Suchergebnisse

Objective: This article reports findings of three studies addressing convergent validity and test-retest reliability of the Youth Rating Scale of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-Second Edition (BERS-2). Method: Pearson product-moment correlations were used in all three studies, the first two addressing convergent validity and the third addressing test-retest reliability. Results: Analysis indicated that (a) the six BERS-2 subscales and overall strength index were generally highly positively correlated with the social skills composite score from the Social Skills Rating System-Student Form (Secondary Level, Grades 7 to 12), (b) the BERS-2 subscales and strength index were generally moderately negatively correlated with the Problem scales of Achenbach's Youth Self-Report, and (c) test-retest reliability coefficients over a 1-week period were all above .80. Conclusions: Results provide evidence that the BERS-2 Youth Rating Scale has acceptable psychometric properties and may be considered for use by social work practitioners in assessment and intervention activities.

Twenty-two subjects participated in two tracking experiments for the purpose of determining the utility of a nonordinal, nonadjectival rating scale. The scale was devised in an effort to allow a human to quantify his subjective opinions of the characteristics of a system in situations where an adjectival scale would be inappropriate. The tracking task in both experiments was a compensatory one in which the human operator attempted to minimize the difference between a random-appearing input signal and the output of an unstable, controlled element. The system dynamics and input signal were mechanized on an analog computer. The error signal was viewed by the operator on an oscilloscope screen. Control was effected by a small isometric manipulator. In the first experiment, ratings were generated by changing the degree of instability of the controlled element. In the second, the manipulator sensitivity was varied. The nonadjectival rating concept shows definite potential for use in a wide variety of situations in which human opinion is elicited.

The article deals with the topic of assessing the quantitative increase in the array of legal norms. Topicality of the research topic is due to the negative consequences of legislative inflation, expressed in the creation of new legal norms and the novelisation of the current legislation. The author focuses on the ratio of the number of legal norms and the volume of social relations. The article defines concept of the regulatory density. The author pays particular attention to the scale of legal regulation density. The author identifies three degrees of legal regulation density: low, medium, and high density of legal regulation. As a basis for the differentiation of the density of legal regulation, the author highlights the gaps in the legislation. The goal of a legal density scale is to manage regulatory risks associated with the high costs of legality and administrative barriers to doing business.

Abstract
This paper addresses two policy questions. Firstly, how might evolving technologies associated with broadband networks enhance or hinder marginalized or underserved population groups' effective use and access to information resources? Secondly, how can we foster public hybrid broadband, situating broadband networks within existing communities, as a means to promote digital self-determination? This study finds that wireless mesh technology initiatives can create and foster community engagement through infrastructure deployment, maintenance and use; combat myths regarding marginalized demographics and technology, and provide marginalized communities with an opportunity to become decision-makers regarding communications technology infrastructure development.

Abstract
This paper addresses two policy questions. Firstly, how might evolving technologies associated with broadband networks enhance or hinder marginalized or underserved population groups' effective use and access to information resources? Secondly, how can we foster public hybrid broadband, situating broadband networks within existing communities, as a means to promote digital self-determination? This study finds that wireless mesh technology initiatives can create and foster community engagement through infrastructure deployment, maintenance and use; combat myths regarding marginalized demographics and technology, and provide marginalized communities with an opportunity to become decision-makers regarding communications technology infrastructure development.

Three experiments indicate that the numeric values provided as part of a rating scale many influence respondents' interpretation of the endpoint labels. The findings indicate that respondents use the numeric values to disambiguate the meaning of scale labels, resulting in different interpretations and, accordingly, different subjective scale anchors. (Abstract amended)

Rating scales are among the most important and most frequently used instruments in social science data collection. There is an extensive body of methodological research on the design of rating scales and on their (psycho-)metric properties. In this contribution, the authors address individual aspects of questionnaire construction with regard to rating scales. A brief overview of the current state of research is given, a number of accounts of practical experiences are presented, and - to the extent that this is possible - recommendations for the design of rating scales are given.

An aircraft damage scale was constructed from a set of photographs of accident-involved aircraft by the Method of Equal Appearing Intervals. An experimental evaluation of the scale demonstrated its usefulness in increasing the reliability and accuracy of aircraft damage evaluations made from photographs. Other applications of this scaling technique are discussed.