PEDro: A Physiotherapy Evidence Database

ABSTRACT

PEDro is produced by the Centre for Evidence-Based Physiotherapy (CEBP), located in Sydney, Australia. PEDro is intended to be used to gain “rapid access to bibliographic details and abstracts of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines in physiotherapy.”¹ This column will provide some background information on the database, as well as cover the basics of searching its content.     

A bibliometric analysis of the clinical development of drugs in Norway for the year 2000

Purpose: Bibliometric analysis of publications was used to investigate the research output relating to the development of drugs in Norway and to evaluate the impact of Norwegian involvement in this research. Material and methods: One hundred and nine articles published between 2002 and 2008 were analysed. Bibliometric methods used were as follows: information on peer review, impact factor (IF), the Science Citation Index (SCI) and the representation of Norwegians in the list of authors. Results: All publications were in journals with peer review or in publications with corresponding evaluation. Industrial support, international research cooperation and drug development in phases I, II and III seem to promote publication in journals with high IF and a high SCI. In 63% of the international project articles, the Norwegian contributors were not represented in the list of authors. Conclusion: In addition to a scientific standard secured by referees, three probably independent factors – industrial support, international cooperation and early phases of the research (phases I, II and III) – seem to promote publications in journals with high IF and a high SCI. A more active Norwegian contribution to the research should be encouraged.     

Designing Large-Scale Multisite and Cluster-Randomized Studies of Professional Development

We develop a theoretical and empirical basis for the design of teacher professional development studies. We build on previous work by (a) developing estimates of intraclass correlation coefficients for teacher outcomes using two- and three-level data structures, (b) developing estimates of the variance explained by covariates, and (c) modifying the conventional optimal design framework to include differential covariate costs so as to capture the point at which the cost of collecting a covariate overtakes the reduction in variance it supplies. We illustrate the use of these estimates to explore the absolute and relative sensitivity of multilevel designs in teacher professional development studies. The results from these analyses are intended to guide researchers in making more-informed decisions about the tradeoffs and considerations involved in selecting study designs for assessing the impacts of professional development programs.     

Evidence of confusion about evidence of causes: comments on the debate about EBP in education

ABSTRACT

EBP – evidence-based policy and practice – has generated intense controversy. A rough continuum of positions can be discerned: At one pole are “tough-minded” commentators distinguished by their support of EBP; however, there are serious internal differences in this camp, for some regard randomised field trials (RFTs) as the gold standard methodology that should generate the evidence required in EBP; while other “softer” commentators have a more nuanced position wherein the RFT is an INUS factor – part of a “causal cake” which requires many other support factors to be present before any generalisation can be made about a policy. The evolution of this softer branch of the tough-minded pole is traced, from Campbell and Stanley, to Cronbach and Associates, to Cartwright and Hardie. At the other pole are the tender-minded, many of whom are members of the philosophy of education community; they are sceptical about EBP, perhaps the most serious of their criticisms being that educational processes are not apt for causal investigation at all. The arguments that are offered in support of this position are judged to be deficient.     

Testing the Feasibility of Fidelity Evaluation in a Multisite,Multiprogram Initiative

Monitoring fidelity of implementation is a critical task when initiating evidence-based programs. This pilot study sought to identify best practices in a fidelity monitoring process and determine the feasibility of continuing a fidelity monitoring process with a multisite, multiprogram initiative. A fidelity log was created for each of 11 curricula, and data were entered online directly by educators. Analysis included 173 fidelity logs representing five curricula; qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed. Overall fidelity scores were promising and results indicate that fidelity monitoring in such a large program is feasible and was generally well-received by participants.     

关于未成年人刑事案件审判前程序的若干法律问题研究

立案侦查、审查起诉为审判前程序,即案件交付法院审判之前的诉讼阶段。刑事诉讼法将审判前程序置于十分重要的地位,但对未成年人刑事案件的审判前程序的立法理念不明确;未成年犯罪嫌疑人被强制性纳入诉讼轨道。从保护未成年人刑事诉讼权利、有利于未成年嫌疑人回归社会出发,设立相应过滤机制,避免因未成年人对事物的辨别能力和意识控制能力不强而不能充分享受诉讼权利是必要的。在侦查阶段应区别对待成年嫌疑人和未成年嫌疑人;在审查起诉阶段应建立有利于挽救未成年嫌疑人的起诉制度。     

国际期刊科学出版理念的更迭——第8届国际同行评议和科学出版大会综述

对第8届国际同行评议和科学出版大会的报告和讨论进行整理、思考和综述,围绕会议研讨的5个主要话题——同行评议、经济利益冲突、临床试验注册、国际报告规范、数据共享,介绍并总结了国际期刊科学出版理念的更迭。通过此会议综述,介绍国际编辑新的理念和方法,拓宽编辑视野,为国内期刊出版工作提供启迪与思路。     

人才资源开发与吉安人才工作的创新

人才资源是最宝贵的战略资源。吉安要实现其在江西中部的率先崛起，必须靠人才。搞好吉安的人才青海开发和人才工作。要在人才资源的规划、人才的引进，激活和培养这四个方面善于创新。     

刑讯逼供的原因透析

刑讯逼供作为一种严重侵犯人权的行为，长期以来，禁而不止，在全国范围内普遍存在、泛滥成灾。本文对刑讯逼供原因作了粗浅的分析。