Examination of prospective science teachers’ achievement on basic geography topics and effectiveness of poster-based teaching for learning these topics

The purposes of this study were to examine prospective teachers’ achievement levels in basic geography topics and the effectiveness of a poster–based teaching for learning these topics. For the first goal, the study used an ex post facto quantitative research design, and the achievement level was quite low. The reason for this might be defective teaching methods, and it was needed to study an effective teaching method. For the second goal, the study used a one–group pre–posttest quasi–experimental research design, and the treatment was quite effective

The effect of STEM activities on the scientific creativity of middle school students: The effect of STEM activities

Recently, potential effects of STEM activities on students in science education are among important research topics. Therefore, in this study, the effect of STEM activity practices on the scientific creativity of middle school students was investigated. The research sample consists of 98 (experimental group = 50 students, control group = 48 students) eighth grade students studying at a state secondary school in the 2018-2019 academic year. The research is a pre-test post-test control group quasi-experimental design. While teaching with STEM activities was applied to the experimental group, the content of the science implementations course curriculum was applied to the control group. During the implementation process, the groups were not affected by each other and the lesson times were treated equally in all groups. The data of the study were obtained with the "Scientific Creativity Test" and evaluated with the t-test. When the research results are examined; It was determined that there was a significant increase in the scientific creativity test results of the experimental group compared to the control group, and according to these results, it can be said that the STEM activity practices in the study contributed to the scientific creativity of the students. However, when the scientific creativity test fluency, flexibility and originality sub-scores of the experimental and control groups were evaluated, it can be said that the results differed significantly in favor of the experimental grou

Effect of muscle stretching on meat quality of biceps femoris from beef

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of muscle stretching on meat quality and ultrastructure of biceps femoris (BF) from beef. After slaughter, the right side of the carcasses were suspended from the Achilles tendon (AS; n=10), while the left sides were re-hanged from the pelvic bone (PS; n=10). Meat quality was evaluated by water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), color, shear force (SF) and sarcomere length (SL). As a result. PS had no impact on WHC, CL and color parameters. PS significantly decreased SF values by 7.5% only at 2 days postmortem. At pelvic suspended sides, SL was increased by 013 mu m, 0.14 mu m and 0.12 pm at 2, 7 and 10 days postmortem, respectively (P<0.001). Electron microscopy showed that the ultrastructure of BF have longer sarcomeres and smaller fiber diameter after PS. In conclusion, PS is a useful method for improving tenderness by stretching muscles. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

A review of the research on assessment preferences: The case of Turkey

As educational programmes evolve in the twenty-first century, there is a need to adapt measurement and evaluation practises to align with the changing landscape of accessing and producing information. Selecting appropriate measurement tools is crucial to obtaining accurate and relevant data. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of research on assessment preferences in Turkey, focusing on the methodological aspects, with the goal of guiding future studies in this area. Using a systematic compilation method, published studies on assessment preferences in Turkey have been gathered from ULAKBIM, the National Thesis Search Centre, and Google Scholar. The study seeks to answer two main research questions: ‘What methods (research method, participants, data collection tools) were employed in studies on assessment preferences in Turkey?’ and ‘What research topics are needed to address the gaps in the literature on assessment preferences in Turkey?’ Analysis of the research findings reveals a notable increase in studies focusing on assessment preferences in Turkey since 2005. The majority of these studies employed quantitative research methods, with survey models being the dominant research approach. Data collection relied heavily on the use of scales as measurement tools. Based on this study's results, it is recommended that future studies in this area consider employing models such as meta-analysis, causal-comparison, and action research to advance understanding and contribute to the literature on assessment preferences in Turkey. This study provides a valuable compilation of existing research, shedding light on the current state of assessment preferences in Turkey. The identified research gaps and recommended methodologies will serve as a guide for researchers seeking to expand their knowledge in this field. By addressing these gaps and employing diverse research approaches, scholars can enhance their overall understanding of assessment preferences in the Turkish context and contribute to evidence-based educational practises

Determining the learning approaches of Biology teacher candidates : Learning approaches of Biology teacher candidates

Learning approaches refer to the differentiation in the purpose that students consider and the activities they choose to perform a particular learning task. Many studies have been carried out at university level, in various grade levels and fields, in order to determine the learning approaches of students and to enable them to learn to learn by enabling them to gain effective learning approaches in the light of these determinations. In this study, it was aimed to determine the learning approaches of biology teacher candidates. The study group of the research consists of 12 teacher candidates studying in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades of Gazi Education Faculty, Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Biology Education Department in the fall semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. The teacher candidates were selected to be 3 teacher candidates from each grade level and 9 of the candidates were girls and 3 were boys. This study is a qualitative research and the data of the research were obtained by using a semi-structured interview form consisting of 5 questions developed by the researchers. In the analysis of the data, content analysis was used in qualitative data analysis methods. When the statements of the teacher candidates were examined, the results of the research showed that one of the learning objectives of the teacher candidates was the sense of curiosity and they aimed to improve themselves in the process based on learning. The results obtained as a result of the research indicate that some of the teacher candidates aim to get high grades, organize their studies, plan their time consciously and avoid memorization

Differential expression analysis of meat tenderness governing genes in different skeletal muscles of bovines

BACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to compare 12 different skeletal muscles of bovine (n=15) with each other in terms of tenderness and meat-quality-related gene expressions. Tenderness values were evaluated by shear force, and ANK1, CAPN1, CAST, HSPB1, HSPA1A gene expressions were analyzed by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction

Differential expression analysis of meat tenderness governing genes in different skeletal muscles of bovines

BACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to compare 12 different skeletal muscles of bovine (n=15) with each other in terms of tenderness and meat-quality-related gene expressions. Tenderness values were evaluated by shear force, and ANK1, CAPN1, CAST, HSPB1, HSPA1A gene expressions were analyzed by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction

Effects of Electrical Stimulation on Quality and Microstructure of Rapid Chilled Beef Carcasses

A total of 15 beef were used to examine the effects of rapid chilling (RC) and electrical stimulation (ES) on meat quality and microstructure of longissimus dorsi thoracis (LDT). After slaughter, the right sides of carcasses were randomly assigned ES (500 V, 50 Hz, and 120 s), while the left sides remained as control (NES). Then, carcasses were rapidly chilled (-20+/-1 degrees C) for 6 h and placed in a conventional chiller (2+/-1 degrees C). Meat quality was evaluated by water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), color (L*, a*, b*), shear force (SF) and sarcomere length (SL). As a result, ES had no impact on WHC, CL and color of LDT from rapid chilled carcasses (P < 0.05). Tenderness and SL values were significantly increased in stimulated carcasses at 2, 7 and 10 d postmortem (P < 0.001). Also, microstructure examination of LDT demonstrated that amorphous appearance of the myofibres was found in ES due to the rupture of M-lines and I-bands. The results showed that ES is a useful method for improving tenderness of LDT during storage time and the disadvantageous effect of RC on WHC, CL, and color was equalized

Effects of stabilization exercises on disability, pain, and core stability in patients with non-specific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Many studies have emphasized the importance of stabilization exercises (SE) for the management of non-specific low back pain (NSLBP), yet there is no study assessing all aspects of core stability in comparing SE and other exercises