January 31, 2011
by peter.taylor
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Under the life-course perspective that has developed in social and psychological epidemiology since the 1990s, researchers seek to reconstruct the complex causal processes that generate specific diseases and behavioral attributes (Kendler et al. 2005, Kuh and Ben-Shlomo 2004). However, some … Continue reading
January 16, 2011
by peter.taylor
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Ideas: Developing epidemiological literacy requires: 1) collaboration with others (of differing skills and interests) and reflection on personal and professional development. 2) establishing our own practices of learning from material we don’t fully grasp at first reading/hearing. These two ideas … Continue reading
January 4, 2011
by peter.taylor
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The simple classroom activity presented in the previous two posts allows us to unpack the simple picture of science as empirical observation and rational interpretation (i.e., identifying patterns and trying to explain them). These are only two of the many … Continue reading
January 3, 2011
by peter.taylor
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OK readers. Keep in mind your answers to the questions raised in the previous post about patterns in data that link parents and offspring. In this post I describe what usually emerges when I ask these questions in my classes … Continue reading
January 2, 2011
by peter.taylor
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I want to ask you, the reader, to be a scientist and try to make sense of data that link parents and offspring. Consider one plot (of your own choosing) from figures 1-4 depicting heights of 63 undergraduate college students … Continue reading
January 1, 2011
by peter.taylor
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The name “probe, create change, reflect” comes from the logo below (with “probe” replacing “inquire” to suggest that we need to look beyond first answers): The logo is that of the Critical & Creative Thinking graduate program where I work, … Continue reading
December 31, 2010
by peter.taylor
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In an academic institutions service is acknowledged, but principles that govern service are rarely articulated or used to take stock of how we could improve. Our efforts can be thought of as Building Supportive Communities that are characterized by: planning … Continue reading
December 30, 2010
by peter.taylor
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The core values of my college begin with 1. evidence-based development of practice and 2. commitment to social justice. In many academic units, not only my college, equivalent values are spoken about, if not stated explicitly. What follows logically, if … Continue reading
December 29, 2010
by peter.taylor
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Elaboration on the Aspects of Action Research in the Cycles and Epicycles framework. Tools useful in the different aspects of Action research are described through the links further down in the post. Evaluation is the systematic study of the effects … Continue reading
December 28, 2010
by peter.taylor
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Action Research begins when you (as an individual or as a group) want to do something to change the current situation, that is, to take action. “Action” refers to many different things: a new or revised curriculum; a new organizational … Continue reading