Variables associated with successful performance on the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Part IV examination

Objective: The objectives of this study were to (1) identify factors predictive of performance on the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Part IV exam and (2) investigate correlations between the scores obtained in the Part I, Part II, Physiotherapy, and Part III exams and the Part IV examination. Methods: A random sample of 1341 records was drawn from National Board of Chiropractic Examiners data to investigate the relationships between the scores obtained on the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exams. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis related the performance on Part IV to examinee's gender, Part IV repeater status, and scores obtained on the Part I, Part II, Physiotherapy, and Part III exams. Results: The analyses revealed statistical relations among all National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exams. The correlations between Part IV and Part I ranged from r = .31 to r = .4; between Part IV and Part II from r = .34 to r = .45. The correlation between Part IV and Physiotherapy was r = .44; between Part IV and Part III was r = .46. The strongest predictors of the Part IV score were found to be examinees' scores in Diagnostic Imaging, β̂ = .19, p < .001; Chiropractic Practice, β̂ = .17, p < .001; Physiotherapy, β̂ = .15, p < .001; and the Part III exam β̂ = .19, p < .001. Conclusions: Performance on the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Part IV examination is related to the performance in all other National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exams.

An Experiment on Anonymity and Multi-User Virtual Environments

Little prior research has empirically examined anonymity in learning. In this study, we manipulated learner identity by experimentally assigning learners to participate in online discussion either anonymously or using their actual name, crossed with learning medium (OpenSim/Second Life vs. real-time chat), with the goal of determining if anonymous discussion in multi-user virtual environments (MUVE) provides unique value to learning (a 2x2 between-subjects design). Results from a quantitative hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed both main effects: participants who were anonymous scored lower (d = -0.46) and participants discussing in a MUVE scored lower (d = -0.47) on the learning measure without interactive effect, suggesting that anonymizing participants during content-related discussion may reduce learning under certain circumstances. We suggest instructors encourage learners to represent themselves authentically in any VEs to maximize learning and also discourage instructors from adopting MUVEs if their only reason to do so is to host synchronous discussion.

Identifying Physical Activity Determinants in Youth with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Background:Youth age, parent modeling and support, and time spent in sedentary pursuits influence physical activity (PA) in youth without disabilities, but have not been explored in youth with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Therefore, these were selected as variables of interest to examine as PA determinants in this population.Methods:Parents (n = 48) and youth (n = 30) wore an accelerometer for 7 d and parents completed a PA support questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of selected variables on youth PA.Results:Youth age (r22 = -0.59, P < 0.01) and sedentary pursuits (r22 = -0.47, P < 0.05) were negatively correlated with and accounted for 30% and 13% of the variance in youth PA, respectively. Parent variables did not significantly contribute to the explained variance.Conclusion:Contrary to findings in youth without disabilities, parent PA and support were not predictors of PA in youth with ASD.