“Thought provoking”, “interactive”, and “more like a peer talk”: Testing the deliberative interview style in Germany

Analyzing the students' mathematical creative thinking ability in terms of self-regulated learning: How do we find what we are looking for?

This study aims to analyze the mathematical creative thinking ability of grade VIII students at a State Junior High School in Riau, Indonesia, in terms of self-regulated learning. A qualitative design was employed, utilizing descriptive methods through a case study approach, and the participants included 28 students of grade VIII-C. To ensure data accuracy, a data triangulation technique was employed, which included a test for mathematical creative thinking skills, self-regulated learning questionnaires, introductory questionnaires, and interview guidelines. The validity of the data was measured using the Miles and Huberman technique, which involved data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results showed that the mathematical creative thinking skills of students were relatively low. Furthermore, it was discovered that self-regulated learning was significantly correlated with creative thinking ability. Specifically, students who exhibited high levels of self-regulated learning demonstrated higher creative thinking abilities than their peers with moderate or low levels. Similarly, participants with moderate self-regulated learning displayed sufficient abilities, while those with low self-regulated learning exhibited poor creative thinking abilities.

Exploring computer-aided health decision-making on cervical cancer interventions through deliberative interviews in Ethiopia

Cervical cancer is a significant disease burden in Ethiopia. Mathematical models and computer simulations on disease dynamics can support effective resource allocation. The objectives of this work are (i) to explore the perspectives of health decision-makers on computer-aided predictions supporting cervical cancer interventions, (ii) to identify their information needs from these predictions, and (iii) their willingness to apply the results in their work. We conducted deliberative interviews with 15 health decision-makers and advisors in Ethiopia in autumn 2019. We analyze the data using a five steps framework approach drawing on thematic analysis and find that Ethiopian health decision-makers are willing to use computer-aided predictions in their decisions. Data on HPV prevalence and the cervical cancer burden are scarce but valued highly and decision-makers are particularly interested in the identification of local HPV hotspots. Data-driven mathematical models and computer simulations may increasingly influence health decision-making in Ethiopia.

Consent Requirements for Testing Health Policies: An Intercontinental Comparison of Expert Opinions

Individual informed consent is a central requirement for clinical research on human subjects, yet whether and how consent requirements should apply to health policy experiments (HPEs) remains unclear. HPEs test and evaluate public health policies prior to implementation. We interviewed 58 health experts in Tanzania, Bangladesh and Germany on informed consent requirements for HPEs. Health experts across all countries favored a strong evidence base, prior information to the affected populations, and individual consent for 'risky' HPEs. Differences pertained to individual risk perception, how and when consent by group representatives should be obtained and whether HPEs could be treated as health policies. The study adds to representative consent options for HPEs, yet shows that more research is needed in this field - particularly in the present Covid-19 pandemic which has highlighted the need for HPEs nationally and globally.