scholarly journals Have a Look Around: The Effect of a ‘Push’ Activity on Future SAS Use

2020 ◽  
pp. 4-22
Author(s):  
André Parsons ◽  
Stuart Warrington
Keyword(s):  
Autonomous Learning ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Use Of Self ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Single Assignment ◽  
Do So

Although mandatory regular use of self-access centres is surprisingly common, this goes against the purpose of them to foster autonomous learning. However, some students never consider using such resources without being pushed to do so. In order to create an opportunity to discover a self-access station (SAS) at one Japanese university, a single assignment was designed and implemented requiring students to visit the SAS in order to answer questions related to its use and facilities. Thereafter, an end-of-term questionnaire was conducted to investigate how the assignment affected student awareness and use of the SAS, and whether they would have visited the SAS had there been no task. The results show that awareness of the SAS was raised. However, most students did not use the SAS post-assignment and indicated they would not have used it without the assignment. Reasons provided suggest time constraints, location, and issues of comfort to be contributing factors.

scholarly journals Learner autonomy dimensions: What motivated and unmotivated EFL students think

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Gamble ◽  
Michael Wilkins ◽  
Jonathan Aliponga ◽  
Yakuko Koshiyama ◽  
Keiko Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Autonomous Learning ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Learning Tasks ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Do So

Abstract To counter the misunderstandings that students from East Asian countries like Japan are less autonomous than learners from other cultural backgrounds, this exploratory research examined Japanese university students’ attitudes toward their own responsibility and ability to study English autonomously. Student motivation was observed specifically to determine how students perceived their learning inside and outside the classroom. In this study, 958 students from 12 universities across Japan participated in a 24-item adapted questionnaire on learner autonomy. Based on the data collected, slight to not significant differences were revealed regarding students’ perceptions of responsibility to perform autonomous learning tasks. However, with regard to perceived ability to perform autonomous learning tasks, there were significant differences as motivated students demonstrated a far greater confidence in their capacity to be involved in their own learning than unmotivated students, yet they did not necessarily act on their ability to do so. These findings and their implications are explored and discussed.

scholarly journals Issues with data and analyses: Errors, underlying themes, and potential solutions

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (11) ◽  
pp. 2563-2570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew W. Brown ◽  
Kathryn A. Kaiser ◽  
David B. Allison
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Case Series ◽  
The Self ◽  
System Level ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Data Errors ◽  
Statistical Errors ◽  
Practice Of Science ◽  
Reporting Data ◽  
Do So

Some aspects of science, taken at the broadest level, are universal in empirical research. These include collecting, analyzing, and reporting data. In each of these aspects, errors can and do occur. In this work, we first discuss the importance of focusing on statistical and data errors to continually improve the practice of science. We then describe underlying themes of the types of errors and postulate contributing factors. To do so, we describe a case series of relatively severe data and statistical errors coupled with surveys of some types of errors to better characterize the magnitude, frequency, and trends. Having examined these errors, we then discuss the consequences of specific errors or classes of errors. Finally, given the extracted themes, we discuss methodological, cultural, and system-level approaches to reducing the frequency of commonly observed errors. These approaches will plausibly contribute to the self-critical, self-correcting, ever-evolving practice of science, and ultimately to furthering knowledge.

The Survival Job Trap: Explaining Refugee Employment Outcomes in Chicago and the Contributing Factors

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Lumley-Sapanski
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Economic Integration ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
The United States ◽  
Refugee Resettlement ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Federal Poverty Line ◽  
Do So

Abstract Refugees resettled through the United States Refugee Admissions Program are expected to become economically self-sufficient by 90 days post arrival. To meet this expectation, refugee resettlement agencies attempt to place refugees in employment as rapidly as possible. Consequently, refugees are placed into pre-identified jobs—termed survival jobs—at partner employers in the secondary labour market largely irrespective of career background. This study examines the long-term employment and socio-economic outcomes of refugees given the agency approach and resulting initial job placement. To do so, I use individual employment records from a refugee resettlement agency in Chicago, semi-structured interviews with refugees and autoethnography conducted over an eight-year period (2008–16). I find that the initial employment placements made by the refugee resettlement agency in the immediate period post-arrival have long-term implications for economic integration. Refugees in general, but in particular those who arrive with less relevant human capital, remain in employment at agency partners five years after arrival. These positions offer limited opportunities for upward economic mobility, leaving many refugees at or near the Federal Poverty Line.

Respecting the Wishes of Patients in Intensive Care Units

2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 651-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satomi Kinoshita
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Life Care ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
Patients Wishes

This study examined why intensive care unit (ICU) nurses experience difficulties in respecting the wishes of patients in end-of-life care in Japan. A questionnaire survey was conducted with ICU nurses working in Japanese university hospitals. The content of their narratives was analyzed concerning the reasons why the nurses believed that patients' wishes were not respected. The most commonly stated reason was that patients' wishes were impossible to realize, followed by the fact that decision making was performed by others, regardless of whether the patients' wishes were known, if the death was sudden, and time constraints. Many nurses wanted to respect the wishes of dying patients, but they questioned how patients die in ICUs and were therefore faced with ethical dilemmas. However, at the same time, many of the nurses realized that respecting patients' wishes about end-of-life care in an ICU would be difficult and that being unable to respect these wishes would often be unavoidable. The results thus suggest that there has been insufficient discussion about respecting the wishes of patients undergoing intensive care.

scholarly journals Using Speech Act Sets to Inform Study Abroad Instruction

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Pragmatic Development ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
The Us ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Informed Instruction ◽  
Pragmatic Assessment ◽  
Do So

This paper considers the use of speech act sets (SASs) to inform study abroad instruction and examine pragmatic development of English learners before and after their overseas experiences. To do so, it focuses on pre/post-study abroad oral discourse completion tasks completed by five Japanese university students who studied abroad in the US for one semester. Their spoken responses to a set of ten scenarios were video recorded, transcribed and compared to SASs, which are models of functional language use. To exemplify this approach to pragmatic assessment, the paper focuses on three SASs: apology, request, and thanking. Findings from the SAS analysis show not only pragmatic development but also identify specific aspects that teachers may wish to address during study abroad instruction. This type of informed instruction can build on students’ existing ability and target pragmatic options that they may need to adopt if they are going to study abroad. 本論の目的は、留学前教育において発話行為セット（SAS）の使用を奨励することと、留学前後における英語語用論的能力、特に発話行為の発達を分析することにある。本研究では1学期間の米国留学を行った5名の日本人大学生 に対して実施した口頭談話完成タスク (ODCT：oral discourse completion task) に着目した。このテストは留学前と帰国後に実施され、10の筋書きに対する応答を録画し、書き起こして、機能的言語使用のモデルとされるSASと比較した。中でも「謝罪」「依頼」「感謝」の3つのSASに焦点を当て分析を行った。その結果、発話行為に発達がみられただけでなく、留学前教育において指導が必要とされる点が明らかになった。このような研究に基づいた指導は学習者が既に持っている能力を伸ばすことができるだけでなく、特に留学の際に必要となる発話行為に焦点を当てることができる。

Use of Self-Reports of Physical Fitness as Substitutes for Performance-Based Measures of Physical Fitness in Older Adults

2003 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 414-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra B. Schuler ◽  
Thomas S. Marzilli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Local Community ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Use Of Self ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Do So

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association between self-reported physical fitness and performance-based measures of physical fitness in older adults. The specific components of physical fitness evaluated included aerobic endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility. Adults (25 men and 47 women) ranging in age from 56 to 92 years ( M age = 75 yr.) were recruited from the local community. Generally, the associations between self-reported and performance-based measures of physical fitness were low to moderate ( r = .30–.01). Based on these findings, self-reports of physical fitness should not be used as substitutes for performance-based measures of physical fitness in older adults. Furthermore, present findings suggest that older adults, when asked to rate subcomponents of physical fitness, may not do so but rather evaluate a more general concept of physical fitness with aerobic endurance as the dominant factor.

scholarly journals Open Access in low- and middle-income countries: attitudes and experiences of researchers

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Andy Nobes ◽  
Siân Harris
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Use Of Self ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
International Reputation ◽  
Global North ◽  
Predatory Publishers ◽  
Do So

Open Access (OA) is often considered as particularly beneficial to researchers in the Global South. However, research into awareness of and attitudes to OA has been largely dominated by voices from the Global North. A survey was conducted of 507 researchers from the developing world and connected to INASP’s AuthorAID project to ascertain experiences and attitudes to OA publishing. The survey revealed problems for the researchers in gaining access to research literature in the first place. There was a very positive attitude to OA research and OA journals, but when selecting a journal in which to publish, OA was seen as a much less important criterion than factors relating to international reputation. Overall, a majority of respondents had published in an OA journal and most of these had paid an article processing charge. Knowledge and use of self-archiving via repositories varied, and only around 20% had deposited their research in an institutional repository. The study also examined attitudes to copyright, revealing most respondents had heard of Creative Commons licences and were positive about the sharing of research for educational use and dissemination, but there was unease about research being used for commercial purposes. Respondents revealed a surprisingly positive stance towards openly sharing research data, although many revealed that they would need further guidance on how to do so. The survey also revealed that the majority had received emails from so called ‘predatory’ publishers and that a small minority had published in them.

scholarly journals The ‘Duel’ Meaning of Feminisation in International Relations: The Rise of Women and the Interior Logics of Declinist Literature

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-124
Author(s):  
Caron E. Gentry
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Feminist Theory ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Economic Empowerment ◽  
Cautionary Tale ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Women's Participation ◽  
The Feminine ◽  
Do So

‘Feminisation’ in International Relations refers to multiple, and sometimes contradictory, concepts. Much of the time it refers to the incorporation of women into various organisations and institutions, such as women’s participation in militaries or in politics. The decline of violence, or declinist, literature lists it as one of the contributing factors in the decline of violence and associates feminisation with women’s social, political, and economic empowerment. Feminist theory in ir, however, conceptualises ‘feminisation’ in a different light. As the feminine is often devalued or deprioritised for the preferred masculine, feminisation is synonymous with devalourisation. 1 Therefore, this paper will play with the dual meaning of feminisation, offering a cautionary tale for the dependency on women’s empowerment in the declinist literature by asserting that it is hampered by masculinist thinking. It will do so by challenging the equation of women with gender in the declinist literature. Gender equality and/or progress cannot simply be limited to raising women’s status, which implicates an understanding of gender as a binary categorisation of men/masculinity or women/femininity. Instead, gender is a spectrum that understands the multitude of gender identities, going beyond heteronormativity to lesbian, bi-, gay, trans, queer, and intersex (lbgtqi). Limiting gender to women means violences against other communities, particularly sexual minorities, is unrecognised and unaccounted for.

scholarly journals Causative Factors for Complications in Transpalatal Advancement

2019 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
Lyndon Chan ◽  
Leon Kitpornchai ◽  
Stuart Mackay
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
P Value ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Causative Factors ◽  
Sleep Parameters ◽  
Sleep Questionnaires ◽  
The University ◽  
Postoperative Level ◽  
Do So

Introduction: Transpalatal advancement (TPA) is a procedure that is used when modern variants of uvulopharyn-gopalatoplasty are unable to provide enough anterior traction. Although successful in reduction of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) parameters, it also comes with procedure-specific risks. Formation of an oro-nasal fistula (ONF) is a complication that results in significant morbidity and a protracted treatment course. Methods: After approval from the University of Wollongong Health Research Ethics Committee, a retrospective chart review of all cases undergoing TPA performed by a single surgeon over a 10-year period from 2008 to 2018 was performed. Patients underwent pre- and postoperative level 1 or 2 polysomnography. Factors potentially contributing to palatal complications, as well as pre- and postoperative polysomnographic parameters, subjective sleep questionnaires, and body mass index (BMI) were statistically analyzed where a P value <.05 was considered a significant result. Results: A total of 59 patients were included. Overall palatal complication rate was 25.4% (15/59), with the most common being transient velo-palatal insufficiency (VPI) (8/59, 13.6%). ONF developed in 4/59 (6.8%) of patients. None of the analyzed contributing factors for palatal complications were statistically significant, except the presence of a high-arched palate and development of ONF. All analyzed sleep parameters, as well as BMI, were significantly different when comparing pre- to postoperative results. Conclusion: This study suggests that TPA has a role in current sleep surgery paradigms and can significantly improve both objective and subjective outcome measures of OSA. Surgeons contemplating TPA on patients with high-arched hard palates should do so with caution.

Displays of concession in university faculty meetings

Pragmatics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Saft
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Conversation Analysis ◽  
Social Action ◽  
Sequential Analysis ◽  
University Faculty ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Cultural Concepts ◽  
Faculty Meetings ◽  
Do So

In light of the tendency in studies of Japanese discourse and communication to account for patterns of social interaction in terms of cultural concepts such as wa (“harmony”), omoiyari (“empathy”), and enryo (“restraint”), this report sets out to demonstrate how much of an endogenously produced, local achievement social interaction can be in Japanese. To do so, the techniques and principles of conversation analysis are employed to describe how a particular social action, the expression of concession to statements of opposition, is produced by participants in a set of Japanese university faculty meetings. Although it is suggested that the very direct and explicit design of the concession displays could be explained in terms of concepts such as wa and/or enryo, it is nonetheless argued that the interactional significance of this action can be best understood by undertaking a detailed, sequential analysis of the interaction. The analysis itself is divided into two parts: First it is demonstrated that the concessions are products of the participants’ close attendance to and monitoring of the details of the unfolding interaction; second it is shown that instead of turning to pre-determined cultural concepts to account for the trajectory of the interaction, it is possible to understand the concession displays by situating them within the flow of the interaction itself.

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