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Background: Many clinical and population-based research studies pivoted from in-person assessments to phone-based surveys due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of these transitions on survey response remains understudied, especially for people living with HIV. Given that there are gender-specific trends in alcohol and substance use, it is particularly important to capture these data for women.Objective: Identify factors associated with responding to an alcohol and substance use phone survey administered during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Women's Interagency HIV Study, a multicenter US prospective cohort of women living with and without HIV.Methods: We used multivariable logistic regression to assess for associations of pre-pandemic (April-September 2019) sociodemographic factors, HIV status, housing status, depressive symptoms, alcohol use, and substance use with response to an early-pandemic (August-September 2020) phone survey.Results: Of 1,847 women who attended an in-person visit in 2019, 78% responded to a phone survey during the pandemic. The odds of responding were lower for women of Hispanic ethnicity (aOR 0.47 95% CI 0.33-0.66, ref=Black/African American) and those who reported substance use (aOR 0.63 95% CI 0.41-0.98). By contrast, the odds were higher for White women (aOR 1.64 95% CI 1.02-2.70, ref=Black/African American) and those with stable housing (aOR 1.74 95% CI 1.24-2.43).Conclusions: Pivoting from an in-person to phone-administered alcohol and substance use survey may lead to underrepresentation of key subpopulations of women who are often neglected in substance use and HIV research. As remote survey methods become more common, investigators need to ensure that the study population is representative of the target population.

Develop and test a Food-Related Control Scale (FRCS) measuring resident-perceived control in long-term care food service. A bank of 15 initial items based on a multidimensional locus of control construct was developed initially. Expert review, cognitive interviews, a pilot study, and factor analysis were used to validate the instrument and assess reliability. Individual phone-based cognitive interviews and 16 skilled nursing facilities in the US. Cognitive interviews included a convenience sample of independently living adults aged ≥ 65 (n = 13), whereas the pilot study included skilled nursing facility-residing adults (n = 166). Perception of food-related control in a long-term care setting. Cognitive interviews were analyzed to develop items. Quantitative data from skilled nursing facility residents were analyzed using SAS software for structural equation modeling and factor analysis. A 2-dimensional construct (9 items) of the FRCS demonstrated reliability with factor analysis. Concurrent validity within the locus of control construct was demonstrated with the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (standardized estimate of 0.430; P < 0.1). The FRCS may be used to determine how residents in long-term care perceive control over their food experiences. Further testing is necessary to determine the appropriateness of the FRCS for different population uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carelessness or insufficient effort responding is a widespread problem in online research, with estimates ranging from 3% to almost 50% of participants in online surveys being inattentive. While detecting carelessness has been subject to multiple studies, the factors that reduce or prevent carelessness are not as well understood. Initial evidence suggests that warning statements prior to study participation may reduce carelessness, but there is a lack of conclusive high-powered studies. This preregistered randomized controlled experiment aimed to test the effectiveness of a warning statement and an improved implementation of a warning statement in reducing participant inattention. A study with 812 participants recruited on Amazon Mechanical Turk was conducted. Results suggest that presenting a warning statement is not effective in reducing carelessness. However, requiring participants to actively type the warning statement statistically significantly reduced carelessness as measured with self-reported diligence, even-odd consistency, psychometric synonyms and antonyms, and individual response variability. The active warning statements also led to statistically significantly more attrition and potentially deterred those who were likely to be careless from even participating in this study. We show that the current standard practice of implementing warning statements is ineffective and novel methods to prevent and deter carelessness are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a novel method for detecting child malnutrition based on artificial intelligence and facial photography. Estimates of severe and moderate acute malnutrition in children are critical for rapid emergency responses. However, the two traditional measurement methods, mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) and weight‐for‐height (WFH), are impractical in conflict and catastrophic disaster situations. They require well‐trained enumerators, cumbersome equipment, and close supervision. The Method for Extremely Rapid Observation of Nutritional Status (MERON) addresses the problem, using simple facial photographs. Facial features are extracted to predict Body Mass Index (BMI) in adults and Weight for Height Z Score (WFHZ) in children under five. MERON correctly predicts adult BMI classification with 78% accuracy. A variant of the model, trained on a sample of 3167 children in Kenya, successfully classified 60% of cases. On most measures, MERON was easier and more culturally acceptable to use than the traditional measurement methods. If MERON were to be trained and validated on a larger sample, with more extreme cases, it would provide a practical solution to a recurrent humanitarian problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to pilot an innovative cartoon video vignette survey methodology to learn about young people’s perspectives on abortion and sexual relationships in Tanzania. The Animating Children’s Views methodology used videos shown on tablets to engage young people in conversations. Such conversations are complicated because abortion is highly stigmatized, inaccessible, and illegal in Tanzania. Methods The cartoon video vignette methodology was conducted as a part of a quantitative survey using tablet computers. Hypothetical situations and euphemistic expressions were tested in order to engage adolescents on sensitive topics in low-risk ways. Qualitative interviews and focus groups validated and further explored the perspectives of the young respondents. Results Results indicate that 12–17 year-olds usually understand euphemistic expressions for abortion and are aware of social stigma and contradictory norms surrounding abortion from as young as age twelve. Despite the risks involved with abortion, this study finds adolescents sometimes view abortion as a reasonable solution to allow a girl to remain in school. Additional findings show that as adolescents wrestle with how to respond to a schoolgirl’s pregnancy, they are considering both the (un)affordability of healthcare services and also expectations for gender roles. Conclusions Digital data collection, such as the Animating Children’s Views cartoon video vignettes used in this study, allows researchers to better understand girls’ and boys’ own perspectives on their experiences and reproductive health.

Mauli ola, optimal health and wellbeing from a Hawaiian perspective, is achieved by being pono, or morally just and upright, and maintaining an intricate balance physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally through one's relations. Cultural practices, including practices that foster a connection to the water, land, ocean, and natural environment, may serve as protective and resilience factors, thereby promoting health and wellbeing. This paper starts by sharing the genealogical foundations of cultural practices in Hawai'i as the foundations of Native Hawaiian lifestyles and ways of knowing. The paper proceeds with data analyses that aim to better understand the role of cultural practices in relation to connectedness to 'Āina (the land, nature, and the environment, which nourish our bodies) and Native Hawaiian health based on cross-sectional correlations and qualitative data. The findings demonstrate the importance of cultural practices, specifically 'Āina practices, and identify 'Āina protection, restoration, and conservation as major health priorities. The correlations demonstrate statistically significant relationships between cultural practices; a physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional connection to 'Āina; and health outcomes. These findings continue to support literature and other declarations that support healthcare and medicine that are culturally grounded in Indigenous values and traditional systems of medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Too often, the background activities of social science studies remain opaque; however, by describing the Ungdata Junior survey from its initiation to the present day, we illuminate the need to include children in quantitative survey research so that their opinions may be factored into the policymaking calculus. Aim: This article aims to describe the motivation, development and application of the annual large-scale Ungdata Junior survey constructed for children in Norway. Method: Ungdata Junior is an age-adjusted survey that monitors the life activities, experiences and emotions of children in grades 5 to 7. This survey is annual and has been completed thus far by more than 57,000 children between 2017 and 2021. Conclusions: We demonstrate that large-scale child-focused surveys are feasible and reasonable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), such as the internet and mobile phones, facilitate the spread of knowledge and interactions across borders in previously unimagined ways, questions are being asked about whether the benefits of this digitization process are equally distributed between and within countries. Motivated by the way technology adoption and usage patterns may differ in the Arab Middle East, this paper examines how the Kuwaiti context shapes people's understanding of a survey instrument used for evaluating digital inequalities, as they relate to access, skills and engagement, and outcomes of ICT use. Specifically, it discusses the adaptation and validation of the survey measures of socio-digital inequalities through a process of cognitive interviewing and provides insight into the theoretical and empirical linkages between cultural conceptions of digital and traditional inequalities in ways that explore both their universal and contextual aspects, or denotative and connotative meanings. Evidence suggests that important cross-cultural complications relate to language issues, socio-economic conditions, citizenship, and differing perceptions of social desirability. These findings offer important considerations for improving the reliability and validity of future survey-scale adaptations in the broader MENA region, especially in countries containing significant multicultural populations. Simultaneously, they call into question the extent to which global conceptualizations of digital inequalities and their measures reflect complex local realities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: Once thought to be extirpated from the Chesapeake Bay, fall spawning runs of Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus have been rediscovered in the Marshyhope Creek (MC)–Nanticoke River (NR) system of Maryland, United States. High recapture rates in past telemetry surveys suggested a small population in the two connected tributaries. This study aims to generate estimates of abundance and understand within system connectivity for spawning runs in 2020 and 2021. Methods: Data from mobile side‐scan sonar surveys and detections of acoustically tagged adults on stationary telemetry receivers were analyzed in an integrated model to estimate spawning season abundance and examine run timing and system connectivity for this population. An array of acoustic receivers was deployed throughout the MC–NR system to monitor the movement of tagged fish during the spawning run period from mid‐August to late October. Side‐scan sonar surveys were conducted weekly in September in an area of high spawner aggregation to generate count data on spawning run abundance. Result: In 2020 and 2021, 32 (95% credible interval [CRI] = 23–47) and 70 (95% CRI = 49–105) Atlantic Sturgeon, respectively, used the MC–NR system. The lower estimate for 2020 coincided with an earlier end to the spawning run related to cooler September temperatures in that year. Conclusion: In both years, high spawning run connectivity between MC and the upper NR was observed. Overall, run estimates supported previous hypotheses that the MC–NR system supports a very small population and that both MC and the upper NR serve as important areas for spawning activity. Impact statementSturgeon recovery plans require estimates of population abundance. For a small Atlantic Sturgeon population (Chesapeake Bay), this study integrated side‐scan sonar counts with telemetry data to develop spawning run estimates that were quite low: 32 and 70. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing the value of experiential education in social/behavioral science research training, we designed and offered a simulation of a survey research project for doctoral students in education. Through three phases of the project, from instrument design through scale investigation and quantitative analyses, students are developed as researchers in a realistic and authentic way. In this paper, we highlight the advantages, challenges, and outcomes from applying simulation methods within graduate research methods courses, with a specific focus on survey methodology and quantitative skill development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Established butterfly survey methods that are useful for monitoring species that are widely distributed and numerous may be less accurate for more rare species. We therefore need new monitoring approaches.We describe a plot‐based survey method, where butterflies or larvae nests are counted within 1‐ha grid cells. The aim was to compare this grid method with more traditional transect counts and evaluate both methods in relation to high‐quality capture–mark–release (CMR) population estimates (reflecting the 'true' population). We do this using data from a large population of the marsh fritillary butterfly in Sweden. Moreover, we followed the overall population trend from 2017 to 2021 for both adult butterflies and larvae.Results showed a higher detection probability using the grid method compared with transect counts, which for adult butterflies seem to be explained by time effort. Moreover, grid surveys of adult butterflies showed a clear significant relationship with the estimated 'true' population size from CMR, while transect counts did not. For larvae, both methods showed significant relationships with the estimated adult population size, but the grid method found 5.7 times more larvae. The overall population fluctuated significantly across years. In years with low densities, the transect method largely failed to detect the species.The grid method seems more reliable for detecting the marsh fritillary and for estimating its population size, and thus, tracking the population trend. We propose this novel method to be integrated into surveys and monitoring of biodiversity, especially when focusing on rare habitat specialists that are normally underrepresented in monitoring based on volunteer counts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the presence and abundance of a species is crucial for understanding key ecological processes but also for effective protection and population management. Collecting data on cryptic species, like small mustelids, is particularly challenging and often requires the use of non-invasive methods. Despite recent progress in the development of camera trap-based devices and statistical models to estimate the abundance of unmarked individuals, their application for studying this group of mammals is still very limited. We compared direct (live-trapping) and indirect (an enclosed camera-trapping approach—the Mostela system) survey methods to estimate the population size of weasels (Mustela nivalis) inhabiting open grasslands in Northeast Poland over a period of four years. We also live-trapped voles to determine prey availability. We used a Royle–Nichols model to estimate yearly (relative) abundance from the camera-trapping data in a Bayesian framework. The total number of live-captured weasels showed a similar change over time as the relative abundance of weasels estimated using camera-trap data. Moreover, estimates of weasel abundance increased with the availability of their main prey. Our study is part of a growing body of work showing that camera traps can provide a useful non-invasive method to estimate the relative abundance of small mustelids. Moreover, a combination of data from camera traps with statistical models allowed us to track the changes in weasel number over time. This information could be very useful for the conservation of small mustelids as well as their management in regions where they are invasive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to characterize parent attitudes toward gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth, from a general parent sample in a diverse urban setting. We surveyed Chicago parents through the Voices of Child Health in Chicago Parent Panel Survey via web and phone in English and Spanish from May–July 2022. We used both probability-based and nonprobability-based sampling, with calibration weights for the nonprobability sample. Parents responded about their awareness of a debate about and support for autonomy in gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth and provided demographic information. We used descriptive analyses and logistic regression to examine predictors of awareness and support. Data were weighted to be representative of Chicago's parent population. Surveys were completed by 1,059 parents. The survey completion rate for the probability sample was 43.1% (a completion rate was not available for the nonprobability sample from online, opt-in surveys). Most parents were unaware of the debate about gender-affirming healthcare (56.0%). More than two-thirds of parents (68.9%) support decisions about gender-affirming healthcare being left to children, their parents, and their doctor. Parents who were aware of the debate were more likely to support gender-affirming healthcare (83.7%) than parents who were not aware (57.2%, p <.0001). Parents who were aware of the debate had higher odds of supporting gender-affirming care for youth (adjusted odds ratio = 3.00, 95% confidence interval: 1.93–4.66) in a multivariable logistic regression model. Broad parent support for gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth is an important perspective to consider in policy discussions at state and federal levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Health services collect patient experience data to monitor, evaluate and improve services and subsequently health outcomes. Obtaining authentic patient experience information to inform improvements relies on the quality of data collection processes and the responsiveness of these processes to the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse populations. This study explores the challenges and considerations in collecting authentic patient experience information through survey methods with Australians who primarily speak First Nations languages. Methods: First Nations language experts, interpreters, health staff and researchers with expertise in intercultural communication engaged in an iterative process of critical review of two survey tools using qualitative methods. These included a collaborative process of repeated translation and back translation of survey items and collaborative analysis of video-recorded trial administration of surveys with languages experts (who were also receiving dialysis treatment) and survey administrators. All research activities were audio- or video-recorded, and data from all sources were translated, transcribed and inductively analysed to identify key elements influencing acceptability and relevance of both survey process and items as well as translatability. Results: Serious challenges in achieving equivalence of meaning between English and translated versions of survey items were pervasive. Translatability of original survey items was extensively compromised by the use of metaphors specific to the cultural context within which surveys were developed, English words that are familiar but used with different meaning, English terms with no equivalent in First Nations languages and grammatical discordance between languages. Discordance between survey methods and First Nations cultural protocols and preferences for seeking and sharing information was also important: the lack of opportunity to share the 'full story', discomfort with direct questions and communication protocols that preclude negative or critical responses constrained the authenticity of the information obtained through survey methods. These limitations have serious implications for the quality of information collected and result in frustration and distress for those engaging with the survey. Conclusion: Profound implications for the acceptability of a survey tool as well as data quality arise from differences between First Nations cultural and communication contexts and the cultural context within which survey methods have evolved. When data collection processes are not linguistically and culturally congruent there is a risk that patient experience data are inaccurate, miss what is important to First Nations patients and have limited utility for informing relevant healthcare improvement. Engagement of First Nations cultural and language experts is essential in all stages of development, implementation and evaluation of culturally safe and effective approaches to support speakers of First Nations languages to share their experiences of health care and influence change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study compares the probability of detecting juvenile Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch using both environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques and underwater visual count (UVC) surveys in northern California rivers. Here, UVC surveys commonly have detection probabilities (p) surpassing 0.90, providing an ideal setting to examine the performance of newer eDNA methods. We also evaluate the potential for using eDNA concentrations to predict the count of Coho Salmon within pool habitats. Methods: We conducted paired eDNA and UVC surveys in 96 pools across 25 stream reaches within the Smith River basin, California. Method-specific p and the effect of environmental covariates were estimated using multiscale occupancy modeling. We used generalized linear models to evaluate the relationship of fish counts to eDNA concentrations and habitat covariates. Result: The eDNA and UVC methods showed a high degree of agreement in detecting the presence of Coho Salmon within a pool (93% agreement) and survey reach (80% agreement). Detection probabilities for eDNA (peDNA) and for UVC (pUVC) were similar and high at median levels of pool residual depth and contributing basin area (peDNA = 91%, pUVC = 89%). Contributing basin area (a proxy for discharge) had a strong, negative effect that was more pronounced for peDNA than for pUVC (e.g., in the largest basins, peDNA = 34% whereas pUVC = 77%). We did not find eDNA concentrations to be a good predictor of Coho Salmon counts in small pools. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that eDNA methods yielded nearly identical results to UVC surveys in catchments <36 km2 and can provide a highly effective approach for determining the distribution of Coho Salmon. However, additional investigation is required before eDNA could be used to estimate relative abundance in small pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Both electronic tags (e.g., acoustic and radio transmitters) and conventional external tags are used to evaluate movement and population dynamics of fish. External tags are also sometimes used to facilitate the recovery of internal electronic tags or other instrumentation because healing can make it difficult to identify fish with internal tags based on appearance alone. With both tag types, tag shedding and failure of electronic tags can affect accuracy and precision of study results. Methods: We used a decade (2011-2021) of recapture data for Walleye Sander vitreus tagged in the Laurentian Great Lakes, where fish were double-or triple-tagged with external tags (T-bar, loop, or internal anchor tags) and internal acoustic transmitters, to quantify external tag and internal transmitter shedding and transmitter failure rates. Result: In total, 1125 (33%) Walleye were recovered that had retained at least one external tag or internal transmitter. No confirmed cases of transmitter shedding were observed; 15 of 899 transmitters (2%) that were checked for functionality failed prior to the expected battery expiration. The retention of external T-bar tags 1 year after release differed depending on whether the tag was placed anterior or posterior to the secondary dorsal fin (anterior, fish length = 420 mm: 73% retention; anterior, fish length = 700 mm: 73%, posterior: 63%) but was <26% after 4 years for both tag positions and fish sizes. Internal anchor tags had an 88% 1-year retention probability and 81% 4-year retention probability. Loop tags had the highest 1-year retention (89%) but after 4 years retention (28-34% depending on agency) was comparable to that of T-bar tags. Conclusion: Better understanding of tag retention characteristics through long-term tagging studies such as this can inform study design, be considered in model design, and ultimately improve inferences from mark-recapture studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of memory studies has, in recent years, experienced a 'nonhuman turn' that extends the analytical focus beyond anthropocentric functions of collective remembering. However, while this growing literature has considerably enhanced our understanding of how memories of environmental change may promote a stronger sense of connectedness with nature, the different arguments – developed mainly through critical readings of cultural texts – have yet to be investigated empirically. By means of an original survey of 1,100+ adults in Aotearoa New Zealand, the paper here provides a first step towards addressing the empirical gap in the 'nonhuman turn' literature. Two main findings emerge from this analysis. First, knowing about historical environmental change and overestimating the extent of environmental change make it more likely that individuals see themselves as part of nature. Second, the survey demonstrates that the relationship between memories of environmental change and closeness to nature interacts with wider political conflicts over how to remember the colonial past. In particular, the question of who to blame for historical environmental change shapes the effect of ecological memories in different ways, depending on whether respondents identify as European New Zealanders or Indigenous Māori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Networked populations consist of inhomogeneous individuals connected via relational ties. The individuals typically vary in multivariate attributes. In some cases primary interest focuses on individual attributes and in others the understanding of the social structure of the ties. In many circumstances both are of interest, as is their relationship. In this paper we consider this last, most general, case. We model the joint distribution of social ties and individual attributes when the population is only partially observed. Of central interest is when the population is surveyed using a network sampling design. A second situation is when data about a subset of the ties and/or the individual attributes is unintentionally missing. Exponential-family random network models (ERNM)s are capable of specifying a joint statistical representation of both the ties of a network and individual attributes. This class of models allow the nodal attributes to be modeled as stochastic processes, expanding the range and realism of exponential-family approaches to network modeling. In this paper we develop a theory of inference for ERNMs when only part of the network is observed, as well as specific methodology for partially observed networks, including non-ignorable mechanisms for network-based sampling designs. In particular, we consider data collected via contact tracing, of considerable importance to infectious disease epidemiology and public health.

Abstract: The Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) surveys collect standardized information about patient experiences of care from nationally representative samples of people with Medicare to support consumers’ enrollment choices and enable the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to monitor care quality and incentivize high quality patient-centered care. Since 2007, protocols for data collection, analysis, and reporting have evolved to address expanded Medicare coverage options and a shift from a single survey vendor to a model in which health plans hire approved vendors to administer the survey. During that time, response rates for all types of surveys have declined; increasing effort has gone toward increasing survey participation, especially among people whose preferred language is not English. In this paper, we describe the history, goals, and current use of the Medicare CAHPS surveys. We also summarize key methodological issues, such as sample design, field implementation and data cleaning, adjustment, scoring, and report production. Additionally, we discuss issues that may arise more generally in managing a large, annual national survey that has direct impact on policy, and consider how a long-running survey of this nature may need to evolve to reflect changes in health care delivery and promote standardization in survey administration while maintaining survey content.

Rapid changes in the sphere of science, technology or biology are determined by results of research - development and innovation activities. A quick adaptation through a change of vision and orientation of the organizational culture, we believe that it is necessary to implement at the managerial level some changes by applying the soft practices resulting from a hard approach (change of the managerial board and its introduction of one or more women). In this way, a positive influence can be generated on the ability to adapt the organizational culture to market requirements. The study carried out on a series of financial-banking institutions from Iași county sought to determine the particularities of the applied organizational culture, study them in the context of the national culture, delimit the elements that implemented or developed within the organizations bring a contribution to the specific activities of the culture change process organization of an entity.

Abstract Background Chronic exposure of the macula to blue light from electronic devices has been identified as a potential macular health concern. The impacts remain poorly investigated as no validated methods to capture usual device use behaviours exist. Purpose The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Electronic Device Use Questionnaire (EDUQ) against multiple 24-h electronic device use diaries in healthy Australian and United Kingdom adults. Methods The EDUQ and diaries were developed to capture device use across categories (television, computer and handheld devices). Over eight weeks 56 Australian and 24 United Kingdom participants completed three questionnaires and eight diaries via online platforms. Tool validity was determined through Bland–Altman plot analysis of mean daily hours of device use between the tools. Results The EDUQ demonstrated poor validity in both cohorts with poor agreement when compared with the diaries. When the device categories were combined, a mean difference between the tools of 1.54 h/day, and 95% limits of agreement between -2.72 h/day and 5.80 h/day was observed in the Australian cohort. Across both cohorts and all device categories the mean differences indicated individuals were more likely to report higher device use through the questionnaire rather than diaries. Conclusions The EDUQ is a novel tool and demonstrated the difficulty for participants of accurately recalling usual behaviour of device use. Poor agreement in reported device use occurred across all device categories. The poor agreement may be related to factors such as memory recall bias, and the number of diaries captured not being reflective of usual use. Future studies should look to address these factors to improve validity of device use capture.

Effective nutrition policies require timely, accurate individual dietary consumption data; collection of such information has been hampered by cost and complexity of dietary surveys and lag in producing results. The objective of this work was to assess accuracy and cost-effectiveness of a streamlined, tablet-based dietary data collection platform for 24-hour individual dietary recalls (24HR) administered using INDDEX24 platform v. a pen-and-paper interview(PAPI) questionnaire, with weighed food record (WFR) as a benchmark. This cross-sectional comparative study included women 18-49 years old from rural Burkina Faso (n 116 INDDEX24; n 115 PAPI). A WFR was conducted; the following day, a 24HR was administered by different interviewers. Food consumption data were converted into nutrient intakes. Validity of 24HR estimates of nutrient and food group consumption was based on comparison with WFR using equivalence tests (group level) and percentages of participants within ranges of percentage error (individual level). Both modalities performed comparably estimating consumption of macro- and micronutrients, food groups and quantities (modalities' divergence from WFR not significantly different). Accuracy of both modalities was acceptable (equivalence to WFR significant at P < 0·05) at group level for macronutrients, less so for micronutrients and individual-level consumption (percentage within ±20 % for WFR, 17-45 % for macronutrients, 5-17 % for micronutrients). INDDEX24 was more cost-effective than PAPI based on superior accuracy of a composite nutrient intake measure (but not gram amount or item count) due to lower time and personnel costs. INDDEX24 for 24HR dietary surveys linked to dietary reference data shows comparable accuracy to PAPI at lower cost.

We use the case of welfare recipients to validate conjoint experiments as a measure of stereotype content. Stereotypes are politically consequential, but their content can be difficult to measure. The conjoint measure of stereotype content, in which respondents see profiles describing hypothetical persons and rate these persons' degree of belonging to the target group, offers several advantages over existing measures. However, no existing work evaluates the validity of this new measure. We evaluate this measurement technique using the case of welfare recipients. Stereotypes of welfare recipients are politically important and extensively studied, providing strong a priori expectations for portions of the stereotype, especially race, gender, and "deservingness." At the same time, scholars disagree about the importance of another attribute with important political implications: immigration status. We find that aggregate stereotypes, measured via a conjoint experiment, match the strong a priori expectations: white Americans see welfare recipients as black, female, and violating the norms of work ethic. Individual-level stereotypes also predict welfare policy support—even when other demographic and ideological factors are accounted for. We also find that immigration status is not a part of the welfare recipient stereotype for most Americans, but support for welfare is lower among those who do stereotype welfare recipients as undocumented immigrants. Finally, we suggest an improvement in the conjoint task instructions. Overall, we confirm that conjoint experiments provide a valid measure of stereotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is difficult to achieve high response rates to Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) surveys collected as part of clinical care. However, they are operationally and clinically important. To understand the impact of text message reminders on response rates to PROMs collected via email as part of routine care for hip or knee replacement surgery, initial nonresponders were randomized to receive a text reminder or not at 7 and 12 days, if needed. At day 7, the overall survey response rate was 63%. Model-derived estimates for survey return after this point were 51.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 48.0%-54.2%) in the text arm compared to 34.5% (95% CI, 31.6%-37.6%) in the no text arm. The effect of text messages on response rates did not vary by subpopulations considered nor were there differences in rates of key outcomes between the 2 groups, suggesting that it did not impact any underlying response bias. Given the relative low cost of text messages, they can be an efficient means to increase response rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual health research rarely includes older age groups and the sexual health needs of older Australians are not well understood. Older adults are online in increasing numbers; however, internet surveys involving samples of older adults and sensitive topics remain uncommon. In 2021, we developed an online survey to explore the sexual health needs of Australians aged 60+ years. We describe here survey recruitment and sample obtained, comparing it with national population data (Australian Bureau of Statistics) and the sample of the similar 'Sex, Age and Me' study from 2015. Methods: We recruited 1470 people with a staggered three-phase strategy: (1) emails to organisations and community groups; (2) paid Facebook advertising; and (3) passive recruitment. Half (50.6%) found out about the study via an organisation or group and just over a third (35.7%) from Facebook. Results: The sample was equally balanced between men (49.9%) and women (49.7%) (0.4% other gender identities). Participants were aged 60–92 years (median 69 years) with all Australian States/Territories represented. Facebook recruits were younger, more likely to be working rather than retired, and more likely to live outside a major city, than those recruited by other means. Conclusions: Using the recruitment methods described, we successfully obtained a diverse and fairly representative sample of older Australians within the constraints of a convenience sample and on a modest budget. This research sheds light on ways to engage an under-served demographic in sexual health research. Our experience shows that many older adults are amenable to recruitment for online sexual health surveys using the approaches outlined. Older adults' sexual health is not well understood and older Australians may have unmet sexual health needs. To better address the sexual wellbeing of older adults, we need to be able to effectively recruit them for sensitive health research. This paper outlines the recruitment and sample of the SHAPE2 sexual health study of Australians aged 60 years and over. It demonstrates that sexual health matters to many older adults and that they are willing to engage in online sexual health surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The geoduck show‐factor is the probability an individual geoduck is detectable to a diver during a stock assessment survey. It is one of the values used to estimate the abundance of geoducks. This paper presents estimates of show‐factor according to data collected during 21 approximately monthly surveys over a 32‐month period. The new estimates are compared against other long‐term studies of show‐factor and against estimates made from shorter term (approximately daily surveys over a period of approximately 1 week) studies. Methods: Data were collected from three plots near Marina Island, British Columbia, and three novel methods were used for the analysis. Two of the methods estimate show‐factors at the time of data collection, while the third method treats show‐factor as a function of the time of year. All three methods generate probabilistic results. Result: Each method of show‐factor analysis indicated a strong seasonal effect. Show‐factors were highest from March to June and lowest from October to December. The difference between the high and low show‐factors was at least a factor of two. The three methods generated estimates of show‐factor that are generally lower than the values previously used as part of stock assessment on the coast of British Columbia. Conclusion: If this difference between long‐ and short‐term show‐factor can be generalized to the many commercial beds on the coast of British Columbia, the abundance of geoducks has been underestimated and the fishery is even more cautious than currently believed. As of yet, long‐term data have not been collected on a coastwide basis and conclusions cannot be more definitive. Impact statementBased upon data collected from a single location, over 32 months, under a new protocol, there are likely more undetected geoducks than previously expected. The geoduck fishery is likely even more sustainable than previously believed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Fish population surveys in north‐temperate lakes are often conducted in the fall or spring when individuals are easy to capture with traditional fisheries techniques. Because some fishes are preparing to spawn or are spawning during these seasons, there is a critical need to better understand the potential influences of these surveys on decisions that are related to fish reproduction. Methods: We tested whether spring mark–recapture surveys using fyke nets followed by electrofishing affect the reproductive behaviors of male Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu in a northern Wisconsin lake. Fyke netting, electrofishing, and whole‐lake nest snorkeling surveys were conducted during 2001–2008, and Floy‐tagged males were tracked across years to test whether capture in the fyke nets only or capture in the electrofishing survey influenced interyear nest site fidelity and reproductive timing. Result: The mark–recapture surveys were conducted preceding the spawning of Smallmouth Bass, and returning males that were caught in the electrofishing survey nested ~50 m farther from their prior year's nest than both males that were captured only in fyke nets and males that were captured by neither method. Average interyear nest distances were ~200 m, and median interyear nest distances were ~90 m for males that were not captured in the electrofishing survey. Electrofishing and fyke netting did not influence the timing of reproduction. Conclusion: Spring electrofishing surveys for Smallmouth Bass have the potential to displace breeding males from preferred nesting habitats. If displacement negatively influences fitness (i.e., age‐0 survivorship to maturation), spring electrofishing surveys would not be recommended for assessing Smallmouth Bass populations. However, spring population surveys often occur soon after ice off, and surveys that are conducted at these colder temperatures are typically less stressful and less likely to result in mortality. Future research should test for fitness implications of reduced nest site fidelity following electrofishing in Smallmouth Bass while considering potential fitness trade‐offs if surveys are moved later in the year. Impact statementFish populations are often surveyed in the spring because many species move to the shoreline to spawn at this time. Being near the shoreline makes fish easier to catch, but we do not understand well how electrofishing surveys impact reproduction. This study helps address this gap to allow better management of Smallmouth Bass populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus (hereafter, "blue crab") is an ecologically and economically important species that supports one of the highest valued commercial fisheries in coastal South Carolina, USA. Researchers at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources conduct multiple surveys to monitor the status of the blue crab by using a variety of gear configurations. Demographic characterizations can often be influenced by sampling gear‐related biases. Methods: We compared blue crab sex ratios between passive, pot‐based sampling and active, trawl‐based sampling in the fall across three estuaries and for year‐round sampling in a single estuary (Ashley River, South Carolina). Result: During the fall, there was a difference of 20.1% between the percentage of males collected in pot‐based sampling (73.5%) and the percentage of males in trawl‐based sampling (53.4%). Furthermore, an overall male bias of 23.0% was observed for year‐round sampling in the Ashley River; however, this bias was only significant in certain months. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that although particular sampling gears may have specific advantages, such as greater suitability to effectively sample certain habitats, the resulting characterizations of blue crab population demographics can differ among gear types. Recognizing gear‐related biases is important for ensuring that field surveys are representative of population demographics, particularly when sex‐specific modeling approaches are used as part of stock assessments to determine population status. Impact statementIn this study, we found that fisheries‐independent, pot‐based sampling produced blue crab catches that in many cases were significantly biased toward males when compared to catches from trawl‐based sampling. This finding has implications for sex‐specific stock assessments of blue crabs using fisheries‐independent data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Much of the fish biodiversity in the southeastern USA is found in lotic systems, but assessment of fish community structure in large nonwadeable rivers has lagged compared to streams. Sampling designs that adequately estimate species richness are a prerequisite to creating bioassessment metrics but thus far has not been attempted in highly biodiverse rivers in the southeastern USA east of the Mississippi River. Methods: Fish communities in four nonwadeable rivers across Alabama spanning catchments of 2046–57,415 km2 were sampled using electrofishing in summer and fall of 2015 and 2016. All rivers were sampled during day; two rivers were also sampled at night to assess diel changes in species accumulation. Result: In total, 55,239 fishes were collected across rivers, representing 106 species in 24 families. Species collected continued to increase as sampling increased in all river‐season combinations, rarely displaying an asymptote. Species generally accrued more quickly and accumulation curves showed more tendency to asymptote in fall than summer in all but the largest river. Species accumulated faster at night than during the day in both rivers during summer but was similar between diel periods in fall. On average, 95% of the species observed were collected in eight subreaches in fall but not until nine during summer; however, observed number of species was generally one to six species lower than mean estimates of true species richness. Sampling efforts collected approximately similar species assemblages across transects, years, season, and diel periods. Extrapolation of species accumulation curves suggested that 6–17 km of sampling distance would be required to collect all species present. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate that assessing fish communities in species nonwadeable rivers requires an inordinate amount of sampling effort, which may be unattainable for many agencies. Further study is warranted to develop innovative solutions to overcome these logistical challenges. Impact statementAgencies often use standard monitoring techniques to estimate species richness, diversity, and biotic condition of aquatic communities in wadeable streams, but this has rarely been attempted in nonwadeable rivers. Here we assess the ability of boat electrofishing techniques to estimate species richness in four Alabama rivers characterized by high species diversity. Biologists can use these results to better plan for future monitoring efforts in these larger, diverse systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale adoption of telemobility, such as teleworking and online shopping, has affected travel patterns significantly. The impacts of teleworking and online shopping on travel have been studied separately and with trip-level analyses, thereby ignoring tour complexity, trip chaining, and activity scheduling. We aim to address this gap by investigating the interactions between online shopping, teleworking, and travel at a tour level, considering trip chaining and the importance of the activities involved. We classify tours into mandatory (e.g., travel for work, school), maintenance (e.g., travel for grocery shopping, appointments, errands), and discretionary (e.g., travel for non-grocery shopping, leisure, religious activities) tours according to the primary activity purpose. We then estimate a structural equation model using a one-week activity-travel diary from the 2019 Puget Sound Regional Travel Study. The results indicate that teleworking reduced mandatory and maintenance tours while increasing online shopping. Mandatory tours were negatively associated with both maintenance tours and online shopping, whereas the number of maintenance tours was positively associated with the number of discretionary tours. We did not find a statistically significant relationship between online shopping, maintenance tours, and discretionary tours. Overall, this study offers new insights into the effect of teleworking and online shopping on travel, with potential implications for travel demand modeling and management, as well as for the design of travel surveys that take such virtual activities into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic exposure of the macula to blue light from electronic devices has been identified as a potential macular health concern. The impacts remain poorly investigated as no validated methods to capture usual device use behaviours exist. Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Electronic Device Use Questionnaire (EDUQ) against multiple 24-h electronic device use diaries in healthy Australian and United Kingdom adults. Methods: The EDUQ and diaries were developed to capture device use across categories (television, computer and handheld devices). Over eight weeks 56 Australian and 24 United Kingdom participants completed three questionnaires and eight diaries via online platforms. Tool validity was determined through Bland–Altman plot analysis of mean daily hours of device use between the tools. Results: The EDUQ demonstrated poor validity in both cohorts with poor agreement when compared with the diaries. When the device categories were combined, a mean difference between the tools of 1.54 h/day, and 95% limits of agreement between -2.72 h/day and 5.80 h/day was observed in the Australian cohort. Across both cohorts and all device categories the mean differences indicated individuals were more likely to report higher device use through the questionnaire rather than diaries. Conclusions: The EDUQ is a novel tool and demonstrated the difficulty for participants of accurately recalling usual behaviour of device use. Poor agreement in reported device use occurred across all device categories. The poor agreement may be related to factors such as memory recall bias, and the number of diaries captured not being reflective of usual use. Future studies should look to address these factors to improve validity of device use capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research extensively studied reasons for and ways to avoid low response rates, but it largely ignored the primary research issue of the degree to which response rates matter, which we address. Methodological survey research on response rates has been concerned with how to increase responsiveness and with the effects of response rates on variables' means and frequencies. More important to theory-oriented research, however, are effects of response rates on effect sizes (strength of relationships between variables). We examined recent survey research (446 correlations in 252 studies 2000–2020) on commonly studied variables in the example domain of organizational behavior, where surveys are especially common. We found a nonsignificant relationship (r =.01) between response rates and effect sizes. The relationship between sample sizes (the numerator in response rates) and effect sizes was weak but significant (r =.13, p =.01). Furthermore, there was no evidence for variability across studies and no curvilinear effects. Response rates on surveys have no noticeable effect on correlations nor therefore on theory development and testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article advances understanding of the relationship between (a) people's awareness of and (b) their attitudes toward the ways in which data about them is collected, analyzed, shared, and used. It draws on an online survey of 2000 adults in the UK, which found that people with greater awareness of data uses hold more negative attitudes toward them. This finding is important because it challenges the deficit model which underlies initiatives that seek to improve the public's attitudes toward and trust in institutional data uses through improved transparency or better data literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purple martin (Progne subis) has declined substantially in numbers and geographic range since the 1980s. Surveys and monitoring are needed to better understand the status of the species, in order to set conservation priorities and direct actions. Purple martins in California often breed in habitats that differ from those in other areas of the species' range. The species' sparse distribution, colonial nature, and frequent use of inaccessible nests sites require specialized methodologies to determine suitable nesting habitat, occupancy, numbers, and reproductive success. I present a range of methods available to monitor nesting purple martins in the variety of nesting substrates in which they nest in California. These methods should improve efficiency and accuracy of surveys and provide comparable results that can be used to evaluate regional or statewide trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Value chain management actively studies sources and types of interfirm power because increasing power symmetry between partners fosters innovativeness and adaptability to a market context. This study focuses on global value chains (GVCs) as a special type of value chains that experiences substantial influence of collective power. In the analysis I attempt to demonstrate higher power symmetry between partners inside a GVC than in other value chains. This hypothesis is based on a combination of resource dependence, mutual dependence, and social exchange/social embeddedness approaches with the analysis of structure in a GVC. The paper uses data from four waves of a survey conducted in Russia between 2010–2019 that include more than 2.700 managers of both buyers and suppliers. (OLS) and logit regression models were built for the analysis. The results demonstrate that partners inside GVCs share trade margins more symmetrically, have more equal negotiation power, and are more intensively involved in social exchanges through informal support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveys for the tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor), a California-listed threatened species, are needed to provide essential information about its status and distribution to support conservation efforts. Surveying for the species, however, poses challenges because of its colonial nesting habits, large flock sizes, and frequent interannual movements among colony sites. We present standardized approaches for tricolored blackbird surveys to accommodate a variety of goals, including determining potential for occurrence, detecting colonies, estimating population numbers, and assessing nesting success. Pre-survey research should assess overlap with the species’ geographic range and include database searches for recent and historical occurrences. Site surveys should assess availability of sufficient suitable foraging habitat (grasslands, irrigated pasture, shallow wetlands, agricultural fields) within 5 km of potential nesting habitat and nearby drinking water. Confirming presence or absence of nesting at a historical colony site, or at an area within the range of the tricolored blackbird that provides suitable nesting and foraging habitat, requires at least three surveys conducted about three weeks apart during the breeding season, generally April, May, and June in most of the species’ range. Colonies can be located by searching for foraging flocks and following them to colonies and by checking for nesting activity at suitable nesting substrates, especially those used in the past. Surveyors can estimate numbers from counts of foraging flocks departing and arriving at colonies, average density and area occupied by the nesting colony, and post-nesting density transects. Colony nesting success (i.e., whether a colony successfully fledged some young), is easily determined and is often the only feasible metric to attain on reproduction. Determining reproductive success (the average number of young fledged per occupied nest) may be feasible under ideal and intensive surveys but is impractical at many colonies due to accessibility limitations.

Recognizing the value of experiential education in social/behavioral science research training, we designed and offered a simulation of a survey research project for doctoral students in education. Through three phases of the project, from instrument design through scale investigation and quantitative analyses, students are developed as researchers in a realistic and authentic way. In this paper, we highlight the advantages, challenges, and outcomes from applying simulation methods within graduate research methods courses, with a specific focus on survey methodology and quantitative skill development.

The purposes of this article are the following: to identify online cinemas that are most common among the audience studying or working at the RUDN University and to compare the results of the conducted work with the results of identical materials. The main tasks are to be named: studying the main proposals among streaming services and online cinemas in Russia; studying the findings of researches on the same topic; compiling a survey to collect primary research information; conducting surveys; summarising the achievements and formulating conclusions. During the study, students of different years aged 18 to 24 were interviewed. They formed a particular list and sequence of popular online cinemas, somewhat different from the research of the GfK agency. According to the survey results, the most attractive streaming services are Kinopoisk HD, Netflix and Ivi (formerly – ivi). In this case, their clear sequence reflects the popularity of use of platforms among students.

Purpose: Specialty care coordination relies on information flowing bidirectionally between all three participants in the “specialty care triad” — patients, primary care providers (PCPs), and specialists. Measures of coordination should strive to account for the perspectives of each. As we previously developed two surveys to measure coordination of specialty care as experienced by PCPs and specialists, this study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a related survey of specialty care coordination as experienced by the patient, thereby completing the suite of surveys among the triad. Methods: We developed a draft survey based on literature review, patient interviews, adaptation of existing measures, and development of new items. Survey responses were collected via mail and online in two waves, August 2019–November 2019 and September 2020–May 2021, among patients (N = 939) receiving medical specialty care and primary care in the Veterans Affairs health system. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess scale structure. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship of the final coordination scales to patients’ overall experience of specialty care coordination. Results: A 38-item measure representing 10 factors that assess the patient’s experience of coordination in specialty care among the patient, PCP, and specialist was finalized. Scales demonstrated good internal consistency reliability and, together, explained 59% of the variance in overall coordination. Analyses revealed an unexpected construct describing organization of care between patient and specialist that accounted for patient goals and preferences; this 10-item scale was named Patient-Centered Care Coordination. Conclusions: The final survey, Coordination of Specialty Care – Patient, or CSC-Patient for short, is a reliable instrument that can be used alone or with its companions (CSC-PCP, CSC-Specialist) to provide a detailed assessment of specialty care coordination and identify targets for coordination improvement.

BACKGROUND: Technology acceptability and usage surveys (TAUS) are brief questionnaires that measure technology comfort, typical daily use, and access in a population. However, current measures are not adapted to low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this pilot study was to develop a TAUS that could be used to inform the implementation of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention in Nigeria. METHODS: A literature review of validated technology comfort and usage scales was conducted to identify candidate items. The draft measure was reviewed for face validity by an expert panel comprised of clinicians and researchers with cultural, methodological, and clinical expertise. The measure was piloted by radiologists at an oncology symposium in Nigeria. RESULTS: After expert review, the final measure included 18 items organized into 3 domains: (1) comfort with using mobile applications, (2) reliability of internet or electricity, and (3) attitudes toward using computers or mobile applications in clinical practice. The pilot sample (n=16) reported high levels of comfort and acceptability toward using mHealth applications in the clinical setting but faced numerous infrastructure challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Pilot results indicate that the TAUS may be a feasible and appropriate measure for assessing technology usage and acceptability in LMIC clinical contexts. Dedicating a domain to technology infrastructure and access yielded valuable insights for program implementation.

An early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can improve outcomes for children and assist families in accessing services. Part C providers are often tasked with screening for ASD. The purpose of this study was to survey Part C providers nationwide to understand their ASD screening practices and training needs and extend a survey conducted by Tomlin and colleagues. A total of 327 providers participated. Results indicated a majority of respondents (75.8%) screen for ASD using a variety of different measures, while only 26.9% are required by their program to conduct universal screenings. Most participants reported feeling confident in screening for ASD, discussing a child's red flags with a family, referring a child for further evaluation, and discussing recent evidence surrounding ASD. An area where providers were less confident was working with interpreters to screen for ASD or discuss screening results and ASD with families with cultural or linguistic diversity. Despite high confidence levels in screening for ASD, a vast majority of participants reported they would be interested in attending a training on screening for ASD. Professional development surrounding screening for ASD and discussing ASD with families from diverse backgrounds may assist in improving Part C provider screening practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criminology has been hampered by a lack of longitudinal data to examine the consequences of victimisation. However, recently, 'Understanding Society', the United Kingdom Household Panel Survey (UKHLS), began fielding a small battery of questions relating to violence experience. Here, we examined the strengths and weaknesses of these UKHLS measures with similar indices from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), a widely used and regarded but cross-sectional survey. We empirically assessed the extent to which the UKHLS variables are comparable with those in the CSEW to determine the viability of the UKHLS for the longitudinal study of (fear of) violence and its consequences. Overall, we regarded the UKHLS to provide an important resource for future panel research on the consequences of victimisation. We found the indicators measuring physical assault to be similar in both sets of data, but also noted differences in prevalence and/or different distributions by socioeconomic group for the indices relating to being threatened and of feeling unsafe. Nonetheless, we maintain their utility for researchers in this field, allowing researchers to uncover new inequalities in violence exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surveys are a prominent tool in gerontological research but are hindered by low response rates. This study examined methods to improve response rate among social workers, an understudied cohort in survey methodology literature. Methods: In this brief report, we analyzed factors that influence response rate using mixed-mode survey design (mail vs. online response) and randomized monetary ($10 gift card) and in-kind (continuing education coupon) noncontingent incentives with three reminder postcards among social workers (N = 307). Results: Response rate was 34.1% with more surveys returned via mail than online. Participants who received a gift card responded at a higher rate (46.33%) than those who received continuing education coupons (28.0%). The results add to the literature of survey methodology to improve response rates among social workers and support noncontingent gift cards and mixed-mode survey return procedures as best practices for reducing bias and improving the quality of gerontological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta; fire ants) are an invasive species that prey on arthropods in the southern United States. Researchers examined using fire ants to control agricultural Lepidoptera pests, but minimal research has investigated the effects of fire ants on the broader butterfly community. Three ranches in Texas, USA, with known fire ant occurrence underwent treatment to remove fire ants, creating a treated section and an untreated section for each ranch. We sampled sites using colored pan traps 3 times per sampling period during 2018 and 2019. Over 2 years, we collected 1,262 butterflies across 28 species in pan traps. Average butterfly abundance was higher in treated sites than untreated sites. The majority of species collected were in the family Hesperiidae, followed by the Pieridae family. We found Hesperiidae species more often in blue pan traps and Pieridae species more often in yellow pan traps. Butterfly species that overwinter as immature stages were more abundant in treated sites than in untreated sites, which suggests there could be a connection between fire ant presence and mortality of overwintering immature stages. Our results suggest that fire ants may negatively affect butterfly communities and differentially affect certain species. Additional research is needed to understand the effects of fire ants on butterflies and the overall pollinator community, and the effectiveness of pan traps for surveying Lepidoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating the prevalence of a disease, such as COVID-19, is necessary for evaluating and mitigating risks of its transmission. Estimates that consider how prevalence changes with time provide more information about these risks but are difficult to obtain due to the necessary survey intensity and commensurate testing costs. Motivated by a dataset on COVID-19, from the University of Notre Dame, we propose pooling and jointly testing multiple samples to reduce testing costs. A nonparametric, hierarchical Bayesian model is used to infer population prevalence from the pooled test results without needing to retest individuals from pools that test positive. This approach is shown to reduce uncertainty compared to individual testing at the same budget and to produce similar estimates compared to individual testing at a much higher budget through simulation studies and an analysis of COVID-19 infections at Notre Dame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In factorial survey designs, respondents evaluate multiple short descriptions of social objects (vignettes) that experimentally vary different levels of attributes of interest. Analytical methods (including individual-level regression analysis and multilevel models) estimate the weights (or utilities) assigned to the levels of the different attributes by participants to arrive at an overall response to the vignettes. In the current paper, we explain how data from factorial surveys can be analyzed in a structural equation modeling framework using an approach called structural equation modeling for within-subject experiments. We review the use of factorial surveys in social science research, discuss typically used methods to analyze factorial survey data, introduce the structural equation modeling for within-subject experiments approach, and present an empirical illustration of the proposed method. We conclude by describing several extensions, providing some practical recommendations, and discussing potential limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responsive survey design is a technique aimed at improving the efficiency or quality of surveys by using incoming data from the field to make design changes. The technique was pioneered on large national surveys, but the tools can also be applied on the smaller-scale surveys most commonly used by sociologists. We demonstrate responsive survey design in a small-scale, list-based sample survey of students on the topic of sexual misconduct. We investigate the impact of individual incentive levels and a two-phase responsive design with changes to mode of contact as approaches for limiting the potential of nonresponse bias in data from such surveys. Our analyses demonstrate that a two-phase design introducing telephone and face-to-face reminders to complete the survey can produce stronger change in response rates and characteristics of those who respond than higher incentive levels. These findings offer tools for sociologists designing smaller-scale surveys of special populations or sensitive topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]