This groundbreaking work uses a simulated data set to evaluate new analytic methods in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The human genome is very complex, and the effect of a genetic variant depends on many factors including where the gene is expressed, when it is expressed, how it interacts with other genes that themselves may harbor variants, and the effect of the environment. GWAS have identified many new genetic risk factors for a number of common human diseases, but much work remains to be done and can only be accomplished by using new approaches. The role of this book is to help jump-start the investigation of such new approaches. Identifying which computational strategy is best suited for investigating a specific aspect of genomics is a daunting task. Using simulated data to evaluate new analytic methods provides a “truth set” against which to assess methods’ predictive properties. In this book, Cooley and colleagues use simulated data to test a variety of analytic methods, starting with single-gene models and progressing to more complex polygene and gene-by-environment scenarios. The methods that Cooley and colleagues use are straightforward, easily applied, and thoroughly documented.

Methods in Statistical Genomics: In the Context of Genome-Wide Association Studies (RTI Press Books)

Science & Math

Cooley, Philip Chester

Evolution

RTI Press / RTI International

The six case studies in Governance and Service Delivery: Practical Applications of Social Accountability Across Sectors illustrate the multiple ways citizen participation in accountability – called social accountability – can lead to positive effects on governance, citizen empowerment, and service delivery. Drawing on their extensive experience implementing international donor-funded programs and projects, the authors examine six recent RTI International projects in Africa and Asia. The analysis focuses on both intended and actual effects, and it unpacks the influence of context on implementation and outcomes achieved, as well as on prospects for sustainability. Donors, academics, policy makers, practitioners and others interested in sustainable development and governance will find this systematic review invaluable.

Governance and Service Delivery: Practical Applications of Social Accountability Across Sectors (RTI Press Books)

Politics & Social Sciences

Wetterberg, Anna

Social Sciences

People providing services to schools, teachers, and students want to know whether these services are effective. With that knowledge, a project director can expand services that work well and adjust implementation of activities that are not working as expected. When finding that an innovative strategy benefits students, a project director might want to share that information with other service providers who could build upon that strategy. Some organizations that fund programs for students will want a report demonstrating the program’s success.Determining whether a program is effective requires expertise in data collection, study design, and analysis. Not all project directors have this expertise—they tend to be primarily focused on working with schools, teachers, and students to undertake program activities. Collecting and obtaining student-level data may not be a routine part of the program. This book provides an overview of the process for evaluating a program. It is not a detailed methodological text but focuses on awareness of the process. What do program directors need to know about data and data analysis to plan an evaluation or to communicate with an evaluator? Examples focus on supporting college and career readiness programs. Readers can apply these processes to other studies that include a data collection component.

Leveraging Data for Student Success: Improving Education Through Data-Driven Decisions (RTI Press Books)

Education & Teaching

Glennie, Elizabeth

Knapp, Laura G.

Charles, Karen J.

Schools & Teaching

Science is allegedly in the midst of a reproducibility crisis, but questions of reproducibility and related principles date back nearly 80 years. Numerous controversies have arisen, especially since 2010, in a wide array of disciplines that stem from the failure to reproduce studies or their findings: biology, biomedical and preclinical research, business and organizational studies, computational sciences, drug discovery, economics, education epidemiology and statistics, genetics, immunology, policy research, political science, psychology, and sociology. This book defines terms and constructs related to reproducible research and examines considers key considerations and challenges in reaching key goals of credible scientific investigations. It clarifies reproducible research, with its attendant (and confusing or even conflicting) lexicon, and provides useful background, definitions, and practical guidance for all readers. The authors conclude that researchers must become better educated about these issues, so as to communicate more clearly within their own fields and, more importantly, across multiple disciplines. Scientists should embrace these concepts as part of their responsibilities as good stewards of research funding and as providers of credible information for public policy decision-making in many areas of public policy. The goal is achieving the most rigorous, high-quality science possible given limitations on time, funding, or other resources.

Reproducibility: A Primer on Semantics and Implications for Research (RTI Press Books)

Lohr, Kathleen N.

Pellizzari, Edo

Blatecky, Alan

Creel, Darryl

Research

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Books by RTI Press / RTI International