Multilevel mediation modeling in group-based intervention studies

This article proposes and evaluates a method to test for mediation in multilevel data sets formed when an intervention administered to intact groups is designed to produce change in individual mediator and outcome variables. Simulated data of this form were used to compare ordinary least squares (OLS) and two multilevel estimators of the mediated effect. OLS and multilevel standard error approximations were also evaluated and recommendations given for optimal estimator choice. These methods were applied to data from an existing substance use intervention to show the impact multilevel mediation modeling can have on the conclusions drawn from real-world evaluation studies.     

Character-Based Determinants of Trust in Leaders

Trust is a prominent determinant of effective interpersonal relationships, group process, and organizational development. However, for leaders and managers, trust building is often problematic. The aim of this article is to contribute to a growing understanding of the way in which individual managers can develop trust in organizations, particularly those defined by medium to high risk. The article presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the nature of trust at work. Building on the results of an earlier study, use is made of the facet-theoretical approach to generate a definitional framework of trust, which focuses on the characteristics of the trusted person that contribute to the development of trust. Using items developed on the basis of a mapping sentence, hypotheses regarding the relations between the definitional framework and empirical observations were tested through smallest space analysis (SSA) of data collected from a sample of 398 bank and hospital employees. The results demonstrate strong support for the definitional system and show a clear association with results of prior research that identify perceptions of ability, integrity, fairness, and openness as key determinants of trust. The empirical structure clearly reflects the attitudinal nature of interpersonal trust at work and the items empirically distinguish distinct character-based components of trust.     

Readiness for Career Choices: Planning,Exploring, and Deciding

One of Super's most important contributions has been in explicating those developmental tasks that involve planning, exploring, and deciding, processes known collectively as readiness for career choices. The authors review existing means of conceptualizing and operationalizing the various aspects of readiness, as well as innovative practice applications that have emerged from this work. Next, selected elaborations and extensions of the readiness construct are described. Finally, future directions for theory and research on readiness are presented with a particular emphasis on the promise of considering contextual issues, motivational factors, and an expanded measurement perspective in subsequent inquiry and practice.     

Zur Auswirkung von Endlichkeitskorrekturen bei der Analyse einfacher Zufallsstichproben

In statistical inference one usual assumption is, that data relates to a set of independent identically distributed random variables. From the viewpoint of sampling theory this assumption is only satisfied, if we draw a simple random sample with replacement or the population size is infinite. Then it is not necessary to consider a finite population correction when calculating the variance of a given estimator. To examine the effect of simple random sampling without replacement on the above assumption, the exact variances are calculated in the cases of mean value and variance estimation. This may give us information whether finite population correction is neglible or not.     

The probabilistic analysis of testimony

The probabilistic analysis of testimony is surveyed. The coverage is not comprehensive; attention is focused on several problems of particular interest or complexity. The theory often contains implicit assumptions, and some attempt is made to clarify the role these play. The theory originally arose in an attempt to understand the logic of belief. It was not empirically grounded, however, and later died out in the 19th century when its conclusions became largely self-evident, and its non-empirical background suspect.