Economics and Programmed Instruction

An examination of programmed instruction indicates that it is as effective as the lecture-discussion technique for teaching economics when measured by student examination performance. Evidence indicates that PI students better retain information applicable to solving complex application questions than those exposed to traditional instruction. PI saves student and instructor time, yet the growth of its use has diminished. Vredeveld examines the principles and development of PI, its effectiveness, and the economic reasons inhibiting its use in colleges and universities.     

Sample sizes in experimental games

Limited use has been made of power analyses in experimental economics. Very often, the outcome of the control group is associated with a random variable of interest that shows little variance, in which case, there is often not much to learn from the control group. In such cases, control groups of lesser size are more desirable for they give the same message with fewer resources. I demonstrate that the central limit theorem cannot be blindly relied upon in experimental economics. I propose a general solution for a class of problems that interest experimental economists both in the field and the lab. I show that even when the distribution of the outcome variable is not known or assumed, one can (non-parametrically) arrive at a satisficing sample size that has sufficient power for testing the null hypothesis of an assumed mean for the control group.     

Programmed Learning-Policy Analysis: An Experiment in Teaching Principles of Economics

Darnton reports on an experiment using programmed instruction in macroeconomics. He also explains how assignments to write “position papers” on economic policies are used. An analysis of the experiment deals with the time devoted to the course by students and instructor, student understanding of economics and student attitude toward this approach. The TUCE was used as the testing instrument, and Darnton asserts that the experimental group did better than the control group on complex application questions. The experimental approach proved to be popular with the students, and the author claims that it provided for a more efficient use of faculty resources.     

The effects of a financial literacy intervention on the financial and economic knowledge of high school students

The authors taught financial concepts to students in 12th-grade economics classes, where one treatment was intensive in money management (MM) topics and the other was intensive in financial investment (FI) topics. Two control groups, consisting of 11th-grade students with no exposure to economics and 12th-grade economics students, received no treatment. Both treatment groups showed a 13 percentage point increase in test scores from pretest to posttest, while neither control group showed gains. Neither treatment group outperformed the other in the financial literacy test.     

An experimental evaluation of a proactive pastoral care initiative within an introductory university course

Improving student retention and academic performance is a key objective for higher education institutions, and finding effective interventions for assisting with at-risk students is therefore important. In this article, we evaluate a proactive pastoral care intervention that was trialled in an introductory economics course in New Zealand. We first identified students at high risk of failure, and then randomized these students into two treatment groups and a control group. The first treatment group received an email with information about academic support, while the second treatment group received the email as well as a personal telephone call to follow-up. In evaluating the impact of the intervention trial, we found that the first intervention did not significantly improve student outcomes, but the second intervention improved outcomes in one of the two semesters evaluated. Overall, the initiative was a qualified success. It is both simple and cost-effective and should be considered for wider implementation and further evaluation.     

Does preschool education attendance matter? Evidence from a natural experiment in Spain

The non-compulsory and non-free of charge character of preschool education level before 3 years old in Spain raises some doubts about the exogenous nature of this variable. This article provides new evidence about the impact of preschool years on educational outcomes by exploiting a peculiar Spanish database that supplies information on two classrooms at fourth grade in primary schools where students were randomly allocated into each group. Using an identification strategy that reproduces a natural experiment, we find that belonging to the group with more average years of preschool education significantly and positively impacts on fourth-grade students’ average outcomes. Particularly, an increase of one standard deviation in the difference in years of preschool attendance results in an increase of 0.16 (0.13) standard deviations in the group achievement for mathematics (reading). In view of the importance of preschool education and considering that preschool attendance before 3 years old is related with socio-economic variables, we conclude that extending free preschool education to the 2-year-old age group in Spain should be considered especially for students in families with less favourable backgrounds.     

Trait perceptions influence economic out-group bias: lab and field evidence from Vietnam

Group favoritism is typically directed toward in-group members and against out-group members, but these cross-group effects often vary. Little is known about why group effects on economic choices vary. We use a survey method developed in social psychology to measure stereotyped attitudes of one group toward another. These attitudes are then associated with prosociality in five experimental games (also using an unusual amount of individual-level sociodemographic control). We present evidence from an artificial field experiment of a majority group with high status (Vietnamese) exhibiting no disfavoritism toward a lower-status out-group (Khmer) and typical disfavoritism to a second out-group (Chinese). Both Vietnamese and Chinese groups see the Khmer as warm but incompetent, attitudes which seem to activate empathy rather than contempt. The results suggest that measuring between-group stereotype attitudes can be used to predict the sign of cross-group favoritism in other natural settings.     

Classroom experiments: Teaching specific topics or promoting the economic way of thinking?

The authors' data contain inter- and intra-class variations in experiments to which students in a principles of microeconomics course were exposed. These variations allowed the estimation of the effect on student achievement from the experimental treatment generally, as well as effects associated with participation in specific experiments. The authors find that students exposed to the experimental treatment enjoyed significantly higher positive learning gains than those in the no-experiment control group. The productivity experiment was associated with significantly more positive learning, the minimum wage experiment with less negative learning, and the externality experiment with less positive learning. The authors further find that some experiments affect student learning on the demonstrated topics, while others affect student learning on unrelated topics.     

A classroom experiment in monetary policy

The authors propose a classroom experiment implementing a simple version of a New Keynesian model suitable for courses in intermediate macroeconomics and money and banking. Students play as either the central bank or members of the private sector. The central banker sets interest rates to meet twin objectives for inflation and the output gap or to meet only an inflation target. In both settings, private sector agents are concerned with correctly forecasting the inflation rate. The authors show that an experiment implementing this setup is feasible and yields results that enhance understanding of the New Keynesian model of monetary policy. They propose alternative versions where the central bank is replaced by a policy rule and provide suggestions for discussing the experimental results with students.     

The Relative Effectiveness of Economics Instruction for Teachers and College Students

Walstad reports on a master of instruction program for teachers of pre-college students. Comparisons between different groups of students (i.e., teachers in the program, regular intermediate theory students, …) indicate that the program appeared to meet its cognitive and attitudinal objectives. The study, however, raises serious questions about the effectiveness of instruction at the intermediate level and about the economic understanding of pre-college economics teachers (less than or equal to the college principles students included in the study).     

氢氧化钙联合氯已定在年轻恒牙外伤后牙髓血运重建中的应用价值

目的探讨氢氧化钙联合氯已定在年轻恒牙外伤后血运重建中的应用价值。方法选取2017年11月至2019年4月锦州医科大学附属第二医院口腔内科接收的78例年轻恒牙外伤患者(86颗患牙)作为研究对象,通过随机分组方式分为试验组(39例,44颗患牙)与对照组(39例,42颗患牙)。对照组患儿应用氢氧化钙行根尖诱导成形术,试验组患儿应用氢氧化钙、氯已定根管封药后进行牙髓血运重建术,比较两组患儿临床效果。结果试验组患儿治疗有效率(100.00%)明显高于对照组(80.95%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后,试验组患儿牙齿叩痛、牙龈肿胀、瘘管、牙齿松动度评分明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对年轻恒牙外伤患儿予以氢氧化钙和氯已定联合治疗,有利于提高牙髓血运重建术效果,促进患儿牙根发育,且降低牙冠变色概率。     

生物制药工艺学实验教学体系改革研究

生物制药工艺学是生物工程主干专业课之一,针对其实验体系未能充分体现代生物技术的发展步伐及培养大学生素质等环节出现的问题.本研究以生物制药工艺学的实验教学体系、实验教学内容、实验教学手段及实验设置中各知识的合理配置为主线进行探讨,确立了生物制药工艺学完整的教学实验项目、体现时代要求并具备特色和优势的实验教学内容,提高了学生的思维创新能力、综合分析及实践能力、就业适应能力,为实验教学的改革和发展提供借鉴。     

和胃解毒汤治疗食道癌患者的疗效和安全性

目的探讨和胃解毒汤治疗食道癌患者的疗效以及安全性,为临床治疗食道癌提供新思路。方法选取2019年1月至2020年5月梅州市人民医院收治的食道癌患者62例作为研究对象,按照不同的治疗方案分为对照组(30例)和试验组(32例)。对照组给予调强适形放射治疗加紫杉醇(TXL)联合洛铂(LBP)化疗,即TP化疗方案;试验组在对照组基础上加用和胃解毒汤。比较分析两组患者的治疗效果,并评价两组患者的胃肠道不良反应发生情况。结果试验组治疗有效率及疾病控制率分别为78.13%和87.50%,显著高于对照组的53.33%和66.67%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);主要不良反应为胃肠道反应,以恶心呕吐、食欲下降为主,可耐受,其中试验组胃肠道不良反应发生率9.38%,显著低于对照组的30.00%(P<0.05)。结论和胃解毒汤在食道癌患者综合治疗中具有良好的疗效,减轻了不良反应,对治疗食道癌有积极的意义。     

芪柏塌渍治疗小儿静脉炎的疗效及对TLR-4/核因子-κB信号通路的影响

目的观察芪柏塌渍对静脉炎的疗效,同时探讨其对TLR-4/核因子-κB信号通路上标志蛋白表达的影响。方法选取2018年1月至2019年6月大连市中心医院收治的40例静脉炎患儿作为研究对象,按随机数字表法分为常规组和试验组,各20例,另取20例健康儿童为对照组。对照组患儿取50%硫酸镁溶液浸湿的无菌纱布敷于发生静脉炎处,面积以超过静脉炎范围1~2 cm为宜,并用保鲜膜包裹于纱布外,每2小时换药1次,3 d为一个治疗周期。试验组用无菌棉签蘸取适量芪柏塌渍膏涂于发生静脉炎处,面积以大于静脉炎范围1~2 cm为宜,厚度0.2~0.5 cm,予以无菌纱布覆盖,最后用胶布固定,每4~6小时换药1次,3 d为一个治疗周期。于治疗前及治疗2个周期时,采用蛋白免疫印迹法检测外周血中TLR-4和核因子-κB水平变化,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测患儿血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-11(IL-11)、白细胞介素-4(IL-4)、白细胞介素-33(IL-33)蛋白表达。结果治疗后两组患儿数字评分法(NRS)评分、红肿面积有所改善,且试验组改善程度优于常规组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);静脉炎患儿血清TLR-4、核因子-κB、TNF-α、IL-11、IL-4、IL-33水平明显高于健康对照组(P<0.05);治疗后,常规组和试验组患儿TLR-4、核因子-κB、TNF-α、IL-11、IL-4、IL-33水平明显下降(P<0.05),且试验组上述指标明显低于常规组(P<0.05)。结论静脉炎患儿存在TLR-4/核因子-κB信号通路表达紊乱,芪柏塌渍可明显调节TLR-4/核因子-κB信号通路上标志性蛋白的表达,该效应可能是芪柏塌渍从机体炎症方面改善静脉炎患儿的作用机制之一。     

New insights into an old problem – enhancing student learning outcomes in an introductory statistics course

Many students enrolled in first year introductory statistics courses believe learning statistics is a waste of time and fear they will fail. In this study, we explored the impacts on learning outcomes for students in an introductory statistics course by allowing students to arbitrarily choose their own sequence of learning from three key learning activities, namely tutorials, Peer-Assisted Study Sessions and Computer-Managed Learning quizzes. Unlike the old regime where the learning activities followed a strict, rigid sequence, a new regime allowed students to freely choose when, where and how they engaged with the course learning activities. This allowed increased opportunities for students to receive relevant and timely feedback. Using a total of 1187 students enrolled in semester 2 of 2011, 2012 and 2013, data were collected on students’ scores from 7 assessment tasks. Our experimental design ensured as many course features as possible remained constant between the control cohorts (of 2011 and 2012) and the experimental cohort (2013), thereby avoiding potential sample selection problems. The findings showed student learning outcomes in the new regime improved significantly. Interestingly, the effects were found to be greatest in the lower percentile of the score distribution.     

妊娠末期糖尿病患者应用格列本脲联合胰岛素治疗的效果及对妊娠结局与新生儿指标的影响

目的探讨妊娠末期糖尿病患者应用格列本脲联合胰岛素治疗的效果及对妊娠结局与新生儿指标的影响。方法选取盘锦辽油宝石花医院2017年1月至2019年6月收治的妊娠末期糖尿病患者150例作为研究对象,将其遵照双盲随机法分为对照组(75例,采用单纯胰岛素治疗方式)与试验组(75例,采用格列本脲联合胰岛素治疗方式)。比较两组基本资料、空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2 h血糖水平(2 hPBG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1C)、妊娠结局与新生儿指标。结果与对照组比较,试验组患者FPG、2hPBG、HbA1C水平更低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与对照组比较,试验组新生儿体重、体长、头围、肩周更佳,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与对照组比较,试验组新生儿早产率、低血糖发生率、黄疸发生率更低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论将格列本脲联合胰岛素治疗应用于末期糖尿病患者中,有利于控制患者血糖水平,改善患者妊娠结局及新生儿指标,疗效显著。     

Controlling inflation in Euroland

The experience with the two pillar strategy of the European Central Bank (ECB) suggests that at some point in the future the ECB may have to commit to one of the more traditional policy strategies – a direct inflation target or an intermediate monetary target. This study offers some information on the scale of control and indicator problems associated with both strategies. We estimate the links between monetary policy actions and inflation in dynamic linear models with the Kalman filter. Using European M3 that the ECB has published, it is found that the overall control problems involved in targeting money are larger than for direct inflation targets.     

Teaching Third-Degree Price Discrimination

Abstract: Third-degree price discrimination is taught in almost every intermediate microeconomics class. The theory, geometry, and the algebra behind the concept are simple, and the phenomenon is commonly associated with the sale of many of the goods and services used frequently by students. Classroom discussion is usually vibrant as students can relate their experiences of being on the receiving end of third-degree price discrimination, usually to their advantage. However, the precision of the language used in the exposition of the theory in textbooks is generally less precise than one would hope for, leading students to confuse slope and elasticity. The authors ask textbook writers to provide greater precision in their explanation of why differing elasticities are associated with the prices paid by two (or more) distinct groups of buyers facing third-degree price discrimination.     

社会排斥对地位消费行为倾向的影响

情境因素会导致消费者心理状态发生变化,对他们后续消费行为产生影响。基于自我肯定理论,本文探讨了社会排斥这一情境因素对消费者地位消费行为倾向的影响机理,认为消费者需要借助地位消费行为带来的自我肯定效用,以提升由社会排斥导致的自我价值感知威胁而诱发的自尊感知下降。以MBA、公司员工、在校本科生为被试,通过四项实验研究,本文发现,社会排斥能对消费者的地位消费行为倾向产生促进作用;此促进作用通过自我价值感知和自尊感知的链式中介效应传导;遭遇社会排斥后,若获得其他途径的自我肯定机会,则此促进作用会减弱。     

Imports and TFP at the firm level: the role of absorptive capacity

This paper estimates the effect of the decision to import intermediate goods and capital equipment on Total Factor Productivity (TFP) at the firm level on a panel of Spanish firms (1991–2002). We use two alternative approaches. In the first, we estimate TFP and apply a diff‐in‐diff estimator with a control group constructed by propensity‐score matching. In the second, direct method, we estimate TFP with imported inputs as a state variable in one stage. Both approaches show that the effect of a firm's decision to source intermediates and capital equipment abroad on its TFP depends critically on its capacity to absorb technology, measured by the proportion of skilled labour.