Valid Instrument For Assessment Research Articles

Unveiling the impact of ChatGPT: investigating self-efficacy, anxiety and motivation on student performance in blended learning environments

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the impact of ChatGPT on students’ self-efficacy, anxiety and motivation within blended learning environments.Design/methodology/approachA correlational quantitative method was employed using the data collected through an online questionnaire distributed randomly to 293 science and engineering students from 2 state universities in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Measurement analysis was conducted to assess instrument validity, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships between the constructs.FindingsThe results indicate that self-efficacy and motivation significantly enhance student performance in blended learning, with the positive effect of self-efficacy moderated by ChatGPT. Although anxiety had a positive, though not significant, effect, the interaction between anxiety, motivation and ChatGPT still demonstrated a positive effect on learning performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study highlights the moderating effect of ChatGPT on motivation, anxiety and performance, emphasizing the need to understand educational contexts and individual differences. The study was limited to a specific student population and a short duration of ChatGPT usage, potentially restricting generalizability. Future research should explore diverse educational settings, disciplines, long-term effects and qualitative methods to gain deeper insights.Originality/valueThis study provides valuable new insights into the use of AI technology in education from the psychological perspective of students and offers practical implications for improving future learning strategies.

Non-Motor Fluctuations in Parkinson's Disease: Underdiagnosed Yet Important.

Non-motor fluctuations (NMFs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly affect patients' well-being. Despite being identified over two decades ago, NMFs remain largely underrecognized, undertreated, and poorly understood. While they are often temporally associated with motor fluctuations (MFs) and can share common risk factors and pathophysiologic mechanisms, NMFs and MFs are currently considered distinct entities. The prevalence and severity of NMFs, often categorized into neuropsychiatric, sensory, and autonomic subtypes, vary significantly across studies due to the heterogeneous PD populations screened and the diverse evaluation tools applied. The consistent negative impact of NMFs on PD patients' quality of life underscores the importance of further investigations via focused and controlled studies, validated assessment instruments and novel digital technologies. High-quality research is essential to illuminate the complex pathophysiology and clinical nuances of NMFs, ultimately enhancing clinicians' diagnostic and treatment options in routine clinical practice.

THE ATTITUDES OF 10-14 YEARS OLD CHILDREN AGAINST THE ACT OF PLAYING GAMES REQUIRING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (PLAYFULNESS AMONG 10-14 YEARS OLD CHILDREN)

The objective of this study is to develop an assessment instrument directed to assessment of attitudes of children coming from 10 – 14 years old group against playing the games requiring physical activity. The scale constituted from 33 Article was applied totally on 1008 children and 499 of them are girls and 509 of them are boys who are taking high school education in Çankaya,Keçiören and Yenimahalle Districts of Ankara. Analysis of articles and exploratory factor analysis of the gathered data are implemented with the aim of ensuring the validity of structure and it is stated that the structure of the scale has five – factored sub structure constituted from 27 articles. These are named as “Game Passion”, “Social Adaptation”, “Desire to Play Game”, “The Will to win” and “Risk Taking”. The total variance rate of these five factors is 51, 291. As a prove of validity of article, article test correlations were calculated and the correlation coefficients are changing between 0,30 and 0,62. In order to determine the reliability level of the scale, Cronbach Alpha value was used. As a result of conducted calculation, it is seen that the alpha value for 27 articles is 0.82. The scale which is prepared in line with this value has high level of reliability. The alpha values in terms of factors, it can be stated that the first factor was calculated as 0,73; the second factor was calculated as 0,82; the third factor was calculated as 0,64; the fourth factor was calculated as 0,61 and the fifth factor was calculated as 0,63. As a conclusion, it is determined that the developed “Playfulness Scale” is a valid and reliable assessment instrument in determining the attitudes of middle – school student against playing the games requiring physical activity.

Development of Character Education Assessment Instruments at Asta Learning Center Training Institution

Character education in vocational training institutions requires valid and reliable assessment instruments. At Asta Learning Center, the character assessment instrument has not been fully developed. This study aims to (1) identify the characteristics of the character education evaluation instrument at Asta Learning Center in relation to industrial needs, (2) examine the construction of character education variables based on empirical data, and (3) assess the validity and reliability of the developed character assessment instrument. This research uses the Research and Development (RnD) method, conducted from May to June 2024. The assessed character traits discipline, honesty, work ethic, independence, and social concern—are essential for developing competent employees. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) approach, using SPSS 25.0 for Windows, was applied. The results indicate that the Likert-scale assessment instrument meets validity and reliability criteria. The small-scale trial (10 participants) showed a reliability of 0.761 and rtabel = 0.632, while the large-scale trial showed a reliability of 0.758 and rtabel = 0.367. The findings suggest that the developed instrument is valid, reliable, and suitable for use in Asta Learning Center's learning activities.

Pengembangan Instrumen Asesmen Kompetensi Minimum Numerasi pada Domain Data dan Ketidakpastian untuk Siswa SMP

This study aims to produce valid and practical minimum competency assessment instrument. This study uses the research and development (R&D) of the ADDIE model. The subjects of this study consisted of 32 students in grades VIII SMP Negeri 1 Anyar. The instruments used consisted of expert validation sheets, student response questionnaires, and minimum competency assessment instrument. The data analysis techniques in this study are quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis. Based on the results of research and development of the minimum numeracy competency assessment instrument in the uncertainty and data domain for junior high schools, it was concluded that two questions were very valid, five questions were valid, and one question was invalid. Based on the power of differentiation, invalid questions can be revised or do not need to be used. Meanwhile, the results of the student response questionnaire were obtained by 84%, meaning that it included very practical criteria with 83% for the content aspect, 80% for the construction aspect, and 90% for the language aspect. Thus, this minimum competency assessment instrument can be used in mathematics learning.

The Frequency of Health Anxiety, Coronavirus Anxiety and Anxiety Disorder in Patients With Tinnitus During the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Impact of Pandemic on Tinnitus.

This study aimed to examine the frequency of anxiety disorder, coronavirus anxiety and health anxiety in tinnitus patients during the pandemic and also, determined the psychophysiological impact of COVID-19 on tinnitus. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary central pandemic hospital from 15 July 2021 to 15 December 2022. In total, 124 patients with tinnitus and 77 healthy controls participated in the study. The sociodemographic data, a set of valid and reliable assessment instruments were used to measure outcomes of anxiety disorder, coronavirus anxiety, health anxiety and severity of tinnitus. Patients with tinnitus were found to experience higher levels of coronavirus anxiety, health anxiety and anxiety disorder than controls (p < 0.05). In tinnitus patients, the frequency of coronavirus anxiety was 22.6% and anxiety disorder was 18.5%. Notably, the levels of tinnitus severity were moderate to severe in more than half of the patients (51.6%) and also most of them (81.3%) reported that the severity of tinnitus during the pandemic was higher compared with the pre-pandemic. Tinnitus patients had high levels of anxiety disorder, coronavirus anxiety and health anxiety. In line with these findings, it was evaluated that there was a relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic with psychological problems and tinnitus. Therefore, the predominance of tinnitus symptoms at presentation should not lead the clinician to neglect the underlying psychopathological problems in these patients.

Acculturation stress and mental health outcomes in a sample of migrant inpatients: Findings from a naturalistic study.

Migrants face numerous risk factors for mental disorders, including stressors and traumatic events during the pre-, peri-, and post-migratory phases. Acculturation stress, a significant post-migratory stressor, can adversely affect mental health during the cultural adaptation process. This study aims to assess the clinical implications of acculturation stress in migrants admitted to a psychiatric intensive care unit, with a focus on identifying predictors of acculturative stress and their impact on clinical outcomes. We conducted a retrospective study of 268 immigrant patients hospitalized between 2004 and 2019 at the psychiatric inpatient unit of the University of Foggia. We collected socio-demographic and clinical data using ad hoc schedules and validated assessment instruments, including the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI). Diagnoses were based on DSM-IV-TR/DSM-5 criteria. We analyzed associations between demographic and clinical characteristics of patients reporting acculturative stress and those not reporting it, using appropriate statistical methods. The majority of patients were diagnosed with affective (45.1%) or psychotic disorders (31.7%), with 57.1% experiencing their first psychiatric episode. Acculturation stress was reported by 51.9% of patients (N = 139), predominantly among males (71.9%), single individuals (80.9%), and those of Islamic faith (56.8%). Patients experiencing acculturation stress were more likely to be unemployed (57.6%) and without a residence permit (63.3%). This stress was particularly prevalent among patients with psychotic disorders (25.9%) and first-episode psychiatric cases (64.7%). At discharge, patients with acculturation stress showed less improvement on CGI, GAF, and BPRS scores compared to those without such stress. Acculturation stress is influenced by several socio-demographic factors and is crucial for the full symptomatic remission of migrant patients. Culturally-oriented mental health services, including language and cultural integration programs, are essential in reducing acculturative stress and improving the overall well-being of immigrants.

Design of Project-Based Critical Thinking Skills Assessment Instrument for Class X High School Students on Climate Change Materials

Critical thinking skills are one of the essential competencies that students in the 21st century must possess. Biology learning in high school emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills, which are essential abilities in understanding, analyzing, and evaluating complex information. This research aims to design a critical thinking skills assessment instrument based on Project-Based Learning for Class X High School Students on climate change material. This study uses a descriptive research method. The data collection technique in this study is by observation and literature study. The preparation of this assessment instrument is designed based on the Scientific Literacy Assessment (SLA). The data that has been collected is then analyzed in three stages, namely data reduction, data presentation, and drawing a conclusion. The results of the study show that a design of observation sheets and assessment instruments has been produced that can be used to measure students' critical thinking skills. This assessment instrument for students' critical thinking skills is designed based on SLAs and is ready to be validated so that a valid assessment instrument is produced. Teachers can use this assessment instrument to assess students' critical thinking skills in project-based learning. This instrument can also be used to provide constructive feedback to students and help them improve their critical thinking skills.

The benefits and barriers of accessing cancer support services

IntroductionCancer is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Ireland, rising cancer incidence means that the burden on society will continue to increase. Recent recognition of the large impact of psychological distress on patients with cancer has led to suggestions to use support centres to mitigate this distress. Thus, the benefits of participation and barriers to attendance must be explored. Aims &amp; ObjectivesTo systematically review scientific literature and determine the: (i) Sociodemographic composition of cancer support centres. (ii) Benefits of support services to patients with cancer. (iii) Barriers/facilitators to support centre attendance. MethodsElectronic searches were carried out PubMed and the Cumulative Indexto Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL) databases using key words addressing the research question. Ten articles were selected and critically appraised. ResultsA summary of article results showed that while various groups remain underrepresented in support centres, new evidence suggests this may be changing. Increased support service attendance was linked to greater benefits. No change in anxiety or depression with attendance were seen. Barriers to attendance were identified. ConclusionsThe literature showed benefits to support services, but long term benefits must be further investigated. Future research quantitatively assessing benefits of support services, using validated assessment instruments are necessary. Psychological benefits of participation are still unclear. Validated questionnaires to assess the barriers to attendance must be developed. Lastly, there is a lack of studies on the benefits of and barriers to support services participation in the Irish population.

Research trends and hotspots of post-stroke upper limb dysfunction: a bibliometric and visualization analysis.

The global prevalence of stroke has been increasing. Motor dysfunction is observed in approximately 55 to 75% of stroke patients, with upper limb impairment affecting around 85% of them. Following upper limb dysfunction, the body's recovery time is not only slower compared to the lower limbs, but the restoration of its fine motor skills is significantly more challenging, greatly impacting the daily lives of patients. Consequently, there is an increasing urgency for study on the upper limb function in stroke. A search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-Expanded) database for material published from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2023. We included all relevant literature reports and conducted an analysis of annual publications, countries/regions, institutions, journals, co-cited references, and keywords using the software packages CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix R. Next, we succinctly outlined the research trends and hotspots in post-stroke upper limb dysfunction. This analysis comprised 1,938 articles from 1,897 institutions, 354 journals, and 53 countries or regions. A yearly rise in the production of publications was noted. The United States is the foremost nation on the issue. Northwestern University has the most amounts of papers compared to all other institutions. The journal Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair is a highly significant publication in this field, with Catherine E. Lang serving as the principal author. The majority of the most-cited references focus on subjects such as the reliability and validity of assessment instruments, RCT of therapies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. The intervention measures primarily comprise three types of high-frequency phrases that are related, as determined by keyword analysis: intelligent rehabilitation, physical factor therapy, and occupational therapy. Current areas of focus in research include randomized clinical trials, neurorehabilitation, and robot-assisted therapy. Current research has shown a growing interest in studying upper limb function assessment, occupational therapy, physical therapy, robot-assisted therapy, virtual reality, brain-computer interface, telerehabilitation, cortical reorganisation, and neural plasticity. These topics have become popular and are expected to be the focus of future research.

Development and validation of assessment instruments for cervical collar and spinal board placement in simulated environments for nursing students in the care of polytrauma patients

BackgroundMultiple trauma injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in people under the age of 45 and require prompt and specialised care. However, medical and nursing education programmes do not always include specific training in emergency pre-hospital care, resulting in a lack of basic practical skills in trauma management.ObjectiveTo develop and validate two instruments for assessing nursing students’ competence in cervical collar and spinal board application in simulated pre-hospital emergency scenarios.MethodThis is an instrumental study that involves the development of two assessment instruments and the evaluation of their psychometric properties in a sample of 392 nursing students. Content validity was assessed using expert judgement, by calculating the content validity ratio (CVR) for each item and the scale level content validity index average (S-CVI/Ave) for the instruments. Exploratory factor analysis using the MINRES extraction method and Promax rotation was performed to analyse the performance of the items and structure of the rubrics. Internal consistency was analysed using the Omega coefficient and inter-rater agreement was assessed using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient.ResultsInitially, two rubrics were obtained: one with six items for cervical collar placement (S-CVI/Ave = 0.86) and one with nine items for spinal board placement (S-CVI/Ave = 0.81). Both had a single-factor structure, with all items having factor loadings greater than 0.34 for the cervical collar rubric and 0.56 for the spinal board rubric, except for item 2 of the cervical collar rubric (λ = 0.24), which was subsequently removed. The final cervical collar rubric (five items) had an overall internal consistency of 0.84 and the spinal board rubric had an overall internal consistency of 0.90, calculated using the Omega statistic. The weighted Kappa coefficient for each item ranged from acceptable (0.32) to substantial (0.79). These results show that we have successfully developed two sufficiently valid instruments to assess the immobilisation competencies proposed in the objective of the study.ConclusionWhilst further research is needed to fully establish their psychometric properties, these instruments offer a valuable starting point for evaluating nursing students' competence in cervical collar and spinal board application in simulated pre-hospital scenarios.

P8: Comparison between three cognitive impairment screening tools (MMSE, MoCA and MoCA basic) for seniors with low education in primary care in Brazil

Objectives: Compare the psychometric characteristics of three brief screening instruments - Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and its basic version (MoCA basic), for early detecting mild and major neurocognitive disorder (NCD), discriminating from normal elders and provide MoCA and MoCA basic norms and accuracy data for seniors with a lower education level, including illiterates.Methods: Cross-sectional study, with 60 years or older community dwelling individuals, submitted to diagnostic interviews (according to DSM-5) and screening tests. Of a total of 271 elderly interviewed, 59 had mild and 32 had major NCD. A sum of 266 MMSE; 104 MoCA and 81 MoCA basic were applied. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) was determined for all three tests, and sensitivity (S), specificity (E) and cutoff score (CS) for the last two were determined.Results: The total scores varied significantly according to age and education (p &lt; 0.01). MMSE had a high discriminative validity – AUC for normal vs major NCD = 0,915 (p &lt; 0.001; 95% CI 0,868– 0,963) and regular for normal vs mild NCD = 0,706 (p &lt; 0.001; 95% CI 0,631–0,781). MoCA demonstrated excellent discriminative validity – AUC for normal vs major NCD = 0.932 (p &lt; 0.001; 95% CI 0.842–1.000) and regular for mild NCD – AUC = 0.753 (p &lt; 0.001; 95% CI: 0.654– 0.853). CS was 9 (S = 83% E = 95%) and 16 (S = 83% E = 68%). MoCA basic showed excellent discriminative validity for major NCD vs normal AUC = 0.910 (p &lt; 0.001; 95% CI 0.818–1.002) and good for mild NCD vs normal AUC = 0.834 (p &lt; 0.001; 95% CI: 0.742 –0.927). CS was 21 for both conditions (S = 100% E = 72%; S = 89% E = 72%).Conclusions: The MoCA and MoCA basic are valid screening instruments for cognitive assessment of low-schooled elderly people from the community, but we found different cut-off from the original and other studies. The MMSE still remains a good and useful tool. These results provide information about psychometric characteristics of the instruments for elderly with low schooling in Brazil.

Psychometric Properties of the Antenatal Psychosocial Stress Scale in Turkish Pregnant Women

Background: Minimizing the stress levels of pregnant women is important to giving healthy birth and raising healthy generations. Therefore, there is a need for effective methods to diagnose stress early in pregnancy. Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine the psychometric features of the Antenatal Psychosocial Stress Scale (APSS) in pregnant Turkish women. Methods: This methodological study was conducted on 290 pregnant women. Results: The Turkish version of the APSS based on Exploratory Factor Analysis was found to have 70.215 percent of the total variance. It had a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.78. After the confirmatory factor analysis, the following were determined: χ2/df: 1.663, CFI: 0.978, RMSEA: 0.048, GFI: 0. 972. Conclusion: The Turkish sample found the APSS to be a valid and trustworthy assessment instrument for pregnant women.

INVESTIGATION OF THE CHARACTER VALUE TOLERANCE IN MULTICULTURAL LEARNING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOLL

Instilling the character values of tolerance in multicultural learning is a process of integrating attitudes of mutual respect and acceptance of differences in culture, religion, ethnicity, and other backgrounds in education. Therefore, this study aims to determine the validity of the instrument for instilling the character values of tolerance in multicultural learning. Data were obtained through the PISA database, 2018 edition, with code numbers SC017 and SC061. Data were analyzed with the help of the JASP (Jeffrey's Amazing Statistics Program) application with the CFA (Confirmatory Factor Analysis) analysis method. This study used primary data with 335 respondents from schools in Indonesia. The indicators used to measure the character value instillation instrument are the curriculum and multicultural learning. The CFI value = 0.999, NFI = 0.985, IFI = 0.999, and RNI = 0.999 have also been in accordance with the criteria applied to obtain the fit model. Thus, the character value instillation instruments whose validity was tested is included as fit. The implications of this study indicate that valid and fit assessment instruments can be applied in Indonesian schools to instill tolerance values through a multicultural curriculum. This helps policymakers and educators develop more inclusive and tolerant education programs, supporting harmonious living in diverse societies.

Retrospective assessment of ICD-10/DSM-5 criteria of childhood ADHD from descriptions of academic and social behaviors in German primary school reports.

The diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence and adulthood is particularly challenging because retrospective confirmation of previous childhood ADHD is mandatory. Therefore, collecting valid diagnostic information about behavior at school is important. Primary school reports often contain descriptions of academic performance and social behaviors associated with ADHD criteria. Yet, there is no systematic approach available how to assess such reports quantitatively, and therefore, there is also no study on how valid such an approach could predict an ADHD diagnosis. We examined primary school reports from Germany (ADHD: n = 1197, typically developing controls: n = 656) for semantic references to ICD-10/DSM-5 main and sub-criteria of ADHD. Descriptions were assessed on a quantitative scale (blinded clinical expert rating) for disorder-associated behaviors (symptoms scale) as well as for desired, adaptive behaviors (competencies scale) according to these criteria. The scores of these developed scales have been summarized to summary scores. Scores were analyzed using linear mixed models, and sensitivity and specificity were estimated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC). Ratings showed highly significant differences between school reports of children with and without ADHD. For the summary scores, both symptoms and competencies scales showed high diagnostic accuracy (ROC area under the curve at least 0.96) with best discrimination when combining both into an integrated index (sensitivity and specificity > 0.97). Our findings suggest that systematic quantitative analysis of primary school reports should be further explored to construct a valid instrument for retrospective assessment of childhood ADHD criteria to aid the diagnostic process in adolescents and adults.

Validation of Chinese Version Social Work Cultural Competencies Self-Assessment Instrument in Mainland China

Purpose: This study aims to develop and validate a self-assessment instrument for the cultural competence of social workers, namely, the Social Work Cultural Competencies Self-Assessment Instrument (SWCCSA), in mainland China. Method: Quota sampling was used to validate the Chinese version of the instrument. Data were collected from 1,000 social workers and students in mainland China to test the reliability and validity of the translated SWCCSA. Results: The Chinese version of SWCCSA was finalized with three-factor dimensions with 21 items after exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The assessment presented good factorial validity and reliability. Discussion: The revised three-factor dimensional Chinese version of SWCCSA developed by this study is a reliable and valid measurement instrument for future assessment of social work practitioners’ and students’ cultural competence in China.

Service Dogs for Veterans and Military Members With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Military members and veterans (hereafter, veterans) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increasingly seek psychiatric service dogs as a complementary intervention, yet the effectiveness of service dogs is understudied. To estimate the associations between psychiatric service dog partnership and self-reported and clinician-rated PTSD symptom severity, depression, anxiety, and psychosocial functioning after 3 months of intervention among veterans. This nonrandomized controlled trial used standardized and validated assessment instruments completed by participants and administered by blinded clinicians. Recruitment, eligibility screening, and enrollment were conducted between August 2017 and December 2019. Veterans were recruited using the database of an accredited nonprofit service dog organization with constituents throughout the US. Participants were veterans with a PTSD diagnosis; they were allocated to either the intervention group (n = 81) or control group (n = 75). Outcome assessments were performed at baseline and at the 3-month follow-up. Data analyses were completed in October 2023. Participants allocated to the intervention group received a psychiatric service dog for PTSD, whereas those allocated to the control group remained on the waiting list based on the date of application submitted to the service dog organization. Both groups had unrestricted access to usual care. The primary outcomes were PTSD symptom severity, depression, and anxiety after 3 months, and the secondary outcomes were psychosocial functioning, such as quality of life and social health. The self-reported PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) was used to measure symptom severity, and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) was used to assess PTSD diagnosis (score range for both instruments: 0-80, with higher scores indicating greater PTSD symptoms). The 156 participants included in the trial had a mean (SD) age of 37.6 (8.3) years and included 117 males (75%), 17 Black or African American individuals (11%), 30 Hispanic individuals (19%), and 117 White individuals (76%). Compared with the control group, the intervention group had significantly lower PTSD symptom severity based on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 mean (SD) score (41.9 [16.9] vs 51.7 [16.1]; difference in means, -11.5 [95% CI, -16.2 to -6.6]; P < .001) and the CAPS-5 mean (SD) score (30.2 [10.2] vs 36.9 [10.2]; difference in means, -7.0 [95% CI, -10.8 to -4.5]; P < .001) at 3 months. The intervention group also had significantly lower depression scores (odds ratio [OR], 0.45 [95% CI, 0.23-0.86]; difference in means, -3.3 [95% CI, -6.8 to -0.6]), anxiety (OR, 0.25 [95% CI, 0.13-0.50]; difference in means, -4.4 [95% CI, -6.9 to -2.1]), and most areas of psychosocial functioning (eg, social isolation: OR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.18-0.64]). This nonrandomized controlled trial found that compared with usual care alone, partnership with a trained psychiatric service dog was associated with lower PTSD symptom severity and higher psychosocial functioning in veterans. Psychiatric service dogs may be an effective complementary intervention for military service-related PTSD. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03245814.

Is the magic in the mix? The development and validation of the L2 teachers’ blended assessment literacy scale

Is the magic in the mix? The development and validation of the L2 teachers’ blended assessment literacy scale

Effect of Mnemonics in the Teaching of Araling Panlipunan 9 on Students’ Written Assessment Scores: A One-Group Study Design

This study investigated the effectiveness of mnemonics in teaching Araling Panlipunan 9 on students’ written assessment scores. It used a one-group pretest-posttest design, a quasi-experimental design of the quantitative research methodology. The study was conducted at a National High School in Apayao, Philippines. Purposive sampling was used to select 40 Grade 9 students as participants. The researchers used a validated assessment instrument adopted from the Department of Education modules. The results showed that the students improved their scores significantly after using mnemonics in teaching, as indicated by the increase in the mean average score, the rejection of the null hypothesis, and the positive correlation between mnemonic usage and performance. The study recommended continuing to use mnemonic techniques in teaching Araling Panlipunan 9, providing remedial support to low-performing students, and promoting active student engagement in the learning process.

Guidelines and recommendations for cross-linguistic aphasia assessment: a review of 10 years of comprehensive aphasia test adaptations

ABSTRACT Background Standardised aphasia assessment tools may not always be available in a variety of languages, posing challenges for speech and language therapists to adequately assess and diagnose aphasia in speakers of those languages. In 2013, Working Group 2 (WG2) Aphasia Assessment & Outcomes, part of the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists network, was formed with the purpose of developing reliable and valid aphasia assessment tools and their cross-linguistic adaptations. Over the past decade, WG2 has undertaken important adaptation projects, including the cross-linguistic adaptation of the Comprehensive Aphasia Test (CAT; Swinburn et al., 2004). Aims This review aims to achieve three objectives: (a) describe the adaptation procedure of the CAT within WG2, (b) summarise common guidelines and recommendations for future adaptations, and (c) provide concrete solutions for specific cross-linguistic and cross-cultural challenges encountered during the adaptation and validation procedures of the CAT. Methods Between 2013 and 2023, WG2 employed a committee approach and fully adapted the CAT into Catalan, Croatian, Dutch, French, Hungarian, Norwegian, Spanish, and Turkish. Further adaptations are in progress for Arabic (Moroccan), Basque, Cantonese Chinese, German, Greek, Icelandic, Lithuanian, Serbian, Slovenian and Swedish. The review comprehensively addresses the linguistic/cultural adaptation and validation procedure for the three components of the battery: the Cognitive screening, the Language battery and the Aphasia Impact Questionnaire. Critical outcomes and some best practice recommendations from psychometric norming and piloting are also discussed. Outcomes and results This review builds upon prior work (Fyndanis et al., 2017) and serves as a practical guide for researchers and clinicians undertaking cross-linguistic adaptations of the CAT, with specific conclusions and recommendations drawn from WG2’s adaptations in 19 languages with diverse typological properties. Building on the work exemplified in this paper, future initiatives can direct their efforts towards adapting the CAT for PWA from different linguistic backgrounds for whom validated assessment instruments may be unavailable. This can be achieved through rigorous systematic adaptation procedures for the establishment of comparable language versions of this tool, valuable for various clinical applications. Such endeavours have the potential to provide access to valuable shared datasets for their use across international aphasia trials, and for comparable clinical work within the aphasiology community.