The Master's Degree: Basic Preparation for Professional Practice

published or submitted for publicatio

An illuminative evaluation of the phonics screening check: Listening to the voices of children and their teachers

The Phonics Screening Check was introduced in England in 2012 for Year 1 children. There have been criticisms of the Check in relation to its reliability and appropriateness as an assessment for early reading although supporters of the Check see it as a valuable tool in securing the progress of early reading. The government’s own evaluation (2015 p.8) concluded however, that it “did not find any evidence of improvements in pupils’ literacy performance, or in progress, that could be clearly attributed to the introduction of the PSC”. With this in mind, this study sought to illuminate through evaluation, the intended and possible unintended consequences of the PSC foregrounding the voices of those most affected by the PSC: children and their teachers. The study was focused on a range of schools in the City of Bristol, selected for their diversity in relation to attainment data (PSC and reading) and socio-economic status. All of the schools had been judged to be ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. The study used an illuminative evaluation methodology with particular regard for methods that would enable Year 1 children to express their thinking. The study has found that there is a subversion of the curriculum in Year 1 with PSC preparation having a disproportionate focus. Test preparation has become part of the curriculum to the detriment of specific groups of learners. Teachers are using the assessment tools of the PSC as their curriculum, including teaching pseudo word reading rather than using pseudo words as an assessment tool. Children see phonics as a separate subject, one that is disconnected from the meaning making process of reading. Children continue to try and provide explanations for classroom teaching with some of these suggestions have possible negative implications for children developing as readers. The study concludes with a number of recommendations in relation to the teaching and learning of reading and phonics and policy in relation to the assessment of phonics and early reading

The role of the MiR-200 family on the tumor suppressor RASSF2 and the effect on MAPK pathway activity in colorectal cancer.

This dissertation investigated the role of the miR-200 family in normal colon epithelial (CCD 841) and Dukes’ C (HT-29) colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. Our aim was to characterize expression of the miR-200 family (miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-141, and miR-429) in colorectal cell lines, study their effect on the tumor suppressor Ras Associated Domain-Containing Protein (RASSF) 2 and on subsequent activity within the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. We wanted to determine whether regulation of miR-200 family members could change cell behavior towards more “cancer-like” in a normal colon epithelium (CCD 841) cell line, or less “cancer-like” in a Dukes’ C (HT-29) CRC cell line. We found the following: 1. All miR-200 family members were highly expressed in colorectal cancer cell lines compared to a normal colon epithelial cell line. 2. RASSF2 mRNA and protein expression was downregulated in all CRC cell lines compared to the normal colon epithelial (CCD 841) cell line. 3. Overexpression of miR-200 family members in a normal colon epithelial (CCD 841) cell line decreased expression of both RASSF2 mRNA and protein. 4. Inhibition of miR-200 family members in a Dukes’ C (HT-29) CRC cell line increased expression of both RASSF2 mRNA and protein. 5. Total K-Ras expression and phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 increased following overexpression of miR-200 family members in a normal colon epithelial (CCD 841) cell line, indicating increased activity within the MAPK pathway resulting in increased cell proliferation. 6. MAPK pathway activity decreased, as measured by reduced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation and reduced cell proliferation in a Dukes’ C (HT-29) CRC cell line following inhibition of miR-200 family members. These findings demonstrate a novel association of the miR-200 family, the tumor suppressor RASSF2, and the MAPK signaling pathway in CRC. In contrast to the previous understanding that miR-200 family dysregulation is considered to exhibit tumor suppressive behavior by blocking epithelial to mesenchymal transition, we refute this in the case of CRC and propose the miR-200 family contribute to CRC tumorigenesis. This improved understanding of the miR-200 family may have the potential to be developed as a therapeutic intervention in CRC

External quality assessment in resource–limited countries

Introduction: Health laboratory services are a critical component of national health systems but face major operational challenges in resource-limited (RL) settings. New funding for health systems strengthening in RL countries has increased the demand for diagnostics and provided opportunities to address these constraints. An approach to sustainably strengthen national laboratory systems in sub-Saharan African countries is the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme. External Quality Assessment (EQA) is a requirement for laboratory accreditation. EQA comprises proficiency testing (PT), rechecking of samples and on-site evaluation. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies addressing laboratory EQA and quality monitoring in RL countries. Unpublished reports were also sought from national laboratory authorities and personnel. Results: PT schemes in RL countries are provided by commercial companies, institutions in developed countries and national programmes. Most government-supported PT schemes address single diseases using a vertical approach. Regional approaches to delivering PT have also been implemented across RL countries. Rechecking schemes address mainly tuberculosis (TB), malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); integrated rechecking programmes have been piloted. Constraints include sample transportation, communication of results, unknown proficiency of referee staff and limited resources for corrective action. Global competency assessment standards for malaria microscopists have been established. Conclusions: EQA is vital for monitoring laboratory performance and maintaining quality of laboratory services, and is a valuable tool for identifying and assessing technology in use, identifying gaps in laboratory performance and targeting training needs. Accreditation of PT providers and competency of EQA personnel must be ensured

Characterization of the external envelope glycoprotein of maedi-visna virus, an ovine lentivirus

The envelope glycoproteins of Maedi-Visna virus consist of a surface glycoprotein (gpl35) which is responsible for the characteristic spikes on the surface of the virion, and a transmembrane protein (gp41) whose function includes linkage to the surface glycoprotein, anchoring it to the virion envelope. The external glycoprotein is required for attachment to the host cell via a receptor molecule present on the surface of the cell. Cells of the macrophage lineage are the main target cells in MVV infection in vivo. The host humoral response is targeted to the surface glycoprotein resulting in neutralizing antibody production. The relevance of these antibodies is not understood as virus infection persists despite this active immune response. The external glycoprotein has also been shown to be susceptible to antigenic variation.Expression of gpl35 as three overlapping fragments in the bacterial pGEX system was undertaken with a view of using the recombinant protein as a source of immunogen to raise monoclonal antibodies. These and the three recombinant fragments could be used for epitope mapping. However, these fragments proved to be toxic to bacterial cells resulting in low yields and high levels of contamination. In depth studies were carried out to improve the yield and attempts were made to raise immune polyclonal sera. Characterization of these sera is described.Recombinant protein studies were extended to express gpl35 in the baculovirus expression system. This resulted in a reliable source of recombinant protein that was devoid of contamination and was easily purified. This protein was glycosylated and was recognised by MW-infected sheep sera. Preliminary studies were carried out to determine its interaction with sheep fibroblasts and hence its use to isolate the host cell receptor.Attempts were made to raise monoclonal antibodies against gpl35 purified from virions by lectin affinity chromatography. The development of a screening assay is described. This approach did not result in the generation of any anti-gpl35 monoclonals. The preparation of polyclonal antisera raised against two peptides within the external glycoprotein is reported

Improving child protection : a systematic review of training and procedural interventions

Aim: To synthesise published evidence regarding the effectiveness of training and procedural interventions aimed at improving the identification and management of child abuse and neglect by health professionals. Methods: Systematic review for the period 1994 to 2005 of studies that evaluated child protection training and procedural interventions. Main outcome measures were learning achievement, attitudinal change, and clinical behaviour. Results: Seven papers that examined the effectiveness of procedural interventions and 15 papers that evaluated training programmes met the inclusion criteria. Critical appraisal showed that evaluation of interventions was on the whole poor. It was found that certain procedural interventions (such as the use of checklists and structured forms) can result in improved recording of important clinical information and may also alert clinical staff to the possibility of abuse. While a variety of innovative training programmes were identified, there was an absence of rigorous evaluation of their impact. However a small number of onegroup pre- and post-studies suggest improvements in a range of attitudes necessary for successful engagement in the child protection process. Conclusion: Current evidence supports the use of procedural changes that improve the documentation of suspected child maltreatment and that enhance professional awareness. The lack of an evidence based approach to the implementation of child protection training may restrict the ability of all health professionals to fulfil their role in the child protection process. Formal evaluation of a variety of models for the delivery of this training is urgently needed with subsequent dissemination of results that highlight those found to be most effective

Dilemmas of transgression: ethical responses in a more-than-human world

To transgress is ‘to do something that is not allowed’; in a human-constructed world, animals, especially those seen as ‘incompanionate’, are often deemed to be doing something not allowed. We explore the ethical dilemmas of ‘transgression’ in the context of critical reflection on an instructive example of dingo–human relations on Fraser Island, Australia, which has incited ongoing debate from diverse publics about the killing of ‘problem’ dingoes. We outline the historical and ethical complexity of such relations and suggest that human–nonhuman encounters,direct or indirect, have the potential to produce new, less anthropocentric topologies in which transgression is reconstructed, and humans and animals can share space more equitably. The kind of knowledge and ethical re-positioning beginning to emerge in dingo–human relations suggests transgression itself as a metaphor for its further re-imagining: a disruption of spatial, emotional and ethical boundaries to shape more responsive, respectful and less anthropocentric topologies

Commissioning executive coaching for directors and senior managers

Executive coaches are a relatively new and high profile addition to the supplier ranks offering development services for directors and senior managers in the UK. There is a paucity of theory about executive coaching, despite its widespread purchase and use in practice. The research and thesis examines current practice from two different perspectives - suppliers and commissioners - in order to advance understanding of the issues that affect the commissioning of executive coaching for directors and senior managers. Being one of the first in an area has a number of implications for the research design. The research environment is the real world of commissioners from a number of organisations who are members of the IES Research Club (and its successor body an IES Research Network) and the real world of executive coaches themselves. The chosen iterative research approach of action research and co-operative inquiry involved collaborating with three different sets of practitioner co-researchers in shaping the nature of the research and reflecting upon what was being learned. A particular contribution to the knowledge about the subject is made in categorising, for the first time, what organisations hope to gain by commissioning executive coaching on behalf of their most senior employees. The thesis also explores the 'how' of the work of executive coaches through situated research in one organisational context where 17 directors were coached by three executive coaches, including the researcher. A model of the executive coaching process, from the coach's perspective, has been developed and is presented and described here. The model is a significant contribution to theory in the field

Are we Bridging the Divide in IWO Psychology?

This paper examines the knowledge transfer process within the profession of work and organisational psychology. In consonance with the theme of the 2011 congress, it considers the extent to which proposed ‘bridging mechanisms’ can provide useful vehicles for operationalising the pursuit of the dual goal of improving both the well-being of individuals and the effectiveness of work organizations. It considers the way in which the profession attempts to ground its concepts in a sound evidence base and then successfully mobilise this knowledge at the interface of research and practice. It does so by critically examining the scientist-practitioner model and the ways in which this model can be operationalised by practitioners and researchers. The criticism which is aimed at academics is that their research is irrelevant; it explores narrow concepts too often with student samples. Practitioners, on the other hand, are accused of too infrequently bringing scientific findings from the research literature to their practice. The problem has been cast in terms of both one of knowledge production and also knowledge transfer and is typified, at least in one direction – the impact of research upon practice, by what has in other professions, most notably medicine and more recently management, been called evidence-based practice. Denise Rousseau, in her 2005 presidential address to the American Academy of Management defined evidence-based management (EBM) as “translating principles based on best evidence into organizational practices” and there have been a number of attempts to invoke a similar model of evidence-based practice in the field of work and organisational psychology. In 2007 Anderson described the academic-practitioner divide as ‘natural’, suggesting the way forward was to focus on ‘bridging mechanisms’ describing six which had been proposed at the 1995 SIOP conference. What is the situation over decade later? To what extent have these bridges been built? This paper explores the nature and extent of these bridges by presenting case studies and findings from a UK survey of IWO psychologists