creswell 2014 descriptive research

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Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

The book Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches by Creswell (2014) covers three approaches-qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. This educational book is informative and illustrative and is equally beneficial for students, teachers and researchers. Readers should have basic knowledge of research for better understanding of this book. There are two parts of the book. Part 1 (chapter 1-4) consists of steps for developing research proposal and part II (chapter 5-10) explains how to develop a research proposal or write a research report. A summary is given at the end of every chapter that helps the reader to recapitulate the ideas. Moreover, writing exercises and suggested readings at the end of every chapter are useful for the readers. Chapter 1 opens with-definition of research approaches and the author gives his opinion that selection of a research approach is based on the nature of the research problem, researchers' experience and the audience of the study. The author defines qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research. A distinction is made between quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The author believes that interest in qualitative research increased in the latter half of the 20th century. The worldviews, Fraenkel, Wallen and Hyun (2012) and Onwuegbuzie and Leech (2005) call them paradigms, have been explained. Sometimes, the use of language becomes too philosophical and technical. This is probably because the author had to explain some technical terms.

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Conducting a well-established research requires deep knowledge about the research designs. Doing research can be likened to jumping into the sea which may transform into a huge ocean if the researcher is not experienced. As a PhD candidate and a novice researcher, I believe that the book "Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches" by J.W. Creswell is a true reference guide for novice researchers since it is the most comprehensive and informative source with its reader-friendly structure.

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John W. Creswell was previously a professor in educational psychology in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He moved to the University of Michigan in 2015 as a professor in the Department of Family Medicine. He has published many articles and close to 27 books on mixed methods. Professor Creswell is also one of the founding members of the Journal of Mixed Methods Research. He was a Fulbright scholar in South Africa in 2008 and Thailand in 2012. In 2011, he served as a visiting professor in the School of Public Health of Harvard University. In 2014, he became the Chairman of the Mixed Methods International Research Association. Professor Creswell has a personal website called “Mixed Methods Research” at http://johnwcreswell.com/. The site contains the information about his background, his own blog, consulting works and published books. He also posted replies questions from academic researchers and practitioners in the blog.

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To understand educational research, you now have the map (the steps that exist in the process of research) and the different paths you can take (quantitative and qualitative). Now we will explore some distinguishing features along the qualitative research design. These features are the research designs you can use to collect, analyze, and interpret data using quantitative and qualitative research. Some of the research designs may be familiar; others may be new, such as how these paths can converge with two designs called mixed methods research and action research. The discussion of designs will provide a more advanced understanding of educational research on your journey.

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Research design : qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches

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Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches

You are here, student resources, welcome to the companion website.

Welcome to the SAGE edge site for Research Design, Fifth Edition .

The SAGE edge site for Research Design by John W. Creswell and J. David Creswell offers a robust online environment you can access anytime, anywhere, and features an array of free tools and resources to keep you on the cutting edge of your learning experience.

This best-selling text pioneered the comparison of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research design. For all three approaches, John W. Creswell and new co-author J. David Creswell include a preliminary consideration of philosophical assumptions, key elements of the research process, a review of the literature, an assessment of the use of theory in research applications, and reflections about the importance of writing and ethics in scholarly inquiry.

The  Fifth   Edition  includes more coverage of: epistemological and ontological positioning in relation to the research question and chosen methodology; case study, PAR, visual and online methods in qualitative research; qualitative and quantitative data analysis software; and in quantitative methods more on power analysis to determine sample size, and more coverage of experimental and survey designs; and updated with the latest thinking and research in mixed methods.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge John W. Creswell and J. David Creswell for writing an excellent text. Special thanks are also due to Tim Guetterman of the University of Michigan, Shannon Storch of the University of Creighton, and Tiffany J. Davis of the University of Houston for developing the ancillaries on this site.

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Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches / sixth edition

• Published: 15 November 2023
• Volume 58 , pages 1011–1013, ( 2024 )

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• James P. Takona   ORCID: orcid.org/0009-0001-4591-8136 1  

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This review examines John W. Creswell and David Creswell’s sixth edition, which covers the most popular research methods, offering readers a comprehensive understanding and practical guidance in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. The review includes observations on existing drawbacks, gaps, and ideas on potential areas for improvement in the book. The book is an excellent entry point for understanding the three broad research designs. It stands out for incorporating various methods and empowering researchers to effectively align them with specific research questions, objectives, and philosophical underpinnings. However, it could be further refined by incorporating newer research approaches and expanding practical aspects such as data collection, sampling strategies, and data analysis techniques. With these improvements, the sixth edition could further solidify its position as a comprehensive and accessible guide adeptly catering to researchers, educators, and students. Despite the book’s many strengths, there are opportunities for refinement in future editions, incorporating newer approaches to research designs and expanding practical aspects such as data collection, sampling strategies, and data analysis techniques. This review highlights that, with these suggested improvements, future editions could not only maintain but also enhance the text’s comprehensive and accessible nature, further solidifying its status as a vital resource for researchers, educators, and student.

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Takona, J.P. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches / sixth edition. Qual Quant 58 , 1011–1013 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-023-01798-2

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Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches Paperback – 22 Nov. 2022

The Sixth Edition has been fully revised to reflect the 7th edition of the P ublication Manual of the American Psychological Association with more inclusive language, updated citation styles, and updated writing suggestions. Learning objectives are now included at the start of each chapter. To help readers better achieve these learning objectives, the authors have clarified and improved the writing exercises to help readers better achieve these learning objectives. The final three chapters detailing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods now have a parallel structure so readers can better compare and contrast these approaches. Chapter 10 on mixed methods in particular has been restructured to reflect the latest developments in mixed methods and best practices. New research examples throughout help capture and demonstrate new trends in research.

• ISBN-10 1071817949
• ISBN-13 978-1071817940
• Edition 6th ed.
• Publication date 22 Nov. 2022
• Language English
• Dimensions 17.78 x 1.27 x 25.4 cm
• Print length 320 pages
• See all details

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Product description

About the author.

John W. Creswell, PhD, is a Professor of Family Medicine and Senior Research Scientist of

the Michigan Mixed Methods Program. He has authored numerous articles and 34 books on

mixed methods research, qualitative research, and research design. While at the University of

Nebraska-Lincoln, he held the Clifton Endowed Professor Chair, served as Director of the

Mixed Methods Research Office, co-founded SAGE's Journal of Mixed Methods Research , and

was an Adjunct Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan and a consultant to

the Veterans Administration Health Services Research Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was

a Senior Fulbright Scholar to South Africa in 2008 and to Thailand in 2012. In 2011, he co-led

a National Institutes of Health working group on the "best practices of mixed methods research

in the health sciences," served as a Visiting Professor at Harvard's School of Public Health and

received an honorary doctorate from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. In 2014, he was

the founding President of the Mixed Methods International Research Association. In 2015, he

joined the staff of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan to Co-Direct the Michigan

Mixed Methods Program. In 2017, he coauthored the American Psychological Association

"standards" on qualitative and mixed methods research. The fourth edition of this book on

Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design won the 2018 McGuffey Longevity Award from the U.S.

Textbook & Academic Authors Association. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he gave virtual

keynote presentations to many countries from his office in Osaka, Japan. Updates on his work

can be found on his website at johnwcreswell.com.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sage Publications, Inc; 6th ed. edition (22 Nov. 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1071817949
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1071817940
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 17.78 x 1.27 x 25.4 cm
• 191 in Bilingual & Multicultural Education
• 455 in Psychological Research (Books)
• 851 in Psychological History & Philosophy

About the author

John w. creswell.

John W. Creswell is a Professor of Educational Psychology at Teachers College, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is affiliated with a graduate program in educational psychology that specializes in quantitative and qualitative methods in education. In this program, he specializes in qualitative and quantitative research designs and methods, multimethod research, and faculty and academic leadership issues in colleges and universities.

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Introduction to Descriptive Design Research 

• Author Survey Point Team
• Published September 4, 2023

Descriptive design research explains phenomena, populations, or situations through patterns of behavior. This is done through the collection of data via observation, surveys, interviews, and experiments. Descriptive design research answers questions about what is happening and why.  

In-depth research is conducted with the intent of learning as much as possible about a subject. Widely seen in the fields of social sciences and health sciences. Now seen in other areas such as business, education, and economics.  

According to Creswell , the descriptive research design is a study that describes the characteristics of a population or phenomenon being studied. Primarily used to gain an understanding of a group or phenomenon. This involves collecting data through surveys, interviews, or observation. Descriptive research designs answer “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.” 

Table of Contents

Characteristics of Descriptive Design Research  

The descriptive design research would entail the following characteristics:  

• Usability:  The usability is by observing and describing the behavior of the subject. This is without influencing it in any way. 
• Non-Experimental:  This research is non-experimental in nature. It does not involve any manipulation of variables. 
• Process:  There is a collection of large amounts of data. These can be through interviews, observations, surveys, and/or questionnaires, and other sources. 
• Analysis:  Seeks to describe, analyze, and explain phenomena in detail. 
• Requirement:  This includes answering questions related to the characteristics of a population/phenomenon. 
• Control:  is usually used when a researcher has limited control over the variables of interest and can only observe them. 
• Aim:  is used to gain a better understanding of a phenomenon and to form hypotheses for further investigation. 

Descriptive Design Research Examples  

Let’s take an example where researchers use descriptive design research:  

Suppose a researcher surveys a sample of college students to know what influences their decision to attend college. The researcher would ask questions such as:  

Q. What led you to decide to attend college?  

Q. How supportive were your family and friends of your decision?  

Q. What do you aim to get out of college?  

The researcher would then analyze the responses. In an effort to learn what makes some pupils more likely to go to college than others, we conducted a survey. 

On the whole, a researcher can use descriptive design research, include: 

• A study that describes the prevalence of anxiety among college students. 
• A survey that describes the attitudes of employees towards their workplace. 
• An observational study that describes the behavior of customers in a retail store. 
• A cross-sectional study that describes the health behaviors of a particular population. 
• A longitudinal study that describes changes in cognitive function among older adults. 

Types of Descriptive Design Research Surveys   

Descriptive design research classifies into the following types: 

Census Survey    

A census survey collects data from every member of a population. In this research method, the researchers account for the whole population of a specific area. After which, they analyze age, gender, income, occupation, and other demographic information. 

Sample Survey   

A sample survey gathers data on a selected population. In effect, this is to gain a better understanding of its characteristics through questions. In this case, questions explore characteristics of the population like demographics, behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, etc.  

Comparative Survey  

A comparative survey involves the comparison of two or more entities. Therefore, this type of research identifies the similarities and differences between the entities. On the whole, to gain further insights into their respective characteristics.  

Comparative surveys explore topics such as customer satisfaction, product preferences, and employee attitudes. 

Longitudinal Survey   

A longitudinal survey is a collection of repeated observations on the same subjects. It identifies changes over a period of time. This survey explores the relationships between variables. These surveys often study the effects of aging, career development, and health outcomes. 

Cross-Sectional Survey   

In this research method, a sample from a population is taken and studied by the researchers at one specific time. It can be either single-variable or multivariable research .  

Cross-sectional surveys collect the population’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors at a particular time. 

When is it best to conduct a descriptive survey? 

Below is an example of a market research goal that can be met using a descriptive survey design. Survey research design provides researchers with the data they need to make educated judgments that will ultimately benefit the development of their organization. 

Define a distinct client type profile with the use of a descriptive survey design. For instance, a cosmetics business can use a descriptive survey to categorize customers into groups based on their characteristics. 

In order to learn how consumers feel about a given brand or product, one must: 

• Customers’ opinions on the unique selling proposition (USP) of your products and services can be gleaned through the usage of this research methodology . 
• You can conduct market research by asking customers what they like and don’t like about your product’s design, color scheme, packaging, etc. 
• A descriptive survey design can help you figure out what kind of customer acts in a certain way so you can better understand their motivations and preferences. For instance, a health drink manufacturer would inquire how many of their consumers also buy tea. Customers can be categorized in this way for more precise marketing. 
• Customers can shed light on shopping behaviors and the factors that influence purchases, which can be used to make educated predictions. 
• Customers are more likely to make purchases in November and December, according to surveys, because of the holidays and the approaching new year.  
• Companies can utilize the results of these surveys to anticipate sales and prepare for an influx of clients. 

Steps to Conduct Descriptive Design Research  

To list the steps involved in conducting descriptive design research: 

• Identify the question:  it is essential to identify the research problem or question. This is so that the researchers have clarity about the goal of the study.  
• Develop a research design:  The next step is to develop a research design. You should determine the data type you will collect and the methods you will use to analyze the data. 
• Collect the data:  Data collection methods include surveys, interviews, observations, or other methods. 
• Analyze the data:  The data analysis includes summarizing the data. For this, creating graphs or charts to visualize the data is mandatory. 
• Interpret the results:  The final step is to interpret the results of the study. That involves summarizing the findings and discussing the implications of the results. 

Advantages of Descriptive Design Research 

Descriptive design research has several advantages, including: 

• Provides a detailed and accurate description of a particular phenomenon or situation. 
• Generates hypotheses for future research. 
• Identify patterns or trends in the data. 

Limitations of Descriptive Design Research 

Descriptive design research also has some limitations, including: 

• Limited in its ability to identify causal relationships between variables. 
• It may not provide insight into why a particular phenomenon is occurring. 
• It may not be generalizable to other populations or situations. 

Conclusion  

In conclusion, descriptive design is an efficient method for performing research. It explores relationships between variables and draws meaningful conclusions from the data collected. The descriptive design provides an in-depth understanding of the hypothesis. This helps researchers get conclusive findings and make informed decisions.  

Descriptive design research is a valuable method because it analyzes a particular situation. Not to mention, it provides an accurate description of a particular population, behavior, or condition. Despite its drawbacks, this approach is a powerful means of discovering trends and gaining understanding. 

Is descriptive design research the same as qualitative research?  

No, descriptive design research is not the same as qualitative research. It can involve qualitative methods of collecting data, such as interviews or focus groups. In this case, descriptive design research also has quantitative methods, such as surveys or observational studies. 

How is descriptive design research different from experimental research?  

Descriptive design research focuses on analyzing a particular phenomenon or situation. Another key point, it focuses on identifying causal relationships between variables. 

Survey Point Team

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Book Review Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

•   Muhammad Ishtiaq    

The book Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches by Creswell (2014) covers three approaches— qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. This educational book is informative and illustrative and is equally beneficial for students, teachers and researchers. Readers should have basic knowledge of research for better understanding of this book. There are two parts of the book. Part 1 (chapter 1-4) consists of steps for developing research proposal and part II (chapter 5-10) explains how to develop a research proposal or write a research report. A summary is given at the end of every chapter that helps the reader to recapitulate the ideas. Moreover, writing exercises and suggested readings at the end of every chapter are useful for the readers.

• DOI: 10.5539/elt.v12n5p40

• ISSN(Print): 1916-4742
• ISSN(Online): 1916-4750
• Started: 2008
• Frequency: monthly

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1. h-index (May 2023): 112

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Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches 5th Edition

This bestselling text pioneered the comparison of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research design. For all three approaches, John W. Creswell and new co author J. David Creswell include a preliminary consideration of philosophical assumptions; key elements of the research process; a review of the literature; an assessment of the use of theory in research applications, and reflections about the importance of writing and ethics in scholarly inquiry. New to this Edition

• Updated discussion on designing a proposal for a research project and on the steps in designing a research study.  
• Additional content on epistemological and ontological positioning in relation to the research question and chosen methodology and method. 
• Additional updates on the transformative worldview. 
• Expanded coverage on specific approaches such as case studies, participatory action research, and visual methods. 
• Additional information about social media, online qualitative methods, and mentoring and reflexivity in qualitative methods. 
• Incorporation of action research and program evaluation in mixed methods and coverage of the latest advances in the mixed methods field
• Additional coverage on qualitative and quantitative data analysis software in the respective methods chapters. 
• Additional information about causality and its relationship to statistics in quantitative methods. 
• Incorporation of writing discussion sections into each of the three methodologies. 
• Current references and additional readings are included in this new edition.
• ISBN-10 1506386709
• ISBN-13 978-1506386706
• Edition 5th
• Publication date January 2, 2018
• Language English
• Dimensions 7 x 0.75 x 10 inches
• Print length 304 pages
• See all details

Editorial Reviews

About the author.

John W. Creswell, PhD, is a Professor of Family Medicine and Senior Research Scientist of

the Michigan Mixed Methods Program. He has authored numerous articles and 34 books on

mixed methods research, qualitative research, and research design. While at the University of

Nebraska–Lincoln, he held the Clifton Endowed Professor Chair, served as Director of the

Mixed Methods Research Office, co-founded SAGE’s Journal of Mixed Methods Research , and

was an Adjunct Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan and a consultant to

the Veterans Administration Health Services Research Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was

a Senior Fulbright Scholar to South Africa in 2008 and to Thailand in 2012. In 2011, he co-led

a National Institutes of Health working group on the “best practices of mixed methods research

in the health sciences,” served as a Visiting Professor at Harvard’s School of Public Health and

received an honorary doctorate from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. In 2014, he was

the founding President of the Mixed Methods International Research Association. In 2015, he

joined the staff of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan to Co-Direct the Michigan

Mixed Methods Program. In 2017, he coauthored the American Psychological Association

“standards” on qualitative and mixed methods research. The fourth edition of this book on

Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design won the 2018 McGuffey Longevity Award from the U.S.

Textbook & Academic Authors Association. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he gave virtual

keynote presentations to many countries from his office in Osaka, Japan. Updates on his work

can be found on his website at johnwcreswell.com.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ SAGE Publications, Inc; 5th edition (January 2, 2018)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1506386709
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1506386706
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.75 x 10 inches
• #13 in Social Sciences Methodology
• #26 in Social Sciences Research
• #92 in Core

About the author

John w. creswell.

John W. Creswell is a Professor of Educational Psychology at Teachers College, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is affiliated with a graduate program in educational psychology that specializes in quantitative and qualitative methods in education. In this program, he specializes in qualitative and quantitative research designs and methods, multimethod research, and faculty and academic leadership issues in colleges and universities.

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Customers find the reference book great and clear, making everything clear. However, opinions are mixed on readability, with some finding it well-written, easy to read, and detailed, while others say it's nearly impossible to read in some sections and some concepts are not thoroughly explained.

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Customers find the reference book great, excellent, and straightforward. They also say it's appropriate for graduate students, teachers, and researchers of many stripes.

"...term clarifications in textbooks, but this title just makes everything so clear that my confusion around commonly synonymously-used terminology..." Read more

"This book gives an excellent overview of quantitative , qualitative, and mixed methods research...." Read more

"...It is appropriate for graduate students , teachers, and researchers of many stripes – especially in medicine, education, psychology, and the social..." Read more

"An excellent resource on the research process , stepping through the entire sequence step by step, including selection an approach, literature review..." Read more

Customers are mixed about the readability of the book. Some mention it's well written, easy to read, and simple. They also say the authors are well known in the field of social research design. However, some find the language overcomplicated, some concepts are not thoroughly explained, and the green colored text doesn't align properly with the black and white text.

"...cover the practical nuances of thesis writing in such a clean, simple , and thorough way that I actually couldn't put the book down and read it cover..." Read more

"This book gives an excellent overview of quantitative, qualitative , and mixed methods research...." Read more

"... Some concepts are not thoroughly explained in one particular section, so readers should be patient in going back and forth to firmly grasp those..." Read more

"...It is accessible and readable enough that anyone engaged in critical inquiry can gain from this work...." Read more

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An exception resource for the design and implementation of research.

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Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

has been cited by the following article:

TITLE: Lebanese Public Schools: 20th or 21st Century Schools? An Investigation into Teachers’ Instructional Practices

KEYWORDS: 21st Century Schools , School Improvement , Instructional Practices , School Effectiveness , Teacher Education

JOURNAL NAME: Open Journal of Leadership , Vol.6 No.1 , January 24, 2017

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the offerings of Lebanese public schools against requirements of 21st century skills through the lenses of teachers. A survey that captures the features of the 21st century schools was adapted from Hixson, Ravitz & Whisman (2012) and was administered to 667 middle and secondary schoolteachers in 68 public schools in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. The survey addressed 8 teaching practices that are recognized in the literature as the basic 21st century skills: critical thinking skills, collaboration skills, communication skills, creativity and innovation skills, self-direction skills, global connections skills, local connections skills, and technology skills. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 for windows. Results indicated that a huge gap existed between how schools function as opposed to how they are supposed to do so, in light of the 21st century demands. Lebanese public schools have not yet moved to the 21st century and are quite far from doing so. Recommendations for policy and practice are provided.

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