Self‐Compassion: A Mentorship Framework for Counselor Educator Mothers

Counselor educators experience high levels of stress. Mothers in academia face an additional set of emotional stressors. The authors offer a self‐compassion framework for mentors to increase emotional resilience of mothers in counselor education.     

Scholarly Use of Web-based Information Resources and Services in University Libraries in Kerala (India)

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the use of web-based information services in university libraries in Kerala, India.

Design/methodology/approach: A survey method was used for the collection of data. The questionnaire method was used to collect data for the study. The study was conducted among the research scholars of four selected universities in Kerala, India.

Findings: This study has analyzed the services and resources in the libraries which are provided through the medium of the internet and also the usage patterns of web information services by the scholars of the selected universities. The analysis reveals that most of the university libraries have implemented web-based information services. However, the extent of usage is not to the expected level and this is due to the lack of sufficient awareness about the usage methods of web resources and services. With the help of proper user education and training programs, the present situation can be ameliorated. The findings of this study can be helpful to the authorities to improve the services in the libraries.

Originality/value: Proper use of library resources is essential for scholars to bring forth productive research outputs. This study provides recommendations for enhancing web-based services in university libraries in Kerala to provide better services to the users.     

Hb Hope: A Rare Variant of Haemoglobin-Forged a Rise in HbA1c on Immunoturbidimetric Assay

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) determination is a powerful means for assessing the evaluation and management of patients with diabetes mellitus. Hemoglobin (Hb) variants and chemically modified derivatives of Hb can affect the accuracy of measurement of HbA1c done by various analytical methods. We report a patient with a rare variant of Hb (Hb Hope) that caused an abnormally high value of HBA1c when assayed using immunoturbidimetric assay (“Tina-quant” 2nd generation assay) and also elucidate the nature of the variant.     

The Community of Inquiry framework meets the SOLO taxonomy: a process‐product model of online learning

This paper presents both a conceptual and empirical investigation of teaching and learning in online courses. Employing both the Community of Inquiry framework (CoI) and the Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) taxonomy, two complete online courses were examined for the quality of both collaborative learning processes and learning outcomes. The study examines evidence beyond learner reported satisfaction and learning, instead measuring both learning inputs and outcomes. Analysis of input includes quantitative content analysis of discussions using the CoI framework. Analysis of outcomes looks at both the quality of student learning artifacts such as case studies using the SOLO taxonomy as well as instructor‐assigned grades of specific related assignments. Results suggest that understanding of online instructional effort, processes, and learning outcomes can be improved through this more comprehensive, conceptually driven approach.     

Should educators and parents encourage other-gender interactions? Gender segregation and sexism

We investigated gender differences in the association between gender-segregated peer preferences and sexism in adolescents (15–17 years, 60 boys and 85 girls). To assess gender-segregated peer preferences, adolescents nominated peers for interaction in two contexts: ‘hanging out’ at home and working on a school project. The Modern Sexism Scale [Swim, J. K., K. J. Aikin, W. S. Hall, and B. A. Hunter. 1995. “Sexism and Racism: Old-Fashioned and Modern Prejudices.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 68 (2): 199–214] measured two dimensions of sexism: Antagonism towards Women's Demands (believing feminist issues are unimportant) and denial of continuing discrimination (believing gender discrimination no longer exists). For boys, Antagonism towards Women's Demands was associated with gender-segregated peer preferences in the school and home context. For girls, Denial of Continuing Discrimination was associated with gender-segregated peer preferences in the home context. Results are informative for educators and for other professionals interested in reducing inequality and sexism among adolescents.     

‘Rape’ in children

‘Rape’ as a sexual offence has been existing since time immemorial. In a country like India with her conservative and traditional society, sex is not discussed freely and a sexual offence particularly in childhood is hushed up, for fear of the victimised girl's future. Here an attempt is made to study the relavent factors responsible for ‘rape’ in children. These individual cases were followed up, rescued and rehabilitated whenever possible. This paper deals with a prospective study of 130 cases, between the ages of 6 months to 18 years from Bombay, over a period of 15 months. Over 77.68% oases were more than 4 years of age and 6.15% were between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. Shockingly, 2 young infants were of 6 months of age. Majority of these girls belonged to various slums of Bombay. 34.5% of girls were illiterate, and 79.23% had some knowledge about sex. Surprisingly 36.16% were willing victims and the criteria for including these cases under ‘rape’ was their under age i.e. less than 18 years. Of these 130 victims, 23 conceived, of which 6 delivered after full term. The remaining 17 cases were medically terminated. Of the accused, neighbours were responsible in 51.53% of cases, the remaining being contributed by employer, relative, friend and known hooligans from the same area. Some of these girls were rehabilitated and some are still in the remand home. Few girls, though minor, were married to the accused and were still keen on accepting them as their husbands against the wish of their parents.