links for 2009-01-21

"Binned by quintiles, we observe that males and females with similar pretest scores do not have significantly different post-test scores (p>0.2) . The post-test data are then modeled using two regression models (multiple regression and logistic regression) to estimate the gender gap in post-test scores after controlling for these important prior factors. These prior factors account for about 70% of the observed gender gap. The results indicate that the gender gap exists in interactive physics classes at our institution but is largely associated with differences in previous physics and math knowledge and incoming attitudes and beliefs."

"I believe people are basically good. And I believe that most religions seek to do the right thing. So perhaps by me going out and talking to as many as I can, I can show other people that no, Religion X is not an evil cult intent on controlling people - but has the same goals as I: help the helpless, tend to the sick, comfort the afflicted.

And the only way to see if I'm right - is go talk to people. So I fired up Google maps, and typed in "churches" and my zip code, and started calling houses of meeting. The chapters and tales that follow tell of my journey. I really don't know how it will end."

"For no other reason, do you remember any other inaugural speech that mentioned both science AND atheism! I don't. For that alone, I left it energized.
But just as you recognize that you are intoxicated by something, I have to force myself to consider two good reasons for skepticisim."

"[Rick Warren's] prayer was heartfelt, if a bit workmanlike and mostly -- deliberately and carefully -- it was inclusive. It exhibited, in other words, signs of the nascent but not yet fully realized inclusiveness and tolerance that I think our new president was hoping to nurture in both Warren and his constituents by including him -- and thus them -- in today's ceremony. Here's hoping that Warren will continue to follow the trajectory of what he already seems to believe even when that clear path leads to places where his loudest critics fear to go."

"Welcome to the first (official) post of the Wheel of Time Re-read. Todayâs post will cover Chapters 1-9 of The Eye of the World, the first book in the Wheel of Time series."

"In the comments on Alice's post about grad students and balanced careers, there was some discussion about working at a primarily undergraduate institution, and questions about whether that would be a good choice for people who want a more balanced career. Sciencewoman asked if I would be willing to post a description of a typical day in the life of a PUI professor, so... here I am."

"Unit conversion only involves 1 thing.
Unit conversion is multiplication by 1
Yes, really. The key thing to realize is that units are an important part of a number and we donât want to change what that number represents, just its units."