Nonparametric predictive selection with early experiment termination

Nonparametric predictive inference (NPI) is a statistical approach based on few assumptions about probability distributions, with inferences based on data. NPI assumes exchangeability of random quantities, both related to observed data and future observations, and uncertainty is quantified using lower and upper probabilities. In this paper, units from several groups are placed simultaneously on a lifetime experiment and times-to-failure are observed. The experiment may be ended before all units have failed. Depending on the available data and few assumptions, we present lower and upper probabilities for selecting the best group, the subset of best groups and the subset including the best group. We also compare our approach of selecting the best group with some classical precedence selection methods. Throughout, examples are provided to demonstrate our method.     

'Seen but not heard'– young people's experience of advocacy

This article draws on two pieces of empirical research undertaken in England with young people in public care. The research examined young people's experiences of a range of advocacy services, and the extent to which the involvement of an advocate facilitated young people's voices being heard in decision-making. The research responded to contemporary concerns about children's participatory rights, citizenship and social inclusion, set in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This article examines the strengths and limitations of advocacy for young people in public care and compares the different types of advocacy services that are available to young people and considers the extent to which adult perceptions of childhood and youth frame the services that are offered. It provides a comparison of the outcomes for young people who have had an advocate and those who have not. The concluding discussion argues that young people in public care feel excluded and marginalised from decision-making processes, and that advocacy has a pivotal role to play in placing at centre stage the wishes and feelings of young people.     

Nonverbal behavior correlated with the shaped verbal behavior of children

The Analysis of Verbal Behavior - Children under 6 years old pressed on response windows behind which stimuli appeared (star or tree). Presses occasionally lit lamps arranged in a column; a present...     

Spouse Liability for a Partner's Long–term Care Costs: Local Variations in Policy and Practice in the UK

Under the 1948 National Assistance Act a husband and a wife are liable to maintain each other and so can be required to contribute towards a spouse's care home costs. A national postal survey of social services finance officers showed that only a minority of local authorities pursue liable spouses. These authorities have often developed individual policies with widely different treatment of capital and income. Discretion is being exercised in the pursuit of liable spouses within these authorities. Social workers do not necessarily bring liable spouses to the attention of finance officers and articulate and knowledgeable spouses can either decline to pay or pay only token amounts. Only the unlucky and ill–informed spouses end up contributing. Such variation in the treatment of spouses is at odds with the development of fairer policies to meet the costs of long–term care.     

Bridging the Gaps: An Interdependent Model for Educating Accountable Practitioners

Abstract

This article presents an Interdependent Model that integrates field instruction with the clinical and research curricula to educate students to become accountable practitioners. It describes the application of this model in teaching single-system evaluation to social work students with support from faculty, field advisers, and agency practitioners who provide field supervision. The merits of using this model as compared to other more common, less comprehensive approaches to social work education are examined. Issues relating to the implementation of the Interdependent Model are also discussed.     

Editorial

Abstract

Norman J. Smith     

Toward the Development of a More Integrated Aged Care Assessment Process for Rural Older Australians: Practitioners’ Perspectives

There is an identified need for more effective assessment processes in rural Australia, with prior research revealing little knowledge sharing and even duplication across existing services. This article aims to explore the challenges to more closely integrated assessment processes, drawing on interview data with practitioners from three agencies located in the same rural region. Findings highlight the challenges of rural assessment, both demand-driven (more older people with complex needs, geographic isolation) and supply issues (time and distance, funding formulae, workforce shortages). The need for closer collaboration is recognized but significant systemic issues require addressing if it is to be achieved.     

Nonparametric Predictive Multiple Comparisons of Lifetime Data

We consider lifetime experiments to compare units from different groups, where the units’ lifetimes may be right censored. Nonparametric predictive inference for comparison of multiple groups is presented, in particular lower and upper probabilities for the event that a specific group will provide the largest next lifetime. We include the practically relevant consideration that the overall lifetime experiment may be terminated at an early stage, leading to simultaneous right-censoring of all units still in the experiment.