A meta-analysis of research on adolescent contraceptive use

Meta-analysis was used to summarize the results of 134 studies of adolescent contraceptive use in relation to two major explanatory models, the career model and the decision model. There was evidence in support of both models, although there has been less research conducted on variables related to the decision model. The major variables found to affect young women's contraceptive use were partner influence to use contraception, acceptance of one's sexuality, future orientation, positive attitudes toward contraception, an exclusive sexual relationship, and frequency of intercourse. The major variables affecting young men's contraceptive use were partner influence, frequency of intercourse, and positive attitudes toward contraception; however, there was relatively little research on young men compared to young women. A number of possible future directions for research are noted.We would like to thank Nancy Adler and Catherine Chilman for their comments on an earlier version of this article. Portions of this research were presented at the 1984 meeting of the American Psychological Association.Requests for reprints should be addressed to Bernard E. Whitley, Jr., Department of Psychological Science, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 47306.     

The effects of state lotteries on the pari-mutuel industry

The growth and success of state lotteries in the United States and Canada has been matched by a corresponding decline in pari-mutuel handle and attendance, especially in horse racing, causing speculation about the lotteries' presumed negative impact on that industry. This paper presents evidence showing that lotteries are not responsible for the financial problems of the pari-mutuel industry because many people buy lottery tickets exclusively. Further evidence indicates that the pari-mutuel industry would benefit from a decrease in governments' take-out rate and more vigorous marketing campaigns.     

Evaluating time/cost factors of implementation via GERT simulation

Managers in striving for system implementation often disregard the time and cost that must be expended in achieving implementation success. This paper explores the use of GERT network analysis as a tool for planning and ascertaining the expected time and cost of implementation. The supporting base for the study is an implementation process that employs computer gaming for achieving organizational change.     

Socioeconomic Vulnerability and Adaptation to Environmental Risk: A Case Study of Climate Change and Flooding in Bangladesh

In this article we investigate the complex relationship between environmental risk, poverty, and vulnerability in a case study carried out in one of the poorest and most flood-prone countries in the world, focusing on household and community vulnerability and adaptive coping mechanisms. Based upon the steadily growing amount of literature in this field we develop and test our own analytical model. In a large-scale household survey carried out in southeast Bangladesh, we ask almost 700 floodplain residents living without any flood protection along the River Meghna about their flood risk exposure, flood problems, flood damage, and coping mechanisms. Novel in our study is the explicit testing of the effectiveness of adaptive coping strategies to reduce flood damage costs. We show that, households with lower income and less access to productive natural assets face higher exposure to risk of flooding. Disparity in income and asset distribution at community level furthermore tends to be higher at higher risk exposure levels, implying that individually vulnerable households are also collectively more vulnerable. Regarding the identification of coping mechanisms to deal with flood events, we look at both the ex ante household level preparedness for flood events and the ex post availability of community-level support and disaster relief. We find somewhat paradoxically that the people that face the highest risk of flooding are the least well prepared, both in terms of household-level ex ante preparedness and community-level ex post flood relief.     

Design and competition in engineering

This article considers the influence of good design as a factor in engineering innovation, and its effect on two sectors of industry in particular—agricultural implements and automobiles. In each case the authors point out how different aspects of design, or largely differing design philosophies, have had a marked influence on product performance and on competitive success.     

Pitfalls in using portfolio techniques—Assessing risk and potential

Since share/growth portfolio techniques are often the main tool for strategy formulation in multiproduct corporations, reflection on the possibilities and the limitations in applying such techniques merits attention. It is demonstrated that these techniques cannot distinguish between sometimes subtle but nevertheless strategically important situational characteristics, and therefore they can lead to recommendations that will exacerbate the real problems. Thus, share/growth techniques are at best incomplete for planning, since they are too limited. They should be placed in a broader context using a financial-strategic method. In this article such a method for developing proper directional guidance is dealt with.     

The gallon-jug shelf-transfer test: an instrument to evaluate deteriorating function in older adults

This study examined the validity, reliability, and discriminatory capacity of the gallon-jug shelf-transfer (GJST) test. Six hundred fifty-three independent-living older adults (463 women age 72.9 +/- 7.0 years, 190 men age 74.3 +/- 6.7 years) participated. Participants moved five 1-gallon jugs (approximately 3.9 kg) from a knee-high to a shoulder-high shelf as quickly as possible. The GJST showed an exponential performance decline with age, and there were significant correlations between the GJST and common functional tests (p<.001). High within-day and between-days reliability was detected. The test also detected differences resulting from training status (p<.01) and training protocols (p<.05). The GJST is a valid, reliable, inexpensive, safe, and easily administered clinical test for identifying physically vulnerable elders who could benefit from interventions such as exercise to improve their physical capacities and maintain independence.