Multilevel covariance structure analysis of sibling antisocial behavior     

Terry E. Duncan  Anthony Alpert  Susan C. Duncan 《Structural equation modeling》2013,20(3):211-228

Conventional covariance structure analysis, such as factor analysis, is often applied to data that are obtained in a hierarchical fashion, such as siblings observed within families. Multivariate modeling of such data, however, is most frequently done as if the data were obtained as a simple random sample from a single population. An alternative specification is presented that explicitly models the within‐level and between‐level covariance matrices in familial antisocial behavior. Sibling data from the National Youth Survey, a national probability sample of youth, were used to specify a multilevel covariance structure analysis of sibling antisocial behavior. Results demonstrate homogeneity in antisocial behavior within sibling clusters but heterogeneity across families. These analyses highlight potential pitfalls of ignoring issues of independence and demonstrate how conventional covariance structure software can be easily adapted to handle hierarchical models, providing a large set of new analysis possibilities for multilevel data.  相似文献   

Effects of Age,Walking Speed,and Body Composition on Pedometer Accuracy in Children     

Scott J. Duncan  Grant Schofield  Elizabeth K. Duncan  Erica A. Hinckson 《Research quarterly for exercise and sport》2013,84(5):420-428

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of age group, walking speed, and body composition on the accuracy of pedometer-determined step counts in children. Eighty-five participants (43 boys, 42 girls), ages 5–7 and 9–11 years, walked on a treadmill for two-minute bouts at speeds of 42, 66, and 90 m·min^-1 while wearing a spring-levered (Yamax SW-200) and a piezoelectric (New Lifestyles NL-2000) pedometer. The number of steps taken during each bout was also recorded using a hand counter. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from height and mass, and percentage of body fat (%BF) was determined using hand-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis. The tilt angle of the pedometer was assessed using a magnetic protractor. Both pedometers performed well at 66 and 90 m·min^-1, but undercounted steps by approximately 20% at 42 m·min^-1. Although age group, BMI, waist circumference, and %BF did not affect pedometer accuracy, children with large pedometer tilt angles (≥ 10°) showed significantly greater percent bias than those with small tilt angles (< 10°). We suggest that the style of waistband on the child's clothing is a more important determinant of tilt angle and thus pedometer accuracy than body composition. Our results also indicate that the NL-2000 pedometer provides similar accuracy and better precision than the SW-200 pedometer, especially in children with large tilt angles. We conclude that fastening pedometers to a firm elastic belt may improve stability and reduce undercounting in young people.  相似文献   

Prediction of habitual physical activity level and weight status from fundamental movement skill level     

Elizabeth Sarah Bryant  Rob S. James  Samantha Louise Birch  Mike Duncan 《Journal of sports sciences》2013,31(19):1775-1782

Abstract

Fundamental movement skills (FMS) have been assessed in children in order to investigate the issues of the low proportion of children who meet physical activity (PA) guidelines and rising levels of obesity. The aim of this research was to identify whether previous or current FMS level is a better predictor of PA levels and weight status in children. In January 2012 (year 1), 281 children were recruited from one primary school in the West Midlands, UK. Children performed eight FMS three times, which were videoed and assessed using a subjective checklist. Sprint speed and jump height were measured objectively. Height and mass were measured to calculate the body mass index to determine the weight status. Skinfold calliper readings were used to calculate body fat percentage. One year later, in January 2013, all these tests were repeated on the same children, with the additional collection of PA data via the use of pedometers. Following multiple linear regression, it was identified that prior mastery in FMS was a better predictor of current PA, whereas current FMS was a better predictor of current weight status. Overall, FMS mastery is needed in childhood to be able to participate in PA and maintain a healthy weight status.  相似文献   

Neighborhood Physical Activity Opportunity: A Multilevel Contextual Model     

Susan C. Duncan  Terry E. Duncan  Lisa A. Strycker  Nigel R. Chaumeton 《Research quarterly for exercise and sport》2013,84(4):457-463

Purpose: The aims of this study were to analyze the intensity of emotions (positive, negative, or ambiguous) produced when players took part in traditional games with a different social structure and to examine the explanations given by those participants for these emotional experiences. Method: Participants (N = 556) were recruited from 4 Spanish universities. After taking part in each of the games, they were asked to complete the Games and Emotions Questionnaire to indicate the intensity of their emotional experiences and to explain what, in their view, had led to the strongest emotion felt. Results: The application of a mixed-methods approach identified statistically significant differences in relation to 3 variables. These were (a) the type of emotion, (b) motor domain, and (c) type of result (win, loss, and noncompetitive). The intensity of positive emotions was higher in cooperative games and lower in individual games. Comments referring to negative emotions were more frequent as the social structure of games became more complex (minimal presence of individual games and predominance of cooperation-opposition games). Winning was associated with the highest intensity ratings of positive and ambiguous emotions, whereas being defeated produced the highest values for negative emotions. The intensity ratings for negative emotions were lower in noncompetitive games than in games where players lost. Conclusion: The results confirm that traditional games can play a key role in relation to the emotional facets of physical education.  相似文献   

The Role of Cognitive Appraisal and Friendship Provisions in Adolescents' Affect and Motivation toward Activity in Physical Education     

Susan c. Duncan PhD 《Research quarterly for exercise and sport》2013,84(3):314-323

Abstract

This study investigated the mediational role of affect in the influence of perceived success, causal attributions, and friendship provisions on choice and future expectancies for success and enjoyment, using a multi-sample structural equation modeling approach. Subjects were 422 seventh- and eighth-grade students participating in physical education classes. Higher levels of perceived success, personally controllable attributions, companionship, and esteem support were found to positively influence levels of affect experienced, which in turn enhanced future expectancies for success and enjoyment in physical education and choices to participate in physical activity outside of school. Furthermore, participation experience outside of school influenced, adolescents' perceptions within the physical education setting and their consequent affect and motivation.  相似文献   

Using baby books to change new mothers' attitudes about corporal punishment     

Reich SM  Penner EK  Duncan GJ  Auger A 《Child abuse & neglect》2012,36(2):108-117

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A Study of General Education Astronomy Students’ Understandings of Cosmology. Part V. The Effects of a New Suite of Cosmology Lecture-Tutorials on Students’ Conceptual Knowledge     

Colin S. Wallace  Edward E. Prather  Douglas K. Duncan 《International Journal of Science Education》2013,35(9):1297-1314

This is the final paper in a five-paper series describing our national study of the teaching and learning of cosmology in general education astronomy college-level courses. A significant portion of this work was dedicated to the development of five new Lecture-Tutorials that focus on addressing the conceptual and reasoning difficulties that our research shows students have with frequently taught cosmology topics, such as the expansion of the universe, the Big Bang, and dark matter. We conducted a systematic investigation of the implementation of these new Lecture-Tutorials and resulting learning gains in order to test the efficacy of these new Lecture-Tutorials. Our investigation included classroom observations, results from pre–post testing using four conceptual cosmology surveys, and comparisons between classes in terms of the class time spent on cosmology topics and other instructional strategies used to teach cosmology. We used this combination of qualitative and quantitative research results to evaluate the conceptual understandings of students who used the new cosmology Lecture-Tutorials compared to those students who did not. The analysis of our data shows that, in many cases, classrooms that used the cosmology Lecture-Tutorials saw a greater increase in their students’ conceptual cosmology knowledge compared to classrooms that did not use the cosmology Lecture-Tutorials. However, our results also indicate how instructors implement the Lecture-Tutorials into their classrooms strongly influences their students’ learning gains.  相似文献   

Active citizenship in schools and the community     

Helen Lawson 《Curriculum Journal》2013,24(2):163-178

During the 1980s the government of the time mooted the need for active citizenship which was associated with education for citizenship. The re-emergence of citizenship education as an important part of the curriculum has meant that notions underpinning the idea, including the meaning of active citizenship, are once again under scrutiny.This article examines different understandings of citizenship and how they give rise to different beliefs about what the rights and responsibilities of the citizen should be. It then discusses the present government's understandings of active citizenship and their intention to create a socially inclusive society, shifting from a rights-based paradigm of citizenship to one based on mutual obligation. It concludes by examining how those intentions might translate into the school context, drawing from recent research in three secondary schools in the United Kingdom.  相似文献   

Stewarding the Discipline With Cross-Boundary Leadership     

Hal A. Lawson 《Quest (Human Kinetics)》2013,65(2):91-115

ABSTRACT

Proposals to prepare disciplinary stewards and optimize the conditions for collective stewardship can be framed in two ways. The dominant frame emphasizes disciplinary caretaking and lends comparatively less attention to reform and transformation. A second frame is grounded in the social ecology of particular disciplines, their fast-changing university homes, and society’s complex needs, problems, and opportunities, especially those that no longer fit inside the long-standing boundaries of particular disciplines and their specialties. Reformist and transformative stewardship in this second frame prioritizes the development of adaptive, connected disciplines characterized by new boundaries and bridging mechanisms for interdisciplinary research, teaching, and outreach/engagement. This frame also provides the opportunity to explore the difference between an academic discipline and a helping discipline. Questions remain about how leaders will persuade, support, and reward career-oriented, specialized faculty members to engage in all such acts of stewardship for Kinesiology alongside their customary concern for their respective sub-disciplines.  相似文献   

Here Today,Gone Tomorrow? A Framework for Analyzing the Development,lkansformation, and Disappearance of Helping Fields     

Hal A. Lawson 《Quest (Human Kinetics)》2013,65(2):225-237

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