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Measurement Issues (measurement + issues)
Selected AbstractsHealth Services Research: Critical Measurement IssuesHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 5p2 2005MBA Acting Director, Shirley Meehan Ph.D., VA HSR&D No abstract is available for this article. [source] Trust in the Medical Profession: Conceptual and Measurement IssuesHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 5 2002Mark A Hall Objective. To develop and test a multi-item measure for general trust in physicians, in contrast with trust in a specific physician. Data Sources. Random national telephone survey of 502 adult subjects with a regular physician and source of payment. Study Design. Based on a multidimensional conceptual model, a large pool of candidate items was generated, tested, and revised using focus groups, expert reviewers, and pilot testing. The scale was analyzed for its factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, and other psychometric properties. Principal Findings. The resulting 11-item scale measuring trust in physicians generally is consistent with most aspects of the conceptual model except that it does not include the dimension of confidentiality. This scale has a single-factor structure, good internal consistency (alpha=.89), and good response variability (range=11,54; mean=33.5; SD=6.9). This scale is related to satisfaction with care, trust in one's physician, following doctors' recommendations, having no prior disputes with physicians, not having sought second opinions, and not having changed doctors. No association was found with race/ethnicity. While general trust and interpersonal trust are qualitatively similar, they are only moderately correlated with each other and general trust is substantially lower. Conclusions. Emerging research on patients' trust has focused on interpersonal trust in a specific, known physician. Trust in physicians in general is also important and differs significantly from interpersonal physician trust. General physician trust potentially has a strong influence on important behaviors and attitudes, and on the formation of interpersonal physician trust. [source] Ready, willing and able to change: motivational aspects of the assessment and treatment of eating disordersEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 1 2001Janet Treasure This paper focuses on motivational aspects in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders. Measurement issues and therapeutic implications are reviewed as will be the limitations of the motivational model. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] Perspectives on Models of Job PerformanceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 4 2000Chockalingam Viswesvaran Contemporary models of job performance are reviewed. Links between task performance, contextual performance, organizational citizenship behaviors, counterproductivity and organizational deviance are pointed out. Measurement issues in constructing generic models applicable across jobs are discussed. Implications for human resource management in general, and performance appraisal for selection and assessment in particular, are explored. It is pointed out that the different dimensions or facets of individual job performance hypothesized in the literature are positively correlated. This positive manifold suggests the presence of a general factor which represents a common variance shared across all the dimensions or facets. Although no consensus exists in the extant literature on the meaning and source of this shared variance (i.e., the general factor), rater idiosyncratic halo alone does not explain this general factor. Future research should explain the common individual differences determinants of performance dimensions. [source] Emotion Dysregulation as a Risk Factor for Child PsychopathologyCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, Issue 4 2000Kate Keenan This article reviews research on the construct of emotion regulation in young children. The lack of consensus with regard to a definition of emotion regulation notwithstanding, it appears that biological and behavioral processes involved in emotion regulation can be reliably measured early in life. Such indices of reactivity may be useful in identifying children at risk for developmental psychopathology, but the predictive utility of these indices has yet to be established. Measurement issues and factors hypothesized to affect an infant's risk for dysregulation, such as care-giving factors, are presented. The implications of continued programmatic research on emotion dysregulation early in life are discussed. [source] Constraining the Sheffield dynamic global vegetation model using stream-flow measurements in the United KingdomGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 12 2005G. Picard Abstract The biospheric water and carbon cycles are intimately coupled, so simulating carbon fluxes by vegetation also requires modelling of the water fluxes, with each component influencing the other. Observations of river streamflow integrate information at the catchment scale and are widely available over a long period; they therefore provide an important source of information for validating or calibrating vegetation models. In this paper, we analyse the performance of the Sheffield dynamic global vegetation model (SDGVM) for predicting river streamflow and quantifying how this information helps to constrain carbon flux predictions. The SDGVM is run for 29 large catchments in the United Kingdom. Annual streamflow estimates are compared with long time-series observations. In 23 out of the 29 catchments, the bias between model and observations is less than 50 mm, equivalent to less than 10% of precipitation. In the remaining catchments, larger errors are because of combinations of unpredictable causes, in particular various human activities and measurement issues and, in two cases, unidentified causes. In one of the catchments, we assess to what extent a knowledge of annual streamflow can constrain model parameters and in turn constrain estimates of gross primary production (GPP). For this purpose, we assume the model parameters are uncertain and constrain them by the streamflow observations using the generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation method. Comparing the probability density function of GPP with and without constraint shows that streamflow effectively constrains GPP, mainly by setting a low probability to GPP values below about 1100 g C,1 m2 yr,1. In other words, streamflow observations allow the rejection of low values of GPP, so that the potential range of possible GPP values is almost halved. [source] Measurement in Veterans Affairs Health Services Research: Veterans as a Special PopulationHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 5p2 2005Robert O. Morgan Objective. To introduce this supplemental issue on measurement within health services research by using the population of U.S. veterans as an illustrative example of population and system influences on measurement quality. Principal Findings. Measurement quality may be affected by differences in demographic characteristics, illness burden, psychological health, cultural identity, or health care setting. The U.S. veteran population and the VA health system represent a microcosm in which a broad range of measurement issues can be assessed. Conclusions. Measurement is the foundation on which health decisions are made. Poor measurement quality can affect both the quality of health care decisions and decisions about health care policy. The accompanying articles in this issue highlight a subset of measurement issues that have applicability to the broad community of health services research. It is our hope that they stimulate a broad discussion of the measurement challenges posed by conducting "state-of-the-art" health services research. [source] Metrics: HRM's Holy Grail?HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009A New Zealand case study What gets measured in business is noticed and acted on. The importance of human resource management (HRM) to be noticed as a vital key to business success has been argued profusely by the HRM profession over the last three decades. While the importance of human resource (HR) measurement is not disputed by business managers, the search for meaningful generic HR metrics is like HRM's Holy Grail. The purpose of this research is to investigate the issues confronting a sample of business organisations concerning measurement issues. It examines the current measurement practices used and their HR measurement needs. Developing appropriate HR measures, in terms of adding value, allows organisations to refocus their resources for leverage. Inappropriate measures simply encourage inappropriate behaviours not in the long-term interests of the business. We know that HRM is less prepared than other business functions (like finance or management information systems) to quantify its impact on business performance. Our results suggest that HR metrics as the Holy Grail of HRM remain elusive. This research signals the importance of developing relevant and meaningful HR measurement models, while acknowledging that the actual metrics used (unlike accounting measures) may vary from business to business. [source] Graphical disclosures by charities: clarification or distortion?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NONPROFIT & VOLUNTARY SECTOR MARKETING, Issue 3 2009The case of the Netherlands The literature on graph use and graphical distortions in nonprofit organisations is reviewed, highlighting measurement issues. A sample of 50 disclosed annual reports of Dutch charities containing graphs is analysed, leading to the observation of significant graphical distortions. These distortions seem to be related to organisational efficiency, though not in the way one might expect: better performing charities ,embellish' the data in their graphical representations, whereas the opposite seems to be the case for the less performing charities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Measurement Bias in the HICP: What do we know and What do we need to know?JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS, Issue 1 2004Mark A. Wynne Abstract. The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) is the primary measure of inflation in the euro area, and plays a central role in the policy deliberations of the European Central Bank (ECB). The ECB defines its Treaty mandate of price stability as ,, a year-on-year increase in the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for the euro area of below 2%[,] to be maintained over the medium term.' Among the rationales given for defining price stability as prevailing at some positive measured inflation rate is the possibility that the HICP as published incorporates measurement errors of one sort or another that may cause it to systematically overstate the true rate of inflation in the euro area. This paper reviews what currently is known about the scope of measurement error in the HICP. We conclude that given the vague conceptual framework of the HICP, the scant research on price measurement issues in the EU and the ongoing improvements in the HICP, there is very little scientific basis at this time for a point (or even an interval) estimate of a positive bias in the HICP. [source] Operational performance metrics for mars exploration roversJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 8-9 2007Edward Tunstel The concept of operational performance metrics and associated measurement issues is explored for deployed robotic systems. The focus is on performance of mobility and robotic arm autonomy exercised on the NASA Mars Exploration Rovers surface mission. This planetary rover mission has been underway for nearly 3 years since January 2004 using two rovers performing separate missions. The autonomy functions of surface navigation, short-distance approach to surface science targets, and robotic placement of armmounted instruments on science targets are considered. Operational metrics that measure performance of these functions relative to system requirements are advocated. Specific metrics are defined and computed using telemetry from the rovers' multiyear operations on Mars and applied to rate performance during their respective missions. An existing methodology is applied to compute metrics with respect to required performance and to aggregate multiple metrics into a composite performance score for each rover. The formulation is augmented to accommodate importance weights that add flexibility in use of the metrics by different potential endusers, e.g., sponsors, program managers, systems engineers, and technologists. A brief example illustrates the application and effect of importance weights on overall rover performance scores. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Personality Over Time: Methodological Approaches to the Study of Short-Term and Long-Term Development and ChangeJOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 6 2003Jeremy C. Biesanz We consider a variety of recent methods of longitudinal data analysis to examine both short-term and long-term development and change in personality, including mean-level analyses both across and within individuals across time, variance structures across time, and cycles and dynamic models across time. These different longitudinal analyses can address classic as well as new questions in the study of personality and its development. We discuss the linkages among different longitudinal analyses, measurement issues in temporal data, the spacing of assessments, and the levels of generalization and potential insights afforded by different longitudinal analyses. [source] Can We Put Precision into Practice?NEW DIRECTIONS FOR INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 109 2001Commentary, Thoughts Engendered by Abrami's "Improving Judgments About Teaching Effectiveness Using Teacher Rating Forms" Evaluation researchers and practitioners agree that although measurement issues remain important to good evaluation practice, a greater area of concern is unreliable or invalid day-to-day practice. Can the precision of statistical techniques be brought to bear on this problem? This chapter reviews and summarizes responses to Abrami's proposal. [source] The reallocation of workers and jobs in Russian industryTHE ECONOMICS OF TRANSITION, Issue 2 2003New evidence on measures, determinants Abstract Gross job and worker flows in Russian industry are studied using panel data from a survey of 530 firms selected through national probability sampling. The data permit examination of several crucial measurement issues, including the timing and definition of employment and the role of reorganizations, and they contain rich information on firm characteristics. We find that new and reorganized firms display larger flows than unreorganized enterprises. Product market dispersion and managerial and dispersed outsider ownership are associated with greater worker churning, and unionization and concentrated outsider ownership with less. There is little evidence that the average firm's employment adjustments have become more responsive to adjustment costs during the transition, but private ownership and product market competition appear to increase responsiveness. JEL Classifications: E24, J23, J63, P23, P31. [source] ,Fair Value' for Financial Instruments: How Erasing Theory is Leading to Unworkable Global Accounting Standards for Performance ReportingAUSTRALIAN ACCOUNTING REVIEW, Issue 21 2000JOANNE HORTON The LASC is pursuing proposals for accounting for financial instruments that are conceptually flawed and unworkable in practice. "Fair value" has been elevated to a catch-all concept to resolve measurement issues objectively. Adoption of fair value, as cuwently interpreted by standard-setters (eg, by the FASB in Concepts Statement No. 7, issued in February 2000), threatens to drive out a long-understood, theory-based approach to the rationales for cuwent value accounting , founded on "deprival value" , that has recently been comprehensively restated in Accounting Theory Monograph 10, issued by the Australian Accounting Research Foundation in 1998, and reaffirmed in the UK Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Principles for Financial Repovting, issued in December 1999. [source] Using Patient Care Quality Measures to Assess Educational OutcomesACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 5 2007Susan R. Swing PhD ObjectivesTo report the results of a project designed to develop and implement a prototype methodology for identifying candidate patient care quality measures for potential use in assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of graduate medical education in emergency medicine. MethodsA workgroup composed of experts in emergency medicine residency education and patient care quality measurement was convened. Workgroup members performed a modified Delphi process that included iterative review of potential measures; individual expert rating of the measures on four dimensions, including measures quality of care and educational effectiveness; development of consensus on measures to be retained; external stakeholder rating of measures followed by a final workgroup review; and a post hoc stratification of measures. The workgroup completed a structured exercise to examine the linkage of patient care process and outcome measures to educational effectiveness. ResultsThe workgroup selected 62 measures for inclusion in its final set, including 43 measures for 21 clinical conditions, eight medication measures, seven measures for procedures, and four measures for department efficiency. Twenty-six measures met the more stringent criteria applied post hoc to further stratify and prioritize measures for development. Nineteen of these measures received high ratings from 75% of the workgroup and external stakeholder raters on importance for care in the ED, measures quality of care, and measures educational effectiveness; the majority of the raters considered these indicators feasible to measure. The workgroup utilized a simple framework for exploring the relationship of residency program educational activities, competencies from the six Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education general competency domains, patient care quality measures, and external factors that could intervene to affect care quality. ConclusionsNumerous patient care quality measures have potential for use in assessing the educational effectiveness and performance of graduate medical education programs in emergency medicine. The measures identified in this report can be used as a starter set for further development, implementation, and study. Implementation of the measures, especially for high-stakes use, will require resolution of significant measurement issues. [source] How lay people respond to messages about genetics, health, and raceCLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2005C Condit There is a growing movement in medical genetics to develop, implement, and promote a model of race-based medicine. Although race-based medicine may become a widely disseminated standard of care, messages that advocate race-based selection for diagnosing, screening and prescribing drugs may exacerbate health disparities. These messages are present in clinical genetic counseling sessions, mass media, and everyday talk. Messages promoting linkages among genes, race, and health and messages emphasizing genetic causation may promote both general racism and genetically based racism. This mini-review examines research in three areas: studies that address the effects of these messages about genetics on levels of genetic determinism and genetic discrimination; studies that address the effects of these messages on attitudes about race; and, studies of the impacts of race-specific genetic messages on recipients. Following an integration of this research, this mini-review suggests that the current literature appears fragmented because of methodological and measurement issues and offers strategies for future research. Finally, the authors offer a path model to help organize future research examining the effects of messages about genetics on socioculturally based racism, genetically based racism, and unaccounted for racism. Research in this area is needed to understand and mitigate the negative attitudinal effects of messages that link genes, race, and health and/or emphasize genetic causation. [source] The Evolution of Clinical SignificanceCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, Issue 4 2001William C. Follette During the evolution of the concept of clinical significance, there has been a continuing dialog about and refinement of the construct. In this issue Sheldrick, Kendall, and Heimberg apply Kendall, Marrs-Carcia, and Sheldrick's method of equivalency testing and normative comparisons to treatments for conduct disorders. This method has important advantages over traditional meta-analytic approaches. However, analyzing results at the level of group means rather than the individual level loses significant information and can be misleading. Problems in reporting practices and inadequate attention to measurement issues continue to make efforts to assess the clinical importance of studies difficult. We renew a call for the assessment of clinical significance at the individual level of analysis, suggesting it is necessary to guide to selection of empirical supported treatments and in advancing theoretically driven programs of psychotherapy outcome research. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||