Search Results (166)

The quality of posters at pharmacy conferences can vary. We created a mixed-approach rubric (MAR) for poster quality. Evidence from multiple sources (systematic review, further analysis of rater scores, verbal feedback from raters) showed the need to slightly modify that MAR, which we accomplished. Our objectives here were to re-evaluate scoring using this revised MAR (rMAR) and to further examine the attributes of lower-quality versus higher-quality posters. Two faculty raters independently scored each poster using the rMAR for recent posters presented at a pharmacy education conference. The Rasch Measurement Model provided psychometric evidence and poster-quality measures. These measures were then linear-regressed with attributes of logical sequencing, QR-code presence/use, submission abstract presence, and wordiness. Moreover, Traditional vs. Contemporary poster formats were compared. Raters scored 642 posters (267 from 2023, 375 from 2024). The Rasch Measurement Model showed a distinct separation of posters into lower quality versus higher quality. The rMAR’s rating scale continued to function well (like the original MAR had) among multiple raters. Poster-quality measures were significantly positive when linearly regressed with logical sequencing, QR-code presence/use, absence of submission abstract, and decreased wordiness. Moreover, Contemporary poster formats (either Persky-style or Billboard-style) were higher quality on average than Traditional poster formats. This evidence-based rMAR showed a helpful validation of poster-quality scores. Regression confirmed findings from the initial MAR (before revision), and choice of poster format proved a notable decision affecting poster quality. Full article

Background: In occupational science and therapy, occupations are understood as meaningful activities. Satisfaction with the amount and variety of occupations is called occupational balance. The “Occupational Balance in Informal Caregivers” (OBI-Care) questionnaire assesses satisfaction with occupations across three subscales: occupational areas, characteristics, and resilience. In doing so, it also addresses occupational contingency, i.e., the ability to adapt occupations in response to unforeseen events. While previous studies have confirmed its validity in other populations, psychometric properties have not been explored in informal caregivers of stroke survivors. This study aimed to evaluate the construct validity, internal consistency, and suitability of the German OBI-Care for assessing occupational balance for this target group. Methods: A validation study was conducted using data collected via an online survey. Measurement properties of the three subscales were examined using Rasch Rating Scale analysis, exploring construct validity, internal consistency, and interpretability. Construct validity was assessed via dimensionality analyses, item fit, model fit, and threshold ordering. Internal consistency was evaluated using inter-item correlations, item–total correlations, person separation index, and Cronbach’s alpha. Interpretability was examined through floor and ceiling effects. Results: A total of 156 informal caregivers of stroke survivors participated, with 84% (n = 131) women and a median age of 58 (IQR: 49–66) years. All subscales showed unidimensionality with acceptable item and model fit and ordered thresholds. Internal consistency was excellent across all subscales. No floor and ceiling effects were observed. Conclusions: This study demonstrates good construct validity, internal consistency, and interpretability of the German OBI-Care. It is suitable for assessing occupational balance and may help identify and support occupational contingency in informal caregivers of stroke survivors. Full article

A greater understanding of health-promoting factors, such as hope, is crucial for preventing and enhancing the mental health of higher education students. The Herth Hope Index (HHI) is a 12-item tool that has been widely used to assess a comprehensive, non-temporal perception of hope. While this instrument has been used extensively in adult populations, most studies focus on clinical populations. Additionally, the HHI reveals inconsistencies in terms of scale dimensionality and items to be retained. Therefore, this study sought to assess the HHI’s psychometric characteristics in a sample of Portuguese Higher Education students. The person response validity, internal scale validity, unidimensionality, and uniform differential item functioning were assessed using a Rasch rating scale model. A total of 2227 higher education students participated during the e-survey activation period (spring semester of 2020). The mean age of the sample was 22.5 ± 6.2 years (range 18–59 years). Three of the twelve items (#3, #5, and #6) failed to satisfy the established criterion for goodness of fit. Following the elimination of these three items, the resultant nine-item scale exhibited satisfactory item fit to the model, appropriate unidimensionality (52.4% of the variance explained), enough person goodness of fit, sufficient separation, and the absence of differential item functioning. The 9-item version of the HHI had psychometric properties comparable to the original 12-item version. This study also underscores the importance of validated instruments for assessing hope-based interventions in academic contexts. Further research is necessary to explore the potential dimensions inherent to the hope concept and to identify variations in hope profiles among items influenced by cultural attributes. Full article

Research in museum studies, heritage science, and cultural tourism highlights the “care theory” as a key framework for understanding the relationship between citizens and cultural heritage. Assessing the “sense of care” toward cultural objects and sites can provide valuable insights for museums, education, and public policy. However, visitor studies lack suitable assessment tools. This study fills the gap by introducing the Scale for the Assessment of Caring for Cultural Heritage (CHARE), developed using the Rasch model. A preliminary 16-item questionnaire on visitors’ “caring behaviours” was designed through a literature review and expert focus groups, then tested on young adults: statistical analysis confirms the model’s reliability. While the study serves as a starting point for future research and further validation is needed, CHARE already offers a practical tool for museum practitioners to assess young visitors’ engagement and caring attitudes toward cultural heritage. Full article

The market for specialised kiwifruit varieties, such as those with red pulp, remains a niche sector with considerable growth potential in several European countries, including Spain, Italy, Germany, and France. This study applies to the Rasch model to gain a comprehensive understanding of consumer behaviour, specifically pertaining to preferences, attitudes, and propensity towards purchasing both conventional and novel kiwifruit variants. A questionnaire was developed and administered to gather specific information on consumer behaviour. The collected data were analysed using a Rating Scale Rasch Model to construct a valid measure of attitude toward kiwifruit, which was subsequently used in regression models to explain purchase propensity. The findings indicate that marketing strategies should focus on enhancing attitudes towards kiwifruit by leveraging specific product attributes and addressing demographic nuances to effectively promote the consumption of yellow, red, and organic varieties. Full article

Despite progress in inclusive education, students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) often lack valid, tailored tools for career assessment, limiting equitable transitions to adulthood and employment. Closing this gap is crucial for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which calls for quality and inclusive educational opportunities. This study addresses this need by adapting and validating a 16-item Career Maturity Inventory-Form C (CMI-C) for Chinese post-secondary SEN students (n = 34) in vocational training in higher education. Rasch modeling, supported by exploratory factor analysis, indicated that a two-factor structure—‘career choice readiness’ and ‘intention to seek career consultation’—provided the best fit to the data, rather than the originally hypothesized four-factor model. The results were more consistent with a two-dimensional structure than with prior four-factor frameworks, though both were explored. Two poorly performing items were removed, resulting in a fourteen-item scale with acceptable item fit and reliability indices in this hard-to-reach group. This restructuring suggests constructs such as concern, confidence, and curiosity are closely linked in SEN populations, underscoring the value of context-sensitive assessment. The revised instrument demonstrated satisfactory model fit and internal consistency; however, convergent validity and practical utility should be interpreted cautiously given the modest sample size. While further validation in larger and more diverse samples is warranted, this study offers preliminary evidence for an adapted, inclusive assessment tool that aligns with SDG 4’s aim to promote equity and empower SEN students in educational and career pathways. Full article

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are essential for capturing the lived experiences of individuals managing chronic diseases. However, few PROMs have been culturally adapted and validated for Arabic-speaking populations. Aim: This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Long-Term Conditions Questionnaire (LTCQ) for use among Arabic-speaking adults living with chronic diseases in Jordan. Methods: Following forward–backward translation and an expert review, a cross-sectional survey of 1057 adults with chronic illnesses was conducted. The psychometric evaluation involved exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) and Rasch modelling. While the original LTCQ assumed a unidimensional structure, EFA and CFA supported a two-factor solution: Empowerment and Functional Wellbeing, and Health-Related Psychosocial Distress. Results: The Rasch analysis confirmed that the item response thresholds were ordered, with good item targeting, and no differential item functioning (DIF) by gender. The removal of one poorly performing item resulted in a refined 19-item scale with strong reliability and validity. Conclusions: The Arabic LTCQ demonstrated robust psychometric properties and cultural relevance, supporting its use in clinical care, research, and policy initiatives. Future work should examine longitudinal responsiveness and further validate the tool across diverse Arabic-speaking populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Prone positioning is a key strategy to improve oxygenation in ARDS patients, particularly used during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its impact on visual function remains poorly investigated. This study assesses the effect of prone positioning on self-perceived visual acuity and functional vision in ARDS patients after ICU discharge. Methods: A single-center observational study was conducted at Santo Stefano Hospital (Prato, Italy) from March 2020 to April 2023. We included adult COVID-19 ARDS patients, ventilated invasively, and subjected to at least one prone positioning cycle. Patients with pre-existing visual disorders were excluded. Visual function was evaluated through the CATQUEST-9SF questionnaire administered via telephone follow-up. Rasch analysis was applied to generate a linear visual function scale. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of reduced visual function. Results: Out of 300 ICU admissions, 182 met the inclusion criteria, and 39 completed the follow-up. Older age (OR 1.148, p < 0.05), female sex (OR 0.066, p < 0.05), and increased number of prone cycles (OR 3.576, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with reduced visual function. The model’s predictive performance was excellent (AUC = 0.8997). Conclusions: Prone positioning improves respiratory outcomes but may have unintended visual consequences. Monitoring visual function should be integrated into ICU follow-up programs to mitigate long-term visual impairment. Full article

University entrance examinations (EBAU in Spanish) are a nationwide program for assessing student achievement levels in Spain and determining access to public undergraduate degrees. Considering the need to measure the progress of rater performance, this study analyzes rating data from the June 2018 exam sitting in the Valencian Community, Spain. A total of 54 assessment boards and 3000 students from five public universities were observed. The Many-Facet Rasch Model (MFRM) was used as an extension of the one-parameter Rasch measurement model. All facets involved in analyses (examination board severity, subject difficulty, and group performance) were located on a common underlying linear scale. The results showed large inconsistencies in the rating process, with differences in the severity levels of many subjects both within and between universities. This study may serve as a starting point for a reflective debate on the need to apply better criteria for ensuring the comparability of examination standards in Spain. Full article

A PROM is a measure of patient needs and therapeutic progress. This paper outlines the validation of the CARe Burn Scale: Parent/Caregiver Form, a PROM that measures quality of life in parents/caregivers supporting a child with a burn injury. A literature review and interviews with sixteen parents and six burns health professionals informed the development of the PROM conceptual framework/draft form. Cognitive debriefing interviews with five parents and seven burns-specialist health professionals provided feedback to ascertain content validity, and two-hundred and four parents/caregivers took part in the field testing. Rasch measurement theory (RMT) analyses and internal consistency tests were conducted to create a shortened version and for psychometric validation. The final conceptual framework included eight domains/individual scales: Physical Well-being, Confidence with Managing Burn Wound/Scar Treatments, Social Situations, Partner Relationship, Self-worth, Negative Mood, Parent Concerns about the Appearance of their Child’s Burn Wounds/Scars, and Positive Growth. Seven scales had solutions from RMT analyses and passed internal consistency criteria. Confidence with Managing Burn Wound/Scar Treatments did not fit the Rasch model but was retained as a checklist based on theoretical insight. The CARe Burn Scale: Parent/Caregiver Form is the first and only burn-specific PROM that assesses parents’ own health needs when caring for a child with a burn. Full article

Background/Objectives: Keratoconus is a progressive corneal disorder that significantly impairs visual quality and daily functioning. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Polish version of the Keratoconus Outcomes Research Questionnaire (KORQ), a tool designed to assess keratoconus-related vision problems and their impact on quality of life. Methods: This study involved three phases: translation, validation, and optimization. The translation followed cross-cultural adaptation guidelines, including forward translation, back translation, and pretesting. In the validation phase, 100 patients with keratoconus completed the Polish KORQ. Psychometric properties were assessed using Rasch analysis to evaluate item fit, reliability, unidimensionality, and targeting. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) were conducted to examine the latent structure of the questionnaire. Regression analysis examined the demographic and clinical factors influencing keratoconus severity and vision-related quality of life, with the total KORQ score as the dependent variable. Results: The Polish KORQ demonstrated excellent psychometric properties. Internal consistency was high (α = 0.95 for activity limitation, α = 0.87 for symptoms). Rasch analysis confirmed good item fit and measurement reliability. EFA identified a two-factor structure consistent with the original questionnaire, explaining 53% of the total variance. CFA supported this model, with good fit indices (CFI = 0.981, TLI = 0.980), despite slightly elevated RMSEA (0.104) and SRMR (0.109). The two latent factors were moderately correlated (r = 0.729). Regression analysis showed that uncorrected visual acuity and disease severity significantly predicted lower quality of life. Conclusions: The Polish KORQ is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the impact of keratoconus in clinical and research settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Food insecurity (FI) is the ‘limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods’. Although the literature suggests a strong association between FI, socioeconomic status (SES), and health, the nature of their relationship is not well specified in vulnerable population groups such as university students. To address this gap, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of FI among university students, examine its association with various health outcomes, and explore the potential mediating effect of SES. Methods: This cross-sectional survey included a convenience sample of 394 participants from the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU (Spain). Data on SES, demographic and lifestyle factors, and health outcomes were collected between December 2021 and January 2022, using a questionnaire developed by the Food Insecurity among European University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic (FINESCOP) consortium. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was assessed at the UPV/EHU using Cronbach’s α. FI was measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) from the FAO, which was validated through testing of Rasch model assumptions. Results: Overall, 19% of university students were food insecure, with 2.5% experiencing moderate and 0.8% experiencing severe FI. Adjusted linear regression models showed that FI was associated with a higher body mass index (BMI), poorer self-rated health, and worsening health during the pandemic. SES mediated the relationship between FI and health outcomes, with the strongest mediation observed for BMI (indirect association: B = 0.25, 95% CI = −0.17–0.75; total association: B = 1.85, 95% CI = 0.14–3.56; 15.3% of mediation). Conclusions: FI is prevalent among UPV/EHU students, and it is associated with multiple negative health outcomes, partly explained by SES. To effectively address FI, higher education institutions should consider implementing comprehensive strategies. For future research, longitudinal studies would be recommended to systematically monitor FI and examine causal relationships. Full article

The $L_0$ linking approach replaces the $L_2$ loss function in mean–mean linking under the Rasch model with the $L_0$ loss function. Using the $L_0$ loss function offers the advantage of potential robustness against fixed differential item functioning effects. However, its nondifferentiability necessitates differentiable approximations to ensure feasible and computationally stable estimation. This article examines alternative specifications of two approximations, each controlled by a tuning parameter $\epsilon$ that determines the approximation error. Results demonstrate that the optimal $\epsilon$ value minimizing the RMSE of the linking parameter estimate depends on the magnitude of DIF effects, the number of items, and the sample size. A data-driven selection of $\epsilon$ outperformed a fixed $\epsilon$ across all conditions in both a numerical illustration and a simulation study. Full article

In recent years, rapidly advancing technology has reshaped our world, holding the potential to transform social and economic structures. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive roadmap that promotes not only economic growth but also social, environmental, and global sustainability. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a critical technology contributing to sustainable development by offering solutions to both social and economic challenges. One of the fundamental ideas is that education should always maintain a dynamic structure that supports sustainable development and fosters individuals equipped with sustainability skills. In this study, the impact of various variables related to AI applications in primary education at the elementary school level, in line with sustainable development goals, was evaluated using a mixed meta-method complemented with quantitative analyses. Within the framework of the mixed meta-method, a meta-analysis of data obtained from studies conducted between 2005 and 2025 was performed using the CMA program. The analysis determined a medium effect size of g = 0.51. To validate the meta-analysis results and enhance their content validity, a meta-thematic analysis was conducted, applying content analysis to identify themes and codes. In the final stage of this research, to further support the data obtained through the mixed meta-method, a set of evaluation form questions prepared within the Rasch measurement model framework was administered to primary school teachers. The collected data were analyzed using the FACETS program. The findings from the meta-analysis document review indicated that AI studies in primary education were most commonly applied in mathematics courses. During the meta-thematic analysis process, themes related to the impact of AI applications on learning environments, challenges encountered during implementation, and proposed solutions were identified. The Rasch measurement model process revealed that AI applications were widely used in science and mathematics curricula (FBP-4 and MP-2). Among the evaluators (raters), J2 was identified as the most lenient rater, while J11 was the strictest. When analyzing the AI-related items, the statement “I can help students prepare a presentation describing their surroundings using AI tools” (I17) was identified as the most challenging item, whereas “I understand how to effectively use AI applications in classroom activities” (I14) was found to be the easiest. The results of the analyses indicate that the obtained data are complementary and mutually supportive. The findings of this research are expected to serve as a guide for future studies and applications related to the topic, making significant contributions to the field. Full article

Background/Objectives: Many patients with neck pain have arm problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the QuickDASH in patients reporting neck pain by Rasch analysis. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study. Rasch analysis was used to examine the QuickDASH for unidimensionality, category function, item difficulty and targeting, and reliability in patients with neck pain. The two-factor model, comprising a function factor (items 1–8) and symptom factor (items 9–11), were separately assessed by Rasch analysis. Results: The mean age of the 302 participants was 57.9 ± 10.4 years old. The mean QuickDASH score was 24.8 ± 23.3 (95% CI: 22.2–27.5). For the function factor, the InfitMNSQ/OutfitMNSQ ranges were 0.700–1.124/0.661–1.121, indicating that all items fitted the model’s expectation. Only two items (items 4 and 6) exhibited category response disorder. The map for the person–item response thresholds covered the patient distribution well. The reliability was good, with a person separation index of 0.85. For the symptom factor, the InfitMNSQ/OutfitMNSQ ranges were 0.522–0.863/0.517–0.885, indicating that all items fitted the model’s expectation. No items with category response disorder were found for the symptom factor, and the reliability was good, with a person separation index of 0.82. Conclusions: The items fit the Rasch model well, and the wide range of item response thresholds covered the ranges of the patients’ disability and symptoms well. The QuickDASH has a two-factor structure, and is an excellent measure of upper limb function and symptoms in patients reporting neck pain. Full article