Scientific Practice Research Articles

Ethnographic Stories in Information Science

ABSTRACTConsidering the conference theme “Putting People First: Responsibility, Reciprocity, and Care in Information Science Research and Practice,” this panel brings an ethnographic methodological conversation to the 2024 ASIS&T Annual Meeting. Our session emphasizes how participants' stories are one of the most human‐centered tools we have in research, highlighting how storytelling is an integral part of being human. The panelists have conducted ethnographic fieldwork in various contexts and begins with an introduction about ethnography as a form of storytelling, introducing concepts of vulnerability and reciprocity. Panelists will then reflect on ethnographic stories before turning to teaching Information Ethnography. Our session aims to broach the joys and challenges of ethnographic research by bringing a new honesty to the conversation in Information Science. We will engage the audience in open discussion, before breaking out into smaller groups, fostering an intimate, safe space to share stories about past research.

From outer space to latent space

Dall-E2 and Stable Diffusion promote their text-to-image models based on their level of (photo)realism. The use of photographic language is not superficial or accidental but indicative of a broader tendency in computer science and data practice. To nuance the general application of photorealism, I position the term alongside photographic realism and computational photorealism. To contextualize important nuances between these three terms, contemporary examples from astrophotography are analysed and reconstructed using text-to-image models. From the comparative analysis, computational photorealism emerges as a modified term that recognizes the relationship between photography and text-to-image models without conflating their ontological and epistemological differences.

The Impact of DEI Work on Retention of Librarians: A Moderated Mediation SEM Model

ABSTRACTThis study explores the effects of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work on retention and job satisfaction of librarians. Using existing data from the Workforce Issues in Library and Information Science 2 project, a moderated mediation Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) showed that being prepared to advocate for or serve diverse populations did not directly affect librarian retention, nor did collaborating with the community or promoting outreach and engagement with the community. However, this preparation and these job activities did affect librarians' job satisfaction, which ultimately affected their decision to stay in the profession. In addition, preparation for DEI work and opportunities to work with the community are just as important for White librarians as for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) librarians. These findings have implications for library and information science education, practice, and research.

The Trap of Securitizing Science

In response to China’s rise, Western governments are acting to limit scientific collaboration—but these measures will not increase economic competitiveness and could inhibit the practice of science itself.

New Features in the pyCSEP Toolkit for Earthquake Forecast Development and Evaluation

Abstract The Collaboratory for the Study of Earthquake Predictability (CSEP) is a global community dedicated to advancing earthquake predictability research by rigorously testing probabilistic earthquake forecast models and prediction algorithms. At the heart of this mission is the recent introduction of pyCSEP, an open-source software tool designed to evaluate earthquake forecasts. pyCSEP integrates modules to access earthquake catalogs, visualize forecast models, and perform statistical tests. Contributions from the CSEP community have reinforced the role of pyCSEP in offering a comprehensive suite of tools to test earthquake forecast models. This article builds on Savran, Bayona, et al. (2022), in which pyCSEP was originally introduced, by describing new tests and recent updates that have significantly enhanced the functionality and user experience of pyCSEP. It showcases the integration of new features, including access to authoritative earthquake catalogs from Italy (Bolletino Seismico Italiano), New Zealand (GeoNet), and the world (Global Centroid Moment Tensor), the creation of multiresolution spatial forecast grids, the adoption of non-Poissonian testing methods, applying a global seismicity model to specific regions for benchmarking regional models and evaluating alarm-based models. We highlight the application of these recent advances in regional studies, specifically through the New Zealand case study, which showcases the ability of pyCSEP to evaluate detailed, region-specific seismic forecasts using statistical functions. The enhancements in pyCSEP also facilitate the standardization of how the CSEP forecast experiments are conducted, improving the reliability, and comparability of the earthquake forecasting models. As such, pyCSEP exemplifies collaborative research and innovation in earthquake predictability, supporting transparent scientific practices, and community-driven development approaches.

Open Science practices in language assessment: Introducing the special issue

Open Science practices in language assessment: Introducing the special issue

Super-resolution acoustic displacement metrology through topological pairs in orbital meta-atoms

The precise measurement of minute displacements using light is a common practice in modern science and technology. The utilization of sound for precision displacement metrology remains scarce due to the diffraction limit of half-wavelength, while it holds crucial applications in some specific scenarios, such as underwater environments, biological tissues, and complex machinery components. Here, we propose an approach to super-resolution acoustic displacement metrology by introducing the concept of topological pairs in orbital meta-atoms, drawing inspiration from the analogy of Cooper pairs observed in spinful electrons. The topological pairs are conjugately formed to create two distinct pathways in mode space that enable robust generation of interference. This allows the realization of acoustic analogue of Malus’s law and thereby enhances the resolution of displacement measurements. By incorporating a spiral twist configuration in orbital meta-atoms, we demonstrate the first acoustic prototype of a physical micrometer tailored for micron-scale displacement metrology. We observe experimentally a displacement resolving power of 1.2 μm at an audible frequency of 3.43 kHz, approximately 1/105 of the sound wavelength of 100 mm. Our work implies a new paradigm for precise displacement metrology within classical wave physics and lays the foundation for diverse acoustic applications.

Advancement of Nanofibers in Wound Healing: A Review

The field of wound healing is currently experiencing a ground-breaking transformation with the introduction of nanofiber technology. This groundbreaking discovery has the potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine and tissue engineering worldwide, effectively meeting the growing need for innovative and affordable healthcare solutions. This comprehensive review explores the evolution and utilization of nanofibers to enhance wound healing. Nanofibers, known for their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix of human tissue, play a crucial role in facilitating cell growth and wound repair. The review explores sophisticated techniques like electrospinning and the integration of bioactive agents such as antibiotics and growth factors with nanofibers. It emphasizes on the precision with which these nanofibers are customized to address specific therapeutic requirements. Additionally, the review sheds light on the use of both natural and synthetic polymers in crafting biocompatible nanofibers, which significantly reduces healing time while ensuring optimal aesthetic recovery, meeting the expectations of patients with minimal scarring. It emphasizes the synergy of expertise from materials science, biology,and clinical practices in propelling nanofiber-based therapies from the laboratory to the forefront of clinical care. Through this succinct overview, we aim to underscore the immense potential of nanofibers in transforming wound care. We are offering a glimpse into a future where effective and efficient healing is within reach, marking a remarkable leap forward in the global quest for advanced healthcare solutions.

Challenges and Alternatives to Evaluation Methods and Regulation Approaches for Medical Apps as Mobile Medical Devices: International and Multidisciplinary Focus Group Discussion.

The rapid proliferation of medical apps has transformed the health care landscape by giving patients and health care providers unprecedented access to personalized health information and services. However, concerns regarding the effectiveness and safety of medical apps have raised questions regarding the efficacy of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the evaluation of such apps and as a requirement for their regulation as mobile medical devices. This study aims to address this issue by investigating alternative methods, apart from RCTs, for evaluating and regulating medical apps. Using a qualitative approach, a focus group study with 46 international and multidisciplinary public health experts was conducted at the 17th World Congress on Public Health in May 2023 in Rome, Italy. The group was split into 3 subgroups to gather in-depth insights into alternative approaches for evaluating and regulating medical apps. We conducted a policy analysis on the current regulation of medical apps as mobile medical devices for the 4 most represented countries in the workshop: Italy, Germany, Canada, and Australia. We developed a logic model that combines the evaluation and regulation domains on the basis of these findings. The focus group discussions explored the strengths and limitations of the current evaluation and regulation methods and identified potential alternatives that could enhance the quality and safety of medical apps. Although RCTs were only explicitly mentioned in the German regulatory system as one of many options, an analysis of chosen evaluation methods for German apps on prescription pointed toward a "scientific reflex" where RCTs are always the chosen evaluation method. However, this method has substantial limitations when used to evaluate digital interventions such as medical apps. Comparable results were observed during the focus group discussions, where participants expressed similar experiences with their own evaluation approaches. In addition, the participants highlighted numerous alternatives to RCTs. These alternatives can be used at different points during the life cycle of a digital intervention to assess its efficacy and potential harm to users. It is crucial to recognize that unlike analog tools, digital interventions constantly evolve, posing challenges to inflexible evaluation methods such as RCTs. Potential risks include high dropout rates, decreased adherence, and nonsignificant results. However, existing regulations do not explicitly advocate for other evaluation methodologies. Our research highlighted the necessity of overcoming the gap between regulatory demands to demonstrate safety and efficacy of medical apps and evolving scientific practices, ensuring that digital health innovation is evaluated and regulated in a way that considers the unique characteristics of mobile medical devices.

The Scientific Reference Model—A Methodological Approach in the Hypothetical 3D Reconstruction of Art and Architecture

Scientific practice relies on the rigorous documentation of procedures, methods, and outcomes, governed by principles like method verification, objectivity, and source disclosure. In the computer-based hypothetical 3D reconstruction of destroyed or never realised art and architecture, adhering to these principles faces challenges due to evolving software, methods, and data types, leading to a lack of standardised documentation and publication practices for 3D models. Consequently, the traceability, accessibility, and sustainability of research outcomes are compromised. Decades after the advent of computer-aided 3D visualisation in cultural heritage, there is a critical need to define applicable methodology and comprehensive documentation standards. Web-based platforms necessitate technical infrastructures and clear scientific methodologies to ensure understandable model creation and sustainable accessibility to 3D research data. The Scientific Reference Model proposes an accessible academic framework for this kind of 3D reconstruction, aiming to facilitate broad adoption. Developed and tested in research projects and educational contexts, this model aims to establish clear, accessible 3D models on the web, serving as foundational references for future research and knowledge dissemination.

Exploring Indigenous Knowledge Systems Integrated in Natural Sciences Practical Work in Selected South African Schools

This study used the nature of indigenous knowledge (NOIK) framework to explore indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) practices that were integrated when practical work in natural sciences was facilitated. In this interpretive explorative case study, data were collected by semistructured interviews, lesson observations and a focus group interview conducted with three purposively selected natural sciences teachers and two natural sciences district officials in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Thematic analysis techniques were used to analyze the data that were collected. Three findings on ways to integrate IKS in science practical work are the following. First, IKS was integrated in practical work through teaching of applied science and including the learners’ lived experiences of local technologies to solve problems. Second, practical work that integrated IKS was conducted as empirical observations of natural phenomena, which included genetic variation of plants and animals, including human beings, animal behavior, using moon cycles and the movement of the sun to guide day-to-day, cultural and agricultural activities. Third, some of the IKS included myths and superstitions that distorted the public understanding of science but were nevertheless used to persuade people to uphold certain cultural practices. The study recommends comparing NOIK and the nature of science when integrating IKS in the classroom to enable learners to distinguish myths from scientific facts.

Risks of competing discourses of scientific responsibility in global ocean futures

Accelerated innovation in climate-impacted oceans is outpacing standards of scientific responsibility. Standards of responsibility are critical because they shape research agendas, funding flows, scientific practice, and how innovations are regulated. Here, we examine responsibility debates among 243 marine scientists and end-users proposing, trialling and/or implementing 76 innovations for climate-impacted oceans. We identify three distinct discourses: ‘science outside society’, ‘science for society’ and ‘science with society’. Competition within and across these discourses reveals heightened tensions between the need to protect scientific autonomy and freedom, and moral duty to ensure socially just and desirable ocean futures. Without thorough debate and oversight, the wide-reaching power of such unresolved tensions could propel marine science and ocean futures into volatile ethical and moral territory. Better connection and articulation of standards of responsibility with scientific motivations, practices, and funding are key to ensuring the transparency and accountability required to progress equitable and sustainable oceans.

Legal issues of the artificial intelligence identification

Artificial intelligence, as well as a number of other products of the technological revolution, served as a prerequisite for the formation of a specific area of public relations, which led to the search for adequate forms and methods of legal regulation. The use of legal resources in the process of creating the necessary regulators has led to the accumulation of relevant practical experience and the emergence of a disciplinary ontology accumulating doctrinal knowledge about the AI legal existence. The central place in it is occupied by the issue of AI legal identification, which has both theoretical and practical significance. Its development involves the development of a complex of fundamental, programmatic and design issues. The article presents the solutions forming this complex in the context of the development of scientific legal knowledge and practice of legal regulation in the field of AI creation and use, as well as a rational view of mediation by law of the considered public relations in its current form; the author characterizes the content and dynamics of this view, analyzes the accumulated law-making experience and practice of legal experiments. The article also sets out forecasts for the further development of this segment of the legal sphere and the tools used to streamline it; defines the tasks of the legal doctrine for the future. The article was prepared on the basis of a scientific report presented by the author at a meeting of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences on March 12, 2024.

Perceptions of scientific assessment effectiveness

The science-policy interface process known as ‘scientific assessment’ convenes large numbers of experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to deliberate and synthesise cross-disciplinary knowledge. Considering the increasingly frequent and widespread use of scientific assessments over the past 30 years, globally and in South Africa, it is surprising that few effectiveness evaluations have been undertaken. A case-study mixed methods approach was used to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of six scientific assessment cases – two global, two regional and two national. To measure perceptions, a Generic/Procedural framework was developed, consisting of thirteen indicators based on the science-policy ‘dimensions’ of Credibility, Relevance and Legitimacy (CRELE). The cases were perceived to have performed better than average with respect to Output quality, Procedural fairness, Use in decision-making, Trustworthiness and Iterativity, and below average for Coproduction, Capacity building, Media communications, Transdisciplinarity and Financial resources. Perceptions of effectiveness varied based on participant role, age, and country income levels, revealing both pluralistic viewpoints and the subjective nature of participant-led evaluations. While Relevance is often considered the keystone dimension of CRELE, the cases performed better for indicators foundational to Credibility and Legitimacy, rather than those foundational to Relevance. Future successful scientific assessment practice will require more conscious consideration of Relevance, coupled with innovative epistemic practices in the spirit of the Pragmatic-Enlightened Model (PEM) of science-policy interaction.

The Issues of Psychological Health Tests in Chinese High Schools

At present, adolescents are facing many challenges in mental health, and there are many problems with psychological test questions, so this paper aims to strengthen mental health education and interventions. There are many problems in the current psychological test questions, including insufficient professionalism, insufficient consideration of cultural differences, insufficient privacy protection, insufficient validity and reliability, excessive reliance on self-report, oversimplification of the interpretation of results, lack of timely updating and revision, suggestiveness of the questions, insufficient verification of reliability and validity, and failure to fully cover important aspects of mental health. These issues may affect the accuracy and reliability of test results and need to be continuously improved and resolved through scientific research and professional practice. When addressing mental health issues, schools should work with professionals to ensure that psychological tests are scientific and culturally appropriate, while updating test questions regularly. In addition, it combines quantitative and qualitative assessments, provides professional training, uses information technology to improve testing convenience, and establishes a feedback mechanism to optimize test questions. Resources and support are also needed after the exam to ensure that tests are designed without bias to help students address mental health challenges. Through these measures, the effectiveness of psychological testing can be improved, and the mental health and well-being of students can be promoted.

Preparing the Next Generation of Integrative Organismal Biologists.

Pursuing cutting edge questions in organismal biology in the future will require novel approaches for training the next generation of organismal biologists, including knowledge and use of systems-type modeling combined with integrative organismal biology. We link agendas recommending changes in science education and practice across three levels: Broadening the concept of organismal biology to promote modeling organisms as systems interacting with higher and lower organizational levels; enhancing undergraduate science education to improve applications of quantitative reasoning and modeling in the scientific process; and K-12 curricula based on Next Generation Science Standards emphasizing development and use of models in the context of explanatory science, solution design, and evaluating and communicating information. Out of each of these initiatives emerges an emphasis on routine use of models as tools for hypothesis testing and prediction. The question remains, however, what is the best approach for training the next generation of organismal biology students to facilitate their understanding and use of models? We address this question by proposing new ways of teaching and learning, including the development of interactive web-based modeling modules that lower barriers for scientists approaching this new way of imagining and conducting integrative organismal biology.

The Practice Path of Educating Students by Total Factor Management of Scientific and Technological Innovation Projects

The practical education of science and technology innovation for college students has wide coverage and is deeply loved by students. It is an important way for colleges and universities to train students in talents. Project management is the basic carrier of college students’ science and technology innovation practice education. It is necessary to fully tap the educational value of college students’ science and technology innovation project management. With the focus of “management means, management carrier, all staff thinking and politics, and students’ needs”, the author has explored the whole elements of project management education resources and explored the practical path of project management education.

Nurses' justifications for morally courageous acts in ethical conflicts: A narrative inquiry.

Background: Moral courage is defined as the courage to act in ethical conflicts based on individual or professional values despite the personal risks involved. Nurses justify their decisions to act morally courageously as part of their ethical decision-making. Objective: To describe registered nurses' justifications for acting morally courageously, or not, in ethical conflicts where they needed moral courage. Research design: A narrative inquiry with a holistic content approach was used. Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted in January-February 2023. The data were analysed using holistic content analysis. Participants and research context: Fourteen registered nurses with experience in situations where they needed moral courage participated. The nurses came from the somatic, palliative, mental health, and substance abuse care fields in Finland. Ethical considerations: Good scientific practice was followed. Ethical approval was obtained before data collection from the university's ethics committee. Findings: The nurses needed moral courage in ethical conflicts with patients present and between professionals. Individual responsibility, professional ethics, and emotions were identified as bases of nurses' justifications for morally courageous acts. The justifications for acting morally courageously, or not, had individual, contextual, and organisational perspectives. Morally courageous acts included starting a discussion about the conflict with other professionals and reporting the situation in writing within one's organisation. Discussion and conclusions: The identified bases and perspectives of justifications illustrate the complexity of nurses' decision-making in ethical conflicts, either leading to morally courageous acts or not. These results can inform nursing practice and research in developing processes to strengthen nurses' moral courage and examining relationships between moral courage and other concepts, such as moral resilience.

Appreciation, Analysis and Creation in the Teaching-learning of the Plastic Arts

Aim. The Didactics of the Plastic Education is necessarily nourished by the general didactics and the arts, as well as by their particular methodologies, in aspects related to the teaching-learning of the textual analysis, and specifically, the study of the visual code (iconic and visual signs, tropes or rhetorical figures, etc.), which dialogues with theory, semiotics, cultural anthropology, among other sciences. Methods. In academic research, methods such as the analysis of the results of pedagogical activity, ethnographic or experiential and inductive-deductive methods were used. Results. The Didactics of a Plastic Education requires an urgent review that includes, from its most general principles and laws, to the aspects related to the selection and sequencing of content, the role of the student's plastic education in achieving a social model, the distinctions between artistic education, aesthetic education and teaching of the plastic arts in all the integrality and complexity of their discourses, the teaching-learning process, its essence and contradictions, the categorical system of the teaching-learning process, among other fundamental aspects. The present study contributes to this rethinking of the theoretical and methodological postulates of the Didactics of Plastic Education, as it proposes as an objective: to argue the didactic principle of the unity between appreciation, analysis and textual creation in the teaching-learning process of the visual image analysis. Conclusion. This argument constitutes a theoretical contribution to the science, and clarifies, while unifying, criteria and procedures in the pedagogical practice of artists, teachers, instructors and masters of the plastic arts.

EXPERIENCES IN THE AMAZON

The text explores the formation of family and community doctors with a specific focus on acting in rural areas and the health of the indigenous population, a frequently neglected aspect in residency programs in large urban centers. The narrative details an internship at the Macapá Indigenous Health Support House (Casai) and at the base hub of the Manga village, located in Oiapoque, Amapá. During this internship, the resident doctor of the municipality of Rio de Janeiro-RJ had the opportunity to provide medical attention directly to indigenous communities of the villages of Amapá and northern Pará. A central aspect of the text is the importance of exchange between scientific knowledge and traditional indigenous practices. The respect demonstrated by the indigenous population and the credibility attributed to their beliefs were essential to the effectiveness of the care performed. This experience offered the resident significant learning about person -centered medicine, allowing enriching contact with different cultures and traditions. These cultures have unique visions and understandings about the process of getting sick and healing, which contributed to a broader and more integrated understanding of health care. The internship stressed the importance of recognizing and respecting cultural practices in medical practice.