Comparison between the professional roles of Spanish and U.S. journalists: Importance of the Media System as the Main Predictor of the Professional Roles of a Journalist

A secondary analysis of data collected from two cross-national surveys based on a survey of U.S. journalists in 2007 (n=402) and a survey of Spanish journalists in 2011 (n=762) was conducted to compare the attitudes of U.S. and Spanish journalists about their professional roles. The results of the study were used to assess whether the media system of a country is the best predictor of the professional role of journalists. The findings showed that Spanish journalists were more likely to see themselves as mobilizers of the citizenship of their country and less likely to give importance to the function of a journalist as a disseminator of information relative to U.S. journalists. In addition, the media system of the respective countries was the most relevant predictor of the value given by journalists to the majority of journalistic functions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Se condujo un análisis secundario de datos de encuestas transversales suministradas a periodistas estadounidenses en 2007 (n=402) y periodistas españoles en 2011 (n=762) para comparar sus actitudes sobre roles profesionales, y para evaluar si el sistema de medios es su mejor predictor. Los resultados demostraron que los periodistas españoles tendieron, en mayor medida, a verse a sí mismos como mobilizadores de la ciudadanía y, en menor medida, a dar importancia a las funciones difusoras que los periodistas estadounidenses. El sistema de medios fue el predictor más influyente de la importancia dada a la mayoría de las funciones periodísticas analizadas

The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. An analysis of the most relevant frames in the Spanish press

The accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan on 11 March 2011 unleashed an environmental, economic, political and humanitarian crisis whose effects are still felt today. This study analyses press coverage of the incident by three Spanish daily newspapers, Abc, El País and La Vanguardia, to determine the prevalent frames in the news articles on the disaster. Content analysis based on the stories published between March and May 2011 suggests that the most ubiquitous frames were human interest, economic consequences, political conflict, damage and environmental risks.El accidente de la central nuclear de Fukushima (Japón), producido el 11 de marzo de 2011, desencadenó una crisis medioambiental, económica, política y humanitaria cuyos efectos todavía perduran. En este trabajo se aborda la cobertura del suceso por parte de los diarios españoles Abc, El País y La Vanguardia, con el propósito de determinar los frames predominantes en los textos informativos e interpretativos asociados a él. Del análisis de contenido aplicado a las piezas publicadas por las tres cabeceras entre marzo y mayo de 2011, emergen cinco enfoques: interés humano, consecuencias económicas, conflicto político, daños y riesgos medioambientales

Satisfaction survey with DNA cards method to collect genetic samples for pharmacogenetics studies

BACKGROUND: Pharmacogenetic studies are essential in understanding the interindividual variability of drug responses. DNA sample collection for genotyping is a critical step in genetic studies. A method using dried blood samples from finger-puncture, collected on DNA-cards, has been described as an alternative to the usual venepuncture technique. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the implementation of the DNA cards method in a multicentre clinical trial, and to assess the degree of investigators' satisfaction and the acceptance of the patients perceived by the investigators. METHODS: Blood samples were collected on DNA-cards. The quality and quantity of DNA recovered were analyzed. Investigators were questioned regarding their general interest, previous experience, safety issues, preferences and perceived patient satisfaction. RESULTS: 151 patients' blood samples were collected. Genotyping of GST polymorphisms was achieved in all samples (100%). 28 investigators completed the survey. Investigators perceived patient satisfaction as very good (60.7%) or good (39.3%), without reluctance to finger puncture. Investigators preferred this method, which was considered safer and better than the usual methods. All investigators would recommend using it in future genetic studies. CONCLUSION: Within the clinical trial setting, the DNA-cards method was very well accepted by investigators and patients (in perception of investigators), and was preferred to conventional methods due to its ease of use and safety

Comparison between the professional roles of Spanish and U.S. journalists: Importance of the Media System as the Main Predictor of the Professional Roles of a Journalist

A secondary analysis of data collected from two cross-national surveys based on a survey of U.S. journalists in 2007 (n=402) and a survey of Spanish journalists in 2011 (n=762) was conducted to compare the attitudes of U.S. and Spanish journalists about their professional roles. The results of the study were used to assess whether the media system of a country is the best predictor of the professional role of journalists. The findings showed that Spanish journalists were more likely to see themselves as mobilizers of the citizenship of their country and less likely to give importance to the function of a journalist as a disseminator of information relative to U.S. journalists. In addition, the media system of the respective countries was the most relevant predictor of the value given by journalists to the majority of journalistic functions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Se condujo un análisis secundario de datos de encuestas transversales suministradas a periodistas estadounidenses en 2007 (n=402) y periodistas españoles en 2011 (n=762) para comparar sus actitudes sobre roles profesionales, y para evaluar si el sistema de medios es su mejor predictor. Los resultados demostraron que los periodistas españoles tendieron, en mayor medida, a verse a sí mismos como mobilizadores de la ciudadanía y, en menor medida, a dar importancia a las funciones difusoras que los periodistas estadounidenses. El sistema de medios fue el predictor más influyente de la importancia dada a la mayoría de las funciones periodísticas analizadas

The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. An analysis of the most relevant frames in the Spanish press

The accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan on 11 March 2011 unleashed an environmental, economic, political and humanitarian crisis whose effects are still felt today. This study analyses press coverage of the incident by three Spanish daily newspapers, Abc, El País and La Vanguardia, to determine the prevalent frames in the news articles on the disaster. Content analysis based on the stories published between March and May 2011 suggests that the most ubiquitous frames were human interest, economic consequences, political conflict, damage and environmental risks.El accidente de la central nuclear de Fukushima (Japón), producido el 11 de marzo de 2011, desencadenó una crisis medioambiental, económica, política y humanitaria cuyos efectos todavía perduran. En este trabajo se aborda la cobertura del suceso por parte de los diarios españoles Abc, El País y La Vanguardia, con el propósito de determinar los frames predominantes en los textos informativos e interpretativos asociados a él. Del análisis de contenido aplicado a las piezas publicadas por las tres cabeceras entre marzo y mayo de 2011, emergen cinco enfoques: interés humano, consecuencias económicas, conflicto político, daños y riesgos medioambientales