ABSTRACT
The use of the internet in education has been greatly encouraged by the COVID-19 epidemic. Studying students' internet-specific epistemic beliefs (ISEB) and possible correlates would benefit online teaching and learning. However, little research has been conducted in this field. Therefore, we investigated the current status of ISEB among college students and considered the impact of self-regulated learning (SRL) and e-academic dishonesty (e-AD) on ISEB. A survey research method and convenience sampling were employed. A total of 538 Chinese college students completed the self-reported questionnaire. Our results indicate that although no significant differences were found in ISEB in terms of gender and academic major, students with different backgrounds also differed in e-AD experience and SRL. Three dimensions of ISEB were negatively correlated with SRL, while one had a significant positive correlation. In addition, the latter dimension of ISEB was negatively correlated with e-AD. Finally, SRL and e-AD jointly significantly predicted students' different ISEB, with explanatory power ranging from 14% to 36%. Study techniques of SRL were common predictors that could negatively predict the certainty, simplicity, and source of ISEB and positively predict justification. Based on the results, specific methods for schools, teachers and librarians to enhance students' ISEB are provided. © 2023
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Despite a paucity of evidence, a number of “regenerative” therapies have emerged as putative treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). Shockwave therapy, in particular, has received significant attention in direct-to-consumer marketing and is often advertised by non-urologists. However, the nomenclature surrounding shockwave therapy has led to ambiguity. Focused shock wave therapy (fSWT) has become conflated with radial or acoustic wave therapy (rWT), though they differ in mechanism of wave generation and tissue penetration. GAINSWave, a prominent marketing platform for acoustic wave therapy, has also pervaded the marketplace. We aim to characterize the relative impact of direct-to-consumer marketing of shockwave therapy by quantifying the frequency of internet search queries for various shockwave options for ED. METHODS: Population-level Google Search trends in the United States (www.google.com/trends) were used to characterize interest in various forms of shockwave therapy for ED. Search trends for fSWT, rSWT, and GAINSWave were analyzed (Figure 1). Google Search data are tabulated on a relative scale of 0-100, with 100 representing the most frequently searched term over a time interval. Monthly search data were compiled over a 6 year period (1/1/14 through 2/28/20), ending just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Yearly averages were computed to quantify macro-level changes in patient interest. RESULTS: Trends in Google Search interest in various forms of shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction are depicted in Figure 1. Queries for GAINSWave dominated public interest, increasing by 187- fold from 2016 to 2020. The introduction of GAINSWave represents an inflection point for the entire shockwave market: searches for shockwave therapy increased by 782% from 2016 to 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Direct-to-consumer marketing of shockwave therapy has upended the traditional role of physicians in counseling patients regarding evidence-based treatments for ED. The increase in public interest in GAINSWave underscores its success as a marketing platform. The urological community should consider strategies to correct misinformation, such as search-engine optimization, social media, and educational outreach.