17,122 research outputs found
Making Good Use of Survey Paradata
Paradata are data about the process of collecting survey data. They can include things like call record data, CAI keystroke files and interviewer observations. Such data can be put to a variety of uses that can improve surveys. In this article we describe the work of a network that has been set up in the UK to explore and promote the use of survey paradata and we outline some of the key challenges in making the most of paradata
The Institutionalization of Institutional Theory
[Excerpt] Our primary aims in this effort are twofold: to clarify the independent theoretical contributions of institutional theory to analyses of organizations, and to develop this theoretical perspective further in order to enhance its use in empirical research. There is also a more general, more ambitious objective here, and that is to build a bridge between two distinct models of social actor that underlie most organizational analyses, which we refer to as a rational actor model and an institutional model. The former is premised on the assumption that individuals are constantly engaged in calculations of the costs and benefits of different action choices, and that behavior reflects such utility-maximizing calculations. In the latter model, by contrast, \u27oversocialized\u27 individuals are assumed to accept and follow social norms unquestioningly, without any real reflection or behavioral resistance based on their own particular, personal interests. We suggest that these two general models should be treated not as oppositional but rather as representing two ends of a continuum of decision-making processes and behaviors. Thus, a key problem for theory and research is to specify the conditions under which behavior is more likely to resemble one end of this continuum or the other. In short, what is needed are theories of when rationality is likely to be more or less bounded. A developed conception of institutionalization processes provides a useful point of departure for exploring this issue
Main propulsion system test requirements for the two-engine Shuttle-C
The Shuttle-C is an unmanned cargo carrying derivative of the space shuttle with optional two or three space shuttle main engines (SSME's), whereas the shuttle has three SSME's. Design and operational differences between the Shuttle-C and shuttle were assessed to determine requirements for additional main propulsion system (MPS) verification testing. Also, reviews were made of the shuttle main propulsion test program objectives and test results and shuttle flight experience. It was concluded that, if significant MPS modifications are not made beyond those currently planned, then main propulsion system verification can be concluded with an on-pad flight readiness firing
Minority Student Perceptions of Professional Pscyhology Application Packets: A Qualitative Study
This article reports the results of a qualitative study designed to determine issues salient in Black and Hispanic American students\u27 review and evaluation of program-application packets in professional psychology. The study served as an extension to the Yoshida et al. (1989) quantitative investigation. Students interested in pursuing doctoral studies in counseling or school psychology (N = 22) served as the sample. The qualitative methodology incorporated a think-aloud procedure and semistructured interviews. A theme analysis of transcribed interviews identified both major and minor themes central to participants\u27 evaluation of the packets. Major themes included financial aid, program requirements and course descriptions, demography of the student body, and the quality and clarity of application material. Specific suggestions on developing an application packet to send to inquiring prospective students are put forth. It is recommended that such a packet could serve as a costeffective minority-recruitment strategy
Sources of Financial Stress in Agricultural Cooperatives
Financial stress in agricultural cooperatives may be due to a combination of three factors: inadequate profitability, excessive debt, or high interest rates. This paper uses an analytical technique to determine the relative degree of financial stress in agricultural cooperatives attributable to each factor. Roughly 30 percent of agricultural cooperatives in our sample suffered financial stress from 1987 through 1992. The analysis indicates that the greatest portion of financial stress, 54 percent, originated from low earnings. High interest rates accounted for roughly 24 percent of the financial stress while leverage accounts for the remaining 22 percent. The results also indicate that smaller cooperatives are more than twice as likely to face financial stress than larger cooperatives. Small cooperatives are more likely to face profitability problems whereas large cooperatives are more likely to face debt and interest rate problems.Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance,
A model for projectile fragmentation
A model for projectile fragmentation is developed whose origin can be traced
back to the Bevalac era. The model positions itself between the
phenomenological EPAX parametrization and transport models like "Heavy Ion
Phase Space Exploration" (HIPSE) model and antisymmetrised molecular dynamics
(AMD) model. A very simple impact parameter dependence of input temperature is
incorporated in the model which helps to analyze the more peripheral
collisions. The model is applied to calculate the charge, isotopic
distributions, average number of intermediate mass fragments and the average
size of largest cluster at different Z_{bound} of different projectile
fragmentation reactions at different energies.Comment: Talk given by Gargi Chaudhuri at the 11th International Conference on
Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions (NN2012), San Antonio, Texas, USA, May 27-June 1,
2012. 10 pages, 7 figure
Longitudinal Polarization at future Colliders and Virtual New Physics Effects
The theoretical merits of longitudinal polarization asymmetries of
electron-positron annihilation into two final fermions at future colliders are
examined, using a recently proposed theoretical description. A number of
interesting features, valid for searches of virtual effects of new physics, is
underlined, that is reminiscent of analogous properties valid on top of
resonance. As an application to a concrete example, we consider the case of a
model with triple anomalous gauge couplings and show that the additional
information provided by these asymmetries would lead to a drastic reduction of
the allowed domain of the relevant parameters.Comment: 18 pages and 1 figure. e-mail: [email protected]
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