Methodical aspects of text testing in a driving simulator

A test with 30 test persons was conducted in a driving simulator. The test was a concept exploration and comparison of existing user interaction technologies for text message handling with focus on traffic safety and experience (technology familiarity and learning effects). Focus was put on methodical aspects how to measure and how to analyze the data. Results show difficulties with the eye tracking system (calibration etc.) per se, and also include the subsequent raw data preparation. The physical setup in the car where found important for the test completion.     

Adolescent attitudes toward random drug testing in schools

The current research examined students' perceptions of random drug testing for students participating in after-school activities. Results found students were more likely to endorse drug testing at their school if they are already engaged in after-school activities and not currently using drugs and/or alcohol. While middle and high school students' scores fell within the median, most reported if drug testing were implemented in their school they believed it would not deter continued participation in after-school activities. However, if drug testing were a prerequisite for participating in after-school activities, high school students were more apprehensive about getting tested than middle school students. Student respondents were more likely to endorse drug testing, if all members of the school system (i.e., teachers, coaches and staff) participated in drug testing. High school students' believed they had enough knowledge about drug abuse and were less likely to endorse drug testing because they believed it would violate their personal privacy compared to grade school students. Results also differed as a function of gender and self-reported drug and alcohol use.     

An assessment of drug testing within the construction industry

Drug testing in the workplace has gone from virtual nonexistence to widespread employer acceptance during the past two decades. This growth is particularly significant for the construction industry. High rates of alcohol and other drug use, coupled with the high-risk, safety-sensitive nature of the industry, have prompted the development of a variety of drug surveillance and prevention strategies. Despite this growing vigilance, no scholarly works have examined the impact of drug-related policies in the construction industry. To address this limitation, we investigate the efficacy of workplace drug-testing programs in reducing injury incident rates and workers' compensation experience-rating modification factors (MODs) within the construction industry. Analyses indicate that companies with drug-testing programs experienced a 51 percent reduction in incident rates within two years of implementation. Moreover, companies that drug test their employees experienced a significant reduction in their MODs. Policy implications are discussed in light of the current findings.     

Discriminating characteristics of union members’ attitudes toward drug testing in the workplace

In this study of the acceptance by union members of drug testing in the workplace, 919 union members from 13 major unions were asked what drug-testing policy, if any, they preferred. Respondents evaluated particular aspects of a hypothetical drug-testing program. The results show that a large majority of union members agree with a limited drug-testing policy. Five theoretical models of union member attitudes were extrapolated to the drug-testing context and were examined by using discriminant function analysis. No support was found for the individual demographics theory, but empirical support was found for some elements of instrumental union, bargaining outcomes, general normative attitude, and workplace conditions theory. The discriminant function was 80.56 percent successful in classifying union members who accept drug testing.     

Academic and health-related trajectories in adolescence: the intersection of gender and athletics

This study takes a life course approach to adolescent academic and health-related behavior. Researchers have often studied academic achievement and substance use as unrelated, static, and de-contextualized phenomena. Applying latent growth curve modeling to a sample of 2,651 high school freshmen and sophomores in California and Wisconsin (1987-1990), this study treats achievement and substance use as dynamic trajectories, inter-related to each other, and influenced by proximate and structural contexts. In general, achievement is high at the start of high school and then declines. This downward trend is driven by male non-athletes. Substance use is initially low and then increases, with boys driving this increase. Finally, academic and health-related trajectories are most related among athletes, who experience long-term academic consequences from risky health-related behavior. Overall, gender-athletic status can serve as either protective or risk factor, depending on the behavior and the temporal perspective.     

制约吉林省残疾人竞技体育的因素

作为一名参加了二十多年残疾人竞技体育的吉林省残疾人运动员,同时也是一名吉林省残联的工作人员,我对吉林省残疾人竞技体育的过去和现状有着深刻的了解和切身地体会。对制约吉林省残疾人竞技体育的因素应该是一目了然的:经费,相关部门领导和工作人员的业务水平和能力,组织机构,体训中心,选拔机制,训练管理体系,保险,相关政策等。     

Professional vs. personal factors related to physicians' attitudes toward drug testing

Questionnaires concerning attitudes toward alcohol and drug testing in the workplace, personal experiences with these substances, professional experiences in treating abuses, religious and political ideology and other personal and professional characteristics were completed by 303 internists, family physicians, gastroenterologists and psychiatrists. Drug testing was most favored by those who more strongly believed in the efficacy of treatment for abusers, the seriousness of the drug problem, the illegality of drug abuse and that marijuana use should not be permissible. Many other personal but almost no professional characteristics were correlated with attitudes toward drug testing. Physicians' opinions about drug testing strongly reflected personal ideologies rather than medical training or clinical experience.     

Painkilling drugs in collegiate athletics: knowledge, attitudes, and use of student athletes

This study was designed to examine the attitudes of student athletes toward the use of painkilling drugs. A total of 563 student athletes at two Division One NCAA universities were surveyed in this study. Twenty-nine percent of the student athletes (n = 165) reported that they felt there is nothing wrong with using painkilling drugs on the day of competition (when injured) to cope with pain. These student athletes reported that they would use painkilling drugs to mask injury in order to continue to participate in their sport. Student athletes' perceptions of societal norms and expectations related to competition, and the degree of control student athletes perceive that they have when deciding to use painkillers, may be important determinants governing the extent to which they may be at risk for abusing these substances. Research on planned behavior and reasoned action against suggests that salient beliefs affect intentions and subsequent behaviors, either through attitudes or subjective norms, or the degree of (perceived) control that an individual feels he/she has over the behavior [1, 2]. This theoretical model was used as a guiding framework for analyzing the attitudes of college athletes toward painkilling drugs. Recommendations are included in this article for coaches, educators, team physicians, team trainers, and administrators who are concerned about controlling the use and abuse of painkilling drugs by student athletes.     

Naturalistic Observation in the Laboratory

Symbolic interactionists generally eschew laboratory research in favor of naturalistic observation in field settings. This is consistent with the recommendations of Blumer, who argued that social processes and relationships, which are the appropriate subject matter for sociology, cannot be studied adequately within the laboratory. In this statement, I argue that when the laboratory is used as a “provocative stage,” the integrity of social action and social relationships as they are manifest in social process can be as adequately studied in the laboratory as they can be in the field. I further argue that when the laboratory is used in the manner specified here, Blumer's recommendations are more adequately met than they are in field studies.     

Ethical aspects of vulnerability in research

In connection with research on humans, the term ??vulnerability?? is only appropriate to identify the special need for protection of certain sections of the population and individuals, if this term refers to the additional risk of certain groups of subjects. Authors who focus on the additional risk suffering of a subject group when defining vulnerability succeed in considering the specific worthiness of protection in a context-sensitive way. The attempt to define the risk?Cbenefit assessment for vulnerable subject groups on a binding basis faces considerable difficulties. This assessment depends both on the research situation and on the test subject. The normative aspect of this decision could be solved by referring to Rawl??s decision model of an original position. In cases where there is no benefit for the subject, arguments in the discussion of the risks and benefits that are based on a ??group or overall benefit?? and an ??objective interest,?? cannot be fully sustained.