Individual-level Variation and Higher-level Interpretations of Space Use in Wide-ranging Species: An Albatross Case Study of Sampling Effects

In the United States, drop box mail-in voting has increased, particularly in the all vote by mail (VBM) states of Washington, Colorado, Utah, and Oregon. To assess if drop boxes improve voter turnout, research proxies box treatment by voters’ residence distance to nearest drop box. However, no research has tested the assumption that voters use drop boxes nearest their residence more so than they do other drop boxes. Using individual-level voter data from a 2020 Washington State election, we show that voters are more likely to use the nearest drop box to their residence relative to other drop boxes. In Washington’s 2020 August primary, 52% of drop box voters in our data used their nearest drop box. Moreover, those who either (1) vote by mail, or (2) used a different drop box from the one closest to their residence live further away from their closest drop box. Implications are discussed.

Download Full-text

Gender Bias in Education Expenditure among Religious and Social Groups: A Case Study for Below Class 10 Level in West Bengal

Arthaniti-Journal of Economic Theory and Practice ◽

10.1177/09767479211046400 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 097674792110464

Author(s):

Chayanika Mitra

Keyword(s):

Gender Bias ◽

West Bengal ◽

Social Groups ◽

National Sample ◽

Sample Survey ◽

Education Expenditure ◽

Individual Level ◽

Expenditure Data ◽

The Social

This article attempts to capture gender bias in education expenditure among the religious (Hindu, Muslim and others) and the social groups (SC, ST and General) in West Bengal. Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition technique is used to obtain gender bias for a specific demographic group. Further, an attempt has been made to identify the religious or social groups with the acute problem of gender bias. In this work, 71st round (January–June 2014) education expenditure data (individual level) provided by NSSO (National Sample Survey Office) is used. JEL: I24, R1, C55

Download Full-text

A Multilevel Mixed Effects Analysis of Informal Carers Health in Australia: The role of Community Participation, Social Support and Trust at Small Area level.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-21182/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Itismita Mohanty ◽

Theo Niyonsenga ◽

Tom Cochrane ◽

Debra Rickwood

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Community Participation ◽

General Health ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Mixed Effects ◽

Level Variation ◽

Individual Level ◽

Informal Carers

Abstract Background: Informal carers suffer from worse health outcomes than non-carers due to their caregiving role. Yet, in a society carers health is as important as that of their care recipients. This study investigated the self-assessed mental and general health outcomes of informal carers in Australia. It evaluated the influence of carers’ personal social capital- a logically linked sequence of their social behaviour such as community participation, social support and trust in others- on their health outcomes. The study estimated the magnitude of small local area (SA1) level variation along with individual level variation in carers’ health outcomes.Methods: The study used a multilevel mixed effects cross-sectional design using data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia survey, wave 14. It included Australians aged 15 years and older that were surveyed in the year 2014. The sample consisted of 12,767 individuals and 5004 SA1s. The outcome measures included- mental health, general health and physical functioning, domains of the Short Form 36 Questionnaire, a widely used multi-dimensional measure of health-related quality of life.Results: Informal carers suffered from poor mental (Beta = -0.587, p=0.003) and general health (Beta = -0.670, p=0.001) outcomes compared to non-carers in Australia. These health outcomes exhibited significant variation across small areas (SA1s) in Australia, with 12-13% variation in general and mental health. However, within small local areas, differences at the individual level, accounted for most of the variation in outcomes. Moreover, levels of community participation, personal social connection and trust, as perceived by individuals in the communities, had a positive influence on both mental and general health of carers and non-carers, and were more beneficial for carers compared to non-carers. Conclusion: It seems that the positive influence of social capital for carers helps them in coping with the negative impact of their caregiving duty on health outcomes. Findings suggested that some targeted community support programs for carers to build on their personal social cohesion and trust in their community could help in improving their poor health profiles. Moreover, improved informal carers’ health may help the health system in better managing their resources.

Download Full-text

Simple compared to covariate-constrained randomization methods in balancing baseline characteristics: a case study of randomly allocating 72 hemodialysis centers in a cluster trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-278523/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ahmed A Al-Jaishi ◽

Stephanie N Dixon ◽

Eric McArthur ◽

PJ Devereaux ◽

Lehana Thabane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Principal Components ◽

Cluster Randomized Trial ◽

Median Number ◽

P Value ◽

Individual Level ◽

Level Data ◽

Parallel Group ◽

Baseline Characteristics ◽

Cluster Randomized

Abstract Background and aim: Some parallel-group cluster randomized trials use covariate-constrained rather than simple randomization. This is done to increase the chance of balancing the groups on cluster- and patient-level baseline characteristics. This study assessed how well two covariate-constrained randomization methods balanced baseline characteristics compared with simple randomization. Methods: We conducted a mock three-year cluster randomized trial, with no active intervention, that started April 1st, 2014, and ended March 31st, 2017. We included a total of 11,832 patients from 72 hemodialysis centers (clusters) in Ontario, Canada. We randomly allocated the 72 clusters into two groups in a 1:1 ratio on a single date using individual- and cluster-level data available up to April 1st, 2013. Initially, we generated 1,000 allocation schemes using simple randomization. Then, as an alternative, we performed covariate-constrained randomization based on historical data from these centers. In one analysis, we restricted on a set of 11 individual-level prognostic variables; in the other, we restricted on principal components generated using 29 baseline historical variables. We created 300,000 different allocations for the covariate-constrained randomizations, and we restricted our analysis to the 30,000 best allocations. We then randomly sampled 1,000 schemes from the 30,000 best allocations. We summarized our results with each randomization approach as the median (25th, 75th percentile) number of balanced baseline characteristics. There were 156 baseline characteristics, and a variable was balanced when the between-group standardized difference was ≤ 10%. Results: The three randomization techniques had at least 125 of 156 balanced baseline characteristics in 90% of sampled allocations. The median number of balanced baseline characteristics using simple randomization was 147 (142, 150). The corresponding value for covariate-constrained randomization using 11 prognostic characteristics was 149 (146, 151), while for principal components, the value was 150 (147, 151). The median number of balanced baseline characteristics using the two covariate-constrained randomizations were statistically different from simple randomization (p-value < 0.0001). Conclusion: In this setting with 72 clusters, constraining the randomization using historical information achieved better balance on baseline characteristics compared with simple randomization; however, the magnitude of benefit was modest.

Download Full-text

The characters of public space use by various residents in the neighborhoods at urban fringea case study of Hegezhuang Village in Beijing

10.47472/vvezxklb ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yafei Li ◽

Yuting Li ◽

Qian Yun

Keyword(s):

Public Space ◽

Space Use

Download Full-text

What can knowledge of the energy landscape tell us about animal movement trajectories and space use? A case study with humans

Journal of Theoretical Biology ◽

10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.08.024 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 457 ◽

pp. 101-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Emmanouil Lempidakis ◽

Rory P. Wilson ◽

Adrian Luckman ◽

Richard S. Metcalfe

Keyword(s):

Animal Movement ◽

Energy Landscape ◽

Space Use ◽

Movement Trajectories

Download Full-text

Integrating organisational- and individual-level performance management systems (PMSS): a case study in a large Indonesian public sector organisation

Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management ◽

10.1108/qram-06-2019-0074 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Rudy M. Harahap

Keyword(s):

Public Sector ◽

Performance Management ◽

Control Systems ◽

Developing Country ◽

Management Systems ◽

Content Type ◽

Performance Management Systems ◽

Individual Level ◽

Level Performance

Purpose This study aims to comprehensively examine the integration of organisational- and individual-level performance management systems (PMSs) in the context of public sector organisations (PSOs) of developing countries (DCs), by investigating the elements of PMSs in the studied organisation. Design/methodology/approach A case study in a large PSO of a developing country was conducted. The design of the study and the data analysis drew on Ferreira and Otley’s PMSs framework. Data were captured from electronic and printed document archives, online written interviews with participants and face-to-face interviews. The data then were triangulated and analysed thematically. Findings The study reveals a recursive relationship between culture and PMSs, and identifies conflicting regulatory requirements and a lack of information technology capacity led to the development of dual, loosely coupled PMSs in the studied organisation. Research limitations/implications The findings may not be generalisable beyond a large, PSO in a developing country; the study did not consider the linkages between the integration of organisational- and individual-level PMSs and other PMSs; the study looked at only two notions of culture; and the study asked participants to recall past events, so was retrospective in its design. Practical implications The findings illustrate the need for public sector managers and key policymakers to use both formal and informal control systems, together with technical and social integration mechanisms, as well as management accounting (MA) and human resources management (HRM) control approaches, when attempting to integrate organisational- and individual-level PMSs in the PSOs of DCs. Social implications Future studies may usefully investigate the integration of organisational- and individual-level PMSs in different contexts, consider culture and contextual factors when investigating the integration of organisational- and individual-level PMSs in different contexts, examine whether national culture also substantially impacts PMSs in other countries and attempt to inform the MA literature by drawing on HRM theory and research on individual-level PMSs. Such studies may help to address the gap between PMS theory and practice and better allow MA researchers to contribute to practice. Originality/value The study contributes to management control systems (MCSs) and PMSs literature by extending our understandings in the relationship between accounting and non-accounting controls, the contextual factors that affect PMSs and highlighting the importance of considering cultural context when integrating PMSs in the PSOs of DCs.

Download Full-text

Combining labour market and unemployment policies with environmental sustainability? A cross-national study on ecosocial innovations

Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy ◽

10.1017/ics.2020.4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 42-56 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ingo Stamm ◽

Aila-Leena Matthies ◽

Tuuli Hirvilammi ◽

Kati Närhi

Keyword(s):

Labour Market ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Organizational Level ◽

National Study ◽

Small Scale ◽

Individual Level ◽

Environmental Goals ◽

Cross National Study ◽

Cross National

AbstractLabour market and unemployment policies in particular are rarely connected to issues of environmental sustainability. In the present article, the link is examined by focusing on ecosocial innovations in four European countries – Finland, Germany, Belgium and Italy. These innovations are small-scale associations, cooperatives or organizations that create new integrative practices combining both social and environmental goals. By asking how their social practices are linked with labour market and unemployment policies, we explore the scope for new ecosocial policies. The results of this cross-national case study lead to three lessons to be learnt for a future ecosocial welfare state: at the sectoral level, organizational level and individual level. In summary, many valuable ideas, instruments and programmes towards sustainability already exist in the field, but they are not yet integrated in the current labour market and unemployment policies.

Download Full-text

Understanding permaculturist motivations among residents of the “PermaKulturRaum” in Goettingen, Germany: a qualitative analysis

SN Social Sciences ◽

10.1007/s43545-020-00024-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Heinrich Petri ◽

Heiko Faust

Keyword(s):

Global Scale ◽

Qualitative Approach ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Behavioral Determinants ◽

Individual Level ◽

Micro Scale ◽

The Core ◽

Behavioral Studies ◽

The Individual

AbstractBy using an inductive qualitative approach, investigating the micro scale, that is, the individual level, we conducted a case study on the PermaKulturRaum in Goettingen, Germany—an experimental space for students to explore alternative lifedesigns. On the supposition that only a radical transition can achieve sustainability on a global scale, we identified permaculture as an appropriate method to achieve this. However, permaculture is not widely spread and largely ignored by scientific research. We started a first attempt to understand the underlying motivations of permaculturists. Using behavioral studies as our theoretical framework, we found out that behavioral determinants, like biospheric values, green-identity, and the intention to act green were extraordinarily high and that the core of their pro-environmental behavior is most likely their strong intrinsic motivation. Regarding the PermaKulturRaum, we could formulate following theses: (1) a comprehensive implementation of permacultural aspects requires an urge for an alternative lifedesign, (2) a radical lifedesign attracts primarily like-minded people, which creates isolated spaces, (3) early childhood experiences or single key moments are important to trigger a pro-environmental interest.

Download Full-text

A multilevel mixed effects analysis of informal carers health in Australia: the role of community participation, social support and trust at small area level

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09874-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Itismita Mohanty ◽

Theo Niyonsenga ◽

Tom Cochrane ◽

Debra Rickwood

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

Community Participation ◽

General Health ◽

Small Area ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Mixed Effects ◽

Level Variation ◽

Individual Level ◽

Small Area Level ◽

Informal Carers

Abstract Background Informal carers suffer from worse health outcomes than non-carers due to their caregiving role. Yet, in a society carers health is as important as that of their care recipients. This study investigated the self-assessed mental and general health outcomes of informal carers in Australia. It evaluated the influence of carers’ personal social capital- a logically linked sequence of their social behaviour such as community participation, social support and trust in others- on their health outcomes. The study estimated the magnitude of small area level variation at Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) along with individual level variation in carers’ health outcomes. Methods The study used a multilevel mixed effects cross-sectional design using data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia survey, wave 14. It included Australians aged 15 years and older that were surveyed in the year 2014. The sample consisted of 12,767 individuals and 5004 SA1s. The outcome measures included- mental health, general health and physical functioning, domains of the Short Form 36 Questionnaire, a widely used multi-dimensional measure of health-related quality of life. Results Informal carers suffered from poor mental (Beta = − 0.587, p = 0.003) and general health (Beta = − 0.670, p = 0.001) outcomes compared to non-carers in Australia. These health outcomes exhibited significant variation acrossSA1s in Australia, with 12–13% variation in general and mental health. However, within small local areas, differences at the individual level, accounted for most of the variation in outcomes. Moreover, levels of community participation, personal social connection and trust, as perceived by individuals in the communities, had a positive influence on both mental and general health of carers and non-carers, and were more beneficial for carers compared to non-carers. Conclusion It seems that the positive influence of social capital for carers helps them in coping with the negative impact of their caregiving duty on health outcomes. Findings suggested that some targeted community support programs for carers to build on their personal social cohesion and trust in their community could help in improving their poor health profiles. Moreover, improved informal carers’ health may help the health system in better managing their resources.

Download Full-text