Infrequent Identity Signals, Multiple Correspondence, and Detection Risks in Audit Correspondence Studies

Field Methods ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 1525822X2110576
Author(s):  
Catherine Balfe ◽  
Patrick Button ◽  
Mary Penn ◽  
David J. Schwegman
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Discriminatory Behavior ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Correspondence Study ◽  
Common Identity

Audit correspondence studies are field experiments that test for discriminatory behavior in active markets. Researchers measure discrimination by comparing how responsive individuals (“audited units”) are to correspondences from different types of people. This article elaborates on the tradeoffs researchers face between sending audited units only one correspondence and sending them multiple correspondences, especially when including less common identity signals in the correspondences. We argue that when researchers use audit correspondence studies to measure discrimination against individuals that infrequently interact with audited units, they raise the risk that these audited units become aware they are being studied or otherwise act differently. We also argue that sending multiple pieces of correspondence can increase detection risk. We present the result of an audit correspondence study that demonstrates how detection can occur for these reasons, leading to significantly attenuated (biased toward zero) estimates of discrimination.

Automated text analyses of YouTube comments as field experiments for assessing consumer sentiment towards products and brands

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles S. Areni
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Consumer Sentiment ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Comments ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Purpose The purpose of this study is to show how non-random groupings of YouTube videos can be combined with automated text analysis (ATA) of user comments to conduct quasi-experiments on consumer sentiment towards different types of brands in a naturalistic setting. Design/methodology/approach NCapture extracted thousands of comments on multiple videos representing different experimental treatments and Leximancer revealed differences in the lexical patterns of user comments for different types of brands. Findings User comments consistently revealed hypothesized relationships between brand types, based on existing theory regarding motivations for nostalgia and the relationship between consumer preferences, online product ratings and purchases. These results demonstrate the viability of conducting quasi-experimental research in naturalistic settings via non-random groupings of YT videos and ATA of user comments. Research limitations/implications This research adopts a single quasi-experimental design: the non-equivalent group, after-only design. However, the same basic approach can be used with other quasi-experimental designs to examine different kinds of research questions. Originality/value Overall, this research points to the potential for ATA of comments on different categories of YT videos as a relatively straightforward approach for conducting field experiments that establish the ecological validity of laboratory findings. The method is easy to use and does not require the participation and cooperation of private, third party social media research companies.

Experimental Evaluation of Vibration Effects Induced by Planed Railway Line on Surrounding Historic Tower

2014 ◽  
Vol 501-504 ◽  
pp. 861-866
Author(s):  
Yuan Tian ◽  
Nan Zhang ◽  
Wei Guo Yang ◽  
Jia Ming Niu
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Dominant Frequency ◽  
Vibration Velocity ◽  
Vibration Source ◽  
Vibration Level ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Structural Vibrations ◽  
Upward Trend ◽  
Railway Line ◽  
Different Types

Using field experiments, the vibration effects of historic tower induced by planed railway line are estimated. The vibrations include the construction vibration and the traffic-induced vibration. The results show that the blasting construction leads to the significant increase in vertical velocity and acceleration. There is no difference between the background vibration of field and foundation of tower. Different types of the sites soil around the tower cause little change. Each measurement time showed an upward trend of vibration level with the increase of frequency. The closer the tower is to the vibration source, the larger the structural vibrations would be. The dominant frequency range for highway-induced vibration is 10-20Hz. For train-induced vibration, the dominant frequency range is more than 40Hz. Surface waves will result in amplification phenomenon of vibration velocity of ancient structures within a certain range.

scholarly journals Ethics Audits in Cross-National Research: Experiences from Correspondence Study Field Experiments with National Politicians in Four European Democracies

2021 ◽  
pp. 147892992110334
Author(s):  
Helene Helboe Pedersen ◽  
Tom Louwerse ◽  
Thomas Zittel
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Institutional Review Boards ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Ethical Evaluations ◽  
Correspondence Study ◽  
The Uk

This essay contemplates experiences from four national ethics audits designed to facilitate correspondence study field experiments with national politicians in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and the United Kingdom. The experimental study aims to reveal possible biases in legislators’ responsiveness to distinct types of constituents such as non-partisans, lower-class constituents, ethnic minorities, and women, and to unveil possible unsubstantiated fears or misperceptions in this regard. The national research teams proposed the same experimental design but received three different ethical evaluations. Specifically, the relevant Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in the UK and Denmark asked for two different de-briefing procedures. In the Danish case, this led to withdrawal of the experiment due to severe costs with regard to research quality. In the UK case, it led to increased risk of backlash. Our experiences imply a need for more consistent ethics regimes in the European research community designed to facilitate comparative social science research.

scholarly journals Role of different types of protective forest stands in fodder productivity of rangeland in the Western Caspian region

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-399
Author(s):  
Ludmila P. Rybashlykova ◽  
Svetlana N. Sivceva ◽  
Tatyana F. Mahovikova
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Robinia Pseudoacacia ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Caspian Region ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
Tree Crown ◽  
Crown Cover ◽  
Different Types

Forest pastures with different tree crown cover were studied. The seasonal dynamics of the yield and nutritional value of grass and twig-leaf fodder of forest pasture was studied. The unsystematic use of pastures in arid territories has increased the process of degradation and has become one of the factors of depletion of their natural vegetation. The use of forest reclamation in the 70s and 90s on sandy lands and pastures in the Western Caspian region made it possible to create significant areas of forest pasture land with strip and massive stands of Ulmus pumila L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. Different types of tree stands created on pastures not only improve the microclimate and form a comfortable environment for grazing animals, but also are an additional source of valuable twig feed. The aim of the research was to study forage productivity of forest pastures with different types of plantings on the sands of the Western Caspian region. The objects of the research were forest pastures with different species composition and tree crown cover. Studies on the forage productivity of forest-reclaimed pastures were conducted in 2018-2020 on the basis of the North Caucasus branch of Federal Scientific Centre of Agroecology, Complex Melioration and Protective Af-forestation of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The research was based on field experiments and laboratory analyses. According to the results of the study, forest-reclaimed pastures with unsystematic grazing had 1.52-fold increase in productivity compared to natural ones. The largest amount of twig-leaf feed was formed in broad-band Robinia stands in summer-autumn period. The total gross stock of natural pastures of the Western Caspian region did not exceed 0.30.4 t/ha of dry weight, the consumed stock was 0.20.3 t/ha. With the help of strip and massive plantings on degraded pasture lands, it is possible to increase significantly their productivity and quality with the achievement of 7 MJ of exchange energy and 0.260.29 feed units in 1 kg of elm and robinia twig-leaf feed during droughts.

scholarly journals Characterization of Emergence Flows of Volunteer Corn as Function of the Type of Harvest Grain Loss

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 258
Author(s):  
Alexandre Silva ◽  
Fernando Adegas ◽  
Germani Concenço
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Surface Deposition ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Volunteer Corn ◽  
Corn Plants

Volunteer corn resistant to glyphosate is constant as weed in soybeans planted in succession. This work aimed to identify the emergence flows of volunteer corn plants in the period of time from the harvest of corn planted following soybean (autumn corn) to the plenty establishment of the canopy of the following soybean crop (summer soybean), as a function of different types of propagules generated by preceding corn harvest losses. Four field experiments were carried out in 2013 and 2014, at a Cerrado location (Sinop, MT) and a subtropical location (Londrina, PR), Brazil. Treatments included the distribution of corn crop residues (factor “A”) either on soil surface or incorporated into superficial soil layers. Four types of propagules (factor “B”) were characterized as ears with whole husk; ears with half husk; broken ears, no husk; and loose grains. The density of emerged plants was recorded fortnightly between August and December. When partially incorporated into soil, propagules generate an increased density of emerged plants as compared to the surface deposition treatments. The main sources of volunteer plants, in descending order of importance, were: (1) loose grains, (2) broken ears, (3) ears with damaged husk, and (4) ears with intact husk. Ears emerged later compared to loose grains or broken ears. Climatic conditions influence the emergence pattern. For the climate of (Savannah-like) Cerrado, the beginning of the rainy season is preponderant for the start of corn emergence. Under subtropical climatic conditions, mild low temperatures, associated or not to rainfall, determine the emergence peaks.

scholarly journals Associations between emotions: correspondence across different types of data and componential basis

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kuppens ◽  
Iven Van Mechelen ◽  
Dirk J. M. Smits ◽  
Paul De Boeck
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Similarity Data ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Correspondence Study ◽  
Similarity Judgments ◽  
Action Tendencies

Two issues regarding associations between negative emotions are addressed: (i) whether different types of data imply similar associations and (ii) whether these associations can be accounted for by the overlap between emotion components. In study 1, issue (i) was examined using individual differences covariation, situational covariation, and judged emotion similarity data. Results showed that the associations implied by the different data types were highly similar. Regarding issue (ii), we argue theoretically that component overlap may account for the obtained correspondence. Study 2 empirically demonstrated that the different types of association were strongly related to overlap in appraisals and action tendencies. Similarity judgments, however, seemed to be primarily based on emotion co‐occurrence, and were only to a smaller degree directly related to component overlap. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

scholarly journals Differences in Small Plot and On-Farm Trials for Yield Response to Foliar Fungicide in Soybean

Plant Disease ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuba R. Kandel ◽  
Catherine L. Hunt ◽  
Peter M. Kyveryga ◽  
Tristan A. Mueller ◽  
Daren S. Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Power ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Yield Variation ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Small Plot ◽  
Yield Responses ◽  
Foliar Fungicide ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Power Analyses

Soybean yield response variability to foliar fungicide applications was evaluated in on-farm replicated strip trials (OFTs) and small-plot trials (SPTs) from 2008 through 2015 in Iowa. A total of 230 OFTs and 49 SPTs were compared for yield response to pyraclostrobin, pyraclostrobin + fluxapyroxad, or trifloxystrobin + prothioconazole fungicides. OFTs (18 to 55 m wide and 200 to 800 m long strips) were harvested with farmers’ combines equipped with yield monitors and GPS, while SPTs (3.0 to 4.6 m wide and 10.7 to 15.3 m long plots) were harvested by small research plot combines. Variance component and power analyses were conducted with a subset of data consisting of 12 OFTs and SPTs, each with pyraclostrobin and evaluated in 2008 and 2009. While average yield responses were similar, the residual random yield variation was smaller in OFTs than SPTs. Power analysis showed that SPTs need more replications than OFTs to detect the same overall treatment differences. To detect a yield response of 134 kg/ha, it would require at least three treatment replications with 12 locations in OFTs and seven replications with 12 locations in SPTs. Researchers need to acknowledge the differences in statistical power of detecting yield responses to foliar fungicide on soybean in different types of field experiments, especially with smaller plot sizes in situations with less foliar disease.

scholarly journals Promise and Practice of the Principle of Equal Access to Information in the Danish Local Administration

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-50
Author(s):  
Pernille Boye Koch
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Equal Treatment ◽  
Local Administration ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Legal Principle ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Types Of Information

This article presents an empirical based study of the implementation and effectiveness of freedom of information acts (FOIAs) in Danish municipalities. Even though the Nordic Countries are known for transparent public institutions, empirically based studies of access to information are rare. With the help of 33 students of public administration, 146 simple requests were sent covering 74.5% of all Danish municipalities. The primary purpose of the field experiment was to test the legal principle of identity-neutrality and equal treatment, as the profile of the applicants was varied: the first set of requesters represented “simple” identities, while the second set of requesters represented “qualified” identities. Besides, the requesters asked for two different types of information, one more controversial to reveal than the other. Hence, the study looked into variations in casework time, likelihood of rejection, communication form, etc. The results of the study showed that, in general, the municipalities handled the requests for access to information without difficulties and within the set deadlines, and no differential treatment of applicants based on their status and qualifications could be observed. In addition, the data indicates a significantly higher processing time in the requests for potentially controversial information. The study opened up grounds for future field experiments on FOIA(s). In the final part of the article, the general benefits of student involvement in research processes are discussed.

Competitive Poaching in Search Advertising: Two Randomized Field Experiments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siddharth Bhattacharya ◽  
Jing Gong ◽  
Sunil Wattal
Keyword(s):  
Business School ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Brand Names ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Search Advertising ◽  
Quality Signals ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Keyword Searches ◽  
Better Than

Keyword searches with brand names enable firms to generate traffic from search advertising by bidding not only on their own keywords but also on competitors’ keywords. The strategy of bidding on competitors’ keywords, known as competitive poaching, presents unique opportunities for practitioners. This study examines factors that influence the effectiveness of competitive poaching. We collected data from two randomized field experiments, one with a business school in the Northeastern United States and the other one with a leading automobile dealership company, where these firms bid on keywords of competing brands and randomly display different types of ad copies in the sponsored search listings. We find that, when poaching on keywords of high-quality brands, ad copies that feature vertical differentiation through quality signals are more effective than the control ad copies that do not convey any differentiation or prescriptive messages. We also find that when poaching from low-quality brands, ad copies featuring horizontal differentiation through nonquality attributes perform better than the control ad copies. Finally, the presence of the poached brand’s own ad has a positive association with the ad effectiveness of the poaching brand when that poached brand is high quality and a negative association when the poached brand is low quality.

The Effect of Simulated Lepidopteran Ear Feeding Injury on Mycotoxin Accumulation in Grain Corn (Poales: Poaceae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 2187-2196
Author(s):  
Yasmine Farhan ◽  
Jocelyn L Smith ◽  
Victor Limay-Rios ◽  
Arthur W Schaafsma
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Fusarium Verticillioides ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Physiological Maturity ◽  
Lepidopteran Insect ◽  
Severity Of Injury ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Different Types

Abstract Fusarium graminearum Schwabe (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae) and Fusarium verticillioides (Saccardo) (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae) Nirenberg infection results in accumulation of deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZON), and fumonisin (FBs) mycotoxins in infected corn, Zea mays L. Lepidopteran insect feeding may exacerbate fungal infection by providing entry points on the ear resulting in increased mycotoxin contamination of grain. The objective of the current study was to simulate different types and severity levels (extent of injury) of lepidopteran injury to corn ears at different stages of ear development and its effect on mycotoxin accumulation in grain corn. Field experiments were conducted under conditions favorable for F. graminearum development where insect injury was simulated to corn ears and inoculated with F. graminearum. All simulated injury treatments resulted in elevated mycotoxin concentration compared with ears without simulated injury; however, the severity of injury within a treatment had little effect. Injury to kernels on the side of the ear resulted in greater DON and ZON concentration than injury to tip kernels, grazing injury applied at physiological maturity, or when no injury was simulated. Greater FBs was measured when tip kernel injury was simulated at the blister stage or when side kernel injury was simulated at milk and dent stages compared with noninjured ears, silk clipping, tip injury at milk and dent stages, or grazing injury at physiological maturity. The current study confirms that the risk of mycotoxin accumulation in the Great Lakes region is greater in the presence of ear-feeding insect pests and may differ depending on the feeding behavior of pest species.

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