In 1995, Huffman and Heller used exploratory factor analysis to draw into question the factors of the Force Concept Inventory (FCI). Since then several papers have been published examining the factors of the FCI on larger sets of student responses and understandable factors were extracted as a result. However, none of these proposed factor models have been verified to not be unique to their original sample through the use of independent sets of data. This paper seeks to confirm the factor models proposed by Scott et al. in 2012, andHestenes et al. in 1992, as well as another expert model proposed within this study through the use of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a sample of 20 822 postinstruction student responses to the FCI. Upon application of CFA using the full sample, all three models were found to fit the data with acceptable global fit statistics. However, when CFA was performed using these models on smaller sample sizes the models proposed by Scott et al. and Eaton and Willoughby were found to be far more stable than the model proposed by Hestenes et al. The goodness of fit of these models to the data suggests that the FCI can be scored on factors that are not unique to a single class. These scores could then be used to comment on how instruction methods effect the performance of students along a single factor and more in-depth analyses of curriculum changes may be possible as a result.
As part of a study involving seven hundred and forty-seven (747) consecutive cases of self-injury presenting at the emergency department of an inner city hospital, data pertaining to a multiple attempt group of ninety-nine subjects were compared with the data pertaining to first attempters. All subjects were rated on Beck's Lethality Scales, Intent Scale and Hopelessness Scale. In addition, a standard interview was conducted to provide psychosocial information. Of the total suicide attempt population, 14% can be considered chronic. The multiple attempters were found to show more chronicity in their symptomatology, poorer coping histories, a positive family history of suicidal behaviour and a positive history of alcohol and drug abuse, all at a statistically significant level compared with first-time attempters. The multiple attempters also tend to show higher lethality and depression ratings, less impulsiveness and are significantly more often admitted to the in-patient unit following the attempt, than first attempters. Their intent scores were significantly related to their sense of hopelessness, which may be a reflection of their basic feelings of inadequacy. It was concluded that the multiple or "chronic" attempter differed sufficiently from the first-time attempter to warrant special intervention strategies.
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