The use of argumentation in science education is associated with many benefits. Some of these include developing critical skills, promoting spirit of enquiry, enhancing conceptual understanding and improving academic performance of students. However, there are also some issues and challenges while using argumentation in science classrooms. This research will discuss the strength of using scientific argumentation in science education. The findings from other such studies will also be critically reviewed to seek an in-depth understanding of the use of argumentation in teaching and associated challenges. The research would help in improving the use of argumentation in teaching and exploring solution to problems and challenges associated with this method.

Purpose COVID-19 generated extensive fear and anxiety across the globe. This study aims to explore the psychological dynamics of students during COVID-19 lockdown, its impact and students’ management strategies. Design/methodology/approach This paper collected data from 891 students in Islamabad (Pakistan) using an online survey consisting of the generalized anxiety disorder scale and items on academic variables. After measuring the anxiety levels, this paper interviewed 20 students diagnosed with severe anxiety. The objective was to seek a deeper understanding of the impact of COVID-19 and students’ management. Findings This paper found students with different anxiety levels. Most students had no anxiety; however, 8.2% of students had severe anxiety. These students reported psychological, social and physical problems during the interview. The students shared their activities and avoidance behavior to manage their anxiety levels. Originality/value The study helped in understanding the psychological dynamics during the pandemic and students’ management strategies. Some students express their inability to cope with their problems. This paper recommends the intervention of clinical practitioners, policymakers and researchers to work for the mental health of such students.

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Mental health problems are globally recognized as a major social issue which needs to be addressed aggressively. Although 30% to 50% of the world population is expected to be suffering from some form of mental illness (Mackenzie, Gekoski, & Knox, 2006), studies have reported different figures for the prevalence of mental disorders in different countries, e.g., 10.1% in Canada, 18.5% in the

Purpose Awareness of psychological problems is essential to address the problems adequately. It also contributes positively in the overall psychosocial well-being of a society. The rates of mental health literacy have been investigated in many countries and have been found to be lower than expected. The purpose of this study was to explore public awareness of psychological problems and psychological treatment in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The current study explored the latest levels of public awareness of psychological problems in the country by involving 3,500 respondents from five major cities. The sample of the study was sufficiently rich to represent Pakistanis based on gender, age, education, profession and income. Data were gathered from 3,500 respondents through interviews and a self-respondent questionnaire. Findings The study revealed that the awareness of psychological problems in Pakistan was 36 per cent. Several significant variations were also found based on different demographic factors. The study also revealed that 42.17 per cent of the respondents were aware of psychotherapy as a possible way of treating psychological problems followed by their awareness of social support (17.29 per cent), medicine (16.74 per cent), supernatural practices (6.29 per cent), religious practices (5.60 per cent) and self-help (3.57 per cent). Practical implications As a result of the findings of unsatisfactory levels of public awareness of psychological problems, this paper has implications for mental health practitioners and policymakers to play their active part in improving the situation. Originality/value The current study is the first large-scale study in the country.

Infertility in collectivistic cultures is usually regarded as a matter of social stigmatization instead of a biomedical problem. It has adverse sociocultural consequences, especially for the female spouse. The current study, by involving 20 infertile couples, was a qualitative research focusing on the sociocultural experiences of the infertile couples about the nature, causes, and consequences of infertility. The findings of the current study clearly depicted the sociocultural factors involved in interpreting infertility as a matter of shame and bad reputation for the couple and its family. The study has filled a significant knowledge gap and will be useful in identifying and addressing the cultural barriers in the treatment of infertility. K E Y W O R D S assisted reproductive technologies, culture, in vitro fertilization, infertility, intra cytoplasmic sperm injection 1 | INTRODUCTION Infertility, revolving around biomedical, psychological, social, economic, cultural, and religious spheres, is defined as the inability of a non-contraceptive couple to achieve pregnancy after 1 or 2 years of regular unprotected heterosexual intercourse (Cousineau & Domar, 2007; Mumtaz et al., 2013; Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2008). The general public perceives infertility as a permanent inability to give birth (Miall, 2008). A childless couple may not view themselves as infertile until they consider childlessness a problem (Evens, 2004; Greil et al., 2011). Infertility is distinguishable from "subfecundity" which refers to any couple having trouble in carrying a pregnancy to a live birth, if conception occurs (Loftus, 2009; Peterson et al., 2006); whereas the clinical definition of "infecundity" is no pregnancy resulting in live birth after 12 months of unprotected intercourse (Healy et al., 1994). Nearly 4.3 million married women and their partners possess impaired fecundity (Chandra et al., 2005). Infertility is characterized as "primary" for nulliparous women and "secondary" for parous women (Mumtaz et al., 2013).

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