A two-sample distribution-free scale test of the smirnov type

The two-sample, distribution-free statistics of Smirnov (1939) are used to define a new statistic. While the Smirnov statistics are used as a general goodness-of-fit test, a distribution-free scale test based on this new statistic is developed. It is shown that this new test has higher power than the two-sided Smirnov statistic in detecting differences in scale for some symmetric distributions with equal means/medians. The critical values of the proposed test statistic and its limiting distribution are given     

Location and Scale Estimation with Correlation Coefficients

This article shows how to use any correlation coefficient to produce an estimate of location and scale. It is part of a broader system, called a correlation estimation system (CES), that uses correlation coefficients as the starting point for estimations. The method is illustrated using the well-known normal distribution. This article shows that any correlation coefficient can be used to fit a simple linear regression line to bivariate data and then the slope and intercept are estimates of standard deviation and location. Because a robust correlation will produce robust estimates, this CES can be recommended as a tool for everyday data analysis. Simulations indicate that the median with this method using a robust correlation coefficient appears to be nearly as efficient as the mean with good data and much better if there are a few errant data points. Hypothesis testing and confidence intervals are discussed for the scale parameter; both normal and Cauchy distributions are covered.     

Probability proportional to size (πps) sampling using ranks

There can be gains in estimation efficiency over equal probability samplin methods when one makes use of auxiliary information for probability proporti onal to size with replacement (πpswr) sampling methods. The usual method is simple to execute, but might lead to more than one appearance in the sampl e for any particular unit. When a suitable variable x is not available, one may know how to rank units reasonably well relative to the unknown y values before sample selection. When such ranking is possible, we introduce a simple and efficient sampling plan using the ranks as the unknown x measures of size. The proposed sampling plan is similar to, has the simplicity of, and has no greater sampling variance than with replacement sampling, but is without replacement.     

The Role of Openness to Experience and Sexual Identity Formation in LGB Individuals: Implications for Mental Health

Openness to experience has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health in the general population, but there is a dearth of information both about why this is the case and on LGB populations in this area. The present article explores the relationship between openness to experience, LGB identity development, and mental health. The results revealed a full mediation model, where the positive impact of openness to experience on mental health is fully mediated by positive LGB identity development. Limitations and implications are discussed.     

The Relationship Between Psychological Understanding and Positive Social Behaviors

This research investigates the relationship between psychological understanding and positive social behavior in preschool children. A sample of 67 children were given measures of mental state understanding and emotion understanding. Positive social behavior was measured by classroom observation, teacher report and peer ratings. Both mental state understanding and emotion understanding were positively related to teacher ratings of social skills, behavioral observers’ global ratings of social skills and peer popularity. When language ability was partialled out of these relationships, many of the significant correlations disappeared; however, for variables related to peers’ perceptions, psychological understanding continued to predict unique variance. The results are discussed in terms of the multiple determinacy of positive social behaviors and the potential role of language in these processes.     

Communicating misunderstandings: multi-agency work as social practice

This paper reflects on the findings of an ethnographic study of interprofessional communication and social relations in an integrated child health service, during and after the relocation of different parts of the service to a single site. In the context of the governmental emphasis on restructuring services in order to facilitate better communication between different disciplines, its findings are of considerable pertinence. The study found that co‐location did not straightforwardly lead to better communication. This paper urges that greater attention be paid to the kinds of professional narratives that maintain ritualized ways of working and reinforce professional boundaries. It urges the creation of conditions where everyday practices are open to scrutiny and challenge, and aligns itself with those who call for the development of a ‘communication mindset’ among professionals.     

Disabled citizens as researchers – Challenges and benefits of collaboration for effective action and change

ABSTRACT

This article reports on the evaluation of an initial pilot for a collaborative research project undertaken in an English county between a service user-led Coalition of Disabled People, the local authority and local university. The project sought to map the assets and resources for/of disabled people in their local community as well as needs and gaps, to inform the Coalition’s strategic planning and raise awareness of disability issues across the county.

The article discusses an inclusive, co-productive approach using participatory action research. It focuses on experiences from the pilot stage of the project and considers how the authors worked together with the required knowledge exchange and power-sharing to recruit and train researchers with expertise from their personal experience of disability. Recruitment ensured they had relevant qualities and skills that could be developed, to increase their confidence, knowledge and skills set as researchers. They then undertook photo-elicited, semi-structured interviews with other disabled people, analysed findings and created photographic exhibitions for dissemination and awareness raising.

Demonstrating a commitment to emancipatory research and collective action for change, the discussion considers the promotion of shared values within the research team, and explores the benefits and challenges encountered during the process and how the particular stages were managed to achieve the beneficial outcomes of the pilot. The article seeks to add to the literature of participatory/emancipatory action research for social work.