Assessing children's perceptions of prosocial and antisocial peer behaviour

The aims of this study were to administer an assessment measure that would identify prosocial children, bullies and their victims, and to examine the underlying structure of children's perceptions of peer social behaviour in these three groups. Three versions (peer nomination, self and teacher rating) of a newly developed child social behaviour questionnaire (CSBQ) were completed by children (aged 9/10 years, n=321) and their teachers in 14 Scottish primary schools. The CSBQ is distinguished from other extant measures by its joint focus on both prosocial and antisocial child behaviours, and by its use of concrete and empirically derived items. In conjunction with sociometric data, which was also elicited from the children, the CSBQ yielded scores on 12 behavioural dimensions. Based upon the peer nomination data, a set of rigorous criteria, capable of reliably identifying children in the three groups, was developed to take account of varying peer nomination practices within and between schools. Factor analysis of the 12 measures yielded four factors (two antisocial factors, a prosocial factor and a victim factor) which accounted for 71% of the variance, and which offer further insight into the organisation of children's perceptions of social behaviour. Gender differences in peer nomination patterns and comparisons between the different informant groups are discussed in relation to previous work.     

Leg muscle recruitment in highly trained cyclists

In this study, we examined patterns of leg muscle recruitment and co-activation, and the relationship between muscle recruitment and cadence, in highly trained cyclists. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius lateralis and soleus was recorded using intramuscular electrodes, at individual preferred cadence, 57.5, 77.5 and 92.5 rev . min(-1). The influence of electrode type and location on recorded EMG was also investigated using surface and dual intramuscular recordings. Muscle recruitment patterns varied from those previously reported, but there was little variation in muscle recruitment between these highly trained cyclists. The tibialis posterior, peroneus longus and soleus were recruited in a single, short burst of activity during the downstroke. The tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius lateralis were recruited in a biphasic and alternating manner. Contrary to existing hypotheses, our results indicate little co-activation between the tibialis posterior and peroneus longus. Peak EMG amplitude increased linearly with cadence and did not decrease at individual preferred cadence. There was little variation in patterns of muscle recruitment or co-activation with changes in cadence. Intramuscular electrode location had little influence on recorded EMG. There were significant differences between surface and intramuscular recordings from the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius lateralis, which may explain differences between our findings and those of previous studies.     

Changing Stakeholder Expectations of Library Value

Given the on-going emphasis placed on evaluation, measurement and Return on Investment (ROI), many public libraries have struggled to successfully integrate evaluation practices into operational workflows. Unfortunately, it appears that for some libraries who have implemented evaluation, they have focused on metrics that do little to inform the library’s practice, do not demonstrate how a library contributes to its community, and do not assist public libraries in the enhancement of their operations. While traditional output metrics such as circulation, program attendance and technology use provide data about library activities, these metrics are simple counts that fall short in providing insight into why people visited the library, if they accomplished their goals during their visit, or what would have improved their visitor experience. In addition, this reliance on “empty metrics” has had the negative effect of leading stakeholders, policy-makers and funders to believe libraries are nothing more than book depositories. Empty metrics reinforce old and inaccurate stereotypes about public libraries and the role of librarians. We contend that we are at a turning point: evaluation practices are now successfully being embedded into day-to-day library operations and have become a part of library culture. The next step is to ensure libraries develop meaningful metrics that demonstrate the library’s social contribution, and then engage stakeholders to recognize the necessity of adopting these new metrics.