Topic-specific Research Research Articles

Is theoretical topic-specific research “old fashioned”? An epistemological inquiry about the ontological creativity of Mathematics Education Research

AbstractIn Mathematics Education (ME), research dealing with topic-specific (TS) issues (e.g., what levels of development exist in learning fractions) produces usually local results and is considered less fashionable and attractive for innovative research projects than research dealing with context-specific (CS) issues that have more general and abstract scopes (e.g., what is mathematical instruction? what is the field of ME?) and produces middle-range or grand theories. TS- and CS-research run along separate tracks with little or no crossover, at least from the beginning of the socio-political-turn in ME, but connecting them could help to single out hidden variables in CS-research. This paper shows that TS-research creates specific mathematical objects that allow us to reduce the distance between these two lines of research. Mathematical objects specific to ME research are shown to be both a technical link between the two lines of research because they allow topic-specificity to access more abstract and general realms of research, as well as factor at stake when aspects related to the social, political, and ethical implications of the ontological creativity of TS-research are discussed in a critical postmodern approach. Discussing its impact on textbooks, teacher-training, teaching practices, further TS-research-practices, as well as on the researcher’s epistemological empowerment and on the self-referentiality of ME research, TS-research moves from the periphery to the heart of CS-research.

American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria®: a bibliometric analysis of panel members

ObjectiveTo assess the features of panel members involved in the writing of the ACR-AC and identify alignment with research output and topic-specific research publications.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was performed on the research output of panel members of 34 ACR-AC documents published in 2021. For each author, we searched Medline to record total number of papers (P), total number of ACR-AC papers (C) and total number of previously published papers that are relevant to the ACR-AC topic (R).ResultsThree hundred eighty-three different panel members constituted 602 panel positions for creating 34 ACR-AC in 2021 with a median panel size of 17 members. Sixty-eight (17.5%) of experts had been part of ≥10 previously published ACR-AC papers and 154 (40%) were members in ≥ 5 published ACR-AC papers. The median number of previously published papers relevant to the ACR-AC topic was 1 (IQR: 0–5). 44% of the panel members had no previously published paper relevant to the ACR-AC topic. The proportion of ACR-AC papers (C/P) was higher for authors with ≥ 5 ACR-AC papers (0.21) than authors with < 5 ACR-AC papers (0.11, p < 0.0001); however, proportion of relevant papers per topic (R/P) was higher for authors with < 5 ACR-AC papers (0.10) than authors with ≥ 5 ACR-AC papers (0.07).ConclusionThe composition of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria panels reflects many members with little or no previously published literature on the topic of consideration. Similar pool of experts exists on multiple expert panels formulating imaging appropriateness guidelines.Key PointsThere were 68 (17.5%) panel experts on ≥ 10 ACR-AC panels.Nearly 45% of the panel experts had zero median number of relevant papers.Fifteen panels (44%) had > 50% of members having zero relevant papers.

Scarcity in today´s consumer markets: scoping the research landscape by author keywords

Scarcity refers to not having enough of what one needs. This phenomenon has shaped individuals´ life since ancient times, nowadays ranging from daily-life scarcity cues in shopping scenarios to the planet’s resources scarcity to meet the world´s consumer demand. Because of this ubiquity of scarcity, the topic has been attracting attention from scholars and practitioners in different areas. Studies regarding scarcity were conducted across disciplines, based on different assumptions, and focused on distinct study subjects. A lack of mainstream about this topic hindered the convergence of core ideas among different schools of thought. In this article, we take an integrative socio-economic perspective to join diverse findings on scarcity affecting consumer markets, identify topic-specific research questions still to be answered, and provide suggestions for future and integrative research opportunities. A systematic review based on author keywords from 855 publications analyzing scarcity affecting business-consumer interactions serves as a database. Exploratory factor analyses based on author keywords identify shared patterns within and linkages across discourses stemming from various disciplines and theories. Results differentiate distinct research foci in the consumer behavior, socio-political, and other disciplinary research realms. A mapping of these research themes identifies the scarcity-related interplay among consumers, producers, and other stakeholders. Findings point out research directions for future studies at both the research realm level and the interdisciplinary level.

Involving patients and the public in research

To present the actions taken by the Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network (SDCRN) to comply with Scotland's National Dementia Strategy (SNDS) on patient and public involvement (PPI). Tackling priorities in dementia research is paramount to success in planning and delivering effective health services. Identifying such priorities is a task that should involve patients with dementia and their carers. Aware of the potential importance that the public has in shaping the future of dementia research, the Scottish Government has launched an initiative that places PPI at its core. The SDCRN, funded by the Chief Scientist Office, has responded to this initiative and has developed a strategic PPI agenda. Experience of developing and implementing an extensive range of PPI activities with patients with dementia and their carers in Scotland. This is an informative paper. The paper discusses the strategy that the SDCRN has adopted to comply with government PPI priorities, thus supporting the strategic agenda for Scottish topic-specific research networks. The challenges that researchers face when engaging with patients with dementia and their carers can be overcome by promoting a culture that supports dementia research. Through the development of the PPI strategy, the SDCRN has encouraged and enabled the public to become active partners in research. Involving the public in dementia research is a priority. This paper highlights how this can be achieved through extensive partnership working, collaboration and the implementation of various PPI activities to allow the public to play a major influential role in the development of future dementia services.

The Ophthalmology Specialty Group and the National Institute for Health Research: the first 6 years

The Ophthalmology Specialty Group and the National Institute for Health Research: the first 6 years

2011 RCGP and Novartis Research Paper of the Year

Eighty-one papers were nominated as potential papers of the year for 2011. This is more than double the 34 titles submitted in 2010 and part of a rising trend of excellent papers from UK general practice. The reasons for this rise are the continuing increase in excellent primary care research in the UK and the inception this year of awards for each of the seven NIHR topic-specific research networks. In the Cancer category the panel were particularly impressed by Hippisley-Cox and colleagues’ BJGP paper Identifying patients with suspected gastro-oesophageal cancer in primary care: derivation and validation of an algorithm .1 There were several papers this year exploiting the rich research potential of primary care records but this one stood out as one that has potential to change practice once further experience of the algorithm’s use is gained. In the Dementias …

Proceedings of SRR

The Society for Research in Rehabilitation (SRR) is the major multidisciplinary rehabilitation research society in the UK (www.srr.org.uk). Its aim is to advance education and research into all aspects of rehabilitation medicine and to disseminate the useful results of such research for the public benefit. The SRR runs two conferences a year, with topic-specific research symposia, free scientific presentations and ‘research in progress’ posters. The Society aims to be inspiring and educational, while providing excellent opportunities for networking for both junior and established researchers. These are abstracts from the SRR Winter Meeting, hosted in Cardiff by Dr Chris Burton and Dr Robert van Deursen on the 22nd February 2011.

Proceedings of SRR

The Society of Research in Rehabilitation (SRR) is the major multidisciplinary rehabilitation research society in the UK (www.srr.org.uk). Its aim is to advance education and research into all aspects of rehabilitation medicine and to disseminate the useful results of such research for the public benefit. The SRR runs two conferences a year, with topic-specific research symposia, free scientific presentations and ‘research in progress’ posters. The Society aims to be inspiring and educational, while providing excellent opportunities for networking for both junior and established researchers. These are abstracts from the SRR Summer Meeting, hosted by the Sheffield University on 7th and 8th July 2010.

The UK clinical research network--has it been a success for dermatology clinical trials?

BackgroundFollowing the successful introduction of five topic-specific research networks in the UK, the Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN) was established in 2008 in order to provide a blanket level of support across the whole country regardless of the clinical discipline. The role of the CLRN was to facilitate recruitment into clinical trials, and to encourage greater engagement in research throughout the National Health Service (NHS).MethodsThis report evaluates the impact of clinical research networks in supporting clinical trials in the UK, with particular reference to our experiences from two non-commercial dermatology trials. It covers our experience of engaging with the CLRN (and other research networks) using two non-commercial dermatology trials as case studies. We present the circumstances that led to our approach to the research networks for support, and the impact that this support had on the delivery of these trials.ResultsIn both cases, recruitment was boosted considerably following the provision of additional support, although other factors such as the availability of experienced personnel, and the role of advertising and media coverage in promoting the trials were also important in translating this additional resource into increased recruitment.ConclusionsRecruitment into clinical trials is a complex task that can be influenced by many factors. A world-class clinical research infrastructure is now in place in England (with similar support available in Scotland and Wales), and it is the responsibility of the research community to ensure that this unique resource is used effectively and responsibly.

The National Institute Health Research Networks (NIHRs): a critical UK research infrastructure

This paper investigates the evolution of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) using the Stroke Research Network (SRN) to illustrate various elements of a topic-specific research network. The background of the UKCRC is explored with particular reference to the policy imperatives that led to the creation of the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). Clinical Research Networks within NIHR are identified and the importance of bio industrial partnerships is highlighted. Finally comments are made regarding the location of nursing as a discipline within the NIHR structure.

Proceedings of SRR

The Society of Research in Rehabilitation (SRR) is the major multidisciplinary rehabilitation research society in the UK (http://www.srr.org.uk). Its aim is to advance education and research into all aspects of rehabilitation medicine and to disseminate the useful results of such research for the public benefit. The SRR runs two conferences a year, with topic-specific research symposia, free scientific presentations and ‘research in progress’ posters. The Society aims to be inspiring and educational, while providing excellent opportunities for networking for both junior and established researchers. These are abstracts from the SRR Summer Meeting, hosted by the University of Bath, 1st and 2nd July 2009.