ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
Multilevel Modeling in the Presence of Outliers: A Comparison of Robust Estimation Methods
Author: Finch, Holmes
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Hierarchical Linear Modeling,Comparative Analysis,Computation,Robustness (Statistics),Maximum Likelihood Statistics,Error of Measurement,Statistical Bias,Statistical Analysis

Multilevel models (MLMs) have proven themselves to be very useful in social science research, as data from a variety of sources is sampled such that individuals at level-1 are nested within clusters such as schools, hospitals, counseling centers, and business entities at level-2. MLMs using restricted maximum likelihood estimation (REML) provide researchers with accurate estimates of parameters and standard errors at all levels of the data when the assumption of normality is met, and outliers are not present in the sample. However, if outliers at either levels 1 or 2 occur, the parameter estimates and standard errors produced by REML can both be compromised. Two estimation approaches for use when outliers are present have been proposed recently in the literature. Although the two methods, one based on ranks and the other on heavy tailed distributions of model errors, show promise, neither has heretofore been studied comprehensively across a wide variety of data conditions, nor have they been compared with one another. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to compare the rank and heavy tailed based estimation techniques with one another, and with REML, in terms of their ability to estimate level-1 fixed effects, under a variety of data conditions. Results of the study revealed that the rank based and heavy tailed method provide less biased estimates than REML when outliers are present, and that the rank approaches yield smaller standard errors than the heavy tailed approach in the presence of outliers. Implications of these results are discussed.
Histlexia Observed in Training Pre-Service Social Studies Teachers to Teach World Religions
Author: Walker, Juan
Date: 2016-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Preservice Teachers,Preservice Teacher Education,Social Studies,Religion Studies,Middle School Teachers,Student Teacher Attitudes,Active Learning,Inquiry,Controversial Issues (Course Content),Bias,State Church Separation,Religious Factors,Misconceptions,Methods Courses,Sex Role,World Views,Moral Values,Beliefs

The process of teaching world religions is fraught with dispositional and pedagogical concerns for pre-service teachers. To address these issues, middle grades pre-service teachers were asked to integrate an inquiry-based approach while considering their own histlexia, which we define as an inability to articulate positions. The findings of this study suggest that pre-service teachers can benefit from inquiry-based methods in planning and teaching religion and other controversial topics in the middle grades. Doing so causes pre-service teachers to become aware of their own biases and pedagogical needs when preparing to teach their future students.
Facilitating Middle Level Pre-Service Teachers' Literacy Integration in Early Field Experiences
Author: Leckie, Alisa
Date: 2016-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Middle School Teachers,Preservice Teachers,Social Studies,Literacy Education,Interdisciplinary Approach,Case Studies,Student Teaching,Pedagogical Content Knowledge,Assignments,Coding,Observation

This study explored how pre-service teachers integrated literacy in middle level social studies. This study was conducted in the context of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and their focus on disciplinary literacy, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards and their focus on rich clinical experiences, and concepts of interdisciplinary and integrated curriculum central to middle level philosophy (NMSA, 2010). Three pre-service teachers in their first extended field practicum took part in this collective case study (Yin, 2009). We identified two key findings. First, these pre-service teachers primarily integrated literacy in ways that were brief, teacher-directed, and sometimes optional for students. Second, and more promising, the pre-service teachers integrated more complex disciplinary literacy tasks when they made connections among literacy strategies, the content, and their students' needs. These more complex literacy tasks often were developed through collaborative, structured conversations between each pre-service teacher and the university supervisor.
Teaching Future Middle Level Educators to Craft Learning Activities That Enhance Young Adolescent Creativity
Author: Hilton, Jason T.
Date: 2016-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Teaching Methods,Middle School Students,Early Adolescents,Creativity,Middle School Teachers,Learning Activities,Thinking Skills,Creative Thinking,Preservice Teacher Education

As social and academic forces begin to collide for young adolescents at the beginning of the middle level experience, students experience an unfortunate drop in their creativity. Appropriately trained middle level teachers have the potential to lessen this problem through the use of carefully selected open-ended learning activities that increase the divergent thinking capacities of their students. This article argues for the use of divergent thinking activities in the teaching of young adolescents and discusses both their creation and their assessment in an effort to allow future middle level educators to respond to 21st century challenges.
Methods to Estimate the Variance of Some Indices of the Signal Detection Theory: A Simulation Study
Author: Suero, Manuel
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Evaluation Methods,Theories,Simulation,Statistical Analysis,Stimuli,Maximum Likelihood Statistics,Statistical Bias,Error of Measurement,Accuracy,Mathematical Formulas,Hypothesis Testing,Sampling

A simulation study is presented to evaluate and compare three methods to estimate the variance of the estimates of the parameters d and &quot;C&quot; of the signal detection theory (SDT). Several methods have been proposed to calculate the variance of their estimators, &quot;d'&quot; and &quot;c.&quot; Those methods have been mostly assessed by comparing the empirical means and variances in simulation studies with the calculations done with the parametric values of the probabilities of giving a yes response on a signal trial (hits) and on a noise trial (false alarms). In practical contexts the variance must be estimated from estimations of those probabilities (empirical rates of hits and false alarms). The three methods to estimate the variance compared in the present simulation study are based in the binomial distribution of Miller, the normal approach of Gourevitch and Galanter and the maximum likelihood method proposed by Dorfman and Alf. They are compared in terms of relative bias (accuracy) and the mean squared error (precision). The results show that the last two methods behave indistinguishably for practical purposes and provide severe over-estimation errors in a range of situations that while not the most common are perfectly credible in several practical contexts. By contrast, the method of Miller provides better results (or at least similar) in all conditions studied. It is the recommended method to obtain estimates of the variances of these statistics for practical purposes.
Bayesian Estimation of Multidimensional Item Response Models. A Comparison of Analytic and Simulation Algorithms
Author: Martin-Fernandez, Manuel
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Bayesian Statistics,Item Response Theory,Models,Comparative Analysis,Simulation,Mathematics,Computation,Psychometrics,Markov Processes,Monte Carlo Methods,Difficulty Level,Evaluation Methods,Accuracy,Time

This study compares the performance of two estimation algorithms of new usage, the Metropolis-Hastings Robins-Monro (MHRM) and the Hamiltonian MCMC (HMC), with two consolidated algorithms in the psychometric literature, the marginal likelihood via EM algorithm (MML-EM) and the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), in the estimation of multidimensional item response models of various levels of complexity. This paper evaluates the performance of parameter recovery via three simulation studies from a Bayesian approach. The first simulation uses a very simple unidimensional model to evaluate the effect of diffuse and concentrated prior distributions on recovery. The second study compares the MHRM algorithm with MML-EM and MCMC in the estimation of an item-response model with a moderate number of correlated dimensions. The third simulation evaluates the performance of the MHRM, HMC, MML-EM and MCMC algorithms in the estimation of an item response model in a high-dimensional latent space. The results showed that MML-EM loses precision with high-dimensional models whereas the other three algorithms recover the true parameters with similar precision. Apart from this, the main differences between algorithms are: (1) estimation time is much shorter for MHRM than for the other algorithms; (2) MHRM achieves the best precision in all conditions and is less affected by prior distributions; and (3) prior distributions for the slopes in the MCMC and HMC algorithms should be carefully defined in order to avoid problems of factor orientation. In summary, the new algorithms seem to overcome the difficulties of the traditional ones by converging faster and producing accurate results.
Gender-Specific Associations between Personality Traits, Physical Activity, and Body Size Dissatisfaction
Author: Lodewyk, Ken
Date: 2017-01-10
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Gender Differences,Personality Traits,Physical Fitness,Self Concept,Human Body,Prediction,Physical Activity Level,College Students,Role,Path Analysis,Goodness of Fit,Correlation,Statistical Analysis,Foreign Countries,Undergraduate Students,Questionnaires,Multivariate Analysis,Regression (Statistics)

A recently validated trait personality framework is the HEXACO (honesty-humility, emotionality, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience). Little is yet known about how the HEXACO personality dimensions and its subsets--particularly the dimension of honesty-humility--relates to physical activity and body size dissatisfaction as a function of gender. This study tests these relations across men and women through a proposed path model wherein personality and physical activity relate indirectly through lower body size dissatisfaction and perceived fitness in 315 university students. Results pertaining to honesty-humility revealed that women were higher in honesty-humility, emotionality, and conscientiousness. Women with higher honesty-humility (notably sincerity) were prone to lower body size dissatisfaction whereas lower levels of modesty predicted physical activity levels in men. The proposed path model had an excellent fit in both men and women although significant pathways were more prevalent in women than in men. The role of body size dissatisfaction seems to be more salient in explaining the relationship between the HEXACO personality dimensions and perceived fitness and physical activity in women than men. We recommend that practitioners particularly note the vulnerability of women university students who are high in emotionality and low in honesty-humility (especially sincerity) and agreeableness.
Boys II Men: A Culturally-Responsive School Counseling Group for Urban High School Boys of Color
Author: Pérez-Gualdrón, Leyla
Date: 2016-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Males,High School Students,Minority Group Students,Urban Schools,Public Schools,Sex Role,Cultural Awareness,Student School Relationship,Self Concept,Counseling Techniques,Pretests Posttests,Educational Environment,School Counselors,Group Counseling,Social Support Groups,Interviews,Student Attitudes,Innovation,Student Empowerment,Grade 9,Semi Structured Interviews

Using a participatory and collaborative approach, we developed, implemented, and evaluated a culturally responsive school counseling group, &quot;Boys II Men,&quot; for 11 low-income diverse male students of color at an urban public school. The content of the group focused on five areas: social connections and support, exploring gender roles, navigating identities, school engagement, and future planning. We worked closely with teachers, school staff, and counselors to foster a supportive and positive school climate (Beesley, 2004). Each student was interviewed about his experience in the group to assess the impact of the strategies and techniques used. We also analyzed the specific content of each module for main themes. Strengths and weaknesses of the group were also assessed at post-test. Innovative methods and practical applications for school counselors are discussed.
Working with Nonsuicidal Self-Injurious Adolescents
Author: Nelson, Mark D.
Date: 2016-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: School Counselors,Self Destructive Behavior,Counseling Techniques,Identification,Consciousness Raising,Adolescents,Resilience (Psychology),Disclosure,Help Seeking,Check Lists

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has evolved into a serious issue for adolescents, and is encountered in school systems across the United States. The ability of school counselors and other professionals working in the school environment to understand and assist students who exhibit signs of NSSI is critically important. Research remains minimal on the subject and it is unclear whether or not schools across the country have proper protocols in place for working with students who exhibit signs of NSSI. School professionals should be familiar with NSSI, how to identify NSSI behaviors in students, and proper protocols for working with students who exhibit signs of NSSI.
Study on the University Students' Self-Expressive Tendency in Mongolia
Author: Jagdag, Davaa
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Self Expression,Independent Study,Undergraduate Students,Statistical Analysis,Age Differences,Gender Differences,Intellectual Disciplines,Correlation,Educational Attainment,Student Surveys

The study aimed to explore Mongolian students' tendency of self-expression and a conduct of self-study at one university of Mongolia. It employed quantitative research method to explore the relationship between self-expression and self-study and examined them in terms of age, gender, years of study and field of study. The chi-squared test found that there is a significant relationship between self-expression and the ability to conduct self-study. We concluded that students who conduct self-study or has an ability of self-study tend to self-express in the context of Mongolian education. Significant relationships between age, year of the class and self-expression implies that self-expression develops as the student becomes matured and confident with an increase of their educational level.
Challenges and Solutions of Higher Education in the Eastern Caribbean States
Author: Browne, Raffie A.
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Higher Education,Social Change,Economic Development,Databases,Latin Americans,Educational Quality,Access to Education,Comparative Education,Geographic Location,Unemployment,Global Approach,Information Technology,Costs,Travel,Scholarships,Grants,Educational Cooperation,International Cooperation,Foreign Countries

Higher education is considered as one of the most essential factors in influencing societal changes, due to its ability to help formulate good decision making in every sphere of modern society, in businesses, education, politics and science. Higher education over the years has significantly increased, thus given rise to many opportunities for those who pursue it. The Caribbean students, like the rest of the world seek to benefit from higher education, not only for enhanced academic knowledge, but also for socio-economic development. Due to its sluggish development, brittle economy and lack of natural resources the Caribbean region faces many economic challenges in making quality higher education accessible to all of its occupants. The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the challenges of low output of higher education and availability of higher education institutions in the 21st century in the Eastern Caribbean. The study analyzed database of 37 tertiary institutions in the OECS, while using comparative approach to analyze availability and cost for higher education. Results show that factors that are affecting higher education in the region are accessibility, location, quality of education, institutional costs and unemployment of graduates. We found that increased access in higher education has risen tremendously due to accessibility of technology and factors like globalization, integration-networking and traveling cost. This paper suggests that collaborative approach be taken by governments of the region to increase access and funding for higher education through scholarships and grants.
Effects of Digital Story on Academic Achievement, Learning Motivation and Retention among University Students
Author: Aktas, Elif
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,College Students,Educational Environment,Story Telling,Computer Mediated Communication,Instructional Materials,Student Motivation,Academic Achievement,Retention (Psychology),Student Attitudes,Opinions,Mixed Methods Research,Experimental Groups,Control Groups,Comparative Analysis,Schools of Education,Departments,Semi Structured Interviews,Content Analysis,Learning Motivation,Measures (Individuals),Pretests Posttests,Scores,Achievement Tests

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the learning environment where digital stories are used as a learning material on the motivation, academic success, retention, and students' opinions. The study was carried out with mixed method which is a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approach. The study was implemented in Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Education Faculty Turkish Education Department. Participants included 61 students, 31 in experimental group and 30 in control group. To analyse the quantitative data; descriptive statistics, Student's t test and Paired sample t test were used. In analysis of qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews, content analysis was performed. Study results showed that digital stories have a positive effect on the academic achievement, motivation and retention in the experimental group. In addition, the students in the experimental group were found to report a positive opinion on the application of digital stories.
Opinions of University Music Teachers on the Musical Competencies Necessary for Primary Education Teachers
Author: Begic, Jasna Šulentic
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,College Faculty,Music Teachers,Teacher Attitudes,Teacher Competencies,Primary Education,Expertise,Teaching Methods,Elementary School Teachers,Teacher Educators,Delphi Technique,Teacher Surveys,Music Education,Methods Courses,Theory Practice Relationship,Musical Instruments,Music Techniques,Music Theory,Ability

This paper describes the research conducted in the Republic of Croatia during the 2012/13 academic year. We have gathered opinions from experts, i.e. teaching methods teachers from seven faculties of teacher education, regarding the music teaching competencies necessary for primary education teachers teaching music in the first several grades of elementary school. We used the &quot;Delphi method&quot; in our research, i.e. in our sample survey among teaching methods teachers. The teachers also evaluated the competencies of their students and some elements of teacher education studies course syllabi and programmes. The sample survey among the teachers was implemented via email. The goal of the research was to determine if the programmes of the music courses at the teacher education studies are appropriate for the development of the competencies necessary for students of music education. Teaching methods teachers emphasized the need for more practical training, primarily regarding playing instruments and singing, and they pointed out that the course Teaching Methods in Music is the most important course for the training of future music teachers. Aside from that, they believe that more classes should be devoted to music courses, i.e. they propose to reorganise the contents of the courses by increasing the amount of practical classes and reducing the amount of theory classes. They also believe that it is necessary to introduce testing of musical ability at entrance exams for admission into the teacher education studies.
Applying Syundz's Philosophical Concepts to Teaching Leadership in Higher Education and Lifelong Learning
Author: Ko, Hsin Chi
Date: 2016-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Probability,Psychological Characteristics,Teacher Leadership,Leadership Training,Higher Education,Lifelong Learning,Qualitative Research,Research Methodology,Philosophy,Content Analysis

Syundz (c. 314-237 BC), born in China during the Warring States Period, was a realist philosopher who contributed to the Hundred Schools of Thought, a period of cultural and philosophical development that flourished from the 6th century to 221 BC. Syundz commented on many ideas, particularly those of Confucius and Mencius, and a collection of influential essays, usually attributed to him, is known by his name, the &quot;Syundz.&quot; An outstanding thinker in a turbulent time, Syundz's philosophy covers education, society, culture and music, and one of his principal arguments is that humankind can be improved by education and ritual. In fact, Syundz believed that education was a lifelong process. This study analyzes Syundz's work with the purpose of applying his ideas to teaching leadership in contemporary higher education. The methods adopted by this study are concept analysis and content analysis, both of which are qualitative research methods. By applying them to Syundz's work, the study summarizes his ideas about leadership and the role that education plays in its promotion, following his central idea that to live is to learn. How Syundz's philosophical concepts apply specifically to contemporary higher education and to lifelong learning are comprehensively discussed in the research outcomes. The study's additional objective is to provide a reference point for teaching specialists, so that they can exchange ideas about Syundz's philosophy and to deepen their understanding of its relevance to contemporary education, in the belief that Syundz's ideas are as relevant today as they were over two millennia ago.