Reviews and reports

Annals of Dyslexia -     

Book Review

Book reviewed in this article:
Bias Issues in Teacher Certification Testing R.G. Allan, Paula M. Nassif, and Scott M. Elliot (Eds.)     

An upper limb kinematic model for the examination of cricket bowling: a case study of Mutiah Muralitharan

We show how biomechanics can be used to accurately assess spin-bowling techniques (offspin, legspin and topspin) in cricket, under controlled conditions, when the player is suspected of throwing. A 50 Hz six-camera Vicon Motion Analysis system was used to record the movements of markers strategically placed on the upper limb during each of the above bowling actions. A kinematic model of the upper limb, created using Vicon BodyBuilder software, enabled the movements of the upper arm and forearm to be described during each delivery. Selected physical characteristics of the upper limb were also measured. The present 'no ball' law in cricket with reference to throwing states that 'the arm should not be straightened in the part of the delivery that immediately precedes ball release'. The bowler, Mutiah Muralitharan, was shown to maintain a relatively constant elbow angle in the 0.06 s before ball release. Furthermore, this angle changed little from the time that the upper arm was angled vertically downward until ball release during the three spin-bowling actions.     

Research priority setting with parents of students with learning exceptionalities and disabilities

With an increasing focus on knowledge mobilisation, there is a concomitant shift in how stakeholders, such as parents, ought to be engaged in the research process. The purpose of this study was to explore the research priorities of parents of Kindergarten to Grade 12 students with learning exceptionalities and disabilities in British Columbia, Canada. A cross-sectional survey design was employed. A convenience sample of 130 parents completed the survey. From a list of pre-selected variables, parents identified time to initial designation, high school graduation, and home-schooling/independent schooling as the three most important research priorities, with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and moderate behaviour support/mental illness as the three most important designations. In an open-ended response, parents recommended further areas for inquiry, including the effectiveness of inclusive education and school exclusion. Research priority setting can help create research agendas that align with the needs and interests of stakeholders.