relationship practices in service sectors.

Insights on the contribution of doctoral research findings from a school in a South African University towards policy formulation

Translation of health research findings into policy contributes to improvement of health systems. Generally, in sub-Saharan Africa policymakers rarely use research evidence and hence policies are often not informed by research evidence. Unless published or in the case of commissioned research, doctoral health research is often not used for health policy formulation. This paper analysed the potential and utilization of doctoral research from the School of Nursing and Public Health by KwaZulu-Natal Health Department of Health. The study adopted a mixed methods approach that combined elements of qualitative and quantitative research aspects. Qualitative data was collected through content analysis of 29 theses produced in the School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal between 2014 and 2021 and interviews held with four Department of Health personnel as policymakers. When researchers could not get information on how research questions were formulated from content analysis, they checked the student questionnaire for answers. Quantitative data was collected from 79 participants through structured questionnaires. Participants included 47 PhD graduates, 11 final year PhD students and 21 PhD supervisors. Data from content analysis and interviews was analyzed thematically while data from questionnaires was analyzed quantitatively. Eleven (52%) PhD supervisors reported that findings from 22 studies were being considered for policy development and adoption while some had resulted in policy guidelines and frameworks that can be used to formulate policies. Factors such as failure to involve the Department of Health during the formulation of research questions, inappropriate packaging of research findings, policymakers not aware of the availability of research findings, lack of commitment to the dissemination of research results by students and poor demand for research evidence by policymakers hindered the translation of PhD research findings into policy. From the 29 theses reviewed, sixteen (28%) of PhD respondents highlighted that they involved the Department of Health to formulate research questions while forty-two (72%) did not. The theses review also revealed limited identifiable information related to policy formulation. The study confirms the use of PhD research findings for policy formulation. Additionally, it highlights the factors that hinder utilization of PhD work by policymakers. Further research to understand the perspectives of policymakers on factors that contribute to utilization of PhD work as well as how the findings have contributed to policy formulation is recommended since there was not sufficient data collected from policymakers due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Learning how to develop a research question throughout the PhD process: training challenges, objectives, and scaffolds drawn from doctoral programs for students and their supervisors

AbstractWith the higher education reform putting forward the professionalization of doctoral students, doctoral education has been strongly focused on generic transferable skills to ensure employability. However, doctoral training should not forget core skills of research and especially the ability to formulate research questions, which are the key to original research and difficult to develop at the same time. Learning how to develop a research question is traditionally seen as a one-to-one learning process and an informal daily transmission between a novice and a senior researcher. The objective of this paper is to offer a framework to design doctoral programs aimed at supporting the process of development of research questions for doctoral candidates guided by their supervisors. We base our proposal on two doctoral training programs designed with a pedagogical strategy based on dialogs with peers, whether they be students, supervisors, or trainers from a diversity of scientific backgrounds. The resulting framework combines three learning challenges faced by doctoral students and their supervisors when developing their research question, as well as training objectives corresponding to what they should learn and that are illustrated by the scaffolds we have used in our training programs. Finally, we discuss the conditions and originality of our pedagogical strategy based on the acquisition of argumentation skills, taking both the subjective dimensions of PhD work and the added value of interactions with a diversity and heterogeneity of peers into account.