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Exercise immunology is a discipline at the nexus of exercise physiology and immunology that aims to characterise the effects of exercise on the immune system in health and disease. This new edition of Exercise Immunology begins by providing an evidence‑based introduction to the effects that individual bouts of exercise and exercise training have on the characteristics and functioning of the immune system.In addition to introducing the immune system and summarising how different forms of exercise affect the characteristics and functioning of the immune system, this new and fully revised edition will explore exercise immunology in the context of immune ageing, cancer, autoimmune diseases and cardiometabolic disease. In addition, the authors discuss other factors that impact immune health, such as nutrition and environmental stressors, and explain the physiological basis of how exercise changes immune function across the healthspan and lifespan.This book is written by leading exercise immunologists and is structured to provide a suggested curriculum of an exercise immunology degree component. Every chapter includes summaries of current and up‑to‑date research and offers practical guidelines to translate laboratory‑based information into clinical settings. This textbook is essential for any exercise immunology degree component or advanced exercise physiology degree and will be vital reading for students in exercise and biological sciences and clinicians and researchers interested in the therapeutic applications of exercise.

Social Christianity in Scotland and Beyond explores the multifarious initiatives known variously as ‘social Christianity', ‘Christian socialism', or the ‘social gospel', that spanned countries, continents, decades, and denominations. Building on the scholarship of Stewart J. Brown, to whom this volume is dedicated, fourteen leading and emerging scholars of the history of Christianity consider the varying social policies and initiatives that Christians have pursued in response to industrialisation, urbanisation, expanding global trade networks, and nascent democratic politics. With a particular focus on religious communities in Scotland, the essays provide comparative lenses with which to view sociological and theological developments through examinations of similar phenomena in England, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. In adopting an international perspective that extends beyond Britain and the US, this volume encourages a more holistic understanding of social Christianity as part of a multifaceted and fluid belief system that evolved and shifted according to context.

The ever-increasing globalization of the food industry demands new interventions and prevention technologies to improve the safety and quality of food. This multidisciplinary new book presents advanced systems for identifying, analyzing, tracking, and monitoring microbial contaminants in food.Key features:• Highlights emerging and re-emerging foodborne microorganisms and their virulence characteristics• Includes recent approaches for food quality assurance and risk management• Describes the practicality of molecular biology and microbial technologies for effectual control of foodborne infections• Presents a detailed overview of the utilization of recent molecular techniques in food microbiologyWith expert contributions from experienced academics involved in food microbiology and molecular biology research, this book offers indispensable guidance and a contemporary update of the latest developments in food microbial and molecular biology.

In an era of rapid advancements,'Healthcare Management'explores the transformative journey of modern healthcare. This book covers a broad spectrum of topics, from the evolution of healthcare systems around the world and the epidemiological perspectives of healthcare management to the intricate aspects of health policy, planning, and economics. The book examines emerging trends in healthcare needs assessment, public-private partnerships, and evidence-based medicine, offering critical insights into modern management practices. Healthcare reforms are discussed with a focus on professional regulation, law and ethics. Gain insights into the latest scientific discoveries and research methodologies that are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare. Learn about the collaborative efforts that are accelerating medical breakthroughs and translating research into practice. Anticipate the future of healthcare with expert analyses on the integration of artificial intelligence, personalized medicine, telehealth, medical ethics, health services accreditation, organ transplant and patient-centered care models.'Healthcare Management'is an essential resource for healthcare professionals, administrators, academic administrators, teachers and students who are keen to stay ahead in a rapidly changing field. It provides the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare and drive meaningful improvements in patient care and system management, ultimately guiding readers towards establishing world-class healthcare systems and universities.

Hayes'Principles and Methods of Toxicology has long been established as a reliable and informative reference for the concepts, methodologies, and assessments integral to toxicology. The new edition contains updated and new chapters with the addition of new authors while maintaining the same high standards that have made this book a benchmark resource in the field. Key Features: The comprehensive yet concise coverage of various aspects of fundamental and applied toxicology makes this book a valuable resource for educators, students, and professionals. Questions provided at the end of each chapter allow readers to test their knowledge and understanding of the material covered. All chapters have been updated and over 60 new authors have been added to reflect the dynamic nature of toxicological sciences New topics in this edition include Safety Assessment of Cosmetics and Personal Care Products, The Importance of the Dose/Rate Response, Novel Approaches and Alternative Models, Epigenetic Toxicology, and an Expanded Glossary. The volume is divided into 4 major sections, addressing fundamental principles of toxicology (Section I.'Principles of Toxicology'), major classes of established chemical hazards (Section II.'Agents'), current methods used for the assessment of various endpoints indicative of chemical toxicity (Section III.'Methods'), as well as toxicology of specific target systems and organs (Section IV.'Organ- and System-Specific Toxicology'). This volume will be a valuable tool for the audience that wishes to broaden their understanding of hazards and mechanisms of toxicity and to stay on top of the emerging methods and concepts of the rapidly advancing field of toxicology and risk assessment.

The Deming Conference on Applied Statistics has long been deemed an influential event in the biostatistics and biopharmaceutical profession. It provides learning experience on recent developments in statistical methodologies in biopharmaceutical applications and FDA regulations. This book honors 80 years of contributions and dedication of the Deming Conference in biostatistics, and biopharmaceutical clinical trial methodology and applications. All chapters are contributed by world-class and prominent Deming speakers, who've contributed their cutting-edge research and developments to the community. Volume 1 covers Historical Milestones in Clinical Trial Design, FDA biopharmaceutical design guidance, and emerging development in Clinical Trial Design Methodology. This book aims to booster research, education, and training in biostatistics and in biopharmaceutical research and development. Chapter'Response-adaptive Randomization Designs Based on Optimal Allocation Proportion'is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Change can be hard. We try our best as individuals to improve our fitness, dietary habits and financial stability, and to do the right thing by others and the planet, but it often falls to government and other institutions to persuade us to change our ways. BehaviourWorks Australia (BWA) is a leading behaviour change research enterprise in Australia, housed in the Monash Sustainable Development Institute at Monash University. Their work spans hundreds of projects with government, industry and community partners in areas such as health, climate change, energy, water, waste, pollution, biodiversity, biosecurity, education, social inclusion, finance and safety. Based on extensive research and experience, the team at BWA developed the highly respected BehaviourWorks Method — a tried and tested approach to influencing behaviour for impactful and meaningful outcomes to build a better world. Featuring real-world case studies involving partnerships with Ambulance Victoria, the Transport Accident Commission, federal and state governments, the Environment Protection Authority and Sustainability Victoria, Inspiring Change is a practical, in-depth guide on how to use the BehaviourWorks Method to foster economic prosperity, better health, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

Authored by over 500 internationally acclaimed expert editors and chapter authors from around the world. Completely updated and expanded with almost 40 new chapters. Significantly increased attention to the role of culture in all aspects of evaluation and care. New sections on Digital Mental Health Services and Technologies, Treatment Issues in Specific Populations and Settings, and on Prevention, Systems of Care, and Psychosocial Aspects of Treatment address key advances. This edition is the first comprehensive reference work to cover the entire field of psychiatry in an updateable format, ensuring access to state of the art information. Earlier editions were called “the best current textbook of psychiatry” by the New England Journal of Medicine, and “the gold standard” by the American Journal of Psychiatry. Tasman's Psychiatry, 5th Edition, builds on the initial vision in prior editions of approaching psychiatric evaluation and care from an integrative bio-psycho-social-cultural perspective. It is designed to be an essential and accessible reference for readers at any level of experience. This editorial approach encompasses the importance of the first encounter between patient and clinician, followed by the complex task of beginning to develop a therapeutic relationship and to develop and implement a treatment plan in collaboration with the patient. The importance of increasing attention to the role of culture and social determinants of mental health is reflected both in specific chapters and in components of many chapters throughout the book, especially in those pertaining to clinical evaluation, the therapeutic alliance, and treatment. The global scope of this edition is reflected throughout the book, including the section on psychiatric disorders where evaluation using both ICD 11 and DSM 5-TR is discussed. Most chapters are authored by experts from at least two different countries or continents, adding a critically important dimension which often is missing in major psychiatric textbooks. Tasman's Psychiatry, 5th Edition, is an essential reference for all medical professionals and students who need a trusted reference or learning tool for psychiatry, psychology, clinical research, social work, counseling, therapy, and all others.

This book presents possible solutions for a circuler economy (CE) in the water and wastewater sector through an inventory of multidisciplinary knowledge with high scientific and practical importance which can contribute to support the transition to the CE model in water and wastewater sector. Water in modern studies exceeds being an important source for irrigation and drinking. It is now a significant source of renewable energy and a catalyst in most industrial and manufacturing products. The protection and sustainable management of water resources and water-based waste (as wastewater, sewage sludge, or sewage sludge ash) are important aspects of the CE, which is defined as a regenerative growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes. Our book, entitled'Water in Circular Economy', delivers a comprehensive overview of the latest research covering the following aspects of water management from the perspective of the CE implementation: · Water as a key resource in the circular economy; · Innovative solutions in transition to the circular economy in water and wastewater sector; · Monitoring of circular economy implementation in water and wastewater sector.

Statistical Power Analysis explains the key concepts in statistical power analysis and illustrates their application in both tests of traditional null hypotheses (that treatments or interventions have no effect in the population) and in tests of the minimum-effect hypotheses (that the population effects of treatments or interventions are so small that they can be safely treated as unimportant). It provides readers with the tools to understand and perform power analyses for virtually all the statistical methods used in the social and behavioral sciences.Brett Myors and Kevin Murphy apply the latest approaches of power analysis to both null hypothesis and minimum-effect testing using the same basic unified model. This book starts with a review of the key concepts that underly statistical power. It goes on to show how to perform and interpret power analyses, and the ways to use them to diagnose and plan research. We discuss the uses of power analysis in correlation and regression, in the analysis of experimental data, and in multilevel studies. This edition includes new material and new power software. The programs used for power analysis in this book have been re-written in R, a language that is widely used and freely available. The authors include R codes for all programs, and we have also provided a web-based app that allows users who are not comfortable with R to perform a wide range of analyses using any computer or device that provides access to the web.Statistical Power Analysis helps readers design studies, diagnose existing studies, and understand why hypothesis tests come out the way they do. The fifth edition includes updates to all chapters to accommodate the most current scholarship, as well as recalculations of all examples. This book is intended for graduate students and faculty in the behavioral and social sciences; researchers in other fields will find the concepts and methods laid out here valuable and applicable to studies in many domains.

Introduction to Research in Leadership examines the process and skills required for effectively conducting research on the concept of leadership. Its authors employ a microscope for close analysis and build balconies to see trends and gain perspective. Designed to be imminently practical, it employs concrete examples of fictional graduate students, faculty, and professionals struggling with their own issues to help readers make sense of the world of research and all of its complexities. Filled with personal anecdotes, stories, and even a touch of humor and sarcasm, each chapter weaves in relevant concepts so that those beginning the process of producing scholarship can get started on a productive path and with a positive attitude. This introductory textbook reviews the core philosophies employed in creating new knowledge within a field of research. It describes quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, as well as several concepts that are common across these. The text concludes with chapters focused on critical scholarship in leadership and creating habits that lead to a lifetime of learning.

In mid-2022, the United States has lost more than 1 million people to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been real-time witnesses to scores of heroic responses to the disease, death, inequity, and economic strife unleashed by the virus, but have also experienced the consequences of poor pandemic preparedness and long-standing structural failures in our health system. For decades, the U.S. health system has fallen far short of its potential to support and improve individual and population health. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented death and devastation—but also an unprecedented opportunity to truly transform U.S. health, health care, and health delivery. To capitalize on this opportunity, the National Academy of Medicine gathered field leaders from across all of the major health system sectors to assess how each sector has responded to the pandemic and the opportunities that exist for health system transformation. The opportunity is now to capitalize on the hard-won lessons of COVID-19 and build a health care system that centers patients, families, and communities; cares for clinicians; supports care systems, public health, and biomedical research to perform at the best of their abilities; applies innovations from digital health and quality, safety, and standards organizations; and encourages health care payers and health product manufacturers and innovators to produce products that benefit all.

Partant du contraste troublant entre la prépondérance clinique des obsessions et la quasi-disparition de leur diagnostic, l'auteur constate que le fonctionnement obsessionnel induit une impasse épistémologique : en s'assimilant à un fonctionnement scientifique, le fonctionnement obsessionnel empêche sa propre reconnaissance scientifique tout en instituant des fonctionnements pathologiques dans le champ de la recherche. Or à la différence d'un raisonnement rationnel qui peut être articulé logiquement, remis en question, les obsessions forment des boucles logiques isolées, exclusives et hermétiques, inaccessibles au mouvement dialectique. Incompréhensions, méprises, débats impossibles, divisions dogmatiques, catégorisations arbitraires, adhésion obstinée à des conceptions erronées et rejet d'avancées scientifiques, les effets délétères des obsessions voilées sont plus que jamais d'actualité. En dégageant cliniquement la structure des fausses compréhensions qui caractérisent les obsessions, l'auteur va remarquer que ces raisonnements hermétiques erronés se systématisent et à s'instituent dans de nombreux domaines, notamment dans le champ de la santé. De l'illusion de l'Evidence-based medicine à celle qui confère au DSM une apparence de scientificité, de la création à l'infini de pseudo-syndromes et de pseudo-maladies à l'institutions de pseudo-spécialités et de pseudo-thérapies comme les TCC et autres « thérapies brèves », de la compartimentation absurde et hermétique du champ médico-psychologique aux systématismes qui conduisent à traiter en vain des symptômes sans ne jamais traiter ce qui les cause, le biais interprétatif que produit l'obsession dévoie la médecine et la psychologie de leur orientation. Ainsi, en plus de démontrer comment les obsessions voilées sont à la source du gaspillage faramineux qui mène au naufrage de notre système de santé, ce livre met en lumière que cette rationalité myope, de se confondre avec la rationalité, corrompt l'ensemble de la société. En effet, les amalgames qu'induisent ces lectures obsessionnelles provoquent méprises, conflits et clivages indépassables entre organisations politiques ou entre communautés et la fausse compréhension qui en résulte mène à assimiler des fausses solutions à des solutions tout en rejetant catégoriquement les réelles solutions. Politique, sociale, économique, écologique, juridique, thérapeutique, l'impact catastrophique de ces raisonnements absurdes, hermétiques et totalitaires est d'autant plus remarquable que les obsessions réussissent à se camoufler, au nom du bon sens, de la vertu ou de la scientificité.

This state-of-the-art book concentrates in one volume our current knowledge on the cardiovascular complications of liver disease. This easy-to-read work provides a better understanding of the pathogenesis and consequences of portal hypertension and establishes a physiological basis for its pharmacological treatment. It examines the effect of liver disease on volume regulation, the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, and the processes involved in capillary fluid exchange. It includes a discussion on volume and sodium regulation, as well as atrial natriuretic peptide. It also covers the effects of different classes of drugs such as alcohol, sympathomimetics, diuretics, and hormones on the cardiovascular system in liver disease. This reference manual is an absolute must for all clinicians and researchers with an interest in the cardiovascular system in liver disease.

This book examines the traditional assumptions made by academics and professionals alike that have embedded sociopolitical biases that impede practice. and undermine efforts to achieve an objective scientific status. If allowed to go unchallenged, the credibility of psychology as a discipline is compromised. This contributed volume thoroughly and comprehensively examines this concern in a conceptually and empirically rigorous manner and offers constructive solutions for minimizing undue political influences within the field of psychology. Societies in the 21st century desperately need reliable psychological science, but we don't have it. This important volume explains one of the main reasons why we are making little progress on any issue that gets contaminated by the left-right culture war: because the field of psychology is an enthusiastic member of one of the two teams, so it rejects findings and researchers who question its ideological commitments. The authors ofthis engaging volume also show us the way out. They diagnose the social dynamics of bias and point to reforms that would give us the psychology that we need to address 21st century problems. Jonathan Haidt, Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership, NYU—Stern School of Business and author of The Righteous Mind The boundaries of free speech, censorship, moral cultures, social justice, and ideological biases are among the many incendiary topics discussed in this book. If you are looking for a deep-dive into real-world contemporary controversies, Ideological and Political Bias in Psychology fits the bill. The chapters are thoughtful and thought-provoking. Most readers will find something to agree with and something to rage at in almost every chapter. It just may change how you think about some of these topics. Diane F. Halpern, Professor of Psychology Emerita, Claremont McKenna College and Past President, American Psychological Association Unless the political left is always correct about everything (in which case, we wouldn't need to do research; we could just ask a leftist), the growing political monoculture of social science is a major barrier to our search for the truth. This volume shows how ideological bias should be treated as a source of research error, up there with classic methodological flaws like non-random assignment and non-blind measurement. Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and the author of Rationality An important read for academics curious about how their politics fashions beliefs that too often are uncritically taken for granted, and for non-academics wondering why we can't shake off the politics that so influences scientific work. Vernon Smith, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences and George L. Argyros Chair in Finance and Economics, Chapman UniversityAdvances and deepens empirically rigorous scholarship into biased political influences affecting academic and professional psychology.Offers constructive solutions for minimizing undue political influences within psychology and moving the field forward.Serves as a resource for psychological academicians, researchers, practitioners, and consultants seeking to restore the principles of accurate science and effective practice to their respective areas of research.

This textbook is built around patient presentation, advancing from symptoms through diagnosis to treatment as anticipated in clinical practice. As a result, this textbook provides concise, focused information on pharmacological treatments and mechanisms of action related to specific symptoms and patient presentation. Each chapter is followed by relevant cases and questions with answers and detailed explanations. The book will be of use to medical, pharmacy, pharmacology and physiology students, practicing physicians and pharmacists, and pre-medical students preparing for a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in the United States and similar tests offered in other countries. The readers are given a guided presentation of how practicing physicians think when facing symptoms and determining treatments.

This book describes how models are used to monitor crops and soils in precision agriculture, and how they are used to support farmers'decisions. The introductory section starts with an overview of precision agriculture from the early days of yield monitoring in the 1980s to the present, with a focus on the role of models. The section continues with descriptions of the different kinds of models and the opportunities for their application in precision agriculture. The section concludes with a chapter on socio-economic drivers and obstacles to the adoption of precision agriculture technologies. The middle section of the book explores the state-of-the-art in modeling for precision agriculture. Individual chapters focus on the major processes in precision agriculture: water use, nitrogen and other amendments, as well as weeds, pests and diseases. The final section contains a series of short chapters that each describe a commercial, model-based service that is currently available to farmers. The book aims to provide useful information to graduate-level professionals that want to broaden their knowledge of precision agriculture; to scientists who want to learn about using academic knowledge in practical farming; and to farmers, farm consultants and extension workers who want to increase their understanding of the science behind some of the commercial software available to the farming community.

This book is an accessible, contemporary, and comprehensive guide to the concepts and practice of evaluation. Authors Gail Vallance Barrington and Beverly Triana-Tremain integrate new approaches and concerns, and classic frameworks with practical tools that readers can use to design evaluation studies. They show how evaluators measure whether the planned and implemented interventions or services are achieving their goals and objectives, while focusing on the questions most important to the community and organizations in which the evaluation takes place. The book stresses the role of critical and evaluative thinking, as well as self-reflection, and demonstrates the importance of context and equity in today's turbulent environment, offering a new stance for evaluators to support global as well as local issues.

In this groundbreaking book, Charles Fishman uniquely incorporates and develops results-based accountability (RBA) into the framework of structural family therapy. Collaborating with the founder of RBA, Mark Friedman, this approach aims to transform the field of family therapy by allowing clinicians to track performance effectively and efficiently with their clients. The book begins by reviewing the historical foundations of family therapy and evaluates why challenges in the field, alternative methods, and the reliance on evidence-based medicine (EBM) have meant that family therapy may not have flourished to the extent that many of us expected. It then explores how RBA can be integrated into intensive structural therapy (IST), with chapters examining how RBA can be applied in context, such as in treating eating disorders, supervision, and how it can be used to transform the professional's clinical contexts. Relevant and practical, the book also introduces the community resource specialist to help in the treatment of socially disadvantaged families, as well as practical appendices and'tracking tools'to empower clinicians to track their data and choose treatment models that obtain best outcomes.This new approach offers transparent and measurable outcomes for both clinicians and training family therapists, lending a helping hand in making family therapy the gold standard in psychotherapy. It is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students of family therapy, course leaders, and all clinicians in professional contexts, such as social workers, psychotherapists, and marriage, couple, and family therapists.

Ancient therapeutic systems have played a tremendous role in health preservation all around the globe for thousands of years; even the earliest humans on earth had used these approaches along with simple surgical procedures for the betterment of their health. Complementary and Alternative Medicinal Approaches for Enhancing Immunity examines various aspects of health and diseases and the importance of basic but essential factors for the preservation of health and management of diseases. Concisely written, the author discusses ancient ways to enhance self-healing abilities and stimulate the immune system such as, fasting, meditation, acupuncture, cupping therapy, balneotherapy and aromatherapy. The importance of nutrition and diet is also examined as it plays a crucial role in the prevention and causation of diseases.Additional features include: Discusses how the integration of various CAM modalities helps in enhancing self-healing abilities and boosts the human immune system. Contains various topics from different systems of medicines that are taught widely as individual courses or discussed broadly in several institutes. Reviews Eastern pharmacotherapy and how using certain herbs, minerals, and animal-based products aids in maintaining health and alleviating diseases. Using evidence-based knowledge taken from ancient literature and recently published articles, this book will inform readers on the importance of holistic health approaches and some ancient treatment modalities that enhance the immune system to combat diseases.

One Health: Challenges for the 21st Century is a transdisciplinary approach to health, considering the interdependency of human, animal, and environmental health. This approach to health promotion and disease prevention calls for integrative and interdisciplinary cooperation. From zoonotic diseases to environmental degradation, this book introduces core concepts of the One Health approach by presenting focal key challenges. The objective of this book is not centered solely on epidemiologic interactions of infectious diseases but also on the environmental and ecological implications of current major threats. Written by international experts, the ten chapters provide a comprehensive approach consisting of core concepts, practical examples, and applications that align with key challenges to public health. Therefore, this book is a valuable resource for public health professionals, veterinarians, physicians, environmental researchers, policymakers, and other professionals who seek to understand the overarching complexities of health. - Examines the interconnection between humans, animals and the environment and how those relationships impact prevention, early detection, containment, and response to public health risks - Offers concise and comprehensive coverage of the One Health concept, application to key public health challenges, and current and future developments - Presents insights from an interdisciplinary group of international experts, containing examples to illustrate One Health framework and issues

Lean Six Sigma in Higher Education Institutions: The Need to Change is a research-led study designed for leaders and change agents within Higher Educational institutions. Stephen G. Anthony and Jiju Antony present the development and testing of a Lean Six Sigma Maturity Model (LSS) which can be used to assess the current level of LSS maturity of any university setting. Lessons presented will help universities to develop necessary action plans and strategic objectives to successfully build maturity in LSS. Chapters examine the current state of Operational Excellence (OPEX) methodologies in the Higher Education sector, Frameworks and Maturity Models for delivering change, and the study concludes by presenting nine areas need to be considered by the academic leaders and change on their agenda in any HE Institutions to guarantee LSS success.

At last, a comprehensive guide that meets psychologists and other social scientists'growing need to master the tools of statistical prediction.Prediction Statistics for Psychological Assessment, by R. Karl Hanson, is the first book to teach students and practitioners the nuts and bolts of prediction statistics, while illustrating the utility of prediction and prediction tools in applied psychological practice. This valuable resource uses real-world examples, helpful explanations and practice exercises to support the use of prediction tools in psychological assessment. Actuarial risk assessment evaluators need to know how prediction tools work, how to evaluate them, and how to interpret their results in applied assessments. Written in a clear and accessible manner, this user-friendly book helps readers understand how to evaluate and interpret different kinds of prediction tools, appreciate the numeric information used in risk communication, and utilize prediction tools to inform evidence-based decision making.

This book provides an overview of the emerging topics in biostatistical theories and methods through their applications to evidence-based global health research and decision-making. It brings together some of the top scholars engaged in biostatistical method development on global health to highlight and describe recent advances in evidence-based global health applications. The volume is composed of five main parts: data harmonization and analysis; systematic review and statistical meta-analysis; spatial-temporal modeling and disease mapping; Bayesian statistical modeling; and statistical methods for longitudinal data or survival data. It is designed to be illuminating and valuable to both expert biostatisticians and to health researchers engaged in methodological applications in evidence-based global health research. It is particularly relevant to countries where global health research is being rigorously conducted.

Systematic reviews and other evidence syntheses have a vital role in summarizing the literature, exploring gaps in research, prioritizing new research, and providing literature to support decision-making and evidence-based practices. Librarians adapt their practices as members of the higher education and research community. If they consult and teach with researchers, faculty, and students, review methods will likely be a part of their work. Piecing Together Systematic Reviews and Other Evidence Syntheses: A Guide for Librarians aims to be the definitive text on systematic reviews for librarians, information professionals, and expert searchers. Starting with an introduction to evidence syntheses, the book follows the acronym PIECCESS, a framework for the 8 phases which flow through 8 processes. The 8 phases are (1) Proposal of scope; (2) Protocol registration; (3) Preliminary findings; (4) Paper completion; (5) Preserve project; (6) Promote to stakeholders; (7) Impact compilation; (8) Updating the review. The 8 processes are Plan, Identify, Evaluate, Collect, Combine, Explain, Summarize, and Share. After the processes of a review project are covered, guidance for developing and running a service is provided as well as teaching reviews and training for librarians.The intended audience for this book is any librarian interested in consulting, collaborating, completing, or teaching reviews. It has several applications: for training librarians new to reviews, for those developing a new review service, for those wanting to establish policies for current service, and as a reference for those conducting reviews or running a service. Participating in reviews is a new frontier of librarianship, with expanded opportunities for new service, research areas, and professional activities. This book is part of the effort to standardize best practices when engaging in evidence syntheses.

This authoritative volume presents a detailed analysis of the replication crisis and the use of questionable research practices (QRPs) in psychology, as well as recommended practices for combatting these problems. Ultimately, the book aims to provide a comprehensive, current, and accessible account of the adverse effects of QRPs.The replication crisis in psychology and allied fields has exposed critical flaws in the standard views of research methods, which allow for extensive flexibility in data analysis by investigators and permit the widespread use of QRPs. Chapters examine the intentional use of QRPs such as data fabrication and falsification, along with subtler, unintentional practices such as p-hacking and HARKING (hypothesizing after results are known). Drawing on the growing awareness of these problems, contributors also highlight potential strategies to detect QRPs and minimize their negative impact through open data practices, preregistration of hypotheses and analyses, and adversarial collaborations, in which investigators holding opposing positions on a scientific issue agree to work together on a study in an effort to counteract their respective biases. Among the topics covered:History of controversies in statistics and replicationEmbracing intellectual humility while designing researchConfirmatory vs. exploratory analysesPublication bias and negative resultsPromoting honest and transparent report writingAvoiding Questionable Research Practices in Applied Psychology provides a deeper understanding of how QRPs impede the reliability and trustworthiness of findings in psychology and the social sciences. It will be a practical, useful resource for students and instructors in graduate and advanced undergraduate level research methods classes, along with psychological researchers interested in improving their own research.

Foodborne microbial outbreaks are a serious food safety and public health concern worldwide. One of the most challenging issues in food safety is the identification and characterization of foodborne microbial communities, which is a core objective of research by food scientists and food microbiologists. This book reviews the molecular advances in food science related to the safety and quality of food along with recent diagnostic tools for the detection of emerging pathogens based on the food commodities. It presents a wide selection of methods for the identification and characterization of foodborne infectious agents. This book provides an overview of foodborne pathogens, diseases, and outbreaks and then proceeds to delve into techniques for characterizing foodborne pathogens using molecular approaches. It reviews state-of-the-art methods for detecting and tracing foodborne pathogens using next-generation sequencing and whole-genome sequencing for controlling foodborne illnesses as well as the application of microorganisms in food production for preventing foodborne illnesses. The book ends with an overview of management systems and analytical tools for public health protection from foodborne illnesses.

A guide to progressive healthcare packed full of actionable recommendations and a road map to a more inclusive and equitable future.Health for Everyone: A Guide to Politically and Socially Progressive Healthcare brings together experts across a range of healthcare and related disciplines to explore how we can make our healthcare system more progressive for groups that have been overlooked for too long. Rather than a health policy manual adopting a 30,000-foot view, this is a practical guide to start making healthcare more responsive, more patient-centered, and more community-led—right now, starting from present realities. Zackary Berger, a well-known primary care physician, activist, and bioethicist, has brought together teachers, clinicians, advocates, and researchers, to map the steps we need to take to provide better care to African American, Latinx, chronically ill, and disabled patients while improving the system overall for everyoneHealth for Everyone answers questions such as how do you provide the same care to every individual, when individuals are different? How do you get ideal care when you are a member of a disadvantaged group? What if you have a chronic condition that tends to get the short end of the stick, for which treatment might not be available, or be stigmatized? Focusing on a practical, yet ethical and philosophical case for progressive health care, this book focuses on what matters most to patients and on the steps we need to take to insure better health for everyone.

People all over the world are confronted daily by issues such as poverty, a lack of access to quality education, unaffordable and or inadequate housing, and a lack of needed health and mental services. These issues are dynamic and varied, and social workers need to have access to relevant and timely evidence-based materials to meet the needs of those facing them. The Social Workers'Desk Reference is a comprehensive resource for practicing social workers. This essential reference is extraordinarily comprehensive and provides updated information in 15 parts covering the profession and its overarching themes; values, ethics, licensure; theoretical constructs; assessment; treatment plans; techniques; individual, family, and group Interventions; evidence-based practice; case management; community practice; vulnerable populations; behavioral and mental health; school social work; military social work; and forensic social work. All 163 chapters, written by experts in the field, are focused, practical, and contain critical content in addition to websites and updated references. The fourth edition follows in the tradition of the first three editions and updates previous topics but fearlessly addresses current salient subjects such as white nationalism, gaming disorder, substance abuse, LGBTQ+ populations, suicide, sexual violence in the military, smart decarceration, the legacy of racism, neurobiology, technology and social work practice, Islamophobia, pseudoscientific behavioral and mental health treatments, emerging fields of practice, and more. It has greatly expanded its section on vulnerable populations to address the wide variety of diversity in the U.S.

Vitamin C: A 500-Year Scientific Biography from Scurvy to Pseudoscience is the compelling story of the history and science behind vitamin C.Vitamin C begins with scurvy, which afflicted Europe for four hundred years and killed millions. The reasons that a disease whose cure was known from the outset persisted over that time are at once baffling and familiar, and these trials eventually lead to invention of the science of epidemiology. Author Stephen M. Sagar MD then chronicles the discovery of vitamins at the beginning of the twentieth century, a story that encapsulates the rise of a scientific approach to nutrition but with surprising twists and turns. As vitamin science became more acquainted with the mainstream, scientist Linus Pauling reached new heights of fame and influence by popularizing the practice of taking megadoses of vitamin C to prevent colds – a claim that was not necessarily backed by data. This kickstarted the growth of the $40 billion vitamin and supplement industry, which has since prospered all while ignoring science. This unique and engrossing narrative reveals how medical science functions in the real world and how it has changed over the centuries. Featuring swashbuckling sailors, arctic explorers, penny-pinching bureaucrats, academicians with clashing egos, and intrepid scientists working in malaria-infested jungle laboratories, the story of C is in many ways the story of how science gets done (and undone). From the trial and error of early explorers to the scientific breakthroughs made by biochemists and the birth of the modern supplement industry, this revelatory book tells the story of how cherished beliefs, self-interest, and politics often intertwine with scientific progress.

A two-time AJN Book of the Year Award winner and a 2013 Doody Core Title! This distinguished text provides top-tier guidance for advanced practice nurses on how to perform a comprehensive systematic review of available research to inform scholarly work, particularly in DNP and PhD programs. With a strategic focus on the search process and assessing the quality of the evidence, this text presents, clearly and comprehensively, all of the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct a foundational CSR in eight concrete steps. This text examines how to write a CSR proposal, final report, and a policy brief based on systematic review findings. Two finished proposals and two completed systematic reviews demonstrate each step of the process from start to finish. Additionally, the text covers software used in research queries and provides helpful strategies for effectively using the search function when seeking information. The Third Edition offers four new chapters with incisive recommendations for performing a CSR and addressing new ways CSR is being implemented in today's healthcare environment. It describes the latest methodological advances, including living systematic reviews and dominance scores for economic review. Two complete CSRs along with new and updated examples throughout the book further aid readers in their pursuit of excellence in scholarly work. New to the Third Edition: New Chapters: How to choose the right critical appraisal tool Writing the final report and disseminating the results of systematic reviews Disseminating results with how to write a policy brief and/or press release on CSR results Example of a meta-analysis using GRADE Offers increased focus on dissemination Includes new and updated examples reflecting latest trends in nursing scholarly work Key Features: Provides the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct a CSR from start to finish Teaches readers how to conduct high-quality systematic reviews Instructs readers on pertinent resources and methods for optimal library-related systematic review research efforts Describes how to best search research databases to facilitate scholarly work Includes objectives, summary points, end-of-chapter exercises, discussion questions, suggested reading, and references to enhance understanding

Recent events have vividly underscored the societal importance of science, yet the majority of the public are unaware that a large proportion of published scientific results are simply wrong. The Problem with Science is an exploration of the manifestations and causes of this scientific crisis, accompanied by a description of the very promising corrective initiatives largely developed over the past decade to stem the spate of irreproducible results that have come to characterize many of our sciences. More importantly, Dr. R. Barker Bausell has designed it to provide guidance to practicing and aspiring scientists regarding how (a) to change the way in which science has come to be both conducted and reported in order to avoid producing false positive, irreproducible results in their own work and (b) to change those institutional practices (primarily but not exclusively involving the traditional journal publishing process and the academic reward system) that have unwittingly contributed to the present crisis. There is a need for change in the scientific culture itself. A culture which prioritizes conducting research correctly in order to get things right rather than simply getting it published.

If you need to make the leap from single sentences to a published manuscript, you will find valuable help and resources in this fully updated fourth edition of Anatomy of Writing for Publication for Nurses. In this practical and useful guide, lead author and editor Cynthia Saver removes the fear and confusion surrounding the writing and publishing process. Along the way, 28 of nursing's top writing experts and decision-makers share important insights to help you craft a quality manu-script and get it accepted for publication.

This sixth edition of the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine takes us now into the third decade for this definitive award-winning textbook. It has been rigorously updated to offer a truly global perspective, highlighting the best current evidence-based practices, and collective wisdom from more than 200 experts around the world. This leading textbook covers all the new and emerging topics, updated and restructured to reflect major developments in the increasingly widespread acceptance of palliative medicine as a fundamental public health need. The sixth edition includes new sections devoted to family and caregiver issues, cardio-respiratory symptoms and disorders, and genitourinary symptoms and disorders. In addition, the multi-disciplinary nature of palliative care is emphasized throughout the textbook, covering areas from ethical and communication issues, the treatment of symptoms, and the management of pain. The Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine is a truly comprehensive text. No hospital, hospice, palliative care service, or medical library should be without this essential source of information. This sixth edition of the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine is dedicated to the memory of Professor Kenneth Fearon husband of Professor Marie Fallon and a surgeon who became a world leader in the research and management of anorexia and cachexia. He modeled a work-life balance that is so critical in our field, with devotion to both his patients and his family.

Statistical Issues in Drug Development The revised third edition of Statistical Issues in Drug Development delivers an insightful treatment of the intersection between statistics and the life sciences. The book offers readers new discussions of crucial topics, including cluster randomization, historical controls, responder analysis, studies in children, post-hoc tests, estimands, publication bias, the replication crisis, and many more.This work presents the major statistical issues in drug development in a way that is accessible and comprehensible to life scientists working in the field, and takes pains not to gloss over significant disagreements in the field of statistics, while encouraging communication between the statistical and life sciences disciplines. In addition to new material on topics like invalid inversion, severity, random effects in network meta-analysis, and explained variation, readers will benefit from the inclusion of:A thorough introduction to basic topics in drug development and statistics, including the role played by statistics in drug developmentAn exploration of the four views of statistics in drug development, including the historical, methodological, technical, and professionalAn examination of debatable and controversial topics in drug development, including the allocation of treatments to patients in clinical trials, baselines and covariate information, and the measurement of treatment effectsPerfect for life scientists and other professionals working in the field of drug development, Statistical Issues in Drug Development is the ideal resource for anyone seeking a one-stop reference to enhance their understanding of the use of statistics during drug development.

During the last decades, a considerable amount of research has been directed towards explaining the concept of Digital Human Resource Management (DHRM). Yet, a holistic assessment of DHRM antecedents and consequences with respect to possible contextual contingencies is still missing. To this end, this thesis introduces a research framework illuminating the multifaceted phenomenon of DHRM from various perspectives. An exploratory four-step meta-analytic structural equation modelling (E-MASEM) approach tailored to address the domain-specific challenges of DHRM is introduced and applied. Results identify 32 constructs associated with the DHRM usage phenomenon which are categorized into DHRM antecedents and DHRM consequences. Findings reveal that user perceptions, expectations, attitudes, and intentions are essential in predicting DHRM usage while HRM service quality and user satisfaction are found crucial in explaining other DHRM consequences. Further, practitioners are informed about therelative importance of factors for both facilitating DHRM adoption and measuring DHRM success. Lastly, this thesis also contributes to the MASEM methodology by outlining a new approach to summarize statistical inferences from multiple moderator tests.

Precision agriculture integrates new technologies with the agronomic experience to intelligently manage the high spatial variability of all agricultural variables and the time scales at which these variables change. The right application of this approach increases the size and quality of the agricultural production; saves resources; improves environmental quality; helps to achieve self-sufficiency, food security, and agricultural sustainability; increases exports; and more. Precision Agriculture Technologies for Food Security and Sustainability is an essential reference source that compiles a comprehensive, multidisciplinary review of current research in the field of precision agriculture. It also discusses cutting-edge tools and models that can help facilitate and improve the systems implementation. Featuring coverage of a wide range of topics including agronomy, public policy, and internet of things, this book is ideally designed for agriculturalists, government officials, economists, environmentalists, academicians, researchers, students, and engineers in the fields of electronics, ICT, and agriculture.

Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, Volume 95 provides information on nutrients in foods and how to avoid their deficiency in the diet. Topics covered include nutrigenomic modulation of inflammation and its related diseases through food and dietary bioactive compounds, preparation, structural characteristics and physiological property of resistant starch, emerging prebiotics, utilization of smart dry aging as a tool to improve meat quality, impact of nitrite reduction on the aroma of fermented meat product, strategies to limit meat wastage, DNA-based authentication of seafood, quality aspects of European virgin olive oils registered as PDOs/PGIs with emphasis on nutrient and non-nutrient bioactives, and much more. The series provides the latest advances on the identification and characterization of emerging bioactive compounds with putative health benefits, as well as up-to-date information on food science, including raw materials, production, processing, distribution and consumption. - Contains contributions that have been carefully selected based on their vast experience and expertise on the subject - Includes updated, in-depth and critical discussions of available information, giving the reader a unique opportunity to learn - Encompasses a broad view of the topics at hand

Unlike other volumes in the current literature, this book provides insight for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary researchers and practitioners on what doesn't work. Documenting detailed case studies of project failure matters, not only as an illustration of experienced challenges but also as projects do not always follow step-by-step protocols of preconceived and theorised processes. Bookended by a framing introduction by the editors and a conclusion written by Julie Thompson Klein, each chapter ends with a reflexive section that synthesizes lessons learned and key take-away points for the reader. Drawing on a wide range of international case studies and with a strong environmental thread throughout, the book reveals a range of failure scenarios for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects, including:• Projects that did not get off the ground;• Projects that did not have the correct personnel for specified objectives; • Projects that did not reach their original objectives but met other objectives;• Projects that failed to anticipate important differences among collaborators.Illustrating causal links in real life projects, this volume will be of significant relevance to scholars and practitioners looking to overcome the challenges of conducting interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research.

This book addresses and reviews progress in a major innovative development within police work known as evidence-based policing. It involves a significant extension and strengthening of links between research and practice and is directed to the task of increasing police effectiveness in the field of community crime prevention. This volume provides an international perspective that synthesizes recent research results from the United States and other countries – including systematic reviews of large bodies of evidence – to illuminate several of the most challenging issues currently confronting police departments. It examines recent advances in research-based models of policing and the expanding base in outcome evaluation.Key areas of coverage include:Managing the nighttime economy.Supervising sex offenders.Tackling domestic/intimate partner violence.Addressing school violence and the formation of gangs.Reducing victim and witness retraction and disengagement.Responding to mental disorders, safeguarding vulnerable adults, and providing victim support.Leveraging public awareness campaigns.In addition, each chapter presents an overview of key issues within a designated area, synthesizes existing reviews, and examines the most recent research. The book clearly and concisely presents major concepts, theories, and research findings, thereby providing both conceptual and analytic tools alongside an integrated presentation of principal findings and messages. The volume concludes with a discussion of current directions in research, key developments in policing strategies, and identification of effective operational structures for facilitating and sustaining research-practice links.Evidence-Based Policing and Community Crime Prevention is a must-have resource for researchers, clinicians and other professionals, and graduate students in forensic psychology, criminology and criminal justice, public health, developmental psychology, psychotherapy and counseling, psychiatry, social work, educational policy and politics, health psychology, nursing, and behavioral therapy/rehabilitation.

This critical volume combines theoretical and empirical work across disciplines to explore what threatens scalability—and what enables it—in the early childhood field. Authors and editors provide specific recommendations to help professionals refine and apply the science of scaling in their programs, research, and decision making.Written by leading experts in early childhood, economics, psychology, public health, philanthropy, and more, chapters and commentaries shine light on how to effectively use experimental insights for policy purposes. The result is a comprehensive and forward-thinking guide to the challenges and possibilities of effective scaling in early childhood and beyond.Essential reading for researchers, practitioners, funders, and policy makers alike, this book raises vital questions and provides a vision for the long-term journey to scalable evidence.

Foundations of Psychological Testing: A Practical Approach by Leslie A. Miller and Robert L. Lovler presents a clear introduction to the basics of psychological testing as well as psychometrics and statistics. Aligned with the 2014 Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, this practical book includes discussion of foundational concepts and issues using real-life examples and situations that students will easily recognize, relate to, and find interesting. A variety of pedagogical tools furthers the conceptual understanding needed for effective use of tests and test scores. The Sixth Edition includes updated references and examples, new In Greater Depth boxes for deeper coverage of complex topics, and a streamlined organization for enhanced readability.

This Encyclopedia provides a comprehensive overview of individual differences within the domain of personality, with major sub-topics including assessment and research design, taxonomy, biological factors, evolutionary evidence, motivation, cognition and emotion, as well as gender differences, cultural considerations, and personality disorders. It is an up-to-date reference for this increasingly important area and a key resource for those who study intelligence, personality, motivation, aptitude and their variations within members of a group.

Since the early 2000s, there has been increasing interest within the pharmaceutical industry in the application of Bayesian methods at various stages of the research, development, manufacturing, and health economic evaluation of new health care interventions. In 2010, the first Applied Bayesian Biostatistics conference was held, with the primary objective to stimulate the practical implementation of Bayesian statistics, and to promote the added-value for accelerating the discovery and the delivery of new cures to patients.This book is a synthesis of the conferences and debates, providing an overview of Bayesian methods applied to nearly all stages of research and development, from early discovery to portfolio management. It highlights the value associated with sharing a vision with the regulatory authorities, academia, and pharmaceutical industry, with a view to setting up a common strategy for the appropriate use of Bayesian statistics for the benefit of patients. The book covers: Theory, methods, applications, and computing Bayesian biostatistics for clinical innovative designs Adding value with Real World Evidence Opportunities for rare, orphan diseases, and pediatric development Applied Bayesian biostatistics in manufacturing Decision making and Portfolio management Regulatory perspective and public health policies Statisticians and data scientists involved in the research, development, and approval of new cures will be inspired by the possible applications of Bayesian methods covered in the book. The methods, applications, and computational guidance will enable the reader to apply Bayesian methods in their own pharmaceutical research.

Global Health: Diseases, Programs, Systems, and Policies, Fourth Edition brings together contributions from the world's leading authorities into a single comprehensive text. It thoroughly examines the wide range of global health challenges facing low- and middle-income countries today and the various approaches nations adopt to deal with them. These challenges include measurement of health status, infectious and chronic diseases, injuries, nutrition, reproductive health, global environmental health, and complex emergencies. The book also explores the financing and management of emerging health systems as well as the roles of nation states, international agencies, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations in promoting health. Designed for graduate-level students, this text provides an expansive view of today's issues and challenges in global health and be an invaluable resource in the years to come. Updated throughout to reflect new and emerging issues, the Fourth Edition o

This is the first research methods textbook that is specific to the field of audiology and designed to serve as an academic textbook for audiology graduate students. This text can also be accessible for audiology practitioners who are interested in clinical and applied research. The comprehensive coverage includes materials for multiple courses within audiology degree programs, including research methods, analysis of professional literature, evidence-based practice, and capstone research projects.

The second edition of Research Methods for Criminology and Criminal Justice is a core text for criminology and criminal justice research methods courses. This text offers a general foundation of knowledge that transcends particular topics or subject areas, allowing students to apply the methods and concepts discussed to a multitude of scenarios. Within the first five chapters, students learn (a) the philosophy behind scientific research, (b) the role of theory and hypotheses in the research process, (c) ethical issues in conducting research in our field, and (d) how research reports are structured. Thereafter, each new chapter will add information and examples that help students move toward a further understanding of research design and methodology that can be applied across the social and behavioral sciences to better understand social phenomena.

Die gesellschaftlichen Beschleunigungsprozesse, wie sie durch die rasanten Entwicklungen in Wissenschaft, Technik und durch den sozialen Wandel ausgelöst und angetrieben werden, bleiben nicht ohne Folgen für das Gesundheitssystem und insbesondere für die medizinische Versorgung. Unter dem damit einhergehenden wachsenden Zeitdruck drohen der Arzt-Patient-Beziehung als Kern der medizinischen Versorgung ökonomische Fremdbestimmung und Marginalisierung. Die Autorinnen und Autoren beleuchten diese Prozesse unter historischen, philosophischen, natur- und sozialwissenschaftlichen sowie medizinischen und gesundheitspolitischen Blickwinkeln. Ihre Beiträge verbinden Einblicke in die Praxis der medizinischen Versorgung mit wissenschaftlichen Analysen, Stellungnahmen von Spitzenfunktionären des Gesundheitswesens sowie Anregungen zur persönlichen Entschleunigung.

This book grapples with the numerous risks organizations face in order to succeed. These include economic risks, disaster risks, supply-chain risks, regulatory risks, and technology risks, all of which affect organizations in different ways and in varying degrees. Referencing Mahatma Gandhi's seven unethical behaviors in the business world—wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, religion without sacrifice, and politics without principle—the authors analyze the healthcare sector. As competition in the health sector increases, there has also been a rise in unethical behavior. Corruption in the health sector results in severe consequences as it could affect the health of millions. This volume explores fraud schemes and cases, legislation to avoid cheating, lack of law, transparency, ethical issues, corporate governance and transparency in the health and pharmaceutical sector bringing together the perspectives of practitioners, professionals, as well as academic authors.

This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licence. It is free to read at Oxford Academic and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations. In October 2019, Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo, and Michael Kremer jointly won the 51st Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel'for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.'But what is the exact scope of their experimental method, known as randomized control trials (RCTs)? Which sorts of questions are RCTs able to address and which do they fail to answer? The first of its kind, Randomized Control Trials in the Field of Development: A Critical Perspective provides answers to these questions, explaining how RCTs work, what they can achieve, why they sometimes fail, how they can be improved and why other methods are both useful and necessary. Bringing together leading specialists in the field from a range of backgrounds and disciplines (economics, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, political economy, socioeconomics, anthropology, philosophy, global health, epidemiology, and medicine), it presents a full and coherent picture of the main strengths and weaknesses of RCTs in the field of development. Looking beyond the epistemological, political, and ethical differences underlying many of the disagreements surrounding RCTs, it explores the implementation of RCTs on the ground, outside of their ideal theoretical conditions and reveals some unsuspected uses and effects, their disruptive potential, but also their political uses. The contributions uncover the implicit worldview that many RCTs draw on and disseminate, and probe the gap between the method's narrow scope and its success, while also proposing improvements and alternatives. Without disputing the contribution of RCTs to scientific knowledge, Randomized Control Trials in the Field of Development warns against the potential dangers of their excessive use, arguing that the best use for RCTs is not necessarily that which immediately springs to mind. Written in plain language, this book offers experts and laypeople alike a unique opportunity to come to an informed and reasoned judgement on RCTs and what they can bring to development.