Determinants of stable volunteering in Swiss soccer clubs

This study analysed the underlying determinants of soccer club volunteers’ tendency to continue or terminate their voluntary engagement. Stable voluntary engagement was analysed in terms of volunteers’ subjective expectations regarding club-related working conditions, expressed by level of job satisfaction and orientation of collective solidarity to their soccer club. These relationships were tested empirically using an online questionnaire with 345 volunteers in a selection of 20 Swiss soccer clubs. The results indicate that the volunteers’ job satisfaction and orientation toward collective solidarity correlated positively with their volunteering commitment. The discussion presents recommendations to help both Swiss soccer clubs as well as the Swiss Soccer Association to retain their volunteers more effectively.     

Improved Estimation of Maximal Reliability for Unidimensional Multicomponent Measuring Instruments in Repeated Measure Studies

In repeated measure studies with unidimensional scales, measurement invariance, and specificity stability over time, the specificity variance in each instrument component can be identified. This article describes for that setting an improved point and interval estimation procedure for the maximal reliability coefficient associated with a given set of homogeneous measures. The method is developed within the framework of latent variable modeling and can also be readily used in longitudinal studies for improved point and interval estimation of individual measure reliability and scale reliability at each assessment occasion. The procedure is based on empirically testable conditions and is illustrated with an example.     

Investigation of reinforcement of the modified carbon black from wasted tires by nuclear magnetic resonance

INTRODUCTION Waste tires cannot degrade in the short term; they may cause accidental fire and emit poisonous gases rich in dioxins. How to recycle and utilize them effectively, and prevent secondary pollution to the environment has become a new issue that the reuse of resources is faced with. Pyrolysis is an environ-ment-friendly process for recycling of used tires. Three products are typically obtained from the pyrolysis of waste tires: gas, oil and char (Gonzalez etal., 2001). Pyrolyt…     

Students’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of Using Video Games to Enhance Science Instruction

Science education video game research points toward promising, but inconclusive results in both student learning outcomes and attitudes. However, student-level variables other than gender have been largely absent from this research. This study examined how students’ reading ability level and disability status are related to their video game-playing behaviors outside of school and their perceptions about the use of science video games during school. Thirty-four teachers and 876 sixth- through ninth-grade students from 14 states participated in the study. All student groups reported that they would prefer to learn science from a video game rather than from traditional text, laboratory-based, or Internet environments. Chi-square analyses indicated a significant association between reading ability level, disability status, and key areas of interest including students’ use of video games outside of school, their perceptions of their scientific abilities, and whether they would pursue a career in the sciences. Implications of these findings and areas for future research are identified.     

Weekday Religious Education in Connection with the Public School

In sympathizing with a program of “release time” for religious education, I am perhaps opening myself to a torrent of attack. I shall take it, because what 1 state here is my own personal opinion

May I indulge the hope, however, that the discussions which this article may arouse, concern themselves with a realistic and logical treatment of what I have to say, rather than rhetorical invectives. The world has changed profoundly in the spiritual realm during the past quarter century. The cry goes up from our pulpits and pews for a new appreciation of religion. Yet in so many places, there is no recognition of the new demands in terms of an adjustment of positions which, formerly sound and tenable, now are quite the opposite

This statement is submitted in an open‐minded manner in the hope of stimulating frank discussion on one of today's most important problems