scholarly journals Positive Correlation Between Academic Library Services and High-Impact Practices for Student Retention

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saori Wendy Herman
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Library Instruction ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
High Impact Practices ◽  
Support Practices

A Review of: Murray, A. (2015). Academic libraries and high-impact practices for student retention: Library deans’ perspectives. portal: Libraries and the Academy, 15(3), 471-487. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/pla.2015.0027 Abstract Objective – To investigate the perceived alignment between academic library services and high-impact practices (HIPs) that affect student retention. Design – Survey questionnaire. Setting – Public comprehensive universities in the United States of America with a Carnegie classification of master’s level as of January 2013. Subjects – 68 library deans or directors out of the 271 who were originally contacted. Methods – The author used Qualtrics software to create a survey based on the HIPs, tested the survey for reliability, and then distributed it to 271 universities. Library services were grouped into 1 of 3 library scales: library collection, library instruction, or library facilities. The survey consisted of a matrix of 10 Likert-style questions addressing the perceived level of alignment between the library scales and the HIPs. Each question provided an opportunity for the respondent to enter a “brief description of support practices” (p 477). Additional demographic questions addressed the years of experience of the respondent, undergraduate student enrollment of the university, and whether librarians held faculty rank. Main Results – The author measured Pearson correlation coefficients and found a positive correlation between the library scales and the HIPs. All three library scales displayed a moderately strong positive correlation between first-year seminars and experiences (HIP 1), common intellectual experiences (HIP 2), writing-intensive courses (HIP 4), undergraduate research (HIP 6), diversity and global learning (HIP 7), service learning and community-based learning (HIP 8), internships (HIP 9), and capstone courses and projects (HIP 10). The library collections scale and library facilities scale displayed a moderately strong correlation with learning communities (HIP 3) and collaborative assignments and projects (HIP 5). The library instruction scale displayed a strong positive correlation with HIP 3 and a very strong positive correlation with HIP 5. Each of the positive correlations was of high significance. As the rating of library alignment with each HIP increased, so did the total rating of each library scale. Along with the quantitative data, various themes for each HIP relating to the library’s support practices emerged from the qualitative feedback. No significant trends were noted from the demographic questions. Conclusion – Library deans or directors can utilize the conceptual framework presented in this study to connect the impact of library services to terminology and practices commonly understood by university administrators. Further research using the conceptual framework would benefit future discussion on how academic libraries measure impact or success of their library services.

Readiness of academic libraries in South Africa to research, teaching and learning support in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 355-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis N. Ocholla ◽  
Lyudmila Ocholla
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution

PurposeIn this paper, we refer to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 2016, where the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) was coined by Klaus Schwab, with the reference that it would be building on “the Third, the digital revolution” and would be “characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres”. While acknowledging that the 4IR will impact on everything, everywhere, including research and libraries, we conceptualize 4IR, and we compare current academic library services/trends in South Africa with 4IR requirements, through the analysis of 26 public university library websites.Design/methodology/approachBesides conceptualization of 4IR, a content analysis of websites of 26 public universities’ libraries in South Africa was achieved followed up with verification of the data by respective libraries through a preliminary research report circulated to them by email. 23 areas were identified as the trends in academic libraries, which included free Wi-Fi in the libraries; 24/7 study areas and access to library resources on and off campus; research commons; makerspace; borrowing ICTs (e.g. laptops); e-resources; e-catalogues; research data services (RDS; RDM, IR); open scholarship; information literacy and reference/bibliographic tools, library as a publisher, among others. Data obtained were captured in Excel and analyzed by the research questions.FindingsThe 4IR concept does not occur often in literature, in relation to academic libraries, but it is implied. The findings show that the libraries are responding well to the revolution through their services, with remarkable innovation and creativity on display. There was a 64% presence of the analyzed trends/services in the libraries, with emerging trends/services such as library as a publisher (4%), robotics/AI (4%), makerspace (8%), RDS (27%), borrowing of ICTs/devices (19%) and user experience (19%) scoring low, while information literacy and digital scholarship (e.g. IR) (88%), e-catalogue and e-resources (92%), group study area (85%) and off campus access (77%) scoring above 75%. The scatter of the trends/services among the university libraries is noted for knowledge sharing of best practice.Research limitations/implicationsIn order to improve accordance with trends, academic libraries have to be better resourced, accessed and used, as well as improve web visibility. The study expects library services to be responsive, resourced and accessible anytime and anywhere, and it provides a conceptual framework and a benchmark for further research and exploration in the country, region and perhaps elsewhere.Practical implicationsThe study can be used for benchmarking current and future academic library services in Africa. The conceptual framework provides an agenda for theoretical discussions and deliberations.Social implicationsThe trends, framework and 4IR representations in the study can inform theory and practice in LIS, particularly in Africa.Originality/valueLinking 4IR to current and future library services provides a tool for academic libraries services benchmarking and development and provides a conceptual framework for theoretical and practical debates and implementation. The study is quite current and appropriate for the ongoing discussions of 4IR implications to academic libraries.

The case for partnering doctoral students with librarians: a synthesis of the literatures

2011 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 599-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen S. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Student Retention ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Doctoral Student ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Library Instruction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Doctoral Student Retention ◽  
Research Students ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to ask how the academic library may better position itself to assist with the demonstrated need for improved research ability in doctoral students. The paper examines the literature on doctoral student retention, which demonstrates problems with research self‐efficacy in students, and connects this issue to the library literature demonstrating the impact of library instruction.Design/methodology/approachThe main approach is the review of the literatures in library science on the impact of instruction, and in the wider education literature on student retention and doctoral student attrition.FindingsIt was found that library instruction does demonstrably improve student research skills, and that doctoral students are generally underprepared to conduct dissertation level research. There is a case for partnering doctoral students with academic librarians to improve dissertation completion rates and lower attrition due to lack of research skill.Practical implicationsThe paper demonstrates an obvious need for focus of library instruction on graduate students, and doctoral students in particular. The paper poses a number of research agendas that can be taken up by practitioners in the field, including various models for implementing instruction for doctoral students.Social implicationsAttrition from doctoral programs has a burdensome impact on academic institutions, and has been demonstrated to have adverse social, psychological and financial impacts on the doctoral students themselves. The ability of library intervention to alleviate the problem has wide‐ranging implications.Originality/valueThe paper brings a wider literature base to bear on the practice of library instruction, and raises important questions relevant to librarians and graduate faculty about the value of the library to more advanced research students and the current focus of most library instruction programs at the undergraduate levels.

High-Impact Practices: Evaluating Their Effect on College Completion

2020 ◽  
pp. 152102512094735
Author(s):  
Anne McDaniel ◽  
Matthew Van Jura
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
High Impact ◽  
College Completion ◽  
Reading Scores ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
High Impact Practices ◽  
High School Math ◽  
Longitudinal Approach ◽  
The Impact

Since the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) introduced high-impact practices (HIPs) in 2007, scholars have argued that students’ involvement in these programs is associated with a range of positive outcomes. Namely, participation in HIPs is thought to promote student retention and help close achievement gaps between historically marginalized populations and advantaged peers. However, few have used a longitudinal approach to determine if HIP participation is related to college completion while accounting for pre-college variables. This study used data from the Educational Longitudinal Study (ELS) to analyze the impact of HIP participation on students’ likelihood of completing college within six years, controlling for socioeconomic status, high school math and reading scores, and high school involvement. Results suggested that students involved in HIPs were more likely to complete college within six years compared to uninvolved peers, but found no evidence of compensatory effects among students who were involved with HIPs.

High-Impact Practices and Sophomore Retention: Examining the Effects of Selection Bias

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Provencher ◽  
Ruth Kassel
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Selection Bias ◽  
Liberal Arts ◽  
Liberal Arts College ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
High Impact Practices ◽  
Second Year

Institutions of higher education increasingly have adopted high-impact practices (HIPs) as a means to increase student retention and engagement. Yet, the growth and assessment of these practices have primarily focused on a student’s first and final years, which can contribute to a second-year slump. Administrative data from a small, 4-year liberal arts college are analyzed to investigate when students participate in HIPs and whether this timing affects first and second year retention decisions. Propensity score matching is used to control for selection in which students participate in HIPs. Consistent with previous research, results suggest that HIP participation is a significant predictor of both first and second year retention, though the effect of HIP participation is overestimated without properly controlling for selection bias. Results suggest that strategic incorporation of HIPs in the second year may improve retention outcomes.

The Strong Positive Correlation between Factor VII Clotting Activity Using Bovine Thromboplastin and the Activated Factor VII Level

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (03) ◽  
pp. 429-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuomi Kario ◽  
Takefumi Matsuo ◽  
Reiko Asada ◽  
Toshiyuki Sakata ◽  
Hisao Kato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Bovine Brain ◽  
Factor Vii ◽  
Rabbit Brain ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Chromogenic Substrate ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Activated Factor Vii

SummaryWe compared factor VII clotting activity (FVIIc) assays using different thromboplastins to determine which is the most sensitive for activated FVII (FVIIa) or for FVII antigen (FVIIag). FVIIc levels were measured using thromboplastins derived from bovine brain (FVIIc Bov), human placenta (FVIIc Hum), and rabbit brain (FVIIc Rab). FVIIa levels were measured by fluorogenic assays using human soluble tissue factor (rsTF) or bovine rsTF. We also measured FVII activity by an amidolytic assay (FVIIc:am Hum) using human thromboplastin and a chromogenic substrate for thrombin. FVIIag levels were determined by ELISA. In the FVIIa assay, the reaction time obtained from using bovine rsTF was shorter than that with human rsTF, suggesting that the interaction of plasma FVIIa with bovine rsTF was stronger than with human rsTF. The plasma FVIIa levels measured using human rsTF and bovine rsTF were almost the same (r=0.947, p<0.0001). Among the three FVIIc assays, FVIIc Bov had the strongest positive correlation with the plasma FVIIa level (r=0.886, p<0.000l), but had no correlation with FVIIag. An increase of 1 ng/ml in the plasma FVIIa level yielded a 27.9% increase of FVIIc Bov. Plasma FVIIc Hum and FVIIc:am Hum showed moderate correlations with both FVIIa (r=0.520, p<0.02 and r=0.569, p<0.01, respectively) and FVIIag (r=0.438, p<0.05 and r=0.468, p<0.05, respectively). FVIIc Rab had the lowest correlation with FVIIa (r=0.367, p<0.1), but had a moderate correlation with FVIIag (r=0.436, p<0.05). After in vitro cold activation, FVIIc Bov levels increased the most and FVIIc:am levels showed the least change. These findings indicate that consideration of the thromboplastin used for assay is necessary when assessing the clinical significance of FVII activity as a cardiovascular risk factor.

Shhh! No talking about retention in the library!

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Blackburn
Keyword(s):  
Student Retention ◽  
School Administrators ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Student Attrition ◽  
Retention Rates

Student retention rates have long been a topic among school administrators, but it is an issue barely mentioned in library circles. This article will discuss the role the academic library can play in increasing and maintaining student retention rates on campus. By focusing briefly on four main topics, including reaching out to students early and often, getting them in the library door and getting them to stay, the reader will be able to see the broad picture of how crucial libraries are to fighting student attrition.

scholarly journals Microsatellite Variation and Recombination Rate in the Human Genome

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 156 (3) ◽  
pp. 1285-1298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bret A Payseur ◽  
Michael W Nachman
Keyword(s):  
Recombination Rate ◽  
Microsatellite Polymorphism ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Background Selection ◽  
Recombination Rates ◽  
Microsatellite Variation ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Genome Recombination ◽  
Neutral Mutations

Abstract Background (purifying) selection on deleterious mutations is expected to remove linked neutral mutations from a population, resulting in a positive correlation between recombination rate and levels of neutral genetic variation, even for markers with high mutation rates. We tested this prediction of the background selection model by comparing recombination rate and levels of microsatellite polymorphism in humans. Published data for 28 unrelated Europeans were used to estimate microsatellite polymorphism (number of alleles, heterozygosity, and variance in allele size) for loci throughout the genome. Recombination rates were estimated from comparisons of genetic and physical maps. First, we analyzed 61 loci from chromosome 22, using the complete sequence of this chromosome to provide exact physical locations. These 61 microsatellites showed no correlation between levels of variation and recombination rate. We then used radiation-hybrid and cytogenetic maps to calculate recombination rates throughout the genome. Recombination rates varied by more than one order of magnitude, and most chromosomes showed significant suppression of recombination near the centromere. Genome-wide analyses provided no evidence for a strong positive correlation between recombination rate and polymorphism, although analyses of loci with at least 20 repeats suggested a weak positive correlation. Comparisons of microsatellites in lowest-recombination and highest-recombination regions also revealed no difference in levels of polymorphism. Together, these results indicate that background selection is not a major determinant of microsatellite variation in humans.

scholarly journals Changes in Antioxidative, Oxidoreductive and Detoxification Enzymes during Development of Aphids and Temperature Increase

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1181
Author(s):  
Roma Durak ◽  
Jan Dampc ◽  
Monika Kula-Maximenko ◽  
Mateusz Mołoń ◽  
Tomasz Durak
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Enzymes ◽  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Antioxidant Enzyme ◽  
Temperature Increase ◽  
Enzyme System ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Detoxification Enzymes ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Antioxidant Enzyme System

Temperature, being the main factor that has an influence on insects, causes changes in their development, reproduction, winter survival, life cycles, migration timing, and population dynamics. The effects of stress caused by a temperature increase on insects may depend on many factors, such as the frequency, amplitude, duration of the stress, sex, or the developmental stage of the insect. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the enzymatic activity of nymphs and adult aphids Aphis pomi, Macrosiphum rosae and Cinara cupressi, and changes in their response to a temperature increase from 20 to 28 °C. The activity of enzymatic markers (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), β-glucosidase, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD)) in aphid tissues was analysed for three constant temperatures. The results of our research showed that the enzymatic activity of aphids (measured as the activity of antioxidant, detoxifying and oxidoreductive enzymes) was mainly determined by the type of morph. We observed a strong positive correlation between the activity of the detoxifying and oxidoreductive enzymes and aphids’ development, and a negative correlation between the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and aphids’ development. Moreover, the study showed that an increase in temperature caused changes in enzyme activity (especially SOD, CAT and β-glucosidase), which was highest at 28 °C, in both nymphs and adults. Additionally, a strong positive correlation between metabolic activity (heat flow measured by microcalorimeter) and longevity was observed, which confirmed the relationship between these characteristics of aphids. The antioxidant enzyme system is more efficient in aphid nymphs, and during aphid development the activity of antioxidant enzymes decreases. The antioxidant enzyme system in aphids appears to deliver effective protection for nymphs and adults under stressful conditions, such as high temperatures.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Status Among Children aged 2 months to 13 years-a Hospital Based Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 381-384
Author(s):  
Hem Sagar Rimal ◽  
Shripad J Walavalkar
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Serum Calcium ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
College Teaching ◽  
Vitamin D Insufficiency ◽  
P Value ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Positive Correlation

Introduction: Vitamin D is an important micronutrient having crucial role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis but there is emerging evidence to suggest its role in prevention of infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. The vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency is a widely recognized problem among children in developed as well as developing countries.Objective: To find out the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency among children aged 2 months to 13 yrs and its correlation with serum calcium, phosphate and demographic factors.Methodology: Prospective, cross sectional, hospital based study conducted at Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital for a period of one year among children presented to pediatric OPD in whom pediatrician had a suspicion of Vitamin D Insufficiency /Deficiency. Venous blood Samples were taken for the estimation of 25(OH) Vitamin D, Calcium and Phosphate. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 16. Results Among 174 children aged 2 months to 13 years, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency at the cutoff of <30ng/ml was 82.75% where as no cases of vitamin D deficiency was noted at cut off level of < 10 ng/ml. Children residing in urban area, samples taken in the winter season had higher prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (p value <0.05). Serum calcium and phosphate level were found positively correlated with Vitamin D level (p<.05). However the relationship was very strong between Vitamin D and Calcium (r=0.402, p-value <0.001) and weak positive correlation was noted with phosphate(r=0.155, p value <0.05).Conclusion: There is very high prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency among children. The vitamin D insufficiency was significantly higher in winter season as compared to summer. Children living in the urban area are more prone to Vitamin D insufficiency. Moderately strong positive correlation was observed between Vitamin D level and calcium but weak correlation existed with phosphate. BJHS 2018;3(1)5 : 381-384

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