Characteristics and impact of faked interviews in surveys – An analysis of genuine fakes in the raw data of SOEP

Summary: Panel data offers a unique opportunity to identify data that interviewers clearly faked by comparing data waves. In the German Socio–Economic Panel (SOEP), only 0.5 percent of all records of raw data have been detected as faked. These fakes are used here to analyze the potential impact of fakes on survey results. Due to our central finding the faked records have no impact on the mean or the proportions. However, we show that there may be a serious bias in the estimation of correlations and regression coefficients. In all but one year (1998), the detected faked data have never been disseminated within the widely–used SOEP study. The fakes are removed prior to data release.* We are grateful to participants in the workshop on Item Nonresponse and Data Quality on Large Social Surveys for useful critique and comments, especially Rainer Schnell and our outstanding discussant Regina Riphahn. The usual disclaimer applies.     

Prejudice and Group-Related Behavior in Germany

This article analyses the relationship of ethnic prejudice and discriminatory behavioral intentions in Germany. We utilize two representative surveys conducted in 2002 and 2004 ( N = 2,722 and 1,383, respectively) as well as a longitudinal study with three annual measurement points (2002–2004; N = 825). Results show that prejudice is substantially correlated with the respondents' reports of their own discriminatory intentions ( R = .33 to .49). Controlling for additional psychological variables, the cross-lagged, longitudinal analyses support the causal hypothesis that prejudice leads to discriminatory intentions. Additional influences on discriminatory intentions—intergroup threat and intergroup contact—are substantially mediated by ethnic prejudice. Thus, a practical implication of these results is that the reduction of intergroup threat and increment of intergroup contact may well lead to both reduced intergroup prejudice and to less discriminatory behavior .     

Lose Zugehörigkeiten von globalen Identitäten (Glopats) in internationalen Unternehmen – Konflikte zwischen Nationalkulturen und Hyperkultur

The article gives attention to the multiple diversity of cultural imprints in the international companies as well as consultancy and emphasizes intercultural interpersonal communication conflicts. The focus is on the meeting of people with different cultural influences and experiences in international companies, their communication with each other and the resulting conflicts. The approach is multidimensional and transdisciplinary. In a mixed methods study current challenges can be identified. On the one hand, hyperculture and global identity develop, on the other hand, cultures try to contour and separate themselves from each other. In the context of affiliations, selected results of this study are summarized, discussed and classified. Virtual communication and cooperation (digital transformation) as well as the fluid change of generations (millennials) are also addressed. It is about investigating the phenomena and sensitizing the persons involved. The article derives implications for international management and consultancy in a culturally heterogeneous work environment. Finally, there are a critical appraisal and suggestions for future research.     

Barriers to accessing HIV and sexual health services among gay men in Tasmania,Australia

We examined barriers to accessing HIV and sexual health services among gay and bisexual men (GBM) in Tasmania, Australia, using in-depth interviews. Most participants were satisfied with the care they had received at public sexual health services. Barriers included the limited number of services, concerns about anonymity and privacy in small communities, difficulties accessing services via a general practitioner, and perceived stigma and discrimination. Improving the accessibility and availability of HIV and sexual health services in Tasmania is crucial to promote the engagement of GBM, which could be achieved via combined efforts of government services and community organizations.     

Improving estimation for beta regression models via EM-algorithm and related diagnostic tools

In this paper we propose an alternative procedure for estimating the parameters of the beta regression model. This alternative estimation procedure is based on the EM-algorithm. For this, we took advantage of the stochastic representation of the beta random variable through ratio of independent gamma random variables. We present a complete approach based on the EM-algorithm. More specifically, this approach includes point and interval estimations and diagnostic tools for detecting outlying observations. As it will be illustrated in this paper, the EM-algorithm approach provides a better estimation of the precision parameter when compared to the direct maximum likelihood (ML) approach. We present the results of Monte Carlo simulations to compare EM-algorithm and direct ML. Finally, two empirical examples illustrate the full EM-algorithm approach for the beta regression model. This paper contains a Supplementary Material.     

Slug grazing effects on seedling and adult life stages of North American Prairie plants used in designed urban landscapes

Designed vegetation is a major contributor to ecosystem service provision in cities, and as such the study of how herbivory and other ecological factors determine its capacity to deliver such services, is long overdue. This study investigated the effect of slug grazing on the establishment and development of 26 species of North American prairie forbs and grasses used in sown or planted naturalistic communities in urban greenspace. The experiment was designed to provide slugs with the opportunity to choose between the plant species used, to mirror the situation that prevails in public greenspace. Slug density was manipulated through baiting with metaldehyde at different frequencies. Seedlings of prairie species were more palatable to slugs than adults. Seedling establishment was significantly reduced in most species by slug grazing, with only seven species showing no significant increase in establishment in response to baiting with metaldehyde. In many species successful establishment was based on moderate-high unpalatability and large or fast growing seedlings. Adult prairie plants were typically more able to withstand slug damage, and once their shoots reached a certain size, grazing declined. This was not true of the most palatable species, which even as adults were eventually eliminated by grazing in the absence of baiting. Phenology plays an important role in the survival of adults, with early emerging species potentially subject to severe damage due to the limited availability of alternate food plants. As a group, prairie forbs are typically palatable to slugs, and unlikely to be persistent in the most slug-rich urban situations.     

Nursing home deficiency citations for safety

Deficiency citations for safety violations in U.S. nursing homes from 2000 to 2007 are examined (representing a panel of 119,472 observations). Internal (i.e., operating characteristics of the facility), organizational factors (i.e., characteristics of the facility itself), and external factors (i.e., characteristics outside of the influence of the organization) associated with these deficiency citations are examined. The findings show that nursing homes increasingly receive deficiency citations for resident safety issues. Low staffing levels, poor quality of care, and an unfavorable Medicaid mix (occupancy and reimbursement) are associated with the likelihood of receiving deficiency citations for safety violations. In many cases, this likely influences the quality of life and quality of care of residents.     

Redefining citizenship for the 21st century: from the National Welfare State to the UN Global Compact

This article analyses the impact of globalisation on the changing role of citizenship as a state-centred mechanism of societal integration. As more diverse forms of society emerged in the second half of the last century, national citizenship came under assault by identity-based social groups from within. They function as integrative mechanisms for those members of society who diverge from the majority position and are committed to replace the nation-state as the dominant integrative device. From without, vast movements of peoples across borders in search of jobs and refuge constitute an even more serious challenge to the traditional notion of citizenship. With reference to the current EU debates about immigration and the idea of a UN Global Compact, the article explores principles of societal integration that transcend the boundaries of national citizenship and involve a governance paradigm built on civil society and voluntary action.     

Terrorism: A Peace Psychological Analysis

Peace psychologists emphasize the importance of recognizing both direct and structural bases of peace and conflict. In the peace psychological analysis of terrorism presented here, I attempt to further our understanding of the bases of terrorism in the context of how inequities in political, economic, and social structures may feed into or exacerbate terrorism. I analyze the effectiveness of responses to terrorism in terms of the tripartite peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peacebuilding model of nonviolent response to violence.     

U.S. unionism and R&D investment: Evidence from a simple cross-country test

This paper implements Freeman’s suggestion that insights into the effect of U.S. unionism on R&D investment may be obtained by correlating U.S. union density by industry with R&D investment by industry in another country, here Germany.