1,620 research outputs found
Integrating biological and social science data: the expertise of Understanding Society
No full textMichaela Benzeval talks at the NCRM Autumn School 2017
https://www.ncrm.ac.uk/autumn
What is biosocial research?
No full textProfessor Michaela Benzeval considers ways in which biomarker and genetics data might be included in social science research across different disciplines
Mixing modes and measurement methods in longitudinal studies
No full textAcross the world longitudinal studies are facing falling response rates, at the same time cost imperatives are bringing into question the feasibility of large scale regular face-to-face data collection. While, the rapid development of communications technology and associated cultural changes is assumed to mean that study participants will increasingly expect to be able to answer surveys when and how it suits them. All of these factors are driving longitudinal studies to combine different modes of data collection both to increase response and to reduce costs. Mixing modes of data collection either across individuals at one point in time or within individuals over time, presents longitudinal researchers with a range of methodological challenges in both data collection and analysis. Within CLOSER, and beyond, studies are investigating different aspects of the implications of mixed mode data collection, and giving data users varying degrees of support and advice about issues that should be of concern.
Drawing on evidence from across CLOSER’s longitudinal studies, this report reviews the latest evidence gathered on the effect of mixing modes and measurement methods on response, measurement issues and survey costs. The review also focuses on the implications for analysis of measures collected in different ways either across individuals at the same point in time or within individuals over time. Building on these reviews, we identify what further research is required in relation to both the design and analysis of mixed mode data collection.
The contents of this report is based on a CLOSER workshop held in November 2016 (http://www.closer.ac.uk/event/mixing-modes-measurement-methods-longitudinal-studies/).
The workshop and report were funded by a CLOSER Innovation grant awarded to Michaela Benzeval and Annette Jäckle (University of Essex), and Kate Tilling and Dr Andy Skinner (University of Bristol) and are part of a series of three reports (see Jäckle, Gaia, & Benzeval, 2017; Stone & Skinner, 2017)
Evidence on the relationship between income and poor health: is the government doing enough?
No full textThe government’s report, Opportunity for All: Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion (Department of Social Security, 1999), identified poor health as one of the major problems associated with low income. However, much of the available evidence on the relationship between income and health is of little help in forming policies to reduce health inequalities, as it has tended to be based on cross-section surveys and is therefore unable to shed much light on causal effects. Here, we make use of two British longitudinal datasets to examine the longer-term influences of income on health within a life-course perspective. We then use the results of our analysis to provide a brief critical assessment of the likely success of the government’s anti-poverty strategy in reducing health inequalities. A more detailed assessment of government policy in this respect can be found in Benzeval et al. (forthcoming).
Lightning activity in the regions of MSC over Czechia
No full textTitle: Lightning activity in the regions of MCS over Czechia Author: Michaela Arnoštová Department: Department of Atmospheric Physics Supervisor: Mgr. Michal Žák, Ph.D., Department of Atmospheric Physics Abstract: This bachelor's thesis deals with lighting activity and its detection in mesoscale convective systems (MCS) over the Czech Republic and adjacent areas. The first part describes the formation and development of MCS, electrical charge distribution inside clouds, types of lightning and their detection. The second part is devoted to five specific MCS that occurred in different time periods. Data of lightning detection network (LINET) are used to describe the characteristics of lightning, especially their temporal and spatial development, occurrence of different types of lightning and development of their current amplitude and altitude. Keywords: Mesoscale convective system, lightning activity, lightning detectio
Does Perceived Physical Attractiveness in Adolescence Predict Better Socioeconomic Position in Adulthood? Evidence from 20 Years of Follow Up in a Population Cohort Study
No full textThere is believed to be a 'beauty premium' in key life outcomes: it is thought that people perceived to be more physically attractive have better educational outcomes, higher-status jobs, higher wages, and are more likely to marry. Evidence for these beliefs, however, is generally based on photographs in hypothetical experiments or studies of very specific population subgroups (such as college students). The extent to which physical attractiveness might have a lasting effect on such outcomes in 'real life' situations across the whole population is less well known. Using longitudinal data from a general population cohort of people in the West of Scotland, this paper investigated the association between physical attractiveness at age 15 and key socioeconomic outcomes approximately 20 years later. People assessed as more physically attractive at age 15 had higher socioeconomic positions at age 36- in terms of their employment status, housing tenure and income - and they were more likely to be married; even after adjusting for parental socioeconomic background, their own intelligence, health and self esteem, education and other adult socioeconomic outcomes. For education the association was significant for women but not for men. Understanding why attractiveness is strongly associated with long-term socioeconomic outcomes, after such extensive confounders have been considered, is important. © 2013 Benzeval et al
Riflessioni linguistiche sul tedesco e sul russo in Julya Rabinowich: un confronto tra narrazione autobiografica orale e il romanzo Spaltkopf
No full textLinguistic Reflections in German and Russian in Julya Rabinowich: A Comparative
Study of Oral Autobiographical Narrative and the Novel Spaltkopf.
The Austrian author Julya Rabinowich, born in Leningrad in 1970 to a family of Rus-
sian Jews and emigrated to Vienna at the age of 7, is one of the most renowned repre-
sentatives of contemporary literature in the German language. Rabinowich made her
literary debut in 2008 with Spaltkopf (Split Head), her most strongly autobiographical
novel. In 2012, the writer was interviewed by Michaela Bürger-Koftis as part of the
research project Polyphonie. Mehrsprachigkeit_Kreativität_Schreiben. This interview
can be understood as a linguistic biography, as Rabinowich recounts her experiences
related to the languages in her linguistic repertoire, focusing particularly on German
and Russian. From this account, the author’s Spracheinstellungen (linguistic attitudes),
as well as the impressions and emotions related to her two main languages, emerge.
The aim of this study is to compare the interview passages in which Rabinowich
expresses herself regarding German and Russian with excerpts from Spaltkopf where
the relationship of the protagonist, Mischka, with these two languages emerges. In this
162 Michaela Bürger-Koftis, Ramona Pellegrino
way, it will be possible to determine whether Spaltkopf reflects not only the author’s
migratory experience but also her linguistic biography. Furthermore, it will be analyz-
ed if and to what extent the expression of linguistic attitudes and emotions related to
German and Russian differs between the novel and the oral autobiographical account.
To examine how Rabinowich expresses her linguistic experiences and emotions relat-
ed to German and Russian, a qualitative analysis of the texts will be conducted, with
a theoretical approach based on the concepts of linguistic biography and verbalization
of emotions developed by Brigitta Busch and Reinhard Fiehler
Crime Fiction by Michaela Klevisová
No full textPředmětem bakalářské práce je analýza detektivní prózy současné autorky Michaely
Klevisové. První část se zaměřuje na žánrovou charakteristiku detektivní prózy a stručné postižení vývoje světové detektivky. Blíže si všímá dvou klasických postav
detektivů: Sherlocka Holmese a Hercula Poirota. Následně podává obraz vývoje české
detektivky. Součástí první části je také představení spisovatelky Michaely Klevisové a její tvorby. V druhé části přináší bakalářská práce žánrovou a tematickou analýzu vybraných knih Michaely Klevisové. Zabývá se zejména příběhem, postavami a detektivními motivy. V závěru předkládá práce vzájemné porovnání analyzovaných knih.The bachelor thesis deals with an analysis of detective prose written by the contemporary author Michaela Klevisová. The first part focuses on the genre characteristics of detective prose and a brief description of the development of detective fiction in literature worldwide. It takes a closer look at two classic detective characters: Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Next, the thesis offers an overview of the development of Czech detective fiction. The first part also includes general introductory information on the writer Michaela Klevisová and her work. In its second part, the thesis presents a genre and thematic analysis of selected books by Michaela Klevisová. It deals mainly with the story, characters and detective themes. In the conclusion, the thesis presents a mutual comparison of the analyzed books
Scientific Journals, Peer Review and How to Write a Great Research Paper
No full textRecording of the Elsevier Author Seminar by Dr Anthony Newman and Michaela Kurschildgen
Response to written feedback of clinical data within a longitudinal study: a qualitative study exploring the ethical implications
No full textBackground
There is a growing ethical imperative to feedback research results to participants but there remains a striking lack of empirical research on how people respond to individualised feedback. We sought to explore longitudinal study participants’ response to receiving individual written feedback of weight-related and blood results, and to consider the balance of harms against benefits.
Methods
A qualitative study with face-to-face and telephone interviews conducted with 50 men and women who had participated in the fifth and most recent wave of the cohort study ‘West of Scotland Twenty-07’ and received a feedback letter containing body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, cholesterol and glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) results.
Results
Expectations of, and response to, the feedback of their individual results varied. Whilst half of the participants were on the whole ‘pleased’ with their results or held neutral views, half reported negative responses such as ‘shock’ or ‘concern’, particularly in relation to the weight-related results. Participants who were overweight and obese used the most negative language about their results, with some being quite distressed and reporting feelings of powerlessness, low self-image and anxiety over future health. Nevertheless, some people reported having implemented lifestyle changes in direct response to the feedback, resulting in significant weight loss and/or dietary improvements. Others reported being motivated to change their behaviour. Age and gender differences were apparent in these narratives of behaviour change.
Conclusions
The potential harm caused to some participants may be balanced against the benefit to others. More evaluation of the impact of the format, content and means of individualised feedback of research findings in non-trial studies is required given the growing ethical imperative to offer participants a choice of receiving their results, and the likelihood that a high percentage will choose to receive them
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