Database choices in endocrine systematic reviews

Objective

The choice of bibliographic database during the systematic review search process has been an ongoing conversation among information specialists. With newer information sources, such as Google Scholar and clinical trials registries, we were interested in which databases were utilized by information specialists and systematic review researchers.

Method

We retrieved 144 systematic reviews and meta-analyses from 4 clinical endocrinology journals and extracted all information sources used during the search processes.

Results

Findings indicate that traditional bibliographic databases are most often used, followed by regional databases, clinical trials registries, and gray literature databases.

Conclusions

This study informs information specialists about additional resources that may be considered during the search process.     

An Activist Approach to Sport Meets Youth From Socially Vulnerable Backgrounds: Possible Learning Aspirations

Purpose: This study was a 2-phase activist research project aimed at co-creating a prototype pedagogical model for working with youth from socially vulnerable backgrounds in a sport context. This article addresses the learning aspirations (learning outcomes) that emerged when we created spaces for youth to develop strategies to manage the risks they face in their community. Method: This study took place in a socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhood in a Brazilian city where we worked with a group of 17 boys aged 13 to 15 years old, 4 coaches, a pedagogic coordinator, and a social worker. During a 6-month period, we collected multiple sources of data including field journal entries/observations (38) and audio records of youth work sessions (18), coaches' work sessions (16), combined coaches and youth work sessions (3), and meetings between the lead and the 2nd author for debriefing and planning sessions (36). Results: By using an activist approach, 4 learning aspirations emerged: becoming responsible/committed, learning from mistakes, valuing each other's knowledge, and communicating with others. Conclusion: Findings suggest there is a need for more sports programs that start from young people's concrete needs and life situations and look to create places for youth to see alternative possibilities and take action.     

A comparison of PPVT and SIT scores of young children

Eighty-four children from rural, urban, and suburban families were tested with the PPVT during a parent intervention program and with the SIT three years later as part of program evaluation. Results indicated the mean IQ on the SIT was substantially higher than expected based on the earlier PPVT scores. Sampling error and examiner error were excluded as explanations for the difference. These results suggest that the PPVT and SIT yield different scores and lack comparability.     

The influence of gender on the likelihood of using soft social power strategies in school consultation

The social power typology developed originally by French and Raven in 1959 and revised by Raven in 1965 and 1992 was applied to study school consultation. Specifically, we investigated how the gender of school psychologist consultants and teacher consultees influence how likely consultants are to use soft power strategies, identified as those drawing on expert, referent, informational, legitimate dependency, and legitimate position power. A modified version of the Interpersonal Power Inventory was mailed to 1,000 Nationally Certified School Psychologists. Results obtained from 352 respondents indicated that, when consulting with female teachers: (a) male psychologists are more likely to use expert power than the other four soft strategies combined, and (b) female psychologists are less likely to use referent power than the other four soft strategies combined. Findings suggest that consultant gender plays an important role in determining influence strategies used by school consultants. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.