Objectives: After completing this class, you will be able to:

• Distinguish between and know when to use each of three related, but distinct methods of analyzing the existing knowledge base reported in the published research literature
• Understand the key steps in each approach and understand their role in maintaining the validity and reliability of the conclusions reached about the body of knowledge

Required Readings

Chen, C. & Song, M. (2019) Visualizing a field of research: A methodology of systematic scientometric reviews. PLoS ONE 13(10):e0223994 DOI: e0223994. 10.1371/journal.pone.0223994

Gurevitch, J., Koricheva, J., Nakagawa, S. & Stewart, G. (2018). Meta-analysis and the science of research synthesis. Nature 555:175-182. DOI: 10.1038/nature25753

Zhang, L., Yan, C., Guo, Q., Zhang, J. & Ruiz-Menjivar, J. (2018) The impact of agricultural chemical inputs on environment: Global evidence from informetrics analysis and visualization. Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies 18:338-352. DOI: 10.1093/ijlct/cty039. No need to focus on the subject matter content of this article -- focus on the methodological part of the article.

Alderton, A., Henry, N., Foster, S. & Badland, H. (2020) Examining the relationship between urban liveability and gender-based violence: A systematic review. Health & Place 64:102365. DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102365 No need to read in detail for content about the subject of the research. Focus on the methodology and in this article especially the format for presentation of results.

Links to Presentations by Guest Speakers

Dr. Alia DeLong - Systematic Literature Reviews Class Presentation More Detailed Conference Presentation

Mr. Yong Liu - Scientometric Analysis

Dr. Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar - Meta-Analysis

We have three guest speakers this week. Dr. Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar is a faculty member in the Department of Family, Youth & Community Sciences (FYCS). His primary areas of expertise are research methodology and behavioral economics. He completed his M.S. degree in our department and then completed the doctoral degree at the University of Georgia. He collaborates with a wide range of faculty members at UF across numerous disciplnes including the social and biological sciences, serves as PI or co-PI on several grants, and mentors a number of graduate students. His recent international work includes work in China and Brazil. Dr. Alia DeLong completed her M.S. degree in FYCS. Her thesis focused on the strategies that single mothers with inadequate incomes who have children in the household use to meet the food needs for their families. Her thesis also examined their perceptions of the social agencies that provide public support for them. Alia just completed her doctoral degree in Interdisciplinary Ecology where she expanded her examintion of the food system. Her doctoral work included a systematic literature review that focused on organic farming and farmers. We will be sorry to see Alia leave our department as she launches her career in food systems. Mr. Yong Liu is a doctoral candidate in the FYCS department, mentored by Dr. Ruiz-Menjivar. He has already made a major contribution to the literature regarding the environmental impacts of agriculture. He is the lead author for a publication that received the award for highest impact among all publications authored by faculty members and students in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at UF. He continues his research focusing on the intersection of consumer behaviors and farmers decision-making, in the context of globalization and global climate change.

Research Methods Review Articles

I have assigned articles to seven individuals this week. If you were selected you should have received an e-mail from me through Canvas. I sent an individual e-mail to each person who needs to present on Monday, April 12. If you want to check the list of people who should present next Monday, check the Week 14 discussion board. In case anyone needs it, here are the instructions for completing a review. Note that you can trade articles with someone else who is also assigned a presentation for Week 14, but please let me know if you do that. Thank you.