Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Dialogue, Summer 2007

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

CONTENTS:
Ask the Field
Profile of the Center for Disaster and Extreme Event Preparedness
Program Design Elements of Successful Crisis Counseling and Outreach Programs Following a Disaster
A Model for Entry into Schools: A Practice Module Which Demonstrated Success
Remote Management of Crisis Counseling Program Teams in Colorado
Learning from the Past: Historical Disasters—Perspectives for the Field
Recommended Reading
Conference Highlights
Upcoming Meetings

Ask The Field, Denise Bulling

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

How can disaster behavioral health responders at the State and local levels use the techniques and tools of the Incident Command System (ICS) to target their response to and preparedness for disaster to work within the overall disaster response structure?

Denise Bulling: Disaster behavioral health is more than a set of clinical interventions or the delivery of psychological first aid. The behavioral health response has to be organized and deployed in a way that fits with the greater response to disaster or our ability to reach those who could benefit from education or intervention will be limited. ICS principles provide …

Family Journals, Deborah J. Weitzenkamp

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Faculty and Staff Publications

Whether you are writing a journal or are helping an elderly relative write, this NebGuide will provide tips on how to make that process work.

Have you ever wished that you could read about the lives of your grandmother or grandfather? Where did they live? What were their lives like? How did they meet their spouse? What were the major turning points in their life? A family journal can answer those questions for generations to come. A family journal provides descendants with a firsthand account of family members’ lives, but the benefits begin long before the journal is read. Research …

Review Of The Broidered Garment: The Love Story Of Mona Martinsen And John G. Neihardt, By Hilda Martinsen Neihardt, Timothy G. Anderson

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

Hilda Neihardt supplements familiar anecdotes with her own observations and with stories she heard around her parents' kitchen table as a child. Having spent years as the valiant custodian of her father's legacy, she tells the tale not only of the writer who would become the poet laureate of Nebraska but also of a sculptor who essentially gave up her art for his, a woman who, raised in fine homes in New York and Germany, moved to tiny Bancroft, Nebraska, to join not only a new husband but also a forceful mother-in-law. It is a story--of making not only poetry …

Infertility And Life Satisfaction Among Women, Julia Mcquillan, Roselie Torres Stone, Arthur L. Greil

Bureau of Sociological Research: Faculty Publications

Using data from a random sample of 580 midwestern women, the authors explore the association between lifetime infertility and life satisfaction. Past research shows lower life satisfaction among those seeking help for infertility. The authors find no direct effects of lifetime infertility, regardless of perception of a problem, on life satisfaction; however, there are several conditional effects. Among women who have ever met the criteria for infertility and perceive a fertility problem, life satisfaction is significantly lower for non-mothers and those with higher internal medical locus of control, and the association is weaker for employed women. For women with infertility …

Using Interviewer Observations To Improve Nonresponse Adjustments: Nes 2004, Andy Peytchev, Kristen Olson

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Variables used in nonresponse adjustments are sometimes associated with the response outcome and sometimes with survey variables. Both associations are paramount to the reduction of nonresponse bias in survey estimates. We demonstrate that it is only when both are present that adjustments change the point estimate of the mean from the unadjusted mean. We also set out to test whether the relatively low associations commonly found in survey data are sufficient to achieve this goal. There are many such auxiliary variables that can be used for nonresponse adjustment. We demonstrate augmenting nonresponse adjustments in the 2004 National Election Study using …

The Department Of Agricultural Economics: Relevant, Responsive, Respected, Alan E. Baquet

Cornhusker Economics

The Department of Agricultural Economics is committed to being relevant and responsive to the needs of Nebraskans. These basic principles guide our teaching, research and extension/outreach programs.

Nebraska's Library Depository Retrieval Facility, Debra Pearson, Nancy J. Busch

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

High-density storage of library materials, while becoming more commonplace, is still uncharted territory for many academic libraries. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries undertook the challenge of planning, construction and implementation of a Library Depository Retrieval Facility (LDRF) as a preservation and money-saving solution for expanding collections and decreased funding. The project was a library-system wide undertaking, with project management being the chosen method of organizational structure and process. This article describes the process in several phases, from initial discussions through development of a program statement, funding, planning, construction, load-in, and operations. The discussion will provide those considering a similar project …

Door-In-The-Face: Understandings Of Scholarship For Academic Instruction Librarians, Shilpa Shanbhag

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

As academic librarians, we prescribe an intellectual framework to students by referring to the ‘family of terms scholar-scholarly-scholarship ' and by touching upon the mechanics of peer-review in our instruction. While there are rich and varied perceptions of scholarship underlying information literacy literature, there have been no reports of attempts to make them visible to students. In this article I present the door-in-the-face technique to enable instruction librarians to reflect on the ideals of scholarship underlying instruction. In psychology, the door-in-the-face technique is a method of persuasion whereby asking a big outrageous request to be rejected and following it with …

Developing Students' Awareness Of Plagiarism: Crisis And Opportunities, Amrita Madray

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Plagiarism is an important issue for higher education. Research shows that college students do not always understand the the process of research and writing. This misapprehension of the research and writing process can lead students to plagiarize without intending to do so. The library can be a leader in raising students' awareness, and can partner with teaching departments in developing ways to educate students about plagiarism. This study examines students' understanding of plagiarism as it relates to their ability to write research papers. Freshmen were given a pre-test, followed by instruction on plagiarism and how to avoid it, and then …

Faculty-Librarian Collaboration On Developing Reading Skills In Tertiary Institutions, Isabella Idomu Awale-Ale

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

A quiet revolution is taking place in the Nigerian higher education system. Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), prevailing unemployment, and competition by graduates for limited employment spaces are forcing faculty to rethink the curriculum in most academic disciplines, in terms of content and teaching for functional education and nation building. This paper looks at higher education in Nigeria and the role of academic librarians as partners in promoting skills for entrepreneurial education in Nigeria. It reviews the state of ICT in some Nigerian universities and hindrances to the effective use of university libraries in Nigeria for instructional purposes. The paper concludes …

Skeptical Medical Reference: Helping Patrons Find Critical Resources For Consumer Health Issues, Samantha Hypatia Thompson, Ambrose A. Thompson

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

With the popularization of the Internet, there has been a vast proliferation of consumer health material available to the public. Unfortunately, this has only accelerated a pre-existing trend- the fact that much of the material made available is unproven, unreliable, or outright fraud. This requires librarians to make a choice: are they passive and uncritical dispensers of information or are they critical educators who help patrons choose the best information available? In this article we examine the issues facing librarians in this matter and presents skeptical materials that may help librarians to answer critical health questions.

No Shhing: Giving Voice To The Silenced: An Essay In Support Of Critical Information Literacy, John J. Doherty

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The Information Literacy agenda of academic libraries has recently been critically examined to uncover some of its inherent problems. This paper frames these discussions in the critical theoretical perspective present in educational research, suggesting that the emergence of critical information literacy is long overdue and in need of serious examination by library practitioners who wish to empower student learning.

Bridging The Lis-Practitioner Gap: Some Frames For Research, Felix T. Chu

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

There is a divide between published research from library school (LIS) faculty and the use of these publications by practitioners in the field. This article suggests ways to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The suggestions are ways to frame the analyses of useful research areas that can help us improve the practice of librarianship. The first two, structural secrecy and improvisation, are operational in nature and deal with the day-to-day procedures. The third, naturalistic decision making, concerns making choices in the performance of duties. The fourth area, tacit knowledge, is the assumptions rooted in our knowledge of professional …

Bactria From The Earliest Times To The Extinction Of Bactrio-Greek Rule In The Punjab (1909), Hugh George Rawlinson

Digitized Afghanistan Materials in English from the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection

No abstract provided.

Market Journal: Television For Ag Business Decisions, H. Douglas Jose

Cornhusker Economics

I have been asked a number of times recently, how long Market Journal has existed. We are pleased that the program has become part of the ag business economy and people are interested in how long the program has been bringing information to the farm community.

The Nebraska Net Farm Income: Patterns And Trends, Bruce Johnson

Cornhusker Economics

Historical Perspective: The past decade of net farm income is one of considerable year-to-year volatility. According to recently revised United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates, Nebraska’s aggregate income levels have ranged from $814 million in 2002, to a historical record high of over $3.5 billion in 2004 (Table 1 on next page). However, for the past four years, the annual totals have been considerably above the decade average, largely the result of a considerable surge in the dollar value of crop and livestock output.

Electronic Texts In American Studies, Paul Royster

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: Conference Presentations and Speeches

For the past year and a half I have been engaged in publishing open-access online editions of primary works of early American history and literature. Currently, about 40 of these are posted in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s institutional repository, at http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/etas . My paper for the OIEAHC & SEA session will include: 1) a recap of issues faced and problems solved in designing and creating these electronic books; 2) an outline of editorial principles and guidelines for selection, textual editing, and annotation of works in the series; 3) a report on dissemination and usage data (specifically links and download statistics); …

Agricultural Disaster Assistance On The Way For 2005-2007, Bradley Lubben

Cornhusker Economics

After a long and contentious political battle, Congress passed, and the President signed agricultural disaster assistance, as part of a supplemental spending bill in late May. The assistance provides support to crop and livestock producers for losses over the 2005-2007 period and was estimated to be worth approximately $3 billion nationwide.

Music Circulating Libraries In France: An Overview And A Preliminary List, Anita Breckbill, Carole Goebes

UNL Libraries: Faculty Publications

The year is 1867 in Paris during the Second Empire. A musician sets off one day from his flat in a building several centuries old situated on the north side of the city. He is mulling over finances, and he feels lucky to have the place. Though the building is six floors tall with a narrow spiral staircase, the ground floor apartment was available when he was looking, and the piano movers were just able to shoehorn in his forty-year- old Erard piano.

He has a package under his arm, and he is on a mission, but he pauses upon …

Most Popular Downloads For May 2007, Unl Digital Commons

Digital Commons / Institutional Repository Information

The 135 most-downloaded documents (>29 downloads) for May 2007 from the UNL institutional repository.

To highlight the popularity of theses and dissertations (e.g., 6 out of the top 11), those documents are indicated in orange.

Total downloads for May 2007 were 37,438.

Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Developments 2006-2007, Bruce B. Johnson

Nebraska Farm Real Estate Reports

Nebraska agricultural land values rose sharply during the year ending February 1st, 2007 according to the UNL Nebraska Farm Real Estate Survey. The all-land value increase was 14.0 %, the largest annual percentage increase in 19 years. Sharply higher crop commodity prices towards the end of 2006, the result of a rapidly-expanding ethanol industry in the state, appeared to contribute greatly to the run-up in land values. In addition, potential for further irrigation development in some areas of the state led to spirited bidding for such land; while regions experiencing water restrictions had more muted value changes for the year. …

Debate As A Weapon Of Mass Destruction, Eric English, Stephen Llano, Gordon R. Mitchell, Catherine E. Morrison, John Rief, Carly Woods

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

This year’s intercollegiate policy debate topic calls on affirmative teams to overrule one of four Supreme Court decisions, including Ex parte Quirin, the precedent frequently invoked to justify homeland security policies such as military tribunals for Guantanamo detainees.8 In arguing to overturn Quirin, debaters employ a variety of approaches. Most teams contend that the Supreme Court’s 2006 Hamdan v. Rumsfeld decision, while helpful, does not go far enough in limiting the scope of military commissions. In this view, leaving Quirin on the books enables a troubling expansion of presidential power, with the potential to destroy transatlantic relations and abrogate …

Ready Yourself For Newsroom Cuts:The Eight "Rs" Of Preparation For These Uncertain Times, Carla Kimbrough

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

One really cannot escape the reality: Newspaper and magazine industries are shrinking. Layoffs and buyouts are frequent occurrences. We see it in headlines, coast to coast. We hear from colleagues. Sometimes, we experience it ourselves. So, what if you are presented a pink slip? What are you to do? If the day comes and you are on the list to go, here are some "Rs" to help you through this time.

Effect Of Interviewer Experience On Interview Pace And Interviewer Attitudes, Kristen M. Olson, Andy Peytchev

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Traditional statistical analyses of interviewer effects on survey data do not examine whether these effects change over a field period. However, the nature of the survey interview is dynamic. Interviewers’ behaviors and perceptions may evolve as they gain experience, thus potentially affecting data quality. This paper looks at how interview length and interviewer evaluations of respondents change over interviewers’ workloads. Multilevel models with random interviewer effects are used to account for the clustering of cases within interviewers and individual interviewer characteristics in the 1984, 1988, and 2000 National Election Studies. The 1984 and 1988 NES released sample in four replicates, …

Research Authority In The Age Of Google: Equilibrium Sought, Mariana Regalado

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The development of the web caused a major shift in the relationship of students, instructors, and librarians to information. Students gained newfound authority as savvy, experienced users of technology, and the web in particular. Students often perceived any results as search success. Librarians' role as gate-keepers to information is more vital than ever. Though the academic value of user-authenticated information is still a topic of some debate, there is a growing acceptance of these resources. Academic librarians in particular serve as the counterweight in the new research equilibrium. Librarians continue to do what they have long done, that is, provide …

Standing Up For Open Source, Lee David Jaffe, Greg Careaga

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The open source movement is a vital and innovative challenger to commercial channels for software and publishing. Interests and values shared between libraries and open source communities, along with significant functional advantages to the open source model, should lead librarians to adopt open source tools and become more engaged with open source developers and their projects. Instead, there is a significant gap between the potential of open source and the adoption of these tools in libraries. The authors address the causes and potential consequences, and suggest strategies that can be adopted by advocates for open source in libraries.

Digg.Com And Socially-Driven Authority, Steven Ovadia

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

For years, librarians have been able to distill the notion of authority, in its purest form, to two simple questions: Who said it? and Under whose auspices? Now, as more content migrates online, understanding authority is a more complex process. Social news sites, like Digg.com allow these traditional authority structures to be bypassed, creating a new, socially-driven authority, based upon an author expertise that is not necessarily recognized by academia. In order for researchers, especially student researchers, to evaluate these sources, they must learn to construct their own authority.

Editorial: Shape Shifters: Librarians Evolve Yet Again In The Age Of Google, Mariana Regalado, Jill Cirasella

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Like all organisms and organizations, librarians and libraries evolve by adapting to changes and pressures in their environments. From scroll to codex to online text: every upgrade in technology is matched by an adaptation in librarianship. Nevertheless, despite centuries of evolution, the activities of librarians and the mission of libraries have remained essentially constant and are still recognizable. The pace of change in libraries has been especially rapid since the introduction of computers, and an important recent change is the advent of the “age of Google.” Heralded by the arrival in 1998 of the Google search engine, with its clean …

You And Me And Google Makes Three: Welcoming Google Into The Reference Interview, Jill Cirasella

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Library patrons often approach the reference desk with indirect, incomplete, or misleading questions, known as "ill-formed" questions. Transforming ill-formed questions into well-formed ones is a crucial part of the reference interview, and Google can be an active participant in that process. This paper discusses how Google can help librarians and patrons deal with incomplete citations, incorrect citations, incorrect spellings, tip-of-the-tongue questions, and forgotten searches.