Multiple dimensions of family engagement in early childhood education: Evidence for a short form of the Family Involvement Questionnaire

The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate a short form of the 42-item Family Involvement Questionnaire (FIQ) for use in preschool. Empirical evidence derived from a representative sample of preschool programs in a large city in New York State with the original version of the FIQ was used to select the items for a 21-item short form. A representative sample of 590 Head Start families was also identified from a large Head Start program in Pennsylvania to serve to validate the short form. Confirmatory factor analysis of the short form substantiated the three robust dimensions of family involvement from the original FIQ. Concurrent measures of parental satisfaction and assessments of children's literacy and mathematics skills along with an examination of family demographic variables supported the validity of the confirmed dimensions. Implications for the use of this multidimensional, short form of family involvement in large-scale program evaluation were discussed.     

The information needs and information-seeking behaviour of fishermen in Lagos State, Nigeria

This research investigated the information needs and information seeking behaviour of fishermen in Lagos State, Nigeria. The survey was carried out in the rural fishing communities of the state. Using questionnaire supported with interviews, personal observation and examination of relevant records, data were collected from 500 fishermen in the different fishing communities in the state. The simple percentage was used to analyse the data. The study examined information needs, sources and information seeking behaviour as well as problems encountered by the fishermen in a bid to obtain information. Results show that the information needs of fishermen in Lagos state are mostly occupation directed. Their chief sources of information include colleagues, friends, neighbours and relatives. Results also show that the fishermen in Lagos State are mostly illiterate, married and male adults in their middle ages; where and how to obtain credit facilities remain the most important information need of the fishermen; lack of awareness about where to obtain information on modern fishing technology is the most common problem of the fishermen in their attempt to seek information. This shows that there is acute shortage of information and fisheries extension officers in the field of information dissemination. It was concluded that the means and sources of information seeking found in fishermen in Lagos State are no longer adequate to meet advanced technology in the field and this can be detrimental to the profession. Suggestions that would facilitate information seeking and use among fishermen in Lagos state were given.     

Promoting toddlers' self-regulation and healthy eating habits among families living in poverty: A randomized controlled trial of Recipe 4 Success

The Recipe 4 Success preventive intervention targeted multiple factors critical to the health and well-being of toddlers living in poverty. This randomized controlled trial, which was embedded within Early Head Start home visits for 12 weeks, included 242 racially and ethnically diverse families (51% girls; toddler mean age = 2.58 years; data collected 2016–2019). Compared to parents in usual practice home visits, parents in Recipe 4 Success displayed greater sensitive scaffolding of toddlers' learning and more responsive food parenting practices (Cohen's d = .21–.30). Toddlers in Recipe 4 Success exhibited greater self-regulation and had healthier eating habits (Cohen's d = |.16–.35|). Results highlight the value of Recipe 4 Success in promoting parent and toddler behavior change that could have life-long benefits.     

Corrections Education at the Nexus of Science and Practice: A History of Conscience and Convenience in Achieving Professionalization

Education has long been viewed as a means to professionalize corrections work. Contemporary emphasis on using science to inform evidence-based corrections highlights the need for a professional, highly educated, and experienced workforce. Over time, colleges and universities have served at the nexus of science and practice with higher education helping span the boundaries between research and the implementation of evidence-based practice in corrections. The professionalization of corrections through higher education, however, has not been without serious challenges. Throughout history, the ideals of reformers to professionalize corrections through higher education have been molded to fit the social, economic, and political needs of both universities and corrections organizations, thus diminishing the full potential of education and practice to meet the contemporary demands of evidence-based corrections.     

The provision of HIV/AIDS education in English colleges of further education

This paper focuses on the provision of HIV/AIDS education for 16–19 year olds in colleges of further education and offers both qualitative and quantitative insights into the English approach to HIV/AIDS education for this age group. It outlines the findings from two pieces of research conducted in England by the Health Education Authority 16–19 HIV/AIDS Project.     

Influence of gender and expected competencies on access to and utilization of cyberspace resources and services for research by postgraduate students

Education and Information Technologies - In this paper, the researchers’ goal was to examine the influence of gender on cyberspace resources and services use and the expected competencies for...