What's so special about cross-national surveys?

Das Kernproblem internationaler Querschnittstudien ist das Problem der Vergleichbarkeit. Hier setzt der Beitrag an. Nachdem einleitend Beispiele für international vergleichende Forschungsprojekte vorgestellt worden sind, behandelt der Beitrag typische Aspekte des Forschungsdesigns bei Querschnittstudien, Fragen der Planung und Organisation der Datengewinnung, den Einfluss unterschiedlicher nationaler Rahmenbedingungen, die Bedeutung kultureller Faktoren, Aspekte der Standardisierung, die Umsetzung des Forschungsdesigns sowie Datenanalyse und Berichterstattung über die Ergebnisse. Die Verfasser betonen abschließend die Notwendigkeit, sich über die idealen Designeigenschaften international vergleichender Untersuchungen klar zu werden, den Einfluss dieser Eigenschaften auf die Forschungsergebnisse zu kennen und Grundlagen eines stabil und vorhersehbar ablaufenden Forschungsprozesses zu schaffen. (ICE

Quality Issues in Interview Surveys – Some Contributions

Cet article est l’introduction d’une thèse avec le même titre (fait au Départment de Statistique de l’université de Stockholm) et qui s’adresse à des problèmes associés avec la qualité des enquêtes par entretiens. L’intervieweur a plusieurs taches à accomplir et ils peuvent souvent commetre des erreurs. L’auteur présente quelques thèmes généraux ainsi que leur traitement habituel. Elle suggère ensuite des approches nouvelles et des idées pour des recherches futures sur la question de coopération dans les enquêtes et d’accomplir correctement l’entretien avec un répondant. Elle examine aussi certaines procédures pour la réduction des non-réponses en termes de coûts et de réduction d’erreurs.This article is the introduction to a thesis with the same title (done at the Department of Statistics of the University of Stockholm) which deals with some of the issues associated with the quality in interview surveys. The interviewer has many tasks, and some of them are extremely error-prone. The author describes some general themes and how these are usually handled. She also suggests some new approaches and ideas for further work, both when it comes to gaining cooperation and when it comes to doing a good job in administering the question-answer process. She also evaluates a specific procedure to reduce nonresponse errors in interview surveys in terms of costs and error reduction

AAPOR Report on Big Data

In recent years we have seen an increase in the amount of statistics in society describing different phenomena based on so called Big Data. The term Big Data is used for a variety of data as explained in the report, many of them characterized not just by their large volume, but also by their variety and velocity, the organic way in which they are created, and the new types of processes needed to analyze them and make inference from them. The change in the nature of the new types of data, their availability, the way in which they are collected, and disseminated are fundamental. The change constitutes a paradigm shift for survey research.There is a great potential in Big Data but there are some fundamental challenges that have to be resolved before its full potential can be realized. In this report we give examples of different types of Big Data and their potential for survey research. We also describe the Big Data process and discuss its main challenges

Burnout among Croatian physicians: a cross-sectional national survey

Aim To investigate the prevalence of burnout syndrome among physicians of all specialties, including residents and non-specialists, on a national level in Croatia. Methods This cross-sectional study, conducted in October 2017, used anonymous online survey based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey. The Croatian version of the inventory was assessed for acceptability, factorial validity, and reliability. Key dimensions of burnout – emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment were assessed. Respondents scoring high for emotional exhaustion or depersonalization were defined as burned-out

SATISFACTION OF YOUNG DOCTORS IN CROATIA: ARE WE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

Uvod: Zadovoljstvo mladih liječnika vezano je ponajprije uz edukaciju tijekom specijalizacije i uvjetima rada. S obzirom na znatan odljev liječnika iz Republike Hrvatske, cilj istraživanja bio je evaluirati zadovoljstvo mladih liječnika. Metode: Povjerenstvo za mlade liječnike Hrvatske liječničke komore izradilo je anketu o zadovoljstvu mladih liječnika. Anketa je bila dostupna za ispunjavanje u razdoblju od 1. 2. do 20. 3. 2016. godine putem interneta. Rezultati: Anketu je ispunila 1531 osoba, srednje dobi 32 godine (raspon 29 – 35), 67% ženskog spola. Pedeset osam posto ispitanika napustilo bi Republiku Hrvatsku ako bi im se pružila prilika. Glavni razlozi odlaska jesu bolji uvjeti rada (74%), uređenost zdravstvenog sustava (64%) i bolja plaća (64%). U budućnosti svoj profesionalni status i razvoj ostankom ocjenjuju većinom nepromijenjen (44%). Zaključak: Rezultati pokazuju visoku razinu nezadovoljstva zdravstvenim sustavom, segmentima specijalističkog usavršavanja i ulogom mentora. Analizom čimbenika koji utječu na zadovoljstvo mladih liječnika omogućuju se razrada i donošenje mjera kojima će se navedeni trend umanjiti.Introduction: The satisfaction of junior medical doctors is primarily associated with the training they receive during the residency period and working conditions. Given a considerable brain-drain of medical doctors from the Republic of Croatia, the present research focused on the evaluation of the satisfaction of junior medical doctors. Methodology: The Junior Doctors Committee of the Croatian Medical Chamber prepared a questionnaire on the satisfaction of junior doctors. The relevant questionnaire was available for filling in online in the period from February 1 to March 20, 2016. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 1,531 persons aged between 29 and 35 (mean age 32) of which 67% were females. A 58% of respondents would leave the Republic of Croatia if offered an opportunity. The main reasons for leaving the country include better working conditions (74%), well-regulated healthcare system (64%) and higher wages (64%). In case of staying in the country, their future professional status and development would remain unaltered (44%). Conclusion: The questionnaire results show a high level of dissatisfaction with the healthcare system, some segments of the specialist training and the mentor role. The analysis of factors affecting the satisfaction of junior doctors will facilitate the preparation and adoption of measures aiming to mitigate the above-mentioned trend