Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

Education is a key factor for national competitiveness and a significant element of the social infrastructure, on which the achieved level of public welfare depends. Professional realization and the return on investment in human capital are largely determined by the quality of higher education and the acquired knowledge and skills. In this context, the purpose of this article is to study and analyse the quality of education in economics in Bulgarian higher education institutions and, on this basis, to formulate conclusions and recommendations regarding the possibilities for its improvement. To achieve the set goal, a descriptive analysis of the strengths, challenges, and opportunities for development is carried out, and criteria and sub-criteria for assessing the quality of economics education in higher education institutions in Bulgaria are systematized. The usefulness of such a study is expressed in the proposed system of criteria and sub-criteria for assessing the quality of economics education in higher education institutions, taking into account external and internal factors of impact on the overall process, from admission through training, and finally to implementation.

ABSTRACTThis study explored the relationship between preservice teachers' (PSTs') conceptualization of mathematical problem‐solving and their performance. Fifty‐six PSTs engaged in a two‐part questionnaire that included prompts related to their views and understanding of problem‐solving as well as an authentic mathematical task. Results revealed that 47% of participants perceived problem‐solving as a means to find a solution, 41% conceptualized it as a skill with steps or strategies, and 7% viewed it as a process of discovery or reflection. For the mathematical task, we explored outcomes across five dimensions: understanding, representation, communication, accuracy, and reflection. Results showed that most PSTs were placed in the developing category for understanding, representation, and communication. Nearly half were placed in an emerging category for accuracy. For the reflection category, most PSTs were split between the developing and emerging levels. Furthermore, significant correlations existed between PSTs' problem‐solving views and their performance; for example, those seeing it as an art performed better overall. This study ends with implications aimed at improving PSTs' educational experiences in mathematical problem‐solving.

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe aim of this study is to evaluate the integrated transformative learning theory and quantitative measurement model developed by Stuckey and colleagues in 2013.MethodsThe Transformative Leaning Survey (TLS) was administered as a cross‐sectional web survey to 467 respondents recruited from a variety of sources. The questionnaire includes four transformative learning outcome measures (acting differently, deeper self‐awareness, holding more open perspectives, experiencing a deep shift in worldview) and 14 transformative learning process measures in three domains (extra‐rational, rational, social critique).ResultsThe majority of respondents were female (73.7 percent), white (70.7 percent), with a graduate degree (57.2 percent), and professional employment (56.1 percent); the median age was 35–44. Reliabilities (alpha) of TLS scales ranged from 0.68 to 0.91 (median = 0.78). Multivariate regression identified two rational process factors (Action, Disorienting Dilemma) and two social critique process factors (Empowerment, Unveiling Oppression) that had significant (p < 0.05) positive independent associations with multiple transformative learning outcome measures; no extra‐rational process measures were significant.ConclusionsThis study replicates, validates, and extends the development of the Transformative Leaning Survey and advances transformative learning theory by identifying drivers of transformative learning outcomes. Further quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method research on transformative learning is needed.

Research on intimate partner violence shows that individuals who employ abusive behaviors also often have other psychosocial health problems (e.g., substance use) that may limit their ability to engage in treatment for abuse. Limited information exists regarding the psychosocial health needs of individuals who perpetrate abuse and how those needs play a role in their ability to follow through and complete an intervention program. Administrative data from one batterer intervention program (BIP) (N = 330), the local Department of Human Services, and court records were used to explore the relationship of service involvement to post-BIP recidivism. We found that over half the sample had engagement with DHS prior to starting the BIP, and general welfare, health and medical assistance, and behavioral health services were the most accessed programs. Additionally, recidivism for any crime was significantly higher among those with prior DHS involvement. Individuals who perpetrate abuse and who have a history of contact with DHS may represent the most vulnerable population with regards to both risk for attrition from a BIP and future recidivism. Future studies should seek to understand best practices for referrals and coordinated care for individuals who perpetrate abuse and ensure access to a broad range of services to help assist in reducing violent behaviors.

We examined the international scientific productivity on auditing between 2002, when the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) was published, and the end of 2013, based on a bibliometrics/scientometrics analysis of scientific articles included in the Web of Science from the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI). A database was created including 2,394 publications. As a contribution it was possible to systematically identify the main features of the auditing publications in the extended literature through bibliometrics and scientometrics analysis for the creation of its state of art in auditing. It is important that other researchers study the reason for the growth in auditing publications and identify relevant concepts, theories, methodologies, and emerging issues that have arisen in the field of auditing considering that there is a transactional empirical gap for future studies in the literature.   Key words: Bibliometrics, scientometrics, scientific production, Social Science Citation Index (SSCI), literature review.

Disaster risk analysis and assessment are the main content and foundation of the management of all risks associated with disasters. They constitute the knowledge basis for meteorological disaster prediction, prevention, compensation, and all other works related to disastrous weather conditions. Meteorological disaster risk analysis studies what kinds of weather disasters will occur at a certain particular geographic region within a specific timeframe. At the same time, meteorological information system contains numerous kinds of uncertainties and incompleteness. That is, meteorological information system is made up of largely grey information. In recent years, a large number of researchers tried to utilize different theories of uncertainty to analyse meteorological disasters. Grey systems theory (Liu et al. 2010; Liu and Lin, 2006) is one among such theories on uncertainty. It includes such major components as grey correlation analysis, grey clusters, grey prediction, etc., and represents a novel theory that is developed to deal with situations of uncertainty due to poor quality of information. This special issue combines the analysis of meteorological disasters and risks with grey systems theory to formulate a new approach for the analysis and assessment of meteorological disasters and risks. This new approach not only supplements the traditional methods widely used in the area of research on disaster risks, but also develops new instruments that are effective in dealing with meteorological disasters and risks.

Consistent and proper use of condoms has been found to be effective in preventing HIV transmission and other sexually transmitted diseases. We examined the predictors of condom use and knowledge of partner's HIV status among 731 HIV-positive individuals who had sex in the past six months. Data are from an incoming service form administered to clients who visited the Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences' Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) site in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between 1997-2008 (N=45,071). Sixteen percent reported always using a condom in the past six months. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that age, and knowledge of partner's HIV status were the strongest predictors of consistent condom use. The risk of future HIV infections in this region remains high. Future efforts to prevent new HIV infections should aim to increase condom use, and prevention practices that facilitate HIV-positive individuals to communicate their HIV status with partners.