scholarly journals Context-Based Testing as Assessment Tool in Chemistry Learning on University Level

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 450
Author(s):  
Boris Bortnik ◽  
Natalia Stozhko ◽  
Irina Pervukhina
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Chemistry ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Nonscience Majors ◽  
Chemistry Learning ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Statistical Criteria

Testing as an assessment technique has been widely used at all levels of education—from primary to higher school. The main purpose of the paper is to evaluate the effect of context-based testing in teaching and learning of analytical chemistry in a Russian university. The paper formulates the objectives of context-based testing, discusses its features and compares with conventional testing; proposes a model of constructing and administering context-based testing; provides examples of context-based tests. The experiment was conducted at the Ural Sate University of Economics (Russia) with bachelor’s degree students with nonscience majors. Students were assigned to one of the experimental conditions: in the control group, traditional tests were carried out, while the experimental group students experienced context-based testing. The statistical data—students’ test scores—obtained at all stages of the experiment were analyzed on the basis of statistical criteria (Shapiro–Wilk, Student’s T, Fisher). The findings of our experiment enable us to answer the guided research questions. Context-based testing may be considered as an essential component of context-based teaching and learning. In comparison with conventional testing, context-based testing could impact developing knowledge of fundamental analytical chemistry concepts and contribute to more solid knowledge.

Application of the Ames Genotoxicity Assay and the Bioluminescent Toxicity Assay in the Testing of Urine Samples

1993 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reet Pruul ◽  
Hubert Kahn ◽  
Anne Kahru
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Toxicity Test ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Factory Workers ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
Urinary Mutagenicity ◽  
Student’S T Test

Urine samples from ski factory, shoe factory and kindergarten workers were analysed using the Ames genotoxicity assay and Biotox™ toxicity test (BioOrbit, Turku, Finland), to screen the occupational exposure of these people to mutagenic and toxic chemicals. Different strains of Salmonella typhimurium were used for the screening of different groups. The assay was performed without S9 mix, i.e. directly acting mutagens were tested. The ski factory workers were grouped according to their specific tasks (compressors and polishers). The urinary mutagenicity of compressors analysed using Salmonella strain TA98 was significantly higher than the urinary mutagenicity of polishers (p < 0.05, Student's t test). In the case of Salmonella strains YG1021 and YG1024, the urinary mutagenicity of shoe factory workers was significantly lower than the urinary mutagenicity of the control group, i.e. the occupational exposure either had no effect or it could not be detected under the experimental conditions used. The Ames mutagenicity test, and the Biotox™ toxicity test, yielded analogous patterns in the case of all groups of people analysed: the higher average mutagenicity was always accompanied by higher average toxicity.

scholarly journals The Effect of Using Computer Simulation on Students’ Performance in Teaching and Learning Physics: Are There Any Gender and Area Gaps?

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Mhamed Ben Ouahi ◽  
Mohamed Ait Hou ◽  
Abdesselam Bliya ◽  
Taoufik Hassouni ◽  
El Mehdi Al Ibrahmi
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of using computer simulation on students’ performance in teaching and learning physical science, particularly the electrical Ohm’s law. A sample of 182 students classified into two groups–experimental (92) and control (90)–from two middle schools in Meknes city (one in the rural area and the other urban area) was the subject of a pretest and posttest evaluation. The outcomes of the administered test to both groups of students, control and experimental, were compared and analyzed using Student’s t-test and the Mann–Whitney U test with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results obtained suggest that the experimental group register the best performances after the posttest than the control group ( p < 0.05 ). While no difference, in terms of performance, was signed according to gender in the experimental group ( p > 0.05 ), the urban students were more successful than the rural ones, with and without the use of simulations. In this respect, this study recommended using and practicing simulation software to improve and develop the performance of middle school students.

Pedagogical Explanation Methods of Teaching Matrix Programming Operations: Effects on Students’ Achievements in IPCs

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Arjan Skuka
Keyword(s):  
Programming Languages ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Computer Programming ◽  
General Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Group Model ◽  
Computer Engineering ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Engineering Department ◽  
Students Success

Despite the fact that introductory programming courses (IPCs) are taught at universities for more than thirty years, students still find computer programming very difficult to learn. Programming pedagogy deals with the methods and principles of teaching and learning computer programming. The programming pedagogical approaches that have been proposed to increase the efficiency of teaching and learning computer programming mostly focus on the tools, paradigms, programming languages and environments used in IPCs. To increase significantly the students’ success rates in IPCs, these approaches should be complemented with pedagogical explanation (PE) methods. This research is focused on a PE method of teaching sequential search of a matrix row (SSMR). The research was designed as experimental study with pretest-posttest control group model, involving students of Computer Engineering department Izmir University. While the experimental group was subjected to a pedagogical explanation method, a traditional explanation method was applied in the control group. To collect the research data, an achievement pretest, posttest and a questionnaire were developed and applied. The research findings showed the effectiveness of teaching SSMR by using a PE method. This method positively influenced students’ level of topic comprehension, which consequently improved their achievements. In order for students to understand better the other matrix programming operations, similar PE methods should be developed and used in IPCs. On a more general level, the results of this research suggested that PE methods should be developed and used for other topics that students usually find difficult to understand in IPCs. Using these methods can be a very important factor in significantly increasing students’ success in IPCs.

scholarly journals Pediatric Residents and Interns in an Italian Hospital Perform Improved Bibliographic Searches when Assisted by a Biomedical Librarian

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Mathew Stone
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Boolean Logic ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pediatric Residents ◽  
Clinical Scenarios

A Review of: Gardois, P., Calabrese, R., Colombi, N., Lingua, C., Longo, F., Villanacci, M., Miniero, R., & Piga, A. (2011). Effectiveness of bibliographic searches performed by paediatric residents and interns assisted by librarian. A randomised controlled trial. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 28(4), 273-284. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2011.00957.x Objective – To establish whether the assistance of an experienced biomedical librarian delivers an improvement in the searching of bibliographic databases as performed by medical residents and interns. Design – Randomized controlled trial. Setting – The pediatrics department of a large Italian teaching hospital. Subjects – 18 pediatric residents and interns. Methods – 23 residents and interns from the pediatrics department of a large Italian teaching hospital were invited to participate in this study, of which 18 agreed. Subjects were then randomized into two groups and asked to spend between 30 and 90 minutes searching bibliographic databases for evidence to answer a real-life clinical question which was randomly allocated to them. Each member of the intervention group was provided with an experienced biomedical librarian to provide assistance throughout the search session. The control group received no assistance. The outcome of the search was then measured using an assessment tool adapted for the purpose of this study from the Fresno test of competence in evidence based medicine. This adapted assessment tool rated the “global success” of the search and included criteria such as appropriate question formulation, number of PICO terms translated into search terms, use of Boolean logic, use of subject headings, use of filters, use of limits, and the percentage of citations retrieved that matched a gold standard set of citations found in a prior search by two librarians (who were not involved in assisting the subjects) together with an expert clinician. Main Results – The intervention group scored a median average of 73.6 points out of a possible 100, compared with the control group which scored 50.4. The difference of 23.2 points in favour of the librarian assisted group was a statistically significant result (p value = 0.013) with a 95% confidence interval of between 4.8 and 33.2. Conclusion – This study presents credible evidence that assistance provided by an experienced biomedical librarian improves the quality of the bibliographic database searches performed by residents and interns using real-life clinical scenarios.

Application of a Computer Vision Tool for Automated Glottic Tracking to Vocal Fold Paralysis Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982198960
Author(s):  
Tiffany V. Wang ◽  
Nat Adamian ◽  
Phillip C. Song ◽  
Ramon A. Franco ◽  
Molly N. Huston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Vocal Fold Paralysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Large Patient ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Before And After

Objectives (1) Demonstrate true vocal fold (TVF) tracking software (AGATI [Automated Glottic Action Tracking by artificial Intelligence]) as a quantitative assessment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) in a large patient cohort. (2) Correlate patient-reported metrics with AGATI measurements of TVF anterior glottic angles, before and after procedural intervention. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic medical center. Methods AGATI was used to analyze videolaryngoscopy from healthy adults (n = 72) and patients with UVFP (n = 70). Minimum, 3rd percentile, 97th percentile, and maximum anterior glottic angles (AGAs) were computed for each patient. In patients with UVFP, patient-reported outcomes (Voice Handicap Index 10, Dyspnea Index, and Eating Assessment Tool 10) were assessed, before and after procedural intervention (injection or medialization laryngoplasty). A receiver operating characteristic curve for the logistic fit of paralysis vs control group was used to determine AGA cutoff values for defining UVFP. Results Mean (SD) 3rd percentile AGA (in degrees) was 2.67 (3.21) in control and 5.64 (5.42) in patients with UVFP ( P < .001); mean (SD) 97th percentile AGA was 57.08 (11.14) in control and 42.59 (12.37) in patients with UVFP ( P < .001). For patients with UVFP who underwent procedural intervention, the mean 97th percentile AGA decreased by 5 degrees from pre- to postprocedure ( P = .026). The difference between the 97th and 3rd percentile AGA predicted UVFP with 77% sensitivity and 92% specificity ( P < .0001). There was no correlation between AGA measurements and patient-reported outcome scores. Conclusions AGATI demonstrated a difference in AGA measurements between paralysis and control patients. AGATI can predict UVFP with 77% sensitivity and 92% specificity.

Assessing Patient Symptoms Due to Nasal Septal Perforation: Development and Validation of the NOSE-Perf Scale

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982199201
Author(s):  
Cullen M. Taylor ◽  
Stephen F. Bansberg ◽  
Michael J. Marino
Keyword(s):  
Nasal Obstruction ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Septal Perforation ◽  
Specific Symptom ◽  
Nose Scale ◽  
Nasal Septal Perforation ◽  
Patient Reported

Objective Reporting patient symptoms due to nasal septal perforation (NSP) has been hindered by the lack of a validated disease-specific symptom score. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an instrument for assessing patient-reported symptoms related to NSP. Study Design Validation study. Setting A tertiary care center. Methods The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale was used as an initial construct to which 7 nonobstruction questions were added to measure septal perforation symptoms. The proposed NOSE-Perf instrument was distributed to consecutive patients evaluated for NSP, those with nasal obstruction without NSP, and a control group without rhinologic complaints. Questionnaires were redistributed to the subgroup with NSP prior to treatment of the perforation. Results The study instrument was completed by 31 patients with NSP, 17 with only nasal obstruction, and 22 without rhinologic complaint. Internal consistency was high throughout the entire instrument (Cronbach α = 0.935; 95% CI, 0.905-0.954). Test-retest reliability was demonstrated by very strong correlation between questionnaires completed by the same patient at least 1 week apart ( r = 0.898, P < .001). Discriminant validity was confirmed via a receiver operating characteristic ( P < .001, area under the curve = 0.700). The NOSE-Perf scale was able to distinguish among all 3 study groups ( P < .001) and between NSP and nasal obstruction ( P = .024). When used alone, the NOSE scale could not discriminate between NSP and nasal obstruction ( P = .545). Conclusions The NOSE-Perf scale is a validated and reliable clinical assessment tool that can be applied to adult patients with NSP.

scholarly journals The effect of opioid-free anesthesia on the quality of recovery after gynecological laparoscopy: study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Yen Song ◽  
Hoon Choi ◽  
Minsuk Chae ◽  
Jemin Ko ◽  
Young Eun Moon
Keyword(s):  
General Anesthesia ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Perioperative Period ◽  
Postoperative Outcomes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Quality Of Recovery ◽  
Gynecological Laparoscopy ◽  
Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background Because of the indiscriminate use of opioids during the perioperative period, opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) has been increasingly required. Nevertheless, the studies on the detailed techniques and effects of OFA are not sufficient. The Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) questionnaire is a validated assessment tool for measuring recovery from general anesthesia. However, no study has used the QoR-40 to determine if OFA leads to better recovery than standard general anesthesia. Therefore, we aim to perform this study to determine the effects of OFA using dexmedetomidine and lidocaine on the quality of recovery as well as the various postoperative outcomes. Methods The participants (n = 78) will be allocated to one of the two groups; the study group will receive bolus and infusion of dexmedetomidine and lidocaine, and the control group will receive remifentanil infusion during general anesthesia for gynecological laparoscopy. The other processes including anesthetic and postoperative care will be performed similarly in the two groups. Intraoperative hemodynamic, anesthetic, and nociceptive variables will be recorded. Postoperative outcomes such as QoR-40, pain severity, and opioid-related side effects will be assessed. Additionally, an ancillary cytokine study (inflammatory cytokine, stress hormone, and reactive oxygen species) will be performed during the study period. Discussion This will be the first study to determine the effect of OFA, using the combination of dexmedetomidine and lidocaine, on the quality of recovery after gynecological laparoscopy compared with standard general anesthesia using remifentanil. The findings from this study will provide scientific and clinical evidence on the efficacy of OFA. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04409964. Registered on 28 May 2020

scholarly journals Validity and Internal Consistency of the Preschool-FLAT, a New Tool for the Assessment of Food Literacy in Young Children from the Training-To-Health Project

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 2759
Author(s):  
Garden Tabacchi ◽  
Giuseppe Battaglia ◽  
Giuseppe Messina ◽  
Antonio Paoli ◽  
Antonio Palma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Food Literacy ◽  
Health Project

Background: The importance of assessing “food literacy” since youth has been highlighted and, to this purpose, valid and consistent instruments are needed. This study aimed to assess the validity and internal consistency of the preschool-FLAT (Food Literacy Assessment Tool). Methods. 505 children from 21 kindergartens, recruited within the Training-to-Health Project in Palermo (Italy), underwent oral sessions and activities on food-related aspects. Their knowledge/skills were recorded in the preschool-FLAT. The following scale measures were assessed: Content validity; internal consistency (Chronbach’s alpha coefficients); construct validity (Structural Equation Modeling—SEM); discriminant validity (intervention subgroup of 100 children vs. control group of 27 children). Results. Acceptable content validity of a 16-items scale and overall adequate internal consistency were revealed: Content validity index (CVI) 0.94, content validity ratio (CVR) 0.88, Chronbach’s alpha 0.76. The SEM revealed a 4-factor model fitting the data well (comparative fit index 0.939, root mean square error of approximation 0.033). Discriminant validity was good (intervention group scoring higher than control, p < 0.001, unpaired Student’s t-test). Conclusion. The preschool-FLAT revealed good psychometric properties, adequate validity and internal consistency. This is the only instrument in the literature specifically targeted to 3–6 years old children that could be effectively used to assess food literacy.

scholarly journals How Downward and Upward Comparisons on Facebook Influence Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissists’ Self-Esteem—A Priming Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Phillip Ozimek ◽  
Hans-Werner Bierhoff ◽  
Elke Rohmann
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Comparisons ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
And Control

Past research showed that social networking sites represent perfect platforms to satisfy narcissistic needs. The present study aimed to investigate how grandiose (GN) and vulnerable narcissism (VN) as well as social comparisons are associated with Facebook activity, which was measured with a self-report on three activity dimensions: Acting, Impressing, and Watching. In addition, the state self-esteem (SSE) was measured with respect to performance, social behavior, and appearance. One hundred and ten participants completed an online survey containing measures of SSE and Facebook activity and a priming procedure with three experimental conditions embedded in a social media context (upward comparison, downward comparison, and control group). Results indicated, as expected, that high VN was negatively associated with SSE on each subscale and the overall score. In addition, it was found that VN, but not GN, displayed positive associations with frequency of Facebook activities. Finally, it was proposed and confirmed that VN in interaction with the priming of downward comparisons negatively affected SSE. The conclusion drawn is that VN represents a key variable for the prediction of self-esteem as well as for the frequency of Facebook activity.

scholarly journals Time Perspective and the Risk of Developing Burnout: An Empirical Study among Different Blue-Collar Workers in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adela Reig-Botella ◽  
Sarah Detaille ◽  
Miguel Clemente ◽  
Jaime López-Golpe ◽  
Annet de Lange
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Exhaustion ◽  
Time Perspective ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Future Time Perspective ◽  
Blue Collar ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Blue Collar Workers ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Student’S T

The purpose of this research was to analyze the relationship between the time perspective of Spanish shipyard workers in relation to burnout compared to other blue-collar workers in other sectors, including a total of 644 participants in a shipyard in northern Spain and 223 workers in other sectors. The ages were between 20 and 69 (M = 46.14, SD = 10.98). We used the Spanish version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Instrument (ZTPI) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory–General Survey (MBI-GS). The mean of the three reliability coefficients of the emotional exhaustion factor was 0.887. In respect to the five factors of the ZTPI questionnaire, the mean of those five coefficients was 0.86. A Student’s t-test for independent samples comparing shipyard naval workers vs. the control group in personality variables and burnout was used. The psychological difference between workers in the naval sector and those in other sectors is better predicted based on two variables: emotional exhaustion and professional efficacy. Workers in the naval sector have a higher risk of becoming burnt-out than workers in other sectors due to a negative past, present and future time perspective. This can be a consequence of constant understimulation and monotonous and repetitive work, as well as a lack of autonomy and social support at work.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document