Self-Selection of Peers and Performance

This paper studies how the presence of peers and different peer assignment rules—self-selection versus random assignment—affect individual performance. Using a framed field experiment, we find that the presence of a randomly assigned peer improves performance by 28% of a standard deviation (SD), whereas self-selecting peers induces an additional 15%–18% SD improvement in performance. Our results document peer effects in multiple characteristics and show that self-selection changes these characteristics. However, a decomposition reveals that variations in the peer composition contribute only little to the performance differences across peer assignment rules. Rather, we find that self-selection has a direct effect on performance. This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, decision analysis.

Comparing the Response Burden between Paper and Web Modes in Establishment Surveys

Previous research is inconclusive regarding the effects of paper and web surveys on response burdens. We conducted an establishment survey with random assignment to paper and web modes to examine this issue. We compare how the actual and perceived response burdens differ when respondents complete a survey in the paper mode, in the web mode and when they are allowed to choose between the two modes. Our results show that in the web mode, respondents have a lower estimated time to complete the questionnaire, while we do not find differences between paper and the web on the perceived response time and perceived burden. Even though the response burden in the web mode is lower, our study finds no evidence of an increased response burden when moving an establishment survey from paper to the web.

Parenting interventions for families with refugee backgrounds: a randomized factorial, mixed-methods design study protocol

Background Raising children in new social and cultural contexts can be challenging for parents. In order to help parents address these challenges, the Norwegian government has instituted a policy of mandatory parent training for families who settle in Norway as refugees. The Incredible Years (IY) and The International Child Development Programme (ICDP) have been widely adopted throughout Norway. They have similar aims: to improve parenting through positive parenting practices and development of attachment behaviors. We will evaluate the use of these programs and a measurement feedback system (MFS) to give regular feedback to interventionists about parents’ progress during the course of the parenting intervention. Methods The study is a mixed method, randomized factorial design aimed at evaluating the effect of parenting interventions and the use of feedback to address parental stress, child behavior, resilience, and parents’ mental health. Factor 1 is based on random assignment to one of the parenting interventions IY or ICDP. The parenting interventions are delivered over 15 weeks (IY) or 12 weeks (ICDP) in group-based settings. Factor 2 is based on random assignment of the parenting groups to the (a) with MFS or (b) without MFS condition. The MFS is answered weekly via a phone app, MittEcho, and results are sent to group leaders in the MFS condition. Additionally, the study explores the experiences of families settling in a new cultural context and participating with parenting programs via qualitative interviews. Participants will be recruited from a population of parents with children between the age of 6 and 12 years who settled in Norway as refugees within the previous 9 years. The target sample size is N = 360; n (IY) = 180, n (ICDP) = 180 families. This study is a collaboration between first-line, municipal services; their national governing agencies; family representatives; and a national network of research organizations. Discussion This study endeavors to provide information about what helps families with refugee background integrate successfully into new cultural contexts with different laws, norms, and expectations. Whether or not these interventions can help to normalize this experience, reduce stress, and provide parents with new tools to improve their parenting and the lives of their children are important questions which we address. These findings can lead to the further establishment of evidence-based practices in Norway. Trial registration ISRCTN35008070. Registered on February 24, 2020

Quality of Life in Men With Prostate Cancer Randomly Allocated to Receive Docetaxel or Abiraterone in the STAMPEDE Trial

PURPOSE Docetaxel and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or prednisolone (AAP) both improve survival when commenced alongside standard of care (SOC) androgen deprivation therapy in locally advanced or metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Thus, patient-reported quality of life (QOL) data may guide treatment choices. METHODS A group of patients within the STAMPEDE trial were contemporaneously enrolled with the possibility of being randomly allocated to receive either docetaxel + SOC or AAP + SOC. A mixed-model assessed QOL in those who had completed at least one QLQ-C30 + PR25 questionnaire. The primary outcome measure was difference in global-QOL (QLQ-C30 Q29&30) between patients allocated to docetaxel + SOC or AAP + SOC over the 2 years after random assignment, with a predefined criterion for clinically meaningful difference of > 4.0 points. Secondary outcome measures included longitudinal comparison of functional domains, pain, and fatigue, plus global-QOL at defined timepoints. RESULTS Five hundred fifteen patients (173 docetaxel + SOC and 342 AAP + SOC) were included. Baseline characteristics, proportion of missing data, and mean baseline global-QOL scores (docetaxel + SOC 77.8 and AAP + SOC 78.0) were similar. Over the 2 years following random assignment, the mean modeled global-QOL score was +3.9 points (95% CI, +0.5 to +7.2; P = .022) higher in patients allocated to AAP + SOC. Global-QOL was higher for patients allocated to AAP + SOC over the first year (+5.7 points, 95% CI, +3.0 to +8.5; P < .001), particularly at 12 (+7.0 points, 95% CI, +3.0 to +11.0; P = .001) and 24 weeks (+8.3 points, 95% CI, +4.0 to +12.6; P < .001). CONCLUSION Patient-reported QOL was superior for patients allocated to receive AAP + SOC, compared with docetaxel + SOC over a 2-year period, narrowly missing the predefined value for clinical significance. Patients receiving AAP + SOC reported clinically meaningful higher global-QOL scores throughout the first year following random assignment.

PENGARUH MODEL PBM BERBANTUAN MEDIA CERITA DIGITAL TERHADAP PRESTASI BELAJAR FISIKA

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah (MPBM) berbantuan media cerita digital terhadap prestasi belajar fisika. Penelitian ini termasuk jenis penelitian quasi eksperiment menggunakan desain one way non-equivalent pretest-posttest control group desain. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas X IPA di SMA Negeri 2 Singaraja dengan total populasi sebanyak 165 siswa. Pemilihan sampel dalam penelitian ini menggunakan random assignment. Terdapat 3 kelas sampel dari 5 kelas yang ada. X MIPA 2 sebagai kelas eksperimen 1, X MIPA 3 sebagai kelas eksperimen 2, dan X MIPA 4 sebagai kelas kontrol. Jumlah sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 100 siswa. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis deskriptif dan ANAKOVA satu jalur. Hasil penelitian mengungkapkan hasil rata-rata prestasi belajar fisika siswa yang belajar dengan MPBM berbantuan media cerita digital lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan siswa yang belajar dengan MPBM dan siswa yang belajar dengan MPK. Hal ini mengindikasikan model PBM berbantuan media cerita digital memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap prestasi belajar fisika siswa. IMPACTS OF DIGITAL STORY-BASED PROBLEM-SOLVING LEARNING MODEL ON STUDENTS’ LEARNING ACHIEVEMENT OF PHYSICSThis study is aimed at finding out the impacts of digital story-based problem-solving learning model (PSLM) on students’ learning achievement in physics learning. The study is a quasi-experiment research method using the one way non-equivalent pretest-posttest control group design. The population of the study consisted of 165 grade-X students of Physics of State Senior High School 2 Singaraja. A sample of 100 students were selected by way of random assignment. Class X Physics 2 was experiment group 1; class X Physics 3 was experiment group 2; and class X Physics 4 was the control group. Data were analysed by the descriptive analysis and one-way ANCOVA. Findings show that the mean average of the achievement scores of the students who attended the classes with PSLM is higher than that of students who attended the conventional class. This shows that the digital story-based problem-solving learning model has a positive impact on the students’ physics learning achievement.

Lessons Learned From Implementing a Novel Bayesian Adaptive Dose-Finding Design in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

PURPOSE Novel Bayesian adaptive designs provide an effective way to improve clinical trial efficiency. These designs are superior to conventional methods, but implementing them can be challenging. The aim of this article was to describe what we learned while applying a novel Bayesian phase I-II design in a recent trial. METHODS The primary goal of the trial was to optimize radiation therapy (RT) dose among three levels (low, standard, and high), given either with placebo (P) or an investigational agent (A), for treating locally advanced, radiation-naive pancreatic cancer, deemed appropriate for RT rather than surgery. Up to 48 patients were randomly assigned fairly between RT plus P and RT plus A, with RT dose-finding done within each arm using the late-onset efficacy-toxicity design on the basis of two coprimary end points, tumor response and dose-limiting toxicity, both evaluated at up to 90 days. The random assignment was blinded, but within each arm, unblinded RT doses were chosen adaptively using software developed within the institution. RESULTS Implementing the design involved double-blind balance-restricted random assignment, real-time assessment of patient outcomes to evaluate the efficacy-toxicity trade-off for each RT dose in each arm to optimize each patient's RT dose adaptively, and transition from a single-center trial to a multicenter trial. We present lessons learned and illustrative documentation. CONCLUSION Implementing novel Bayesian adaptive trial designs requires close collaborations between physicians, pharmacists, statisticians, data managers, and sponsors. The process is difficult but manageable and essential for efficient trial conduct. Close collaboration during trial conduct is a key component of any trial that includes real-time adaptive decision rules.

Parental Incarceration and Children's Educational Attainment

This paper presents new evidence showing that parental incarceration increases children's education. I collect criminal records for 90,000 low-income parents who have been convicted of a crime in Colombia, and link the educational attainment of their children. I exploit exogenous variation resulting from the random assignment of judges, and extend the standard framework to incorporate both conviction and incarceration decisions. I show that the effect of incarceration for a given conviction threshold can be identified. My results indicate that parental incarceration increases educational attainment by 0.78 years for the children of convicted parents on the margin of incarceration.

Job stress and mental health among social workers: evidence from a field experiment at a public employment support institution in Japan

This study examines the causal effects of job stress on workers’ mental health. Evaluating the causal relationship between job stress and workers’ mental health is challenging due to an endogeneity problem, as heavy workloads and thus job stress are likely assigned to workers in good mental health condition. Endogeneity can also be problematic due to workers’ unobserved heterogeneity, such as personal capacities and stress resistance, which are associated with both job stress and mental health outcomes. To solve this problem, we conduct a field experiment at a public employment support institution in Japan. In the experiment, we randomly assign counsellors to jobseekers who are visiting the institution for the first time. Since jobseekers experience varying levels of difficulty finding work, this random assignment results in unexpected workloads, adding job stress for counsellors. We then collect counsellors’ daily records on mental health conditions for 4 consecutive weeks, matching the responses with the random assignment data on job counselling. Utilising a panel structure of the dataset and applying a fixed-effects model, we remove counsellors’ time-invariant unobserved heterogeneities. We measure counsellors’ mental health in terms of both subjective, self-reported perceptions and objective aspects of blood pressure and pulse. The results reveal that the job stress driven by newly assigned problematic jobseekers deteriorates aspects of counsellors’ objective mental health, whereas it does not appear to affect their subjective mental health. This result suggests that workers can accumulate the negative effects of job stress on mental health that they may be unaware of.