The state of social capital: Bringing back in power,politics, and history

Theory and Society -     

Changing times in pharmaceutical statistics: 2000‐2020

In a previous paper we considered how pharmaceutical statistics had changed between 1980 and 2000. In this paper we go on to consider some of the likely influences and changes in the world of pharmaceutical statistics over the next twenty years. Statistical research by pharmaceutical companies is supported, although its direct value in boosting company profits is challenged. The duality between fraud and conflict of interest is explored, particularly with regard to data and safety monitoring boards. Political correctness within clinical trials and (allegedly) better patient‐oriented outcomes is questioned and the whole notion of intention‐to‐treat and per‐protocol analyses is rejected in favour of pragmatic trials and explanatory trials. The dominance of SAS software within the industry is explored and the possibility for change considered. Finally, whilst the future of pharmaceutical companies is not addressed, the impact of future mergers, collaborations and take‐overs between clinical research organizations is considered. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sample sizes for estimation in clinical research

A sample size justification should be given for all clinical investigations. However, sometimes the objective of a trial is to estimate an effect with a view to planning a later definitive study. This paper describes the calculations for designing studies where one wishes to adopt an estimation approach through using confidence intervals around the overall response. Calculations are given for data anticipated to take a Normal form. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Immigrants and alien workers

VII. Conclusion The number of immigrants now coming to the United States is proportionally only a fraction of the number that came in earlier years, and there is nothing in those numbers to suggest a difficult absorption burden. Immigrants, both legal and illegal, more than pay for the services they use with the taxes they pay, leaving a considerable net surplus that benefits American citizens. Immigrants raise productivity and do not cause an observable amount of unemployment of citizens. Admitting far more immigrants into the country than the law now allows would have positive effects on the incomes of citizens, and would enhance the continuing vitality of the United States.     

Young People who have Sexually Abused: What do they (and their parents) want from Professionals?

This article presents the findings of a small scale qualitative study of user perspectives in the adolescent sexual aggression field. Twenty four service users who had received intervention from nine different specialist providers completed a structured questionnaire about their experiences of professional involvement. Both young people who had sexually abused and parents identified the kinds of professional intervention which they found useful, as well as practices that they experienced as unhelpful. Young people and their families alike were found to value supportive interventions which gave them an opportunity to gain insight into the nature of sexual abuse as well to address their own feelings about their problems.