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PISA is an influential international study of the achievement of 15-year-olds. It has a high profile across the devolved nations of the UK, with the results having a substantial impact upon education policy. Yet many of the technical details underpinning PISA remain poorly understood--particularly amongst non-specialists--including important nuances surrounding the representivity of the data. This paper provides new evidence on this issue, based upon a case study of PISA 2018. I illustrate how there are many anomalies with the data, with the combination of nonresponse, exclusions from the test and technical details surrounding eligibility criteria leading to total nonparticipation rates of around 40% (amongst the highest anywhere in the world). It is then shown how this leads to substantial uncertainty surrounding the PISA results, with clear evidence of bias in the sample for certain parts of the UK. I conclude by discussing how more transparent reporting of the technical details underpinning PISA is needed, at both a national and international level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourth‐grade students were introduced to a detailed process approach to examining mentor texts and then transferring their newfound knowledge of author craft to their own independent writing. The EASE strategy was created as a way to scaffold students from merely noticing the exceptional moves that authors make to adeptly applying these techniques. In an effort to read like writers and then write like readers, students were taught to closely examine powerful writing craft and assess why the author may have chosen to write in that particular way. They were also required to suggest other ways to write the excerpt and envision where they might use a similar move in a current or upcoming writing project. Through small‐group writing conferences and writing samples, students showcased how they made direct connections between mentor texts and their narratives and reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates competing for theoretical stances (i.e., choice overload vs. choice cornucopia) and explores how increases in spending occur in high and low choice conditions following receiving promotional gift offers in a service consumption setting. This study includes a nonobtrusive field experiment (n = 200) that includes measured and manipulated variables: purchase versus nonpurchase conditions and size of expenditures. The study's context tests the use of two versus five promotional gift options and two levels of gift value (6 vs. €20). Findings using symmetrical (analysis of variance [ANOVA]) and asymmetrical (fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis [fsQCA]) methods of analysis support the choice overload hypothesis in this unobtrusive field experiment. Also, spending in the high versus low choice condition increased when hotel guests were offered a high‐value gift for using room service. Given the nature of the nonobtrusive field experiment, this study provides valuable information for marketers and consumers regarding the moderating effects of promotional gifts in many option environments. While prior studies explore the conditions of choice cornucopia versus choice overload, to date few or possibly no attempts to identify practical ways of reducing the negative effects of choice overload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Food samples can prime healthier or less healthy choices. We show this in both field (Study 1) and lab (Studies 2-3) settings. Healthy samples (Studies 1-2) or samples framed as healthy (Study 3) increase healthy purchases of both food products that are similar to the sample (Study 1) and those that are less closely related to it (Study 2-3). The studies advance our knowledge concerning the effects of samples, demonstrating that samples can serve as primes and encourage purchase of a greater number of products that are similar to the sample on dimensions such as healthiness. The findings can be used by retailers, policy bodies, and consumers to nudge consumers toward healthier options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives D is the most immunogenic blood group antigen. About 1% of whites carry an altered RHD allele leading to quantitative or qualitative changes in the antigen D expression. T201R and F223V encoded by 602C>G and 667T>G are specific amino acid substitutions of the weak D type 4 cluster of African origin, comprising the alleles RHD*09.01, RHD*09.02, RHD*09.03, RHD*09.04 and RHD*09.05. The purpose of this study was to estimate the presence of these RHD genotypes in the Tunisian population. Materials and Methods Ethylenediaminetetraacetate blood samples from 907 D+ and 93 D− blood donors were tested for markers 602G and 667G by allele-specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (PCR-ASP). Samples with positive reactions were re-evaluated by DNA sequencing for RHD and RHCE exons 1-10 and adjacent intronic sequences. Results Among 907 D+ samples, 19 individuals were identified to harbour the RHD*weak partial 4.0 allele. RHCE sequencing post-haplotype-specific extraction ( HSE) revealed an altered RHCE*ce( 48C, 105T, 733G, 744C, 1025T) in those samples. The linkage of the RHCE polymorphisms to one haplotype was proven by DNA sequencing post- HSE. Conclusion The RHD*weak partial 4.0 allele syn. RHD*09.03 was estimated to occur 1 in 47 among D+ Tunisians. There was no evidence for other RHD alleles included in the weak D type 4 cluster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bernoulli cumulative sum (CUSUM) chart has been shown to be effective for monitoring the rate of nonconforming items in high-quality processes where the in-control proportion of nonconforming items ( p0) is low. The implementation of the Bernoulli CUSUM chart is often based on the assumption that the in-control value p0 is known; therefore, when p0 is unknown, accurate estimation is necessary. We recommend using a Bayes estimator to estimate the value of p0 to incorporate practitioner knowledge and to avoid estimation issues when no nonconforming items are observed in phase I. We also investigate the effects of parameter estimation in phase I on the upper-sided Bernoulli CUSUM chart by using the expected value of the average number of observations to signal (ANOS) and the standard deviation of the ANOS. It is found that the effects of parameter estimation on the Bernoulli CUSUM chart are more significant than those on the Shewhart-type geometric chart. The low p0 values inherent to high-quality processes imply that a very large, and often unrealistic, sample size may be needed to accurately estimate p0. A methodology to identify a continuous variable to monitor is highly recommended when the value of p0 is low and the required phase I sample size is impractically large. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples with different storage times were collected from supermarket shelves for three products: a strawberry fruit drink ( SFD), digestive biscuits and shortbread. Sensory descriptive analysis and chemical measurements were performed on the samples. Consumers measured sensory acceptability and answered an accept/reject question for each sample. These last data were used to estimate the sensory shelf life of the SFD applying survival analysis methodology. For the digestive biscuits and shortbread, this estimation was not possible because of the low rejection probability and that acceptability differences between samples did not follow the expected trend in relation to dates. Partial least squares regressions showed the relationships between acceptability ( Y-matrix) and trained panel descriptive analysis + chemical measurements ( X-matrix). Collecting samples from the shelf could be a means of obtaining cut-off points for shelf-life estimations. However, in two of the three examples presented, confidence intervals were wide. This was due to the relatively low number of experimental points in the regression and/or the batch variability inherent in the sample collection method. Overall, collecting samples from the shelf contributed limited information to shelf-life knowledge. Practical Applications If samples with different storage times could be collected from the company's deposits and/or from supermarket shelves, this would mean an important saving in resources, especially as this would mean not having to wait for the different storage times to elapse. The title of this article proposed answering the question of whether collecting samples from the shelf contributes to shelf-life knowledge. The answer is that it does, although with limitations. Depending on the product, it can provide sensory shelf-life estimations or establish if current 'best-before' dates are adequate. Correlations between acceptability and objective sensory or instrumental data can help in understanding modes of deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the optimal use of technical terms in advertising can help sponsors effectively communicate complex technical concepts to consumers. This study therefore examined how technical terms, and the extent to which they are explained, influence advertising effectiveness for four product types in the FCB grid. The sample comprised 436 college students. The analytical results of this study indicate that using two technical terms together with detailed explanation of the terms improves consumer attitudes towards the ad and consumer evaluation of the advertised product for thinking (products meeting consumer utilitarian needs) and high involvement products. For thinking and low involvement products, using two technical terms together with detailed/rough explanation improves consumer attitudes towards the ad and consumer evaluation of the advertised product. Moreover, using two unexplained technical terms improves consumer attitudes towards the ad for feeling (those providing consumer gratification, social acceptance and sensory satisfaction) and high involvement products. Using no technical terms improves consumer attitudes towards the ad for feeling and low involvement products. Finally, theoretical and managerial implications and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers often face strong opposition to the use of student samples in laboratory studies. Rather than eschewing this methodology, it is useful to consider theoretical scope (universalistic versus particularistic) and the study's primary purpose (internal versus external validity). When theories are universalistic or the study's purpose is to establish internally valid relationships, laboratory studies with student samples may yield useful insights in supply chain management research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Hong Kong study by Ng (1983) showed that the development of the understanding of bank interest and profit was essentially similar to that of a Scottish sample reported by Jahoda (1981). It also uncovered two minor stages in addition to Jahoda's six. The present study confirmed the presence of these two stages as well as the others; and, like the Scottish sample, showed a New Zealand 'lag' behind Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the article `Monopolies That Advertise With Recyclable Free Samples: Beware of Professors Selling Gifts?,' by Dale Brummer and Michael Mazur, published in the April 1993 issue of `Southern Economic Journal.' Parallel shift assumption for the demand curve for textbooks; Decrease in demand elasticity as free samples increase.

Focuses on the issues regarding the value of freebies. Statement of the author with regards to customer's behavior towards freebies; Assertion of the author that people does not value something they did not pay for; List of free learning materials available to the developing practitioner.

Offers a free sample copy of the "Psycho-Oncology" journal.

A list of manufacturers in the United States who have stopped sending free materials for school exhibits and classrooms use, is presented. The manufacturers include Larkin Co., Bakelite Corp., and Russell-Miller Milling Co.