1,720,977 research outputs found
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Psychological distress in New Zealand university students and its association with alcohol consumption
No full textBackground
There is debate on the nature of the association between alcohol use and psychological distress in young people. This study investigates this association among New Zealand university students aged 17-24 years at the time of sampling.
Aims
1. To review published research relevant to the topic. 2. To characterise alcohol consumption and how it varies demographically; 3. To describe psychological distress and how it varies demographically; 4. To quantify the association between alcohol consumption and psychological distress.
Methods
A systematic review of the literature was undertaken, using inclusion criteria of: young people aged 15-30 years, a measure of psychological distress, and a measure of alcohol consumption. For the quantitative study, data were drawn from a 2009 web-based survey of university students across six New Zealand universities (n=2921, response fraction = 54% for women and 46% for men). Measures included modified Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) questions and the Kessler-10 scale for psychological distress. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the association between alcohol consumption and psychological distress. Analyses were carried out with alcohol consumption as the outcome and repeated with psychological distress as the outcome, adjusting for a range of demographic characteristics. When analysing psychological distress as an outcome, two sets of potential moderators (alcohol-related problems and second-hand effects of alcohol) were also adjusted for.
Results
1. In the published literature, interpretation of findings was limited by the poor quality of the research in most cases. Among the strongest studies there was inconsistency in the associations found. Over half (7/13) of the studies found psychological distress to be lowest at moderate levels of consumption and highest in heavy drinkers and at low levels of consumption (including non-drinkers and ex-drinkers). Four studies found no association, and four studies found a positive association between alcohol consumption and psychological distress. 2. Student alcohol consumption was heavy and characterised by infrequent heavy drinking occasions. 3. Psychological distress was common and higher in women than men. 4. In the unadjusted analyses, no association between alcohol consumption and psychological distress was observed. 5. In the adjusted analysis, the level of psychological distress was not associated with alcohol consumption. In the reverse direction, there was a small negative association between level of alcohol consumption and psychological distress, after adjustment for demographic variables and moderating factors, indicating the possibility of a direct effect. There was a larger positive association between alcohol-related problems and non-assaultive second-hand effects, and psychological distress, indicating the possibility of an indirect effect.
Conclusions
Previously published research did not provide good evidence about the nature of this association. The results of the quantitative study suggest the possibility of an indirect positive effect of alcohol consumption on psychological distress through alcohol-related problems
Evaluation of Campus Watch: a community-based initiative to reduce alcohol-related harm and social disorder in a university setting
No full textBackground: The total social cost of alcohol-related harm in New Zealand is as high as $5 billion annually. In New Zealand and other high income countries, young people are at a greater risk of alcohol-related harm from their alcohol consumption, as they are more likely to drink hazardously, and are vulnerable to longer term risks from exposure at this age.
In North Dunedin, university students represent a large portion of the population and drink more frequently and more hazardously than their non-student peers. This environment increases the likelihood of experiencing harms caused by their own or others’ alcohol consumption, and these harms extend to non-drinking students and the wider community.
In 2007, amid concerns that anti-social behaviour was having serious impacts on students and the North Dunedin community, the University of Otago launched Campus Watch, using round-the-clock patrols of the university and surrounding neighbourhoods to provide pastoral care to students, improve the quality of the surrounding neighbourhood, and enforce the University’s Code of Student Conduct on and off campus. This programme did not aim to specifically target alcohol consumption.
Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Campus Watch on alcohol-related harm and social disorder among university students and residents of North Dunedin.
Methods: This quasi-experimental evaluation of Campus Watch used a recognised three-step evaluation framework to understand how the programme was developed and introduced (process), what behavioural change occurred after implementation (impact), and the effectiveness of the programme in reducing alcohol-related harm and disorder (outcome).
Data were collected using key informant interviews, Community Surveys (2008 and 2009), and national web-based surveys of university students (2005, 2007, 2009). Secondary analysis of Campus Watch incident data, New Zealand Police data, and New Zealand Fire Service data was also undertaken. Where possible, comparison sites were included and relative changes measured.
Results: The process evaluation showed that the broad objectives of the programme allowed it to be responsive to the needs of the North Dunedin community. Campus Watch staff were highly visible in the area and were well received, with high levels of satisfaction among students and other residents.
The impact and outcome evaluations showed significant decreases in student alcohol consumption, some types of alcohol-related harms, nuisance fires, and other forms of social disorder in the wider university area. Crime rates decreased in the Campus Watch area after 18 months of the programme’s introduction and continued to decrease to the end of 2010. There were no significant changes in North Dunedin residents’ perceptions of their neighbourhood or its problems between 2008 and 2009.
Conclusions: Campus Watch had a positive impact on students and the North Dunedin community, by reducing hazardous drinking, some alcohol-related harms, crime rates, and nuisance fires. The programme’s flexibility and its balance between enforcement and pastoral care were important to the programme’s success. A clarification of its role within the university and the wider community and the development of effective indicators to measure further changes will help the programme adapt in light of imminent legislative changes surrounding the sale and supply of alcohol
Abortion in a New Zealand cohort - Incidence, reasons and emotional impact
Full text linkBackground: Abortion is a relatively common experience for New Zealand women. The reasons for abortion have not been studied in a New Zealand context. While the potential links between mental health outcomes have been studied extensively in New Zealand and internationally, the emotional impact of abortion is less often described.
Aim: To describe the incidence, circumstances, reasons and emotional impact of abortion for women and men by age period (under 21 years, 21-26 years, 26-32 years and 32-38 years).
Methods: A longitudinal study of a cohort born in New Zealand between 1972 and 1973. Outcomes measured were the outcome of all pregnancies, self-reported reasons for abortion and the emotional impact of abortion. Related characteristics or circumstances such as, happiness about pregnancy, preconception relationship, attitude to abortion and who made the abortion decision were also described. The epidemiological approach was a descriptive study of the incidence, reasons for and impact of abortion. Associations between various measures were tested using Chi-Squared tests.
Results: For the entire study period (up to the age of 38), the rate of abortions was 349 per 1000 women. One in four women reported abortions and one in five men reported abortions and almost one in six of all pregnancies with known outcomes ended in abortion. The proportion of reported pregnancies that ended in abortion was greatest in the youngest age period and declined as the study members aged. Being not ready was the most common single reason reported for abortion, followed by relationship reasons, including being in the wrong relationship and being alone. Relief predominated as the feeling reported by women following an abortion, and men reported a higher proportion of regret following an abortion than women. There are potential associations between a negative emotional impact and women focused reasons for abortion, such as career, education and health.
Conclusions: Abortions are common outcomes of pregnancies, especially at younger ages. The reasons for abortion that are reported here may provide clarification for policy makers and for clinicians in terms of understanding the perspectives of women that undergo abortions, though further qualitative research is necessary. Associations between reasons for abortion and emotional impact may be clinically relevant in order to identify those who are vulnerable to negative impacts and provide better post-abortion care. Further research to identify who is at risk of long term negative impacts should include both New Zealand women and men
Abortion in a New Zealand cohort - Incidence, reasons and emotional impact
No full textBackground: Abortion is a relatively common experience for New Zealand women. The reasons for abortion have not been studied in a New Zealand context. While the potential links between mental health outcomes have been studied extensively in New Zealand and internationally, the emotional impact of abortion is less often described.
Aim: To describe the incidence, circumstances, reasons and emotional impact of abortion for women and men by age period (under 21 years, 21-26 years, 26-32 years and 32-38 years).
Methods: A longitudinal study of a cohort born in New Zealand between 1972 and 1973. Outcomes measured were the outcome of all pregnancies, self-reported reasons for abortion and the emotional impact of abortion. Related characteristics or circumstances such as, happiness about pregnancy, preconception relationship, attitude to abortion and who made the abortion decision were also described. The epidemiological approach was a descriptive study of the incidence, reasons for and impact of abortion. Associations between various measures were tested using Chi-Squared tests.
Results: For the entire study period (up to the age of 38), the rate of abortions was 349 per 1000 women. One in four women reported abortions and one in five men reported abortions and almost one in six of all pregnancies with known outcomes ended in abortion. The proportion of reported pregnancies that ended in abortion was greatest in the youngest age period and declined as the study members aged. Being not ready was the most common single reason reported for abortion, followed by relationship reasons, including being in the wrong relationship and being alone. Relief predominated as the feeling reported by women following an abortion, and men reported a higher proportion of regret following an abortion than women. There are potential associations between a negative emotional impact and women focused reasons for abortion, such as career, education and health.
Conclusions: Abortions are common outcomes of pregnancies, especially at younger ages. The reasons for abortion that are reported here may provide clarification for policy makers and for clinicians in terms of understanding the perspectives of women that undergo abortions, though further qualitative research is necessary. Associations between reasons for abortion and emotional impact may be clinically relevant in order to identify those who are vulnerable to negative impacts and provide better post-abortion care. Further research to identify who is at risk of long term negative impacts should include both New Zealand women and men
Drinking patterns, drinking in partnerships and informal social controls on drinking in New Zealand
No full textBackground: National surveys have been used to measure alcohol consumption patterns and some aspects of alcohol related harm, but do not tell us much about the role of alcohol in social networks. Understanding the drinking patterns of intimate partners and social influences on drinking may help us understand alcohol’s contribution to satisfaction, disorder, and violence in families.
Aim: To describe 1.Patterns of drinking in the adult population, by key demographic characteristics; 2.Similarities and differences in drinking between intimate partners; 3.The experience of informal social controls on drinking.
As this research relies on survey data, an important aspect of the work was to assess the impact of incomplete response on the findings.
Methods: Data were collected in a cross-sectional nationally representative survey of 18 – 70 year olds, conducted in 2007 as part of Gender, Alcohol and Culture: an International Study (GENACIS). This postal survey of a sample from the combined electoral roll, used a questionnaire designed by the International Research Group on Gender and Alcohol (IRGGA) adapted for New Zealand conditions. Standard descriptive statistics have been used, along with logistic regression models to estimate associations between variables while controlling for confounders. Potential non-response bias was investigated by comparing known characteristics of respondents and non-respondents, comparing early, intermediate and late respondents, and comparing key findings with other national surveys of alcohol use.
Results: The survey had a response rate of 49.5%. Men, people of Maori ethnicity, people living in high deprivation areas, and young adults were less likely to respond to the survey. Late respondents were more like non-respondents in terms of demographics and more likely to be binge drinkers, suggesting binge drinking was underestimated in the survey.
Most of the sample were current drinkers (12 month prevalence 89.6%), and prevalence of drinking decreased with age. Men were more likely to be identified as binge drinkers, along with the youngest age group, those of Maori descent, people classified as never married and people living in the most deprived areas.
Most intimate partnerships (86%) differed in drinking frequency by less than 2 points, and 58% of partnerships differed in typical quantity per occasion by only 1-5 drinks. The more time couples spent drinking together the more concordant they were for both drinking frequency and quantity of alcohol per occasion. Higher concordance for alcohol per occasion was associated with higher reporting of happiness with the relationship.
Pressure to drink less, came most commonly from family and spouses, rather than friends, workmates or health professionals. Binge drinkers of both sexes, and young men in general, were the most likely groups to have experienced this type of pressure.
Pressure to drink more was most common in the youngest age group (60.1%), and decreased with age. Binge drinkers were most likely to experience pressure to drink more of all drinker status groups (OR=2.7 relative to lifetime abstainers).
Conclusions: This study provides new insights into drinking patterns by gender and relationship status. It provides information about drinking within relationships and what informal controls are operating. This helps identify groups and situations at higher risk of alcohol-related harm. However, longitudinal research would be required to reveal whether the associations identified in this study might be causal, and where appropriate interventions might be focused
Evaluation of Campus Watch: a community-based initiative to reduce alcohol-related harm and social disorder in a university setting
Full text linkBackground: The total social cost of alcohol-related harm in New Zealand is as high as $5 billion annually. In New Zealand and other high income countries, young people are at a greater risk of alcohol-related harm from their alcohol consumption, as they are more likely to drink hazardously, and are vulnerable to longer term risks from exposure at this age.
In North Dunedin, university students represent a large portion of the population and drink more frequently and more hazardously than their non-student peers. This environment increases the likelihood of experiencing harms caused by their own or others’ alcohol consumption, and these harms extend to non-drinking students and the wider community.
In 2007, amid concerns that anti-social behaviour was having serious impacts on students and the North Dunedin community, the University of Otago launched Campus Watch, using round-the-clock patrols of the university and surrounding neighbourhoods to provide pastoral care to students, improve the quality of the surrounding neighbourhood, and enforce the University’s Code of Student Conduct on and off campus. This programme did not aim to specifically target alcohol consumption.
Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Campus Watch on alcohol-related harm and social disorder among university students and residents of North Dunedin.
Methods: This quasi-experimental evaluation of Campus Watch used a recognised three-step evaluation framework to understand how the programme was developed and introduced (process), what behavioural change occurred after implementation (impact), and the effectiveness of the programme in reducing alcohol-related harm and disorder (outcome).
Data were collected using key informant interviews, Community Surveys (2008 and 2009), and national web-based surveys of university students (2005, 2007, 2009). Secondary analysis of Campus Watch incident data, New Zealand Police data, and New Zealand Fire Service data was also undertaken. Where possible, comparison sites were included and relative changes measured.
Results: The process evaluation showed that the broad objectives of the programme allowed it to be responsive to the needs of the North Dunedin community. Campus Watch staff were highly visible in the area and were well received, with high levels of satisfaction among students and other residents.
The impact and outcome evaluations showed significant decreases in student alcohol consumption, some types of alcohol-related harms, nuisance fires, and other forms of social disorder in the wider university area. Crime rates decreased in the Campus Watch area after 18 months of the programme’s introduction and continued to decrease to the end of 2010. There were no significant changes in North Dunedin residents’ perceptions of their neighbourhood or its problems between 2008 and 2009.
Conclusions: Campus Watch had a positive impact on students and the North Dunedin community, by reducing hazardous drinking, some alcohol-related harms, crime rates, and nuisance fires. The programme’s flexibility and its balance between enforcement and pastoral care were important to the programme’s success. A clarification of its role within the university and the wider community and the development of effective indicators to measure further changes will help the programme adapt in light of imminent legislative changes surrounding the sale and supply of alcohol
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