A Matter of Degrees

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the extent to which computers assist high school students in learning English language vocabulary. The experience describes an experimental investigation conducted in a Teacher‐Training Practising Secondary School in Cameroon on the use of computer‐assisted software to teach English vocabulary. Specifically, the major thrust of this investigation was to compare the effects of using computers in the teaching of English language vocabulary with the conventional method of teaching. Students were split into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The latter group received the conventional method while the former group was given the computer software application. Results indicated that there was very little significant difference in the academic performance of both groups. However, the experimental group demonstrated positive attitudes toward a computer and the software program.

Abstract français: Le but de cette recherche était de déterminer jusqu'o[ugrave] les ordinateurs peuvent aider des étudiants d'école secondaire à apprendre le vocabulaire anglais. L'article décrit la recherche conduite dans un institut de formation des maîtres du second degré au Cameroun sur l'utilisation de logiciels pour l'enseignement du vocabulaire anglais. En fait, l'objectif majeur de cette recherche était de comparer les effets de l'emploi des ordinateurs à cette fin avec les méthodes traditionelles de formation. On a divisé les étudiants en deux groupes: expérimental et contrôle. Ce dernier a reçu cette formation traditionelle, tandis que le premier a subi des applications de logiciels. Les résultats ont montré qu'il n'y avait pas de différence significative entre les performances des deux groupes. Cependant, le groupe expérimental a fait preuve d'attitudes positives envers l'ordinateur et les programmes de logiciels.     

关于图书馆文化的理论研究

根据现有研究成果和相关实践构建了图书馆文化的结构模型，并且探讨了图书馆馆舍、图书馆馆藏和图书馆设备中蕴涵的各类典型的图书馆物质文化现象，图书馆管理体制和制度、图书馆组织结构、职业资格制度和职业道德规范等中特有的图书馆制度文化现象，以及图书馆服务活动、职业精神、职业使命和职业价值观等方面的图书馆精神文化现象。     

Evaluation of a university course to promote physical activity: project GRAD

Project GRAD (Graduate Ready for Activity Daily) evaluates a university course to promote physical activity. In a randomized study, 338 university seniors participated in either an intervention or control course for academic credit, and posttest data were collected on 321. The control course was knowledge-oriented. The intervention course taught behavior change skills in weekly lectures and peer-led labs. Physical activity was assessed with 7-Day Physical Activity Recall interviews. The intervention had no significant effects on men. Among women, the intervention increased total physical activity during leisure, strengthening exercises, and flexibility exercise. This university course had the intended effects of promoting healthful patterns of physical activity among women, but no effects were observed on men, who were more active than women at baseline.     

Awareness, use and opinions of methodological search filters used for the retrieval of evidence-based medical literature-a questionnaire survey

The aim of this study was to determine the level of awareness of methodological search filters among health and academic librarians in the UK and Ireland, their use of filters and views on the perceived benefits, limitations and ways to increase usage of search filters. A random proportional sample of health and academic librarians were surveyed by telephone and fax. Overall, 88% (196/224) completed the telephone survey to establish awareness and use of filters. Eighty-four per cent (51/61) completed a fax survey focusing in more depth on usability issues surrounding filters. Results indicate a high level of awareness of methodological filters, but low level of usage. Furthermore, a high level of awareness did not necessarily correlate with a high level of knowledge or understanding. Examination of responses revealed limitations and recommendations beyond those reported in the literature and highlights the relationship between understanding and effective use of filters. Improved dissemination and publication of filters is required to better inform librarians on the concept of filters and how to use them effectively.     

The Region 4 collaborative virtual reference project

In May 2002, the Denison Memorial Library at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and the J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library at the University of Missouri-Columbia, with funding from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine-Midcontinental Region, embarked on a collaborative, real-time reference project using the 24/7 Reference, Inc., software package. This paper describes how the project was conceived, and includes details on the service hours, staffing, training, marketing, lessons learned, and future plans for the service.     

中国军人体质的评价标准与综合评价方法

利用百分位数法为所选指标制定评分标准,并在此基础上利用逐步回归分析的方法建立体质综合评价的数学模型,对军人体质综合评价方法进行了探索。在各项指标贡献率的确定上,采用的是经逐步回归分析得来的“标准化偏回归系数”与“简单相关系数”的乘积。在对每一个样本各项选中指标进行评分之后,进行逐步回归分析,建立了体质总体、身体形态、身体机能、身体素质、有氧耐力和力量素质共6种体质评价的数学模型。这些模型的建立以及评价标准的制定为计算机评价系统的实现提供了基本算法,也为《中国军人体质评价系统软件》的开发提供了可能。