Epistemología de la investigación social / Epistemology of social research

INTRODUCCIÓN. La epistemología, rama de la filosofía que estudia el proceso de investigación y su producto el conocimiento científico, implica ámbitos de la ciencia con enfoque positivismo y postpositivismo, interpretativismo, teoría crítica; y, transcomplejo, cada uno de ellos con los elementos paradigmáticos de: ontología, epistemología y metodología, su conocimiento y aplicabilidad en los diferentes ámbitos es fundamental porque sus enfoques generan ciencia. OBJETIVO. Desarrollar capacidades intelectuales en bases contextuales y teóricas en epistemología de la investigación social, indispensables para el ejercicio profesional en el ámbito de la investigación científica y del conocimiento científico. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Estudio observacional, descriptivo, con población y muestra conocida de 30 modalidades de publicación, periodo junio a julio 2020. Los criterios de inclusión fueron: fuentes secundarias de información bibliográfica validadas en el ámbito de las ciencias sociales. La técnica de observación fue en buscadores bibliográficos PUBMED, Scielo, Scopus, Diccionario de Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud y la Real Academia Española. La tarea de revisar la literatura de investigación comprendió la identificación, selección, análisis crítico, descripción escrita, interpretación, discusión y conclusión de la información que existe sobre la epistemología de la investigación social, tema, que se registró con aplicación de un gestor de referencias bibliográficas, tipo Microsoft Word. RESULTADOS. Se logró obtener capacidades intelectuales al estructurar la cronológica de la epistemología de la investigación social, del conocimiento científico y nuevas perspectivas para el ejercicio profesional en el ámbito de la investigación científica. CONCLUSIÓN. Las perspectivas se orientan a integrar paradigmas pasados y futuros con visión de transcomplejidad, espacios organológicos de una gran red, conformación de cibercomunidades de investigación, uso de método integrador, nuevo lenguaje en equipos multidisciplinarios, agentes como el foco principal de la teoridad epistémica en espacio, tiempo y la relación entre las cosas.

INTRODUCTION. Epistemology, a branch of philosophy that studies the research process and its product, scientific knowledge, involves areas of science focussed in with positivism and postpositivism, interpretivism, critical theory; and, transcomplex, each one of them with the paradigmatic elements of: ontology, epistemology and methodology, their knowledge and applicability in the different fields is fundamental because their approaches generate science. OBJECTIVE. Develop intellectual capacities on contextual and theoretical bases in the epistemology of social research, essential for professional practice in the field of scientific research and scientific knowledge. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Observational, descriptive study, with population and a known sample of 30 publication modalities, period June to July 2020. The inclusion criteria were: secondary sources of bibliographic information validated in the field of social sciences. The observation technique was in bibliographic search engines PUBMED, Scielo, Scopus, Dictionary of Descriptors in Health Sciences and the Royal Spanish Academy. The task of reviewing the research literature included the identification, selection, critical analysis, written description, interpretation, discussion and conclusion of the information that exists on the epistemology of social research, subject, which was registered with the application of a reference manager bibliographic, Microsoft Word type. RESULTS. Intellectual capacities were obtained by structuring the chronology of the epistemology of social research, scientific knowledge and new perspectives for professional practice in the field of scientific research. CONCLUSION. The perspectives are aimed at integrating past and future paradigms with a vision of transcomplexity, organological spaces of a large network, formation of research cyber communities, use of integrative method, new language in multidisciplinary teams, agents as the main focus of epistemic theory in space, time and the relationship between things.

Evaluation parameters for evidence-based practices for people with autism spectrum disorder: a narrative review of group and single-subject design studies

Abstract Recommendations for using evidence-based practices have become increasingly common in services for individuals diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this study was to conduct a narrative literature review to identify differences and similarities in evidence-evaluation criteria for group and single-subject designs that empirically support interventions for people with ASD. Data sources used in this analysis were reports and articles elaborated by different clearinghouses (i.e., National Autism Center, National Professional Development Center, and the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice). The criteria for evaluating evidence, as defined by these documents, contained specific components or quality indicators for each type of study design. The different criteria for evaluating evidence and for classifying the interventions (once evidence was evaluated) were identified and described. This manuscript discusses the need for (a) expanding the analysis beyond the evidence identified by different researchers and organizations such as the clearinghouses, (b) proposing interventions that are based not only on scientific evidence but also on social validity — which is directed by client idiosyncrasies, and (c) attention to the fact that EBPs should not be seen as static information regarding interventions with empirical support: evidence-based practices are the result of constant analysis of the intervention implementation data added to professional training and client values and context. Some additional issues and the study limitations are also presented.

Social validity of a contextual behavioral science-based intervention for retirement education

Abstract The literature shows that retirement can bring both positive and negative effects. However, there are few tested interventions for preparing workers for this transition and avoiding or minimizing its negative impacts. This paper presents a study with multiple groups that examined the social validity of an intervention for retirement education grounded in contextual behavioral science and acceptance and commitment therapy. Twenty-seven workers aged 29 to 65 divided into three intervention groups participated (group 1, N = 15; group 2, N = 9; group 3, N = 3). According to the participants' evaluations, the intervention provided socially valid goals, socially acceptable procedures, and socially important effects. However, some improvements are still needed, such as the use of more dynamic methods, better formatted printed material, and increased fidelity between the content's implementation and the prescribed activities. The positive results indicate that contextual behavioral science may bolster the development of interventions whose components possess evidence for their social validity. The further evaluation of the intervention via a clinical trial study will offer more robust evidence for its effectiveness. It is hoped that by increasing the availability of theory-based interventions in this area, the present study will promote valid strategies to facilitate better adjustment to retirement.

Qualidade da assistência em saúde mental: desenvolvimento de um instrumento de avaliação / Calidad de la atención en salud mental: desarrollo de un instrumento de evaluación / Care quality in mental health: development of an assessment instrument

Objetivo: desenvolver um instrumento para avaliar a estrutura e o processo da assistência em saúde mental nos centros de atenção psicossocial e buscar evidências de validade de conteúdo. Método: estudo transversal, metodológico, com abordagem quantitativa, em duas etapas. Considerou-se a avaliação normativa, a partir de um instrumento de pesquisa (check-list). Na verificação dos níveis de concordância e de consistência entre os juízes (n=50), foram aplicados o Coeficiente Kappa e o Índice de Validade de Conteúdo. Resultados: a maioria dos juízes era da região Sudeste: enfermeiros, doutores, atuantes na docência e pesquisa. Na rodada 1, dos 40 itens propostos para o instrumento, 13 foram excluídos e 08 sugeridos. Na segunda rodada, dois novos sugeridos. Conclusão: a composição do instrumento foi aceita pelos juízes e os índices aplicados mostraram evidências de validade de conteúdo do mesmo.

Objective: this study aimed to develop an instrument to evaluate the structure and process of mental health care in Psychosocial Care Centers and to seek evidence of content validity. Method: cross-sectional methodological study with quantitative approach intwo stages. The normative evaluation of a research instrument (checklist) was carried out. The Kappa coefficient and the ContentValidity Index were applied to check the levels of agreement and consistency among judges (n=50). Results: most of the judgeswere from the southeast region: nurses, doctors, active in teaching and research. In phase 1, 13 of the 40 proposed items of the instrument were excluded and 08 suggested. In phase 2, two new items were suggested. Conclusion: the composition of theinstrument was accepted by judges and the applied indexes indicated evidence of validity of their content.

Objetivo: este estudio tuvo como objetivo desarrollar una herramienta para evaluar la estructura y el proceso de la atención sanitaria prestada en los centros de atención psicosocial y buscar evidencias de validez de contenido. Método: Estudio transversal, metodológico con enfoque cuantitativo en dos etapas. Se consideró la evaluación normativa, a partir de un instrumento de investigación (lista de comprobación). En la verificación de los niveles de concordancia y de consistencia entre los jueces (n = 50) seaplicaron el Coeficiente Kappa y el Índice Validez de Contenido. Resultados: La mayoría de los jueces eran del Sudeste: los enfermeros, doctores, activos en la docencia y en la investigación. En la fase 1, entre los 40 artículos propuestos, se excluyeron 13 y08 sugeridos. En la fase 2, dos nuevos fueron sugeridos. Conclusión: La composición del instrumento fue aceptado por los jueces y los índices aplicados indican evidencias de la validez de su contenido.

The quality of uualitative research: from evaluation to attainment / A qualidade d innvestigação qualitativa: da avaliação à concretizaãão / La calidd de la investigación cualitativa: de evaluarla a lgrrarla

ABSTRACTThe objective of this paper is to emphasize the importance of quality in the research process instead of its valuation afterwards, an issue the literature has given extensive attention to. In addition, it is a reflection on the debate about the quality of qualitative research and presents the assessment of quality as a situated practice. Reflexivity is presented not as a criterion to assess the research quality but as an instrument to achieve it. There are three characteristics of qualitative research that researchers need to pay reflexive attention to. The first is that qualitative studies deal with human experiences; the second that these experiences are subjective; and the third that qualitative knowledge is ideographic and constructed during the study. Beyond these characteristics, issues are signaled that are constantly repeated in the studies and that unknowingly are a threat to their quality are addressed in this paper.

RESUMOO objetivo deste artigo é enfatizar a importância da qualidade no processo de investigação e não sua valorização depois de concluído, assunto sobre o qual a bibliografia tem se dedicado largamente. Reflete sobre o debate de qualidade da investigação qualitativa e mostra o valor da qualidade como uma prática em contexto. A reflexividade apresenta-se não como um critério para avaliar a qualidade, mas sim como um instrumento para atingi-la. São três as características da investigação qualitativa a que os investigadores devem prestar uma atenção reflexiva. A primeira é que os estudos qualitativos dizem respeito às experiências humanas; a segunda é que as experiências têm caráter subjetivo; e a terceira, que o conhecimento qualitativo é ideográfico e construído durante a investigação. Para além destas características, assinalam-se questões que se repetem constantemente nos estudos e que, inadvertidamente, ameaçam a sua qualidade.

RESUMENEl objetivo de este artículo es enfatizar la importancia de la calidad en el proceso de investigación y no en su valoración después de ella, algo a lo que la bibliografía se ha dedicado extensamente. Así mismo, reflexiona sobre el debate de calidad de la investigación cualitativa y muestra la valoración de la calidad como una práctica situada. La reflexividad se presenta no como un criterio para evaluar la calidad, sino como un instrumento para lograrla. Tres son las características de la investigación cualitativa a las que los investigadores deben prestar una atención reflexiva. La primera es que los estudios cualitativos versan sobre experiencias humanas; la segunda que estas experiencias son de carácter subjetivo; y la tercera, que el conocimiento cualitativo es ideográfico y construido durante la investigación. Alrededor de estas características, en el artículo se señalan cuestiones que se repiten constantemente en los estudios e inadvertidamente amenazan su calidad.

Evidência de validade para a escala de percepção do suporte social (versão adulta) - epsus-a: um estudo correlacional / Evidence regarding the validity of the scale of perceived social support (adult version): a correlational study / Pruebas de validez de la escala de percepción del apoyo social (versión para adultos) - epsus-a: un estudio correlacional

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo a busca por evidência de validade com base na relação com variáveis externas para a Escala de Percepção do Suporte Social (versão adulto) - EPSUS-A, por meio da análise de correlação com os instrumentos Inventário de Percepção do Suporte Familiar (IPSF) e a Escala Baptista de Depressão (versão adulta) – EBADEP-A. A amostra do estudo foi composta por 102 universitários, com idade variando entre 18 e 61 anos (M = 26,59, DP = 9,57). Dos resultados, quanto às análises de correlação entre os instrumentos, todas as dimensões da EPSUS-A se correlacionaram de forma positiva e significativa em relação às dimensões do IPSF, assim como todas os fatores da EPSUS-A apresentaram correlações negativas e significativas com a EBADEP-A, evidenciando, dessa forma, validade em relação às variáveis externas da EPSUS-A.

This study aimed to establish evidence regarding the validity (based on the relationship with external variables) of the Scale of Perceived Social Support (Adult Version, EPSUS-A) through a correlation analysis with the Perception Inventory Instruments of Family Support (IPSF) and the Baptista Depression Scale (Adult Version, EBADEP-A). The study sample comprised 102 students aged 18–61 years (M = 26.59, SD = 9.57). The results of the correlation analysis between the instruments show that all the dimensions of the EPSUS-A correlated positively and significantly with that of the IPSF. However, all the factors of the EPSUS correlated negatively and significantly with the EBADEP-A, thus depicting validity in the relationship with the external variables of the EPSUS.

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo buscar evidencias de validez basada en la relación con las variables externas de la Escala de percepción de Apoyo Social (versión para adultos) - EPSUS-A, a través del análisis de correlación con los instrumentos Inventario de Percepción de Apoyo a la Familia (IPSF) y la Escala Baptista de Depresión (versión para adultos) - EBADEP-A. La muestra del estudio consistió en 102 estudiantes universitarios, con edades entre 18 y 61 años (M = 26.59, SD = 9,57). Los resultados, del análisis de correlación entre los instrumentos, mostraron que todas las dimensiones de EPSUS-A se correlacionaron positiva y significativamente con respecto a las dimensiones de IPSF, así como todos los factores de la EPSUS-A se correlacionaron negativamente y de forma significativa con EBADEP-A, mostrando así. la validez con relación con las variables externas de la EPSUS-A.

Reliability and Validity of a Chinese Version of Urinary Tract Infection Symptom Assessment Questionnaire

ABSTRACTObjectives:Our study evaluates the reliability and validity of a Chinese version of the Urinary Tract Infection Symptom Assessment questionnaire (UTISA).Material and Methods:Our study enrolled women who were diagnosed with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uUTI) at clinics. The Chinese version of UTISA was completed upon first visit to the clinic for uUTI and at 1-week follow-up. We enrolled 124 age-matched women without uUTI from the community as the control group. The UTISA consists of 14 items (seven symptom items and seven related to quality of life), with each item scoring 0 to 3. The internal consistency was assessed with Chronbach's alpha test. Factor analysis was used to classify symptoms into latent factors. The predictive validity was analyzed by using logistic regression and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Results:Mean total symptom scores of the UTISA in the 169 cases and 124 controls were 8.9±4.6 and 1.4±2.4, respectively (p<0.01). The alpha coefficient was 0.77, showing a homogeneous composition of symptoms. At a cut-off value of greater than 3, the UTISA symptom score had good predictive value for uUTI (sensitivity of 87.0%, and specificity of 93.1%). Factor analysis revealed two latent variables: 1) lower urinary tract symptoms and 2) physical symptoms. Among the seven items, we found that urinary frequency (OR=2.6), dysuria (OR=5.0), sense of incomplete emptying (OR=2.0), and hematuria (OR=7.6) were significant predictors for uUTI.Conclusions:The Chinese version of UTISA is reliable to predict uncomplicated UTI in women with an optimal cut-off point at >3.

Social validity by parents of special education programs based on the ecological risk / resilience model / Validación social por padres de programas en educación especial basados en el modelo ecológico de riesgo/resiliencia / Validação social por pais de programas em educação especial baseados no modelo ecológico de risco/resiliência

Social validity is focused on analyzing how goals, procedures, and outcomes associated to an intervention program benefit target individuals, and whether the potential of the program's objectives itself is in turn achieved, including expectation assessment, behavioral changes, opportunities and development of new skills, abilities and strategies. In this sense, the instrumentation of the Ecological Risk/Resilience Model proves to be of great importance, particularly in special education programs focused on reducing risk factors and encouraging resilient behaviors in students with special educational needs (SEN), their parents and teachers. The purpose of this study was to validate -through parents- the acceptability, educational significance and social importance of special education intervention programs based on the above mentioned model. The Social Validity of Special Education Programs Questionnaire was completed by 45 mothers, 10 fathers, and 5 grandfathers of 30 elementary school children identified as having SEN. The main findings showed that fathers noticed increased changes of resilient behaviors in students both at school and at home. Statistically significant differences in some features were found between male and female participants and in every dimension (i.e., acceptability, educational significance and social importance) between participants from both schools. Differences between participants regarding the type of SEN addressed by the programs were not found, which emphasizes the educational relevance of programs developed under this model.

Los estudios de validación social investigan qué tanto las metas, los procedimientos y resultados asociados a una intervención producen beneficios en las personas hacia las que se dirigen y, si a su vez, se retroalimenta el potencial de los objetivos del programa mismo. Incluye el estudio de las expectativas, los cambios conductuales, las oportunidades y el desarrollo de nuevas habilidades, competencias y estrategias. En este sentido, cobra particular importancia la instrumentación del Modelo Ecológico de Riesgo/Resiliencia en Educación Especial, cuyos programas se orientan a la disminución de factores de riesgo, y la promoción de comportamientos resilientes en estudiantes con necesidades educativas especiales (NEE), sus padres y maestros. El objetivo del estudio fue validar, a través de los padres, la aceptación, la significancia educativa y la importancia social de los programas de intervención de educación especial basados en dicho modelo. Respondieron al Cuestionario de Validación Social de Programas de Educación Especial, 45 madres, diez padres y cinco abuelos de 30 menores de educación primaria identificados con NEE. Los principales hallazgos muestran que los padres percibieron un incremento en los comportamientos resilientes de los alumnos, tanto en la escuela, como en la casa. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en algunos aspectos entre hombres y mujeres y, entre los participantes de las dos escuelas en las tres dimensiones: aceptación, significancia educativa e importancia social. No se encontraron diferencias entre los participantes con relación al tipo de NEE atendidas por los programas, lo cual enfatiza la relevancia educativa de los programas instrumentados bajo este modelo.

Os estudos de validação social pesquisam que tanto as metas, os procedimentos e resultados associados a uma intervenção produzem benefícios nas pessoas às que estão dirigidas e, se ao mesmo tempo, se retroalimenta o potencial dos objetivos do próprio programa. Inclui o estudo das expectativas, das mudanças condutuais, das oportunidades e do desenvolvimento de novas habilidades, competências e estratégias. Neste sentido, ganha grande importância a instrumentação do Modelo Ecológico de Risco/Resiliência em Educação Especial, cujos programas orientam-se à diminuição de fatores de risco, e a promoção de comportamentos resilientes em estudantes com necessidades educativas especiais (NEE), sus pais e mestres. O objetivo do estudo foi validar, através dos pais, a aceitação, a significância educativa e a importância social dos programas de intervenção de educação especial baseados neste modelo. Responderam ao Questionário de Validação Social de Programas de Educação Especial, 45 mães, dez pais e cinco avôs de 30 menores de educação primária identificados com NEE. As principais descobertas mostram que os pais perceberam um aumento nos comportamentos resilientes dos alunos, tanto na escola, como em casa. Encontraram-se diferenças estatisticamente significativas em alguns aspectos entre homens e mulheres e, entre os participantes das duas escolas nas três dimensões: aceitação, significância educativa e importância social. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre os participantes com relação ao tipo de NEE atendida pelos programas, isso enfatiza a relevância educativa dos programas instrumentados sob este modelo.

Methods for Assessing Social Validity of Behavioral Intervention Plans for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder / Métodos para Evaluar la Validez Social de Planes de Intervención Conductual con Niños con Desorden por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad

Although behavioral interventions are powerful tools for parents and teachers, they are unlikely to result in lasting change if the intervention agents find them unacceptable. After developing effective behavior intervention plans for classroom use, we compared social validity of those interventions using three measures: concurrent-chains selections from the intervention consumer (students), verbal report of the intervention agent (teachers), and maintenance of the intervention over time. All three measures of social validity identified an intervention that was acceptable to the intervention consumer and intervention delivery agent. These findings are discussed in terms of applied implications for assessing social validity.

A pesar de que las intervenciones conductuales son herramientas poderosas para padres y maestros, es posible que no representen un cambio duradero si los agentes de la intervención consideran que no son aceptables. Después de desarrollar planes de intervención efectivos para ser utilizados en el aula, se comparó la validez social de dichas intervenciones usando tres medidas: elección de cadenas concurrentes por el consumidor de la intervención (estudiantes), reportes verbales del agente de la intervención (maestros) y mantenimiento de la intervención a lo largo del tiempo. Las tres medidas de validación social identificaron una intervención que era aceptable tanto para el consumidor como para el agente de la intervención. Los resultados se discuten en términos de las implicaciones aplicadas para evaluar la validez social.

Increasing the Social Validity of Function-Based Treatments for Problem Behavior / Aumentando la Validez Social de los Tratamientos Funcionales para la Conducta Problemática

Functional assessment, and function-based treatments, are the gold standard for the treatment of problem behavior. Historically, these assessment and treatment evaluations have been conducted in austere clinical settings to increase internal validity. While prioritizing internal validity is critical in the initial stages of a treatment evaluation, if there is not an eventual shift to prioritizing the external or social validity of the treatment it may inevitably fail in the natural environment. The purpose of this case example is to outline a socially valid approach to the assessment and treatment of problem behavior that ensures individuals' and their families' lives benefit in meaningful ways. More specifically, this case-example will outline a method of prioritizing social validity to identify treatment goals, conduct functional analysis, evaluate and generalize treatment, and implement caregiver training.

La evaluación funcional y los tratamientos funcionales son el estándar de oro para el tratamiento de la conducta problemática. Históricamente, esas evaluaciones y tratamientos se han conducido en escenarios clínicos austeros para aumentar la validez interna. Si bien el priorizar la validez interna es crítico en las etapas iniciales de la evaluación de un tratamiento, si eventualmente no hay un cambio para priorizar la validez externa o social del tratamiento, éste puede fallar en un escenario natural. El propósito del ejemplo de caso que se presenta en este trabajo es mostrar una aproximación válida para la evaluación y tratamiento de conducta problemática que asegura que las vidas de los individuos y de sus familias se beneficien de forma significativa. Más específicamente, el ejemplo de caso que se presenta mostrará un método para identificar las metas del tratamiento priorizando la validez social, para conducir un análisis funcional, evaluar y generalizar el tratamiento y entrenar al cuidador.