The Ethics of Conducting E-Mail Surveys

2004 ◽  
pp. 114-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Krishnamurthy
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Ethical Problem ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Academic Field ◽  
Mail Surveys ◽  
Effective Form ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Individual Contact ◽  
E Mail

E-mail is a low-cost and highly effective form of individual contact for primary research. However, researchers who contact strangers for their survey research through e-mail are, in essence, sending them Spam. Some academic researchers might argue that due to the low volume and infrequent nature of their surveys and the general positive perception of academia, their e-mail surveys do not add to the Spam problem. However, this is an insufficient resolution of the ethical problem. This chapter examines one solution to avoid this problem—the use of respondent permission prior to contact. Obtaining respondent permission is tricky and can be costly. But, it may be the only long-term solution. Importantly, using this approach could lead to a loss of randomness in the sampling procedure due to self-selection. Ideas for implementation of a permission-based contact system at the individual researcher and academic field level are provided at the end.

The Ethics of Conducting E-Mail Surveys

2008 ◽  
pp. 3953-3967
Author(s):  
Sandeep Krishnamurthy
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Ethical Problem ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Academic Field ◽  
Mail Surveys ◽  
Effective Form ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Individual Contact ◽  
E Mail

E-mail is a low-cost and highly effective form of individual contact for primary research. However, researchers who contact strangers for their survey research through e-mail are, in essence, sending them Spam. Some academic researchers might argue that due to the low volume and infrequent nature of their surveys and the general positive perception of academia, their e-mail surveys do not add to the Spam problem. However, this is an insufficient resolution of the ethical problem. This chapter examines one solution to avoid this problem—the use of respondent permission prior to contact. Obtaining respondent permission is tricky and can be costly. But, it may be the only long-term solution. Importantly, using this approach could lead to a loss of randomness in the sampling procedure due to self-selection. Ideas for implementation of a permission-based contact system at the individual researcher and academic field level are provided at the end.

Getting a Foot in the Electronic Door: The Process of Reading or Deleting Electronic Mail

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-250
Author(s):  
Tracy L. Tuten
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Mail ◽  
Telephone Interview ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Mail Surveys ◽  
Subject Line ◽  
Potential Respondent ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Individual ◽  
E Mail

For researchers, a key issue in developing electronic mail as a survey method is to understand what factors are at play as a potential respondent chooses to open or delete a mail message. This research investigated the process by which individuals make decisions about opening and reading versus deleting electronic mail and also assessed attitudes toward electronic mail surveys. The sample received an electronic mail message followed by a telephone interview. Results indicated that individuals delete mail when the subject line does not interest them or when they do not recognize the name of the individual sending the e-mail. Those interviewed reacted favorably to e-mail surveys for scientific research despite issues of anonymity. However, respondents overwhelmingly described a dislike for commercially based electronic mail surveys.

Fine Particle Mass Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors: Corrections and Long-Term Performance Evaluation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Malings ◽  
Rebecca Tanzer ◽  
Aliaksei Hauryliuk ◽  
Provat K. Saha ◽  
Allen L. Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Fine Particle ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Particle Mass ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance

The Acceptance of Party Unity in Parliamentary Democracies

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Willumsen
Keyword(s):  
Political Parties ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Parliamentary Democracies ◽  
Survey Questions ◽  
Ideal Policy ◽  
Central Argument ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Policy Incentives

The central argument of this book is that voting unity in European legislatures is not primarily the result of the ‘disciplining’ power of the leadership of parliamentary parties, but rather the result of a combination of ideological homogeneity through self-selection into political parties and the calculations of individual legislators about their own long-term benefits. Despite the central role of policy preferences in the subsequent behaviour of legislators, preferences at the level of the individual legislator have been almost entirely neglected in the study of parliaments and legislative behaviour. The book measures these using an until now under-utilized resource: parliamentary surveys. Building on these, the book develops measures of policy incentives of legislators to dissent from their parliamentary parties, and show that preference similarity amongst legislators explains a very substantial proportion of party unity, yet alone cannot explain all of it. Analysing the attitudes of legislators to the demands of party unity, and what drives these attitudes, the book argues that what explains the observed unity (beyond what preference similarity would explain) is the conscious acceptance by MPs that the long-term benefits of belonging to a united party (such as increased influence on legislation, lower transaction costs, and better chances of gaining office) outweigh the short-terms benefits of always voting for their ideal policy outcome. The book buttresses this argument through the analysis of both open-ended survey questions as well as survey questions on the costs and benefits of belonging to a political party in a legislature.

scholarly journals Wittichenite semiconductor of Cu3BiS3 films for efficient hydrogen evolution from solar driven photoelectrochemical water splitting

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dingwang Huang ◽  
Lintao Li ◽  
Kang Wang ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Kuang Feng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Evolution ◽  
Water Splitting ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Solar Hydrogen ◽  
Onset Potential ◽  
Term Stability ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Solar Water Splitting ◽  
Current Densities

AbstractA highly efficient, low-cost and environmentally friendly photocathode with long-term stability is the goal of practical solar hydrogen evolution applications. Here, we found that the Cu3BiS3 film-based photocathode meets the abovementioned requirements. The Cu3BiS3-based photocathode presents a remarkable onset potential over 0.9 VRHE with excellent photoelectrochemical current densities (~7 mA/cm2 under 0 VRHE) and appreciable 10-hour long-term stability in neutral water solutions. This high onset potential of the Cu3BiS3-based photocathode directly results in a good unbiased operating photocurrent of ~1.6 mA/cm2 assisted by the BiVO4 photoanode. A tandem device of Cu3BiS3-BiVO4 with an unbiased solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 2.04% is presented. This tandem device also presents high stability over 20 hours. Ultimately, a 5 × 5 cm2 large Cu3BiS3-BiVO4 tandem device module is fabricated for standalone overall solar water splitting with a long-term stability of 60 hours.

scholarly journals Systemic Photoprotection in Skin Cancer Prevention: Knowledge among Dermatologists

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 332
Author(s):  
Luca Fania ◽  
Francesca Sampogna ◽  
Francesco Ricci ◽  
Mariafrancesca Hyeraci ◽  
Andrea Paradisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Skin Cancer Prevention ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Current State ◽  
Skin Cancers ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

Background: Systemic photoprotection (i.e., administration of substances such as nicotinamide, carotenoids, and vitamin D) may be important to reduce photocarcinogenesis or to support long-term protection against UV irradiation. Clinical trials showed that oral nicotinamide is effective in reducing the onset of new nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), while other oral photoprotectors failed to achieve the reduction of new melanoma or NMSC formation in humans. The aim of this study was to summarize the current state of knowledge of systemic photoprotection and to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of dermatologists regarding these treatments. Methods: The survey was conducted on a sample of dermatologists recruited according to a snowball sampling procedure. The questionnaire consisted of a first part asking for characteristics of the participant and a second part with 12 specific questions on their knowledge about systemic photoprotection, particularly their knowledge of astaxanthin, β-carotene, nicotinamide, and vitamin D3. Results: One hundred eight dermatologists answered the survey. Most of them (85.2%) stated that oral photoprotectors have a role in the prevention of skin cancer, and responses mainly mentioned nicotinamide. More than half of them (54.6%) had prescribed all the considered oral photoprotectors, but the majority of them had prescribed nicotinamide, mainly for 2 to 3 months during summer, almost invariably (n = 106) associated with topical photoprotectors. Most dermatologists (>80%) were aware of scientific publications demonstrating an effect of systemic photoprotectors on NMSC. Conclusions: Most Italian dermatologists have positive views on oral photoprotection in skin cancer and are aware of the demonstrated potential of nicotinamide in the prevention of NMSCs.

scholarly journals Development of a posterior sagittal anorectal surgical teaching model

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. van Ling ◽  
G. M. J. Bökkerink ◽  
I. de Blaauw ◽  
S. M. B. I. Botden
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Target Group ◽  
Teaching Model ◽  
Perineal Body ◽  
Perineal Fistula ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
Surgical Teaching ◽  
Long Term Prognosis ◽  
Structured Approach

Abstract Background An Anorectal Malformation (ARM) is a rare congenital malformation, which requires proper correction to ensure the best long-term prognosis. These procedures are relatively infrequent and complex, in which a structured approach is important. Therefore, training on an affordable model could be beneficial. Methods A low-cost ARM model was developed. The base was reusable and the perineal body disposable. Both expert pediatric surgeons (Experts) and residents/fellows (Target group) were recruited for this study. After testing the model, they completed a questionnaire regarding the realism and didactic value of the model, using a 5-point Likert scale. Results Forty-four participants were recruited (Target group n = 20, Experts n = 24). The model has high mean scores of 3.8–4.4 for the total group and even higher on several aspects by the Target group. The experts regarded the haptics and manipulation of the fistula less realistic than the Target group (3.7 versus 4.3, p = 0.021 and 4.2 versus 4.6, p = 0.047). It was considered to be a very good training tool (mean 4.3), without significant differences between the groups. Conclusions These results show general consensus that this model is a potent training tool for the component steps of the repair of an ARM with recto-perineal fistula by sagittal approach.

scholarly journals Organ-specific, multimodal, wireless optoelectronics for high-throughput phenotyping of peripheral neural pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Woo Seok Kim ◽  
Sungcheol Hong ◽  
Milenka Gamero ◽  
Vivekanand Jeevakumar ◽  
Clay M. Smithhart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Optoelectronic Device ◽  
Antenna System ◽  
Neural Pathways ◽  
Organ Specific ◽  
Coil Antenna ◽  
Sensory Fibers

AbstractThe vagus nerve supports diverse autonomic functions and behaviors important for health and survival. To understand how specific components of the vagus contribute to behaviors and long-term physiological effects, it is critical to modulate their activity with anatomical specificity in awake, freely behaving conditions using reliable methods. Here, we introduce an organ-specific scalable, multimodal, wireless optoelectronic device for precise and chronic optogenetic manipulations in vivo. When combined with an advanced, coil-antenna system and a multiplexing strategy for powering 8 individual homecages using a single RF transmitter, the proposed wireless telemetry enables low cost, high-throughput, and precise functional mapping of peripheral neural circuits, including long-term behavioral and physiological measurements. Deployment of these technologies reveals an unexpected role for stomach, non-stretch vagal sensory fibers in suppressing appetite and demonstrates the durability of the miniature wireless device inside harsh gastric conditions.

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