Teaching What Is "Real" About Science: Critical Realism as a Framework for Science Education

Discourse about public perception of science is often positioned as a dichotomy between trust in scientific evidence and scientists as experts, versus critiques of the limitations of scientific knowledge and a mistrust in scientists as biased professionals and political agents. However, this dichotomy becomes something of a false argument, as our tendency to look for the "right" answer in these arguments often gets in the way of finding a balancing point in which both of these positions could be held in productive tension. The purpose of the present article is to lay out the argument that society can both trust in scientific evidence and question scientific bias in the same space, holding these two seemingly opposite positions in productive tension, and that we should teach students to do the same. Critical realism is presented as an ontology and epistemology to frame science education, and focus on the development of critical scientific literacy by teaching students what is real and what is arbitrary about science. Recommendations for science education are outlined, grounded in critical realism and connected to current education research and principles of the nature of science.

Leveraging the opportunities of mixed methods in research synthesis: Key decisions in systematic mixed studies review methodology

This article identifies and unpacks three key decision points in a systematic mixed research synthesis, a mixed methods approach to research synthesis. The research community has increasingly recognized the value of synthesis studies in expanding our understanding of phenomena. Mixed-methodology broadly has also gained ground as a pragmatic approach to research investigations. By leveraging mixed methods approaches in a synthesis review, systematic mixed studies review (SMSR) enables a broad and integrated summary of existing research on the topic. Yet SMSRs can be challenging to undertake given the complexity of working with research synthesis and mixed methods requirements. This methods guidance article presents information to assist novice researchers in navigating these critical decisions in SMSRs, and provides examples of how these were addressed by researchers in the two case studies provided. Implications of the SMSRs for the research community and future research directions are also discussed.

Evidence into action: a policy brief exemplar supporting attainment of nursing now

AIM

To provide a framework for the production of policy briefs, and offer a practical example of how evidence can be turned into a succinct document to inform policy and bring about change targeted at delivering universal health coverage.

INTRODUCTION

Policymakers are too busy, or do not have the necessary expertise, to read and comprehend complex scientific papers. As a result, policy briefs that capture and present the essential points are needed if evidence-informed policy is to be developed and implemented.

METHOD

A two-page example of how evidence from meta-analytical and systematic reviews can be presented to identify options and recommendations to address a major global disease burden.

RESULTS

The example uses a simple, seven-section template for developing a policy brief. The essential characteristics of each section are provided. The briefing, targeted at the global level, provides information on the major challenges associated with the treatment of individuals with diabetes.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This paper demonstrates how to use existing research evidence to address the pursuit of UHC relevant to a wide range of geographies, settings or disadvantaged groups.

IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY

Gaps in universal health coverage and major disease burdens such as diabetes can be pursued through entities such as country-based Nursing Now groups. In addition, ongoing opportunities exist through the International Council of Nurses annual International Nurses Day and WHO's regular regional meetings to inform and influence policy discussions at national and subnational levels. By focusing on a small number of global topics each year, measurable changes in addressing the burden of disease can be achieved while simultaneously keeping the nursing profession's contribution centre stage.

Evidence-based policy: nursing now and the importance of research synthesis

AIM

This study explores how scholarship relating to meta-analytical studies and systematic and integrative reviews can inform nursing's contribution to universal health coverage.

INTRODUCTION

As nursing globally embraces the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the Nursing Now social movement has called for the profession to improve universal health coverage through increasing nursing's policy voice.

METHODS

In determining how the Nursing Now social movement could pursue the aim of this study, researchers undertook a comparative bibliometric analysis of scholarship relating to the systematic curation of evidence. This study uses a mixed-method analysis of the bibliometric data available through extracting and synthesizing information from one of the commercially produced indexing and citation databases.

RESULTS

Generally, medicine has contributed far more synthesized contributions than nursing, except in the case of integrative reviews. Co-occurrence analysis of nursing literature through examination of key terms yielded a complex visualization of 11 specific clusters of scholarship (Care of the Older Person, Nurse Education, Emergency and Critical Care, Occupational Health and Safety, Rural Services, Anxiety and Depression, Measurement, Newborn and Post-natal Health, Cardiovascular Disease, Preventative Health and Cancer Care).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Bibliometric analysis of curated evidence demonstrates that there is ample nursing-relevant material to inform evidence-based policy change directed towards the attainment of universal health coverage and several of the Sustainable Development Goals.

IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY

Nursing literature is available to support policy change directed towards the pursuit of universal health coverage and sustainable development goals. Leveraging existing networks of research collaboration to increase research capacity through communities of scholarship or by twinning experienced and neophyte contributors is possible. Further work is needed to equip nurses with the competencies to navigate the policy environment and develop and deliver impactful policy messaging.

Finding latent groups in observed data: A primer on latent profile analysis in Mplus for applied researchers

The present guide provides a practical guide to conducting latent profile analysis (LPA) in the Mplus software system. This guide is intended for researchers familiar with some latent variable modeling but not LPA specifically. A general procedure for conducting LPA is provided in six steps: (a) data inspection, (b) iterative evaluation of models, (c) model fit and interpretability, (d) investigation of patterns of profiles in a retained model, (e) covariate analysis, and (f) presentation of results. A worked example is provided with syntax and results to exemplify the steps.

Exploring Science Career Interest: Latent Profile Analysis of High School Occupational Preferences for Science

The present study evaluates high school juniors and seniors ( n = 295) to explore their preference for science as indicated by science motivation, attitude, academic experience, and interest. Latent profile analysis was used to model profiles of preferences for science with a person-centered approach. Then, the impact of self-concept variables was explored and four profiles of science interest were identified. Gender differences were of particular interest due to concerns noted in the literature, and some gender differences were identified in the present study. Covariate analysis indicated vocabulary ability and personality as significantly different for students in the high science interest profile. Implications of these results and future research directions are discussed.

Serum Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Correlate with Serum Cytokines and Clinical Disease Activity in Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease (CD) has been associated with an increased consumption of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), while greater intake of n-3 PUFA has been associated with a reduced risk. We sought to investigate serum fatty acid composition in CD, and associations of fatty acids with disease activity, cytokines, and adipokines. Serum was prospectively collected from 116 CD subjects and 27 non-IBD controls. Clinical disease activity was assessed by the Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI). Serum fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. Serum cytokines and adipokines were measured by Luminex assay. Dietary histories were obtained from a subset of patients. Nine serum cytokines and adipokines were increased in CD versus controls. CD subjects had increased percentage serum monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), dihomo-gamma linolenic acid (DGLA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and oleic acid, but decreased arachidonic acid (AA) versus controls. The % total n-3 fatty acids and % EPA directly correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and HBI, whereas the % total n-6 fatty acids were inversely correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and HBI. CD subjects had increased caloric intake versus controls, but no alterations in total fat or PUFA intake. We found differences in serum fatty acids, most notably PUFA, in CD that correlated both with clinical disease activity and inflammatory cytokines. Our findings indicate that altered fatty acid metabolism or utilization is present in CD and is related to disease activity.

Burn pain and anxiety: the use of music relaxation during rehabilitation

Pain and anxiety are well-documented problems during the rehabilitation of patients with burns. This study examined the effect of music on anxiety and pain during range of motion. Eleven subjects with partial-thickness or deeper burns were randomly assigned to a control group (without music intervention) or experimental group (with music intervention). Vital signs, pain, and anxiety were recorded before and after treatments. There was no difference in pretest and posttest anxiety across the groups; however, there was a difference in anxiety between the groups. Conversely, there was a difference in pretest and posttest pain across the groups but no difference in pain between the groups. Results showed no significant reduction in anxiety and pain during therapy with music relaxation. Limitations included nonhomogenous groups, small sample size, potentially unrepresentative sample, variation in exercise protocol, and small musical selection. Further research is recommended.

An activist looks at nursing's role in health policy development

Health care delivery systems are evolving and transforming rapidly. Nurses will need new leadership and policy skills to meet the challenge of ensuring patient care safety and quality health care delivery. Nurses bring a unique perspective to health care policy development because of their educational training, professional values and ethics, advocacy skills, and experiential background. Significant progress has occurred over the years toward advancing nursing's presence, role, and influence in the development of health care policy. However, more nurses need to learn how to identify issues strategically; work with decision makers; understand who holds the power in the workplace, communities, state and federal level organizations; and understand who controls the resources for health care services. In health care policy development, nurses are essential in ensuring quality health care that is accessible and affordable for all women and their infants. More nurses need to actively work as leaders in the health policy arena.

Every child deserves Bright Futures

Bright Futures is a national program dedicated to promoting and improving the health of children in the United States. This article gives a brief historical perspective of Bright Futures, its mission, goals, available resources, and strategies that pediatric nurses can use in a variety of health care settings with children and families.

Peer counseling in a culturally specific adolescent pregnancy prevention program

This study evaluated the effects of peer counseling in a culturally specific adolescent pregnancy prevention program for African American females. A random pretest and multiple posttest experimental and comparison group design was used to obtain data on a sample of 63 female African American adolescents, ages 12 to 16, who lived in four public housing developments. Descriptive data and tests of significance revealed that none of the participants who received peer counseling became pregnant within three months of the intervention. Findings revealed a statistically significant increase in reproductive and other self-related knowledge topics among the experimental group when comparing pretest and eight-week posttest scores. Most participants had not had sexual intercourse; the average age of sexual onset was 12 years in the experimental group and 11 years in the controls. Designing and implementing culturally specific adolescent pregnancy prevention programs for adolescents younger than age 11 and/or before sexually active seems appropriate.

Communication of sexual risk behavior among late adolescents

A grounded theory approach was used to describe how males and females in late adolescence communicate with their sexual partners about sexual risk behaviors. Interviews were audiotaped with 18 women and 15 men from a university in the southeastern United States. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Building trust was identified as the core variable for both men and women. For women, prerequisites for building trust were being involved in caring relationships and indirectly gathering information about potential sexual partners. For men, prerequisites were being involved in caring relationships and using their instincts. Women usually initiated safe-sex talk, but men were willing to discuss it, once the conversation was initiated. Findings can serve as a guide for developing nursing strategies that promote more effective communication about sexual risk behavior in this age group.