Competence Level (competence + level)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Competence of Children Adopted from the Former Soviet Union

FAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 4 2000
Teena McGuinness
The former USSR led the way with the most children adopted from overseas into the United States from 1997-1999. This study (a) characterizes overall functioning of adoptees and (b) utilizes hierarchical regression analysis to evaluate both risks and protective influences of adoptive families and their relationships to child competence. Competence levels ranged from challenged to developmentally normal. Family cohesion and expressiveness were significantly associated with higher levels of child competence. [source]


The impact of language skills on mental health in teenagers with hearing impairments

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2009
J. Fellinger
Objective:, The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of language competence level and mental distress in teenagers with hearing impairments. Method:, 43 pupils were given a battery of linguistic tests and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which was also completed by 40 parents. Comparisons were made between the group of 33 children in mainstream education and 10 who were in a segregated school for the deaf. Results:, The children had impaired language skills relative to published norms, especially marked in segregated schools. Parents rated children as having more distress than published norms. Those with superior level of spoken language had fewer peer relationship problems in mainstream education, but significantly more in segregated schools. The reverse was almost significant for those proficient in signed language. Conclusion:, Peer relationship problems are associated with the language competence levels in the way that children at school communicate with one another. [source]


A survey on undergraduate implant dentistry education in Europe

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 2009
H. De Bruyn
Abstract Introduction:, The aim of the survey was to assess the status of implant dentistry education and addressed various aspects related to competence level, practical implementation and barriers for further development in the field. Materials and methods:, An e-mail survey was performed amongst 73 opinion leaders from 18 European countries invited to the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) workshop on implant dentistry. Results:, Forty-nine surveys were returned (67%) and it was found that theoretical and pre-clinical courses to an average of 36 h are given to undergraduates; 70% reported that students assist or treat patients with prosthetics; 53% reported that students assist with surgery and only 5% is operating patients. In 23% of the schools optional undergraduate courses are available and 90% offer postgraduate training. Barriers for including prosthetics and surgery are lack of time, funding or staff. Partial restorations, including surgery, in the posterior regions may be provided by dentists after attendance at additional courses but complex treatments should be limited to specialists. Conclusion:, This survey confirms that implant dentistry is part of the undergraduate curriculum, albeit with a disparity in time. Whereas implant dentistry is an important part of clinical practice, coverage in the curriculum is limited and when compared with 10 years ago, even stagnating. Priorities within the curriculum should be evaluated depending on demands and treatment needs of the population. To optimise education, learning guidelines should be developed, based on the expected competencies for practicing dentists. Undergraduate education may start the process that must continue through all levels of education, including the postgraduate level. [source]


The role of competence level in the self-efficacy,skills relationship: an empirical examination of the skill acquisition process and its implications for information technology training

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2009
James P. Downey
The role of computer training has long been critical in organizations as reliance on technology for strategic advantage increases in importance. How to most effectively conduct such training has clear implications for organizations. This study examines one area of training which is not well understood: the role that competence level plays in the self-efficacy,competence relationship (if indeed it plays a role at all) during skill acquisition. Two opposing conceptual positions are presented from the literature, one that suggests the relationship between self-efficacy and competence will be stronger early in the skill acquisition process (when competence is minimal), the other suggesting the strength of the relationship will be stronger at mastery. Using a sample of over 600 and structural equation modeling, the relationship between self-efficacy and competence for six different computing application domains is tested by dividing respondents in each domain in half, according to competence level. Results empirically demonstrate that level of competence makes a significant difference in the domains, that those higher in ability typically have a stronger relationship with self-efficacy. Results also show that the relationship is weaker for those new to the application and those who have mastered the application. The important implications for training are discussed. [source]


Competence profiles of recently registered nurses working in intensive and emergency settings

JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 8 2007
ANNE H. SALONEN MNSc
Background, Preceptorship is an essential method of supporting nurse competence, guaranteeing high quality care and increasing job satisfaction. Aim, To describe recently registered nurses' perceptions of their competence level, and to identify factors influencing these perceptions. Method, The survey was conducted by using Meretoja's Nurse Competence Scale. The sample comprised 235 registered nurses working in intensive and emergency settings. The data were analysed by using statistical methods. Results, Nurses' self-assessed competence level ranged from moderate to good. A statistically significant association was seen between competence level and age, length of current work experience and the frequency of using competencies. Conclusions, The results shed useful light on the educational needs of nurses and provide important clues for the development of preceptorship programmes. The Nurse Competence Scale proved to be a reliable and valid instrument in assessing the competence of recently registered nurses. Implications for nursing management, We recommend that management strategies be developed to enhance and support positive learning environments for competence development. We recommend preceptorship programmes based on systematic competence assessments made by nurses themselves, their preceptors and managers. [source]


Dyadic Analyses of Friendship in a Sample of Preschool-Age Children Attending Head Start: Correspondence between Measures and Implications for Social Competence

CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2001
Brian E. Vaughn
Friendships among a large sample of preschool-age children (N= 471) attending Head Start were assessed. Based on sociometric data, friendship dyads were identified as reciprocated (mutual choice) or nonreciprocated (unilateral choice). Dyads were further classified with respect to gender composition as either same- or mixed-gender dyads. Older children were more likely to participate in a reciprocated friendship than were younger children and reciprocated dyads were more likely to be same-gender than were nonreciprocated dyads. Analyses of interaction between dyad partners revealed that reciprocated friends interacted more frequently across all categories of interaction coded and looked at each other more frequently than did members of nonreciprocated dyads. For the positive interaction subscore, the friendship status effect was modified by a significant interaction with gender composition such that significant effects of friendship status were obtained only for same-gender dyads. Additional analyses indicated that the average social competence level was greater for reciprocated dyads than for nonreciprocated dyads. The findings suggest that reciprocated friendships are meaningful for preschool-age children and may serve as special socialization contexts in which the repertoire of behavior can be exercised and perhaps improved. They also highlight the salience of same-gender friendships in the preschool classroom. [source]


The impact of language skills on mental health in teenagers with hearing impairments

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2009
J. Fellinger
Objective:, The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of language competence level and mental distress in teenagers with hearing impairments. Method:, 43 pupils were given a battery of linguistic tests and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which was also completed by 40 parents. Comparisons were made between the group of 33 children in mainstream education and 10 who were in a segregated school for the deaf. Results:, The children had impaired language skills relative to published norms, especially marked in segregated schools. Parents rated children as having more distress than published norms. Those with superior level of spoken language had fewer peer relationship problems in mainstream education, but significantly more in segregated schools. The reverse was almost significant for those proficient in signed language. Conclusion:, Peer relationship problems are associated with the language competence levels in the way that children at school communicate with one another. [source]


Using data mining to predict K,12 students' performance on large-scale assessment items related to energy

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 5 2008
Xiufeng Liu
This article reports a study on using data mining to predict K,12 students' competence levels on test items related to energy. Data sources are the 1995 Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), 1999 TIMSS-Repeat, 2003 Trend in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Student population performances, that is, percentages correct, are the object of prediction. Two data mining algorithms, C4.5 and M5, are used to construct a decision tree and a linear function to predict students' performance levels. A combination of factors related to content, context, and cognitive demand of items and to students' grade levels are found to predict student population performances on test items. Cognitive demands have the most significant contribution to the prediction. The decision tree and linear function agree with each other on predictions. We end the article by discussing implications of findings for future science content standard development and energy concept teaching. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 554,573, 2008 [source]