Does context shape comprehension: evaluating the influence of presentation on inquiry strategies in science learning

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Portnoy ◽  
Talia Lemberger
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Science Learning ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Approaches To Learning ◽  
Knowledge Retention ◽  
Scientific Concept ◽  
Distractor Task ◽  
Science Content ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Approaches to learning have the ability to influence knowledge acquisition, comprehension, retention and even motivation to learn. Previous work indicates that despite age, experience, or prior knowledge, students have a tendency to approach learning differently as a function of the presented content. The purpose of this study is to explore how context influences student approaches to learning science. Design/methodology/approach The authors adopt a question-asking methodology to evaluate if approaches to learning the same science content vary when presented within the context of Pure Science or the History of Science. Findings Results indicate that contextualizing the presentation of science content, shifts the approaches students take in attempting to learn science content as evidenced by the questions they ask to deepen their understanding. Additional variables of prior experience with each scientific concept, task persistence at a distractor task and later recall of the presented concepts were related to different inquiry strategies. Research limitations/implications Implications for instructional design and pedagogy are discussed. Practical implications The framework in which scientific information is presented may impact how students modify existing and create a new schema, impacting their beliefs about scientific knowledge and the way in which students question, hypothesize and engage within the domain of science. Social implications By studying the role of inquiry while students engage in science learning, the authors explore the role of context, content and knowledge retention. Originality/value The current study probes at the nature of student questioning and its reliance on the content, context and its relationship to outcome variables such as learning and, perhaps, even persistence as it relates to students’ prior knowledge within content areas which may, in turn, lead to varying levels of student self-efficacy.

Prior knowledge and social entrepreneurial venture creation: the mediating role of novelty ecosystem

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isa Nsereko ◽  
Samuel S. Mayanja ◽  
Waswa Balunywa
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Measurement Errors ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Venture Creation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of novelty ecosystem in the relationship between prior knowledge and social entrepreneurial venture creation (SEVC) among community-based organizations (CBOs) in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThe study is cross sectional and quantitative. Data were collected from CBO owner-managers. Mean, standard deviations, correlations and structural equation modeling were conducted to check the relationships among variables.FindingsResults show that both prior knowledge and novelty ecosystem are significantly associated with SEVC. Results further indicate that novelty ecosystem partially mediates the relationship between prior knowledge and SEVC.Research limitations/implicationsThe design was cross sectional in nature, thus limiting monitoring changes in knowledge and its effect on SEVC. The results should be interpreted as they are because there could be some endogeneity biases, which were not detected like measurement errors and failure to identify appropriate instruments.Originality/valueThis study provides an initial empirical evidence on the relationship between prior knowledge, novelty ecosystem and SEVC using evidence from a developing African country – Uganda. Mostly, this provides an initial evidence of the mediation role of novelty ecosystem in the relationship between prior knowledge and SEVC.

Prior knowledge: the role of virtual worlds in venture creation

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Noke ◽  
Thomas Chesney
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Real World ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Nascent Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Business Simulations ◽  
Virtual Business

Purpose – Creating a new business often ends in failure arguably the more knowledge of the start-up process an entrepreneur has the more successful the outcome. Whilst business simulations have been researched, the role of virtual worlds in aiding nascent entrepreneurs in gaining important experiential learning is lacking. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative research involved six months observational data, with nine in-depth semistructured interviews with the small business owners based in the virtual world Second Life. Findings – The findings highlight important similarities between “real world” and “virtual world” businesses. The nascent entrepreneurs reported a sense of running the business as any other business. The level of risk, in terms of capital, for setting up a virtual business is far less than the real world. However, risks are still associated with a virtual business with entrepreneurs investing time to run the business. Originality/value – The findings of this study provide important insight into how prior knowledge can be gained through participating in “real” business activities, other than business simulations. Virtual worlds provide can play an important role in aiding nascent entrepreneurs to gain important prior knowledge of the start-up process, that the authors can anticipate will aid the entrepreneur in further ventures.

Prior knowledge, cognitive characteristics and opportunity recognition

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Hajizadeh ◽  
Mohammadreza Zali
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Opportunity Recognition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Factors ◽  
Cognitive Characteristics ◽  
Entrepreneurial Alertness ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – In order to answer why and how some individuals identify opportunities, the purpose of this paper is to offer a comprehensive framework of key effective factors that investigates the role of prior knowledge and cognitive characteristics of entrepreneurial alertness and learning in the entrepreneurial opportunities recognition process. Design/methodology/approach – First, the authors identified key effective factors and developed research hypotheses and conceptual model. Second, the authors considered research methodology including sampling and data collection, measurement model. The third section presents a report of the results from the analysis of the structural model and the hypotheses tests. Findings – The findings show that all the three factors had positive impact on opportunity recognition. It is also confirmed that prior knowledge has significant impact on entrepreneurial alertness and learning. Finally, the results demonstrate that both entrepreneurial alertness and learning partially mediated the relationship between prior knowledge and opportunity recognition. Research limitations/implications – Possible effects of other cognitive characteristics such as creativity and innovation can be considered in the model to increase accuracy of the findings. Also, comparative studies with the proposed framework in different industrial domains can be conducted in order to compare the possible differences concerning the role of the factors in opportunity recognition. Practical implications – By using this model, entrepreneurs will be able to identify and enhance the factors that influence opportunity recognition, thus honing this entrepreneurial ability. Also, this framework can be employed in the field of education to identify opportunity recognition problems in individuals and to foster entrepreneurs. Originality/value – This paper presents a new integrated model that would examine the impact of key effective factors of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition simultaneously while taking into account the interactions among them.

Cross-over effects of corporate reputation and store image: role of knowledge and involvement

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 3096-3111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chung-Yu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Store Image ◽  
Store Loyalty ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Empirical Results ◽  
Survey Sample

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze how store loyalty forms corporate reputation and store image conditional on prior knowledge and involvement in retailing services. Design/methodology/approach A convenient sampling technique was employed, in which student interviewers approached customers as they exited the Carrefour stores with a skip interval of 3. The final survey sample comprised 220 respondents. Findings Empirical results confirm that corporate reputation influences store image and corporate reputation and store image affect store loyalty. In addition, shopper characteristics (i.e. involvement and knowledge) positively moderate the relationships between corporate reputation and store image and store loyalty. Originality/value This study goes beyond store loyalty to demonstrate that the cross-over effects between corporate reputation and store image and the moderators of prior knowledge and involvement significantly influence the relationships between corporate reputation and store image and store loyalty.

e-Internships: prevalence, characteristics and role of student perspectives

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Jeske ◽  
Carolyn Axtell
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Virtual Work ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
The Right

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the emergence of a new form of internship (virtual or e-internships), which poses particular challenges for the interns, the supervisors and organizations alike. The authors present results regarding the prevalence and characteristics of e-internships, including a brief e-internship description for demonstrative purposes. Then use the findings of a student survey to outline the role of students’ past internship experience and prior knowledge as potential factors that influence acceptance of e-internships. Design/methodology/approach – The case study was based on an interview with an e-intern and the analysis of student awareness, prior experience and knowledge was based on the analysis of a student survey. Findings – The paper summarizes preliminary research that confirms the emergence of e-internships in several countries. It also outlines the characteristics of these new internships and outlines how e-internships compare to traditional internships, thus providing an insight for practitioners and managers. The case study and student survey outline the role of previous internships and prior knowledge as potential influences on self-selection and interest in e-internships. The paper further discusses some of the practical issues. Research limitations/implications – This paper outlines a number of new findings about the e-internships and represents only a first step into the right direction. The success factors and conditions for these internships are currently largely unknown. Originality/value – This paper provides information about e-internships using available statistics, a case study and survey results. The paper outlines relevant research avenues for researchers in the area of virtual work and personnel management, e-collaboration, communication studies and multimedia effectiveness.

The new roles of medical librarians in medical research

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (11) ◽  
pp. 682-696
Author(s):  
Reza Safdari ◽  
Hamideh Ehtesham ◽  
Narges Ziaee ◽  
Mehri Robiaty
Keyword(s):  
Medical Research ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Medical Subject Headings ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This study aims to highlight the role of librarians as an essential element in medical research. For this purpose, the primary research process was divided into three phases: before, during and after. Then, the roles of librarians associated with each phase were separated and the viewpoint of researchers and librarians on the importance of these roles were considered and compared. Design/methodology/approach This comparative, descriptive-causal research was conducted using the census method. Birjand University, a type-2 university in the field of Medical Sciences according to the rating of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, was selected for the study. The participants were all faculty members and all librarians working in the university’s libraries. The data collection tool was a questionnaire made by authors. Its validity was confirmed by four professors of Library Science, and questionnaire design expert and its reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.89. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, using descriptive statistics. Findings From the perspective of researchers, awareness-raising for open access resources, determination of standard subject keywords on the basis of Medical Subject Headings for articles and scientific texts and using scientific research findings as a basis for preventing duplicate studies in future research are the most important roles for librarians in the three stages of medical research. From the perspective of librarians, the use of knowledge management skills, searching scientific information as review of the literature and also selecting standard keywords to search the databases and providing health-care professionals with the findings of latest scientific research have the highest place in the different stages of the research lifecycle. Originality/value The difference between the viewpoints of librarians and researchers about the role of medical librarians at the various stages of the research lifecycle shows that there are significant gaps between the librarians’ services and users’ expectations. It is expected that through learning modern professional skills, medical librarians can assume new roles in medical research and make their capabilities known and available to researchers.

scholarly journals Student characteristics and knowledge on ODL concepts at first registration

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.A.J.M. Kuruppuarachchi ◽  
K.O.L.C Karunanayake
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lower Middle Class

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify socio-economic/demographic characteristics and to evaluate the knowledge on different open distance learning (ODL) concepts of BSc undergraduates of The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) at first registration. Design/methodology/approach The surveying technique was adapted with a piloted structured questionnaire consisting of two components. The structured component was used to evaluate personal, socio-economic and demographic data. The open ended component evaluated the student’s perception on ODL concepts. The questionnaire was randomly adapted to 456 (35 percent Colombo Regional Centre (CRC) registrants) prospective BSc undergraduates at first registration time at the CRC in 2014. Data collected from the structured component were frequency tabulated and cross-tabulated with the SPSS computer software. Responses of the open ended part were examined, categorized and the frequency percentages of each response category were calculated. Findings The structured component recognized that the majority of BSc undergraduates of the OUSL represent employed (53 percent), late adolescents (92 percent below age 27) who reside in rural or semi-urban areas (75 percent). They belong mostly to the lower middle class and 69 percent are from families which have a monthly family income below SLR30,000/(USD208). Answers of the open ended component on ODL concepts recognized that, prior knowledge on ODL concepts were developed by most BSc undergraduates. Approximately 50 percent of respondents perceived OUSL as an institute which facilitates working people by conducting part time-based or distance mode education with self-learning features. In total, 56.9 percent students perceived the role of an ODL teacher correctly as a facilitator or a guide. The educational process was perceived correctly as an ODL system by 52 percent, while the remainder also identified the system to be a more self-study and student centered flexible learning system. However, the role of a BSc student at OUSL was recognized as self-independent learners by only 36.7 percent and the majority had no clear perception of the role they have to play as an ODL student. Hence, more attention should be paid to make students recognize the role they have to play in an ODL system in order to succeed at OUSL. Originality/value Although research has been carried out periodically on the process of ODL education system at OUSL, on the graduate (output) and dropouts, etc., not many have focused on the nature of input such as characteristic features of first registrant and their prior knowledge on ODL. As the output invariably depends on the input and the process, this type of survey is timely and novel.

Exploring the relationship between organizational structure and knowledge retention: a study of the Indian infrastructure consulting sector

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 961-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhilash Acharya ◽  
Bijaya Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Knowledge Retention ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Schematic Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Per Se ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Management Cycle

Purpose Infrastructure adds pace and efficiency into India’s progress. It is a country which has embraced the notion of a knowledge economy of late, and thus raised the importance of infrastructure consulting per se. The study aims to cover the consequent but underexplored role of organizational structure (OS) vis-à-vis knowledge retention (KR) in this sector. Design/methodology/approach For conducting the research, the sampling organization that has been chosen is an infrastructure consulting organization. The researchers had undertaken an exploratory study to find out the dynamics between OS and KR. A qualitative approach has thus been adopted and the application of thematic analysis found place in conducting the research. The themes and sub-themes generated from the research, aligned with the theoretical backdrop, gave rise to a schematic model explaining the relationship between OS and KR. Findings From the above themes and sub-themes along with possible relationships which emerged from the study, the researchers observed that the theme “organizational structure” had a significant relationship with the sub-theme “knowledge retention”. In the order, what was the most noteworthy was that designing of an OS had a refined and somewhat directed influence on KR in the organization. Originality/value This paper tries to uncover the relationship between an organization’s structure formation and the key aspect of knowledge management cycle, which is KR. This shall be helpful for both academics (who can make advancements by testing the relationship in other contexts) and practitioners (who can look forward to minimizing business losses through the concept of KR).

Inferences and Confidence in Warning Texts: The Role of Age and Prior Knowledge

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Adams ◽  
Wendy A. Rogers ◽  
Arthur D. Fisk
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge

Long-term management of patients with multiple brain metastases after shaped beam radiosurgery

2004 ◽  
pp. 406-412
Author(s):  
Paul Okunieff ◽  
Michael C. Schell ◽  
Russell Ruo ◽  
E. Ronald Hale ◽  
Walter G. O'Dell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Multiple Metastases ◽  
Extracranial Disease ◽  
Successful Control ◽  
The Brain

✓ The role of radiosurgery in the treatment of patients with advanced-stage metastatic disease is currently under debate. Previous randomized studies have not consistently supported the use of radiosurgery to treat patients with numbers of brain metastases. In negative-results studies, however, intracranial tumor control was high but extracranial disease progressed; thus, patient survival was not greatly affected, although neurocognitive function was generally maintained until death. Because the future promises improved systemic (extracranial) therapy, the successful control of brain disease is that much more crucial. Thus, for selected patients with multiple metastases to the brain who remain in good neurological condition, aggressive lesion-targeting radiosurgery should be very useful. Although a major limitation to success of this therapy is the lack of control of extracranial disease in most patients, it is clear that well-designed, aggressive treatment substantially decreases the progression of brain metastases and also improves neurocognitive survival. The authors present the management and a methodology for rational treatment of a patient with breast cancer who has harbored 24 brain metastases during a 3-year period.

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