Structural equation modeling: Back to basics

Major technological advances incorporated into structural equation modeling (SEM) computer programs now make it possible for practitioners who are basically unfamiliar with the purposes and limitations of SEM to use this tool within their research contexts. The current move by program developers to market more user friendly software packages is a welcomed trend in the social and behavioral science research community. The quest to simplify the data analysis step in the research process has—at least with regard to SEM—created a situation that allows practitioners to apply SEM but forgetting, knowingly ignoring, or most dangerously, being ignorant of some basic philosophical and statistical issues that must be addressed before sound SEM analyses should be conducted. This article focuses on some of the almost forgotten topics taken here from each step in the SEM process: model conceptualization, identification and parameter estimation, and data‐model fit assessment and model modification. The main objective is to raise awareness among researchers new to SEM of a few basic but key philosophical and statistical issues. These should be addressed before launching into any one of the new generation of SEM software packages and being led astray by the seemingly irresistible temptation to prematurely start “playing” with the data.     

A Brief History of Workforce Education in Community Colleges

ABSTRACT

Over its 100-year plus history the community college has struggled to make clear its mission. As a comprehensive community college its mission has bounced around to focus on liberal arts, developmental, workforce, community, and general education. In today’s increasingly competitive society with shifting values and changes in power it is likely that workforce education/career and technical education will remain a foundational mission of the community college. Workforce education is strongly supported by state and federal legislators who demonstrate that support with billions of dollars. It is strongly supported by business and industry. And it is strongly supported by parents and students. This brief history captures many of the key issues and developments of the continuing evolution of workforce education in the community college.     

Student Views of Teacher Actions in Science Classrooms Designed to Meet Current Reforms

Science/Technology/Society (STS) as a reform effort has been active in Iowa for three decades. A program called Iowa Chautauqua has evolved over the four decades to promote K-12 STS teaching in Iowa’s 300 school districts. This is a study of how teachers have become Teacher Leaders of the reforms and lead other teachers who enroll as new teachers and schools each New Year. All were involved with Action Research projects each year while also assisting graduate student teams who serve as research associates. In this study, students were asked to identify specific teacher actions that were designed to make student learning more successful. The study examines general student views of teacher actions as well as specific examples of how students interact with the teacher and how the teachers encourage greater student/student involvement. The results show success with STS and how it defines science and affective actions of teachers in classrooms. Student views of Teacher Leaders, new Chautauqua teachers, and Control Teachers with no STS or Chautauqua experiences provide ways of recognizing successes of current reform efforts.     

Community College Student Success Inventory (CCSSI) for Men of Color in Community Colleges: Content Validation Summary

This study reports on the content validation of the Community College Student Success Inventory (CCSSI) for Men of Color. The CCSSI was designed to be used by community colleges to assess their effectiveness in addressing success outcomes for men who have been historically underrepresented and underserved in education, particularly men of color. A panel of subject matter experts (SMEs) rated the instrument and provided qualitative feedback on additional areas for consideration. Content validity index (CVI) and scale level index scores (S-CVI) are reported. The instrument illustrated strong CVI and S-CVI scores. SMEs suggested several additional areas for consideration that were added to the CCSSI. The instrument is recommended for use by community colleges interested in enhancing outcomes for men of color.     

Development,Dissemination, and Preimplementation Evaluation of Food Safety Educational Materials for Secondary Education

Abstract: With the persistence of microbiological foodborne illness and anticipated future shortage of scientists with agricultural and food science expertise in the United States, it is imperative to educate youth on microbiological food safety and enhance their awareness of opportunities to become engaged in finding solutions to food safety challenges. To help integrate food science education across the high school curriculum, new educational materials on microbiological food safety were developed and then disseminated to and evaluated by educators of secondary basic and applied sciences. The materials present food safety concepts in the context of foodborne illness outbreaks to introduce basic concepts of food microbiology, epidemiology, and food safety strategies as well as their broad impact on economics, communication, and regulations. The ready‐to‐implement educational materials support educational content standards and various learning styles and encourage critical thinking skills. The materials include a presentation on food microbiology and foodborne illness surveillance, case studies on foodborne illness outbreaks, a video on the laboratory investigation of foodborne illness, interactive web‐based activities, and supporting materials for teachers and classroom display. Exposure to the materials in a 1‐d workshop positively impacted educator familiarity with general microbiology, food safety strategies, regulatory requirements, and associated terminology as measured by a test administered prior to and after use of the materials. Teachers of biology, chemistry, family and consumer sciences, and related sciences rated the materials favorably on applicability, anticipated ease of implementation, and anticipated reception by students.     

‘Nature's most beautiful models’: George Catlin's choctaw ball-play paintings and the politics of Indian removal

This essay analyses and contextualizes a group of paintings by George Catlin (1796–1872) that depict Choctaw tribe members involved in the sport of ball-play or lacrosse. Whereas previous scholars have used these works to emphasize the ethnographic nature of the artist's work, it contends that the series speaks to contemporary issues that the Choctaws were confronting at the time. Completed in 1834–35, Catlin's series of ball-play scenes represents a powerful statement regarding the removal of the Choctaws from their homelands in Mississippi to the newly-designated Indian Territory. His paintings create the impression that Native American habits and play had not been adversely impacted by the increasing presence of Euro-American settlers in the West. Thus, they had the ultimate effect of forestalling potential moral outrage against those responsible for degradations against Native American culture. Situated in this historical context, images of Native American ball-play should be seen less as romanticized records of tribal life and more as highly polemical statements about contemporary interactions between native peoples and the dominant culture. Not only did ball-play provide Catlin with an ideal subject to engage with the public's simultaneous fascination and repulsion with ‘primitive’ tribal cultures, but it also acted as a perfect metaphor for cultural conflict.     

Effect of Audio-Analgesia on Gross Motor Performance Involving Acute Fatigue

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of selected sounds (audio-analgesia) on an all-out 60-sec. ride on the bicycle ergometer. Sixteen subjects were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Sounds were (a) fast march music, (b) slow music, (c) white sound with a mambo background, and (d) no sound. No significant differences were found among the experimental variables.     

Anthropometry of Young Women

Abstract

Based upon a multidimensional model for characterizing physical activity, the development of two forms (college men, college women) of an attitude inventory is described. Items held to be representative of the six dimensions of the model were evaluated on the basis of factor and item analyses using data generated by the use of preliminary forms. Hoyt reliabilities ranged from .72 to .89 for the six scales. Scales were able to differentiate between appropriate high and low preference groups for a particular type of activity in all cases except physical activity perceived as “catharsis.” The stability of the instrument is shown by comparing measures of central tendency, variability, and reliability of the basic sample with those drawn from a second, but similar population. Normative data, instructions, and a list of items, are provided.     

Comparison of Four Approaches to Increasing Physical Fitness

Abstract

An attempt was made to study the relative effectiveness of four approaches to increasing physical fitness in male college freshmen. A freshmen orientation class was randomly divided into four groups of 12 students each to receive one of the following treatments: (a) calisthenics, games, and sports with a periodic knowledge of results; (b) calisthenics, games, and sports without a knowledge of results; (c) games and sports with a periodic knowledge of results; and (d) games and sports without a knowledge of results. The Indiana Motor Fitness Test was used to determine the subject's physical fitness index at the first, sixth, twelfth, eighteenth, and twenty-fourth class session. Knowledge of results seemed to have more effect on physical fitness than 15 minutes of calisthenics at the beginning of each class.