Demographic profiling of British Olympic equestrian athletes in the twenty-first century

Analyses of the determinants for participation in specific sports have been neglected and the use of demographic profiling in equestrian sports is limited. The aim of this research was to compare demographic profiles of British Olympic equestrian athletes, across and within disciplines, and suggest implications for the national federation’s micro-level athlete development strategy. Data were collected about all Team GB equestrian competitors over the last five Olympic Games. Equestrian sports are not organised by sex segregation, however no female showjumping competitors have represented Team GB in the twenty-first century. Competitors ranged in age over five decades and support the unusual early start-late specialisation paradigm, introduced by the national federation in 2007. Horse ownership is unusual amongst competitors, although it is more common amongst male athletes. The inter-athlete variation and inter-discipline variation these athletes show post challenges to the single development strategy currently in use.     

E-BOOKS IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: AN INTERNATIONAL OVERVIEW

This paper provides a broad international overview of e-books in academic libraries. The inconsistent terminology relating to e-books is noted in the first section and a brief history of e-books and some current definitions are given. The stakeholders within the e-book industry are described, with details of some of the services offered. For users and staff in library and information services, e-books can provide a variety of advantages as well as challenges, and these are outlined for those in academic libraries. Findings from various studies on e-books are presented and some of the issues involved in managing e-books in academic libraries are described. Finally an overview is presented of the e-Books Working Group in the United Kingdom. The paper is illustrated with a number of screenshots related to e-books in academic libraries in various parts of the world.     

Testing the application of corrective adjustment procedures for removal of relative age effects in female youth swimming

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was (1) accurately estimate longitudinal relationships between decimal age (i.e., chronological and relative) and performance in Australian female 100 m (N = 765) and 200 m (N = 428) Breaststroke swimmers (10–18 years); and (2) determine whether corrective adjustment procedures could remove Relative Age Effects (RAEs) in an independent sample of age-matched 100 m (N = 2,491) and 200 m (N = 1,698) state/national level Breaststroke swimmers. In Part 1, growth curve modelling quantified longitudinal relationships between decimal age and swimming performance. In Part 2, relative age distributions (Quartile 1–4) for “All”, “Top 25%” and “10%” of swimming times were examined based on raw and correctively adjusted swim times for age-groups. Based on raw swim times, finding identified RAE effect sizes increased in magnitude (small-medium) with selection level (“All”-“Top 25%”) in 12–14 years age-groups for both events. However, when correctively adjusted swim performances were examined, RAEs were primarily absent across all age-groups and selection levels. Using longitudinal reference data, corrective adjustment procedures removed relative age advantages in female youth Breaststroke performance. Removing the influence of relative age-related differences is predicted to improve the accuracy of identifying genuinely skilled youth swimmers.     

Stories we live,identities we build: how are elementary teachers’ science identities shaped by their lived experiences?

Cultural Studies of Science Education - The aim of this multiple case study was to uncover a series of critical events and experiences related to the formation of the science identities of four...     

SSIE: Semiprojective Scales of Institutional Evaluation

The Semiprojective Scales of Institutional Evaluation, measuring positive and negative connotations of an educational institution, were developed together with ten predictor scales pertaining to students' personal and organizational orientations. The SSIE scales were developed by order analysis. This method of multidimensional analysis allows for gradation of sensitivity with respect to underlying dimensions of the data matrix. The predictor scales were developed by a theoretical strategy and regressed on the four SSIE scales. The interrelations between these measures suggest that favorable images of the college environment are likely to result when the institution provides a balance of general knowledge and specific skills, moderates student participation in academic governance, and accommodates individual differences.