Measuring the relationship between scores on two questionnaires

Characterising the relationship between participants’ scores on two different questionnaires is a common problem in educational research. The complement of the statistic known as Wilks’ Λ (lambda) measures the amount of variance shared between the scores obtained by the same group of participants on two sets of variables. (1 − Λ) is symmetric, in that it yields the same outcome whichever of the two sets is defined as the dependent variables. Other measures of shared variance have been proposed, but they are systematically conservative in comparison with (1 − Λ). In particular, measures of redundancy underestimate the proportion of shared variance because they fail to take into account the multivariate properties of the data. In short, (1 − Λ) can be commended for use as a measure of the strength of the association between the scores obtained on two questionnaires.     

On the Number of Cycles in Randomly Selected Permutations

In this article we derive the distribution, mean and variance of the number of cycles in a randomly selected permutation of the first n integers.     

关于高校逻辑教学改革的几点思考

逻辑学是一门关于思维的科学,作为高校的重要基础学科之一,它对于训练学生的思维能力、提高学生的思维素养具有重要作用。随着近几年高校教学改革的深化,逻辑学教学改革也面临着一些新的困境。为了让逻辑学教学能满足社会需要,逻辑学课程在高校基础课程中受到应有的重视,我们必须从教学内容、教学方法、师资队伍建设、教学考核方式等方面继续深化逻辑学教学改革,提高其教学实效性和针对性,以此来培养学生的思维素养,提高学生的认知能力、语言表达能力和创新思维能力,推进素质教育。     

Introducing students to the application of statistics and investigative methods in political science

This exercise introduces students to the application of statistics and its investigative methods in political science. It helps students gain a better understanding and a greater appreciation of statistics through a real world application.     

Teaching the assessment of normality using large easily‐generated real data sets

A classroom activity is presented, which can be used in teaching students statistics with an easily generated, large, real world data set. The activity consists of analyzing a video recording of an object. The colour data of the recorded object can then be used as a data set to explore variation in the data using graphs including histograms, quantile–quantile plots and scatterplots, and to indicate possible formal analyses.     

CIPP评价模式在《计算机应用基础》课程中的应用

通过对CIPP评价模式的研究分析,提出以CIPP评价模式进行高校《计算机应用基础》课程教学过程的评价,从而达到促进教学改革、实现教学评价循环反馈的效果.     

A virtual experience to strengthen students' understanding of inference in experimental design

Although our students correctly define the terms p‐value, Type I and Type II errors, they sometimes misinterpret results from real data. In this work we present an assignment intended to clear up these misconceptions.     

对高职公共英语课时减少的思考

一方面公共英语课程在高职教育中有着举足轻重的作用,另一方面却面临其课时减少的尴尬困境。面对这一情况,我们要全面认识公共英语课程的作用和采取应对措施。     

兴趣导向下小学数学教学效率的提升措施研究

提高数学课堂教学效率一直以来都是小学数学教师追求的目标,作为义务教育阶段的基础学科,数学肩负着培养小学生逻辑思维和运用能力的重任。传统的数学教学弊端凸显,忽视小学生的主体地位,没有与小学生进行良好互动,小学生对数学的兴趣不足。因此,数学教师要从小学生的兴趣出发,创设趣味性的数学课堂,打造具有特色的数学课堂,以此推动小学生持续投入数学学习中。     

Use of Standard Deviations as Predictors in Models Using Large-Scale International Data Sets

Measures of variability are successfully used in predictive modeling in research areas outside of education. This study examined how standard deviations can be used to address research questions not easily addressed using traditional measures such as group means based on index variables. Student survey data were obtained from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to examine standard deviation predictors in multilevel models. These predictors and interactions explained additional variation in the dependent variable beyond the control variables. Models using biased and unbiased standard deviations were compared. Meaningful differences were found between the models. Findings supported how standard deviation predictors may increase explanatory power and accuracy of models commonly used in educational research.     

从模式结构的角度探讨建构主义教学

教学模式是教学理论和教学实践的中介,对教学具有实际的指导意义,教学模式应该具有比较完整的结构。建构主义理论是我国教育教学改革的理论基础,那么建构主义理论如何来指导我们的教学实践,在教学实践中存在着哪些问题和误区?本文通过分析建构主义教学模式的结构来探讨建构主义教学中的问题,旨在引起大家的思考,更好的为教育教学服务,为教育教学改革服务。     

Assessing the assessments: Taking stock of learning outcomes data in India

Data on learning outcomes is essential for tracking progress in achieving education goals, understanding what education policies work (and don’t work), and holding public officials accountable. We assess the accuracy and reliability of India’s two nationally representative surveys on learning outcomes, ASER and NAS, so that users of these datasets may better understand when, and for what purposes, these two datasets can reasonably be used. After restricting our sample to maximize comparability between the two datasets, we find that NAS state averages are significantly higher than ASER state averages and averages from an independently conducted and nationally representative survey (IHDS). In addition, state rankings based on NAS data display almost no correlation with state rankings based on ASER, IHDS, or net state domestic product per capita. We conclude that NAS state averages are likely artificially high and contain little information about states’ relative performance. The presence of severe bias in the NAS data suggests that this data should be used carefully or not at all for comparisons between states, constructing learning profiles, or any other purpose. We then analyze the internal reliability of ASER data using variance decomposition methods. We find that while ASER data is mostly reliable for comparing state averages, it is less reliable for looking at district averages, or changes in district and state averages over time. We conclude that analysts may use ASER data with confidence for comparisons between states in a single year, constructing learning profiles, and assessing learning inequality but should exercise caution when comparing changes in state scores and avoid using ASER district-level data.     

Some predictions about the possible groups of death in the football world cup

Statistics can help us to make predictions. An interesting example regarding the football world cup explores the rankings to suggest the group(s) of death in the ensuing world cup.     

The role of cultural values in teacher and student self-efficacy: Evidence from 16 nations

Data from a large study (PISA, 2015) involving more than 132,000 children and 22,000 of their teachers, in 16 nations, were used to investigate how teachers convey self-efficacy to students when they teach and whether this is culturally grounded. Using a multilevel data analysis framework, we aimed to: (1) test a path linking teacher and student self-efficacy; (2) examine teaching practices as mediators of the links between teachers and student self-efficacy; (3) evaluate the moderating roles of cultural values on those links. Results indicated that teacher and student self-efficacy were linked indirectly through the use of teaching practices, more strongly through inquiry-based practices. We found cross-cultural differences on the associations between student-perceived teaching practices and student self-efficacy that were moderated by two country-level cultural values: individualism and uncertainty avoidance. This study highlights that, although academic self-efficacy is considered universal, we found cultural differences in its sources and manifestations.     

A day in the life of a statistical knowledge for teaching course

The article illustrates how statistical content and pedagogical reasoning were taught in tandem in an undergraduate course. A typical day in the course is described. It is also suggested that practising teachers can benefit from strategies used in the course.     

Learning the principles of simulation using the birthday problem

Using the famous Birthday problem, we present here a practical activity that allows students to perceive the basic reasoning behind simulation and explore its potential. Through a playful approach with probabilities, students are led along a path that illustrates difficulties with intuition and introduces them to theoretical results for sample proportions.     

宏观视角下本科英语专业翻译教学框架构建的思考

语言的转换承载了许多语言外因素。翻译教学不仅是微观翻译技巧的传授,还包含对学习者思维转换能力、双语能力、自学能力等能力的培养。基于针对本科英语专业学生状况的问卷调查,本文拟从一个宏观的角度审视本科英语专业翻译教学,为翻译教学构建一个可行的框架。     

Measuring those who have their minds set: An item-level meta-analysis of the implicit theories of intelligence scale in education

Fixed and growth mindsets represent implicit theories about the nature of one's abilities or traits. The existing body of research on academic achievement and the effectiveness of mindset interventions for student learning largely relies on the premise that fixed and growth mindsets are mutually exclusive. This premise has led to the common practice in which measures of one mindset are reversed and then assumed to represent the other mindset. Focusing on K-12 and university students (N = 27328), we tested the validity of this practice via a comprehensive item-level meta-analysis of the Implicit Theories of Intelligence Scale (ITIS). By means of meta-analytic structural equation modeling and network analysis, we examined (a) the ITIS item-item correlations and their heterogeneity across 32 primary studies; (b) the factor structure of the ITIS, including the distinction between fixed and growth mindset; and (c) moderator effects of sample, study, and measurement characteristics. We found positive item-item correlations within the sets of fixed and growth mindset items, with substantial between-study heterogeneity. The ITIS factor structure comprised two moderately correlated mindset factors ($\rho$ = 0.63–0.65), even after reversing one mindset scale. This structure was moderated by the educational level and origin of the student sample, the assessment mode, and scale modifications. Overall, we argue that fixed and growth mindsets are not mutually exclusive but correlated constructs. We discuss the implications for the assessment of implicit theories of intelligence in education.     

从“小姐”一词看词义变异的社会语境因素

语言是一种特殊的信息系统,语言系统所承载的意义,不论是词义、句义还是语篇意义,往往都取决于语境.词义的发展演变总是随着语境的发展演变而发展演变.在话语语境的分类当中,社会语境是一个很重要的分支.词义是以客观事物为基础与前提的,社会发生了变化,客观事物发生了变化,词义必然发生变化.社会语境的变化引起了词义扩大、词义缩小、词义转移和词义的感情色彩变化.