Marker effects and examination reliability: a comparative exploration from the perspectives of generalizability theory, Rasch modelling and multilevel modelling

This study looked at how three different analysis methods could help us to understand rater effects on exam reliability. The techniques we looked at were: generalizability theory (G-theory) item response theory (IRT): in particular the Many-Facets Partial Credit Rasch Model (MFRM) multilevel modelling (MLM) We used data from AS component papers in geography and psychology for 2009, 2010 and 2011 from Edexcel.</p

Validation of written and video based assessment instruments in physical education

A written paper (WP) and a video-based-paper (VP) were used to measure the learning outcomes of three experimental teaching units (ETUs) of athletics. The subjects (n=49) were 16 year olds. The ETUs represented three teaching environments; practice, practice and handouts, and classbased sessions. Pre and post-tests were administered for the content of rules, planning tactics and techniques. Rasch model analysis showed that both tests were unidimensional and reliable (R ranged from 0.86 to 0.92). The efficiency of the three experimental teaching units was evaluated by means of paired sample t-tests. The subjects performed better on the posttests (WP: effect size=1.2 and VP: effect size=0.93). The pre-tests and posttests abilities of the subjects were highly correlated (WP: r=0.380 and VP: r=0.322). The subjects of the class-based sessions achieved significantly better scores on all content areas when video based assessments were used. The findings of this study are applicable to athletics.peer-reviewe

Mapping and measuring the phenomenon of precariousness in Cyprus: challenges and implications

This research study utilises a mixed design model to empirically measure and address the phenomenon of precarious work and precariousness in Cyprus. For the purposes of this study precariousness is perceived as a condition in which people face specific dangers, risk of disease or accident, material deprivation and poverty. Furthermore, as a result of precarious employment, insufficient income and lack of property, these individuals are not able to cope or be exposed to prolonged periods of unemployment and its subsequent social risks and dangers. By analysing data from the EU-SILC (2020) for Cyprus, the characteristics of precarious employees were identified, along with the factors contributing to precariousness. The majority of precarious workers in Cyprus were women, immigrants and young people. Following this, precarity was examined as a condition in which precariousness and economic vulnerability intersect and interact. Precarious workers accounted for 9,5% of all employees in 2019, whereas those in precarity (i.e., precarious and economically vulnerable) amounted for 4,4% of all employees. The present research and its empirics contribute to the discussion of the phenomenon of precarious work and precariousness by introducing new variables and introducing new empirical approaches to the examination of precarious employment and precariousness. The results of this study are intended to provide stakeholders with an enhanced understanding of the phenomenon which will ultimately lead to new theoretical and policy avenues towards its reduction and elimination

Are We Included?’ A validation of the students’ Inclusion Climate Scale (ICS)

In March 2022 Plymouth City Council commissioned Plymouth Marjon University and the University of Plymouth to conduct research on three assessment instruments measuring inclusion from the perspectives of students, parents and teachers. The research projects were part of Plymouth Place-based School Improvement project. At the time the project focused on three strategic priorities: school leadership, curriculum and inclusion. To deliver on its priorities a number of key stakeholders were brought together, including the Education Endowment Fund (EEF), Plymouth Local Authority, the Regional Schools’ Commissioner, Headteachers, MAT CEOs and their leadership teams who chosen to take a collaborative and sustainable approach to ensure rapid school improvement. The research aimed to support Plymouth’s strategic priority of inclusion and took place between May and August 2022. The concept of 'inclusion education' has been debated in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries since an early UNESCO (1994) report. Since then, the debate has been enriched with a multitude of ideas, mainly championing the initiatives of comprehensive learning environments where all children would be included in the learning but also social life. Highly cited research, however, such as Avramidis and Norwich (2002) has maintained that any inclusive policy - no matter how well-designed or funded it is, depends heavily on the attitudes of teachers to be successful. Various factors have also been identified as affecting teachers' attitudes towards inclusion education, such as teachers' experience, school ethos etc

‘Are We Included?’ A validation of the Teachers’ Inclusion Climate Scale

This study aimed to validate the individual scales of the teacher questionnaire measuring inclusion in the context of secondary schools in Plymouth, England. The study is important as it assesses the validity and reliability of the scales in the context of Plymouth where it is to be used, with possibly the prospect of piloting it in different schools in England at a later stage. Moreover, if our findings corroborate the findings of past research, the research community would be encouraged to use of the questionnaire in different school settings. Similar findings from different countries would suggest that the questionnaire produces valid and reliable results across educational systems and cultures

‘Are We Included?’ A validation of the parental perceptions of Inclusion Climate Scale (ICS)

This study aimed to: a) validate the Parents’ Perception of Inclusion Climate Scale Inclusion Climate Scale (PPICS) in the context of secondary schools in Plymouth, England b) compare its findings findings with some of the findings of similar efforts, such as Schueler et al. (2014). The study is important as it assesses the validity and reliability of the scale in the context of Plymouth where it is to be used, with possibly the prospect of piloting it in different schools in England at a later stage. Unfortunately, it was not possible to identify other similar studies, beyond Schueler et al., 2014, in a similar context, with which to compare the findings of our analysis

Maternal and perinatal health research during emerging and ongoing epidemic threats: a landscape analysis and expert consultation

Introduction Pregnant women and their offspring are often at increased direct and indirect risks of adverse outcomes during epidemics and pandemics. A coordinated research response is paramount to ensure that this group is offered at least the same level of disease prevention, diagnosis, and care as the general population. We conducted a landscape analysis and held expert consultations to identify research efforts relevant to pregnant women affected by disease outbreaks, highlight gaps and challenges, and propose solutions to addressing them in a coordinated manner. Methods Literature searches were conducted from 1 January 2015 to 22 March 2022 using Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed augmented by key informant interviews. Findings were reviewed and Quid analysis was performed to identify clusters and connectors across research networks followed by two expert consultations. These formed the basis for the development of an operational framework for maternal and perinatal research during epidemics. Results Ninety-four relevant research efforts were identified. Although well suited to generating epidemiological data, the entire infrastructure to support a robust research response remains insufficient, particularly for use of medical products in pregnancy. Limitations in global governance, coordination, funding and data-gathering systems have slowed down research responses. Conclusion Leveraging current research efforts while engaging multinational and regional networks may be the most effective way to scale up maternal and perinatal research preparedness and response. The findings of this landscape analysis and proposed operational framework will pave the way for developing a roadmap to guide coordination efforts, facilitate collaboration and ultimately promote rapid access to countermeasures and clinical care for pregnant women and their offspring in future epidemics

Pancreatic β-cell imaging in humans: Fiction or option?

Diabetes mellitus is a growing worldwide epidemic disease, currently affecting 1 in 12 adults. Treatment of disease complications typically consumes ∼10% of healthcare budgets in developed societies. Whilst immune‐mediated destruction of insulin‐secreting pancreatic β cells is responsible for Type 1 diabetes, both the loss and dysfunction of these cells underly the more prevalent Type 2 diabetes. The establishment of robust drug development programmes aimed at β‐cell restoration is still hampered by the absence of means to measure β‐cell mass prospectively in vivo, an approach which would provide new opportunities for understanding disease mechanisms and ultimately assigning personalized treatments. In the present review, we describe the progress towards this goal achieved by the Innovative Medicines Initiative in Diabetes, a collaborative public–private consortium supported by the European Commission and by dedicated resources of pharmaceutical companies. We compare several of the available imaging methods and molecular targets and provide suggestions as to the likeliest to lead to tractable approaches. Furthermore, we discuss the simultaneous development of animal models that can be used to measure subtle changes in β‐cell mass, a prerequisite for validating the clinical potential of the different imaging tracers

Vaccine safety surveillance in pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries using GAIA case definitions: A feasibility assessment

Background: Global efforts to adequately monitor safety of new vaccines for pregnant women in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are needed. The Global Alignment of Immunization Safety Assessment in pregnancy (GAIA) project recently published case definitions based on levels of diagnostic certainty for pregnancy- and neonatal outcomes and maternal vaccination. As a preliminary step to assessing the applicability of these definitions in LMICs, WHO selected sites and conducted a feasibility assessment to evaluate their ability to identify and classify selected outcomes (preterm birth, neonatal death, neonatal invasive bloodstream infection (NI-BSI), stillbirth) and maternal vaccination. Methods: Candidate sites were initially screened using a questionnaire. For each outcome, eligible sites were asked to retrospectively identify and collect information for three individuals born in 2016. Subsequently, outcomes were classified by level of diagnostic certainty. Results: Fifty-one sites (15 countries) were screened; 32 of them (9 countries) participated in the assessment and identified 315 subjects with the outcomes of interest. Twenty-four sites (8 countries) identified at least one subject per outcome and agreed to continue participating. The majority (80%) of preterm births, neonatal deaths, and NI-BSI subjects, but only 50% of stillbirths, could be assessed for diagnostic certainty. The main reasons for not classifying stillbirths were insufficient information to distinguish between antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth (29%); or that not all data for one subject fit into a single level of diagnostic certainty (35%). Forty-nine percent of mothers were considered vaccinated, 6% not-vaccinated, and vaccination status could not be assessed in 44% of them. Discussion: GAIA case definitions for four neonatal outcomes and maternal vaccination were successfully piloted in 24 sentinel sites across four WHO regions. Our assessment found that modification of the stillbirth definition could help avoid potential misclassification. Vaccine safety monitoring in LMICs will benefit from systematic recording of all vaccinations during pregnancy