The use of the coefficient of variation in detecting sincerity of effort: a meta-analysis

The coefficient of variation (CV) is used to determine sincerity of effort of strength measurements. However, there is a controversy in the literature concerning its validity and effectiveness. We used a meta-analytic approach and calculated the effect size between maximal and submaximal efforts for the CV of grip, elbow flexion and knee extension. We summarized findings concerning stability, sensitivity and specificity of the CV. We found large effect sizes (d > or = 0.8) for all comparisons indicating that submaximal efforts were more variable than maximal efforts. We also found large error rates and low stability of the CV. The error rates and stability values of the CV are unacceptable from both a clinical and a medico-legal standpoint. Therefore, the use of the CV for assessing sincerity of effort needs to be questioned.     

Assessing the risk factors for suicidal thoughts at a nontraditional commuter school

The sample of students completing the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) Survey at the University of Utah differs from the national reference group for the NCHA 2003 in age, employment, residence, and marital status. The purpose of this study is to determine if the defining characteristics of a commuter school increase the risk for suicidal thoughts. During the fall semester of 2004, the University of Utah implemented a randomized electronic survey assessing the student body's health status in several areas. The authors compared 88 respondents who endorsed seriously considered suicide in the previous 12 months were with the remaining 954 respondents to identify discriminating variables. Those students who seriously considered suicide more likely lived off campus, indicated they were emotionally abused, were in only fair health, experienced being assaulted, experienced unwanted sexual touching, or were not heterosexual. Students who were employed were significantly less likely to consider suicide.     

Becoming Flexible: Self-flexibility and its Pedagogies

Much of the debate on flexibility has remained at a stubbornly macro, demographic level without looking closely at individual attempts to become more flexible. This paper argues that the debate on flexibility has been dominated by attention to the structural side, looking at flexi-time and part-time contracting, for example, to the neglect of what we call self-flexibility through self-reflexivity and self-transformation. The paper begins to redress this imbalance drawing upon two different cases which examine specific forms of self-flexibility: feedback and personal malleability and risk-taking through experiential learning. Drawing upon sociological research, we seek to examine critically the ways in which self-flexibilities are taken up and pursued by employees in their attempts to remain employable and their gendered implications.     

COVARIANCES FOR FIXED INTERVAL SMOOTHED KALMAN FILTER PARAMETER ESTIMATES

Given time series data for fixed interval t= 1,2,…, M with non-autocorrelated innovations, the regression formulae for the best linear unbiased parameter estimates at each time t are given by the Kalman filter fixed interval smoothing equations. Formulae for the variance of such parameter estimates are well documented. However, formulae for covariance between these fixed interval best linear parameter estimates have previously been derived only for lag one. In this paper more general formulae for covariance between fixed interval best linear unbiased estimates at times t and t - l are derived for t= 1,2,…, M and l= 0,1,…, t - 1. Under Gaussian assumptions, these formulae are also those for the corresponding conditional covariances between the fixed interval best linear unbiased parameter estimates given the data to time M. They have application, for example, in determination via the expectation-maximisation (EM) algorithm of exact maximum likelihood parameter estimates for ARMA processes expressed in statespace form when multiple observations are available at each time point.     

Deviation from Organizational Norms Concerning the Relationship Between Status and Power: Equity vs. Self-Interest Theory

In past research on status and power, the two variables have often been confounded. Within an experimentally induced organization, status and power were separated and their effects on a series of dependent variables were examined. A three-factor design using high and low levels of power and status and norms prescribing defernce to high status or to high power was created. Differing predictions for deviation from the prescribed norms of self-interest theory and equity theory were contrasted. The data indicate that a low power, high status individual who is in an organization which rewards high power will deviate from the prescribed norms in order to increase his rewards. Status affected subjects' self-perceptions and interacted with power to affect conformity to prescribed norms and perception of partner.