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Descriptors:
Task Analysis; Responses; Familiarity; Performance; Olfactory Perception; Animals; Stimuli; Short Term Memory; Comparative Analysis; Decision Making; Cues

Abstract:
The olfactory span task (OST) uses an incrementing non-matching to sample procedure such that the number of stimuli to remember increases during the session. The number of consecutive correct responses (span length) and percent correct as a function of the memory load have been viewed as defining rodent working memory capacity limitations in several studies using the OST. However, the procedural parameters of the OST vary across experiments and their effects are not well understood. For example, in several studies, the number of stimuli to remember is confounded with the number of comparison stimuli displayed in the test arena. Experiment 1 addressed whether performance is influenced by the number of comparison choices available on any given trial (2, 5, 10) as well as the number of odor stimuli to remember during a session (12, 24, 36). Performance was most accurate when the number of stimuli to remember was low, as would be expected from a working memory interpretation of OST. However, accuracy was also affected by the number of comparison stimulus choices. High levels of accuracy were seen even with 36 odors, suggesting that the capacity for odor memory in rats was greater than suggested by previous research. Experiment 2 attempted to define this capacity by programming sessions with 36, 48 or 72 stimuli to remember in a group of rats that had previously received extensive OST training. Highly accurate performance (80% correct or better) was sustained throughout the session at even the greatest memory loads, arguing strongly against the notion that the OST models the limited capacity of human working memory. Experiment 3 explored the possibility that stimulus control in the OST is based on relative stimulus familiarity, rather than recognition of stimuli not yet presented during the current session. Number of odor cups visited increased with the number of comparisons in the arena, but rats rarely sampled all of the comparison odors before responding. However, on probe trials which included only stimuli that had been presented during the session, latency to respond and number of comparisons sampled was sharply increased. These data suggest that responding in the OST is determined not just by relative familiarity, but rather by a more specific "what-when" or perhaps "how long ago" form of stimulus control. (Contains 4 tables and 8 figures.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Psychopathology; Child Abuse; Cognitive Ability; Risk; Anxiety; Depression (Psychology); Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Brain Hemisphere Functions; Diagnostic Tests; Mental Disorders; Ethnicity; Physiology; Reinforcement; Decision Making; Health Behavior; Correlation; Children

Abstract:
Background: Childhood maltreatment is strongly associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorder. Previous neuroimaging studies have reported atypical neural structure in the orbitofrontal cortex, temporal lobe, amygdala, hippocampus and cerebellum in maltreated samples. It has been hypothesised that these structural differences may relate to increased psychiatric vulnerability. However, previous studies have typically recruited clinical samples with concurrent psychiatric disorders, or have poorly characterised the range of maltreatment experiences and levels of concurrent anxiety or depression, limiting the interpretation of the observed structural differences. Methods: We used voxel-based morphometry to compare grey matter volume in a group of 18 children (mean age 12.01 years, SD = 1.4), referred to community social services, with documented and well-characterised experiences of maltreatment at home and a group of 20 nonmaltreated children (mean age 12.6 years, SD = 1.3). Both groups were comparable on age, gender, cognitive ability, ethnicity and levels of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms. We examined five a priori regions of interest: the prefrontal cortex, temporal lobes, amygdala, hippocampus and cerebellum. Results: Maltreated children, compared to nonmaltreated peers, presented with reduced grey matter in the medial orbitofrontal cortex and the left middle temporal gyrus. Conclusions: The medial orbitofrontal cortex and the middle temporal gyrus have been implicated in reinforcement-based decision-making, emotion regulation and autobiographical memory, processes that are impaired in a number of psychiatric disorders associated with maltreatment. We speculate that grey matter disturbance in these regions in a community sample of maltreated children may represent a latent neurobiological risk factor for later psychopathology and heightened risk taking. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Effect Size; Test Bias; Item Analysis; Statistical Analysis; Sample Size; Research Design; Decision Making; Graphs; Scores

Abstract:
There are numerous statistical procedures for detecting items that function differently across subgroups of examinees that take a test or survey. However, in endeavouring to detect items that may function differentially, selection of the statistical method is only one of many important decisions. In this article, we discuss the important decisions that affect investigations of differential item functioning (DIF) such as choice of method, sample size, effect size criteria, conditioning variable, purification, DIF amplification, DIF cancellation, and research designs for evaluating DIF. Our review highlights the necessity of matching the DIF procedure to the nature of the data analysed, the need to include effect size criteria, the need to consider the direction and balance of items flagged for DIF, and the need to use replication to reduce Type I errors whenever possible. Directions for future research and practice in using DIF to enhance the validity of test scores are provided. (Contains 2 tables, 3 figures, and 1 note.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Stakeholders; Adult Vocational Education; Foreign Countries; Neoliberalism; Governance; Educational Policy; Political Attitudes; Decision Making; Policy Analysis; Continuing Education

Abstract:
The paper analyses continuing vocational education and training policies in the UK in the period 1979-2010 with a focus on regulation and governance. It reviews Conservative and Labour party policies to ascertain their principal components and explore their evolution through time. More specifically, the paper reviews the paradoxical existence of three seemingly opposed accounts of recent dynamics in the management of continuing vocational training: one that sees it moving inexorably to the political right, one that emphasises the singularity of social-democratic policies and one that focuses on the difficulties of any movement, towards the political left or right. The paper concludes that while there has been a degree of convergence between right and left, differences remained in terms of their favoured institutional decision-making structures. However, Labour played a two-level game, which combined the establishment of new channels for dialogue and coordination with key stakeholders, with a limited scope for meaningful stakeholder input to policy. (Contains 3 notes.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Validity; Test Use; Test Interpretation; Scores; Learning; Academic Achievement; Decision Making; Information Utilization; Educational Research; Theories

Abstract:
Studies of data use illuminate ways in which education professionals have used test scores and other evidence relevant to students' learning--in action in their own contexts of work--to make decisions about their practice. These studies raise instructive challenges for a validity theory that focuses on intended interpretations and uses of test scores as Kane's (this issue) does. This commentary explores implications of data use studies for elaborating Kane's approach to validation to accommodate the ways test scores are used with other sources of evidence to address users' questions. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Validity; Test Interpretation; Test Use; Scores; Inferences; Generalization; Test Results; Decision Making; Beliefs; Ethics; Evidence

Abstract:
This response to the comments contains three main sections, each addressing a subset of the comments. In the first section, I will respond to the comments by Brennan, Haertel, and Moss. All of these comments suggest ways in which my presentation could be extended or improved; I generally agree with their suggestions, so my response to their comments is brief. In the second section, I will respond to suggestions by Newton and Sireci that my framework be simplified by employing only one kind of argument, a validity argument, and dropping the interpretation/use argument (IUA); I am sympathetic to their desire for greater simplicity, but I see considerable value in keeping the IUA as a framework for the validation effort and will argue for keeping both the IUA and the validity argument. In the third section, I will respond to Borsboom and Markus, who raise a fundamental objection to my approach to validation, suggesting that I give too much attention to justification and too little to truth as a criterion for validity; I don't accept their proposed conception of validity, and I will indicate why. (Contains 1 note.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Nonfiction; Novels; Preservice Teachers; History Instruction; Credibility; Cartoons; Social Studies; Teaching Methods; Thinking Skills; Student Attitudes; Decision Making; Reading Materials; Preservice Teacher Education

Abstract:
This article examined the value of using nonfiction graphic novels as historical narratives in the social studies curriculum. Preservice teachers evaluated several graphic novels and identified attributes of graphic novels that could contribute to students' development of historical thinking and understanding of multiple perspectives. Despite the preservice teachers' value for graphic novels as resources and their desire to use them in their future classrooms, all of the preservice teachers identified reasons why they would not be able to use graphic novels in their future school context. The findings suggested that the preservice teachers' desire to be accepted by their school community took precedence over their intention to use resources that they deemed engaging and beneficial for student learning. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Memory; Personality Traits; Semantics; Scoring; Cognitive Style; Personality; Metacognition; Task Analysis; Self Efficacy; Scores; Measures (Individuals); Correlation; Decision Making

Abstract:
In learning contexts, people need to make realistic confidence judgments about their memory performance. The present study investigated whether second-order judgments of first-order confidence judgments could help people improve their confidence judgments of semantic memory information. Furthermore, we assessed whether different personality and cognitive style constructs help explain differences in this ability. Participants answered 40 general knowledge questions and rated how confident they were that they had answered each question correctly. They were then asked to adjust the confidence judgments they believed to be most unrealistic, thus making second-order judgments of their first-order judgments. As a group, the participants did not increase the realism of their confidence judgments, but they did significantly increase their confidence for correct items. Furthermore, participants scoring high on an openness composite were more likely to display higher confidence after both the first- and second-order judgments. Moreover, participants scoring high on the openness and the extraversion composites were more likely to display higher levels of overconfidence after both the first- and second-order judgments. In general, however, personality and cognitive style factors showed only a weak relationship with the ability to modify the most unrealistic confidence judgments. Finally, the results showed no evidence that personality and cognitive style supported first- and second-order judgments differently. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Information Needs; Public Health; Guidelines; Foreign Countries; Nutrition; Infants; Mothers; Decision Making; Information Sources; Parent Attitudes; Health Behavior

Abstract:
The majority of mothers in Ireland provide formula milk to their infants during the initial weeks postpartum; however, data are lacking on their formula feeding practices and support needs. This prospective Dublin-based observational study, which included 450 eligible mother-term infant pairs recruited and followed up to six months postpartum, aimed to advance our understanding of maternal formula feeding practices, their reasons for deciding to formula feed, sources of feeding information and perceived support needs; insights into infant formula milk consumption patterns in relation to current feeding guidelines are also provided. In summary, the vast majority of infants at six weeks were provided with formula milk (n =368; 81.8%). Positive maternal perceptions of formula feeding were among the most frequently reported reasons underlying mothers' decisions to formula feed (e.g. convenience, 17.3%). Potential public health concerns over the large formula milk volumes consumed by infants (mean 205 ml/kg/day) relative to infant feeding guidelines (150 ml/kg/day) were raised from this study. Some mothers continue to add solid foods to infant bottle feeds at six weeks (3.8%) and six months (6%), a non-recommended feeding practice posing a choking risk for infants. Crucially, this study highlights the need to provide greater support and information to mothers who decide to formula feed postpartum, including practical information on sterilisation and formula reconstitution. While breastfeeding promotion and research continues to be a public health priority in Ireland, addressing the support and information needs of mothers who formula feed, an under-represented and understudied population in the literature, also needs to be considered to ensure optimal health and safety for their infants. (Contains 5 tables.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Metacognition; Recall (Psychology); Time Management; Grade 3; Grade 5; Elementary School Students; Decision Making; Learning Strategies; Performance; Cognitive Development; Child Development; Measures (Individuals)

Abstract:
Middle childhood may be crucial for the development of metacognitive monitoring and study control processes. The first three experiments, using different materials, showed that Grade 3 and Grade 5 children exhibited excellent metacognitive resolution when asked to make delayed judgments of learning (JOLs, using an analogue scale) or binary judgments of knowing (JOKs, "know" or "don't know") without the target being present. (The delayed method used here also results in excellent metacognitive resolution in adults). In three subsequent experiments after making JOLs the children were asked to choose which items they would like to restudy to optimize learning. We then either honored or dishonored the children"s restudy choices, and tested their memory performance. In Experiment 4, honoring the children"s choices made no difference to final recall performance. Experiments 5 and 6 showed that when the computer, rather than the children, chose the items for restudy based on theoretical constraints proposed by the Region of Proximal Learning model of study time allocation, the children's recall performance improved. In all three experiments, Grade 3 children's choices were random. Whereas the Grade 5 children showed some indication of a metacognitively guided strategy of choosing the lowest JOL items for study, it did not, consistently, improve performance. Apparently, accurate metacognitive monitoring is largely in place in middle childhood, but is not yet converted into effective implementation strategies. This dissociation between metaknowledge and its implementation in choice behavior needs to be taken into account by educators aiming to design interventions to enhance learning in children at this age. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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