The home advantage in sport competitions: Courneya and Carron's (1992) conceptual framework a decade later

This paper had three aims. The first was to review research carried out on the home advantage from 1992 to the present. The second was to examine the extent to which a conceptual framework proposed by Courneya and Carron (1992) was/is viable as a tool to highlight and organize an understanding of the home advantage. The final aim was to provide suggestions for future research.     

Latent Curve Models and Latent Change Score Models Estimated in R

When using multiple imputation in the analysis of incomplete data, a prominent guideline suggests that more than 10 imputed data values are seldom needed. This article calls into question the optimism of this guideline and illustrates that important quantities (e.g., p values, confidence interval half-widths, and estimated fractions of missing information) suffer from substantial imprecision with a small number of imputations. Substantively, a researcher can draw categorically different conclusions about null hypothesis rejection, estimation precision, and missing information in distinct multiple imputation runs for the same data and analysis with few imputations. This article explores the factors associated with this imprecision, demonstrates that precision improves by increasing the number of imputations, and provides practical guidelines for choosing a reasonable number of imputations to reduce imprecision for each of these quantities.     

Parent Involvement with Their Children's Schools: Perceptions of Saudi Parents of Elementary School Students with Learning Disabilities

This exploratory, qualitative study investigated the perceptions of Saudi Arabian parents of elementary school-aged children with learning disabilities with regard to their involvement in their children's education. Guided by results of previous research conducted primarily with Western samples, and using a semistructured interview methodology followed by thematic phenomenological analyses, specific interview topics included parental perceptions of (a) the importance of parent–school partnerships, (b) the means of encouraging a parent–school relationship, and (c) how school practices may affect parental participation. The study involved 13 parents of children in elementary education (ages 7–12 years) diagnosed with learning disabilities. The results suggest several ways to overcome the involvement barriers reported by parents.     

The role of spatial ability in mixed reality learning with the HoloLens

The use of mixed reality in science education has been increasing and as such it has become more important to understand how information is learned in these virtual environments. Spatial ability is important in many learning contexts, but especially in neuroanatomy education where learning the locations and spatial relationships between brain regions is paramount. It is currently unclear what role spatial ability plays in mixed reality learning environments, and whether it is different compared to traditional physical environments. To test this, a learning experiment was conducted where students learned neuroanatomy using both mixed reality and a physical plastic model of a brain (N = 27). Spatial ability was assessed and analyzed to determine its effect on performance across the two learning modalities. The results showed that spatial ability facilitated learning in mixed reality (β = 0.21, P = 0.003), but not when using a plastic model (β = 0.08, P = 0.318). A non-significant difference was observed between the modalities in terms of knowledge test performance (d = 0.39, P = 0.052); however, mixed reality was more engaging (d = 0.59, P = 0.005) and learners were more confident in the information they learned compared to using a physical model (d = 0.56, P = 0.007). Overall, these findings suggest that spatial ability is more relevant in virtual learning environments, where the ability to manipulate and interact with an object is diminished or abstracted through a virtual user interface.     

The Psychometric Properties of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire

The current study aims to test the reliability and validity of the Leader–Member Exchange (LMX 7) scale with regard to coach–player relationships in sports settings. A total of 330 professional soccer players from the Turkish Super League as well as from the First and Second Leagues participated in this study. Factor analyses were performed to test the construct validity of the LMX 7. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a one-factor solution for the LMX 7. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit indices (χ²₍₁₄₎ = 31.36; p = .001; χ²/df = 2.24; GFI = .95; CFI = .97; SRMR = .05). Cronbach`s alpha (α = .84) and construct reliability (CR = .85) indicated that the reliability of the LMX 7 was quite good. Factorial Invariance (Δχ²_diff = 4.49; p > .05) across samples provided cross-validation using Multi-Group Confirmatory Analysis (MGCFA). The MGCFA supported the model of league invariance. Evidence of cross validation and configural, metric, and scalar invariance tests suggested that the LMX 7 scale preserves its factor structure, factor loadings, factor variances, and item uniqueness equally well. Chi-square difference tests revealed full invariance (Δχ²₍₆₎ = 11.45; p > .05) and partial scalar invariance (Δχ²₍₆₎ = 9.46; p > .05). Overall, these results show that the LMX 7 scale is reliable and valid for examining coach–player relationships.     

The library and undergraduate research in the liberal arts: Present contributions and future opportunities

This study sought to describe library value as seen through its various contributions to the mentored undergraduate research experiences of students in the arts, humanities, and social sciences at Hope College. Concurrently, it explored new opportunities for how librarians might become more directly connected with students involved in this hallmark of the academic program. Findings were intended to both highlight existing library contributions and initiate a well-informed movement toward aligning library priorities and with the greater institutional academic mission.     

Do Preservice Science Teachers Develop Goals Reflective of Science Teacher Education? A Case Study of Three Preservice Science Teachers

Research in Science Education - One broad research question researchers continue to pursue is: to what degree does science teacher education influence the thinking of preservice science teachers?...