Psychometric testing on the NLN Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning, Simulation Design Scale, and Educational Practices Questionnaire using a sample of pre-licensure novice nurses

Background In 2006, the National League for Nursing published three measures related to novice nurses' beliefs about self-confidence, scenario design, and educational practices associated with simulation. Despite the extensive use of these measures, little is known about their reliability and validity. Methods The psychometric properties of the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale, Simulation Design Scale, and Educational Practices Questionnaire were studied among a sample of 2200 surveys completed by novice nurses from a liberal arts university in the southern United States. Psychometric tests included item analysis, confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses in randomly-split subsamples, concordant and discordant validity, and internal consistency. Results All three measures have sufficient reliability and validity to be used in education research. There is room for improvement in content validity with the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning and Simulation Design Scale. Conclusion This work provides robust evidence to ensure that judgments made about self-confidence after simulation, simulation design and educational practices are valid and reliable

The Economic Implications of Changing Regulations for Deep Sea Fishing under the European Common Fisheries Policy: UK Case Study

Economic impact assessment methodology was applied to UK fisheries data to better understand the implications of European Commission proposals for fishing for deep-sea stocks in the North-East Atlantic under the CFP. The aim was to assist the UK fishing industry and Government in evaluating the most effective options to manage deep sea fish stocks. Because of the proposed changes to the list of species defined as being deep sea species, and a new definition of what constitutes a vessel targeting deep sea species, a total of 695 active UK fishing vessels would need a permit to fish for deep sea species.  However, due to existing and capped capacity limits many vessels would potentially not be able to obtain such a permit. The economic impact of these changes reveals that in the short term, landings would decrease by 6,540 tonnes, reducing gross value added by £3.3 million. Alternative options were assesed that provide mitigation measures to offset the impacts of the proposed regulations whilst at the same time providing more effective protection of deep sea Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs). The options include setting a 400 metre depth rule beyond which vessels would potentially be classified as fishing for deep sea species and designating ‘core areas’ for deep sea fishing at depths > 400 metres to minimise the risk of bottom fishing gear on deep sea habitats. This approach would mean the impact of the proposals would essentially be reduced to zero; on average no vessels would be impacted by the proposal.Proceedings of the Eighteenth Biennial Conference of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade, held July 11-15, 2016 at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Center (AECC), Aberdeen, Scotland, UK