Developing an 'experience framework' for an evidence-based information literacy educational intervention

Purpose This paper describes how an ‘Experience Framework’ for an evidence-based Information Literacy educational intervention can be formulated. Design/methodology/approach The Experience Framework is developed by applying the qualitative methodology Phenomenography to the analysis of the variation in the experience of a phenomenon by a target group, making specific use of one of its data analysis methods, that pioneered by Gerlese Akerlind. A phenomenographic study’s descriptions of the limited but related experiences of the phenomenon, and the detail of context and complexity in experience achieved through the Akerlind’s data analysis technique, are essential to a Framework’s structure and educationally valuable richness of detail. Findings The ‘Experience Framework’, an example of which is set out in this paper, is formed from a detailed range of contexts, forms and levels of complexity of experience of a phenomenon, such as Information Literacy, in a group or profession. Groupings of aspects of that experience are used to formulate, through the application of Variation Theory, an education theory developed from previous phenomenographic research, learning contexts and aims which can form the focus of educational activities. Originality/value The framework can be used to form the basis of an evidence-based educational intervention to enrich the experience of any concept within LIS that Information professionals work to develop in their users

The Optimal Regulation of Credit Rating Agencies

Credit rating agencies (CRAs) very often have been criticized for announcing inaccurate credit ratings and are suspected of being exposed to conflicts of interest. Despite these objections CRAs remained largely unregulated. Based on Pagano & Immordino (2007), we study the optimal regulation of CRAs in a model where rating quality is unobservable and enforcing regulation is costly. The model shows that minimum rating standards increase the social value of credit ratings. The model also analyzes implications for regulation in the presence of conflicts of interest between the CRA and the rated clients by direct bribes and by the joint provision of rating and consulting services

Distraction and mind-wandering under load

Attention research over the last several decades has provided rich insights into the determinants of distraction, including distractor characteristics, task features, and individual differences. Load Theory represented a particularly important breakthrough, highlighting the critical role of the level and nature of task-load in determining both the efficiency of distractor rejection and the stage of processing at which this occurs. However, until recently studies of distraction were restricted to those measuring rather specific forms of distraction by external stimuli which I argue that, although intended to be irrelevant, were in fact task-relevant. In daily life, attention may be distracted by a wide range of stimuli, which may often be entirely unrelated to any task being performed, and may include not only external stimuli but also internally generated stimuli such as task-unrelated thoughts. This review outlines recent research examining these more general, entirely task-irrelevant, forms of distraction within the framework of Load Theory. I discuss the relation between different forms of distraction, and the universality of load effects across different distractor types and individuals

An argument for the admissibility of execution impact evidence in pennsylvania

In 1991, the United States Supreme Court made a significant change to sentencing proceedings during capital trials. The Court ruled in Payne v. Tennessee that the Eighth Amendment does not prohibit “victim impact evidence,” testimony about the character of the murder victim and the impact of the death on the victim’s family. The Payne decision permits highly emotional testimony from family members to enter into the penalty phase of a death penalty trial

[Rezension zu:] Stefan Ehrenpreis, Ute Lotz-Heumann, Olaf Mörke, Luise Schorn-Schütte, eds. Wege der Neuzeit: Festschrift für Heinz Schilling zum 65. Geburtstag. Historische Forschungen. Berlin: Duncker& Humblot, 2007. 656 pp. EUR 78.00 (paper), ISBN 978-3-428-12394-0.

Rezension zu: Stefan Ehrenpreis, Ute Lotz-Heumann, Olaf Mörke, Luise Schorn-Schütte, eds. Wege der Neuzeit: Festschrift für Heinz Schilling zum 65. Geburtstag. Historische Forschungen. Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, 2007. 656 pp. EUR 78.00 (paper), ISBN 978-3-428-12394-0

Viruses infecting daphne in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Horticultural Science

The genus Daphne belongs to the Thymelaeaceae and contains both evergreen and deciduous shrubs which produce attractive, highly fragrant flowers. Plants are neat and shapely and seldom grow more than 3-4 feet high, fitting well into rock gardens or herbaceous borders. A large number of species of this very popular ornamental are grown in New Zealand, the most common of which is Daphne odora Thunb. This latter species contains several cultivars and one (Daphne odora 'Leucanthe') is almost ubiquitous at least in the North Island. Its importance is illustrated by the fact that several nurseries visited during the study cited production figures for Leucanthe of between 5,000 and 12,000 specimens per annum and one firm has also entered the export trade. Daphne burkwoodii Turrill and Daphne cneorum L. are two other species which are also commonly grown in N.Z. [FROM PREFACE