Social Statistics Commons^™

A Data Analysis Of The World Happiness Index And Its Relation To The North-South Divide, Charles Alba

Undergraduate Economic Review

In this document, we perform a detailed data analysis on the World Happiness Report with its relation to the socio-economic North-South Divide. In order to do so, we perform some extensive data cleaning and analysis before querying on the World Happiness Report. Our results based on Hypothesis Testing determines the happiness of the Global North is greater than that of the Global South. Furthermore, our queries show that the mean happiness score for the Global North significantly outweighing that of the South. Likewise, the 10 'Happiest' nations all belong to the Global North whereas the 10 'least happy' nations belong …

Collaboration Patterns As A Function Of Research Experience Among Mixed Researchers: A Mixed Methods Bibliometric Study, Melanie S. Wachsmann, Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie, Susan Hoisington, Vanessa Gonzales, Rachael Wilcox, Rachel Valle, Majed Aleisa

The Qualitative Report

Onwuegbuzie et al. (2018) documented that the degree of collaboration is higher for mixed researchers than for qualitative and quantitative researchers. The present investigation examined the (a) link between the research experience of lead authors and their propensity to collaborate (Quantitative Phase), and (b) role of research experience in collaborative mixed research studies (Qualitative Phase). Analyses of articles published in the Journal of Mixed Methods Research from 2007 (its inception) to the third issue in 2018 (time of data collection) revealed that the average research experience of lead authors decreased from 20.29 in 2007 to 14.24 in 2017 (last complete …

Differences In Guided Imagery Between High And Low Self-Critical Participants: Consensual Qualitative Research Analysis, Julia Halamova, Jana Koroniova, Martina Baránková

The Qualitative Report

As self-criticism is considered to be the major underlying factor of all sorts of psychopathology, it is meaningful to explore the differences between how people deal with their self-criticism based on their level of self-criticism. The aim of this study was to categorise descriptions and investigate differences between 5 high and 5 low self-critical participants in their self-critical, self-protective and self-compassionate imageries. The total sample consisted of 10 university students, who were selected from a larger sample of 88 participants based on their extreme score from The Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale. For analysis, we exploited Consensual Qualitative Research …

A Book Of Possibilities – Ethnographically Speaking: Autoethnography, Literature, And Aesthetics, Kelsey Railsback

The Qualitative Report

I would say this book is successful in reference to the authors’ intention to showcase ethnographic projects that “blur the boundaries between social science and literature,” but I would also caution those researchers looking for a how-to book for their dissertation or other qualitative research project. This is a book of possibilities of what (auto)ethnographies can be—inspiring authors and fostering creativity, and I am sure a lot of readers will connect with it.

Relationship Between Self-Development, Mentorship, And Senior Military Officer Moral Judgment, Garry Thompson

Dissertations

Despite a renewed emphasis on ethics programs across the Department of Defense (DOD) since 2007, the number of senior officer ethical failures increased by 13% from 2015 to 2017 (Copp, 2017). If the trend of ethical failures and misconduct continue, the military faces a further decline in public confidence (DoDOIG, 2017). The 2017 DOD Inspector General report noted the trend of senior leader ethical failures might foster negative public perceptions regarding military leader’s overall dedication, sacrifice, ethics, and character (DoDOIG, 2017).

A review of military literature revealed the importance of mentorship and self-development in professional development; however, gaps between …

Evaluation Of Modern Missing Data Handling Methods For Coefficient Alpha, Katerina Matysova

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

When assessing a certain characteristic or trait using a multiple item measure, quality of that measure can be assessed by examining the reliability. To avoid multiple time points, reliability can be represented by internal consistency, which is most commonly calculated using Cronbach’s coefficient alpha. Almost every time human participants are involved in research, there is missing data involved. Missing data means that even though complete data were expected to be collected, some data are missing. Missing data can follow different patterns as well as be the result of different mechanisms. One traditional way to deal with missing data is listwise …

Childhood Abuse, Religiosity, And Opioid Use: Findings From The National Epidemiologic Survey On Alcohol And Related Conditions Data, James E. Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Religiosity is adopting a belief system surrounding concepts of purpose, meaning, and value through an institution that has already defined these concepts prior to the individual member attending and that member’s degree of participation. Religiosity does have protective factors against negative health outcomes. This protective influence was evaluated in this study. Data from Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions were examined to learn about the relationship between protective effects of religious participation on substance abuse, and whether this association weakened for individuals who have experienced higher levels of childhood abuse. A binary logistic regression …

A Text Mining Analysis Of Central Bank Monetary Policy Communication In Nigeria, Mohammed M, Tumala, Babatunde S. Omotosho

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

This paper employs text-mining techniques to analyse the communication strategy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during the period 20042019. Since the policy communique released after each meeting of the CBN’s monetary policy committee (MPC) represents an important tool of central bank communication, we construct a corpus based on 87 policy communiques with a total of 123, 353 words. Having processed the textual data into a form suitable for analysis, we examined the readability, sentiments, and topics of the policy documents. While the CBN’s communication has increased substantially over the years, implying increased monetary policy transparency; the computed Coleman …

Fiction, Feminism, And Qualitative Research: An Interview With Dr. Patricia Leavy, Patricia Leavy

The Qualitative Report

In this interview, sociologist Patricia Leavy introduces arts-based research, discusses how qualitative researchers can use fiction, and reviews her own practice of writing feminist novels including her latest release, Film.

Visitor Characteristics, Attitudes, And Management Preferences Of The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, Samuel J. Rhodes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex (BMWC) encompasses 3 federal wilderness areas and spans over 1.5 million acres of iconic mountains and valleys in northwestern Montana. Here visitors can find a plethora of recreation opportunity that give access to some of the most rugged country that can be found in the lower 48 states. However, managing wilderness areas comes with the challenge of both preserving the natural resources found within their borders and enabling opportunities for recreational experiences. Wilderness social scientists always have striven to determine the type of visitors coming to wilderness, and see what sorts of experiences they pursue. …

Using An Lms In Teaching English: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Medical Sciences Students’ Evaluations And Suggestions, Iman Alizadeh

The Qualitative Report

In this study, I aimed to discover Iranian medical sciences students’ evaluation of using a Learning Management System (LMS) in teaching English and to collect their suggestions for using the system more efficiently. To collect data, I conducted semi-structured interviews with 38 students. The themes emerging from the qualitative content analysis of the students’ responses were (1) technical advantages (accessibility, and online homework bank), (2) educational gains (learning gains, benefits for professors, and professor-student interaction), (3) logistical benefits (optimizing class time, task management, and logistical support), (4) educational shortcomings (limited instruction, correction and feedback, and academic misconduct), (5) technical limitations …

Healthy Older Adults’ Motivation And Knowledge Related To Food And Meals, Kai Victor Hansen

The Qualitative Report

The population over 60 years old is growing rapidly in Norway and in many other countries, and researchers often focus on elderly people and various diseases. This article examines the healthy elderly who are active in their daily lives to understand their motivation and knowledge about food and meals. The method used was CurroCus® group interviews, or fast focus groups. Nine CurroCus® groups were conducted, lasting for 37 to 56 minutes (average = 45 minutes). Altogether, 76 persons participated, ranging in age from 60 to 87 years; participants were predominantly female (>80%). The article discusses two areas: motivation and …

Workplace Ostracism And Employee Reactions Among University Teachers In Pakistan, Tehreem Fatima, Ahmad Raza Bilal, Muhammad Kashif Imran

The Qualitative Report

This study investigated the positive and negative behavioral outcomes resulting from the pragmatic and psychological impacts of workplace ostracism experienced by university teachers in Pakistan. Using a qualitative and phenomenological approach, the data were gathered from 20 ostracized teachers working in public and private sector higher educational institutions in Pakistan. The results revealed that participants faced both the psychological and pragmatic impacts of workplace ostracism. Most of the ostracized teachers indicated positive behavioral outcomes due to being collectivist and placing a high value on social relations. Ostracized teachers used resource investment strategies by improving in-role and extra-role performance that …

“Miss, This Is A Lot Of Work”: Exploring Part-Time Students Experiences Of Qualitative Research, Therese Ferguson, Tenesha Gordon

The Qualitative Report

Qualitative research can be time consuming and intensive as researchers engage in data collection, analysis, and interpretation of rich, detailed, multi-layered, and voluminous data. For Master’s level students struggling to balance full-time work, family, part-time studies, and other obligations, the nature of qualitative research can be overwhelming and discouraging as they learn about and engage in the research process. However, if students’ experiences are rich and meaningful, the time investment can be worthwhile. In this generic qualitative study, Master’s Level Education students’ experiences in an Introduction to Qualitative Research in Education course are explored. Drawing on data from semi-structured one-to-one …

Visualizing Election Results With Arcgis, Ryan Day

Purdue GIS Day

In 2018, Porter County, Indiana held its municipal elections concurrent with the national midterm elections. Using ArcGIS, the election results for the fourway race for the Duneland School Board at-large seat are mapped. These results are compared to other area election results, voter characteristics, and previous election results to try to visualize the correlation between factors affecting the race, including candidate ideology, geographic base, area demographics, turnout, and national electoral trends. This project serves as a demonstration of how GIS software can improve the understanding of what influences voters and election outcomes.

Critical Reviews Of Flawed Research On Prostitution, Donna M. Hughes

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Blast From The Past: Murder Mystery Luncheon, Shelby Moore

Scholars Week

A Murder Mystery Luncheon for the Wesley Living Center

Cafe Erc Nasis Survey Questions 2019 Winter Report, Julia Mcquillan

Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (NASIS)

Using NSF ERC Planning Grant funds ($7,500), we added X number of survey items to the 2019 Winter Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (NASIS) conducted by the Bureau of Sociological Research (BOSR). In 2019 NASIS was conducted by mail. BOSR mailed surveys to a random sample of Nebraska households using Address Based Sampling. The CAFE ERC planning team added questions to NASIS along with other researchers at the University of Nebraska who shared the cost of the “core” questions (e.g. level of education, age, race/ethnicity, depression, religion, political orientation, quality-of-life topics, etc). Overall NASIS is a cost-effective way to collect …

Using Interviewing In Public Health Research: Experiences Of Novice Researchers, Caroline I. Wood, Nancy Daley-Moore, Rachel Powell

The Qualitative Report

In this article, we provide the experiences of three novice public health researchers conducting studies with several vulnerable populations: women, people with disabilities, and children. We describe all phases of our interview studies including developing data collection guides, planning the interview in an appropriate setting, conducting the interviews, and bringing the interview to a close. Specific components of the interviews that are discussed include establishing rapport and minimizing the power imbalance inherent between interviewer and interviewee, including the added power imbalance that vulnerable populations experience. Issues of maintaining quality and rigor, as well as ethical considerations for working with our …

Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (Nasis) 2019 Methodology Report, Bureau Of Sociological Research

Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (NASIS)

Introduction 3

Mode Selection 3

Design and Item Selection 3

Sampling Design 4

Experimental Design Treatment 4

Data Collection Process 5

Response Rate 5

Data-Entry Training, Supervision, and Quality Control 5

Processing of Completed Surveys 6

Data Cleaning 6

NASIS Sample Weights 6

Design Effects 7

Questions 7

Estimate of Sampling Error 10

Appendices 11

Appendix A: Cover Letters and NASIS 2019 FAQ 11

First Mailing – Version 1 (UNL Logo) 11

FAQ – Version 1 (UNL Logo) 13

FAQ – Version 2 (New UN Logo) 14

Second Mailing – Version 1 (UNL Logo) 15

Second Mailing – Version 2 …

Ma Tefl Students' Reflection On A Practicum Course: A Qualitative Study, Mohammed Farrah

The Qualitative Report

This study is qualitative in nature and is designed to analyze the experiences and perceptions of a group of MA students regarding an MA TEFL practicum course at Hebron University during the second semester of the academic year 2015/2016 and whether their experience improved their flair to convey educational practices to better serve students. The study was steered by experiential learning theory. The participants learned from their experiences, reflected on practical activities during the practicum course and contributed to a better understanding of the integration process between theory and practice. Three research questions addressed MA students’ experiences during the practicum …

Sustaining Learning About Qualitative Inquiry: A Book Review On The Craft Of Qualitative Research - A Handbook, Umair Majid

The Qualitative Report

There are only a handful of articles, books, tools, and resources that are truly accessible to the novice qualitative investigator. The literature contains reams of resources that aid researchers to launch the qualitative learning process. However, there are few opportunities to develop the depth, prowess, and creativity needed to sustain lifelong learning. The Craft of Qualitative Research: A Handbook by Kleinknecht, van den Scott, and Sanders is one resource that assists researchers to achieve this objective. Conceptualized as a “handbook,” this book is meant to be used throughout research projects and professional careers. The practice of qualitative inquiry serves as …

When Black And White Medicine Turns Gray: Exploring The Interplay And Meaning Of Discoursing About Parenting A Child With A Complex Chronic Condition, Katherine A. Rafferty, Kara Hutton

The Qualitative Report

Parents of children diagnosed with complex chronic conditions (CCCs) face many challenges with managing their child's health. As parents are tasked with competing demands and the constant changes required to provide the best care possible for their child, talk about contradictions regarding their dual, and oftentimes competing, roles and responsibilities as both parent and caregiver is likely to occur. Using relational dialectics theory (Baxter, 2011) as a framework, we conducted a contrapuntal analysis to analyze 35 White, mostly Christian parents’ narratives about their experiences managing their child’s healthcare. Two primary discourses emerged: the centripetal discourse of normal health and the …

Class Matters: School Affluence And Other Predictors Of Attainment For Wealthy And Poor Students, Alison Brockhouse

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Public schools in the United States are becoming increasingly segregated by socioeconomic status. Though the educational consequences of socioeconomic segregation are well researched, segregation is often ignored or exacerbated by education reform. To learn more about the wider implications of socioeconomic segregation, this study utilizes theoretical frameworks derived from Max Weber’s theory of social stratification to analyze over 10,000 students’ experiences from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Education Longitudinal Study (ELS) 2002, 2004, and 2012 waves of data collection. More specifically, this research explores the impact of attending an affluent high school on long-term educational attainment. It finds …

Hope, Courage, And Resilience In The Lives Of Transgender Women Of Color, Nadine Ruff, Amy B. Smoyer, Jean Breny

The Qualitative Report

There is a lack of qualitative and strengths-based knowledge about the lived experience of transgender women of color in the US. To address this research gap, a Photovoice project was undertaken with five transgender women living in a small urban area. Thematic analysis of the participants’ discussion of their photographs identified three major themes: hope, courage, and resilience. Analysis suggests a framework for understanding these women’s lived experiences and the psychosocial tools that they use to negotiate their daily lives and persevere in the face of interpersonal and structural oppression.

Uneven Influence: Why Female Representation Affects Some Migration Policies But Not Others, Lauren M. Olsen

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

In the wake of the 2015 migration crisis, immigration policy has become one of the most critical topics of academic scholarship and political debate. Despite this prolific response, very little research has investigated how the gender of policymakers affects immigration policy. This raises an interesting question: is there any difference in immigration policy among countries with high and low numbers of female legislators? To investigate this matter, I use panel fixed-effects regression to systematically compare the immigration policies of the original EU-15 from 2000 to 2010. As a single policy area, I find female representation has no significant impact on …

Relationships, Socialization And Combat Veterans: The Impact Of Receiving And Training A Service Dog, Diane Scotland-Coogan 2386126

The Qualitative Report

The impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on our combat veterans and their families is extensive. Without support, negative outlook, lack of trust in others, negative perception of self, and lack of trust in one’s judgment persist. The support of loved ones is essential to treatment adherence and rehabilitation (Meis, Barry, Kehle, Erbes, & Polusny, 2010). The Veterans Administration (VA) has been using canines to assist combat veterans in reintegrating into civilian life, and most currently as a part of psychological therapy (Rubenstein, 2012). This research examined the impact of receiving and training a service dog on combat veterans with …

Dear Mrs. P: An Exploration In The Beliefs Of High-Expectations For Individuals With Disabilities, Richard Chapman

The Qualitative Report

This article is a narrative exploring the topic of self-advocacy and self-determination for individuals with disabilities. Through my narrative, I explore ways that we can increase expectations of individuals with disabilities.

Comparative Spending Of Medicaid Dollars On Child Participants Of Kentucky’S Sobriety Treatment And Recovery Teams Program Versus A Matched Comparison Group., Matthew Thomas Walton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Child protective services agencies have long observed the complicating role that parental substance use and addiction plays in cases of child maltreatment. Families who struggle with these problems present unique challenges for child welfare professionals. These families are typically more difficult to engage, more likely to have children removed from the home, and have poorer outcomes when compared to other families. These poorer outcomes often include health problems. Addiction has well-known effects on health, and the specific manifestations of these problems for parents have been documented for years in child protection casework. However, what has been less investigated are the …

Creating New Metaphors For Women Engineering Students Through Qualitative Methods, Cliff Haynes

The Qualitative Report

The purpose of this study is to describe female students’ experiences in an engineering living-learning program using metaphorical analysis through a constructivist theoretical perspective. Extant literature uses metaphors from a negative viewpoint or a deficit model to describe the experiences of female undergraduates in engineering; however, new metaphors have not been used to describe the experience. This study aims to fill existing gaps in LLP literature using qualitative methods. Data from 13 semi-structured individual interviews (7 initial interviews and 6 follow-up interviews) serve as the primary data source. After conducting metaphorical analysis, I found five interpretive metaphors emerging: LLP as …