Publications

Key publications

Brick, C., McDowell, M, & Freeman, A. L. (2020). Risk communication in tables vs. text: a Registered Report randomised trial on ’fact boxes’. Royal Society Open Science, 7:190876. doi:10.1098/rsos.190876

 @article{brick2020,
  title = {Risk Communication in Tables versus Text: A Registered Report Randomized Trial on ‘fact Boxes'},
  author = {Brick, Cameron and McDowell, Michelle and Freeman, Alexandra L. J.},
  date = {2020},
  journaltitle = {Royal Society Open Science},
  shortjournal = {R. Soc. open sci.},
  volume = {7},
  pages = {190876},
  doi = {10.1098/rsos.190876},
  number = {3}
} 

McDowell, M & Jacobs, P (2017). Meta-analysis of the effect of natural frequencies on Bayesian reasoning. Psychological Bulletin, 143, 1273-1312. doi:10.1037/bul0000126

 @article{mcdowell2017,
  title = {Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Natural Frequencies on {{Bayesian}} Reasoning},
  author = {McDowell, M. and Jacobs, P.},
  date = {2017},
  journaltitle = {Psychological Bulletin},
  shortjournal = {Psychol. Bull.},
  volume = {143},
  pages = {1273--1312},
  doi = {10.1037/bul0000126}
} 

McDowell, M, Rebitschek, F, Gigerenzer, G, & Wegwarth, O (2016). A simple tool for communicating the benefits and harms of health interventions: A guide for creating a fact box. MDM Policy & Practice (1), 1-10. doi:10.1177/2381468316665365

 @article{mcdowell2016a,
  title = {A Simple Tool for Communicating the Benefits and Harms of Health Interventions: A Guide for Creating a Fact Box},
  author = {McDowell, Michelle and Rebitschek, Felix G. and Gigerenzer, Gerd and Wegwarth, Odette},
  date = {2016-07-01},
  journaltitle = {MDM Policy \& Practice},
  volume = {1},
  pages = {2381468316665365},
  doi = {10.1177/2381468316665365},
  number = {1}
} 

Peer-reviewed publications

*Equal contribution ϯSenior authorship

Under review

Schirren, C. O., Jenny, M. A., Ellermann, C., Lindemann, A.-K., Koch, S., Lohmann, M., & McDowell, M.*ϯ (under review). Communicating risk assessments results: A randomised trial of risk profiles.

Published

Schneider, M., McDowell, M., Guttorp, P., Steel, A. E., & Fleischhut, N. (2022). Effective uncertainty visualization for aftershock forecast maps. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 22(4), 1499-1518. doi:10.5194/nhess-22-1499-2022

 @article{schneider2022,
  title = {Effective uncertainty visualization for aftershock forecast maps},
  author = {Schneider, Max and McDowell, Michelle and Guttorp, Peter and Steel, Ashley E and Fleischhut, Nadine},
  date = {2022},
  journaltitle = {Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences},
  volume = {22},
  pages = {1499-1518},
  doi = {10.5194/nhess-22-1499-2022},
  number = {4}
} 

Ellermann, C., McDowell, M.*, Schirren, C. O., Lindemann, A.-K., Koch, S., Lohmann, M., & Jenny, M. A. (2022). Identifying content to improve risk assessment communications within the Risk Profile: Literature reviews and focus groups with expert and non-expert stakeholders. PLOS ONE, 17(4). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0266800

 @article{ellermann2022,
  title = {Identifying content to improve risk assessment communications within the Risk Profile: Literature reviews and focus groups with expert and non-expert stakeholders},
  author = {Ellermann, Christin and McDowell, Michelle and Schirren, Clara O and Lindemann, Anna-Katrin and Koch, Severine and Lohmann, Mark and Jenny, Mirjam A},
  date = {2022},
  journaltitle = {PLOS ONE},
  volume = {17},
  pages = {e0266800},
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0266800},
  number = {4}
} 

McDowell, M & Kause, A. (2021). Communicating uncertainties about the effects of medical interventions using different display formats. Risk Analysis, 41 (12), 2220-2239. doi:10.1111/risa.13739

 @article{mcdowell2021,
  title = {Communicating Uncertainties About the Effects of Medical Interventions Using Different Display Formats},
  author = {McDowell, Michelle and Kause, Astrid},
  date = {2021},
  journaltitle = {Risk Analysis},
  volume = {41},
  pages = {2220-2239},
  doi = {10.1111/risa.13739},
  number = {12}
} 

Luan, S., Yang, Y., Huang, Y., & McDowell, M.ϯ (2021). Public knowledge of stroke and heart attack symptoms in China: A cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open, 11:e043220. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043220

 @article{luan2021,
  title = {Public Knowledge of Stroke and Heart Attack Symptoms in {{China}}: A Cross-Sectional Survey},
  author = {Luan, Shenghua and Yang, Yujia and Huang, Yuqi and McDowell, Michelle},
  date = {2021},
  journaltitle = {BMJ Open},
  volume = {11},
  pages = {e043220},
  doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043220},
  number = {1}
} 

McDowell, M, & Pachur, T. (2020). Availability, Affect, and Decisions to Seek Information About Cancer Risks: A Brief Report. Medical Decision Making, 40(8), 941-945. doi:10.1177/0272989X20951775

 @article{mcdowell2020,
  title = {Availability, Affect, and Decisions to Seek Information about Cancer Risks},
  author = {McDowell, Michelle and Pachur, Thorsten},
  date = {2020},
  journaltitle = {Medical Decision Making},
  shortjournal = {Med Decis Making},
  volume = {40},
  pages = {941--945},
  publisher = {{SAGE Publications Inc STM}},
  doi = {10.1177/0272989X20951775},
  number = {8}
} 

Brick, C., McDowell, M, & Freeman, A. L. (2020). Risk communication in tables vs. text: a Registered Report randomised trial on ’fact boxes’. Royal Society Open Science, 7:190876. doi:10.1098/rsos.190876

 @article{brick2020b,
  title = {Risk Communication in Tables versus Text: A Registered Report Randomized Trial on ‘fact Boxes'},
  author = {Brick, Cameron and McDowell, Michelle and Freeman, Alexandra L. J.},
  date = {2020},
  journaltitle = {Royal Society Open Science},
  shortjournal = {R. Soc. open sci.},
  volume = {7},
  pages = {190876},
  doi = {10.1098/rsos.190876},
  number = {3}
} 

McDowell, M, Gigerenzer, G, Wegwarth, O, & Rebitschek, F (2019). Effect of tabular and icon fact box formats on comprehension of benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening: A randomized trial. Medical Decision Making, 39(1), 41-56. doi:10.1177/0272989X18818166

 @article{mcdowell2019,
  title = {Effect of Tabular and Icon Fact Box Formats on Comprehension of Benefits and Harms of Prostate Cancer Screening: A Randomized Trial},
  author = {McDowell, Michelle and Gigerenzer, Gerd and Wegwarth, Odette and Rebitschek, Felix G.},
  date = {2019},
  journaltitle = {Medical Decision Making},
  volume = {39},
  pages = {41--56},
  doi = {10.1177/0272989X18818166},
  number = {1}
} 

Loizeau, AJ., Theill, N., Cohen, SM., Eicher, S., Mitchell, SL., Meier, S., McDowell, M., Martin, M. & Riese, F. (2019). Fact box decision support tools reduce decisional conflict about artificial hydration and antibiotics for pneumonia in advanced dementia: A randomized controlled trial. Age and Ageing, 48 (1), 67-74. doi:10.1093/ageing/afy149

 @article{loizeau2019,
  title = {Fact {{Box}} Decision Support Tools Reduce Decisional Conflict about Antibiotics for Pneumonia and Artificial Hydration in Advanced Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trail},
  author = {Loizeau, Andrea J and Theill, Nathan and Cohen, Simon M and Eicher, Stefanie and Mitchell, Susan L and Meier, Silvio and McDowell, Michelle and Martin, Mike and Riese, Florian},
  date = {2019},
  journaltitle = {Age and Ageing},
  shortjournal = {Age and Ageing},
  volume = {48},
  pages = {67--74},
  doi = {10.1093/ageing/afy149},
  number = {1}
}

McDowell, M, Galesic, M, & Gigerenzer, G (2018). Natural frequencies do foster public understanding of medical tests: Comment on Pighin, Gonzales, Savadori and Girotto (2016). Medical Decision Making. 38(3), 390-399. doi:10.1177/0272989X18754508

 @article{mcdowell2018,
  title = {Natural Frequencies Do Foster Public Understanding of Medical Tests: Comment on Pighin, Gonzalez, Savadori, and Girotto (2016)},
  author = {McDowell, Michelle and Galesic, Mirta and Gigerenzer, Gerd},
  date = {2018},
  journaltitle = {Medical Decision Making},
  shortjournal = {Med Decis Making},
  volume = {38},
  pages = {390--399},
  doi = {10.1177/0272989X18754508},
  number = {3}
} 

Taylor, BJ, Stevenson, M, & McDowell, M (2018). Communicating risk in dementia care: Survey of health and social care professionals. Health & Social Care in the Community, 26, e291-e303. doi:10.1111/hsc.12519

 @article{taylor2018,
  title = {Communicating Risk in Dementia Care: {{Survey}} of Health and Social Care Professionals},
  shorttitle = {Communicating Risk in Dementia Care},
  author = {Taylor, Brian J. and Stevenson, Mabel and McDowell, Michelle},
  date = {2018},
  journaltitle = {Health \& Social Care in the Community},
  volume = {26},
  pages = {e291-e303},
  doi = {10.1111/hsc.12519},
  number = {2}
} 

Stevenson, M, McDowell, ME, Taylor, BJ (2018). Concepts for communication about risk in dementia care: A review of the literature. Dementia, 17(3), 359-390. doi:10.1177/1471301216647542

 @article{stevenson2018,
  title = {Concepts for Communication about Risk in Dementia Care: {{A}} Review of the Literature},
  author = {Stevenson, Mabel and McDowell, Michelle E and Taylor, Brian J},
  date = {2018},
  journaltitle = {Dementia},
  shortjournal = {Dementia},
  volume = {17},
  pages = {359--390},
  doi = {10.1177/1471301216647542},
  number = {3}
} 

McDowell, M & Jacobs, P (2017). Meta-analysis of the effect of natural frequencies on Bayesian reasoning. Psychological Bulletin, 143, 1273-1312. doi:10.1037/bul0000126

 @article{mcdowell2017b,
  title = {Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Natural Frequencies on {{Bayesian}} Reasoning},
  author = {McDowell, M. and Jacobs, P.},
  date = {2017},
  journaltitle = {Psychological Bulletin},
  shortjournal = {Psychol. Bull.},
  volume = {143},
  pages = {1273--1312},
  doi = {10.1037/bul0000126}
} 

McDowell, M, Rebitschek, F, Gigerenzer, G, & Wegwarth, O (2016). A simple tool for communicating the benefits and harms of health interventions: A guide for creating a fact box. MDM Policy & Practice (1), 1-10. doi:10.1177/2381468316665365

 @article{mcdowell2016ab,
  title = {A Simple Tool for Communicating the Benefits and Harms of Health Interventions: A Guide for Creating a Fact Box},
  author = {McDowell, Michelle and Rebitschek, Felix G. and Gigerenzer, Gerd and Wegwarth, Odette},
  date = {2016-07-01},
  journaltitle = {MDM Policy \& Practice},
  volume = {1},
  pages = {2381468316665365},
  doi = {10.1177/2381468316665365},
  number = {1}
} 

Chambers, SK, Girgis, A, Occhipinti, O, Hutchison, S, Turner, J, McDowell, M, et al. (2014). A randomized trial comparing two low-intensity psychological interventions for distressed patients with cancer and their caregivers. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41, E256-E266. doi:10.1188/14.ONF.E256-E266

 @article{chambers2014,
  title = {A Randomized Trial Comparing Two Low-Intensity Psychological Interventions for Distressed Patients with Cancer and Their Caregivers},
  author = {Chambers, Suzanne Kathleen and Girgis, Araf and Occhipinti, Stefano and Hutchison, Sandy and Turner, Jane and McDowell, Michelle and Mihalopoulos, Cathrine and Carter, Robert and Dunn, Jeffrey Charles},
  date = {2014-06-26},
  journaltitle = {Oncology Nursing Forum},
  volume = {41},
  pages = {E256-E266},
  publisher = {{Oncology Nursing Society}},
  doi = {10.1188/14.ONF.E256-E266},
  number = {4}
} 

McDowell, ME, Occhipinti, S, Gardiner, RA, & Chambers, SK. (2013). Prevalence and predictors of cancer specific distress in men with a family history of prostate cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 22 (11), 2496-2504. doi:10.1002/pon.3312

 @article{mcdowell2013b,
  title = {Prevalence and Predictors of Cancer Specific Distress in Men with a Family History of Prostate Cancer},
  author = {McDowell, M. E. and Occhipinti, S. and Gardiner, R. A. and Chambers, S. K.},
  date = {2013},
  journaltitle = {Psycho-Oncology},
  volume = {22},
  pages = {2496--2504},
  doi = {10.1002/pon.3312},
  number = {11}
} 

McDowell, ME, Occhipinti, S, & Chambers, SK. (2013). Classifying the reasons men consider to be important in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing decisions: Evaluating risks, lay beliefs, and informed decisions. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 46 (3), 322-335. doi:10.1007/s12160-013-9508-4

 @article{mcdowell2013a,
  title = {Classifying the Reasons Men Consider to Be Important in Prostate-Specific Antigen (Psa) Testing Decisions: Evaluating Risks, Lay Beliefs, and Informed Decisions},
  author = {McDowell, Michelle E. and Occhipinti, Stefano and Chambers, Suzanne K.},
  date = {2013-12-01},
  journaltitle = {Annals of Behavioral Medicine},
  shortjournal = {Annals of Behavioral Medicine},
  volume = {46},
  pages = {322--335},
  doi = {10.1007/s12160-013-9508-4},
  number = {3}
} 

McDowell, ME, Occhipinti, S, & Chambers, SK. (2013). The influence of family history on cognitive heuristics, risk perception, and prostate cancer screening behavior. Health Psychology, 32 (11), 1158-1169. doi:10.1037/a0031622

 @article{mcdowell2013,
  title = {The Influence of Family History on Cognitive Heuristics, Risk Perceptions, and Prostate Cancer Screening Behavior.},
  author = {McDowell, Michelle E. and Occhipinti, Stefano and Chambers, Suzanne K.},
  date = {2013},
  journaltitle = {Health Psychology},
  volume = {32},
  pages = {1158--1169},
  doi = {10.1037/a0031622},
  number = {11}
} 

McDowell, ME, Occhipinti, S, & Chambers, SK. (2012). Patterns of PSA testing in Australian men: The influence of family history. British Journal of Urology International, 109 (3), S64-S70. doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2012.11050.x

 @article{mcdowell2012,
  title = {Patterns of Prostate-Specific Antigen ({{PSA}}) Testing in {{Australian}} Men: The Influence of Family History},
  author = {McDowell, Michelle E. and Occhipinti, Stefano and Gardiner, Robert A. and Chambers, Suzanne K.},
  date = {2012},
  journaltitle = {BJU International},
  volume = {109},
  pages = {64--70},
  doi = {10.1111/j.1464-410X.2012.11050.x},
  number = {s3}
} 

McDowell, ME, Occhipinti, S, Ferguson, M, & Chambers, SK. (2011). Prospective predictors of psychosocial support service use after cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 20 (7), 788-791. doi:10.1002/pon.1774

 @article{mcdowell2011,
  title = {Prospective Predictors of Psychosocial Support Service Use after Cancer},
  author = {McDowell, Michelle E. and Occhipinti, Stefano and Ferguson, Megan and Chambers, Suzanne K.},
  date = {2011},
  journaltitle = {Psycho-Oncology},
  volume = {20},
  pages = {788--791},
  doi = {10.1002/pon.1774},
  number = {7}
} 

McDowell, ME, Occhipinti, S, Ferguson, M, Dunn, J, & Chambers, SK. (2010). Predictors of change in unmet supportive care needs in cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 19, 508-516. doi:10.1002/pon.1604

 @article{mcdowell2010,
  title = {Predictors of Change in Unmet Supportive Care Needs in Cancer},
  author = {McDowell, M. E. and Occhipinti, S. and Ferguson, M. and Dunn, J. and Chambers, S. K.},
  date = {2010},
  journaltitle = {Psycho-Oncology},
  volume = {19},
  pages = {508--516},
  doi = {10.1002/pon.1604},
  number = {5}
} 

McDowell, ME, Occhipinti, S, Gardiner, RA, Baade, P, & Steginga, S. (2009). A review of PSA screening prevalence and risk perceptions for first-degree relatives of men with prostate cancer. European Journal of Cancer Care, 18 (6), 545-555. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2354.2008.01046.x

 @article{mcdowell2009,
  title = {A Review of Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening Prevalence and Risk Perceptions for First-Degree Relatives of Men with Prostate Cancer},
  author = {Mcdowell, M. E. and Occhipinti, S. and Gardiner, R. A. and Baade, P. D. and Steginga, S. K.},
  date = {2009},
  journaltitle = {European Journal of Cancer Care},
  volume = {18},
  pages = {545--555},
  doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2354.2008.01046.x},
  number = {6}
} 

Dunn, J, Greenbank, S, McDowell, ME, Mahoney, C, Mazerolle, P, Occhipinti, S & Steginga, S. (2008). Community knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about environmental tobacco smoke in homes and cars. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 19 (2), 113-117. doi:10.1071/HE08113

 @article{dunn2008,
  title = {Community Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours about Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Homes and Cars},
  author = {Dunn, Jeff and Greenbank, Susan and McDowell, Michelle and Mahoney, Catherine and Mazerolle, Paul and Occhipinti, Stefano and Steginga, Suzanne},
  date = {2008},
  journaltitle = {Health Promotion Journal of Australia},
  volume = {19},
  pages = {113--117},
  doi = {10.1071/HE08113},
  number = {2}
} 

Book Chapters

Upcoming

Marignon, L., Frischemeier, D., McDowell, M., & Till, C. (upcoming), Dynamic, interactive trees and icon arrays for visualizing risks in civic statistics. In J. Ridgway (Ed.), Statistics for Empowerment and Social Engagement: Teaching Civic Statistics to Develop Informed Citizens. Springer.

Published

McDowell, ME (2016), Making sense of numbers about health risks – The fact box. In G. Elywyn, A. Edwards, & R. Thompson (Eds.), Shared decision-making in health care: Achieving evidence-based patient choice (3rd ed.) (pp.123-128). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

 @incollection{mcdowell2016,
  title = {Making Sense of Numbers about Health Risks -- {{The}} Fact Box},
  booktitle = {Shared {{Decision}}-{{Making}} in {{Health Care}}: {{Achieving Evidence}}-{{Based Patient Choice}}},
  author = {McDowell, M. E.},
  editor = {Edwards, A. and Elwyn, G. and Thompson, R.},
  date = {2016},
  edition = {3rd},
  pages = {123--128},
  publisher = {{Oxford University Press}},
  location = {{London}}
} 

Reports

CAPUR expert committee principles for risk management

Ball, D., Humpherson, E., Johnson, B., McDowell, M, Ng, R., Radaelli, C., Renn, O., Seedhouse, D., Spiegelhalter, D., Uhl, Al. \& Watt, J. (2019, December). Improving Society's Management of Risks: A Statement of Principles. Collaboration to explore new avenues to improve public understanding and management of risk (CAPUR). Atomium -- European Institute for Science, Media and Democracy.

Public writings

Ellermann, C., McDowell, M, Schirren, C. O., & Jenny, M. A. (2021). Risks at a glance: Visualisations can make risk information more understandable, particularly for people with low numeracy and reading skills BfR2GO, Issue 2/2021, p16-17. German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

Our work on visualising public health data was featured in Wired magazine:
Stetka, Bret (2015, 19 January). Charted: The Tricky Trade-Offs of Cancer Screenings and Treatments. Wired Magazine, January 2015 Issue, p19.