IntroductionBisphenol A is highly debated and studied in relation to a variety of health outcomes. This large variation in the literature makes BPA a topic that is prone to selective use of literature, in order to underpin one’s own findings and opinion. Over time, selective use of literature, by means of citations, can lead to a skewed knowledge development and a biased scientific consensus. In this study, we assess which factors drive citation and whether this results in the overrepresentation of (...) harmful health effects of BPA.MethodsA citation network analysis was performed to test various determinants of citation. A systematic search identified all relevant publications on the human health effect of BPA. Data were extracted on potential determinants of selective citation, such as study outcome, study design, sample size, journal impact factor, authority of the author, self-citation, and funding source. We applied random effect logistic regression to assess whether these determinants influence the likelihood of citation.ResultsOne hundred sixty-nine publications on BPA were identified, with 12,432 potential citation pathways of which 808 citations occurred. The network consisted of 63 cross-sectional studies, 34 cohort studies, 29 case-control studies, 35 narrative reviews, and 8 systematic reviews. Positive studies have a 1.5 times greater chance of being cited compared to negative studies. Additionally, the authority of the author and self-citation are consistently found to be positively associated with the likelihood of being cited. Overall, the network seems to be highly influenced by two highly cited publications, whereas 60 out of 169 publications received no citations.ConclusionIn the literature on BPA, citation is mostly driven by positive study outcome and author-related factors, such as high authority within the network. Interpreting the impact of these factors and the big influence of a few highly cited publications, it can be questioned to which extent the knowledge development in human literature on BPA is actually evidence-based. (shrink)

Citing of previous publications is an important factor in knowledge development. Because of the great amount of publications available, only a selection of studies gets cited, for varying reasons. If the selection of citations is associated with study outcome this is called citation bias. We will study determinants of citation in a broader sense, including e.g. study design, journal impact factor or the funding source of the publication. As a case study we assess which factors drive citation in the human (...) literature on phthalates, specifically the metabolite mono phthalate. A systematic literature search identified all relevant publications on human health effect of MEHP. Data on potential determinants of citation were extracted in duplo. Specialized software was used to create a citation network, including all potential citation pathways. Random effect logistic regression was used to assess whether these determinants influence the likelihood of citation. 112 Publications on MEHP were identified, with 5684 potential citation pathways of which 551 were actual citations. Reporting of a harmful point estimate, journal impact factor, authority of the author, a male corresponding author, research performed in North America and self-citation were positively associated with the likelihood of being cited. In the literature on MEHP, citation is mostly driven by a number of factors that are not related to study outcome. Although the identified determinants do not necessarily give strong indications of bias, it shows selective use of published literature for a variety of reasons. (shrink)

BackgroundKnowledge development depends on an unbiased representation of the available evidence. Selective citation may distort this representation. Recently, some controversy emerged regarding the possible impact of swimming on childhood asthma, raising the question about the role of selective citation in this field. Our objective was to assess the occurrence and determinants of selective citation in scientific publications on the relationship between swimming in chlorinated pools and childhood asthma.MethodsWe identified scientific journal articles on this relationship via a systematic literature search. The (...) following factors were taken into account: study outcome (authors’ conclusion, data-based conclusion), other content-related article characteristics (article type, sample size, research quality, specificity), content-unrelated article characteristics (language, publication title, funding source, number of authors, number of affiliations, number of references, journal impact factor), author characteristics (gender, country, affiliation), and citation characteristics (time to citation, authority, self-citation). To assess the impact of these factors on citation, we performed a series of univariate and adjusted random-effects logistic regressions, with potential citation path as unit of analysis.ResultsThirty-six articles were identified in this network, consisting of 570 potential citation paths of which 191 (34%) were realized. There was strong evidence that articles with at least one author in common, cited each other more often than articles that had no common authors (odds ratio (OR) 5.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.1–8.8). Similarly, the chance of being cited was higher for articles that were empirical rather than narrative (OR 4.2, CI 2.6–6.7), that reported a large sample size (OR 5.8, CI 2.9–11.6), and that were written by authors with a high authority within the network (OR 4.1, CI 2.1–8.0). Further, there was some evidence for citation bias: articles that confirmed the relation between swimming and asthma were cited more often (OR 1.8, CI 1.1–2.9), but this finding was not robust.ConclusionsThere is clear evidence of selective citation in this research field, but the evidence for citation bias is not very strong. (shrink)

A fine symposium comprising the Proceedings of the second annual NYU Institute of Philosophy, this volume is divided into four parts: Psychoanalysis and Scientific Method; Psychoanalysis and Society; Psychoanalysis and Philosophy; Discussion, Criticism, and Contributions by other Participants.--J. E. M.

Institutional ethics committees (IECs) are part of a growing phenomenon in the American health care system. Although a major force driving hospitals to establish IECs is the desire to resolve difficult clinical dilemmas in a quick and systematic way, in this paper we argue that such a goal is naive and, to some extent, misguided. We assess the growing trend of these committees, analyse the theoretical assumptions underlying their establishment, and evaluate their strengths and shortcomings. We show how the 'medical (...) consultation' model is often inappropriately applied to IECs and suggest that IECs must operate under a different framework. Finally, we argue that IECs should be valued for the process they facilitate, and not for the product that they are, often unreasonably, expected to deliver. (shrink)

Molecular epidemiology (ME) is a field that integrates molecular biology techniques with traditional epidemiological methods to study the distribution, determinants, and dynamics of disease. In the context of HIV, ME involves analysing genetic sequences of the virus to understand patterns of transmission, evolution, and the relationships between social, behavioural, and biological factors that influence transmission. This holds great promise in the global effort to further reduce HIV transmission, although its use raises significant ethical issues. ME is not currently used in (...) Australia’s public health response to HIV, although experiences from other countries emphasize the importance of community consultation and support to avoid unintended negative consequences, such as deterring individuals from accessing sexual health services. This article explores the perspectives of twenty-three participants, recruited through HIV/sexual health-related organizations in Victoria, Australia, via nineteen semi-structured interviews and one focus group. Participants included people who regularly test for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and people diagnosed with HIV and/or syphilis/gonorrhoea. Participants often reported vague or no prior understanding of ME (19/23; 82.6 per cent); however, many of those with vague or no understanding were supportive (16/19; 84.2 per cent). A subset of participants raised concerns, including those related to privacy risks, misuse of data, and the disproportionate impact on marginalized groups. These findings reinforce the need for meaningful community engagement and safeguards for potential ethical use of ME in Australia. (shrink)

Winch identifies the central problem of sociology, "that of giving an account of the nature of social phenomena," with philosophy, particularly epistemology. In his attempt to undermine the "underlabourer" conception of philosophy, he draws support from Wittgenstein by reinterpreting the latter's assertion that "What has to be accepted, the given, is--so one could say--forms of life." The social character of language and meaningful behavior is treated as the starting point for a new conception of philosophy, as well as of sociology.--J. (...) E. M. (shrink)

In this first English translation the author has included all of the original text and has added new footnotes, preface, and 150 more pages of text. The new material is conveniently starred. A monumental work which develops the view Popper calls "deductivism" --the theory of the deductive method of testing.--J. E. M.

Some 600 entries are included in the 75-page section on philosophy. Behavioral sciences and other related sources occupy the rest of the volume. The period treated is from 1920-1958. Most entries include short, summarial statements.--J. E. M.

Intended as a course for beginning students in philosophy, this anthology consists of three "Books": "The Search for Understanding," "Ethics," and "Practical Philosophy." The latter is a hodgepodge--largely of moral advice--with selections from Buddha and Christ, among others. Although the selections are representative of diverse positions, both old and new, they are too short to be informative, and some of them might easily be misleading.--J. E. M.

The author hurries through the classical mathematicians in short order, highlighting their most significant contributions and their indebtedness to other thinkers. Written in a restrained narrative, this book presupposes throughout a detailed knowledge of mathematical concepts and symbolism. Some curious biographical data are included.--J. E. M.

The naturalistic fallacy, properly understood, and the nature of ethical disagreement render classical ethical naturalism untenable. Emotive naturalism, furthermore, overlooks the "semantic dimension" of moral judgments, while logical naturalism fails "genuinely" to produce suppressed imperative premises or to explain away the apparently cognitive nature of the desires and attitudes which present imperatives. Hence, the author has been led by his critical study of naturalism to affirm nonnaturalism in ethics. An interesting final chapter in this resourceful work considers the metaphysical implications (...) of naturalism vis-a-vis nonnaturalism.--J. E. M. (shrink)

The author is concerned to show that Freud and Dewey were in agreement with regard to their basic psychological positions, and that because of their personal experiences they were led "to emphasize the opposite element in a relatively fixed equation ['the dynamic interaction between the individual and his environment']" with Freud placing more weight upon internal organization of the individual and Dewey on external events. In establishing similarities the author seems to have overlooked the fact that one difference, if important (...) enough, can minimize similarities. The "inner," "outer" difference seems to be a case in point. Hence, Dewey is generally associated with a social psychology and Freud with an individual psychology. --J. E. M. (shrink)

Addressed to the non-mathematician, this mainly historical work attempts to bring out the basic philosophical issues in the face of which mathematics exhibits that it has "'no corner on the market' of truth." The author's discussion of theory of numbers is quite good; the chapter on the infinite, however, with its concern for the infinity of God, is perhaps less mathematical or strictly philosophical than one has a right to expect.--J. E. M.

This book deals with many interesting topics in a provocative way. Of considerable interest in Kaufmann's vicious counterattack on Popper's treatment of Hegel. Unfortunately there is no over-all unifying theme. The author is obviously erudite and misses no opportunity for pointing this out.--J. E. M.

The author describes analyst and patient roles in group psycho-analysis with a view towards increasing among his colleagues the application of techniques based largely on Karen Horney's theories.--J. E. M.

The issues between naturalism and subjectivism are brought into sharp focus, mainly through a critical examination of Husserl's phenomenology, with the author defending not only naturalism, but the view that only by a pluralism of methods can an adequate philosophy of experience be attained. Farber criticizes Husserl for failing to recognize that his method, rather than experience itself, generates some of the problems he attempted to solve. The movement from subjectivism to "irrationalism,", is briefly accounted for by considering Heidegger, Jaspers, (...) Marcel and Sartre. An important book, occasionally sardonic and humorous.--J. E. M. (shrink)

According to the author, philosophical anthropology offers the key to better relations among nations, inasmuch as its objective, scientific view of men seen in their cultural contexts eliminates guesswork in the solution of problems arising among conflicting cultures. Brilliantly imaginative yet realistic, Prof. Northrop's theory takes note of the dependency of cultural institutions upon the epistemological orientation of a people towards the facts of physical science. His primary value being world peace, he advocates understanding other peoples through understanding their epistemology. (...) A rare combination of both social science and philosophy, this challenging work includes several reprinted essays.--J. E. M. (shrink)

An expansion and revision of an earlier work, Free Speech and its Relation to Self-Government. The author enters a lucid and dispassionate plea for the inviolability of the First Amendment. His work should awaken philosophers to the need for further analysis in the field of legal and political science.--J. E. M.

A parade of personalities, broken occasionally by general statements indicating that the personalities in question were to some extent concerned with philosophical problems. It is hard to know to what audience this book is directed, although Runes in his preface expresses the hope that the readers will be stimulated to delve into the writings of these thinkers. He asserts that "Philosophy is ethics, or it is nothing at all." He singles out three men who have fulfilled his ideal of philosophers: (...) Solomon, Socrates and Spinoza. But this distinction wins for the latter two only a half page of text and three pages of pictures, and for the wise King Solomon, even less attention. Some of the reproductions are quite good.--J. E. M. (shrink)

The author studies planning in India "from historical and analytical points of view." Socialist aims in securing equitable distribution of wealth are evaluated in the light of pertinent facts and figures.--J. E. M.

A brief and neutral review of the many "isms" in current philosophic discussion deals with questions of what philosophy is and what the role of philosophy can be in the twentieth century. Professor Ferrater Mora singles out the conflicting Russian, Anglo-American and European philosophies and suggests possible reconciliations. He also examines the role of philosophy in relation to art, science and religion.--J. E. M.

As successful as a book of this type could be, with one exception: the selection of recent and contemporary philosophers is all too arbitrary, with its heavy emphasis on British academics reflecting the array of mostly British contributors to the volume. Many fine photographs are included.--J. E. M.

These essays, most of which have been previously published, survey various types of legal theory along with their ethical counterparts. Definitive statements are given of sociological jurisprudence and of philosophical anthropology. The new material constitutes a major contribution to the analyses of legal obligation and international law. A fascinating book which, unfortunately, is not always as clear as one would like.--J. E. M.

A useful source book, which includes introductory notes and supplementary bibliography. Part Eight of this volume is entirely new, while some of the other parts contain new selections. Parts Five and Seven are more complete than others, but inevitably omissions are notable.--J. E. M.

There is not much in this collection of 27 technical papers, heretofore available only in journals, which would be of interest to the philosopher. With an inclination towards an empirical ethics, however, one might appreciate Thurstone's discussion of the measurement of social values.--J. E. M.

Thirteen studies provide a good introduction to some of the leading theorists of the period in question. Despite multiple authorship this book is even in its style and penetration of subject-matter. While the historical authors are frequently allowed to speak for themselves, the present authors have not failed to generalize and evaluate in the interest of clarity. There are 58 pages of notes. --J. E. M.

Remarkable for its array of distinguished contributors, the volume begins with a modest autobiography, followed by some twenty-one essays which delve into various aspects of Broad's philosophy. Broad displays a tenacity for the main outlines of his philosophy in his "Reply to My Critics," and concludes by noting that his philosophy is antiquated "without having yet acquired the interest of a collector's piece." This handsome volume is a fine rebuttal.--J. E. M.

According to the author, most of history is a record of mankind's persistent sacrifice of children. He insists that he has found support for the hypothesis that human nature is formed by a union of the libidinal and destructive instincts. Patriotism and matriotism--devotion to the mother earth--also receive extensive analysis in Freudian terms. The author has an agreeable style.--J. E. M.

In addition to presenting ten reprinted essays belonging to Whitehead's American period together for the first time, this volume contains a moderately lengthy "interpretative exposition" of Whitehead's social philosophy by Professor Johnson. He futilely defends Whitehead's non-technical rambles in sociology.--J. E. M.

Residency training in the Netherlands is to be restructured over the coming years. To this end a general competence profile for medical specialists has been introduced. This profile is nearly the same as the Canadian CanMEDS 2000 model, which describes seven general areas of medical specialist competence, one of which is professionalism. In order to establish a training programme for residents and their instructors based on this competence, it is necessary to develop a vision that does justice to everyday medical (...) practice. The two most prevailing views of professionalism—as personal, or as a behavioural characteristic—fall short of this. Only when professionalism is understood as reflective professionalism does it encompass the fundamental contextuality of medical treatment. This means that the focus of training and assessment must be shifted to accountability for treatment. (shrink)