Embracing Death: Mexican Parent and Child Perspectives on Death

A mixed-method approach was used to explore parent and child perspectives on death in Mexico. Parents’ and children’s death-related experiences and understanding of death were examined. While all children in this sample displayed a biological understanding of death, older children were less likely to endorse that all living things die. Children also displayed coexistence of beliefs related to death that can be attributed to both their biological and spiritual understanding of death. We also found that older children were more likely to report that a child should feel sad following the death of a loved one. These findings highlight how cultural practices shape the development of cognitive and affective processes related to death.     

Idle chatter or compelling conversation? The potential of the social media-based #NGSSchat network for supporting science education reform efforts

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) chat (#NGSSchat) is a social media-based professional network used to discuss topics related to the NGSS in the United States. While successful reforms involve and coordinate the work of multiple stakeholders, recent research points out a striking lack of coordination between the individuals working in different educational roles—to the detriment of intended changes in the system. In this study, we analyzed more than 7,000 posts from individuals participating in #NGSSchat on Twitter (n = 247) during 2 years of 1-hr synchronous discussions. We studied the depth and types of conversations that took place, the extent to which the involvement of teachers, administrators, researchers, and organizations was balanced, and what explains participation in the network over time. Using a mixed-methods approach involving social network analysis, we found that conversations were primarily transactional, or social, and substantive, or providing opportunities for sense-making about the standards or for participants to transform their practice and that individuals from diverse roles participated, with teachers comprising the plurality of those involved. Additionally, researchers, administrators, and teachers were the most active in the network, with no differences in both initiating, or sending, and being the recipients of, or receiving, replies as a part of conversations. Finally, we found that being a teacher or administrator, as well as receiving replies from individuals who were important in the network, were positively related to sustained involvement in the network in the following year. We discuss how #NGSSchat—as a social media-based professional network—demonstrates similar features in other effective networks, and how social media-based networks invite new visions for how to implement ambitious, large-scale changes in science education.     

Constructing a Universal Scale of High School Course Difficulty

This study examined the usefulness of applying the Rasch rating scale model (Andrich, 1978) to high school grade data. ACT Assessment test scores (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning) were used as "common items" to adjust for different grading standards in individual high school courses both within and across schools. This scaling approach yielded an ACT Assessment-adjusted high school grade point average (AA-HSGPA) on a common scale across high schools and cohorts within a large public university. AA-HSGPA was a better predictor of first-year college grade point average (CGPA) than the regular high school grade point average. The best model for predicting CGPA included both the ACT composite score and AA-HSGPA.     

The Efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Technique in the Treatment of Test Anxiety of College Students

This study explored the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of test anxiety. Thirty‐five college students with test anxiety were randomly assigned to either a treatment or delayed treatment control group. In this study, EMDR was shown to be effective in reducing overall test anxiety as well as “emotionality” and “worry” components of test anxiety.     

Control is the key: Unlocking the motivation of at‐risk students

Traditional instructional environments for at‐risk (i.e., unmotivated) students are teacher controlled and provide low‐level, routine tasks. This, however, contradicts current theory and research regarding environments that enhance motivation to learn. To effectively assist motivationally disadvantaged students, instructional environments must support autonomy and challenge. Six “at‐risk” students in an alternative education program completed motivation surveys after engaging in various learning activities. Overall, the participants completed 54 surveys. Using multiple regression, involvement, boredom, confusion, competence, and desire to be doing something else were regressed on perceived challenge and perceived control. The results indicated that control and challenge were significant predictors of the motivation variables. The findings are discussed in terms of awakening to the powerful influence of instructional tasks on student motivation and desire to engage in learning activities. Limitations of the present study provide insights into future endeavors. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Using mixed-methods,a data model and a computational ontology in film audience research

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses a methodology that seeks to address one of the challenges in working with a range of data in mixed-methods audience research, which is how to sort, order and categorise different data so that they can be systematically combined and interrogated. The methodology was developed as part of the “Beyond the Multiplex: audiences for specialised films in English regions” (BtM) project. This project required a mixed methods approach using surveys, interviews, focus groups and document analysis to explore the richness of audience experiences and trends in the context of regional film policy. This required a mixed methods approach using surveys, interviews, focus groups and document analysis. The project utilised a data model approach that uses the principles of a computational ontology in order to sort, order and categorise data for systematic interrogation. The paper discusses methods, data, coding, and the use of a data model to support data analysis. We argue that this approach enables the cross referencing of data that provides a rich, multi-layered and relational understanding of film audiences but requires time and attention to data management and coding. Although, additionally it also forms the basis of an open access data resource for future research.     

Perceptual changes to progressive resistance training with and without blood flow restriction

The purpose was to examine changes in the perceptual responses to lifting a very low load (15% one repetition maximum (1RM)) with and without (15/0) different pressures [40% (15/40) and 80% (15/80) arterial occlusion pressure] and compare that to traditional high load (70/0) resistance exercise. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and discomfort were measured following each set of exercise. In addition, resting arterial occlusion pressure was measured prior to exercise. Assessments were made in training sessions 1, 9, and 16 for the upper and lower body. Data are presented as means and 95% CI. There were changes in RPE in the upper body with condition 15/40 [?2.1 (?3.4, ?0.850)] and 15/80 [?2.4 (?3.6, ?1.1)] decreasing by the end of training. In the lower body, RPE decreased in condition 15/40 [?1.4 (?2.3, ?0.431)] by the end of the training study. There was a main effect of time in the upper body with all conditions decreasing discomfort. In the lower body, all conditions decreased except for 15/80. For arterial occlusion pressure, there were differences across time in the 15/40 condition and the 15/80 condition in the upper body. Repeated exposure to blood flow restriction may dampen the perceptual responses over time.     

Functional Movement ScreenTM total score does not present a gestalt measure of movement quality in youth athletes

We aimed to evaluate the internal consistency and factor structure of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS^TM) in youth athletes and quantify differences between individual task score at different stages of maturation. FMS^TM and anthropometric variables were measured in 144 youth athletes (96 female, 48 male). Biological maturation was categorised as before- (<-0.5 years), at- (?0.49–0.50 years) and after- peak height velocity [PHV] (>0.51 years). Internal consistency was poor (Cronbach’s alpha; 0.53, ±90% confidence limit 0.10; ordinal alpha 0.6, ±0.09). Principle component analysis extracted two components, representing 47% of the total variance. Tasks loading highest on component 1 required stability, while those loading highest on component 2 favoured mobility. “Likely” decrements in component 1 tasks were observed before-PHV. In-line lunge (effect size ±90% confidence limit; ?0.47, ±0.49), hurdle step (?0.38, ±0.49), and trunk stability push-up (?0.51, ±0.45), were lower compared with athletes at-PHV and rotatory stability (?0.44, ±0.37) was lower than those after-PHV. Boys’ scored “most likely”, higher (0.73, ±0.28) in trunk stability push-up, and girls “likely” higher in shoulder mobility (0.46, ±0.29). In our population, the FMS^TM is not uni-dimensional, thus total score should be avoided. Clear maturation affects were observed in stability tasks.     

Muscle activation and local muscular fatigue during a 12-minute rotational bridge

Due to anecdotal reports of back pain during a 12-minute rotational bridge test by uniformed services, the level of fatigue leading to possible back pain and or injury was investigated. We hypothesised a high level of fatigue due to diminishing core muscle activation. Nineteen highly trained uniformed service members were measured by surface electromyography of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, lumbar erector spinae, thoracic erector spinae and latissimus dorsi. Average rectified electromyography amplitude (AEMG) and median power frequency were analysed to determine activation and fatigue. All AEMG were normalised and expressed as a percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). Significant increases in AEMG were observed over the test duration for the rectus abdominis (+19.5%MVIC), external oblique (+18.0%MVIC) and internal oblique (+23.2%MVIC) during the prone position; and for the external oblique (+21.8%MVIC) when bracing on the measurement side (all, p < 0.05). No significant changes in median power frequency were observed (all, p > 0.05). Combining prone and side bridge positions is a reasonable measure of anterior, posterior and lateral trunk musculature. Muscular fatigue remained low throughout making this a safe assessment in trained individuals.