A Guide to Writing the Dissertation Literature Review

Writing a faulty literature review is one of many ways to derail a dissertation. This article summarizes some pivotal information on how to write a high-quality dissertation literature review. It begins with a discussion of the purposes of a review, presents taxonomy of literature reviews, and then discusses the steps in conducting a quantitative or qualitative literature review. The article concludes with a discussion of common mistakes and a framework for the self-evaluation of a literature review. Accessed 202,565 times on https://pareonline.net from June 04, 2009 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

Differences between Students with and without ADHD on Task Vigilance under Conditions of Distraction

Distraction is a typical component of any classroom environment. For effective instruction and learning to take place, it is critical for students to eventually return to task and maintain task vigilance (i.e., returning to the task at hand) when a distraction occurs. Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), by definition, are more distractible than students without ADHD. However, studies showing specific variability of task vigilance between students with and without ADHD are limited. This correlational study examined the differences in distractibility on task vigilance between students with and without ADHD under conditions of distraction. Two groups of participants, ranging in age from 7 to 11 years, were identified. The participants with existing diagnoses of ADHD were matched to participants without ADHD by gender, age, grade, race, school performance, and ability to help maintain group equivalence. The procedure called for all students to complete simple math computations and copying tasks while exposed to a distracting stimulus. Results showed a marked, statistically significant difference in task completion rates for both tasks between groups. Secondly, students with ADHD had considerable difficulties disengaging from the distracting stimulus and returning to task (i.e., maintaining task vigilance). These findings, rather than generic deficits, may account for a large portion of underachievement suffered by students with ADHD. Treatment recommendations and implications for teaching students with ADHD are discussed

The Negative Consequences of Using Free and Reduced Lunch as a Measure of School-Level Poverty: A Case from the State of Georgia

Poverty has long been known to be strongly correlated with academic achievement. In intercensal years, the National Academy of Sciences recommended using percent of free and reduced lunch (FRL) as a measure of poverty in educational systems. The Federal Government, the State of Georgia, and many other states have adopted the policy of reporting poverty levels at the school level by the percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch. However, as we will show in this presentation, there is a severe restriction of range in the upper end of the FRL variable. This restriction in range can result in schools with ostensibly equal levels of free and reduced percentages having levels of poverty that vary to a great degree. This can result in the systemic misallocation of resources from the schools with the most need and miscalculation of value-added accountability estimates. The purpose of this study is to illustrate this phenomenon with recent pre-existing CRCT and FRL data from over 1,200 elementary schools in the State of Georgia

Using the Binomial Effect Size Display (BESD) to Present the Magnitude of Effect Sizes to the Evaluation Audience

The use of Rosenthal\u27s Binomial Effect Size Display (BESD) as a tool for reporting the magnitude of effect sizes to the evaluation audience is discussed. The authors give an overview of the BESD, describe how it is calculated, and present a review of its strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, suggestions for the appropriate use of the BESD are given. An effect size to BESD conversion table is included. Accessed 34,142 times on https://pareonline.net from September 02, 2005 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

Theoretical development, factorial validity, and reliability of the online graduate mentoring scale. Mentoring and Tutoring: Partnership in Learning.

In this study, we sought to confirm the theoretical framework underlying an Online Graduate Mentoring Scale by establishing the scale’s factorial validity and reliability. Analysis of data received from doctoral students and alumni/ae of the College of Education of one large, online, accredited university reduced the initial theoretical framework from seven to six attributes, and resulted in a revision of the scale. Further research is needed to test the theoretical framework with other relevant populations and to refine the scale itself by reducing skewness and attaining item balanc

Intraoperative neuromonitoring versus visual nerve identification for prevention of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in adults undergoing thyroid surgery

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) versus visual nerve identification for prevention of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in adults undergoing thyroid surgery

A Step-by-Step Guide to Propensity Score Matching in R

Propensity score matching is a statistical technique in which a treatment case is matched with one or more control cases based on each case’s propensity score. This matching can help strengthen causal arguments in quasi-experimental and observational studies by reducing selection bias. In this article we concentrate on how to conduct propensity score matching using an example from the field of education. Our goal is to provide information that will bring propensity score matching within the reach of research and evaluation practitioners. Accessed 57,198 times on https://pareonline.net from November 19, 2014 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

Total or near-total thyroidectomy versus subtotal thyroidectomy for multinodular non-toxic goitre in adults

Background Total thyroidectomy (TT) and subtotal thyroidectomy (ST) are worldwide treatment options for multinodular non-toxic goitre in adults. Near TT, defined as a postoperative thyroid remnant less than 1 mL, is supposed to be a similarly effective but safer option than TT. ST has been shown to be marginally safer than TT, but it may leave an undetected thyroid cancer in place. Objectives The objective was to assess the effects of total or near-total thyroidectomy compared to subtotal thyroidectomy for multinodular non-toxic goitre. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, as well as the ICTRP Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov. The date of the last search was 18 June 2015 for all databases. No language restrictions were applied. Selection criteria Two review authors independently scanned the abstract, title or both sections of every record retrieved to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on thyroidectomy for multinodular non-toxic goitre for further assessment. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently extracted data, assessed studies for risk of bias and evaluated overall study quality utilising the GRADE instrument. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for dichotomous outcomes. A random-effects model was used for pooling data. Main results We examined 1430 records, scrutinized 14 full-text publications and included four RCTs. Altogether 1305 participants entered the four trials, 543 participants were randomised to TT and 762 participants to ST. A total of 98% and 97% of participants finished the trials in the TT and ST groups, respectively. Two trials had a duration of follow-up between 12 and 39 months and two trials a follow-up of 5 and 10 years, respectively. Risk of bias across studies was mainly unknown for selection, performance and detection bias. Attrition bias was generally low and reporting bias high for some outcomes. In the short-term postoperative period no deaths were reported for both TT and ST groups. However, longer-term data on all-cause mortality were not reported (1284 participants; 4 trials; moderate quality evidence). Goiter recurrence was lower in the TT group compared to ST. Goiters recurred in 0.2% (1/425) of the TT group compared to 8.4% (53/632) of the ST group (OR 0.05 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.21); P < 0.0001; 1057 participants; 3 trials; moderate quality evidence). Re-intervention due to goitre recurrence was lower in the TT group compared to ST. Re-intervention was necessary in 0.5% (1/191) of TT patients compared to 0.8% (3/379)of ST patients (OR 0.66 (95% CI 0.07 to 6.38); P = 0.72; 570 participants; 1 trial; low quality evidence). The incidence of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was lower for ST compared with TT. Permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 0.8% (6/741) of ST patients compared to 0.7% (4/543) of TT patients (OR 1.28, (95% CI 0.38 to 4.36); P = 0.69; 1275 participants; 4 trials; low quality evidence). The incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism was lower for ST compared with TT. Permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 0.1% (1/741) of ST patients compared to 0.6% (3/543) of TT patients (OR 3.09 (95% CI 0.45 to 21.36); P = 0.25; 1275 participants: 4 trials; low quality evidence). The incidence of thyroid cancer was lower for ST compared with TT. Thyroid cancer occurred in 6.1% (41/669) of ST patients compared to 7.3% (34/465)of TT patients (OR 1.32 (95% CI 0.81 to 2.15); P = 0.27; 1134 participants; 3 trials; low quality evidence). No data on health-related quality of life or socioeconomic effects were reported in the included studies. Authors' conclusions The body of evidence on TT compared with ST is limited. Goiter recurrence is reduced following TT. The effects on other key outcomes such as re-interventions due to goitre recurrence, adverse events and thyroid cancer incidence are uncertain. New long-term RCTs with additional data such as surgeons level of experience, treatment volume of surgical centres and details on techniques used are needed

Negative pressure wound therapy versus healing by secondary intention in pressure ulcers

Pressure ulcers are a highly prevalent source of morbidity with an equally high incidence of up to 38.0\% amongst different categories of healthcare institutions. Therefore, the management and therapeutic approach toward these often hospital- or facility-acquired problems remain critical aspects of long-term care. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has proven effective in addressing the barriers to pressure ulcer healing including increasing blood flow to previously ischemic wound areas by generating subatmospheric pressure which vacuums in circulation. The objective of this study was to compare negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) versus surgical wounds healing by secondary intention (SWHSI). A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Scopus search engine up until the 20 Th January 2017 including the terms: "negative pressure wound therapy" and "pressure ulcers". In this systematic review, six randomized controlled trials were included. NPWT is deemed appropriate and effective method and widely used by clinicians to promote the healing of wounds and ulcers of different etiology. The heterogeneity found in individual trials regarding the inclusion criteria, therapeutic procedures, the criteria and methods of outcome evaluation, however, did not allow for a data evaluation with statistically valid conclusions. It is reasonable to assume that their subset of patients with pressure ulcers that can be effectively treated with NPWT, with optimal results and good cost-benefit ratio, also with respect to the quality of life