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Classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT) are two fundamental approaches used in scale development research. Although CTT is the preferred methodology in scale development research in the Republic of Turkey, the IRT methodology has started to gain traction in recent years. In this study, we used the systematic review methodology to review scale development research in Turkey that used the IRT procedures. Results revealed that most of the studies were conducted in 2017. Most of the studies have a sufficient sample size. Exploratory factor analysis was used more than confirmatory factor analysis. Some studies failed to choose the proper IRT model, report and interpret item parameters, check IRT assumptions, and report and interpret information functions. We recommend some practical considerations to researchers in terms of IRT assumptions.

As a requirement of our era, digital competence and e-learning have become basic competencies. The importance of these concepts has become clearer in medical education, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. This period also triggered the transformation in education with technology. This study aimed to examine the relationship between medical students' digital competence levels and their attitudes toward elearning. Data were collected from 922 medical students who voluntarily participated in the study, using the Students' Basic Digital Competences Scale and the E-Learning Attitude Scale. It was determined that medical students had high levels of digital competence, and their e-learning levels were moderate. The digital content development, information and data literacy, communication, the university's virtual tools and social communication, and the problem-solving sub-dimensions of digital competence are significantly, positively, and moderately related to e-learning. Students' digital competency levels did not differ significantly according to sex and studied term. Men's e-learning attitudes are significantly higher than that of women. The e-learning attitudes of term 1 students are higher than term 4 and 5 students. Medical education is a process open to continuous improvement. This research will contribute to the explanations regarding the transformation after the pandemic concerning the aims of medical education. [The publication year (2022) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct publication year is 2023.]

The aim of the study was to examine the common items in the mixed format (e.g., multiple-choices and essay items) contain parameter drifts in the test equating processes performed with the common item nonequivalent groups design. In this study, which was carried out using Monte Carlo simulation with a fully crossed design, the factors of test length (30 and 50), sample size (1000 and 3000), common item ratio (30 and 40%), ratio of items with item parameter drift (IPD) in common items (20 and 30%), location of common items in tests (at the beginning, randomly distributed, and at the end) and IPD size in multiple-choice items (low [0.2] and high [1.0]) were studied. Four test forms were created, and two test forms do not contain parameter drifts. After the parameter drift was performed on the first of the other two test forms, the parameter drift was again performed on the second test form. Test equating results were compared using the root mean squared error (RMSE) value. As a result of the research, ratio of items with IPD in common items, IPD size in multiple-choice items, common item ratio, sample size and test length on equating errors were found to be significant.

Clinical reasoning is important in medical education in terms of achieving the purpose of clinical practice. 3 cases in which clinical reasoning prepared by relevant experts from 3 different departments were applied to Year-5 students. As an indicator of academic success, the final grade of the internship and the general success average were taken. Problem solving perception scale was applied. This research aimed to examine the relationships between the problem solving, clinical reasoning and academic achievement levels of medical students. It was observed that clinical case evaluations showed a positive correlation with each other, a positive correlation was found between clinical case evaluations and problem solving perception, and the final grade of internship and GPA did not correlate with both clinical case assessment and problem solving perception. It is necessary to determine whether the clinical reasoning processes are used adequately by the students in medical education and the education programs should be reviewed and arranged accordingly.

Most researchers investigate the corrected item-total correlation of items when analyzing item discrimination in multi-dimensional structures under the Classical Test Theory, which might lead to underestimating item discrimination, thereby removing items from the test. Researchers might investigate the corrected item-total correlation with the factors to which that item belongs; however, getting a general overview of the entire test is impossible. Based on this problem, this study aims to recommend a new index to investigate item discrimination in two-dimensional structures through a Monte Carlo simulation. The new item discrimination index is evaluated by identifying sample size, item discrimination value, inter-factor correlation, and the number of categories. Based upon the results of the study it can be claimed that the proposed item discrimination index proves acceptable performance for two-dimensional structures. Accordingly, using this new item discrimination index could be recommended to researchers when investigating item discrimination in two-dimensional structures.

Scoring constructed-response items can be highly difficult, time-consuming, and costly in practice. Improvements in computer technology have enabled automated scoring of constructed-response items. However, the application of automated scoring without an investigation of test equating can lead to serious problems. The goal of this study was to score the constructed-response items in mixed-format tests automatically with different test/training data rates and to investigate the indirect effect of these scores on test equating compared with human raters. Bidirectional long-short term memory (BLSTM) was selected as the automated scoring method for the best performance. During the test equating process, methods based on classical test theory and item response theory were utilized. In most of the equating methods, errors of the equating resulting from automated scoring were close to the errors occurring in equating processes conducted by human raters. It was concluded that automated scoring can be applied because it is convenient in terms of equating.

This Monte Carlo simulation study aimed to investigate confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) estimation methods under different conditions, such as sample size, distribution of indicators, test length, average factor loading, and factor structure. Binary data were generated to compare the performance of maximum likelihood (ML), mean and variance adjusted unweighted least squares (ULSMV), mean and variance adjusted weighted least squares (WLSMV), and Bayesian estimators. As a result of the study, it was revealed that increased average factor loading and sample size had a positive effect on the performance of the estimation methods. According to the research findings, it can be said that the methods are sufficient to estimate average factor loading and interfactor correlations, regardless of the estimation methods, in most of the conditions where the average factor loading is 0.7. In small sample sizes particularly, the interfactor correlation was underestimated for skewed indicator conditions. According to the findings of the study, although there is not the most accurate method in all conditions, it can be recommended to use ULSMV method because it performs adequately in more conditions.

In this study, the purpose is to compare factor retention methods under simulation conditions. For this purpose, simulations conditions with a number of factors (1, 2 [simple]), sample sizes (250, 1.000, and 3.000), number of items (20, 30), average factor loading (0.50, 0.70), and correlation matrix (Pearson Product Moment [PPM] and Tetrachoric) were investigated. For each condition, 1.000 replications were conducted. Under the scope of this research, performances of the Parallel Analysis, Minimum Average Partial, DETECT, Optimal Coordinate, and Acceleration Factor methods were compared by means of the percentage of correct estimates, and mean difference values. The results of this study indicated that MAP analysis, as applied to both tetrachoric and PPM correlation matrices, demonstrated the best performance. PA showed a good performance with the PPM correlation matrix, however, in smaller samples, the performance of the tetrachoric correlation matrix decreased. The Acceleration Factor method proposed one factor for all simulation conditions. For unidimensional constructs, the DETECT method was affected by both the sample size and average factor loading. [This study was presented at the 6th International Conference on Education, Zagreb, Croatia.]

We present new radiometric (Ar-Ar) age data from the volcanic rocks occurring in the Eocene strata in the Hekimhan and Gürün-Darende (Malaya) regions. The Eocene units in these regions are represented separately by the Tohma and Darende formations, respectively. The two basaltic volcanic interlayers in the Tohma Formation, occurring in the lower and upper parts of the succession, yielded Ar-Ar isochron ages of 51.75 ± 0.76 and 42.66 ± 0.43 Ma, respectively, indicating a deposition age of Ypresian-Lutetian interval for the unit. The andesitic volcanic rocks in the basal parts of the Darende Formation yielded an Ar-Ar isochron age of 37.35 ± 0.72 Ma, revealing that the unit was deposited at least in the Bartonian-Priabonian interval, much younger than the nummilites-bearing sedimentary units seen in the Hekimhan area. Based on these data, we present a revised stratigraphy of these units. Based on the age data from these units, it can be suggested that two distinct sectors of the Anatolide-Tauride Block, the Akdere and Munzur sectors, which were separated originally by a transform fault, were tectonically juxtaposed and eroded in the Paleocene times, representing the initial stage of the Gürün Curl, the most prominent structural feature of eastern Taurides in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Miocene Galatian Volcanic Province (GVP) is one of the largest volcanic provinces in central-western Anatolia, with an extent of ~ 8,900 km2. The volcanic activity is extended from 22.5 to 7.5 Ma. The volcanic compositions straddle the alkaline-subalkaline fields, from basic to acid compositions and mostly transitional to sodic affinity. Major oxides show good correlation with SiO2 indicating prolonged effects of fractional crystallization. Primitive mantle-normalized multi-element patterns indicate overall similarities among the different samples of the three geographic sectors, sharing strong negative anomalies in Nb–Ta–Ti, strong positive peaks at Cs and K, coupled with a common, albeit not always present, positive anomaly at Pb. Mineral-melt geothermobarometric estimates indicates ~1070–1235°C and ~7–19 kbar for melting conditions of basaltic compositions and ~1000–1150°C and ~3–12 kbar for andesitic-dacitic rocks. The absence of correlation between radiogenic isotopes and SiO2 and MgO is here interpreted as consequence of assimilation-fractional-crystalization processes involving lower continental crust as contaminant. The GVP parental magmas are generated from ~2% to 10% partial melting of a lherzolitic mantle with high spinel/garnet ratio based on intra-REE fractionation constraints. The subduction-related metasomatism inferred for the GVP mantle sources based on their chemistry is interpreted to be linked to the northward subduction of the northern branch of the Neo-Tethys slab. Successive slab retreat resulted in extension for the critical stress distribution through the Cyprus slab, favouring magma propagation for the GVP volcanic region. The eventual break-off of the slab after the continent-continent collision of Arabian and Eurasian plates could have caused a toroidal mantle flow, favouring the widely distributed 15–16 Ma alkaline magmatism in the eastern GVP, associated with passive hot asthenospheric upwelling imaged by teleseismic P-wave tomography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermediate sulfidation epithermal deposits represent significant reservoirs of precious metals, playing a crucial role in global mining operations. The Anatolian Peninsula, predominantly characterized by relatively young (Tertiary) lithologies, hosts numerous occurrences of epithermal base and precious metal mineralization. Within the realm of research in Northeastern Anatolia, several hydrothermal alteration zones have emerged as indicators of concealed epithermal mineralization, with the Bahçecik mineralization standing out as a recent focal point. The Bahçecik mineralization represents an intermediate sulfidation epithermal Au-Ag system, hosted by Late Cretaceous andesitic rocks, as well as Eocene dacitic lava and tuffs. Employing U-Pb LA-ICP-MS zircon dating of the dacitic host rocks, the mineralization is estimated to have occurred during the Lutetian epoch (43.61 ± 0.35 Ma) or later. The genesis of the Bahçecik deposit is believed to be linked to postcollisional regional extensional tectonics, primarily controlling its structural arrangement. Comprising pyrite, chalcopyrite, low-Fe sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite/tennantite, enargite-luzonite, and gold-silver minerals, the deposit is accompanied by prominent gangue minerals such as Mn- and Ca-carbonates, quartz, and barite. Microprobe measurements have identified a majority of Au-Ag minerals (krennerite, buckhornite, and nagyagite) closely associated with sulphide minerals. Fluid inclusion data reveal that mineralization and fluid transportation occurred at temperatures ranging from 153 to 327°C, with solutions exhibiting salinity levels consistent with those of intermediate sulfidation deposits (1.7–7.3 wt.% NaCl). This study unequivocally classifies the Bahçecik mineralization as an intermediate sulfidation deposit, contrary to the conclusions drawn in previous research. Moreover, our investigation has unveiled the presence of a substantial ore resource, totalling 7.84 million tons, featuring 1.76 g/t Au and 2.24 g/t Ag. As an intermediate-type deposit, it shares characteristics with other subtypes within the epithermal class, bridging the realms of both high and low sulfidation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Journal of Faculty of Education / Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Journal of Faculty of Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Raman spectroscopy has been applied to study a range of chromites ([Fe.sup.2+], Mg)(Cr, Al, [Fe.sup.3+])[.sup.2][O.sub.4] with variable chromium to aluminum to iron contents to ascertain conclusions about possible correlations between the chromium concentration and the position of the main Raman peaks within this mineral. Our intention was to examine chromite grains from different paragenesis, which vary significantly in their chromium content, to observe changes in the Raman spectra of this mineral. It was found that a negative correlation exists between the chromium number, calculated from the electron microprobe data, and the Raman peak number. Chromite grains with high chromium numbers show a low Raman peak, whereas samples with low chromium number show a higher Raman peak. Therefore, it is possible to infera relationship between the mineral composition and Raman bands for this type of spinel. The measurements have clearly shown that it is possible to draw precise conclusions about the chromium content of the mineral based on the Raman peak alone. This finding supports a possible application of portable Raman devices on Earth or in space for asteroids and planets., Raman spectroscopy has gained increasing importance in almost all areas of earth and material sciences. This is particularly true in studies of mineralogy, petrology, and volcanology. Raman spectroscopy has also [...]

Copyright of Western Anatolia Journal of Educational Sciences (WAJES) / Batı Anadolu Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Dokuz Eylul University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Commagene Journal of Biology is the property of Adiyaman Scientific Research Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The east-west trending Taurides form a curved area in central eastern Anatolia known as the Gürün Curl. In order to understand the origin of the Gürün Curl and Tauride evolution in general, the results of a new field study of this region have been synthesized together with previously published data. We suggest that the geodynamic evolution of the area began with the likely presence of a Tethys Ocean transform fault. This fault separated the Taurides into the Akdere Sector in the west and the Munzur Sector in the east in the Late Cretaceous. During the late Santonian–early Campanian, ophiolites obducted onto the Munzur Sector, while platform sediments continued to accumulate in the Akdere Sector. This was followed by the development of an Andean-type arc-type magmatism (the Baskil Arc) during the early–middle Campanian in the Munzur Sector. Continued closure of the Tethys led to the collision of the Bitlis Massif in the south of the Munzur Sector in the Campanian. This, in turn, resulted in continental subduction and slab roll-back that was controlled by a Subduction Transform Edge Propagator (STEP) Fault that lay on the original transform fault between the Akdere and Munzur sectors. Because the subducted slab was free at its western corner, the western edge rolled back faster than in the east, leading to an asymmetrical extensional regime on the upper plate that created the late Campanian Hekimhan Basin. While these geodynamic events were taking place in the Munzur Sector, the Akdere Sector was in a platform setting. During the Palaeocene, the Late Mesozoic units of the Akdere Sector began to overthrust on the Hekimhan Basin and the ophiolites. Following the Palaeocene, all these tectonostratigraphic units were covered by Eocene sediments around the Gürün Curl of which the modern appearance was completed by the Miocene to Recent movements along the strike-slip faults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]