Criteria of the peer-review process for publication of experimental and quasi-experimental research in Psychology

Experimental research in Psychology is characterized by ensuring a method that guarantees objectivity, reliability, validity and replication of results. In this theoretical study we have elaborated a set of criteria for the preparation and review of quasiexperimental and experimental research manuscripts, which follows such methodological objective dictates. These criteria are based on a review of structural aspects in experimental research, in the modern theory of psychological theorization, and in the validity theory of scientific research. All these aspects are complemented with those proposed in revisions about empirically-based, and statistically-based peer-review systems. We distinguish between essential, obligatory, and complementary criteria. These criteria are organized according to a measuring tool –the ExperimenCheck system-, including report characteristics, antecedents, theoretical development, design, analysis and interpretation of results, format and bibliographical sources. We also introduce the general guidelines of a reviewing process that fulfils scientific criteria, using the proposed evaluative guideline as the main organizing principle.La investigación experimental en Psicología se rige por un método que garantiza la objetividad, la fiabilidad, la validez y la reproducción de los resultados. En este estudio teórico se proponen un conjunto de criterios para la preparación y revisión de manuscritos de investigación experimental y cuasi-experimental que sigue precisamente tales dictados metodológicos de objetividad. Tales criterios se basan en una revisión de los aspectos estructurales propios de la metodología de investigación experimental y la teoría moderna de teorización psicológica, así como en la teoría de validez. Dichos aspectos se complementaron además con lo que se ha publicado sobre el propio proceso de revisión, tanto desde el punto de vista empírico como estadísticometodológico. Se distingue entre criterios básicos, obligatorios, y criterios complementarios. Los criterios se organizan según el sistema ExperimenCheck, un instrumento de medida que abarca las características del informe, los antecedentes, el desarrollo teórico, el diseño, análisis e interpretación de resultados, formato y fuentes documentales. Se presentan también las directrices generales de un proceso de revisión basado en dicho sistema de evaluación.A investigação experimental em Psicologia rege-se por um método que garante a objectividade, a fidelidade, a validade e a reprodução dos resultados. Neste estudo teórico propõe-se um conjunto de critérios para a preparação e revisão de manuscritos de investigação experimental e quase-experimental que segue precisamente tais critérios metodológicos de objectividade. Tais critérios baseiam-se numa revisão dos aspectos estruturais próprios da metodologia de investigação experimental e a teoria moderna de teorização psicológica, assim como na teoria da validade. Tais aspectos completam o que se publicou sobre o próprio processo de revisão tanto do ponto de vista empírico como estatístico-metodologico. Distingue-se entre critérios básicos, obrigatórios, e critérios complementares. Os critérios organizam-se segundo o sistema Experimen Check, um instrumento de medida que abarca as características do relatório, os antecedentes, o desenvolvimento teórico, o plano, a análise e a interpretação de resultados, formato e fontes documentais. Apresentam-se também as directrizes gerais de um processo de revisão baseado no dito sistema de avaliação

Summary of results in research papers of Behavioural Sciences

El objetivo principal será la aplicación de desarrollos metodológicos recientes de cara a la adecuada elaboración del apartado de resultados propio de los artículos de investigación, atendiendo especialmente al campo de la Psicología y disciplinas comportamentales afines. Para ello, se exponen las generalidades sobre el resumen de información, resaltando especialmente la explicación detallada sobre la elección de la medida de error. En una segunda parte se presentan aspectos más específicos, discutiendo con detenimiento la adaptación de la medida de variabilidad error en función de dos parámetros básicos: el tipo de diseño de investigación y el grado de generalidad de la hipótesis de investigación. El trabajo se cierra con un ejemplo de aplicación de los conceptos expuestos con unos breves apuntes sobre la forma de agregar barras de error a los gráficos a partir de un programa de Hoja de Cálculo, como Microsoft Excel©.The main aim of this paper is the application of recent meth-odological developments in order to write adequately the results section of research papers, particularly in the field of Psychology and other behav-ioural sciences. Thus, we illustrate some general issues about how the in-formation should be summarized, emphasizing the need to explain in de-tail the choice of the error measure. The second part of the paper intro-duces more specific issues, as the adaptation of the error variability with reference to two parameters: the research design and the degree of gener-alization of the research hypothesis. This paper concludes with an applied example of the above issues, including some brief remarks about the way to add error bars to figures and graphics using a spread sheet program (i.e. Microsoft Excel©)

EL RESUMEN DE LOS RESULTADOS EN LOS ARTÍCULOS DE INVESTIGACIÓN DE CIENCIAS COMPORTAMENTALES

The main aim of this paper is the application of recent methodological developments in order to write adequately the results section of research papers, particularly in the field of Psychology and other behavioural sciences. Thus, we illustrate some general issues about how the information should be summarized, emphasizing the need to explain in detail the choice of the error measure. The second part of the paper introduces more specific issues, as the adaptation of the error variability with reference to two parameters: the research design and the degree of generalization of the research hypothesis. This paper concludes with an applied example of the above issues, including some brief remarks about the way to add error bars to figures and graphics using a spread sheet program (i.e. Microsoft Excel©).El objetivo principal será la aplicación de desarrollos metodológicos recientes de cara a la adecuada elaboración del apartado de resultados propio de los artículos de investigación, atendiendo especialmente al campo de la Psicología y disciplinas comportamentales afines. Para ello, se exponen las generalidades sobre el resumen de información, resaltando especialmente la explicación detallada sobre la elección de la medida de error. En una segunda parte se presentan aspectos más específicos, discutiendo con detenimiento la adaptación de la medida de variabilidad error en función de dos parámetros básicos: el tipo de diseño de investigación y el grado de generalidad de la hipótesis de investigación. El trabajo se cierra con un ejemplo de aplicación de los conceptos expuestos con unos breves apuntes sobre la forma de agregar barras de error a los gráficos a partir de un programa de Hoja de Cálculo, como Microsoft Excel©

Selective strategy use depending on oral skill: an analysis of EFL course books using categorical modelization

Motivado por el hecho de que investigaciones recientes han demostrado que enseñar explícitamente las estrategias de aprendizaje de la segunda lengua (L2) contribuye a un incremento en el uso de estas estrategias y a una mejora de la competencia oral, este estudio explora el tipo de enseñanza estratégica presente en algunos de los libros más usados en segundo de Bachillerato en España. El estudio consideró si la enseñanza de estrategias de aprendizaje era implícita o explícita, y si el tipo de destreza, comprensión o producción oral, para el que se realiza dicha enseñanza afectaba de alguna manera a la propia selección de estrategias. Se estudió la asociación entre las tres variables (enseñanza, estrategia y destreza) usando una perspectiva de análisis basada en la modelización. Los resultados mostraron, primero, que la selección de estrategias dependía de la destreza; segundo, que el tipo de estrategias seleccionadas no difería estadísticamente según su tipo de enseñanza, explícita o implícita; y tercero, que la enseñanza estratégica en los libros de texto se realiza, en su mayor parte, de una manera implícita, por lo que la enseñanza explicita es insuficiente.As recent research has shown that teaching second language (L2) learning strategies explicitly contributes to an increase in strategy use and in oral proficiency, this study explores the type of oral skill strategic instruction employed in some of the most common textbooks used in the last year of Higher Secondary Education in Spain. The study considered strategy instruction and if the type of oral skill, listening or speaking, affected strategy choice. Three variables and their association were considered using a statistical modelization perspective. Results showed that strategies were selected according to type of skill, that the type of strategies selected for explicit instruction and implicit use did not differ significantly, and that strategies are contemplated mainly implicitlyin textbooks within the units, and so explicit instruction of strategies is not sufficiently promoted in textbooks.Proyecto de investigación FFI2011-22442 “Orientación, propuestas y enseñanza para la sección de inglés en la prueba de acceso a la universidad”, financiado por el Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte de España

El procesamiento de compuestos estimulares en juicios de causalidad

Nuestra investigación se centra en el estudio del aprendizaje de relaciones causales en las que un compuesto estimular es una causa fiable de un efecto. En dos experimentos, hemos contrastado las predicciones derivadas de los Modelos Asociativos de Rescorla y Wagner (1972) y Pearce (1994), y los Modelos Inductivos de Cheng y Novick (1992) y Novick y Cheng (2004). En claro contraste con la investigación previa sobre este tema, en nuestros experimentos, hemos utilizado una tarea de juicios de causalidad en la que la información sobre la presencia/ausencia de las causas potenciales y el efecto se presentó mediante muestras o agrupaciones de casos. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que los mecanismos de aprendizaje involucrados en el procesamiento de compuestos podrían ser de origen asociativo.Our research focuses on learning about causal relationships between events when a candidate cause is a compound integrated by several individual causes. In two experiments, we compared the predictions of the Associative Models of Rescorla and Wagner (1972) and Pearce (1994), the Inductive Models of Cheng and Novick (1992) and Novick and Cheng (2004). In contrast with previous research about this topic, in these experiments, a causality judgments task was used in which the information about the presence/absence of the causes and the effect was presented through small samples of cases. Our results showed that the learning mechanisms involved in compound cue processing could be associative in origin

Social Support and Emotional Intelligence as Protective Resources for Well-Being in Moroccan Adolescents.

This study aimed to test a structural model to examine the protective role of psychosocial variables, such as social support, emotional intelligence and their interaction, on the cognitive dimension of subjective positive well-being (life satisfaction) and negative well-being (depression) in Moroccan adolescents. The participants consisted of 1277 students (571 men, 694 women and 12 missing values) with a mean age of 16.15 years (SD = 2.22; range = 9 to 23) who attended 26 public schools in different territories of Morocco. These students were in secondary education (n = 893) and high school (n = 378) (6 missing values). The scales for measuring the variables of interest had to be adapted and validated as a previous step for the further proposal of a model of relations. Statistical analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the proposed model. The model that optimally adjusted the data confirmed the protective role of social support in the well-being of Moroccan adolescents. Consistent with previous studies, social support was directly related to well-being. However, it also modulated levels of satisfaction with life. Likewise, the inclusion of emotional intelligence as an additional protective factor contributed to the explanation of the well-being mechanisms in adolescents. In addition to direct associations with the levels of social support, satisfaction with life and depression (negative in the latter case), emotional intelligence participated in a complex chain affecting life satisfaction and life satisfaction affecting depression. Moreover, the interaction of emotional intelligence with social support was confirmed to determine levels of life satisfaction in adolescents. Specifically, social support multiplied the effects of the relationship between satisfaction with life and emotional intelligence in cases of moderate and high levels in Moroccan adolescents. This study fills a gap in the literature by adapting and further analyzing several scales with Moroccan samples of adolescents and by proposing and verifying a relational model that can help researchers and teachers to more precisely clarify these relations according to their context. The enhancement of protective factors, such as social support and emotional intelligence, will promote healthy youth development, thus creating healthier societies in the future.pre-print1494 K

Influencia de programas de actividad física en la calidad del sueño de personas mayores de 55 años

Los trastornos del sueño suponen una importante patología clínica, por lo que adoptar hábitos saludables al dormir resulta clave para la calidad del sueño y de la vida. Por ello existe gran interés por adoptar medidas que prevengan sus efectos adversos, especialmente durante la vejez, destacando principalmente los programas de actividad física porque facilitan la activación de las estructuras cognoscitivas de los sujetos, aumentando su nivel de actividad, calidad de vida e higiene del sueño. Partiendo de dichas argumentaciones, se pretende comprobar, mediante un estudio cuasiexperimental, si una intervención con diferentes programas de actividad física puede producir cambios significativos en diversas variables relacionadas con la calidad del sueño en sujetos mayores de 55 años. Los resultados resaltan la utilidad de los programas de actividad física para mejorar su calidad del sueño. Se hace necesario investigar si invertir en este tipo de programas que favorecen la prevención y el mantenimiento de la salud y la calidad de vida de la persona, es más rentable que invertir en servicios sanitarios.Sleeping disorders are an important clinical pathology, but adopting healthy habits proves to be beneficial towards improving both quality of sleep and life. Consequently, there exists a great deal of interest in implementing measures that prevent the adverse effects of such disorders, particularly those that appear with old age. Most notable among these measures are physical fitness programs, as they facilitate the activation of cognitive structures among participants, increasing their level of activity, quality of life, and sleep hygiene. Taking these ideas as a starting point, it was the intention of the authors to verify, by means of a quasi-experimental study, whether the application of different physical fitness programs is able to produce significant changes in the different variables related to the quality of sleep among subjects over 55 years of age. The results highlight the usefulness of physical fitness programs for improving quality of sleep hygiene. As a result, this makes it necessary to evaluate whether investing in these types of programs, which favor the prevention of health problems and maintain overall health and quality of life among people, are more profitable than investing in healthcare services.Os transtornos do sono supõem uma importante patologia clínica, pelo que adoptar hábitos saudáveis ao dormir é de vital importância para a qualidade do sono e da vida. Como tal, existe um grande interesse na adopção de medidas que previnam os seus efeitos adversos, especialmente durante a velhice, com principal destaque para os programas de actividade física uma vez que facilitam a activação das estruturas cognitivas dos sujeitos, aumentando o seu nível de actividade, qualidade de vida e higiene do sono. Partindo destes argumentos, pretende-se comprovar, mediante um estudo quase-experimental, se uma intervenção com diferentes programas de actividade física pode produzir mudanças significativas em diversas variáveis relacionadas com a qualidade do sono em sujeitos maiores de 55 anos. Os resultados enfatizam a utilidade dos programas de actividade física para melhorar a qualidade de sono. É igualmente necessário investigar se investir neste tipo de programas favorece a prevenção e manutenção da saúde e da qualidade de vida da pessoa, e se é mais rentável que investir em serviços de saúde

OWLs: A mixed-signal ASIC for optical wire-less links in space instruments

This paper describes the design of a mixed-signal ASIC for space application and the techniques employed for radiation hardening and temperature effects compensation. The work is part of a planned long-term effort and collaboration between "Instituto de Microelectrónica de Sevilla (IMSE)", "Universidad de Sevilla (US)", and "Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA)" aimed to consolidate a group of experienced mixed-signal space-ASIC designers. The initiative is partially funded by the Spanish National Research Program. The ASIC performs the function of an optical digital transceiver for diffuse-light intra-satellite optical communications. It has been designed in a 0.35μm CMOS technology from austriamicrosystems (ams). The chip has been manufactured and verified from a functional perspective. Radiation characterization is planned for the third quarter of 2012. Power- and temperature-stress tests, as well as life-tests are also planned for this next quarter, and will be carried out by Alter Technology TÜV Nord S.A.U. Given the previous characterization of the technology [1] and the hardening techniques employed in the design and layout, radiation is not expected to be a problem. The specified environmental limits are a pedestal hard limit of 50KRads with the goal of maximizing TID tolerance, SEU and SET LET-thresholds above 70MeV/(mg/cm2), and latchup free behavior up to the same LET limit. Concerning temperature, the specified operation range is from -90 to +125ºC, while the non-operating temperature range is from -135 to +150ºC.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) MEIGA AYA2009-14212-C05-04, AYA2008-06420-C04-0

The Influence of the Scout Movement as a Free Time Option on Improving Academic Performance, Self-Esteem and Social Skills in Adolescents

The word scouting refers to the Scout movement, born more than a hundred years ago, which educates millions of young people between the ages of six and twenty-one in their leisure time. We aimed to study the effects of scouting on the academic results, social skills, and self-esteem of high school youths compared to a non-scout sample. The selected sample consisted of 430 secondary students aged between thirteen and seventeen. Self-esteem and social skills were measured, and the average mark of the total sample was analysed. After the study, it was shown that belonging to the scout movement significantly influences the improvement of academic results in formal education and conflict resolution; however, there are no statistically significant differences in self-esteem and other social skills

Long-term outcomes of high-risk HR-positive and HER2-negative early breast cancer patients from GEICAM adjuvant studies and El Álamo IV registry

Purpose The monarchE trial showed that the addition of abemaciclib improves efficacy in patients with high-risk early breast cancer (EBC). We analyzed the long-term outcomes of a population similar to the monarchE trial to put into context the potential benefit of abemaciclib. Methods HR-positive/HER2-negative EBC patients eligible for the monarchE study were selected from 3 adjuvant clinical trials and a breast cancer registry. Patients with ≥ 4 positive axillary lymph nodes (N +) or 1–3 N + with tumor size ≥ 5 cm and/or histologic grade 3 and/or Ki67 ≥ 20%, who had undergone surgery with curative intent and had received anthracyclines ± taxanes and endocrine therapy in the neoadjuvant and /or adjuvant setting were included. We performed analysis of Invasive Disease-Free Survival (iDFS), Distant Disease-Free Survival (dDFS) and Overall Survival (OS) at 5 and 10 years, as well as yearly (up to 10) of Invasive Relapse Rate (IRR), Distant Relapse Rate (DRR) and Death Rate (DR). Results A total of 1,617 patients were analyzed from the GEICAM-9906 (312), GEICAM-2003–10 (210), and GEICAM-2006–10 (160) trials plus 935 from El Álamo IV. With a median follow-up of 10.1 years, the 5 and 10 years iDFS rates were 75.2% and 57.0%, respectively. The dDFS and OS rates at 5 years were 77.4% and 88.8% and the respective figures at 10 years were 59.7% and 70.9%. Conclusions This data points out the need for new therapies for those patients. A longer follow-up of the monarchE study to see the real final benefit with abemaciclib is warranted