scholarly journals The Vocabulary Knowledge of Saudi EFL Tertiary Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Sultan Altalhab
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Test ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Authentic Texts ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Basic Level

This study examines the vocabulary knowledge of 120 Saudi tertiary students in order to scrutinise their ability to communicate in English. A vocabulary test constructed by Nation and Beglar (2007) was utilised in the study. The findings revealed that the mean vocabulary size of Saudi EFL tertiary students was roughly 3000 words. Nevertheless, most of the participants achieved low scores in the vocabulary low frequency levels. Some participants were unable to answer any item correctly in these low and mid frequency levels. This suggests that while those students might be able to communicate at a basic level, dealing with reading simplified texts and comprehending listening materials, they may struggle with reading authentic texts, producing a high quality of writing and watching English TV programmes and films.

Developing a Research Database of Primary Aldosteronism: Rationale and Baseline Characteristics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Wang ◽  
Yuanmei Li ◽  
Qianrui Li ◽  
Tingting Zhang ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Primary Aldosteronism ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Research Database ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Plasma Aldosterone Concentration ◽  
Confirmatory Testing ◽  
The Mean ◽  
High Level

Abstract BackgroundManagement of primary aldosteronism (PA) has become a research hotspot in the field of endocrinology. To obtain reliable research evidence, it is necessary to establish a high-quality PA research database. MethodsThe establishment of PA research database involved two steps. Firstly, patients with confirmation of PA diagnosis between 1 Jan 2009 to 31 Aug 2019 at West China Hospital were identified and data were extracted. Secondly, patients with confirmatory testing for PA will be enrolled into a prospective cohort. Data will be prospectively collected based on the case report forms since 1 Sep 2019. We evaluated the quality of research database through assessment of quality of key variables.ResultsTotally, 862 patients diagnosed as PA were identified, of which 507 patients who had positive confirmatory testing for PA were included into the retrospective database. Among 862 patients diagnosed as PA, the mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 156.1 mmHg, mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 97.2 mmHg. Among included patients, the mean serum potassium level was 2.85 mmol/L, and the mean plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) was 28.1 ng/dL. The characteristics patients with positive confirmatory testing for PA were similar. Validation of data extracting and linking showed the accuracy were 100%. Evaluation of missing data showed that the completeness of BMI (95.9%), SBP (99.4%) and DBP (99.4%) were high. ConclusionThrough integrating retrospective and prospective cohort of PA, a research database of PA with high quality and comprehensive data can be established. We anticipate that the research database will provide a high level of feasibility for management of PA in China.

Qualitative evaluation of paediatric surgical otolaryngology content on YouTube

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Ward ◽  
R Bavier ◽  
C Warren ◽  
J Yan ◽  
B Paskhover
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Video Content ◽  
Medical Decisions ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
The Mean

AbstractObjectiveThis study evaluated the quality of YouTube content focusing on common paediatric otolaryngology procedures, as this content can influence the opinions and medical decisions of patients.MethodsA total of 120 YouTube videos were compiled to review using the terms ‘adenoid removal’, ‘adenoidectomy’, ‘ear tubes’, ‘tympanostomy’, ‘tonsil removal’ and ‘tonsillectomy’. The Discern criteria was used to rate the quality of health information presented in each video.ResultsThe mean bias Discern score was 3.18 and the mean overall Discern score was 2.39. Videos including US board certified physicians were rated significantly higher (p < 0.001) than videos without (bias Discern score = 3.00 vs 2.38; overall Discern score = 3.79 vs 1.55). The videos had been viewed a total of 176 769 549 times.ConclusionUnbiased, high quality videos on YouTube are lacking. As patients may rely on this information when making medical decisions, it is important that practitioners continually evaluate and improve this video content. Otolaryngologists should be prepared to discuss YouTube content with patients.

L2 vocabulary knowledge in and out of context

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilde van Zeeland
Keyword(s):  
Word Meaning ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Test ◽  
Contextual Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Word Forms ◽  
Isolated Word ◽  
L2 Vocabulary ◽  
Esl Learners ◽  
Shed Light

The vast majority of second language (L2) vocabulary research focuses on learners’ knowledge of isolated word forms. However, it is unclear to what extent this knowledge can be used as an indicator of knowledge in context (i.e. reading and listening). This study aims to shed light on this issue by comparing ESL learners’ knowledge of the meaning of isolated words (‘decontextual knowledge’) with their knowledge of the same words in both reading and listening (‘contextual knowledge’). Decontextual knowledge was measured in a free recall interview. Contextual knowledge was measured through a task in which participants paraphrased sentences containing the target items from both a written and spoken narrative. Results showed that learners’ decontextual and contextual knowledge agreed in 65% of the cases. This indicates a considerable gap between the two, and emphasises that scores on decontextualised vocabulary test should not be used as predictors of learners’ vocabulary knowledge in context. In addition, learners demonstrated significantly better knowledge of word meaning in the reading than listening mode, which may be due to processing difficulties in listening as well as better inferencing opportunities in reading. Two additional factors found to affect both decontextual and contextual knowledge are word frequency and learners’ vocabulary size.

scholarly journals Dietary and herbal supplements for weight loss: assessing the quality of patient information online

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Y. Ng ◽  
Saad Ahmed ◽  
Catherine Jiayi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Consumer Health Information ◽  
Consumer Health ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Given the high prevalence of dietary and herbal supplement (DHS) use in tandem with the growing ease of internet access, patients commonly search online for consumer health information about these products. One common reason for DHSs use includes weight loss. Healthcare providers need to be aware of the quality of online information about DHSs for weight loss so they can adequately counsel their patients and provide them with guidance surrounding the identification of high-quality information resources. This study aimed to assess the quality of online DHSs consumer health information for weight loss that a “typical” patient might access online. Methods Six search terms were used to generate the first 20 websites on the Google search engine in four countries: Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States (n = 480 websites). After applying exclusion criteria, eligible websites were quality assessed using the DISCERN instrument. This tool is comprised of 16 questions, each evaluated on a 5-point scale. The averages and standard deviations for each DISCERN instrument item, in addition to overall summed scores between 15 and 75 were calculated. Results Across 87 eligible websites, the mean summed score was 44.80 (SD = 11.53), while the mean overall DISCERN score of each website was 2.72 (SD = 0.99). In general, websites detailed and achieved their specified aims and described treatment benefits. However, most websites failed to describe the impact of treatment on overall quality of life and the impact of a no treatment option. The highest-scoring websites were largely government or health portal websites, while the lowest-scoring websites were largely commercial in nature. Conclusion High variability in DISCERN instrument scores was found across all websites assessed. Healthcare providers should be aware of the fact that their patients may be accessing misinformation online surrounding the use of DHSs for weight loss. Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to ensure that they are providing their patients with guidance on how to identify high-quality resources online, in order that safe, effective, and evidence-based decisions are made surrounding the use of DHSs for weight loss.

scholarly journals A reassessment of frequency and vocabulary size in L2 vocabulary teaching

2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 484-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norbert Schmitt ◽  
Diane Schmitt
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Lexical Resources ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Authentic Texts ◽  
Word Families ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
English Usage ◽  
Graded Readers ◽  
L2 Vocabulary

The high-frequency vocabulary of English has traditionally been thought to consist of the 2,000 most frequent word families, and low-frequency vocabulary as that beyond the 10,000 frequency level. This paper argues that these boundaries should be reassessed on pedagogic grounds. Based on a number of perspectives (including frequency and acquisition studies, the amount of vocabulary necessary for English usage, the range of graded readers, and dictionary defining vocabulary), we argue that high-frequency English vocabulary should include the most frequent 3,000 word families. We also propose that the low-frequency vocabulary boundary should be lowered to the 9,000 level, on the basis that 8–9,000 word families are sufficient to provide the lexical resources necessary to be able to read a wide range of authentic texts (Nation 2006). We label the vocabulary between high-frequency (3,000) and low-frequency (9,000+) as mid-frequency vocabulary. We illustrate the necessity of mid-frequency vocabulary for proficient language use, and make some initial suggestions for research addressing the pedagogical challenge raised by mid-frequency vocabulary.

scholarly journals VOCABULARY SIZE AT FOUR STAGES OF LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Daskalovska
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Word Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
School Students ◽  
Authentic Texts ◽  
The Difference

One of the main aims of language learning is developing communicative competence, or the ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations. In order to achieve that, besides grammar knowledge, learners need to acquire enough vocabulary knowledge that would enable them to use the language outside the classroom, which requires acquiring significant receptive and productive word knowledge in order to be able to participate in various communicative situations. Research shows that the most frequent 2000 words comprise about 85% of the words in any text regardless of the topic, and that learners need to know at least 3000 word families in order to be able to use the language successfully and to be able to read authentic texts with understanding. However, experience shows that acquiring a large vocabulary is one of the biggest obstacles that language learners face in the process of language acquisition. Nevertheless, since vocabulary knowledge is the key component of the overall communicative competence, is it necessary to invest time and effort to learn the most frequent words in the language. The aim of this study is to determine the vocabulary size of language learners at four stages of language development. In addition, the study attempts to determine the difference between receptive and productive knowledge of vocabulary, as well as the difference between knowledge of words seen in isolation and in context. The participants were four groups of learners, of whom three groups comprised elementary and secondary school students and one group were university students. The results showed that during the first five years of learning the vocabulary knowledge increases at a greater rate, that learners have better receptive than productive knowledge of words, and that seeing words in context helps learners demonstrate greater receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0725/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

English Students’ Vocabulary Size and Level at a Private University in West Java, Indonesia

Humaniora ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
Fenty Lidya Siregar
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Private University ◽  
Reading Program ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Extensive Reading ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
West Java ◽  
Word Families

The research investigated the EFL (English as a Foreign Language) undergraduate students’ vocabulary knowledge (size and level). The research involved 40 second-semester students who were enrolling in two reading courses at an English Department in a private university in West Java, Indonesia. Vocabulary Size Test by Nation and Beglar; and Vocabulary Level Test by Webb, Sasao, and Ballance were used to gain data. It is found that the participants’ average vocabulary size is 8.732,5 word-families. The finding of the research also reveals that only ten students master 1.000-5.000 word-levels. It means that despite a big vocabulary size that many students have, 75% of them only know a limited high and mid-frequency vocabulary. The findings imply that the students still need to read graded readers to master high and mid-frequency levels. The current research project also indicates that the students might have met more low-frequency words than high and mid-frequency words in their language learning prior to their current extensive reading program.

scholarly journals Yield and Quality of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata (l.) R. Wilczek) Seeds Produced in Poland

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamil MISIAK ◽  
Barbara GÓRNA ◽  
Ewelina KRÓL ◽  
Roman HOŁUBOWICZ
Keyword(s):  
Common Bean ◽  
Vigna Radiata ◽  
Mung Bean ◽  
Phaseolus Vulgaris L ◽  
Total Proteins ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mature Seeds

The aim of the experiment was to do field and laboratory assessments of yield and quality of mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) seeds cultivated in Western Poland. Mean yield of seeds per plant was higher for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) than for mung one: 13.1 g and 2.58 g, respectively. The mean 1000 mung seeds weight was 50.9 g and their germination – 78 %. Germination capacities of seeds of both beans in the field were similar. Mung beans, compared to common bean, had much smaller seeds, started to bloom later and produced mature seeds later than the latter. Mung bean seeds had more total proteins and Magnesium and Copper than common bean seeds. In Western Poland, production of high quality mung bean seeds was possible.

scholarly journals MON-197 Developing a Research Database About Primary Aldosteronism: Rationale and Baseline Characteristics

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Wang ◽  
Yan Ren
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Confirmatory Testing ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Introduction There were limited evidence supporting the management of PA, primarily due to lack of high quality of data. Developing a research database through integrate both retrospective and prospective collected data regarding clinical care and outcomes of patients with PA may provide valuable evidence on management of PA. Methods The establishment of PA research database involved two steps. Firstly, patients with confirmation of PA between 1 Jan 2009 to 31 Aug 2019 were identified and data were extracted from EMR. Secondly, patients who have positive confirmatory testing for PA and agree to participant a prospective cohort will be enrolled. Data regarding clinical care and long-term outcomes will be prospectively collected based on the case report forms since 1 Sep 2019. We evaluated the quality of research database through assessment of quality of key variables. Results Totally, 904 patients diagnosed as PA in WCH were identified, of which 507 patients had positive confirmatory testing for PA were finally included into the retrospective database. Among included patients, the mean age was 49.2 years old, and the mean BMI was 24.72 kg/m2. There were 37 (7.3%) patients diagnosed as chronic kidney disease (CKD), 13 (2.6%) as coronary artery disease (CAD), 95 (18.7%) as diabetes mellitus (DM) and 77 (15.2%) as obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSA). The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 155.8 mmHg, and the mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 96.2 mmHg. Among included patients, the lowest serum potassium during admission was 2.96 mmol/L, and the mean serum aldosterone was 26.4 ng/dL. Validation of data extracting and linking showed the accuracy were 100%. Evaluation of missing data showed that the completeness of BMI (95.9%), SBP (1%) and DBP (1%) were high. Conclusion Through retrospective and prospective cohort of PA, a research database about PA with high quality and comprehensive data will be established. We anticipate that the research database will provide a high level of feasibility for management of PA in China.

Developing a lexical profiler for spoken French L2 and Italian L2

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 75-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Bardel ◽  
Christina Lindqvist
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Word Knowledge ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Proficiency Levels ◽  
Individual Profiles ◽  
Profiling Analysis

This study is a follow-up to Lindqvist et al. (to press), where we investigated lexical frequency profiles of learners of French and Italian at different proficiency levels. By analyzing the proportion of low-frequency words used by the learners, we could distinguish proficiency levels that differ significantly at group level and correspond to morphosyntactic proficiency levels. However, some individual results within the groups indicated a need to analyze individual profiles in order to get a better picture of the actual quality of the learner’s vocabulary knowledge. The present study focuses on thematic vocabulary and cognates among the low-frequency words used by learners at different proficiency levels. We suggest that investigating qualitative aspects of learners’ word knowledge is a fruitful complement to traditional lexical profiling analysis. Such a combination can lead to a more complete picture of learners’ lexical profiles. Although we are aware that word frequency is known to be a powerful factor in vocabulary acquisition, our on-going research aims at developing a more general lexical profiler that integrates additional aspects that we have found to be relevant for learnability.

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