Errores de consistencia en los valores p informados en las revistas españolas de Psicología

Recent reviews have drawn attention to frequent consistency errors when reporting statistical results. Method: We have reviewed the statistical results reported in 186 articles published in four Spanish psychology journals. Of these articles, 102 contained at least one of the statistics selected for our study: Fisher-F, Student-t and Pearson-χ2. Results: Out of the 1,212 complete statistics reviewed, 12.2% presented a consistency error, meaning that the reported p-value did not correspond to the reported value of the statistic and its degrees of freedom. In 2.3% of the cases, the correct calculation would have led to a different conclusion than the reported one. In terms of articles, 48% included at least one consistency error, and 17.6% would have to change at least one conclusion. In metaanalytical terms, with a focus on effect size, consistency errors can be considered substantial in 9.5% of the cases. Conclusion: These results imply a need to improve the quality and precision with which statistical results are reported in Spanish psychology journalsRecientes trabajos han llamado la atención sobre la presencia de frecuentes errores de consistencia al informar de los resultados estadísticos. Método: hemos revisado los resultados estadísticos de 186 artículos publicados en cuatro revistas españolas de Psicología, 102 de los cuales contenían alguno de los estadísticos seleccionados para nuestro estudio: F de Fisher, t de Student y χ2 de Pearson. Resultados: de los 1.212 contrastes completos revisados el 12,2% presenta algún tipo de error de consistencia: el valor p informado no se corresponde con el valor del estadístico de contraste y sus grados de libertad. En el 2,3% de los casos el error detectado conllevaría un cambio en la conclusión estadística del contraste. En términos del número de artículos, el 48% de los revisados incluye algún error de consistencia y al menos el 17,6% tendría que cambiar alguna de sus conclusiones. En términos meta analíticos, los errores de consistencia pueden considerarse importantes en el 9,5% de los casos. Conclusiones: estos resultados señalan la necesidad de mejorar la calidad y precisión con la que se informa de los resultados estadísticos en las revistas españolas de Psicologí

Cambio en el centro de la distribución y en las puntuaciones individuales: relación con distribuciones heteroscedasticas pre y post prueba

Background: Although average-based effect size (ES) and percentage of individual changes (PIC) are quite different, they are not independent: larger ESs lead to higher PICs. However, this association has not been sufficiently explored. Method: We analyzed this association based on data simulated in the context of a pre-post design, with and without control groups. We simulated various distributions, sample sizes, degrees of test-retest reliability, effect sizes, and different variances in pre-and post-test. Results: The PIC is closely associated with the ES across a wide variety of empirically frequent scenarios. In the “single group pre-post designs”, the linear regression model shows R2 values above 0.90. In the “control group pre-post designs”, the linear regression model shows R2 values above 0.80. These results were found even when the post-test variability differed from that of the pre-test, replicating, extending and generalizing the findings in previous studies. Conclusions: (1) In the absence of information about the PIC, the ES may be used to estimate this percentage. (2) The PIC is useful in interpreting the meaning of ES measures.Antecedentes: aunque el tamaño del efecto (ES) y el porcentaje de cambios individuales (PIC) son cosas distintas, no parecen ser independientes: mayores ESs conllevan mayores PICs. Pero esta relación todavía no ha sido sufi cientemente explorada. Método: estudiamos dicha relación mediante datos simulados en el contexto de un diseño pre-post con y sin grupo control. En la simulación se han utilizado diferentes distribuciones, tamaños muestrales, niveles de fiabilidad test-retest, efectos de varios tamaños y distintas variabilidades en el pre- y en el post-test. Resultados: el PIC está estrechamente relacionado con el ES. En los diseños pre-post, el modelo de regresión lineal ofrece valores R2 por encima de 0,90. En los diseños pre-post con grupo control, valores R2 por encima de 0,80. Estos resultados se mantienen incluso cuando la variabilidad del post-test es distinta de la del pre-test. Conclusiones: (1) cuando no se tiene información sobre el PIC, el tamaño del efecto puede utilizarse para estimar ese porcentaje; (2) el PIC sirve para precisar el significado de las medidas del tamaño del efectoThis study was funded by the research project PSI2015-67286-P of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spai

Conflicto durante la independencia de las crías en el sistema de crianza cooperativa del tití de cabeza blanca (saguinus oedipus)

Tesis doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Psicología, Departamento de Psicología Biológica y de la Salud. Fecha de lectura: diciembre 200

Psicothema

Resumen tomado de la publicaciónAntecedentes: recientes trabajos han llamado la atención sobre la presencia de frecuentes errores de consistencia al informar de los resultados estadísticos. Método: hemos revisado los resultados estadísticos de 186 artículos publicados en cuatro revistas españolas de Psicología, 102 de los cuales contenían alguno de los estadísticos seleccionados para nuestro estudio: F de Fisher, t de Studenty χ2 de Pearson. Resultados: de los 1.212 contrastes completos revisados el 12,2% presenta algún tipo de error de consistencia: el valor p informado no se corresponde con el valor del estadístico de contraste y sus grados de libertad. En el 2,3% de los casos el error detectado conllevaría un cambio en la conclusión estadística del contraste. En términos del número de artículos, el 48% de los revisados incluye algún error de consistencia y al menos el 17,6% tendría que cambiar alguna de sus conclusiones. En términos metaanalíticos, los errores de consistencia pueden considerarse importantes en el 9,5% de los casos. Conclusiones: estos resultados señalan la necesidad de mejorar la calidad y precisión con la que se informa de los resultados estadísticos en las revistas españolas de Psicología.Universidad de Oviedo. Biblioteca de Psicología; Plaza Feijoo, s/n.; 33003 Oviedo; Tel. +34985104146; Fax +34985104126; [email protected]

Cognitive predictors of self-awareness in patients with acquired brain injury along neuropsychological rehabilitation

Previous research has identified a critical role of executive function and memory in self-awareness, a metacognitive capacity often impaired in acquired brain injury. Through this observational study, we aimed to explore the effect of cognitive rehabilitation on the predictive value of these variables, as also whether any of them can predict the level of self-awareness once the cognitive rehabilitation is completed. 69 patients underwent a neuropsychological assessment, including self-awareness, at admission to and discharge from a cognitive rehabilitation process. Regression analysis was performed at these two moments and a third one was conducted to evaluate whether any of the variables at admission predicted the level of self-awareness at discharge. Verbal fluency was found to be the best predictor of self-awareness, both at admission and discharge. In addition, inhibition and cognitive flexibility, as well as episodic memory, appeared as significant predictors of post-rehabilitation self-awareness. Finally, verbal fluency was revealed as the unique pre-rehabilitation predictor of subsequent level of self-awareness following rehabilitation. While post-acute self-awareness is predicted by non-specific executive measures, the cognitive improvement putatively induced by neuropsychological rehabilitation reveals the contribution of more specific executive and memory functions. Importantly, pre-rehabilitation verbal fluency scores predicted the level of self-awareness after cognitive rehabilitation.Depto. de Psicología Experimental, Procesos Cognitivos y LogopediaFac. de PsicologíaTRUEpu

Self-awareness moderates the association between executive dysfunction and functional independence after acquired brain injury

Objective Impaired self-awareness (SA) is a common symptom after suffering acquired brain injury (ABI) which interferes with patient’s rehabilitation and their functional independence. SA is associated with executive function and declarative memory, two cognitive functions that are related to participants’ daily living functionality. Through this observational study, we aim to explore whether SA may play a moderator role in the relation between these two cognitive processes and functional independence. Method A sample of 69 participants with ABI completed a neuropsychological assessment focused on executive function and declarative memory which also included a measure of SA and functional independence. Two separated linear models were performed including functional independence, SA, and two neuropsychological factors (declarative memory and executive function) derived from a previous principal component analysis. Results Moderation analysis show a significant interaction between SA and executive function, reflecting an association between lower executive functioning and poorer functional outcome, only in participants with low levels of SA. Notwithstanding, declarative memory do not show a significant interaction with SA, even though higher declarative memory scores were associated with better functional independence. Conclusions SA seems to play a moderator effect between executive function, but not declarative memory, and functional independence. Accordingly, participants with executive deficits and low levels of SA might benefit from receiving specific SA interventions in the first instance, which would in turn positively impact on their functional independence.D.V. has been supported by a Ph.D fellowship financed by the Camilo José Cela University.Depto. de Psicología Experimental, Procesos Cognitivos y LogopediaFac. de PsicologíaTRUEpu

Psicothema

Resumen tomado de la publicaciónConsumo de alcohol en adolescentes: el papel predictor de los motivos de consumo. Antecedentes: varios estudios han mostrado diferencias en los procesos motivacionales que llevan al consumo excesivo de alcohol en adolescentes. El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar los motivos de consumo de alcohol en menores y sus diferencias según el género, la edad o el grado de consumo. Método: se recogió una muestra representativa (N = 2865) de adolescentes de 12 a 18 años (edad media 14,24, dt=1.33). Se evaluaron las variables consumo problemático, binge drinking y motivos de consumo mediante un cuestionario diseñado ad hoc, que identificaba las cuatro categorías de motivos de Cooper. Resultados: los análisis (ANOVA, correlación de Pearson y regresión logística) mostraron que no hubo diferencias de género en consumo ni en binge drinking. Los menores que abusaban del alcohol informaron de más presencia de reforzadores de todo tipo, siendo el consumo una fuente importante de reforzamiento intrínseco. La conformidad predijo el consumo problemático del alcohol en varones y disminuyó la frecuencia del binge drinking en chicas; además, el grupo mayor mostró más presencia de los motivos de bienestar y sociales. Conclusiones: el estudio sugiere que no sería de interés centrar la prevención en las consecuencias negativas del consumo, sino en el entrenamiento de habilidades concretas.ES

Enhancing learning in the finance classroom

This paper aims to describe a teaching-learning experience based on ProjectBased Learning (PBL). This experience is part of an educational innovation project devoted to transforming finance classes in various facets of financial advice. Specifically, the article focuses on the transformation process of a subject that studies financial markets and the assets traded in them. Based on this experience, the classroom becomes a financial consulting firm that advises investors on how to invest their capital. The results show us a remarkable active dedication of the students to the course, improved knowledge, and marks. In addition, the development of skills and values such as teamwork, autonomy, solidarity, equality, and professional skills are elements that encourage us to continue along this line

Predicting Sex in White Rhinoceroses: A Statistical Model for Conservation Management

2022 Descuento MDPIEnsuring the effective management of every rhinoceros population is crucial for securing a future for the species, especially considering the escalating global threat of poaching and the challenges faced in captive breeding programs for this endangered species. Steroid hormones play pivotal roles in regulating diverse biological processes, making fecal hormonal determinations a valuable non-invasive tool for monitoring adrenal and gonadal endocrinologies and assessing reproductive status, particularly in endangered species. The purpose of this study was to develop a statistical model for predicting the sex of white rhinoceroses using hormonal determinations obtained from a single fecal sample. To achieve this, 562 fecal samples from 15 individuals of the Ceratotherium simum species were collected, and enzyme immunoassays were conducted to determine the concentrations of fecal cortisol, progesterone, estrone, and testosterone metabolites. The biological validation of the method provided an impressive accuracy rate of nearly 80% in predicting the sex of hypothetically unknown white rhinoceroses. Implementing this statistical model for sex identification in white rhinoceroses would yield significant benefits, including a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of wild populations. Additionally, it would enhance conservation management efforts aimed at protecting this endangered species. By utilizing this innovative approach, we can contribute to the preservation and long-term survival of white rhinoceros populations.Depto. de Medicina y Cirugía AnimalFac. de VeterinariaTRUEpubDescuento UC