Diversity training for community aged care workers: An interdisciplinary meta-narrative review

Population ageing signals the need for a responsive community aged care workforce respectful of older people’s diverse healthcare needs. Person-centered care premises individual needs and preferences to enhance participation in health care. Training for diversity does not yet exist for this workforce, but is necessary to ensure appropriate care for diverse community-dwelling older people. This article aims to review the range of research traditions for conceptualizing diversity training, theoretical approaches, and empirical findings to understand the relevance for the community aged care sector. Using a meta-narrative approach, research from health, education, psychology, sociology, and business literature was reviewed for meaningful contribution to supporting training for community aged care workers. Meta-narrative review principles included: planning, searching, mapping, appraisal/synthesis, and recommendations. Six meta-narratives were identified, consolidated into three areas: person-centered and culturally competent health care; human rights approach; and psychological approaches to diversity training. The meta-narratives highlighted diversity within diversity and a move toward intersectionality. Meta-narratives were linked through concepts of inclusion, reduction in bias, and access and equity healthcare policy and practice. Training for community aged care workers is challenging, with this synthesis providing new understandings of diversity training, paramount for provision of responsive and equitable health care for older people.     

Gender ratio and cognitive profiles in dyslexia: a cross-national study

The purpose of this study was to analyze possible gender-related differences in the prevalence of dyslexia. A cross-national comparison of Spain and Guatemala was conducted. Both countries speak the same language but have a different standard of living and educational level. A second purpose of this study was to analyze the cognitive profile of Guatemalan and Spanish males and females children with dyslexia. The log-linear analysis indicated that the number of dyslexics detected was different across the countries but there were no differences as a function of gender. Similarly, there were no significant or meaningful differences between dyslexic males and females in the cognitive processes involved in reading. Therefore, gender differences do not appear to be characteristic of developmental dyslexia.     

The Relation Between Executive Functions,Fine Motor Skills,and Basic Numerical Skills and Their Relevance for Later Mathematics Achievement

Research Findings: This study examined the interrelations between fine motor skills, executive functions, and basic numerical skills in kindergarten as well as their predictive value for mathematics achievement in 2nd grade in a sample of 136 children. Structural equation modeling techniques were used to uncover the unique predictive value and mediation of 4 predictors. The results indicated that each of these factors made a unique contribution to the prediction of later mathematics achievement; when estimated simultaneously, basic numerical skills were the strongest predictor, which suggests that domain-specific factors have a greater impact on mathematics achievement than domain-general factors. A strong direct and indirect predictor was updating. Nevertheless, indirect effects of fine motor skills and an inhibition/switching factor indicated that domain-general skills have a direct impact on early domain-specific precursors and through them an indirect effect on mathematics achievement. Practice or Policy: These findings suggest that the relationship between motor skills, executive functions, and mathematical skills is more complex in its nature. Therefore, to achieve the best outcome, all skills should be promoted if a child has difficulties with mathematics.     

Evaluating Interventions with Multimethod Data: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

In many intervention and evaluation studies, outcome variables are assessed using a multimethod approach comparing multiple groups over time. In this article, we show how evaluation data obtained from a complex multitrait–multimethod–multioccasion–multigroup design can be analyzed with structural equation models. In particular, we show how the structural equation modeling approach can be used to (a) handle ordinal items as indicators, (b) test measurement invariance, and (c) test the means of the latent variables to examine treatment effects. We present an application to data from an evaluation study of an early childhood prevention program. A total of 659 children in intervention and control groups were rated by their parents and teachers on prosocial behavior and relational aggression before and after the program implementation. No mean change in relational aggression was found in either group, whereas an increase in prosocial behavior was found in both groups. Advantages and limitations of the proposed approach are highlighted.     

Success factors impacting Latina/o persistence in higher education leading to STEM opportunities

This study investigates how Latina/Latino youth resist, conform to, and persist in schooling, and explores their preparation for an education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Using Latino Critical Race Theory as a framework, evidence of the “sticky mess” of racial inequalities (Espinoza and Harris in Calif Law Rev 10:499–559, 1997) and the concept of community cultural wealth (Yosso in Race Ethn Educ 8:69–91, 2005) will be used to understand how Latina/o students successfully persist in college. Quantitative and qualitative findings collected at two public universities in 2007–2012 show that Latina/o parents play a significant role in influencing their children’s decision to attend college; family, friend and community support and hard work have also been instrumental in college success. This is evident through parents’ encouragement to persist, expectations to do well and students serving as role models for siblings and peers. As policy makers in the educational arena emphasize STEM fields, there is a significant opportunity for Latino students to make valuable contributions.     

Deaf and hard of hearing students' problem-solving strategies with signed arithmetic story problems

The use of problem-solving strategies by 59 deaf and hard of hearing children, grades K-3, was investigated. The children were asked to solve 9 arithmetic story problems presented to them in American Sign Language. The researchers found that while the children used the same general types of strategies that are used by hearing children (i.e., modeling, counting, and fact-based strategies), they showed an overwhelming use of counting strategies for all types of problems and at all ages. This difference may have its roots in language or instruction (or in both), and calls attention to the need for conceptual rather than procedural mathematics instruction for deaf and hard of hearing students.     

The impact of network embeddedness on research output

This paper aims to further our understanding of how embeddedness affects the research output and impact of scientists. The analysis uses an extensive panel data that allows an analysis of within person variation over time. It explores the simultaneous effects of different dimensions of network embeddedness over time at individual level. These include the establishment of direct ties, the strengths of these ties, as well as the density, structural holes, centrality, and cross-disciplinary links. Results suggest that the network dynamics behind the generation of quality output contrasts dramatically with that of quantity. We find that the relational dimension of scientists matters for quality, but not for output, while cognitive dimensions have the opposite effect, helping output, while being indifferent toward impact. The structural dimension of the network is the only area where there is some degree of convergence between output quantity and quality; here, we find a prevalence for the role of brokerage over cohesion. It concludes by discussing implications for both network research and science policy.     

Education for Digitization: How Do We Prepare?

This paper examines the characteristics and variety of digitization training initiatives in North America and to a lesser extent, Europe, and the growing development of credit-bearing courses and programs within higher education relating to digitization, with a specific focus on librarianship. Information was collected in response to an inquiry posted in late July 2004 on the ARLIS, JESSE, and DIGLIB listservs, supplemented by ongoing perusal of these sources, Web searches, and suggestions from colleagues. It also briefly discusses the benefits and challenges associated with the development of digitized library resources, and the need for greater attention to professional development for those working in digitization.