The purpose of the present study is to compare ability estimations obtained from computerized adaptive testing (CAT) procedure with the paper and pencil test administration results of Student Selection Examination (SSE) science subtest considering different ability estimation methods and test termination rules. There are two phases in the present study. In the first phase, a post-hoc simulation was conducted to find out relationships between examinee ability levels estimated by CAT and paper and pencil test versions of the SSE. Maximum Likelihood Estimation and Expected A Posteriori were used as ability estimation method. Test termination rules were standard error threshold and fixed number of items. Second phase was actualized by implementing a CAT administration to a group of examinees to investigate performance of CAT administration in an environment other than simulated administration. Findings of post-hoc simulations indicated CAT could be implemented by using Expected A Posteriori estimation method with standard error threshold value of 0.30 or higher for SSE. Correlation between ability estimates obtained by CAT and real SSE was found to be 0.95. Mean of number of items given to examinees by CAT is 18.4. Correlation between live CAT and real SSE ability estimations was 0.74. Number of items used for CAT administration is approximately 50% of the items in paper and pencil SSE science subtest. Results indicated that CAT for SSE science subtest provided ability estimations with higher reliability with fewer items compared to paper and pencil format.

This study aims to test the effects of different way finding affordances on the usability of METU virtual campus built in Second Life virtual world in terms of users&rsquo / satisfaction, performance and mental workload. This study was conducted with 36 participants who are students at the Middle East Technical University. Participants were randomly put on of the five groups namely map, signboard, voice and agent groups and a control group. The participants were given navigational tasks in METU virtual campus within Second Life. In the experiment, the eye movements of the participants were examined with eye tracking tool in order to determine the areas which participants paid attention most. Also mental work load in their prefrontal cortex was examined with fNIR device. There was no significant difference among groups in terms of satisfaction, however / there were significant difference among groups in terms of task completion accuracy, time, length, navigation cue gaze duration and mental workload. Agent group has the highest accuracy score, map group has the highest time, length and navigation cue gaze duration score. Moreover, agent group has the highest mental workload but control group has the lowest mental workload. The results of the tests were used to provide guidance for the design of way finding affordances in METU virtual campus.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 117 pages. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT Current ACS guidelines recommend routine screening for cancer (ACS, 2002). Motivation to adhere to guidelines may be different for individuals with and without a family history of melanoma (Jonna, et al., 1998). Prior research examining the relationship between family history and skin cancer detection behaviors (Berwick et al., 1996; Friedman et al., 1993; Oliveria et al., 1999) have failed to utilize a theoretical framework to derive hypotheses. The purpose of the present study was to examine the utility of Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) in explaining intentions to engage in skin cancer screening (SCS) and skin self-examination (SSE). In addition, the present study explored whether PMT variables explained the relationship between having a family history of melanoma and SCS/SSE intentions. / ABSTRACT: The research design was cross-sectional with 101 participants in the positive family history group and 80 participants in the negative family history group. Using a standardized, self-report measure, participants were assessed on demographic characteristics, melanoma risk factors, PMT variables, family history, and SCS/SSE behaviors and intentions. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi square for categorical variables, t-tests for continuous variables, correlational analyses, and multiple regression analyses. The majority of participants (N = 181) were Caucasian (97%) and female (59%). As expected, findings indicated that greater perceived vulnerability, self-efficacy, and response efficacy were associated with greater SCS intentions (p greater or less than .0001). Additionally, greater self-efficacy and response efficacy were associated with greater SSE intention (p greater or less than .01). / ABSTRACT: Additionally, positive family history individuals reported greater perceived vulnerability, greater self-efficacy, and less perceived severity than negative family history individuals (p greater or less than .01). Individuals with a family history of melanoma also had greater SCS intentions and were more likely to have a healthcare provider who recommended SCS. Finally, perceived vulnerability and self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between group status and SCS intentions. The present study confirms and extends prior research on psychological factors associated with SCS/SSE intentions and on individuals with a family history of melanoma. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

自世界有萬物以來，即存在「雌、雄」二性，人類亦有「男、女」性別上的差異。我國古代社會的結構，以士、農、工、商為基礎，隋煬帝開科取士，確認了「士」的地位，而「士」則為社會的高階層，他們對社會具有極大的影響力，不但可以影響政治，而且也可以左右大眾的社會生活，因此，人人都想成為士的階級，士子應試，除其本身的基礎條件外，並無任何因素剝奪其應試的權益，「寒窗苦讀無人問，一舉成名天下知」，布衣可以為卿相，是為最佳寫照。 經由國家舉辦考試選任政府官員，可說是中國政治制度的最大特色，我國古代因受傳統宗法制度影響，男尊女卑，可說毫無兩性平權意識，即便科舉制度亦多以男性為對象，女性可謂與科舉考試絕緣。國家考試性別設限政策並非今日獨創，其可上溯隋唐，自隋、唐、宋、元、明、清至民國18年可稱為「性別設限黑暗期」。民國18年至36年由於考試法公布，不再以年齡及性別作為應考的基本條件，女性開始取得參加國家考試之機會，本時期可謂「性別設限曙光期」。民國36年施行憲法後，考試法亦於民國37年修正公布，明定國家考試以高等考試及普通考試為主，遇有錄取不足時始以特種考試為輔，從行憲迄今以來，國家考試甄補初任公務員之主要管道，即高普考試與特種考試，高普考試無性別設限，特種考試則依業務性質，由限制女性報考→分定男女錄取名額→大部分特考性別不拘，性別設限政策係在各界呼籲改進與磨合中，逐步遞演而來，故本時期可謂「性別設限磨合期」。 國外先進國家如美國、英國、徳國等，其公務人員之招募均未有性別限制。我國公務人員高等、普通及初等考試雖亦未有性別限制，但特種考試則基於業務性質設有性別限制，雖然在近19種特種考試中，迄民國94年底僅餘國家安全情報人員特考、調查人員特考、海巡人員特考、基層行政警察及消防人員特考、司法人員特考之監獄官、監所管理員、法警類科與原住民族特考之監所管理員類科等6項考試，仍定有性別設限，或限制女性報考、或分定男女需用、錄取名額。但上述6項特種考試，其性別設限是否合理、合法，本文乃就考選理論、兩性差異、性別角色、就業理論、平等理論及美國、英國、日本及我國兩性工作平權相關法制等面向加以探討，並就國家考試性別設限現況與國內外性別歧視案例等，作綜合整理分析，發現國家考試性別設限對男性有利、用人機關確實有用人困境，且目前用人機關性別設限之理由，除基於分監管理需要之監所管理人員及派赴中東地區人員外，其餘很難通過兩性工作平等法之檢核，形成實務面與法規面之執行落差，針對研究發現本文亦提出未來展望及研究建議，俾提供相關機關在兩性平權觀念、法規修正及政策執行等面向之參考。 關鍵詞（keyword）：國家考試、性別設限、兩性平權 / Since the earliest origins of life, the distinction of male and female genders has been a characteristic of nature that is manifested in the human race as well. The social structure of ancient China was founded on its division into classes of scholars, farmers, workers and merchants, and when the Sui Dynasty Emperor Yangdi (569-618) initiated the “keju” imperial examination system, members of the scholar class were automatically favored, and these scholars came to represent the upper class of society. They exerted great influence, not only in terms of governance but also in many ways upon the everyday lives of the populace, and many thus aspired to join the ranks of the scholar class. No factors other than a candidate’s personal aptitude restricted the rights of all to challenge the examinations. Indeed, the cherished image of a penniless peasant rising to the heights of state is expressed in the well-known aphorism, “No one calls at the cold window where the candidate studies long, But let him pass and all will praise his name, his fame, in song”. The selection of government officials through examinations is perhaps the most unique feature of China’s political systems. Under the influence of ancient China’s clan system, however, which strongly favored men over women, there was no consciousness of gender equality, and only men took these examinations. It is fair to say that women were absolutely excluded. The notion of gender inequality in national examinations is thus not a modern phenomenon but one which can be traced forward through the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties until as recently as the 18th Year of the Republic (1929), a period we can call the ‘Dark Age’ of gender-based restrictions. The period from 1929, when the Examinations Act promulgated that year removed age and gender restrictions as part of eligibility criteria, through until 1947 can be called a ‘Period of Awakening’, as women began to avail themselves of the opportunity to take the examinations The Constitution of the Republic of China that came into force in 1947, and the Examinations Act as amended the following year, named the Senior and Junior examinations as the principal instruments of the system, and stipulated that where these did not supply an adequate number of qualifiers for various needs, Special examinations should be conducted. Since that time, national examinations have been the principal source of new recruits to the Civil Service, and while no gender restrictions apply in the Senior and Junior examinations, they are to be found in the terms of various Special examinations, in keeping with the nature of the work the examination addresses. These restrictions are manifested in various ways, from outright denial of female candidacies, to varying quotas for male and female qualifiers, to no gender restriction whatsoever. Under increasing social pressure, policies of gender limitation have gradually eroded, and this most recent period can be termed one of ‘Gender Restriction Erosion.” Civil service recruitment in Western countries such as the USA, the UK, Germany etc. is not touched by gender restrictions, and Taiwan’s Senior, Junior and Elementary examinations are similarly free of any gender-based eligibility criteria. Such criteria do exist, however, for various of Taiwan’s Special Examinations in view of the specialized nature of some of the occupations they address. Specifically, six of Taiwan’s nineteen Special Examinations feature gender restrictions of some type. These are the Special Examinations for National Security Personnel, for Agents of the Investigation Bureau, for Coast Guard Personnel, and for Entry-Level Administrative and Firefighting Police Officers, as well as the prison guard and bailiff categories of the Judicial Officers examination, and the prison guard category of the Special Examination for Indigenous Peoples. The nature of the restrictions varies from outright exclusion of female candidacies, to gender-based quotas for qualifiers and persons employed. It is the objective of this paper to explore, from the perspectives of examination and recruitment theory, gender differences, gender attributes, employment theory and equality theory whether the gender restrictions of these six Special Examinations are justifiable and legitimate. Gender equality law in the USA, the UK, Japan and Taiwan is also studied in this context. The paper presents an analysis of prevailing gender restrictions in national examinations and case studies of gender discrimination both in Taiwan and abroad, and observes that while gender restrictions in these examinations are to the advantage of males, employing agencies have trouble finding suitable personnel. It is further observed that the reasons cited for current gender restrictions, with the exception of where supervisory duties are designated by sex as in prisons, or where individuals are sent to represent Taiwan in Middle-Eastern countries, are difficult to reconcile with the provisions of Taiwan’s Gender Equality in Employment Act, and lead to ‘enforcement gaps’ between the letter of the law and its actual implementation. The paper posits future developments in this area and proposes further areas of research for reference by concerned agencies in the contexts of gender equality per se, amendments to laws and implementation of policy. Keywords: national examinations, gender restrictions, gender equality

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1982.

Hintergrund und Zielstellung: Im Zuge der Intensivierung der Schweinemast kommen Atemwegsinfektionen und deren klinische Auswirkungen auf die Tiere, in Verbindung mit möglichen Wechselwirkungen zu den Umgebungsfaktoren, eine entscheidende Bedeutung für die Tiergesundheit und Wirtschaftlichkeit der Betriebe zu. Daher war es Ziel dieser Arbeit, unter Feldbedingungen festzustellen, inwieweit Korrelationen zwischen Parametern des Stallklimas, dem Nachweis potentiell pathogener Infektionserreger des Respirationstraktes, klinischem Befund der Tiere, dem Lungenbefund am Schlachtband und den Leistungsfaktoren bestehen. Material und Methoden: Über den Zeitraum von einem Jahr wurden fünf Schweinemastbetriebe in Thüringen, mit Betriebsgrößen im Bereich von 2480 bis 22 000 Mastplätzen hinsichtlich Tiergesundheit, insbesondere der Atemwegsgesundheit und Stallklima untersucht. Betriebskenndaten über Stallbau, Belegungsdichte, Lüftungs- und Heiztechnik sowie Fütterungs, -Tränke- und Impfregime wurden aufgenommen. Für die Untersuchungen wurden pro Betrieb zwei Abteile ausgewählt. Dabei lagen die betriebsabhängigen Abteilgrößen zwischen 159 bis 751 Tieren. In diesen Abteilen wurden bei einer Stichprobengröße von zehn Tieren in zwei Mastperioden, Sommer und Winter, zu jeweils drei Zeitpunkten (Vormast, Mittelmast und Endmast) 840 Blutproben entnommen und bezüglich der lungenpathogenen Erreger PRRSV, PCV 2, SIV sowie APP untersucht. PRRSV und PCV 2 betreffend, wurde sowohl auf Virus mittels in house-PCR-Untersuchungen gepoolter Proben, als auch serologisch auf Antikörper mittels ELISA untersucht. Für den Erreger SIV erfolgte eine serologische Untersuchung auf Antikörper mittels HAH sowie für APP mittels ELISA. Des Weiteren kam es in den entsprechenden Abteilen zur Durchführung stallklimatischer Messungen, wobei die Stallklimaparameter Lufttemperatur, Relative Luftfeuchte, Luftgeschwindigkeit sowie die Beleuchtungsstärke mithilfe von Geräten der Firma Testo sowie die Konzentrationen von CO2, O2, NH3und H2S mithilfe eines Multiwarn-Mehrgasmessgeräts der Firma Dräger ermittelt wurden. Gleichzeitig erfolgte eine klinische Befunderhebung in den Gruppen, mit der Bildung eines Klinikscores mit Schwerpunkt Lungengesundheit, sowie die Aufnahme der Leistungsparameter: durchschnittliche tägliche Zunahme, Mortalität der Gruppe und dem Tierbehandlungsindex, aus denen ein Leistungsscore ermittelt wurde. Im Zuge der Schlachtung wurden 9921 Schlachtkörper, insbesondere das Geschlinge und die Lungen, makroskopisch beurteilt und daraus ein modifizierter Organboniturscore, auf Grundlage des Organbefundindex nach Blaha gebildet. Alle Score-Bewertungen erfolgten nach Punkten und gaben somit eine Aussage zum Tiergesundheitsstatus der Betriebe. Höhere Punktzahlen entsprachen einem schlechterem Gesundheits- bzw. Leistungsstatus. Somit konnten Wechselwirkungen zwischen den Ergebnissen der Blutuntersuchungen, den Stallklimaparametern, dem Klinik- und Leistungsscore sowie dem Organboniturscore mittels statistischer Auswertung hergestellt werden, wobei die einzelnen Bestände sowohl betriebsübergreifend als auch auf Bestandsebene untersucht wurden. Aufgrund durchgeführter Umbaumaßnahmen in drei Beständen wurde ein Vergleich alter und neuer Betriebsteile in die Betrachtungen mit einbezogen. Ergebnisse: Keiner der Betriebe wies eine vollständige Erregerfreiheit auf, was für die endemische Verbreitung der Infektionserreger, insbesondere PRRSV, PCV 2 sowie APP spricht. SIV wurde lediglich in einem Bestand nachgewiesen. Serokonversionen hinsichtlich PRRSV gingen signifikant mit vermehrtem Husten der Tiere (p = 0,027) und einer höheren klinischen Gesamtpunktzahl (p = 0,016) einher. Bei Virusnachweis zeigte sich mit p = 0,047 eine signifikant schlechtere Lungengesundheit. Hinsichtlich des Stallklimas bestand für die Parameter Temperatur, Relative Luftfeuchte, CO2 Gehalt sowie den Schadgasgehalten der Stallluft ein starker Bezug zu den unterschiedlichen Mastperioden Sommer und Winter, mit vorrangig schlechteren Werten in der Winterperiode. Diese Klimaparameter lagen oftmals über den Grenz- bzw. Regelwertbereichen, mit Auswirkungen auf die Atemwegsgesundheit. Mit Ausnahme des Parameters NH3 ergaben sich bestandsübergreifend mit p ≤ 0,01 signifikante Zusammenhänge zu den klinischen Befunden (höhere Teilpunkzahlen Lungengesundheit korrelieren mit ρ = 0,250 zum CO2-sowie mit ρ = 0,222 zum H2S-Gehalt der Stallluft, negativ mit ρ = −0,396 zur Temperatur) sowie NH3 inbegriffen (mit einer Korrelation von ρ = 0,401) zu den Pneumoniebefunden. Ebenfalls bestandsübergreifend zeigte sich ein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen der Infektion von APP (p = 0,038) sowie PRRSV (p = 0,001) und einer erhöhten Anzahl an Pleuritiden. Des Weiteren zeigten sich mit einer Signifikanz von p ≤ 0,01 in Verbindung mit verstärkten klinischen Symptomen auch signifikant mehr makroskopisch sichtbare Pneumonien bei der Schlachtung (Korrelation der Gesamtpunktzahl Klinik mit ρ = 0,297). Bestandsabhängig wurden beim Vorhandensein multipler Erregerspektren im Betrieb erhöhte Lungenbefunde ermittelt. Beziehungen der Klima- und Klinikparameter sowie der Lungenbefunde zu den Leistungsparametern, konnten nur in geringem Maße festgestellt werden. So wurden beispielsweise keine Korrelationen zwischen den Schadgasparametern und der durchschnittlichen Masttagszunahme festgestellt. Hier scheint der genetische Aspekt einen starken Einfluss zu besitzen. Schlussfolgerungen: Anhand der Untersuchungen konnten sowohl einzelbetrieblich als auch betriebsübergreifend Signifikanzen zwischen den einzelnen Parametern festgestellt werden. Die gegenseitige Beeinflussung und Abhängigkeit aller Faktoren ist jedoch immer herdenabhängig und variiert, je nach Bestandsdynamik.

There is no comprehensive model of language test or examination impact and how it might be investigated within educational contexts by a provider of high-stakes examinations, such as an international examinations board. This thesis addresses the development of such a model from the perspective of Cambridge ESOL, a provider of English language tests and examinations in over 100 countries. The starting point for the thesis is a discussion of examinations within educational processes generally and the role that examinations board, such as Cambridge ESOL play within educational systems. The historical context and assessment tradition is an important part of this discussion. In the literature review, the effects and consequences of language tests and examinations are discussed with reference to the better known concept of washback and how impact can be defined as a broader notion operating at both micro and macro levels. This is contextualised within the assessment literature on validity theory and the application of innovation theories within educational systems. Methodologically, the research is based on a meta-analysis which is employed in order to describe and review three impact projects. These three projects were carried out by researchers based in Cambridge to implement an approach to test impact which had emerged during the 1990s as part of the test development and validation procedures adopted by Cambridge ESOL. Based on the analysis, the main outcome and contribution to knowledge is an expanded model of impact designed to provide examination providers with a more effective “theory of action”. When applied within Cambridge ESOL, this model will allow anticipated impacts of the English language examinations to be monitored more effectively and will inform on-going processes of innovation; this will lead to well-motivated improvements in the examinations and the related systems. Wider applications of the model in other assessment contexts are also suggested.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

This thesis evaluates the art involved in the process of constructing borders. I review the governmental processes involved with Canadian border policies as they facilitate the welcomed and the rejected. I ask: how do citizenship and immigration policies operate to maintain and reproduce borders, separating Canadian citizens inside the state from ‘foreigners’ outside. This thesis considers borders not only as repressive instruments for exclusion but also in a productive sense as they create citizens, national identities and populations. The thesis focuses on one central assemblage of border technologies: immigrant medical examinations. By reviewing citizenship and immigration policies, laws and practices since confederation, as well as contemporary legislation, policies and interview data, this thesis argues that these examinations are founded on principles of exclusion. While current policy directions suggest using these medical examinations for inclusive practices, I argue that such inclusive practices still reify the exclusive expectations of the state for citizens to be healthy and productive in the present and in the future.

The notion that tests have a strong influence on teaching and learning is referred to as 'washback' or 'backwash'. Questioning the assumption that washback occurs automatically, without the basis of empirical research, studies have been conducted in various contexts of English teaching and learning. No research, however, on the washback effect of tests within the Korean English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context has been carried out. The present study was designed to examine the washback effect of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), a university entrance exam, on EFL teaching and learning in Korean secondary schools. / This study first investigates the relationships among the curriculum, the school textbooks, and the CSAT: (1) the relationship between the curriculum and the textbooks and (2) the relationship between the curriculum and the CSAT. Second, this study examines if a washback effect from the CSAT exists. This study further discerns the nature of washback and the variable(s) influenced by the washback effect. The results indicate that the curriculum corresponds to the textbooks, while the CSAT does not represent the curriculum, and that there is a negative washback effect of the CSAT on EFL teaching and learning. The variable(s) influenced by the washback effect are negative attitudes that the participants of the study have toward the test.