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Research Philosophy (research + philosophy)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences100%

Selected Abstracts

Cardiovascular and renal phenotyping of genetically modified mice: A challenge for traditional physiology

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2003
Sharyn M Fitzgerald
Summary 1.,The advent of techniques to genetically modify experimental animals and produce directed mutations in both a conditional and tissue-specific manner has dramatically opened up new fields for physiologists in cardiovascular and renal research. 2.,A consequence of altering the genetic background of mice is the difficulty in predicting the phenotypic outcome of the genetic mutation. We therefore suggest that physiologists may need to change their current experimental paradigms to face this new era. Hence, our aim is to propose a complementary research philosophy for physiologists working in the post-genomic era. That is, instead of using strictly hypothesis-driven research philosophies, one will have to perform screening studies of mutant mice, within a field of interest, to find valuable phenotypes. Once a relevant phenotype is found, in-depth studies of the underlying mechanisms should be performed. These follow-up studies should be performed using a traditional hypothesis-driven research philosophy. 3.,The rapidly increasing availability of mutated mouse models of human disease also necessitates the development of techniques to characterize these various mouse phenotypes. In particular, the miniaturization and refinement of techniques currently used to study the renal and cardiovascular system in larger animals will be discussed in the present review. Hence, we aim to outline what techniques are currently available and should be present in a laboratory to screen and study renal and cardiovascular phenotypes in genetically modified mice, with particular emphasis on methodologies used in the intact, conscious animal. [source]

Research paradigms in medical education research

MEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 4 2010
Suzanne Bunniss
Medical Education 2010: 44: 358,366 Context, The growing popularity of less familiar methodologies in medical education research, and the use of related data collection methods, has made it timely to revisit some basic assumptions regarding knowledge and evidence. Methods, This paper outlines four major research paradigms and examines the methodological questions that underpin the development of knowledge through medical education research. Discussion, This paper explores the rationale behind different research designs, and shows how the underlying research philosophy of a study can directly influence what is captured and reported. It also explores the interpretivist perspective in some depth to show how less familiar paradigm perspectives can provide useful insights to the complex questions generated by modern healthcare practice. Conclusions, This paper concludes that the quality of research is defined by the integrity and transparency of the research philosophy and methods, rather than the superiority of any one paradigm. By demonstrating that different methodological approaches deliberately include and exclude different types of data, this paper highlights how competing knowledge philosophies have practical implications for the findings of a study. [source]

Cardiovascular and renal phenotyping of genetically modified mice: A challenge for traditional physiology

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2003
Sharyn M Fitzgerald
Summary 1.,The advent of techniques to genetically modify experimental animals and produce directed mutations in both a conditional and tissue-specific manner has dramatically opened up new fields for physiologists in cardiovascular and renal research. 2.,A consequence of altering the genetic background of mice is the difficulty in predicting the phenotypic outcome of the genetic mutation. We therefore suggest that physiologists may need to change their current experimental paradigms to face this new era. Hence, our aim is to propose a complementary research philosophy for physiologists working in the post-genomic era. That is, instead of using strictly hypothesis-driven research philosophies, one will have to perform screening studies of mutant mice, within a field of interest, to find valuable phenotypes. Once a relevant phenotype is found, in-depth studies of the underlying mechanisms should be performed. These follow-up studies should be performed using a traditional hypothesis-driven research philosophy. 3.,The rapidly increasing availability of mutated mouse models of human disease also necessitates the development of techniques to characterize these various mouse phenotypes. In particular, the miniaturization and refinement of techniques currently used to study the renal and cardiovascular system in larger animals will be discussed in the present review. Hence, we aim to outline what techniques are currently available and should be present in a laboratory to screen and study renal and cardiovascular phenotypes in genetically modified mice, with particular emphasis on methodologies used in the intact, conscious animal. [source]