Multilevel analysis in CSCL Research

Janssen, J., Erkens, G., Kirschner, P. A., & Kanselaar, G. (2011). Multilevel analysis in CSCL research. In S. Puntambekar, G. Erkens, & C. Hmelo-Silver (Eds.), Analyzing interactions in CSCL: Methods, approaches and issues (pp. 187-205). New York: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-7710-6_9CSCL researchers are often interested in the processes that unfold between learners in online learning environments and the outcomes that stem from these interactions. However, studying collaborative learning processes is not an easy task. Researchers have to make quite a few methodological decisions such as how to study the collaborative process itself (e.g., develop a coding scheme or a questionnaire), on the appropriate unit of analysis (e.g., the individual or the group), and which statistical technique to use (e.g., descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, correlation analysis). Recently, several researchers have turned to multilevel analysis (MLA) to answer their research questions (e.g., Cress, 2008; De Wever, Van Keer, Schellens, & Valcke, 2007; Dewiyanti, Brand-Gruwel, Jochems, & Broers, 2007; Schellens, Van Keer, & Valcke, 2005; Strijbos, Martens, Jochems, & Broers, 2004; Stylianou-Georgiou, Papanastasiou, & Puntambekar, chapter #). However, CSCL studies that apply MLA analysis still remain relatively scarce. Instead, many CSCL researchers continue to use ‘traditional’ statistical techniques (e.g., analysis of variance, regression analysis), although these techniques may not be appropriate for what is being studied. An important aim of this chapter is therefore to explain why MLA is often necessary to correctly answer the questions CSCL researchers address. Furthermore, we wish to highlight the consequences of failing to use MLA when this is called for, using data from our own studies

What Research Has to Say About Gender-Linked Differences in CMC and Does Elementary School Children’s E-mail Use Fit This Picture?

This paper first reviews the literature on computer mediated communication (CMC) to examine whether claims about gender-linked differences in specific attitudes, styles and content in CMC have been validated. Empirical studies were limited, with considerable variation in audiences, tasks, and contexts that was related to varied outcomes. The paper next describes an empirical study on the e-mail communication of elementary school children from ten Dutch classrooms. No gender-linked preference for a person or task-oriented attitude was found. Girls significantly more often employed an elaborate style. Differences between boys and girls on content of communication were subtle rather than robust. The conclusion discusses the functional embedding of CMC and the need to examine jointly antecedents, language acts and consequences. (http://www.springerlink.com/content/28181t88lxg835q2

Diverse aging rates in ectothermic tetrapods provide insights for the evolution of aging and longevity

Comparative studies of mortality in the wild are necessary to understand the evolution of aging; yet, ectothermic tetrapods are underrepresented in this comparative landscape, despite their suitability for testing evolutionary hypotheses. We present a study of aging rates and longevity across wild tetrapod ectotherms, using data from 107 populations (77 species) of nonavian reptiles and amphibians. We test hypotheses of how thermoregulatory mode, environmental temperature, protective phenotypes, and pace of life history contribute to demographic aging. Controlling for phylogeny and body size, ectotherms display a higher diversity of aging rates compared with endotherms and include phylogenetically widespread evidence of negligible aging. Protective phenotypes and life-history strategies further explain macroevolutionary patterns of aging. Analyzing ectothermic tetrapods in a comparative context enhances our understanding of the evolution of aging.Animal science

Test Pattern Generator

Abstract: In this paper, we present a new low power BIST test pattern generator that provides test vectors which can reduce the switching activity during test operation. The proposed low power/energy BIST technique is based on a modified clock scheme for the TPG and the clock tree feeding the TPG. Numerous advantages can be found in applying such a technique. The fault coverage and the test time are roughly the same as those achieved using a standard BIST scheme. The area overhead is nearly negligible and there is no penalty on the circuit delay. The proposed BIST scheme does not require any circuit design modification beyond the parallel BIST technique, is easily implemented and has low impact on the design time. It has been implemented based on an LFSR-based TPG, but can also be designed using a cellular automata. Reductions of the energy, average power and peak power consumption during test operation are up to 94%, 55 % and 48 % respectively for ISCAS and MCNC benchmar

Isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography - electrospray tandem mass spectrometry assay for the measurement of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2 '-deoxyguanosine in biological samples

International audienc

Characterization of vacancy-typedefects in heteroepitaxial GaN grown by Low-Energy Plasma-Enhanced VaporPhase Epitaxy

The defect concentration in thin GaN layers was estimated by means of positron annihilation spectroscopy. Positron lifetime and Doppler broadening of the annihilation radiation were used. A comparative study of GaN films grown with different techniques was performed. Specific attention has been given to the new low energy plasma enhanced vapor phase epitaxy (LEPEVPE) growth technique. A very high Ga vacancy density (10^19 cm^-3) was found in a thin GaN layer directly grown by LEPEVPE on a sapphire substrate. However, when a GaN substrate (commercial sample grown by Metal Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy) is used as a template for LEPEVPE deposition, the vacancy density of the film is low (about 10^16 cm^-3). This fact provides evidences that the LEPEVPE technique is able to produce high quality GaN layers

Knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of radiologic technology students in De La Salle Health Sciences Institute towards pulmonary tuberculosis.

This study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of students of the College of Medical Radiation Technology towards pulmonary tuberculosis with the demographic variables of gender and year level. The descriptive correlational research method was used. A 61-item self-made questionnaire was distributed to students of the College of Medical Radiation Technology. Using purposive sampling technique, 631 participated in the study. Statistical measurements used are percentage distribution, frequency, mean, standard deviation, t-test for independent means, ANOVA, Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) and Pearson product moment correlation. Based on the results, 1) the highest population came from the second year and majority are female students; 2) the respondents\u27 knowledge about pulmonary tuberculosis was good; 3) the respondents\u27 attitude about pulmonary tuberculosis was rated to have a low positive attitude; 4) the respondents frequently practice proper preventive measures for pulmonary tuberculosis although they still engage in drinking alcoholic beverages; 5) the respondents’ knowledge does not vary with regards to their gender but varies distinctly when grouped according to specific year level; 6) the respondents attitude does not vary with regards to their year level but differs when grouped according to gender; 7) the respondents practices do vary when grouped according to their gender and year level; 8) the respondents knowledge and attitude as well as practices have significant relationship though knowledge does not affect the practices

Modelo de cuidado transicional à mãe da criança com cardiopatia congênita Modelo de atención transicional a la madre del niño con cardiopatía congénita Model of maternal transitional care to mothers of a child with congenital heart disease

OBJETIVOS: Desvelar o significado da vivência materna no processo de transição de doença-saúde do filho com cardiopatia congênita; identificar os comportamentos apresentados pela mãe durante a vivência e propor um modelo de cuidado transicional à mãe, à luz da teoria de enfermagem de Roy. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa qualitativa, desenvolvida por meio do método de pesquisa-cuidado, com entrevista semi-estruturada de 10 mães que acompanhavam seus filhos no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca em hospital pediátrico. RESULTADOS: Pela análise de conteúdo de Bardin foram apreendidas seis Unidades de Contexto e onze Unidades de Significação que revelaram alterações sofridas pelas mães em sua vida pessoal e familiar durante a vivência materna do processo de transição de saúde-doença do filho. CONCLUSÕES: O enfermeiro, ao conhecer o processo de transição vivenciado pela mãe auxilia a mobilizar os recursos que possui para o enfrentamento e adaptação à nova situação pela aplicação do modelo de cuidado transicional.<br>OBJETIVOS: Develar el significado de la vivencia materna en el proceso de transición de enfermedad-salud del hijo con cardiopatía congénita; identificar los comportamientos presentados por la madre durante la vivencia y proponer un modelo de cuidado de transición a la madre, a la luz de la teoría de enfermería de Roy. MÉTODOS: Investigación cualitativa, desarrollada por medio del método de investigación-cuidado, con entrevista semi-estructurada a 10 madres que acompañaban a sus hijos en el post-operatorio de cirugía cardíaca en un hospital pediátrico. RESULTADOS: Por el análisis de contenido de Bardin (1991) se elaboraron seis Unidades de Contexto y once Unidades de Significado que revelaron alteraciones sufridas por las madres en su vida personal y familiar durante la vivencia materna del proceso de transición de salud-enfermedad del hijo. CONCLUSIONES: El enfermero, al conocer el proceso de transición experimentado por la madre ayuda, por medio de la aplicación del modelo de atención transicional, a poner en movimiento los recursos que posee para el enfrentamiento y adaptación a la nueva situación.<br>OBJECTIVES: To understand the meaning of maternal experience in the health-illness transition of a child with congenital heart disease, to identify maternal behaviors during this experience, and to propose a model of maternal transitional care guided by the Roy's adaptation nursing theory. METHODS: A qualitative research design was used to conduct this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interview with 10 mothers who stayed with their children in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery in a pediatric hospital. RESULTS: Bardin's (1991) content analysis approach led to the identification of six units of context and eleven units of meaning regarding maternal personal and family experience during the health-illness transition of a child with congenital heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the meaning of maternal experience in the health-illness transition of a child, nurses can mobilize resources and apply the model of maternal transitional care, which may be useful in helping mothers to deal with and adapt to the new situation of health-illness transition of a child with congenital heart disease

Policies for the inclusion of disabled people: limits and possibilities Política de inclusión del portador de deficiencia: posibilidades y límites Política de inclusão do portador de deficiência: possibilidades e limites

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the National Policy for the Integration of Disabled People in Brazil and to analyze which aspects of this policy are evidenced in academic publications. Data were collected in indexed databases and academic bibliography. The sample composition criteria permitted the inclusion of texts on social inclusion and public inclusion policies. Data were analyzed according to Thematic Content Analysis. It is concluded that disabled people have conquered a policy that guarantees access to goods and services, but face difficulties to achieve inclusion in education and the job market, due to the lack of education, qualification and resistance strategies by companies that refuse to hire them. The academic discourse highlights social inclusion problems, prioritizing rights to education, jobs and health care, to the detriment of rights related to culture, tourism and leisure.<br>Se busca investigar el impacto de la Política Nacional para la Integración de la Persona Portadora de Deficiencia en Brasil y qué aspectos de esa política están evidentes en el discurso académico. Los datos fueron recolectados en bases indexadas y en bibliografía académica. Los criterios para la composición de la muestra permitieron la inclusión de textos sobre inclusión social y política estatal de inclusión. Los datos fueron analizados según el Análisis de Contenido Temático. Se concluye que los portadores de deficiencia conquistaron una política que les asegura el acceso a bienes y servicios, pero encuentran dificultades de inclusión en los campos de la educación y del mercado laboral debido a la poca instrucción, a la falta de calificación y a las estrategias de resistencia por parte de las empresas, que se omiten de contratar a esa fuerza de trabajo. El discurso académico se encarga de elucidar los bloqueos a la inclusión, priorizando aspectos de educación, mercado de trabajo y asistencia a la salud en detrimento de aspectos relativos a la cultura, turismo y entretenimiento.<br>Objetivou-se investigar o impacto da Política Nacional para a Integração da Pessoa Portadora de Deficiência no Brasil e que aspectos dessa política estão evidentes no discurso acadêmico. Coletaram-se dados em bases indexadas e em bibliografia acadêmica. Critérios para composição da amostra permitiram inclusão de textos sobre inclusão social e política estatal de inclusão. Os dados foram analisados segundo Análise de Conteúdo Temática. Conclui-se que as pessoas com deficiência conquistaram política que assegura acesso a bens e serviços, mas, encontram dificuldades de inclusão nos campos: educação e mercado de trabalho, devido a pouca instrução, desqualificação e a estratégias de resistência por parte das empresas que se omitem de contratá-los. O discurso acadêmico elucida entraves da inclusão, priorizando direitos a educação, mercado de trabalho e assistência em saúde, em detrimento de direitos relativos a cultura, turismo, lazer