Book reviews

Publishing Research Quarterly -     

Preparing Graduate Teaching Assistants to Assist Biology Faculty

Journal of Science Teacher Education -     

Longitudinal changes in submaximal oxygen uptake in 11- to 13-year-olds

The aim of this study was to monitor longitudinal changes in young people's submaximal oxygen uptake (VO2) responses during horizontal treadmill running at 8 km x h(-1). The 236 participants (118 boys, 118 girls) were aged 11.2+/-0.4 years (mean +/- s) at the onset of the study. Submaximal VO2, peak VO2 and anthropometry were recorded annually for three consecutive years. The data were analysed using multi-level regression modelling within a multiplicative, allometric framework. The initial model examined sex, age and maturity-related changes in submaximal VO2 relative to body mass as the sole anthropometric covariate. Our results demonstrate that the conventional ratio standard ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) does not adequately describe the true relationship between body mass and submaximal VO2 during this period of growth. The effects of maturity and age were non-significant, but girls consumed significantly less VO2 than boys running at 8 km x h(-1). In subsequent models, stature was shown to be a significant explanatory variable, but this effect became non-significant when the sum of two skinfolds was added. Thus, within this population, submaximal VO2 responses were explained predominantly by changes in body mass and skinfold thicknesses, with no additional maturity-related increments. When differences in body mass and skinfolds were controlled for, there was still a difference between the sexes in submaximal VO2, with girls becoming increasingly more economical with age.     

Changes in short-term power output in 10- to 12-year-olds

In this study, we used multi-level regression modelling to assess the influence of age, sex, body size, skinfold thicknesses, maturity, thigh muscle volume and isokinetic leg strength on the development of load- and inertia-adjusted peak (1 s) and mean power (30 s) determined using the Wingate anaerobic test. Fifteen males and 19 females were measured twice, first aged 10.0 +/- 0.3 years and then aged 11.8 +/- 0.3 years. Initial models identified body mass and height as significant explanatory variables (P < 0.05) for peak power and mean power, with an additional age effect for the former. No significant differences between the sexes or maturity effects were observed for either peak or mean power (P > 0.05). The introduction of sum of skinfolds improved the fit of the model and rendered the height term non-significant for both peak and mean power (P> 0.05). An age effect became apparent for mean power. When isokinetic leg strength and thigh muscle volume were entered into the model, the latter exerted a significant effect on both peak and mean power (P< 0.05), whereas isokinetic leg strength was not a significant explanatory variable for either (P> 0.05). In conclusion, thigh muscle volume exerts a positive influence on young people's short-term power output, which is additional to the effects of body mass, sum of skinfolds and age.     

The effect of rating augmentation on inter-rater reliability: An empirical study of a holistic rubric

A two-stage process by which a holistic rubric is applied to the assessment of open-ended items, such as writing samples, is defined. The first stage involves scoring a performance by the assignment of an integer rating that is congruent with the proficiency level that is exhibited in the performance. The second stage is the subsequent assignment by the rater of an augmentation that indicates whether or not the writing competency reflected in the paper is a bit higher or lower than the competency level reflected in the benchmark paper for the given proficiency level. If the rater feels that the paper represents benchmark proficiency for the given level, no augmentation is assigned to the rating. The results of this study indicate that the use of rating augmentation can improve the inter-rater reliability of holistic assessments, as indicated by generalizability phi coefficients, correlation coefficients, and percent agreement indices. Implications and suggestions for follow-up research are discussed.     

A study of cross-national collaborative research: reflecting on experience in Pakistan

This paper seeks to offer insights into the complexities involved in cross-national collaborative research. It identifies and provides an account of the various issues running through the research process, whilst at the same time derives principles upon which such work should be based. Key narratives were identified by highlighting a number of critical incidents. These narratives were related to issues of ownership, trust, and power, whilst in the course of theorising the research process itself, the metaphors of voice and crossing borders were found to be profoundly empowering and transformative. The complexities of working cross-nationally in the research group, understanding roles, clarifying professional frames and ethical values, at the same time as creating and maintaining a context for effective partnership and participation, made managing and sustaining the research process challenging.