Publications
Key publications
Brick, C., , & 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}
}
& 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}
}
, 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., & *ϯ (under review). Communicating risk assessments results: A randomised trial of risk profiles.
Published
Schneider, 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., 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}
}
& 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., & 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}
}
, & 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., , & 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}
}
, 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., , 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}
}
, 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, & (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, , 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}
}
& 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}
}
, 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, , 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}
}
, 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}
}
, 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}
}
, 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}
}
, 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}
}
, 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}
}
, 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}
}
, 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, , 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., ., & 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
(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., , 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., , 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.