What do they think when we stack them in? A comparative analysis of student perceptions relating to large and small marketing subjects

University education is in a period of flux with emphasis being focused on quality education, competition for students both local and international as well as changes in governmental financial support and direction. It is with this scenario as a backdrop, that universities in an endeavour to obtain economies of scale offer subjects with large student enrolments. This study investigates marketing students&rsquo; perception of and participation in marketing subjects relating to teaching quality, staff availability and support, and individual student involvement in marketing education with large enrolments compared to subjects with small enrolments. This research builds on the investigations of effects of class size by Cuseo (2004) and Binney et al (2004). The study used a multi-method approach. Data from a sample of 621 students was analysed using Factor analysis, MANOVA and ANOVA. Students indicated that there was little difference in the quality of learning obtained in small or large classes. Of interest from a marketing perspective, however, is the perception by students that they are more likely to obtain practical assistance and support from tutors in smaller classes. Student perceptions generally show no major differences between large and small classes in relation to subject selection, ability to learn and lecture&nbsp; attendance. Students expressed a preference for the opportunity to choose from a number of lecture streams available in subjects with large enrolments. Of interest, however is the student belief that they are less likely to actively participate in large lectures than in small lecture environments.<br /

U.S. policy responses to calls for the medical use of Cannabis

This paper discusses the evolution of U.S. policy responses to calls to allow patients to use cannabis for medical purposes. It first summarizes the research evidence on the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids for various medical uses. It then outlines the challenges in developing new pharmaceutical cannabinoids that are safe, effective, and acceptable to patients. It briefly describes the strengths and limitations of the different ways in which U.S. states have allowed patients to use cannabis for medical purposes. These include allowing access for research trials only, allowing medical necessity as a defense against prosecution, and allowing commercial medical dispensaries to provide cannabis to approved patients. It argues that liberal definitions of indications for medical cannabis use and the commercialization of medical cannabis supply in California have produced the de facto legalization of recreational cannabis use

PC-based Multiple Information System Interface (PC/MISI) design plan

The general design plan for the implementation of a common user interface to multiple remote information systems within a microcomputer-based environment is presented. The intent is to provide a framework for the development of detailed specifications which will be used as guidelines for the actual development of the system

British drinking: a suitable case for treatment?

The rising consumption of alcohol per capita in Britain over the past 20 years has produced large increases in the prevalence of alcoholic cirrhosis, alcohol related violence, and heavy alcohol use, costing the British economy around £30bn ($55bn; {euro}44bn) a year.1 About 7.5% of men and 2.1% of women in Britain are dependent on alcohol, among the highest rates in the European Union.2 Two papers in this issue show that two relatively brief psychosocial interventions—motivational enhancement treatment and social network therapy—are effective and cost effective in treating alcohol dependence, when delivered under routine clinical conditions in the NHS.3 4 The UK government could realise its stated aim of increasing access to effective treatments for alcohol dependence by investing in these interventions. Britain also urgently needs to reduce the high rates of high risk drinking that produce dependence, health problems, and public disorder. Epidemiologists see the key drivers of rising consumption . . . [Full text of this article

Design criteria for a PC-based common user interface to remote information systems

A set of design criteria are presented which will allow the implementation of an interface to multiple remote information systems on a microcomputer. The focus of the design description is on providing the user with the functionality required to retrieve, store and manipulate data residing in remote information systems through the utilization of a standardized interface system. The intent is to spare the user from learning the details of retrieval from specific systems while retaining the full capabilities of each system. The system design includes multi-level capabilities to enhance usability by a wide range of users and utilizes microcomputer graphics capabilities where applicable. A data collection subsystem for evaluation purposes is also described

PC-based Multiple Information System Interface (PC/MISI) detailed design and implementation plan

The design plan for the personal computer multiple information system interface (PC/MISI) project is discussed. The document is intended to be used as a blueprint for the implementation of the system. Each component is described in the detail necessary to allow programmers to implement the system. A description of the system data flow and system file structures is given

Legalised cannabis in North America is still in its honeymoon period: the long term effects may not be so positive

Is the jury out or in on cannabis legalisation in North America? Wayne Hall writes that we only have four years of data from only two US states on the effects of the legalised drug, and that these effects are likely to change radically should the drug be legalised nationwide

Stereotactic Neurosurgical Treatment of Addiction: Minimizing the Chances of Another 'Great and Desperate Cure'

Over the past 4 years Russian and Chinese surgeons have used neurosurgical procedures to treat heroin addiction. 305 were reportedly operated on in Russia and over 500 in China before the procedure was stopped by the Russian and Chinese governments in 2002 and 2004. The addictions field will need to speak with a united voice if we are to ensure that neurosurgical treatment of addiction is not introduced into developed countries by enthusiastic private practitioners without formal evaluation, as purported 'cures' for heroin addiction all too often are. We must also be prepared to face the challenge that may arise if neurosurgical entrepreneurs in developing countries with poorly regulated medical care and punitive policies towards opioid addiction begin to market neurosurgery as an addiction 'cure'. If this happens, clear and consistent statements of the case against pursuing this desperate remedy will be required from credible organizations, such as the World Health Organization

Managing and reversing the decline in funding for on-farm R&D

When considering the issue of managing and reversing the decline in funding for on-farm R&D, the first question to consider is how much has on-farm R&D declined and over what time period – and are we also talking extension services? Unfortunately this first question is not easily answered as data at the appropriate scale (beef, on-farm, northern Australia) and over an appropriate time period is not easily accessed. The best published data comes from ABARES (Millist et al. 2017) where they reported national rural expenditure for both extension (2005-2015) and R&D (2006-2015). What this report documented is that total national rural R&D expenditure has been increasing, extension expenditure has been generally stagnant, and that the private sector has been the main driver behind the increase in R&D expenditure (Fig. 1). What has declined is the funding by State and Territory governments for R&D