Towards a theory of point optimal testing

This paper puts the case for the inclusion of point optimal tests in the econometrician's repertoire. They do not suit every testing situation but the current evidence, which is reviewed here, indicates that they can have extremely useful Small-sample power properties. As well as being most powerful at a nominated point in the alternative hypothesis parameter space, they may also have optimum power at a number of other points and indeed be uniformly most powerful when such a test exists. Point optimal tests can also be used to trace out the maxemum attainable power envelope for a given testing problem, thus providing a benchmark against which test procedures can be evaluated. In some cases, point optimal tests can be constructed from tests of simple null hypothesis against a simple alternative. For a wide range of models of interst to econometricians, this paper shows how one can check whether a point optimal test can be constructed in this way. When it cannot, one may wish to consider approximately point optimal tests. As an illustration, the approach is applied to the non-nested problem of testing for AR(1) distrubances against MA(1) distrubances in the linear regression model.     

Using strategic issue analysis

Strategic issue analysis is proposed as a method for resolving the strategic issues that are an important part of strategic management. The SIA process is one in which a strategic issue information model is developed using a joint manager-analyst teamwork approach. The issue models and supporting data then provide the basis for strategic decision making. The approach has numerous advantages over other approaches— both more and less formal—for resolving the strategic questions that must be addressed in any comprehensive planning process.     

First step toward a computer model of human behaviour

The first aim of the research described in this paper was to develop a method for the study of the considerations which an individual brings to bear in the process of rendering decisions to specific problems. The second aim of the research was to utilize the categories of considerations thus established in developing analytic measures of an individual's decision-making process. The measures arrived at involved the concepts of directed graphs, and are all potentially meaningful measures of a structural hierarchy of the considerations involved in the decision-making process studied in this research. With the two goals of the research thus accomplished, it is concluded that a whole new approach to the study of decision-making has been charted - a prerequisite if effective computer models of human behaviour are to be developed.The research described in this paper was conducted at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsis, U.S.A., while the author was established there under an N.D.E.A. Fellowship.     

Background and Family Variables in a Causal Model of Career Maturity: Comparing Hearing and Hearing-Impaired Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to determine if differences exist in the way seven background, achievement, and family variables explain career maturity attitudes for adolescents with and without a handicap. Using path analytic techniques with data from 70 high school students with impaired hearing and from another 318 with normal hearing, the results suggested more similarities than differences in the patterns of influence among the predetermined variables. The results are discussed in terms of the amount of variance explained, the direct, indirect, and total effects of each of the predictor variables on career maturity, and the subsequent implications for career development theories.     

Work Satisfaction and Intention to Leave Among Direct Care Workers in Community and Residential Aged Care in Australia

Turnover in the Australian aged-care workforce is lower than in the United States but is still of concern. This research examined the effects of worker satisfaction, worker characteristics, work conditions, and workplace environment on intention to leave, using data from a 2007 national census of the aged-care workforce. A probit model was used to estimate the probability of care workers leaving their jobs in the next 12 months. While workers were satisfied, overall, with their work, improving some components of satisfaction and converting casual contracts to permanent work would reduce intention to leave. To these ends, a shift in focus is required away from worker characteristics and the nature of care work to job conditions and organizational matters amenable to management and policy action.     

The Convergent Validity of the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children for a Sample of Sexually Abused Outpatients

ABSTRACT

The convergent validity of the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children (TSCYC) was examined with a sample of 172 sexually abused outpatient treatment-seeking children and their caregivers. The TSCYC evidenced good convergent validity with other parent ratings (e.g., the Child Behavior Checklist, Child Sexual Behavior Inventory, and the University of California at Los Angeles Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index [UCLA PTSD Index]). The convergent validity of the TSCYC and the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children was weak, perhaps illustrating the lack of agreement often found between children and caregivers and illustrating the need for a multi-informant approach to screening and assessment of sexually abused children. The TSCYC seems to hold promise based on the emerging evidence for its convergent validity.     

Knowledge,attitudes and experiences of Macao's casino workers with regard to second-hand smoke exposure at work

This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes and experiences of casino workers in Macao with regard to exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) in the workplace through structured face-to-face interviews with 377 workers. The results indicate that the majority of casino workers dislike SHS exposure at work, recognise that such exposure is harmful to their health, support the establishment of separate smoking and non-smoking areas for customers and would like greater restrictions than those that exist at present. The survey also found that there are statistically significant differences in knowledge, attitudes and experiences among workers of different smoking status. The findings of this study support the need for more comprehensive smoke-free legislation in casinos in Macao. The results also add to the existing evidence for smoke-free legislation across casinos worldwide.     

Missing Data: A Comparison of Online and Classroom Data Collection Methods With Social Work Students

ABSTRACT

Missing data (item nonresponse) is prevalent in survey research and likely regardless of the researcher's efforts. Problems associated with missing data include but are not limited to low statistical power, biased results, and limited external validity. The present study compared online (n = 125) and classroom (n = 74) data collection methods to determine the extent of missing data between the two cohorts. The total sample consisted of 199 master's of social work and bachelor's of social work students, each of whom were asked to respond to 91 survey items (the majority of which pertained to research in social work practice). A logistic regression model demonstrated a significant relationship between the total number of completed survey items and the data collection methods. The study shows an empirical association between the classroom data collection method and the lower levels of missing data. Study limitations are discussed, and recommendations for future research are made.