Comparing cumulative index and factor analytic approaches to measuring maltreatment in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health

Child maltreatment is a complex and multifaceted construct in need of advanced statistical techniques to improve its measurement. The current study compared the predictive utility of a cumulative index to a factor analytic approach for constructing a measure of maltreatment. Data were from Waves III and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Wave III: n = 14,800; Wave IV: n = 12,288). As adults, participants retrospectively reported on their childhood experiences of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, supervisory neglect, and social services investigations. Both the cumulative index and a two-factor solution showed evidence of convergent validity, predicting lifetime incidence of homelessness, being paid for sex, and various measures of running away or living apart from biological parents, and prospectively predicting depression, substance use, and criminal behavior. The latent variables, derived from a factor analytic approach, had greater explanatory power for many outcomes compared to the cumulative index, even when controlling for sociodemographic variables. Results suggest that factor analysis is a better methodology than a cumulative index for measuring maltreatment in large datasets when explanatory power for external outcomes is of greatest concern.     

Young children working together. Cooperative learning effects on group work of children in Grade 1 of primary education

It was examined whether cooperative learning within the Success for All (SfA) program led to improved group work behaviour of Grade 1 pupils. 168 pupils of six SfA schools and 144 pupils of four control schools participated. Positive and negative group work behaviour was observed during a group task, taking into account socioemotional ethos, group participation, and type of dialogue. Longitudinal multilevel analysis was used for the sequence of observed 20-s time intervals. SfA groups showed more positive and less negative group work behaviour compared to control groups, whilst controlling for several group characteristics. Results suggest that negative group work behaviour increased gradually during the whole task in control groups, while in SfA groups it increased only towards the end of the task. The findings indicate that cooperative learning may lead to improved group work behaviour of young pupils (6–7 years old).     

‘Just don’t tell them what’s in it’: Ethics,edible insects and sustainable food choice in schools

Supporting young people with global crises mitigation strategies is essential, yet loaded with ethical dilemmas for the educator. This study explores whether young people will make ethical decisions regarding the sustainability of food choice in schools, and based on the processes identified, what educators’ needs are in supporting transformative learning. This study is the first of its kind, where young people under the age of 14 have been tasting edible insects and discussing their role in a more sustainable diet. The article draws on mixed-method research with over 180 young people and their teachers in three schools in Wales and examines responses to a possible introduction of edible insects into school canteens. Highlighted is the complexity of sustainable food choices—likely to be identifiable with other young people and educators in western countries. The article considers how educators and policy makers may need to frame routes to positive sustainable action and the associated impacts these may have on personal, social, political and environmental spheres.     

Digital Module 16: Longitudinal Data Analysis

In this digital ITEMS module, Dr. Jeffrey Harring and Ms. Tessa Johnson introduce the linear mixed effects (LME) model as a flexible general framework for simultaneously modeling continuous repeated measures data with a scientifically defensible function that adequately summarizes both individual change as well as the average response. The module begins with a nontechnical overview of longitudinal data analyses drawing distinctions with cross-sectional analyses in terms of research questions to be addressed. Nuances of longitudinal designs, timing of measurements, and the real possibility of missing data are then discussed. The three interconnected components of the LME model—(1) a model for individual and mean response profiles, (2) a model to characterize the covariation among the time-specific residuals, and (3) a set of models that summarize the extent that individual coefficients vary—are discussed in the context of the set of activities comprising an analysis. Finally, they demonstrate how to estimate the linear mixed effects model within an open-source environment (R). The digital module contains sample R code, diagnostic quiz questions, hands-on activities in R, curated resources, and a glossary.     

Measuring Textbook Content Coverage: Efficient Content Analysis with Lesson Sampling

This study addresses measurement issues around a standards-based content analysis of mathematics textbooks’ coverage of standards for use in large-scale monitoring of standards implementation as proposed in a 2013 report by the National Research Council. An earlier study produced an exhaustive content analysis of textbooks using the 2012 Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. This yielded an accurate and reliable portrait of a textbook's coverage of standards. However, such an in-depth analysis is not feasible for large-scale standards-implementation monitoring in which a large number of textbooks may need to be analyzed. To provide such a portrait with sufficient accuracy while also substantially reducing the associated resources needed to produce such a portrait, a simulation study was conducted with the exhaustively coded database to compare different sampling schemes. Results indicated that sampling 1 day from each week and coding the corresponding lessons led to sufficiently accurate representations of the overall content of the textbook. The results provide empirical evidence for large-scale standards-based content analyses of mathematics textbooks for monitoring standards implementation which could be adapted for other subject areas.     

对我国20年基础教育体育新课改若干认识问题的澄清与分析

分析我国20年基础教育体育新课改中的若干认识问题,包括体育新课改是健康与技术之争、是唯兴趣论、对现实问题的把握和分析存在认识偏差、缺乏理论和实践基础、模糊了课程目标、缺乏体育课程教学内容的指导、否定传统教学方法、否定教师评价和结果评价、否定教师教育的主导地位、出现1条错误的问题认识和解决链条等10个方面,对其进行回应,以落实"立德树人"的根本任务和"健康第一"的指导思想,深化体育与健康课程改革,促进学生身心健康、体魄强健、全面发展。     

体育市场发展的动力机制

对体育市场发展的动力条件和动力依据进行了阐述,提出体育能力系统的内外因是体育产业及市场发展的动力条件;人的“需要递进规律”是体育产业及市场发展的动力依据;体育产业及市场的发展需要社会的进一步发展;体育产业及体育市场的良性发展必须依靠国家的宏观调控。     

对我国3位优秀110m栏运动员的技术特征的分析研究

运用文献资料、数理统计法和比较分析法 ,对我国 3位优秀 110m栏运动员的比赛技术参数进行分析研究 ,并把部分技术参数与国外优秀选手进行对比 ,发现我国 3位选手在平跑能力、全程跨栏步步长、全程分栏时间与速度、过栏时间方面存在着不足 ,这些都有待于今后改进和提高。     

从2006年亚运会、世锦赛和世界杯总决赛分析中国女子体操队现状及发展

通过对中国女子体操队在2006年亚运会、世锦赛和世界杯总决赛三大赛事上的表现及成绩的分析、研究,了解了中国女子体操队的实力状况,并在此基础上对其今后的发展进行了分析,旨在为中国女子竞技体操保持优势地位、实现2008年北京奥运会目标提供理论参考。