Ours Research Quiz

The relationship between habitat use by voles (Rodentia: Microtus) and the density of vegetative cover was studied to determine if voles select forage areas at the microhabitat level.� Using live traps, I trapped, powdered, and released voles at 10 sites.� At each trap site I analyzed the type and height of the vegetation in the immediate area.� Using a black light, I followed the trails left by powdered voles through the vegetation.� I mapped the trails using a compass to ascertain the tortuosity, or amount the trail twisted and turned, and visually checked the trails to determine obstruction of the movement path by vegetation.� I also checked vegetative obstruction on 4 random paths near the actual trail, to compare the cover on the trail with other nearby alternative pathways.� There was not a statistically significant difference between the amount of cover on a vole trail and the cover off to the sides of the trail when completely covered; there was a significant difference between on and off the trail when the path was completely open.� These results indicate that voles are selectively avoiding bare areas, while not choosing among dense patches at a fine microhabitat scale.

• Quantitative
• Qualitative

This paper investigates the hierarchical structure of canine personality by assessing correlations between factor scores from three published owner questionnaires, two of which were designed to assess aspects of canine personality and one designed to assess narrow, behavioural traits that are somewhat context-specific. Between-factor correlations were also compared between sub-groups of owners and dogs based on demographic factors, to investigate the stability of these relationships in a mixed sample of volunteer pet dog owners and pet dogs. Several broad clusters of traits were identified, which each correlated with a number of context-specific behavioural traits.

• Quantitative
• Qualitative

The purpose of this study was to assess the types of errors encountered by dental hygiene reviewers who evaluated submitted abstracts for a national dental hygiene research conference. This single-blinded study utilized a convenience sample of 20 reviewers who were selected to complete a survey about commonly encountered errors on abstract review forms while evaluating abstracts submitted to a national dental hygiene research conference. The reviewers evaluated 80 submitted abstracts prior to completing the survey. The instrument used in the study contained 30 items with closed-ended responses which was previously pilot-tested with 5 other reviewers to establish content validity. Survey information was obtained through the use of an electronic online tool, and all responses remained confidential.

• Quantitative
• Qualitative

Selling goods or providing services in public spaces is one of the most accessible occupations for many individuals living in poverty in today�s world. However, most street vendors conduct their businesses by disobeying laws that prohibit this kind of work. Drawing on field data on street vendors in the city of Bogot�, Colombia, this article ethnographically explores vendors� ideas, perceptions, and coping strategies in relation to the state law that prohibits street vending. Using the concept of legal consciousness, we argue that street vendors� non-compliance with the law is not only a coping mechanism to participate in the economic system, but also a weapon of the weak to voice their ideas and opinion about the unfairness of the political and economic system in which they live, i. e. their lack of trust in the formalization policies to move street vendors to the formal economy, and their demands for better social protection for vulnerable groups.

• Quantitative
• Qualitative

The Internet provides a unique opportunity for scientists to be in direct contact with the public in order to promote citizens' scientific literacy. Recently, Internet users have started to spend most of their online time on social networking sites (SNS). Knowledge of how these SNSs work as an arena for interaction, as well as for the development of scientific literacy, is important to guide scientists' activities online, and to be able to understand how people develop knowledge of science. This was evaluated by scrutinizing the Facebook page of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and the consequences for users' ocean literacy. We investigated which practices could increase the number of users reached by a Facebook story. We also found that Facebook pages do not offer the appropriate social context to foster participation since it has only a few of the features of an arena where such practices could develop.

• Quantitative
• Qualitative

Inquiry-based instruction is very important for the development of the pupils' research skills and for easier acquiring of scientific contents. This type of teaching allows the gradual inclusion of pupils in an active learning process that leads to the development and understanding of scientific contents by asking questions and through data analysis and critical thinking. This paper presents the results of the tests of the efficacy of the model of inquiry teaching in the realization of physics contents in the initial teaching of natural sciences. The sample consisted of 112 fourth grade pupils (56 pupils in the experimental group and 56 pupils in the control group) from two elementary schools in Sombor (Serbia). The initial, the final and the repeated knowledge tests are used to measure the quality of knowledge of physics contents. Descriptive, causal and comparative methods were used for results processing. Research results analysis showed that by the use of the model of inquiry teaching higher quality of knowledge was achieved compared to the traditional approaches in the initial teaching of natural sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quantitative
• Qualitative

About half of patients with cancer use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). So far, data on melanoma patients are missing. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors for the use of CAM in this patient group. All patients with melanoma being attended at one of 7 skin cancer centres in Germany between March 2012 and March 2013 were invited to take part in a survey using a structured questionnaire on CAM. The physicians filled in a second part on the diagnosis, state and former and current therapy. Nearly half of the 1089 participants (41.0%) used CAM and half of those using CAM (56.8%) marked that this made them feel better.

• Quantitative
• Qualitative

�Emergency nursing care is a significant determinant of patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction is often regarded as a reliable indicator of the quality of services provided in the emergency department. Design: Eighty?four patients who presented to the university emergency department were included in the study. The study data were collected by the Patient Information Form and the Satisfaction Level Form. Results: Emergency nursing services, including history taking, assessing vital signs, preparing the patient for an emergency intervention, oxygen therapy, drug delivery and blood?serum infusion were shown to be more commonly provided compared with other services such as counselling the patients and the relatives about their care or delivering educational and psychosocial services. However, 78�6% of the patients were satisfied with their nursing services.

• Quantitative
• Qualitative

This study is a case study that examined the influencers upon a somewhat unique group of female students who opted out of elective physical education (PE). More specifically, this study focused upon female students attending an affluent private school, investigating why--when they transitioned from middle school to senior high school and PE became optional--they opted out of the class. Employing a research design that relied principally upon in-depth interviews, seven themes emerged from the students' stories: perspectives on policy and PE programming, co-ed problems; friends' influence, parental support for opting out, A+ academic achievement, free time and electives, and adequate physical activity accumulation outside of school.

• Quantitative
• Qualitative

The aim of this exploratory study was to learn about the misconceptions that may arise for elementary and high school science teachers in their reflections on science and engineering practice. Using readings and videos of real science and engineering work, teachers' reflections were used to uncover the underpinnings of their understandings. This knowledge ultimately provides information about supporting professional development (PD) for science teachers' knowledge of engineering. Six science teachers (two elementary and four high school teachers) participated in the study as part of an online PD experience.

• Quantitative
• Qualitative