Scientific Practice Research Articles

In this paper it is argued that cultural psychology today requires a fundamental reorganization. Based on the theories formulated by Anokhin, Vygotsky, and Luria, a program for cultural psychology to become a true psychology is formulated. Several steps, all discussed in some details in this paper, are needed to come up with a coherent set of ideas how to proceed with cultural psychology. First, it is necessary to define the object of studies, culture, psyche, and cultural psyche. Next, there are different epistemologies applied in psychology today. The best justified structural-systemic epistemology must be selected to proceed. This allows, third, to create methodology, a science of methods, which does not exist in mainstream psychology today. Fourth, it must be understood that psyche is a very complex unitary phenomenon. Cultural psychological theories must be built on the basis of multiple approaches to the study of psyche, among them comparative psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, cognitive psychology, cultural psychology, anthropology and ethnography, clinical and neuropsychology, social psychology. Unitary theory must be created that allows to understand how results of studies from different approaches consistently complement one another. Theories that are not supported from multiple perspectives are incomplete or wrong. Fifth, the progress of any science is grounded with discovering questions necessary to answer. How to ask questions and how to discover what questions should be answered, is another important theme to be developed. Finally, cultural psychology may become a most practical science if the essence of cultural psyche is scientifically explained.

Concerns over the complexity and costs of drug development have led some to consider whether practices of open science should be extended to pharmaceuticals, a space known for entrenched intellectual property regimes. In this article, I trace the emergence of collective action to apply open science to the research and making of drugs, an area I call open pharma. Drawing on in-depth interviews with open pharma leaders and document analysis of journal articles, organizational policies, and websites, I show that open pharma resembles other scientific/intellectual movements in developing new research practices and transmitting new ideas for sharing data. At the same time, the sociotechnical space of pharmaceuticals is deeply entwined in capitalist political economic structures (legal, regulatory, and financial markets) that shape how actors frame and organize their work. I identify key narratives that actors use to frame the movement and mobilize others, often drawing on market logics. I illustrate the active building and institutionalizing of open pharma infrastructure through the establishment of organizations and open science policies. And I describe structural barriers to open pharma in universities with publishing and commercialization imperatives-which are frequently translated into patent imperatives. 'Open' is often defined and operationalized in particular ways, prioritizing public data sharing of early research (which may later be privatized) over such interventions as public clinical trials and commercialization, raising the question of where, when, and for whom open pharma is beneficial.

The Exercise Science Practice Model (ESPM) is a foundational framework that unifies professional education, reasoning, and practice within the field of Exercise Science. Unlike allied health disciplines such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and athletic training, Exercise Science has lacked an established practice model to guide curriculum design, professional identity, and accreditation. The ESPM bridges this gap by integrating the biopsychosocial model with critical thinking and clinical reasoning frameworks, emphasizing reflective, ethical, and evidence-based decision-making. Grounded in constructivist and transformative learning theories, the model promotes active, student-centered learning through case studies, simulations, and reflective exercises that cultivate higher-order cognitive skills.The ESPM is organized into six interrelated domains —Psychosocial, Assessment, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Intervention, and Outcome —that together provide a structured, cyclical approach to client management. Each domain incorporates both technical competencies and reflective reasoning, aligning with standards established by the American College of Sports Medicine (2020) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (2025). Implementation within a regional University curriculum demonstrated enhanced student engagement, improved integrative reasoning, and strengthened professional identity. Preliminary outcomes suggest that ESPM fosters critical inquiry, ethical awareness, and interprofessional collaboration, aligning with current educational reforms in health sciences.Ultimately, the ESPM advances Exercise Science education by providing a replicable, evidence-informed framework that promotes curricular coherence, professional legitimacy, and the cultivation of reflective, competent practitioners prepared for the evolving demands of preventive health and performance science.

"It's a difference of opinion that makes a horse race." Generally attributed to Mark Twain, this quote encapsulates the debate over the usefulness of research amid growing concerns in the scientific community about the replicability, reproducibility, and reliability of research findings. This article explores the debate from philosophical, statistical, and methodological perspectives, highlighting the scope of the apparent replication crisis in both natural and social sciences. The authors discuss how over-reliance on p-values and null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) has led to unreliable results and explore alternatives - such as Bayesian methods and effect size estimation. Methodological reforms including open science practices and preregistration are reviewed for their role in improving research credibility. Throughout, the authors demonstrate computational aspects of reproducibility with Python code examples, demonstrating how researchers can use programming tools to ensure their quantitative results are robust and replicable.

This systematic literature review synthesises empirical research on teacher leadership practices in science and mathematics education published between 2019 and June 2025, addressing the main research question: What are the dominant research themes, theoretical frameworks, methodological trends, and enactment contexts of teacher leadership practices in science and mathematics education during this period? A total of 34 peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, and EBSCOhost (Education Source) were analysed using the PRISMA 2020 framework and PICOS eligibility criteria. The review aimed to identify dominant research themes, theoretical frameworks, methodological trends, and the enactment of teacher leadership in instructional, assessment, and systemic contexts. Eight dominant themes emerged, with professional development, instructional practices, and leadership identity being the most prevalent. Teacher leaders were found to play critical roles in mentoring, curriculum design, assessment reform, and equity advocacy. Theoretical frameworks such as Communities of Practice, Teacher Leadership Identity Theory, and Transformational Leadership Theory were frequently employed to conceptualise leadership. The review highlights significant gaps in three areas: leadership for marginalised groups is often informal and under-supported (equity and inclusion), insufficient studies from the Global South (global representation), and there is little quantitative or longitudinal research to measure impact (methodological diversity). This review contributes to the field by synthesising current scholarship, identifying critical gaps, and proposing recommendations for expanding methodological approaches, magnifying student and teacher voices, and reinforcing equity-driven, context-responsive leadership practices.

As machine learning (ML) becomes increasingly central to biomedical research, the need for trustworthy models is more pressing than ever. In this paper, we present nine concise and actionable tips to help researchers build ML systems that are technically sound but ethically responsible, and contextually appropriate for biomedical applications. These tips address the multifaceted nature of trustworthiness, emphasizing the importance of considering all potential consequences, recognizing the limitations of current methods, taking into account the needs of all involved stakeholders, and following open science practices. We discuss technical, ethical, and domain-specific challenges, offering guidance on how to define trustworthiness and how to mitigate sources of untrustworthiness. By embedding trustworthiness into every stage of the ML pipeline – from research design to deployment – these recommendations aim to support both novice and experienced practitioners in creating ML systems that can be relied upon in biomedical science.

With this paper, I suggest focusing on diplo-scientific actors as a fruitful approach to study how certain actors have helped to shape international organisations through their diplomatic activities and scientific practices. Using the example of the Swedish medical physicist Rolf Sievert, I show how Sievert's personality and preferences came to decisively shape the post-war trajectory of the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP) and more broadly the international landscape of radiation protection. In the inter-war period, Sievert was engaged in the ICRP and its mother organisation, the International Radiological Congress (IRC), dealing with the interwoven questions of how to formulate international radiation standards and radiation protection initiatives. Following the Second World War, Sievert became concerned with the proliferation of nuclear technologies and the spread of radioactive fallout following nuclear test bombings. Because of this concern, Sievert set out to separate the ICRP from the IRC and form a new, independent group that could deal with the dangers of the new 'Nuclear Age'. While Sievert was ultimately unsuccessful, his attempts would decisively change the purview and trajectory of the ICRP. This had large ramifications, as the ICRP continues to be the prime international organisation on radiological and medical radiation protection, formulating recommendations that are used by international, regional, national, and local groups, informing epistemic judgements on radiation research.

The H2020 I-CHANGE project (Individual Change of HAbits Needed for Green European transition) aims to actively engage citizens in tackling climate change through citizen science practices. To this end, I-CHANGE has collaborated with citizens and stakeholders across eight Living Labs (LLs) situated in seven countries representing diverse geographical and climatic regions. This paper presents the I-CHANGE Day, an event organized simultaneously in the eight LLs, with the aim of collecting and analyzing data on air pollution and meteorological variables through citizen science and raise public awareness on climate change and individual adaptation measures. The paper details the methodology adopted to facilitate the citizens’ participation and the implementation of the proposed activities in contrasting social and environmental settings, and the outcomes of these various citizen science activities. The two main activities implemented in the present case study were air pollution monitoring using Smart Citizen Kits (SCKs) and comparing personal temperature and humidity perception with observations acquired through MeteoTrackers sensors. The results show significant community involvement and provide useful insights for enhancing the effectiveness of international citizen science initiatives. They also highlight the importance of a co-creative process to capture different objectives and capabilities of LLs. Across all LLs, the activities presented engaged groups ranging from 8 to 60 citizens, who demonstrated high levels of interest and effectively acquired the skills to operate the low-cost sensors. This study further aims to facilitate the replication of the proposed campaign across other LLs in other areas of the globe.

Pharmacological MRI (pharmaMRI) has emerged as a powerful tool to study how psychoactive drugs affect brain function and to uncover mechanisms of drug action in psychiatric disorders. This review provides an overview of key techniques used in pharmaMRI, including BOLD-fMRI, arterial spin labeling (ASL), and cerebral blood volume (CBV) mapping, and how they have advanced our understanding of drug-induced changes in neural activity and connectivity. We present key advances in both preclinical and clinical pharmaMRI, highlighting its value in elucidating drug mechanisms and informing psychiatric treatment development. In preclinical studies, pharmaMRI benefits from optimized hardware, the use of contrast agents such as iron oxide nanoparticles, and precise experimental control, including invasive neuromodulation techniques (e.g., opto- and chemogenetics). These studies offer critical mechanistic insights into receptor-specific and circuit-level drug effects, supporting hypothesis-driven translation to humans. Clinically, pharmaMRI has advanced our understanding of how compounds, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and stimulants, affect large-scale brain networks and offers potential for modeling psychiatric phenotypes and predicting treatment response. Furthermore, pharmaMRI can serve as a biomarker for target engagement and refine dose selection in early-phase trials. Despite growing interest, clinical adoption remains limited. Systematic use of both preclinical and clinical pharmaMRI could accelerate drug development, support precision psychiatry, and deepen understanding of treatment mechanisms. Finally, open science practices and large-scale datasets can help contextualize drug effects within broader neural and molecular frameworks. While these developments present some challenges, they position pharmaMRI as a critical bridge between molecular mechanisms and systems-level brain function in psychiatry. EVIDENCE LEVEL: N/A. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

Science communication practice aligns well with land-grant missions, can increase public understanding of science disciplines and institutional work, and has the potential to be a key part of agricultural, food, and environmental science programs. The purpose of this study is to explore perceptions of science communication’s importance, skill needs, and training interests among faculty and graduate students in agricultural, food, and environmental science disciplines at land-grant institutions. Survey participants describe time currently spent, time desired, perceived costs, and potential motivations for initiating or devoting ongoing time to science communication training and practice. Potential skills that are valuable to include in science communicating curriculum and training workshops are shared. The study identifies key similarities and differences between students and faculty participants and offers potential suggestions for how to approach science communication skill development within the agricultural, food, and environmental sciences.

This paper explores how dogs in Victorian experimental physiology sparked a fundamental ethical and epistemological crisis through their embodied resistance to mechanistic reduction. Using archival evidence from Claude Bernard's laboratory notebooks, feminist antivivisection literature and the public controversy surrounding the Brown Dog memorial, it argues that canine subjects challenged the conceptual foundations of experimental science through persistent agency and interspecies recognition. The analysis highlights three interconnected acts of resistance: Bernard's private struggles with 'uncooperative' experimental subjects that undermined his mechanistic doctrine; the feminist witnessing practices of Lizzy Lind-af-Hageby and Leisa Katherina Schartau, whose documentation of prolonged experiments exposed the systemic violence masked by claims to scientific objectivity; and the Brown Dog Affair, where a terrier's transformation from laboratory subject to contested political symbol crystallised intersecting politics of species, gender and class in Edwardian London. Theoretically, the paper develops the concept of felt reality-the embodied, affective dimension of experimental practice that persistently challenged positivist frameworks. Through feminist animal studies, it examines how dogs' 'absent referent' status required elaborate discursive and psychological mechanisms to suppress evidence of their consciousness and agency. This interdisciplinary inquiry contributes to medical humanities by foregrounding animal agency, ethical witnessing and the limitations of biomedical rationality. Ultimately, it argues that Victorian experimental dogs participated as active agents in historical debates over knowledge, ethics and human dominion. Their resistance shaped a counter-history of science-one that evaluates progress not by dominating life, but by the bravery to confront the irreducible otherness of conscious beings and acknowledge, in that vulnerable exchange, the basis for more compassionate scientific practice.

Animal research refers to the use of animals in various scientific activities such as observation, experimentation, testing, and education. This practice has generated widespread ethical debate, especially concerning the legal and moral boundaries of animal welfare. Policymakers face the challenge of balancing animal rights with human interests and reconciling protective standards with economic demands. In New Zealand, the use of animals in research and education is guided by the Three Rs principle: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. This framework reflects a national commitment to humane and responsible scientific practice. In contrast, Vietnam, despite mentioning animal use in laws related to animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, lacks a unified legal system dedicated to animal protection. This gap highlights the need for Vietnam and other developing countries to study and adopt ethical and legal models from nations like New Zealand to strengthen their approach to animal welfare in research and education.

Abstract Fossils are an overlooked yet threatened category of cultural property. This article traces how they became protected by international law under the League of Nations. Using archival materials and historical context, the article shows how fossils acquired value through a set of scientific, cultural, and political practices that prompted their special legal protection, in a story illuminating valuation processes in international law.

Genomic medicine has evolved significantly, merging centuries of scientific progress with modern molecular biology and clinical care. It utilizes knowledge of the human genome to enhance disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and potential reversal. Genomic medicine in hepatology is particularly promising due to the crucial role of the liver in several metabolic processes and its association with diseases such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis, and cardiovascular conditions. The mid-20th century witnessed a paradigm shift in medicine, marked by the emergence of molecular biology, which enabled a deeper understanding of gene expression and regulation. This connection between basic science and clinical practice has enhanced our knowledge of the role of gene-environment interactions in the onset and progression of liver diseases. In Latin America, including Mexico, with its genetically diverse and admixed populations, genomic medicine provides a foundation for personalized and culturally relevant health strategies. This review highlights the need for genomic medicine, examining its historical evolution, integration into hepatology in Mexico, and its potential applications in the prevention of chronic diseases. It emphasizes the importance of training in genomic literacy and interdisciplinary education in medical training, particularly in the field of hepatology, with a focus on genomic medicine expertise.

From 2010 to 2014, a series of events and publications revealed that much of the psychological literature was less robust than the field believed. Researchers have highlighted various issues underlying fragile findings in large swaths of psychological science. In response, the field has also proposed solutions to help build a more robust literature. Foremost among these solutions are a suite of Open Science practices, including preregistration, registered reports, and the posting of materials, data, and analytic scripts. While these solutions have primarily emerged outside of clinical science, there is some evidence that clinical science is beginning to adopt Open Science practices. The present study focuses on the use of Open Science practices in personality disorder research, specifically. We discuss the relevance of these practices to personality disorder research, and examine rates of Open Science practices in articles published between 2021 and 2023 in two personality disorder journals, Journal of Personality Disorders (article N = 150) and Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment (article N = 158). The rate of Open Science practices in these articles was compared to empirical articles from a select number of general personality journals published during the same time period (article N range = 125-247). Overall, the personality disorder articles showed lower rates of Open Science practices compared to the general personality articles, while some practices (registered reports) were consistently low across all articles. In light of these findings, we discuss ways that personality disorder researchers can effectively implement Open Science practices to help facilitate a more transparent research literature. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Methods are one of the most reusable outputs that researchers create and detailed methods are essential for reproducibility, reuse of methods and responsible data reuse. Despite this, open methods have received comparatively little attention compared to other outputs, like open data, open code and open access publications. This talk explores actions that researchers, research institutions and departments, funders, and publishers and editors can take to enhance the quality of methods reporting in preprints and published papers. The talk will highlight some key recommendations for each of these stakeholder groups from the European Commission PRO-MaP (Promoting Reusable and Open Methods and Protocols) Science for Policy report. Coordinated action across stakeholders is essential to change research culture and practice. We’ll also explore opportunities to enhance methods reporting and other open science practices by shifting incentives for graduate students. The TREASURE program at the University of Coimbra rewards students for implementing reproducible, reusable and open research practices, including methods sharing, in their thesis research.

The connection between culture and science is complex and in the case of India, this connection is specifically deep because of the high tradition of cultural, philosophical, and scientific traditions. The Indian culture with its rich intellectual history, religious traditions, and in-whole world views has made a huge contribution to the sphere of scientific investigation. The paper will discuss the influence of Indian culture on shaping and further shaping the scientific thoughts and practices focusing on both past and modern trends. Since the time these early Indian scientists created their contribution in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, including Aryabhata, Sushruta, and Charaka, the persistence of cultural impact on science has been examined in the paper through their works that led to the establishment of numerous scientific principles in modern times. In the paper, the philosophical traditions of India are also explored including Vedanta, Samkhya, and Buddhism that have spread a holistic sense to the nature and universe, promoting a more integrated and networked sense of scientific investigation. The paper also provides evidence of the role played by Indian science in the world and how cultural paradigms have contributed to interdisciplinary practices, especially in such fields as environmental science, healthcare, and sustainability. As a result of looking at how culture and science intersect, the paper demonstrates that Indian culture has been not only important in terms of preserving the scientific traditions but also in creating a distinct scientific approach that strikes the right balance between modern and traditional knowledge. By so doing, it claims that Indian culture provides a science that is holistic, inclusive, and closely related to the needs of society.

ABSTRACT Developing scientific literacy is necessary for students with disabilities (SWD) as it supports the ability to create solutions to real‐world problems and understand current events, and it strengthens critical thinking, problem‐solving, and complex communication skills. The purpose of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate extant literature on inquiry‐based science interventions for SWD in service of developing scientific practices. We identified 26 studies in 22 articles and 3 dissertations for inclusion in this review. Effect size (ES) estimates demonstrate significant positive effects in both group (ES = 0.79; CI [0.41, 1.17]) and single case design studies (ES = 2.76; CI [1.93, 3.60]). Overall findings suggest that inquiry‐based science instruction is effective in teaching SWD science content as well as developing proficiency in scientific practices and inquiry skills.

Popper’s philosophy of science and economic imperialism are “correctly” formulated. Popper’s philosophy contrasts with the author’s interpretation. The reliance on situational analysis is dubious; one needs to break with it. Three tasks are bringing Popper’s theory in conformity with scientific research and practices of social scientists and explaining how Popper could have endorsed a theory of how institutions function. The description of problems Popper’s view raises is too narrow, as is situational analysis. Merten had sympathy for Popper’s philosophy. Popper’s theory is incorrectly described, due to the absence of philosophical considerations.

Abstract Background The network analysis (NA) approach has predominantly relied on cross-sectional data, to characterize the relationships between symptoms across individuals at a single time point. In contrast, fully idiographic network analysis (FINA) allows for a more personalized perspective by estimating symptom networks at the individual level using intensive data collection. The aim of this scoping review is to map current practices in FINA in mental health research, identify methodological trends and gaps, and offer recommendations to support future studies in planning, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Methods We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed journal articles (published until January 2025). The initial search identified 12,586 articles, of which 43 were included in the review. Information was extracted on study and sample characteristics, data collection methods, and data analytic techniques. Results We observed high heterogeneity between the studies. Commonly employed data collection methods included experience sampling and ecological momentary assessment, and the FINA model most frequently employed was graphical vector auto-regressive. Most studies estimated both contemporaneous and temporal networks, and fewer than half shared their data following open science practices. Conclusions FINA is a promising tool for mental health research, but future studies need to adopt greater scientific rigor. To support this goal, we provide a set of recommendations and a structured checklist to guide researchers in conducting FINA studies.