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Fulltext Optimum Design of PIλDμ Controller for an Automatic Voltage Regulator System Using Combinatorial Test Design

Ahmed BS, Sahib MA, Gambardella LM, Afzal W, Zamli KZ

PLoS One, 2016;11(11):e0166150.
PMID: 27829025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166150

Combinatorial test design is a plan of test that aims to reduce the amount of test cases systematically by choosing a subset of the test cases based on the combination of input variables. The subset covers all possible combinations of a given strength and hence tries to match the effectiveness of the exhaustive set. This mechanism of reduction has been used successfully in software testing research with t-way testing (where t indicates the interaction strength of combinations). Potentially, other systems may exhibit many similarities with this approach. Hence, it could form an emerging application in different areas of research due to its usefulness. To this end, more recently it has been applied in a few research areas successfully. In this paper, we explore the applicability of combinatorial test design technique for Fractional Order (FO), Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) parameter design controller, named as FOPID, for an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) system. Throughout the paper, we justify this new application theoretically and practically through simulations. In addition, we report on first experiments indicating its practical use in this field. We design different algorithms and adapted other strategies to cover all the combinations with an optimum and effective test set. Our findings indicate that combinatorial test design can find the combinations that lead to optimum design. Besides this, we also found that by increasing the strength of combination, we can approach to the optimum design in a way that with only 4-way combinatorial set, we can get the effectiveness of an exhaustive test set. This significantly reduced the number of tests needed and thus leads to an approach that optimizes design of parameters quickly.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design
Cytotoxicity of MXene-based nanomaterials for biomedical applications: A mini review

Lim GP, Soon CF, Ma NL, Morsin M, Nayan N, Ahmad MK, et al.

Environ Res, 2021 10;201:111592.
PMID: 34175291 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111592

MXene based nanomaterial is an uprising two-dimensional material gaining tremendous scientific attentions due to its versatile properties for the applications in electronic devices, power generation, sensors, drug delivery, and biomedicine. However, the cytotoxic effects of MXene still remained a huge concern. Therefore, stringent analysis of biocompatibility of MXene is an essential requirement before introduction to human physiological system. Several in vitro and in vivo toxicological studies have been reported to investigate the interactions between MXenes with living organisms such as microbes, mammalian cells and animal models. The biological response and cytotoxicity reported were dependent on the physicochemical properties of MXene. The biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of MXene were dependent on size, dose, and surface coating. This review demystifies the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility studies associated with MXene. Various methods proposed to mitigate the cytotoxicity of MXene for in vivo applications were revealed. The machine learning methods were developed to predict the cytotoxicity of experimentally synthesized MXene compounds. Finally, we also discussed the current research gaps of applying MXenes in biomedical interventions.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design
Process optimisation of defatted wheat germ protein extraction in a novel alkaline-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) via Box-Behnken experimental design (BBD)

Olalere OA, Gan CY

Food Chem, 2023 May 30;409:135224.
PMID: 36577323 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.135224

This is the first study to provide a preliminary investigation into the recovery of protein from wheat germ and the prediction of their extraction conditions in microwave cavity using a novel DES solvent. The response surface methodology was used to predict the microwaved protein extraction conditions of the DWG. The effects of DES buffer-concentration (X1: 0.01-1.00 g/mL), microwave power (X2: 50-250 W), irradiation time (X3: 1-5 min) and sample-to-buffer ratio (X4: 1:10-1:50) were tested using a single factor and Box-Behnken experimental design. Under the optimized conditions (X1 = 0.52 g/mL, X2 = 186 W, X3 = 3.28 min, and X4 = 1:39) protein yield and absorbed microwave were obtained at the optimal value of 33.00 % and 677 J/min, respectively with no denaturation of the protein as validated from the SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis profile. Consequently, this investigation provides a practical approach for the extraction of bioactive protein from DWG using a novel deep eutectic solvent.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design
Fulltext Control and switching synchronization of fractional order chaotic systems using active control technique

Radwan AG, Moaddy K, Salama KN, Momani S, Hashim I

J Adv Res, 2014 Jan;5(1):125-32.
PMID: 25685479 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2013.01.003

This paper discusses the continuous effect of the fractional order parameter of the Lü system where the system response starts stable, passing by chaotic behavior then reaching periodic response as the fractional-order increases. In addition, this paper presents the concept of synchronization of different fractional order chaotic systems using active control technique. Four different synchronization cases are introduced based on the switching parameters. Also, the static and dynamic synchronizations can be obtained when the switching parameters are functions of time. The nonstandard finite difference method is used for the numerical solution of the fractional order master and slave systems. Many numeric simulations are presented to validate the concept for different fractional order parameters.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design
Preferred Reporting Items for Animal Studies in Endodontology: a development protocol

Nagendrababu V, Kishen A, Murray PE, Nekoofar MH, de Figueiredo JAP, Priya E, et al.

Int Endod J, 2019 Sep;52(9):1290-1296.
PMID: 30985938 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13125

The regulated use of animals in endodontic research is often necessary to investigate the biological mechanisms of endodontic diseases and to measure the preclinical efficacy, biocompatibility, toxicology and safety of new treatments, biomaterials, sealers, drugs, disinfectants, irrigants, devices and instruments. Animal testing is most crucial in situations when research on humans is not ethical, practical or has unknown health risks. Currently, there is a wide variability in the quality of manuscripts that report the results of animal studies. Towards the goal of improving the quality of publications, guidelines for preventing disability, pain, and suffering to animals, and enhanced reporting requirements for animal research have been developed. These guidelines are referred to as Animals in Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE). Henceforth, causing any form of animal suffering for research purposes is not acceptable and cannot be justified under any circumstances. The present report describes a protocol for the development of welfare and reporting guidelines for animal studies conducted in the specialty of Endodontology: the Preferred Reporting Items for Animal Studies in Endodontology (PRIASE) guidelines. The PRIASE guidelines will be developed by adapting and modifying the ARRIVE guidelines and the Clinical and Laboratory Images in Publication (CLIP) principles. The development of the new PRIASE guidelines will include a five-step consensus process. An initial draft of the PRIASE guidelines will be developed by a steering committee. Each item in the draft guidelines will then be evaluated by members of a PRIASE Delphi Group (PDG) for its clarity using a dichotomous scale (yes or no) and suitability for its inclusion using a 9-point Likert scale. The online surveys will continue until each item achieves this standard, and a set of items are agreed for further analysis by a PRIASE Face-to-face Consensus Meeting Group (PFCMG). Following the consensus meeting, the steering committee will finalize and confirm the PRIASE guidelines taking into account the responses and comments of the PFCMG. The PRIASE guidelines will be published and disseminated internationally and updated periodically based on feedback from stakeholders.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
A process for prioritising systematic reviews in tinnitus

Sereda M, McFerran D, Axon E, Baguley DM, Hall DA, Potgieter I, et al.

Int J Audiol, 2020 08;59(8):640-646.
PMID: 32134348 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1733677

Objective: To develop an innovative prioritisation process to identify topics for new or updated systematic reviews of tinnitus research.Design: A two-stage prioritisation process was devised. First, a scoping review assessed the amount of randomized controlled trial-level evidence available. This enabled development of selection criteria for future reviews, aided the design of template protocol and suggested the scale of work that would be required to conduct these reviews. Second, using the pre-defined primary and secondary criteria, interventions were prioritised for systematic review.Study sample: Searches identified 1080 records. After removal of duplicates and out of scope works, 437 records remained for full data charting.Results: The process was tested, using subjective tinnitus as the clinical condition and using Cochrane as the systematic review platform. The criteria produced by this process identified three high priority reviews: (1) Sound therapy using amplification devices and/or sound generators; (2) Betahistine and (3) Cognitive behaviour therapy. Further secondary priorities were: (4) Gingko biloba, (5) Anxiolytics, (6) Hypnotics, (7) Antiepileptics and (8) Neuromodulation.Conclusions: A process was developed which successfully identified priority areas for Cochrane systematic reviews of interventions for subjective tinnitus. This technique could easily be transferred to other conditions and other types of systematic reviews.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
Application of experimental designs and response surface methods in screening and optimization of reverse micellar extraction

Sy Mohamad SF, Mohd Said F, Abdul Munaim MS, Mohamad S, Azizi Wan Sulaiman WM

Crit Rev Biotechnol, 2020 May;40(3):341-356.
PMID: 31931631 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2020.1712321

Reverse micellar extraction (RME) has emerged as a versatile and efficient tool for downstream processing (DSP) of various biomolecules, including structural proteins and enzymes, due to the substantial advantages over conventional DSP methods. However, the RME system is a complex dependency of several parameters that influences the overall selectivity and performance of the RME system, hence this justifies the need for optimization to obtain higher possible extraction results. For the last two decades, many experimental design strategies for screening and optimization of RME have been described in literature. The objective of this article is to review the use of different experimental designs and response surface methodologies that are currently used to screen and optimize the RME system for various types of biomolecules. Overall, this review provides the rationale for the selection of appropriate screening or optimization techniques for the parameters associated with both forward and backward extraction during the RME of biomolecules.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
A protocol for developing reporting guidelines for laboratory studies in Endodontology

Nagendrababu V, Murray PE, Ordinola-Zapata R, Peters OA, Rôças IN, Siqueira JF, et al.

Int Endod J, 2019 Aug;52(8):1090-1095.
PMID: 30908638 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13123

Laboratory-based research studies are the most common form of research endeavour and make up the majority of manuscripts that are submitted for publication in the field of Endodontology. The scientific information derived from laboratory studies can be used to design a wide range of subsequent studies and clinical trials and may have translational potential to benefit clinical practice. Unfortunately, the majority of laboratory-based articles submitted for publication fail the peer-review step, because unacceptable flaws or substantial limitations are identified. Even when apparently well-conducted laboratory-based articles are peer-reviewed, they can often require substantial corrections prior to the publication. It is apparent that some authors and reviewers may lack the training and experience to have developed a systematic approach to evaluate the quality of laboratory studies. Occasionally, even accepted manuscripts contain limitations that may compromise interpretation of data. To help authors avoid manuscript rejection and correction pitfalls, and to aid editors/reviewers to evaluate manuscripts systematically, the purpose of this project is to establish and publish quality guidelines for authors to report laboratory studies in the field of Endodontology so that the highest standards are achieved. The new guidelines will be named-'Preferred Reporting Items for Laboratory studies in Endodontology' (PRILE). A steering committee was assembled by the project leads to develop the guidelines through a five-phase consensus process. The committee will identify new items as well as review and adapt items from existing guidelines. The items forming the draft guidelines will be reviewed and refined by a PRILE Delphi Group (PDG). The items will be evaluated by the PDG on a nine-point Likert scale for relevance and inclusion. The agreed items will then be discussed by a PRILE face-to-face consensus meeting group (PFCMG) formed by 20 individuals to further refine the guidelines. This will be subject to final approval by the steering committee. The approved PRILE guidelines will be disseminated through publication in relevant journals, presented at congresses/meetings, and be freely available on a dedicated website. Feedback and comments will be solicited from researchers, editors and peer reviewers, who are invited to contact the steering committee with comments to help them update the guidelines periodically.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
Fulltext Predicting the number of defects in a new software version

Felix EA, Lee SP

PLoS One, 2020;15(3):e0229131.
PMID: 32187181 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229131

Predicting the number of defects in software at the method level is important. However, little or no research has focused on method-level defect prediction. Therefore, considerable efforts are still required to demonstrate how method-level defect prediction can be achieved for a new software version. In the current study, we present an analysis of the relevant information obtained from the current version of a software product to construct regression models to predict the estimated number of defects in a new version using the variables of defect density, defect velocity and defect introduction time, which show considerable correlation with the number of method-level defects. These variables also show a mathematical relationship between defect density and defect acceleration at the method level, further indicating that the increase in the number of defects and the defect density are functions of the defect acceleration. We report an experiment conducted on the Finding Faults Using Ensemble Learners (ELFF) open-source Java projects, which contain 289,132 methods. The results show correlation coefficients of 60% for the defect density, -4% for the defect introduction time, and 93% for the defect velocity. These findings indicate that the average defect velocity shows a firm and considerable correlation with the number of defects at the method level. The proposed approach also motivates an investigation and comparison of the average performances of classifiers before and after method-level data preprocessing and of the level of entropy in the datasets.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
Fulltext Unravelling the impact of dental workforce training and education programmes on policy evolution: a mixed-method study protocol

Lin GSS, Goh SM, Halil MHM

Health Res Policy Syst, 2023 Sep 12;21(1):95.
PMID: 37700266 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-023-01048-9

BACKGROUND: The dental workforce plays a crucial role in delivering quality oral healthcare services, requiring continuous training and education to meet evolving professional demands. Understanding the impact of dental workforce training and education programmes on policy evolution is essential for refining existing policies, implementing evidence-based reforms and ensuring the growth of the dental profession. Therefore, this study protocol aims to assess the influence of dental workforce training and education programmes on policy evolution in Malaysia.
METHODS: A mixed-method research design will be employed, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Stakeholder theory and policy change models will form the theoretical framework of the study. Participants from various stakeholder groups will be recruited using purposive sampling. Data collection will involve surveys and one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics, inferential analysis and thematic analysis will be used to analyse the data. Integration of quantitative and qualitative data will be used to provide a comprehensive understanding of the data.
DISCUSSION: This study will shed light on factors influencing policy decisions related to dental education and workforce development in Malaysia. The findings will inform evidence-based decision-making, guide the enhancement of dental education programmes and improve the quality of oral healthcare services. Challenges related to participant recruitment and data collection should be considered, and the study's unique contribution to the existing body of knowledge in the Malaysian context will be discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
The impact of a nursing spiritual care module on nursing competence: an experimental design

Abusafia AH, Khraisat AMS, Tableb OK, Al-Mugheed K, Alabdullah AA, Abdelaliem SMF

BMC Palliat Care, 2024 Jan 22;23(1):21.
PMID: 38246991 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01356-z

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the impact of the Nursing Spiritual Care Module on the competence of nurses in providing spiritual care in the context of Malaysia.
METHOD: This study employed an experimental design and involved a total of 122 nurses, with 59 in the experimental group and 63 in the control group. Participants were selected from palliative care wards associated with Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Nurses in the experimental group underwent a two-week educational module on nursing spiritual care, while nurses in the control group attended a single lecture on spiritual care provided by the hospital.
RESULTS: The results indicated no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics between the two groups. A significant difference in spiritual care competence within the intervention group and the control group over time (p-value = 0.001), between the two groups (p-value = 0.038), and in the interaction between time and group (p-value = 0.001).
CONCLUSION: The Nursing Spiritual Care Module is crucial in aiding nurses and healthcare professionals in cultivating the appropriate and wholesome attitudes and practices necessary to address the spiritual needs of patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
Major mistakes or errors in the use of trial sequential analysis in systematic reviews or meta-analyses - the METSA systematic review

Riberholt CG, Olsen MH, Milan JB, Hafliðadóttir SH, Svanholm JH, Pedersen EB, et al.

BMC Med Res Methodol, 2024 Sep 09;24(1):196.
PMID: 39251912 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-024-02318-y

BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews and data synthesis of randomised clinical trials play a crucial role in clinical practice, research, and health policy. Trial sequential analysis can be used in systematic reviews to control type I and type II errors, but methodological errors including lack of protocols and transparency are cause for concern. We assessed the reporting of trial sequential analysis.
METHODS: We searched Medline and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021 for systematic reviews and meta-analysis reports that include a trial sequential analysis. Only studies with at least two randomised clinical trials analysed in a forest plot and a trial sequential analysis were included. Two independent investigators assessed the studies. We evaluated protocolisation, reporting, and interpretation of the analyses, including their effect on any GRADE evaluation of imprecision.
RESULTS: We included 270 systematic reviews and 274 meta-analysis reports and extracted data from 624 trial sequential analyses. Only 134/270 (50%) systematic reviews planned the trial sequential analysis in the protocol. For analyses on dichotomous outcomes, the proportion of events in the control group was missing in 181/439 (41%), relative risk reduction in 105/439 (24%), alpha in 30/439 (7%), beta in 128/439 (29%), and heterogeneity in 232/439 (53%). For analyses on continuous outcomes, the minimally relevant difference was missing in 125/185 (68%), variance (or standard deviation) in 144/185 (78%), alpha in 23/185 (12%), beta in 63/185 (34%), and heterogeneity in 105/185 (57%). Graphical illustration of the trial sequential analysis was present in 93% of the analyses, however, the Z-curve was wrongly displayed in 135/624 (22%) and 227/624 (36%) did not include futility boundaries. The overall transparency of all 624 analyses was very poor in 236 (38%) and poor in 173 (28%).
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of trial sequential analyses are not transparent when preparing or presenting the required parameters, partly due to missing or poorly conducted protocols. This hampers interpretation, reproducibility, and validity.
STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021273811.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design/standards
Do variations in allocation concealment methods influence the effects found in intervention reviews?

Naing C, Hasan SS, Aung K

J Evid Based Med, 2011 Nov;4(4):255-8.
PMID: 23672756 DOI: 10.1111/j.1756-5391.2011.01156.x

(i) To explore any discrepancies in intervention effects between a set of Cochrane reviews that includes trials with liberal criteria and a set with restrictive criteria in which trials with liberal design have been removed from the review, and (ii) to suggest ways to improve the quality of evidence.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design/standards*
Fulltext Psychological stress and treatment--research issues

Azhar MZ

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Jun;59(2):143-5.
PMID: 15559161
Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
Designs to balance cost and success rate for an early phase clinical study

Foo LK, Duffull S

J Biopharm Stat, 2017;27(1):148-158.
PMID: 26907626 DOI: 10.1080/10543406.2016.1148703

We present an initial exploration of a fully cost-driven design. A design criterion was proposed that represented the minimum expected cost of an early phase clinical study, where costs include resource use as well as study failure. The design was based on attainment of a target concentration in a cohort of study participants. The model and parameter values arose from a previous population pharmacokinetic analysis of a phase I study. The resulting design naturally balanced the cost and the success rate of an early phase clinical study, without the need to define arbitrary constraints on the design space.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
Preferred Reporting Items for RAndomized Trials in Endodontics (PRIRATE) guidelines: a development protocol

Nagendrababu V, Duncan HF, Bjørndal L, Kvist T, Priya E, Pulikkotil SJ, et al.

Int Endod J, 2019 Jul;52(7):974-978.
PMID: 30702139 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13087

Randomized clinical trials are acknowledged as the most appropriate methodology for demonstrating the efficacy or effectiveness of one intervention as opposed to another and thus play a major role in clinical decision-making. However, it is recognized that despite the existence of various guidelines, for example, the Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement, the quality of manuscripts describing randomized trials is often suboptimal. The current project aims to develop and disseminate new guidelines, Preferred Reporting Items for RAndomized Trials in Endodontics (PRIRATE), to improve the planning and reporting quality of randomized trials in the field of Endodontics. The project leads (VN, PD) designed a robust process to develop the PRIRATE guidelines. At first, a steering committee of eight members, including the project leads, was formed. Thereafter, a five-stage consensus process will be followed: initial steps, pre-meeting activities, face-to-face consensus meeting, post-meeting activities and post-publication activities. The steering committee will develop the first draft of the PRIRATE guidelines by identifying relevant and important items from various sources including the CONSORT guidelines and the Clinical and Laboratory Images in Publications (CLIP) principles. This will be followed by the establishment of a PRIRATE Delphi Group (PDG) consisting of 30 members. The individual items of the first draft of the PRIRATE guidelines developed by the steering committee will be evaluated and scored on a 9-point Likert scale by the PDG members. Items with a score of seven and above by more than 70% of PDG members will be included in the second draft of the guidelines, and the Delphi process will be repeated until each item fulfils the set conditions. After obtaining consensus from the PDG, the PRIRATE guidelines will be discussed by 20 selected individuals within a PRIRATE Face-to-face Consensus Meeting Group (PFCMG) to arrive at a final consensus. The final PRIRATE guidelines will be accompanied with an explanation and elaboration document developed by the steering committee and approved by six members, three from the PDG and three from the PFCMG. The PRIRATE guidelines will be published in journals and actively disseminated to educational institutions, national and international academic societies and presented at scientific meetings. The steering committee will periodically revise and update the PRIRATE guidelines based on feedback from stakeholders.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
PRIASE 2021 guidelines for reporting animal studies in Endodontology: a consensus-based development

Nagendrababu V, Kishen A, Murray PE, Nekoofar MH, de Figueiredo JAP, Priya E, et al.

Int Endod J, 2021 Jun;54(6):848-857.
PMID: 33450080 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13477

Animal testing is crucial in situations when research on humans is not allowed because of unknown health risks and ethical concerns. The current project aims to develop reporting guidelines exclusively for animal studies in Endodontology, using an established consensus-based methodology. The guidelines have been named: Preferred Reporting Items for Animal Studies in Endodontology (PRIASE) 2021. Nine individuals (PD, VN, AK, PM, MN, JF, EP, JJ and SJ), including the project leaders (PD, VN) formed a steering committee. The steering committee developed a novel checklist by adapting and integrating their animal testing and peer review experience with the Animals in Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) guidelines and also the Clinical and Laboratory Images in Publications (CLIP) principles. A PRIASE Delphi Group (PDG) and PRIASE Online Meeting Group (POMG) were also formed. Thirty-one PDG members participated in the online Delphi process and achieved consensus on the checklist items and flowchart that were used to formulate the PRIASE guidelines. The novel PRIASE 2021 guidelines were discussed with the POMG on 9 September 2020 via a Zoom online video call attended by 21 individuals from across the globe and seven steering committee members. Following the discussions, the guidelines were modified and then piloted by several authors whilst writing a manuscript involving research on animals. The PRIASE 2021 guidelines are a checklist consisting of 11 domains and 43 individual items together with a flowchart. The PRIASE 2021 guidelines are focused on improving the methodological principles, reproducibility and quality of animal studies in order to enhance their reliability as well as repeatability to estimate the effects of endodontic treatments and usefulness for guiding future clinical studies on humans.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
PRIASE 2021 guidelines for reporting animal studies in Endodontology: explanation and elaboration

Nagendrababu V, Kishen A, Murray PE, Nekoofar MH, de Figueiredo JAP, Priya E, et al.

Int Endod J, 2021 Jun;54(6):858-886.
PMID: 33492704 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13481

Laws and ethics require that before conducting human clinical trials, a new material, device or drug may have to undergo testing in animals in order to minimize health risks to humans, unless suitable supporting grandfather data already exist. The Preferred Reporting Items for Animal Studies in Endodontology (PRIASE) 2021 guidelines were developed exclusively for the specialty of Endodontology by integrating and adapting the ARRIVE (Animals in Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments) guidelines and the Clinical and Laboratory Images in Publications (CLIP) principles using a validated consensus-based methodology. Implementation of the PRIASE 2021 guidelines will reduce potential sources of bias and thus improve the quality, accuracy, reproducibility, completeness and transparency of reports describing animal studies in Endodontology. The PRIASE 2021 guidelines consist of a checklist with 11 domains and 43 individual items and a flowchart. The aim of the current document is to provide an explanation for each item in the PRIASE 2021 checklist and flowchart and is supplemented with examples from the literature in order for readers to understand their significance and to provide usage guidance. A link to the PRIASE 2021 explanation and elaboration document and PRIASE 2021 checklist and flowchart is available on the Preferred Reporting Items for study Designs in Endodontology (PRIDE) website (http://pride-endodonticguidelines.org/priase/).

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
Mechanism diagrams and abstraction-by-aggregation

Tee SH

Stud Hist Philos Biol Biomed Sci, 2018 Oct;71:17-25.
PMID: 30318277 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsc.2018.10.003

Mechanism diagrams exhibit visually the organized parts and operations of a biological mechanism. A mechanism diagram can facilitate mechanistic research by providing a mechanistic explanation of the phenomenon of interest. Much research has been focusing on the mechanistic explanation and the explanatory mechanistic models. As a specific type of scientific diagram, a simple mechanism diagram can be explanatory by drawing on the rich explanatory resources of non-depicted background knowledge. The relationship between the visually depicted and the background knowledge is underexplored. It is unclear how the non-depicted background knowledge of a mechanism diagram contributes to providing a better-informed explanation of the phenomenon of interest in biological sciences. With the aim to explore this relationship, I articulate that a mechanism diagram provides a mechanistic explanation by a process called abstraction-by-aggregation. Through visual cues, the unified relevant background knowledge provides an epistemic access to a better-informed explanation.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design*
SMOOTH: Self-Management of Open Online Trials in Health analysis found improvements were needed for reporting methods of internet-based trials

Price A, Vasanthan L, Clarke M, Liew SM, Brice A, Burls A

J Clin Epidemiol, 2019 01;105:27-39.
PMID: 30171901 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2018.08.017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The growth of trials conducted over the internet has increased, but with little practical guidance for their conduct, and it is sometimes challenging for researchers to adapt the conventions used in face-to-face trials and maintain the validity of the work. The aim of the study is to systematically explore existing self-recruited online randomized trials of self-management interventions and analyze the trials to assess their strengths and weaknesses, the quality of reporting, and the involvement of lay persons as collaborators in the research process.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS: The Online Randomized Controlled Trials of Health Information Database was used as the sampling frame to identify a subset of self-recruited online trials of self-management interventions. The authors cataloged what these online trials were assessing, appraised study quality, extracted information on how trials were run, and assessed the potential for bias. We searched out how public and patient participation was integrated into online trial design and how this was reported. We recorded patterns of use for registration, reporting, settings, informed consent, public involvement, supplementary materials, and dissemination planning.
RESULTS: The sample included 41 online trials published from 2002 to 2015. The barriers to replicability and risk of bias in online trials included inadequate reporting of blinding in 28/41 (68%) studies; high attrition rates with incomplete or unreported data in 30/41 (73%) of trials; and 26/41 (63%) of studies were at high risk for selection bias as trial registrations were unreported. The methods for (23/41, 56%) trials contained insufficient information to replicate the trial, 19/41 did not report piloting the intervention. Only 2/41 studies were cross-platform compatible. Public involvement was most common for advisory roles (n = 9, 22%), and in the design, usability testing, and piloting of user materials (n = 9, 22%).
CONCLUSION: This study catalogs the state of online trials of self-management in the early 21st century and provides insights for online trials development as early as the protocol planning stage. Reporting of trials was generally poor and, in addition to recommending that authors report their trials in accordance with CONSORT guidelines, we make recommendations for researchers writing protocols, reporting on and evaluating online trials. The research highlights considerable room for improvement in trial registration, reporting of methods, data management plans, and public and patient involvement in self-recruited online trials of self-management interventions.

Matched MeSH terms: Research Design/standards*

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