Survey Methods

[CURRENT INFO:  http://evaluationbydesign.com/survey21cs ] 
This teacher survey is available for re-use in studies of 21st century teaching and learning.  It has demonstrated excellent reliability, improving on reliable measures from previous studies (std. alpha > .90, inter-item correlations > .58).  Support for content validity is based on review of existing frameworks and measures.  Support for concurrent validity includes strong relationships to time spent using project-based learning.

The past 20 years has seen a rapid growth across the world in the number, range and scale of voluntary travel behaviour change (VTBC) initiatives. These so-called 'soft' measures have challenged the assumption that modal shift is only possible through 'hard' system-based measures, or through regulation. Among the most high-profile VTBC initiatives is a household-based behaviour change technique known as Individualised Travel Marketing. This dialogue marketing approach was developed by Socialdata (under the brand name IndiMark s ) in response to its own research suggesting that a lack of information and motivation, and incorrect perceptions of the alternatives to the car, were significant barriers to modal shift. IndiMark has been applied in more than 100 pilot and nearly 150 large-scale projects, targeting a total of more than three million people on three continents. A key factor in this widespread take up has been the consistent use of a detailed evaluation design, employing travel behaviour surveys before and after the IndiMark intervention, using Socialdata's KONTIV s survey method. This well-established design uses a self-administered, mail-back questionnaire, coupled with motivation by post and telephone to encourage high response rates (typically between 60% and 80%) helping to provide reliable data on mobility behaviour. This paper reviews the development of the IndiMark technique and the key features of its evaluation using the KONTIV s survey method. It draws on this experience to address key challenges in the evaluation of VTBC initiatives, and to identify the common threads of an integrated approach which might strengthen the case for all soft measures.

This paper uses data collected in the summer and fall of 2010 from a national, web-based survey of 1002 households to initiate the process of examining consumer inferences and valuations of food products making "sustainably produced" claims. A Best-Worst scaling framework was implemented to identify what consumers believe "sustainably produced" labels mean and their preferences for each of the individual sustainable farming practices. The best-worst survey method forces respondents to make trade-offs by simultaneously choosing the most and least preferred attributes. The measured level of concern is then applied to a ratio scale. The ability of a firm to differentiate their product hinges critically on an accurate understanding of the perceptions consumers hold regarding what a credence labelling claim implies. Building upon existing work evaluating other food attribute labels (e.g., genetically-modified products, region of origin, use of growth hormones) and the impact of consumer inferences (e.g., implicit associations made from explicitly provided information), this work begins to address gaps in the literature regarding food products with "sustainably produced" claims.

Multi-Agent transport simulation models, e.g. MATSim have proven to be suitable for modeling microscopic demand for large scale scenarios based on planning networks. In the recent years survey methods are using technologies which provides mobility information with a much higher spatial resolution (e.g. GPS tracking). Therefore, the need to model travel demand on detailed navigation networks rises, which slows down simulation speed significantly. This paper presents methods to increase the performance of the micro simulation model of MATSim using event driven concepts as well as a parallel implementation. The performance experiments with navigation networks of Switzerland containing up to one million roads and 7.3 million agents clearly show that large-scale, multi-agent micro-simulation can also be applied on high resolution networks.

Technology has always introduced changes in the way researchers administer surveys. A new technology known as virtual worlds has now emerged that promises to change data collection once again. Virtual worlds are persistent, online, computer-rendered spaces populated by hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people at a time. Previously, this population has only been surveyed in ways that required respondents to exit the virtual world before giving their answers. No survey method has existed whereby they could be surveyed while remaining present in the virtual space. Needless to say, this is less than ideal for any survey about the respondent's attitudes, perceptions, and behavior within the virtual world itself. This study introduces a method for solving this problem and a tool that allows surveys entirely within a virtual environment. The method is introduced as Virtual Assisted Self Interview (VASI), and the tool for implementing it, the Virtual Data Collection Interface (VDCI). The tool was created and deployed in the virtual world Second Life (SL), where users were asked questions about demographics and quality of life. The valid response numbers for the survey (N=2094) make it the largest in-virtual-world data collection seen so far. This paper discusses the VDCI and describes several different sampling methods, as well as results that provide unique, new insights into virtual world populations. It is found, for example, that the demographic make-up of SL is unlike that of other virtual worlds. Moreover, the SL population is unlike that of other worlds in its approach to gender-switching. The limitations and new hazards of virtual world survey research are also discussed, especially survey "hacking" by individuals hoping to exploit the survey for financial gain. Despite the challenges, the results generally suggest that the VDCI is a valuable new research tool for obtaining representative data on virtual world population.

The first objective of this article is to propose a conceptual framework of the effects of on-line questionnaire design on the quality of collected responses. Secondly, we present the results of an experiment where different protocols have been tested and compared in a randomised design using the basis of several quality indexes. Starting from some previous categorizations, and from the main factors identified in the literature, we first propose an initial global framework of the questionnaire and question characteristics in a web survey, divided into five groups of factors. Our framework was built to follow the response process successive stages of the contact between the respondent and the questionnaire itself. Then, because it has been studied in the survey methodology literature in a very restricted way, the concept of 'response quality' is discussed and extended with some more 'qualitative' criteria that could be helpful for researchers and practitioners, in order to obtain a deeper assessment of the survey output. As an experiment, on the basis of the factors chosen as major characteristics of the questionnaire design, eight versions of a questionnaire related to young people's consumption patterns were created. The links to these on-line questionnaires were sent in November 2005 to a target of 10,000 young people. The article finally presents the results of our study and discusses the conclusions. Very interesting results come to light; especially regarding the influence of length, interaction and question wording dimensions on response quality. We discuss the effects of Web-questionnaire design characteristics on the quality of data.

This study explores the utility of a self-completion survey method to quickly and cheaply generate information on patterns and trends among regular 'recreational' drug consumers. Data is reported here from 1151 subjects accessed through a dance music publication. In keeping with previous studies of drug use within the dance scene polysubstance use was the norm. Many of those reporting use of 'ecstasy' were regularly using multiple tablets often consumed in combination with other substances thus exposing themselves to serious health risks, in particular the risk of dose related neurotoxic effects. Seventy percent were drinking alcohol at hazardous levels. Subjects' patterns of drug purchasing also put them at risk of severe criminal sanction. Data supported evidence that cocaine use had become increasing popular in the UK, but contrasted with some commentators' views that ecstasy use was in decline. The utility of this method and how the results should be interpreted is discussed, as are the data's implications for harm and risk reduction activities.

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between Job Satisfaction and Organisational Commitment and to investigate the moderating effects of Trust and Locus of Control on the relationship between Job Satisfaction and Organisational Commitment. The study was administered on 247 middle level managers belonging to private sector organisations. Four validated instruments were used in the study. Statistical tools like Descriptive statistics, Factor Analysis, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Hierarchical Regression Analysis were used to analyse the data. The study found that Job satisfaction was positively related to Organisational Commitment and Trust and Locus of Control moderated Job satisfaction and Organisational Commitment relationship. The findings of this study can assist administrator and policy makers to understand the managerial effectiveness from the perspective of personal traits. Efforts can be made to explore managers' perception towards themselves and their roles. The future academic endeavours might make use of the present study as a stepping-stone for further exploratory and confirmatory research toward a more complete understanding of the satisfaction considerations in particular.

To determine whether there are differences in measures of cognitive function between second and third trimester pregnant women compared to non-pregnant controls. This prospective study comprised 40 pregnant and 40 non-pregnant women, 20-40 years old, native-Hebrew speakers who were recruited from the outpatient clinics during a period of nearly 2 years. The patients underwent cognitive and affective evaluation. The performance on the three following tests: difficult and total items of Verbal Paired Associates, the Digit Span-forward and the Naming Objects and Fingers test scores were significantly better among non-pregnant women. All the other test results were similar between the two groups, including the depression scores. On multivariate linear regression analysis, after adjusting for age and years of education , Verbal Paired Associates total score (p = 0.04), and Naming Objects and Fingers (p = 0.01) remained significantly associated with pregnancy, but not Digit Span (p = 0.09). Our study demonstrates an impairment in memory among pregnant women. Furthermore language skills, particularly naming, were also impaired, a finding which has not been previously described. Normal pregnancy is characterized by elevated levels of several plasma steroid hormones 1-4 , which are known to cross the blood-brain barrier 5. Estrogen has a role in neuroendocrine regulation and reproductive behaviors. Furthermore, it has a neuroprotective effect on degenerative disease or injury 6. Studies based upon animal models reported better spatial learning and memory during pregnancy in rats 7,8. Human studies report that hormonal changes affect cognitive performance. Therefore, the change in hormone levels during pregnancy provides a unique opportunity to study their effect on cognitive functions 9-20. Furthermore the latest literature report structural brain changes during pregnancy and early postpartum which may confer a protective effect against the aging process and might be related to better cognitive outcomes persisting in older age 21,22. The current literature related to cognitive changes during pregnancy is controversial. Most studies show a deficit in cognitive functioning during pregnancy 12,15,20,23-28 , while others report an improved performance 29 , or no effect at all 9. Poor concentration, memory deficit, disorientation and executive function impairment were all reported in previous studies. Nevertheless most data report on memory and concentration decline during pregnancy, while data regarding language abilities are scarce. This study was designed to investigate differences in measures of cognitive function related to attention, memory, and learning. We also aimed to add information regarding language abilities of second and third trimester pregnant women and non-pregnant controls. For this purpose we used a complex structured cognitive battery including multiple tasks for multiple cognitive functions, in order to detect possible changes in other functions as well. Materials and methods This was a prospective cohort study. The study comprised 80 participants recruited from our obstetric outpatient clinic, and included 40 pregnant and 40 non-pregnant women. Inclusion criteria for all the women recruited: age between 20 and 40 years old and native Hebrew speakers, born and educated in Israel. The majority were of Jewish origin (there were two Arab Muslim women in the pregnant group and three in the non-pregnant group). Exclusion criteria included a history of learning and/or attention and/or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), any psychiatric disorder, brain injury, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, mental retardation or dementia, any other neurological disorder known to be accompanied by cognitive decline, and any history or current substance abuse. Pregnant participants were in the second or third trimester. Non-pregnant women came to the obstetric clinic for pre pregnancy consultation and were not recruited if they had given birth during the preceding year.

The European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) is an endangered species and typically inhabits steppes and open woodland of Central Europe and the Balkans. Knowledge about its distribution and status in the southern part of its range is scanty. Distribution of the species in Bulgaria over two periods (1950-1989 and 1990-2008) and recent status of 90 colonies in three model regions (mountain region, Sofia field and Thracian valley) are evaluated in the paper. Data on 254 UTM squares inhabited by S. citellus during the first period and 212 UTM squares inhabited during the second period were available, but these data could not be compared because of the different survey methods used. S. citellus colonies in southwestern Bulgaria may be already extinct and population decline is supposed to take place at the southwestern periphery of the species' distribution range. About 30% out of 90 investigated colonies have disappeared, 28% are vulnerable and only 42% are stable. The biggest part of the extinct colonies was found in the Sofia field and Mountain region. Pastures are the most frequently occupied land use type (72%) in Bulgaria and major threats for the S. citellus population include pasture degradation, building up, intensification of agriculture, interruption of biological corridors and flooding. The S. citellus population in Bulgaria has been probably declining and current status of the species is unfavourable. The S. citellus conservation status in Bulgaria should be enhanced and the species should be included in the new Red Book of Animals in Bulgaria in the category "vulnerable" and should be protected according to the national biodiversity legislation.

Background: Despite having the largest population in Africa, Nigeria has no accurate population based data to plan and evaluate eye care services. A national survey was undertaken to estimate the prevalence and determine the major causes of blindness and low vision. This paper presents the detailed methodology used during the survey.

Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) is an alternative technique to obtain measurements of surface displacement providing better spatial resolution and comparable accuracy at an extremely lower cost per area than conventional surveying methods. InSAR is becoming more and more popular in monitoring urban deformations, however, the technique requires advanced tools and high level competence to be successfully applied. In this paper we report important results obtained by analyzing new high resolution SAR data in urban areas. Using the SARPROZ InSAR tool and integrating the results with Google Earth, we discovered the (not public) precise tracks of new subways lines in Shanghai by detecting the millimetric surface subsidence caused by tunnel excavation. T he data used in this work have been acquired by the Italian sensor Cosmo-SkyMed. About 1.2 million of individual and independent targets have been detected in 600 sqkm, revealing impressive details of the ground surface deformation. Through the high spatial resolution (about 2m) and millimetric sensitivity in the Line Of Sight (LOS), Cosmo is able to highlight very localized subsidence with remarkable accuracy.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between commitment and exercise behavior using the Sport Commitment Model (SCM; J Sport & Exercise Psychology, 15, 1) as a guiding conceptual framework. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: Participants at two universities (N 1 = 205; 83.4% female; N 2 = 223; 73.1% female) provided demographic information and completed measures of exercise commitment and frequency of exercise behavior. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the presence of 5 determinants (personal investments, social support, satisfaction, social constraints, and invovlement alternatives) and 2 dimensions ('want' and 'have') of commitment. Structural equation modeling analyses supported the predictive utility of the SCM accounting for 31% and 51% of the commitment dimension variance and 12% of the exercise behavior variance respectively. Satisfaction and personal investment predicted both commitment dimensions, whereas alternatives and social constraints predicted 'have to' commitment only, and the 'want to' commitment dimension was the only significant predictor of exercise behavior. Conclusion: These results render some support for the psychometric properties of the measures used to assess commitment constructs in the exercise domain and provide partial support for the application of the SCM to the study of exercise motivation issues.

Objective: To calculate the proportion of care delivered in a chiropractic practice supported by good-quality clinical trials. Design: Retrospective survey. Methods: Data were collected from patient files relating to 180 consecutive patient visits in a suburban chiropractic practice in northern Spain. Each patient's presenting complaint was paired with the chiropractor's chosen primary intervention. Based on a literature review (Medline, Mantis, and nonautomated searches of local medical libraries), each presenting complaint–primary intervention pairing was categorized according to the level of supporting evidence as follows: Category I, intervention based on good quality clinical trial evidence; Category II, intervention based on poor-quality or no clinical trial evidence. To distinguish between good- and poor-quality clinical trials, studies were critically appraised and assigned quality scores. Results: Of the 180 cases surveyed, 123 (68.3%) (95% CI, 61.5%-75.1%) were based on clinical trials of good methodologic quality (Category I). Only 57 (31.7%) (95% CI, 24.9%-38.5%) of the cases were based on poor-quality or no clinical trial evidence (Category II). Conclusions: When patients were used as the denominator, the majority of cases in a chiropractic practice were cared for with interventions based on evidence from good-quality, randomized clinical trials. When compared to the many other studies of similar design that have evaluated the extent to which different medical specialties are evidence based, chiropractic practice was found to have the highest proportion of care (68.3%) supported by good-quality experimental evidence. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2003;26:000)

Six commonly used coral reef survey methods, mapping of 1 m × 1 m quadrats (MAP), line-point transect (LPT), line-intercept transect (LIT), video sampling (VIDEO) and 1 m × 1 m photo-quadrats analysed by point-sampling (PHOTP) or by outlining coral colonies (PHOTS), were compared for their accuracy and precision in recording benthic substrate cover, and for their time-and cost-efficiency. Sampling was carried out along a 50 m transect at Ras Um Sidd, South Sinai, Egypt. For abundant substrate categories (N 10% cover) few significant differences were recorded between the results obtained by the different methods. Detailed mapping of quadrats (MAP) along the entire length of the transect served as the baseline against which the results of other methods were evaluated. Compared to this, VIDEO provided the most accurate cover estimates of major benthic substrate categories. Both line-transect methods, LIT and LPT, overestimated the cover of some categories, while PHOTP and PHOTS underestimated them. A series of factors seemed to be responsible for the differences in the substrate cover values obtained using different methods, including contour effects, proportion of substrate sampled, view angle, image resolution and observer bias. Power analysis indicated that the sample sizes required to yield an 80% chance of detecting even a 20% relative difference in total hard coral cover (e.g. between sites or times) were 27 mapped quadrats, or 1200 points for LPT, or 135 m of LIT, or 116 frames with 15 points for VIDEO, or 38 photo-quadrats for PHOTP and 33 for PHOTS; these are sample sizes considerably in excess of those commonly used by most reef workers. Much greater sample sizes are required to detect similar differences in cover of individual coral growth forms or taxa. When the time taken to record and analyse these data is considered, relative cost-efficiency in terms of time required by the different methods to detect this level of change was found to be VIDEO N PHOTP N PHOTS N LPT N MAP N LIT. Where, in more detailed studies, information is also required on numbers and sizes of colonies or on processes causing change, use of photoquadrats may be preferred. A new protocol, recording 0.25 m × 0.25 m mini-quadrats with modern underwater digital still camera, is proposed, as combining this advantage of photo-quadrats with the sampling power of VIDEO.

Iceland is very active tectonically as it is crossed by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and its associated rift zones and transform faults. The high-temperature geothermal systems are located within the neo-volcanic zone. A detailed comparison of the main features of the resistivity models and well data in exploited geothermal fields has shown that the resistivity structure of Iceland is mainly controlled by alteration mineralogy. In areas where the geothermal circulation and related alteration take place at depths of more than 1.5 km, the investigation depth of the DC and TEM methods is inadequate and the MT method appears to be the most suitable survey method. MT soundings were carried out to determine the deep structure between two neighboring Quaternary geothermal fields: the Hengill volcanic complex and the Brennisteinsfjoll geothermal system, both known as high-temperature systems. MT data were analyzed and modeled using 1D and 2D inversion schemes. Our model of electrical conductivity can be related to secondary mineralization from geothermal fluids. At shallow depths, the resistivity model obtained from the MT data is consistent with the general geoelectrical models of high-temperature geothermal systems in Iceland, as revealed by shallow DC and TEM surveys. The current MT results reveal the presence of an outcropping resistive layer, identified as the typical unaltered porous basalt of the upper crust. This layer is underlain by a highly conductive cap resolved as the smectite-zeolite zone. Below this cap a less conductive zone is identified as the epidote-chlorite zone. A highly conductive material has been recognized in the middle of the profile, at about 5 km depth, and has been interpreted as cooling partial melt representing the

Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia with a population of about 9.6 million people, inhabiting an area of about 660 square-km. In the last three decades, urban development of Jakarta has grown very rapidly in the sectors of industry, trade, transportation, real estate, and many others. This exponentially increased urban development introduces several environmental problems. Land subsidence is one of them. The resulted land subsidence will also then affect the urban development plan and process. It has been reported for many years that several places in Jakarta are subsiding at different rates. The leveling surveys, GPS survey methods, and InSAR measurements have been used to study land subsidence in Jakarta, over the period of 1982-2010. In general, it was found that the land subsidence exhibits spatial and temporal variations, with the rates of about 1-15 cm/ year. A few locations can have the subsidence rates up to about 20-28 cm/year. There are four different types of land subsidence that can be expected to occur in the Jakarta basin, namely: subsidence due to groundwater extraction, subsidence induced by the load of constructions (i.e., settlement of high compressibility soil), subsidence caused by natural consolidation of alluvial soil, and tectonic subsidence. It was found that the spatial and temporal variations of land subsidence depend on the corresponding variations of groundwater extraction, coupled with the characteristics of sedimentary layers and building loads above it. In general, there is strong relation between land subsidence and urban development activities in Jakarta.

The environmental health goals of many Native American tribes are to restore natural resources and ensure that they are safe to harvest and consume in traditional subsistence quantities. Therefore, it is important to tribes to accurately estimate risks incurred through the consumption of subsistence foods. This article explores problems in conventional fish consumption survey methods used in widely cited tribal fish consumption reports. The problems arise because of the following: (1) widely cited reports do not clearly state what they intend to do with the data supporting these reports, (2) data collection methods are incongruent with community norms and protocols, (3) data analysis methods omit or obscure the highest consumer subset of the population, (4) lack of understanding or recognition of tribal health co-risk factors, and (5) restrictive policies that do not allow inclusion of tribal values within state or federal actions. In particular, the data collection and analysis methods in current tribal fish consumption surveys result in the misunderstanding that tribal members are satisfied with eating lower contemporary amounts of fish and shellfish, rather than the subsistence amounts that their cultural heritage and aboriginal rights indicate. A community-based interview method developed in collaboration with and used by the Swinomish Tribe is suggested as a way to gather more accurate information on contemporary consumption rates. For traditional subsistence rates, a multidisciplinary reconstruction method is recommended.

We review epidemiological studies of depression in Europe. Community surveys are essential. Methodological differences in survey methods, instruments, nuances in language and translation limit comparability, but consistent findings are emerging. Western European countries show 1 year prevalence of major depression of around 5%, with two-fold variation, probably methodological, and higher prevalences in women, the middle-aged, less privileged groups, and those experiencing social adversity. There is high comorbidity with other psychiatric and physical disorders. Depression is a major cause of disability. Incidence has been less studied and lifetime incidence is not clear, with longitudinal studies required. There is pressing need for prevalence studies from Eastern Europe. The considerable differences in health care systems among European countries may impact on proportions of depressives receiving treatment and its adequacy, particularly in the key area of primary care, and require further study. There is a need for public health programmes aimed at improving treatment, reducing rates and consequences of depressive disorders.

Increasing levels of vertical competition make the possession of end customers' loyalty an issue of major concern for brand manufacturers and distributors alike. While we can rely on a solid body of knowledge on the drivers and outcomes of customer loyalty, empirical insights into the interplay between different forms of customer loyalty in channels of distribution remain limited, ambiguous and void of theoretical explanations. Based on a nationwide survey of customers in a detail-intensive industry in the Netherlands and drawing on information integration theory and balance theory, this research identifies a positive and unidirectional spillover effect from customers' brand loyalty to distributor loyalty. Hence, distributors can "free ride" on a brand manufacturer's investments in customer loyalty. From the brand manufacturer's perspective, the loyalty spillover can have positive or negative consequences, depending on the level of vertical competition among channel members. While the spillover increases end customers' loyalty toward the channel, it decreases the brand manufacturer's odds of keeping end customers when it comes to the contest between a brand manufacturer and its distributor.

The common spadefoot toad, Pelobates fuscus, shows evidence of decline along the western borders of its distribution, including Italy, where an endemic subspecies is usually recognised, P. f. insubricus. In this contribution we bring to your attention problems encountered with conservation actions applied to this species in northern Italy. We stress the lack of coordination and the absence of national and local acceptance of the Species Action Plan, written specifically to provide clear guidelines for action. We also comment on the presumed rarity of this amphibian, which is likely linked to the difficulty of observing it in nature. The apparent rarity appears at least in part related to the kind of survey methods used. We suggest therefore some methods that could facilitate the location of spadefoot toads, which include encircling the site with plastic drift fences and pitfall traps, or using a hydrophone to locate reproductive individuals while calling underwater. We also report results from ongoing monitoring activity at a site within the Site of Communitary Importance "Stagni di Poirino-Favari" (Turin province), and a series of actions to be applied to ensure the conservation of the species.

High-risk drinking on game day represents a unique public health challenge. Objective: The authors examined the drinking behavior of college football fans and assessed the support for related interventions. Participants: The authors randomly selected 762 football fans, including college students, alumni, and other college football fans, to complete an anonymous online game-day survey. Methods: The authors collected data on participants' drinking behaviors and support for specific game-day interventions. Results: Analysis revealed that, overall, fans drank significantly more on game day than they did the last time they partied or socialized. Nondrinkers were the most supportive of game-day interventions, followed by moderate drinkers, whereas heavy drinkers offered the least support. Conclusions: With the exception of limiting tailgating hours on game day, fans support game-day interventions, including alcohol-free alternatives, designating tailgating areas where open containers are permitted, and increasing law enforcement efforts.

Exogenous shocks are said to play a key role in the breakdown of authoritarian regimes. This paper sheds light on the conditions under which crisis management play out to the advantage of authoritarian leaders, or not. By chance, a national probability survey of the Chinese population was conducted before and after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Based on a quasi-experimental design that allows us to match pre-and post-quake respondents, we find that citizens were highly responsive to media content. In the short run, a more open information policy helped shore up support for a government that exhibited a high degree of responsiveness to the crisis. We find, however, that this approach may have undermined the regime's legitimacy. Whereas in the immediate aftermath of the quake the Chinese media emphasized political unity and harmony, over time increasing and unusual media criticisms of local governments in the media eroded public confidence.

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The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between Job Satisfaction and Organisational Commitment and to investigate the moderating effects of Trust and Locus of Control on the relationship between Job Satisfaction and Organisational Commitment. The study was administered on 247 middle level managers belonging to private sector organisations. Four validated instruments were used in the study. Statistical tools like Descriptive statistics, Factor Analysis, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Hierarchical Regression Analysis were used to analyse the data. The study found that Job satisfaction was positively related to Organisational Commitment and Trust and Locus of Control moderated Job satisfaction and Organisational Commitment relationship. The findings of this study can assist administrator and policy makers to understand the managerial effectiveness from the perspective of personal traits. Efforts can be made to explore managers' perception towards themselves and their roles. The future academic endeavours might make use of the present study as a stepping-stone for further exploratory and confirmatory research toward a more complete understanding of the satisfaction considerations in particular.

Over the last 20 years, women's sexuality has become one of the most written about and intensely debated subjects in sexology, sociology, and women's studies in mainland China. From these studies, one can trace the development of academic discourse on women's sexuality through three distinct phases: from a predominantly medical discourse, to the use of survey methods to investigate women's real experiences, and finally to a phase in which Western theories have become increasingly influential. Each phase features a distinct stereotype of woman. The implications of this review for sexual research in China will also be discussed.

The state of Florida has taken an unprecedented approach to teacher professional development in its Race to the Top (RTTT) Program application by proposing to promote an international innovation that originates in Japan, "lesson study," as a statewide teacher professional development model. Since winning the US$700 million RTTT funding in 2010, the Florida Department of Education and districts have been promoting lesson study as one of the statewide vehicles to implement the state standards aligned with the Common Core State Standards. This study analyzed the state and districts' approaches to promote lesson study using policy documents, statewide district survey data, and interviews. We found that a majority of districts mandated lesson study implementation without securing or spending sufficient funding. In addition, the existing organizational structures and routines for professional development pose a major challenge in capacity building of district leaders and teachers to engage in lesson study.

Purpose–This paper aims to test hypothesized relationships of consumer need for uniqueness, attention to social comparison information, status consumption, and role-relaxed consumption with opinion leadership and opinion seeking for new fashionable clothing. Design/methodology/approach–The authors surveyed 598 consumers between the ages of 18 and 83 years using a self-administered questionnaire. Correlation and linear regression analyses showed that all four independent variables were related to both ...

It is not easy for the overburdened student counselors in universities to adequately address students' needs in all areas. Hence, the establishment of academic advising Western countries and recently in some Kenyan institutions. Academic advising should be need-centered for it to be popular with students and to succeed. This study aimed at evaluating students' academic advising needs so as to enable academic advisors and universities to be able to prioritise when planning for academic mentorship. The study applied the descriptive survey method in which subjects were asked to indicate the areas in which they thought they needed help. A questionnaire was used to collect data. A random sample of 187 (53, 41 and 93 first, second and third year students respectively) participated in the study. Purposive sampling was used to select Laikipia University College of Egerton University which is one of the seven public universities in Kenya. The findings showed that the top ranking academic advising needs were maintaining high grades, handling heavier academic workload, setting career goals, and setting academic goals irrespective of the year of study and gender. It was recommended that students' needs should be taken into account when planning for academic mentorship activities.

Pilot studies of the bus-route creel survey method were conducted in the South Australian marine scalefish fishery to evaluate characteristics of the fishery that would influence survey design and the method's performance in obtaining angler interviews. Analysis of fishing effort did not show a significant difference between weekdays and weekends or between mornings and afternoons, although the power of these analyses was low. Afternoon surveys yielded significantly greater number of interviews than morning surveys with relative sample sizes of 3.5-16.2% of the estimated parties fishing on the sampling day. Non-uniform probability sampling of mornings and afternoons suggested that a sample size of around 10% of fishing parties could be achieved. Optimal sampling allocation was then used to estimate the precision of effort, harvest per unit effort and harvest estimates for Silluginodes punctufu. Relative precision levels of 10% or less could be achieved for each variable with sampling frequencies of 50-60 days per spatial stratum. 0 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to identify the motivating factors of employees working in various Malaysian organizations. Design/methodology/approach -A survey method was adopted. The survey questionnaire consisted of two parts: respondents' personal information were obtained through Part A and in Part B, they were asked to rank the ten motivating factors in terms of their effectiveness. The motivating factors were compiled from the existing literature and refined through consultation with human resource professionals. Findings -An ordered set of motivating factors for employees working in Malaysian organizations. Demographic factors like gender, race, education, etc. were found to have impact on the ranking of the factors. Originality/value -The findings are expected to provide useful guidelines to managers while developing employee motivation programs.

1. The Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula and of the four subspecies originally recognized, recent extinctions mean that only two now persist. Recent genetic analyses have cast doubt on the generally accepted taxonomy of the species, where four subspecies were distinguished by coat colour and horn morphology, and propose the distinction of two subspecies based on their mitochondrial DNA sequence polymorphism. These analyses make clear the need for a comprehensive revision that integrates genetic and morphological approaches resulting in a definitive description and differentiation of the subspecies. 2. Studies of ibex behavioural ecology and health status are scarce and generally descriptive. They should be implemented in an integrative way, taking into account the ecological requirements of the species, current population status, the presence of other sympatric wild and domestic ungulates, and the type of hunting regime and management in their distribution areas.

Current debates about urban sustainability tend to focus on technical issues, such as carbon emissions, energy consumption and waste management, or on the economic aspects of urban regeneration and growth. Increasingly, however, governments recognise the contribution that built cultural heritage makes to the social well-being of different groups living within increasingly cosmopolitan towns and cities. Heritage is seen as a major component of quality of life, but the two main methods of identifying and protecting built heritage -the listing of individual monuments and buildings and designation of conservation areas -are unable to deal with less tangible features of townscape, such as street patterns. Yet it is often precisely these features that give a city its unique character and provide the sense of belonging that lies at the core of cultural identity. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to examine the role that built cultural heritage can play within sustainable urban development.

Apex predators are essential for the viability of healthy ecosystems. By studying carnivoran feeding ecology, we can obtain a better understanding of the ecological limits, resilience and predator-prey dynamics that govern these populations. However, monitoring elusive predators -like the leopard Panthera pardus -is often fraught with logistical and financial constraints, particularly in inaccessible terrain.

Service branding is becoming a critical issue for both marketing researchers and practitioners, and, as such, the empirical investigation of service branding issues is warranted. This being the case, this study focuses on the development and testing (via survey method) of a model of services branding. This model is tested in the context of service brands such as retail stores and banks and the results indicate that brand evidence (e.g., core service, employee service, brand name, servicescape, price/value for money, self-image congruence and feelings), along with advertizing and promotion, significantly influence consumer satisfaction, attitude and behavioural intentions towards the chosen service brand. r

The widespread use of the Internet and the convenient mechanism it provides, such as easy access, easy downloads, and easy copy and paste functions have made many types of unethical behaviors easier, particularly those involving students in academic settings. Among the issues in ethics within the academic environment that can be triggered by the Internet are fraudulence, plagiarism, falsification, delinquency, unauthorized help, and facility misuse. Given these issues, the study seeks to investigate the extent to which students at a public university in Malaysia engage in such unethical behavior and their relationship with the big five personality model. This study was conducted using a survey method of 252 students in three different academic faculties. The results of factor analyses confirm and refine the reliability of the scales for both big five personality variables and unethical Internet behaviors as conceptualized through Internet triggered academic dishonesty (ITADS). The findings indicate that personality traits such as (1) agreeableness, (2) conscientiousness and (3) emotional stability are significantly and negatively correlated with unethical Internet behavior in university students. Significant differences in facility misuse are also observed between the three academic faculties investigated. This research should provide significant contributions to educators in designing the computer ethics curriculum and in allowing for educational institutions as well as other organizations in developing relevant policies and guidelines on matters pertaining to academic conduct, utilization of computers and Internet, and recruitment exercises.

Een toegepast historisch-geografisch onderzoek in het streekplangebied Noord-en Midden-Limburg Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor, op gezag van de rector magnificus van de Landbouwuniversiteit Wageningen, dr. CM. Karssen, in het openbaar te verdedigen op woensdag 1 September 1999 des namiddags om 16.00 uur in de Aula / ) Stellingen behorend bij: J. Renes, Landschappen van Maas en Peel; een toegepast historischgeografisch onderzoek In het streekplangebied Noord-en Midden-Limburg. Proefschrift Landbouwuniversiteit, Wageningen, 1999. 1 Hoewel het beschikbare instrumentarium voor landschapsbehoud hiaten vertoont, valt de meeste winst te verwachten van een betere benutting van bestaande wetgeving. 2 De systematische kaalslag van de historische cultuurlandschappen was zonder financiéle inbreng en organisatorische ondersteuning van de overheid niet mogelijk geweest. 3 De term win-win-situatie, veelvuldig gebruikt om natuurontwikkelingsprojecten aan te prijzen, leidt de aandacht af van de veriiezers; tot de laatste catégorie behoort meestal het cultuurlandschap. 4 Voor het landschap geldt tot dusverre, meer nog dan voor diverse andere beleidssectoren, dat de productie van nota's wordt verward met het daadwerkelijk voeren van een daaraan gekoppeld beleid. 5 De milieu-ethiek rieht zieh te sterk op -nauwelijks meer bestaandenatuurlandschappen en verwaarloost de omgang met cultuurlandschappen. 6 Het groeiend gebruik van Geografische Informatiesystemen werkt in het voordeel van hogere overheden en grate ondernemingen, die kunnen beschikken over dure hard-en software en grate hoeveelheden (eventueel elders gekochte) data, en verzwakt de positie van milieugroepen en individuele burgers. 7 De opkomst van de digitale fotografie met de daarbij behorende bijna onbeperkte manipulatiemogelijkheden, betekent het einde van de foto als redelijk betrouwbare historische bron. 8 Waarderingen dienen helder en inzichtelijk te zijn; de belangrijkste criteria zijn zeldzaamheid, gaafheid, samenhang en kenmerkendheid. 9 Inbreng van de cultuurhistorie is nodig in alle fasen van de planvorming. 1 10 Verweving van functies en een zekere mate van stabiliteit zijn essentieel yoor het duurzame behoud van historische cultuurlandschappen. 11 Een centraal instituut dat zieh op nationale schaal met onderzoek naar, voorlichting over en zorg voor het cultuurlandschap gaat bezighouden, is dringend gewenst. 12 In de presentatie van cultuurhistorie ontbreekt het te vaak aan aansprekende thema's en opgaven. 13 Een verdere uitbreiding van de biologische landbouw is gunstig voor het beheer van het cultuurhistorische landschap. 14 Oral history is onontbeerlijk voor het krijgen van inzicht in het vroegere landschapsbeheer. 15 Het feit dat er wel een Vlinder-, maar geen Rupsenstichting bestaat, maakt duidelijk hoezeer de waardering van de omgeving in de praktijk wordt bepaald door affectieve factoren. 16 Doceren is doseren. 2 Landschappen van Maas en Peel © Copyright 1999 Uitgeverij Eisma bv, Leeuwarden / Stichting Maaslandse Monografieen, Maastricht. Niets uit deze uitgave mag worden verveelvoudigd en/of openbaar gemaakt door middel van druk, fotokopie, microfdm of op welke andere wijze ook, zonder voorafgaande schriftelijke toestemming van de uitgever. Voorzover het maken van kopieen uit deze uitgave is toegestaan op grond van artikel 16B Auteurswet 1912 j° het Besluit van 20 juni 1974, St.b. 351, zoals gewijzigd bij het Besluit van 23 augustus 1985, Stb. 471 en artikel 17 Auteurswet 1912, dient men de daarvoor wettelijk verschuldigde vergoedingen te voldoen aan de Stichting Reprorecht (Postbus 882,1180 AW Amstelveen). Voor het overnemen van gedeelte(n) uit deze uitgave in bloemlezingen, readers en andere compilatiewerken (artikel 16 Auteurswet 1912) dient men zieh tot de uitgever te wenden. ClP-gegevens KonmkMjkc Bibliotheek, Den Haag Renes, J. Landschappen van Maas en Peel. Een toegepast historisch-geografisch onderzoek in het streekplangebied Noord-en Midden-Limburg J. Renes. Leeuwarden [etc.] : Eisma/ Stichting Maaslandse Monografieen (Maaslandse Monografieen, groot formaat; 9) 538 blz.; 183 flg.; 54 tab.; English summary; 4 krtn. in cassette ISBN 9074252842 NUGI 649 Trefw.: historische geografie; cultuurlandschap; Noord-Limburg; Midden-Limburg Dit werk verschijnt tevens als proefschrift Landbouwuniversiteit Wageningen. Deze uitgave is mede mogelijk gemaakt door f inanciele steun van: Het Provinciaal Bestuur van Limburg Het DLO-Staring Centrum Het Anjerfonds Limburg De Stichting Het Limburgs Landschap BI'ßLfOTKEEK »-ANDBÖUWJI vT/EBtSrr V,VAr-,^-rr«-^5:.i,-, 19 Conclusies, evaluatie en aanbevelingen 49^ LITERATUUR 503 8 9 Inhoud WOORD VOORAF 20 SAMENVATTING 21 SI M MARY 35