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We analyze methodological trends in empirical research in JIBS from 1970 to 2019. Our results point to the prevalence of the following patterns: there has been an increase in the use of (1) large-scale longitudinal, cross-national datasets, (2) complex analytical techniques, including the incorporation of multiple analytical techniques within the same study, but (3) a decline in the diversity of methods in use. We relate these trends to the underlying social, technical, and communicative conventions in the journal during the 50-year period. The observed patterns are consistent with theory that posits scientific fields entrench a dominant paradigm over time, resulting in a restricted set of methodological options being selected. Such restrictions jeopardize the quality of research because the study of any phenomenon requires the use of multiple methodological procedures to avoid the systematic biases, errors, omissions, and limitations introduced by any single option. Therefore, we propose the use of triangulation as a strategy for building methodological alternatives into research designs. Institutionalization of this principle in the field of international business has the potential to enhance both the rigor and scope of future inquiry.

What is quality in the context of applied linguistic research? Addressing this question is both an intellectual and ethical imperative for the field. Toward that end, I propose a four-part framework for understanding and evaluating study quality: Quality research is (a) methodologically rigorous, (b) transparent, (c) ethical, and (d) of value to society. The bulk of the paper is devoted to describing each of these four elements, first conceptually and then as observed in the field. I also articulate some of the many connections among the four elements within the framework. In addition, I suggest next steps for further addressing the notion of quality in terms of the framework itself as well as the ways it might be used to advance our field’s research, training, and legitimacy as an academic discipline that is still in some ways coming of age.

Complementing Nielsen and colleagues’ (2020) analysis of methodological trends in the Journal of International Business Studies over the past 50 years, we examine similar data on methods published in a wider range of leading international business (IB) journals. Our analysis shows a clear decline of studies based on primary data relative to secondary data, and a persistently low level of individual-level studies among the growing body of research using secondary data across all IB journals considered. We discuss the main mechanisms driving these trends and identify the problems of IB’s increasing exposure to the risks inherent in secondary data. We also discuss the implications related to neglecting individual-level data for theory advancement in IB, such as a disregard for novel secondary data opportunities at the individual level and the risk of reduced theoretical pluralism. In doing so, we substantially extend the debate initiated by Nielsen and colleagues (2020).

Active learning is a popular approach to teaching and learning that has gained traction through research on STEM educational improvement. There have been numerous university- and national/international-level efforts focused on transitioning courses from the lecture method to active learning. However, despite these large-scale changes, the active learning literature has not been assessed on its methodological rigor to ensure instructional recommendations are rooted in rigorous research studies. The purpose of the present review was to determine areas of strengths and areas in need of improvement and to provide specific recommendations on how to continue or improve active learning research to strengthen the respective literature base and increase confidence in results. We assessed the articles included in the Freeman et al. (PNAS, 111:8410–8415, 2014) meta-analysis as well as a random sample of more recent active learning articles (2015–2022) on 12 internal validity controls (i.e., control procedure used to prevent a threat to the internal validity of a study). Results indicated that there were high percentages of articles that did not meet each internal validity control. In fact, no articles from the Freeman et al. meta-analysis and no sampled 2015–2022 articles met each of the 12 internal validity controls. Therefore, the active learning literature contains numerous internal validity control issues that need to be addressed if we are to determine the extent to which active learning interventions are effective and if there are any boundary conditions for when particular active learning interventions are or are not effective.

Some conservationists believe that free-ranging cats pose an enormous risk to biodiversity and public health and therefore should be eliminated from the landscape by any means necessary. They further claim that those who question the science or ethics behind their arguments are science deniers (merchants of doubt) seeking to mislead the public. As much as we share a commitment to conservation of biodiversity and wild nature, we believe these ideas are wrong and fuel an unwarranted moral panic over cats. Those who question the ecological or epidemiological status of cats are not science deniers, and it is a false analogy to compare them with corporate and right-wing special interests that perpetrate disinformation campaigns over issues, such as smoking and climate change. There are good conservation and public-health reasons and evidence to be skeptical that free-ranging cats constitute a disaster for biodiversity and human health in all circumstances. Further, there are significant and largely unaddressed ethical and policy issues (e.g., the ethics and efficacy of lethal management) relative to how people ought to value and coexist with cats and native wildlife. Society is better served by a collaborative approach to produce better scientific and ethical knowledge about free-ranging cats. Algunos conservacionistas creen que los gatos sueltos representan un riesgo enorme para la biodiversidad y la salud pública, por lo que deberían ser eliminados del paisaje a como dé lugar. Los conservacionistas además alegan que quienes cuestionan la ciencia o la ética detrás de estos argumentos son negadores de la ciencia (mercaderes de la duda) que buscan desinformar al público. Por mucho que compartamos un compromiso con la conservación de la biodiversidad y la fauna silvestre, creemos que estás ideas están equivocadas y alimentan un pánico moral injustificado por los gatos. Aquellos que cuestionan el estado ecológico o epidemiológico de los gatos no son negadores de la ciencia y es una analogía falsa compararlos con los intereses especiales de los corporativos y de la derecha política, los cuales perpetúan las campañas de desinformación de temas como el cigarro y el cambio climático. Existen razones y evidencias de conservación y salud pública para ser escépticos sobre el argumento de que los gatos sueltos constituyen un desastre para la biodiversidad y la salud humana bajo todas las circunstancias. Además, hay temas éticos y políticos que no reciben atención (p. ej.: la ética y la eficacia del manejo letal) relativos a cómo las personas deberían valorar y coexistir con los gatos y la fauna nativa. La sociedad se beneficia más con una estrategia colaborativa para producir un mejor conocimiento científico y ético sobre los gatos que viven sueltos. 些保护主义者认为流浪猫对生物多祥性和公共健康造成了巨大威胁，因此应该不择手段地消灭它们。 他们还进ー步声称，那些质疑他们论点背后的科学性或伦理道德的人，是企图误导公众的科学否认者(贩卖怀疑 的商人) o 虽然我们同样地致力于保护生物多祥性和野性自然，但我们认为这些想法是错误的，并助长了对猫不 必要的道德恐慊。那些质疑猫的生态学间题或流行病学状况的人并不是科学否认者，将他们与在吸烟和气候变 化等问题上进行虚假宣传的企业和右翼特殊利益集团进行比较是不恰当的。我们有充分的保护和公共卫生方 面的理由和i正据来质疑流浪猫一律对生物多祥性和人类健康造成了灾难。此外，还有ー些重大的道德和政策间 题处死流浪猫的道德问题和效率) 没有得到解决，这些问题涉及到人们应该如何看待猫和其它当地野生动物 的价值，以及如何与之共存。只有通过合作的方式更好地理解流浪猫的科学和伦理知识，才能更好地为社会服 夯。

This manuscript provides critical reflections on using reporting guidelines in qualitative research and examines the tensions that arise when universal checklists are applied across diverse methodological traditions. While transparency and rigor are essential, our manuscript supports that widely adopted tools such as COREQ-32 insufficiently capture the epistemological and procedural features of certain methodologies, particularly Constructivist Grounded Theory. Drawing on existing critiques and emerging methodology-specific frameworks, we argue that rigid, sometimes unvalidated criteria could impede methodological congruence and provide limitations to report Constructivist Grounded Theory research. This reflection contributes to methodological scholarship by advocating for reporting guidance that aligns with the philosophical and methodological stance of each qualitative approach. Therefore, we call for nuanced, method-congruent standards that enhance transparency while preserving the richness, reflexivity, and flexibility that underpin excellence in qualitative inquiry.

Zu Beginn der 1950er Jahre, als die Kommunikationsforschung ihre Blütezeit erlebte, führte KRACAUER den Begriff \"qualitative content analysis\" ein. Heute gehört die qualitative Inhaltsanalyse in Deutschland zu den in der Sozialforschung am häufigsten benutzten Methoden. Anknüpfend an KRACAUERs Argumentation schlage ich drei Felder der Weiterentwicklung vor: erstens eine stärker qualitativ ausgerichtete Analyse nach der Bildung der Kategorien und der Codierung der Daten; zweitens eine die kategorienbasierte Analyse ergänzende Fallorientierung, die charakteristisch für qualitative Forschung ist, aber bisher in der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse kaum eine Rolle spielt; drittens eine stärkere Bezugnahme auf die internationale Methodendiskussion, in der die qualitative Inhaltsanalyse noch wenig bekannt ist. Ferner reflektiere ich methodologische Aspekte, fokussiere in einem abschließenden Ausblick das Thema Standards und Gütekriterien und plädiere für die Entwicklung methodischer Strenge.

Online surveys have become a key tool of modern health research, offering a fast, cost-effective, and convenient means of data collection. It enables researchers to access diverse populations, such as those underrepresented in traditional studies, and facilitates the collection of stigmatized or sensitive behaviors through greater anonymity. However, the ease of participation also introduces significant challenges, particularly around data integrity and rigor. As fraudulent responses—whether from bots, repeat responders, or individuals misrepresenting themselves—become more sophisticated and pervasive, ensuring the rigor of online surveys has never been more crucial. This article provides a comprehensive synthesis of practical strategies that help to increase the rigor of online surveys through the detection and removal of fraudulent data. Drawing on recent literature and case studies, we outline several options that address the full research cycle from predata collection strategies to validation post data collection. We emphasize the integration of automated screening techniques (eg, CAPTCHAs and honeypot questions) and attention checks (eg, trap questions) for purposeful survey design. Robust recruitment procedures (eg, concealed eligibility criteria and 2-stage screening) and a proper incentive or compensation structure can also help to deter fraudulent participation. We examine the merits and limitations of different sampling methodologies, including river sampling, online panels, and crowdsourcing platforms, offering guidance on how to select samples based on specific research objectives. Post data collection, we discuss metadata-based techniques to detect fraudulent data (eg, duplicate email or IP addresses, response time analysis), alongside methods to better screen for low-quality responses (eg, inconsistent response patterns and improbable qualitative responses). The escalating sophistication of fraud tactics, particularly with the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), demands that researchers continuously adapt and stay vigilant. We propose the use of dynamic protocols, combining multiple strategies into a multipronged approach that can better filter for fraudulent data and evolve depending on the type of responses received across the data collection process. However, there is still significant room for strategies to develop, and it should be a key focus for upcoming research. As online surveys become increasingly integral to health research, investing in robust strategies to screen for fraudulent data and increasing the rigor of studies is key to upholding scientific integrity.

The use of acid to obscure human remains is a tactic frequently associated with criminal activity, yet research on its effects on human dentition remains inconsistent. Dental tissues, among the body's most durable components, play a vital role in forensic identification. However, existing studies on acid dissolution of dentition often lack standardized methods, resulting in findings that are difficult to reproduce or generalize. This study addresses these gaps by examining the effects of hydrochloric acid (HCl) on permanent maxillary molars under controlled conditions, using a replicable methodology that incorporates experimental controls and evaluates the impact of handling techniques such as removal, rinsing, and drying. Five permanent maxillary molar samples were submerged in HCl (37 %) under varied handling conditions. Findings reveal that undisturbed samples dissolved more slowly than those subjected to periodic removal and rinsing, which accelerated dissolution rates by over 100 %. This highlights the significant influence of handling techniques on experimental outcomes. The study also identifies inconsistent reporting and the absence of standardized protocols in prior research as critical barriers to reproducibility. By providing a clear and replicable framework, this study advances understanding of the dissolution process and emphasizes the importance of methodological rigor in forensic science. These findings have broader implications for improving the reliability of forensic evidence and ensuring its applicability in criminal investigations. Addressing these issues is essential for enhancing public trust in forensic methods and strengthening their role in the justice system. •Clear, replicable research is critical to maintaining credibility in forensic applications.•Variability in dentition studies reveals critical gaps in forensic science's methodological rigor.•Introducing controls in forensic research can significantly improve the accuracy of findings.•It found that handling methods, like periodic rinsing, accelerate tooth dissolution compared to undisturbed conditions.•This study explores how hydrochloric acid affects human molars using a controlled, replicable approach.

Background Postpartum depression (PPD) is a highly prevalent mental health problem that affects parental health with implications for child health in infancy, childhood, adolescence and beyond. The primary aim of this study was to critically appraise available systematic reviews describing interventions for PPD. The secondary aim was to evaluate the methodological quality of the included systematic reviews and their conclusions. Methods An electronic database search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from 2000 to 2020 was conducted to identify systematic reviews that examined an intervention for PPD. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews was utilized to independently score each included systematic review which was then critically appraised to better define the most effective therapeutic options for PPD. Results Of the 842 studies identified, 83 met the a priori criteria for inclusion. Based on the systematic reviews with the highest methodological quality, we found that use of antidepressants and telemedicine were the most effective treatments for PPD. Symptoms of PPD were also improved by traditional herbal medicine and aromatherapy. Current evidence for physical exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy in treating PPD remains equivocal. A significant, but weak relationship between AMSTAR score and journal impact factor was observed ( p  = 0.03, r = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.43) whilst no relationship was found between the number of total citations ( p  = 0.27, r = 0.12; 95% CI, − 0.09 to 0.34), or source of funding ( p  = 0.19). Conclusion Overall the systematic reviews on interventions for PPD are of low-moderate quality and are not improving over time. Antidepressants and telemedicine were the most effective therapeutic interventions for PPD treatment.