How to compare interpretatively different models for the conditional variance function

This study considers regression-type models with heteroscedastic Gaussian errors. The conditional variance is assumed to depend on the explanatory variables via a parametric or non-parametric variance function. The variance function has usually been selected on the basis of the log-likelihoods of fitted models. However, log-likelihood is a difficult quantity to interpret – the practical importance of differences in log-likelihoods has been difficult to assess. This study overcomes these difficulties by transforming the difference in log-likelihood to easily interpretative difference in the error of predicted deviation. In addition, methods for testing the statistical significance of the observed difference in test data log-likelihood are proposed.     

Expectations of Career Counseling and Their Effect on Client Satisfaction

Although there has been growing attention to clients' expectations of career counseling, more research is necessary to clarify the role of these expectations in shaping client satisfaction at the end of the intervention. On the basis of expectation confirmation theory, this study examined the indirect effect of clients' initial expectations on overall satisfaction through the perceived performance and final confirmation of expectations. We also explored whether this indirect effect is dependent on counselors' initial expectations. Longitudinal data were collected on 83 counselor-client dyads involved in a career counseling intervention in northeast Italy. Results confirmed that clients' initial expectations predicted overall satisfaction with the intervention through the subsequent mediation of perceived performance and confirmation of clients' expectations. The moderating role of the counselors' initial expectations was not confirmed. These findings imply that career counselors should invest their efforts in managing clients' expectations.     

Evaluation of Occupational Health Promotion Programs

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of Corporate Health Promotion Program proliferation and to propose a methodology to determine the effectiveness of these programs from a benefit to cost perspective. A national survey of firms sponsoring health promotion activities was conducted to ascertain a variety of information. The specific goal of this study was to determine the extent to which firms were actually conducting financial analyses in order to ascertain whether their health promotion programs were generating benefits that justified continued program funding. The results of the study showed that although the concept of Corporate Health Promotion Programs is rather popular, there is very little concern on the part of the sponsoring firms for measuring the effectiveness of their programs, particularly from a financial perspective. This suggests a vulnerability insofar as those programs are concerned. If such program costs cannot be justified on some quantifiable basis, the possibility of their cancellation seems rather likely if it becomes necessary to reduce expenditures.     

The Federal GPRA Evaluation Mandate

Abstract

The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) mandates inclusion of evaluation in federal agency strategic plans, impacting human service programs receiving federal support. Recommended evaluation methods include flexible ongoing and participatory approaches. Yet social work may not be prepared to appropriately respond to the government's demands for accountability. This paper reviews GPRA and its implications for social work practice, evaluation, and research, offering response strategies. The paper suggests that the creation of a National Center for Social Work Research (S. 70/H.R. 663) could help bridge evaluation gaps, offering a centralized mechanism for monitoring evaluation activities and maximizing federal research resources.     

The role of QMS in the relationship between innovation climate and performance

The emergence of new global competitors, the convergence of high-technology industries and the increasing speed and cost of technological development promises an increasingly uncertain environment for organisations, making adaptation to changes in the environment a central theme in the study of the organisation for both organisation theory and strategic management. This study thus seeks principally to verify that, while innovation and quality management (QM) alone do not possess the qualities required to provide organisations with sustainable competitive advantages, the bundle of innovation and QM together with other resources and competencies will allow organisations to obtain a competitive advantage and adapt to their environment. The results show that the factors determining innovation – such as resistance to change, cohesion and workload pressures – have repercussions for the firms’ capacity to adapt to their environmentand that a QM context facilitates this adaptation. Finally, we can conclude that a climate of support for innovation is positively related to the organisation’s performance.     

课堂教学与学生的角色探微

本文从课堂教学角度出发阐述了学生课堂角色的重要意义,教师的课堂角色对学生运用语言的影响;并以建构主义的理论为依据分析了学生在课堂中的角色与他们运用英语能力的关系,以期寻找提高学生英语运用能力的最佳途径。     

金刚石与锯片使用性能之间的关系

根据试验研究结果和生产实践经验,把石材加工用金刚石圆锯片的性能及使用效果的诸多影响因素视为系统工程问题,分别从原材料、制造工艺与装备、锯片的合理选择和正确使用等各个方面进行了系统分析,着重分析了金刚石和金属结合剂对锯片使用性能的影响规律,指出了存在的问题和改进的途径.     

对项目审计中绩效问题的思考

现行项目审计主要是针对项目的合理合法性进行监督,但对审计的绩效却关注较少,导致审计过程低效,审计结论指导性差。本文针对项目审计中出现的绩效问题进行分析,提出了改善绩效的一些建议。     

家具设计的材料肌理美

家具设计中材料肌理表现主要分为视觉肌理和触觉肌理,不同的材料具有不同的视觉肌理和触觉肌理表现效果。肌理是家具形态的外在表现形式之一。家具设计中运用不同材料的肌理效果可丰富家具形态,通过不同的表现手法使之或自然、温馨、质朴;或丰富、新奇、多变。充分表现家具设计中材料的肌理美。