Introductory courses in research

The purpose of this article is to describe the ways in which intending teachers in the United Kingdom are acquainted with the principles and methods of educational research. Two points must be emphasized at the outset. The first is that the discussion is intentionally limited to the content of courses of initial training; the more intensive treatment of the topics under review that can undertaken in advanced courses of in-service training is not considered. The second point to be noted is that the institutions-colleges of education and university departments of education-that are responsible for initial training in the United Kingdom are free to fashion their own curricula and methods of instruction. The absence of any central control or direction in these respects leads to a wide variety of practices and, indeed, the content of the initial training programmes in a particular college is determined, to a considerable extent, by the experience, qualifications and predilections of the members of its staff. The account that follows refers to the procedures adopted by some of the best qualified and most farsighted of those responsible for the training of teachers. Alfred Yates, formerly Senior Research Officer at the National Foundation for Educational Research, is at present Senior Tutor in the Departmen of Educational Studies at Oxford University. His educational writings includeAdmission to Grammar Schools, Grouping in Education, An Introduction to Educational Measurement (with D. A. Pidgeon), andThe Role of Research in Educational Change     

Iodine content of oyster shells

A report is given of the investigation of the iodine content of oyster shells taken from the reefs found in the Gulf of Mexico. The pulverized shells as sold on the market contain 200 to 300 parts per billion of iodine. Water soluble and alcohol soluble iodides appear to be absent. The granulated undried shells contain 500 parts per billion of iodine. Apparently there is a loss of iodine due to the temperature at which the pulverized shells are dried.     

The focus of responsibility for education of the severely and profoundly retarded

The current concern for the extension of a free public education to the severely and profoundly retarded has precipitated a general assumption among many persons that the public schools will play a major role in providing educational services for this population. In view of the past failures of programs for the mildly (EMR) and moderately (TMR) retarded in the public schools, the authors advocate a new concept in delivery systems and teacher training that more appropriately reflects the needs of the severely and profoundly retarded.     

Reproducibility of objectively measured physical activity: Reconsideration needed

ABSTRACT

Reliability of accelerometer-determined physical activity (PA), and thus the required length of a monitoring period, appears to depend on the analytic approach used for its calculation. We compared reliability of objectively measured PA using different resolution of data in a sample of 221 Norwegian 2–6-year-old children providing 2–3 valid 14-day periods of accelerometer monitoring (ActiGraph GT3X+) during September–October, January–February, and May–June 2015–2016. Reliability (intra-class correlation [ICC]) was measured for 1–14 days of monitoring across the measurement periods using linear mixed effect modelling. These results were compared to reliability estimated using different resolution of data using the Spearman–Brown formula. The measured reliability improved only marginally with increased monitoring length and levelled off after 5–6 days. Estimated reliability differed substantially when derived from different resolution of data: 3.9–5.4, 6.7–9.2, 13.4–26.7 and 26.3–87.7 days of monitoring was required to achieve an ICC = 0.80 using an hour-by-hour, a day-by-day, a week-by-week and a period-by-period approach, respectively. Reliability could not be correctly estimated from any single resolution of data. We conclude that reconsideration is needed with regard to how reproducibility of objectively measured PA is analysed and interpreted.     

The internet

Conclusion Despite the claims of some, listservs do not supplant the need for professional print journals. Most messages are short (5,000 bytes, the equivalent of one single-spaced page, is considered lengthy) and revolve around useful day-to-day professional information exchanges. This type of information is valuable and extremely useful-where else can one post a plea for advice which will be read by hundreds of professional peers within 24 hours? However, there is no reason why this same vehicle cannot be used to substantively examine the professional literature and facilitate reporting on talks and/or sessions from professional meetings. Given the wide scope of cultural and organizational institutions employing list subscribers, listservs provide a fertile forum for communication on user populations. A more robust understanding of our clientele and the sharing of data about them will allow our professions to more propitiously position ourselves both within society and with those with the power of the purse.