This open access book, published under a CC BY 4.0 license in the Pubmed indexed book series Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, provides up-to-date information on best practice to improve experimental design and quality of research in non-clinical pharmacology and biomedicine.

A Guide to Sample Size for Animal-based Studies Understand a foundational area of experimental design with this innovative reference Animal-based research is an essential part of basic and preclinical research, but poses a unique set of experimental design challenges. The most important of these are the 3Rs − Replacement, Reduction and Refinement − the principles comprising the ethical framework for humane animal-based studies. However, many researchers have difficulty navigating the design trade-offs necessary to simultaneously minimize animal use, and produce scientific information that is both rigorous and reliable. A Guide to Sample Size for Animal-based Studies meets this need with a thorough, accessible reference work to the subject. This book provides a straightforward systematic approach to “rightsizing” animal-based experiments, with sample size estimates based on the fundamentals of statistical thinking: structured research questions, variation control and appropriate design of experiments. The result is a much-needed guide to planning animal-based experiments to ensure scientifically valid and reliable results. This book offers: Step-by-step guidance in diverse methods for approximating and refining sample size Detailed treatment of research topics specific to animal-based research, including pilot, feasibility and proof-of-concept studies Sample size approximation methods for different types of data − binary, continuous, ordinal, time to event − and different study types − description, comparison, nested designs, reference interval construction and dose-response studies Numerous worked examples, using real data from published papers, together with SAS and R code A Guide to Sample Size for Animal-based Studies is a must-have reference for preclinical and veterinary researchers, as well as ethical oversight committees and policymakers.

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 replication Embracing intellectual humility while designing research Confirmatory vs. exploratory analyses Publication bias and negative results Promoting honest and transparent report writing Avoiding 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.

Foreword This volume includes papers presented at TAKE 2021 Conference The Multidisciplinary Conference on Intangibles, held online between the 7 th and the 9th July 2021 and hosted by Universidade Portucalense, from Porto, Portugal. Detailed information about the Conference is to be found in the Conference Website: https://take-conference2021.com/. A Book of Abstracts was also published. TAKE 2021 included 80 presentations, by almost 100 participants, including 8 keynote speakers, from 20 countries. Done during the Covid-19 crisis, TAKE 2021 was a show of intelligence, work, and solidarity, We thank infinitely all those involved, which contributed to the success of the event. We hope to continue the TAKE saga, next year with TAKE 2022 whose website is already online: https://take-conference2022.com/. Best wishes and kindest regards. Eduardo Tomé, on behalf of the Organizing Committee

Big data and machine learning are driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution. With the age of big data upon us, we risk drowning in a flood of digital data. Big data has now become a critical part of both the business world and daily life, as the synthesis and synergy of machine learning and big data has enormous potential. Big data and machine learning are projected to not only maximize citizen wealth, but also promote societal health. As big data continues to evolve and the demand for professionals in the field increases, access to the most current information about the concepts, issues, trends, and technologies in this interdisciplinary area is needed. The Encyclopedia of Data Science and Machine Learning examines current, state-of-the-art research in the areas of data science, machine learning, data mining, and more. It provides an international forum for experts within these fields to advance the knowledge and practice in all facets of big data and machine learning, emphasizing emerging theories, principals, models, processes, and applications to inspire and circulate innovative findings into research, business, and communities. Covering topics such as benefit management, recommendation system analysis, and global software development, this expansive reference provides a dynamic resource for data scientists, data analysts, computer scientists, technical managers, corporate executives, students and educators of higher education, government officials, researchers, and academicians.

This book constitutes the refereed post-conference proceedings of the Second International Conference on Data Information in Online Environments, DIONE 2021, which took place in March 2021. Due to COVID-19 pandemic the conference was held virtually. DIONE 2021 presents theoretical proposals and practical solutions in the treatment, processing and study of data and information produced in online environments, the latest trends in the analysis of network information, media metrics social, data processing technologies and open science. The 40 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 86 submissions. The papers are grouped in thematical sessions on evaluation of science in social networking environment; scholarly publishing and online communication; and education in online environments.

This book is the first hands-on roadmap for conducting rigorous experimental research on second language speech processing and spoken word recognition. Isabelle Darcy expertly defines key concepts and offers a detailed step-by-step guide to designing empirical psycholinguistic research in this complex, interdisciplinary area. The book covers the following: setting up an efficient workflow to enhance reproducibility of findings; determining a methodology; selecting experimental controls and designing stimuli; collecting data using an array of methodological tools; addressing common challenges; preparing and analyzing data; preregistering the study; and sharing data transparently in accordance with Open Science practices. Darcy provides everything needed to design and carry out robust behavioral studies on L2 speech processing, in a laboratory or online. This book will be an invaluable practical resource for researchers and advanced students in second language speech learning, second language acquisition, psycholinguistics, cognitive science, and language teaching, as well as those interested in applied linguistics, pronunciation, and related subjects.

This detailed volume explores a variety of techniques used to study lineage commitment in stem cells. Further elucidation of the process that stem cells undergo on their way to becoming more specified cell types is vital for a more complete understanding of cell biology and overall physiology. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step and readily reproducible laboratory protocols, as well as tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Stem Cells and Lineage Commitment: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for experts and novices in the field of stem cell biology.

This book exposes significant threats to research integrity and identifies policies and practices that can reverse these trends. It is focused on human research and US policy. Recent assessments have shown inadequacies in institutions, policies, and practices that seriously compromise ethics. The presumed self-regulatory nature of the scientific endeavor has been exposed to have allowed unabated areas of poor-quality science, an incomplete and inaccessible scientific record, conflicts of interest, differing notions of accountability, virtually no evidence base to direct research integrity policy, and a growing sense of alienation, moral injury and even revolt among scientists. Reconstructing Research Integrity aims to capture ways of vigorously moving toward scientific and ethical rigor, including self-correction and emerging or already-successful initiatives. The book begins with analysis of the full system of institutions, policies, and practices involved in production, dissemination, and application of research, including an examination of the blind spots in research ethics ideology, policy, and practice. The book then identifies policies and practices that can reverse harmful ethical trends, such as strengthening Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training and improving self-regulation in the scientific community. Finally, the book discusses the constant evolution of research ethics and integrity, which is illustrated by emerging research fields like gene editing and data science. This book will be of interest to all research administrators in academic, commercial and government positions; to policy advisors at the National Science Foundation and at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine; to graduate students in research ethics; to advanced bioethics education programs across the globe; and to researchers and consultants in ELSI (ethical, legal, and social implications) programs.

The textbook "Clinical pharmacology for physicians and surgeons" has been written according to the characteristics of educational qualifications and professional training programs, as well as according to the principles of the Credit Transfer System.