Applying the model of human occupation in work-focused rehabilitation: a case illustration

This paper illustrates application of the model of human occupation in the long term rehabilitation of a German worker who suffered a stroke. The case shows the importance of assessing and addressing not only performance, but also volition and habituation. As such it illustrates a holistic approach to providing work related rehabilitation.     

Poverty orderings: A graphical illustration

This note graphically illustrates the power of various poverty ordering conditions. Using the Kolm three-person simplex, we are able to show that (1) for a fixed poverty line the power may be increased as higher degrees of stochastic dominance are considered, (2) for a single but variable poverty line the power is reduced as the line increases, and (3) for a range of poverty lines the power of the third degree ordering condition may be reduced to that of the second degree if the lower bound poverty line is arbitrarily close to zero. Received: 9 September 1998/Accepted: 11 January 2000     

Understanding the dynamic interinfluences of implementation processes: An illustration by multiple case studies

Many dropout prevention programs have been developed and validated in the past decades. Yet, little is known about the contextual factors influencing the implementation of these programs. Implementation processes, such as school principal leadership and governmental funding, have been identified for their influence on program implementation, but the mutual or dynamic influence of these processes is yet to be understood. This study examines the processes involved in the implementation of Check & Connect (C&C), a well-established targeted dropout prevention program validated in several countries that aims at promoting the development of a significant relationship between at-risk students and a mentor as a way to prevent school dropout.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 mentors and coordinators directly involved in C&C implementation. Analyses were conducted in two subsequent steps: thematic analyses first helped identify implementation processes described by respondents, and then synthetic case studies allowed us to build the implementation stories of distinct sites. This last step was conducted using the Planned Change Framework.This framework helped us to understand the complex dynamics of implementation processes in each site, which were associated with previously identified program outcomes, beyond implementation fidelity. Implications for future implementations of evidence-based programs in the school setting are discussed.     

Focal psychotherapy and self pathology: A clinical illustration

This paper examines the concept of “focal psychotherapy” as a form of psychoanalytic psychotherapy utilizing essentially the same conceptualization of the therapeutic process as long-term psychotherapy or psychoanalysis, mainly that the primary interventions are interpretive. Since in this treatment process a narrower sector of the psychopathology is reactivated than in long-term psychotherapy, the psychotherapy is restricted to the exploration and working through of a focal conflict precipitated by a recent event which has overwhelmed the patient's characterological defense mechanisms. The case report illustrates the applicability of focal psychotherapy to patients whose core pathology is understood to consist of deficits in the structure of the self rather than structural conflict.     

市场里的差序格局——对我国粮食购销市场秩序的本土化说明

在摆脱了科层化的计划经济之后,我国发展出了一种独特的新经济形态。本文以粮食购销市场秩序的构造为例,试图通过概念化其中国家与企业以及企业之间的关系来刻画这种新型经济形态的特征。通过对市场场域理论的扩展,本文发现在我国粮食购销市场中存在着可以称为差序格局的基本结构,即以中央粮食行政部门为核心、将不同身份的企业依序排列的身份体系。在这个不平衡的格局里,中央国家对不同身份的企业实施差序化的控制。最后,笔者提出了稳定这个差序格局的条件和困难。     

Applying the capability approach to policy-making: The impact assessment of the EU-proposal on organ donation

We show that the capability approach can greatly facilitate ex ante policy evaluations, in particular those that are geared towards multiple goals. It enables a structured discussion on policy benefits, distributional issues, freedom and ethics. We illustrate our general ideas with a real-world application: the impact assessment of an EU-proposal on organ donation.     

A case history based assessment of female genital mutilation in Sudan

The subject of female genital mutilation is discussed through a selection of excerpts from a narrative derived from interviews with educated Sudanese women. The original interview form ensures an inside, contextual presentation of the subject, providing the clues for approaches towards elimination of the practice. With evaluation and planning strategies in mind, the issues are placed in the conceptual framework of the segregation of the sexes and viewed through the ideas of gender-based discrimination as outlined in CEDAW.     

The personal factor in evaluation use : A case study of a steering committee's use of a conservation tillage survey

In 1985 a statewide farmer survey about conservation tillage was conducted. It provided baseline data for a major energy conservation project. The data were used for 2 years, at which time a case study was undertaken to identify factors which influenced the tillage survey's use. The influence of the personal factor on evaluation use had been identified prior to planning the tillage survey. Therefore, the process used for conducting the tillage survey capitalized on the personal factor by using a team approach. The case study identified ways intended users actually used the tillage survey results, associated these findings with the team strategy, and generated important factors contributing to evaluation use when the personal factor was accounted for. Factors supporting the personal factor which appear to have influenced use were timeliness, intended users' ownership of the information, interaction among decision makers and the evaluator, methodological appropriateness and quality, and planning for use of the results.     

Kernel density estimation on grouped data: the case of poverty assessment

Grouped data have been widely used to analyze the global income distribution because individual records from nationally representative household surveys are often unavailable. In this paper we evaluate the performance of nonparametric density smoothing techniques, in particular kernel density estimation, in estimating poverty from grouped data. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we show that kernel density estimation gives rise to nontrivial biases in estimated poverty levels that depend on the bandwidth, kernel, poverty indicator, size of the dataset, and data generating process. Furthermore, the empirical bias in the poverty headcount ratio critically depends on the poverty line. We also undertake a sensitivity analysis of global poverty estimates to changes in the bandwidth and show that they vary widely with it. A comparison of kernel density estimation with parametric estimation of the Lorenz curve, also applied to grouped data, suggests that the latter fares better and should be the preferred approach.     

Methods of evaluating child welfare in Indian country: an illustration

The poor quality and quantity of data collected in tribal communities today reflects a lack of true community participation and commitment. This is especially problematic for evaluation studies, in which the needs and desires of the community should be the central focus. This challenge can be met by emphasizing indigenous methods and voice. The authors provide an illustration of how to do this.     

A conceptual framework for the assessment of multiple functions of agro-ecosystems: A case study of Trás-os-Montes olive groves

Multifunctionality in agriculture has received a lot of attention the last decade from researchers and policy-makers alike, perhaps most notably evidenced by the important changes made to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. While the concept has been embraced by environmentalists envisioning positive impulses for decoupling and a range of local stakeholders recognizing implicit marketing opportunities involved, it has also been criticized as a mere argument in favour of disguised protectionism. Problematic in this discussion is the lack of an operationalising framework for the assessment of multiple functions. In this paper, we discuss such a framework and the role it can play in the decision-making process. Focusing on a case study about olive farming on sloping and mountainous land in northeastern Portugal, the contribution discusses methods for studying multiple functions of agro-ecosystems. While function assessment is presented from a research perspective, its relevance for stakeholders is also stressed here. By using the metaphor of a house, the method could appeal to a wide range of actors. In the case study, we conclude that olive groves on sloping and mountainous land particularly fall short in supplying ecological functions. They do however contribute significantly to the local economy, generate employment and perform an important role in maintaining the cultural landscape and identity, and are thus vital to regional development and to stop outmigration of the population. Policy-makers could use the function assessment tool to design effective cross-compliance rules and relevant agro-environmental measures to reinforce ecological and social functions, and to communicate ideas to other stakeholders. As such, it provides an extension of public debate and can reinforce decision-making by visualizing trends, development alternatives or scenarios. The role of research in this method is to facilitate dialogue between stakeholder groups and to feed the process with relevant indicators.     

Virtual public relations in the United Arab Emirates: A case study of 20 UAE organizations’ use of the Internet

This paper analyzes the use of the Internet as a public relations tool by 20 government and private organizations in the United Arab Emirates. It concludes that, among other findings, UAE public relations staff members continue to play their traditional role in real world situations but when it comes to online communications, they do not seem to have a big say in controlling the flow of information to the public. This may suggest that what appears online about a certain organization may be in tune with what is carried out in real world communications.     

Demystifying the use of mail survey in developing countries: a case of Nepal

ABSTRACT

The mail survey is a popular data collection tool in developed countries, but little is known about its use and efficacy in developing countries. Grounded on social exchange and diffusion of innovations theories, this study sought to ascertain whether the mail survey works in Nepal – one of the developing countries, by looking at how long respondents take to respond to mail surveys, and what the determinants are of the response time. A mail survey was conducted in June–September 2012 among 863 village animal health workers. Analysis of the data derived from 500 usable surveys shows that if properly planned and executed, the mail survey will perfectly work in developing countries as well. However, response period greatly varied by respondent’s home region, program sponsor, income groups, but not by gender, age, and education. The paper concludes by outlining suggestions to improve the mail survey.     

Serious case reviews: learning to use expertise

While undertaking an analysis of 20 serious case reviews for the Welsh Assembly Government, the authors became aware of important, largely unexplored, practice issues with implications for training, service delivery and the role of the lead professional. The reviews were studied using a ‘layered reading’ methodology to ensure that emerging themes were grounded entirely in the reports. In looking beyond the familiar recurring themes and practice failings, findings emerged about the use of expertise in its widest sense. The need for more skilled use of expertise was identified, from external specialists and child protection specialists, and from children, siblings and parents. Professionals from agencies who contribute less routinely to the process of safeguarding children should be consulted as experts and be empowered to play a fuller part. Consultation could often be used prior to, or in place of referral. The barrier to the collation and analysis of relevant information often appeared to be a failure to recognize and understand expertise rather than a lack of communication as often postulated in review reports. Skilled use of expertise and consultation in a coordinated manner could result in more rigorous assessments and promote greater professional trust, confidence and challenge. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coordination and artifacts in joint activity: the case of tagging in high-risk industries

The social, organizational, and technological complexity of high-risk organizations creates a strong need for coordination. Joint activity in such systems thus relies both on formal coordination and on a set of informal coordinative practices. Coordinated joint activity is documented in this paper from two perspectives: the development of coordinative practices to overcome the limitations of formal coordination, and the use of artifacts for coordinative purposes. The empirical material is provided by a workplace study undertaken according to theoretical conceptions of situated action and cognition. It was undertaken in the context of a design project that aims at improving the tagout process in a high-risk industry. Findings first describe and analyze situations in which formal coordination turned out to be more of a constraint than a resource for effective action. They then illustrate the role played by artifacts in coordinated activity, focusing on the use of a particular artifact, the tagout tag, in different situations.