Causes of Mode Effects: Separating out Interviewer and Stimulus Effects in Comparisons of Face-to-Face and Telephone Surveys

We identify the causes of mode effects in comparisons of face-to-face and telephone surveys, by testing for differences in the extent of satisficing and social desirability bias due to differences in the stimulus (visual vs. aural presentation of response options) and the presence vs. absence of the interviewer. The stimulus did not lead to differential measurement error; the presence or absence of the interviewer however did. Telephone respondents were far more likely to give socially desirable responses than face-to-face respondents when the stimulus was the same for both modes

Data quality in telephone surveys and the effect of questionnaire length: a cross-national experiment

Respondents in long telephone survey interviews may adopt satisficing strategies as they approach the end of the questionnaire (Holbrook, Green and Krosnick, 2003). However, there is inconsistency regarding the relationship between questionnaire length and different forms of satisficing. We investigate whether long questionnaires are associated with a reduction in response quality using data from a cross-national survey experiment. Sample members were randomly assigned to interviews of 60, 45 or 30 minutes. We compare responses to attitudinal measures from a module on happiness and well-being, which was asked at different points in the interview in each of the three groups

Effects of Disability Disclosure and Acknowledgment on Ratings of Interviewees with Visible Disabilities

While some authors stress the benefits of disclosing one\u27s disability prior to the interview in order to eliminate interviewer surprise, attention-related research suggests that such disclosure is likely to result in self-focused thinking by the interviewer, reducing the ability to judge performance accurately. Similarly, verbal acknowledgment of a visible disability during an interview has been predicted to reduce interviewer anxiety, yet some authors contend that acknowledgment is a violation of the rules of interviewing and adds to discomfort. The present research addressed the question: What are the effects of an applicant\u27s pre-interview disability disclosure and disability acknowledgment during the interview? Using a selection simulation, Study 1 (n=109) examined the effects of both disability disclosure and acknowledgement on post-interview ratings. Study 2 (n=126) isolated disability disclosure prior to the interview and examined only its pre-interview effects. Study 1 results revealed a main effect of disclosure for males, such that they rated the applicant as more anxious when she disclosed than when she did not. A disclosure x acknowledgment interaction indicated that the personality of the applicant who disclosed prior to the interview was rated more positively by male interviewers when she did not acknowledge during the interview, as compared to when she acknowledged. A second interaction revealed that for both male and female participants, the applicant who did not disclose received more favorable communication skills ratings when she acknowledged at some point during the interview, as compared to not acknowledging

Residual Stress Effects on Fatigue Life via the Stress Intensity Parameter, K

Residual stresses are known to have a significant effect on fatigue crack propagation and thus fatigue life. These effects have generally been quantified through an empirical approach, lending little help in the quantitative prediction of such effects. The weight function method has been used as a quantitative predictor, but its use neglects residual stress redistribution, treating the residual stress as a constant during crack growth. At least three different behaviors contribute to the redistribution of residual stress. First, the residual stress behind the crack tip is reduced to a negligible level as soon as the crack tip passes. Second, the residual stress tends to redistribute away from the crack tip with crack growth, and third, crack growth results in an overall relaxation of residual stress. An alternative method for predicting the effect of a residual stress distribution on fatigue crack growth is herein developed. The stress intensity factor due to residual stress, Kres, is characterized as the change in crack driving force due to the presence of the residual stress. This crack driving force, being the derivative of a potential, is found through superposition of an applied stress and a residual stress, and subsequent manipulation of finite element strain energy and nodal displacement results. Finite element modeling is carried out using a spatial distribution of non-uniform thermal expansion coefficients and a unit temperature load to simulate the desired residual stress. Crack growth is then achieved through use of a node release algorithm which sequentially removes nodal displacement constraint. The complete stress distribution, nodal displacements and internal strain energy are captured for each increment of crack growth, and from this information, knowledge of the stress intensity factor as a function of crack length is derived. Results of the Kres calculations are used in a fatigue crack growth model to predict fatigue lives. The fatigue life model involves step by step analysis of crack growth increment based on knowledge of stress intensity factors resulting from applied and residual stress. The qualitative effects of residual stress predicted by this model agree with documented empirical results which show that compressive residual stress increases fatigue life, while tensile residual stress decreases fatigue life. Two solutions for Kres are possible, depending on the choice of loadcontrol or displacement-control modeling. Use of displacement-control, or fixed displacement loading, minimizes redistribution of residual stress and, under net tensile loading, tends to lead to more conservative fatigue life predictions. Load-control modeling, not having the same displacement constraint, allows more relaxation of the residual stress and tends to provide the more non-conservative life estimates. Three residual stress patterns, two due to welding and one to shot peening, are also investigated. Kres solutions for each residual stress are developed, and fatigue life predictions made. Regression analyses on the parameters defining the residual stress patterns indicate that, within the range specified for these parameters, the residual stress half-width plays a significant role in fatigue life, while the initial stress amplitude may be of less importance. The conclusions reached in this research are as follows: The effect of residual stress on fatigue life can be quantified by the energy methods detailed herein. Weight function methods for predicting fatigue lives fail to account for residual stress redistribution, which can have a significant effect. Knowledge of Kres allows subsequent predictions of fatigue life via a simple superposition of applied and residual stress intensity factors, and enables further investigation of relevant residual stress parameters and their effects. The ability to analytically vary residual stress parameters and quantify their effects on fatigue life could prove to be a significant design aid. Based on these conclusions, it is recommended that further development of the energy methods, as presented here, be pursued

Knitting a difference - A Crafting Change Together project

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Consumer co-creation: an opportunity to humanise the new product development process

Based on findings from four in-depth case studies within global brand manufacturers in the fast moving consumer goods (fmcg) industry, this paper develops a framework for understanding the organisational processes that support consumer co-creation within new product development (NPD). A new perspective, that of co-creation, in which consumers are ‘active’ participants in the design and development of new products, is challenging the traditional model of NPD. Co-creation provides an opportunity for market researchers to develop a people-centric approach to research, thereby humanising the NPD process. Key to co-creation practices are: a culture supporting innovation and co-creation; a strategy for consumer selection; a focus on qualitative research methods; and training in business creativity and relationship-building skills. </jats:p

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR MILITARY VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has affected millions of veterans who have served in the United States Military. PTSD causes severe impairments in one\u27s mental health, and is correlated with homelessness, substance abuse, and unemployment. Recently, the United States Department Veterans Affairs has been funded more to improve services of mental health and other health care services. Specifically, this study was interested in exploring the perceptions that veterans have of the quality of services that have been provided for PTSD. Results indicated that the participants who utilized services felt individual and family therapy services were most helpful in reducing PTSD symptoms. Medication was less helpful suggesting further research on what types of medication are helpful. Participants also reported group therapy and service connected disability financial assistance were not helpful even though a majority of participants did not access it. Research indicates that veterans do not perceive services to be helpful; therefore they do not utilize them. Additional research can focus on exploring why veterans have not utilized services. Social workers can intervene by educating veterans about PTSD and the services that are provided in addition to other community agencies. Furthermore, social workers can evaluate returning veterans and their perception of the quality of services they have received to further improve services

Assessing the effect of data collection mode on measurement

We review the methods typically used to assess the effects of mode on measurement and data comparability and then discuss some of the challenges, including 1) the need to avoid confounding effects, 2) the sensitivity of conclusions to methods of analysing experimental mode comparison data, 3) the difficulty of assessing whether measurement differences matter in practice, and 4) the assessment of which mode provides better measurement. We illustrate the challenges and implications of mixed modes research for survey design with examples from experiments conducted in the context of the European Social Survey (ESS). The paper concludes with implications for mixed modes research