The use of self-generated identification codes in longitudinal research

Longitudinal research designs involve data collection at multiple time points to measure change over time. Therefore, identification of the same respondents is essential at each time point so that data from the same respondents can be matched for comparison over time. Subject-generated identification codes permit an anonymous means to track respondents over multiple data collection points. This article describes the evolution of subject-generated identification codes, techniques to improve respondent match rates, and the authors' experience using this mechanism in a longitudinal study of staff registered nurses working in hospitals. Challenges, recommendations, and implications for using subject-generated identification codes are discussed.     

Improving child welfare performance through supervisory use of client outcome data

Despite their benefits, there is little evidence that outcome data are being widely used by program managers or field level supervisors. Three interdependent factors that facilitate the use of outcome data are well-constructed reports, and organizational culture that supports learning and outcome achievement, and managerial skills in interpreting data and taking relevant action. This article describes an outcome reporting package and training oriented toward frontline supervisors to help them use outcome data, shape a learning culture, interpret data, and take focused action toward improving outcomes for children and families.     

The use of geotechnologies for the identification of the urban flora in the city of Teresina,Brazil

Urban Ecosystems - Urban greenness is an element of vital importance for the population quality of life, and forest inventory is considered the most appropriate method for its assessment. Remote...     

Moral codes of mothering and the introduction of welfare-to-work in Ontario

In this paper, I trace how the reform of social assistance in Ontario, especially the post-1990s enforcement of lone mothers' employability via welfare-to-work programs, parallels shifts in dominant moral codes of mothering, from "mother-carer" to "mother-worker." Additionally, I use this case as an entry point to consider the implications of public and policy allegiance to these moral codes for all mothers. The central argument I make is that the introduction of welfare-to-work programs in Ontario did not occur in a neoliberal state-sanctioned vacuum but also involved the circulation of ideas about moral mothering outside of policy into policy.     

Rokeach's Value Survey in use: an evaluation with criterion attitude scales and party identification*

Le but du rapport suivant est de fournir aux chercheurs une matière sur laquelle fonder une évaluation de l'intrigante ‘Value Survey’ faite par Milton Rokeach (1969 a; 1969 b; 1971; Rokeach et Parker, 1970; Rokeach, Miller et Snyder, 1971). La première section de l'article, qui s'appuie sur des données réunies à partir d'une vaste enquête fondée sur des exemples pris au hasard d'étudiants dans une université canadienne, prouve que la Value Survey est l'un des outils de travail les plus économiques et les plus capables de saisir les différences, qui puissent être utilises pour l'instant pour établir les différences individuelles telles qu'elles sont révélées par les stimuli verbaux. La seconde partie est un compte-rendu des recherches publiées par Rokeach avec la Value Survey, et fournit quelques preuves montrant que cet instrument est efficace dans tous les pays. The purpose of the following report is to provide researchers with material on which they might base an evaluation of Milton Rokeach's intriguing ‘Value Survey’ (1969a; 1969b; 1971; Rokeach and Parker, 1970; Rokeach, Miller and Snyder, 1971). The first section of the paper, which is based on data collected from a large random sample survey of students at a Canadian university, demonstrates that the Value Survey is one of the more economical and discriminating instruments in use at the moment for the assessment of individual differences as elicited by verbal stimuli. The second part reports a replication of Rokeach's published research with the Value Survey and provides some indication that the tool is robust across nations.     

Improving Functioning of the Remarried Family System

This report presents salient issues for therapists in understanding and treating the remarried (Rem, second, blended, reconstituted or step) family. The structure of the remarried family is differentiated from that of the intact family. Specific treatment goals for Rem families are elaborated and various treatment modalities advocated. The need to include former spouses and to consider the meta family system are discussed. Common reactions and difficulties engendered in therapists when working with Rem systems are explicated.     

Improving quality at the point of service

The authors provide a research-based construct of youth program quality that differentiates safety, support, interaction, and engagement, four important issues for practitioners working with youth in the middle years. They describe two tools that have helped direct staff to be intentional about creating offerings that are appropriate for early adolescents: the focusing idea of point-of-service quality and the technology of observational assessment. They describe how these tools can be used to create cultures of accountability and intentionality that extend across program levels.     

Improving the Quality of Outcome Evaluation Plans

Nonprofit agencies are struggling to meet new funder demands in outcome evaluation. This study is the first of its kind to examine factors that contribute to agency progress in this area. Path analysis is used to examine chains of influence among five predictors of success as well as three control variables. Study findings indicate that agency culture, technology, management support, and involvement are key predictors of quality. Nonprofit managers who want to succeed in the new era of accountability should consider the potential impact of these factors on the quality of outcome evaluation plans in their agencies.     

Understanding Symbolic Boundaries and Improving Quantitative Analysis of Social Exclusion by Improving the Operationalization of Boundary Work

In survey research, how can we measure actors' judgments concerning who is a member of a particular social group and who is not? How can we measure changes in this process over time? Within the sociology of culture, the operationalization of boundary work, or decisions of group membership, has been relatively overlooked. Similarly, measurement of changes in boundaries has been relatively overlooked as well. An important first step is to better match the operationalization of boundary work with theory. To do so, I argue that survey items concerning decisions of social exclusion measured in the Likert scale can be used. In addition to allowing scholars to compare those who exclude with those who include (often measured as Strongly Agree/Agree vs. Disagree/Strongly Disagree), the Likert scale offers a measurement of boundary strength: how strongly respondents are committed to their exclusionary judgments (Agree vs. Strongly Agree, Disagree vs. Strongly Disagree). A novel element of boundary change can then be measured as variation over time in commitment to exclusionary judgment in time series data. A boundary that has increased in strength would be one for which respondents increase in their emotional commitment to their exclusionary judgment over time.     

论对我国关联公司立法的完善

改革开放以来,企业各种形式的联合发展很快。随着公司制度的发展和企业改革中公司重组、兼并和收购形式被广泛采用,母、子公司或控股公司与从属公司形式日益增多,所产生的问题和对社会交易安全的影响也越来越严重,迫切需要相关立法的完善。我国立法上对关联企业的问题有所涉及,但很不健全。我国《税收征收管理法实施细则》第36条将关联企业界定为有下列关系的公司、企业或其他经济组织:(一)在资金、经营、购销等方面,存在直接或者间接的拥有或者控制关系;(二)直接或者间接地同为第三者所拥有或者控制;(三)其他在利益上具有相关联的关系。并…     

Improving the Writing Skills of Social Work Students

This article discusses the declining ability of social work students to write proficiently and offers a brief historical review of different approaches to the writing problems of American students. It describes the development of a writing assistance program at a graduate school and the program’s outcomes after its initial year. Using a global writing assessment, the authors found that 1/3 of entering MSW students had inadequate writing skills, and only 57% of these took advantage of the writing assistance offered.     

How national identification matters: the development of European identification among established ethnic minority groups

Based upon the data from qualitative studies of eight national minorities between the Baltic and the Danube, this article investigates the formation of European identification among members of the minority groups representing ‘split nations’ along the new eastern borders of the enlarged EU. The analysis reveals mechanisms of the formation of supranational identification by focusing on the relationships between subnational, national and European identifications to ascertain the degree of interconnectedness of these identification levels. These relationships are examined in the context of the potential impact of perceived ethnic conflict and utilitarian expectations of socio-economic and cultural gains from the process of European integration.     

Measuring stakeholder identification with nonprofit causes: the development and validation of the identification with social causes scale

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) achieve desired outcomes by fostering organizational identification. However, little research has explored how identification with the cause or the recipients of support relates to identification with the NPO. This study developed the Identification with Social Causes Scale as a mechanism for distinguishing organizational identification from identification with a social group or cause. Data were collected using two groups: the homeless (n = 318) and HIV positive (n = 314) individuals. Exploratory factor analysis and multigroup confirmatory factor analysis yielded a 9-item scale measuring two dimensions: attachment and consubstantiality. Initial construct validity of the scale was established.