Predicting university success in psychology:are subject-specific skills important?

The relationship between previous academic achievement and subsequent success at university was explored in a retrospective study of 56 UK psychology students. It was found that the subjects studied at A-level, and the grades obtained, did not predict performance at university. In contrast, GCSE grades, in particular those achieved in Science and English, were significant predictors of final year marks. Once at university, first and second year results had an incremental ability to predict final year performance, with an additional effect of undertaking a work placement. The implications of the results are discussed within the context of recent literature relating to cognitive and non-cognitive predictors of academic performance.

New developments in library orientation and information literacy:regenerating library services for new students

Over the last six years, Aston University Library & Information Services Induction Team have worked on the Welcome experience for new and returning students to the Library.  The article provides an overview of the Induction programme and how it has evolved to engage students pre and post arrival to the University. 

Epidemiology, clinical and laboratory characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia in a university hospital in UK

There has been a persistent increase in the number of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and meticillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteraemia in the UK. This prospective study included 147 episodes of S. aureus bacteraemia in 139 patients over a 14 month period, from 1 November 2001 to 31 December 2002. Eighty-seven (59%) episodes in 84 patients and 60 (41%) in 56 patients were due to MRSA and MSSA, respectively. An intra-vascular device (29, 33%) and a soft-tissue (15, 25%) source were the commonest identifiable foci for bacteraemia in the MRSA and MSSA groups, respectively. Attributable mortality in the MRSA group was higher than the MSSA group (33% vs 16%; P = 0.03) but there was no statistical difference for either attributable (P = 0.35) or crude (P = 0.39) mortality between the two groups, when adjusted for age, respiratory focus and inappropriate antibiotic therapy. A respiratory source (P = 0.02) and inappropriate antibiotic therapy (P = 0.02) were associated with attributable mortality in the MRSA group whereas advanced age was the only risk factor (P = 0.02) in the MSSA group. The present study shows that S. aureus bacteraemia continues to be a serious infection mostly affecting the elderly and emphasizes the need for improved strategy in the control and management of this condition. © 2006 The Hospital Infection Society.

The experiences of South Asian university students in the British education system and in their search for work

This research aimed to provide a comparative analysis of South Asian and White British students in their academic attainment at school and university and in their search for employment. Data were gathered by using a variety of methodological techniques. Completed postal questionnaires were received from 301 South Asian and White British undergraduates from 12 British universities, who were in their final year of study in 1985. In depth interviews were also conducted with 49 graduates who were a self selected group from the original sample. Additional information was also collected by using diary report forms and by administering a second postal questionnaire to selected South Asian and White British participants. It was found that while the pre-university qualifications of the White British and South Asian undergraduates did not differ considerably, many members in the latter group had travelled a more arduous path to academic success. For some South Asians, school experiences included the confrontation of racist attitudes and behaviour, both from teachers and peers. The South Asian respondents in this study were more likely than their White British counterparts, to have attempted some C.S.E. examinations, obtained some of their `O' levels in the Sixth Form and retaken their `A' levels. As a result the South Asians were on average older than their White British peers when entering university. A small sample of South Asians also found that the effects of racism were perpetuated in higher education where they faced difficulty both academically and socially. Overall, however, since going to university most South Asians felt further drawn towards their `cultural background', this often being their own unique view of `Asianess'. Regarding their plans after graduation, it was found that South Asians were more likely to opt for further study, believing that they needed to be better qualified than their White British counterparts. For those South Asians who were searching for work, it was noted that they were better qualified, willing to accept a lower minimum salary, had made more job applications and had started searching for work earlier than the comparable White British participants. Also, although generally they were not having difficulty in obtaining interviews, South Asian applicants were less likely to receive an offer of employment. In the final analysis examining their future plans, it was found that a large proportion of South Asian graduates were aspiring towards self employment.

The influence of the socio-educational reading environment in an Arab University upon English reading performance

Research into FL/EFL macro-reading (the effect of the broader context of reading) has been little explored in spite of its importance in the FL/EFL reading programmes. This study was designed to build on previous work by explaining in more depth the influence of the socio-educational reading environment in an Arab university (Al-Fateh University in Tripoli, Libya) - as reported by students, upon these students' reading ability in English and Arabic (particularly the former). Certain aspects of the lecturers' reading habits and attitudes and classroom operation were also investigated. Written cloze tests in English and Arabic and self-administered questionnaires were given to 125 preliminary-year undergraduates in three faculties of Al-Fateh University on the basis of their use of English as a medium of instruction (one representing the Arts' stream and two representing the Science stream). Twenty two lecturers were interviewed and observed by an inventory technique along with twenty other preliminary-year students. Factor analysis and standard multiple regression technique were among the statistical methods used to analyse the main data. The findings demonstrate a significant relationship between reading ability in English and the reading individual and environmental variables - as defined in the study. A combination of common and different series of such predictors were found accountable for the variation (43% for the first year English specialist; 48% for the combined Medicine student sample) in the English reading tests. Also found was a significant, though not very large, relationship between reading ability in Arabic and the reading environment. Non-statistical but objective analyses, based on the present data, also revealed an overall association between English reading performance and an important number of reading environmental variables - where many `poor' users of the reading environment (particularly the academic one) obtained low scores in the English cloze tests. Accepting the limitations of a single study, it is nevertheless clear that the reading environment at the University is in need of improvement and that students' use of it also requires better guidance and training in how to use it effectively. Suggestions are made for appropriate educational changes.

Special issue of PDS - Based on PDDG meeting, Aston University, September 2007, in honour of Professor Norman Billingham

This edition of Polymer Degradation and Stability comprises selected papers presented at the 27th Polymer Degradation Discussion Group (PDDG) Conference, affiliated to the Macromolecular Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry, held at Aston University, Birmingham (UK), September 2007, in honour of Professor Norman Billingham for lifelong career in Polymer Science. Norman Billingham was one of the main founders of the PDDG meetings which have been held annually at different venues in the UK since 1976, and biennially since 1998. The PDDG meetings are forums for scientific developments and open discussion of all aspects of polymer degradation and stabilisation and have always provided younger researchers a platform for presenting and discussing their work in the field. This 27th PDDG meeting, chaired by Sahar Al-Malaika (Aston University), was dedicated to Norman Billingham, the Guest of Honour, in recognition for his distinguished contributions to Polymer Science particularly in the area of polymer degradation and stabilisation. The meeting was attended by 65 delegates from 15 countries in Europe, USA and Australia, many of whom have worked and collaborated with Norman at some points of their career. The guest editors of this issue wish to add their Congratulations to Norman Billingham for his outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of polymer degradation and stabilisation and to wish him very happy years ahead. We wish also to express our gratitude to Elsevier for sponsoring the 27th PDDG event and our appreciation to Professor Norman Billingham in his capacity as the Editor-in-Chief of Polymer Degradation and Stability, for the support and help received during the preparation of this special issue.