Measuring Undergraduates\u27 Global Perspective Development: Examining the Construct and Cross-Cultural Validity of the Global Perspective Inventory Across Ethnoracial Groups

This study examined the construct and cross-cultural validity of the Global Perspective Inventory’s (GPI’s) 32 global perspective development items, which measure six related dimensions of development spanning cognitive, intrapersonal, and interpersonal domains. The study’s sample consisted of 7,092 undergraduates who completed the GPI General Form between 2015-2017. The GPI’s hypothesized hierarchical factor structure was used for all confirmatory factor analyses and multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses for this study. The data from the GPI were ordinal in nature, presenting important considerations. This study makes several contributions to survey validation efforts. First, it provides a nuanced definition of the concept of validity and presents the processes of cross-cultural and construct validation in accessible ways. The study carefully outlines analytical procedures for measurement invariance testing using hierarchical factor structures and ordinal data. Second, examining the GPI’s hierarchical factor structure as well as convergent and discriminant validity of its six developmental scales revealed important evidence. The measurement invariance results suggest that the GPI’s developmental constructs are theorized, understood, and measured equivalently across African American/Black, Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian, Hispanic, and white undergraduates. The construct validity evidence illuminated specific opportunities for both scale- and item-level refinement opportunities. This study provides a roadmap for informed refinement and subsequent validation of the GPI and discusses future inquiry related to this instrument and measurement issues in cross-cultural survey research more generally

Lines in the Sand on the Australian Political Beach

Spatial models of voting behaviour are the dominant paradigm in political science. Consistent with this approach, it will be the case that, ceteris paribus, voters should vote for the party nearest to them on the political spectrum. A key question is how we measure nearness or distance. We investigate this issue by estimating discrete choice models for voting outcomes using the 2001 Australian Election Study survey data. The evidence supports the proposition that it is perceived and not actual distance that performs best. Our findings also suggest that where a voter locates on the political spectrum is almost as good a predictor of their voting outcome as how close they are to the partiesSpatial Competition, Distance Measures, Discrete Choice

THE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT OF DHS GRANT FUNDING

Every year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allocates billions of dollars to preserving the safety of the United States. The traditional view of homeland security suggests that fighting terrorism is the key to success, but what does DHS do to carry out its other mission areas and impact the human security of this country? How does DHS leverage these billions of dollars to impact the economic prosperity and resilience of communities? This thesis sought to determine to what extent grants administered by DHS had a socioeconomic impact on communities. It also examined whether socioeconomic vulnerability should be factored into DHS’s grant funding distribution decisions. Using a geospatial analysis of publicly available grant data and the American Community Survey, this research found that between 2011 and 2020, there were no substantial impacts on the socioeconomic demographics in areas where DHS grant-funded activities were performed. The data analysis found that, overwhelmingly, DHS obligates its non-disaster grant funds to a very small number of zip codes throughout the homeland and that most communities do not see consistent investments in their areas. Executive Order (EO) 13985 answers the question of whether DHS should consider using its grants to advance equity and access to its programs, and this research presents areas in which DHS could further the goals of this EO by implementing the use of socioeconomic indicators in the allocation of some of its programs.Civilian, Department of Homeland SecurityApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

The Retirement of Chief Justice Frank F. Drowota, III: A Tribute to a Legal Legend and All Around Nice Guy

Chief Justice Frank F. Drowota, III retires in the summer of 2006, ending a distinguished thirty-five year judicial career. His twenty-five year tenure on the Tennessee Supreme Court is the second-longest in state history.2 He will leave behind an excellent record of service to the judiciary and to the state. Indeed, retired Chief Justice William H.D. Fones recently described Chief Justice Drowota as one of the greatest chief justices in Tennessee history. This article will discuss Chief Justice Drowota\u27s vast contributions to Tennessee\u27s legal system and along the way, will attempt to provide some insight into his judicial philosophy, personality, and character

The Effects of Early Intervention on Language Growth after age 3 for Children with Permanent Hearing Loss

Purpose: The overall goal of this study was to examine language performance in children with permanent hearing loss who were enrolled in a Listening and Spoken Language program. The influence of time spent in Early Intervention (EI) on language trajectories and ability to attain age-appropriate language skills was examined. Methods: Retrospective data were obtained from children (N=48) who attended Central Institute for the Deaf (CID) for various lengths of time between 2004 and 2017. Children were grouped into those who had received EI prior to age 3 years versus those who did not. Standardized tests of receptive and expressive language were administered annually. Comparisons of language levels attained at the initial and final assessment were conducted and linear mixed model analyses examined language scores over time. Results: Children receiving EI attained significantly higher levels of language than those receiving no EI. The rate of improvement over time in vocabulary scores was similar for both groups, however on a global language test that included morpho-syntax, children with EI made greater progress relative to age-matched peers than children without EI. Conclusions: Children receiving EI exhibited a lasting advantage in the acquisition of spoken language over children who did not have access to EI

Communicating Value: Understanding Adjunct Typology, Job Satisfaction Levels, and Professional Development Interests

Higher education institutions are navigating budget cuts, changing enrollment, and the need to differentiate from the competition. Reductions in government funding and budgetary constraints are prompting universities to reduce the number of full-time, tenure-track faculty and rely more heavily on adjunct faculty to meet their demand for instructors. Therefore it is important to determine the distinct needs and satisfaction levels of this faculty group in order to provide appropriate resources and development opportunities for them. This study sought to determine if adjunct faculty job satisfaction levels differ based on adjunct typology (Gappa & Leslie, 1993) or institutional affiliation, and to determine professional development interests of adjunct faculty. Adjunct faculty from three institutions of higher education participated in the study. Significant differences were identified using analysis of variance tests and the results were discussed. Recommendations for senior academic leaders and department heads were offered, including a recommendation to evaluate their institutions to determine the unique distribution of adjunct types represented therein and customize interventions to address the adjuncts’ distinct interests and needs. This research describes the differences in demographics and job satisfaction needs among the four adjunct types (Gappa & Leslie, 1993), and discusses the faculty development interests of the adjunct participants. Based on the findings, the researcher suggests that academic leaders address a broad spectrum of adjunct needs in order to improve satisfaction levels and attend to professional development interests

Exploring Meaningful Patient Engagement in ADAPTABLE (Aspirin Dosing: A Patient-centric Trial Assessing Benefits and Long-term Effectiveness).

BackgroundGenuine patient engagement can improve research relevance, impact and is required for studies using the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network including major multicenter research projects. It is unclear, however, how best to integrate patients into governance of such projects.MethodsADAPTABLE (Aspirin Dosing: A Patient-centric Trial Assessing Benefits and Long-term Effectiveness) is the first major multicenter research project to be conducted in National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network. Here, we provide a description of how we implemented patient engagement in ADAPTABLE thus far, including a description of committee structures and composition, first-hand patient testimonials, specific contributions, and lessons learned during the planning and early implementation of ADAPTABLE.ResultsWe recruited 1 patient leader from 6 of the 7 enrolling networks to serve on a Patient Review Board for ADAPTABLE, supported the Board with an experienced patient engagement team including an "investigator-advocate" not otherwise involved in the trial, and facilitated bidirectional communication between the Board and ADAPTABLE Coordinating Center. The Board has reviewed and provided substantial input on the informed consent procedure, recruitment materials, patient portal design, and study policy including compensation of participants. Although it was "too late" for some suggested modifications, most modifications suggested by the patient leaders have been implemented, and they are enthusiastic about the study and their role. The patient leaders also attend Steering and Executive Committee calls; these experiences have been somewhat less productive.ConclusionsWith adequate support, a cadre of committed patient leaders can provide substantial value to design and implementation of a major multicenter clinical trial

"My friend was over the alcohol limit, so I asked him not to drive" : Young females intervening in alcohol-impaired driving

Potential to strengthen a commitment to intervene within a friendship group: – all knew the other passengers, – 3 in 4 discussed intervening with other passengers, – expectations of friends was a key predictive factor. - young women have potential and willingness to intervene in their friends’ drink driving behaviour - majority of campaigns and strategies to reduce alcohol related crashes target the driver however it is arguable that some strategies should target the young female passenger