Computerized and Traditional Administration of Questionnaires: Psychometric Quality and Completion Time for Measures of Self-Concept

In two independent studies of questionnaire administration, respondents completed multidimensional self-concept inventories within four randomized research conditions that mirrored the most common administration formats used in practice: paper booklets with and without answer sheets and computer questionnaires with single versus multiple items per screen. Strong differences among conditions emerged for completion time, but not for psychometric properties of scores (means, variances, reliability coefficients, concurrent validity coefficients). Answer sheets increased completion time by 24% to 34%, single-item displays by 20% to 25%, and computerization by 13% to 17%. Completion time was longer for multiple-alternative than for rating-scale items, but relative effects of answer sheets, single-item displays, and computerization remained consistent. We discuss implications for questionnaire construction and administration.     

Individualization of data-segment-related parameters for improvement of EEG signal classification in brain-computer interface

In electroencephalogram (EEG) modeling techniques, data segment selection is the first and still an important step. The influence of a set of data-segment-related parameters on feature extraction and classification in an EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI) was studied. An auto search algorithm was developed to study four datasegment-related parameters in each trial of 12 subjects’ EEG. The length of data segment (LDS), the start position of data (SPD) segment, AR order, and number of trials (NT) were used to build the model. The study showed that, compared with the classification ratio (CR) without parameter selection, the CR was increased by 20% to 30% with proper selection of these data-segment-related parameters, and the optimum parameter values were subject-dependent. This suggests that the data-segment-related parameters should be individualized when building models for BCI.     

Research in Food Science Education: Measuring Gains in Critical Thinking in Food Science and Human Nutrition Courses: The Cornell Critical Thinking Test,Problem‐Based Learning Activities,and Student Journal Entries

Abstract: The Cornell Critical Thinking Test (CCTT) is one of the many multiple‐choice tests with validated questions that have been reported to measure general critical thinking (CT) ability. One of the IFT Education Standards for undergraduate degrees in Food Science is the emphasis on the development of critical thinking. While this skill is easy to list as a student‐learning objective, measuring gains in CT is relatively difficult. If the majority of the class time is spent discussing and solving ill‐defined problems, then will students become actively and meaningfully involved in their own learning and will there be any gains in CT skills? To measure gains using this format, the CCTT was administered as a pre‐ and posttest to Food Science and Human Nutrition students in an Experimental Foods class taught every fall over an 8 y period (2001–2008). Statistical analysis indicated that in 2 of the years (2002 and 2004), there were significant gains (P values 0.036 and 0.045, respectively) in CT scores. Furthermore, in both years, there were significant gains in the same 2 aspects of CT (deduction and assumption) and not in the other aspects. However, we suggest that completing several take‐home exams with many open‐ended questions, writing detailed laboratory reports, and documenting unsolicited student reflections in journal entries that comment on apparent gains in CT skills may be a better indication of actual gains in CT skills compared to the actual CCTT test scores.     

Fluctuation – a common but neglected pattern of physical activity behaviour: An exploratory review of studies in recent 20 years

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) is beneficial for physical and psychological well-being, yet many people do not achieve these health benefits due to irregular PA participation which is also known as fluctuation. Limited attention has been given to the phenomenon of fluctuation in the PA behaviour literature. Objective: The aim of this review was to explore and to map definitions, measurements, behavioural evidence, and factors related to PA fluctuation. Methods: Eligible studies were initially identified by a systematic search of articles conducted in four databases: Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus between January 1996 and March 2016. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were set to check the eligibility of all articles. Additional articles were included by manual searching and expert recommendation. Results: Fifteen articles were finally included. Definitions of fluctuation are understood from two perspectives, either as a stage in the process of behaviour change, or as a particular PA phenomenon consisting of lapse and readoption. Common features were extracted: behavioural irregularity, high risk of drop-out, intention and readiness for PA, low automaticity, and limited self-regulation. Furthermore, fluctuation identification was summarised in three approaches such as stage algorithm, self-identified PA lapse and readoption, and prospective within-person variation in meeting the PA guidelines. Regarding the empirical evidence, this review found that people in PA fluctuation were significantly distinct from those in preparation and maintenance of PA behavioural performance, as well as distinct in psychosocial features. Conclusions: Notwithstanding the limitations, this review has provided valuable insight into the phenomenon of PA fluctuation.     

A Better Way to Begin Again Together: the value of a comparative approach to teaching poetry in school

This paper suggests a particular value to treating the teaching of poetry in school comparatively. It argues that the justification for this claim derives from the ways in which peculiar symbiotic dependencies between poetry, languages, cultures and uniquely individual consciousness‐‐and between poetry, childhood learning and children's achievement of literacy‐‐can be represented in a teaching methodology. It refers to a unique teaching and research project, directed by the author at Goldsmiths’ College, University of London, which has developed principles and strategies for building a new pedagogy with children and in teacher education.     

Die Quadratur des Kreises: Universit?tsautonomie und Wissenschaftsfreiheit

Statt eines Abstracts Der gro?e "Philosoph aus Wien", Paul Feyerabend, lehrte in den 1970er Jahren auf dem H?hepunkt seiner akademischen Karriere stehend in Berkeley. In seinen Kurs waren jedes Semester Hunderte von Studenten eingeschrieben, seltsamerweise waren darunter auch viele Sportstudenten und Fu?ballspieler, denen an den amerikanischen Universit?ten bekanntlich eine nicht geringe Bedeutung zukommt. Was war der Grund für diese Anziehungskraft einer nicht leicht zu verstehenden Philosophie? Feyerabend versprach jedem Studenten schon in der ersten Vorlesungsstunde eine Eins für seinen Kurs – und fügte noch hinzu, dass es bei ihm natürlich keinerlei Prüfung oder Hausarbeiten g?be. Man bekam seine Eins selbst dann, wenn man niemals in die Vorlesung kam, was Feyerabend mit seinem tiefen Vertrauen in das alte Humboldtsche Erziehungsziel der akademischen Freiheit rechtfertigte. Als die Universit?tsverwaltung von dieser Sache Wind bekam, wurde Feyerabend gezwungen, zumindest eine Abschlussprüfung für seinen Kurs abzuhalten. Im n?chsten Semester h?ndigte der Professor zu Beginn der Prüfungsstunde ein Blatt aus, auf dem in gro?en Buchstaben feierlich das Wort "Abschlussprüfung" stand, und darunter hie? es einfach: "Erz?hle mir deinen Lieblingswitz!" Jeder Witz, auch der dümmste, wurde dann mit der Note Eins belohnt. Der Chronist dieser Anekdote berichtet, dass das Universit?tsmanagement auch diesem Verfahren bald ein Ende gemacht hatte – ohne zu sagen, mit welchen Methoden, und wie Feyerabend auf diesen Eingriff in seine akademische Lehrfreiheit reagiert hat.