Testing Factorial Invariance in Multilevel Data: A Monte Carlo Study

Testing factorial invariance has recently gained more attention in different social science disciplines. Nevertheless, when examining factorial invariance, it is generally assumed that the observations are independent of each other, which might not be always true. In this study, we examined the impact of testing factorial invariance in multilevel data, especially when the dependency issue is not taken into account. We considered a set of design factors, including number of clusters, cluster size, and intraclass correlation (ICC) at different levels. The simulation results showed that the test of factorial invariance became more liberal (or had inflated Type I error rate) in terms of rejecting the null hypothesis of invariance held between groups when the dependency was not considered in the analysis. Additionally, the magnitude of the inflation in the Type I error rate was a function of both ICC and cluster size. Implications of the findings and limitations are discussed.     

Two-Step Approach to Partial Factorial Invariance: Selecting a Reference Variable and Identifying the Source of Noninvariance

To date, no effective empirical method has been available to identify a truly invariant reference variable (RV) in testing measurement invariance under a multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis. This study proposes a method that, in selecting an RV, uses the smallest modification index (min-mod). The method’s performance is evaluated using 2 models: (a) a full invariance model, and (b) a partial invariance model. Results indicate that for both models the min-mod successfully identifies a truly invariant RV (Study 1). In Study 2, we use the RV found in Study 1 to further evaluate the performance of item-by-item Wald tests at locating a noninvariant variable. The results indicate that Wald tests overall performed better with an RV selected in a partial invariance model than an RV selected in a full invariance model, although in certain conditions their performances were rather similar. Implications and limitations of the study are also discussed.     

Voting for Change: an International Study of Students’ Willingness to Support Measures to Ameliorate Climate Change

Research in Science Education - Voting for various pro-environmental governmental policies is an indirect, but potentially effective, action that citizens can take to reduce global warming (GW) and...     

Social Work in Higher Education: Internships in Opportunity Programs

ABSTRACT

Field education is essential to the development of professional social workers. Despite the significant overlap in social work’s and higher education’s missions and values, there is a scarcity of social work internships specifically in higher education settings. The placement of social work interns in institutions of higher education provides a setting where they can develop new knowledge and skills and increase their capacity to support college students toward academic success. This conceptual article discusses the role of social work in higher education and provides a model social work internship in an opportunity program, including its creation, development, challenges, outcomes, and future direction.     

A Systematic Analysis of Experimental Studies Targeting Fractions for Students with Mathematics Difficulties

Developing an understanding of fractions is critical and is an educational focus, as reflected in national standards and principles. This study conducted a quantitative synthesis of 22 experimental studies to investigate the overall efficacy of previously conducted fraction interventions compared to standard instruction. Instruction type and achievement level were used to examine variations of the effect sizes. The results indicated that intervention was more effective than standard instruction only in problem‐solving domains, and the effects were differentiated by instruction type and achievement level. This study provides a diagnostic view of the current state of U.S. mathematics education on fractions, along with insights for future directions in fraction instruction, particularly focusing on students with mathematics difficulties. Educational implications and limitations are discussed.     

Multiple linear regression: Identify potential health care stocks for investments using out-of-sample predictions

College-level statistics courses emphasize the use of the coefficient of determination, R-squared, in evaluating a linear regression model: higher R-squared is better. This often gives students an impression that higher R-squared implies better predictability since textbooks tend to use sample data to support the theory and students rarely have an opportunity to work on real data. In this paper, health care stocks are used as predictors and the result demonstrates that high R-squared does not necessarily mean high predictability and that multiple linear regression can be used in the study of data behavior. In particular, by learning the pattern of the near and far out-of-sample-prediction errors for different time periods throughout a dataset, the near out-of-sample prediction errors can be used to control the prediction errors and identify a subset of predictors that can well reflect the trend of S&P 500.     

Searching for an image conveying connotative meanings: An exploratory cross-cultural study

On the basis of the semiotics premise, this exploratory study examined cultural influences that pertain to the image search process when users have connotative needs. The study used the Semantic Differential, a quantitative tool for measuring affective reactions, as well as word-based analysis, to analyze responses to a survey questionnaire administered to twelve Korean and twelve American students. The results demonstrated that even when completing the same task, participants from different backgrounds have different tendencies in expecting and selecting a relevant image. The results supported the semiotics assertion that cultural context results in variations in interpreting the connotative messages of an image, and these variations are restricted by cultural boundaries. The study underlined the potential of using the Semantic Differential to enhance accessibility to connotative messages during the image retrieval process. Based on the findings, some suggestions for image retrieval system design were discussed. This study will broaden understanding of connotative messages in terms of image retrieval and user behaviors. The conclusions will contribute to designing a practical image retrieval system that can provide subject access to connotative messages.     

A sociocultural theoretical approach to understanding mentor–mentee interactions during a Teaching English as a Second Language practicum at the master’s degree level

Drawing on the sociocultural theoretical (SCT) perspective, we offer a microgenetic analysis of mentor–mentee interactions in the context of pre-service teachers’ practicum in a Master’s program for Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). Following two pairs of mentors and mentees, we analyze audio-recorded interactions and interviews and examine in depth how mediation occurs during mentoring and how such mediation assists the mentees in learning to become teachers. Our findings show that mentors’ mediation is dynamic and contingent upon the context in which mentoring occurs and that the quality and character of mentor–mentee interactions during goal-directed activities is a critical feature of promoting the mentees’ learning. Responsive mediation especially plays a key role in promoting the mentees’ cognitive development, and it is an essential component of effective mentoring. This calls for a more SCT-informed approach to conceptualizing mentoring and training mentors in practicums.     

Teachers: A Critical But Overlooked Component of Bullying Prevention and Intervention

To complete this special issue on theoretical bases for antibullying efforts in schools, we focus in this article on the importance of teachers and other educators in the ecology of schools. First, we present evidence that teachers are not perceived to be effective at intervening when bullying occurs. Then, using a social motivational lens, we provide an overview of teachers' role as a socializing agent in the classroom and school with a particular emphasis on their influence on bullying behaviors among students. Then we present two theories, the theory of planned behaviors, and the transactional theory of emotions and coping. We believe these theories highlight the complexity of teacher responses and make the case that teachers need more than knowledge of bullying to be effective in their role. We discuss implications for teacher training and professional development.     

Patterns of coparenting and young children's social–emotional adjustment in low-income families

This study identified coparenting patterns using data collected across 2007–2010 from low-income couples (N = 2915; 26.90% non-Hispanic White; 9.41% non-Hispanic Black; 34.24% Hispanic, 29.27% other or mixed race) with young children (M = 3.65 years; SD = 1.31 years; 48% girls) and examined relations with children's social–emotional adjustment. Latent profile analysis revealed four coparenting patterns: mutual high-quality (43.4%), moderate-quality, mothers less positive (31.8%), moderate-quality, fathers less positive (15.9%), and low-quality, mothers less positive (8.9%). When parents' perspectives on coparenting were positive and congruent, children fared best. Children also fared well when coparenting quality was moderate, and mothers were less positive than fathers. When coparenting quality was moderate and fathers were less positive than mothers, children showed the poorest adjustment.