Including a pen and/or cover letter, containing social incentive text, had no effect on questionnaire response rate: a factorial randomised controlled Study within a Trial

Background: Postal questionnaires are frequently used in randomised controlled trials to collect outcome data on participants; however, poor response can introduce bias, affect generalisability and validity, and reduce statistical power. The objective of this study was to assess whether a pen and/or social incentive text cover letter sent with a postal follow-up questionnaire increased response rates in a trial. Method: A two-by-two factorial randomised controlled trial was embedded within the OTIS host trial. Participants due their 12-month (final) follow-up questionnaire were randomised to be sent: a pen; a social incentive text cover letter; both; or neither. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of participants in each group who returned the questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were: time to return, completeness of the questionnaire, necessity of a reminder letter, and the cost effectiveness. Results: The overall 12-month questionnaire response rate was 721 out of 755 (95.5%). Neither the pen nor social incentive cover letter had a statistically significant effect on response rate: pen 95.2% vs. no pen 95.8%, adjusted OR 0.90 (95% CI 0.45 to 1.80; p=0.77); social incentive cover letter 95.2% vs. no social incentive cover letter 95.8%, adjusted OR 0.84 (95% CI 0.42 to 1.69, p=0.63). No statistically significant differences were observed between either of the intervention groups on time to response, need for a reminder or completeness. Therefore, neither intervention was cost-effective. Conclusions: We found no evidence of a difference in response rates associated with the inclusion of a pen and/or social incentive cover letter with the final follow-up postal questionnaire of the host trial. However, when these results are combined with previous SWATs, the meta-analysis evidence remains that including a pen increases response rates. The social incentive cover letter warrants further investigation to determine effectiveness. Trial registration: ISRCTN22202133 (21st June 2020).

The Role of Business Incubators in The Development of Entrepreneurship in Yemen

This research aims to identify the role of business incubators in developing entrepreneurship and creating new commercial enterprises. The research focuses on the pre-incubation stage, which is the critical stage in shaping the intention of entrepreneurs. It also focuses on factors such as incubator's performance, desirability self-efficacy, facilitation, feasibility, and perceived risk) that affect the success of entrepreneurship projects. The data was collected in the form of two types of questionnaires, a questionnaire for entrepreneurs who are within the incubation program, and a questionnaire for business incubators. The questionnaires were distributed on paper with a cover letter explaining the nature and purpose of the questionnaire. The data was analyzed and checked for reliability, and descriptive statistics were generated based on the data. The results showed that there are no standards to measure and monitor the performance of incubators, and there is no correlation between incubators and other official agencies. The results also revealed that the factors affecting entrepreneurs are closely related to the incubators’ performance levels because they affect the success or failure of the incubated projects. The majority of incubates indicated that funding is the main obstacle in their work in addition to the lack of multiple skills. Another finding of this study was that the entrepreneurs who joined the incubator program were inspired by the growth potential and lack of entrepreneurial skills. The current study provides an insight into the role of business incubators in developing entrepreneurship in Yemen. Recommendations are presented in this study for entrepreneurs incubated in the study environment in order to improve their current level, as well as for incubators to develop the level of services within the standards set by specialists and to provide an appropriate environment. Recommendations are also presented for the competent authorities and the foundation that support the incubators in order to organize the incubation process and-set standards.

Die Priester und der Textillieferant. SPP X XII 95 und die Ermittlungen zu einem ungeklärten Todesfall im Hinterland

SPP XXII 95 (early 3rd century ad) is concerned with the leading priests of the sanctuary of Soknopaios, who were arrested on account of the suspicious death of a clothes vendor. Their interrogations, however, brought no result, and now efforts are being made to have them released. In the present papyrus, the head of the office summarises the state of affairs in order to append it as a ‘cover-letter’ to the petition submitted to the strategos.

Ventilatory limitations are not associated with dyspnea on exertion or reduced aerobic fitness in pectus excavatum: a critical information that must be highlighted to prevent inappropriate interventions.

Cover letter Pediatric Pulmonology Dear Editor, Enclosed is a manuscript to be considered in Pediatric Pulmonology that does not require an abstract , usually. This letter to the editor entitled “Ventilatory limitations are not associated with dyspnea on exertion or reduced aerobic fitness in pectus excavatum: a critical information that must be highlighted to prevent inappropriate interventions” comments the reports by Hardie and al. which tested the hypothesis that PEX deformities are associated with a pulmonary impairment during exercise and concluded that resting lung volume measurements were associated with the anatomic degree of PEX severity.

Developing English job interview skill using artificial intelligence technology

Vocational high schools (VHS) mainly prepare the students to engage in employment with a number of specific skills even though some students may continue to study in university/ college level. Various job vacancy advertisements require English skill in completing either the documents or interview. In competing the documents such as CV and cover letter, the students may adopt and adapt some templates even consult to the experts to get the best quality. However, in the interview, the students should perform themselves in live interaction. If the students are not well prepared, they may pass the documents selection but fail the interview step. Therefore, English job interview preparation is needed to equip the students ready in facing the job interview. Nowadays, artificial intelligence (AI) technology can help to improve the students’ speaking skill including job interview. The use of AI becomes higher due to the advantages such as flexibility, accurateness, and direct feedback. This program applied AI technology to develop English job interview skill in of the students in SMK AAG Penerbangan Adisutjipto Yogyakarta. The result was the selected AI successfully improved the students’ job interview skills indicated on the increased mark after applying the technology.

A Model to Enhance Overall Well-being, Mental Health Practice and Professional Development among Division III Student-Athletes as They Transition from Athlete to Professional

The goal of this project was to create an impactful program, entitled “PROF Academy”, to assist Division III college student-athletes as they transition into the professional environment by providing education on mental health and overall well-being concepts, such as mindfulness, stress management, anxiety reduction techniques and understanding depression. PROF Academy consisted of workshops and online modules addressing the above topics, as well as career development skills, focused on resume and cover letter writing, interviewing skills and networking. This innovative program was designed to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration among a Division III campus to holistically bolster the psychosocial well-being and mental health of student-athletes.