what is practical research for you

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1 What Is Practice Research and Why Is It Important

• Published: April 2020
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Chapter 1 of Practice Research in the Human Services: A University-Agency Partnership Model discusses the evolving definition of practice research. It highlights the need to identify ways to improve practice in the complex situations that characterize human services, by developing knowledge that emerges directly from everyday practice. Practice research often focuses on the relationships between service providers and service users, between service providers and their managers, between agency-based service providers and community advocacy and support groups, and between agency managers and policymakers. The chapter outlines the “practice” and “research” components of practice research, the role of theory, and the importance of local context in shaping specific approaches to practice research. It provides an overview of the university-agency partnership that provided the platform for carrying out the studies described in the volume, and offers perspectives on the related phenomena associated with learning organizations and evidence-informed practice.

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What is Research? – Purpose of Research

• By DiscoverPhDs
• September 10, 2020

The purpose of research is to enhance society by advancing knowledge through the development of scientific theories, concepts and ideas. A research purpose is met through forming hypotheses, collecting data, analysing results, forming conclusions, implementing findings into real-life applications and forming new research questions.

What is Research

Simply put, research is the process of discovering new knowledge. This knowledge can be either the development of new concepts or the advancement of existing knowledge and theories, leading to a new understanding that was not previously known.

As a more formal definition of research, the following has been extracted from the Code of Federal Regulations :

While research can be carried out by anyone and in any field, most research is usually done to broaden knowledge in the physical, biological, and social worlds. This can range from learning why certain materials behave the way they do, to asking why certain people are more resilient than others when faced with the same challenges.

The use of ‘systematic investigation’ in the formal definition represents how research is normally conducted – a hypothesis is formed, appropriate research methods are designed, data is collected and analysed, and research results are summarised into one or more ‘research conclusions’. These research conclusions are then shared with the rest of the scientific community to add to the existing knowledge and serve as evidence to form additional questions that can be investigated. It is this cyclical process that enables scientific research to make continuous progress over the years; the true purpose of research.

What is the Purpose of Research

From weather forecasts to the discovery of antibiotics, researchers are constantly trying to find new ways to understand the world and how things work – with the ultimate goal of improving our lives.

The purpose of research is therefore to find out what is known, what is not and what we can develop further. In this way, scientists can develop new theories, ideas and products that shape our society and our everyday lives.

Although research can take many forms, there are three main purposes of research:

• Exploratory: Exploratory research is the first research to be conducted around a problem that has not yet been clearly defined. Exploration research therefore aims to gain a better understanding of the exact nature of the problem and not to provide a conclusive answer to the problem itself. This enables us to conduct more in-depth research later on.
• Descriptive: Descriptive research expands knowledge of a research problem or phenomenon by describing it according to its characteristics and population. Descriptive research focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘what’, but not on the ‘why’.
• Explanatory: Explanatory research, also referred to as casual research, is conducted to determine how variables interact, i.e. to identify cause-and-effect relationships. Explanatory research deals with the ‘why’ of research questions and is therefore often based on experiments.

Characteristics of Research

There are 8 core characteristics that all research projects should have. These are:

• Empirical  – based on proven scientific methods derived from real-life observations and experiments.
• Logical  – follows sequential procedures based on valid principles.
• Cyclic  – research begins with a question and ends with a question, i.e. research should lead to a new line of questioning.
• Controlled  – vigorous measures put into place to keep all variables constant, except those under investigation.
• Hypothesis-based  – the research design generates data that sufficiently meets the research objectives and can prove or disprove the hypothesis. It makes the research study repeatable and gives credibility to the results.
• Analytical  – data is generated, recorded and analysed using proven techniques to ensure high accuracy and repeatability while minimising potential errors and anomalies.
• Objective  – sound judgement is used by the researcher to ensure that the research findings are valid.
• Statistical treatment  – statistical treatment is used to transform the available data into something more meaningful from which knowledge can be gained.

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Types of Research

Research can be divided into two main types: basic research (also known as pure research) and applied research.

Basic Research

Basic research, also known as pure research, is an original investigation into the reasons behind a process, phenomenon or particular event. It focuses on generating knowledge around existing basic principles.

Basic research is generally considered ‘non-commercial research’ because it does not focus on solving practical problems, and has no immediate benefit or ways it can be applied.

While basic research may not have direct applications, it usually provides new insights that can later be used in applied research.

Applied Research

Applied research investigates well-known theories and principles in order to enhance knowledge around a practical aim. Because of this, applied research focuses on solving real-life problems by deriving knowledge which has an immediate application.

Methods of Research

Research methods for data collection fall into one of two categories: inductive methods or deductive methods.

Inductive research methods focus on the analysis of an observation and are usually associated with qualitative research. Deductive research methods focus on the verification of an observation and are typically associated with quantitative research.

Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is a method that enables non-numerical data collection through open-ended methods such as interviews, case studies and focus groups .

It enables researchers to collect data on personal experiences, feelings or behaviours, as well as the reasons behind them. Because of this, qualitative research is often used in fields such as social science, psychology and philosophy and other areas where it is useful to know the connection between what has occurred and why it has occurred.

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is a method that collects and analyses numerical data through statistical analysis.

It allows us to quantify variables, uncover relationships, and make generalisations across a larger population. As a result, quantitative research is often used in the natural and physical sciences such as engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, finance, and medical research, etc.

What does Research Involve?

Research often follows a systematic approach known as a Scientific Method, which is carried out using an hourglass model.

A research project first starts with a problem statement, or rather, the research purpose for engaging in the study. This can take the form of the ‘ scope of the study ’ or ‘ aims and objectives ’ of your research topic.

Subsequently, a literature review is carried out and a hypothesis is formed. The researcher then creates a research methodology and collects the data.

The data is then analysed using various statistical methods and the null hypothesis is either accepted or rejected.

In both cases, the study and its conclusion are officially written up as a report or research paper, and the researcher may also recommend lines of further questioning. The report or research paper is then shared with the wider research community, and the cycle begins all over again.

Although these steps outline the overall research process, keep in mind that research projects are highly dynamic and are therefore considered an iterative process with continued refinements and not a series of fixed stages.

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The term research instrument refers to any tool that you may use to collect, measure and analyse research data.

There are various types of research that are classified by objective, depth of study, analysed data and the time required to study the phenomenon etc.

Julia’s in her final year of her PhD at University College London. Her research is helping to better understand how Alzheimer’s disease arises, which could lead to new successful therapeutics.

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What is (good) practitioner research?

• Original Paper
• Published: 11 March 2016
• Volume 9 , pages 1–19, ( 2016 )

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• Hannu L. T. Heikkinen 1 ,
• Frank P.C.M. de Jong 2 &
• Ruben Vanderlinde 3  

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This special issue recognizes EAPRIL as being a platform for practitioner and practice-based research and by organizing the 10th annual conference for practitioner research on improving learning in education and professional practice. Papers in this conference and in this special issue are rooted in practice-based research or practitioner research. They reflect the popularity of practitioner research in vocational teacher education and in universities of applied sciences. Reason enough for the authors of the current paper to reflect on the question: “What is practitioner research?” And, more importantly what makes good practitioner research? Reviews show that people use broad interpretations of the concept, which requires that to clarify the epistemological basis of the relation between research and practice the reflections goes back to Aristotle philosophy. The latter, aiming at discovering what kind of knowledge is obtained, what purpose it serve, and how it differs. This yields a theoretical, and two practical kinds of knowledge. Although all three are relevant, the so called ‘ practitioner knowledge ’ (the prhonesis and the techne), need more attention in judging the ‘goodness’ of practitioner research. Five principles of validation are mentioned, e.g. the process of meaning making and negotiation, differing from the correspondence between knowledge and the outside world, e.g. validity. These principles provide a possible angle and sometimes researcher follow them implicitly and unconsciously. The articles in this special issue reflects the realisation of many of these principles within the individual studies. The current paper does not intent to give final answers, but rather to trigger a further conversation on the fundamental question of: What is good practitioner research?

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Hannu L. T. Heikkinen

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Heikkinen, H.L.T., de Jong, F.P. & Vanderlinde, R. What is (good) practitioner research?. Vocations and Learning 9 , 1–19 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12186-016-9153-8

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s12186-016-9153-8

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• What Is Action Research? | Definition & Examples

What Is Action Research? | Definition & Examples

Published on January 27, 2023 by Tegan George . Revised on January 12, 2024.

Table of contents

Types of action research, action research models, examples of action research, action research vs. traditional research, advantages and disadvantages of action research, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about action research.

There are 2 common types of action research: participatory action research and practical action research.

• Participatory action research emphasizes that participants should be members of the community being studied, empowering those directly affected by outcomes of said research. In this method, participants are effectively co-researchers, with their lived experiences considered formative to the research process.
• Practical action research focuses more on how research is conducted and is designed to address and solve specific issues.

Both types of action research are more focused on increasing the capacity and ability of future practitioners than contributing to a theoretical body of knowledge.

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Action research is often reflected in 3 action research models: operational (sometimes called technical), collaboration, and critical reflection.

• Operational (or technical) action research is usually visualized like a spiral following a series of steps, such as “planning → acting → observing → reflecting.”
• Collaboration action research is more community-based, focused on building a network of similar individuals (e.g., college professors in a given geographic area) and compiling learnings from iterated feedback cycles.
• Critical reflection action research serves to contextualize systemic processes that are already ongoing (e.g., working retroactively to analyze existing school systems by questioning why certain practices were put into place and developed the way they did).

Action research is often used in fields like education because of its iterative and flexible style.

After the information was collected, the students were asked where they thought ramps or other accessibility measures would be best utilized, and the suggestions were sent to school administrators. Example: Practical action research Science teachers at your city’s high school have been witnessing a year-over-year decline in standardized test scores in chemistry. In seeking the source of this issue, they studied how concepts are taught in depth, focusing on the methods, tools, and approaches used by each teacher.

Action research differs sharply from other types of research in that it seeks to produce actionable processes over the course of the research rather than contributing to existing knowledge or drawing conclusions from datasets. In this way, action research is formative , not summative , and is conducted in an ongoing, iterative way.

As such, action research is different in purpose, context, and significance and is a good fit for those seeking to implement systemic change.

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Action research comes with advantages and disadvantages.

• Action research is highly adaptable , allowing researchers to mold their analysis to their individual needs and implement practical individual-level changes.
• Action research provides an immediate and actionable path forward for solving entrenched issues, rather than suggesting complicated, longer-term solutions rooted in complex data.
• Done correctly, action research can be very empowering , informing social change and allowing participants to effect that change in ways meaningful to their communities.

Disadvantages

• Due to their flexibility, action research studies are plagued by very limited generalizability  and are very difficult to replicate . They are often not considered theoretically rigorous due to the power the researcher holds in drawing conclusions.
• Action research can be complicated to structure in an ethical manner . Participants may feel pressured to participate or to participate in a certain way.
• Action research is at high risk for research biases such as selection bias , social desirability bias , or other types of cognitive biases .

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Normal distribution
• Degrees of freedom
• Null hypothesis
• Discourse analysis
• Control groups
• Mixed methods research
• Non-probability sampling
• Quantitative research
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Research bias

• Rosenthal effect
• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Selection bias
• Negativity bias
• Status quo bias

Action research is conducted in order to solve a particular issue immediately, while case studies are often conducted over a longer period of time and focus more on observing and analyzing a particular ongoing phenomenon.

Action research is focused on solving a problem or informing individual and community-based knowledge in a way that impacts teaching, learning, and other related processes. It is less focused on contributing theoretical input, instead producing actionable input.

Action research is particularly popular with educators as a form of systematic inquiry because it prioritizes reflection and bridges the gap between theory and practice. Educators are able to simultaneously investigate an issue as they solve it, and the method is very iterative and flexible.

A cycle of inquiry is another name for action research . It is usually visualized in a spiral shape following a series of steps, such as “planning → acting → observing → reflecting.”

Sources in this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

George, T. (2024, January 12). What Is Action Research? | Definition & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 3, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/action-research/

Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2017). Research methods in education (8th edition). Routledge.

Naughton, G. M. (2001).  Action research (1st edition). Routledge.

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My first research experience: being open to the unexpected, by claire fresher, peer research ambassador.

Many things surprised me when I started my first research opportunity. I didn’t know what to expect. I had heard a few things from upperclassmen about their own experiences and had attended a couple presentations from OUR, which is what got me interested in research in the first place, but I had no idea what my personal research experience was going to be like.

Something I hadn’t expected was how many people there are in a research group to support you and how willing people are to help. When I started my research position, I was introduced to a graduate student that worked in the lab station right next to mine. She showed me around the lab space and set me up on my computer. She was always there to ask quick questions or help me with any problems I encountered, as were the other people using the lab space, even if they weren’t in my specific lab group.

After a few weeks, I was given a partner who was also an undergraduate and I was introduced to the other undergraduates in the lab who I met at our weekly lab meetings where I got to hear what everyone was working on. I personally loved having a partner who could help me on the specific project I was assigned since I didn’t want to interrupt the other people in the lab with every question I had when they had other similar projects they were working on.

There was definitely a learning curve when I first started since I had never seen anything like this before. I started with basic literature research and began getting a better look into the broad topic which made it easier to really dive into the specific project that I was working on. In the beginning the work seemed a little intimidating but once I got comfortable in the lab space and knew I had people that could help me it was a lot easier to really get going and get into the really interesting parts, which is actually discovering new and exciting things!

I think the most important thing that I went into research with was being open to anything, and not being set on one way of learning or doing things. This was beneficial since it allowed me to be able to learn something completely new and be open to doing things differently than I had done before.

Throughout the course of my research experience, I know that I have changed in many ways. I learned how to work independently, how to be more analytical in my work, and how to ask the important questions that led to new discoveries. Research really has taught me to be open to the unexpected, and even welcome it, since being open has made me into a better researcher and student.

Claire is a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Mathematics. Click here to learn more about Claire.

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Practical research: a basic outline for mid-level eye personnel

C patricia fathers.

Senior Lecturer, Health Promotion, School of Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University, Enfield EN3 4SA, UK.

Research plays an important role in the work of mid-level eye health personnel who want to provide the best possible care based on accurate and relevant evidence. For example, Isaac Baba, eye co-ordinator of Bawku Presbyterian Hospital in Ghana, describes a simple research exercise to understand and improve patient satisfaction with the eye care offered in the outpatient department. 1

Mid-level personnel might get involved in research in different ways:

• they can conduct research themselves
• they can assess the quality and usefulness of other people's research
• they can play an active role in large-scale multidisciplinary research projects.

Understanding the processes and methods of research is fundamental to each of the above.

What follows is a brief overview of the steps involved in research. Before embarking on a research project, you will need to consult and read research textbooks for more detailed descriptions and explanations.

Choosing a topic

The important question is: what do you want to find out? This will help you formulate your research question, the question your study will be designed to answer. You should also think about the amount of time you have for carrying out this research and whether you have any resources (including human resources) that may assist you with this work. Be realistic.

Choosing the title

Research projects need a descriptive title, which should be as clear as possible. When other eye care practitioners or researchers look at what research has been done, the project title helps them decide whether they want to read about it. Consider your title a ‘work in progress’ until the project is finished: you may find that you need to change the title as your thinking evolves.

Reviewing the literature

It can be a challenge to discover what other people have written about a topic. If possible, find and visit a resource centre or a library. If you have access to the internet, there are a number of ways to search for relevant literature. 2 , 3

A literature review should help to give you a context for your planned research. This means looking at the existing literature on your research area to find out what has already been written about your chosen topic.

Interviewing hospital-based counsellors about patient needs. INDIA

Plan your literature review. This can be divided into three areas: defining your topic, selecting relevant keywords, and setting limits to your search. You can do the last by deciding, for example, how far back in time you wish to start the search, or by limiting the geographical location (e.g. using only studies done in a particular region).

In reviewing the literature, a researcher is required to read with a critical eye. Were there any limitations to previous work, or any mistakes? What did the research conclude? Were there useful recommendations?

If you are to do a careful review, you must systematically organise the literature you find. Make sure you record exact references on cards, in a notebook, or in a dedicated, computerised reference database. Note the name of the author(s) and the year of publication. If it is a book, record any editor(s), the title of the book, the edition, the chapter, and the publisher. If it is a journal, record the title of the journal article, the name of the journal, and the volume and page numbers. Later, when you write up your report, you will have the exact reference details at hand. This will help you avoid making mistakes or rushing back to the library for a last-minute check.

Designing the study

The question your research aims to answer will determine how your study should be designed (the methodology) and what methods you should use to collect your data. This is a very important part of the research process and has to be considered at the very beginning of the planning stage.

For example, if you wanted to find out whether patients were satisfied with their care, you might randomly select patients on discharge from hospital or in follow-up clinics and interview them with the help of a questionnaire or data collection form (an example of a quantitative method).

If you wanted to find out how you could help patients cope better with instilling their own eye drops, you would choose a different approach. In this case, you could hold focus groups where patients can discuss the difficulties they have experienced, or you could do an observational study of patients instilling the drops.

These examples are by no means complete, but they illustrate the need to think carefully about the correct methods for your study.

Methods should be chosen to ensure that:

• you are efficient and practical
• you collect the best evidence to support, or disprove, the case you are researching
• you conform to the ethical considerations of the project when collecting evidence from people.

Writing the research proposal

It is important to gain approval to conduct your research. Write clearly and accurately about what exactly you aim to achieve and how you intend to do this. You will also need to consider who should supervise your work, so the proposal should indicate what expertise your supervisor should have.

Ethical issues

It is essential to find out about local ethics committees and their rules for conducting research, and to gain ethical approval for your study before you start.

It is important to remember the following:

• patients must not be subjected to badly designed research
• patients have the right to confidentiality and autonomy
• patients must not be forced into participating in research
• patients must be given clear explanations in order for you to obtain their informed consent. 4 , 5

Obtain the approval of the officer, nurse and/or medical consultant in charge of your department; it is only courteous to do so. This should also help to avoid a clash between your research and another project already being conducted in the department.

A research assistant runs a focus group discussion on traditional treatments of children's eye conditions. GHANA

Collecting and analysing data

A great deal of preparation has to be carried out before you set off into the field (where the study is to take place) to collect your data. You may have to negotiate your access to the field and work to gain everyone's confidence.

You only have one opportunity to collect the data, so be careful and keep good and accurate records. You run the risk of introducing bias if you rely on your memory to fill in any gaps.

It is a good idea to run a pilot study; this is a smaller version or ‘practice run’ of what will eventually become the main study. Doing so will help identify practical obstacles or problems with your design.

Data analysis follows on from data collection. Depending on the methods used, data analysis will explain the findings in a numerical (quantitative) way, in an interpretive (qualitative) way, or in a combination of these two ways.

Reporting your findings

Whatever the circumstances, you will have to produce a dissertation or written report. Many institutions provide clear guidelines as to how this should be done. You can disseminate your research findings by giving a presentation or by submitting the research to a journal. All journals provide guidelines about how to prepare articles. These will give the length required and the referencing system used.

The development of human resources, as part of the VISION 2020 initiative, should include opportunities for mid-level personnel to develop awareness of research, particularly with regard to patient perceptions and satisfaction. Courses and workshops should also consider including research-based approaches to improve patient care.

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Why Heart Disease Research Still Favors Men

Published in partnership with The Fuller Project , a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to the coverage of women’s issues around the world.

Katherine Fitzgerald had just arrived at the party. Before she could even get a drink, she threw up and broke out in a sweat. “I was dizzy. I couldn’t breathe. I had heart pain,” Fitzgerald says.

She knew she was having a heart attack.

What she didn’t know then was that the heart attack could have been prevented. Fitzgerald, a health-conscious, exercise-loving lawyer, should have been taking statin drugs to stop the buildup of plaque in her arteries that caused the heart attack and two others that followed.

Fitzgerald’s case illustrates a dangerous gap in medical care between men and women. While they are equally likely to suffer heart attacks, women are more likely to die from theirs. It’s one of the many symptoms of the medical system’s neglect of women .

Life-saving statins, like so many other medications, have been developed based on clinical trials that primarily recruited men. As a result, many women like Fitzgerald don’t receive prescriptions for the drugs that could help them the most, says Dr. Laxmi Mehta, director of Preventative Cardiology and Women’s Cardiovascular Health at The Ohio State University.

“There were a lot of trials. But women weren’t included as much,” says Mehta, who serves on the American Heart Association’s Research Goes Red Science Advisory Group. When women need treatment for heart conditions, she says, “we are assuming we are providing the best care based on data from men.”

Read More : What It Means if You Have Borderline High Cholesterol—And What to Do About It

More than 30 years ago, Congress directed the National Institutes of Health to include as many women as men in clinical trials. But while some progress has been made, equity remains elusive. And that’s dangerous for women. “Since 2000, women in the United States have reported total adverse events from approved medicines 52% more frequently than men, and serious or fatal events 36% more frequently,” research firm McKinsey & Company said in a report released in January .

Now, the Biden administration is taking a run at it.

Last year, the administration established a White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research and, in February, it announced it would be dedicating $100 million to the newly formed Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to spearhead efforts to increase early stage research focusing on women.

“For far too long, scientific and biomedical research excluded women and undervalued the study of women’s health. The resulting research gaps mean that we know far too little about women’s health across women’s lifespans, and those gaps are even more prominent for women of color, older women, and women with disabilities,” Biden said in an executive order signed in March.

Heart disease should be a bright spot in this black hole of medical research. It was the recognition in the 1980s that heart disease was killing women at similar rates to men that kickstarted passage of the 1993 law requiring equity in clinical trials. The American Heart Association has spent decades funding research and leading awareness campaigns about women’s risks.

But gaps persist, says Dr. Martha Gulati, president of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology and a cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. “We don’t get represented in trials,” Gulati told a seminar sponsored by the Society for Women’s Health Research in February.

Read More : Why Are So Many Young People Getting Cancer?

One example: Dr. Safi Khan of West Virginia University and colleagues reviewed 60 trials of cholesterol-lowering drugs conducted between 1990 and 2018. Not even a third of the people enrolled—28.5%—were women, they reported in JAMA Network Open in 2020. The trials’ findings likely did not accurately represent the public as a whole, they say.

“Medical research is several steps behind on women and heart disease, and that is a major contributor to ongoing ignorance about the problem on the part of both the public and a range of medical professionals,” says Dr. Harmony Reynolds, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Health. “Everywhere along the way, there is different treatment for women, and there is some bias there.”

Statins have been widely described as wonder drugs , lowering the risk of major heart events such as heart attack or stroke by about 25% . Women are less likely than men to be offered these drugs . And when they do take them, women are more likely to stop using them because of perceived side effects. But no major study digs into the actual rate of side effects among females, or what might lie behind such differences.

Further studies might uncover additional benefits, says Dr. JoAnn Manson, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. There are hints that statins might lower a woman’s risk of dying from cancer , including ovarian cancer.

Failure of recognition

Fitzgerald was 60, had higher-than-optimal blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and a family history of heart disease, says Reynolds, Fitzgerald’s new cardiologist. “Katherine had multiple risk factors. Many of my patients are told their blood pressure and cholesterol are ‘borderline’ when really they should be treated,” she says.

Doctors often blame women for failing to recognize their own heart disease symptoms, but the evidence shows medical professionals miss them, too. 

The symptoms of heart attacks in men are widely known: crushing chest pain, a telling sensation in the left arm, or sudden collapse. Women, on the other hand, often feel nausea, jaw pain, or lightheadedness,

Fitzgerald did recognize her symptoms. At the party where she suffered her first heart attack, she begged for an ambulance. But other guests, including a physician friend, said they didn’t think she needed medical attention.

When paramedics finally arrived, they, too, dismissed her fears and diagnosed a panic attack. They sent her home. “If I had been a man, there is no way the paramedic wouldn’t have taken me to the hospital and I wouldn’t be in the mess I am now,” Fitzgerald says.

Fitzgerald waited two days to visit an emergency room. By then, some of her heart muscle had died. She received two stents to hold open clogged arteries, but suffered two more heart attacks in the following months. She now stays out of the courtroom and sticks to less-stressful desk work.

“I take care of all these young women with heart attacks and I hear so many stories about people saying they were ignored,” says Reynolds.

Waiting for attention

The problem is not just anecdotal. Reynolds and colleagues studied the problem by looking at more than 29 million emergency room visits by people under 55 reporting chest pain. 

“In that study we show young women coming in with chest pains and they are waiting longer to be seen,” Reynolds says. “The women are waiting too long and women of color were waiting even longer. So we know there is some subtle bias there.”

Read More : What the Science Says About the Health Benefits of Vitamins and Supplements

Doctors can use risk calculators to try to forecast a patient’s future likelihood of heart disease and treat accordingly. But Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director of the Menopause Society , says they do not work well for women.

“That is because we are still using those that were developed and made for men,” says Faubion, who is also director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health in Jacksonville, Florida.

Women have many specific heart risks. They have smaller coronary arteries , thinner heart walls, and suffer more heart damage from diabetes. Pregnancy can raise risks in various ways. Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis also add heart disease risks, and women are far more likely than men to have these conditions. 

Women who start menstruation early, or who reach menopause early, have higher heart disease rates. Birth control pills can raise the risk for blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks.

Perhaps the most recent instance of women being left out of heart disease research can be seen in the trials of highly popular diabetes drugs such as semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy .

The drugs cause dramatic weight loss, which made researchers wonder if they might lower heart disease rates, too. They do, according to several studies , and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now approves their use to prevent heart disease.

But none of the weight-loss trials, published in prestigious medical journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association , break out separate data on men and women. And while the weight-loss studies did include far more women than men, many of the follow-on heart disease trials did not.

“They report the sex. They report ‘we have this many men, this many women,’” says Faubion. “They didn’t disaggregate the data on sex so they don’t know if it works better, the same, or worse in women than it did in men.”

Dr. Robert Kushner, a professor of medicine at Northwestern University who led some of the weight-loss studies, says he was surprised at the discrepancy between the enrollment of women in the obesity trials of semaglutide—in which about three-quarters of volunteers were women—and in the heart disease trials, in which women represented fewer than 28% of participants.

He says researchers recruited people already being treated for heart disease. “Predominantly, the ones who are getting care and being seen around the world were men,” Kushner says.

Kushner says he has yet to analyze results in his trial of semaglutide and weight loss by sex.

Missing out on breakthroughs

Harvard Medical School’s Manson has been sounding the alarm on discrepancies in medical research for decades.

“Raising more questions is what leads to the major breakthroughs,” she says.

Yet she has been mostly ignored, even though she helped lead the largest-ever study looking specifically at women’s health—the Women’s Health Initiative, which involved more than 160,000 women over 15 years.

The study was initially designed to see if hormone therapy in women past menopause could reduce their rising rates of heart disease and breast cancer. It also later looked for evidence of effects on bone strength, other cancers, dementia and quality of life.

The first results were startling. The hormone therapy used in the trial raised the risk of breast cancer and failed to reduce heart disease.

Read More : Menopause Is Finally Going Mainstream

“Many clinicians stopped prescribing hormone therapy altogether. Many women tossed their pills and patches,” Manson says. When the trial started, an estimated 40% of menopausal women used hormone therapy. Now, Manson estimates, only about 4% do.

The study has since been shown to have been flawed. The average age of the women in the study was 63—well past menopause. And the hormone therapy used was a high-dose hormone distilled from horse estrogens.

Later studies have indicated that lower doses and different formulations such as patches, given to women as they start menopause, may be much less harmful while reducing hot flashes, sleep loss and other symptoms. “These formulations don’t go to the liver and should be safer,” Manson says. There’s also tantalizing evidence they may lower the risk of heart disease.

Meanwhile, the lack of data means that many women who would benefit from hormone therapy are not getting it, says Faubion. 

Back in 1993, it took the considerable efforts of Dr. Bernadine Healy, the first female director of the NIH, to persuade Congress to directly fund medical research on women and heart disease.

“They are just not going to do that again. It’s too expensive,” says Faubion.

Biden asked Congress for $12 billion to improve research planning and to set up a network of research centers to focus on women’s health. And NIH has encouraged requests for money to study women in particular.

But when Congress passed a last-minute spending bill in March, it kept health funding flat . The Republican-led House did not address Biden's request or allocate any cash for additional research into women's health.

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Seroquel (Quetiapine) for Sleep? Here’s What You Need to Know

Seroquel for sleep, seroquel dosage for sleep, how to take seroquel safely, side effects with seroquel, are there alternatives to seroquel for sleep.

Seroquel (quetiapine) is a second-generation (or atypical) antipsychotic or a drug used to treat certain mood disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder .

While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve Seroquel for helping with sleep or treating insomnia , it is sometimes used off-label for this purpose. In clinical trials, Seroquel caused somnolence, or sleepiness, as a side effect in up to 57% of people.

This article will discuss the off-label use of Seroquel for sleep problems, including how it's used, dosage, side effects, and other treatments for insomnia.

Getty Images / Bloomberg  / Contributor

The FDA approved Seroquel (quetiapine) to treat:

• Schizophrenia in adults and adolescents 13-17 years of age
• Bipolar I disorder manic episodes, as the only treatment or in addition to other agents like lithium or Depakote (divalproex)
• Bipolar disorder depressive episodes

Sleepiness is a common side effect of the medication, so it may be helpful for those already taking it for a mental health condition who have trouble sleeping. Moreover, it may also improve sleep by relieving symptoms of the underlying condition.

However, it had not been approved to treat primary insomnia , a condition characterized by sleeping difficulties that aren't caused by medical or psychological reasons. Still, it is sometimes prescribed off-label in low doses for sleep problems.

What Is "Off-Label" Use?

When a healthcare provider uses an FDA-approved drug for an unapproved use, that use is considered off-label. When the FDA approves a drug for any use, they deem it safe for its intended uses. This doesn’t mean that the drug has no side effects but that its benefits outweigh the risks based on clinical trials. However, providers can use their medical expertise to prescribe FDA-approved drugs for unapproved uses. This occurs if they determine that the drug is medically appropriate for you. They may do this because another drug is unavailable or you have tried other medications that have not worked.

Research on Seroquel for Insomnia

Sleepiness is a well-documented side effect of Seroquel in clinical trials. However, there is not enough information to recommend it as a sleep aid.

This is because the studies cannot distinguish between improved sleep as a result of treating the mental health condition or as a direct result of the drug.

Despite its growing popularity for off-label use, limited studies have been conducted to determine Seroquel's effectiveness in treating insomnia or improving sleep in otherwise healthy individuals.

One study evaluated the sleep quality of 14 healthy males over three nights in a row. They were treated with either a placebo, 25 milligrams (mg) of Seroquel, or 100 mg of Seroquel taken one hour before sleep.

According to the results, both doses of Seroquel significantly improved sleep quality, initiation, and duration.

Another study included just 13 people who received a placebo or 25 mg of Seroquel every night for two weeks. Trends were observed in the Seroquel group for improved sleep but were not considered statistically significant results, meaning it's possible the results occurred due to chance.

A couple more trials have been done that did not provide sufficient data to recommend Seroquel for the treatment of primary insomnia.

A Word From Verywell

Seroquel should only be used if other non-medication options have been thoroughly tried and failed. It should be used as an aid and not a permanent solution. When used appropriately and with monitoring from your healthcare provider, it can be a good agent to try before benzodiazepines or Z-drugs, even preferred.

The recommended dosage for Seroquel typically ranges from 100 mg to 800 mg per day, depending on the indication.

The most common doses of Seroquel used in clinical trials ranged from 25 mg to 300 mg once daily before bed. Some clinical trials recommend a starting dosage range from 50 mg to 150 mg per day.

Higher doses of Seroquel are associated with a higher risk of side effects, but even lower doses have been associated with side effects such as weight gain and increased triglyceride levels.

There is also a concern for people 65 years and older taking antipsychotic medications. Older people may experience more side effects and should start with a lower dose of Seroquel.

Due to its sleep-promoting effects, avoid driving or other activities requiring focus or alertness after taking Seroquel until you know exactly how it will affect you.

For your first dose, try taking it at night when you don't have to be awake too early the next day. This is because it can cause grogginess in the morning.

Before taking Seroquel, have your blood sugar and lipid levels checked by a healthcare provider. You should also let your prescriber know if you have high or low blood pressure, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, and any blood abnormalities like low white blood cell count.

It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Seroquel, as it has the potential to worsen some side effects.

If you need to stop Seroquel, talk with your healthcare provider first. If you stop taking it suddenly, you may have a greater chance of side effects like trouble sleeping, nausea, and vomiting.

Does Seroquel Have a Potential for Abuse?

Seroquel is not known to cause euphoric effects, but it may still be abused. It is sometimes added to other illegal substances or street drugs in an attempt to enhance them or to counter some of their side effects.

The risk of abuse or misuse of Seroquel is not as high as other drugs that are often used to treat insomnia, such as benzodiazepines or Z-drugs, but the risk of abuse should be weighed based on individual factors like past abuse or misuse of other drugs or addictive personalities .

What Are "Z-Drugs?"

Z-drugs refer to a group of nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic medications approved to treat insomnia, known as:

• Lunesta (eszopiclone)
• Sonata (zaleplon)
• Ambien (zolpidem)

Can Seroquel Cause Rebound Insomnia?

Seroquel, along with other antipsychotic drugs, may cause withdrawal symptoms, including rebound insomnia when you stop taking them. Rebound insomnia can sometimes be even worse than the insomnia you had before you started taking the medication.

This is why it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider before stopping Seroquel. It should be tapered slowly, meaning the dose you’re taking slowly gets decreased.

Seroquel tends to cause a wide range of side effects involving multiple systems in the body. This is a large part of why it is not the ideal drug for people who have insomnia without the presence of additional conditions that Seroquel is approved or used more often to treat.

Potential side effects include:

• Constipation
• Metabolic changes such as high blood sugar, high lipid levels, and weight gain
• Tardive dyskinesia , involuntary movements of facial muscles
• Hypotension or low blood pressure
• Blood cell effects such as leukopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis 
• QT prolongation, which may make heart issues such as arrhythmias more likely to develop
• Hypothyroidism
• Potential for cognitive and motor impairment

Before taking medication, you should try to practice the best possible sleep hygiene or sleep habits, which can help improve your insomnia. Some examples include:

• Maintain a consistent sleep and wake schedule
• Engage in regular exercise
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, heavy meals, and excessive light exposure late in the day
• Try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

There are some herbal remedies and dietary supplements that may also help you sleep. However, they should be used with caution. Some herbal agents interact with other herbals and prescription medications, so please make sure your healthcare provider knows all the herbal or dietary supplements and medications you take.

Herbal products are also not regulated by the FDA and may have variable quality control processes upon manufacturing, which may result in inconsistent and unpredictable effectiveness.

Some options to look into that could potentially help include:

• Passionflower
• California poppy
• Saffron extract

Melatonin supplements , which contain a synthetic form of the naturally occurring sleep hormone your body produces in response to darkness, are commonly used as a sleep aid. However, data does not support their use for treating insomnia.

Finally, some medications that are either approved for sleep or are sometimes used off-label to help with sleep include:

• Z drugs such as eszopiclone, Sonata (zaleplon), and Ambien (zolpidem) , which can be habit-forming and carry a moderate abuse potential
• Benzodiazepines, which also have a high abuse risk and are highly addictive
• Trazodone , a miscellaneous antidepressant
• Rozerem (ramelteon), a melatonin receptor agonist
• Belsomra (suvorexant), a dual orexin receptor antagonist

While Seroquel often causes sleepiness, it is not a sleeping pill. There isn't enough evidence to recommend its use for treating primary insomnia. Still, it is sometimes prescribed off-label for sleeping problems, although it's not the best choice for everyone.

Additionally, Seroquel doesn't come without risks, as it has a broad side effect profile. These include metabolic, heart, and hematologic (blood) effects.

Seroquel may be helpful if it treats the underlying condition affecting your sleep. Otherwise, other options are available to help with sleep problems if you have insomnia and are otherwise healthy.

If you struggle with insomnia but can’t figure out the cause of your sleep issues, talk with your healthcare provider about other available interventions for improvement.

Food and Drug Administration. Seroquel prescribing information .

Anderson SL, Vande Griend JP. Quetiapine for insomnia: a review of the literature . Am J Health Syst Pharm . 2014;71(5):394-402. doi:10.2146/ajhp130221.

Modesto-Lowe V, Harabasz AK, Walker SA. Quetiapine for primary insomnia: consider the risks . Cleve Clin J Med . 2021;88(5):286-294. doi:10.3949/ccjm.88a.20031

Cohrs S, Rodenbeck A, Guan Z, et al. Sleep-promoting properties of quetiapine in healthy subjects . Psychopharmacology (Berl) . 2004;174(3):421-429.

Tassniyom K, Paholpak S, Tassniyom S, Kiewyoo J. Quetiapine for primary insomnia: a double blind, randomized controlled trial . J Med Assoc Thai . 2010;93(6):729-734.

Lin CY, Chiang CH, Tseng MM, et al. Effects of quetiapine on sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials . Eur Neuropsychopharmacol . 2023;67:22-36. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.11.008

Højlund M, Andersen K, Ernst MT, et al. Use of low-dose quetiapine increases the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events: results from a nationwide active comparator-controlled cohort study . World Psychiatry . 2022;21(3):444-451. doi:10.1002/wps.21010

Brandt J, Leong C. Benzodiazepines and z-drugs: an updated review of major adverse outcomes reported on in epidemiologic research . Drugs R D . 2017;17(4):493-507. doi:10.1007/s40268-017-0207-7

Cosci F, Chouinard G. Acute and persistent withdrawal syndromes following discontinuation of psychotropic medications . Psychother Psychosom . 2020;89(5):283-306. doi:10.1159/000506868

Liu L, Liu C, Wang Y, et al. Herbal medicine for anxiety, depression and insomnia . Curr Neuropharmacol . 2015;13(4):481-493. doi:10.2174/1570159X1304150831122734

National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Melatonin: what you need to know .

Bollu PC, Kaur H. Sleep medicine: insomnia and sleep . Mo Med . 2019;116(1):68-75.

By Sara Hoffman, PharmD Hoffman is a Kansas-based clinical pharmacist with experience working in hospitals, specialty clinics, and community pharmacies.

Is HR ready for generative AI? New data says there's a lot of work to do

Generative AI is the technology that IT feels most pressure to exploit, but nine out of 10 IT organizations can't support the growing demand for AI-related projects. Research shows that C-suite executives are the #1 influencers demanding quick generative AI implementation, ahead of other stakeholders. Nearly 3 in 5 IT professionals say business stakeholders hold unreasonable expectations on the speed and agility of new technology implementations. And 88% of IT professionals claim they can't support the deluge of AI-related requests they receive at their organization.

Businesses of all sizes, including small businesses , are now tasked with implementing AI solutions. As companies grow in size, the technical challenges also grow in size, including integration and data silos, preventing companies from accelerating their AI deployment plans. 90% of IT leaders say it's tough to integrate AI with other systems .

The pressure for businesses to adopt and use AI is not exclusive to IT departments. There is also heavy pressure on businesses to redefine and develop new policies regarding how their employees can use generative AI solutions. Now more than ever, Human Resources professionals are being tasked with defining their company's AI usage policies.

Also:  What is generative AI and why is it so popular? Here's everything you need to know

To better understand the issues facing HR leaders as they address the potential introduction of AI into the enterprise, Valoir conducted a global study of more than 150 HR executives worldwide, including leaders from a broad range of industries and company sizes. Here are the key findings of Valoir's study:

• The biggest opportunities for HR to benefit from AI today are in recruiting, learning and development, and talent management – but these are also the areas that pose the most risk.
• Nearly 25% of organizations have adopted some form of generative AI for recruiting today, making it the leading area for AI adoption to date – and an additional 30% plan to adopt it in the next 24 months, making it by far the most adopted application of AI in HR today.
• HR leaders believe the main hurdles to AI adoption are a lack of AI expertise (26%), fear of compliance and risk (23%), and lack of resources or funding (21%).

The potential risks for AI in HR are rooted in a lack of trust and potential bias in AI delivering recommendations or suggestions based on models that may have been unintentionally trained on datasets that reinforce biases. Core HR functions could also be impacted by data compromises, AI hallucinations, bias, and toxicity. The common theme across all these areas of potential risk is the human steps that can mitigate them.

AI adoption in HR is on the rise. Valoir research found that 50% of organizations are either currently using or planning to apply AI to recruiting challenges in the next 24 months, followed closely by talent management and training and development.

Valoir also found that only 16% of organizations have a policy on using generative AI, and even fewer have a policy on ethically using AI. Only 14% of organizations have a training policy in place for the effective use of AI and only 8% of organizations have a training development program in place for workers whose jobs could be replaced by AI.  

Also:  Generative AI on its own will not improve the customer experience

Valoir recommends that HR leaders not only select vendors and technologies that can be trusted, but put in place the appropriate policies, procedures, safeguards, and training for both HR staff and the broader employee population. HR departments will need to consider how they communicate those policies and training to both their internal HR teams and the broader population. 

2023 was the year of generative AI research, exploration, and discovery. 2024 is the year of adoption. HR can play a significant role in ensuring the successful adoption of AI in business, but trust is critical. HR's role as both data steward and policy implementer puts it at the cornerstone of every organization's ability to maximize AI's potential benefits.

AI taking on more work doesn't mean it replaces you. Here are 12 reasons to worry less

What is ai everything to know about artificial intelligence, openai makes it easier for developers to fine-tune and build ai models.

Upgrading Windows at Home: 6 Practical Tips to Help You

W indows are the eyes of a home, throwing light on our interior spaces while connecting us to the world outside. However, as with any aspect of our living spaces, they can become outdated, inefficient, or unsuitable for our evolving needs. Upgrading windows can be a significant investment, but the benefits – from increased home value to better energy efficiency – can make it all worthwhile. This post will guide you through the window upgrade process, providing six practical tips to ensure your project runs smoothly and successfully.

1. Hire a Professional Contractor

When installing new windows, the importance of hiring a reputable professional contractor cannot be overstated. A skilled contractor will ensure that your window replacements are installed correctly, adhering to manufacturers' specifications and local building codes, which is essential for maximizing the longevity and performance of your windows. They can also offer valuable advice on the best materials and styles suited to your home's architectural design and personal preferences.

Many contractors offer work guarantees for added peace of mind if issues arise post-installation. Research thoroughly, read reviews, and request references to choose a professional with a strong record of quality installations. This crucial step transforms your window upgrade project from vision to reality, enhancing your home's beauty and energy efficiency for years.

2. Take an Audit of Your Current Windows

Before making any decisions about replacements or upgrades, assessing your existing windows thoroughly is crucial. Check for signs of wear and tear, such as draftiness, difficulty opening or closing, and visible damage like cracks or rotting frames. Consider the performance of your current windows regarding energy efficiency; older windows often lack the insulation properties of modern designs, leading to higher heating and cooling costs.

Evaluate the aesthetic fit of your windows with the overall design of your home, as well as their functionality in providing adequate ventilation and natural light. This audit will help you identify the specific issues that need addressing and prioritize your needs and preferences, guiding your choices in the vast market of window options. Armed with this information, you'll be better prepared to make informed decisions that enhance your home's comfort, appearance, and value.

3. Set a Budget and Stick to It

Window replacements can range from a few hundred dollars for a basic vinyl window to thousands of dollars for custom-made, high-end options. Therefore, it's crucial to establish a budget before starting the project and stick to it throughout. Consider not only the cost of windows but also installation fees, any necessary repairs or modifications, and potential additional expenses like window treatments or hardware.

It's also prudent to allocate a contingency fund for unforeseen expenses, ensuring your project isn't derailed by unexpected costs. Researching available rebates or incentives for energy-efficient upgrades in your area can further stretch your budget. Ultimately, a well-planned budget keeps your project on track while helping you balance desire and feasibility.

4. Research Window Materials and Styles

Choosing the right materials and styles for your windows is critical for aesthetics and functionality. Modern windows are available in various materials, including vinyl, wood, fiberglass, and aluminum, each offering distinct advantages and limitations. Vinyl windows, for instance, are known for their affordability and low maintenance, while wood windows offer timeless beauty and excellent insulation properties.

Fiberglass windows offer durability and energy efficiency, though at a premium. Style options range from classic double-hung to modern casement or sliding windows, allowing for personalization. Consider your home's architecture and need to choose the right window upgrade.

5. Consider Energy Efficiency

Window type, installation, and sealing impact heat loss and gain. Opt for high-performance ENERGY STAR-certified windows meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines. Features like low-E glass coatings, argon gas fills, and double or triple glazing minimize heat transfer, ensuring year-round home comfort.

Proper insulation and installation are vital to maximize energy savings with new windows. Investing in energy-efficient windows may have higher upfront costs, but long-term utility bill savings and positive environmental impact make it worthwhile. Consult a professional for windows that suit your energy needs and climate.

6. Don't Forget about Permits and Regulations

Before starting a big renovation project, check local authorities for required permits and regulations. Regions vary in window replacement rules, so confirm your area's guidelines first. Permits guarantee safety code compliance and shield from future legal problems.

In some cases, permits may also be necessary to maintain your home's insurance coverage. Take the time to research and understand any applicable regulations and the process of obtaining permits before starting the project. This step will save you from costly fines or delays in completing your window replacement project.

Upgrading your home's windows is an important task that can significantly enhance your living experience. Following these six practical tips ensures that your window upgrade is a positive addition to your home. A well-planned window upgrade enhances your living space while improving energy efficiency, comfort, and home value. Plan and execute the project thoughtfully for the lasting enjoyment of the new view from your windows.

The post Upgrading Windows at Home: 6 Practical Tips to Help You appeared first on Sunny Sweet Days .

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Teaching with ai — what you need to know.

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Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning

José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson are here to help faculty learn how to teaching in the era of AI, and how to ensure that students are learning. In their new book Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning , the authors argue that just as the internet changed “our relationship with knowledge, AI is going to change our relationship with thinking.” Although Bowen and Watson embrace AI and urge us not to be afraid, they encourage us to think about the restrictions, ethical standards, and policies that we need to put in place to ensure that we are in control and that misinformation does not run wild.

Teaching with AI is a short, very practical book that I found engaging and useful as a professor. The authors work hard to calm us down a bit, noting that we are already using AI extensively — from the predictions that Netflix makes for us based on our viewing history, to the products Amazon recommends for us based on past purchases, to the chatbots that help us when we purchase our airline tickets.

Although Bowen and Watson acknowledge that AI can, and has already led to inequities, they also believe that it can be a “tool for equity.” Specifically, they write, “AI can provide more feedback to improve learning, increase human creativity, and customize materials for groups or individual students.”

The authors also note that AI can be used for cheating, but that faculty should understand the nuances of AI’s use by students, and not assume that all use is a form of cheating. According to a 2023 survey conducted by Bestcolleges.com , 43% of colleges students have used ChatGPT or a similar AI application. The survey also found that 51% of students believed that using AI tools constitutes cheating or plagiarism. Of the students Bowen and Watson interviewed, 100% said they were using AI in their courses, but when asked about AI use on surveys — that implied something along the lines of cheating — students were less inclined to admit using AI. Bowen and Watson remind us that students don’t like admitting to cheating or “questionable or embarrassing practices.”

Teaching with AI is organized in a very helpful manner. The authors begin with a foundational discussion about what AI is and how it works, including key terms that are important to know when discussing the movement. They include a chapter related to “the world of work” and how it is changing due to AI. They believe AI will eliminate some jobs, but more likely change most jobs. Other chapters focus on topics such as how to present a problem to AI (i.e., creating prompts), how to partner with AI to be more creative, how faculty can use AI to bolster their teaching, and how to identify cheating with AI and what to do when it happens.

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With regard to cheating, which is a topic that is likely on the mind of faculty, Bowen and Watson draw on research related to AI-detection. Their advice: “Understanding cheating is essential not because [AI] detectors will eliminate it, but so we can redesign assignments that will make cheating less rewarding and useful while also improving learning. If students are collaborating with AI to produce better work, they may be on to something. What we call cheating, businesses see as innovation.” Of note, Bowen and Watson warn faculty that AI detection is “not foolproof, and it cannot be your only policy” regarding AI-related cheating. They warn that being too aggressive about AI-related cheating detection with students could “exacerbate student mental health issues on your campus and create a culture of fear regarding false accusations of cheating.”

Most useful to faculty, is the chapter related to policies and grading. The authors suggest policies (even co-creating policies with students) and grading approaches that assume the use of AI and raise expectations. The balance of the book offers sample assignments, and examples that faculty can build upon, and encourages us to try new things, grow ourselves, experiment with AI collaborations and open our minds to the future.

Bowen and Watson are supporters of AI, but they urge faculty to teach critical thinking and ensure that students understand what high quality research, writing, and thinking is, and why it is superior to the work produced by AI alone.

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Contribute to NASA Research on Eclipse Day – and Every Day

NASA is celebrating the Sun during the Heliophysics Big Year , which extends through the end of 2024. You can get involved to help us learn more about our star and its influence on our planet. With exciting experiments happening during the total solar eclipse that will cross North America on April 8, to widespread investigations going on throughout the year, keep reading to find a project that's right for you.

What Is Citizen Science (Also Called Participatory Science)?

NASA defines citizen science as “a form of open collaboration in which individuals or organizations participate in the scientific process in various ways” from collecting and analyzing data to making discoveries and solving problems. ”Citizen” here refers to citizens of planet Earth, and these projects are open to everyone, regardless of country of birth or legal citizenship status.

NASA sponsors citizen science projects across all five areas of research that it pursues: Earth science, planetary science, astrophysics, biological and physical sciences, and heliophysics. And yes, there are a few projects that are focused on the April 8 solar eclipse!

What You Can Do

Depending which project you join, you might:

• Observe and record in pictures or words natural phenomena like clouds, animal noises, or a solar eclipse.
• Learn how to recognize or classify patterns in data or pictures of a comet or solar jet.
• Learn how to build and use scientific equipment like radio telescopes or ham radios.

Your contribution may be a large or small piece of the picture, but what you do as part of a NASA citizen science project is essential to answering the research question or need that the project addresses. And while you’re contributing to science, you might also develop new skills and make friends. You can read about some project participants – and what motivates them – in these profiles .

The Projects

NASA citizen science projects related to the April 8, 2024, eclipse and solar science are presented in four groups below. You can see all NASA citizen science projects on this website .

Use the tables below to find the project for you! A few notes:

• “ Minimum time required ” refers to how much time it would take you to get up to speed from the start.
• “ Where ” refers to where you need to be in order to participate.

Are you an educator looking for ways to involve your formal or informal students in eclipse-related science? Check out this companion blog post for some tips for educators.

Eclipse Projects That Need You on April 8!

Quick-start projects that require no special equipment, more demanding projects that require special equipment, heliophysics projects that you can do anytime, quick-start projects, no special equipment required, advanced participation.

Many NASA citizen science projects start out with a straightforward, structured task, but that doesn’t have to be where your contributions end. Some projects offer webinars or host regular video conference calls where enthusiastic volunteers can learn about and participate in the work that comes after data collection or classification. Hundreds of volunteers have become involved in deep ways. Over 450 volunteers have even been recognized for their contributions by being named as co-authors of scientific papers, which are the formal way in which scientists announce new discoveries and ideas.

By Sarah Kirn Citizen Science Strategist, NASA, at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Related Terms

• 2024 Solar Eclipse
• Citizen Science
• Skywatching
• Solar Eclipses

Explore More

Harnessing the 2024 Eclipse for Ionospheric Discovery with HamSCI

Scientists Pursue the Total Solar Eclipse with NASA Jet Planes

NASA Partnerships Bring 2024 Total Solar Eclipse to Everyone

On Monday, April 8, NASA and its partners will celebrate the wonders of the total solar eclipse as it passes over North America, with the path of totality in the United States, from Kerrville, Texas, to Houlton, Maine.

Energy & Environmental Science

Zinc iso-plating/stripping: toward a practical zn powder anode with ultra-long life over 5600 h.

Zn powder with large-scale production and well-tunability is promising for aqueous Zn-ion batteries, but its extremely short lifespan seriously hinders the practical application. Herein, we disclose that Zn powder anode failure is majorly caused by top-down plating and bottom-up stripping behaviors, and accordingly develop an iso-plating/stripping strategy to achieve an ultra-long lifetime practical Zn powder anode. The zincophilic Bi-metal nanosheets are anchored on the Zn powder surface, which could serve as preferred Zn nucleation sites and charge-aggregated protrusions, endowing homogeneous plating/stripping and gradient-free Zn2+ distribution throughout the powder electrode. Furthermore, the Bi has additional advantages including guiding Zn(002)-orientated growth and suppressing side reactions for further structural stability, permitting unprecedented stable cycling of over 5600 h at 1 mA cm-2 and 585 h even at 15 mA cm-2. The corresponding Bi@Zn powder//MnO2 full batteries feature an extraordinary capacity retention of 82.12% after 1150 cycles at 2 A g-1 and a low negative/positive electrode capacity ratio of 6.65. When applied in pouch-type batteries, Bi@Zn powder delivers an impressive energy density of 138.6 Wh kg-1 at a superfast power density of 700 W kg-1. This study clarifies the failure mechanism of Zn powder anode and develops a concise yet effective strategy that paves the way to fabricating practical Zn anodes with long-life and dendrite-free.

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H. Chen, W. Zhang, S. Yi, Z. Su, Z. Zhao, Y. Zhang, B. Niu and D. Long, Energy Environ. Sci. , 2024, Accepted Manuscript , DOI: 10.1039/D3EE04333A

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